I was given an opportunity to read some of this anthology and I began at the beginning with Bulwark by Brit Lunden. The short stories/novellas are sold separately and to me they read as standalones. This is the third story I have read and enjoyed.
Bulwark is a small town, where everything revolves around football. I lived in Alabama for a while and they are some of the most avid fans I have every seen, so I can easily relate to this.
The Darkness by Brittney Leigh is written like a diary. from Sophie’s perspective.
Meeting Sophie, I feel, is going to be a real hoot. She did put a smile on my face early on, so I am eager to see what kind of trouble will seek her out.
And…it being Bulwark, I knew the trouble would be of a paranormal kind.
Secrets will be revealed, bodies will fall.
We have all the teenage angst of high school as these four kids will solve the puzzle of Billy Joe’s disappearance. It is the past clashing with the present.
The Darkness by Brittney Leigh is the eight book of the anthology. Though I have only read two others, I had no trouble enjoying this one. Fast reading with characters that are forever changed.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Darkness by Brittney Leigh.
3 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
Bulwark, a quiet town… or is it? Four best friends, Sophia, Scott, Chloe and Chris, are just trying to manage their senior year at Bulwark high school when Sophia realizes that her feelings for Chris are really meant for Scott. Before she can deal with that though, the four friends then stumble upon Bulwarks darkest secrets when a spell is cast on Bulwark High. Students have been disappearing and no one has any clues as to their whereabouts. With a town curfew set and parents on edge, the four friends decide to take things into their own hands. Will they break the spell, or will Bulwark High and the town be changed forever? Based on Bulwark, a paranormal thriller by Brit Lunden, The Darkness is the eighth volume in the multi-author Bulwark Anthology.
ABOUT BRITTNEY LEIGH
Brittney Leigh is gracing the Bulwark anthology as a debut author. She is a proud graduate of SUNY Old Westbury College, with a bachelors degree in Media & Communications. Gifted in singing, acting, and dancing, she finds her voice reaches its highest ground in writing. She resides in Long Island where the darkness of New York City comes to sleep.
Primal Mate Tabitha Black (Alphas of Sandor, #2) Published by: Blushing Books Publications Publication date: October 15th 2019 Genres: Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
It happened at the worst possible time…
Nobody knows my terrible secret – not my friends, not my colleagues, not even my powerful father. All this time, I’ve been living and working amongst them as a respected, high-powered Alpha woman.
The only thing saving me from certain ruin and the destruction of my dreams are the suppressants I take daily, the medication I’ve been using to hide in plain sight. Because, in truth, I’m an Omega.
And then the unthinkable happens. The suppressants stop working in a crowded room full of Alpha men, one of whom decides we’re fated to be together.
He will pursue me until I surrender but while my body craves him, I refuse to give up my life to become nothing more than an Alpha’s mate…
Publisher’s Note: This dark MF Omegaverse romance contains elements of power exchange and explicit scenes which may trigger some readers.
It had started with a slight tingle so faint, Evander had wondered whether he was imagining it. After years of fruitless hunting for his mate, it was logical that he might mistake even the slightest unusual sensation as a sign he was finally going into rut.
But while he had been talking to Clara, the tingle had morphed into a ball of lust which had slammed through his lower belly so violently, he felt winded. Simultaneously, a divine, musky scent had filled his nostrils, intensifying a deep ache in his groin and putting all his senses on high alert.
After all this time, after all these years of waiting, it was finally happening.
Evander was going into rut.
Barely able to contain his excitement, he had immediately excused himself from the attractive, brunette Clara and examined every single Omega female in the immediate vicinity. Oddly, instead of intensifying, the scent had grown fainter.
Clouded as his mind was with the sudden onslaught of pheromones flooding his system and sending his primal instinct into overdrive, it had taken a moment for him to put two and two together.
But it couldn’t be. Clara was an Alpha, like him.
Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Tabitha Black has been writing erotic romance for well over a decade, mostly in the age-play and historical genres. More recently, she’s discovered the joys of writing more contemporary books with a greater emphasis on BDSM, as well as darker, edgier fiction.
Having lived in four countries on three different continents, she likes to “write to discover what she knows.”
She has a weakness for great coffee, strong, kind but dominant men, and tattoos. At the time of writing, she lives in Germany with her very own dominant, sadistic and loyal romantic hero, and a lilac cat who likes to sneeze in her face.
Book Title: Come the Eventide by Chris Riker Category: YA Fiction / Adult Fiction, 330 pages Genre: YA Eco-Sci-Fiction / Fantasy Publisher: Lanier Press Release date: June, 2019 Tour Dates: October 14 to October 25, 2019 Content Rating: PG (There are mature themes, but nothing graphic or gratuitous)
MY REVIEW
An original and unique novel of life after the destruction caused by human. Humans, dolphins, and octopodes work together for survival. Told from all characters POV, whether human, dolphin or…
I love any books that relate to water and ecology and the creatures that live there.
Man’s inhumanity to man and everything else on the planet is nothing new. Nothing they won’t do to get what they want and the critters do hold grudges…so beware.
I was entranced, enthralled, disgusted and horrified, tense and frightened, hopeful and dismayed.
Man poisoned the earth and ecologies and species have been decimated and destroyed.
I didn’t see the twist in Chapter 14, but it makes perfect sense. And I love it. I read Come Eventide by Chris Riker in one sitting…because I had to know.
I read slower than normal, not wanting to miss a thing. I had to concentrate to follow and be surprised.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Come Eventide by Chris Riker.
4 Stars
BOOK DESCRIPTION: A century has passed since the fall of
humanity changed the natural landscape. The oceans are poison, and a
fraction of Earth’s magnificent creatures remain. The only surviving
humans squabble over limited resources as they cling to a fragile peace.
Yet in this bleak landscape hope lives on in Earth’s other intelligent
life. It all begins when Septielle, a seven-armed octopod, has a vision
of a world restored—a world she will not live to see. Inspired by her
vision, a dolphin named Muriel shoulders her mission and enlists any
humans who will listen—including Anadare, a young islander with an ax to
grind against the oppressive ruling class of tourists turned
bureaucrats. An invasion of cannibalistic pirates complicates things as
they declare war on a world that rejects them.
As tensions rise to a crescendo,
islanders, tourists, and pirates alike must put aside their differences
to send Muriel on her greatest journey yet—beyond the sea, beyond form,
beyond time itself.
In his first novel, Chris Riker
conducts an opus in voce giocoso that grins at the inevitable, but
reminds us of the heart that all life shares.
Chris Riker is a writer, father, and
journalist. He grew up in Rhode Island and now makes his home in Georgia
with his wife, Ping. He has always loved books, from science-fiction
and fantasy to historical novels and biographies. Building on a
background in broadcast news, including a stint at CNN, he is now
focused on telling stories with strong characters and moral resonance.
His premiere effort blends a love for our beautiful Earth and her myriad
life-forms with a sense of wonder at our shared purpose and fate.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those
neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything
like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in
your stacks.
When teen psychic Dawn Christian gets involved with a fortuneteller mentor and two girls who share her mysterious talents, she finally belongs after years of being a misfit. When she learns her new friends may be tied to freak accidents in town, Dawn has an important choice to make – continue developing the talent that makes her special or challenge the only people who have ever accepted her. This novel is aimed at young adults, and at adults who enjoy paranormal YA such as the Twilight series, House of Night, and The Vampire Diaries series, Meg Cabot’s The Mediator series, or Lois Duncan books.
I love a good paranormal young adult story and when I saw they compared
it to the Twilight series, House of Night, and The Vampire Diaries
series, Meg Cabot’s The Mediator series, or Lois Duncan books, I thought
it was hard to go wrong.
Nicholas Ryan asked if I would be interested in reading Brink of Extinction, a full length, stand alone zombie novel…and I said YES. Would I read more of his work? You betcha!
Gideon, OMG, is evil personified. What is his motive for the havoc he is wreaking? He is brutal. Is it because of what happened to him? Does he blame the world and is going to take out is revenge of it? Whoa, it’s like someone opened the doors of the insane asylum and the inmates are running wild.
And the author…how deep did he dig to come up with these savage scenarios? I am only at 10%. I can see why the world is on the Brink of Extinction if these are the kind of people holding the power, running wild in the streets.
It has been thirty years since they faced off against the zombies. The apocalypse brought them to the Brink of Extinction. Now…to survive the human danger. Man’s true colors are exposed when their lives are on the line. Will they sacrifice for others? Are they out for all they can get for themselves, killing for sport? What happens when the Army can’t hold the line?
Nicholas Ryan has taken a great angle with Brink of Extinction. This is not your usual zombie story. An original, refreshing, down right frightening take on zombie apocalypse and what comes after. It’s hard to not give away some of the elements I feel would be best you find out for yourself.
You need eyes in the back of your head and your head on a swivel, because every step you take could lead towards capture for the slave auction or death.
A man and a boy on a journey that will bring them both to where they are meant to be by the end of the story. The journey is eye opening, brutal, dangerous and live affirming and I loved walking every step with them.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Brink of Extinction by Nicholas Ryan.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
A STAND ALONE ZOMBIE NOVEL A drifter in a savage wasteland, up against the evil that has risen from the ashes of the zombie apocalypse. In
a brutal unforgiving world one man will be called upon to take up a
fight to save those who remain. He thought his last war had been fought
in the trenches against the zombie hordes. Now there is one more bloody
battle that must be won. But the enemy is no longer undead, it is much
worse than that… A full length stand alone novel.
ABOUT NICHOLAS RYAN
Australian writer, Nicholas Ryan, is the author of four bestselling zombie novels – ‘Ground Zero’, ‘Die Trying’, ‘Dead Rage’, and ‘Zombie War’. All of Nick Ryan’s novels are full-length stand alone post apocalyptic thrillers that can be read in any order. Ryan’s first novel, ‘Ground Zero’ was acclaimed by author DJ Molles, as a “Bloody zombie smash!” and since then every book has become an Amazon horror/zombie bestseller. Several of Nicholas Ryan’s books have since been published as audiobooks. Nicholas Ryan lives on the East Coast of Australia with his long time girlfriend on a small farm.
To keep up to date with all the latest Nicholas Ryan news and new book release information visit him on: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nickryanauthor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nicholas_ryan_author/
You can contact Nick directly at nicholasryanpublicist@gmail.com.
I love to love a bad guy and Alpha Prime is one I would never want to cross paths with unless….I loved this complex novella of good and bad, but is anyone all good or all bad, not these fabulous, unique characters.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Born a demon, it took humans to transform him into a monster.
Tracy Hardwick is a wodnik, a water demon who absorbs his
victim’s souls. His parents used his gifts for their own gain. They made
him kill until he landed on death row.
The prison sold him to an
evil corporation who wiped his mind and surgically altered him to be
the perfect killing machine. He became their ultimate weapon.
Now,
Tracy’s mind is busting through their wipe. He’s waking up. And so are
all the souls of his victims. They’re talking to him, telling him what
to do. They don’t want to go back to sleep. He doesn’t want to kill
anymore.
But if he doesn’t kill, the corporation will wipe his mind again.
Tracy’s going to have to listen to the voices in his head.
Or he’ll remain a monster forever.
Download Voices of Reason now and enjoy some time with a madman.
Connect with Gwendolyn
Visit www.gwendolyndruyor.com for more about the author and her many diverse endeavors. And her dogs. Don’t forget to check out her dogs.
Jolie was three when she found she was ugly and deformed.
She was five when she found she was a sub-human and an outcast.
She was seven when five boys and two girls dragged her out of the
orphanage and beat her unconscious, leaving her lying bleeding and
broken in the street.
She was content to lie there and die, tired of being hated and abused.
But a frail old man with wispy white hair and a long beard wasn’t
content to let her die. He not only saved her, but he adopted her and
passed on his unique martial art to her.
She was twenty when she headed to Delphi, the center of the United
Systems of Perileos (USP) and the planet of her birth-father to find
her place in his society.
Based on her unique upbringing, she decides to join the USP military,
requesting to be assigned to the Tasmanians SFG, an elite all male
unit. The military brass is reluctant to deny her request and admit
their enlistment contract permits bait-and-switch assignments.
Instead, they agree to let her enter the school, thinking she
couldn’t possibly succeed–a Chihuahua competing against
Rottweilers–and plan to make an example of her when she fails.
Although Jolie is small, she is not what she appears. But can her adopted
father’s art enable her to survive the treachery of the military
brass, the grueling of the school, the prejudices of the instructors,
and the testosterone of an all-male class?
And if she succeeds, can she thrive in the high-octane and all male
environment of the Tasmanians?
Clem Daems is a native of Chicago, Illinois and a graduate of the
University of Arizona. He served twenty-two years in the US Air
Force. Since then, he has worked as a software engineer, course
developer, and adjunct professor, teaching mathematics and Computer Science.
He has always been an avid reader of Science
Fiction/Fantasy but never had an interest in writing or being an
author. So, it was surprising when he began his first novel, several
years after his retirement, at age seventy. His first novel,
co-authored with Jeanne Tomlin, “The Talon of the Raptor
Clan”–recently reissued as the “Talon of the Unnamed
Goddess”–was a 2010 EPPIE finalist in Fiction/Fantasy.
Clem is an award winning author and an active member of the Science
Fiction Writers of America.
His hobby–a life-long one–has
been Kung Fu and Tai Chi. Clem is currently retired and living in
Tucson, Arizona.
He would enjoy hearing from you at
clemd@comcast.net on any topic: his books, the characters, writing
with a co-author, Kung Fu, his website
(http://clemd.home.comcast.net/~clemd/JC/Index.html), life after
retirement, or…
The Knowing by Brit Lunden is part of the Bulwark Anthology, a collection of nine novellas. Brit’s debut novella, Bulwark, gave birth to this collection that takes place in the quiet little town of Bulwark in Georgia, USA.
The novella I am sharing today is The Knowing by Brit Lunden. I am anxious to revisit Bulwark and see what will happen today.
The Knowing, the feeling that you are going to meet someone special.
Brit Lunden recaps the happenings from the first novella, Bulwark, and I always like that refresher. Sometimes it’s a long time between readings.
We met JB in Bulwark and now, his mood turns to the past and the love of his life, Ellie. He had known he would never leave Bulwark. Farm work it will be, not a football hero, even though he was that good, Bear Bryant wanted to recruit him. I love that addition to the story. I don’t believe there is a soul alive in Alabama who doesn’t know who Bear Bryant is.
So not what I was expecting, but it turned into a wonderful tale of love, second chances and maybe a little bit of magic.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Knowing by Brit Lunden.
4 Stars
GOODREADS BLURB
Bulwark- a wall or stockade that protects or sometimes hides the truth from the outside world.
Bulwark, Georgia, isolated, hidden. Who knows what strange things can happen when the rest of the world can’t see you? JB Stratton is alone in the world, and all he has left are the memories of his beloved Ellie. Dirt poor JB and wealthy Ellie feel an instant connection that is as intense and primal as the blood red earth of their home. Unseen roots connect them, pulling them into an impossible relationship. Will the memories of past lives help or hinder the path of their love? Based on the original novella Bulwark, by Brit Lunden, The Knowing continues the story of a town isolated from the rest of the world where the impossible becomes plausible, and logic is determined by reality.
ABOUT BRIT LUNDEN
Brit Lunden is a prolific author who’s written over 50 books in assorted genres under different pen names. Bulwark was her first effort in adult fiction and was chosen by several of her fellow authors as the basis for a new series, A Bulwark Anthology. Using her characters, they are creating new denizens in spin-off stories to this bizarre town. Brit Lunden lives on Long Island in a house full of helpful ghosts.
Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those
neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything
like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in
your stacks.
Briana Fox is the
wildest girl in school. She and Kyle have been close for a long
time…almost lovers. But Kyle is afraid that if he pushes her, he’ll
have his heart broken and lose his best friend. When Briana challenges
him to a swim across the lake, she’s injured in a horrific accident, but
she discovers a mysterious substance in an underwater cave that saves
her life. What seems to be a magical yet harmless “power drug” invokes
superhuman abilities, and Briana soon becomes dependent on it for her
very survival. When two government agents learn of the discovery, they
will stop at nothing to find the source and turn Briana into a human
experiment. Is Kyle willing to risk everything to protect his love?
Readers of all ages will enjoy this gripping, fast-paced story.
Book blogger reviews:
“Worth a serious read…incredibly gripping and heartwarming.” – Halinor Everdeen Cipriano, Assortments
“A fast, suspenseful thriller with an ending I never saw coming.” – Jessica Willis, The Tales Compendium
“Very exciting and gripping, leaves you wanting more.” – Becky’s Barmy Book Blog
“If anything, you should read it for the unique ending.” – Rachel’s Book Reviews
“You should give it a try. It’s really different and interesting.” – Brielle, Awesome Bookworm
Don’t
bother with the raid. Stay home and learn all about it in the comfort of your
own home.
BLURB
What’s in Area 51? Is the government hiding aliens? Elvis? Maybe the set of the Apollo moon landing? Do you know?
We do.
Join this multi-genre group as they explore the hidden recesses
of Area 51, which up until now have only been whispered conspiracies. Don’t
bother with the raid. Stay home, read these awesome stories and learn all you
need to know.
Interview with Authors from We Know the Truth, Do You?
An
Anthology to Celebrate the Raid
1. I love a good
conspiracy. What is your theory on government cover-ups?
Annie Walls (Author of Lavish
Lure) –
I think a lot of stuff gets covered up, but I also believe the government
covers things, so we don’t have a mass panic situation.
Beverly Ovalle (Author
of The Road to Eden) – I believe that many of the conspiracies carry a
grain of truth.
Chrys Fey (Author of Detective
Heavenborn) – The
government doesn’t want us to know a lot of things because people would either
panic or be appalled and demand them to stop.
C.L. Roman (Author of Not
Your Father’s Area 51) – My theory is that it isn’t our government that runs
Area 51. It’s aliens disguised as humans, studying our technology and culture
while trying to protect us from the rest of the universe and vice-versa.
Debra
Parmley (Author
of The Road to Groom Lake) – I believe big money is behind much of what our government
does today and most politicians are corrupt. Cover-ups are to cover their
butts. It’s CYA on a much larger scale than most peoples.
Harley Easton (Author
of In the Air Tonight) – The X-files was dead on when they said:
Apology is Policy. I think the government would rather hide things and
apologize when they are discovered than let the public in on potentially
dangerous information.
Jennie
L. Morris (Author
of Galaxy Genetics Inc.)– I believe the
government, all governments, cover things up. Maybe not necessarily
extraterrestrial in nature, but they definitely hide things from the general
public. Do I want to know what these are? Maybe some of them, but I probably
don’t want to realize how close we’ve come to self-destruction and how many times.
Sherry
Rentschler (Author of Mermurings) – I think the government does believe in “something out
there” but I don’t believe we have any proof on earth. Do I think we have
been visited? Likely, because how can we be the only beings in the vast space called
the universe? I don’t believe in little green men. Not even sure that we might
recognize strange visitors. We are a very arrogant species who believes we are
the best of the food chain. Nature has shown us that we are petty and small. In
the universe, I’m pretty sure if anyone has visited us, they’ll waiting for us
to “mature” a bit more before revealing themselves.
Valerie
Puri (Author
of Burner Phone) – It’s interesting to read about false flag events. There
are so many of them with varying theories, some more disturbing than others.
2. I have read of more
than one military pilot claiming to have seen…something. I can only imagine
their fear coming forward and I commend them for sticking to their beliefs. Do
you believe it could be a UFO from another planet, or another government with
covert military technology?
Annie Walls: I don’t know. I’m a
concrete fact kind of person.
Beverly
Ovalle: In many cases, both.
I’m sure, like us, military technology is advancing more than the average
person knows around the world. I also believe we are NOT alone. The universe is
too large to have only one race of sentient beings. It is very egotistical to
believe we are the only intelligent life in the universe.
Chrys Fey: Honestly, it could be
either of those theories: alien spaceships or covert military ships.
C.L. Roman: There’s a lot more
reason to believe there are other life forms out there than not. With as many
planets as the universe is thought to hold, life on only ours is a bit unreasonable.
Debra
Parmley: I believe they are UFOs
from other planets and perhaps they also prevent the information from coming
out. I believe they watch and study us.
Jennie
L. Morris: I think it could be
either. The universe is vast, there is no way we are the only sentient beings.
Also, we test military planes all the time. I think UFO sightings are a mixture
of both.
Sherry
Rentschler: I’m a retired Air Force
officer and non-combat veteran. I know pilots who said they did see strange
things. I do believe in the possibility of visits from outer space but so far,
I think other countries may be experimenting over our country and we’ve caught
sight of them. I do think our own country is also experimenting and not telling
the everyday pilot. Have I proof? No, but then the pilots don’t either.
Anything is possible!
Valerie
Puri: I’m not sure if the
UFO(s) they witnessed were extra-terrestrial or not. I do believe they saw
something. It could be an experimental aircraft or spacecraft from another country.
But it could also be from another planet. We may never know….
3. Have you ever seen a
UFO? Do you want to?
Annie Walls: No. And yes. I usually
believe more when I see it first-hand.
Beverly Ovalle: No, but I would love
to.
Chrys Fey: Actually…I think my mom
and I did once when I was a kid. We were coming home from a Renaissance Fair at
my siblings’ high school when we both got a creepy, “something is following us”
feeling. I looked out my window and saw a bright, circular light in the night
sky. It was far away, but it was plan that it was following us. And we were the
only car on the road. Then, another light appeared behind it, and both followed
us for a while before they disappeared.
C.L. Roman: I have not. But as
long as they’re friendly/benevolent, then sure, I’d love to meet some. No
probing though. Does not sound fun to me.
Debra Parmley: No, I haven’t. But I am
not averse to the idea, if one wants to show itself.
Harley Easton: Nope. I see more
ghosts than aliens. Not sure how I’d feel being confronted with something
extra-terrestrial.
Jennie L. Morris: Honestly, I’ve seen
lights in the sky I can’t explain. Were they UFOs? To me, yes, but that doesn’t
mean they were alien. I just couldn’t identify them.
Sherry Rentschler: I have seen strange lights. I don’t know what it was. I do hope I see a
real UFO. But I’ve seen a real ghost, so why not a guest from outer space?
Valerie Puri:
When I was
younger, I did see something strange once in the night sky. I don’t know what
it was, but I’ve never seen anything like it since.
