Out Due To Illness

Featured

Posted on February 22, 2024 by fundinmental

I Will Be Out Due To An Emergency. The only posts coming for the near future, will have been previously scheduled.

Tackling The TBR 1.28 – 2.2.24 #tacklingthetbr

Posted on February 3, 2024 by fundinmental

I got the idea and the motivation to start doing Tackling The TBR from All The Blog Names Are Taken. I love showcasing the books on Goodreads, my ereader and my bookshelves. The more exposure for authors and their books, the better..RIGHT? COME ON….JOIN IN.

Previous Total: 1992

Currently Reading

(I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders Lost & Found (The E Apocrypha #1) Mind Games Silent Girl (A Sheila Stone Suspense Thriller—Book One) Titan's Tears The Corpse Whisperer (Allie Nighthawk Mysteries #1) Corpse Whisperer Sworn (Allie Nighthawk Mysteries #2) Corpse Whisperer Torn (An Allie Nighthawk Mystery #3)

Fantasmagoriana Deluxe: A Combined Edition of Fantasmagoriana and Tales of the Dead

Books Read

Books Added

There is a Goodreads Giveaway for The Delusion by T O Paine.

Books DNF-ed: 0

Books Deleted: 0

Duplicates Removed: 1

New TBR Total: 1991

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!

Goodreads Giveaway

Review – Broken Rivalry by R G Angel #rgangel #midnightreaders

Posted on January 22, 2024 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

First off, I want to say, I loved the first R G Angel book I read, Hades’ Game. It told me that she is an author on my automatic read list. That means, I see it, I read it. But, Broken Rivalry was not my favorite. It read like a young adult, teenage angst novel, with some steam sex thrown it. Poppy was a character that peaked my interest and I would like to know what is in story for her next.

But, in Broken Rivalry by R G Angel, we have a rich, have it all girl who loses it all. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to go from living in a mansion and having designer everything to living in a trailer park and shopping, if you can afford it that week, at the thrift store.

I liked the idea of the three girls and the three guys, and we will have to hang around for the next book in the series to see how all that pans out.

Poppy is a character that stands out. She sacrifices for the needs and the happiness of her mother and two brothers. Even with all the hardship, she managed to get a scholarship to Silverbrook University, where she met her two best friends. They all have their own tragic story to tell, holding secrets close.

The story was pretty predictable, but it still pulled out a lot of the feels that I look for in a romance. Anger at those who wield their power, chopping down those who get in their way. Sorrow for the innocents who get caught in the middle, through no fault of their own. Respect for the ones who pick themselves up and make a new life for themselves. Love, loyalty, forgiveness, passion, second chances, sacrifice…and a happy ever after.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Poppy:
Once, I walked the halls of privilege, but in a heartbeat, I watched my world crumble. Now, as I stand at the threshold of Silverbrook University, I’m armed with nothing but a scholarship and a determination to reclaim a semblance of my former life.
But fate has a cruel sense of humor. Ethan Hawthorne, the golden boy of my former elite world and my ex-rival, is here. His every smirk is a reminder that the past is not easily outrun.

Ethan:
At Silverbrook, I’m the guy with the world at his feet—star athlete, heir to a legacy, the guy who always wins. But Poppy? She was the one challenge I never conquered, the one competitor who never played by my rules.
Her return in my life is a curveball I never saw coming. She’s changed, hardened by life’s twists, and now she captivates me more than ever. Our history wasn’t just competition; it was a clash of hearts and egos. Now, the rules have changed. I’m not just out to win a petty game. This time, I’m playing for her heart.

In the elite corridors of Silverbrook University, a tale of passion, redemption, and undeniable attraction unfolds. Poppy and Ethan, bound by their tumultuous past, are caught in a dance of denial and desire. Can an alpha athlete truly humble himself for love? And can a strong-willed girl find forgiveness in her heart? Dive into a steamy saga of love, scars, and second chances.

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Sports
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 22, 2024S
Series: Silverbrook University, #1

ABOUT R G ANGEL

On top of being an International Bestselling Author, I’m a trained lawyer, world traveller, coffee addict and cheese aficionado.

When I’m not busy doing all my lawyerly mayhem or writing Contemporary Romance with heart, heat and a little darkness, alpha heroes and strong heroines and because I’m living in rainy (yet beautiful) Britain, I mostly enjoy indoor activities such as reading, watching TV, playing with my crazy puppies.

I hope my stories will make you dream and will bring you as much joy as they brought me by writing them.

If you want to know any of the latest news join my reader group R.G.’s Angels on facebook or subscribe to my newsletter!

Website / Facebook / Bookbub / Instagram

MY R G ANGEL REVIEWS

Hades’ Game

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’s 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!

Sherry’s Shelves 12.10 – 12.16.23 #weeklyupdate

Posted on December 17, 2023 by fundinmental

Sunday Post is hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Sunday Salon is hosted by Readerbuzz
Stacking The Shelves by Reading Reality
**images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**

Hi Everyone. I’ve been working on Christmas around the house, but it’s been more of a chore this year than ever. I find myself frustrated when things aren’t the way I want them.

We took a road trip to Biloxi and New Orleans. We don’t walk around as much as we used to, but we do photo ops from the car. We did stop at the Riverwalk for a little shopping and hot chocolate and beignets. I bought a pair of warm ankle boots that I have been looking for everywhere. It seems, for footwear for me, it’s a trip to the Riverwalk. We love to watch the action of the Mississippi River and there was a huge cruise ship waiting to depart.

I’m not much of a shopper, so look quick. LOL

I don’t have any plans to travel for the rest of the year, but Mr Wonderful will be going to Birmingham to pick up his mother for Christmas. When he takes her back home, he will pick up his brother from Connecticut and come home.

Have you read any good books lately? Do you have anything special planned? Do you have any holiday traditions you would like to share?

LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

COMING UP ON fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves
A Must Read Political Fantasy – A Seat For The Rabble by Ryan Schuette
Short But Packs A Punch – A Day In the Life by Andres Masseurs
Review – Killer Dead Victim Alive by Michael Geczi
The Wolf I Want For Christmas by Abigail Owen
A Masterpiece – Veil Of Shadows Omnibus by M R Prtichard
Tackling The TBR

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!

Giveaway – Felonious Finale by C S McDonald @ireadbooktours @CSMcDonald7

Posted on November 28, 2023 by fundinmental

Join us for this review tour from Nov 6 to Dec 8, 2023!

Book Details:

Book Title: A FELONIOUS FINALE (The Owl’s Nest Mysteries)
Author: C.S. McDonald
Category: Adult Fiction, 268 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: McWriter Books
Release date: April 2023
Tour dates: Nov 6 to Dec 8
Content Rating: G. C.S. McDonald’s books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults–no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description:

Alexa Owl has one burning question: Who killed Bobby Starr?

Out of the blue that ornery angel, Detective Bobby Starr, shows up at The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to Alexa Owl’s surprise, Bobby doesn’t need her help. Rather, he’s brought along someone else who wants to qualify for Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. Saint Pete has delegated this new inductee to solve a murder to get into the group, and it’s a doozie: Who killed Detective Bobby Starr? How can Alexa turn this assignment down?

Back in the 60s, Bobby’s fifth wife, Katherine was a diva in a community operetta company. During a performance of The Merry Widow, Bobby was forced to stand-in for a member of the chorus who fell ill. Only, Bobby’s first performance would be his last! The suspects are hitting all the notes as this mystery comes to crescendo!

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
BookBub

Continue reading →

Saving The Orcas – Merciless Mayhem by Sue Coletta @SueColetta1

Posted on November 7, 2023 by fundinmental

I love sharing giant covers for Sue’s books, so you can get that up close and personal looks at all the details.

The first book in the series, Wings Of Mayhem is free. Go ahead. Grab a copy. You will see why I am so hooked on this series and these characters. Always check for the ‘0’.

GUEST POST BY SUE COLETTA

Sherry asked me another question that other readers might wonder about.

“I am writing my review and saw the list of all the consultants and sites in the front of the book. It is obvious you do tons of research, and I am interested in how you came to be so enthralled with Native American culture.”

It’s sort of a convoluted story, but I’ll try to simplify things.My brother and I grew up in a three-bedroom gambrel built by my maternal grandfather. In fact, my bedroom used to be my mother’s childhood bedroom. Unfortunately, my grandparents on both sides died before I was born, except for my maternal grandmother, who died when I was four.

This house held hidden secrets. In the walls, in the floors, and in the side attic.

Because of my grandparents passing, no one commented on the construction of the house, nor did they explain why the backs of our closets had hidden doorways that led to tunnels behind the walls or why trapdoors led to a secret staircase. To access the hidden passageways, you had to crawl or hunch. My brother and I thought they were the coolest forts. Neither of us had any idea why they existed, nor did it matter. Kids don’t care about the why or how something materialized. They just take the win.

Fast forward a few years. In the third grade my art teacher—back then we had one teacher for all creative activities—planned to put on a school play about the Pilgrims “discovering” America. She asked each student to choose a role, “Indian” or Pilgrim. I chose the former.

Side note: Please excuse the usage of “Indian” rather than more acceptable terms of Native American, First Nations, American Indian, First Peoples, or Indigenous. I use it here for accuracy. That’s the term my misguided teacher used.

Also of note:

Back then, all teachers whitewashed America’s dirty little secrets and instead taught a skewed version of history.
“Indians” were portrayed as the villains of the school play.

For this role, I needed a costume, which Mom made from a bedsheet. A cute little dress edged in fringe. The material couldn’t stay white, of course, so she brewed up several pots of tea to create the perfect dye to mimic tanned animal hides. While we dyed my dress, she told me all about my grandfather and our Native roots. She also said I was spitting image of his sister, my Great Aunt Hat.

Anyway, because I lost my mother so early in life, important parts of our conversation have faded. I’ve pieced together that I’m most likely Algonquin, since my grandfather hailed from Maine, but I’ve never been able to pinpoint the exact clan affiliation. Native American bloodlines are notoriously difficult to trace. They weren’t included in the census bureau because the white population didn’t consider them human, as disgraceful as that sounds. As an aside, Little Rain was one of my relatives, the name I gave Maggie in my Mayhem Series. It fits her so well.

On my father’s side, others have traced his line back to the Mayflower. Evidently, my paternal line consists of the very colonists who murdered Native Americans. So, basically, I’m a walking contradiction. 😉

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a Native heart and soul. When my mother told me about our heritage, life made sense. And so did those secret passageways in our walls. My grandfather built hiding places into our home to protect family and friends from those who wished them harm, like an underground railroad. He had good reason to, as Native people were driven off their ancestral land at an alarming rate. Even today, few New England states have a robust Indigenous community.

Incidentally, at the school play, I wore that tea-dyed, fringed dress with pride. I also gave the teacher a piece of mind for portraying my People like they were the enemy. Needless to say, Mom had a lot of explaining to do afterward. The principal wasn’t pleased with my outburst. LOL Never once did Mom blame me, though. Instead, she taught me to take pride in my Native heritage.

So, to answer your question, yes, I do a ton of research for my Mayhem Series. Not only for accuracy but for me, personally. Through that research I fell in love with Diné culture and traditions, and the spirituality speaks to my soul. As Shawnee learns about her heritage, I learn about mine.

Thanks for another great question, Sherry. <3

Truly fascinating Sue. I want to thank you so much for sharing ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of you giving your teacher a history lesson. I love picturing you, in your fringed dress, righting a wrong. Unfortunately and unbelievably, in the 21st century here in Florida, they are trying to ‘turn back time.’ It’s true, ‘history repeats itself’…over and over and over again.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It’s 9:30 am on a Monday morning and Mr Mayhem and Shawnee are racing through the forest. Shawnee struggles to keep up with the frantic pace Mr Mayhem has set, slapping branches aside, doing her best to keep up. Why is Poe sending out an alarm?

Where is Shicheii? Shicheii is her grandfather, her only living relative. She will die for him.

And that is the opening for Merciless Mayhem.

Sue Coletta and the Mayhem gang have been working tirelessly to protect nature and all the animals that inhabit our world, and this time Orcas and dolphins are the target of the Killzme Corporation. They present themselves as conservationists, but use those who care about saving the animals for nefarious purposes, without their knowledge. That really ticked me off! Sue Coletta’s subject matter and writing does get all my emotions firing.

The blurb and introduction inside the book made me want to share…well, almost everything, but I figure you will read that anyway, so let’s just get right down to my thoughts.

Sue Coletta does a lot of research and I love an author that strives to make their novels authentic, as realistic as possible. She does that very well.

I won’t go into all the updates for how we came to be where we are. I will leave that for you to find out for yourself, but Sue Coletta does include them in the story. I believe you may be able to read each book as a standalone, but starting in the beginning gives so much depth and meaning into the characters, I recommend beginning with Wings Of Mayhem, Book I.

The Killzme Corporation was the largest animal trafficking ring in the US and they had put a bounty on Mr Mayhem and Shawnee. They will use anyone they care about to get their hands on them.

I love their role playing, as they do their investigating, and they had me bursting out in laughter. The visuals Sue created in my mind are amazing.

Mr Mayhem’s nickname for Shawnee, Cautious Cat, is a misnomer. She can be impulsive, acting without thought of the consequences, putting herself in peril when those she loves are in danger. Mr Mayhem is her mentor and works with her to create a center of calm, giving herself time to anticipate the results of her actions. It’s a work in progress. 🙂

I am speechless when Shawnee launches her attack, around 617 on my ereader. She is a badass warrior and a character sure to capture any thriller lover’s heart, like mine.

Shawnee is in a committed relationship with Levaughn, but we don’t hear much about him. We meet up with some old friends and are introduced to some new ones.

Her interactions with Poe are always fun. They are like two kids struggling through sibling rivalry and Shawnee comes out with the short end of the stick. Lots of smiles to be had, but when push comes to shove, Poe will be there for her.

I love an author that makes me want to do my own research and Sue Coletta is one of those authors. Her chapters begin with Native American sayings that make me think. The Sea Shepherd is mentioned and I remember watching the TV show. They put themselves in danger to stop the slaughter of whales by the Japanese.

Chapter 47 took me to a place I have been waiting to go. I thought it had to come and I am eager to see where Sue will take it in the next book. That being said, I feel it is too important to share and I WANT you to find it out for yourself. Will this go where I want, where I feel it has to, where I feel fate has meant it to be? Have I made you curious?

The Orcas and dolphins may be safe, for the moment…BUT… brace yourself. The next stop is Yellowstone, where Killzme has planned a mass slaughter of bears, wolves and lynxes.

I am always eager to see what Sue will come up with next in this series, but now she has made me even more curious with this snippet at the very end of the novel:

Once my grandfather vanished inside, I swiveled toward my mentor. “He’s definitely hiding somethin’.”
“Oh, yes. Yes, he is. The question is, what?”
“Aw man, Shicheii. What did you do?”

Sue Coletta left me smiling. Thanks, Sue, Mr Mayhem and Shawnee! Oh, and our feathered friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Merciless Mayhem by Sue Coletta.

GOODREADS BLURB

Shawnee and Mayhem continue to wreak havoc on the Killzme Corporation—the largest animal trafficking ring in the country—by killing one poacher at a time. The stakes grow increasingly higher when the nefarious group retaliates by putting a bounty on their heads.

Meanwhile, the traffickers set their sights on capturing Orca for profit and pleasure.

With a ticking clock and no place left to hide, Shawnee and Mayhem alternate between undercover surveillance and clandestine battles to save their loved ones and the Innocent Ones from Killzme’s evil plans. Skills are tested. Tenuous alliances are formed. Not everyone will make it out alive.

Set in a world of cultural wonder, environmental threats, and looming danger, this heart-stopping eco-thriller will have you glued to the page from the first sentence to the last.

Genre: Ecothriller, Fiction, Mystery, Native American Literature, Suspense, Thriller. Vigilante Justice
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023 by Crow Talons Press
Series: The Mayhem Series, #8

ABOUT SUE COLETTA

Sue Coletta is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Feedspot and Expertido.org named her Murder Blog as one of the “Top 100 Crime Blogs on the Net” (Murder Blog sits at #5) for four years in a row. And recently, she appeared on an Emmy award-winning true crime show.

Sue also blogs at the Kill Zone, a multi-award-winning writing blog, and writes two serial killer thriller series (Tirgearr Publishing) and narrative nonfiction/true crime for Globe Pequot, trade division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.

For readers, she has the Crime Lover’s Lounge, where members will be the first to know about free giveaways, contests, and have inside access to deleted scenes (if available). As an added bonus, members get to play in the lounge. Your secret code will unlock the virtual door.

BONUS: When you join Sue’s community you’ll receive two free killer reads!

Sue lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with her husband, and begins each by feeding all the wildlife in her yard. Her favorite “pets” are a murder of crows who live free but come when called by name.

Learn more about Sue and her books at: https://suecoletta.com

Website * Facebook Author Page * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Youtube * Amazon * Goodreads

MY REVIEWS FOR SUE COLETTA

Marred (Grafton County Series)
Cleaved (Grafton County Series)
Scathed (Grafton County Series)
Racked (Grafton County Series)
Haloed (Grafton County Series)
Wings of Mayhem (The Mayhem Series)
Blessed Mayhem (The Mayhem Series)
Silent Mayhem (The Mayhem Series)
I Am Mayhem (The Mayhem Series)
Unnatural Mahem (The Mayhem Series)
Restless Mayhem (The Mayhem Series)
Tracing Mayhem (The Mayhem Series)
Hacked (Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle Worlds Novella)
Fractured Lives (Brotherhood Protectors Kindle Worlds Novella)
True Crime – Pretty Evil New England

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!

SHE Was His Obsession – Fyre and Ash by Logan Fox #LoganFox #FyreandAsh

Posted on October 23, 2023 by fundinmental

I got a copy of the complete series of Fyre and Ash by Logan Fox through Booksprout. Thank you Logan Fox and Booksprout for the opportunity to read and review Fyre and Ash.

MY REVIEW

I am reviewing each book individually and the collection as a whole.

Healing was my obsession… until *she* walked into my classroom.

I must confess, I love a good villain as much or more than a good hero. I find them fascinating. Both characters Fyre and Charlotte Ash have tragic pasts, but once Charlotte is in Fyre’s sights…I love that she fought him, regardless of the attraction. She knew it was wrong as he forced himself upon her. There are many triggers, so…if you don’t like diving into the depths of depravity in an erotic thriller that has no boundaries, step aside. This isn’t for you.

The action ramps up and the danger rises for Charlotte Ash. Fyre has enemies and will use any means necessary to draw him in. We meet Arrow, Fyre’s faithful companion, who takes an immediate liking to Charlotte. We come to a point where all hell breaks loose and, well, I can’t say much more or I feel I will give too much away. I will tell you, the ending of this novella had me screaming, “No, no, no, no, no,” at my ereader. Logan Fox, what are you doing to me? I am so glad that I have the rest of the story, sitting here, waiting for me to take the next step. First, a breath of fresh air to brace myself for what is to come.

Boy, did Under Fyre end on a low note, so I am eager to begin Catching Fyre. Definitely an appropriate name, because someone’s going to burn. We learn how and why Fyre becomes a serial killer and there is so much to his story. I begin to look at him like another ‘villain’ I love so much, Mr Mayhem, from Sue Coletta’s Mayhem series. Things are not always as they appear to be and the saying: Don’t judge a book by it’s cover applies to Fyre. I have grown to love him and Charlotte and I am shocked at where we end up. Well done, Logan.

MY REVIEW FOR FYRE AND ASH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

For those girls who openly root for the hero…while fantasizing about the villain.

Each book starts with a Playlist and I was very curious what music inspired Logan Fox for these novellas.

I love for an author to take me to the dark side and wallow in depravity. I find myself smiling and laughing, all too often, so I am glad this is fiction and not real life. What does this say about me? That I love an author that can take me out of my comfort zone, have me squirming in more ways than one. The perverse and twisted characters reach a climax that made me hate it when I read the last sentence…until I found there was a bonus epilogue.

I’m not sure why I didn’t give this a five star rating. I think because it felt rushed? Like something was missing, but I don’t know what. I don’t think it could have taken me to a deeper, darker place. And, as far as healing her…or himself…I will definitely be checking out more of Logan Fox’s work. Shee hits all my discomfort zones. LOL

GOODREADS BLURB

Healing was my obsession…until she walked into my classroom.

For years, my art therapy classes have provided solace to trauma survivors.
I’ve never questioned my motives before. Then her file crosses my desk.
Charlotte Ash.
Battered. Bruised. Broken.
The devil who kidnapped her put this girl through seven days of hell before she could escape.
The torture she suffered shows in her dead eyes. Eyes that brighten with hope when our gazes lock.
She’s drawn to me.
And I’m obsessed with her.
I’m her teacher, but instead of healing her, I’m stalking her.
Instead of distancing myself, I’m watching her sleep at night.
It’s for her protection. To keep her safe from harm.
I will kill for her.
But the only monster hiding under her bed…is me.

From USA Today bestselling dark romance author, Logan Fox, comes a deliciously dark and twisted stalker romance collection. Fyre and Ash contains all three books in the series, along with exclusive bonus content.
* Playing with Fyre
* Under Fyre
* Catching Fyre
* Bonus content from the Fyre & Ash world

Trigger: This book contains graphic sex, violence, assault, abuse, murder, stalking, voyeurism, exhibitionism, knife play, breath play, primal play, age-gap, a possessive/obsessive morally grey antihero, dub-con, torture, drugs, suicide ideation, bondage, captivity, humiliation and degradation, mental illness, somnophilia. Please proceed with caution.

For fans of Haunting Adeline, That Sik Luv, and the Mindf*ck series.

Genre: Erotica, Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Thriller
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 26, 2023
Series: Fyre and Ash novellas

ABOUT LOGAN FOX

Logan Fox writes deliciously dark and twisted romance with damaged anti-heroes and kick-ass heroines.

Subscribe to her newsletter by heading over to her website at https://authorloganfox.com

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!

Vampirilicious – The Darkest Blood by Kay Widow @KayWidow @booksirens

Posted on August 18, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Bloodline Dagger Series by Kay Widow may not be mind blowing, but I am having a great time following these characters, meeting new ones, and watching romance bloom. I will gladly grab any book I see by Kay Widow.

I love vampires, of all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if they are sparkly or grotesque. It doesn’t matter if they are Edward Cullen, Angel, or Nosferatu. Bring ’em on.

In The Darkest Blood, we continue the Bloodline Dagger series. The Dagger can kill a vampire, but must be wielded by a human.

Alec Blackwood is a vampire lord and those at the top need to be one their toes. There are always those who wish to have their power. And…many times it comes from their family.

Of course, Alec has to run into that one human woman whom he cannot resist, and that is Nina. She’s pretty up front about what she wants and not afraid of his fangs. She is not a morning person, and neither am I. I love their lively banter.

“Wakey, wakey, oh, Tiny Angry One.”

The last third of the book picked up the pace. The danger rose to an unputdownable level. If the whole book was at this level of suspense, the rating would have been upped a notch. I love being able to easily read through a story, but, also, love when there is more meat on the bones.

I love Prologues and Epilogues and The Darkest Blood by Kay Widow has two epilogues, one for Alec and one for Nina. Hmmm, would you want to be turned into a vampire? I have thought about this myself, and I think…..

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Blood & Fang by Kay Widow.

GOODREADS BLURB

I loathe individuals born with a silver spoon in their mouths, people like Alec Blackwood.

I watch as he glides across the street on that black Harley,

Leaning low and turning women’s heads like some conquering hero.

He has money coming from all directions –

Gold watches, Gucci shoes, an apartment in the most expensive part of town.

People call him the King of Manhattan.

But underneath the darkness of his gaze, I can sense something supernatural –

Fangs that glow in the light like a warning, ready to strike.

I can’t let him discover what secrets I am hiding,

But something about him makes every cell in my body tingle.

His piercing eyes look through my soul, making me powerless.

It turns out my enemy is his enemy, and if we fail to unite,

Defeat is inevitable.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Supernatural, Vampires
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2023

ABOUT KAY WIDOW

Kay Widow is a paranormal romance author. She writes page-turning romances that readers consume faster than she can produce.
If you love spicy romances with protective and dominant alphas who fall for sassy curvy women, then you might just love Kay’s novels.
Kay lives in Kansas with her husband, Irish twins, and all her book boyfriends.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

MY KAY WIDOW 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!

Review – The Parade by Matt J Pike @booksirens @SoothsayerMatt

Posted on August 15, 2023 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Parade is my first Matt J Pike novel. I was looking for some apocalyptic/dystopian books and came across it, so I clicked. Even though it is the fifth book in the Apocalyptic Survivor series, it is the first book in the Apocalypse Survivors Subseries, I never felt lost. And it is a great cover, that Matt designed himself.

My name is Zoe Carter, this is my story, and the story of all the members of the Norwood Hub during and after the impact of Comet 2014DM3 in April 2014.

How would you spend your time if you knew a comet would hit the Earth? Would you give up and part like it’s 1999? Would you be a prepper and gather resources, hunkering down to see who is left standing? Would you gather arms and weapons to protect yourself?

I love apocalyptic books, because I wonder what I would do. I think in desperate times, the best and the worst of humanity comes to light…and The Parade has a lot of the worst. Sometimes there is no choice, it’s a me or them situation.

Violence, vendettas, selfishness and greed – that’s what came out in us the most.

Of course, you have those who step up to lead, often through fear, and making sure they get what’s theirs first. When food runs out, they have a big target on their back. People have to have someone to blame. The simplest injury could mean death, as medical supplies run out or are non existent, not enough, or no doctors to help.

The ‘grenade’ event was quite clever.

An unlikely group of characters were drawn together for protection and survival. No one can predict who will survive and not all of them do. We have some sad moments, but that was to be expected. We have plenty of violence and death, and that was to be expected too. Your friend can quickly become your enemy. There are no winners in an apocalypse, just survivors. Would you be one of them?

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Parade by Matt J Pike.

GOODREADS BLURB

“Perhaps, like the scars left on the world we live in, the scars left on our species will take decades to heal – centuries even. May I – we – be forgiven for what we have done.” Zoe Survivor
You’ve heard from the heroes. Now get ready for the villains…
In the latest instalment of his award-winning Apocalypse Survivors series, Aussie author Matt J Pike returns to where it all began with a new origin story – this one told from the perspective of the bad guys. But when life on earth has been all but wiped out by an comet, simple ideas of good and evil aren’t as simple as they appear.
As the comet unleashes an ash cloud over the planet, stealing the sun and bringing on permanent winter, a brutal new era dawns for humanity. In a small corner of the world, in a broken city called Adelaide, a group of survivors gather on The Parade, a resource-rich shopping strip that offers shelter, warmth, water and food. What unites them is the simple desire to survive, what divides them is how far they’re prepared to go to make that happen.
In the power play for control of this frightening new world, one thing is clear. No one is getting through unscathed!
There is no good and bad. Only survival.

Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Fiction, Science Fiction
242 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2023

ABOUT MATT J PIKE (from Amazon)

Like the legendary R M Williams, Matt was born in Jamestown in rural South Australia. But that’s where the remarkable similarities between these two end. While Reginald went from bushman to world renowned millionaire outback clothing designer, Matt is a complete dag who was lured by the city lights of Adelaide. Kindergarten in the big smoke was a culture shock, but it is here he first discovered his love of storytelling.

In high school that love found an outlet in a series of completely unflattering cartoons about fellow students and teachers alike. He survived long enough to further his art into a successful career in multimedia design but, like a zombified leech, the lure of the written word gnawed at him, forcing him to pen his first novel, the award-winning sci-fi comedy epic, Kings of the World. It was followed the next year by Amazon Australia dystopian sci-fi best-seller Apocalypse: Diary of a Survivor.

Matt donates part-proceeds of each book sold to find a cure for Rett Syndrome, a neurological condition the youngest of his three children, Abby, has.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

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!

Giveaway – Hidden Pieces by Mary Keliikoa @partnersincr1me @mary_keliikoa

Posted on July 20, 2023 by fundinmental

Hidden Pieces

by Mary Keliikoa

July 17 – August 11, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Sheriff Jax Turner is staring down the barrel of his broken past. On the brink of ending it all, he feels like a failure following his daughter’s tragic passing and his subsequent divorce. But when a schoolgirl vanishes and her backpack is found in a sex offender’s backseat, the weary lawman drags himself into action and vows to nail one last sociopath.

Shocked to discover the teen’s aunt had lost her life in an abduction years prior, the devastating outcome that he’s taken personally, Jax believes the killer has returned with a vengeance. But as the desperate cop frantically hunts down a mysterious relative in search of a suspect, the girl’s time keeps ticking away…

Can the jaded sheriff take down the culprit in time to bring the young girl home alive?

Praise for Hidden Pieces:

“A multilayered psychological thriller…that is both poignant and engrossing.”
~ Kirkus Reviews

“Hidden Pieces is an intense novel offering hair-raising twists and turns and differing plots making it difficult for the reader to discern the culprit. Surprises arise to give the story more power and excitement. A page-turner up to the conclusion this is an exhilarating and spine-tingling read.”
~ New York Journal of Books

“Moody, evocative, yet propulsive.”
~ Matt Coyle, Bestselling Author of the Rick Cahill crime series

“Wow! What a novel. It crackles with realism, a page turner that sucks you in and won’t let you go till the last page… Domestic thriller and mystery fans will get their money’s worth.”
~ David Putnam, Bestselling Author of the Bruno Johnson seies

Book Details:

Genre: Police Procedural + Mystery & Psychological Suspense
Published by:Level Best Books
Publication Date: October 2022
Number of Pages: 282
ISBN: 9781685121563 (ISBN10: 168512156X)
Series: Misty Pines Mystery, #1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

ZERO MINUS FOUR HOURS

CHAPTER 1

Sheriff Jax Turner swerved his patrol car off Highway 101 and took a sharp right onto an unmarked dirt road leading to the beach. Tourists didn’t come to Misty Pines for the summer to swim in the ocean or the lakes. Too much mist; too much murkiness. The few outdoorsmen drawn to the area for fishing off the ragged ocean jetties had long gone for the season.

His Glock 22 rested on the seat next to him, along with a miniature wooden chair. He’d finished carving it during another sleepless night for a dollhouse he’d never complete, for a tea party that would never happen.

Jax followed the smooth road as it transitioned into rock, his upper body swaying and bouncing with the uneven terrain. When it leveled, he floored it, the tires spinning before they found their footing on the sandy flat.

Aimed toward the sea, he parked on a stretch of solid pack a few yards from the surf. The foamy fingers of the ocean reached for his cruiser, coming up short. The weather report called for ninety degrees in the city located eighty miles east, which meant an inversion for everyone on the coastline. His future, or lack of one, floated in the horizon, where gray ocean met gray clouds, both soon to be indiscernible in the impending fog. Damn, he was tired of being tired.

The window down, he sucked in the brackish scent of the seaweed-littered shores. Seagulls swarmed overhead. Their plaintive cries sent a wave of grief through him.

Misty Pines should have been a fresh start, a place to heal the wounds of the past. Instead, the salty air had entrenched itself in the ten years since he’d arrived. The torture would never end on its own. An hour spent unloading his ammunition at the shooting range into a silhouette target hadn’t helped this time.

Except he hadn’t unloaded all of it.

He leaned over the passenger seat to retrieve two sealed envelopes from the glovebox. A dragonfly drawing done with blue-green Crayola and glitter slid out. He fumbled and then caught it before it floated to the floor. His finger trembled as he traced the wings, remembering Lulu’s soft pink cheeks. He laid his daughter’s gift on his lap and propped the envelopes on the dash right before picturing them splattered in his blood. They’d accuse him of many things when they discovered his body. He wouldn’t let heartless be one of them. He placed the items back, securing the latch.

At least when they were found, the people who’d cared about him once would know why. One letter was for his former partner, Detective Jameson. He would understand if no one else did. The other to Abby. Ten years married, and their only child lost to cancer.

Lulu’s brave smile flashed in his mind, making the lump in his throat swell. Abby said she didn’t blame him, but he blamed himself enough for them both. And despite what she said, the light had dimmed in Abby’s eyes the night their little girl passed. Their marriage died that day too. They just hadn’t properly buried it until last year.

He balanced the gun on his lap and held the miniature chair in his hand, letting the gulls’ cries and the roaring surf fill his mind one last time. The rearview mirror reflected his weary eyes and the bags that had taken up residence under them. He ran his broad hand over his graying sandy hair and back around to the stubble on his chin.

Time to get to it.

He lifted the gun, holding the barrel in his mouth. The cold, metallic weight pushed against his bottom teeth. His throat closed, and he forced a swallow. Quit stalling. Eyes squeezed shut, sadness flooded his chest. Regret shoved him. Don’t think. He drew in the cool air through his nostrils one more time. Held it. Waited. Was this what he really wanted?

“Jax,” his radio crackled to life. “Sheriff…please….”

His eyes flew open, and he withdrew the gun from his mouth. Trudy. Had he heard something in her tone? Hard to tell with her voice coming in and out. He wouldn’t miss the shoddy technology in this godforsaken place. No. He was imagining it. He shook his head. Raised the gun.

“Sheriff Turner, we have a Code Ten-Fifty-Four. Urgent. Response needed.”

Lost child or runaway. Could be either. He’d been equally useless in both instances in the past.

“Sherriff Turner. Answer your damn radio.” Trudy’s voice blared that time.

He bristled and lifted the receiver off the hook. “What’re you talking about, Trudy?”

“There you are. It’s Emily Krueger’s kid. She didn’t get on the school bus.”

Allison. The little girl with the gap-toothed smile who used to wave when he walked past the bookstore. Not so little now, right? A teenager?

“Emily check with her friends?”

“No one’s seen her, hon.”

“Have Chapman handle it. I’m a little—”

“Gone this week,” Trudy said. “Alaska fishing trip. Remember?”

Right.

He scrubbed the exhaustion from his eyes. “On my way.”

He dropped the mic into its holder and secured his gun. Hopefully, this wouldn’t take long, and he’d be back in an hour to contemplate finishing the job.

***

Author Bio:

Mary Keliikoa is the author of Hidden Pieces and the upcoming Deadly Tides in the Misty Pines mystery series, the PI Kelly Pruett mystery series which includes the Shamus, Lefty, Agatha and Anthony nominated Derailed for best debut, and the upcoming Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow out Summer of 2024. Her short stories have appeared in Woman’s World and in the anthology Peace, Love and Crime.

A Pacific NW native, she admits to being that person who gets excited when called for jury duty. When not in Washington, you can find Mary with toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach. But even under the palm trees and blazing sun, she’s plotting her next murder—novel that is.