Giveaway and Review of The Blake Soul by I. C. Camilleri

A psychological horror novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Blake Soul

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Maria was on top of the world, until she lost her parents and her fiancée. As her world fell apart around her, all she wanted to do was run. She jumped on a plane to LA and hit the nearest bookstore. She wanted to lose herself in someone else’s story. Without a thought for where she would stay while in LA, she went to the park to read.

Josh‘s nightmare had changed. Now there was a man crying and he, himself, was a man instead of a boy. He saw the path and knew he had been down it before. What he had seen made him determined not to go there again.

Josh’s mother rarely saw him, and when she did, the mental abuse she heaped on him was almost more than he could stand. She was wealthy and he had been raised in luxurious surroundings by his English nurse, Julie, and he  thought of her as his mother. His father was unknown to him, but he had an obsession about finding him.

He dove into books to escape, so it wasn’t that odd that he became an Oscar winning, heart-throb of an actor. Maybe it wasn’t ironic, that he had no respect, only scorn for women.

In his dream, he had seen the time on the man’s watch, 5:00. He knew he had to be there.

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bookstore Pictures, Images and Photos

He drove to the park to meet his “father”. He needed a book to pass the time while he waited for him to appear, so he went to the bookstore. That’s when he saw her. He sensed he knew her, had cared for her, but he couldn’t remember ever meeting her. How could it be? Why couldn’t he remember?

As he sat on the  bench, reading, Maria walked by. He surreptitiously watched her. He was drawn to her. She fell asleep and he felt the need to watch over her. Even though he was wide awake, he was dreaming. In his dream, she was there.

When he came back to the present, confused, she was still asleep. His mind must be playing tricks on him. He had a photographic memory and thought that was why he was able to see into the future. It was only memories.

As he watched her, his dream became reality. He tried to send her a message with his eyes and she responded, but it was too late. He remembered his dream, the blood and the screams.

They began dragging her off the path. Deja vu. His dream was really happening, right before his eyes. She felt it too and questioned herself. How could this be?

red ferrari Pictures, Images and Photos

They talked in the Ferrari, as he drove her to the hospital. Her name was Maria Conti and she was a doctor, a cancer researcher, from England. He could tell, as they talked, that she was naive and trusting. He kept trying to figure out how he knew her. He kept asking her questions. He knew, as if he had ESP, that he had cared deeply for her and they had been together.

He thought that his photographic memory and great observations skills were why he knew what was going to happen, but it was so much more than that.

She told him her father had studied the paranormal. When he touched her hand, he saw their future flash before his eyes.

She had nowhere to stay, so he talked her into spending her two-week holiday at his place. They would just have fun.

” Are you up for that challenge?”

He fell hard for her and he had only two weeks to figure out how to make her fall in love with him and want to stay. She kept wondering why she was so drawn to him. She was very independent and had kept her fiance at a distance. Why was it so different with Josh?

Maria told him she had to go back to the UK. She knew she had to go back and break up with Rob. Then she could decide where to go from there. He told himself, he would give her two weeks, then he was going to get her. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.

What would happen when she went home? Would she forget him? Would she welcome him, when he came to bring her back with him? What about the dreams? Was that their future?

They talked and he kept thinking of all the clichés.

“Out of sight, out of mind”

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder”.

Being separated made it worse, but now it was time for him to go to her. Would he find the answers to his dreams with her?

The man he had seen in his visions wasn’t his father. Why would he come to Josh – a selfish womanizer?

Will he find the answers when he joins Maria in the UK? Or is his destiny to live life over and over and over again?

taz's happy easter Pictures, Images and Photos

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I loved the cover and the title is short, to the point and appropriate for the story.

The book is long and detailed, so grab a cocktail, start up the fire, put your feet up and open the cover, or kindle, for a dive into Josh’s world. The pain and anguish he goes through, not once, not twice, but three times….What if you knew your future? Would you interfere and change it, and keep changing it if you didn’t like the result?

The bad comes with the good. How do you know if by changing it, you are only making it worse. Would it happen any  way? Maybe a different day or time? What do you think?

I loved that the subject of books was worked into the plot and played an important part in it. I also love fancy, fast sports cars. Add in some paranormal, a little romance and a lot of questions and mystery, I am yours.

It seemed to slow in parts, but I felt that was because she was laying a foundation for what was to come. I could anticipate some of what would be, but liked that I couldn’t see it all.

Even the paranormal episodes in the books seemed realistic. I got so caught up in it, I couldn’t put the book down. I wanted to get to the end to see what happened . I can’t help but think my heart will break when Josh s does.

I didn’t think I would want my hubby to be the type to bend so easily to my will, even though he does. But after reading this, it made me realize, they do that because they love us so much and want us to be happy. It is nice to know that someone cares that much for you and to know it would take something extraordinary to make them cheat on you or leave you. Josh’s love was so powerful, that he would stop at nothing to save her or make her happy.

The book was very well written with a great plot and characters. I got so involved in their life, that I hated to see the book end. Josh does his best to redeem himself and be worthy of Maria. Maria is so sweet and naive, that it was easy to become attached to her.

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Were the dreams his future or just dreams? Visions? Premonitions? Read the book and let me know what you think.

I can hardly wait to read The Blake Curse.

I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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I.C. CamilleriSomething 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.

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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.

 To find I. C. Camilleri, follow the links below:

To pick up your copy from of a Blake series novel by I C Camilleri, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and PhotosI. 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:

Would you change your future, if you were able to? What would you change about it?

CLOSED. WINNERS – Terry – Bieke – Emaginette

Giveaway will run from 2/15 – 3/4/2013.

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Giveaway – $25 Amazon Giftcard and 2 signed paperbacks of The Steel Deal by James Blaklely plus Review

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The Steel Deal by James Blakley

.The Steel Deal

If you are a conspiracy theorist, this may be a book for you. Sonny Busco, a Private Investigator finds himself mixed up with The Men and Women in Black, while trying to keep the other side from stealing sentient steel, a revolutionary new invention that could change the world as we know it. Sentient steel is lightweight like aluminum, elastic like rubber and durable like titanium. It can be shaped into almost any form. It can think and become whatever it wants.

Steel Laptop Suitcase Pictures, Images and Photos
My name is Sonny Busco. I am a Private Investigator. I am fifty-five and feel my age. I drive a twenty-six year old Oldsmobile, that I am never sure will start. I like my Bourbon and I bet on the ponies to try and augment my lack of income.

I have a second job as a security guard. It’s a steady job that helps to cover my bills.

When I am working as a Private Investigator, I wear a Blazer and tie. It’s really hard to tell, though, because I dress the same, whether I am visiting my Bookie, a bill collector or a broad.

I am in hock to a loan shark, because business has been slack. It seems private eyes aren’t in as much demand as we used to be.  When I got the call from Pixy, I arranged to meet her right away. She offered me $2500, for what seemed to be a piece of cake job.
I would be able to pay my Bookie, my debts and still have some pocket change.

Santa Fe, Capital of New Mexico

Santa Fe, Capital of New Mexico (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I saw the girl with the silvery box, I noticed how scared she was. We exchanged our agreed upon coded responses. She told me her name was Pixy Sage and all I had to do was retrieve a suitcase that held a new invention, sentient steel, and deliver it to her in Santa Fe, NM tomorrow night.

My Oldsmobile had broken down, so we got into the Stealth I had borrowed from my mechanic and headed to either the bus station or the train station. She hadn’t told me yet what mode of transportation she would be taking, only that it was too obvious to fly. When she said we were being followed by the taxi behind us, I thought, sure we are. But we were. With the Stealth, I easily lost them. She said only four people knew about sentient steel, now I was the fifth.

The taxi caught up to us and when I slammed on the brakes to avoid getting in a wreck, Pixy jumped out of the car and ran. I thought, no problem. I knew we were to meet in Santa Fe, so I would retrieve the briefcase and head there.

But my way would be much more difficult than I ever could have anticipated.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos    4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

I received this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. James Blakely sent me a signed paperback. Thank you, James. I love adding another book to my collection.

I loved the cover and the title matched the story. It is not your average PI story, even though at times it seems to be very light-hearted.

The book was very well written. It was 213 pages of mystery, action and fun. The mismatch of fun and interesting characters kept me on my toes. If the plot  had been more developed, this book could be rated even higher. It had a feel of James Bond, to me.

There was so much action packed into such a small book, every time I thought it was over, this happened, then this. Nothing big, nothing earth-shaking, but fun. The book can be read in a couple of hours, which I did, over coffee on my patio.

There was plenty of food for thought and it will keep you thinking long after you read the book. If you like conspiracy, this book will help feed your paranoia.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James Blakley    James Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and co-editor of “The Griffon-News”.

Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka,KS where he worked for The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library before spending several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies such as EDS and HP.

For those “inquiring minds who want to know”, I’m almost finished with a screenplay version of “The Steel Deal.” And I’m rough-drafting my next novel (due out in late 2013/early 2014).

You can find James Blakely at Goodreads

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos  Giveaway – James has offered an awesome giveaway.

A $25.00 Amazon Gift Card and

2 signed paperback books for the giveaway.

It is International and easy to enter, as always. Just answer the question – Do you think there have been enough scientific advances that there could be such a thing as sentient steel and if there is, would THEY allow it to be used? – and leave your email. Ends November 14, 2012.

My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winners. So without further ado, the winners of The Steel Deal are:

$25 GC – Stuffsmart

PB – Shannon

PB – Christie Rich

 

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.

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  To order, simply click on the cover.