Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Elves in South Carolina? Review of Jack: The Tale of Frost by Tony Bertauski
If you like the odd, the adventurous, the sci-fi world of magical beings, then this book is for you.
I read the first book, Claus: Legend of the Fat Man (see my review HERE) and was blown away. I laughed and played with the elves and reindeer.
Jack: The Tale of Frost is darker and goes off in a much different direction.
Sooooo, grab your hot toddy and blankie, stoke up the fire and put up your feet, and let’s enter the magical world that is Jack.
Sura takes a job at Frost Plantation.
She will meet Mr. Frost, who’s love of Christmas is obsessive, after all he invented Christmas, didn’t he?
Sura will find the love of her life and the home she has longed for.
She will also meet Jack, who is the opposite of Mr. Frost. Jack hates Christmas.
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A Christmas story so unusual, it makes the Grinch seem like child’s play.
The world building and character descriptions will have your mind working overtime trying to envision them. Tony Bertauski’s imagination knows no bounds as he takes me on a magical, sci-fi adventure after the downfall of the North Pole.
There is a love story, but to me that was just the icing on the cake. Jack is the cake.
Elves in South Carolina? Impossible? If you saw a round blue guy, what would you think?
I love a “guy” that I love to hate and Jack fits that bill to a T.
I wanted to laugh and cry with Jack, when I could get over the fact that he was a total asswipe. I felt bad for him and then I wanted to slap him up side the head. Jack didn’t have visions of sugar plums, but there were reindeer and a jolly fat man dancing in his head. The sun was so hot, but his memories were of white, fluffy snow and ice cold temperatures. He was not a pleasant “person” to be around. All that being said, I have to say that I liked Jack. The things he went through as he came “alive” made me root for him, encouraging him to hang in there, things will get better, won’t they?
I was confused for a while, trying to figure out what in the hell happened after all the badness at the North Pole, but as it came together I was even more surprised. This book is darker than Claus, but every bit as entertaining to read.
I love a surprise at the end, and Tony left me screaming for more!
4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others
When Tony says, “I’d rather sail a boat than climb a mountain”, I smiled, nodded my head and said to myself, “I’m with you Tony.”
I received this book from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
My grandpa never graduated high school. He retired from a steel mill in the mid-70s. He was uneducated, but he was a voracious reader. I remember going through his bookshelves of paperback sci-fi novels, smelling musty old paper, pulling Piers Anthony and Isaac Asimov off shelf and promising to bring them back. I was fascinated by robots that could think and act like people. What happened when they died?
I’ve written textbooks on landscape design, but that was straightforward, informational writing; the kind of stuff that helps most people get to sleep. I’ve also been writing a gardening column with a humorous slant. That takes a little more finesse, but still informational for the most part.
I’m a cynical reader. I demand the writer sweep me into his/her story and carry me to the end. I’d rather sail a boat than climb a mountain. That’s the sort of stuff I wanted to write, not the assigned reading we used to get in high school. I wanted to create stories that kept you up late.
Fiction, GOOD fiction, is hard to write. Having a story unfold inside your head is an experience different than reading. You connect with characters in a deeper, more meaningful way. You feel them, empathize with them, cheer for them and even mourn. The challenge is to get the reader to experience the same thing, even if it’s only a fraction of what the writer feels. Not so easy.
Goodreads / Website / Facebook
To get your copy of Tony Bertauski’s Christmas saga, click on the cover below.
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Is Winning the Lottery a Curse or a Blessing – Jackpot by Susan Fleet
Jackpot by Susan Fleet is a prequel for the Frank Renzi series. It tells how and why Frank made the move from Boston to New Orleans, a story no thriller lover will want to miss.
Each novel can stand alone.
To see my reviews for the other Renzi novels, scroll to the end of the post.
Myself, I play Powerball. How about you?
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Four lottery winners.
Four murders.
Is there a serial killer on the loose?
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I love the cover of Jackpot, as I do for all of Susan Fleet’s novels. Simple and direct.
Susan Fleet loves to write about serial killers and Jackpot is another murder mystery that reads like True Crime. I do not find the plot so far fetched. I have watched The Lottery Changed My Life, a tv show about lottery winners. In one episode, a man was killed at a strip club. He had been known to carry large amounts of cash, making him a prime target.
Check out The Tragic Stories of The Unluckiest Winners.
Who knows what sets off a killer?
Jackpot is full of suspense, containing plots within plots. The story keeps unraveling and what starts out as a good thing, quickly turns bad. But then again, Susan loves to write about serial killers and does a fine job of it.
The characters come alive on the pages as Susan Fleet leads us from one murder to the next.
“He’d won $12 million and he was still a loser.”
Poor Nigel. He finally got a break. He won $12 million dollars in the lottery. His need to gamble, which had ruined his life, vanished. But, some people seem to be jinxed. Bad things seem to follow them around, like bees to honey or flies to shit.
Frank is a very flawed hero, but I love him. He never hurts anyone on purpose and goes out of his way for a child. It seems Susan Fleet always has a child in her books, that crosses Frank’s path. He goes above and beyond to help.
I like my heroes tarnished. They become more real to me and Frank fits the bill. He is married and having an affair with a married woman, Gina. They have been together for years and he is faithful to her. They met because of their jobs. Frank is a cop and Gina a reporter. I would think they are an unlikely duo, until I think of how much time anyone spends at work.
Susan fleet has a book idea for Gina and the title would be The Lottery Winner. ^_^
I am very familiar with Boston and the Cape, locations in Jackpot. As Susan’s words unfold on the page, my mind develops photographs of the passing scenery.
(c) Sherry Fundin Sagamore Bridge, Cape Cod, MA
I have crossed this bridge many times and have sat in the traffic Susan Fleet talks about. We always worked at timing it to miss the worst – traffic that goes on for miles, cars as far as you can see.
She also includes music in her novels, whether if be the Jazz of New Orleans or the Boston Pops. It makes me think of the fantastic Fourth of July fireworks show.
Ryan is Gina’s husband. His dad is an alcoholic named Tom Collins. Susan always manages to include a little humor with the horror.
“…after dark the scary boogey men come out.” I laughed. You have to be there.
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review. I always look forward to reading another murder mystery/thriller from Susan Fleet. What do you have in store for us next, Susan?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Music & Mayhem is my game. Started my trumpet career in my teens, got into the mayhem later. My print journalist father taught me how to play pool in the police station. Maybe that’s how I discovered my dark side.
After gigging on trumpet in the Boston area for many years (while teaching at Brown University and Berklee College of Music), I moved to New Orleans, which became the setting for my crime thrillers.
I survived Katrina, but moved back to Boston in 2010. On my website I post profiles of women musicians and just began a blog, DARK DEEDS, about serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. Please come visit!!
You can stalk Susan at the links below:
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To see my 5 STAR Review of Natalie’s Revenge, go HERE.
To see my 5 STAR Review of Absolution, go HERE.
To see my 5 STAR Review of Diva, go HERE.
To get your copy of Jackpot, or any other Susan Fleet book, click on the cover below.
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GIVEAWAY
Susan Fleet is offering for the Giveaway, 2 (two) Kindle copies to 2 (two) lucky commenters. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Giveaway ends January 7, 2014.
GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THE WINNERS ARE: Dwayne Keller and Sandy S. Congratulations and happy reading!
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Yes, there is a Santa Claus!
I have been soooooo good this year, that Santa came by my house early, courtesy of the local Fire Department.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.
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My Adventures – Cruisin’ to New Orleans
ROAD TRIP – headin’ to the Big Easy – that’s Nawlins for the uninitiated.
I have been here many times and still marvel at the uniqueness that is New Orleans.
(c) Sherry Fundin
What a great time of year to visit. Christmas decorations light up the streets, making me twist and turn my head, so I don’t miss anything. My camera finger is flicking away, taking photographs as quickly as the camera can cycle through.
(c) Sherry Fundin
I located my hotel, then parked the car. Starting my walk at the French Market, I ogle the goodies that are displayed. How about a little window shopping?
(c) Sherry Fundin
(c) Sherry Fundin
I can smell the beignets and hot chocolate at Cafe du Monde calling to me. While enjoying my snack and taking a break from walking, I watch the street musicans playing some Jazz and the street performers entertaining the crowd. I love to people watch, and this is a perfect place to do so.
(c) Sherry Fundin
Of course, we have to cross the street and pet the donkeys, all the while taking photographs as we pass Jackson Square. These are two signatures of New Orleans that you don’t want to miss.
(c) Sherry Fundin
We went to City Park – visited the New Orleans Museum of Art and stopped to enjoy the Cajun Christmas light display at Christmas in the Oaks. There is a train you can ride, but I chose to walk so I could take my time on the things that I enjoyed the most, like this magical creature.
I had a great dinner/breakfast at Daisy Dukes, where the food abounds and the Bloody Mary’s are bottomless.
(c) Sherry Fundin
I stayed at The Ambassador. My room had huge wooden beams, with a glass door and windows that open to the hallways of the hotel. It says The French Quarter to me. I enjoyed their delicious breakfast, before I set out on day two. The Ambassador is in close proximity to many New Orleans features, making it possible to walk the area.
(c) Sherry Fundin
On the way home, I felt the need to stretch my legs. What better place than Margaritaville for a couple of cocktails and some lunch. Of course, I had to pull a slot lever or two and try my luck. It’s always nice if someone else picks up my trip tab.
(c) Sherry Fundin
A beautiful sunset capped off a great couple of days.
I love road trips. I throw some stuff in the car and hit the road. Stay tuned for more of my fun adventures.
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.
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Will the Domino Effect topple them? The Blake Mistake by I C Camilleri
I C Camilleri’s Blake series is a psychic adventure into the future.
Would their interference in current events be their future downfall?
Read on to see if the Domino Effect will topple them.
The cover of The Blake Mistake is awesome. I love the simplicity and subtle colors.
MY 5 STAR REVIEW OF THE BLAKE SOUL.
Emma found the trapdoor in the edge of the woods by accident.
She had no idea of the horror that had taken place in the hidden rooms.
No idea of how it would play into her future.
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The Blake Mistake has so much going on, I’m trying to think how I will describe it to you. I C Camilleri writes of the paranormal, romance, suspense, horror, murders, a serial killer, insecurity and jealousy and how the characters do there best to survive and find a happy ending.
Right off the bat, I C Camilleri surprised me. What? I should have known it would not be that simple. So many sub plots, my head would spin at times, being torn first one way and then another.
This review is really hard to write. I do not want to give away any of the good stuff. The surprises just keep on coming and I want you to find them on your own. So, here we go.
He wanted to go home. Would Jake welcome him? When I find out who he is and how he comes to return home, I’m stunned. My jaw dropped open and I just sat and sat, thinking.
Sam loved Jake as a brother and chose to marry Ben. Ben was always insecure about Sam and Jake’s relationship, but talk about really insecure, let’s talk about Emma.
Emma had set her sights on Jake as soon as she met him and got him. She is drop dead gorgeous and is so afraid that when she is old and gray, Jake will no longer love her. Emma’s brother is Ben.
Ben is a psychic, like his father Josh.
Ben’s dream took him away. He had a psychic glimpse into the future. Josh had seen it too. Ben, could choose to save his brother, Nick, but what about the others? Thousands of lives would change if he chose to rewrite destiny. It would spread out into the world, like a ripple in the water. Could you live with it?
By seeing the future, Ben had interfered before and changed Jake’s destiny. Jake in turn was there to save Ben. What if meddling is a Mistake? A minor shift could make a massive change. What would the repercussions be? And would they come back to bite them.
Jake, Sam and Cathy’s nightmare past shaped their entire future and made them best friends for life.
I was reading along, when WTF? How could Jake do that? What a bummer. I don’t like this at all. Then Sam steps in. Without her, Jake’s life would have become much different. But you will have to read The Blake Mistake for yourself to find out what is happening.
The story just keeps getting better and better. There is so much going on and I C Camilleri kept me guessing. I liked that I had to slow down and take in all she was telling me.
Awesome, how she made Jake’s world. I cannot fathom it. How does I C Camilleri come up with these scenarios? It’s a miracle that Jake ended up such a good man. His biggest downfall is jealousy. It is a ferocious beast that dominates his relationship with Emma. Between his jealousy and her insecurity, will their love for each other be enough to keep them together?
As I neared the end, my emotions ran AMOK. I felt a sense of urgency. I felt deep sorrow and am awed at I C Camilleri’s ability to take me to such a dark place. The scariest monsters are the human kind.
My eyes are watering and my hands are getting sweaty. Good thing I’m reading my Kindle and not a paperback. At least, I don’t think it will short circuit.
“You always think that you know best just because you have that Blake gift.”
“It’s not a gift, it is a bloody Curse.”
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them
I received this book from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
MY 5 STAR REVIEW OF THE BLAKE SOUL
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Something about me…well, that’s complex. Basically I’m a medical doctor living in the UK. Reading and writing have always been my passion, relieving me from the everyday stress of my medical job. My first published novel is THE BLAKE CURSE. It is a psychological thriller and a romance set in Cambridge. It pivots on three powerful characters; Ben Blake, the young and gifted British Intelligence officer embarking on his first undercover assignment; the elusive Samantha Black; and Jake Snell, the rugged Earl full of vices, the rogue who has to tease out that single thread of goodness inside his crumbling shell. He is Ben’s only lifeline in this treacherous game.
My second novel, THE BLAKE SOUL is different from my first in that it is more of a romance, focusing on the passion and love between two people with totally different backgrounds and interests. Here’s the synopsis to whet your appetite;
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Josh Blake wakes up to the sound of the chilling scream echoing inside his head. His childhood nightmares are haunting him again. But why return now after all those years of oblivion? He sets out to investigate and he changes the natural course of events, rewriting destiny and creating a whole new world for himself and those around him. His past turbulent childhood mingles with the present, unveiling the deep insecurities that lurk behind his polished exterior of fame, glory and wealth.
Stalk I C Camilleri
To pick up your copy of a Blake series novel by I C Camilleri, click on the cover below.
MY 5 STAR REVIEW OF THE BLAKE SOUL
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GIVEAWAY
I. C. Camilleri is offering for the Giveaway, 3 (three) PDF copies to 3 (three) lucky commenters. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:
Have you ever done something that you believe will ripple out and affect others in a good (or bad) way?
Giveaway ends January 6, 2014.
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. WINNERS ARE: Toni Whitmire, Jennifer Bielman & Beth.
Congratulations and thanks to all who commented.
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.
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Hot New Romance Release – Exquisite Betrayal by A M Hargrove – FANtastic Giveaway
BOOK SUMMARY:
A male Romance Author… a convention in Vegas… a female book blogger… a goal to lose her virginity… what happens when you mix all the above?
Fallon McKinley is headed to Vegas for the Wicked Wenches Romance Con and losing her virginity is only one of her goals. The other is to meet her favorite author of romance novels, R.T. Sinclair. What she doesn’t realize is that the sexy green-eyed god she rams into at the airport is the real R.T. When they keep running into each other, she’s shocked, but excited, because the attraction is irresistible.
Ryland Thomas Sinclair doesn’t want anyone to know his true identity. He’s the author that all women love, but everyone thinks he’s a female. He hides his persona behind the public face of his twin sister, keeping his own a secret. But after meeting the lovely Fallon, his intentions to avoid a relationship come to a screeching halt. She’s put an unwanted kink into his perfectly laid out plans. His unusual reaction surprises him because after a heart-shredding breakup a few years ago, he’s managed to avoid women at all costs.
Resisting Fallon becomes more difficult than he imagines. Soon things are spiraling out of control, until a major miscommunication has Fallon walking out of his home and his life. Will Ryland Thomas succeed in losing the woman he loves? Or can he win her back?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).
So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.
Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Author Goodreads
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To pick up your copy of Exquisite Betrayal or another A M Hargrove novel, click on the cover below.
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GIVEAWAY
Win a bracelet, a “She Said Fire” t-shirt & Boom! EP album download, a signed copy of Tragically Flawed, & $100 Amazon Gift Card.
ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you been good or bad this year? North Pole Reform School by Jaimie Admans
The title, North Pole Reform School, caught my attention and made me smile.
I like the pretty cover and the book sounds like a fun read.
Title: North Pole Reform School
Author: Jaimie Admans
Date of Publication: November 6, 2013
Genre: YA rom-com, fantasy
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BLURB
Mistletoe Bell hates Christmas. So would you if you had a name like hers. Her Christmas-mad parents make the festive season last all year, and with another Christmas looming, Mis doesn’t think she can take any more. After her carelessness causes an accident at school, it seems like things can’t get any worse.
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Then she wakes up to find The Ghost of Christmases Ruined in her bedroom.
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She is taken to the North Pole, to a reform school run by elves determined to make her love Christmas. Stuck in a misfit group of fellow Christmas-haters with a motley crew of the weird and even weirder, watched over by elves day and night, she doesn’t expect to meet cute and funny Luke, who is hiding a vulnerable side beneath his sarcastic exterior. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with him.
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But all is not as it should be at the North Pole. A certain Mr Claus is making the elves’ lives a misery, and pretty soon Mistletoe and Luke are doing more than just learning to like Christmas.
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A YA romantic comedy in which Santa is the bad guy, teaching reindeer to fly is on the curriculum, and zombies have a fondness for Christmas music.
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Suitable for older teens and upwards due to bad language.
Purchase link: Amazon
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EXCERPT
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It started with a purple moose.
At least I thought it was a moose. On reflection, it could have been a reindeer, but it didn’t matter at the time because it was obviously just a dream.
“Mistletoe,” the moose-reindeer said.
Yep. Still hate my parents for naming me that.
“Mistletoe,” it said again in a spooky echo of a voice, “I am the Ghost of Christmases Ruined, and I have come to tell you something.”
“Go away.” I turned over in bed.
“Mistletoe Bell,” it said sharply. “Listen to me right now.”
I sat up, suddenly wide awake. God, what a freaky dream.
“Mistletoe Bell,” it said again. I jumped out of my skin. I clutched the duvet to me as I turned around. Of all the things I expected to see, the purple moose sitting in the middle of my carpet and looking annoyed was about the last of them.
“Wh… what are you?” I asked quietly. I didn’t really believe my eyes. I must still be dreaming.
“I’ve tried to tell you already. I am the Ghost of Christmases Ruined.”
I tried to pinch myself awake without the moose noticing. It didn’t work. I didn’t wake up and the moose noticed.
“It won’t work,” the moose said. “You’re already awake.”
“I’m looking at a talking purple moose. I don’t think so.”
“You are Mistletoe Bell?” the moose asked.
I dropped my head into my hands and edged closer to the other side of the bed.
The moose continued to look at me expectantly.
“Unfortunately, yes. I couldn’t be anyone else with that stupid name.”
“It’s a very nice Christmas name.”
“That’s exactly the bloody problem. You try having a stupid Christmassy name in the middle of July or something.”
“Ah yes, but it’s December now.”
“Screw December,” I muttered.
“Aha,” the moose said. “This is exactly why I’m here.”
I gave it an angry look. “What the hell are you going on about?”
“Well, if you’d be so kind as to allow me to get to my point, I will enlighten you.”
I sighed in frustration.
“Mistletoe Bell,” the moose said, “you have been charged with ruining Christmas. Multiple counts over the years, but a particularly aggressive case this year when taking into account the fire—”
“The fire was an accident.”
It gave me a glare and I rolled my eyes. “Please go on,” I said, complete with a sarcastic hand gesture.
“As I was saying…” The moose had an annoyed tone to its voice now. “Ruining Christmas, multiple counts, we can’t let it continue. We’ve been keeping an eye on you for a while now. We were actually hoping you might grow out of it now you’re nearly seventeen, but the fire this year is the final straw. Mistletoe—”
“Please stop calling me that.” I interrupted it again. “It’s Mis, Misty, or nothing.”
The moose rolled its eyes. “I am required to call you by your proper name at all times. Now, can we get on with it?”
“Get on with what?”
“Mistletoe Bell, tomorrow you will be taken to the North Pole where you will stay until you can learn how to behave acceptably and stop ruining Christmas for others. You will be part of a group who will learn the value of Christmas to all involved.”
“That’s ridiculous. Who’s going to teach me? The polar bears?”
“The elves will teach you.”
“Of course they will.” I smacked my forehead. “Of course there are elves. I don’t know why I expected anything else from a purple moose.”
The moose made a frustrated noise. “Mistletoe, do you understand?”
“I will be taken to the North Pole and taught by elves? Yes, I understand perfectly.”
“I must be on my way. Sweet dreams, Mistletoe.” The moose got up and jumped out of the window.
I rolled over and went back to sleep. I must’ve eaten cheese before bed last night or something.
There were more weird dreams. I dreamt of flying above the rooftops and over the oceans, and it was really, really cold. I’m pretty sure I could hear strains of “Walking in the Air” in the distance.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jaimie is a 28-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese & onion crisps. She has been writing for years but has never before plucked up the courage to tell people. Afterlife Academy is her third novel and she hopes you enjoy it. There are plenty more on the way!
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To get your copy of North Pole Reform School, or learn more about Jaimie Admans, click on the cover below.
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GIVEAWAY.
Tour-wide giveaway: $25 Amazon GC
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Follow the tour schedule by clicking on the banner below.
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Giveaway Tour for Devilty Afoot by Carol Pritt
The title alone made me want to read this.
As if that wasn’t enough, take a looooong look at the cover.
Deviltry Afoot is one creepy cover. I keep looking, finding more to scare me.
Genres: Paranormal, Occult
BLURB
Seeking justice for her daughters murder Tina must seek answers in the supernatural realm. Terror is spreading over Pendale. Love is pitted against a dreadful force.
EXCERPT
Deep into an uneasy dream Tina’s face was twisted in consternation.
Dan hadn’t stayed over this evening. She’d told him she needed time to gather strength and come to grips with what lay ahead.
He’d looked hurt. She knew he could not understand her need to be alone at such a time.
He offered to sit up with her all night.
She told him she was wrung out; she would be able to sleep a bit.
She longed to fall into unconsciousness and to block all thought.
Her bedroom felt airless.
The little clock on her nightstand seemed to have a very loud tick tonight. The dials revealed it to be 1:00 pm.
Still asleep Tina shifted her weight to lie on her back.
Her heavy cotton nightgown became bunched up under the small of her back.
Suddenly she brought up her hands folding them over her chest in the position that the dead are laid out.
Beads of sweat broke out on her face, although the temperature in her room was a cool sixty-four degrees.
She was carrying groceries to her car in a dark parking lot.
Behind her there was a small convenience store. It was lit up. The buildings light stopped at the front of the building.
Tina tossed her bag of groceries into the passenger side of the seat. Just as she lifted her leg to get in behind the wheel she thought of her mother. She’d yell up a storm if she could see her now. As a teen Tina was lectured countless times about getting into a car alone. First check out the back seat to make sure no one was lurking there, she could still her mom stress.
Tina sat her leg back down on the pavement. She opened the back door. All clear.
She slid into the front seat closing her door and rolling down her window most of the way.
Glancing out her open window she began to shake all over.
Two hands with long tapered fingers suddenly grasp the window!
As if in slow motion a hooded figure raised itself!
Her door was flung open wide.
It pushed her backward sending her sprawling across the seat.
She was immobile from fear.
The thing lowered itself to her feet.
It covered her with its form inch by inch.
Its dark cloak was spread wide to enfold her completely.
Her heart thumped so hard she felt ready to pass out praying she would.
It was up to her head now.
Tina was so cold it was as if she were entombed within a block of ice
The smell of decay surrounding her was so rank she couldn’t catch a good breath.
The hood slipped back a bit. She couldn’t decipher its features clearly. She could only make out black pinpoint eyes.
Drool oozed from its mouth. A great gob of spittle plunked down on her forehead.
She let out a scream.
She thought she’d cried out, and awoken.
It was actually only phase two.
Still dreaming she thanked the Lord that it was only a nightmare.
Lights flickered from the traffic through her drapes.
Something in the room didn’t feel right.
The sheet was shifting downward of its own accord.
Two hands grasp the foot of the bed as a cloaked figure crawled up and over her!
She surrendered herself up to it.
She was entirely passive until sirens from a passing rescue unit brought her to an actual waking state ending her ordeal.
Rest would elude her the remainder of the night. She sighed and got up from the bed.
First light would signal the start of her greatest trial.
She must commend her only offspring to eternal rest.
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Buy Links
Amazon / Infinity Publishing / Barnes and Noble / Alibris / Abe books
Kobo / Half . Com / Book Depository / Sony
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carol Pritt lives in the northeast with her family. She has two Associate degrees, one in Liberal Arts, and the other in Journalism from the local community college. Ms. Pritt enjoys writing, reading, spending time with her family, and playing with her pets. This is her first novel.
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Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Website / LinkedIn
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GIVEAWAY
Carol is giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Car, Winner’s Choice! The giveaway will start 11/25/13 at 12 am eastern time and ends 12/24/13 at 12 am eastern time.
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To get your copy of Deviltry Afoot, or learn more about Carol Pritt, click the cover below.
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.
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New Release – Siren’s Curse by Sara Jiang
The cover for Siren’s Curse by Sara Jiang is beautiful in it’s simplicity.
I lm a lover of water and find the blue fading dark to light with the sunlight filtering through very soothing.
I haven’t read a lot of books about sirens, add in a sea dragon, a heart-throb shark and an eel looking for revenge – what could possibly go wrong? ^_^
Title: Siren’s Curse
Author: Sara Jiang
Date of Publication: December 5, 2013
Circe only has seven days to live… and time is ticking.
Long ago, Sirens were cursed to stay on the rocks. If they ever stopped eating human flesh, their horns would pierce their bodies and they would die.
Circe had a choice: stay on the Perch with her sisters, feeding off of sailors for all time, or to dive into the deep, face the unknown, and take her chance at freedom.
On her journey into the ocean Circe meets a precocious little sea dragon, a heart-throb shark, and an eel with a vengeance. She comes face to face with witches, madmen, monsters, and a mysterious, loud rumbling that seems to only be getting louder.
Can she break the curse?.
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About Sara Jiang
Sara Jiang was born in 1991 and lived on a sailboat in the Caribbean for 3 years when she was younger. This exposure to the ocean influences much of her art and writing. She is currently studying for her Bachelor’s in Vocal Music Education at Abilene Christian University.
The cover
Sara Jiang does commission artwork and recently won Abilene Christian University’s Summit Art Contest with one of her pen and ink drawings.
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To grab your copy of Siren’s Curse or to learn more about Sara Jiang, click on the cover below.
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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.
To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.
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