Friday 56 #6 Birthmarked by Maria Violante

Posted on February 14, 2014 by fundinmental

The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find any sentence, or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

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Birthmarked (The Markers, Book I) by Maria Violante

A (birthmarked) truck driving woman and the monsters she is destined to fight.

“You don’t even know who you are, do you?”

“That’s it. Get out of here, now!”

My head was spinning. How had the mood shifted so abruptly?

“Now!”

“But-“

He flailed again and jabbed at me once with the sword. Seeing the point headed right for me, I scurried out……………..

(56% on Kindle)

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BLURB

Charlie Kale knows life isn’t easy. But for the first time, this truck driver might have finally found her little piece of happiness. She’s got it all—her big rig, friends, a great mentor, and a man about to join her on the road.

That is, until the good things in Charlie’s life all fall apart, and she finds herself at the mercy of a sexy but mysterious gunman who claims to be a member of a secret order dedicated to fighting the supernatural monsters that filter over into our world.

She’s given a choice—join up or die, and while the gunman might be insane, Charlie’s hell-bent on not dying.

Too bad it looks like that might not be an option.

(56% on Kindle)

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To get your copy of Birthmarked, or learn more about Maria Violante, 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 below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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The Gods Have Spoken – Release Day for The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

Posted on February 13, 2014 by fundinmental

THE DEEP END OF THE SEA is a New Adult Fantasy set for release, today, February 13, 2014. You will see the Gods of mythology as you have never seen them before. The Deep End of the Sea is a story of rape, a curse, vengeance, love and sacrifice, one you need to add to your TBR pile!

I wanted so much to share this for my Teaser Tuesday, but because it is a new release, I had to wait until now. I hope you enjoy what I have to share as much as I enjoyed reading the book and writing this review.

A unique and intriguing love story that had me going off the Deep End.

About THE DEEP END OF THE SEA

Cover design: Carl Stevens / Cover Art: Kelsey Patton

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.

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My Review of Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

I am the Gorgon, Medusa. And my eyes can turn anything living to stone.

This is my story.

The Deep End of the Sea cover swept me away and I dove in with eagerness. Heather Lyon’s descriptions of the Gods, doing and acting like ordinary people is graphic, detailed and very realistic. I love mythology and The Deep End of the Sea is a unique and refreshing love story that had my full attention from the first page to the last.

Medusa – Poseidon raped her, Athena cursed her and Hermes loved her. Danger surrounded her. She is a gentle soul before being turned into Medusa and that did not change. She loves modern electronics, her only contact with the outside world. She has been exiled to the island of Gorgon for the past two thousand years.

Mikkos is one of her only friends. He is blind, so she does not worry that he will turn to stone when he looks upon The Girls. He sells her temple relics, so she can purchase real everyday items and donate to worthy causes, trying to make up for the deaths she has caused. After freezing a human, I can visualize her moving the statue, trying to find the perfect spot for him. I can’t walk in her shoes because she is so damn nice.

Medusa talks about The Girls, her head of snakes. It is funny and sweet. Especially, I can picture Mikkos being allowed to feed and pet The Girls.

Hermes is Poseiden’s nephew and Athena’s brother. He does errands for Zeus and his uncle, Hades. He is determined to help Medusa have a life. He would talk to his dad, Olympus, and find out what would need to be done to reverse the curse. He shows the lengths “people” will go to to be with their soul mate. Heather Lyons describes it as imprinting, like werewolves do with their mates.

Medusa describes the girls actions – happy, unhappy, disapproving, excited, wriggling and trying to peak out from under the scarf she wears to hide them. Had me smiling and giggling as I develop the picture in my mind.

Heather’s descriptions are so vivid, I can picture Zues in a T-shirt, torn shorts and flip flops. Imagine sitting at a bar, not knowing a God is sitting beside you. It made me laugh out loud as she made their world blend into ours so realistically.

I love her detailed description of butterflies, but I would like for you to experience it yourself, so I will leave that for you to discover, along with so much more wonder in Medusa’s world.

I loved learning of our world through her eyes. Medusa is very knowledgeable, but after being isolated for two thousand years, she does not know how to fit in. How does she see our world, going from a two dimensional computer image to three dimensional reality? She is a total innocent in interaction with people, the crowds, restaurants, shopping, all the things we take for granted.

Oh no! NO! I didn’t see that coming. My heart breaks along with Medusa’s. I am crushed. What the hell, Heather? How can you do that to her, after all she has been through?

Usually, books about Gods and their mythological world can be confusing and heavy. Heather’s writing and Medusa’s world left me wanting more, a lot more. The characters came alive on the pages. I now see snakes as lively, fun and mischievous creatures. As I walked with Medusa, I began to see our world through her eyes. It is a scary and wonderful place and I would not want to be anywhere else.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Just a few fingers against his shoulder, but suddenly I’ve just stepped off a cliff and am soaring through the air, into the unknown after drowning in the deep sea for so long.

“Obviously, the reason I’ve yet to marry is because I was a recluse of a a monster living on an enchanted isle. Most may draw the line at scaly women whose hair can bite them during arguments and eyes which turn them into stone. Your turn.”

“You really don’t know, do you?”

I run. I kick. I punch. I listen. I write. I give. I live. Stars above, I love.

Heather Lyons would like to tell you, if you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you do not need to suffer in silence. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE, visit the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website or connect with an online counselor to learn more about your options.

I received an arc ecopy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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About Heather Lyons

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Stalk the Author at the links below:

Website / Author Goodreads / THE DEEP END OF THE SEA Goodreads

Twitter / Facebook

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To get your copy of The Deep End of the Sea or learn more about Heather Lyons, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

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 below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Teaser Tuesday #10 – I feel as if this book was written especially for me – Ocean’s Gift by Demelza Carlton

Posted on February 11, 2014 by fundinmental

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page.

•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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This cover blows me away!! What am I saying? I am blown away (I know I am repeating myself) by this refreshing twist on the myths and legends of mermaids. I was only 7% in and felt like jumping up and down for joy. I am thinking this may be the best mermaid novel I have ever read. The story has drawn me in and I can hardly put it down long enough to write this post.

Be sure and go to the end of the post to check out the cover for Book II, Ocean’s Infiltrator. Another cover that makes me long to dive into that beautiful blue water. Plus, surprise! There is a book trailer.

I’ll be reviewing this book on February 19, 2014, so be sure and come back and I will tell you all about it..

My Teaser for Ocean’s Gift by Demelza Carlton

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“…I feel she will succeed, despite our doubts. She understands humans better than any of our kind ever has, yet she is one of our elders. She will accomplish what none of us could. In her own way, she is the ocean’s gift to humans, ensuring their survival when their world will be irrevocable changed.”

(67% on Kindle).

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BLURB From Amazon

A bestselling paranormal romance and sea adventure, weaving mermaids, mythology, folklore and fantasy into modern day Australia.

Sirens don’t fall in love with humans. For centuries it has been so…

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But Sirena is different. She lost her first love to sharks and a storm, cursing the islands that stole him from her. Times have changed and she must swim ashore once more, to the islands she once cursed. Gone are the boats powered by sail and steam – jet boats with GPS are now the order of the day. Enter Joe, the deckhand on the Dolphin. A handy man to have around when the lights go out. He’ll fix your generator and have the lights back on in no time, no worries. But can he seduce a siren? Or will she swim away before he can uncover her secret? A book about lobsters, beer and boobs, on some cursed islands off the coast of Western Australia. At least, that’s how Joe tells it.

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For Sirena, it’s a very different story.

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You can see an excerpt at Goodreads or Amazon.

Check out these gorgeous, breathtaking covers and feel free to paddle your way over to Amazon and pick up your copy of the Ocean Gift’s series by Demelza Carlton.

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Inquiring minds want to know – What are you reading?

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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 below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Monday Mini #9 – Chimera by David Wellington

Posted on February 10, 2014 by fundinmental

The title – Chimera – by David Wellington made me stop and investigate further. I thought it would be mythological, but was pleasantly surprised to see it was so much more that that.

Barbed wire, men in foxholes guarding a camp, an escape and the detainees running free, hmmmmm what could that mean? And who are the detainees?

BLURB

A fabulous new talent-the heir to Patrick Lee and James Rollins-delivers his first published novel: a wildly imaginative tale that combines elements of horror and science in the vein of Michael Crichton, in which a circle of unlikely heroes must uncover a nefarious cabal and prevent it from unleashing a diabolical threat that could destroy the world

7 fugitives escape from a secret military facility in upstate New York, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake.

7 super-soldiers gone rogue.

7 innocent citizens targeted for death.

Disabled Army Vet James Chase is drafted for a desperate mission to stop this lethal force. Aided by a mysterious woman named Angel and a courageous, beautiful veterinarian, Chase sets off on a hair-raising cross-country hunt.

But are the killers really rogue soldiers, or are they only the tip of a sinister conspiracy . . . the first piece of a shocking nightmarish plan that will lead to ultimate destruction?

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MY REVIEW of Chimera, A Jim Chapel Mission, by David Wellington

Chimera – an organism with more than one kind of DNA

David Wellington has been compared to Patrick Lee, James Rollins and Michael Crichton. That being said, I knew I would love this story and I wasn’t wrong. A sci-fi government conspiracy that will leave you shaking in your shoes. With all the genetic research being done, do you think that no one has thought about building the ultimate soldier?

Jim Chapel, a Special Forces veteran, is called in to save the day. The only clue – Chimera. The writing is excellent and the dialogue had me smiling and laughing, when I wasn’t pissed off and terrified. A sci-fi thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew Jim would accomplish his mission, but how? Secrets, danger, an uncontrollable evil that must be prevented from escaping into civilization. The ending – not what I thought it would be – oh, so much better than I imagined. I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I won a hardcover, first edition copy from Jessica at Jess Resides Here. YAY! Thank you Jessica and David. It looks beautiful in my collection.

“Is it not a glorious thing to be living in a George Jetson world?”

To get your copy of Chimera or another David Wellington novel, click on the cover below. David is a prolific writer and has many novels to choose from.

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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 below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Undead Tour – Review & Giveaway – The Zombie West Trilogy by Angela Scott

Posted on February 5, 2014 by fundinmental

Get the Zombie West Omnibus on Amazon.

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Add the Zombie West Omnibus to your Goodreads to-read shelf!

ZOMBIES! The Wild West! Romance! Mayhem!

Angela Scott’s Zombie West Omnibus has all this, and more!

“…this is one of the most unique concepts I’ve come across.” —Brian, Amazon reviewer

“These books had me on the edge of my seat and at one point in book three I had to set the book down and pull myself out of the story so I wouldn’t cry.” —Emily Pearce, Amazon reviewer

“This series is one that will stay with you for a long time, prompting you to want to read it again and again.” —Tracy Haidle, Amazon reviewer

About the Zombie West Omnibus

The Wild West is hard enough to survive with its native territory, wanted outlaws, and harsh terrain, but with a plague turning civilized people into brain-eating monsters, survival becomes nearly impossible.

Red has lost everything to the fast-spreading disease: her family, her trust in mankind, and her hope for a better tomorrow. When she meets Trace, a smooth-talking gambling man who’s more city boy than cowboy, she’s forced down a path she’d been avoiding for years. Until his arrival, she’d lived by a certain set of rules—don’t ask names, keep to yourself, don’t let anyone too close—but the jackass of a man won’t let her be, and he has an uncanny knack for appearing at all the wrong times and in all the wrong places.

Each, with a secret of their own, will need to learn that only by working together do they have any chance of surviving The Zombie West.

That is, if they don’t kill each other first.

[Angela Scott’s Zombie West Omnibus includes the three books in the Zombie West series WANTED: DEAR OR UNDEAD, SURVIVOR ROUNDUP, and DEAD PLAINS. Find these books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, and Smashwords.]

Genre classification: YA/Western Romance/Action and Adventure/ with added zombies for utter mayhem.

About Angela Scott

Angela Scott hears voices. Tiny fictional people sit on her shoulders and whisper their stories in her ear. Instead of medicating herself, she decided to pick up a pen, write down everything those voices tell me, and turn it into a book. She’s not crazy. She’s an author. For the most part, she writes contemporary Young Adult novels. However, through a writing exercise that spiraled out of control, she found herself writing about zombies terrorizing the Wild Wild West–and loving it. Her zombies don’t sparkle, and they definitely don’t cuddle. At least, she wouldn’t suggest it. She lives on the benches of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with two lovely children, one teenager, and a very patient husband. She graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in English, not because of her love for the written word, but because it was the only major that didn’t require math. She can’t spell, and grammar is her arch nemesis. But they gave her the degree, and there are no take backs.

Find Angela Scott on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Get the book!

Find the Zombie West Trilogy on Amazon.

Don’t forget to add the Zombie West Omnibus to your Goodreads to-read shelf.

Connect with Angela Scott on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

My Review of Dead Plains by Angela Scott

(To see my reviews for Wanted and Survivor, look for the links below the giveaway.)

Spoiler alert: This is the third book in the Trilogy.

Survivor Roundup left me hanging off the cliff by my fingertips and I was eager to get my hands on Dead Plains, Book III of the Zombie West Trilogy by Angela Scott.

“My child.”

What could he do about it? Not a damn thing.

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The Zombie West Series caught me so off guard, that I fell in love with it and Angela Scott’s writing. It is a unique and novel approach to Zombies, that will have you walking the plains, hand and hand with Red and her motley crew, desperately trying to survive.

Imagine walking, walking, walking, no destination just walking. Nowhere is safe. Now imagine doing it while nine months pregnant.

The characters were an unlikely bunch. In another time, they never would have met, let alone been friends and family. Alone, with everyone you ever knew dead or lost to you, you would be forced to trust. There is safety in numbers.

The characters lived life fully, their emotions strong and their needs directed their actions. They never knew when their life would end, or maybe begin – in another form.

Red is special and wanted. Some wanted her for good, others would stop at nothing to capture her, thinking she was their salvation.

Angela’s descriptions of the Zombies were amazing. They are called the Undead for a reason. I could see them shuffling along, being drawn from place to place by the smell of humans. Decomposing with every step they take.

The fights are graphic and gruesome. Guts spilling out, a knife through the chin, brains blown away and an arrow through the eye are only a few of the groups attempts to kill the Zombies.

Could you imagine needing clothes so badly, that you would strip them from the Undead? How long do you think it would take to get used to the smell, so you don’t want to vomit with every breath you take.

As the group pulled the Zombie from the river I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. Hilarious description – a rope around neck its neck and the horses pulling and pulling…..

I loved that Angela could add humor to so much gruesomeness. After all, no matter how desperate the times are, a smile or a laugh can give you hope.

The Zombie West Trilogy is a fantastic story of life and death, love and betrayal and trust and loyalty, after the world has gone to hell. The characters will have you laughing and crying as you walk through the Dead Plains with them. Every time you think of Zombies, you will want to pull out the Zombie West Trilogy and read it again. If you like Zombies, this is a Must Read!

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

“There would be a burial, and grieving, and somehow….they’d find a way to go on.”

“This was the best welcome back from the dead – woke up and puked.”

“…sometimes it is not meant for us to understand. Sometimes we are simply required to do.”

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To grab your copy of a Zombie West novel, or to learn more about Angela Scott, click on the cover below.

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.GIVEAWAY

The Zombie West Trilogy ebook

$10 Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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“Babies are super cute – until they want to eat you.” Wanted: Dead or Undead by Angela Scott

I take my hat off to this Zombie Western – Survivor Roundup, Book II of the Zombie West Series, by Angela Scott

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 below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Do you believe in the boogeyman? – When The Dead Whisper by Tara Neideffer – Review & Giveaway

Posted on February 4, 2014 by fundinmental

“Every little girl thinks there’s a Boogeyman in her room at night don’t they?”

When The Dead Whisper by Tara Neideffer is a riveting ghost story that left me screaming for more.

The whispers, “the rope ties us all.”

The whispers, “find the truth.”

The whispers, “….It’s time for you to see.”

The whispers, “It’s time to end this.”

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When The Dead Whisper immediately brought to mind the Ghost Whisperer. I love ghosts and a novel that has the main character able to see and talk to them is on the top of my to read list. I am ambivalent about ghosts. How about you? Do you believe?

A feeling of expectation and angst followed me throughout the book. I was on pins and needles, walking carefully through the pages. Waiting, waiting. Knowing it’s coming.

Knowing he’s coming? Is there a serial killer on the loose? In Danvers?

The writing was intense and at times humorous, lending the story a sense of reality and allowing the characters to seem as if they could be your next door neighbor. Tara Neideffer describes the ghost in such detail, I can see her standing in the doorway, beseeching me to help her.

I felt it was a great touch and I couldn’t help but laugh at Tara’s description of Mia and Ryan coming into her messed up apartment. Ryan thought there had been an intruder.

“Anyway, right there is the burglar.” It was Cyprus, her black cat.

When The Dead Whisper centers around a tattoo shop, Irish Ink. Tara creates some quirky and unique characters.

Mia is a beer drinking, regular every day girl, who just happens to be a tattoo artist. Oh, and ghosts talk to her.

Ryan’s persistence – coming to her work place, asking her out for months, wearing her down, should get the girl. He was growing on me and I began to root for him, wanting Mia to choose him. But…..I kept having doubts about Ryan and Tara’s writing kept me guessing. Is he good or bad?

Mia could choose between two guys, but I was kept unsure and guessing. It’s him, no it’s him, no it’s him.

Mia kept seeing the letter L. I was reading along, a bit on edge, but when she goes to Leslie’s Designs the shit really hits the fan. I was so terrified for her that I was racing through the pages having to know that she will be okay. Of course she will, it’s a novel and she’s the main character. I thought the L represented one thing, but it was another. I love it when I cannot figure the answers to my questions until they are sitting right in front of me and Tara does that extremely well. When it comes together, I feel such a sense of relief, as if I have been holding my breath.

The only thing I didn’t like about When The Dead Whispers – it ended.

5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received When The Dead Whisper from Tara Neideffer in return for an honest and unbiased review. I had read Deadly Road (see review link below), Tara Neideffer’s debut novel, and was blown away, so I was more than happy to read another piece of her work. I am now a huge fan of Tara’s and the Mia Rushton Series. I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next one, which is being written as we speak.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara Neideffer loves everything that has to do with the paranormal. She grew up reading Stephen King novels and watching horror novels. Deadly Road is her first paranormal novel. She is currently working on her next novel which will be a paranormal series.

In her free time she likes to spend time with her husband, daughter and step-son and sometimes go ghost hunting.

To find Tara Neideffer, you don’t need paranormal abilities, just look below.

Blog / Facebook / Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY

Tara Neideffer is offering 3 (three) ebooks for international readers. Entry is easy. Leave your email and answer the question:

“Do you believe in the boogeyman?”

Giveaway ends February 18, 2014.

To get your copy of a Tara Neideffer novel, click on the cover below.

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One Fateful Mistake and………….5 STAR Review of Deadly Road by Tara Neideffer

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 below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

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Launch, ARC Review & Giveaway I Am Forever by Wynne Channing

Posted on January 31, 2014 by fundinmental

Wynne Channing’s sequel to What Kills Me, I Am Forever, is now available.

I have a lot to share, but it is all so good, I can’t help myself.

The covers are beautiful but the story inside………

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

Thus, Axelia’s story began.

ABOUT I AM FOREVER

Axelia fought an army of vampires and survived. Once fated as the destroyer of the vampire race, she is now welcomed into the immortal empire and revered as a god.

But instead of relishing her victory, she faces a dangerous new world and an empire at war. Axelia is thrust into the position of supreme vampire and caught in the crossfire of battle. To make matters worse, her role alienates Lucas, the one vampire that she trusts.

Her power spawns evil enemies. And they know how to get to her — by hurting those whom she loves most.

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MY REVIEW FOR I AM FOREVER BY WYNNE CHANNING

I am a Super Vampire. So, why am I locked up with Lucas in an empty room, while the Empress and her cronies decide our fate?

They can’t kill me or they all die.

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Spoiler Alert: I Am Forever is the sequel to What Kills Me. I will do my best to give little or nothing away, because I feel this book is even better than the first and I would like you to experience it for yourself.

The covers for Wynne’s books are beautiful. I love the colors and the effect of shattered glass. It’s an indication of what is to come as Axelia continues her battle to stay alive and retain her freedom.

Wynne writes in such vivid detail, I can breathe in the heavy scent of the botanical garden through the thick humid air. I can feel the moisture beading on my skin and dripping down my back. It is easy to relate to the excellent description, when you live in a Gulf state, as I do.

Her description of the doctor looking like Ernie from Sesame Street had me laughing out loud.

Wynne describes how vampires date by comparing it to Lady and the Tramp eating spaghetti. I bet that is a visual that will take you a while to erase from your mind.

Ever since the accident that made her a vampire, the Sacriva’s prophecy has ruled her life:

A human girl will be reborn a vampire. She will shed the blood of all those who walk in darkness. She will be the first. She will mean the death of all Vampires.

Axelia – not only was she super powerful, she was also immune to the sun. She didn’t need to breathe, but her senses were heightened and she would do it just to enjoy the smells. She had been a seventeen year old high school student, until two weeks ago. Now she is a God, but she would give her life for Lucas.

Lucas – incredibly brave. He made Axelia feel safe, having saved her life more than once. He stuck to her like glue and would die for her.

Wynne keeps me on the fence about Uther. Is he good? Is he bad? Is he trustworthy and naive or just evil? You will have to read for yourself to find out.

But the Empress, I know what she is. My question is – does Axelia?

I was disappointed in Axelia’s actions with the Empress, but I kept saying to myself, “She is seventeen years old and has only been a Vampire for two weeks.” How would I react? Or you?

Axelia’s story kept getting better. Wynne manages to have me laughing, even as heads are flying – I mean that literally. The war continues in I Am Forever and I stand by Axelia as I try to tell her to watch out for……..She only wants to have a life and I want that for her.

4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

I received the ARC of I Am Forever from Wynne Channing, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

For the book trailer of I Am Forever and an interview with Wynne Channing, check the links below:

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi_uyHAyuOs

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cCX3LShTic

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MY REVIEW

ABOUT WHAT KILLS ME

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?

Buy What Kills Me

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Image of Wynne Channing Wynne Channing is a national newspaper reporter and award-winning young adult novelist. Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite). She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”

Stalk Wynne Channing, if you dare!

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Google+ | Pinterest |YouTube |Amazon Author Page

To get your copy of What Kills Me or I Am Forever, by Wynne Channing, click on a cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

Wynne’s giving three readers each a prize pack (a signed What Kills Me bookmark, a notepad and a rhinestone butterfly necklace). Enter here for your chance to win:

A Rafflecopter giveaway!

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Review for Cursed by S J Harper

Posted on October 31, 2013 by fundinmental

Cursed

Book One in the Fallen Siren Series

Release Date October 1, 2013

Meet FBI Agents Emma Monroe and Zack Armstrong.

She’s cursed. He’s damned. Together, they make one hell of a team. Emma Monroe is a Siren, cursed by the gods and bound to earth to atone for an ancient failure. She’s had many names and many lives, but only one mission: redemption. Now that she works missing persons cases for the FBI, it could be just a rescue away. Unless her new partner leads her astray.

Special Agent Zack Armstrong just transferred into the San Diego Field Office. He’s a werewolf, doing his best to beat back the demons from his dark and dangerous past. As a former Black Ops sniper, he’s taken enough lives. Now he’s doing penance by saving them.

Emma and Zack’s very first case draws them deep into the realm of the paranormal and forces them to use their own supernatural abilities. But that leaves each of them vulnerable, and there are lines partners should not cross. As secrets are revealed and more women go missing, one thing becomes clear: as they race to save the victims, Emma and Zack risk losing themselves.

BUY LINKS

Amazon ; / Barnes & Noble

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My Review

Emma and Zack are both seeking a form of redemption for their past.

Emma is a siren, a seductress, cursed for a past failure. She uses the power of glamour to hide her true self from others. She can compel people to tell the truth. She uses her magic like a profiler uses his intuition and S J Harper’s writing makes it so believable. Emma specializes in finding missing persons.

Zack is a werewolf and a Special Agent trying to make up for the lives he took in his former life.

When they team up, their skills reach a higher level.

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By the second page I was laughing and loving the writing style.

“….good romp with a guy just because he goes furry a few days every month.”

Cursed runs the gamut of magical creatures in the supernatural world – werewolves, vampires, Gods, devils, demons, shapeshifters…..

Cursed is a story, where the supernatural and reality exist side by side. The writing is so believable that I got lost as I teamed up with Emma and Zack to find out what was happening to the missing women.

I love a good mystery. Toss in some romance to round out the story and I am hooked.

The details of how they go about collecting information is just like watching the crime shows – Criminal Minds, CSI and NCIS – checking phone records, emails, even Facebook. Patience is a key necessity for an investigator and it pays well to have an extra little something for interrogation, like magic.

I loved the blend of reality and supernatural.

The characters are easy to relate to. We all have personal problems and Emma and Zack are no exceptions, theirs just had an extra supernatural element. There are hate crimes and politics. They read like current events.

“…what kind of bad guy would break into someone’s house to fix breakfast?”

“Wait. I know this one….a cereal killer?”

“What are you? Agents of the FBI’s X-files Bureau?”

4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

I was given a first edition paperback for a review for the tour. I am looking forward to reading more books in the Fallen Siren Series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.J. Harper is the pen name for the writing team of Samantha Sommersby and Jeanne C. Stein, two friends who met at Comic-Con in San Diego and quickly bonded over a mutual love of good wine, edgy urban fantasy, and everything Joss Whedon.

Samantha Sommersby left what she used to call her “real life” day job in the psychiatric field to pursue writing full-time in 2007. She is the author of more than ten novels and novellas including the critically acclaimed Forbidden series. She currently lives with her husband and cocker spaniel, Buck, in a century old Southern California Craftsman. Sam happily spends her days immersed in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons are real, myths and legends are revered, magic is possible, and love still conquers all.

Jeanne Stein is the national bestselling author of The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. She also has numerous short story credits, including most recently the novella, Blood Debt, from the New York Times bestselling anthology, Hexed. Her series has been picked up in three foreign countries and her short stories published in collections here in the US and the UK. She lives in Denver, CO where she finds gardening a challenge more daunting than navigating the world of mythical creatures.

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AUTHOR LINKS

S.J. Harper

Website ; / Goodreads ; / Facebook

Samantha Sommersby

Facebook ; / Twitter

Jeanne Stein

Facebook ; / Twitter

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To learn more about S J Harper, or pick up your copy of Cursed, click on the cover below.

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Review of Rowan’s Story – Beginnings by A M Hargrove

Posted on October 15, 2013 by fundinmental

Beginnings is a novella, a prequel to the Guardian of Vesturon Series. It was written after Survival, Book I of the Series. A M Hargrove’s fans didn’t care very much for Rowan, the father of one of the main characters, and she wanted them to know why Rowan is the way he is.

Beginnings is free and you can get your copy HERE or by clicking on the cover below.

Beginnings will introduce you to the characters and customs of the Vesturons. Just because they are aliens, doesn’t mean we can’t relate to many of their ways.

I had already read Survival, Book I of the Guardians of Vesturon Serives, so I was familiar with the characters.

I found Beginnings captivating, because as a fan of A M Hargrove’s and the Guardians of Vesturon Series, I truly wanted to know Rowan’s story. I wanted to know why he was so hard on Rayn’s choice of a commoner for a mate, when Rowan, himself, had married a commoner.

Royalty is no different today, so I didn’t find the situation odd or wrong. It is just the way things are. Royalty is expected to act differently than the rest of us.

A M Hargrove has a way of drawing you in and making you feel as if you are there, sharing the thoughts and feelings of her characters. They come alive in her writing and you will laugh and cry as you travel through the series, going through their trials and tribulations.

Love crosses all boundaries and will not be denied.

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

Do you believe that love can conquer all?

3 STARS – Would Recommend To Others

The reason I gave it only three stars is because it is background, laying a foundation for what is to come. It will help us to understand and relate to the characters better.

There are no bells and whistles. Even though Rowan’s life is no picnic, it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next shoe to drop, but is well worth the read to get to know the ways of the Vesturon.

I picked this up for free on Amazon.

I will be posting my review of Survival, Book I, in the very near future, then Resurrection, Determinant and ReEmergent.

Follow me by email and travel the galaxy with the Guardians of Vesturon.

To get your copy of any book of A M Hargrove’s books, simply click on the cover below.

My 5 Star Review of Tragically Flawed with a Giveaway and Top Ten Vacation Guest Post

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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FREE – Joe by H D Gordon

Posted on October 3, 2013 by fundinmental

I have read most of H D Gordon’s books and Joe is next on my list. So grab your copy HERE!

Be sure and check for the “0”.

I love the EYE catching cover. How about you?

From the author of the Alexa Montgomery Saga, comes a book that will take you into the mind of a genuine psychopath, the lives of six ordinary people, and the world of a very special girl named Joe.

Joe is seemingly an ordinary college student. She works, studies and reads. But in between these activities Joe has a gift that promises to add a dose of color to her life at any given moment. Joe sees things before they happen. Bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. Someone is planning a massacre at the college university that Joe attends, and the only person with a hope of stopping the psychopath is her.

Oh, the beauty of foresight. More like a curse. Joe has four days to figure out the mystery, make plans to take down the psycho, and save the lives of people. People like you and me. Ordinary people.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

H. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa’s tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.