Have Tissues Handy – Look For Me by Lisa Gardner @LisaGardnerBks #LibraryLove

Posted on August 28, 2020 by fundinmental

Lisa Gardner is a must read author for me. I have been reading her work since way before I began blogging, but now forget to keep up with her. This is my first step to correct that and catch up on some of the books I’ve missed, so I am happy to throw some library love her way.

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Detective D D Warren can relate to Flora, so they made a deal to work together, but I must warn you…have tissues handy because the highs and lows, the love and hate, had my emotions roiling, making this intense thriller impossible to put down, keeping the waters muddy and I was unable to see the end until I got there…the epilogue…a real tear jerker.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner’s latest twisty thrill ride, Detective D. D. Warren and “Find Her”‘s Flora Dane return in a race against the clock to either save a young girl’s life . . . or bring her to justice.

The home of a family of five is now a crime scene: four of them savagely murdered, one—a sixteen-year-old girl—missing. Was she lucky to have escaped? Or is her absence evidence of something sinister? Detective D. D. Warren is on the case—but so is survivor-turned-avenger Flora Dane. Seeking different types of justice, they must make sense of the clues left behind by a young woman who, whether as victim or suspect, is silently pleading, Look for me.

ABOUT LISA GARDNER

Lisa Gardner is a #1 New York Times bestselling crime novelist. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure and twisted minds into a streak of twenty-plus thrillers. Her latest, WHEN YOU SEE ME, comes out January 28, 2020 and features fan-favorites Boston Detective D.D. Warren, survivor-turned-vigilante Flora Dane, and FBI Agent Kimberly Quincy.
When a shallow grave is discovered outside a small mountain town in Georgia, questions quickly arise. Are these the sad remains of one of infamous Jacob Ness’s previous victims? Or the evidence of something worse? The cold case quickly turns red hot as the task force realizes nothing in this quaint town is at it appears. Worse, there’s another young victim whose life is on the line. Can they figure out the truth in time?
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups and an ancient rescue dog. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and of course, read!

Website

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Canoeing in the Wilds – Scapegoat by Pamela Fagan Hutchins @pameloth

Posted on August 27, 2020 by fundinmental

Woo Hoo. Back in the ‘saddle’ again with the Flint family…and this time, we are off to some canoeing…and so much more…

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Vacation. Family. Wilderness. What could possible go wrong? Knowing the Flint family, if it wasn’t for bad luck, they would have no luck at all…and I am ready for the adventure.

I have been hanging out with the Flint family for some time now and I can vouch for the fact there is never a dull moment and I do foresee a dead body in their immediate future.

I love the fact that they are a tight family, even through all the trials and tribulations that seem to come their way. They may bicker and hurt feelings may come into play, but beware those who try to come between them or do them harm.

Patrick is still madly in love with his wife. He is amazed at how much his son has grown, losing his boyishness and seeing who he will be as a young man. Trish, his daughter is developing into a young woman, who he will have to keep his eye on, maybe even fight the boys off. They will all be put to the test…along with a little unexpected help.

We always have peripheral friends and family who have an important part to play, and I am sorry to see that Wes will not be with us on this trip.

Patrick loves nature and Indian culture. He’s studies about the area before he ever arrives. He is a doctor and does his best to be prepared for anything that may come their way. He will do whatever is necessary to protect his family.

The Flint families vacation may start out with the best intentions on Patrick’s part, spending time together, enjoying nature and the activities that abound, a chance to explore and try new things…but life throws pitfalls right and left from the very beginning, which makes for a lot of laughter, danger, and uninvited guests who wish them harm. They may dodge one bullet, only to go around the next bend in the river and find another.

Pamela Fagan Hutchins brings to life their surroundings through her descriptions, making me hear the river, feel the breeze, smell the scents around us, bringing to mind the times I have spent in the wilderness myself.

Pamela Fagan Hutchins draws from her personal life and their adventures to write her western mysteries. Her writing involves real life people and it’s a good thing her family and friends are on board, because it gives a sense of realism to her writing. Life is not all fun and games and the normal fits and starts of family come through.

I highly recommend the Flint series and checking out her website to see her inspiration.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Scapegoat by Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

GOODREADS BLURB

Coming October 15, 2020—pre-order to lock in your copy now!

Patrick Flint meets The River Wild

When his son is critically injured on a river trip, Patrick Flint finds himself in a race against time and a gang of outlaws who are determined the Flints won’t make it out of Wyoming’s Gros Ventre Wilderness alive.

ABOUT PAMELA FAGA HUTCHINS

I like big butts and I cannot lie: horse butts that is. As in draft cross horses, which I ride with my hunky husband way up in the frozen north of Snowheresville, WY and deep in the heart of Nowheresville, TX. I am a wannabe barrel racer afraid of going fast, an eater of ribeye, and the author of the USA Today bestselling What Doesn’t Kill You world of romantic mysteries.

{By the way, to get free exclusives, first looks, and special deals with my newsletter, go to https://bit.ly/pamelaNL.}

When I’m not writing or riding, I’m passionate about hiking, always with a couple of rescue dogs (and an occasional goat and donkey), bear spray, a mountain lion knife, and my Judge. NO ANIMALS HAVE BEEN HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS LIFE ADVENTURE (but don’t sneak up on me).

I’ve made some lists and won some awards, yada yada. 2018 USA Today Bestseller. 2018 #1 Amazon Bestseller. 2018 Top 50 Amazon Author (Romantic Mystery, Romantic Suspense). The 2017 Silver Falchion for Best Adult Mystery WINNER (Fighting for Anna), the 2016 and 2015 WINNERS for USA Best Books Fiction: Cross Genre (Hell to Pay, Heaven to Betsy), and others. With downloads of nearly 2,000,000 for the What Doesn’t Kill You world, readers seem to enjoy my smart, sassy female sleuths—I think they have exceptionally good taste. {insert silly grin here} Lots of them follow my podcast, too, where I fangirl my favorite authors and interview them for your listening pleasure.

If after all that you still want to learn more about my books, my podcast, or me, then God Bless Ya, and do drop in on my website, http://pamelafaganhutchins.com.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

MY PAMELA FAGAN HUTCHINS REVIEWS

Saving Grace
Puppalicious
Switchback (a patrick flint novel)
Snake Oil (a patrick flint novel)
Sawbones (a patrick flint novel)

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Shattered Amethyst by Jane Blythe @jblytheauthor

Posted on August 26, 2020 by fundinmental

Woo Hoo….another Jane Blythe winner. I am sooooo lovin’ this series.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It is so good to be back with the Broken Gem family and I can hardly wait to see what Jane Blythe has in store for me in Shattered Amethyst. Each gem has been severely damaged and Amethyst Hatcher will have her day. Will Zeb, her bodyguard, be her salvation?

Amethyst, like her four sisters, had been sold by their parents to sex traffickers.

“This one is going to be moved quickly”…but she isn’t going without a fight.

The writing flows smoothly, leading me, taking me to her, sensing her betrayal and terror. Amethyst may not be able to control what was happening to her, but she refused to let them own her mind. Anger is her best friend. When death no longer scares you, it can give you a sense of freedom.

Amethyst was supposed to die on her eighteenth birthday,yet, by some miracle, she lives. Or does she?

I felt anger and outrage….a lot of it. The Broken Gem series feels too real, at times, getting my emotions riled up. I feel my muscles tense and if I was watching this on TV I would be screaming at it. Instead, I am gobbling up the words, hoping THEY get theirs.

Jane doesn’t go into a lot of detail about the time Amethyst is kept in captivity. Most of it covers what she is doing with her life now, seven years later. She is a firefighter. The danger makes her feel alive, so she seeks it out.

Zeb is a police officer and we have met him before. This time we are getting his story…and the wooing will begin shortly. We already know he is in for a tough time with the prickly Amethyst.

There are a lot of triggers in Shattered Amethyst, so if the dark isn’t to your liking, this may not be for you. That being said, GIVE ME MORE…and I do have Splintered Emerald on my Kindle right now…waiting.

Even though I know the ending, it never stops me from grabbing the next romantic suspense novel that comes my way. I LOVE them and Jane Blythe is one of my favorite authors. Sometimes, like with Shattered Amethyst, I feel like she wrote the book just for me.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Shattered Amethyst by Jane Blythe.

GOODREADS BLURB

Betrayed. Sold. Tortured. Now she’s fighting to rebuild her life.

Amethyst Hatcher was supposed to die on her eighteenth birthday, against all the odds she survived, and now lives her life searching for her next adrenaline rush. When the firefighter is assigned to work with the cops, she finds herself completely unprepared for the sexual tension smoldering between her and Detective Zeb Tuck to develop into something more.

Zeb can’t deny the sizzling attraction between him and Amethyst, but he fights against it. He’s already lost so much and doesn’t want to get involved with someone who seems to have a death wish. When his newest case, hunting a sadistic fire-starting killer forces him and the sexy firefighter to work together, he’ll have to decide whether falling for Amethyst is worth the risk.

↝ Trigger warning – mature content, issues of sexual assault/abuse, violence ↜

SHATTERED AMETHYST is the fourth book in the Broken Gems series by USA Today bestselling author Jane Blythe. Murder, mystery, suspense, and love in this thrilling romantic suspense! Each book in the series can be read as a standalone but reading in order is encouraged, a guaranteed HEA!

Other books in the series
Cracked Sapphire – Sapphire and Gideon’s story
Crushed Ruby – Ruby and Judah’s story
Fractured Diamond – Diamond and Elijah’s story
Shattered Amethyst – Amethyst and Zeb’s story
Splintered Emerald – coming October 5th 2020
Salvaging Marigold – coming November 2020

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

One & Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Christmas Hostage (Christmas Romantic Suspense)
Christmas Captive (Christmas Romantic Suspense)
Christmas Victim (Christmas Romantic Suspense)
A Secret to the Grave (Detective Parker Bell)
Winter Wonderland (Detective Parker Bell)
Dead Or Alive (Detective Parker Bell)
Little Girl Lost (Detective Parker Bell)
Flashes of Fate
The Diamond Star
Drowning in You (Conquering Fear)
Out of the Darkness (Conquering Fear)
Cracked Sapphire (Broken Gems)
Crushed Ruby (Broken Gems)
Fractured Diamond (Broken Gems)

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
You can see my Reviews HERE.
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Ready for a Treasure Hunt? Gold Fever by Lawna Mackie @Lawnamackie

Posted on August 25, 2020 by fundinmental

Lawna Mackie is an author I turn to when I want some suspense with my romance. She has never disappointed me and I am excited to go treasure hunting in Gold Fever.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Are you ready for a treasure hunt? I am and I believe Lawna Mackie will take me on a wild adventure to find it. I am sure she will supply me with a hefty dose of romance with a hunky guy and the woman that gives him a headache. 🙂

Sam received a cryptic message, along with a map, from her brother, Finn. He told her to run, but, of course, we know she is going to be running right into the thick of things.

She immediately makes preparations for a trip to the Yukon and hires a guide, Hunter Gray, to lead her. Hunter is very prickly, but that is just what she needs to find the gold and rescue her brother. She may appear to be a pampered city girl, but she will do whatever is necessary to find him. Ride a horse? Check. Go without a shower? Check.

I love the surprise helper that makes an appearance. Talk about adding fuel to the fire. Seeing I enjoyed the surprise so much, I am not going to share it…but, I will tell you, that is why I love Lawna Mackie’s stories. They may seem familiar, maybe not so dark and intense as a lot of books I read, but they have all the feels…danger and villains, love and romance, and a satisfying ending that leaves me wanting more.

I also love that we have a critter, Savage, who ‘belongs’ to Hunter. His name describes him and he is a bit prickly too…although, I do believe he is a good judge of character when it comes to making new friends.

All in all, Gold Fever may be predictable, but it is filled with action, romance, danger, hot sex, and a surprise or two to keep you on your feet. Also, this is an ARC, and sometimes ratings can change when the final version is published.

I am always eager for the next Lawna Mackie novel.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Gold Fever by Lawna Mackie.

GOODREADS BLURB

Could it be true? The gold existed. A treasure map alluded to such a find, but for over a century it was rumored a fable, one told by an old crazy man—Samantha (Sam) Avery’s great-great-uncle.

One huge problem existed. Her brother Finn sent her the map and told her to run. Sam knew her big brother was in trouble and she had to help him.

In Dawson City, Yukon, Hunter Gray, outfitter and guide had been hired to do a job. At the airport, pick up a Sam Avery and take him to the old Charlie Avery cabin up the mighty river. What Hunter Gray hadn’t expected was for Sam to be a Samantha, who wore fashion designer shoes, had a sharp tongue and a goddess like appearance—the vast wilderness of the Yukon was no place for somebody like her.

Sam had to learn quickly. How hard could it be to ride a horse and live without running water and restaurants for a week? It didn’t matter, her brother needed her and Sam had to convince the ruggedly handsome man and his wolf… yes…wolf, that she was up to the adventure.

Spending night and day together, Samantha knows the attraction between them is growing quickly. Not only is Samantha determined to rescue her brother, but she must now save her heart from a man who doesn’t believe in love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lawna Mackie was born in Jasper, Alberta. After finishing high school and post secondary she moved to Calgary, Alberta, married her husband and settled in the small town of Didsbury, Alberta.

Lawna would tell you that a lot of her creativity comes from her mother, who could design and build, just about anything. Her mother never lacked the talent for hand-making toys. “She always amazed me. My brother and I were never bored because she made us flutes, toy cars, and even parallel bars in the trees,” she explains.

Her other creative inspiration comes from her husband Jeff, and the many adventures they have had. It was on one particular trip to British Columbia, when she stopped at the Enchanted Forrest that the fairy tale world called to her to write a story.

Along with the love she has for her husband and family, is the deep admiration and compassion she has for animals. “They bring so much joy and inspiration to my life I don’t know how I would ever live without them,” she says. Alaskan Malamutes are near and dear to her heart. With one Malamute, one Bichon Shih Tzu, one farm cat and a Bengal, her house is never quiet.

Lawna writes contemporary romance and paranormals. One fan writes, “Lawna’s books are well-written and are impossibly good! The scenes are unexpected and very creative. I highly recommend her books!”

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MY LAWNA MACKIE REVIEWS

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Sherry’s Shelves 8.16 – 8.22.20

Posted on August 23, 2020 by fundinmental

Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Sunday Salon is hosted by Readerbuzz
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews
**images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**

Hello Everybody. Hope you had a good week and all is well in your world. It has been cloudy, a bit rainy with periods of sunshine, and….what the hell. I don’t remember it being almost a hundred degrees for weeks and so many clouds and days of rain. Sure we would have the afternoon thunderstorm because of the heat and humidity here in Florida, but day after day of gloom. Where did the sun go???????????? I need it.

Anyway…everything is going, the normal. I have not left the house in several weeks now and I feel the need to get out and do something, even if it is just a car ride out to the beach. How about you? Are you getting cabin fever?

I hope you all have a good week and please stay safe, wear a mask.

LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

Also, jump on over to Tackling The TBR and see what’s happening on my reading shelf.

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The Wrong Brother by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist

Posted on August 21, 2020 by fundinmental

NEW RELEASE!

It is good to be back with another novel from Amanda Siegrist, The Wrong Brother from the perfect for you series. She loves love and happy endings and I do too. How about you?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Gabby and Mia have been friends since third grade, so when Mia asked Gabby to be her boyfriends temporary secretary and find out if he is cheating o her, she can’t say no. She had no idea until she walked in the tour what was in store for her. A hunkalicious male who gets her motor running. I foresee some fun dialogue, humorous moments, and love, love love…except for…

She feels so guilty about her attraction to the gorgeous man in front of her, and all the sex vibes she is feeling. Does he feel the same way? And what can possibly become of them?

I loved Gabby right off the bat. She has a potty mouth and an ability to say what she thinks and get away with it. I love how Gabby dealt with him, and I can’t help but laugh at Champ’s reactions to her.

I immediately settled in for a fun romance and I am happy to say, there is no cheating involved…at least not on Gabby’s part.

I read The Wrong Brother in one sitting. It is an easy and entertaining read, filled with the sweet romance, a lot of smiles and laughs, and realistic characters that I have come to expect from Amanda Siegrist, and, of course, a happy ever after.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of The Wrong Brother by Amanda Siegrist.

GOODREADS BLURB

From USA Today bestselling author Amanda Siegrist comes a brand new series full of humor, a sassy heroine, and a sexy, sinful hero that will sweep you off your feet.

Objective: Get hired as a temporary secretary and find out if Champ Holloway is a dirty, cheating scumbag.
Time Frame: One week.

Gabby would do anything for her best friend, Mia. Anything. That’s what besties are for, right? But going undercover at her boyfriend’s work to find out if he’s cheating seems a bit extreme. Except she can’t say no. Never to Mia. The moment she walks in and sees her boyfriend, she knows she made a mistake. He’s sex on a stick, and she wants to take a delicious bite. He’s also a bit too arrogant, needs to work on his pleases and thank yous, and he never smiles. Everyone should smile at least once a day. It’s one long week of a battle of wills, sinful glances, and keeping her hands to herself. All she can do is repeat Mia. Mia. Mia. This is all for Mia. Until she realizes…there are two Mr. Holloways. And she got hired by the wrong one.

ABOUT 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

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Inferno Rising: The Blood King by Abigail Owen @AOwenBooks

Posted on August 20, 2020 by fundinmental

I have read Abigail Owen’s The Shadowcat Nation Series, The Svatura Series,The Fire’s Edge Series and now, The Inferno Rising Series. I even met her at the RWA Convention in Las Vegas a few years ago. I’ve tried to find the photograph, but I have so many and did a bad job of organizing them, so I am on the case…I will find it.

NEW RELEASE: 8.25.20

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I LOVE SKYLAR!

The Blood King is book II of the Inferno Rising Series and I am lovin’ every minute I am in their world. We have love and romance, danger and battles that have me flying the unfriendly skies, swooping, flipping, feeling the wind blowing through my hair, freezing, the feeling of freedom…well, everything has it’s good and bad. LOL

Saying Skylar is feisty is putting it politely. She doesn’t make it easy for anyone to get close to here but her sisters. They are Phoenix and they are highly desired for their abilities and because dragons believe whoever has a Phoenix will be high king.

Of course, I am looking for some romance…How about you? When Skylar meets Ladon Ormarr, the sparks start flying and never quit. I love how he ‘tames’ her. LOL Like that can be done. It won’t be easy , but they ride the rollercoaster of love to a happy ever after.

Maul, what can I say about Maul. Have you ever met a Hellhound? I love him!

Battles will be fought, lives will be lost. The battles are fierce, betrayal abounds, enemies become friends, new alliances are made, and their world becomes a better place. Saying a better place just popped into my head and I was going to change it, but seeing the place we live in now leaves me wanting, I’ll take fantasy land any day of the week.

I loved the haters to lovers premise, and the snarky banter, with sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. BEWARE…it does get HOT.

I love that Abigail Owen has Skylar saying she had always wanted to fly with the Blue Angels. Now, as Sklyar watches the dragons in formation, she feels as if she is. I salute you Blues! They are very familiar to me. I love how she describes the dragons as moving together, like a flight of birds.

Well, this is the first time in a long time that I scrapped my notes and WINGED it. LOL

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of The Blood King by Abigail Owen.

GOODREADS BLURB

Ruthless dragon king Ladon Ormarr must keep his throne at all costs. And now, with war on the horizon, he’ll need a miracle. Luckily, the fates have dropped Skylar Amon right into his lap.

Except he may have met his match.

The feisty Amon sister has no fear — of him or any other dragon shifter — is brash, doesn’t stick to protocols, and regularly offends his warriors and advisers.

Skylar also has no intention of sticking around. She doesn’t believe in the whole destined mates thing and believes all dragon kings to be dangerous. But if it means taking out the High King who murdered her parents, she’ll put up with Ladon… temporarily.

But the fates have other plans. And when Skylar disappears in the middle of a battle, Ladon will burn down the world to find her.

ABOUT ABIGAIL OWEN

Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.

Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

MY REVIEWS FOR ABIGAIL OWEN

Shadowcat Nation: Andromeda’s Fall / Sarai’s Fortune / Tieryns’ Fury / Seneca’s Faith
The Svatura Series: Blue Violet / Hyacinth / Crimson Dahlia / Black Orchid
The Fire’s Edge Series: The Mate / The Boss / The Rookie
Inferno Rising Series: The Rogue King

You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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Do You Dare To Go Into The Forest by Michaelbrent Collings @mbcollings

Posted on August 19, 2020 by fundinmental

I DO…sooooo come on in. (evil laughter)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Forest is a familiar story…they go into the forest and they don’t all come out. It’s what the author does to the characters more any original idea that will be the deciding factor. Having read some of Michaelbrent Collings stories, I expect something…surprising.

Alex and Trish are best friends. They are highly intelligent and keep to themselves…until Sam. He fits right in with them.

Now, Sam’s lost…in the forest…and they are going in to find him. They believe in science, regardless of what they saw, and they are looking for scientific answers. They have a need to understand…WHAT IN THE HELL IS IN THE FOREST?

The writing takes us to the past and back to the present again and again. In the beginning, I was confused, but quickly got the hang of it. As I reached the end, it all became clear.

I had a high level of anticipation when I opened The Forest, because I have read some of his other work and loved it. Though this was not my favorite Michaelbrent Collings novel, I did enjoy reading it. I am sorry to say that I was, at times, bored, finding my mind wandering. Could it be the writing (this is an ARC), the story being familiar, or Covid and the fact that I have been at home for almost six months now…

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of The Forest by Michaelbrent Collings.

GOODREADS BLURB

Three kids went in.
Now, twenty years later, the two survivors are going back…
***

For Tricia and Alex, the idea is simple: find and rescue their friend, Sam, from his insane mother.

But when they enter the forest, they discover that their idea is anything but simple. Because this forest isn’t like any other. In this forest, a silver mist hangs. In this forest, a simple trip of a few miles can turn into a nightmare.

In this forest, the monsters are real.

Twenty years later, Tricia and Alex remember nothing of what happened that day they lost their friend. They know only that three kids went in, but only two came out.

Now, they are going back. To find their lost memories. To discover what happened to Sam that day.

To encounter fear itself.

The forest, as Alex and Tricia will discover, is a place where madness reigns. A place where a simple path becomes an ordeal. A place where the past comes to life, and the future is anything but certain.

Because the dead don’t stay dead… in The Forest.

ABOUT MICHAELBRENT COLLINGS

Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally-bestselling novelist, multiple Bram Stoker Award nominee, produced screenwriter, and one of the top indie horror writers in the United States.

He hopes someday to develop superpowers, or, if that is out of the question, then at least to get a cool robot arm.

Michaelbrent has a wife and several kids, all of whom are much better looking than he is (though he admits that’s a low bar to set), and also cooler than he is.

Michaelbrent also has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MichaelbrentC… and can be followed on Twitter through his username @mbcollings. Follow him for cool news, updates, and advance notice of sales. You will also be kept safe when the Glorious Revolution begins!

STALK MICHAELBRENT: Website / Twitter

MY MICHAELBRENT COLLINGS REVIEWS

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Selkie Moon – The First Lie by Virginia King @selkiemoonbooks

Posted on August 13, 2020 by fundinmental

I was introduced to Virginia King and Selkie Moon through a free Amazon copy of Laying Ghosts. I probably found it through a newsletter. Laying Ghosts is still free at the time I created this post, so I hope you take a moment to introduce yourself. Be sure and check to make sure it is still free.

This is the latest cover, and I do love the blue, but I also like the other cover because it sure looks like Hawaii and I love the location. Which does it for you?

The First Lie (The Secrets of Selkie Moon, #1)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I reviewed the Prequel Laying Ghosts, in the Selkie Moon Series by Virginia King, and when the author saw it, she offered me a review copy of The First Lie. I love the cover, the location, Hawaii, and any kind of water…person, so there was no doubt in mind I had to continue on with the series. I was not disappointed.

Living in a difficult situation in Sydney she heard the call of Hawaii.

Selkie heard a voice, “Someone is trying to kill you.”

And so we begin. Is it real or a figment of her imagination? Is it Pele, warning her? Is she psychic? She’s seen the woman twice. Who is she? What does she want?

With the name Selkie Moon, I felt things would happen differently and The First Lie did not play out like I thought. It seemed a slow pace, but I think that is on me, not Virginia King…or Selkie herself. It takes time for her to work through her issues, her psychological introspection, growing and developing as a character to come into her own, becoming more mature, poised, and confident.

We have Hawaiian mysticism, and I love Hawaii, so this was that little bit extra that I look for in a good book. And, a friend, Wanda, who believes in all of it. Who doesn’t like to learn about the country they are visiting? I sure do. Years ago, Hawaii was #2 on my bucket list. I was so fortunate I was able to cross that off, though I would love to visit it again.

Selkie Moon almost drowned as a child and has a fear of water. The ocean calls to her, but she turns her back on it. Makes me wonder what is to come, if she won’t even get near it, let alone step into it.

Looking back, I appreciate the slow build and details of her life even more, walking in her footsteps and looking through her eyes. My anticipation for the next book, The Second Path, grew after reading the first chapter. I wasn’t going to read it, but seeing the next book is already out, I know there is no wait. And I do want to know what comes next…very much.

At first it felt hard to rate this, bouncing between a 3 and a 4, while reading. After writing this review and seeing the notes I made, I had to go with a 4.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The First Lie by Virginia King.

GOODREADS BLURB

“A dizzying array of events, mysteries, supernatural intrigue, and action!” – Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews

Selkie Moon is a woman on the run.

In a mad dash for freedom she’s escaped her abusive husband to start over in Hawaii. But her refuge begins to unravel and she’s running from something else entirely. A voice in a dream says: Someone is trying to kill you. Not that Selkie’s psychic, no way. But the visions escalate until the truth hits her – someone, or something, is stalking her. Entangled in Celtic and Hawaiian mythologies, the mystery becomes so bizarre and terrifying that Selkie’s instinct is to keep running. But is she running from her past or her future? And can she piece together the fragmented clues before time runs out?

The First Lie is a psychological thriller with a mythical twist, peppered with a cast of quirky characters. It’s a story about secrets, about the shadows we don’t know are driving us, from our mythical pasts and our present reality, told with a touch of humour.

Join Selkie Moon on the rollercoaster ride of her life. Rollercoasters make her throw up – but that’s the least of her problems.

ABOUT VIRGINIA KING

When a voice wakes you up in the middle of the night and tells you to write a mystery series, what’s a writer to do? That’s how I came to create Selkie Moon, after a massage from a strange woman with gifted hands was followed by this nocturnal message. I sat down at the keyboard until Selkie Moon turned up — a modern woman with a mythical name. Soon I was hooked, exploring far-flung places full of secrets where Selkie delves into psychological clues tangled up in the local mythology.

Before Selkie Moon invaded my life, I’d been a teacher, an unemployed ex-teacher, the author of over 50 children’s books, an audio-book producer, a workshop presenter and a prize-winning publisher. These days I live in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney with my husband, where I disappear each day into Selkie Moon’s latest mystery. Bliss.

Website

MY VIRGINIA KING REVIEWS

Laying Ghosts

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Giveaway – Heart Sister by Michael F Stewart @XpressoTours @MichaelFStewart

Posted on August 11, 2020 by fundinmental

I am a huge fan of Michael F Stewart and was excited when I got my hands on Heart Sister, an amazing story that is a perfect example of The Butterfly Effect in Chaos Theory.

The wonderful cover for Heart Sister definitely fits the story inside.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I love the cover and it definitely relates to the book and means so much more after reading Heart Sister by Michael F Stewart. Michael speaks from the heart in this fabulous story of a young boy that searches for the people that received his sister’s organs.

The characters are fully developed, richly detailed and I love how Michael F Stewart shows them growing and changing. Emmitt steals the show. It’s not awful enough that he lost his sister, but he lost his twin sister.

The movie that Emmitt is making was a different take on the story than I expected, but a wonderful way to tell the tale. Anything more, you will want to learn for yourself.

My heart goes out to him. I love him. He is doing everything for his mother, to pull her out of her paralyzing depression, but so much happens and many lives are changed. His sister gave them life, he helps them live it.

The butterfly effect is an idea that is more commonly used in chaos theory. it shows that a small change can make much bigger changes happen; that one small incident can have a big impact in the future. The ripple in the pond….

I cannot say enough about this novel, which is inspired by Micheal F Stewart’s own life.

Heart Sister has it all…fun and games, grief and misery, laughs and tears..and the way Michael presented it was heartbreakingly and heartwarmingly wonderful.

Even though Heart Sister is aimed at middle grade, to me, Michael F Stewart’s novels are excellent for all ages. He sends a subtle message that I hear loud and clear.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Heart Sister by Michael F Stewart.

GOODREADS BLURB

After Emmitt’s twin sister, Minnie, dies in an accident, his world goes sideways. He’s lost his best friend and it feels like his family is falling apart without her. But Minnie was an organ donor and Emmitt soon receives an anonymous thank you letter from one of the transplant recipients. Inspiration strikes, and he decides to try and put his sister back together, in spirit. He’s going to track down each organ recipient and film them to show his parents Minnie’s selfless act and help them move on. But when each recipient falls short of his expectations and the star of his film, the girl who received his sister’s heart, refuses to meet him, Emmitt has to turn to extreme measures to find her. What he doesn’t know is that his “heart sister” is hiding an agonizing secret, one that could push Emmitt to the breaking point.

ABOUT MICHEL F STEWART

Michael F. Stewart is winner of both the 2015 Claymore Award and the 2014 inaugural Creation of Stories Award for best YA novel at the Toronto International Book Fair.
He likes to combine storytelling with technology and pioneered interactive storytelling with Scholastic Canada, Australia, and New Zealand’s, anti-cyberbullying program Bully For You. In addition to his award winning Assured Destruction series, he has authored four graphic novels with Oxford University Press Canada’s Boldprint series. Publications of nonfiction titles on Corruption and Children’s Rights are published by Scholastic and early readers are out with Pearson Education.

For adults, Michael has written THE SAND DRAGON a horror about a revenant prehistoric vampire set in the tar sands, HURAKAN a Mayan themed thriller which pits the Maya against the MS-13 with a New York family stuck in the middle, 24 BONES an urban fantasy which draws from Egyptian myth, and THE TERMINALS–a covert government unit which solves crimes in this realm by investigating them in the next.

Herder of four daughters, Michael lives to write in Ottawa where he was the Ottawa Public Library’s first Writer in Residence. To learn more about Michael and his next projects visit his website at www.michaelfstewart.com or connect via Twitter @MichaelFStewart.

Michael is represented by Talcott Notch.

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