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Giveaway – Finding Ruby Draker & Shadows In The Aftermath by Marianne Scott @MScottauthor44 @iReadBookTours

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I am so happy to share Marianne Scott’s latest novel, Finding Ruby Draker and to have her making an appearand on fundinmental.

Be Descriptive but not Overly Descriptive by Marianne Scott

Writers not only have to make readers feel like they are present in the scene, but have to entice them to stay and continue reading. I love it when I read a book and find myself transported into another world. The world around me vanishes as I turn the pages.

The necessary ingredient is vivid description. Readers need to identify with a situation in a story, to see and feel themselves in the scene. Here is where skillful crafting comes in, by choosing the right descriptive words to form subconscious pictures, kind of like a movie but in your mind. These sensorial vivid environments invite the reader to come inside.

It’s a fine line between too much and too little detail. Sometimes to provide all the visual information necessary, a writer can go overboard. Painting a verbal picture is more than pulling out your dictionary of adjectives and stringing them in front of every noun in your novel. Suppose you were describing an exotic garden where two people are about to meet. How would you go about describing such a visual and sensory place?

Imagine the overload of red, pink, white, and orange beds of exotic flowers, mixed among the dark green, chartreuse, emerald leafy, and grassy background of the garden. It’s a true testament to the meticulous obsessive dedication of the caretakers of Butchart  Gardens, all experts of maintaining such splendid beauty.

Oops! I think I just exhausted my reader. Excessive use of adjectives or other modifiers is not the answer. Choosing your descriptors is particularly important when you consider what your story is about and how much weight to lend to each detail. This garden could be the setting for an intriguing plot. Yet while this is important to make the setting as vivid as possible, the actual landscape is not part of the developing story.

Now consider the image as a place where an encounter with a villain is about to take place, the protagonist having been lured by a text message from a stalker to a specific spot for an exchange of information… or worse.

“Standing at the top of a staircase that led down to the noose-like pathway flanked by a patchwork of flower beds in bloom, Tamara scanned over the exotic specimens laid out over Butchart Gardens for signs of her stalker. She paused before descending into the colorful valley of plants and shrubs. Beyond the gardens, the mountains were framed by a misted sky. She shivered despite the warm morning sun while she verified the message on her cell phone. “Meet Maurice by the Sequoia grove past the totems.”

When describing a setting, adjectives are less important than capturing the essence of the setting through the context of the moment in the story. In “…the pathway flanked by a patchwork of flower beds,” the metaphor is more descriptive than the colors of the flowers. Also, “the noose-like pathway” is Fewer words might be more descriptive.


Join us for this tour from June 6 to July 1, 2022!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Finding Ruby Draker by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  330 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Friesen Press
Release date:  Original January 2016. Relaunch March 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 +M. Occasional Profanity
 
Book Description:

Kathleen Jones has lived a protected and typical suburban life, nothing unexpected in her carefully controlled and planned existence. She’s about to complete her college degree and is ready to start a successful career but after completing her last exam she comes home to find her world has been turned upside down. Her home has been torched and her parents and little brother killed.

If that’s not bad enough, she is kidnapped and drugged unconscious by strangers posing as a police officers. When she awakes she discovers that everything has changed – her face, her name, and everything she believed to be true.

But things get worse. Hardly recovered from surgery, she is whisked away under the cover of darkness as more men storm the clinic with guns. It seems that the men who abducted her are not her greatest threat. Now on a private charter on its way to Nice, France, her abductors are calling her Ruby – Ruby Draker!

Finding Ruby Draker is a novel about knowing yourself, accepting change, embracing danger, and taking risks. You never know what life is going to throw at you.
 
BUY THE BOOK:
Friesen Press Bookstore
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
 
Also Available for Your Spy Thriller Enjoyment! Marianne Scott’s New Release!
Book Details:

Book Title:  Shadows in the Aftermath by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  330 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Friesen Press
Release date:  June 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 +M. Occasional Profanity
 
Book Description:

Ruby Draker has found new strength and is ready to move on after Felix Szabo devastated the Draker estate in Nice, France. Three Drakers are dead leaving Ruby in grief and with thoughts of revenge. The Drakers are a family built of survivors; each rescued from Felix Szabo, a psychopath, who sought to murder his former agents at the CIA whom he believed betrayed him. The Drakers’ sole mission is to stop Szabo from adding more victims to his list, and although he also perished during the invasion, his legacy continues to haunt them. When the Drakers learn that Robert Draker, presumed dead since the shoot-out at Robert’s farmhouse, may be alive and at a rehab clinic in Portland, Maine, the Drakers know it could be a setup, but they have no choice but to try to find him and bring Robert home.

Shocked that Robert may be alive, the family head from France to America to find him. It’s only when they arrive in the west that they realize finding Robert won’t be as easy as they thought. Szabo has found a way to terrorize the Draker family, even after death. His outstanding debt with a Corsican crime family means the Drakers must now find and deliver a shipment of plutonium, which will likely be used by terrorists to create a nuclear bomb, to get Robert back. As Ruby struggles with the decision to save her brother or North America, she must also evade the CIA, who are trying to stop the Drakers from delivering the plutonium.
 
BUY THE BOOK:
Friesen Press Bookstore
Amazon.ca ~ Amazon.com
 
Meet the Author:

Marianne Scott is the Canadian author of four mystery thrillers and is currently finishing an edit on her fourth novel, a murder mystery. She has a BA and a Diploma in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, CA. She studied creative writing through Conestoga College and Humber College. She enjoys writing workshops such as those offered by Brian Henry, publisher of the blog, Quick Brown Fox, and One Lit Place, a writers’ hub by creator/editor Jenna Kalinsky. She has an author’s website and blog is the president of The Cambridge Writers’ Collective and is a member of the Guelph Genre Writers. In September of 2018, she completed a fourth-year course in Writing Fiction at the University of Guelph under the expert teaching of Lawrence Hill. Her novels, Finding Ruby Draker and Shadows in the Aftermath are self-published. She is actively seeking representation to break into the traditional publishing world with her third and fourth novels.  

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ 
Tour Schedule:

June 6 – Mystery Review Crew – book spotlight of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / author interview / giveaway
June 6 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / guest post / giveaway
June 7 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book series spotlight / giveaway
June 7 – She Just Loves Books – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 8 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / guest post / giveaway
June 8 – @booking.with.janelle – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER
June 9 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book series spotlight / giveaway
June 9 – Kam’s Place – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER
June 10 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 13 – My Fictional Oasis – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 14 – Literary Flits – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 14 – Amy’s Booket List – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 15 – Novels Alive – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER
June 15 – Novels Alive – book series spotlight / giveaway
June 16 – Bigreadersite – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 16 – The Momma Spot – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 17 – Novels Alive – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH
June 20 – Kam’s Place – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH
June 21 – Mystery Review Crew – book spotlight of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / guest post / giveaway
June 21 – fundinmental – book series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
June 22 – Literary Flits – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
June 22- Amy’s Booket List – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
June 23 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 23 – My Fictional Oasis – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
June 24 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
June 24 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
June 27 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / author interview / giveaway
June 28 –The Page Ladies – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH
June 28 – She Just Loves Books – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
June 29 – @booking.with.janelle – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH
June 30 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review of FINDING RUBY DRAKER / giveaway
June 30 – The Momma Spot – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
July 1 – Bigreadersite – book review of SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH / giveaway
July 1 – Books for Books – Book Series Spotlight
 
Enter the Giveaway:
 

FINDING RUBY DRAKER/SHADOWS IN THE AFTERMATH Book Tour Giveaway

 


 

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Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer by B P Smythe #bpsmythe

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Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer is my first novel by B P Smythe. I have been expanding my reading, trying to include more male authors and genres that stretch my imagination. This was a good pick and I hope it will interest you too.

I included the entire Goodreads blurb, because it shares the way the book was written.

The cover didn’t do a lot for me, but that’s okay. It did make me look twice and once I read the book I knew why it was chosen. Does it make you curious?

Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer by B P Smyther is one of those books that are hard to rate for me. The way it was written, almost like it was short stories, made it difficult to follow, yet the characters were the ones that stole the show.

Mavis Bone and Gertrude Stick live together and run a private detective agency. To say they are lesbians may distract from how twisted and damaged they really are. Is Mavis a racist and drug addict? And what about Gertrude? I took so many notes, that I think they may be a spoiler, so I tossed them aside.

I will say they are fascinating characters that walk to the beat of their own drum. Their pasts created their present, but I will leave that to you to discover. They are not my usual kind of characters, but that was the allure, to walk outside my comfort zone.

The motto of the Mavis Bone Detective Agency – An eye for an eye makes the world blind.

Is there any character that stands, morally, above the rest?

I was entertained with this twisted story and its OMG moments. It was a wild ride with quirky characters that kept me on my toes. I think Mavis Bone has something for everyone: suspense, horror, paranormal, and most of all, the outlandish characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer by B P Smythe.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The book opens with a serial killer, whose evil roots were planted from a traumatic childhood. He makes an agenda to rob and kill women for financial gain, over the years 2008 to 2014. His crime spree efforts are checked and eventually foiled by Mavis Bone, a forty-year-old Australian, lesbian, private investigator. And with her lover, forty-five-year-old German secretary, Gertrude Stick, they operate the SW19 Wimbledon Broadway based, Mavis Bone Detective Agency.
Mavis and Gertrude, live above the agency office, and share the top two flats. The walls of Mavis’s flat are adorned with pictures of Mario Lanza. Being a true fan, she has all his old records. Gertrude’s flat is full of Nazi memorabilia. In her teens she was a member of the Hitler youth.
Using a Russian motorcycle and sidecar, nicknamed Lenin, for their mode of transport, they often turn up at a crime scene, wearing hell’s angel’s leathers and Nazi helmets. Mavis’s secretary, had recently purchased the storm trooper helmets from a Nazi memorabilia website. Included with her delivery, was a giant swastika patterned bedspread, and a black satin pillow case set, all decked out with swastikas and portraits of the Nazi leaders. Through the week, Gertrude rotates the pillows, so she can take it in turn to sleep on the faces of Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler.
Chasing the `Fledgling Killer`, through his ingenious methodical killing spree, is hands on Mavis Bone, and she’s not afraid to get them dirty. This involves the death of her husband, and a problem client that could send her secretary to prison for a war crime.
Dealing with her own personal issues through the years, Mavis has blood on her hands and sees it justifiable, even though the police wouldn’t. Her gender choices, along with her racist opinionated views, were moulded in her hard-Australian outback childhood, and were the motivation for killing her prostitute philandering husband.
Mavis Bone is a real believable Ozzy crude character, who has a preference for strap-on lesbian sex and snorting Charlie – a cocaine habit she picked up in Columbia as a student, while backpacking around South America during her early twenties
Mavis and Gertrude are lovers, and share a bond of tortured childhoods. They suffer each other, and are comparable to Holmes and Watson in their crime fighting gay relationship; while using sound racist logical reasoning and drug taking, to solve crimes.

Mavis Bone explained:

With my book, `Mavis Bone and the Fledgling Killer`, I hope to transform the standard thriller genre. This is achieved by using chapter heading teasers that unveil a narrative with a diverging short story structure; weaving its way through a series of connecting subplots. Subplots which are paced with peaks and troughs, through a series of scene and sequels. While never forgetting what’s at stake, through its chapter driven storyline.
The novel explores in detail, Mavis Bone as a fictional lesbian detective, who is on the outside of the margins of society, while trying to achieve justice and generate change.
Mavis Bone is sexualized, condescended to, and used as a pawn. And yet, when her body trembles, her gaze never wavers.
Her life story is a blueprint, peppered with the ugly elements of Homophobia.
The book fits into our obsession with serial killers, and our interest in their pathology, along with the suffering of their victims.
Its story telling, bridges rites of passage and transformation, to create a book of terror, but not with gratuitous racism, sex or violence. A book in which, being different, is challenged, forcing us to look twice before judging another human being, whether they be a criminal, psychopath or plain mad.
A book in which the human drama supersedes, and propels the plot, instead of falling victim to it.
Mavis Bone’s emotions and fears, are described vividly, and the book is full of penetrating insights into her human condition, that go way beyond her sexual appetite.
The moral of the story, is meant to provoke readers to see life differently, and make them understand LGBT life styles – as well as gender inequality and the inevitable discrimination, as seen through the eyes of Mavis Bone’s early sexual experiences.
With this novel, I hope to achieve reader empathy – showing and creating the plotted life story of Mavis Bone. This is while inviting the reader to peek behind her intimate torrid life. Similar to a voyeur inviting the viewer to peek behind drawn blinds and through the window. And finally, drawing the reader into the psychological aftermath, revealing how killing and sexual urges can fester and go sour, when suppressed for too long.

ABOUT BARRY SMYTHE

B.P.Smythe studied engineering at Carshalton College and eventually became a member of the Institute of Quality Assurance.

B.P. Smythe

Sow And You Shall Reap – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/145677171X is his first self- published novel. Last year B.P. secured a three book deal of short stories from Bloodhound Books http://www.bloodhoundbooks.com/. His author bio is on their website.

From a Poison Pen is his first book of short stories http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poison-Pen-collection-macabre-stories-ebook/dp/B01BKWT4EE. His second book of short stories From a Poison Pen VOL II has just been released and is available on: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poison-Pen-ii-B-P-Smythe-ebook/dp/B01LFM1032

This year 2017, B.P.Smythe is shortly to release two full length novels – The Medal of Purity and The Expired including two further books of short stories – Short Tales with Long Memories VOL 1 and VOL 2 and a novella – The Holocaust Experience.

Books by B.P.Smythe: For information on obtaining free complimentary PDF, Kindle or paperback copies, contact B.P.Smythe at barrysmythe@hotmail.com

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Murderous Interruptions by C J Carson @GoddessFish

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. C.J. Carson will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The paranormal mystery The Veils of Parallel Times continues with “Murderous Interruptions”. Allie Callahan’s nemesis is a challenging and formidable adversary.

Travel with Allie as she finally accepts and embraces her ancestral gifts to stop her archenemy who would have her destroyed for his own lust of power. Explore the depths of her relationship with this rival in this life and beyond the veil.

Read an Excerpt

When I turned from the fire to respond, the woman hushed me. “You have much work to do, my dear, now rest.” She held me in her arms, swallowing me up in the most comforting sleep I could remember for a very long time, maybe ever.

Hours later, the warm glare of the sun’s first light sliced through the trees of the forest, waking me from a sound sleep. The air was cool and crisp, and I was laying next to the fire that had burned down to smoldering coals. Suddenly, realizing I wasn’t dreaming, I was in unfamiliar surroundings. I remembered the woman I had met the evening before, but she was not within eyeshot. Glancing around to get my bearings, it was shocking to be sitting in the middle of a small clearing of the woods. Several teepees made of tall tree branches wrapped in animal skins sat along the edge of the clearing. Standing and sliding out from under the animal skin blanket, I looked down to see myself dressed in unfamiliar clothes, and leather moccasins covering my feet. I had the strange sensation I was in a familiar place, but still not where I belonged.

Before I took one step, I scanned the area. Then something compelled me to approach one of the dwellings. As I drew closer, an Indian brave stepped out. Grabbing me by the arm, he pulled me into the teepee and shoved me to the ground. Walking to the edge of the space, he retrieved a large round basket and shot it at me with such force I thought it might fray. Shocked, I gazed up at him, he looked oddly familiar, but it was his eyes that gave him away. These new experiences were teaching me that the eyes were indeed the window to the soul. Those dark brown eyes were those of a man I knew all too well. Makya! Could this be Makya? Had I known him through other lifetimes? Although he spoke in a different tongue, it somehow translated perfectly for me.

He was angry and started barking. “You are a lazy dreamer. Why you insist on leaving our dwelling and choose to lay with the fire in place of me is a mystery. You need to do your gathering, and you are late in starting your day. I am off to hunt. You will obey me and begin behaving like a squaw worthy of me.”

I heard footsteps outside as someone was approaching. “Calian, are you coming? We are late; the morning is half over.”

Stunned, my eyes widened. Makya? Although the man called him Calian, the spirit was too familiar. It was the evil spirit I’d come to know as Makya! It didn’t look like him, but it was his temperament.

As I pushed up to my knees, Calian glared down at me, striking out in my direction. Although his hand never touched me, a force knocked me back to the ground. As I raised my hand to him, he grabbed my wrist, twisting it, and forced me back to the ground.

“You know better. Do not use your powers on me. I will strike you down every time. You are no match for me!”

Panic rose in me as I struggled to understand what was happening. If this brave was indeed Makya by a different name, how did we get here?

Pushing through the opening in the structure, he paused without turning to me. “Do not return this afternoon unless you have filled that basket with berries and some healing herbs. You must learn your place and mind your responsibilities. Do not make me the laughingstock of this tribe one more time!”

I listened to his footsteps as he jogged off, mounted his horse, and rode away before I got up from the ground.

About the Author:
CJ Carson was inspired by a great story from a very early age. What brought her to this juncture in life and encouraged her to put pen to paper are the many rich experiences and opportunities of her life’s journey.

While working in the medical field, she explored energy work and became a Polarity Therapist and Reiki Therapist.

Exploring acting brought her into the theatre world both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Painting introduced her to a group of artists that shared her passion for bringing a scene to canvas.

Her love of singing allowed her to travel twice to Europe as a soloist with conductor Sonja Dahlgren Prior, who inspired her to do something, she never dreamed possible.

CJ Carson has always wanted to write. Now she is introducing to the world her second published book, “Murderous Interruptions,” from her trilogy, Veils of Parallel Times.

Website

Audible
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Giveaway & Excerpt – Craving The Fight by L P Dover @XpressoTours

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Craving the Fight
L.P. Dover
(Gloves Off – Next Generation, #1)
Publication date: May 24th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

L.P. Dover, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who brought you the tantalizing Gloves Off series, presents Gloves Off – Next Generation. This brand-new saga of interconnected standalones unites new characters with beloved originals in dark and sexy stories laced with suspense!

Fame. Money. Status. An infinite number of women standing ringside in hopes of one night with him. These are all the things Carter Reynolds loves about being MMA royalty. As a UFC Heavyweight champion, and the son of the illustrious Matt Reynolds, Carter thinks he has everything he could ever want.

Until he comes face to face with Emma Jameson—the one who got away. The pair are bonded by a secret from their past, one that none in their inner circle can ever know about…

Thanks to her father, Emma is no stranger to the MMA world. UFC Middleweight champion, Ryley Jameson, is known far and wide for his scandalous antics in and out of the ring. His fame put her in the spotlight at a very early age. It even led to her lucrative modeling career and the opportunity for her to travel the world. Now Emma is back with the family of fighters she left behind and quickly discovers a darkness that has wriggled its way into the MMA fold.

Someone demands retribution for the sins of the past, and they’ve chosen to make Emma their first target. Determined to keep her safe, Carter will do whatever it takes to protect her, even if that means putting his life on the line.

As hidden truths are revealed, Carter and Emma find that no one in their circle is safe… and this is only the beginning.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

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EXCERPT:

Motherfucker. What was this horseshit?

Aleah bounced over to me and flung her arms around my neck. “You’re early! Good, this gives you and Emma time to catch up before your photoshoot. I knew she’d be perfect for the job. You two have always been comfortable with each other.”

Clenching my teeth, I watched as Emma posed with her cunt of an ex. He had his hands all over her as they posed for the pictures; I wanted to rip his arms off. “You failed to mention any of this to me,” I huffed.

“Hey,” Aleah said, squeezing my wrist. I tore my gaze away from Emma and focused on her. Aleah’s smile faded as she glanced back and forth between the three of us. “Am I missing something? Why are you mad? I thought you’d like working with Emma.”

My attention went back to Emma, and I couldn’t tear my eyes off her. Her bare skin shimmered in the sun, and her dark hair now had caramel wisps that weren’t there before. I could almost remember how it felt to touch her and have her nails rake down my back as she screamed out my name. I have always wanted her, and now she was right in front of me in another man’s arms, the arms of someone I knew had been with her the way I had. And now, I had to watch him touch her as if she was his.

“Carter, talk to me,” Aleah demanded, her voice low. “I’ve never seen you this angry. What’s going on?”

The photographer directed Ryan and Emma to change positions, and Ryan moved even closer to her. I had to force myself to look away before I lost my shit.

“I wasn’t expecting Emma to be here, much less with that prick,” I hissed.

Aleah stepped in front of me. “Ryan’s not that bad. He wants Emma back and thought this would work.”

“He’s a fucking tool. He doesn’t deserve her,” I fired back.

Aleah pinned me with her honey-toned stare, crossing her arms over her chest. “And who does? You?”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” I spat out quickly.

A slow, wry smile spread across her face. “It’s not what you’re saying but how you’re acting.” She peered over at Ryan and Emma again. “I mean, correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re seriously giving off the jealousy vibes right now.” When I didn’t respond, her eyes widened in understanding. “Oh my God, you have a thing for Emma. I had my suspicions years ago but never saw anything happen.”

My jaw muscles hurt from clenching my teeth so hard. “That’s because we didn’t let anyone see it.”

Aleah sucked back a gasp. “Have you two like …” She waved her hands in front of her as if she was trying to find the right words. “Gotten close?” she finished. Again, my silence was her answer. Her mouth gaped, and she grabbed her chest. “Holy shit, you have. And here I am flaunting her in front of you with another guy. I’m so sorry.”

She couldn’t be blamed for this.

I shrugged. “Emma left for New York, and I went my own way. It’s fine. We haven’t spoken in a long time.”

Groaning, Aleah shook her head incredulously. “First off, I’m going to kill you for not telling me any of this. And second,” she griped, holding up her hands, “I got this. I’m team Carter all the way.”

“What are you going to do?” I wondered.

Aleah winked. “Getting you what you want. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what that is.”


Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play golf, go on mountain hikes and white-water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, but her favorite to write is romantic suspense. However, she has found a new passion in romantic comedy, especially involving sexy golfers. Who knew the sport could be so dirty and fun to write about.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter


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One Sentence Reviews #SimonCarr @MarthaMoonWater @CherylHollon

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I won Touched by an Angel: Tough Love by Martha Williamson.

Tough Love (Touched by an Angel (Fiction Unnumbered))

Amazon / Goodreads

MY ONE SENTENCE REVIEW

Just like the TV show, we have trials and tribulations, realistic life situations, sorrow and happiness, and a happy ever after with a touch of danger.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

I won a paperback copy of Etched In Tears by Cheryl Hollon.

Etched in Tears (A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery #4)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY ONE SENTENCE REVIEW

A murder, a mystery, an amateur sleuth, a critter or two…easy reading, some laughter and smiles amongst the angst and sadness.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

Bob and the Blob by Simon Carr was an Amazon freebie.

Bob and the Blob

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A hilarious glimpse into an alien world of eat or be eaten, and you never know where your best friend will come from so keep you eyes open.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars
  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • Product images are linked/I am an Amazon affiliate.
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Sherry’s Shelves 4.10 – 4.16.22

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Hi Everyone. Got some family coming in this week from Connecticut. I am always anxious being around people, even Mr Wonderful at times. He is back to working with the Blue Wahoos, our minor league baseball team. I’m going to my first ball game since Covid. I am a little on the nervous side, being around people after all this time. Florida’s fully vaccination rate is 66.7%, but Pensacola’s is much lower. Doesn’t give me a huge vote of confidence, so I will be cautious!

Stay safe and wear a mask..

LAST WEEK ON fundinmental

COMING UP ON fundinmental

  • Sherry’s Shelves
  • Giveaway – The Secrets We Conceal by S R Fabrico
  • Review – Hidden Magic by Carmen Webster Buxotn
  • Giveaway – Under The Stars by Melissa Chambers
  • One Sentence Reviews by Martha Wiliamson, Cheryl Hollon & Simon Carr
  • Giveaway – Distorted Perception by Trish Arrowsmith
  • Giveaway – Strange Love by T L Bradford
  • Giveaway – Not Your Child by Lis Angus
  • Giveaway – Kai The Dancing Butterfly by Crystal Z Lee
  • Giveaway – Ten Thousand I Love Yous by Lisa Slabach
  • The Spotlight Is On Maggie Shayne
  • Giveaway – Virtual Reality by Ava Wixx
  • Tackling The TBR
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Giveaway – Secrets of a River Swimmer by S S Turner @GoddessFish

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Secrets of a River Swimmer by S.S. Turner

GENRE: Literary Fiction

BLURB:

As Freddy gazes at the majestic river gushing past him in the depths of a Scottish winter, he’s ready to jump in and end his life. But what happens next is not what Freddy expects. From the moment he enters the river, Freddy starts a journey which is more beautiful, funny, and mysterious than he could have imagined. And through this journey Freddy’s story becomes interweaved with a cast of unforgettable characters who are equally lost and in search of answers. Eventually they all unite in their quest for an answer to the biggest question of them all: will the river take them where they want to go?

In the tradition of inspirational works of fiction like The Alchemist and Life of Pi, Secrets of a River Swimmer is at once a profound exploration into living with meaning and an affecting story of people on the cusp of change.

EXCERPT

From Page 7

I dip my toe in.

It’s fucking freezing.

I sit and watch the majestically sinister Scottish river hurtle along below me. I’m not sure whether to be in awe or terrified, but that was always going to be the case today, my last day. The idea of jumping into the river reminds me of the feeling you experience when you arrive at the beach, and you’re thinking about jumping into the sea, but you know it’s going to cause you grievous bodily harm from your nether regions up. For some reason, your legs are the one part of your body which can handle intense cold without too much stress. But all body parts above your legs are a whole different story. My voice just rose an octave, and I’m not even talking.

So you sit and watch the sea while contemplating your next move, as if this thinking time will give you the required mental strength to leap into the cold blue water. However, this thinking time just gives the water an opportunity to look you in the eye with laughing menace, because the water knows the questions you are grappling with deep in your soul. The water understands it is strong and you are weak—the eternal power imbalance at play.

The waiting period only makes it worse, of course. All it does is allow you to hand more mental power over to the cold water than a short and simple jumping-in maneuver would have done. Why do we employ such counter-productive strategies in our lives?

AUTHOR Bio and Links

S.S. Turner has been an avid reader, writer, and explorer of the natural world throughout his life which has been spent in England, Scotland and Australia. Just like Freddy in his first novel, Secrets of a River Swimmer, he worked in the global fund management sector for many years but realized it didn’t align with his values. In recent years, he’s been focused on inspiring positive change through his writing as well as trying not to laugh in unfortunate situations. He now lives in Australia with his wife, daughter, two dogs, two cats, and ten chickens.

Buy Links: Amazon / B&N / AppleBooks / Indigo / Kobo

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Follow the tour and comment. The more you follow, the better your chances of winning. Follow the tour HERE.

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From The Ashes – The Union by T H Hernandez @AnAudiobookworm

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Author: T.H. Hernandez

Narrator: Alexa Elmy

Length: 9 hours and 10 minutes

Series: The Union Series, Book 1

Publisher: Theresa Hernandez

Released: Nov. 19, 2021

Genre: Fiction; Young Adult

After global warming and a second civil war devastated the former United States, two different societies rose from the ashes – the Union, a towering high-tech utopia, hugging the perimeter of the continent, and the devastated, untamed midsection known as the Ruins. Seventeen-year-old Evan Taylor has an easy, privileged life in the Union. What she doesn’t have is any idea what to do with the rest of her life. She only knows she wants to do something meaningful, to make a difference in the lives of others. When she’s kidnapped and taken into the Ruins as a pawn in a dispute involving her boyfriend, Bryce, her ideal world is turned upside down. What she learns while in the Ruins shakes her faith in everything she’s ever known, from Bryce to her family and even the Union itself. Now Evan must choose whether to stay with Cyrus, the sexy, resourceful survivor who believes she’s in the Ruins for a reason, or return to the only life she’s ever known. But when she stumbles upon a dangerous plot that threatens both worlds, her decision could tear her apart.
Buy on Amazon

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T.H. Hernandez is a published author of young adult novels. THE UNION, a post-climate change dystopian adventure, was a finalist in the 2015 San Diego book awards in the Young Adult Fiction category. SUPERHERO HIGH, an urban scifi teenage romance, set in San Diego, about the offspring of the world’s superheroes. Her first young adult contemporary, co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni, PROM-WRECKED, is published through Entangled Teen. She thrives on coffee, peanut butter-flavored anything, Doctor Who marathons, Bad Lip Reading videos, and all things young adult, especially the three young adults who share her home. When not visiting the imaginary worlds inside her head, you can find her in usually sunny San Diego with her husband, three teenage spawns, a bearded dragon, a couple of cats, and Artemis, a neurotic rescue mutt.
Alexa is a NYC based actor and voice over artist. Born in Connecticut, Alexa has been creating art in all its forms since childhood. She graduated from Fordham University with a BA in Theatre and a concentration in Performance. Alexa previously trained at the London Dramatic Academy (UK), the Stella Adler Studio of Acting (NYC), the New York Film Academy, and the Greenwich Performing Arts Studio. She is pursuing performance opportunities on the stage, screen, and in audio. Her recent acting credits include the tv show Shattered (Investigation Discovery), Innards (Troma Ent.), Ray Gun Say0nara (New Ohio Theatre) and a voiceover for Google. Alexa’s other talents include playwriting, painting, playing piano, and singing. Her favorite play is Oil by Ella Hickson and her favorite genre is comedy. She is represented by Innovative Artists and Stefanie Talent & Entertainment.
Q&A with Author T.H. Hernandez
  • Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
    • I’ve been wanting to turn this series into audiobooks for awhile now, but with the pandemic and my ever-increasing time spent at home instead of out and about, I figured now was the right time. But I had no idea where to begin. Queue online writing conferences in 2020. I attended one where two narrators broke down the process into easy steps I knew I could complete. They also explained the pros and cons of the various ways to bring my audiobook to life. Finally, in 2021, I was ready to begin the process. I signed up on ACX and put my book up for audition, but I just wasn’t connecting with any of the samples. Frustrated, I did my own search, putting in search parameters for what I was looking for. I stumbled upon two amazing narrators and asked them if they’d be interested in auditioning. Luckily they did, but the moment I heard Alexa Elmy read in Evan’s voice, I knew I had my narrator! Alexa has been amazing. She’s an experienced narrator and really held my hand through everything. I firmly believe without her by my side, The Union would still not be an audiobook.
  • Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
    • Actually, no, believe it or not. When I was drafting, I didn’t really think much beyond the eBook and paperback formats. Even though I’m a devoted audiobook listener, this didn’t occur to me, because it seemed so far beyond what I was capable of doing. I’m a writer. I write. Both for my day job and my hobby. I put words on the screen, not in the air. But now that I’ve been through the process, you can be sure, this will be in the back of my mind with every future book I write.
  • How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
    • It’s more like Alexa guided me than the other way around, but I’d say we worked closely together. I had no idea how quickly she’d turn the recordings around. She was always waiting for me to listen and approve the chapters. I had a few things that came up during the process that interfered with me getting things done faster. As a seasoned professional, I only had a handful of pronunciation tips to ask of her. And because this wasn’t her first rodeo, she asked me for some background on my characters. As an avid plotter, I had details ready for her. I think she perfectly captured the essence of all my characters in her narration.
  • Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
    • I conceived of the idea behind The Union series back in 2008, when weather changes were getting to the point that we couldn’t ignore them. But it was some of the driest weather in San Diego history in 2010 that made me take the idea of climate change to extremes, and what would happen if people went to war over their disagreements of whether climate change was natural or influenced by man-made causes.
  • How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
    • I haven’t had much of a problem with this yet. I write for my day job, but it’s not particularly fascinating stuff. Marketing content, proposals, web content, etc. So it’s fun to roll up my sleeves in the evenings and weekends and write really fast-paced action instead of product differentiators.
  • Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
    • Very much so. I started back in the early days when books were on tape, then CD, and the early days of MP3 books. I used to drive over 30 miles to and from work every day. I loved being able to listen to a book during my commute. Made the drive a lot less frustrating. Now I listen when I’m knitting, walking, or doing mundane chores. It’s a great way to get more “reading” in and entertain myself when I’m doing boring tasks.
  • Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
    • I think some of the more dramatic, emotional scenes come to life in a way in the audiobook that they may not on the printed page. There’s an immediacy in the spoken word that can’t be ignored. You can slow down when you’re reading, but the narration draws you into the tense nature of the scene and won’t let you go.
  • If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?
    • Oh, absolutely!!! I’m intrigued by time travel more than just about any other scifi concept. Doctor Who is one of my favorite shows. If I could only go to one time and place, and not go to lots of places, I’d love to go back and relive my daughter’s birth. That was the most magical day of my life.
  • If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
    • This is hard, because the actors I envisioned when I wrote the book a long time ago, are far too old to play teens now. I don’t really have new actors in mind.
  • What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
    • I’d say they’re incorrect. As someone who does both, there are books I’ve read and books I’ve listened to, and I have to really think long and hard to remember which ones I listened to and which ones I read. A good story is a good story. The words are sucked into your brain, it’s just the pathways to get them there – either your eyes or your ears – that differ. I don’t think it matters beyond that. Plus, there are people who have difficulty reading due to poor eyesight or dyslexia, and audiobooks are everything to them. I can’t imagine why anyone would try to make one type of book inferior to another.
  I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by T.H. Hernandez. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Click here to view the full tour schedule!

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Giveaway – The Dark Beast by Dave Maruszewski @GoddessFish

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 The Dark Beast by Dave Maruszewski

GENRE:   Children’s/ Chapter Books/ Middle Grade

I am super excited to have THEM on fundinmental today. Hope you enjoy their interview as much as I did.

Host:  Instead of writing a well thought-out post for this wonderful blog, we decided to interview the three main characters of this book to give you keen insight into the book.  I’ll give the questions and the three stars will answer.  Let’s get started.

Host: For the first question, what was your favorite part of the book?

Raven: I think the time when those people did that thing.

Host: I’m not sure what you mean.

Ravai: I didn’t read the book.

Romda: What?  They told you to read the book before you got here!

Ravai: Yeah, I didn’t.  I had some things to do.

Romda: That’s a lame excuse.  Don’t worry.  I’ll answer.   Well, I think my favorite part was –

Ravai: Okay, it was the part where I beat up those bad guys.

Romda: You don’t even know if that was part of the book.  You didn’t read it!  Raven, do you believe this guy?

Raven: To be honest, I just want to you to stop arguing.

Host: How about we move on?  Here’s an easy question.  What is your favorite weapon?

Raven:  It has to be the bow.  I like distance when I am fighting.

Romda:  Well, weapons are interesting, but I think it is important to keep your mind about you.  You should keep alert like when you fish, not too tense but with a sense of awareness.  There are lots of types of awareness.  I think I documented about fifteen.  There is peak, relaxed, skilled ..

Ravai: Or you could answer the question he asked.

Romda: What?

Host: What about you, Ravai? 

Ravai:  Anything that I can beat Raven with, which is pretty much every weapon.

Raven: Hey!

Host: Let’s not devolve here.  We want to give a deeper look into this book.  What key insight do you have for this audience?

Raven: Insight?  I don’t think Ravai even looked “in-sight” the book.

Romda: Hee hee.

Ravai: Awww, now that’s uncalled for.  You are supposed to be looking out for me.  I’m your best bud.

Romda:  I thought I was.

Raven: …

Host:  We’d like to thank you for your time gentle viewer.  However, at this pace, we don’t want to waste any more of it.  Thank you, and have a pleasant evening.

If that doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what will.

Amazon / Goodreads

BLURB

Recently knighted squires Raven, Romda, and Ravai are tasked to help a nearby priest. However, this simple errand turns into much more.  They cross paths with the Dark Beast.  After that brief encounter, they soon realize the Beast’s plans to destroy an entire town.  They journey to this town, meeting residents who tell large tales about the Beast.  How much of stories are true?  The three will find out.  The Dark Beast is coming.

EXCERPT

The Dark Beast lunged toward Agnew and grabbed him, but his hand smashed into something. The wizard had put up as a barrier, invisible to the Beast.

“A nice spell,” the Beast said, “but there are ways around it, as well.”

“It will be too late,” the wizard said. He then shot out a large burst of blue energy. The Beast jumped out of the way, grabbed onto one of the rafters, and did not come back down.

“Do you know what your problem is?” the Dark Beast asked.

“Right now?” Agnew replied. “You.”

“No,” the Dark Beast continued, “even in my form, you are more than my superior. You have great power.” Agnew almost seemed pleased to hear this.

The Beast continued explaining. “However, you are too vain and unwilling to get your hands dirty. No one turned me into the beast that you see before you. I chose to do it. It made me stronger. You would never do it.”

The wizard released another blast, almost missing, but indeed striking the Dark Beast. He fell to the ground.

“It would appear that you have overestimated yourself,” Agnew proclaimed. “I stand above you, and you are defeated.”

The Beast looked up and said, “But you won’t touch me, will you, even if I am dead?”

“Of course not,” Agnew replied. “That is why I have guards.” He raised his hand to give the final blow.

The Dark Beast rolled and smashed another vial on the ground. The mist penetrated Agnew’s shield. When he smelled it, he immediately got sick and tried not to vomit.

The Beast slowly rose with a glare aimed directly at Agnew. The Beast was unaffected. His form was resistant to the sickly fumes.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family.  He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son, when they encouraged him to put his bedtime stories on paper. 

His stories are created from an accumulation of experiences from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.  He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

The book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour.

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Follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Follow the tour HERE.

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Giveaway – To Be A Fae Queen by Tricia Copeland @tcbrzostowicz @CaffeinatedPR

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The Audio Flow and Tricia Copeland are excited to share the release of To Be A Fae Queen. This is the first in the Realm Chronicles, and narrated by Jillian Yetter. You won’t want to miss this young adult fantasy. Check out it out, order your copy and be sure to enter the giveaway!

To Be A Fae Queen



Amazon | Audible

To Be a Fae Queen – 5* Readers’ Favorite Review

With an endearing yet fierce female protagonist, fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jenna Wolfhart will love this epic Fae fantasy.

The last of her line, a faerie princess prepares to take the throne. But multiple forces plot against her, some trusted friends…

After losing her brothers, Titania studied and trained to rule Aubren. But she hadn’t planned on becoming Queen at fifteen. Now with her reign challenged from within the castle walls, she must decide what is best for her kingdom. Should another rule in her stead? Or has fate led her to this moment?

Only she can decide a path that becomes littered with choices. Will a marriage shore up her reign? Could naming a successor be enough? And what of the creatures of the deep and a tale of one who can end all evil? Faced with a choice to aid beings of Upper Earth, she must weigh whether to believe her inner compass and face charges of treason. Accepting the edicts of the High Council may be a safer route, but is it the best choice for the realm?

Titania’s emerging power lies just beyond her reach. Will it manifest we she most needs it? Or do they face  an eternity in darkness?

To Be a Fae Queen is a magical journey into the realm of Middle Earth. If you like fearless heroines, you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s thrilling fantasy.

Get To Be a Fae Queen to descend into a new world today!



About the Author



Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.




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