It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s… Sharcano by Jose Prendes Review

Posted on October 10, 2015 by fundinmental

Flying flaming sharks star in this funfilled apocalyptic thriller, Sharcano by Jose Prendes

I love this cover. Talk about ACTION! I see a lot of it.

MY REVIEW

OMG! As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I had to have Sharcano by Jose Prendes, so I bought my very own copy. This has been the first book I bought this year.

I read Jose Prendes’ bio and it reads as if it is a short story and great for some laughs.

It all started with the amazing find of an 83′ megalodon beached, mauled and burnt.

I can see it all now. Coming soon to a theater near you…It’s lava sharks!

As soon as Mick Cathcart hears of it, he dumps his daughter at his exes and it’s off on the adventure of a lifetime. He thinks he is God’s gift to women, arrogant and self absorbed.

When Father MacKenzie hung himself in desolation, Father Cox stepped in, determined to change the outcome Father MacKenzie had foreseen.

Reading about Bao and his terrifying and sad, yet uplifting, trial by water was so detailed and realistic, my emotions ran AMOK, highs and lows and back again. He is such a kind hearted and loving child who is put to the test, his losses and sorrow mount. I kept thinking, please Jose, don’t leave him out there alone. His sacrifices deserve a reward.

We have Buck and Trigg, just a couple of good old boys out looking for Sasquatch. They are quite the characters and seem to pop up at just the right time. I can’t help but laugh at them, even though things don’t look so good to me, they don’t seem to understand how up a tree they are.

Volcanoes are popping up from the sea floor, spewing lava worldwide and it is alive.

I can see them, forming in the lava, jumping, flying, determined to find…US!

A plague, the Hell Virus, begins to spread. Humans are facing extinction.

The action is easy to visualize after watching all those Sharnadoes.

Funny, witty, sad, hopeful, uplifting.

The characters don’t all make it to the end, sometimes sacrificing themselves to save others. They grabbed at me, pulling me for and against them. I didn’t always like them, but they all had their contribution to make.

There is a twist that sets it apart from the B movies I love so much…spirituality.

I was hem hawing and telling myself, yeah I know that, then WTF, then, yeah I know that, then WTF.

Jose Prendes did a great job pushing my buttons at the end of Sharcano. I loved this novel and am looking forward to the next one.

5 Stars

ABOUT JOSE PRENDES (From Goodreads)

Jose Prendes, international man of mystery, was found swaddled in a basket among the reeds at the mouth of the Amazon. Raised by local shamans, Jose learned the magic of language and decided to dedicate his skills to the betterment of all mankind. He trekked to America at the age of 12, on foot no less, and made his home in Florida for a few years. After discovering a cure for the common cold, and losing it among his comic book collection, Prendes decided to abandon Florida for sunny Los Angeles.

Upon arriving in the city of angels, he was made the leader of a small group of cinephiles who believed he was the second coming of Shakespeare. Wielding immense power, and a ridiculously awesome dvd collection, Prendes continues his struggle to save the world from the coming peanut butter and jelly apocalypse.

Stalk him: Goodreads / Twitter

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Are They Human? Novus by Crystal Marcos

Posted on September 22, 2015 by fundinmental

The simple cover of Novus, The Cresecren Chronicles, by Crystal Marcos hides the action inside.

If you like apocalyptic/dystopian adventure with characters that will win your heart, then Novus is for you. This is a series, so we will follow Cayden and his mismatched band of “family” as they struggle to survive and create a new world.

Add me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

Novus – Latin for new

Novus by Crystal Marcos is the first book in The Cresecren Chronicles, an action/adventure, dystopian/apocalyptic romance of an inhuman sort. This is a series and after finishing the first book, I can hardly wait for the next.

I was drawn to Cayden’s story from the opening chapter. He is a Cresecren, created to be used in whatever manner his human’s see fit, a slave. When Cayden has served his usefulness, he is sent to Gavaron, with other Cresecren considered rejects and rebels.

He immediately hooked up with Alecander, even though they do not have friends, sex or mates…like humans.They are infertile. Is that considered a curse or a blessing? So what did he feel for Linnaya?

When we do get to Novus, a charming town – “A place to start over, a place to begin, a clean state…” – Just when I thought they were safe, this mismatched band of friends will be put to the test.

I became complacent, lulled into a sense of comfort by Crystal Marcos’s writing. Things are not what they appear to be and there is imminent danger of a different kind.

I felt happy in those moments when the characters could celebrate and enjoy life, and deep sorrow when tragedy struck.

The descriptive writing led me to visualize the action and the world that surrounds the characters. Example: Every once in a while her copper sandals would peek out as if to say hello. How great is that?

Novus made me think of our Civil War, but with a twist. The “people” just want to be free, human and Cresecren alike. The characters have become a family, of sorts, and I am totally invested in their survival. I marveled at their willingness to put their life on the line for each other as they began to realize their feelings and the ability to care. The Cresecren are not just robots, with no feelings and desires of their own. They had more in common with humans than anyone thought…or is that what put them in so much danger, hunted down like criminals or terrorists.

I love Novus and I look forward to more Cresecren adventures with Cayden, Linnaya and the family, as they struggle to make a free life and stay alive.

I received a copy of Novus by Crystal Marcos in return for an honest and unbiased review.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Ideal for Hunger Games and Divergent fans, Crystal Marcos delivers Novus, a riveting novel set in a dystopian future of action-adventure, suspense, and romance. Intriguing characters and a gripping storyline keep the reader turning page after page.

Being a teenager is hard enough. And what if your life’s path is predetermined? On top of that, you aren’t even Human?

Cayden was given life as a Cresecren. He expected to live out his days with the dysfunctional Human family he was assigned to serve. One fateful night, however, landed him in Gavaron, the home of maimed, elderly, or defiant Cresecren.

Beyond its borders is the Den, an area much more dangerous than he ever imagined. Now seventeen, Cayden unwittingly becomes involved in a conspiracy and is one of a handful of survivors fleeing a deadly attack. They set off on a perilous journey in search of refuge and the truth. Along the way, Cayden begins to comprehend the difference between fully living and merely surviving, while trying to balance his emotions and a forbidden love.

5 Stars -I would recommend not starting Novus (The Cresecren Chronicles, Book 1) by Crystal Marcos if you have anything planned for the rest of the day, as you will most likely not want to put the book down! . . . It’s the kind of book whose characters you miss when you finish the book. -Readers’ Favorite

ABOUT CRYSTAL MARCOS

Award-winning author Crystal Marcos has been a storyteller her entire life. As the oldest of five children, she had to do a lot of entertaining. She lives on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with her husband and daughter Kaylee, with another child on the way. Crystal is the author of BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale and HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE. Novus, her third book and first Young Adult novel, is Book One of The Cresecren Chronicles.

Stalk Crystal Marcos: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

BUY AT: Amazon / B&N / Kobo / ibooks / Smashwords

My review for – A delicious tale – Bellyache by Crystal Marcos

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Giveaway – Lost King by H B Moore

Posted on September 13, 2015 by fundinmental

Lost King by H.B. Moore

From USA TODAY bestselling author H.B. Moore

Undercover agent Omar Zagouri has been ordered to Giza. A prominent Egyptologist was murdered, and a priceless artifact—the only complete version of the Book of the Dead—is missing. Omar is still reeling from the recent disappearance of his girlfriend, Mia Golding, but he puts his quest to find her on hold to track down the lost piece of history.
Omar’s mission is not just to locate the sacred book; he must also rescue the two archaeologists kidnapped and forced to translate its hieroglyphics under threat of death. Their kidnapper is determined to discover the text’s rumored explosive revelation: that Moses did not receive the Ten Commandments from God but instead copied them from the Egyptians. Though Omar’s need to find Mia grows more urgent, he must focus on finding the enemy who will stop at nothing to ignite a controversy that will change history, and the world, forever.

AMAZON

Author H.B. Moore

H.B. Moore is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels set in ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She attended the Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican International School in Jerusalem and received her bachelor of science degree from Brigham Young University. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore, and romance and women’s fiction under the name Heather B. Moore. It can be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog

Book Blast Giveaway

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 9/30/15

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.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 Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I am outraged – Read Cargo by DV Berkom and you will know why

Posted on August 27, 2015 by fundinmental

Hello Readers, I have some fabulous news!

I don’t know about you, but I love a strong, kickass and take names, female protagonist that will take me on an adventure I will not soon forget and DV Berkom has done that in spades with her latest thriller, Cargo.

I love the strong cover and double exposure that makes me want to look through and behind the pages. There is so much going on in this novel, that by the time I got to the end, I heaved a sigh of relief, but the thoughts kept coming.

Add me to Goodreads now.

MY REVIEW

DV Berkom writes some fantastic thriller fiction and her latest, Cargo, does not disappoint. In fact, I think she took it up a notch. I anticipated a great read and wondered who Leine will be killing today. The twists and turns the characters and I went through kept the suspense building as the level of danger grew.

DV Berkom writes of strong, kickass, female protagonists and Leine Basso is a prime example. She is a complex character that is hard on the outside, with a soft filling. She is an expert shot and skilled in hand to hand combat. She wants to save everyone. Is it to atone for the guilt she carries from her past life as an assassin? How many lives has she ruined? Does she deserve the happiness she has found with Detective Santiago Jensen? She will do whatever is necessary to achieve her goal and right now, it is to rescue Kylie.

Kylie had been abducted while backpacking overseas and she was in for a horrific experience. She wondered what would become of her. Would they rape her? Would they take her organs and dump her somewhere far from home, never to be found? Would they sell her to the highest bidder? Or worse?

Things don’t go the way Leine plans and she ends up in need of rescue herself. She teams up with Derek, who is locked on the ship with her, bound for Africa. He is a poacher and Africa is his home. We will see him grow and develop as DV Berkom takes us on this wild African adventure of…

Poaching, terrorists, animals parading as men. Leine will learn more than she ever wanted to know about poaching and the men behind it. Their brutality and lack of respect for life, whether human or animal is beyond my comprehension. Women are treated as less than human, sold, traded, bartered and murdered at will.

The debasement and abuse heaped on Kylie by another woman totally shocked me. I wasn’t prepared for that. How depraved must she be to have no empathy, taking delight at treating her like a dog, or worse. I cannot imagine the terror Kylie felt thinking she may die.

I know this is fiction, but it reeks of realism. I was so angry about it all. I can see the women huddled in dank, dirty surroundings, scared out of their minds. I can see the herd of elephants after being brutally murdered and mutilated for their ivory. I recently read about their tusks being dyed pink so they no longer have any value. I agree with Leine’s feelings of disgust with the men who think they can do whatever they want without consequence. I want to see them get theirs.

Wang is a poacher and hopes to become the king of canned hunts, but that is only one of his criminal enterprises. I am hoping, crossing my fingers and talking to the book, please, please, please, make sure he gets what he deserves. I want him to come across someone who can mete out an appropriate punishment. A quick death wouldn’t be good enough for me. He needs to suffer horribly.

April is a bonus and I hope her role will grow as DV Berkom expands on the series. I am very curious about her. Leine is her mother and they were estranged for many years, but they had something in common. They had both been abducted. I know April has a story to tell and I want to hear it. What say you, DV?

I read a blog post of DV Berkom’s in which she talks of the research she does and I can see it paying off in a big way. The depth and details of the events and how the characters dealt with them were horrific, yet uplifting.

Cargo unfolds at a steady pace as DV Berkom takes us into a dangerous world of abduction, animal and human trafficking, poaching, canned hunts and terrorists. As we travel from the United States, to Bangkok, to sub-Saharan Africa the danger mounts, tension increases and the suspense has me reading faster, telling myself no peeking. When I turned the last page, I sat, just thinking. How cool is that, when a book won’t let you go, even after you have finished reading it? That is why DV Berkom is an author to have on your must read list.

I received Cargo by DV Berkom in return for an honest and unbiased review.

5 Stars

SYNOPSIS

The latest action-packed Leine Basso Crime Thriller–NOW AVAILABLE!

Money–the universal merchant. Anyone can be bought, anyone can be sold.

Anyone.

Haunted by memories of an op gone bad, former assassin Leine Basso travels to Bangkok in search of a missing backpacker. With help from an old contact, she discovers the man responsible for the girl’s disappearance is connected to a violent Hong Kong triad and is the linchpin of an extensive trafficking network–both animal and human.

Making enemies isn’t new for Leine, but making one in the triad is–she soon finds herself a prisoner on board a cargo ship headed for sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure her survival and to continue her hunt for the missing girl, she must join forces with Derek, an ivory poacher who promises to help her.

For a price.

As her involvement intensifies, Leine delves deeper into a disturbing and treacherous criminal underworld where everything has a price.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DV Berkom is a slave to the voices in her head. As the author of two popular thriller series (Leine Basso and Kate Jones), her love of creating resilient, kick-*ss female characters stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, mysteries, and thrillers, and longing to find the female equivalent within those pages.

Raised in the Midwest, she received her BA in political science from the University of Minnesota and promptly moved to Mexico to live on a sailboat. Many, many cross-country moves (and several years) later, she now lives just outside of Seattle, Washington with the love of her life, Mark, an ex-chef-turned contractor, and writes every chance she gets.

For more information, please visit her website at www.dvberkom.com.

Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Pinterest / Amazon US / Amazon UK/ Newsletter

Author Pages

Amazon / Smashwords / Barnes & Noble / itunes / Kobo

I am reading my way through DV Berkom’s The Leine Basso Thrillers:

5 Star Review – Serial Date by DV Berkom

5 Star Review – Bad Traffick

The Body Market – Coming soon.

I am also reading my way through DV Berkom’s Kate Jones Thrillers:

5 Star Review – Yucatan Dead by DV Berkom

5 Star Review – A One Way Ticket To Dead by DV Berkom

The Kate Jones Thriller Series, Vol. 1 box set (includes the 1st four novellas in the series).

(The Kate Jones Thriller Series, Vol. 2 includes Cruising for Death (#5), YD, and AOWTTD, all for $8.99 (bought separately they would be 12.99)

***all covers link to amazon, I am an affiliate***

Check out all these beautiful covers for the Kate Jones thrillers by DV Berkom.

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Adventures in Freyna – Exile by Sally Ann Melia

Posted on July 23, 2015 by fundinmental

Sally Ann Melia caught me totally off guard with this awesome story of two young boys lives, in the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series.

I have read and reviewed the first book, Kidnap, and fell in love with it., so now I am sharing Exile, Part III in the series. You can see my review for Kidnap HERE and my review for Hunter HERE.

Add to Goodreads

Cover: Nevena, Sugarbricks

MY REVIEW

Spoiler Alert: Even though Exile is Part Three of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series, I have tried to keep my comments general to keep from giving away any of the goodies contained between the pages.

Exile is Part Three of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series. If you are a fan of action and adventure with some science fiction thrown in, this is a series for you. Each book picks up where the other left off. I was fortunate enough to receive Hunter and Exile before I was done with Kidnap, so I was able to continue reading this fantastic series.

The artwork by Sally Dickson will help you see things as they really are, whether it be a character or one of the creatures. We have both probably watched some of the same movies that help to visualize the world and some of the action sequences Sally Ann Melia has created.

I love the combination of fashion, politics and thrills. At times I cannot help but smile and sometimes a chuckle passes over my lips. At least the characters will be fashionable dressed while they are fighting.

Each boy contributes a vital component that brings them together as friends and leaders.

My mother is visiting from out of state and I was very bad. I ignored her so I could finish this series and I loved it.

Kids of all ages will love meeting Teo, Guy, Des and Sebastian. I had characters that I rooted for and characters that I wanted to get what’s coming to them. Sounds like real life.

I find myself lost in the world of Freyna and want to return there as soon as possible. I was lucky enough to have all three of these, but now I have to wait. 😥 How many books will there be? When is the next one due out? Inquiring minds want to know.

I received Exile by Sally Ann Melia in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

SYNOPSIS

13-year-old Teodor has found a way to escape from kidnap, how long before he is safely home?

13-year-old Guy Erma has run away from everything he has even known and no longer knows what the future holds.

They escaped through dark tunnels and back alleys but they also discovered a hidden terror that now threatens their entire planet.

Two boys as different as two boys might be. Their adventure has forged an unexpected friendship, but do they really trust each other?

Dare they share their darkest, deepest secrets?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sally Ann Melia The author was born in Wallasey, England, in 1964, and moved to the South of France when she was eleven. She spent her teenage years living in the cosmopolitan city state of Monaco and became immersed in its many languages and cultures. An English girl in a French school, for three hours each week she would sit at the back of the class as her colleagues learnt English. To pass the time, she wrote stories. This led to a lifetime of writing novels, scripts, stories and articles.

In her working life, Sally writes marketing communications and manages large international websites.

In 2010, Sally joined the Hogs Back Writers, a club located on the outskirts of Guildford, and she set about turning an old manuscript into this novel: Guy Erma and the Son of Empire. Sally currently lives in Farnham, and she is married with two children.

Connect with Sally: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Exile

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Can they save the Dome – Hunter by Sally Ann Melia

Posted on July 7, 2015 by fundinmental

Sally Ann Melia caught me totally off guard with this awesome story of two young boys lives, in the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series.

I have read and reviewed the first book, Kidnap, and fell in love with it., so now I am sharing Hunter, Part II in the series. You can see my review for Kidnap HERE.

Add to Goodreads

Cover: Nevena, Sugarbricks

MY REVIEW

Spoiler Alert: Even though Hunter is Part Two of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series, I have tried to keep my comments general to keep from giving away any of the goodies contained between the pages.

Hunter is Part Two of the Guy Erma and the Son of Empire series. If you are a fan of action and adventure with some science fiction thrown in, this is a series for you. Each book picks up where the other left off. I loved Kidnap, Part One, so much, that I grabbed Hunter and started to read as soon as the package arrived.

I have watched movies that enable me to visualize the world Sally Ann Melia has created with her detailed and descriptive writing. Also, the artwork by Sally Dickson will help you see things as they really are, whether it be a character or one of the creatures.

We have a Dome, flying discs, fashion shows and models, cysects, poison pills, borgs and so much more.

There is political intrigue, betrayal, telepathy, thought control, even a telepathic shapeshifter that you better keep your eye on.

Sometimes your enemy will be your friend and ally, so do not be too quick to judge.

Would a romance among an unlikely pair save the Dome?

I love the world of Freyna that Sally Ann Melia has created. The characters, even though they are young, are brave and heroic. Even the bad ones are well developed and end up winning me over, except for the evil….well, I don’t want to spoil anything so I will leave it to you to find out.

Sally Ann Melia’s imaginative and descriptive writing describing the fight is amazing and I couldn’t put the book down until the last word was read. I have the next one, Part Three, Exile, and I want to pick it up right now, but it is late and tomorrow is another day.

My only complaint, Hunter seemed to start out a bit slow, but the ending was fantastic!

I received Hunter by Sally Ann Melia in return for an honest review.

4 Stars

SYNOPSIS

How dare you? How dare you hold me captive?

13-year-old Teodor was taken by the vicious Battle Borgs of Dome and now he must fight to survive.

13-year-old Guy Erma has been offered a chance to fight for his place in the Dome Elite. Only who will be his opponent? Will he face a Battle Borg of Dome?

Once they were heroes. These men died as heroes in battle. Now they have been reincarnated as the fearsome vanguard of the Dome Elite. They are the Battle Borgs of Dome.

Two boys as different as any two boys might be. They face the same enemy, the same danger, the same fear – dare they trust each other?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In her working life, Sally writes marketing communications and manages large international websites.

Connect with Sally: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Exile

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Review & Giveaway: Joshua and the Lightning Road by Donna Galanti

Posted on May 21, 2015 by fundinmental

Donna Galanti’s latest novel, Joshua and the Lightning Road, is an action adventure novel that kept me entertained from beginning to end. This may be for the younger crowd, but there is no reason you and I can’t enjoy it too and I did, very much.

MY REVIEW

This is a story of friendship, love, sacrifice, hope and courage. A wonderful, magical, mystery adventure for kids of all ages.

This book could start out: It was a dark and stormy night…

Joshua is the worrier and Finn is the adventurer. Finn is his Joshua’s best friend.

Their game of hide and seek ended badly. The lightning struck and when Joshua could see again Finn was gone and he was left with a warning…

He would be next.

So…it’s down the Lightning Road to find the answers. Let’s go together, shall we?

The descriptive writing showed me the road and I traveled it with Joshua.

There was the Child Collector who steals kids to sell.

The Reekers, because of their smell, he things they are stinky.

Giant ravens, like the Wizard of Oz monkeys and giant rats.

Myths, Greek Gods, and super powers.

Flying deer, sound familiar?

Takers – Earth people who came looking for the missing children. Not all are good.

Prophecy – one born who is part Earth human, part Nostos and part Olympian – the Oracle – all powerful. He could bring back all twelve gods. They would have to do good and close the Lightning Road forever.

I thought of so many movies I have watched that could have contributed to the writing of this story: Indiana Jones, where Kalimar abducts children to make them slaves; Harry Potter with his magic; the Neverending story.

Once I put my mind together with my inner child and let my imagination follow Joshua, the roller coaster ride shot out of the gate…

The characters are giving and go above and beyond anyone’s expectations. Some put their lives on the line for friends, family and all the missing children, while the others are so despicable, it makes me want to climb into the book and put them on the hamster wheel to produce the power, then finish them off after a suitable amount of torture.

Donna writes with humor interlaced throughout, giving this adventure that light touch that keeps it to a comfortable level for the youngsters.

“Mizzle – misty drizzle. “…we’re being mizzled right now.” “Better than being whizzled on.”

“If I ever got home again I would cherish every minute being bored. Bored was better than dead. “

I received this book in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Joshua and the Lightning Road
Publication date: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Donna Galanti

SYNOSIS

Stay away from the window, don’t go outside when it’s storming and whatever you do, do not touch the orb.

Twelve-year-old Joshua Cooper’s grandpa has always warned him about the dangers of lightning. But Joshua never put much stock in his grandpa’s rumblings as anything more than the ravings of an old man with a vast imagination. Then one night, when Joshua and his best friend are home alone during a frightful storm, Joshua learns his grandpa was right. A bolt of lightning strikes his house and whisks away his best friend—possibly forever.

To get him back, Joshua must travel the Lightning Road to a dark place that steals children for energy. But getting back home and saving his friend won’t be easy, as Joshua must face the terrifying Child Collector and fend off ferocious and unnatural beasts intent on destroying him.

In this world, Joshua possesses powers he never knew he had, and soon, Joshua’s mission becomes more than a search for his friend. He means to send all the stolen children home—and doing so becomes the battle of his life.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Donna is the author of the Joshua and The Lightning Road series and the Element Trilogy. She is a contributing editor to International Thriller Writers the Big Thrill magazine and blogs at www.project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogs…, a cooperative of published middle grade authors. Visit her at www.donnagalanti.com and www.ElementTrilogy.com. Donna wanted to be a writer ever since she wrote a murder mystery screenplay at seven and acted it out with the neighborhood kids. She attended an English school housed in a magical castle, where her wild imagination was held back only by her itchy uniform (bowler hat and tie included!). There she fell in love with the worlds of C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl, and wrote her first fantasy about Dodo birds, wizards, and a flying ship (and has been writing fantasy ever since). She’s lived in other exotic locations, including her family-owned campground in New Hampshire and in Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer. She now lives with her family and two crazy cats in an old farmhouse and dreams of returning one day to a castle.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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#Giveaway & Excerpt ~ Repossessed by Sandy Parks @SParksauthor

Posted on May 19, 2015 by fundinmental

Repossessed

by Sandy Parks

Series: Hawker Incorporated, #1

Genre: Action/Adventure, Suspense, Romantic Elements

Release Date: December 18, 2014

Repossessed is the Winner of the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Mainstream Mystery/Suspense Award and the 2013 Maggie Award for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements written by Sandy Parks.

A reclusive boss.

An unemployed pilot.

One devil in default.

When Brazilian gem dealer Maximilian Furst stops making payments on his fifty million dollar business jet, “Hawker” Dunlop, reclusive owner of a high-end recovery company, sends a resourceful team to Rio to repossess the aircraft.

Dunlop’s newest hire, ex-military pilot Amelia “Jet” Walczynski, has the perfect skills for infiltrating Furst’s inner circle and flying away the targeted plane. The assignment appears straightforward until Jet discovers Furst is a sociopath and knows she is after his aircraft. Her promised support team, a Greek lawyer avenging his brother’s death, a con man who sidelines as their scout, and a mechanic who paints her nails to match the country of operation, appear a hindrance rather than help. Jet finds it hard to play nice with her teammates when their private agendas put her life at risk. Yet, the closer she gets to Furst and the plane, the more she and her team will have to rely on each other to complete the repossession.

Santos Dumont Airport

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Gnawing apprehension spread through Jet as Maximilian Furst climbed up from the dark night onto his business plane and cast her a triumphant look. Behind him the door closed and the steward flipped the locking handle, securing the aircraft and effectively cutting off rescue if her true purpose were to be discovered.

The cushy leather seat beneath her offered little comfort. Minutes before coming onboard, she’d learned Furst had left a disloyal employee floating face down in a local lake. She drew a calming breath through a fake smile. Had she overestimated her ability to manipulate a powerful man—one who was proving far more dangerous and unpredictable than her boss portrayed?

Looking back, getting onto the Gulfstream 550 had been easy—maybe a bit too easy. Whatever the case, she had to keep a step ahead of Furst if she hoped to find the aircraft’s landing site.

He leaned over her leather chair, using his rock-solid body as unspoken intimidation. Without a word, he picked up the ends to her seat belt and buckled her in. Her heartbeat didn’t slow until the plane had taken off from the domestic airport and risen out of the haze into a clear night.

Jet controlled her fear by focusing on the sleek cabin. She related more to machines, particularly those with wings, than men.

“You have an impressive aircraft,” she said, with the proper amount of awe to feed Furst’s overblown ego. She could recite checklists and emergency boldface items for the fifty-million-dollar beauty that surrounded her, but she had to be careful not to reveal her flying expertise. “Will I be as impressed with your home?” Or wherever the plane might land and “magically” disappear.

Maximilian shifted in his seat to face her and tented his long, dark fingers. “After the excess of my party, you will like the peaceful place we are going.”

“Peaceful? I see you more as the type who never rests.” She pointed at a well-developed bicep on his arm, making sure not to touch or even hint at coming close enough to doing so. “Those don’t come from lounging around.”

“Senhorita, you flatter me. What is a strong body without a fit mind? My sanctuary awaits. It cleanses the body and soul of troubles.”

“I find it hard to believe you have many troubles.”

“A man without them has never been tested. Take this plane, for instance. The company and I have a financial disagreement to resolve. My legal sources have informed me impatient Americans have arrived to take it back. They are supposedly in Rio at this very moment.”

Perceptive sources. She held back the gulp striving to launch down her throat.

Maximilian, his spicy cologne still potent after the long night, leaned forward and encouraged her to do the same. She worked out of her seat belt and rather reluctantly moved closer.

With her head near, he softly added, “You, Senhorita de verão, are an American. I believe you have come to steal my plane.”

Print: Amazon

Sandy loves building worlds with memorable characters caught up in ever changing circumstances. She writes in several genres including action adventure thrillers with touches of mystery and romance, science fiction, romantic suspense, and historical romance, some under the name Sandy Moffett. She has won several national writing awards including the Daphne du Maurier Mainstream Award for Mystery & Suspense, Maggie Award for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements, and The Lories for Best New Author Paranormal. Before the days of writing, Sandy was trained as a hydrogeologic scientist, taught at a university, and worked for a civil engineering firm and on an Air Force flight test computer project. Her adventurous background comes from being a private pilot, traveling the world, hiking, scuba diving, and taking over fifteen years of Kenpo karate.

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Friday 56 #36 & BB #13 – Dinosaurs Eat Paris by Mark Douglas Stafford

Posted on January 16, 2015 by fundinmental

The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice.

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and find any sentence or a few ( no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence or so of the book you are reading along with you initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Please include the title of the book and the author’s name.

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I have been reading and reading and reading.

I finish one book and immediately begin on another.

I can’t seem to stop myself long enough to write the reviews.

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DINOSAURS EAT PARIS by Mark Douglas Stafford

The World Fair 1889 ~ an alternate history.

What a wonderfully fun cover.

I couldn’t help but pick it up when I saw it was FREE on fuonlyknew.

This is a fun book for all ages.

What do you think of the cover?

(page 56% on Kindle)

“Look. Look. There are dinosaurs down there.

Can you believe it, Monsieur?

Dinosaurs. In Paris…”
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(Book Beginnings)

Dinosaurs were the last thing on Dante Righi’s mind as Maria Shiaparelli tucked him into bed, with all the love and devotion of a mother…

It was a warm night in Paris the day before the Exposition Universelle, the World Fair of 1889, officially opened. The day before Professor Augusto Righi, Italy’s greatest living expreimental physicist, would unveil his creation to the world: the Finestra Temporale, a window in time.
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MY REVIEW

Be sure and check out the author. His bio is almost as interesting as the book. LOL

I saw this FREE book on fuonlyknew and had to have it. Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?

Once I started reading, I could not put it down until I turned the last page!

This is a children’s book that can be enjoyed by all ages. I loved it. Dinosaurs Eat Paris was fast paced and easy to read, taking me from the 1889 World Fair in Paris, back in time to the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago.

The Exposition had all the latest inventions ~ Professor Augusto Righi’s time machine is only one of them. Thomas Edison is there and so is Alexander Graham Bell, Annie Oakley and her husband Frank, along with Wild Bill Hickok, are some of the most notable. The phone, cars, steam and electrical advances are showcased.

You can step from Paris to Egypt to Paraguay to Uruguay to Hawaii and so many other countries, but no one expected to be able to step back in time until the Professor and Thomas Edison disappeared through the Finestra Temporale, when the lightening struck. Maria jumped through, because she could not let the Professor go without her. The Professor will be very happy that she did. 🙂

I was looking for a different type of dinosaur video, but when I saw this, it cracked me up.

Did you laugh?

.

Everyone could see into the portal as if it was a movie, but is it a door instead? If they went in, could they come back out? Would the dinosaurs come with them? What do you think? 😉

It’s a wild ride and Dante is the hero. He’s just a boy, but he is super smart and feels responsible for ridding Paris of the dinosaurs that came through the doorway opened up by his father’s invention.

“What about the dinosaurs? Shouldn’t we do something before they eat Paris?” asked Annie Oakley.

Are scientists more open to the impossible? Were they able, along with Dante, and Annie and her gang able to come to the recuse because of their sense of adventure? They showed no fear, just did what needed to be done and seemed to have a grand old time doing it.

I loved riding with Dante and Annie ~ racing, taunting and distracting the dinosaurs. This would be a roundup of a different kind. As if that isn’t exciting enough, Mark takes it to a more adventurous level as they become “better acquainted with the dinosaurs.” I can see the adventure unfold as if it was a movie and Dante is the star.

I would love to tell you so much more, but the adventure is in the reading and I would spoil it for you if I shared.

It made me think of Night of the Museum, Jurassaic Park, even Star Wars.

This was a fantastic, fast paced romp through 1889 and the Cretaceous period and I would highly recommend it.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 5 Stars – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

SYNOPSIS

It’s a warm night in Paris, the day before opening day. The day before Dante’s papa, Professor Augusto Righi, Italy’s greatest experimental physicist, will unveil his creation to the world: the Finestra Temporale, a window into time. But things don’t go according to plan, not at all. And it’s up to Dante to set things straight, if he can, before it’s too late, before dinosaurs eat Paris.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Douglas Stafford’s early years were spent building cubbyhouses, writing computer software on some of the world’s first computers and blowing up things in the garage.

After high school he began with a teaching degree and finished with a business degree. He established then sold his first business in 2005 after which he embarked on a career in senior management, running various technology companies in cutting-edge fields.

Mark writes particularly for the children’s and young-adult segment but his highly imaginative and original stories are enjoyed by readers of all ages.

He draws inspiration from the fables of Gabriel García Márquez, Oscar Wild and Hector Hugh Munro. As an aficionado of science fiction he is especially fond of the classics, like Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Series which harks back to a time when it was still fashionable to be optimistic about the future.

He is excruciatingly happily married and lives in the hills of northern Sydney, Australia with his wife and four rambunctious children, all of whom are fierce book critics; which helps.

Mark won ‘Highly Commended’ in The Port Stephens Examiner Literature Awards 2013 for his short story ‘The Interview’.

Read more about him at: Goodreads / Website / Facebook

Click on the cover to get your FREE Amazon copy.

I LOVE creature stories. How about you?

What’s your favorite kind of creature?

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Was this review helpful? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon or like it on GoodReads.

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Maximum Risk by Jennifer Lowery Giveaway

Posted on September 25, 2014 by fundinmental

TOUR_BUTTON_JenniferLowery_MAXIMUMRISK_BlogTour

EXCERPT

Quinn sat back on his haunches and scrubbed a hand down his face. Avery slept soundly. He wanted to tend her other injuries, but sleep would heal her body faster than anything he could do.

Escape and evasion would be slow going with her injured feet. Without boots to protect them, it would be agony for Avery. Even with boots, walking would be difficult. Running, out of the question. He would carry her.

Quietly, he packed up the supplies and sat down a few feet away from where Avery slept. He snapped off the penlight, his NVGs next to him in case he needed them before his eyes adjusted to the dark.

Avery whimpered. Seconds later, a stifled scream.

Quinn repositioned to where she lay and put a hand on her shoulder.

She flinched and tried to scoot away. “Please. No more,” she moaned.

A nightmare. Instead of waking her, he stretched out on the ground and pulled her into his arms. The last thing he wanted was to wake her and make her remember. Bad enough she couldn’t escape her torment even in sleep.

He wrapped one arm around her waist, using his other arm as a pillow. She lashed out, her nostrils flaring as she drew in deep, gasping breaths.

“Avery, it’s Quinn.”

“PJ,” she murmured and instantly settled down. Her body relaxed and little by little her breathing slowed.

Quinn rested his chin on top of her head. More protective urges surged through him and he shifted a little closer.

“What did they do to you, Avery Marks?” he murmured.

Add to your GOODREADS TBR list now!

MAXIMUM RISK

Wolff Securities, Book #1

It should have been a simple rescue mission…

Retired Pararescueman, Quinn Wolff, wrote the book on how to stay alive during a mission when he founded Wolff Securities, an elite private sector security firm. When he fast-ropes down to save missing humanitarian aid worker, Avery Marks, in the remote mountains of Azbakastan he isn’t prepared for the brave, stubborn woman who challenges the rules he wrote in order to protect her.

But when it comes to matters of the heart nothing is simple…

Avery Marks learned a long time ago to take care of herself, but when her convoy is attacked, her friends and coworkers murdered, she has to rely on the aid of intensely capable and handsome, Quinn Wolff to get her safely out of the country. His skills keep her alive, but his kisses put her in danger. In danger of losing her heart. That’s a risk she can’t take ever again.

Content Warning: Sexual content

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer_Lowery_Author_pic NY Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jennifer Lowery grew up reading romance novels in the back of her math book and on the bus to school, and never wanted to be anything but a writer. Her summers were spent sitting at the kitchen table with her sisters spinning tales of romance and intrigue and always with a tall glass of ice tea at their side.

Today, Jennifer is living that dream and she couldn’t be happier to share her passion with her readers. She loves everything there is about romance. Her stories feature alpha heroes who meet their match with strong, independent heroines. She believes that happily ever after is only the beginning of her stories. And the road to that happy ending is paved with action, adventure, and romance. As her characters find out when they face danger, overcome fears, and are forced to look deep within themselves to discover love.

Jennifer lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

AUTHOR CONTACT LINKS

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Newsletter

**Anyone who signs up for Jennifer’s newsletter they will receive a FREE copy of her short story, Taking Chances.**

Click here to get your Amazon affiliate copy of Maximum Risk by Jennifer Lowery