A New Beginning – Catharsis by Lada Ray

Posted on May 31, 2013 by fundinmental

Catharasis (Legend of the Lemurians, Earth Keepers Chronicle 1) by Lada Ray

I love the cover. Gorgeous in its simplicity. Hop on board and lets go for a ride to Catharsis.

Catharsis (Legend of the Lemurians, Earth Keepers Chronicle 1) Add To Goodreads

Earth Keepers have been watching our planet since time immemorial. The nine chosen ones were record keepers and decision makers, in charge of deciding Earth’s fate.

This is the beginning. To have a beginning, must there be an end?

Catharsis is a beautiful red planet inhabited with beautiful people of all ages. They had beautiful faces, beautiful bodies, beautiful homes, beautiful yards, beautiful stores, beautiful…., well, you get the drift. They were surrounded by beauty.

They even went so far as to eliminate pets, then animals of all kinds, because they created messes and that was totally unacceptable.

What would one sacrifice for beauty?

Everyone and everything was beautiful, except…….

The Uglies like simple clothing, going barefoot and smiling. The Catharsian’s saw the Uglies as diseased. Could ugly be contagious? All Uglies were locked up in Camp Ugly, surrounded by an electric fence and guarded 24/7.

They were allowed to marry, but only allowed to have one child. The Catharsian’s thought if they kept lowering the population, eventually the Uglies would disappear.

The Uglies focal point was the Gathering Square. Their most valuable possession, the Lemurian Mother Crystal, was located in the Temple of Mu, in the Square.

Surviving took everything they had. There was no time to protest or worry about being pretty.

Once a month, the Uglies were allowed to leave their prison to gather supplies, clothes and medicines. A small group of Runners went out to gather whatever they could carry on their bodies. They were heroes. Not all runners returned healthy and some didn’t return at all.

Catharsian beauty is on the outside. Uglies beauty is on the inside.

Then everything changed.

“The time of Karma is now.”

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Awesome. Stretches my imagination to a point I could not get to on my own.

I love the cover. Beautiful and simple. The title fits the book. This is a short story, a history lesson, the beginning of the Earth Keeper Chronicles.

I love how Lada Ray takes historical events and twists them into a fantasy world.

One child. Sound familiar? Isn’t that going on today in China?

Surviving took everything the Uglies had. To me that rings true for the poor and middle class of today. We are kept so busy trying to survive, we don’t have time or are too afraid to protest. We might lose what we have.

“No Uglies Allowed” hung in stores and pharmacies. Sound familiar? Made me think of slavery. Not only were they not allowed in the stores, if people helped the Uglies, they would be penalized. Made me think of slavery.

To gather and be happy, singing from our souls under such terrible conditions, is what makes us human. We try to make the best of whatever we have.

The Runners going though trash and finding, perfectly good clothes and food made me think of the homeless on the streets today. Our trash is often their treasure.

So you see what I mean about Lada Ray’s ability to take history and twist it into a story that takes as into the fantasy world. It is only limited by her imagination.

Be sure to read about the author. She is as fascinating as her books.

I picked this book up on a recent Amazon free day. Thank you Lada Ray.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Living her life in the fast lane, Lada Ray, M.A., always wanted to write cool stories, which she’d been imagining in her head ever since she can remember. Instead, she listened to her well-meaning parents and started her life in a more traditional way (for her, that is). Born in Russia, she is a world traveler, linguist, financial consultant, Feng Shui Master, shaman, futurist, and metaphysics/spirituality researcher.

Lada holds a Master’s Degree in comparative linguistics (graduated summa cum laude,) is fluent in several languages and has traveled to twenty six countries in Europe, Asia, North and South America, as well as Africa. She had worked in Havana, Cuba as an interpreter for the Russian educational exchange delegations, including a couple of interviews with the man himself – Fidel Castro.

In the USA, she published articles in the Hartford Courant & taught Russian on cable TV. Then, something inexplicable possessed her to work as financial consultant for AIG and Smith Barney/Citigroup. But later, she came back to her senses and quit the corporate world to pursue her dreams. She studied Feng Shui in Hong Kong and Malaysia, and received her Feng Shui Master’s certification from the famed Asian author, Lilian Too (graduated first in class). For years, Lada operated an extensive feng shui website and blog – a hit with both local and worldwide fans – and authored over thirty articles on feng shui and spirituality. At the same time, she taught her proprietary feng shui courses and did public speaking.

A few years ago, Lada finally got her ultimate wish, and now she imagines her stories full-time in the bustling New York City and beautifully serene Catskill Mountains, NY, where she lives with her family and calico cat.

Lada Ray is the author of the Accidental Spy Adventure Series, including the Amazon & Kindle bestseller, GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure), mystery/thriller STEPFORD USA (Accidental Spy Smalltown Adventure), and GOLD TRAIN (Accidental Spy Iraq Prequel). She is the creator of the new, top-rated metaphysical YA fantasy/thriller THE EARTH SHIFTER, and the EARTH KEEPERS CHRONICLES: ORIGINS (Catharsis, Lemurian Crystal, Atlantis).

Visit Lada’s innovative & cool author website: LadaRay.com
For posts about Russia & world, feng shui, spirituality, predictions read her popular blog: LadaRay.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LadaTweets
Youtube: Lada Ray Channel

To Purchase Lada Ray’s books on Amazon, simply click on the covers below.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Gold Train, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Stepford USA, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Green Desert, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Earth Shifter, go HERE.

To see Earth Shifter videos, go HERE.

To see Lada Ray’s Tour Sales and Giveaway, go HERE.

To see The Earth Shifter “Virtual Tour” Interview, go HERE.

To see Lada Ray’s extension of the above interview, go HERE.

To see the Tour update, go HERE.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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Gold Train Robbery – Conspiracy – Spies – Lada Ray

Posted on May 31, 2013 by fundinmental

I read the book blurb and it made me think of Clive Cussler. This is more of a spy adventure than a treasure hunt. It is based on a true story. In 1918, during the Russian Civil War, the Gold Train was attacked and the entire Russian Empire’s Gold Reserve was taken. Intrigued? Put your traveling shoes on and come with me.

Gold Train (Accidental Spy Russia Adventure)

Add To Goodreads

The conductor stopped the train when he saw two kids on the tracks, running and waving him down. He couldn’t run over the kids. The commissar tried to get the train back up and running, but it was too late. When the Gold Train was found, the cargo was gone and only bodies were left behind.

Russian Journalist Svetlana Svistunova told me she was closing in on an answer and would love to have my help. I was more than ready. I had married Paul and and had my sweet baby Lara, but I also had a gypsy spider that wanted to be let free. Now was the perfect time.

Paul was very helpful. He gave up a great opportunity to give me one of my own. I was shocked by his sacrifice. I guess I never realized how much he loved me and wanted me to be happy.

I kissed Lara good bye and told Lily to watch over her. No one ever seemed to notice that Lily and I communicated telepathically. After all, she is a cat.

Boris, an old friend of my grandma’s, had given me a package for Vera, his friend in Russia. It was a jewelry box. I never looked inside it, but I might have been better off if I had.

Svetlana and I clicked right away. She showed me the secret compartment where she kept her notes and off we went, sightseeing. She said tomorrow would be soon enough to start on the story.

We saw a sign. Rada Famous Gypsy Psychic and Fortuneteller. Her predictions were ominous.

“You’ll find something extremely valuable, but lose something even more valuable in return.”

But for Svetlana it was more foreboding.

“…it won/t be your destiny to get to the bottom of this story…you won’t live to finish it….”

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I love treasure hunting stories and I love Lada Ray’s writing so I was really looking forward to reading this. It was not what I thought it would be, but I was not disappointed. I have read several of her books and love the way she blends the historical with fiction and the paranormal. The words flow smoothly as the story unravels.

Her writing grips me as soon as I open the book and the ride to the end is full of murder, conspiracy, intrigue, passion, betrayal, loss and sorrow.

Trouble always seems to find Jade. What would we do if it didn’t? After all, I don’t want to read about my life. I want fast paced, action packed adventure. All the rest is gravy. lol

Vera – Boris’ friend. Jade hadn’t listened to her Grandma’s stories, but Vera told her she had royal blood. She wanted Jade to go with her to the Grand Ball at the Menshikov Mansion. Jade was suspicious of her and felt she had an ulterior motive.

The gypsy fortuneteller had told her, “you’ll go to a ball, where you’ll meet your Prince Charming.”

Alexei – He had saved Jade from muggers in Moscow. She was very suspicious of him. He seemed too convenient, too helpful, too trusting. Was he her Prince Charming or would he turn into a frog? When she was around Alexei, it was hard to keep in mind that she was married, with a child waiting back in the US.

Be aware that there are a couple adult scenes.

I was almost to the end of the book when I saw it coming. The segue into her next adventure.

Rachel, her best friend – “you only come truly alive when you are working on a case.”

“I recall Jason….” (from Stepford USA)

“Last I heard he was in Asia. “

I am hooked again. Where is my Asian adventure? Dragon Gate.

Once I read her book Earth Shifter, I was eager to read more from her. I won this book on Lada Ray’s blog, along with Green Desert and Stepford USA, books in the Accidental Spy Adventure Series. To see my reviews of those books, scroll down to the links below.

I look forward to reading many more books from Lada Ray.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

To Purchase Lada Ray’s books on Amazon, simply click on the covers below.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Stepford USA, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Green Desert, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Earth Shifter, go HERE.

To see Earth Shifter videos, go HERE.

To see Lada Ray’s Tour Sales and Giveaway, go HERE.

To see The Earth Shifter “Virtual Tour” Interview, go HERE.

To see Lada Ray’s extension of the above interview, go HERE.

To see the Tour update, go HERE.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

He needs a wife, she needs money, what could possibly go wrong? Legal Ease by Lori Ryan

Posted on May 29, 2013 by fundinmental

This cover makes me think of Cape Cod. I have spent many a day walking its sandy shores. The premise of the book sounds like an interesting and fun read. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.

Virtual Super Book Blast Tour Invitation for Legal Ease by Lori Ryan

Legal Ease: Sutton Capital Series, Book One

by Lori Ryan

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

Add To Goodreads

BLURB:

Jack Sutton needs a wife and he needs one now. Jack loved his mother, but she really screwed him over when she set up her will. If Jack doesn’t have a wife by the end of the week, he’ll lose control of the largest chunk of voting stock in his company and will most likely lose his position as CEO as a result.

And Jack’s Aunt Mabry is waiting in the wings to make sure that the terms of the will are enforced. If he doesn’t find a wife, she’ll seize control of the stock so she can install her own son at the helm and she couldn’t care less that her son doesn’t want the job or that he probably won’t be any good at it.

Enter Kelly Bradley, a twenty eight year old college graduate with a spot at Yale Law School but no way to pay for it. Kelly and Jack’s eavesdropping secretary have discovered Jack’s secret need for a wife and Kelly comes up with a plan to fix both of their problems.

Just when Jack needs her, Kelly breezes into his office, introduces herself to his Aunt and cousin, and hands Jack an offer. She will marry him for a year so that he can retain the stock that will keep him in control of Sutton Development if he’ll pay for her to go to law school. Jack has no idea where his beautiful savior came from or who she is but he’s willing to take a chance to save it all.

The deal may have kept Jack in control at Sutton Development but his private life quickly spirals out of control. Just when Jack realizes that he wants more than a year with Kelly, his wealth puts her in great danger and he is left scrambling to save her life and their future together.

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

EXCERPT

Kelly whipped through the house and up the stairs, calling out for Mrs. Poole as she ran. “Mrs. Poole, come quickly! We have to move. We have to move.” Kelly continued yelling as she ran into her room and grabbed drawers full of clothes and piled hangers with slacks and dresses on them.

Mrs. Poole came up the stairs with a puzzled look on her face. “What on earth are you hollering about, Kelly?” she said as she tried to enter the room. She had to jump out of the way as Kelly made a mad dash to Jack’s room.

“We have to move all of my stuff into Jack’s room,” Kelly said, out of breath from her packing and running. “Jack’s Aunt Mabry is on her way here and she’s staying with us for a couple of weeks,” Kelly blurted out as she ran back down the hall to gather more of her belongings.

“Oh Lord,” Mrs. Poole rolled her eyes and followed after Kelly. She quickly grabbed clothes and toiletries and rushed down the hall to Jack’s room. She and Kelly repeated the trip half a dozen more times as they transferred everything and set it into place. Mrs. Poole cleared out half of Jack’s dresser and closet and made room for Kelly’s things while Kelly folded and put her clothing away to make it appear as though the two had been living in holy matrimony since day one.

Kelly put away the last of her things and took a deep breath. She turned to survey the masculine-looking room. There was a dark mahogany dresser and matching armoire against the deep green walls. Large windows looked out on the same beautiful waterfront view that her guest room windows had shared. She stopped suddenly and held her breath when her eyes landed on the king-sized bed in the center. Until that moment, it hadn’t occurred to her that she and Jack would now have to share a bed. Kelly’s smile fell away as she realized that keeping her attraction hidden from Jack just became a lot more difficult.

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

AUTHOR BIO AND LINKS

Lori has had a number of careers before embarking on her newest adventure of writing novels. After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law, she practiced law for three years, working primarily in the areas of utilities law and intellectual property litigation.

More recently, Lori owned and operated a dog training business in Austin, Texas, where she specialized in aggression and became an expert in the field of dog bite analysis. Lori sold her dog training business in 2013 and is now a full time writer and mother of two.

Lori still lives in Austin with her husband — who is endlessly supportive of her changing career paths — and her two children, one cat, and three dogs.

How can your readers follow you?

Facebook

Website

Want to be a part of my online street team? Email me at Loriryanauthor@gmail.com and put the words ‘street team’ in the subject line. I’ll email you back with directions for joining my team.

To join my email list to receive updates and news, including sneak peeks and free giveaways or contest news, visit me HERE.

GIVEAWAY

Lori will be awarding a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. SO, what are you waiting for? Follow the tour schedule and comment.

TOUR SCHEDULE

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

A Tag Team Event – Show a little southern hospitality to Louise in What Matters Most by Bette Lee Crosby

Posted on May 29, 2013 by fundinmental

After the review, scroll to the end of the post for the Giveaway. This is a tag team event, so you will have a second chance to enter. Good luck.

What Matters Most

Clay received a letter telling of his Uncle Charlie’s death and his inheritance. Charlie had left him a home in Florida.

When Louise found out about his fear of dying over a pile of papers at the bank, like his father, she considered him retiring.

Clay: “I’m like wallpaper that’s grown colorless and ragged around the edge, but still stuck to the wall.”

“There’s got to be more to life than that.”

Louise: There has to be more to life than have-tos. She thought hard about Clay. As pictures of him ran through her mind, she knew her decision. OKAY.

Clay thought of the house in Florida and started to plan their move. He became invigorated, coming alive.

Florida beach scene by Sherry J. Fundin. All rights reserved.

All Louise could think about was what would she do without her family and friends?

All Clay had to say was, she “…will start over again.” A new life, a new outlook, new friends and new adventures. “Isn’t that what life is about?”

Louise was very superstitious. She had a long list of should haves. She believed life was full of luck for people with matching initials, like her friend Billlie Butterman.

Louise loved her life. She liked knowing exactly what would happen. No surprises.

When her friend suggested a way to thwart the move, she jumped on it. He wouldn’t know she was trying to stall. She figured he would change his mind.

Clay felt Louise would change her mind and embrace the move once they got to Florida.

So, let’s go on an adventure with Clay and Louise as they find their way through the pitfalls, perils and enjoyment of creating a new life after retiring.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

Bette Lee Crosby’s covers always hold a lot of emotion, as do her stories. This is a story of love, change and learning the true values of life. A story full of humor and sorrow. I didn’t feel the need to cry but I sure did laugh. ^_^

Her books are very well written and capture you from beginning to end. They are full of Southern hospitality. A warm welcome with an open door. Come on in.

The characters in her books could be your friends, family or neighbors.

Myself, I have moved many, many times since 1987. The first move was the hardest. Then, they became an adventure and I would look forward to another place and the opportunity to make it my own.

How do you feel about change? Do you look at change as an adventure, or do you like knowing what is around the corner?

Some people grab it with both hands, Louise was terrified. Her past made her insecure, she needed the sameness. Louise wanted stability. As a child, they had moved place to place. She felt she never belonged. She had nobody, nothing.

In her unhappiness after the move, she had isolated herself. Her perception was not fact. She was full of sorrow and anger. “Odd man out.” If she wasn’t so busy feeling sorry for herself, she would have seen how willing the people were to include her in their life.

Aunt Rose. What can I say about Aunt Rose? I think she sums up the whole book, title and all. I loved her from the beginning. She made me laugh. But, you will have to read the book to find out why.

Communication – sometimes we don’t do it very well.

Old drivers were mentioned, “……set their directional signals to blinking blocks before anyone actually made a turn.”

I have read and reviewed several books by Bette Lee Crosby. She has given me signed paperbacks that look great on my bookshelf. I love her books and have told her I will always review every book of hers I get my hands on. No request necessary. Thank you, Bette Lee, for the many hours of reading that have allowed me to leave reality behind and walk in someone else’s shoes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bette Lee Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006, when she won the National League of American Pen Women Award for unpublished fiction with What Matters Most. Her novel, Cracks in the Sidewalk, received the 2009 Royal Palm Literary Award and then went on to win the 2011 FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal. In 2011 Spare Change received the Reviewer’s Choice Awards and it garnered a second Royal Palm Literary Award. Her books have earned numerous five-star ratings with readers acclaiming them as heartwarming and captivating.

Most recently, Bette completed a memoir written for Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as The World’s Longest Living Quadriplegic.

To see what Bette Lee Crosby is up to, follow the links below.

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

To purchase any of Bette Lee Crosby’s books from Amazon, simply click on the cover below.

To see my Review, go HERE
To see my Review, go HERE.
To see my Review, go HERE.
My Review is coming soon.

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Bette Lee Crosy is offering for the Giveaway:

US/Canada only – a signed paperback of What Matters Most

International – an ebook of What Matters Most.

Please specify if US, everyone is eligible for the ebook.

Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

How do you feel about change? Do you look at change as an adventure, or do you like knowing what is around the corner?

ALERT: This is a Tag Team Event. For a second chance to win, go to fuonlyknew and enter Laura’s Giveaway.

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner of the Paperback is Sandy S. Winner of the ebook is Michelle H.

To see the Winners on fuonly knew, go HERE.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

New Release – For Everly by Raine Thomas

Posted on May 29, 2013 by fundinmental

.A New Release Promotional Event brought to you by AToMR Tours

Title: For Everly

Author: Raine Thomas

Publisher: Iambe Books, LLC

Release date: May 27, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Add To Goodreads

Amazon

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Determined to overcome a dark and tragic past, college student Everly Wallace is only months away from earning her degree in physical therapy. She’s consumed with school, caring for her ailing grandfather, and figuring out how to pay the next bill. The last thing she wants is a relationship, but it just might be the one thing she needs.

Major League pitcher Cole Parker hasn’t fought for anything in his life. He went from a privileged upbringing to a multimillion dollar All-Star career. But when his pitching shoulder starts to give him trouble at only twenty-four years old, he faces the possibility of his injury becoming public knowledge and costing him everything.

In a desperate bid to save his career, Cole decides to hire someone to treat his injury, someone who will keep things off the record and out of the media. He finds the perfect solution in Everly. As mysterious as she is beautiful, she provides an enticing distraction from his pain. Soon, physical therapy is the last thing on his mind.

When an act of betrayal brings the truths they both fear to light, Cole will have to fight for the first time in his life…not just for his career, but for Everly’s love.

EXCERPT

Cole looked back at Wyatt. “I don’t think it’s a great idea to receive treatment by a student, Wy, genius or not. What if she screws up my arm even worse than it is?”

“Then you’ll get treated by a proper specialist, which you should do in the first place.”

Cole narrowed his gaze. “That’s not funny.”

“Hey, I’m just telling you like it is. You’re the one who thinks it’s worth risking under-the-table treatment in order to garner top dollar on your next contract.”

That wasn’t the only reason he was so concerned about keeping up appearances in regards to his physical health, but he let it pass. He knew how the business worked. There was no way he was going to come out to the public about his shoulder. Not if there was an alternative.

“What about another student?” Cole insisted. “Someone further along in their studies?” Preferably some Poindexter who doesn’t look so good in a skirt, he thought.

Wyatt shook his head. “There isn’t anyone more experienced than Everly. She might still be a couple of semesters from earning her doctorate, but she could pass the needed courses with flying colors right now. I’d wager that girl has more practical experience in her field than any doctoral student at GSU.”

They stopped conversing when Everly walked up with a tray. She placed their bowls of crab risotto in front of them, as well as Cole’s drink. The smell of the food was amazing.

“Is there anything else I can get you two right now?” she asked.

“No, I think we’re good here, thanks,” Wyatt said.

“All right. You know how to reach me if you think of anything.”

This time she winked at Wyatt before she walked away. Cole couldn’t deny the strange resentment he felt that the wink wasn’t for him. He shook his head at himself. Finding a hot date hadn’t ever been a problem. He didn’t need to worry about that right now.

“I feel like you’re forcing me into this decision,” he told Wyatt, picking up a fork and stabbing his risotto with it.

Wyatt’s brown eyes leveled on his. “Cole, I’ve reviewed the scans we took when you were in the hospital. You should have started treatment weeks ago to get ready for the season. If you feel like I’m forcing you into this decision, well, that’s probably because I am. You’ve got three choices: don’t do anything and deal with the pain, go public about the injury and seek the services of a specialist…or Everly.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA Fantasy/Romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy and the Firstborn Trilogy, and a New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Author social media links:

Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Pinterest
Linkedin
Website
Blog

GIVEAWAY

(2) signed paperbacks of For Everly

a custom For Everly inspired bracelet worth $35

a $10 Amazon Gift Card

This is open to the U.S. and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends June 14^th.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

WINNER of Absolution by Susan Fleet

Posted on May 25, 2013 by fundinmental

My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winners. So without further ado, the winners of Absolution by Susan Fleet are:

Stephanie

Ari

Congratulations and Happy Reading!

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.

To see my Review, go HERE.

If you would like to purchase the book, click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

WINNER of Eternal Island

Posted on May 25, 2013 by fundinmental

My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winners. So without further ado, the winner of Eternal Island by Ella Medler and K.S. Haigwood is:

Sandy

Congratulations and Happy Reading!

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.

To see my Review, go HERE.

If you would like to purchase the book, click on the cover below.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

New Release – Love in Darkness by E. M. Tippetts with Giveaway

Posted on May 23, 2013 by fundinmental

I am happy to be a part of this AToMR Tour.

Isn’t that an awesome cover?

Add To Goodreads

Title: Love in Darkness (Shattered Castles, #2)

Author: E.M. Tippetts

Release date: May 21, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Buy links will be available on release day May 21^st. Please add the buy links to your post when they are available.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn’t go away. After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave.

Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can’t fight fate. He is what he is. Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.

EXCERPT

I push through the glass doors and step out onto the asphalt of the parking lot, right into Madison. I put my hands up to shield myself and she does an awkward sidestep to avoid collision.

For a moment we just stare at each other and I lower my hands slowly, unsure of what to say.

“Sorry,” is what she says. Those pale eyes of hers stay fixed on my face. Her hair’s still a little damp from the shower and the smell of her herbal shampoo perfumes the air. Those lips of hers are a soft pink and shine from a fresh application of lip gloss, and she scowls a little, like she always does when unhappy.

“No,” I say, “my fault. I didn’t look.”

She bites her lip.

Standing this close, she’s irresistible. I want, so badly, to put my arms around her. What’s worse is that encounters like this will happen, and keep happening as long as we both live in town.

She drops her gaze to the pavement.

Yeah, this isn’t working. “Can we talk?” I ask.

A wordless nod is her only reply and we turn and walk back towards her subdivision.

I touch her arm to make her look up at me, then regret it. Even just a touch sends electricity up my arm. “I’m sorry, okay? For ending things the way I did.”

“You sure there’s no chance for us?”

“I’m sorry.”

“How can you just throw away the last three years? I mean, that’s it? You’re not interested, end of story? I’ve waited two years for you, and it’s like you don’t even care.” At least she’s angry and not sad.

This is torture. My body aches, physically, for the feel of her. I want to taste those lips and run my fingers through her hair and feel the cool dampness of each strand. I want to take her home and see if I remember how to kiss her neck so gently that she tips her head back, eyes closed, surrendering to my touch.

Alex, I think, quit it. Not appropriate. I stop and turn.

She locks her gaze with mine. “I want to be with you. There’s no one else I’ve ever felt this way about.”

It feels natural to step in for a hug, but I stop myself and clench my fists instead. “I’m an unemployed high school dropout with a psychotic disorder. You can do better. In fact, it’d be hard for you to do worse.”

“But-”

“I never wanted to lose you, but there’s nothing I can really do about that. You’re out of my league.”

“We could try to work things out,” she pleads.

“All the trying in the world won’t change my condition.” And with that, I hit the limits of my control. I’m being gazed at by the love of my life and I need to get out of here. Worse, I sense the voices jabbering away on their plane of existence, and I have to remind myself, they don’t have any plane of existence. They don’t exist. Here I go again, though. I wonder how long I have until my next breakdown.

Like I said, I always knew I wasn’t the greatest guy, but walking away from Madison feels like a new low for me. I try to hold onto the thought that I’m doing this for her.

Anger rushes in my ears like a windstorm. Any second I expect to hear her run after me and feel her hand on my wrist or shoulder, but that never comes. I make it to the corner of Main Street and Ridge Road, and when I look, no one is behind me, which makes me even angrier, even though I know that’s not fair.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance under the name E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy under the name Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. Before she was a published author, she was an attorney who specialized in real estate, contracts, and estate planning, especially literary estate planning.

Author social media links:

www.emtippetts.com

http://twitter.com/emtippetts

http://facebook.com/emtippetts

GIVEAWAY

(5) Signed copies of Love in Darkness

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

A Tag team Event – Is this the end of Earth? Precipice by Kevin J. Howard – Review and Giveaway

Posted on May 22, 2013 by fundinmental

“Are you going to give it a rest or do I have to smack you in the balls?”

Had me laughing until……….

Beth and Sebastian were cruising on the largest ship to ever sail. They heard the alarms going off and ran to the balcony, only to watch as the rogue wave washed over them.

Does something have to end for something to begin?

Precipice: The Beginning (Part One)

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Travis felt so much guilt over leaving Christine and Logan, his wife and son. He, along with the other members of his team – Morgan Ellis, mechanic, Christina Perez, combat trainer (the only woman at the facility), TJ, equipment specialist, and Sean Jeffries, pilot – were sent to Mars. Travis had made the decision for the team, go to Mars instead of receiving a death sentence. Mars wasn’t a prison, but it might as well have been.

Travis was called in for his monthly evaluation with Dr. Hoffman. He was asked about his coworkers and the facility, the normal questions. Travis told him that he missed his family terribly and Hoffman told him he would be allowed to talk with them.

Photo: Mars

Annie wanted to look her best when she saw Travis today. The only comm link to Mars from Earth was at TransWorld, the company that built the place on Mars. It was a three and a half hour drive from home. On the way, she thought of how life would be, knowing Travis would never be coming home.

Contact with Earth became sporadic, then non-existent, he began to prepare for the worst. Andrews warned his people, the men at the mine were prisoners, no matter what anyone said.

“Men can be like dogs if put in the right situation. Obedient, loyal. But when the chips are down and they feel threatened, you bet your balls they’ll turn on you.”

Annie awoke to the latest news on Earth. The ozone layer was almost gone, high acid levels made the ocean toxic, earthquakes were ripping the ground out from under them and releasing the unthinkable. Would humans be the next animal to become extinct?

I couldn’t take my eyes off this video.

Annie and Logan make it to TransWorld and Annie is able to contact Travis on Mars. As he and his team watch the horrific images on screen, they wonder what would meet them if they manage to return to Earth. Would it be a fate worse than death?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

If you happen to notice I changed the STARS from 4 to 5, it is because I had a personal emergency and had to publish and run. I found I had hit the wrong button, so I corrected my error. Sorry, Kevin, because this book really deserves the 5 STAR rating.

Kevin J. Howard is an excellent writer with a vivid imagination and otherworldly stories to tell. As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I wanted this book. Beautiful and intriguing. The title, Precipice, evokes the feeling of impending doom. Knowing Kevin’s mind, I knew there was an intriguing adventure waiting between the “pages”.

His descriptions of the end of the world and life on Mars remind me of H. G. Wells and his visions of the future. Kevin describes Travis wearing front loaders, made me think of a scene in Avatar. You will have to read the book to know what he is talking about, but who is to say what tools will be developed in the future.

Water on Mars was recycled urine. Is that a thing of the future? MMMM Something to look forward to?

I loved all the detail, so starting out kind of slow is fine by me. Once it had me drawn and quartered, I found I couldn’t escape its clutches. The action came from all directions. There was so much going on and new storylines kept popping up.

And what will happen after we destroy the Earth, using up all the available resources? Ozone layers about gone, oceans toxic, the ground shaking – vanishing beneath our feet.

“Humanity! The most lethal virus unleashed upon the universe.”

Kevin tells us about Christine seeing a chimp at the Chicago Zoo when she was 15, but now, chimps, polar bears and elephants were only seen as photos in books.

The Mars Project is run by Trans World Incorporated. It is an off world facility, preparing the way for mining and the colonization of Mars. Is it preparation for when the world becomes uninhabitable?

Does any of this have a familiar ring to it?

Ever wonder if it has happened before? Maybe we came here from somewhere else.

I love strong women protagonists and Annie is one.

“Take your goddamn gun out of my son’s face.”

“I said now, before I rip off your fucking balls and beat you with them.”

Oh man, I was so bummed when I reached the end. I wanted so badly to keep on reading. How long until Book II? I’m thinking it will knock my socks off. So, bring it on!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin J. Howard was born in Mission Viejo, California, moved to Seattle at the age of twenty-one, and now lives in Puyallup. He hand wrote his first novel in the fifth grade and has been writing ever since. His first published novel, Faithful Shadow, is a return to the classic horror novel. Since writing Faithful Shadow he has completed four additional horror novels that will soon be published. In 2012, he won an award in the Las Vegas International Film Festival for his screenplay, Identical Opposites. Kevin’s latest novel, Precipice: The Beginning, is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The sequel, Precipice: The Retrieval, should be released in the summer of 2013.

Stalk the Author

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

To see my Review of Faithful Shadow, go HERE.

To pick up a copy of Kevin J. Howard’s books, simply click on the cover below.

RETRIEVAL – BOOK II available now on Amazon!!!

Another gorgeous cover.

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Kevin J Howard is offering for the Giveaway – a signed paperback of Precipice, Book I and Faithful Shadow bookmarks. International. Easy entry as always, just leave your email address and answer the question:

If you had a chance to help settle a colony off Earth, on, let’s say, Mars, would you go for it?

ALERT: This is a Tag Team Event. For a second chance to win, go to fuonlyknew and enter Laura’s Giveaway.

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. THE WINNER IS:

Laura Thomas

This was a Tag Team Event with fuonlyknew. To see her winner, go HERE.

Congratulations !

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments.

To see my Review of Faithful Shadow, go HERE.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

Freebie – May 22 and 23 Only – Catharsis by Lada Ray

Posted on May 21, 2013 by fundinmental

If you haven’t read any of Lada Ray’s books, check out my review links below. I love her books and don’t want you to miss out on some super reads.

Mark you calendar, as I have even more exciting news!

CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians (Earth Keepers Chronicle 1) will be FREE for 2 days: 5/22-23!

Catharsis (Legend of the Lemurians, Earth Keepers Chronicle 1)

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Download CATHARSIS ebook on: Amazon US UK DE. Available on all international Amazon sites.

NOTE: You can also read CATHARSIS free with #AmazonPrime trial membership! Download today!

Karma can be a beautiful maiden or a bitch… Lemurians…Atlanteans…Hidden origins of humanity…

Before recorded history, before Humanity, since times immemorial, the Earth Keepers have been watching over our planet. Marked at birth and endowed with supreme powers, the nine chosen ones are the Earth’s record keepers and moderators, and when the time comes, ultimate decision makers. This is the first of their chronicles.

Legend of the Lemurians

The population of the red planet Catharsis, on the outskirts of the Andromeda Galaxy, is exceedingly beautiful. But Catharsians harbor a terrible secret: they have to share the planet with another race, which they call the Uglies, although the Uglies themselves prefer to be called Lemurians. Alas, no one on Catharsis cares what the Uglies prefer. Being ugly is considered a contagious disease, and the Uglies are herded into a reservation called Camp Ugly, where they live out their drudgery behind an electric fence. But the Uglies don’t seem to fret as they raise their young, guard the planet’s Crystalline Engine, and sing their heart-stopping songs to the Goddess of All, Mother Mu. And so, both races co-exist without much interaction, until the ultimate disaster strikes.

Morf is a seventeen-year-old Ugly who finds himself in the middle of it all. He is thrust fatefully into the leadership position when no one else can fill its shoes. Will the catastrophe bring to light everyone’s true beauty and true ugliness? Will planet Catharsis survive? What destiny lies in store for the Uglies? We are about to find out…

This metaphysical YA fantasy/scifi novelette is prequel and companion to THE EARTH SHIFTER, and first in the new Earth Keepers series.

This top-rated read, containing powerful and timely messages, is great for readers age 12 through adult.

Genre: YA crossover, visionary/metaphysical, fantasy, dystopian sci-fi, alternative history

Lemurian Crystal & Atlantis (Earth Keepers 2 & 3) ebooks are coming soon! Also, this enchanting 3 part mini-saga will soon come out as one novel, entitled: EARTH KEEPERS CHRONICLES: ORIGINS (ebook & paperback). Stay tuned!

Download CATHARSIS on: Amazon US UK DE. Available on all international Amazon sites.

You can grab any of her books by clicking on the cover below:

To see my 5 STAR Review of Stepford, USA, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Green Desert, go HERE.

To see my 5 STAR Review of Earth Shifter, go HERE.

To see Earth Shifter videos, go HERE.

To see Lada Ray’s Tour Sales and Giveaway, go HERE.

To see The Earth Shifter “Virtual Tour” Interview, go HERE.

To see Lada Ray’s extension of the above interview, go HERE.

To see the Tour update, go HERE.

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.