Reality TV Murder ~ Serial Date by DV Berkom Review

Posted on May 17, 2015 by fundinmental

Hello Reader, meet Leine Basso.

I have read several novels by DV Berkom and find her ability to tell a story amazing. If you are a lover of the mysterious, thrilling, suspenseful world of murder, step inside.

I DARE YOU!

But…beware. All is not as it appears.

Add me to Goodreads now.

Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1480008435
ISBN-13: 978-1480008434

MY REVIEW

Serial Date + Serial Murder = Serial Killer

Serial Date is a fast paced, tension filled suspense thriller that had me engrossed from cover to cover. The quirky and twisted characters made me wonder who was running the asylum. I love her covers. The colors are vibrant and they foretell the story inside.

A brutal, heinous murder on a reality TV show brings in Leine Basso, an ex Agency assassin, to watch over the contestants. The show consists of ex cons dating hot women and pretending they are serial killers. There are plenty of suspects, but what happens when everyone is targeted by a real serial killer?

It’s pretty bad when the cons are better people than the ones running the circus. So, let’s meet the main characters, even though the peripheral characters are important and have their own impact on the story.

Leine Basso – she may be an assassin, but she is no psychopath. She does have feelings and desires, just like the rest of us. It pains her that her daughter, April, holds the past against her and wants nothing to do with her. She cannot escape the past, no matter how far or fast she runs, but maybe she can kill it. Evil and danger come at her from more than one direction.

Deliciously hot and sexy Los Angeles Homicide Detective Santiago Jensen is assigned the case and the sparks fly when he and Leine meet. Would he risk his job to be with her? The heart wants what the heart wants and no matter how hard he tries, he can’t stop thinking of her.

Peter Bronkowski is a sick and twisted individual. It had been his idea for the show and he is more interested in the ratings than the deaths mounting up around him. He has fears and problems of of his own that do no include Serial Date.

Senator Buzz Runyon is a corrupt, arrogant and pathetic politician that visits the pages. He is controlled by his ‘little head” and in a very sick way. The only things he cares about is reelection and his sex games.

Leine has no idea what is coming her way, until April is abducted by the serial killer. But that can be said for Azazel. He has no idea of the storm that will be unleashed on him. Revenge is his motivation and he will not stop, until he gets it. Leine will not stop, until she gets her daughter back.

Serial Date is the first in a series of suspense thrillers that stand alone. It is easy reading, action packed, loaded with tension and sizzling romance. There are as many weak and twisted men as there are strong and determined women. DV shows the ugliness of human nature, but also the beauty and goodness. I love the taste of humor with my evil and DV deals with this in a way that seems real. After all, the police, medical examiners and others in awkward situations use laughter to get through the badness or discomfort.

I read, but didn’t review Serial Date right away, so I reread it. I thought I would just skim it and refresh my memory, but I ended up reading it word for word. I think I enjoyed it better the second time around, because I wasn’t in as big a hurry to find out how everything ended.

I would love to have a margarita at the Happy Mermaid with Leine. Gimme a call! 🙂

I received Serial Date from DV Berkom in return for an honest review. Thank you DV. It has been my pleasure! I LOVED it!

5 Stars

SYNOPSIS

When former assassin Leine Basso’s daughter is abducted, she’s drawn into the twisted game of a serial killer who may be a grisly remnant from her past.

Determined to leave her old life behind, retired assassin Leine Basso accepts a job working security at one of television’s most popular reality shows, Serial Date. When a contestant is found dead in the prop closet, it appears the killer is one of the ‘bachelors’ on the show- an ex-con billed as a serial killer- but the detective in charge of the case isn’t so sure.

When Leine’s estranged daughter is abducted by a man claiming to be the real killer, she’s forced to rely on old skills to find her and must come to terms with who she really is. She soon realizes the murderer may be a grisly remnant from her past and she’ll need to use all of her cunning to stop him….

and rescue her daughter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DV Berkom is a slave to the voices in her head. As the author of two popular thriller series (Leine Basso and Kate Jones), her love of creating resilient, kick-*ss female characters stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, mysteries, and thrillers, and longing to find the female equivalent within those pages.

Raised in the Midwest, she received her BA in political science from the University of Minnesota and promptly moved to Mexico to live on a sailboat. Many, many cross-country moves (and several years) later, she now lives just outside of Seattle, Washington with the love of her life, Mark, an ex-chef-turned contractor, and writes every chance she gets.

For more information, please visit her website at www.dvberkom.com.

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Author Pages

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The Leine Basso Thrillers:

I have read some of her Kate Jones Thrillers:

5 Star Review – Yucatan Dead by DV Berkom

5 Star Review – A One Way Ticket To Dead by DV Berkom

The Kate Jones Thriller Series, Vol. 1 box set (includes the 1st four novellas in the series).

(The Kate Jones Thriller Series, Vol. 2 includes Cruising for Death (#5), YD, and AOWTTD, all for $8.99 (bought separately they would be 12.99)

***all covers link to amazon, I am an affiliate***

Check out all these beautiful covers for the Kate Jones thrillers by DV Berkom.

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#DjinnBlast ~ WISH FOR ME BY A. STAR

Posted on April 29, 2015 by fundinmental

Series: The Djinn Order, Act One

Publication Date: April 27, 2015

Genre: Steampunk Fantasy/Romance

Three wishes. Two lovers. One destiny.

When the snarky Glory St. Pierre discovers the gold mechanical vase in her deceased grandmother’s basement, she has no idea that she has uncovered a priceless treasure: a genie lamp. With a real genie inside. A very sexy genie with a not-so-sexy grudge against the entire human race.Irving Amir hates being called a genie. He’s a Djinn, and he is none too happy to be in the service of Glory, who is as intolerable, and beautiful, as humans come. Now he owes her his gratitude for freeing him and three wishes. Damn his luck.But an arrow through the shoulder alerts Irving to the fact that he is being hunted, and after a truce dinner with Glory ends with them both almost being killed, hating each other goes right out the window. As feelings change and love starts to develop, they must dig through the secrets and lies to find the truth…a truth neither of them will ever see coming.

WARNING: Not suitable for ages 18 and under. A significant source of bad language, sexy times, and dirty jokes. If you suffer from a lack of a sense of humor, take with plenty of wine. If the symptom persists, see a doctor.

CLICK THE BANNER!

ALSO AVAILABLE AT

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A. Star is a fan of dirty passion. She loves to read it, and she damn sure loves to write it. She is the author of the Mythos: Gods & Lovers series, the Djinn Order series, and the Knights of the Joust series. She is a night-owl and a coffee junkie, and the only sneaker she would be caught dead wearing are Converses.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Review ~ Skydreamer by Sheryl Winters

Posted on April 9, 2015 by fundinmental

Title: Skydreamer

Author: Sheryl Winters

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Release Date: March 30, 2015

Keywords: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Twins

Add me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

Skydreamer is a wonderful fantasy with dragons, spirits, conjuring and magic, that kept me on the edge of my seat hoping all will end with a happy ever after.

This is a heartfelt story of three sisters, who are poor and struggling to survive. Ever since their parents died, they have lived in the shed, while their uncle lounges in the home they should be in. He holds their inheritance over their heads, forcing them to work as slaves in the bar they think they will inherit, but Jaden believes he has other plans.

Jaden, her twin, Isla and Adania have all the ups and downs, and trials and tribulations of a normal family, then add dragons and magic and a greedy uncle who cares naught for them. All the girls have talents.

Jaden needs alcohol to fuel her conjuring of fire.

Isla needs water to conjure ice.

Their four year old sister, Adania has an Esprit, Mr Dirty. Imagine a four year old believing dirt is her friend and you will kill her friends if you wash them or her. Adania is easy to visualize. I smile at her all the time. An enchanting imp who loves her dirt, trusting in her sisters.

Two young women and a child struggling to survive. They try to do the right thing by her.

Jaden feels the contest is their only way out. Women from the age of twenty one to thirty compete and the winner gets a one year marriage to Draven Winterbourn, King of the Dragon-Changers and a pot of gold. Someone will die, but she feels the risk is worth the reward.

Jaden denigrates herself, always feeling unworthy. She is not a warrior princess, but she is strong enough to endure all the heartache life throws at her and come out on top.

Of course, we know Jaden wins. She then proceeds to faint in his arms. It is love at first site, but she needs Isla, her twin. Jaden is painfully shy and easily frightened like…a deer caught in the glare of headlights. When her sisters are sent away, she panics and runs.

With no one to trust and nowhere to go, Jaden ends up VERY far from home.

Sheryl’s writing style is full of love and humor.

The questioning banter between Draven and Jaden is touching and hints at what is to come. He is the perfect dragon husband, soft and cuddly, patient and happy, with good looks, smiles and a generous nature, but Jaden has trouble trusting his love for her.

Draven and Ra’von are twins too. I think I know what that means and I hope it does come true.

A lot is predictable but Sheryl throws a curve ball or two in there, making me wonder. I kept saying, please don’t leave me hanging.

When Sheryl sent Jaden into an alternate universe, she kept me on the edge of my seat, so afraid I would not find my answer now. I have to know if this will be a wonderful romance with a happy ever after. Thank you, Sheryl for not leaving me with a cliffhanger. 🙂

A feel good fantasy that had me soaring with the dragons and I will grab any book I see written by Sheryl Winters.

I received this book in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle’s house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check.

When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for.

But a friend turned enemy threatens to take it all away. Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see any of them again.

Purchase Links

Will be sent in a separate email as soon as they’re available

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others.

Ms. Winters Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

FOLLOW THE TOUR HERE

GIVEAWAY

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER HERE

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Release Day for the Dragons ~ Skydreamer by Sheryl Winters

Posted on March 30, 2015 by fundinmental

Title: Skydreamer

Author: Sheryl Winters

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Release Date: March 30, 2015

Keywords: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Twins

Skydreamer_Cover

Add me to Goodreads now.

BLURB

Purchase Links

Will be sent in a separate email as soon as they’re available

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others.

Ms. Winters Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

FOLLOW THE TOUR HERE

GIVEAWAY

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER HERE

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Romance in the Ruins ~ The Calm After the Storm by Mya O’Malley ~ Giveaway

Posted on March 26, 2015 by fundinmental

Welcome to my stop for The Calm After the Storm by Mya O’Malley.

Living on the Gulf Coast, I am familiar with hurricanes. When I read hurricane, I wanted to check this out and share it with others who may be interested. A little romance in the aftermath is not a bad thing. 🙂

Be sure and enter the giveaway below.

Add me to Goodreads now.

The Calm After the Storm by Mya O’Malley

Can true love shine through the darkest storm?

The storm of the century raged through the northeast, causing destruction and despair, millions were left without power and hope. Weeks later, countless people were still devastated by the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, Emma Riley among them.

Determined she didn’t need the help of a man, Emma was convinced that she could brave the aftermath of the storm on her own. That is, until Jake came into her life.

After having suffered heartbreak and embarrassment, Jake Mack, a utility foreman, volunteered to travel north from small town, Georgia to assist with the aftermath of the storm. Jake was decidedly done with women. But he didn’t count on meeting Emma or falling in love so quickly. Can he trust this woman or will his past get in the way and ruin the relationship with the one woman he truly loves?

Amazon

Excerpt from The Calm After the Storm:

Jake and his crew had now been in the suburbs of New York for a few days. His first thought upon entering this area was his surprise at the devastation. Sure, he had heard about the destruction on the news and had seen footage of the aftermath of Sandy, but it still hadn’t prepared him for the actual sight of Sandy’s rage. Telephone poles were down, trees were snapped in two, and houses were completed destroyed by the storm. Seeing all the destruction only strengthened Jake’s resolve that it had been the right thing to come. He felt proud to be able to help out and be a part of the solution to the horrible aftermath of this disaster.

As the day was wrapping up. Jake and Chris met up with some of their crew in the next town to finish one more area before calling it quits. The chill in the air was something that Jake had prepared for, but was not accustomed to. Clutching the new flannel he had purchased right before his trip, he put it on over his thermal shirt. Thankful for his thermos filled with hot coffee, Jake grabbed it but quickly tossed it aside.

“Come on, Chris! I asked you to stop drinking my coffee. Now there’s none left,” he said as he shook his head, irritated at his friend.

Chris looked up at his boss sheepishly. “Sorry, man. I didn’t sleep well last night. I needed some caffeine.”

“Well, that makes two of us.”

They rode until they approached the utility pole that needed attention. Jake and Chris were among the first to arrive and got busy setting up for the job. Within minutes, the rest of the assigned crew trickled in. The workers were now familiar with the details and routine of this job, so for the most part they worked in silence, focused on getting this last job done so that they could grab some dinner and hit the sheets. It was cold and dark, the night chill settling in upon them. Jake supervised and helped his crew perform their individual duties as quickly as possible. As they were just about wrapping things up, Jake headed over to Steve, one of the older guys directing traffic. He looked frail and tired.

“Hey, Steve. I got this. Why don’t you call it a night, huh? We’ll meet you at the hotel for some dinner.”

“Nah, Jake, we’re almost done here. I’m good,” Steve said as he looked up at Jake with glaring dark circles under his eyes.

“Steve, go. I’m serious. Get in a hot shower and we’ll meet up for dinner. Boss’ orders. Now go and take Andy with you,” Jake gestured toward another man on the crew who looked like he was ready for bed.

Shrugging his shoulders, Steve made his way to one of the smaller utility trucks, calling for his co-worker to join him. Jake took over the responsibility of directing traffic, slowing people down and stopping cars when necessary. Yawning, he waved a small SUV along, noticing that the approaching driver was slowing down, much more than necessary. Jake squinted his eyes to get a better look. The car came to a stop when Jake stepped up to it and its window rolled down. Looking back at Jake was a woman who appeared pretty, even in the diminished light. Wait, scratch that—she was stunning, with long, wavy hair and piercing eyes. His heart faltered just a bit.

“Hi. I wanted to thank you guys for all of the hard work that you’ve been doing. We really appreciate you guys coming up here. I think I speak for everyone,” she said as she smiled widely. Her smile hitched his breath ever so slightly. Jake smiled back. This was certainly a change. Since he had been in this area, some people waved, some people smiled, others remained with their eyes straight ahead, but nobody had yet offered any thanks verbally. So different from the Southern hospitality way of life where he grew up, Jake mused.

Here it was different, the pace of life was much faster. People always seemed to be in a rush, and they minded their own business for the most part. Sure, being so close to the big city must be nice and the landscape was quite beautiful at times, but he didn’t think this lifestyle was something he could ever get used to. It seemed too stressful, too impersonal. He would be glad to be back home when his job was finished.

The woman leaned over and offered Jake a box of donuts, disposable coffee cups, and a box of hot coffee. Jake was impressed.

“Thank you, that was very thoughtful!” Jake gushed, thrilled at the idea of hot coffee. He thought he felt warmth spread across his cheeks despite the chill in the air.

The woman stared back and smiled at Jake for a minute and then set her eyes on the road ahead. She waved as she pulled away.

“Wait!” Jake called out. “Wait, what was your name?” But the words were lost. The mysterious woman with the coffee and donuts was long gone.

“Guys!” he called out as his crew worked on cleaning up for the night. “Guys! Our guardian angel just appeared, and she brought coffee!”

The coffee and donuts were gladly received, but the idea that someone would go out of their way to show a random act of kindness truly touched Jake. He felt the warm liquid slide down his throat and knew that he would always remember the woman’s thoughtfulness. Who was he kidding? That woman’s beautiful face was what he would most remember. He just wished that he had gotten her name.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of two boxers, named Destiny and Dolce, and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.

Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. She spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel and has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Costa Rica. She is currently working on her sixth novel.

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GIVEAWAY

$50 Blast Giveaway

Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 4/16/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Spring Into Books Event ~ Giveaway

Posted on March 25, 2015 by fundinmental

Welcome to Literary Addicts’ Spring into Books Event. It takes place March 25 – April 27!

Pick up a great read, enter to win prizes, and follow along on Literary Addicts for Fun Interviews, Guest Posts, and Exclusive Excerpts!Click over to buy these fantastic reads!.

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

Kandle Candle from author Tawdra Kandle

Signed Outsystem and A Path in the Darkness paperbacks and swag from author MD Cooper

Survivor Swag pack from author Bonnie R Paulson

Signed 15 Minutes paperback and Swag from author Jill Cooper

$15 Amazon Gift Card from Literary Addicts

Secret Harbor paperback ARC from Taking Time for Mommy

Open to US residents 18 +. Ends 4/27/15 Fill out the form to enter

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Giveaway ~ Fragile Simplicity by Tara Neideffer

Posted on March 23, 2015 by fundinmental

FragileSimplicityBlitzBanner2

I am so happy to be a part of this tour for Tara Neidffer and her new release, Fragile Simplicity. I have read her paranormal suspense novels and loved them, so I can only imagine that her romance novels will be just as good. Let’s check the out, shall we?

Add me to Goodreads now.

Fragile Simplicity by Tara Neideffer
(Sweet Haven #2)
Publication date: January 29th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

SYNOPSIS

It only took one letter to make every painful memory resurface. But it took Kyleigh Helton thirteen years to bury those memories. The question in that letter will force her to make a difficult decision. Forgive, or continue to let resentment and anger consume her fragile core.

The simple life she craves seems miles away when she’s dealing with an ex who won’t let her go and a boyfriend whose problems mimic a past she’d rather forget.

She realizes it’s time for things to change. But every decision and change she makes has a consequence, and she begins to wonder if she’s strong enough to handle them.

David Madison has been struggling with guilt and grief since his brother’s death and finds comfort in the one thing Kyleigh despises. When a phone call pushes him over the edge and guilt consumes him even more, he breaks a promise to Kyleigh that threatens to tear them apart.

As quickly as things fall back into place, his world shatters again, pushing him to the breaking point, and he begins to wonder how much more he can take before he turns to the one addiction that started it all.

But he can’t. He promised. He needs to stay strong for Kyleigh. Because now she needs him more than ever, and he won’t let her down again.

***This is book two in a trilogy but each book can stand-alone***

***Due to sexual content and language, this novel is intended for audiences ages 18+***

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara Tara Neideffer was born and raised in Indiana with a love for animals, especially horses. As a child, she could always be found in the saddle, running her horse at full speed through open fields. She also has a love of ghost stories and a morbid fascination with watching murder mystery shows. When she’s not busy writing, she’s taking care of her animals, spending time with her family or reading. She still lives in Indiana with her husband, daughter, and stepson, on twenty acres, with too many animals to name.

Connect with me online!

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GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

A surprise swag pack
5 ebook copies of Fragile Simplicity
A signed paperback of Fragile Simplicity

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Friday 56 #43 & BB #19 ~ Taking the Fall by Margaret Chatwin

Posted on March 13, 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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TAKING THE FALL by Margaret Chatwin

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

You can see my review here.

MY 56.Mike had chosen another very heavily wooded area to spend the night. So wooded, in fact, that the sky was hardly visible. As a result the place was damp and cold. That was okay at the moment, because she was hot from her long uphill hike. But after helping Mike pitch the small two man tent, eating, and finally settling down to rest, she could tell it was going to be a long frigid night.

(page 56 in paperback)

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BOOK BEGINNINGS

She was bound and determined to get through this on her own and that was why his presence there was so downright annoying.

Besides, he was a man, and Karen Hill did not need help from any man. especially not a man as good looking as Undercover Narcotics Officer Michael Tanner.

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SYNOPSIS

Karen Hill does not need a hero clad in shining armor! She has never been saved by anyone except herself, and the last thing she needs is Michael Tanner claiming he’s going to save her now. Save her from what? As far as she’s concerned, he’s the only thing she needs saving from! Under Cover Narcotics Officer Mike Tanner is accustomed to being patient. Waiting and watching to see how things will play out. During his latest case, he has discovered that SharShay Cosmetic Company is distributing a major amount of pure cocaine and that the owner of the company, Miss Hill, is oblivious to it all. He’s content to let it stay that way, until a naive comment she makes put her life – and his – in jeopardy.

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Do you ever pick up a book just because you like the cover?

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Do You Believe? Review ~ Water So Deep by Nichole Giles

Posted on March 12, 2015 by fundinmental

I love this gorgeous cover and I knew this was going to be a winner.

I was not disappointed.

My question to you – do you believe in mermaids?

Add me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

I saw the beautiful cover and knew this would be about mermaids and that I had to have it!

Nichole Giles’ writing had me from the beginning.

Emma knows she only has 412 days, days before she must return to the water, 412 days left to be human, 412 days left before she is completely mermaid, 412 days left before she is to join Merrick, who will take her to Atlantis.

Emma – she was hatched. How funny is that? I never really thought of where mermaids come from, have you? I can’t help but chuckle as I write this. 🙂 I feel she will get what she wants, but I don’t know how. Since the change had begun, she needs both the air and the

Mermaid (c) Sherry Fundin

sea. Her gills are not fully developed, but as the end of her life as she knows it approaches, she requires more and more time in the sea. I love Nichole’s vivid descriptions of Emma’s underwater world, the colors, the coral, and the critters. I would love to swim with the fishes like she does.

Heather is her best friend, but the most important person in her life is her brother, Keith. How would she be able to leave him? Keith is handicapped, yet very observant. He is naive and gullible.

Merrick – how could he love her, he doesn’t even know her. The Sea King has given her to him, but does he have an agenda of his own? He is the Duke of Atlantis and determined to have her, at all costs.

Only two people know her predicament – her grandma and Merrick, until she meets James. No matter how she fights the attraction, it can’t be denied. How will she tell him? How will he take it? I am so eager to find out and I want her to be happy…with James, not Merrick, but how can that be?

James befriends Keith and he is surprised how much he comes to care for the little guy. That just shows us how we need to be open to people and experiences, otherwise we may miss something truly special in our lives. I really like that James does not allow high school peer pressure to dictate his actions. The romance between Emma and James develops slowly, making it realistic, with all its trials and tribulations.

I seem to be reading a lot of young adult books since blogging and have come to love them. Parts are predictable and cliche – two boys fighting over the same girl gets old, but when the writing is good I have to ride the wave with the author, wanting to share the characters experiences. The teenage angst of growing up is a big part of the story and Nichole did a great job of showing how Emma and James overcome their problems, at least, until…the cliffhanger. DRAT! I hate having to wait for the next book, so Nichole, I hope you are writing…and quickly.

I received an ecopy in return for an honest review.

4 Stars

SYNOPSIS

No one knows what’s happening to her, and she’d like to keep her evolution from human to mermaid a secret, but the truth is getting harder and harder to hide. From her adoptive family, from her friends, and especially from the irresistible James Phelps.

Her time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, while her time on land is split between caring for her special-needs brother and squeezing in every last possible moment of human life. She soon realizes falling for James is unavoidable when he constantly comes to Emma’s rescue and somehow manages to see through her carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. Everything about James makes Emma yearn for a life on land she just can’t have.

When Emma’s brother disappears on her watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save her brother, nothing can prevent her return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing—unable to breathe without yielding to the tide—and it’s only a matter of time before she’s forced to surrender forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nichole Giles had early career plans of becoming an actress or a rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her husband and children, travel to tropical and exotic destinations, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.

Blog / Goodreads / Twitter

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Giveaway & Interview ~ Heartsearch: Betrayal by Carlie M A Cullen

Posted on February 27, 2015 by fundinmental

I love the covers for the Heartsearch trilogy by Carlie M A Cullen.

They are a brand that is easily recognizable, labeling the books ‘written by Carlie’.

Betrayal_front_cover

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SYNOPSIS

One bite started it all . . .

Joshua, Remy, and the twins are settled in their new life. However, life doesn’t always run smoothly. An argument between Becky and her twin causes unforeseen circumstances, an admission by Samir almost costs him his life, and the traitor provides critical information to Liam. But who is it?

As Jakki’s visions begin to focus on the turncoat’s activities, a member of the coven disappears, and others find themselves endangered.

And when Liam’s coven attacks, who will endure?

Fate continues to toy with mortals and immortals alike, and as more hearts descend into darkness, can they overcome the dangers they face and survive?

INTERVIEW

I would like to welcome Carlie and share her thoughts with you, my readers. Enjoy!

Hi Sherry! It’s so lovely to be here today.

I love book covers. In the library, I will grab a book by its cover alone. How much input to you have when it comes to the cover? Do you have final approval?

I have a great deal of input. It’s one of the great things about being independently published. I can put forward my ideas to my wonderful cover designer, Nicole Antonia Carro, and she sends me back her interpretations. We work together to tweak it until I’m happy. And yes, I absolutely have final approval. I love the way she’s created a brand for my Heart Search trilogy where there’s something on every cover to link them all together.

I do love it when the author is able to create a ‘brand’ for the series. Makes it easily identifiable.

2. Do you have a favorite character in your books and why? How much of you is in the character?

It’s difficult because I love them all for different reasons, but I would have to say Remy is my favourite. She’s a complex character and I love her journey of self-discovery through the three books. Remy has grown so much as a person and it’s great to see.

Although Remy was loosely based on my daughter originally, I drew on some of my experiences to help mould her character. There’s probably more of me in her than I’d care to admit. I’ve gone through pain and heartache and emerged a stronger, more independent woman and that’s what Remy has done too.

I think most characters are a compilation of people an author knows or is familiar with. You did a wonderful job of showing us how Remy grew as a person and I enjoyed sharing the experience with her.

3. If you could be any character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?

Geez, this is so hard to answer as there have been many characters I’ve liked and admired for various reasons. As you’ve backed me into a corner on this, I think I’ll have to pick Aeolyn from the Tower of Bones series by Connie J Jasperson. She’s tough, feisty, a warrior, and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. However, she has a wonderful caring side. She has a fierce love for her husband and is very protective and loving toward her friends. Aeolyn is resourceful, creative, and has a good head on her shoulders. She can plan attacks, organise supplies in advance, and thinks outside the box when necessary. I just love the way she’s been created and can’t wait until the next book comes out to see what happens with her next.

I am not familiar with Aeolyn or the Tower of Bones, but I will surely be checking it out. 🙂

4. Tell us something funny about yourself. It can be anything at all – something you like, something you did, something that happened to you…

I went to the hairdressers as I wanted to look my best for my daughter’s graduation from university. The colours in my hair were fading so I asked them to renew my two colour highlights (bright red and blonde). Something went a little wrong and the red dye bled onto the blonde and vice versa. Consequently, I ended up with bright pink hair and no time to get it put right before I was leaving to make the 300 mile trip. It wasn’t exactly the look I’d hoped to see in my daughter’s graduation photos!

I love it! Sorry, but I couldn’t help but laugh, imaging the look on your daughter’s face when she first saw you with you new do. LOL

Fast and Loose:

Sweet or Sour:

Sweet, every time. Unfortunately I’ve inherited my Dad’s sweet tooth!

Hot or Cold:

Hot if we’re talking about the weather (I hate the cold), and hot if we’re talking about men, hahaha

Dog or Cat:

Dog. I used to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and she was so lovely. I hope to have another one someday.

TV or Movies:

Movies. I love them. I can’t go to the cinema as often as I’d like to though.

Thank you so much for inviting me here today. I’ve really enjoyed answering your questions – even if one or two gave me brain-ache [laughs].

Then I did my job! I really enjoyed the interview and loved sharing some chuckles with you, Carlie!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing.

She has always written in some form or another, but started to write novels in 2011. Her first book was published by Myrddin Publishing in 2012. She writes in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a principal editor for Eagle Eye Editors.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. They have published four anthologies so far, two for adults and two for children, all of which raise money for a local hospice.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

Website / Twitter: @carlie2011c / Facebook / Linkedin / Amazon / About.me

Wattpad / Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY

These are a few of the awesome gifts! Aren’t they beautiful?