Ocean World – Pelagia by Steve Holloway #steveholloway @GoddessFish

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The cover for Pelagia by Steve Holloway intrigued me sooooo much, I had to read the book…and it was worth all the hours it took for me to read it.

Pelagia – Between the Stars and the Abyss by Steve Holloway

GENRE: Science Fiction

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The cover for Pelagia by Steve Holloway is soooo awesome, that I HAD TO HAVE a copy and diving into Steve’s world of oceanic wonder was a delight, when we weren’t dodging bullets and being rescued.

He’d been kidnapped and awakes, trapped in the bow of a yacht, being thrown around during a storm. When the warmth of the water closes over him, he feels at home. What a great start to fantastic adventure that crosses the globe.

Pelagics have a saying, ‘we make our lives at the edge of creation, we walk in wonder’.

The Pelagic Territory is a water community in international waters. Because there are no laws governing them, it creates tremendous problems and dangers for the residents.

Ben’s losses overwhelm him and he struggles to find solid ground to stand on. In his darkest moment, Paul Whitestone found him. The friends he accumulates as he puts his life back together are steadfast, loyal, everlasting. His faith will be tested. Though religion is mentioned a lot, it is pertinent to the story. No preaching, just characters questioning….

Though Ben is the star of the show, Paul Whitestone has his back in dangerous situations, knowing when he is in need. Sophia is autistic and one of the standout characters. I love the relationship she develops with Ben and her ‘Rainman’ life.

The Caliphate wants Ben. The need him, to accomplish their evil goals they have set to disrupt the lives of their enemies. It always amazes me how religion can be twisted to suit some people’s needs. How something developed for good can be used for bad. How far some people will go to get what they want.

I found the life of the seasteaders fascinating. I got lost in their beautifully created undersea world. Steve Holloway’s descriptions made Pelagia come to life, and Nemo’s bedtime stories were mesmerizing. His words created images that rolled through my mind like a YouTube video. It makes me wonder how far we have advanced in real life.

“The exploration of science is systemic wonder.”

Pelagia by Steve Holloway is 416 pages filled with wonderful words of wisdom, filled with warnings and wonders of what the future could hold.

I would like to finish this hard to write review with these words of wisdom:

‘All that is necessary for Evil to triumph is for good men – good people, people like you and me – to do nothing.’ Edmund Burke

Where do YOU draw the line? When do YOU make a stand?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Pelagia by Steve Holloway.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

BLURB

Former special forces agent turned particle physicist Ben Holden is on the run.

The New Caliphate will stop at nothing to get their hands on his wife’s scientific research, which is believed to hold the key to unleashing chaos in the West and advancing their cause.

But in reality it’s Ben’s biometrics that have the potential to unlock the information they so desperately need. Within the oceanic world of Pelagia, in the year 2066, Ben finds sanctuary among the sea settlers of the South Pacific Pelagic Territory, but his respite is short-lived.

ABOUT STEVE HOLLOWAY

Steve Holloway grew up on the beach cities of Los Angeles and has always loved the sea. This passion led him to gain a degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of California Santa Barbara; a background which opened many opportunities for him in researching, developing, and engaging with mariculture activities around the world.

Steve and his wife have lived and travelled in many countries over their forty years of marriage, successfully raising three kids in exotic locations in the process. They have always engaged with the people and cultures they live among.

Currently Steve lives in England and consults for a Christian charity in areas of research, leadership development, adapting to new cultures, social enterprises, and mariculture projects. Currently he is consulting for a Indo-Pacific mariculture project – a social enterprise – growing sea cucumbers, a delicacy for the Chinese market.

Steve has always loved books and writing. The story of Pelagia reflects three of his passions: science, the sea and the narratives of faith. The background, in his words:

“I have for many years believed that settling the open sea was within our grasp, and even more accessible than space as our ‘next frontier’. So through the last ten years or so I have been thinking just how this might happen, what would be needed, where people would settle, what kind of livelihoods they might have on the open sea, beyond the EEZs of terrestrial countries. My son Adam told me about what would become a key component of Pelagia, Biorock or seacrete, because of his experiments with it. Many discussions with other scientists, engineers and others helped to begin to fill in the gaps and the concept of the Pelagic Territories, similar to the unincorporated territories of the early US, and what geopolitical contexts they would find themselves in.”

Steve finds any excuse to get into the ocean: sailing, diving, swimming, or just poking around tide pools.

Website / Facebook

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Giveaway – Bentley’s Best Birthday Ever! by Claire Eckard @iReadBookTours

 



Join us for this tour from January 31 to February 18, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Bentley’s Best Birthday Ever! by Claire Eckard
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Mill City Press, Inc
Release date:   September 28, 2021
Content Rating:  G for everyone.
 

MY REVIEW

I love dogs, so to read Bentley’s Best Birthday Ever! by Claire Eckard, a children’s interactive illustrated book, was fun and I smiled throughout. Bentley thinks everyone forgot his birthday, so he grabs his magic stick and walks through the park. He finds Bella, a new dog in town, that is lost.

For me, the great thing about reading children’s books is the simple wonder of life, the appreciation of everyday things that we, as adults, are sometimes too busy to see.

I can see a youngster reaching out to touch the wonderfully illustrated pages and pet all the different dogs. At the end are some questions to prod your youngster, words to find, things to count, playing your own birthday games with Bentley.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Bentley’s Best Birthday Ever! by Claire Eckard.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars
Book Description:

Bentley’s Best Birthday Ever!

Bentley is back, and it’s his birthday! Bentley is excited to share his special day with his new friends, but they are nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Bentley meets Bella, a lost dog whose family has recently moved to Bentley’s neighborhood. Tia, Bentley’s Fairy Dogmother, and the Dog Pack have a BIG secret! They are planning a surprise birthday party for Bentley, and when Tia is around there is always some magic. Wait till you see Bentley’s reaction to his surprise party, and especially to the special guest that Tia brings!

This book once again highlights Bentley’s kind nature, and also shows that moving to a new neighborhood can be fun! Beautifully illustrated by Anne York, Bentley fans will not be disappointed as they follow Bentley’s latest adventure. 

Buy the Book:
Claire Eckard
Amazon ~ B&N ~ IndieBound
add to goodreads

 

Meet the Author:

Claire Eckard is an animal lover and believes in volunteering to give back to her community, especially to the homeless animals that need to find their forever homes. Her animals often inspire her writing, weaving their way into the stories that she writes, blending reality and fiction to entertain, teach, enlighten, and share the joy that animals bring to our lives! Claire is an author, poet, songwriter, wife, mother and grandmother! She lives in Arizona, splitting her time between her home in Yuma, Arizona and her ranch in the mountains of Prescott. Claire has three dogs, eight horses, and a miniature mule!

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~instagram ~ goodreads ~ bookbub
 
 
Tour Schedule:

Jan 31 –
Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Jan 31 – Because I said so adventures in parenting – book review / giveaway
Feb 1 – Splashes of Joy – book review / giveaway
Feb 1 – The Momma Spot – book review / giveaway
Feb 2 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Feb 2 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Feb 3 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Feb 3 – @twilight_reader – book review
Feb 4 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review / giveaway
Feb 7 – Lynchburg Reads – book review / giveaway
Feb 8 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 8 – Westveil Publishing – book review / giveaway
Feb 9 – Reading is My Passion – book review
Feb 9 – The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
Feb 10 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / giveaway
Feb 11 – Chit Chat with Charity – book review / giveaway
Feb 14 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
Feb 14 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book spotlight
Feb 15 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
Feb 15 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 16 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
Feb 16 – Kam’s Place – book review
Feb 17 – @jayme_reads – book review / giveaway
Feb 18 – Pick A Good Book – book review / giveaway
 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

Bentley’s Best Birthday EVER! Book Tour Giveaway


 

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Legion Novellas by Ashley Fontainne #AshleyFontainne

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The Legion Novellas by Ashley Fontainne are quick reads and can be gobbled up in a day. I must warn you though, locked doors won’t keep the evil away. Lights won’t hide the shadows. I love that the covers create a brand for the series and have an eerie feel about them. The entire series is available in paperback for $11.25.

My name is Legion: for we are many.

Mark 5:9

Many (A Legion Novella Book 1)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

He entered thinking one thing, facing a bloody, gory horror he never could have envisioned and by the time he figured out what really happened, he was face to face with evil and it wanted him. His faith will be tested. The book may be short, but it has the creep factor alive and well and I turned the pages faster to put an end to it. And, of course, the ending is so much worse than I thought. May be short. Isn’t sweet. Made my skin crawl. Packed a lot in this novella. For the most part three stars would work, but because Ashley Fontainne had to take me down such a twisting road, jerking me left and right til the end, she has earned that additional star.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Many be Ashley Fontainne.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars
Madness (Legion Novella Book 2)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A mother’s anguish and her descent into hell after her husband’s death will be called on to face a demon. A child’s anger over the loss of his family will have him questioning his faith. Will he make the right choice between good and evil? He didn’t remember that night, but evil will do whatever it takes to try and collect another soul. Legion is many and still has Clyde in his sights. Could he survive a second time? FREE WILL. Horror and evil oozes off the pages and Ashley Fontainne leaves me wanting more!

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Madness be Ashley Fontainne.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars
Mayhem

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I knew it was coming, but tears formed and my heart broke. The characters have been to hell and back and Ashley Fontainne shows no mercy. Who will be called to face Evil and have their faith put to the test this time? Looking at the cover, I think I know who Legion will be targeting. Mayhem is the third novella in the Legion series, so I am anticipating some heart palpitating horror to come my way. Not all the characters will survive. How strong is their faith? WOW…Just WOW…I knew what would happen, or thought I did, but not how it would happen. I find it amazing how Ashley Fontainne managed to pack so much action in a small package, containing all the emotions a human can feel and ending the series in an uplifting way.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mayhem be Ashley Fontainne.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

ABOUT ASHLEY FONTAINNE

Ashley Fontainne

Award-winning and International bestselling author Ashley Fontainne enjoys stories that immerse the reader deep into the human psyche and the monsters lurking within each of us. She writes in numerous genres including mystery, suspense, horror, sci-fi and sometimes poetry.

Ashley lives in Arkansas with her husband and is the proud mother of one son and grateful daughter of co-author, Lillian Hansen. To learn more about her books please visit https://ashleyfontainne.net/

Website  / Facebook  /  Pinterest

MY ASHLEY FONTAINNE REVIEWS

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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

We’re Married? Finding You by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist

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Finding You by Amanda Siegrist will be released tomorrow, but you can preorder it for $3.99 and have it automatically delivered to your ereader.

Finding You (McCord Family, #5)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Ahhhh. The McCord men. What can I say. I have only met a couple of them, but hubba hubba. Now, it’s time for the shy guy, Gabe McCord to set the story on fire…and he does it very well. 🙂

Gabe is a lawyer and a shy guy (is there such a thing?), who loves triple berry pie. Speaking of pie, he is dropping one off for his brother at the fire station when he, literally, runs into her. His wife…Now that’s a story you will want to hear.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas doesn’t apply. One drunken night…and what a night it was…and they were married. She had run as fast as she could from the bed she woke up in. He had looked for her, finally giving up after nine months. Now, her she is. Right in front of him. And she doesn’t know that they were married. That doesn’t mean she wants it annulled. It would be convenient if they played it out for a while to get her dad off her back. He’s always butting in where she doesn’t want him, but this time it was a good thing.

Olivia had went from firefighting, which her father hated, to being an arson investigator, which is also hates. Safer, maybe, but she is still doing something she loves. I think he would love to have her married, in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. But, that is never going to happen.

Gabe, in his own words: “Good old Gabe the Shy Goose got so drunk in Vegas he doesn’t remember getting married. So crazy it’s hilarious.” Gabe is the baby of the family and is the brunt of their jokes. Little do they know how much it hurts him.

Olivia dates alpha males, but Gabe is no alpha, unless…

The characters steal the show in Finding You by Amanda Siegrist. Sure, we have some mystery and some danger, but I smiled, chuckled, and laughed my way through it.

With lines like: “…You up for an adventure? This could be fun.” And it is.

Amanda Siegrist writes sweet romance with a dash of danger.The characters are a definite two thumbs up and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the family.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Finding You by Amanda Siegrist.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. One wild mishap could be the best thing that ever happened to him.

Being shy makes it hard for Gabe McCord to talk to women, but throw in a fun, wild night of drinking and it’s not so hard. Until he learns he didn’t just wake up next to a gorgeous woman—he married her. Nine months later and he’s still trying to find her…when she accidentally finds him.

Olivia Brenson is the new arson investigator in town trying to find the person responsible for multiple fires, the latest one which almost took a life. When she learns they’re married—because neither remembered their nuptials—Gabe finds himself on another fun adventure. She wants to stay married for a short time to keep her overprotective, demanding father off her back. He doesn’t protest as it gives him a chance to prove he isn’t always the shy guy. But if he’s not careful, he might lose more than just his reserved tendencies. He’ll lose his heart along the way. Because he’s finding Olivia is the woman he never knew he needed in his life.

The entire McCord Family Novel series: Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.
Protecting You (Book 1): Zane & Ava
Trust in Love (Book 2): Austin & Sophie
Deserving You (Book 3): Emmett & Deja
Always Kind of Love (Book 4): Ethan & Penelope
Finding You (Book 5): Gabe & Olivia

ABOUT AMANDA SIEGRIST

Amanda Siegrist

Love! Gimme some love and heaps of romance. I have a sappy heart that just loves two people meeting, going through the cycles of a relationship, and ultimately, falling in love. Give me a good book like that and I’m a happy camper:)

I write contemporary and romantic suspense, but I am partial to suspense. I just love a good mystery.

Besides writing, I love baking, crafts, and baseball…oh, and meeting new people. *smiles*

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Countdown To Death – 14 Days To Die by A B Whelan @AuthorABWhelan

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The title for 14 Days To Die by A B Whelan made me very curious about the book. I have read some of her work and the latest, No One Can Hear You Scream blew me away, so when she offered me a couple of books that I hadn’t read, I jumped all over it.

14 Days to Die

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Sarah Johnson was like the three monkeys – hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil.

How long can someone live like that? How long before they say, enough is enough. How far will someone go for their own desires? Does anyone know what really goes on in someone’s mind…even when standing face to face, eye to eye?

Uh oh, he’s a Gemini, a two faced manipulator. I’m a Gemini too, but I feel a kinship with her, not him. She blogs, like us. She doesn’t make a lot of money. It is a labor of love.

Do we all have the capacity to kill buried in our snake brain?

I flip from humor to outrage, from smiles and laughs to spitting fire. My blood was boiling throughout the entire book. It didn’t matter if I had any idea where we were going or how it would end. I’ll find out when I get there.

I can relate to her frustration and see how she got ‘there’. Sooner or later, we make a decision, or it is made for us. I laugh with her, instead of pitying her.

Tension, tension, tension…

I challenge you to figure this you.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of 14 Days To Die by A B Whelan.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

To what extent would you go to avenge your husband’s infidelity?

Stay-at-home mom Sarah Johnson has the perfect family—a handsome, hardworking husband and two healthy and beautiful children. At least, that’s what she’s been telling herself for years. After the tragedies in her youth, Sarah deemed living a lie easier than dwelling on the past and facing her everyday failures. To avoid any kind of confrontation at home she doesn’t read her husband’s emails or spy on him like most jealous wives do. She wouldn’t jeopardize her comfortable but dull life for anything.

But Sarah’s world is about to crumble around her when she receives a phone call from a man with a heavy foreign accent telling her that her perfect husband has put a price on her head. She is offered two weeks to come up with a counteroffer or die. Why would her model husband Mike want her dead? Hasn’t she been the perfect wife? Or has her karma finally caught up with her—making her pay for her former transgressions? The final countdown begins and now Sarah has to race against time to find out what went wrong in her marriage and find a way out of this nightmare.

So the game of life or death begins. Secrets are unveiled. Emotions are unleashed. Actions are taken.

Will there be a winner in this dangerous game when no one can escape the twist of fate?

ABOUT A B WHELAN

New release: No One Can Hear You Scream is a gripping, atmospheric psychological thriller about obsession, survival, and family bonds, releasing on October 20th.

A.B. Whelan

Whelan is an Amazon bestselling author of domestic psychological thrillers.

She currently resides in California with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing, editing, marketing, or researching her next book, you can find her walking her two rescue dogs, socializing online, coaching soccer, or doing another DIY project with her husband.

Find me on:
* Facebook (AuthorABWhelan)
* Instagram (authorabwhelan)
* Goodreads (A.B. Whelan)
* Twitter (AuthorABWhelan)
* Bookbub: A.B. Whelan

MY A B WHELAN REVIEW

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  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

New Release – Little Dolls by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor

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Jane, Jane, Jane…you write so fast I can hardly keep up. I love the cover for Little Dolls. When I saw it, I had to put aside the other book of yours I was going to read, Saving Charlie and delve into this one. How about you, readers? Do covers call out to you?

Little Dolls (Candella Sisters' Heroes #1)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Usually it is the cover of a book that first catches me eye. Even though I love the cover for Little Dolls by Jane Blythe, it was the title that caught my attention first. Having read a lot of books by Jane, and knowing her penchant for thrills, I am bracing myself.

She pushed the pedal to the metal as the flashing lights glared behind her. Jane Blythe knows how to set the hook early, and I love that! And that is how Detective Jonathon Dawson meets Clara Candella. The immediate attraction leads Johnathon down a path that he could never have anticipated. With Jane Blythe’s writing, nothing is at it seems, so beware.

We have triplets, of a sort…Naomi, Clara and Agape. Even though they all have the same father and they have different mothers, they can still pass for triplets.

Little Dolls is a perfect title…each child taken was found with a doll…and another young child. What is the meaning? Why pairs? Why blond, with blue eyes (mostly). Why has it been so long between the kills of the past and now?

Clara had been six years old when she had been taken by the Doll Killers. Her and the boy she was trapped with had managed to escape. Her mind had blocked her memories, but now she feels she has to restore them to save who she can and put the people away once and for all.

The circumstances push Clara and John together. All the events happen over a short period of time, so I can overlook the instant attraction. After all, romantic suspense has to have romance to go with the thrills and chills that Jane Blythe creates, and the horrible situations she puts her characters in, fighting for their lives…or someone else’s.

Little Dolls by Jane Blythe kept me wondering…what the heck is going on…and who is doing it. Sure, I think he is involved…sure, I think ? is involved, but how does it all fit together? Jane never fails to give me hours of thrilling reading pleasure.

Little Dolls is Jane Blythe’s newest series, and Clara’s story. I can see where the series is going, each sister will get her chance to tell their story. I love that Jane ties up each story for her books, sometimes giving a little tease to make you want to read the next one. The characters make recurring appearances, so we don’t lose track of what they are up to now, getting to know them better through others stories.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Little Dolls by Jane Blythe.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

He’s trying to prove her friend is guilty of murder.

When Clara Candella is carjacked it brings the past she thought was firmly behind her crashing into her present. Now the sexy detective who saved her life is trying to prove that her childhood friend is guilty of the same horrendous crimes they both survived. Can she set the fact that they’re on opposite sides of this investigation aside and allow the attraction simmering between them to grow into something more?

A car chase leads Detective Jonathon Dawson to a woman he instantly feels a connection to, unfortunately, she’s hellbent on proving that her friend is innocent, even though he knows differently. Despite her being involved in his case he asks her out, only to be turned down flat. He knows there’s something between him but winning Clara’s affections while simultaneously searching for proof of her friend’s guilt isn’t going to be easy.

ABOUT JANE BLYTHE

Jane has loved reading and writing since she can remember. She writes dark and disturbing crime/mystery/suspense with some romance thrown in because, well, who doesn’t love romance? She has one completed series, Detective Parker Bell, and one new series, Count to Ten.

When she’s not writing Jane loves to read, bake, go to the beach, ski, horse ride, and watch Disney movies. She has a black belt in Taekwondo, and a 200+ collection of teddy bears. She has the world’s two most sweet and pretty Dalmatians, Ivory and Pearl. Oh, and she also enjoys spending time with family and friends!

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY REVIEWS FOR JANE BLYTHE’S BOOKS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

New Release – The Secretary by Britney King @britneyking_

Britney King writes some amazing stories and I want to thank her and Hot Banana Press for the chance to read The Secretary. Does the cover draw you in?

The Secretary

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have read numerous books by Britney King and have always enjoyed them. The Secretary is not one of my favorites, though it does have the creep factor going on.

The boss/secretary affair scenario plays out with a perverted, destructive twist. The slow build carries a lingering sense of evil, because I know anything Britney King writes has a twist that will leave me cringing and uncomfortable, thinking WTH.

Britney King’s writing makes me wonder where her ideas come from, and though this was not one of my favorites, I enjoyed the book and she manages to put a twist at the end that makes me think The Stepford Wives have nothing on The Secretary. I look forward to what she comes up with next.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Secretary by Britney King.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

From the bestselling author of The Social Affair and HER comes a new mind-bending thriller about a young woman whose life takes a wicked turn when she lands her dream job.

The job comes with a lot of perks. A mysterious new boss is one of them. His deep pockets don’t hurt.

In her first week, Gillian finds a note on her desk with two boxes and a question: Will you have dinner with me?

Check yes or no.

It was easily the best night of her whole young life. 


The second note arrived looking very much the same, only different.

Do you have what it takes to be in my world?

Gillian has been asked to handle a lot of tasks in her work.


But covering up a murder might be the strangest one yet.

Check yes or no. 


She can check yes and face prison time. Hypothetically.


No, and she finds out why the job was vacant in the first place.

Tautly paced, The Secretary is an unnerving and electrifying psychological thriller about illusion, passion, and the dangerous places ambition can take you. Full of enough tension and twists to make even the most seasoned suspense reader break out in a cold sweat, it keeps you guessing until the very last page

MEET BRITNEY KING

Britney King

Hello. I’m Britney. 

I live in Austin, Texas with my husband, children, a dog named Gatsby, one ridiculous cat, and a partridge in a pear tree.

When I’m not wrangling the things mentioned above, I write psychological, domestic, and romantic thrillers set in suburbia.

Currently, I’m writing three series and several standalone novels.

The Bedrock Series features an unlikely heroine who should have known better. Turns out, she didn’t. Thus she finds herself tangled in a messy, dangerous, forbidden love story and face-to-face with a madman hell-bent on revenge. The series has been compared to Fatal Attraction, Single White Female, and Basic Instinct.

The Water Series follows the shady love story of an unconventional married couple—he’s an assassin—she kills for fun. It has been compared to a crazier book version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Also, Dexter.

Around The Bend is a heart-pounding standalone, which traces the journey of a well-to-do suburban housewife, and her life as it unravels, thanks to the secrets she keeps. If she were the only one with things she wanted to keep hidden, then maybe it wouldn’t have turned out so bad. But she wasn’t.

The With You Series at its core is a deep love story about unlikely friends who travel the world; trying to find themselves, together and apart. Packed with drama and adventure along with a heavy dose of suspense, it has been compared to The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Love, Rosie.

The Social Affair is an intense standalone about a timeless couple who find themselves with a secret admirer they hadn’t bargained for. For fans of the anti-heroine and stories told in unorthodox ways, the novel explores what can happen when privacy is traded for convenience. It is reminiscent of films such as One Hour Photo and Play Misty For Me. Classics. 🙂

Without a doubt, connecting with readers is the best part of this gig. If you’d like to connect, shoot me an email. You can also find me on FacebookInstagram, and occasionally on Twitter.

Connect with Britney King:

Buy Links: Universal / Amazon / Apple / B&N / Kobo

MY BRITNEY KING REVIEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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Shade and the Pure Blood Faeries by Marilyn Peake #MarilynPeake

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Woo Hoo. Shade and the Pure Blood Faeries is Marilyn Peake’s fourth novel in the Shade series and I am enjoying watching the characters grow and develop throughout the series.

Shade and the Pure-Blood Faeries (Shade Series, #4)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have been loving the Shade series from the beginning, watching Shade grown and develop into a deeper character. She has traveled from the trailer park to the magical Ocean View College. She is in her Sophomore year as a Ghost Whisperer. Trouble seems to follow her and she does not back down from it. Luckily, she has her two best friends at her side, Kai and Anne.

Shade has no qualms with other magical creatures and accepts them, as long as they accept her. At Ocean View she has found a situation she has never faced before…racism. The fairies rule the college with an iron fist. There are those that think they are above the sea creatures: mermaids, selkies and kelpies, and the secrets that will be exposed are worse than she could have ever imagined. It is disgusting and disgraceful and, knowing Shade, she will not let this slide.

Her roommate, Natalie, recruits her for the school paper. She is a perfect fit and a platform for making a change at Ocean View College.

The richly detailed world Marilyn Peake has created takes her wonderfully developed characters through Shade’s sophomore year. Shade and the Pure Blood Faeries reads like a true story of a young girl and her college years, except for the magical creatures. She amazes me with her ability to draw me in, making me feel the danger, the despair, the desire to right a gross injustice, to make the world a better place.

Even with Shade’s past experiences in how ugly life can be, she is still naive, trusting. There is good and bad in everyone and Shade has to learn that the hard way. I love watching her grow and change, gather more friends, and work to make her world a better place. If that means traveling to Romania on her next adventure, Shade and the Vampires of Romania, then I plan on going with her. I don’t want to miss a minute of it.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shade and the Pure Blood Faeries by Marilyn Peake.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

All that glitters isn’t gold. All that shimmers isn’t innocent.

In her sophomore year at Ocean View College, an institution for training those with magical abilities, Shade is assigned to the Ghost Whisperers House. Likewise, her friends are assigned to houses dedicated to their unique types of magical ability. No longer freshmen, they get to see more of the inner workings of Ocean View: the good, the bad and the ugly.

Shade faces several major challenges this year. She supports her selkie friend Apple as she undergoes a difficult surgery. She helps solve the mystery of local children who have gone missing, some returning to their parents in disturbing condition. Learning that the pure-blood faeries wield way too much power in a system that holds others back, Shade also begins fighting to change the status quo. This becomes a pivotal year in Shade’s life as she grows into her destiny as a ghost whisperer.

SHADE AND THE PURE-BLOOD FAERIES is Book #4 in a YA Paranormal Mystery / YA Urban Fantasy series.

ABOUT MARILYN PEAKE

Marilyn Peake

From Goodreads:

Marilyn Peake is the author of both novels and short stories. Her publications have received excellent reviews. Marilyn’s one of the contributing authors in BOOK: THE SEQUEL, published by The Perseus Books Group, with one of her entries included in serialization at THE DAILY BEAST. In addition, Marilyn has served as Editor of a number of anthologies. Her short stories have been published in seven anthologies and on the literary blog, GLASS CASES.

Awards: Silver Award, two Honorable Mentions and eight Finalist placements in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, two Winner and two Finalist placements in the EPPIE Awards, Winner of the Dream Realm Awards, and eight Top Ten Finisher Awards in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll.

Stalk Marilyn Peake:  Website  /  Twitter

MY REVIEWS FOR MARILYN PEAKE

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New Release – Her First Mistake by Eve Parrish #EveParrish

Eve Parrish is a new to me author, and Her First Mistake is her debut novel…as Eve Parrish. It bothers me when an author writes under different names. In old time publishing, I get it. It was probably the publishers that pushed an author to have different pennames for different genres. Myself, I don’t think it is necessary. If I love what an author is writing, I’ll read anything by them. Yeah, I might not rate it as high from one genre to the next, e.g. romantic suspense and plain romance. It would take something special about a plain romance to get a 4 or 5 rating from me. That being said, I enjoy 3 star reads all the time and do recommend them.

Well, I got off on a bit of a rant there, so let’s get back to the real reason we are here…Her First Mistake.

Her First Mistake: A Heart-Pounding Crime Thriller: A Detective Nina Viken Novel

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The eerie cover first caught my eye and as I investigated further, I saw – serial killer. I’m all over that. I have a fascination for serial killers, whether fact or fiction. I love teases and the Prologue did it’s job. I’m hooked.

“I’m a bad boy.” With a start like that, I think I may have issues stopping long enough to…well, whatever.

It is not bad enough they have a kidnapper, a rapist, a murderer on their hands, the Saxon County Sleeper is all three wrapped up in one and he is back with a vengeance.

Nina Viken is a detective for Saxon County, a single mother, and familiar with serial killers. She has blow after blow delivered to her, and gets up stronger each time. Her father is a convicted murdered and he says he knows who the serial killer is. The killers past is textbook, foster homes, abuse…

The book has a twist as Rayna enters the scene. Her spidey senses are sent tingling when her friend goes missing…and she wants answers, even if she has to find them herself. I love her and would hope to have a friend like her if I ever went missing.

I love reading a book with flawed, damaged characters and seeing we have a serial killer on the loose, it’s no surprise that we have one of them here. Most characters have baggage they carry, but they are caring, loyal, loving people, doing the best they can.

I love the turn the book takes at 50%. And Livie…she is so darn cute, but, aren’t most little kids?

There is a time or two where I didn’t like what NIna did or didn’t do, but I get it. That’s how we create suspense for a rousing ending. And then…another twist. Hmmmm, you are making me work for this Eve. We have plenty of suspects. My mind is bouncing around, using a process of elimination to find the last one standing. AHA…it’s you!

I felt Her First Mistake by Eve Parrish was a three star book through half of it, but the more I read, the the more the suspect list grew, the more twists that came up, the more I got involved, I knew I needed to bump it up. Good job Eve.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Her First Mistake by Eve Parrish.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Her First Mistake is a serial killer thriller with a female lead and mysterious love interests.

Detective Nina Viken is no stranger to the ominous clues serial killers leave with their discarded victims.
It’s a typical method used to taunt and torture the authorities who are ruthlessly hunting them down.
This time though, everything seems a little too close to home.

When Nina gets a call that a dead body is being pulled from the Hollow Pointe Ravine, intuition tells her she’s going to have her work cut out for her. Upon arriving at the crime scene, she sees various photographs scattered along the ground. The photos feature completely nude women–bound, shackled, bloody and bruised.
At first it looks like it’s just another sick and twisted murderer on the loose…

But upon examining the body, Nina sees the signature of one of the East Coast’s most notorious serial killers–The Saxon County Slayer.

As if the pressure of finding him before he kills again wasn’t enough, Nina gets a call from her father–a convicted murder himself–saying he knows the identity of the infamous serial killer.
With little evidence to point her in any other direction, Nina begins to look into her father’s claims.

Regardless of whether her father is telling the truth or not…
The Saxon County Slayer is back.

And this time, he has a vendetta against Nina.
A vendetta that he will stop at nothing to satisfy.

ABOUT EVE PARRISH (Victoria Ellis)

Meet Victoria Ellis: Victoria Ellis writing as Eve Parrish

Victoria  Ellis

Victoria Ellis started out writing primarily thrillers but slowly transitioned into both poetry and contemporary romance.

Now, she is a multi-genre author that publishes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, and Romance novels. She is also the author of two poetry collections.

Victoria has a penname, Gemma Stone, for her upcoming romance novels that she plans on releasing. It was important to her to separate romance from thrillers. Be on the lookout for more Gemma Stone news in 2021 and 2022!

Victoria is the founder of Cruel Ink Publishing, LLC.

She resides near Chicago, Illinois with her husband, newborn daughter, and an abundance of animals.

Connect with Victoria Ellis:

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Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World @ericjguignard

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Professor Charlatan Bardot’s travel anthology includes many buildings, though no haunted houses. So…buckle your searbelt and let’s travel around the world.

Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love the awesome cover for Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology by Eric Guignard. Some of the locales are real places, and, the rest, I’ll leave it up to you to decide.

The anthology includes short stories of horror from noted authors all over the world. Whether it takes place in a hospital, lighthouse, mining camp, wishing well…most everything but haunted houses, the anothology is sure to supply plenty of thrills and chills.

Might want to keep the light on…but, locked doors won’t keep them out.

Professor Bardot is as interesting as the beautiful book, with fabulous illustrations to go with the fantastic cover.

Travel around the world with horror as your companion. The Professor may have your imagination running wild on your travels when you visit your own hotel, cathedral…

I cannot think of anything that could be improved upon a book that gave me many hours of reading pleasure.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology by Eric J Guignard.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

“At Last, an Authoritative Compendium to (Fictional) Haunted Buildings for the Delight and Exploration of Reader-Travelers Around the Globe.”

For nearly forty years, renowned paranormal investigator Professor Charlatan Bardot has examined, documented, and acquired stories of haunted buildings around the world. Partnered with leading anthologist Eric J. Guignard, and gifted artists Steve Lines and James Gabb, the greatest of Charlatan’s discoveries are made available now in this comprehensive travel anthology!

From the Philippines’ tragic Ame-Soeur Clothing Factory, to Sweden’s reverent Fish Church; from Tanzania’s vengeful Unguja Restaurant, to Canada’s cursed Crow Island Lighthouse, Charlatan Bardot presents a lifetime of experience and insight into paranormal architecture.

27 feature stories and 36 tiny tales are included of haunted temples, diners, hotels, shops, hospitals, outposts, theaters, and other building types, along with maps, travel notes, illustrations, and more, all designed to provide an immersive experience for veteran travelers and armchair ghost hunters alike!

Enter Professor Charlatan Bardot’s Travel Anthology to the Most (Fictional) Haunted Buildings in the Weird, Wild World (2021 edition) and explore the strange and curious locales of the globe and of your imagination.

ABOUT ERIC J GUIGNARD

ERIC J. GUIGNARD is a writer and editor of dark and speculative fiction, operating from the shadowy outskirts of Los Angeles, where he also runs the small press, Dark Moon Books. He’s twice won the Bram Stoker Award (the highest literary award of horror fiction), been a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Award, and a multi-nominee of the Pushcart Prize.

He has over one hundred stories and non-fiction author credits appearing in publications around the world. As editor, Eric’s published multiple fiction anthologies, including his most recent, Pop the Clutch: Thrilling Tales of Rockabilly, Monsters, and Hot Rod Horror , and A World of Horror , a showcase of international horror short fiction.

He currently publishes the acclaimed series of author primers created to champion modern masters of the dark and macabre, Exploring Dark Short Fiction ( Vol. I: Steve Rasnic Tem ; Vol. II: Kaaron Warren ; Vol. III: Nisi Shawl ; Vol. IV: Jeffrey Ford ; Vol. V: Han Song ; Vol. VI: Ramsey Campbell).

He is also publisher and acquisitions editor for the renowned +Horror Library+ anthology series. Additionally he curates the series, The Horror Writers Association Presents: Haunted Library of Horror Classics through SourceBooks with co-editor Leslie S. Klinger.

His latest books are Last Case at a Baggage Auction ; Doorways to the Deadeye ; and short story collection That Which Grows Wild (Cemetery Dance).

Outside the glamorous and jet-setting world of indie fiction, Eric’s a technical writer and college professor, and he stumbles home each day to a wife, children, dogs, and a terrarium filled with mischievous beetles. Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com, his blog: ericjguignard.blogspot.com, or Twitter: @ericjguignard.

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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