Giveaway – Shadow Of Fire by Kate Schumacher @XpressoTours

Posted on September 23, 2022 by fundinmental

Shadow of Fire
Kate Schumacher
(The Fires of Aileryan, #1)
Publication date: May 5th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

A potent power is about to be unleashed.
Forbidden and forged in flame.

Control over the elements is a gift from the Gods, but since the creation of the Rift, fire magic has been outlawed in Merawuld. The Rift is a source of mystery, fear, and, for some, a tempting source of power.

Ash is a fire caster who has spent years hiding her magic, but when her explosive powers reveal themselves she is imprisoned by the Mage Council. Ash’s powers are coveted by the High Mage, who seeks to use her as a pawn against not only his enemies, but his allies as well.

With the Bone Mother’s winter fast approaching, the fae Princess vows to fight against the corrupting influence of power, forming an alliance whose success rests on a human man’s desire for peace; a man who must decide if he will play the game he’s inherited or begin one of his own.

But in Aileryan, the Gods have their own plans. As the Mother of All turns the wheel of the year, the land is brought to the edge of war. Loyalty and courage will be sorely tested as paths intertwine and Fate plays her hand.

If Ash can’t learn to control her magic, the scheming of gods and mortals could spell doom for them all.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Laeli jumped as the sound of steel striking steel cut through the night. She slipped into a crouch, buckling on her scabbard, sliding the twin swords against her back and crept to the opening of the cairn.

Bran shouted a single word. Run.

As wings of light fluttered across the dark pit of the sky, Laeli saw him, his lithe body ducking and weaving around a sword wielded by a tall man in a cloak of fur. Two dead men lay on the ground, Bran’s dagger protruding from a chest. As Laeli watched, Bran’s opponent crouched and swept his leg wide, catching Bran off guard. Her companion tumbled to the ground and, before he could get to his feet, a sword swung through the air in a precise arc.

Laeli stared in horror as Bran’s head was swiftly sliced from his body. Slowly, so slowly, it fell, toppling to the ground to bounce and roll away. Laeli’s dinner rose like a snake and she turned to the side and vomited.

The sky opened, and as veins of light cracked the black canvas of night, the man in furs looked up and saw her. His sword glinted as he approached, blood dripping hypnotically to the ground.

Bran’s blood; fae blood.

Without another thought, Laeli sprang from the cairn and sprinted for the safety of the forest. The trees reached for her, inviting her in; she bent her head and dove between their trunks, taking shelter in their branches, in the roots that snaked from the earth and the rocks and soft grass that spread across the forest floor. The sky ripped apart again, illuminating the trees, the forest bending and swaying in the fierce wind as the storm intensified.

She pushed on, running at a reckless pace that no human could match, until her lungs burned and she fell to her knees in a puddle of dirty water, her breath coming in pants that shook her to the bone. She was still a long way from the border, from safety.

Laeli took a deep breath, preparing to run again, but the point of a sword pressed into her spine.

‘Get up, Witch.’ The voice was low, husky, his breathing quick.

Author Bio:

KATE SCHUMACHER is a writer, mother and teacher. When she isn’t writing, she is reading her way through an ever-growing TBR pile. Kate has wanted to be an author since she was a child, when she used to write stories about her friends and ‘publish’ them with the help of a stapler. Kate completed a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Journalism, and an Honours degree in Screenwriting, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Education. She currently works as a High School English and History teacher.

She lives in Northern NSW, Australia, with her partner, two children and three very spoiled cats. Shadow of Fire is her first published novel.

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Review – Reckless by Maggie Shayne @MaggieShayne

Posted on September 20, 2022 by fundinmental

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I found Maggie Shayne through some freebies. Can’t remember if it was her newsletter or someone else’s promoting her work. Doesn’t matter…because now she is a must read author for me. I find a little bit of her personal life leaks into her novels, so be sure and check her out. She writes in several genres, and does them all very well.

I love a series that follows each character in a complete standalone novel. Shattered Sisters has hooked me, and this is my second read in the series. Though it is the first book, it didn’t matter that I read Book II, Forgotten, first. The covers are all fantastic and create a theme.

I love that Toni is an author, writing about a character she wishes she could be. She is tenacious and when she makes up her mind, she does not waver.

Nick is on a mission, but never planned on meeting someone like Toni.

Two damaged characters, brought together by…fate? A mobster that both are determined to bring down.

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres. It doesn’t matter if I can figure out the ending ahead of time…boy meets girl, falls in love, happy ever after…maybe even a puppy. It is the journey that I revel in and I look forward to many hours of reading pleasure with Book III of the Shattered Sisters series, Broken.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Reckless by Maggie Shayne.

AMAZON SYNOPSIS

Toni del Rio specialized in turning real-life crime into bestselling fiction, and she was aware that danger came with the territory. This time, however, she was in over her head. While researching the New York underworld for her latest book, she’d witnessed a mob hit. Now a thug was pointing a gun at her in a shadowy alley, and she knew she was a goner….

Undercover FBI agent Nick Manelli wasn’t about to kill anyone, but if he didn’t hide the woman immediately, they would both be dead. So he brought her to the only haven he knew — his place.

Alone with Nick in close quarters, Toni couldn’t help fantasizing about her rugged captor — and the desire, she soon discovered, was mutual…

ABOUT MAGGIE SHAYNE

I live in the teeny, tiny town of Taylor, NY, (Alliteration Alert!) though my mailing address is Cincinnatus, my telephone exchange is Truxton and I pay taxes and vote in Cuyler. All of these are at least in the same rural county in the southern hills of New York State; Cortland County. There are more cattle than people here. The nearest “big” cities are Syracuse and Binghamton and they are an hour away, in different directions, and not really all that big by most standards, though they both seem humongous to me. I look out my window to see rolling, green, thickly forested hills, wildflower laden meadows and wide open blue, blue skies. My road is barely paved. The nearest neighboring place is a 700 acre dairy farm.

My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire–it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.

No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day–there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)

That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!

And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)

Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we’ve acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the “Monster Moon.” Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.

Glory is not amused.

She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She’s tolerating the newcomers. Barely.

My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

MY MAGGIE SHAYNE REVIEWS

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Giveaway – Chris by Nancy Brown @XpressoTours

Posted on September 9, 2022 by fundinmental

Chris
Nancy Brown
(Cross Security, #3)
Publication date: September 9th 2022
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Every child has a dream. More often than not, they end up being fairy tales instead of reality, because not everyone can have a happily ever after. But maybe, just maybe if we try hard enough, some of us can have our happy ending.

He was going to be James Bond and she was going to be a supermodel. Those were their childhood dreams.

After a brutal abduction that took place when she was twelve years old, Poppy Jones’ parents whisked her across the world in the hopes of hiding Poppy from her mysterious captor, the man she refers to as Surfer Man. The haunting words he left her with before he let her go were… “You were meant to be mine, but now isn’t the right time.”

Ten years later, Poppy’s dreams become reality on a beach in Spain when she is discovered by one of the top modeling agencies in the world. Unfortunately, when Poppy comes out of hiding, so does her captor. Surfer Man has resurfaced, and he is coming to collect what he believes is his… the girl he let go ten years ago. Poppy’s dream turns into a nightmare as she prepares to run again. That is, until she meets Chris Winters, a man who will do anything to protect her, even from himself.

Chris Winters had only one objective in life… join MI6, become the next James Bond. A goal he achieved at an early age. He had it all: killer good looks, beautiful women, danger, and intrigue. It was working for him until it wasn’t, and the killing machine he had become started to overtake him. Knowing he needed a change; he joins Cross Security and meets Poppy Jones. She’s breathtakingly beautiful, but unfortunately, she’s totally off-limits because she is also the client he has been hired to protect. Poppy is not what Chris expected. Beyond the shroud of darkness that has befallen her, he finds a glimmer of light, a light that is so addictive it threatens his carefully guarded control. Chris has to decide. Does he push Poppy away and keep her alive, or can he have her and risk dire consequences if her distraction proves to be too much?

It’s a deadly game to play. Who will live and who will die?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Chris:

I watch from the sidelines as they turn the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen into an absolute goddess. The pictures I’ve seen of Poppy Jones online don’t even come close to capturing the stunning beauty I have my eyes locked on right now. There is something about her that goes beyond the physical. She has an innocent air about her. A sweetness that shines through. I haven’t spoken to her yet, but I know my preconceived notions about Poppy Jones are all wrong. She isn’t the spoiled, pampered princess I imagined her to be. That much is clear just from watching her interact with the people around her. She is polite, gracious, and friendly. She almost seems uncomfortable with the fact that everyone in the room is focused solely on her.

She doesn’t know I’m here. We have a meeting set up for later this afternoon. Today she is in a closed studio doing a photo shoot for one of the many lingerie companies that are clamoring for her attention. I don’t need to be here, but I wanted to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the woman everyone is talking about. Sometimes just observing a person when they don’t know you are there can tell you a lot more about them than a face-to-face meeting. I’ve certainly learned that throughout my years with MI6.

Drew Copeland filled me in on Poppy Jones’ background as soon as I returned to London a few weeks ago. Hers is an interesting story, for sure, but I need to talk to her myself. There are a lot of holes that need to be filled in. She will be able to fill in some of the blanks, but she won’t have the answers to the real questions that need to be answered. Questions I have been hired to find answers to. Questions like… who is the guy who took her when she was twelve years old? Why did he take her, and why did he let her go unharmed after less than forty-eight hours? The biggest question, though, is why—ten years later, after getting away with her abduction—is he back? I doubt Poppy Jones can shed light on any of those questions, but I still need to talk to her. I need to get to know her since I’m going to be spending a lot of time with her. We will start that process as soon as she is done with this shoot.

I originally thought this was going to be a babysitting assignment; I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’m now taking this job very fucking seriously and I already know I won’t be passing it off to anyone else.

Hours go by and I watch in fascination as Poppy goes through the motions, doing everything the photographer and shoot director ask of her. She doesn’t complain that the lights are too bright or too hot. She doesn’t complain when they put her into backbreaking positions that no normal person should be able to get into. She doesn’t complain when the only sustenance that is offered are a few small sips of water. Instead, she smiles and flirts, keeping the mood light as hours tick by. It is apparent, even from my short observation, that everyone loves working with her.

By the time they are wrapping up, I have a much greater appreciation for the life these models endure. Sure, they get fame and all the money that goes along with it, but the work isn’t as glamorous as people might think. Not to mention all the other, less appealing issues that can arise, hence the need for my services.

“What do you think?” Drew Copeland asks as he steps up beside me and points his chin at the woman on the bed across the room.

“Beautiful,” comes out before I can catch myself.

Author Bio:

Nancy Carolyn Brown is an author of contemporary romance, fond of writing love stories about hunky badass men endowed with massive hearts, and strong heroines with just the right mix of sweet and sass… flaming hot chemistry and thrilling nail biting suspense is always guaranteed!

She loves cosmos and chocolate and a swoony good book with a strong storyline.

She lives in sunny southern Alberta, Canada with her high school sweetheart husband and naughty Bengal cat. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys the simple things in life like spending time with family and friends, reading and running with her favorite playlist blasting in her ears.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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Giveaway & Book Trailer – Moving Target by Maggie Clare @iReadBookTours @MsMaggie_Clare

Posted on September 9, 2022 by fundinmental

Join us for this tour from Sep 6 to Sep 19, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title: Moving Target (Tactical Solutions International) by Maggie Clare
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 225 pages
Genre: Romance / Romantic Suspense / Thriller
Publisher: Wave Equation Media, LLC
Release date: June 2022
Content Rating: R for explicit sex scenes, some violence, language.

“MOVING TARGET is an ideal beach, pool, or plane read. You’ll get so engrossed in the story, which is equal parts romance and suspense, that you’ll have your tan or be at your destination before you know it!” – 5-Star Review on Amazon!

Book Description:

Teagan Tate has everything he’s ever wanted, but despite his wild success as a musician and his wild popularity with the ladies, he’s lonely. Meaningless hook-ups are getting old. There is one woman he’s interested in, but she won’t give him the time of day.

Maria Ruiz has no time for men like Teag – men with a revolving bedroom door who are too cocky for their own good. Sure, he has the body of a Greek god and a sexy Aussie accent, but as head of security for his band, Maria won’t risk her professional reputation. And as a woman who’s been there and done that, she won’t risk her heart.

Things take a deadly turn when Teag is the sole surviving witness to a cartel murder. Still recovering from his injuries, he’s forced into hiding with his sexy bodyguard. As their feelings grow into something unexpected and wonderful, a ruthless killer continues to hunt Teag.

Maria and Teag must rely on each other to stay out of his crosshairs, or they risk losing each other and their chance at love.

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Giveaway – Monica by Delaney Diamond @XpressoTours @DelaneyDiamond

Posted on September 8, 2022 by fundinmental

Monica
Delaney Diamond
(Family Ties, #2)
Publication date: August 26th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A second chance at love for a wealthy socialite and her bad boy ex.

After having her heart broken nine years ago, Monica Connor has no interest in marriage. She’s busy living her best life and building a following as a social media influencer. When a wealthy businessman contracts her to promote the opening of his new lounge, she’s excited for her most lucrative deal yet. Then she learns she has to work with someone else on the project—Andre Campos, her first love—the owner’s future son-in-law.

Andre is engaged to marry the daughter of the man who gave him a chance when no one else would, but seeing Monica causes old feelings to resurface and calls his plans into question. Being with Monica means losing everything he’s worked hard over the years to attain. But he can’t stop thinking about her, and pretty soon they surrender to the fiery passion that neither can deny.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

—

EXCERPT:

His breathing temporarily halted. He recognized her right away, despite cutting off all her hair and leaving a short buzz cut. He’d know those pretty chestnut eyes and high cheekbones anywhere. Large hoops almost touching her shoulders adorned her ears, but smaller earrings also climbed up the shell of her right ear.

She stood at one end of the long wood table, chatting with Stanley, the company’s attorney, and another woman, whom he assumed was her attorney. Her face glowed with health and vitality, hands animated as she talked. Red lipstick brightened her full lips and popped against her russet-brown skin.

She wasn’t born into money but wore it well. Tall with slender curves poured into a red and white pants suit, he wasn’t surprised she became an influencer. Monica Connor was the epitome of an “it” girl. Popular, with an engaging personality, she’d been a trendsetter back in college. He used to call her Sunshine because she had a glow about her and brightened his day with her appearance.

His gaze dipped to the skin revealed by the plunging neckline of the red jacket she wore as a shirt.

No bra.

His mouth went dry, and he licked his lips to counteract the parched, desert-like sensation when he assessed the halfway open top.

Her gaze shifted, and their eyes met across the glass table. The smile on her face faltered before disappearing altogether, and he experienced the strangest sensation—as if the walls were closing in. She stared at him, and lips he’d known well—once upon a time—parted in shock.

“Andre.” She whispered his name, and his scalp tingled under the sound of her voice. She flashed a brief grin, hands going to her hips. “Wow, it’s been forever. It’s good to see you.”

Liar. The way-too-high octave of her voice signaled fake excitement.

He didn’t smile back, unable to truly engage in the scene because never in fifty million years had he expected Monica Connor to be standing in the building where he worked.

He swallowed the tightness in his throat. “Good to see you too.”

Author Bio:

Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sensual and passionate romance novels. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not busy reading or writing, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale. To get sneak peeks, notices of sale prices, and find out about new releases, join her mailing list. And enjoy free stories on her website at delaneydiamond.com.

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Giveaway – The Sweetest Game by Cookie O’Gorman @XpressoTours @CookieOwrites

Posted on September 7, 2022 by fundinmental

The Sweetest Game
Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: September 8th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Sports

Hopelessly in love with my best friend’s brother.

That’s what it will say on my tombstone. Here lies Junior “June” Dorsey. Tomboy. Car lover. Bookworm. She suffered from a severe case of unrequited love syndrome.

It’s not like I haven’t tried liking other guys. I have. It’s just none of them measure up to him.

Baylor O’Brien. Beautiful. Cocky. Talented (on the field and in the bedroom—or so I’ve heard).

And completely oblivious to my love for him.

When Bay asks for my help, I can’t say no. He needs my PR expertise to revamp his reputation and up his chances of being scouted after one scout—the one he really wants—dismisses him as nothing more than a party-loving playboy.

When he asks me to be his fake girlfriend, I accept his proposal.

But how am I supposed to act like I’m in love without revealing the truth? And why is Baylor so good at pretending?

One thing I know that’s true:

All’s fair in love and baseball.

Wish me luck,

June

This new adult sports romance features two friends destined to become lovers, one sizzling fake romance, and a sexy set of brothers guaranteed to make you swoon.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

After the other girls walked away, I’d opened my mouth to speak, to tell her she was brilliant, a miracle worker, the best buffer ever, but when Sunshine turned around the scowl on her face stopped me. She took my hand and started walking. She didn’t stop until we were in the kitchen where she opened the door to the pantry, pulled me inside, closed the door and crossed her arms.

“Sunshine, I can explain,” I said, but she held up a hand.

“True or false,” she said, “you’ve been with those girls before.”

“False,” I said. “One hundred percent false. They tried in the past, but I’ve never taken them to bed.”

“But you’ve taken others.”

I shrugged helplessly. “You know the answer to that.”

“True or false, you wanted to go with them just now.”

“False.”

“True or false”—she cocked her head to the side—”you told people I was off limits.”

I stared into her eyes then said, “True.”

She put one hand on her hip, used the other to poke me in the chest. “What were you thinking, Bay?”

“I just wanted to keep you safe.”

Her laughter was cold. “As if I’d need you to do that.”

I was starting to get a little pissed now. “You do need me. You have no idea what guys can be like. Most of my teammates are decent, but none of them is good enough for you.”

“I think I could’ve determined that on my own.”

“You don’t even know when a guy wants you. Take Seaver.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What about him?”

“He was hitting on you at the garage.” She scoffed, but I kept going. “Seriously, Sunshine. Guys are jerks.”

“You mean like you?”

“Yes,” I said, taking a step closer. “I am a jerk. But I’m a jerk who cares for you. Deeply.”

She shook her head. “You told them I was off limits.”

“Yeah.”

“And what made you think you had the right to do that?”

“I had every right,” I said.

“Oh really, why?”

“Because you were mine.”

I took a step closer, watching her eyes flare.

“You are mine,” I said.

The reality of my words didn’t hit me until a few moments later. I didn’t know how to take it back, wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“Bay,” she said, and I looked down into her eyes, “are you ever going to kiss me again?”

I swallowed. Suddenly, I realized I wanted that more than anything. “I guess as your love coach I probably should.”

She nodded.

“It’ll give you some practice for that asshole you have a crush on.”

“He’s not an asshole,” she said. “Though he can be a jerk sometimes.”

“I hate him,” I said vehemently.

My words hit her lips. We were that close now.

She swallowed. “How will I know if someone wants me?”

Her words distracted me from the all-consuming hatred I felt toward her crush, and I forced a grin.

“He’ll probably try to get real close,” I said. “Like this.”

Her breath came faster as I pressed my body to hers.

“He’ll also compliment you, say things to make you laugh, just to see you smile.” My hand went to her face, fingers resting on her lips. “You’ve got a great one of those, Sunshine.”

“What else?” she asked.

“He’ll look at you like you’re the only girl in the world.”

I met her eyes.

“If he’s smart, he’ll realize he’ll never measure up.”

She took a shuddering breath when my hand moved into her hair.

“But that won’t stop him from trying.”

I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore. I just knew I had to taste those lips.

“If he really wants you, then you’ll be able to feel it. In every look, touch, kiss, that he gives you. It’ll be there.”

“Oh,” she breathed.

“That’s how you’ll know.”

“I think I’m ready for you to kiss me now.”

“As you wish, Sunshine,” I said.

My lips came down on hers, and heat burst to life between us. The spark I’d felt before was nothing to now. This was fire. Pure fire. I had Sunshine in my arms, and she was burning me up. And I loved every second of it.

Author Bio:

Cookie O’Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad, WALLFLOWER, CUPCAKE, and FAUXMANCE are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances, The Best Mistake, The Perfect Play, and The Sweetest Game.

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Giveaway & Review – Dark Waves by Amanda Uhl @GoddessFish @AuAuthor

Posted on September 6, 2022 by fundinmental

Dark Waves by Amanda Uhl

GENRE: Paranormal Romance

MY REVIEW

Dr Audrey Gilbert is in trouble, and the only way to save her job is to get Kevin to return the fold. She is a paranormal psychiatrist and her specialty is healing hackers with PTSD. With minimal information, she meets him…face to face.

Kevin Jorgensen is a recluse, but there is something about Audrey that intrigues him.

Nothing earth shattering, but a nice story and a quick read. I love reading paranormal/supernatural stories and Amanda Uhl has given me a fresh look at a familiar genre, filled with plenty of intrigue.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dark Waves by Amanda Uhl.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 3 Stars

BLURB

A fearless doctor

Paranormal psychiatrist Dr. Audrey Gilbert is not used to failure, especially when it comes to her career. She possesses an uncanny ability to see into her patients’ souls and mend their brokenness. When she misdiagnosis a patient and is fired, she is given a chance to regain her job. Her task? Restore the health of a deranged mind hacker. But safeguarding her heart while convincing the detached and bitter man to trust her, just might be the challenge of a lifetime.

A tormented hacker

Born into a family of powerful psychics, Kevin Jorgensen has always had a quick wit and a sunny disposition. But that was before he nearly lost his life battling a rogue mind hacker. Now he spends his days in isolation, fighting for his sanity. He swears never to use his gift, not even if he’s drawn to the woman determined to help him recover.

A battle for survival

When Audrey and Kevin discover someone has tampered with her mind, they must work together to determine why. Because if they fail, their lives and the lives of many other hackers will be destroyed.

EXCERPT

“Besides the hacker who went rogue, have there been any other disgruntled patients of yours over the last few years?”

Audrey frowned and rubbed her temple. “Not that I recall.”

“You have a headache?”

The pain in her head throbbed as if in answer. “I… Yes, a small one.”

“Have you noticed any recent gaps in your memory? Fuzzy thoughts?”

She narrowed her gaze. “What are you suggesting?”

“Audrey, some of your memories have been wiped.”

Her heartbeat sped up, and it felt like all the blood drained from her forehead at once. The room tilted in a crazy circle, and she saw white spots in front of her eyes. There was a rushing sound, and in an instant, all the colors in the room faded to black. She blinked and realized she was slumped in the recliner with Kevin leaning over her, shaking her shoulders, the earthy scent of him filling her nostrils.

“You okay?”

“Yes,” she managed. Her skull felt like someone had stuffed it with cotton. “I…”

“You fainted. Take it easy.” He crouched next to her, tucked a pillow behind her head, and helped her sit up. “I probably should have found a better way to tell you.”

Ya think? What was even more shocking was him hovering over her like she was his patient. He needed to move far away so she didn’t have to breathe in his rich, masculine smell. She had the insane desire to reach out and hug him so she’d feel safe.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and her head cleared. “I’m…I’m all right now.”

Kevin didn’t budge, sending her blood pressure up a notch.

She brushed her hair behind her ears and tried to think. “You said my mind had been wiped. How can you know for certain?”

“I’m a former hacker, remember. I know the signs. What’s more, your blocks have been removed.”

“My…blocks?” She sat forward, the hair on her arms rising with her. The blocks were for her safety—to protect her as she worked with hackers. “They’re permanent. It’s impossible to remove them…isn’t it?”

He must have been reassured she had recovered from her faint because he stood and returned to the couch before answering, and she managed to get her breathing under control.

“Not quite. It’s difficult for the vast majority of hackers, but not everyone.”

“You mean you can do it,” she said, hardly daring to breath.

“Yes, and any other class tens who specialize in blocks. After all, we’re the ones who put them in place. Audrey, I need you to think really hard about when you first started having headaches.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Award-winning author Amanda Uhl has always had a fascination with the mystical. Having drawn her first breath in a century home rumored to be haunted, you might say she was “born” into it. After a brief stint in college as a paid psychic, Amanda graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre and a master’s degree in marketing. Over the past twenty years, she has worked as an admissions representative and graphic designer, owned her own freelance writing company, and managed communications for several Fortune 500 companies, most recently specializing in cyber security. Amanda is an avid reader and writes fast-paced, paranormal romantic suspense and humorous contemporary romance from her home in Cleveland, Ohio. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find Amanda with her husband and three children, gathering beach glass on the Lake Erie shoreline or biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visit her online at www.amandauhl.com.

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Universal Link: https://books2read.com/DarkWaves
Amazon –> https://amzn.to/3RK85Yy
Barnes&Noble —> https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-waves-amanda-uhl/1141462195
iBooks —> https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-waves/id1623878665
Kobo —> https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-waves-1
Google Play —> https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Amanda_Uhl_Dark_Waves_Mind_Hackers_Series_Novella?id=Eb9vEAAAQBAJ
Goodreads —> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61082061-dark-waves
Bookbub —> https://www.bookbub.com/books/dark-waves-mind-hackers-series-novella-by-amanda-uhl

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Giveaway – Shy Girls Can’t Date Billionaires by Milly Rose @XpressoTours

Posted on September 5, 2022 by fundinmental

Shy Girls Can’t Date Billionaires
Milly Rose
Publication date: September 5th 2022
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Young Adult

I never existed until the wrong guy took notice…

I was born shy. And near him, I fall apart. No wonder he can’t stand the sight of me.

After a fire destroys our home, my family is taken in by a billionaire tycoon. His mansion has countless bedrooms, yet my room is next door to his son, Thomas Ashworth III. Yes, he’s as pompous as the name suggests. And, for some reason, he hates my guts.

Even though his arrogance drives me crazy, his chiseled features turn me into a stammering, awkward mess. I hate being stuck with someone I can’t stand. And when he does something unexpectedly kind, it confuses my heart.

When I bump into him in the middle of the night, I’d never guess it lead to us sharing secrets.

He’s impossible to get out of my head. But he wouldn’t consider dating someone like me. Would he?

You will love Christie and Ash. They are stuck together in forced proximity, becoming practically roommates. He is a billionaire, alpha male type who is learning to love. She is the new girl in school, dealing with past trauma. Together they will go from enemies to lovers in an adorable young adult romance.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

—

EXCERPT:

“Hi,” Thomas says, folding his arms across his chest. “What’s your first class?”

I stare at him as bags pull under my eyes. My lack of sleep and the adrenaline from panicking have taken their toll.

He unfolds his arms and tilts his head. “What’s up?” he asks.

I smooth my clammy palms over my blazer and fidget in my shoes.

“I told you, you don’t need to panic,” Thomas says, stepping closer to me. “This school is a piece of cake.”

I run a hand over my hair and turn my face away from him. I’m gonna lose it again. My insides contort with another urge to launch over a toilet bowl.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asks, placing a hand on my arm.

I jolt in surprise.

He removes his hand and takes a step back. “Sorry,” he says.

I look away. “It’s okay.”

Thomas smiles. “Glad you got your voice back.”

I blush, and mumble, “Me too.”

“Why do you look so freaked out?” he asks. “They showed you where to go, didn’t they?”

I shake my head. “Not exactly.”

“What happened when I left? Ms. Thornesmith usually handles everything, so I figured you wouldn’t have an issue.”

I fidget in my shoes again and turn my head in the other direction, staring at the closed bathroom door.

“A girl offered to show me around. Somewhere along the way, we kinda parted ways… I don’t have my schedule, and I don’t know where I’m going.” Huffing, I pause my ramble to throw my arms in the air. “I don’t know what classes I have… and I’m just lost again, like usual.”

“Don’t sweat it,” he says. “I’ll take you back to admin, and we’ll get you a new schedule. Then I’ll show you around.”

I cross my arms and let out a tired, “Humph.”

“What?”

“You’ll show me around?” I say, looking at the floor. It is as confrontational as I get. It’s shocking the words have come out of my mouth.

I doubt he’d help me. Why would he?

“Christie, you need to know where you’re going. I’ll show you where to find your classrooms. It’s not a big deal.”

“It was a big deal earlier,” I say.

It’s baffling that I’m continuing with this conversation.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” he says, taking another step back. “My parents kind of threw this on me. I already had plans for this morning that I needed to follow through on.”

“Fine, whatever,” I say, crossing my arms in frustration. “You could have at least told your parents or me that you couldn’t show me around. If you had said you couldn’t help me, my mom would have come with me.” I pull my arms tighter across my midsection. “It’d be better than being alone.”

“I’m sorry you felt alone,” he says, taking a step forward. “But, be honest, you don’t exactly enjoy my company. I assumed you’d be relieved when I left.”

His words surprised me. I look up to meet his eyes, finding them filled with sincerity.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

He puffs a laugh and slides his hand into his trouser pockets. “Don’t act like you don’t hate when I’m around.”

I place a hand over my heart. “Me?”

“You’re always judging me.”

“I haven’t said anything bad to you.”

A nervous laugh seeps out of him. “You don’t have to say it. It’s in your eyes. I know you can’t stand me.”

Author Bio:

Milly Rose is an animal-loving romance enthusiast with a swoon-inducing book formula. Shy girl + hot guy + first kisses. Her YA sweet romance books will have you falling in love every instalment. Milly Rose is the quintessential shy girl, who you can contact via her mailing list and reply to her monthly email blasts! Milly spends her days vying for her cat’s affection, dreaming up her next book boyfriend, and writing a fun meet-cute under candlelight with a lovely brewed cup of tea.

GET A FREE BOOK HERE >> https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cod6m6wfzw

(You will sign up to Milly Rose’s Newsletter and are free to unsubscribe anytime!)

Follow along on Instagram + Tiktok @shy.author.milly.rose

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Giveaway – Welcome To Visanthe by L M Sanguinette @XpressoTours

Posted on September 2, 2022 by fundinmental

Welcome To Visanthe
L.M. Sanguinette
Publication date: September 2nd 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

THE SHADOWS HAVE AWAKENED…

Raised on a small unassuming island in the Caribbean, with the kind of sleepy town lifestyle better suited to old fishermen than fiery young troublemakers, Savara believes she has her world all figured out—and hates it. Yet, on her eighteenth birthday—the anniversary of her parents’ death—she wakes up to find the only world she has ever known might have all been a lie.

An unexpected death and the appearance of a mysterious off-worlder force Savara to question everything she has ever known as she and Jasper—her “only adventurous in books” best friend—are thrust into a new world, faced with a task that will not only determine their fates, but the fate of an entire nation. The shadows of a long-forgotten past have awakened with a thirst for blood. Will she be able to stop them from devouring everything in their path? Or will she fall victim to her own demons?

Join them on their journey to a world of elemental magic, where the lines of good and evil have been distorted, and truth is most often paid for in blood.

Welcome to Visanthe.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

When she was younger, Savara used to listen to the stories her uncle would tell with rapt attention, wishing that they were real. Fantastical beasts, fires that lived, oceans that sang, people who moved like gods… Sometimes she even wished to be one of them, the people who could move stones with their mind, summon fire at the twitch of their fingers, create gigantic waves or powerful winds with the flick of their wrists, or even steal light from the world around them.

“My uncle used to tell me stories…” she said cautiously, unwilling to divulge too much of her memories. “I think they were about this place. About the creatures that call it home, and what they’re capable of…” When the man didn’t reply, she added, “They weren’t just stories.” Savara waited for an answer to the not-quite-question that might ease her worries.

His pause felt eternal. The flickering of the lamp’s flame filled the space where words should’ve been. Finally, he took a breath. “No.”

Back then, his stories seemed to resonate with something inside her, which she mistook for longing. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Besides, from what she now remembered, none of his stories ever ended well.

“They weren’t happy stories,” she continued.

“Not all stories are happy, no matter the world.”

Thinking back on all the strange tales her uncle had filled her head with over the years, she realised that part of the pleasure in stories is that they are just that, stories, things to imagine without facing consequences. No one gives a second thought to the monsters that lurk in the shadows so long as the hero is safe at the end. But hearing a story is different from living it. She couldn’t simply close the book when she got scared or skip to the end to know everything would be alright. Savara didn’t like the new sensation taking root in the pit of her stomach, the one that left her wondering what exactly it meant to not be human, and in Jasper’s case, to be one in a world that wasn’t.

Author Bio:

L. M. Sanguinette was born on a small island in the Caribbean, where the palm trees watched over her like giants and the sea crept up to her feet to say “hello”. Nowadays she can be found in one of the many hidden coffee shops of Madrid conversing with the spirits of the old city.

Website / Goodreads / TikTok / Instagram

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5 Stars for Surviving Doodahville by Ashley Fontainne #AshleyFontainne

Posted on August 29, 2022 by fundinmental

I have been reading Ashley Fontainne’s novels ever since I won some. She is a must read author for me. AND, what an amazing cover!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

WOW…Ashley Fontainne and Lillian Hansen can sure pen a novel. I only have a half page of notes, because the power of Doodahville was so intense, gripping me, not letting me stop to even jot a note or two. All my emotions came to life, at times overwhelming me.

An impending death, and Gail, Kevin, and daughter, Kassandra are off to Daltville, Arkansas. A small town, small minds, small everything.

I quickly grew to love Gail. She is badass, take no prisoners, kick your ass, leave me and mine alone. At times she cracked me up, other times I wanted to be beside her fighting the good fight.

Kevin and Lurlene are no slouches in planning ahead. Kassandra is a teenager moving from Southern California to small town Daltville, as if teenage angst isn’t already enough. It is a culture shock. At times she feels like life is over for her, but there are also many benefits, which she will learn in time.

The kitten…HA HA HA HA HA.

Racism rears its ugly head on many of the pages. It is the south, so I find that is no surprise and I love the way she handled it in the novel, along with all the nasty secrets and ongoing issues from them.

I have read a lot of Ashley Fontainne’s work, and she easily crosses genres. Her mother, Lillian Hansen did a fabulous job in this collaboration.

Looking at the fun cover, I underestimated the power of Doodaville. Southern living, fraught with danger and secrets that come to light with disastrous results for some, for others freedom. The marvelous characters rise above their situations, sharing love and hope with those who need it. I also went down memory lane from the 1980s. Many scenes were taken from Ashley’s personal experiences, so maybe that’s why they read like true life.

I CAN SEE THIS AS A GRAND MOVIE (along the lines of Gone With The Wind) OR A TV SERIES.

WARNING: Tissues may be required.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Surviving Doodahville by Ashley Fontainne.

GOODREADS BLURB

“Filled with powerful scenes and great characters! Brings the ’83 Old South to vivid life. One of my all-time favorite reads! Loved it! ~ Janelle Taylor, NY Times Bestselling author

The summer of 1983—the era of big debt, big hair, and big dreams. Seventeen-year-old Kassandra Lawson is excited about starting her senior year of high school. She has a crush on a local hunk, and her best friend, Valley Girl extraordinaire, Liz Hendricks, insists on helping her snag the hot guy—for sure!

July starts out uneventful for Kee and her parents. Her father, Kevin, is a partner at a CPA firm, and her mother, Gail, works as a secretary at the police department. The small family lives an idyllic life in sunny Hacienda Heights, California.

1983 also brings upheaval and strife for the Lawson clan. A death in the family forces Kevin and Gail to make the painful decision to pack up and move to Kevin’s hometown of Daltville, Arkansas.

Each face daunting challenges adapting to their new lives. Gail and Kee aren’t quite sure they can handle the culture shock. They encounter social and racial issues they never faced on the West Coast, strange food, weird dialects, odd customs, and wicked secrets that have the potential to destroy their family.

More than just a coming-of-age story, Surviving Doodahville explores family bonds, racial barriers, and just how much a person is willing to sacrifice for others. The tale is full of humor, action and a touch of mystery, making it a fun romp into the past.

ABOUT ASHLEY FONTAINNE

Award-winning and International bestselling author Ashley Fontainne enjoys stories that immerse the reader deep into the human psyche and the monsters lurking within each of us. She writes in numerous genres including mystery, suspense, horror, sci-fi and sometimes poetry.

Ashley lives in Arkansas with her husband and is the proud mother of one son and grateful daughter of co-author, Lillian Hansen. To learn more about her books please visit https://ashleyfontainne.net/

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MY ASHLEY FONTAINNE REVIEWS