Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2014


When I saw this challenge it was one I was glad to take. I decided to go for the Gold challenge (50 Books). All my reviews will be posted on my secondary blog, Indie Author How-to.

As it stands, here is my 2013 Netgalley TBR list:
  1. Dead Sexy Dragon
  2. Expecting a Bolton Baby
  3. Vampires Need Not...Apply
  4. Mistress of the Solstice
  5. A Shimmer of Angels
  6. Awakening the Warriors
  7. Broken Forest
  8. Compliance
  9. Dark Wolf Running
  10. Dead Beautiful
  11. Defy
  12. Dragonwitch
  13. Dream Girl
  14. Echo Prophecy
  15. Endless
  16. Escaping Reality
  17. External Forces
  18. Forbidden to Love
  19. Hereafter
  20. Hero's Lot, The - Patrick W. Carr
  21. King Hall
  22. Mage Fire - C. Aubrey Hall
  23. Mind Bond
  24. Night Creatures
  25. Rebels Divided
  26. Rival
  27. Runes (book one) - Ednah Walters
  28. Safe in His Arms
  29. Scrap - Emory Sharplin
  30. Sekret
  31. Shadow Allegiance
  32. She Is Not Invisible
  33. Spirit - Brigid Kemmerer
  34. Stargazing from Nowhere
  35. The Bane - Keary Taylor
  36. The Dominant - Tara Sue Me
  37. The Naturals
  38. The Silver Chain
  39. The Trials of the Core
  40. The Waking Dreamer
  41. Tin Star
  42. Turned
  43. Unspoken
  44. Will in Scarlet - Matthew Cody
  45. Winds of Purgatory
  46. A December Bride
  47. A January Bride
  48. A February Bride
  49. Elfin

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Kishaz Reading Corner: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson


Disclaimer: I received no compensation from the author or publisher for this honest review.

About the Book


Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will.

Nobody fights the Epics . . . nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart—the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning—and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He's seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.

Buy the Book


Here's what I'm giving it:

Rating: 5 stars

Here's why:

I've been reading quite a lot lately and giving everything from 2 stars to 4 stars for the books that have crossed my path. It's very hard for me to give out 5 stars because there's always something that is a deal breaker for me when I'm reading. I did not have that problem with Steelheart.

I want to point out before I get going on my review that this is a YA novel. I noticed that when I saw other reviews that many were complaining about the style of writing. Sanderson's style is consistent and similar to other YA writers and stories. I just wanted to throw that out there so that other potential readers understand this.

It was the super powered human angle that hooked me. I love comic books and superheroes. This story made me think of X-men and how you have mutants that either want to get along with humanity and use their powers for good or you have mutants who believe they are superior and don't mind running over and destroying humanity to achieve that dominance.

Now imagine that the latter type of mutant suddenly appeared on the scene. They are arrogant, powerful and have a decided lack of interest in getting along with anyone. What will you, a mere human be able to do?

The main character, David, is faced with that choice after watching one of those super powered beings (called Epics) kill someone he loves. David's obsession (I wouldn't call it tenacity because that's too tame a word to describe this young man's drive) with killing that Epic and getting revenge is the major plot driving the story.

The reader is also introduced to a group called The Reckoners who fight to liberate humanity from the Epics.

There is lots of action, adventure and a small romance. The dialogue in this novel is rather, unique, but not a deal breaker for me. I've known many a fellow nerd who was so socially awkward that every time we open our mouths to be witty or try to fit in, we insert our foot or don't make sense to the world at large.

Just saying.

I would recommend this book for guys and girls. It was a page turner til the end and I would reread it in a heartbeat.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Task Force Gaea Book Blast Giveaway





During the age of Olympos, when a vengeful goddess shatters the Sacred Scales, both immortals and humans alike suffer. Apollo, the god of truth, goes from a glorious existence as The Shining One to a victim of Zeus’ wrath, and his journey makes him question his godhood, his role in the cosmos, and his views on humanity. Prophecy and the Fates direct his course, and he must make difficult, yet vital, choices. Millennia pass, and Dan, Aleta, Brandon, and Sarah—four reluctant modern-day heroes gifted by ancient civilizations born of the gods—bound by prophecy, have to choose whether or not to save their world when it could mean they never existed. They must master their new powers while battling against incomprehensible forces from the Underworld and repairing the Sacred Scales, destroyed long ago. With the equilibrium between Order and Chaos unhinged, and the Olympian gods struggling to exist, these four must ally themselves with the United Nations to protect an endangered world, becoming the only group who can fight against metaphysical threats to the Earth, forging Task Force: Gaea. Can mortals succeed where gods cannot go?

Amazon | Smashwords | BN





David Berger
Boston born, I grew up on Long Island in New York, and have my B.A. in English with a Master's in Secondary Education. I currently teach AP English Literature, IB English, and Creative Writing in Land O' Lakes, FL. My avid appreciation for fantasy fiction came from a childhood love of Greek mythology and comic books, especially Wonder Woman. Stemming from this literary love affair, I published my first novel, Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance, in February 2012.

In addition to my fantasy writing, I have written poetry, much of which was influenced by my travels abroad, namely to Ireland. My hibernophilia extends not only to a great love of the Emerald Isle itself, but also to the writers who hail from there, namely W. B. Yeats, and I studied this poet in a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship at the National University of Ireland in Galway in 2005.

Additionally, I have traveled to Spain, France, and England—all with trips I have led with students—and hope to show more of my students what the world beyond Florida looks like.

I'm "living the dream," as it were, and I love life—I just hope it loves me in return. I reside in Land O' Lakes, FL with my partner of 13 years, Gavi, and our two cats, Yankel and Shayna.

Official Author Website  |  Series Website  |  Series Facebook Page  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads


 GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/28/2013. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Book Blast: The Foundlings by R.M. Garcia



Excerpt

Donnie never said a word during the funeral and refused to sit. She was buried in the same cemetery as his parents, but she was placed in a special section. There had been some issues because Abbie had committed suicide, but Cecilia worked it out. The rabbi delivered the first eulogy and was followed by the priest after a respectful moment of silence. After the prayers, she was lowered into the earth, and the grave was filled. Every shovelful of dirt that landed in the grave felt like a dagger to Donnie’s chest. After everyone had paid their respects, Johan and Camille returned to their house. There was gathering planned there, but Donnie didn’t go. He instead stayed at the foot of Abbie’s grave, where he had stood most of the day. Misha walked up and stood next to him.
I was hoping that the next time I got dressed in a suit would have been for your wedding. I’m so sorry,” Misha said.
This isn’t fair,” Cecilia said, walking to the other side of Donnie. “You were so happy, I don’t know what to say.” Donnie continued to look at the grave and spoke, “There’s nothing to say. She’s gone. I’ll be ready to leave in bit. Can I have a moment?”
Sure man,” Misha said, and he and Cecilia walked to the car and waited on him.
Donnie took a deep breath. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t think. Nothing makes sense. This letter, I don’t understand,” Donnie said as he pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. It was her suicide note. He opened it and read it out loud.

Mom and Dad, I’m sorry, but the pressure at school is too much I dropped out. I can’t face you, knowing how much you would be disappointed in me. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Please tell Donnie he didn’t do anything wrong and that I’m sorry. I love you all so much.
Abbie

You lied to me. You promised me on the beach that you wouldn’t leave me.” Donnie erupted into tears. He had held them pent up all day. “A heartbeat away, do you remember? What am I supposed to do now? I don’t have the heart to go on, because I gave it to you.” Donnie continued to sob uncontrollably. The strain of the day had finally caught up to him, and he collapsed. He fell forward and landed on top of the fresh dirt mound covering Abbie’s grave. Misha and Cecilia rushed to his side.
Donnie!”
Abbie . . .” Donnie replied to her call and lost consciousness.




Series: The Foundlings
Book #1

Foundling: A Vampire caused by accidental means. Throw together Nazi Vampires, Jewish Vampires, and one very special protective Vampire who is 1000 years old; and you have the makings of an explosive and riveting story.

What would you do, if the love of your life, was suddenly kidnapped by Nazi vampires and forced to become one of them? How would you feel if these same vampires discovered she was Jewish and sentenced her to a permanent death?

Join our hero Donnie as he battles the obstacles of the underworld in a quest for survival against the odds. Will he prevail and save his one true love from eternal damnation?

If you enjoyed Linian Carmine's The Lost Boys, or Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, then you will truly enjoy this story. Filled with wonderful twists and turns it will keep you guessing to the dramatic end.

Praise for The Foundlings:
"This is just one of those stories that draws you in and keeps you reading till the very end."
"Very imaginative and a refreshing twist with vampires can't wait for next book too come out."
"a lot of surprises and some twists in this story, it was not predictable and I love that in a book"

Amazon | Smashwords | BN


R.M. Garcia


I was born and raised in New Jersey, and I am the proud son of Puerto Rican parents. My parents moved to New Jersey from Puerto Rico shortly after getting married; I was born about a year later. I have 2 younger siblings, twins, Eric and Erica. Growing up I was a kind child who never asked for much. I didn't ask for anything because my imagination provided me with everything that I would ever need. My mother always said, that of all her children, I was the one that gave her the least amount of trouble.

I was considered a dreamer by all of my teachers, but I never thought that label was a bad thing. I was initially very shy until I got older and stopped caring about others' opinions of me. I realized that I was, who I was, and you either liked me or you didn't; simple as that.

I have been called weird, quirky, funny and trustworthy, all titles I hold dear. I wrote the short story of The Foundlings when I was still in high school and it was not until much later that I fully developed it into a book. Back in the day, I also wrote poetry, but story telling became my true love.

After high school, I moved to Florida and went to college. I dabbled in various professions over the next several years. I worked in jobs such as Hotel Manager, Accountant, Insurance Agent, Travel Agent, Customer Service Rep, Draftsman, and even a Fry Cook.

When I started on the book, I realized that this was my passion, what I was ultimately meant to do. I loved writing The Foundlings and even if it does not become a best seller, I will continue to write. Publishing my first book led to me meeting my wonderful wife. So God willing and with the help of my fans, The Foundlings will make a mark in the literary world. Thank you for reading about me.

Website  |  Author Facebook Page  |  Series Facebook Page  |  Twitter 
GoodreadsAmazon Author Page


 GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/25/2013. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, December 6, 2013

Four Intriguing Questions

Shout out to Flossie Benton Rogers for tagging me in this hop. I'm always up for talking about my writing.

Let's begin.








What are you working on now? Jewels #2: Emerald Rebellion

How is it different from other work in the genre?
I don't know if it's necessarily different than other works in the space opera genre but it is different than the first book which was my debut novel. I've grown as a writer and I think it shows.

Why do you write? 
I have to give the voices in my head a nice venting ground. Oh, and I love to tell stories. And did I mention that I love adventure/action/romance and...well, you catch my drift.

How does your process work? 
Process? There's a process? No one told me. Maybe that's why chaos and I love each other, yet somehow we make it work.

Now that I've driven you crazy, please check out what my other writer friends are doing.

R.M. Garcia - The Blood Flow
Brenda Cothern - My Twisted & Kinky World
David Berger - Task Force Gaea

Thursday, December 5, 2013

99cents Indie Hoopla Hop

I'm pulling all the stops out and putting all nine of my titles up at $0.99 just for you. Happy reading and don't forget to visit the other authors participating in this blog hop.

Science Fiction

Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, New Adult

 
Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, YA, New Adult

Amazon  |  Smashwords
 
Paranormal Thriller, Science Fiction

Amazon  |  Smashwords

Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

 
YA Paranormal Romance

Amazon  |  Smashwords
 
YA Paranormal Romance

Amazon  |  Smashwords
 
YA Paranormal Romance

Amazon  |  Smashwords

Fantasy

 
New Adult, Fantasy

Amazon  |  Smashwords
 
YA Fantasy

Amazon  |  Smashwords
 
YA Fantasy

Amazon  |  Smashwords


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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Shifting Stars Book Blast



Excerpt

“I did wake ye.” Eyan nodded toward the bed.

“You didn’t wake me,” Sheireadan said. He grabbed a towel from a nearby peg and reached for a kettle hanging over the fire. “I was making tea.” He lifted the kettle. “See? Evidence.” He grabbed two mugs and set them on the table.

Eyan moved closer, while Sheireadan filled the mugs. “I don’t sleep much these days,” Sheireadan continued. “As I said, you didn’t wake me.” He set the kettle aside. “So why are you here?”

Eyan dawdled for a moment then said, “I had a fight with my parents an’ thought ye might be able to advise me.”

“Advise you?” Sheireadan scoffed. “I’m the last person you should be looking to for advice.”

“I just thought ye could tell me what it’s like to live away from your family, is all.”

“What do you mean?” Sheireadan asked. His eyes narrowed. “Are your parents booting you out?

“No,” Eyan said. “Nothin’ like that.”

“What then?”

“They’re always tellin’ me what to do. They treat me like a child.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t act like one.” Sheireadan pulled out a chair from the table with his foot. “Sit,” he ordered. “No good talking on our feet.”

Eyan sat, and Sheireadan took the chair across from him.

“I know I act younger than my years,” Eyan conceded, “but it’s only because I was kept apart from everythin’ for so long.”

“Because of your eyes.”

Eyan detected a hint of distaste in Sheireadan’s tone. “Somethin’ wrong with that?” he asked.

“Well, they are…”

“Blue,” Eyan said, finishing the sentence for him. “But it shouldn’t matter, should it? Dayn has blue eyes, and he’s married now, aye?”

Sheireadan’s mouth twitched, but he made no comment.

Eyan continued. “I mean, now that everyone knows there’s no such thing as demons, I shouldn’t have to live under my parents’ thumb, should I? I should be allowed to court like everyone else. But they won’t allow it.”

“What do you mean? You’re of age, aren’t you?”

“Aye, but they think I’m not skilled enough in society’s ways to know how to court a girl, that I should wait ’til I understand things better.” Eyan frowned. “Well, I think I understand things just fine.”

“Do you?” Sheireadan asked. He took a sip from his mug.

“Aye. Dayn explained it all to me. He told me about courtin’ and marriage and procreation, and what it means for lads to be likin’ lads, and—”

Sheireadan sputtered his tea. “What?”

“He told me things Father should have told me, things that every other clansman knew. I don’t know why it was such a big secret though. It all seemed perfectly fine to me.”

Sheireadan’s jaw dropped.

“Well, maybe not all of it sounds fine,” Eyan added hastily. “But most of it.”

“Listen,” Sheireadan said, setting his mug firmly on the table. “I don’t think I’m the right person for you to be talking to. I’m not interested in courting, and I don’t have a wife.”

“Oh, I’m not here to talk to ye about wives,” Eyan said. “I’m here to talk to ye about what it’s like to live alone.”
“I don’t live alone by choice, Eyan,” Sheireadan said. “I live alone because my parents are dead and my sister is married.”

“Then why aren’t ye courtin’, if ye don’t mind me askin’?”

Sheireadan’s expression tightened. He rose from his chair. “I think you’d better go, Eyan. Before your parents come looking for you.”

“I can’t go home,” Eyan said. “Could I maybe stay here with ye for a while? Just ’til I figure things out?”

“No.”

“I wouldn’t be any trouble,” Eyan said, standing to face him. “I’d sleep on the floor. I don’t mind. And I’m not a bad cook.”

“Don’t be a dunce. It’s too dangerous. People would talk.”

“What d’ ye mean, people would talk? What would they say?”

Sheireadan headed for the door. He jerked it open and stood next to it, waiting. “I think you’d better go,” he said.

Humiliation flared to Eyan’s cheeks. “I didn’t mean to offend ye, Sheireadan. Honest I didn’t.”

“You didn’t offend me,” Sheireadan said with obvious effort, “but you shouldn’t be here. Go home. Your parents are only trying to protect you.”

Eyan marched to the door, then stopped to face Sheireadan. He leaned toward him, his blue eyes blazing just inches from Sheireadan’s now widening brown ones. “Maybe I don’t want protectin’,” Eyan said. “Did ye ever think of that?” Then he thundered off the porch and into the night.

Sheireadan watched as Eyan disappeared into the forest. His hands were trembling, he realized, as was the rest of him. Don’t listen to his foolishness, he told himself. Just leave him be. A wolf howled in the distance. Sheireadan spun toward the sound. It was coming from the very direction Eyan had headed!
Sheireadan sprinted to his bed and gathered up the boots sitting next to it, then tugged them onto his feet. After grabbing up his bow and quiver of arrows, he hurried out the door and onto the porch. He stopped, scanning the darkness. “Now who’s the fool?” he said. “You heard him. He doesn’t want protecting.”

The wolf howled again, closer this time, followed by the tell-tale yips of a pack. Sheireadan jumped over the steps and raced toward the trees. To hell with what Eyan wanted.  


In this final installment of the award-winning Souls of Aredyrah series, Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing an old foe and falling into the trap of a new one. Struggling to make their way home through a bitter landscape, they soon discover they are not alone. A tribe known as the Taubastets has captured them in a life-or-death scenario, and the tribe’s chief is determined that one of them must be sacrificed. When a young warrior named Tyym vows to see them home, they face decisions that will not only affect their survival, but the spiritual salvation of their world.

While Reiv, Dayn, and Tyym navigate a web of conspiracy and doubt, Dayn’s sister Alicine struggles with loss and the impending threat of invasion. The king of Tearia has not abandoned his quest to slay them, and his seemingly unstoppable army is nearly through the pass. But when Tyym enters the scene, hope is rekindled. Even Alicine cannot deny the charisma of the mysterious warrior who has wormed his way into their lives, and into her heart.

The game is in play. A traitor is in their midst. Can the souls of Aredyrah hope to defeat a monster disguised as a king? Or will they succumb to a darkness beyond their understanding?

Amazon |  Smashwords  |  BN  |  Kobo  |  Diesel  |  Goodreads





Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.

Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.

The Souls of Aredyrah Series is Ms. Akers’ first series of novels for young adults.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads



 GIVEAWAY

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/15/2013. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway