Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Cover Reveal: Operation: Endgame


I had to join this cover reveal when the option came available. Why? Because I've followed this series from the beginning and love it! This reveal is a touch bitter sweet as it's the last book in the series, but it's still such an amazing world! There are podcasts set in the world that we can listen too!

And now to the cover!

Operation: Endgame
Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences #6
By:  Philippa Ballantine & Tee Morris
Description:
Join Agents Books and Braun on their final adventure with the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences!

There is no time to rest for Eliza D Braun and Wellington Thornhill Books. The man who has haunted and hounded them since the fall of the Maestro, Doctor Henry Jekyll, is now on a killing spree, using bizarre, theatrical murders as a way to taunt their inability to capture the. It falls on Books and Braun to turn the tables on Jekyll and bring him to justice.

As Wellington and Eliza continue their pursuit of the madman Jekyll, the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences stand against a recent surge in House of Usher activity. Agents Bruce Campbell and Brandon Hill discover more about the intention of Operation: Ragnorok, and the Ministry find themselves in a race to thwart Usher’s intent to plunge the world into chaos, despair, and a noticeable lack of clotted cream for Devon Teas.

The Ministry will not let this stand.



I soooooo can't wait!

Want to pick up the book too? You can find links at Books2Read

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Audio Book Review: Lucifer's Star

Lucifer's Star

By:  C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Publish Date:  April 27, 2017, Audiobook Release May 17, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 20 mins
Narrated By:  Eric Burns

Genre:  Space Opera

Series:  1st in Lucifer's Star series

Impression:  Space opera, clones, AI's, and battles all in one place!

Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of The Rules of Supervillainy:

Cassius Mass was the greatest star pilot of the Crius Archduchy. He fought fiercely for his cause, only to watch his nation fall to the Interstellar Commonwealth. It was only after that he realized the side he'd been fighting for was the wrong one. Now a semi-functional navigator on an interstellar freight hauler, he tries to hide who he was and escape his past. Unfortunately, some things refuse to stay buried and he ends up conscripted by the very people who destroyed his homeland.

LUCIFER'S STAR is the first novel of the Lucifer's Star series, a dark science fiction space opera set in a world of aliens, war, politics, and slavery.

First Sentence:
The sight of the burning starships around me was like a galaxy of new stars lighting up the emptiness of space.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Eric is a new narrator for me. From the first sentence Eric had a positive, hopeful sound to his voice for me. I can hear his deep breaths between lines. There is a short (about 3 or 4 words) that didn't follow character tone in the beginning, I caught only because following the book at that time. Eric does do different tones for characters, giving them a sound of age and their own voice. I did pick up on one small repeat, I almost missed it as it was quick.

I just love that first sentence! What a sight that would be. The sentence really drew the picture for me.

We start with Cassius in a big battle in his life on Crius. This battle is one that lingers in Cassius's mind, and what he's trying to escape from. There are sections that are memories, though with this being audio you don't see the italics that indicate it's different than the here and now. It sounds like two conversations happening at the same time. Then Cassius doesn't talk to himself as much and is easier to catch as the book goes on. The book is focused on Cassius and his time on his current ship. The people are also residing on this ship are not who they seem to be.

As we learn these people aren't who they say they are, we see much more in this unstable universe. The different groups in the universe are all working at different angles. Even the people in the organizations have different angles they are working. So much to play with here!

Cassius grows through the book, as he grows to realize he has friends. Cassius is running from who he is. He wants to be someone that's not of the Archduchy to live his life with the guilt he feels. Through what he learns in the events he lives through, and the connections made, Cassius learns of details he didn't know before. I love the moment when Cassius gets a...closure with someone from his past. Cassius confronts feelings he'd been holding in.

Cassius grows attached to people which helps him along in his journeys. We learn a few have rather heavy pasts as well. The crew on the ship he finds himself on has many who are fugitives in their lands or pasts that aren't of the best actions. There are moments that feel drawn out with details of histories of people and descriptions, but the story comes together and the ending is non-stop.

I found that the AI take in this book was very interesting. There is also cloning in this book. Biodroids were a neat creation. I know we haven't heard the last of these. I don't want to give to much on this as it's a big play in the book. You have to read or listen to the book to get the details. We learn details that all come to a head at the end of the book with a special type of AI.

This wouldn't be a fun space story if we didn't get action scenes. We get just that, in space and on planet action. Even among the crew on the ship.

The world feels vast and full with crew that Cassius has acquired. I look forward to continuing with Cassius and what is in store for him next.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Mythical Monday #76 - Fairies

Art work by: @Burntlaughter on Twitter

It seems there are many books influenced by or based on Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are many different Mythology's and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.




Fairies.

I think everyone has a different vision of fairies. Some good. Some bad. Some…straight up naughty. I hear people in Oregon talk about fairies in nature all the time. Often calling to, or wishing upon them like they are guardian angels or leprechauns. I have to admit, this is kinda lost on me. Why fairies in those situations? Why not elves or gnomes or even trolls?

So how do I envision fairies?

Well, Fairy God Mothers never sounded appealing to me. Maybe they should be called guardian angels? Cause when I close my eyes and try to picture a fairy, Rue Mcclanahan in a lavender hooded cape is the furthest thing from my mind. (Golden Girls actress reference. You are welcome!)

When I search fairies on the internet, I end up seeing lots of naughty fairy Halloween costumes, which have measly little wings, and let’s be honest, they aren’t lifting no one off the ground! ;) Not really my idea of a fairy either.

I guess there are all sorts of possibilities, however, in pop culture, we have been inundated with children’s movie fairies and they all start to look alike after a while… Those fairies are normally tiny, like action figure height or smaller, but built proportionate to an average human.

Gah! Hold up.

I had to stop writing this article and search the web for something. See, my old Dungeons and Dragons background refuses to let me think of anything other than this one classic D&D chart right now (see below). Humans and half-orcs compared to the sizes of elves and half-elves…of course, I’d need to draw the fairy in for size comparison.

Okay… moving on….

Fairies.

Basically, many of us think of Tinkerbelle right out of the gate. I know I sure do. Small, blonde, elf ears...whimsical. Fairies whose wings are often depicted as butterfly or dragonfly-shaped, translucent, and made of some sort of magical sparkling pixie dust that chimes.

So cute!

blah… lol.

I ask you this!?!? What if fairies evolved? What if they stopped being the size of humming birds and started getting larger? What if natural selection inched them away from being simple prey to things like owl, hawks, eagles, and cats, to something more…well…more durable.

In the first two books of my Urban Fantasy series, I build on a modern history of fairy kind, but don’t worry, in book three, which I am currently writing, there are more than just hints about the origins of fairies too.

The fairies in my book are human-sized…(Again with that D&D chart!). And although still preyed upon, and considered weak by the other mythological creatures that exist in my stories , they are stronger than they appear.

Sabrina London, the main character in ONE SMOKING HOT FAIRY TAIL and its sequel TWO POLLUTED BLACK-HEART ROMANCES is a fairy. She comes from the Water Kingdom and is their princess. Yes, you read that right. She’s a fairy princess. (boom!) Fairy kind, in my books, live in the four elemental kingdoms and rule the elements found in those kingdoms. Sabrina, of the Water Kingdom, has connections to water and as she grows more powerful she starts to understand how to control the element somewhat.

Of course, Sabrina has wings. But she doesn’t have elf ears. Her wings, unlike those seen in Disney movies, are large and colorful. Still butterfly-shaped, yes, but these wings are made of energy, not magic, and crackle like they have a static charge.

It is important to note that fairies in my books have two circulatory systems. One for blood, the other for solar energy. So basically they are solar powered.

Huh-what? You might say. Well, let me explain a little more.

The solar energy they absorb is turned into solar power and processed through their skin. This action/reaction naturally takes the form of two big energy-based wings on their backs. But that is not all that their skill produces from the sun. Their skin makes vitamin D, vitamin C, hormones, pheromones, and enough electricity to do that carnival trick where you light a light bulb by simply holding it. Cool, right?

Some fairy, only the most skilled, powerful, and ridiculously bold— like Sabrina— have learned to hold their wings in a state of near release where they sit just under the skin and form what looks like a colorful ornate tattoo.

But these beautiful wings are not just for show. Fairies in my books can fly, and more. These fairies can use the solar energy stored in their body to heal themselves of minor wounds. And they can also use that energy, in conjunction with their wings, as a weapon.

Not so helpless now, are they?

That being said, for the most part, fairies are peaceful and good-natured, in my books. You might even call some of them hippies. They stay out of the way of conflict and obey the rules of the Otherworldly Assembly, a government for all the creatures who hide from humanity.

The readers of my books will learn about the otherworldly beings along with a human character as he becomes more deeply entwined and entrenched with them. So...I don’t want to spoil too much.

One Smoking Hot Fairy Tail is the story of otherworldly beings: fairies, windegos, mummies, elemental spirits, and more living human lives—or as close to it as they can. When events threaten her discovery, Sabrina finds herself smack in the middle of controversy. She must do whatever is needed to protect her identities and her loved ones.


One Smoking Hot Fairy Tail
America’s population is slowly dying due to an epidemic, and Alexander, an ancient, immortal shaman, has medicine that can heal people. It has one small side effect—Alexander’s able to control the minds of anyone taking the drug, nicknamed “dust.”

Alexander plans to take over the country once dust is released to the general public, crushing anyone who stands in the way. He needs just a little bit more of a certain magical ingredient to make the medication work properly: fairy wings.

An intelligent, stunning fairy, Sabrina was also America’s sweetheart—until a video of a crime she was involved in surfaces, nearly destroying her. A year later, she’s finally ready to step back into the spotlight. Together with her bodyguard, Mira, a water spirit in human form, Sabrina’s prepared to start over.

Things are starting to look up until she meets Alexander in a club and goes from social outcast to tortured captive in the blink of an eye. Will she be able to escape the evil shaman and his mind-controlled slaves in time to save herself and everyone she cares about?


Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances
Welcome to Los Angeles—but not the LA you know. Here, humans coexist with vampires, mummies, fairies, and other nonhuman entities. Everyone’s just trying to get by for the most part—but some are having more difficulty than others.
A vampire named Cade, a fairy named Sabrina, and a mummy named Moselle are on the lam after exposing the existence of the Otherworldly Assembly, a shadowy organization of paranormal beings. The assembly has sent terrifying assassins called wraiths to exact revenge. The nonhuman trio is in for a real horror show, and they don’t know the half of it—another threat looms, and its destructive ambitions are vast.
Meanwhile, a human named Jackson is recovering from a near-death experience. Old memories and new loves flood his brain, and he’s having trouble finding an outlet for all these feelings—that’s when Sabrina the fairy catches his eye.
Two Polluted Black-Heart Romances, a fast-paced adventure filled with high stakes and unexpected twists, continues the action-packed saga that began with One Smoking Hot Fairy Tail. When unimaginable dangers threaten the planet they all share, humans and nonhumans find a common cause and must work together to prevent disaster.
 



About Kevin James Breaux:
Kevin James Breaux has written seven books and devoted the past eight years of his life to crafting short stories and novels. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

Breaux is always enthusiastic about the challenge writing presents. He lives by the motto “Write Makes Might!”© and sees each new page as an opportunity to improve and advance.

Find Kevin James Breaux:
www.kevinbreaux.com
www.lbifw.com
Twitter:  @kevinbreaux


Learn more about One Smoking Hot Fairy Tail at: www.onesmokinghotfairytail.com

Purchase One Smoking Hot Fairy Tail:

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Sunday Post #171

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another week gone. Where does the time go? I've been working hard on content editing work and have finished up the read through. Now I can work on other things. :) We helped dear friends of ours with their kids graduation party yesterday, they helped us with ours. It ended up being a beautiful day.

So this week, relaxation is on the menu. At least for the evenings. lol. I have a few shows to catch up on that I missed this weekend and blogging to do. Cool!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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... Erm... nothing. I haven't even push mowed the grass because I was sick or it rained on the way home from work. Ugh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
Exiled by Amanda Carlson
And
Working on Editing work

Current Audiobook:
Will start a new audio book on Monday.

Current Podcast Book Listen:
Stonebriar Casefiles: Bad Alchemy by Laura Nicole Spencer (You can listen for free too!)


Finished Last Week: 
I'll start a new one on Monday.


Audiobooks from Audible:
The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit
The Society by Lilith Saintcrow


Finished Podcast Book Listen:
Nothing yet.


DNFed:

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:


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



Guest Posts:

Posts:

Spellbound in a Flash:
Nothing new last week. I have pictures to touch up and share, but time has not been sharing lately.

Challenged Writers:
April, May, and why not June Update on writer-ly items.


Around the Internet...


Reviews:
Deadly Spells by Jaye Wells

"I love going into this book that I know each chapter and scene has something big in it. It may be dealing with Danny or it may be Kate's job. Or, if we are lucky something with John Volos or Morales."



Podcast Review:




Mama Bitchstress Reviews:



GIVEAWAYS:

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:


I will finishes up reviews to be posted.



~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Weeks:
(Note: Links to Amazon are buy links where I could earn commission, in case you are interested.)


For Review Consideration:





Audio Books Requested for Review:



Purchased/Winnings/Gifts:
Book:
Secrets and Sorcery: a Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
It’s a bitch to love a witch. 

Prepare to fall under the spell of 17 paranormal romance and urban fantasy romance stories filled with witches, necromancers, shape-shifters, aura-readers, demons, and more! 

This anthology, from today’s NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, internationally best-selling, and award-winning authors, is a wickedly fun collection promising hours upon hours of reading enjoyment. 

Each story in this limited edition anthology is new and exclusive, featuring unique magical abilities and spell-binding characters you won’t soon forget! 

One Click Today to start this mesmerizing adventure!

Legacy: Faction 11 by Lindsey R. Loucks
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Finding him was easy. Figuring him out is the hard part.

Only one thing could make nineteen-year-old Hadley Hawthorn leave her house for the first time in two years—revenge. The Isa fae murdered her entire family, so the promise of ending their control over witches like Hadley is too sweet to resist.

All she needs to do is find Kason Fields, a human who’s supposedly the key to ending Isa fae power. Hadley’s hacking skills and her patience level of zero make that part simple. But when she inadvertently leads the Isa fae straight to Kason’s doorstep, things get complicated. Now, it’s up to her to keep them both two steps ahead of the murderous fae.

But staying close to the secretive Kason unfurls something even stronger than Hadley’s need for revenge—hope. When the Isa fae close in, though, hope may not be enough to keep them both alive.

The Immortal Mark by Amy Sparlings
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The only thing Cara got for her eighteenth birthday was an unexpected invitation to move out of her uncle’s house. College isn’t an option for a poor girl with average grades, so when her best friend Riley finds them a mysterious job opportunity that includes room and board, Cara is interested but thinks it sounds too good to be true.
The night before their interview, Cara has an epic night out with Theo, an impossibly handsome guy she just met. He’s charismatic, a little mysterious, and it feels like she’s known him her whole life.
When she runs into him at her interview, he’s cold and elusive. He makes it very clear that he doesn’t want her working with him, which only makes their mutual attraction burn hotter. Cara takes the job for Riley’s sake and promises herself she’ll avoid this jerk and his mood swings, no matter how hard it is to keep away from him.
Soon she finds out her millionaire employers aren’t normal guys who live and travel in luxury. They’re immortals. Theo wasn’t trying to ruin her job prospects. He was trying to save her life, because the girls they hire never make it out alive.

Scattered Screams by C.A. Huggins
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The Disruption has turned Earth into a warzone. Lines of communication have been cut off. Nobody can be trusted. Allies and foes might be one in the same as everyone attempts to survive. 

Marcus Nelson must return home to New York City with his son Ali. Back home, the well-being of his wife, Nadine, is unknown. Traveling across country from Palo Alto, the group witnesses the world transforming before their eyes. 

Their home may not exist anymore. 

Uncertainty is everywhere. 

Obstacles are everywhere. 

Enemies are everywhere. 

Mutants are everywhere. 

And Scattered Screams are everywhere.

Magic After Dark: A Collection of Brand New Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
These heroes and heroines are redefining the meaning of their lives...and the villains are about to get what's been coming to them.

Journey from the hills of Ireland to Victorian England, from medieval Italy to eighteenth century Egypt, from the United States to the sand-baked Middle East and beyond to explore forbidden magic, navigate the pitfalls of ancient prophecies, battle vampires and shifters, and defeat evil sorcerers and hellish demons.

This unique collection, inspired by the ability to empower yourself by redefining your identity on your own terms, contains over one million words of captivating urban fantasy and paranormal romance fiction that's guaranteed to keep you up long after dark.

Discover worlds where heroes roam and magic reigns with twenty-three brand new works from today's New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors.

Each book within this collection is exclusive to the set and can't be found anywhere else. Preorder now for a future filled with mystery, adventure, romance, and magical thrills!

*** Contributing Authors ***
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton 
USA Today bestselling author Caryse Locke 
New York Times bestselling author Margo Bond Collins 
USA Today bestselling author Ann Gimpel
USA Today bestselling author J.L. Weil 
USA Today bestselling author J.A. Culican 
New York Times bestselling author Tom Shutt 
Melle Amade 
USA Today bestselling author T.F. Walsh 
Dean F. Wilson 
Miranda Hardy 
Award-Winning author D.N. Leo 
David J. Normoyle 
Megan J. Parker
Monica Leonelle 
P.E. Padilla 
Ainsley Shay 
Megan Linski 
Award-Winning author Julie Morgan
Cait Reynolds 
Chloe Garner 
Paris Andren 
Cate Farren 
Felicia Starr 
Award-Winning author Nathan Squiers

The Body Double by Blake B. Rivers
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
Benjamin Scaffe is a fixer. Despite his many underground connections, he’s managed to stay at arm’s length from the actual dirty work. But after a request from crime lord Henry Deane, Scaffe reluctantly agrees to smuggle a body double, Anissa, into the city of New Nargon for an illegal operation. 

Scaffe discovers that Dean’s rival, the Brick, has placed a price on Anissa’s head. With most of his usual contacts out of play, Scaffe enlists the help of Psychic Claire, an AI with some prescient powers. Together, they attempt to sidestep the traps of all those trying to claim the Brick’s payout. Anissa, whose health is deteriorating, also needs to be kept alive until they can reach Dr. Mendez. 

A robot, Bert, has developed a particular interest in Anissa and tags along for the journey. And by this time, even Scaffe has more than a few suspicions about the real reason everyone seems so interested in the body double.

Rise: A New Adult Urban Fantasy by Sierra Cross
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
I closed the door on magic long ago...the day it made me an orphan.

Ten years ago, the Coven of Fire sacrificed their lives—my mother among them—to hold off an overwhelming demonic force. Now it's back. 

As a poorly-paid bartender, how can any of this be my problem? But Callie, another orphan of that battle, swears I'm the key to reviving the coven. And there's an incredibly sexy guardian stranded on my couch who's promising to help me stop the demons and keep the veil between the realms standing. 

One problem: I've never been able to use magic. Our local bad boy warlock assures me I have the talent, but even if I did, we don't have enough witches to complete a coven. The only way to survive is to pull together this pack of magicborn misfits, who have more secrets than spells, into a makeshift coven. 

Can we—three untrained witches, a sarcastic warlock, and an overly intense guardian—take back the city...before the demongate falls and the forces that killed my mother destroy us too?

Unknown Cargo by Blake B. Rivers
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
A simple job - zip through contested space and drop the secret cargo off with an agent of the Luna Initiative - and the money is good…maybe too good. 

All goes according to plan at first, but when a chance encounter with a ship of the now-collapsed Federation remnant fleet reveals the true nature of the cargo, the crew of the Meridian find themselves in the middle of a war between two rival nations that threatens to upend the delicate balance of power in an already war-torn solar system. 

Will the crew be able to keep the Meridian in one piece, and still get paid in the process?

The Devil's Daughter by Jill Cooper
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
The beauty of an Angel. The Heart of the Devil. A war is about to be waged for her soul. Can love prove to be the one saving grace that Lucifer cannot master? 

Reckless. Impetuous and arrogant. Amara is Lucifer's daughter in every way. In the high court of hell, no one has captured more angels than she has. But she has never felt anything for them. Not until him. 

The high counsel of Heaven sent their mightiest warrior, Cathal, to kill Amara and snuff out the danger she presents. But her beauty causes him pause. He senses the tremble. A flicker of goodness buried deep inside of her. 

If Cathal can kindle the spark and allow that goodness to grow, he can save her from herself and from inheriting the flame of hell. 

As the gladiator games for her hand in marriage heat up, can Amara find the strength to come out of the dark and stand in the light?

Audio:




Free Ebooks:
(On my Kindle and Nook App) Links to books under title. They may or may not be free at this time.
The Data Disruption: Genrenauts Episode Zero by Michael R. Underwood
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:
When Stories Break, You Send in the Genrenauts! 

The Genrenauts are a group of story experts who travel to parallel worlds. Each is the home of a narrative genre—Science Fiction or Romance, Fantasy or Western—populated by archetypal characters and constantly playing out familiar stories. 
The Genrenauts’ mission: find and fix broken stories. If they fail, the ripples from the story worlds will cause havoc and devastation on their home world. 

In the world of Cyberpunk, D-Source, a noted hacker, has disappeared, leaving his team's storyline to grind to a halt. Angstrom King leads the Genrenauts on a mission to find out what happened to D-Source and how to get the cyberpunks back in the action. 

World-spanning megacorporations...suspicious mercenaries living on the edge...lethal computer programs designed to tear your mind to shreds...the Genrenauts will face all these and more to get the story back on track—before it's too late. 

A short story in the world of Genrenauts (a finalist for the r/Fantasy "Stabby" Award for Best Serialized Fiction.)

From Jennifer Ashley, With Love
PICK UP AT AMAZON
Goodreads Synopsis:

Discover the paranormal worlds of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jennifer Ashley (and her pseudonym, Allyson James) in three full novels. Shifters, dragons, immortal warriors and vampires await you! 

In HARD MATED, jaguar shifter and fight-club champion Spike discovers he has a cub, which changes his entire life, as does the sassy horse trainer who’s there to make sure he’s the best dad he can be. 

In NIGHTWALKER, Janet Begay, a Stormwalker who runs an inn that’s a refuge for paranormals everywhere, must protect her shy-by-day, rampaging-at-night vampire guest from being hunted by slayers. Mick, Janet’s dragon boyfriend, is on hand to supply fire, humor, hot nights, and to battle alongside Janet against forces that want to unmake the world. 

THE CALLING beings the bestselling and award-winning Immortals series with the story of immortal warrior Adrian who is searching for his brother Tain, and needs the assistance of the beautiful witch Amber to help him. He and his Immortal warrior brothers begin a battle against death magic to keep the world from sliding into absolute darkness. 

Each novel is a standalone and tells an entire story in its series. Enjoy!



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
Lex Talionis by Starla Huchton
Spark by Starla Huchton
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
Lucifer's Star by C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus
The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit

The Society by Lilith Saintcrow

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Guest Post: Bail Money?

I was relaxing at home when a rapid knock at my door drew my attention from my current read. A second knock came before I got to the door. As I opened the door, the gentleman's hand was raised to knock again.

"Hello?" I spoke, noticing something... off. I must be seeing things. No horns there.

"Melissa?" The tall man asked as he relaxed his hand and lowered his arm.

"Yes." I tilted my head. He was professionally dressed, but in a trench coat with this warm weather. Is that a strange sparkle to his eyes? No. That's a glow. "Can I help you?"

"I have letters for you. They were said to be urgent." He handed them to me and turned and walked down the stairs to the sheriff car parked in my drive way. I stared as I swear there was a tail that swayed underneath his long trench coat.

I waved when he looked over his shoulder and smiled a sharp smile. I shut the door with speed that caused it to slam. I cringed and looked to the letters in my hand.

I sat at the table and opened them...

A picture falls out with the first letter:
Guilty

Dear Melissa,

Can we have some bail money? I know this is a sudden and unusual request, but Chris Pisano and I are in a Tijuana jail cell again. The good news is they like us here and gave us our usual jail cell. The bad news is during the last time we were here, the sheriff let us out to apprehend La Chupacabra. It didn’t go so well – it outsmarted us and a goat outdrank us, and then we woke up in a Canadian jail cell. But that’s not important right now. We’re calling upon your infinite generosity, because you are the last person I remember seeing at the TV Gods: Summer Programming book release party at Balticon 51. I’m not sure how we ended up here. I’m actively blaming Chris Pisano, but I think Jeff Young might be involved. Do you happen to know how Jeff did this to us? The last thing I remember about the release party is you handing me a glowing drink with a perpetual mushroom cloud, and saying, “Here, drink this.” The last thing Chris remembers is you asking him if some rag smelled like chloroform. Anyway, could you bail us out?

Thank you,
Brian Koscienski


Dear Melissa,

Please disregard the above note. What they are not telling you is that they were extradited to Canada due to outstanding warrant for their harassment of a local creature, the Wendigo, which is now a protected species. They are also forgetting to mention that with their beer pants, they are currently at the center of a black market in the prison, supplying not only the prisoners but also the guards. In fact, Chris and Brian negotiated for a laptop but after a brief argument, Chris ended up with the keyboard and Brian got the screen. They had to settle for a can of sharpies. Right now if you were to enter their cell you would find that there is very little free space that isn't written upon. The problem is that after Chris writes something, Brian tends to write over top of it and vice versa. But why might you ask are they doing this? After the successful launch of TV Gods: Summer Programming, the two want to produce something of their own to rival its popularity. So they have in fact found a spot where no one will disturb them and their room and board is taken care of – in other words, they are right where they want to be. But why, you might ask, would they ask for money for bail? This time they are planning on getting two laptops...

This of course never would have occurred in Mexico. Well, best laid plans and all. I've taken to mailing them paper, one piece at a time. I encourage you to be creative as well. However, for your part, I strongly recommend that you keep your money, rather than send it off.

Cheers,
Jeff Young


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

This was a fun post to do. These guys are a hoot to meet and talk with. This post came to mind as I was talking to them at Balticon 51, where the picture was taken. I hope you take a few moments to check out their books and visit their links in the letters.

Pick up their books at Amazon:


Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Book Review: Deadly Spells

Deadly Spells

By:  Jaye Wells

Publish Date:  February 10, 2015

Format:  Book

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd book in Prospero's War series; 0.5 Novella ~ Fire Water, 1st Book ~ Dirty Magic, 2nd Book ~ Cursed Moon

First Impression:  Perpetual motion, with life and criminals.

Synopsis:
After the grisly murder of a dirty magic coven leader, Kate Prospero and The Magical Enforcement Agency team up with the local police to find the killer. But as the infighting between covens turns ugly, an all-out war brews in the slums of Babylon.

When a tenacious reporter sticks her nose in both the investigation and Prospero's past in the covens, old ghosts resurface. The team will have to use all the weapons in their arsenal to stop the coven war and find the killer before the case brings down all their careers - and their lives.

Deadly Spells is the third novel in the Prospero's War series that started with Dirty Magic and Cursed Moon!

First Sentence:
There was a body in the church.

Purchase At:
Amazon /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I read this book for my own enjoyment.

Kate and Morales are called in as consultants at a crime scene. A body with his limbs cut off. Kate knows the victim, Charm, from her days in the coven. Uncle Abe's enforcer. Charm's death could be the very excuse the covens need to start a coven war in Babylon city. Kate and the MEA force need to act fast to find the real killer before war breaks out, destroying the city. Kate also is distracted as Charm's death stirs old memories of her mother's death. Then there's life with making sure Danny is taken care of. He is a teenager, and troubles do pop up.

I love going into this book that I know each chapter and scene has something big in it. It may be dealing with Danny or it may be Kate's job. Or, if we are lucky something with John Volos or Morales. Oh John Volos. That usually involves a double whammy of work and sparks. And the same could be said of Morales. I love that Kate is working her way through raising her brother, which gives her a family feel as she stumbles through parenting like many of us do. Family and work are hard to balance, and choices need to be made. Kate does just that.

Speaking of family. Kate learns more about her mothers death. Wow. That's a punch to the gut. I like how Jaye left us with hints about Kate's mother at the end of Cursed Moon, and with this case Kate is drawn to the memories. Kate is determined to know what happened with her mother. I'm not saying any more because you need to read to learn what Kate learns. Oh, and what we learn from John Volos and Morales. Interesting!

Then there's Kate and her own personal life. She feels there's really no time for it with Danny and work. But Kate starts to open up a little bit here, for herself.

This book feels as it expands the world for us. There are other suppliers and covens that we learn about. These expand outside of Babylon city, but are a threat to Kate's home city and the way of life here. This opens up the series for us in a big way.

The book has all the elements I enjoy in one place and constantly has me glued to the words. I have enjoyed this book, world, and characters.



***If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon. Thank you!