Audio Book Review: Sower of Dreams

Sower of Dreams

By:  Debra Holland

Publish Date:  July 19, 2011, Audiobook December 27, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 11 hrs 9 mins
Narrated By:  Noah Michael Levine

Genre:  Fantasy Romance

Series:  1st in Gods' Dream Trilogy;

Impression:  Survival and finding love, even with all the loss one might have to life through

Synopsis:
On present Earth, Khan Laenser is on the run from a death threat and stumbles across a secret shrine in the desert. Inside the shrine, the goddess Withea sends him to the ancient world of Kimtair to reclaim the wasted land that was once a flourishing civilization.

When Princess Daria of Seagem spurns the marriage proposal of Thadis, the king of a neighboring country, he invades. Daria flees into the desert, only to fall pray to a marauding beast. when Khan rescues her, they join forces to defeat their enemies. But will his vow to the goddess and her royal responsibilities tear them apart.

First Sentence:
"Indaran," Daria called to her eldest brother.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, at my request.

Daria is blessed with the strong other sense where she can feel her family, others that think of her, and dream walk. Daria feel's danger awaits her if she goes to the neighboring, friendly country for the kings funeral. Thaddis, the prince now king, has plans for his future and they include Daria. Thaddis will go to the ends of the world to find Daria and fulfill those plans.

Khan over hears his half-brothers' plans of what he's going to do to Khan. Khan follows an old map of the desert to a city of ruins, and a portal to another world. Khan finds a new life on Kimtair, and a woman he could love. When the woman of his dreams shows up, their love could be stopped by his oath to his goddess, those hunting him, and those hunting her before the get to spend time together.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Noah tells the story in the accents and tones of each character. There are Middle Eastern accents present along with higher tones for different characters. The infliction of his voice fits the presence of the characters, such as King Iceros and others. There are dream moments present as it's an important part of Daria's abilities, and Noah narrates it in a softer tone so we know we are in the dream moments. There are emotions that become familiar to each character in his voice. He also yawns and a few additional vocal cues used through the story to bring the moments to life.

Thinking back through the story I realize we get a bit of everything. There's danger in both Daria's and Khan's lives and they have a goal that's not possible for one reason or another. But they also need to save themselves. The beginning feels slow as it sets the stage of the world. The sense that's part of the royal people we see. The sense of dangers and more. Then the dream threads that Daria has that she can visit with others in dreams. Along with meeting of the characters and memories of Indaran, the eldest brother of Daria's that was lost at sea on a mission he chose to go on.

The story is slower in the fantasy sense as it presents the problems and solutions with characters working together. This is to thread a relationship for them that is growing stronger. It's a story of finding love, even with all the loss one might have to life through.

The magic connection Daria and her family has is neat. It's something that's called a heart line. She knows that they are alive and connected with them. A power that thrums in them. They are connected to their God this way as well. But this magical connection grows with Khan as well. He feels it with his goddess and with Daria. It's interesting to see how it grows with the strength of their relationship.

This story is a light romance of Daria and Khan finding each other. We don't get into great depth of many gods here other than a few details on Daria's sea god and Thaddis's god. We do get a great view of the goddess Khan comes to serve.  The Gods seem to be very active in the lives of their people. However, Daria's god abandons them. She can't connect or talk with him as she was able to do. Khan has a Goddess that helps him, and he pledges his life to help care for her land. The Goddess is very active in helping him to do just that.

The name of the series, Gods' Dream Trilogy, is what I'm looking forward too. With the ending of this book, it feels as there is more to come.

Book Review: Fighting for Keeps

Fighting for Keeps

By:  Seleste Delaney

Publish Date:  April 21, 2015

Publisher:  Ignite Entangled

Format:  eBook

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Series:  3rd in Agents of TRAIT series; 1st Book ~ Gaming for Keeps, 2nd Book ~ Conning for Keeps

Impression:  Sexy agents on the job and getting through their obstacles in trust.

Synopsis:
He made her crazy. In every way imaginable...

Since her partner's death, Jodi Israel has been perfectly happy playing Q to everyone else's Bond. Electronics and machines are safer - and they are a lot easier to deal with. Unfortunately, she's stuck with TRAIT's newest recruit, an infuriating, arrogant alpha-male who plays by his own rules...and is hot enough to send electric voltage through all of Jodi's circuitry.

Finn Danby heeds his instincts, even though it's cost him his job on more than one occasion. The moment he sees Jodi's fiery hair and uncanny engineering abilities, Finn's instinct takes over...and it's all libido. Now they're working together to protect the unstable daughter of a high-profile politician - and the sparks are flying. Both in and out of the bedroom. But when all hell breaks loose, Jodi and Finn just may find themselves alone…and unemployed.

First Sentence:
"You're sure?"

Calvin Burrows, the Tactical Response and Investigative Team senior agent nodded.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
The synopsis of the book is spot on. So I'm not going to describe anymore as it'd be the same thing repeated. This is also going to be a short review as I don't want to give to much away or mush about how much I enjoyed this story and couple.

I had fun with this story. I pretty much finished it in one day. The "fighting" connection of Jodi and Finn have here is frustrating and challenging for them, but fun for me to read. They make quick jokes when working at each other's nerves.

Jodi and Finn strike me as two sides of the same coin. They both have different reactions and outcomes in their lives to a very powerful moment they lived through.

Jodi has spunk. But she hates having to assert her "rank" over Finn from the first meeting. But Finn reminds her of a past partner that didn't fair well in the field due to his lack of respect for her ability to do her job. She thinks in order to help Finn, and keep him from the same path of her last partner, she needs to do just this to make him better.

Finn is a bit different. He is like, from Jodi's view, her past partner yet he's not. From the moment he helped the little girl, I knew it (and I think Jodi too). He has a soft side and can be worked with, no matter how lone wolf he comes across. He does, however, have a past that affects his thinking on working and trusting others, one that also had the outcome of death. And he doesn't want it to happen again.

Their mission! I have to mention the senator's daughter. That's such a surprise! I liked this little twist.

I always have fun with the books in this series. They are shorter stories but fun with the banter and connecting the couple does through out. It is a sexy romance that has intimate moments. I will be looking forward to the next couple in TRAIT's agency. I think I know who it may be.

Sunday Post #105

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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

I was really hoping to knock out a few books (audio and reading wise) this past week. Ha. I should know better than that. Thinking back, I don't think I worked one full day this past week. Life has decided I need to put my attentions there.

Kiddo had a doctors appointment to go over the MRI of his knee. It's not good. Ruptured ACL, torn meniscus in two spots - one of which is off the bone, battered up his MCL with a few small tears in it, and severe bone bruising. But he's doing good. This doctor wouldn't do his surgery because of the lateral meniscus tear. We were going to have to wait another 2 weeks to see the new doctor. That didn't feel good with me. Of course when you call for appointments at specialists you go through a scheduling department. So I got through to his secretary and left a message on her voice mail. They were kind enough to see us between surgeries on Friday and we got kiddo's surgery scheduled. Of course it's not for another month. *sigh* But sooner than what we would have had if we had to wait until his appointment date. So he's got a new brace and hobbling around on crutches as he's doing physical therapy to keep the knee mobile.

My husband had an eye doctor appointment I took him to. Oh when they dilate your eyes. He got the first time experience of it. And now he's on eye drops. Then my father-in-law had open heart surgery. And that's not mentioning what we learned of my step-daughters spinal troubles.

It's been  crazy week for everything. I'm hoping this week coming will be calmer as all this stuff should be out of it's system. Right? We are hoping until surgery time thing will move a bit slower. lol. That's such nice wishful thinking.

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

The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I did not get to exercise this week. I'm tired of going, going, going in the car. *sigh*


Episode ?:
I need time to walk again. I have been downloading the episodes each week so I have them, but haven't had the opportunity to walk and listen.

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

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:

Dying for Keeps by Seleste DeLaney
AND
Work reads as well.

Current Audiobook:
Waiting until Monday to start the next.

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Alive by Scott Sigler

Finished Last Week: 

Fighting for Keeps by Seleste DeLaney

Audiobooks from Audible:

Sower of Dreams by Debra Holland

Finished Podcast Book Listen:

Nothing (I'm slow with limited reading time)

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)

Posts:

Around the Internet...


Reviews:

Crane by Stacey Rourke

The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak

Podcast Review:

Mama Bitchstress Reviews:

GIVEAWAYS:

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

I have a review scheduled for Monday and Wednesday.

~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:

Review & Review Consideration:

Audio Books Requested for Review:

Oracle by David Wood & Sean Ellis
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Sometimes, knowing the future is not enough…. For more than a millennium, the Oracle of Delphi guided kings and conquerors with stunningly accurate visions of the future. But, with the rise of a new God, the Oracle faded from memory. Now, the power of the Oracle is about change the world once more. 
While excavating a previously uncharted passage beneath the ancient city of Teotihuacan, archaeologist Jade Ihara makes a startling discovery: enormous stone spheres, arranged to resemble a model of the solar system, slowly orbiting a golden sun. Even more fantastic, when Jade attempts to move one of the spheres, she catches a glimpse of the future…a premonition that will save her life and launch her into a desperate race to unlock the mysterious secret of the oracular orbs. Jade is accompanied by her old friend, former Navy SEAL Pete “Professor” Chapman, and pursued by a relentless secret society intent on burying the secret of the Oracle forever. 
Return to the world of the Dane Maddock Adventures in the first book of a thrilling new series, as Jade crosses the globe in pursuit of the secret of the Oracle. 

Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Burning down the house...

Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.

Along came a faerie queen... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.

Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady—with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.

Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.



Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Book:

Audio:

Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.

Elemental Arcane by Phaedra Weldon
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Samantha Hawthorne lives a rather curious life in New Orleans running a magic and herb shop. As an Elemental Witch in the Big Easy and owner of a wolf Familiar as well as the head of a former Faerie Queen, curious is as quiet as it gets for Sam.

Until children start turning into blood-thirsty Changelings and attack their parents.

When one of these children shows up in front of her shop, Sam and her friends are determined to find out where they’re coming from and where the exchanged children are being kept and put a stop to it. But will they succeed when they find themselves pitted against ninja ghouls, one of the oldest and darkest enemies of the mortal world, and a secret from Sam’s childhood that could unravel her magic?


(On my Nook)

Free Audio Books/Stories:

~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Sentinel by Chris Lester

The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester

Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet

Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan

Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton

Spark by Starla Huchton
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl

The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone

Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones

The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
Fighting for Keeps by Seleste DeLaney
Sower of Dreams by Debra Holland

Audio Book Review: Crane

Crane

By:  Stacey Rourke

Publish Date:  May 26, 2014, Audiobook June 9, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 15 mins
Narrated By:  Karen Krause

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Legends Saga series

Impression:  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow twisted to tell the 'true' story of Ichabod and the influence of the Headless Horseman in current times.

Synopsis:
The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

First Sentence:
If his wife hadn't let her ass grow to the size of a sofa, Vic wouldn't have to cheat.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

The Van Tassel's helped build this town. Now, Tarrytown has just had Vic Van Tassel murdered in a hotel parking lot. Decapitated. Ireland Crane has only been in Sleepy Hollow for one week, and now has the cops at her doorstep. Vic Van Tassel's body was found with her last name carved into his chest. The police think it's a copy cat of the old legends. But tell Ireland to keep an eye out, with her last name she just might become a target...wanting to act out the legend with an actual Crane. Ireland finds an old man claiming to have woken from a sleeping spell because the Headless Horseman has returned. He's to teach her how to control the horseman, but he finds she's branded with the Headless Horseman's mark. What does it mean?

I had the pleasure of listening to this story. Karen has vocalized this story in voices slightly different for each character in sound and persona. I got a kick out of her drunken slurring in the first chapter. We do get a story from past and present, in which Karen has different sounds in speech for different time frames. The dialog for the characters in the past is something I didn't ever grow accustom to, though did feel to get better toward the end of the book. Each word spoken felt stiff and as if it was a sentence of it's own. I know it's of a time that is speech is proper and people watched what they said, but there didn't feel as if there was a flow to the words spoken. The story and narration of the rest of the story (past and current) along with dialog in present time were read with flow.

We get two stories in one. Boy oh boy do they parallel each other! We get Ichabod's story as he falls for Katrina and his friends, Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle. The story of Ichabod's life isn't as it's told in Irving's books, and there's a very good reason for that. We get Ireland Crane's story in the present as she's new to Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow. And how Ireland's life gets flipped upside down with Rip van Winkle waking in a secret room in her basement. Ireland's life is extremely similar to Ichabod's life, yet the two stories are unique in their own telling. Reading Ichabod's story gives us answers as things escalate in the present time, and fall into similar events as Ichabod's time. There is a reason for all of this.

We follow the murder's of the Headless Horseman in both times. There is more to the story than simply a headless man cutting off heads. There is also a question I'm curious to see explained in relation to the Headless Horseman. How to control him. There is indication of a talisman, which is in two forms. But also, there seems to be control in way of 'payment' (per say) which is used. It seems to me others could use this 'payment' method to make a deal and control the Headless Horseman at any time. I'm curious to see how this plays out in the series.

I was drawn into the story because I love the Headless Horseman stories. This is a twist on that tale with a lead to more to come. I felt for Ichabod and those around him. I was irritated by Rip's actions in the new town they arrive in, he's different in present though. I guess he's slept that desire away? lol. Ireland feels as she's a hard shelled character in the beginning. She's moved to Sleepy Hollow to start anew and leave things in the past, an ex-fiance that's turned her from her desires. The things she's unknowingly done here in Tarrytown are going to be an obstacle for her. But she's got a chance at a relationship, maybe. Ireland starts to grow toward the end of the story. She starts to let people in again in her life. She starts to accept what she learns of herself now too.

As the story here is finished, there is more to come. A mystery of who knows about the control of the Horseman. Ireland needs to find out. I'm curious as to what Ireland comes across with Rip as they search to find out who knows the secret that was buried in tales about the Headless Horseman.

Audio Book Review: The Shadow Aspect

The Shadow Aspect

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  June 2015, Audiobook September 28, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 11 mins
Narrated By:  Kristin James

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd in The Harvesting series; Book 1 ~ The Harvesting, Novella 1.5 ~ Midway

Impression:  Danger is always present, but there might some hope in the dying world...

Synopsis:
When Layla took the final step through the labyrinth, she thought she was saving the ones she loved.

She couldn’t have been more wrong.

The unwitting victims of a grudge seething for eons, Layla and the other survivors now find themselves in a war for our world. With vampires lurking and shapechangers plotting vengeance, if mankind has any hope of survival, Layla must decide whom to trust: the carnie girl? The quiet doctor? The tarot reader? The stranger with alluring gold eyes? Or the man she loves? And then there are the voices. What does it forewarn if the dead can speak?

When the world burns, mankind’s shadow side rises. Do we deserve to survive?

First Sentence:
I don't like roller coasters.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, at my request.

Layla and her family and friends exit the labyrinth and find themselves in thick woods. The other side was to be safe for them all. What they find is far from it. Layla does come across new allies in the world of the walking dead. Now she needs to choose who she thinks she can trust, after learning she placed her trust in others to easily. There's an ancient power at work now. Layla and her crew starts to question, why would spirits of the land help them, or hinder them?

I've continued listening to the series as I love Kristin's voice acting. She slips into each and every character, becoming them in voice. She does the breathless moments when in dialog. She does several accents through the story for Cricket, Tristan, and many others along with deeper and different tones for male and females. All this makes it so easy for the listener to differentiate the characters. I love how Kristin knows what words to put an accent on, to show there is more meaning behind the word.

Layla is still strong for her people. But she's starting to break down. She's realized too late that she's trusted to easily. And her friends have paid for the mistake in blood. Not everyone, or being, is good inside. Now Layla must figure out who she can trust in this dark world of death. I feel for her as she's slipped into the role of leader for her strength and insight from the spirits. Those that are left from Hamletville look to her for guidance on if they stay or go.

This book brings Cricket and those from her novella together with Layla and her friends from Hamletville. Cricket is a sweet yet determined young lady. I really enjoy her outlook on things and her strength. We do learn about what we suspected of Tristan. Well, part of it. We'll most likely learn more as we come out the portal in book three. Seeing Vella the tarot reader interact with Layla, the few short times we do, I got excited. I would like to see them talk more. I don't know, I think it's a feel I got when Layla was with her grandmother. I just loved the feel of the old blood in them.

We also come to meet new characters. A few of which I enjoyed and love and a few that I'm very suspicious of. One new character is a Doctor. Dr. Gustav is working hard to figure out what happened to cause the undead in people and she thinks she can cure it!

Melanie walks us through the next expansion of the world here. We saw the undead and vampires in the first book. We learn about the thin places and fog here, along with some of the natural spirits. Each growth of the world in each book is placed to explain and grow the stories. We even start to get a look into why this is happening along with how. And, to Layla and a few other observers, there is a difference in the undead as well. Which kind of made me start to feel for the undead. *gasp*

I know the characters are in constant trouble with the danger of the undead and vampires, but it doesn't feel high strung fast. I really like this. People need rest, even if not 100% trusting of those around them. That comes through yet the stories moving to keep us interested. The grown of the world helps balance the pacing and action. Not to fast. Not to slow. Just right.

Melanie did the one thing I feared she'd do from the moment we walked into Claddagh-Basel college. I'm not telling you what it was. You have to figure it out yourself. But it did leave me NEEDING book 3! lol!

Really can't wait to continue in this series with the next novella and novel!

Sunday Post #104

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

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

Well, I'm starting to feel a bit back to normal this past week. Just a bit. Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays are still a bit crazy, but earlier in the week things seem to be good. I got some blog visiting in and some re-reading of my little book I'm trying to get finished.

I am seriously thinking about NaNoWriMo again this year, until pay jobs show up in my inbox. So look for a post on that to be coming your way. Basically it boils down to me taking the month of November off of blogging. I'll have a few posts go up through the month for audio books I'll be listening to at work, but that's it.

Kiddo had the MRI done, so now we wait to see what the doctor says when we go to see him on Monday. We are all hoping there is no surgery needed for kiddo's knee, but we'll find out soon.

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

The Fit Booker:

Goal:  Workout in any form of exercise (or on Wii Fit) 2x's a week. (to feel better and hope to drop a few pants sizes)

How did I do last week... I did not get to exercise this week. I'm tired of going, going, going in the car. *sigh*


Episode ?:
I need time to walk again. I have been downloading the episodes each week so I have them, but haven't had the opportunity to walk and listen.

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

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:

Fighting for Keeps by Seleste DeLaney
AND
Work reads as well.

Current Audiobook:
Sower of Dreams by Debra Holland

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Alive by Scott Sigler

Finished Last Week: 

Nothing

Audiobooks from Audible:

Crane by Stacey Rourke

Finished Podcast Book Listen:

Nothing (I'm slow with limited reading time)

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:

Cover Reveals: (click titles to go to post & learn more)

Dying for Keeps by Seleste Delaney

Posts:

Author Guest Post: If You Love the Thing

Around the Internet...


Reviews:

Trailer Park Fae by Lilith Saintcrow

Beware the Little White Rabbit edited by Shannon Delany

Podcast Review:

Mama Bitchstress Reviews:

GIVEAWAYS:

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

I have a review scheduled for Monday and Wednesday.

~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:

Review & Review Consideration:

Dying for Keeps by Seleste Delaney
PRE-ORDER AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Greta Gallagher is TRAIT's secret weapon. With her uncanny ability to sense trouble before it even happens, she's an invaluable asset to the team and her partner, Nico Tancredi. Except that ever since she botched the last mission, her “gift” has been completely MIA...and she needs Nico's help to find it again.

Nico has the ability to manipulate anyone except Greta. His challenge is to figure out how her mind works, without letting their attraction—unspoken and untried—get in the way. It does...and it's more intense than either of them imagined. But deep in the waters of the Bermuda Triangle, a terrifying secret waits for them both. A secret that doesn't just threaten their love, but their lives...and the very heart of TRAIT itself.



Audio Books Requested for Review:

Ghost Moon Night by Jewel Allen
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
A Secret to Save Them All . . .

It was whispered years ago that when a pirate cursed a Philippine village with langbuan, or flying undead, a boy received a secret that would protect him from certain death. But even armed with a secret, can anyone survive the undead for long?

Seventeen-year-old Antonio Pulido has never known a time when the langbuan didn’t roam the streets every Ghost Moon Night, killing anyone in their path. He works hard to protect his family and the girl he loves from the deadly attacks, but he wants them stopped once and for all. Can Antonio uncover the decades-old secret and will it help him defeat the langbuan? Or will Ghost Moon Night come again and take someone he truly cares about? It falls on Antonio to save his village, but time is running out. The next Ghost Moon Night is nearly here and Antonio knows this is his last chance to destroy the undead and end their reign of terror -- or die trying.


Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:

Book:

Death Wish by Megan Tayte
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE. 

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint? 

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. Butsuicide? It makes no sense. 

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to an isolated English cove with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need. 

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power. 

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death. 

To believe the impossible. 

Forget Me Not by Megan Tayte
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
IN THE FACE OF DEATH, SHE MUST PROTECT THOSE SHE LOVES. 

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint? 

Death is stalking Scarlett Blake. As if the encroaching darkness in her head wasn’t enough, she’s become disturbingly accident prone. Falling off a cliff isn’t ideal when all you want is as much time as possible to live, to love. 

Her fate is horrifying. Unbearable. And inescapable. No one can save Scarlett from The End that’s looming. Not Jude, the Cerulean who is intent on Claiming her. Not Luke, the boy who is intent on loving her. 

The clock is ticking, louder with every heartbeat. Now Scarlett must decide how best to protect the people she loves. Will she trust in Jude and the life-after-death he promises? Will she stand against the Fallen, who have her sister captive? Will she carry the burden of her death alone – every headache, every hallucination, every wrenching, aching emotion? 

And when the clock falls silent, when the darkness eclipses the light, will Scarlett fight for life? Or will she have no choice but to surrender?


Audio:

Free Ebooks:

(On my Kindle App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.

Darkness Echoes: A Spooky YA Short Story Collection
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Six spooky never before seen YA short stories just in time for Halloween!

Til Death Do Us Part by L.A. Starkey - Jennifer and Zach have been best friends since birth, but as their senior year approaches, things change drastically. With little time left to reveal her heart before college, Jen plans a night to remember at the old haunted Vandercamp Mansion for Zach's birthday. It's just to be the two of them, and no one was to know, but upon arrival, they realize that their presence was expected. Their connection is forged as realization of their past is granted. A love that stands outside of time and space will not rest - Til Death Do Us Part.

Witch Moth by Kelly Hall - Dominic Dane has endured his sister Dahlia's evil deeds for decades while the two serve out their hundred year punishment, but when she threatens to use his new-found crush as her Halloween sacrifice, he realizes she'll never change. Promising Kitty he will stop at nothing to save her and her friends, Dominic is forced to explain his curse, revealing it's not just Dahlia who must kill to survive.

The Coming of the Skin Walker by D.E.L. Connor - When warriors Walking Bear and Nine Fingers rescue amnesia-ridden Lina from the clutches of the immortal Skin Walker they must flee on a harrowing journey where ancient Native American secrets and mysticism unfold, innocence is lost, and the forever bonds of love and friendship are tested.

Lantern by Chess Desalls - Five days before Halloween, all sixteen-year-old Tori has on her mind is vacationing with her family and scoring lots of candy. Her grandmother's estate, with its Gothic spires and trails that lead out to the woods, holds an unexpected secret: a lantern that lights up for Tori and nobody else. Certain that it's a ghost or a prank, she investigates further and discovers a mysterious life that shines in the darkness.

Cloak of Echoes by CK Dawn - Just as Emma Kincaid came into some disturbing empathic powers, she lost her mother in a car crash. She is also pretty certain she's being followed, maybe even hunted. But, is it the shadowy creatures that haunt her nightmares or the mysterious guy, shrouded in darkness, who just enrolled at Jefferson High?

Hallowed Eve by DB Nielsen - Ten years after the sinister disappearance of her father, the turmoil begins again with the stealing of souls ... Seventeen-year-old Evee is forced to accept her birthright of dark secrets and death as she inherits the role of Soul Guardian; a role that brings her into the dangerous influence of a coven of witches and the enigmatic, alluring Hunter, Ben, to defeat the rise of dark magick.

These stories have never been published before and were written specifically for this anthology. Hope you enjoy this spooky adventure!!

Awethology Light
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Because one voice in your head isn't enough, here are 
so many more, as the Awethors chime together with 
our vast collection of stories and poetry to make 
you laugh, make you cry and make you feel alive. 
We are the Awethors and these are our words to you.

Awethology Dark
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Goodreads Synopsis:
Because one voice in your head isn't enough, here are 
so many more, as the Awethors chime together with 
our vast collection of stories and poetry to make 
you laugh, make you cry and make you feel alive. 
We are the Awethors and these are our words to you.

(On my Nook)

Free Audio Books/Stories:

Alive by Scott Sigler

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FREE LISTEN AT AUTHOR'S SITE

Goodreads Synopsis:

A young woman awakes trapped in an enclosed space. She has no idea who she is or how she got there. With only her instincts to guide her, she escapes her own confinement—and finds she’s not alone. She frees the others in the room and leads them into a corridor filled with the remains of a war long past. The farther these survivors travel, the worse are the horrors they confront. And as they slowly come to understand what this prison is, they realize that the worst and strangest possibilities they could have imagined don’t even come close to the truth.

Lock & Key by Joe Hill

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FREE AT AUDIBLE until Nov. 4.

Synopsis:

Based on the best-selling, award-winning graphic novel series Locke & Key - written by acclaimed suspense novelist Joe Hill (NOS4A2, Horns) and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez - this multicast, fully dramatized audio production brings the images and words to life.

A brutal and tragic event drives the Locke family from their home in California to the relative safety of their ancestral estate in Lovecraft, Massachusetts, an old house with powerful keys and fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. As siblings Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke discover the secrets of the old house, they also find that it's home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all....

Featuring performances by Haley Joel Osment (Entourage, The Sixth Sense), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Kate Mulgrew (Orange Is the New Black, Star Trek: Voyager), Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Stephen King (The Stand, 11-22-63), as well as a cast of more than 50 voice actors, this audio production preserves the heart-stopping impact of the graphic novel's astounding artwork through the use of richly imagined sound design and a powerful original score.

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Reviews to Come:

Soulless by Skyla Dawn Cameron

The Sentinel by Chris Lester

The Muse by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Making the Cut by Chris Lester
Metamor City: Whispers in the Wood by Chris Lester

Danube Waves by Katharina Bordet

Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan

Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton

Spark by Starla Huchton
House of Grey 6 by Collin Earl

The Secret World Chronicle: World Divided by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Waiting On by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
The Secret World Chronicle: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, Veronica Giguere
Heir to Kale by K.L. Bone

Tales from the Archives Vol 4 #5 - Old Sinner's Bones

The Death of Dulgath by Michael J. Sullivan
The Shadow Aspect by Melanie Karsak

Crane by Stacey Rourke