Review ~ Ghost of Death by Chrys Fey

Posted on May 21, 2015 by fundinmental

Welcome and I hope you are having a wonderful day!

I am so happy to be able to share my review of this fantastic story by Chrys Fey.

Are you a ghost lover? Well, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Add to Goodreads

Title: Ghost of Death

Author: Chrys Fey

Genre: Supernatural/Suspense

Format: eBook Only

Page Count: 41 (short story)

Cover: Debbie Taylor

MY REVIEW

I love the etheral cover for Ghost of Death by Chrys Fey. The ghostly effect made me eager to read this wonderful and sometimes humorous novella about a murdered woman, who is now a ghost, and the investigation into her death.

Jolie figured, if she had to be a ghost, she would be the best ghost she could be.

She could walk through walls, but not tweet. I thought that was very funny and the writing set the tone for the rest of the story.

Jolie doesn’t know how she died, but she watched as the police examined her crime scene. She had been going to college to be a journalist and noted everything in detail. Imagine watching the police document the scene, taking your body to the coroner’s office, watching the care and the feelings the workers put into their work.

Imagine watching as your family identify your remains, wanting to reach out to them in their time of need, feeling their anguish and wanting to alleviate their pain.

Jolie was watching the officer in charge of her case, Avrianna, pacing in her office. She shouted out in anger at her. Avrianna whipped around and shouted, “You know what? You need to stop shouting in my ear…” I busted out laughing. Didn’t see that coming at all.

Avrianna is Jolie’s Ghost Whisperer. I loved that Chrys mentioned the TV show, Ghost Whisperer, with Jennifer Love-Hewitt. I used to watch the show every week and have been watching some reruns on ION TV.

Jolie would find out first hand why earthbound spirits stay.

This novella had it all for me: mystery, ghosts, a great storyline and characters that I loved. The humor sprinkled throughout the story helped to make up for the times when I wanted to cry for those left behind.

I would highly recommend reading this fun story of Jolie and the detective that is determined to solve her case, if a murder mystery can be fun. 😈

The author supplied me with a copy of Ghost of Death in return for an honest review. I can hardly wait to begin reading Witch of Death.

5 Stars

GUEST POST

Welcome to fundinmental, Chrys.

I am so happy to have you here to share some of your thoughts with us.

I love chapter titles as a reader and a writer. I think chapter titles are a special dose of creativity that writers add to their books for readers to enjoy, whether readers look at those titles of not. For Ghost of Death, my seven-chapter short story, I created chapter titles for a bit of humor. My publisher doesn’t use chapter titles for shorter works though, so they were stripped from my story during the galley phases. I wanted to share those titles with you now.

Chapter One – I Can’t Be Dead

Chapter Two – Ghost of Death

Chapter Three – Tea for One

Chapter Four – The League of the Dead

Chapter Five – What Happened

Chapter Six – Evidence

Chapter Seven – Pesky College Ghost

QUESTION: What do you think of my deleted chapter titles?

Thank you for having my on your blog, Sherry. You rock!

You are most welcome, Chrys. It is definitely my pleasure and I look forward to doing it again!

SYNOPSIS

Jolie Montgomery, a twenty-one-year-old woman, wakes up in an alley next to her corpse. She has no memories of her murder or the night she died. She didn’t even see the killer’s face before he or she took her life. Wanting justice, Jolie seeks answers in the only way a ghost can…by stalking the lead detective on the case.

Avrianna Heavenborn is determined to find the person responsible for a young woman’s death. She gets closer to the killer’s identity with every clue she uncovers, and Jolie is with her every step of the way.

But if they don’t solve her murder soon, Jolie will be an earth-bound spirit forever.

BOOK LINKS

Amazon US / Amazon UK / The Wild Rose Press / NOOK / KOBO

Add to Goodreads

Also available: WITCH OF DEATH

SYNOPSIS

Detective Reid Sanders doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but when he’s faced with a crime scene that defies the laws of nature, he has no other choice but to start believing. And solving a magical murder involves working with a witch.

Liberty Sawyer embodies the look of your classic evil witch, so, it’s no surprise when she uncovers the murderer is a witch that she becomes Reid’s number one suspect. If she can’t convince him otherwise, more people could lose their lives to dark magic, including her.

BOOK LINKS

Amazon US / Amazon UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes and 30 Seconds. She is currently working on the sequel to Hurricane Crimes that’ll serve as book two in the Disaster Crimes series.

When Fey was six years old, she realized her dream of being a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida where she is waiting for the next hurricane to come her way.

You can connect with her on Facebook and her blog, Write with Fey. She loves to get to know her readers!

Author Links:

Facebook / Blog / Website / Goodreads

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Friday 56 #41 & BB #17 ~ Death of a Schoolgirl by Joanna Campbell Slan

Posted on February 27, 2015 by fundinmental

The Friday 56 is 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..

Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence or so of the book you are reading along with you initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Please include the title of the book and the author’s name.

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DEATH OF A SCHOOLGIRL by Joanna Campbell Slan

I read this some time ago, but would like to share it with you.

You can see my review here.

MY 56..I told her about my trip in the mail coach and the incident with the thief. I ended my recitation with, “I hate the thought of telling Edward I have lost the Rochester diamonds!”

(page 56 in paperback).

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BOOK BEGINNINGS.

When Jane Eyre first wrote her autobiography, it was intended as a multivolume work, for she’d lived a rich and varied life despite her harsh beginnings. But after publication of the first volume of her early life, from her birth to her marriage in 1819, the book received such an overwhelming amount of attention – some positive, but much negative – that it quite turned her again publishing the rest of the story she’d written.

…reader discovered a handwritten manuscript…

And so, dear reader, her story continues…

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SYNOPSIS

In her classic tale, Charlotte Brontë introduced readers to the strong willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. Picking up where Brontë left off, the year is now 1851, and Jane’s life has finally settled into a comfortable pattern. She and her beloved Edward Rochester have married, and have an infant son. But Jane soon finds herself in the midst of new challenges and threats to those she loves…

Jane can’t help but fret when a letter arrives from Adèle Varens—Rochester’s ward and Jane’s former pupil, currently at boarding school—warning that the girl’s life is in jeopardy. Although it means leaving her young son and invalid husband, and despite never having been to a city of any size, Jane feels strongly compelled to go to London to ensure Adèle’s safety.

But almost from the beginning, her travels don’t go as planned—she is knocked about and robbed, and no one believes that the plain, unassuming Jane could indeed be the wife of a gentleman. Even when she arrives at the school, the headmistress takes her for an errant new teacher, and berates her for her late arrival. Most shocking to Jane is the discovery that Adèle’s roommate has recently passed away under very suspicious circumstances, yet no one at the school seems concerned. Taking advantage of the misunderstanding, she decides to pose as the missing instructor—and soon uncovers several unsavory secrets, which may very well make her the killer’s next target…

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Do you read autobiographies or historical novels?

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Friday 56 #28 & BB #4 – Myths and Murder

Posted on October 10, 2014 by fundinmental

The Friday 56 is 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.

Please include the title of the book and the author’s name.

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BAD BLOOD by Lucienne Diver

Latter-Day Olympians, Book 1

The gods play…and mortals pay.

Add ME to your Goodreads reading list now.

Click on the cover to get an Amazon copy.

(page 56 of paperback)

Jesus picked up on the second ring – always – said it gave the impression of to little to do to pick up on the first and too much to wait until the third.

“Good morning, Karacis Investigations,” he said pleasantly.

“You mean investigate.”

“I mean assist in an investigation, yes.”

(Book Beginnings)

“Stake out: a mind numbering, bladder busting exercise distinguishable from stalking by the ID you’re able to flash when the police come tap-tap-tapping at your Camaro door.”

Gods, Gorgons, a circus, private investigators, cops and murder.

The tone of this book is light and humorous.

Just reading the synopsis made me want to pick this up.

And I have to know what is the Creature from the Black Lagoon looking monster?

SYNOPSIS

Tori Karacis’s family line may trace back to a drunken liaison between the god Pan and one of the immortal gorgons. Or…maybe it’s just coincidence that her glance can, literally, stop men in their tracks. While her fear of heights kept her out of the family aerobatic troupe, her extreme nosiness fits right in with her uncle’s P.I. business.

Except he’s disappeared on an Odyssean journey to find himself. Muddling through on her own, she’s reduced to hunting (not stalking, because that would just be weird) brass-bra’d Hollywood agent Circe Holland to deliver a message…only to witness her murder by what looks like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Suddenly, all of her family’s tall tales seem believable, especially when Apollo—the Apollo, who’s now hiding out among humans as an adult film star—appears in her office, looking to hire her. She knows the drill: canoodling with gods never works out well for humans, but she’s irresistibly drawn to him. Maybe it’s her genes. Maybe not.

Given her conflicted feelings for one hot and hardened cop, it’s a toss-up which will kill her quickest. The danger at her door…or her love life.

Warning: Contains pot-boiling passion between a heroine who may—or may not—be a descendent of Medusa, and a hot god and a hunky cop with the…equipment…to handle her, even on her worst bad-hair day. Beware of killer kisses, trickster gods and bearded grandmothers Who Know Everything.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Thank you for visiting fundinmental!

Sherry’s Shelves #15 – Music, Romance, Death and More

Posted on August 24, 2014 by fundinmental

Sherry’s Shelves is my weekly update, where I will recap what I have been doing the past week: August 17 – August 23, 2014.

.Sunday Post is Hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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Stacking the Shelves is Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Bought, Borrowed and Bagged is Hosted by TalkSupe

***all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)***

***if listed as free, please check for the “0″***

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I hope everyone is enjoying the dog days of summer. I know I am. It has been very hot (high 90’s, but I swear it feels like the 100s to me) and sunny here. ‘They’ have issued heat index warnings, recommending limiting outdoor exposure.

I am loving every minute of it, but am careful about how long I am in direct sunlight. My pool is very inviting, but floating is not an option at this time. Doesn’t really matter to me, because I spend a lot of my time underwater.

You see, I was a mermaid in another life, so water is second nature to me..

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Picked up for FREE

FINDING CINDERELLA: A Novella by Colleen Hoover

I have read some Colleen Hoover, even though it is not my usual genre, and am blown away by her amazing writing.

So, when I saw this on the Istyria Book Blog, I decided to give it a whirl.

Thanks Bieke and Colleen for the freebie.

Still free at time of posting. Be sure and check for “0″..

In celebration of the dog days of summer, a little music for your listening pleasure.

I love the Drifters, so enjoy your time Under The Boardwalk!

UNDER THE BOARDWALK by Barbara Cool Lee

A Parajo Bay Cozy Mystery and Sweet Romance

I LOVE this awesome cover!

This looks like the total package to me, so how could I resist?

Thanks Laura @ fuonlyknew for making me aware of this freebie and thanks Barbara for making it free.

ADVENTURE IN TIME BUNDLE by Annie Seaton

I have seen Annie’s name bandied about, but have never read any of her work.

I received an invite to this freebie in her newsletter, so I thought, this is the perfect time to get acquainted.

Thanks Annie.

Adventure in Time is still free, but not for long, so get your copy now.

Be sure and check for the “0”.

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Received for Review

THE POOL BOY’S BEATTITUDE by DJ Swykert

This is a new author for me and I love the cover. I have a special affinity to water.

DJ Swykert had requested a review and this seemed a bit different from my normal reads.

Thanks DJ for the opportunity to share.

I like something different to shake me once in a while.

A DEATH IN VEGAS by Christopher Meeks

I saw the intriguing cover and read on. What do you think?

There is so much I like about this book, I had to join the tour.

I will be reviewing and touring with A Death in Vegas with Premier Virtual Tours on October 1, 2014. Thanks, guys, for the opportunity to share.

I hope you will stop by and check it out.

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WON

ISOLATION by Denise R Stephenson

Touch has been outlawed.

Does that capture your attention?

This sounds so creepy good, I hope you will check it out too.

I won Isolation on a tour with Premier Virtual Author Book Tours.

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Last week on fundinmental

The Ice Bucket Challenge

Sherry’s Shelves #14 – Murder, Paranormal and More

Teaser Tuesday #21 – Zombie Mom MIA – Killer’s Instinct by Dawn Dalton & Judith Graves

There’s a new Vampire in Town – Love Without Blood by Raz Steel

Blog Barrage for Tempted by a Rogue Prince by Felicity Heaton

Friday 56 #22 – Did you say Aliens? A Human Element by Donna Galanti

Winner of Avoidable Contact by Tammy Kaehler

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This week on fundinmental

I do have some surprises in store for this week, so be sure and stay in touch..

I never know what might pop up, so upcoming events are always subject to change.

I will also be doing some of the memes that I love so much.

Ultimate Fear by Kristine Mason – Review and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesday

Clamwake by Mary Daheim – Review and Paperback Giveaway

Friday 56

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How have you been spending your summer?

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Oil, Texas Tea – The Cost of Crude by Inge-Lise Goss Tour & Giveaway

Posted on July 19, 2014 by fundinmental

The Cost of Cruse by Inge-Lise Goss is my favorite genre. I love a good Mystery/Thriller, Suspense, Romance, Crime book.

When I read the blurb, it immediately brought to mind the movie, Silkwood, with Cher, Meryl Streep and cutie Kurt Russell. It is the story of Karen Silkwood, a metallurgy worker at a plutonium processing plant who was purposefully contaminated, psychologically tortured and possibly murdered to prevent her from exposing blatant worker safety violations at the plant.

Granted, The Cost of Crude is not about plutonium but gas and oil, but the similarities make me think this will be a great read.

That drop of RED on the cover raises the hair on my arms and the back of my neck. I am ready to start reading now. LOL

Check out the blurb, excerpt and TWO giveaways and let me know what you think.

BLURB

Gwynn Reznick’s life is shattered when her best friend and co-worker at Wilton Oil & Gas Company dies in a car crash. She doubts it was an accident. Her suspicion is confirmed when a private investigator, Ruben Dordi, shows up at her door. His team has discovered a trail of unusual deaths and disappearances among Wilton employees. To make matters worse, Gwynn is under constant surveillance by those responsible for her friend’s death. But that doesn’t deter her from getting involved in the investigation. Danger lurks in every corner of the Wilton Tower. One false move could turn a risky situation into a death trap. As the investigation team digs deeper, they begin to unravel a sinister plot that threatens a catastrophic pipeline disaster. Will they solve the crime before it is too late?

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EXCERPT

Gwynn awoke slowly with tape covering her mouth again, her wrists firmly tied together, and her body aching. She saw the back of man dressed in a Wilton security guard uniform sitting a few feet from her. Glancing down, she saw she was lying on a cot and her blouse had been torn, the rose pin gone. She managed to move her forearms over her bra and found the bug was also missing. The bandage, a tracking device waiting to be activated, was still securely attached to her arm. With her hands and mouth bound, she couldn’t pull it up.

She smelled a musty odor and wondered where they had taken her. Looking around, she saw a high ceiling with rusty metal trusses, several broken insect-infested skylights, and walls covered with masonry and metal siding. Pigeons fluttered around in the large open space, their droppings marked the walls. Old abandoned equipment stood in the center of the room, puddles of water on the cement floor. Off in the distance, she saw large double doors standing ajar with daylight shining through the opening.

The security guard turned around. He was the guard with the deep set eyes who had stared at her when she entered the Wilton Tower.

“You’re finally awake,” he said, rising to his feet. “Now don’t go away while I get Luke.” He gave her a malicious smile as he turned and strode toward the door.

She held onto the side of the cot with her bound hands, raised herself up to a sitting position, and saw the rope tightly wrapped around her ankles. Her feet were bare. She swung her legs over the edge as Cromer walked toward her.

His eyes were locked on her as he yanked the tape off of her mouth. “You’re moving around too freely. Looks like I have to sit down with Todd and criticize his hostage binding technique.”

She sat silently, immobile, staring at him.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to be difficult like your friend, Julie,” he said with a stone, cold, emotionless face..

She took a few deep breaths but remained silent.

“When I questioned Taylor, he was very concerned about his girlfriend, Cindy. She’s also your friend. Will you be as concerned about her as Taylor was?”

Gwynn felt her stomach churning as she continued staring at him.

Cromer picked up a chair, lowered it down next to her, and sat, looking at her intensely. He loosened his necktie, and then pulled a knife from under his sport coat. He ran the side of the blade against his fingers. He leaned forward and caressed her neck with the tip.

Gwynn forced herself not to move as he wielded the knife around her.

“You’re in for a treat; a technique that was used on me in Iraq.” He popped off her buttons with the tip of the blade. “I screamed, bled tears, and begged for death. Like you’ll be doing if you don’t answer my questions.”

She flinched and pressed her lips together.

“I suppose I should be thankful for that experience. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be the well-adjusted person I am today.” He pushed the tip into her side.

Gwynn couldn’t prevent a scream from escaping as the blood ran down her blouse.

“That’s just to give you a little taste.” He stood and took off his sport coat, revealing a gun in a holster strapped across his shoulder, ready for the final assault. He hung it over the back of the chair and sat down. “Now that we’ve had some fun, let’s get down to business.” he said, rolling up the sleeves on his blue shirt.

Buy Link: Amazon

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Inge-Lise Goss was born in Denmark, raised in Utah and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah. She is a Certified Public Accountant and audited oil and gas companies for over twenty years. She now lives in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon with her husband and their dog, Bran, where she spends most of her time in her den writing stories dictated by her muse. When she’s not pounding away on the keyboard she can be found reading, rowing, or trying to perfect her golf game.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon Author Page

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To get an Amazon copy, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAYS

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos There are two different giveaways available on this tour!

The first giveaway is for five print copies of The Cost of Crude! This giveaway will run until July 30, 2014 and is restricted to USA only entry. Enter through Goodreads!

The second giveaway will run 7/14/14 – 7/28/14. One winner will win a $25 Amazon GC and a signed copy of The Cost of Crude, while two other winners will each win an e-book copy of the book (Open Internationally). Enter through Rafflecopter.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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

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Paul Kersey Meet Justine Ford – Battle Not With Monsters by Overton Scott Review & Giveaway

Posted on July 9, 2014 by fundinmental

All I had to do was see the cover and know I wanted to tour and read Battle Not With Monsters by Overton Scott

I wonder what’s going through her mind.

What do you think?

You can read my review below and be sure to enter both giveaways!

MY REVIEW

Battle Not With Monsters by Overton Scott starts out with a SMACK of the bat against her head and the first one goes down. What the hell? My eyes popped wide open and I began to wonder how many would die in the first chapter alone.

Battle Not With Monster begins with a brutal and savage murder of a beautiful young woman and keeps going from there. When Ray goes down next, I am bummed. HUH – I didn’t even get to know him and I miss him. I grieve for him, along with Justine. She had acted without thinking in the defense of Ray, her coworker, but it had done nothing but make her a target, putting a bullseye on herself. There is an evil stalking her, intending her great harm.

Justine barely squeaks by. She has a ratty car and lives in an iffy neighborhood. She has learned to be very aware and observant of her surroundings, rarely missing anything in her immediate vicinity. She is an expert in the martial arts, a quick judge of character and situations. She is fit, working out is a routine part of her life and she is not afraid to fight. She felt she had failed Ray, felt he wasn’t the first.

Chert thought would it would be easy peasy to take her down. He had no idea what was in store for him. Would he live to regret it? Would he live? When Justine realized he was after her – she was determined to take the fight to him.

Chert does come after her. I can feel her anxiousness. We’re both frantic, trying to figure out what to do. There is no escape, she cannot avoid the confrontation. My heart pounds, as I wait for him to enter her bedroom. Rapid breathing. Is it hers, his or mine? Waiting….the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck are standing up. I believe the dry mouth, the eyes popping out of the head, the feeling of running through molasses is hers.

Justine knows she needs more than her physical strength, she needs a weapon, a gun. As the salesman runs a line of crap on her just because she is female and not familiar with weapons, she finds him. The one who can help her. Conrad J Dalton, III – Lone Star Risk Management.

Traffickers bring young women in from foreign countries. The women are desperately looking for a better life. They are then broken, starved, raped, isolated, their families are threatened and they are even killed. They are forced to work in strip clubs and worse. It is big business, even in the 21^st century. As long as there is a demand, I am sure there will be a supply. Whether they come willingly and are then duped or if they are taken forcefully, kidnapped, does it matter? It is a tragedy either way.

Justine goes through the process of trying out and buying a hand gun. How do you feel about guns? I have thought about buying one myself. Am I reading too many thrillers? Getting to know too many serial killers? Wondering when the apocalypse will hit – a flu pandemic seems the most likely event to me, but a catastrophic failure with our food supply would not surprise me? Does my imagination run wild, or do I just want to be prepared?

Battle Not With Monsters has me visualizing Justine as the female version of Paul Kersey in Death Wish. I love those movies and cannot remember how many times I have watched them – and will again. I love a weekend afternoon when they run a Death Wish marathan. Now, that’s what I’m talking about for some good TV.

Overton Scott has done a wonderful job of creating a fantastic story with some, at times, all too real characters. Battle Not With Monsters has all my requirements for a great suspense/thriller – a hero (doesn’t matter if it is female or male, but there is something a little extra special about the badass heroine), a storyline that creates a mission or a demand that the hero step up and take action and, of course, that feeling of tension and suspense……waiting for the next sentence to be read or the next page to be turned or the next chapter to begin.

I loved the book that I received for an honest and unbiased review and will eagerly continue the journey with Justine……and Conrad? After all, a little romance can only enhance a story. How about it Overton? What’s next?

4 Stars – Would Highly Recommend To Others

Battle Not With Monsters by Overton Scott

(A Neen Ford Thriller #1)

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Publication date: March 8th 2014

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Genres: Adult, Thriller

SYNOPSIS

Victim?

Neen Ford is a loner, drifting from town to town, working as a security guard and teaching martial arts. One hot night in Dallas, she witnesses the brutal murder of a Ukranian prostitute and becomes the killer’s next target. Neen’s never backed down from a fight, but she’s never tangled with a human trafficking ring before. Until now.

Hero?

Naïve young women are being trafficked into the United States by Russian criminals. Someone needs to help them. The police are trying, but they’re not moving fast enough for Neen, who is now being stalked by a man who enjoys inflicting pain.

Vigilante?

How far will Neen go to save herself? How far, to save three young women from a life of fear and despair? And what price will she pay for battling the monster? There’s a thin line between hero and vigilante – will she cross it?

AUTHOR BIO

Overton Scott is the pseudonym of a national bestselling author. Overton is interested in a lot of themes covered in the Neen Ford stories: martial arts, the warrior ethos, personal responsibility, and the concept of justice. Like Neen, Overton doesn’t think that the guilty should escape punishment on this earth. Unlike Neen, Overton prefers to write stories rather than take the law into his own hands. It’s just as morally satisfying, but less dangerous.

As you are reading this, Overton should be working on the next Neen Ford adventure. But he’s probably at the gym, shooting or wasting time looking at funny pictures on the internet. You can contact him at neenford@gmail.com, if you’d like to discuss any aspect of the Neen Ford stories.

Click on the cover below to get your Amazon copy of Battle Not With Monsters by Overton Scott.

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GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos There are two giveaways, so be sure and enter both.

My blog giveaway, (1) ebook copy of Battle Not With Monsters. Open internationally.

Leave a comment about the post. It can be about the cover, the synopsis, the author or even how you feel about guns? Do you own one?

Giveaway ends August 8th, 2014. The winner’s prize will be sent out after August 11th.

Tour wide giveaway

–2x Signed copies of Battle Not With Monsters (INTL)

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hideous by Devon McCormack Book Blitz Giveaway & Interview

Posted on July 5, 2014 by fundinmental

Demons run Amok in Hideous by Devon McCormack.

I saw the cover and didn’t know what to think. Same with the title.

So here we go.

Check out the synopsis, interview and giveaway.

Hideous by Devon McCormack
Publication date: June 19th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

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INTERVIEW

I want to welcome Devon McCormack to fundinmental. I love to hear what authors think about their books and characters, so I chose this interview to share with you.

Okay, Devon, take it away.

What’s the story of Hideous?

I always say it’s the story of a boy and his demon. Luke Retter lives in a world where demons are a known and constant threat. When Luke was eight, his demon-possessed severed off one of his hands and gouged out one of his eyes. It also marked him with its emblem. People who bear an emblem of a demon are called curseds. Curseds are more likely to be possessed themselves later in life, so they are monitored and essentially enslaved by the state. Many years after his attack, Luke works as a janitor at an all-boys academy, where he has to watch all the other kids live out their normal lives. He’s jealous. He wishes he could just make friends and go to school dances, but he can’t and he knows he never will. Then the demon that possessed his father finds him, and things just get even worse…

When did you decide you wanted to write YA books?

I didn’t really ever make a decision to write Young Adult novels. I knew when the idea for Hideous came to me that it was going to end up being most appropriate for a Young Adult audience, but I just write stories as they come to me. I try not to write for genres, but I think that it’s natural for people to gravitate to genres they like. For instance, I’ve noticed that I primarily write paranormal stories, which makes sense, considering those were the types of stories that I grew up loving. I think a part of what interests me about that age range is that there’s so much emotion during that time. And not just emotion, but very strong emotion coupled with very rigid ideas about the world. As I grew up, I discovered that the world wasn’t what I was led to believe, so my expectations changed, and I never have the sort of dramatic breakdowns that I had in high school. But back then, when I was still believing so many of the distortions of reality, I had very strong reactions to not getting what I wanted.

Who are your favorite YA authors?

Hands down, I’d have to say S.E. Hinton. She was the first book I read that was technically Young Adult adult. It was Rumble Fish. I think most people read The Outsiders first, but we didn’t get to that until the following year. Tex was my favorite book, though. He was so cool. He was so interesting. I wanted to be him. My most recent Young Adult adult author favorite would have to be Scott Westerfeld. I adore his The Midnighters series. It’s about these kids who have powers during this special hour where time stops for everyone but them. The stories are so well written and fun. When I first read those books, I stood up and paced my room because I was so excited. They were thrilling. They were riveting. I recommend those books to anyone and everyone. I can’t think of a book that has elicited as much excitement from me as that.

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SYNOPSIS

Eight years ago, Luke Retter witnessed the brutal murder of his mother and sister at the hands of his demon-possessed father. He survived but lost a hand and an eye. The demon also burned its emblem into his skin, marking him as a cursed. Those who bear this mark are at risk of becoming possessed themselves, so they are monitored and enslaved by the state-run UCIS. Working as a slave is hard, but Luke prefers it to the possibility of being controlled by a demon.

One night, Luke wakes to find his worst nightmare coming true. His father’s demon has returned. In a panic, he runs to the only person who might be able to help: Zack, a cursed who ran away from the state and created an underground community to protect other fugitive curseds. Zack helps him suppress the demon. But the city’s become a time bomb, and Luke’s demon itches to escape.

With the UCIS closing in on Zack’s underground operation and Luke’s demon crafting its own, nefarious plot, Luke realizes that he must take a stand.

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AUTHOR BIO

Devon McCormack spends most of his time hiding in his lair, adventuring in paranormal worlds with his island of misfit characters. A good ole Southern boy, McCormack grew up in the Georgian suburbs with his two younger brothers and an older sister. At a very young age, he spun tales the old fashioned way, lying to anyone and everyone he encountered. He claimed he was an orphan. He claimed to be a king from another planet. He claimed to have supernatural powers. He has since harnessed this penchant for tall tales by crafting whole worlds where he can live out whatever fantasy he chooses.

A gay man himself, McCormack focuses on gay male characters, adding to the immense body of literature that chooses to represent and advocate gay men’s presence in media. His body of work ranges from erotica to young adult, so readers should check the synopses of his books before purchasing so that they know what they’re getting into.

Author links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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Click on the cover to get your Amazon copy of Hideous by Devon McCormack

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos For the giveaway, we are offering one (1) ebook copy of Hideous. Open internationally.

Leave some comment love for the author – what do you think of the cover, synopsis, interview, or whatever caught your interest about Hideous.

Ends July 28, 2012.

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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

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Freebie and Review for Dark Deeds by Susan Fleet

Posted on June 23, 2014 by fundinmental

Dark Deeds: Serial killers stalkers and domestic homicides (Book 2)

by Susan Fleet

Stranger than fiction, a collection of 13 true crimes: the victims, the criminals, the bloody consequences. “Fleet immerses us in the world of serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. Well researched and well written. A 5 star recommend!” Art Smukler, psychiatrist & author

Dark Deeds (Book 2) is FREE June 23 through June 27, 2014.

Susan Fleet manages to weave her love of music into her suspense/thrillers novels.

Susan also investigates the dark side of human nature world wide. I think she is as curious as I am to know what makes these people tick.

Be aware, be vigilant , because sometimes the monster is right next door.

I love her website, so if this sounds like something you are interested in, check her out at Susan Fleet or Renzi’s Rants.

MY REVIEW

Each chapter features one true crime case – 4 serial killer cases, four stalker cases and four domestic homicide cases, with a special case in Chapter 13 that Susan found difficult to categorize.

Susan tells their life story, including where they are now. At least these ones you don’t need to worry about any more. If they are not dead, they will never walk the streets again.

No one knows how many serial killers are active in the US. Some people think as many as one hundred people are murdered by them each year, but that is not accounting for the ones never found.

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

There are many more stalkers than serial killers and domestic homicide is a horrendous problem with most victims being women and children.

In the early years, before special investigation units, computers connecting similar cases in different states and advanced police techniques, who knows how many people could have been saved. We can see the advancement in police procedure has jumped by leaps and bounds.

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

Serial killers often have a signature, something that stamps their name on a killing,. It can be how they kill or the trophies they take.

Stalker assassins attack celebrities, presidents and others because they believe they can get away with it. How does a man’s mind work, when he believes, in this day and age, that he can pull a gun on the president and walk away? They are obsessed and believe they are in love. They will become violent when confronted and rejected. California was the first state to pass anti stalking laws in 1990. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we waited so long and why did we? That may be a story in itself.

(Photos courtesy of Susan Fleet’s blog)

I read these type of books, because man’s cruelty and depravity heaped on others for pure enjoyment is very disturbing and I am fascinated (is that the proper word) by the question, why. What makes them tick?

I can never understand how a nurse could kill her patients. The bigger question is how can hospitals and medical management allow it to continue to happen. I think most of us have heard a story or two about a criminal having a long rap sheet and question why nothing was done sooner.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

I watch TV shows, like Criminal Minds (my personal favorite) and CSI, and see where they get their inspiration. I also watch a lot of the true crime shows, like Forensic Files and Cold Case. I have a morbid fascination with murder.

I do believe there is something wrong with these people, but I do not believe an insanity plea should get them off. They know the difference between right and wrong, they just don’t care. Sometimes, I think the justice system is skewed too much in favor of the accused and his rights and the victim is forgotten. After all, they can’t speak for themselves – because they are DEAD.

I cannot understand the binge killings, especially the ones committed by younger people. All the school shootings….I don’t even know what to say. It stuns me. Who are these “people”?

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

In some cases, I believe the murders could have been avoided. Some criminals have a rap sheet a mile long and are walking around and breathing air, just like you and me. Is it because we don’t believe anyone is capable of doing something like that or they are as bad as they are. or is the justice system overwhelmed with criminal cases?

Susan has done her research. Each story is told from beginning to end, telling us where these killers are today. She satisfied my curiosity about that. I still wonder, and probably will forever, HOW CAN THEY DO THAT AND WHY?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received Dark Deeds, Book II from Susan Fleet, the author, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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SYNOPSIS

Dark Deeds-Volume Two contains 12 new true crime cases about serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides.Once again, Susan Fleet has researched, written and compiled detailed accounts of twelve true crime cases: four serial killers, four stalkers and four domestic homicides. Chapter 13 involves a case that defies categorization. Some examples …

• Serial killers: The Candy Man loves little boys to death.
• Stalkers: Arthur Bremer and John Hinkley Jr. stalk Presidents.
• Domestic Homicide: A rabbi pays a man to murder his wife.

No one knows how many serial killers are roaming the United States. Some experts believe they murder as many as 180 people each year. Others say the count may be much higher because some serial killers hide the bodies and they’re never found. Stalkers far outnumber serial killers. Each year they threaten and intimidate 3.4 million people in America. Although stalkers may profess love for the objects of their obsession, many seriously injure or kill their “love object.”

Domestic homicide is rampant in the United States. Women and children rarely kill family members; men commit the majority of domestic homicides. Some are crimes of passion. Others are carefully calculated. Why bother with a divorce when you can kill your spouse?

Here’s what Arthur Smukler, MD, psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological mystery, said about Dark Deeds, Volume One: “In Dark Deeds, Susan Fleet immerses us in the world of serial killers, stalkers, and domestic homicides. An inveterate fiction enthusiast, I found her real-life tales obsessively haunting and educational.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Midway through her successful career as a professional trumpeter and music professor, Susan Fleet discovered her dark side and began writing crime fiction. New Orleans is the setting for her award-winning Frank Renzi mysteries, Absolution, Diva and Natalie’s Revenge. The Premier Book Awards named Absolution Best Mystery-Suspense-Thriller of 2009.

Susan lived in New Orleans for nine years and now divides her time between the Big Easy and Boston. Visit her website and send her an email. She’d love to hear from you! http://www.susanfleet.com

Her other passion is promoting talented women musicians. While teaching at Brown University and Berklee College of Music, she created a course about female musicians, jazz and classical. Read about them at http://archives.susanfleet.com/

Susan also blogs about crime on DARK DEEDS: serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_1.php
And don’t miss RENZI’S RANTS! NOPD Detective Frank Renzi rants about whatever is on his mind! http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog/renzirants.php

Some of her favorite authors are: Lisa Gardner, Lee Child, Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, Elmore Leonard, Thomas Perry and Martin Cruz Smith.

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To get your Amazon US copy of Dark Deeds, Book 2, or any other book by Susan Fleet, click on the cover.

Click her for all other Amazon and book buy links or just to say hi to Susan Fleet.

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5 Star Review – Is Winning the Lottery a Curse or a Blessing – Jackpot by Susan Fleet

5 Star Review – Diva by Susan Fleet plus a Free Thriller

5 Star Review – Absolution by Susan Fleet

5 Star Review – Dragon Lady Step Aside For Natalie

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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

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Book Blast Giveaway – Debut novel Blind Spot by the inspirational author Laura Ellen

Posted on June 10, 2014 by fundinmental

I would have loved to review this book, but just don’t have the time right now. It sits patiently waiting on my TBR.

How about you? Does this sound like something you want to add to your TBR?

Synopsis

There’s none so blind as they that won’t see.

Seventeen-year-old Tricia Farni’s body floated to the surface of Alaska’s Birch River six months after the night she disappeared. The night Roz Hart had a fight with her. The night Roz can’t remember. Roz, who struggles with macular degeneration, is used to assembling fragments to make sense of the world around her. But this time it’s her memory that needs piecing together—to clear her name . . . to find a murderer.

This unflinchingly emotional novel is written in the powerful first-person voice of a legally blind teen who just wants to be like everyone else.

Amazon / B&N / IndieBound

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Ellen writes YA contemporary mysteries and thrillers from her home in Arizona, while also freelancing as a manuscript consultant for aspiring authors. She has a MA in Children’s Literature and began her career as a teacher in both Language Arts and special education. Diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration as a teen, she drew upon her own experiences with vision loss to write her debut YA thriller Blind Spot, an emotional and suspenseful page-turner. Laura is represented by Jill Corcoran at Jill Corcoran Literary Agency and is part of the Sleuths, Spies, and Alibis blog crew. Want to know more about Laura Ellen? Go to www.lauraellenbooks.com or catch her on twitter @lauraellenbooks or facebook.

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To get your copy of Blind Spot or to learn more about Laura Ellen, click on the cover below.

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GIVEAWAY

1 (one) Winner will get: Signed DEAR TEEN ME, Signed BLIND SPOT + Swag Pack.Giveaway is open to US only. | Must be 13+ to Enter

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

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

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Monday Mini – Review – Children of the Revolution by Peter Robinson

Posted on June 9, 2014 by fundinmental

I have read several books by the prolific writer, Peter Robinson – Playing With Fire, Friend of the Devil and All the Colors of Darkness – so I was very happy to have won Children of the Revolution. The cover led me down a path to murder and wicked political machinations. They do make, to me, not such strange bedfellows. If you want a detailed, step by step, approach to an investigation of a murder, this is the book for you. Children of the Revolution is a convoluted tale that drives Banks decades back into the past to find the answers. I do like knowing the process of an investigation, but I am an action junkie and needed more mayhem with my murder. I enjoyed the journey and I am sure I will travel through the pages of another Peter Robinson novel in the near future. I love this quote: