I have created a Monday Mini post for two reasons: (1) it is always difficult for me to have a post ready for Monday and (2) since I had to move my blog I am having difficulty catching up on reviews for all the books I want to share. So, I hope you enjoy these short, but sweet, reviews.
I got the idea for this from Laura at fuonlyknew. Thanks Laura.
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Jillian’s uncle dies when he falls from a cliff. She travels to the village of Rothewell to pack his belongings. Things immediately start going bump in the night. Was there more to his death than everyone believed?
3 STARS – Would Recommend To Others
I love a good ghost story and Simone St. James does not disappoint. The gothic feel reminds me of Daphne Du Maurier. As Jillian strives to solve the mysteries of Rothewell, she meets Drew Merriken, a Scotland Yard Detective. An Inquiry into Love and Death was a fun romp in the woods, with so much more to the story than a ghost. It kept me wondering what was really going on in the forest. As they strive to find the answers, I was happy to be along for the ride. I won this book from a giveaway on The Quillery. Thank you Simone St. James for signing the ARC paperback. I love adding books to my collection.
To pick up a copy of Simone St. James books or learn more about her, simply click on a cover below.
Impatient Fisherman is an ongoing story of the fishing adventures of The Fundins.
Hubby and I were out fishing one day and this Blue Heron kept trying to steal our bait from the bucket. He was pretty persistent. Mums the word when it comes to revealing where one of our honey holes is located.
Let tell you about our weather. It has been raining buckets for days here in the panhandle of Florida, but like my hubby says, it never rains on the Funman. So, we began our adventure in the morning by going to the marina in downtown Pensacola.
The Funman and I started Fourth of July by shooting the Odyssey, a member of the Sea Shepherd fleet and Ocean Alliance, which was in town saving the whales! Yes there are whales in the Gulf of Mexico.
Ocean Alliance collects a broad spectrum of data on whales and ocean life relating particularly to toxicology, behavior, bio-acoustics, and genetics. From that data we work with our scientific partners to advise educators and policy makers on wise stewardship of the oceans to: reduce pollution, prevent the collapse of marine mammal populations, maintain human access to fish and other sea life, and promote ocean and human health.
Ocean Alliance is concerned with the conservation of whales and all sea life, as well as human impacts on the marine environment. Through the Ocean Alliance program the Voyage of the Odyssey, we were able to focus on measuring the concentrations of synthetic contaminants that adversely affect the world’s oceans and its marine species.
Then, on to the Blue Wahoo’s baseball game. The Blue Wahoos are the farm team for the Cincinnati Reds. They are new to the circuit, just being born in 2012. They were Organization of the Year, Ballpark of the Year and Executive of the Year for 2012.
They have a brand new stadium built on the shores of Pensacola Bay. They are currently ranked third in the Southern League Standings.
A lot of the workers were dressed and showing their patriotism for all the baseball fans.
I was the first one to get a ball, but Funman manged to get one too. We happily add them to our bucket of balls that we collect. What do we do with them? We look at them and say, “Oh, look at our pretty bucket of balls.”
Good times, good beer and good food. WE WON!!!!
For some chuckles, take a look at these Supernatural videos:
Freakin Fridays is a meme brought to you by fuonlyknew. We will be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.
Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!
Tune in every Friday. Get your scare on!
Let’s have some fun!
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A unique and twisted tale of a vampire mother, who has children to protect. Just looking at the cover, Jenny appears locked and loaded. I wouldn’t want to take her on, would you?
Click on the cover to pick up your copy of Human No Longer, by Kathryn Meyer Griffith.
Jenny was a wife, a mother and a writer. She had put her writing on hold while she helped her husband start his business. Once they could afford a secretary, she went back to her writing. One of the books was about a gang of vampires whose home base was a renovated theater.
Now she was a part of the story.
She had to learn to live with her handicap, otherwise she would be sucking the blood from her own loved ones.
She was so soft-hearted she found it difficult to kill an animal. She had to eat and it was better than the alternative.
How was she supposed to survive and keep her secret?
5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)
I am so ticked off. I misplaced my notes and had all this great stuff I was going to tell you. I will do my best to remember, lol, all the things I wanted to say.
This was a unique twist on a familiar tale. A mother vampire can be vicious as she struggles to protect her family, not just from others, but from herself. I loved it.
Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s writing flows so smoothly I was carried through the pages and felt as if I was walking in Jenny’s shoes, not wanting to put the book down. The plot was so unique, I wasn’t sure how Kathryn was going to tell the tale. It’s nice to know not all vampires are so cold and blood thirty that they cannot control themselves, ripping, tearing, killing and slaughtering with no thought or remorse.
My heart went out to Jenny as she struggled to adjust and make ends meet. She still missed her husband, who had died in the attack that made her who she is now. Now she was alone AND a vampire. Would she be able to have a normal life, or as normal as it could be seeing she’s a vampire? Would she survive, seeing someone was out there with a plan that didn’t coincide with her own?
The characters drew me into their lives. At times I forgot Jenny was a vampire. Her flawed brother made me want to wrap my arms around him and tell him it will be all right. Joey was steadfast, loyal and in love with her. Would they have a future together?
I can see now that there could be another book. Is there going to be one? I would love to find out how Jenny fares in the future.
I received this book in return for a fair and unbiased review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’ve been writing for over 41 years now…published for 30 of those years since 1984; have EIGHTEEN novels, 2 novellas and 12 short stories to my name…and more coming. Aug. 30, 2012: I (first time ever!) SELF-PUBLISHED MY 16TH NOVEL *DINOSAUR LAKE* TO AMAZON KINDLE DIRECT! January 2013 I SELF-PUBLISHED MY 17TH NOVEL *HUMAN NO LONGER*, my fourth vampire novel. Also in January 2013 I self-published my rereleased murder mystery (originally a 2003 Avalon Books hardcover) SCRAPS OF PAPER-Revised Author’s Edition and FOUR SPOOKY SHORT STORIES, a collection of 4 horror/romantic horror short stories.
I write traditional supernatural horror, SF horror, romantic time-travel, murder mysteries and paranormal romance. I’ve been writing about ghosts, ancient Egyptian spirits, haunted places and evil vampires WAY LONG BEFORE Stephanie Meyer (no relation to me even though my maiden name is Meyer) and the rest of the vampire author crowd, ha, ha. And now ALL 15 of my older Zebra, Leisure paperbacks, Avalon Books murder mysteries and my Wild Rose Press books have been revised, reprinted and rereleased for the first time in many years (and in e-books for the first time ever) from DAMNATION BOOKS www.damnationbooks.com and ETERNAL PRESS www.eternalpress.biz and AMAZON KINDLE DIRECT. Yippie! So look for them.
I’m a wife of almost 35 years (husband, Russell), mother (one son, James) and grandmother (two grandchildren, Caitlyn and Joshua). I was a graphic designer in the corporate world for 23 years; and have published with Dorchester, Kensington, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Amazon Kindle Direct, Damnation Books and Eternal Press, and Amazon Publishing. Six years ago I crossed over into e-books as well as paperbacks and now ALL my old/new books are in ebooks…and soon to be in AUDIO BOOKS from ACX. I love cats and nature, classic rock and country music (my brother, JS Meyer www.jsmeyermusic.com, is a singer/songwriter and does the songs for all my self-made book trailers that are on my websites). VISIT me at www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith or www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG or www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith to see all my book covers and trailers.
My published books: (ALL OF THESE OUT AGAIN…PLEASE LOOK FOR THEM!) Human No Longer (2013),Dinosaur Lake (SF horror), Scraps of paper-Revised Author’s Edition, Evil Stalks the Night (supernatural horror), Leisure 1984; The Heart of the Rose (historical romance) Leisure 1985; Blood Forge (supernatural horror), Leisure 1989; Vampire Blood (romantic supernatural horror), Zebra 1991; The Last Vampire (supernatural horror), Zebra 1992; Witches (romantic horror), Zebra 1993 & Pinnacle 2000; a novella called The Nameless One in Dark Seductions, an erotic horror anthology, Kensington, 1993; The Calling (supernatural horror), Zebra 1994. The Nameless One, a short erotic novella in the 1994 Zebra Anthology Dark Seductions. And Scraps of Paper (hardcover mystery) Avalon Books, 2003; All Things Slip Away, the second mystery in the series came out also from Avalon Books in February 2006 and now both are out again from Amazon and both in ebooks for the first time ever. And my three novels and two short stories from The Wild Rose Press are out again from ETERNAL PRESS: Egyptian Heart(ancient Egyptian time travel romance); Winter’s Journey(a romantic suspense novel); The Ice Bridge, (a contemporary romance e-novel with a dose of murder mystery) and two ghostly short stories, Don’t Look Back, Agnes and In This House. BEFORE THE END: A Time of Demons, an apocalyptic saga from Damnation Books, June 2010. THE WOMAN IN CRIMSON, a vampire eternal love story, is out now from ETERNAL PRESS http://www.eternalpress.biz. The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Fiction: Volume 1 (I did the Introduction) 2011 and Telling Tales of Horror 2012(I did the chapter on Putting the Occult into your Fiction)***
These are just a few of the many books published byKathryn Meyer Griffith. Click on the cover to purchase, or be taken to Amazon for more of her books.
In Celebration of Accendo Book III of The Light-Bearer Series) by Emily Guido.
This is a Tag Team Event hosted by me and Laura at fuonlyknew. You can also enter on her blog for another chance to win and read her thoughts about Accendo!
Be sure and scroll through the post for the Giveaway of Accendo (Book I), Review links for Accendo (Book I) and Mactus (Book II) and a glimpse of the soon to be released Seditious (Book IV) of the Light Bearer Series by Emily Guido. Book Trailer for Seditious, Ransom and Conundrum. When Emily says Charmeine’s Castle is rocking, she isn’t kidding.
Spoiler alert – This is Book III of The Light-Bearer Series by Emily Guido
She remembered………
Tabbruis had been taken from her, but she was being given an opportunity to save him from Hell.
She heard, “Accendo Charmeine….. You will set in motion your destiny when you cross the gates of Heaven” . “Accendo Charmeine.”
Charmeine and Tabbruis assembled everyone in the Grand Hall. It was decided, they would go to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece to put an end to the Elder Council. Charmeine and Tabbruis would lead them into battle.
Charmeine had been warned about the dangers and she told them everything. Tabbruis argued with her, when she told him her plan.
Her heart broke. She knew he had no trust or respect for her plan of attack. He had lied to her, betrayed her trust. Tabbruis had failed her. She was his gift from God, how could he not believe? She felt she would have to leave her family and friends in order to save them.
As Tabbuis watched her ring drop, his heartbeat slowed. He was terrified, as he looked around, stunned that she had left.
He followed her, but Charmeine knew it was wrong. Wrong to let him convince her to follow him into battle. Even in her sorrow, she fought, and her vision was fulfilled. Not everyone returned to Romania alive and the Elder Council still lived.
It took losing her to make Tabbruis see, that she was the strong one – her- not him. He realized how wrong he had been, not to have faith in her. How wrong, not to believe in God and God’s plan.
Now, what would become of them?
4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others
The story strikes at your soul. Telling of love, faith, loyalty, trust, betrayal and the ultimate sacrifice one makes to save those you love. Emily’s writing is simple and direct. It speaks to my heart. I laugh as I’m writing that. I’m turning into an old softie. That is SO not who I am. LOL
This is a novel about religion, but not like any religious novel you have read before. Emily Guido’s approach to God, Hell, Heaven, Angels, Vampires, Judgment day…..is so unique it sets her books apart from the rest. Everyone starts out as an Angel, it is the choices you make that change you from innocent and good, to evil and everything in between.
Do you believe we are born good or evil? Do you think it is our environment that makes us choose one over the other? Is it our love for family and friends that helps us make the right choices in life? Or do we occasionally become lost through no fault of our own?
The books get my mind working. Isn’t that what a book is supposed to do? Leave your mind running long after you have closed the cover? Each book is better than the last.
I have fallen in love with the characters and their plight. In their deepest sorrow, my heart mourns for them. In their happiness, my heart soars. At the end of each book, I am saddened by the need to wait for the next one. I want to know right now what is going to happen. This will be a series I will reread when I have all the books in hand. ^_^
I received this book from Emily Guido. She has not asked for a review, but I happily give it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Guido is a Young Adult, Paranormal Romance Author. She was inspired to start writing Charmeine because one day she got an idea of two characters that needed to have their story told.Not ever dreaming a week later she would have over a 100,000 words written. When she writes, it is similar to you or I watching a movie. She pictures the characters in her head going through vivid descriptions. There are so many nuances going through her mind that she can’t type fast enough. The novels “Mactus” “Accendo” “Seditious” and “Ransom” are the continuation of the wonderful adventures of the inhabitants of The Castle Charmeine. Emily is currently writing Conundrum, the sixth novel in the Light Bearer Series. She is also working at a college full time and pursuing her Master of Business Administration.
The Light Bearer Series are a young adult, sultry, paranormal romance, vampire, angels, action and adventure, and historical novels.
.To Purchase Emily Guido’s books from Amazon, simply click on the covers below.
GIVEAWAY
I am so happy to tell you that Emily Guido is giving away a signed paperback copy of Charmeine (Book I of The Light-Bearer Series). US and UK ONLY, sorry to my International friends, but she is also offering 3 ebooks, International.
All you need to do is answer the question:
Emily Guido’s heart is so big, it makes me think of a girlfriend of mine who was taken from the world too soon. People like her are so rare that it made me curious. Have you ever had a friend that stood out from the crowd because of their ease of sharing their love and generosity with everyone they meet, never meeting a stranger?
This is a Tag Team Event, so for another chance to win, go to fuonlyknew.
CONGRATULATIONS! EVERYONE’S A WINNER.
COMING SOON – SEDITIOUS (Book IV in the Light-Bearer Series) by Emily Guido.
Follow the link below to learn more about Emily, The Ligtht-Bearer Series and Seditious.
I am happy to announce a Kindle Fire Giveaway! -1 Kindle Fire, open if you can receive shipment from amazon.com -Fill out Rafflecopter to enter -Ends on 7/7/2013 11:59 pm ES
I am very happy to announce this fun KICKSTARTER by Nicole Grotepas!! Supporting her new release gets me a copy, which is UBER-exciting, but… there’s more!! Sharing this announcement enters me in a giveaway for $100!!
YEA! It’s like… getting chocolate and eating it, too!! Or having a tea party and discovering we all love the same book! Support awesome author… get copy of the book… and entered to win $100!! (Too many exclamation point? I do like them.)
Please welcome Nicole, who says it much better than me:
Hey everyone! The Kickstarter for my next novel, A Boat Made of Bone, has launched! Watch the video above and go here to reserve your copy (digital, paperback, or hardback) now! Share the news to enter to win $100 – details below.
For those of you curious about WHAT this book is about, there’s a link posted on the Kickstarter page that will allow you to read the first chapter. More chapters will be unlocked when funding is met and if we can reach stretch goals. See all the stretch rewards at the bottom of the Kickstarter info page.
I’m so excited to be doing this. I love Kickstarter and have found myself nearly ADDICTED to it. Seriously, I have to rein myself in or else I’d back every cool projecting happening ALL THE FREAKING TIME.I’d be broke. But I’d be happy. And projects would be funded. Right?
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As the campaign progresses, I’ll also be posting teasers from deeper in the book, which will reveal delicious details about where the story is headed. So once you’re hooked, I hope you stay tuned for more sweet delectable tidbits from my next book.
In fact, while we’re talking about it, here’s one now.
Will closes his eyes, unfolds his arms, and takes a deep breath. When he opens his eyes again, the intensity of his gaze sears me. “You’re right. That is what I’m doing, Kat. I’m sorry. Because—because what I was once, when I was alive, doesn’t matter to me anymore. What matters to me now is you. I find it difficult to know that you have a life that I’m not a part of.” He steps toward me and takes hold of my upper arms. His grip is tight, but not uncomfortably so. “I regretted everything I did, everything I was, until I found you. It’s a second chance, and I don’t even know why I’ve been given one. Only, I’m not real. I’m dead. And I can’t even touch you, your flesh, the real you.”
Aaaaand scene.
Well, there it is. I hope you’ve enjoyed that little foray into the depths of A Boat Made of Bone. There’s more where that came from if you stick around. Heh heh.
Remember to share this Kickstarter to enter to win a $100 gift card from Amazon or Paypal cash. The drawing will happen whenthe campaign reaches it’s funding goal. I can’t wait to give someone a hundred dollars!
A purple pig and a cow suicide are just part of the fun in store for you when you read The Devil Drinks Coffee.
And take a gander at this cover art.
I love the steam coming off the cup of coffee. See what I see?
Synopsis
A cow suicide, a revolving door rescue, and the birth of a bright purple pig are starting to make Kate Saxee wonder if taking a job in her small hometown of Branson Falls, Utah, was such a great idea. As The Branson Tribune editor, Kate covers local news, which, more often than not, involves her accident-prone mom. Nothing truly newsworthy has ever happened in the quiet town until local teen Chelsea Bradford turns up dead in a Branson Falls lake.
The police rule Chelsea’s death an accident, but Kate suspects there’s more to the story—and she’s not the only one. Two of Branson’s most eligible bachelors are determined to help her solve the crime—among other things. But the small town social network is faster than Twitter, and gossip about Kate’s love-life is quickly branding her the Branson Falls hussy.
As Kate learns more about Chelsea, she discovers that plenty of people are trying to cover up the real story behind the girl’s death—including Chelsea’s parents. Now Kate has to juggle work, men, her mom’s most recent disaster involving a low-speed John Deere Combine chase on the freeway, and fend off the Mormons heaven-bent on saving her soul—all while solving Chelsea’s murder. Dealing with this is going to require a lot of coffee, chocolate frosted donuts, Neil Diamond’s greatest hits, and a slew of words not on the town approved imitation swear list.
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The Devil Drinks Coffee by Destiny Ford is on SALE for 0.99 on Amazon from July 1-3.
Zachary Drake had love in his life—and tragically lost it. He knows it won’t come his way again. Andie Parker would do anything for the love of her life.
Even marry a total stranger.
In spite of the unorthodox manner in which Zach and Andie come together, there is no denying that things are unexpectedly good between them, taking them both by surprise.
However, when secrets come between them—and trust does not—Andie soon finds herself vowing to never make the same mistake again. But, she’d do it again in a heartbeat and she knows it. She’d marry a hundred strangers if it helped Nick. She’d do anything for Nick . . . anything.
Just click on the cover to get your copy or find out more about taylor dean’s other books.