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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Have you been “Chosen” ? Review and Giveaway

Dark Passage: Chosen by M. L. Woolley

Dark Passage ( Chosen (Book 1)

Bill had come to Olalla about a year ago, after seeing a TV program about a paranormal investigation. He thought he might find an idea for his new book. He had noticed the large Victorian house and saw there was an estate sale being held, so he went in to look around. He found an old Bible that he wanted to buy and approached the sales lady. As she gave him a receipt, she also handed him a real estate brochure. He arranged for a full tour of the house and bought it.

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Jen was remembering when her and her dad used to visit Olalla. She had great memories of the times they had spent there. Her attorney, Peter, told her about the need for his client to have someone to house-sit and Ivy thought it would be the perfect opportunity for her to get away from John. She would be able to live in the house for free, so she could get out of debt and finish nursing school. The cat liked Jen and Ivy told her that was a good sign. She felt the house was welcoming her.

John was angry she had been out with Ivy. When he punched her, he was afraid he killed her. He knew Jen was moving on and leaving him behind, but he just couldn’t let her go. Like any abusive husband, he told her it was her own fault. She made him hit her. He had threatened to kill her. Jen was going to file a restraining and divorce papers against John.

With John’s increased violence and her mother’s death, she was so miserable she created an alternate world for herself in her dreams. She had an imaginary friend and the dreams she had of him seemed so very real to her.

Dr. Winter was Jen’s boss. She told him she needed a week off to move away from John.  What could he say, except yes. He really didn’t want to hear about her personal problems. While Jen was going through procedures for filing the restraining order, she saw Lisa and Dr. Winter at the courthouse. The thought went through her mind, what are they doing here, together?

Dr. Winter and Lisa are plotting, trying to pull the plug on Bill, who is in a coma. Lisa would do anything to get her hands on Bill’s house. Her life is on the line. As they stand over Bill’s bed talking, they never stop to think that Bill can hear everything they say. He knows his fate is out of his hands, and their plans for him are not good.

Ivy helped Jen pack up her belongings from the house she shared with John and took them to the house she would be looking after. Ivy stayed for dinner and as she got ready to leave Jen to her first night at the house, John called ranting and raving. She asked if Jen wanted her to stay, but she told her John didn’t know where she was, so it would be OK.

For Bill, Jen’s dreams were his reality. When he kissed her, he felt the passion. On the beach with her, he could hear the waves crashing on the shore and smell the salt in the air. How long would he be allowed to meet with her like this?

In Jen’s dream she had found a watch with the initials J P on the beach and in the morning found it wrapped and lying outside the front door. Had he delivered it to her and if he did, how? He was only in her dreams.

The house had been left as if the owner just walked away. She knew something had to have happened quickly, with no time to prepare, and felt the house wanted her to find out why. As she went through the photo albums she had found, she was stunned to realize – it was the man in her dreams, Bill Nichols. She found a key and knew it was meant for her to find it. Since her mother had died she felt a supernatural connection to things. Jen doesn’t realize that all the spirits around her are not good. Some have an agenda of their own.

John found Jen, but something had found him – a woman, the Angel of Death. When he tried to approach the house, he saw an apparition in the window that terrified him. As he ran he found the woman, who told him – “It’s begun”.

Jen: She was outgoing and fun to be with, until John started having problems and taking it out on her. After her mother died, she felt lost. She was unsure of herself. She created an alternate world with an invisible lover.

Lisa – The cat didn’t like Lisa, why? She was so beautiful, that people would stop and stare when they saw her. She was a very good liar and could usually get people to give her whatever she wanted from them. She thought she was the center of the world.

Ivy: Ivy was Jen’s best friend since childhood. They were like sisters. She was always there for Jen. She always looked impeccable, her hair and makeup perfect.  Since her family died, she had felt such survivor’s guilt that it was hard to carry on in the land of the living. She took risks that could have ended very badly, maybe ending her life. Did she care? She always had a special affinity with horses, they made her feel free.

Bill: As he lies in a coma, he appears in Jen’s dreams, not sure how it is happening or why. He knows his love for her is forbidden and doesn’t know what will happen because of it. He hears and knows what is going on around him, but is unable to do anything about it.

Peter:  He is Bill’s childhood friend. Since Bill has been in his coma, he has become his guardian. When he receives emails from Bill, he wonders how that could possibly happen.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos   4 Stars – Would highly recommend to Others

Won on Laura,s (fuonlyknew) blog giveaway back in June. I love the misty cover. Created an aura of mystery and intrigue as I delved further into the picture trying to see all there was to see hidden in the mist. The book blurb made the cover and title seem an appropriate fit. Now, lets see if it all comes together as I read the book.

Prologue hooked me. It fit everything that the cover and title inveighed. It made me think that the story to come would take me through an adventure of reality and magic, good and evil, revenge and redemption. The title fits the story as the characters pass through the door from reality to the supernatural. I expected a good read and got one. The characters were well-developed and made me feel a wide range of emotions as I read through the book.  I finished it in one sitting. Even though it is not a quick read, I found myself unable to put it down.

A few editing errors but did not affect or change the flow of the story or alter my rating. While there is a Book II, this book ties up the story nicely and gives you a quick peek into the future.

   Giveaway: M. L. Woolley has been gracious enough to offer as a giveaway 5ebooks and one Paperback. As always the entry is easy.  Contest ends September 3, 2012 so be sure and enter soon. Simply comment below.

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