Audio Book Review: Forgotten

Forgotten

By:  Frances Pauli

Publish Date:  September 23, 2013, Audiobook Release February 10, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 26 mins
Narrated By:  Lisa L. Wiley

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd in Kingdom's Gone series (but can stand alone); Book 1 ~ Unlikely

Impression:  Her story is entwined with the story of the land

Synopsis:
*A stand-alone Kingdoms Gone story*

Two women on opposite ends of time. Between them is the war that will change their world forever...

Payne lives a cursed life. Her touch brings death, and her memory is damaged. She has only an aging mage for company, and he could easily be her enemy. When a stranger tears her away from her temple's safety, she finds the world outside just as empty of answers. Who can she believe and who, if anyone, can break her curse and free her from a life that is rapidly slipping toward darkness and destruction?

Farine has been blessed with everything she's ever desired. Her father is the king, her friends surround her and her life seems perfect. Until a strange User dares her to look into the unicorn's eye, and the veil of illusion is lifted. Now her father's perfect kingdom shows its true colors. The walls are crumbling and the enemies no one believed they had are marching for the gates. As the Kingdoms fall, Farine must choose between trusting her old friends, or her newly awakened heart.

One woman living on the eve of the Final War and one dwelling in the aftermath. Only by untangling their destinies will they find the answer that could save them both.

First Sentence:
The temple could have been a prison, even though the walls were open and the high skies looked down on the altar-stone without barrier.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator. Though I purchased the ebook for my own enjoyment (before audio offered).

Payne is trapped by her curse in an open tower of a temple. When the aged mage that lives here with her leaves to find more magical items, a stranger appears claiming to be here to rescue her. The strange man knows of the curse that holds her here.

Farine wants nothing more than a unicorn, until she looks into it's eye as a mysterious User suggests she do. Farine saw the truth in it's eye, and now she sees the truth surrounding those she knows like a curse was put on her. The talk of war has come with the Elves, and the truth swims around her father when she sees him... There is trouble coming.

Lisa is a new narrator for me. I had thought I had listened to one story with her voicing, but I hadn't. The one thing I noticed at the beginning is the chapters were divided between two characters, Payne and Farine. In print it's easy to differentiate when it switches. In audio, it's a bit harder. This goes for all books. Is it possible to over enunciate? I felt some of the words were overly pronounced to make sure all comes across clear. Lisa's audio is clean and clear as you go through the story.

These books are listed as stand-alone's within the same world/series. I've read the first book but not the second. Did it affect me with the book? You can read them as stand-alones. This book, though, has some pieces that's nice to know about before going in so you don't feel completely lost on what pockets are and the magic here.

In listening to the beginning I feel like there is a disconnect with some information I don't have. Yet at the same time it made me curious to find that information and answers to questions that arise to what I'm learning. These pieces that I wasn't 100% sure of fit because of the style of the story. This was mostly in the parts with Payne's POV, there is a reason for this. She doesn't remember anything before she was in the ruin of a temple she stays at. Farine's sections are more informative and helps with some of the gaps, though a few more details we can connect to what Payne's seeing would have been nice.

I spent the book trying to put together a time frame in my mind. The time frame I was trying to work out, doesn't exist. I was trying to match the sections of Payne and Farine to each other. They don't fit in in the thinking I originally had. Then when I accepted that wasn't going to happen, I relaxed into the story. I came upon a section that was an ah-ha moment where I thought things would go a certain way, and it explained why I couldn't put the time frames together. (When you get there you'll understand too. I don't want to give it away as it feels like a big movement in the book.)

It all comes together in the end. I felt like so much was here! At the ending, last about two hours, I didn't want to do anything else but listen to all the information and details of how things worked out.

We do get the story of the war that broke the land. The magic that was used and why, is explained here. Very interesting.

The beginning can be confusing. There are pieces of the world that are mentioned but you don't know what they are, yet. If you hold out and let the story wash over you, taking it all in, you will get your answers and love the ending for it. It's difficult if you try to piece Payne and Farine's time frames together as though they are happening at the same time. They aren't.

I enjoy Frances's writings. I've read a few of her books. She has a way of leaving a feeling that answers the questions. This book feels as though it's missing information though, to give a better feel of the world, the pockets, and why it's broken by magic.



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

Mythical Monday #72 - Kundalis Dragons and the Kundalini

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.

Kundalis Dragons and the Kundalini

Living in the center of Washington State during fire season is like an invitation to write dragons. I come from the soggy, western part of the state originally, and the first time a wall of flame raced across my front yard it just about sent me right back to Seattle.

Now I spend my summers anxiously watching the windows, and even when my own life and limb are blissfully safe from incineration, the distant plumes of smoke are pretty much always a thing from May to Sept. Fire. Everywhere. Like clockwork.

Given the situation, I think it was pretty inevitable that I'd get around to writing dragons.

The Kundalis dragons in my Soulstar series, do their singeing and battling over the dry grasslands of the Columbia Basin. They aren't ordinary fire-breathers, though. I needed something a little different for a sassy urban fantasy with metaphysical overtones. I wanted dragons that stood for something, and also, that echoed the strengths and the flaws of the characters attached to them.

I found them in the Kundalini serpent.

Kundalini is the Sanskrit word used to represent personal energy. It has other names, of course, Shakti, Chi or Qui as well as many others. In traditions that focus on enlightenment through the raising of one's energy, this Kundalini is often symbolized as a big snake. Eureka.

The Kundalini serpent is said to be coiled at the base of a person's spine, in their "energy body," and through meditation techniques can raise up through the chakras toward the crown of the head. The higher the snake rises, in essence, the more evolved and blissful the person becomes.
This awakening and progression of the serpent rapidly became the idea for my dragons. What happens if the serpent gets free? What if the person isn't so enlightened, and the Kundalini awakens anyway? On a lighter note, what sort of trouble could a rampaging Kundalini serpent get its owner into in the middle of Eastern Washington.

It turns out, quite a lot.

Since I was writing chick-lit and hoping to keep it humorous, the invisible Kundalis manifested with a bit of an attitude. They remain affiliated with metaphysics, but also bring with them the hang-ups, flaws and personality disorders of their owners. They fully controlled dragon attaches to his host by means of a tail tip through the navel, and the chakras translated into the colors of each dragon, lending each the powers related to their particular flavor of energy.

I found out later that the word, Kundali, is also a reference to Vedic astrology. In parts of India, Kundali matchmaking is used to ensure the astrological compatibility of couples before marriage. This idea becomes the soul mate concept in the Soulstar books. The dragons' compatibility or discord translates into the inter relationships of their "anchor" characters.

The mythology of energy became the core of my dragons, complete with some pretty suspicious claims of enlightenment. The interaction between their owners became a statement on compatibility and the complexity of human interaction. From the Kundalini serpent, the Kundalis dragon took shape.

What do you get when you mix metaphysics, yoga, and urban fantasy? I got giant, invisible, belly button dragons... and a ton of metaphysical chaos.


About Author:
Frances Pauli writes across multiple genres. Her work is speculative, full of the fantastic, and quite often romantic at its core. Whenever possible, she enjoys weaving in a little humor.

Once upon a time she was a visual artist, but she’s since come to her senses. Now she fills her minuscule amount of free time with things like crocheting, belly-dancing, and abysmal ukulele playing.

Find Author:
Author Site
Twitter:  @MothinDarkness
Facebook Author Page


Purchase Books:

Audio Book Review: Earth Girls Are Difficult

Earth Girls Are Difficult

By:  Frances Pauli

Publish Date:  July 22, 2013

Format:  Audiobook, 2hrs and 57mins
Narrated by:  Francesca Townes

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  Companion of short stories to A Little Short for an Alien

Recommendation:  Ha ha, for fun yes.

Synopsis:
Eight tales of wily women from author, Frances Pauli...

Whether they are causing trouble or just getting into it, they've got what it takes to get the job done. Need a little bacon to domesticate a hell hound? Looking to seduce an Italian vampire? You need look no further. From vengeful goddesses to mythical tattooists, from train robbery to the local spelling bee, these women are well prepared and fully armed for adventure. They have the tools. They have the attitude. They're tough, tricky, and possibly just a teeny bit wicked.

Table of Contents:

Idol Games
Offerings
Bad Dog
El Emperador
Forbidden
Silent Partner
Priceless
Promises

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Listen At:
Audible

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Overall thoughts:
I enjoyed listening to these short stories. On several of these stories I felt Frances turns short stories into a poetry feel with amazing word choices. I love the impact of each word to draw the images and short stories to a full size. The words grow the scene around us with each word. The image's come into focus from the center to around it.

Francesca, the narrator, does an amazing job of growing with the stories. Several of the stories I felt the narrator was the story. She seemed to take them on and her voice and accenting worked perfectly to grow the stories with what Frances had created in words.

Bad Dog
First Sentence:
The hellhounds were born in the witching hour under the dark of the moon.

Thoughts:
Hellhounds are born at the stroke of witching hour. Thirty-five seconds afterthe top of witching hour, she had another. He has a white spot on his head and he whined - that doesn't happen.

Hatach fought his way through life to age with his pack. He is different, and they don't let him forget it. He's not like all the other hellhounds, and they know it. Then one day a woman comes to his home that he guards to steal. She calls him a 'Bad Dog' and Hatach has a reaction to it.

This story will attract pet lovers. This is very short and through the hellhound, Hatach's, eyes. I found it cute and really liked it. There is a connection between the female and Hatach, and I felt it.


Idol Games
First Sentence:
Candice took her bearing from the slapping of the sea against stone.

Thoughts:
Candace is on her way, by sea, to a hidden cave with a bundle she can not get away from. For years beyond years she's cared for this bundle. Will this day be any different?

Now this one I liked. Really liked. There was a deeper feel to what Candace is doing, you feel it the further you go with the short story. I even found I was hoping for one turn out, but loved the true ending. The setting and creation of the long history with the perfect word choices is fantastic.


El Emperador
First Sentence:
Jessie squinted at the dusty corral and shook her head.

Thoughts:
Jessie needs a horse. A fast horse. She has a train to catch and the right horse to do the job. El Emperador performs for her and seems to be suitable to the task, though a tad shabby. Will he live up to his traders word?

This is another I think animal lovers will enjoy. I chuckled at the relationship between Jessie and El Emperador. I like the horses reaction to Jessie, but felt in the end I  wanted more of their train chase.

This short was more about the connection between the horse and his new owner.


Offerings
First Sentence:
They fed her to the maze.

Thoughts:
She finds her way from her dark prison to the outside world. She finds herself in a maze and relics of a god at a temple. And learns of herself.

Wow. The phrasing and words used really made a strong feeling of the maze for me. This short sounded like a poetic short story. So beautiful by words and narrator. The narrator felt so comfortable in this story to me, that she brought it out more.


Forbidden
First Sentence:
Lorenzo pulled the black cloth tighter around his shoulders and closed his eyes.

Thoughts:
Lorenzo, a vampire of old, wants something more than blood tonight. He wants the days of old on the night of his birth. She searches out the same scent each year, for a taste.

LOL! I loved this story. The humor in it. Oh, the play on the new curious youth looking for love with a vampire, the want of fear for vampires, and more. I really enjoyed the twist to this story and his desire for the night.

The story made me curious, then laugh, curious again, and happy. Really a fun read.


Silent Partner
First Sentence:
"Charles!" His significant other's high-pitched voice drifted through the glass building at a volume that made the conservatory walls vibrate dangerouly.

Thoughts:
Charles is with his wife at the flower festival she does. He's to be the good husband that listens. Then he leaves to go to the restroom, and surprised by what he finds in the garden.

This seemed like a short vision quest for the husband, who loves his wife even if she is a bit of a...nag. It wasn't really my favorite of the selections, but worked for the husband and his quest to learn what he wants and is to his wife.


Priceless
First Sentence:
Unan never meant to steal it - at least, not at first.

Thoughts:
Unan is cleaning her sword when she hears the two men, one fat and one a sorcerer, talking. The sorcerer is selling something to the fat man, and Unan knows a treasure when she hears about it. She has to have it! And once she does, the places she goes and her interpretation of what she sees is beyond her world.

Mmm, not sure if this one was for me. Okay and good, but I got a tad bored with it. I laughed at the speed dating moment though. You will recognize where Unan is when she walks through scenes of the world though.


Promises
First Sentence:
The frog had stars in its eyes.

Thoughts:
A princess is playing with her favorite treasure, a ball. She throws it to a frog and it falls into the Dark Well. Her favorite toy and it is gone. She wants it back! The frog talks to her and can help her get the ball back for a promise - to take him home with her, comfort him, feed him, and give him a kiss.

Now this I like! Twisted fairy tale and dark. I like, like. Wonderful end. I like the tale weaved here with the frog and the princess. This is my kind of tale. Honor and Deception both found in one place. Nicely done.

Mythical Monday (22)

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

There are so many different Mythology 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.

This week we have:

Fantasy and Paranormal author Frances Pauli

Talking of Kelpies.

The Kelpies Are On The Loose…

What is it about a sleek, black horse that makes girls go swoony? I was no different, and as a young reader I spent my time devouring the Black Stallion series, Black Beauty, anything I could find with a big, black horse in it. Eventually, I worked my way out of horse books and into science fiction and fantasy. I grew up a little. I got a real horse and learned firsthand about shoveling, and colic, and waiting in the snow for a veterinarian to show up.

I still gravitated toward an obsession with Friesians, but I couldn’t afford one as a teenage girl and my parents weren’t budging. So, in my reading endeavors, at least, I migrated toward dragons, griffons, and giant eagles.

Okay, maybe not that last one.

Still, the focus was on mythical beasties, and in a book by my all-time favorite author, Andre Norton, I discovered a kelpie. The idea of a killer horse, in particular a black one, lured me in pretty easily. Everything about the kelpie is seductive, and their mythos worked beautifully for my purposes when it came time to choose Unseelie races to feature in the Changeling Race series.

Kelpies are stunningly gorgeous black horses that seem friendly and domesticated in order to lure unsuspecting humans into a ride to their death. They are often associated with water, and sometimes lurk around the edges of ponds or lakes, hiding in the reeds to wait for their victims. When successful at getting a wayward human to climb aboard, the kelpie usually races for the nearest body of water to drown and devour them.

Pretty wicked, big black horse critter.

They are sometimes portrayed as half horse and half man. Now, that is something I couldn’t just ignore. The half-and-half kelpie looks like a struggling, drowning animal until you rush in to help it. Commence with the drowning and devouring again.

The equine resemblance falters in their jagged teeth and grabby hands. Kelpies often have long, stringy manes that obscure their inhuman nature, another thing that brought Friesians to my mind and made them absolutely irresistible to me. I imagined shaggy forelocks, muscles and lots of nasty teeth.

So, I let the kelpies loose. The series is urban fantasy, and shy on lake scenes. Not a pond to be had, in fact, but I had this idea of a horse loose in the city. Horses and streets are a recurring nightmare for me. No pun intended. It springs from the fact that my pony was an escape artist who often spent her evenings wandering the neighborhood looking for free snacks. I suppose setting an evil, flesh-hungry equine free on the city streets was somewhat therapeutic in that sense. He’s loose, and he’s hungry…very much like my pony.

I like to think she never caused quite as much trouble. Then again, she did have her evil moments.

Her hand reached out. Her fingers curled toward the temptation of horse flesh.
The beast’s nose stretched closer, and she caught the gleam of an arched neck, the cascade of tangled, black mane. Her hand brushed satin. One of the hooves stamped, loud and hollow against the night. The lips tensed and pulled back from a row of jagged teeth.

Excerpt: Spiders from Memory, The Changeling Race book three


About Frances Pauli:
Despite a tragic predilection to paint, Frances finally discovered her calling as a writer sometime in her mid thirties. She set aside her degree in visual art, packed up the easel and opened her laptop.

As a lifetime reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the stories that clammer for her attention inevitably fall into the Speculative Fiction category. Her tales might feature aliens, fairies or an oddball assortment of humans, but usually contain at least a trace of humor and often a dash of romance. She currently resides in Washington State with her husband, two small children, and a host of unusual and exotic pets. When not wrangling toddlers, or writing like mad, she can be heard bemoaning her lack of free time to spend: rock hounding, belly dancing, painting(yes, still) or enjoying quiet time with her family. Frances eats far too much chocolate, drinks far too little wine and does her best to get the stories out and on paper before they drive her completely insane.

Find Frances:
Her Site:  Frances Pauli, a touch of magick
Blog
Twitter:  @MothinDarkness
Facebook:  Author Frances Pauli

Find The Changeling Race:

Book Depository:
Moth in Darkness
The Fly in Paradise
Spiders from Memory

Author's Favorite Quotes Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy, Frances Pauli

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

Aaah, today I have Frances Pauli back with quotes from Dimensional Shift, that I have classified in my Top 5 Steam/Clockworks and Science Fiction Fantasy.  This book took me by surprise.  I loved I had NO IDEA where Frances would take the story next.  Or what would walk around the next corner.  Amazing to get to know the Dimensional Shift with Chloe, and meet her someone special. ;)

Dimensional Shift:
It is such a treat to be mentioned here on the blog. Melissa has not only supported my books over the years, but she’s giving me a chance today to go back and revisit one that I haven’t focused on in quite awhile. It was fun to dig back into the Shift Happens series to find some of my favorite lines, and it gave me some great ideas for book four! Thanks so much for everything you do on My World.

One of my favorite characters is Chloe’s kooky neighbor, Doreen, who frequently calls up to announce:

“There was a spaceship right over your house last night.”

*****

The next line is Chloe’s. Ever practical Chloe. Once she works out that the multi-dimensional job is for real, her first thoughts are for compensation:

Eaten by sea monsters was a job hazard she’d expect to be well paid for.

*****

At her orientation, Chloe meets Terrel, the gelatinous and multi-limbed klutz who is jealous of the humanoids’ ability to grow hair:

“I’d give half my limbs for hair like that.”

*****

And of all the dimensions and locations we visit in the Shift books, I think the Teringian Sulfur Spa is the one I’d most like to visit. There’s just something about the green, minty atmosphere:

She sniffed stupidly, considering she had no idea if she could breathe here, but failed to asphyxiate herself.

*****

Thankfully for Chloe and Drew, and assorted alien guests, the spas are non-toxic.

You can find Frances:

Blog:  http://francespauli.com/

Twitter:  @Mothindarkness

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FrancesPauliAuthor

Author's Favorite Quotes Fantasy, Frances Pauli

I wanted to include authors of books I've loved.  And what better way of including them then having quotes from the books?  A great way to introduce you to the books and share a bit from them.

I'm thrilled to share this Fantasy story from Frances Pauli, Unlikely.  There is magic and wonderful creatures to experience here.  Oh, reading these quotes again, I really need to get to reading the second book!  I enjoy this world so.

Frances Pauli for Unlikely:
Thanks for selecting Unlikely! Kingdoms Gone is my newest adventure, and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the first book. These are my favorite lines from the story, and some of my favorite moments too.


When Marten and Satina first meet, he catches her fiddling with one of her magical devices:

“Nice night, lovely moon, a little magic.”

And during an argument, Henry sides with his goodmother friend by providing a little stony support:

I have a gargoyle, the gesture said. What do you have?

Villainous Vane steals a kiss from Satina to show Marten who is boss. She flees to the pocket to fume:

And if he ever tried it again, goodmother or not, Granter be damned, she’d kill the son-of-a-bitch.

After she delivers Hadja’s decoy to Vane, and he mistakes it for a powerful magical item:

Hadja had sent Vane a child’s toy, and he’d seen in it exactly what she’d expected him to.

I really enjoyed messing with Satina. Vane gives her a dose of Death Mushroom spores, which she believes are fatal:

She’d ingested death, and it was so beautiful.

You can find Frances:

Blog:  http://francespauli.com/

Twitter:  @Mothindarkness

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FrancesPauliAuthor

Cover & Synopsis Release!! By Frances Pauli

I recently did a giveaway for an audio book by Frances Pauli, A Little Short for an Alien.  Well, Frances now has a new book out with a feminine view with this same fun twist to it.  This is all set on Earth (or a closeness of) and as Frances mentions in her post - staring heroines and villains with a female perspective.

Earth Girls Are Difficult

By:  Frances Pauli
Due Out:  SOON! Keep an eye out for it.

Description:

Eight tales of wily women from author, Frances Pauli...

Whether they are causing trouble or just getting into it, they've got what it takes to get the job done. Need a little bacon to domesticate a hell hound? Looking to seduce an Italian vampire? You need look no further. From vengeful goddesses to mythical tattooists, from train robbery to the local spelling bee, these women are well prepared and fully armed for adventure. They have the tools. They have the attitude. They're tough, tricky, and possibly just a teeny bit wicked.

Table of Contents:

Idol Games

Offerings

Bad Dog

El Emperador

Forbidden

Silent Partner

Priceless

Promises

I so enjoyed the fun and humor in A Little Short for an Alien, and look forward to the fun Frances brings here too.

Audiobook Giveaway!

I'm so thrilled to be able to do a giveaway for this one.  I enjoyed reading the book.  It made me smile and laugh.  It was a pleasure to read a science fiction space read with humor.  (Yes, I absolutely LOVE Ice Pirates.  You know that movie, right?  Gods do I think that's hilarious!)

Okay, back on track.  This book is full of short stories that are just plain fun and funny.

The book:  A Little Short for An Alien by Frances Pauli.

I've thoroughly enjoyed Frances's different works and this one is no different.  She's got a sense of humor that shines through with these quick stories.

Do you remember me reviewing this one?  Well, if not you can check out the review:  A Little Short for An Alien.  Over all, this is one to kick back, relax, and let yourself enjoy the fun space stories.

Frances has just heard back the book is in audio and Eric has done a fabulous job with his voice acting, that you will have to giggle.

Frances has offered up one audio copy to one lucky person here.
~ The audio book if for audible.com.
      You can create a new account, or use your Amazon one to login.
~ Being an audio book you download online, the giveaway is open International!

Enter by way of Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Dogs of War: Vertigo

A new series and cover release for you all!  This is a summer release and is from an author I have been loving!  She's got books from fantasy to fairies, to science fiction dimensions.  This is an author all should watch out for, and you will find something you love.

This one is has an Urban Fantasy feel to it.  And a Trilogy!

Dogs of War:  Vertigo

Dogs of War #1 (of Trilogy)

By:  Frances Pauli

Due Out:  Summer 2013

Description:

A modern day accountant with a level head and her feet firmly planted in ordinary reality, Vivian doesn’t believe in past lives, demons or true love. All of which seems like a perfectly practical approach to life until the thing that killed her in World War One decides it’s time to try again… 

Viviane Oliver doesn’t break the law. She doesn’t take risks, and she definitely doesn’t believe in anything weird. So getting pulled over for speeding on the way to pick up her new dog wasn’t exactly on her to do list. Even more surprising, the cop who shows up at her window seems familiar. She’s never seen him before, and yet, just looking at the man makes her want to cry.  But Viv has her head on straight. She shakes off the encounter and heads to the dog breeder only to have an old magazine photo trigger a full blown, past life flashback. Not only do the soldiers in the picture look like her and her mysterious cop, she remembers them, a memory that holds as much danger as it does passion. 

Now Viv is bouncing between two lives and being stalked by something evil in both of them. As the love story of two soldiers unfolds, her own heart opens for a man who may not even be available. Not that she has time to worry about minor details. If she can’t figure out the demon’s identity fast, Viv could lose more than just her life. She could lose everything she never believed in.  

Soooo?  Okay, I'm taken as I *might* feel a tad of connection with Vivian, being in the accounting field myself.  And the dog thing, and not breaking the law, and....and...and... But I've not been in World War One, or so I think. ;)  I think this sounds so good, and cool!  I can't wait for this one now!

Book Review: The Dimensional Shift

The Dimensional Shift

By:  Frances Pauli

Publisher:  Awe-Struck Publishing

Publish Date:  November 24, 2010

Format:  eBook, 200pgs

Genre:  Science Fiction Romance

Series:  1st in Shift Happens series

Recommendation:  Yes!  Fun read where I never knew what would come next!  The happenings and little details are great and catching in a hotel that caters to inter-dimensional travels

Book Synopsis:
Chloe came to the Three Lakes area for the peace and quiet.  She happily abandoned the world of retail management, suits and promotions to work as a hotel maid catering to the local tourists.  Until Andrew Paige showed up--a suite of the worst kind, the kind that makes her knees weak.  When Andrew offers her a job at his hotel, Chloe is hell bent on resisting, but the Dimensional Shift is no ordinary hotel, and Chloe is immediately tossed into the world of inter-dimensional tourists, their odd accommodations, and a string of thefts that threaten to ruin her chances at romance.

While learning the ropes, dealing with the Shift's unusual guests, and trying to determine if the boss' interest in her is strictly professional, Chloe uncovers a plot to steal the hotel's dimensional keys.  With the help of the town gossip, her alien abductee neighbor, and her new invisible best friend, Chloe confronts an inter-dimensional crime ring and a host of complications that make romancing the boss look like the least of her troubles.

Purchase At:

Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook or Print

First Sentence:
She hit the deck at the sound of footsteps on the front stairs.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Chloe's still working her job as a housekeeper as the tourist season comes to a close.  Cleaning one room of a single man, Chloe is shocked to see a woman with almond shaped eyes enter from the balcony, who eyes the golden pyramid covered in strange shaped symbols.  Chloe's boss tries to talk Chloe into a match making with the man, but she thinks he has a wife.  The handsome single man, Andrew, claims to have no wife or know who the woman was.  Chloe finds herself saving the strange pyramid from the woman, once again, intent to steal it, and that he had left behind when checked out.  Only to find the handsome man is interested in Chloe as an...employee?  Could there be other signals there too?  In a dimensional world, where many run parallel and slightly different from the next, Chloe is learning how to tend to the needs of many strange being and making friends.  Things start to get mysterious at her new job, thefts of the Dimensional Hotels access cards and more are happening.  Who's to blame?  And is Drew sending mixed signals to Chloe?

Fun read with a scifi dimensional twist to the world.  Loved the dimensional twist to the world and never knew what I'd encounter next.  And Andrew....*sigh* Lovely.  Gentle start to a lovely couple.  Chloe made me smile through out.

I could go on with scenes that made me smile, but I don't want to ruin the read for you, so keeping it short.

First page, I was smiling at Chloe with 'hitting the deck' to hide from her long winded (and alien obsessed) neighbor.  IN HER OWN HOME!! LOL!  I did enjoy Chloe's easy going personality.  And grew with her in feelings.  Chloe has an ability to attract good humor from others.  Andrew, Drew as he goes by with Chloe and the nice looking single man, seems to know more than he's able to share.  And maybe even more comfortable with Chloe than a business owner (manager) should be.  But they could make such a cute couple.

Actually, I really enjoyed all characters and the creation of the Dimensional Shift idea.  I enjoyed that I didn't know what would walk around the corner next, or what species Chloe would have to clean the room of next.  Or what would happen in this unpredictable place.  A hotel that caters to inter-dimensional travels in between dimensions.  Great fun quick read.

I will be getting the rest of the books in this series!



**I read this book for my own enjoyment.

Book Trailer and Cover... Horded

Not so long ago I posted my review and love for Unlikely, the first book in the A Kingdoms Gone series.  Loved Marten and Satina and the magic filled world they live in.  All these potential fantasy creatures stirring and hiding in pockets of magic.  And the two gangs that want it all for themselves; Shades and Starlights.

Well, I somehow missed Frances Pauli putting out the trailer for Horded, the second book that should be coming soon.

So, I wanted to share it with you.  I **think** the young woman could be Satina, but don't think the gobelin is Marten as he's an Imp.  Maybe neither of them are the two hinted at in the trailer.  We'll have to wait and see!  So, I'm curious as to who that would be. :) And more curses!  I do know this one is full of gobelins!

I'm curious about this one.  It took me looking at it a few times to realize, there are feet on the right side of the cover!  Hmmm, curious!  I had seen the fire and it stole my eye with the spark at the bottom.

You can learn more about Frances Pauli and her many fey, science fiction, humor, and fantasy reads:

At her site:  Frances Pauli, a touch of magick

Twitter:  @MothinDarkness

Facebook:  Author Frances Pauli

Book Review: Unlikely

Unlikely

By:  Frances Pauli

Publisher:  Createspace

Publish Date:  February 22, 2013

Format:  eARC, 236pgs

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in A Kingdoms Gone Series

Recommendation:  Yes, has a fairy feel to the magic, but so much more built here from world to characters and magic.

Synopsis:
Satina knows more than anyone that gangs are bad news.  As a Granter, she uses her magic to help people escape then.  So far, her sole reward has been a life on the run, dodging from pocket to pocket and only landing in the ordinary world long enough to put her special skills to use.  When the goodmother arrives in Westwood, however, a magic-hungry gang is just one step behind her, and their leader wants more than just the town.  He wants Satina, and he'll do anything, use anyone, to get her.

Though Satina finds an unlikely ally in Marten, the imp Skinner who manages to help more people than he hurts, it will take all the power they can summon to keep Westwood's secrets from falling into the wrong hands, to keep one wide-eyed girl from following the wrong man, and to keep Satina herself from falling in love with the only person in the world who knows how much of a fraud she really is.

First Sentence:
Satina could smell the paper from the street facing entrance.

Purchase At:

Amazon

My Thoughts and Summary:
Satina escapes the Shade controlled town through a pocket.  She's always looking for those that might accept her and not look to use her for what she can do along with more information on the Gentry blooded.  Being a Goodmother, Satina is wanted by both fractions; Shades and Starlights.  Satina wants nothing to do with either gang.  Believing the pocket portals will take her to where she is needed, she comes to an unknown place where an Imp Skinner approaches her.  She sees him play a cruel trick on a young boy, trapping him - stuck holding a game.  Helping the boy she knows the town will now know a Goodmother is present.  Shortly after Satina comes to Westwood, Starlights march in looking for magical items and weapons long lost from the Kingdoms gone.  Satina finds herself the center of attention as the Starlight leader wants her help searching, and she wants to protect the few people she's ever met that accept and help her.

I was drawn into this book at the beginning wondering about Satina being a Goodmother and mention of two gang fractions, first we see chasing Satina is Shades.  Then when quickly landed in Westwood met the smiling Marten, as I was curious of him, and the other gang fraction - Starlights.  I was caught with the action and the magic present.

I hoped this read would be full of magic, and I was not let down at all.  Loads of magic here.  Refreshing, unexpected, and built on as you go through the book.  Each time we used magic, I learned more that can be done the further I read.  The magic is expressed in a few different venues here, one is through sigils or even through herbs.

Satina thinks she can judge the town by their crops and livestock, yet the Skinner she meet didn't seem to fit in, and to live in one place without being run out of town by his tricks.  When she gets into town, she starts to see the Skinner has helped the people with magical sigils of protection and in other areas as well.  She's surprised through out the book by who Marten the Imp Skinner is.  All I have to say... I don't care you're an Imp Skinner (and the word might be deceiving) Marten, I love you anyway!

Early on we see glimpses of hints to what the Kingdoms once were.  When magic was accepted and maybe even loved by all.  A time when Gentry (those of magic) interacted freely with humans, no matter what they looked like.  Staying with a herbalist Marten had sent her to, Satina might learn what she's been looking to learn about her Gentry blood, full blooded Gentry and the old Kingdoms now lost.

Satina finds she likes the touch of freedom she's experienced here in Westwood and maybe even Marten, who has helped her in this little town he made his home.  When the Starlight gang sees a group of Gentry's playing in a secret magically hidden ruin of a castle, the Starlights like the Shades take the freedom away from the town's people.  Satina is ready to make a stand and not run anymore.  However, if either fraction learns the sigils hidden here, they could be dangerous to all in either's hands.

In telling this magical tale and describing the magic, the author layers in hints of the old kingdoms lost to the world along with the magic and ruins.  Each visit to the ruins is layered with the current story and events and hints of old magic, It was even worth reading sections twice to pick up on all that Frances offers.  The first time through I caught the story then the second time I caught more of the magic and old kingdoms.  There is more to the story that initially meets the eye.

I'm completely looking forward to the next installment of this series!



*I read this book for my own enjoyment.

Teaser Tuesday (153)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

"Where did it come from?" His voice slowly returned to a normal tone.  His left hand snaked out along the wall to the direction of the floor lamp.

The Dimensional Shift
By:  Frances Pauli
121pg


This whole part made me giggle. It was funny and well done.



$4.99 on Kindle



Description:

Chloe came to the Three Lakes area for the peace and quiet. She happily abandoned the world of retail management, suits and promotions to work as a hotel maid catering to the local tourists. Until Andrew Paige showed up--a suit of the worst kind, the kind that makes her knees weak. 
When Andrew offers her a job at his hotel, Chloe is hell bent on resisting, but the Dimensional Shift is no ordinary hotel, and Chloe is immediately tossed into the world of inter-dimensional tourists, their odd accommodations, and a string of thefts that threaten to ruin her chances at romance. 

While learning the ropes, dealing with the Shift's unusual guests, and trying to determine if the boss' interest in her is strictly professional, Chloe uncovers a plot to steal the hotel's dimensional keys. With the help of the town gossip, her alien abductee neighbor, and her new invisible best friend, Chloe confronts an inter-dimensional crime ring and a host of complications that make romancing the boss look like the least of her troubles.

Who? What? Where? (104)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

his is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm hiking by way of main road, this time, with Satina to the ruins with the Starlight gang.  I know Vane, the leader, is interested in the pocket and magical sigils that are present.  

I'm nervous as they are looking for the magical sigils that could be dangerous in their hands.  But I think Satina might have made some plans with Hadja for what is to come to help the town.  I do hope Marten's not to upset with Satina...

Unlikely
By:  Frances Pauli

Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday (152)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

She didn't know if it was the Starlights, or Marten or that arrow standing from the fiend's chest, but something had hardened into a stubborn knot inside her.  She didn't want to run anymore.

Unlikely
By:  Frances Pauli
90pg




It's now available on Amazon in eBook & Print, along with other book selling sites too:

Description:
Satina knows more than anyone that gangs are bad news. As a Granter, she uses her magic to help people escape them. So far, her sole reward has been a life on the run, dodging from pocket to pocket and only landing in the ordinary world long enough to put her special skills to use.When the goodmother arrives in Westwood, however, a magic-hungry gang is just one step behind her, and their leader wants more than just the town. He wants Satina, and he'll do anything, use anyone, to get her.

Though Satina finds an unlikely ally in Marten, the imp Skinner who manages to help more people than he hurts, it will take all the power they can summon to keep Westwood's secrets from falling into the wrong hands, to keep one wide-eyed girl from following the wrong man, and to keep Satina herself from falling in love with the only person in the world who knows how much of a fraud she really is.

Kingdoms Gone series book one: A fantasy fairy tale

Book Trailer: Unlikely

I've just learned of this new book and series.  Yes, I think I've been under a rock in a heavy cloud for a few months now, BUT! I'm seeing the light.  Promise. ;)

You all know I loved Frances Pauli's The Changeling Race trilogy (loved the story and twist to it!)  Oh, you are new here?  And don't know!  Well, lets start with those:
   A Moth in Darkness
   The Fly in Paradise
   Spiders from Memory
To find these on Amazon, click the image:


Go check out my reviews after you're done here.  Oh I so need to read more of Frances's books...

This is about her new fantasy series with fey.  I soooo want to know more about this series and want it.  I'm liking this cover.  Kinda creepy fey feel.  Goodness am I curious what she has in store for us here!

Unlikely

Kingdoms Gone # 1

By:  Frances Pauli

Book Review: A Little Short For An Alien

A Little Short For An Alien

By:  Frances Pauli

Publisher:  Smashwords

Publish Date:  August 16, 2012

Format:  eBook, 70pgs

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  Stand-alone

Recommendation:  For a few quick fun space reads, yes.

Book Synopsis:
Six inter-galactic short stories from author, Frances Pauli.

From The Fobidden Zone to the Alien-Human relations department, these short, alien-infested romps explore encounters with a diversity of imagined species, scenarios, and space disasters.

Join Dylan Lowwater, lackluster employee at Space Station H22-J231, Jo Lorey, wayward musician despersate to communicate with a threatened race, and Lieutenant Commander Roe, just plain desperate, as they struggle against out-of-this-world obstacles.

In a universe overflowing with tentacles and glow gin, sometimes adventure is easier to find than a date.

Purchase At:

Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook   /   Smashwords

My Thoughts and Summary:
Braided
8pgs
Lieutenant Commander Roe is stuck, really actually stuck, and kind of embarrassed about it.  One of his braids got caught when the automatic door closed.  He does his best to cover the fact, waiting for his help to show.  Meanwhile the Commander Diela, whom Roe finds hot, shows and while talking of lasers flirts with Roe.  But with out taking his promotion, meaning he had to cut his hair to get placed, she won't date him, even though she wants to.  Her standards, dating up the ladder.

Ha ha!  I enjoyed this one.  Great story to start off with.  I think this is one of my favorites in these short stories.

How can braids, space jelly-fish, lasers and promotions all be related.  It's well done here.  Unique space creatures and a quick story.

Escape from Damas Prime
9pgs
Rook is visiting his brother Tool, who just got the approval to breed with his wife.  Rook then mentions he has a meeting with a Progressive Thinker, or as Tool calls him a radical.  Even though it took a progressive thinker to climb out of the slime and take a host, Tool still worries over these thinkers and Rook's involvement.

There is an interesting life span and breeding ways for this race.  They remind me of tools as they talk, machines more than flesh and blood beings.  This is interesting with the race stuck on a planet and one leaving, against council, to see if the rest of the galaxy hates their kind or not.  To prove or disprove the council and move to the next phase of possible uprising.

This one left me wondering about Rook's adventures to come.

Sector Seven
6pgs
Dylan's stuck on the boring midnight shift.  Who will come to be drug tested at this hour?  Then an eight foot tall Ursine comes in.  A huge black and white bear creature.  When she falls to the floor and her belly moves, he realizes what's happening.

This evening at work for Dylan is about to get disrupted, yet he might like the change, or not.  This is a classic story, but still so fun to read when related to aliens.

A Brief Interruption
4pgs
Captain Jules is interrupted from his game by Dot, his ship computer.  The only time she's aloud to interrupt...when the ships attacked.

I enjoy a good banter between a living person and an AI, when done right and this one is.  It almost makes Dot seem to have a personality with Jules banter back.  I really did enjoy this story, and the humor here.

This one as well is one of my favorites here!

Tri-copier 6000OT
9pgs
We are back with Dylan at Alien-Human Relations Department.  Mail has come, but it's for another floor and department.  There's a new scanning machine, Tri-copier 6000OT and Dylan has a new kid working in the building with him.  When the kid leaves to his job Dylan goes through the mail left for medical.  What he finds will set him on a chase.

I laughed at the visual of this poor man when a medical woman finally appeared, the first time.  This was a fun read with Dylan.  This poor man never has a dull moment on his night shift.  With Alien-Human Relations, you just never know...

This man always thinks the night shift will be peaceful and quiet. ha ha!

Alien Embrace
30pgs
Miss Lorey is called here to help, yet she has no scientific background and is a musician.  She doesn't know how or why she can help.  She is needed to try and communicate with a recently found species on the planet that's being mined for its valuable ore.

This alien has a fey feel or draw to it for me.  This species could be in danger with just being found on a planet with an ore that is valuable to others.  The creatures seem to communicate through music, and Miss Lorey is known to be the best, along with a few other traits that work to their cause.  I'm curious and wonder if they and Jo will ever show up again. Here on this planet or somewhere else.

This one was the longest of the stories, and I really liked this creation.  A great ending to a fun space short story set.


I enjoyed all these reads for the fun they are.  This is one I would say if you want to kick back and enjoy fun space reads.  Do pick this one up, then just relax.



***I read this book for my own enjoyment.
***The review is of my personal thoughts as I was reading.

Looking Forward To...(114)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Echo Location
Shift Happens #3

By:  Frances Pauli

Due Out:  October 2012

Okay, so I've been bad and not started a series I love the sounds of.  I have the first one here, and desperately need to sneak it in somewhere on the time line.  And Sadly for me, the third book is now coming out!  I got to get moving!

Synopsis:

Stevie Roth gave up a chance at inter-dimensional adventure and settled for a life in the ordinary world.  She almost convinced herself she made the right decision too, until Weldon Marks, out-of-this-world goofball and totally delicious dufus, shows up and reminds her exactly what she left behind. When he whisks her off on a job, Stevie couldn’t be happier. Except he vanishes again just as quickly, and his unpleasant parallel pops up to stalk her instead.

Now she’s back up to her neck in the insanity, and remembering quite clearly why she left. Weldon is acting cagey, his clone won’t leave her alone, and the invisible man is leading an investigation that

seems hell-bent on spoiling any chance she has at keeping the one idiot she wants in her life for good. 

Her world's turned completely upside down, her favorite snake has gone missing, and Stevie’s pretty sure the beat up box Weldon stashed in her living room hides something seriously illegal. If it does, she’s going to strangle him. If he doesn’t get himself killed first, that is.