Tag Archives: fantasy

Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell – Giveaway, Excerpt & Guest Post @PaddyTy @GoddessFish

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Welcome to my tour stop for Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell. Hope you enjoy your visit and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below.

Don’t ya just love that cover?

Luminaby Paddy Tyrrell

GENRE:   Epic Fantasy

BLURB

A generation designed by sorcery to destroy your people. Two races mired in conflict. Can a pair of outcasts unite them against an enemy who would enslave them all?

The birth of ‘bronzite’ babies in Lumina heralds the onset of war. The people take fright at the golden children and banish them from the land. A dangerous move. King Zheldar, commander of the black dragon, is attacking Luman borders. If he wins bronzite support for his army of monsters, Lumina is lost.

Davron Berates cannot share his people’s hatred of the children and, on discovering he has a bronzite brother, sets out to find him. At his side travels Chrystala. A bronzite, she has twice his strength and three times his determination.

When the black dragon kidnaps Chrystala, Davron is faced with a terrible choice: save his friend or save his nation.

Blog tour – Fundinmental  Topic: anything you’d like to discuss about the cover

Recently I made the big decision to publish a new cover for Lumina. I had been concerned for a while that my original cover was not attracting the right audience, and then I received a couple of review comments that highlighted there was a problem.  The cover was not doing a good job of representing the excitement of the story nor giving it the gravitas merited by a war among kingdoms. 

So I decided to bite the bullet and make a change, and I was determined to get it right this time! Since this involved investing in an expert, I thought long and hard about what would be important in the design. Lumina is just the first volume in an epic fantasy and so I wanted a cover that could provide a brand for the whole series, while allowing appropriate variations for the next two books. That meant having a central construction or theme and I liked the concept of an archway. I also wanted the eye to be drawn into the middle of the scene.

I thought the colors in the cover should reflect key themes from the book. Lumina is the city of light, and a light star battles the blackness of the demon in the final scenes. So a contrast of light and dark would echo this. Also, the story involves a bronzite race with golden skin and so I wanted some golden colors in the design.

The series is called The Dragonlite Legacy and dragonlites are the creatures that clean the dragon scales. Xeralith the black dragon is an evil figure:

“She was as old as the moss that ate the castle walls. Evil had putrefied her beauty, her once crimson scales stained black by Rach’s corruption. She thrust her head through the opening in the wall. Bony nodules covered her upper jaw and the dark armor plating of her head. Steam belched from her nostrils.

Jaldeen ran and hid behind the font, clinging to the carvings of the demons that served his god, as though they could protect him. He averted his face from the scalding droplets. Xeralith’s breath, heavy with malevolence, contaminated the air with the stench of burning metal and rotten meat. Stomach heaving, Jaldeen forgot to maintain his shield. Her eyes swirled and she locked her gaze on his. Trickles of flame erupted through teeth that could rip him in two. He lost control of his limbs and fell. She lunged at him and he scrambled back, his heels banging on the stone floor. The horns on her sinewy neck snagged against the outer wall and pulled her short. She screeched in frustration.’

In the first draft of the cover, I wasn’t happy with the dragon – wrong color and not scary enough. The dragon that made it into the final version is black with some nasty spines on its back – much better.

The story culminates in a big battle and the designers imaginatively replaced the ‘I’ in Lumina with a sword – I think this looks great. Finally, the cover had to be in a style attractive to epic fantasy readers. I believe the designers (100 covers) managed this very well but I would love to hear your comments and feedback.

EXCERPT

Jaldeen strode towards an ancient font at the far side of the tower and opened wooden shutters in the wall behind it. Leaning out, he checked the platform outside for any decay. It looked solid enough and he stepped over the windowsill and walked to the center. He cupped his hands around his mouth and spelled a summons, his voice a rasp of vowels that floated on the damp air. He ducked back inside. There was a thrash of wings and the tower shuddered. Xeralith, black dragon of Kuhla, had answered his call.

Any fleeting sense of power deserted him in the terror of her presence. She was as old as the moss that ate the castle walls. Evil had putrefied her beauty, her once crimson scales stained black by Rach’s corruption. She thrust her head through the opening in the wall. Bony nodules covered her upper jaw and the dark armor plating of her head. Steam belched from her nostrils.

Jaldeen ran and hid behind the font, clinging to the carvings of the demons that served his god, as though they could protect him. He averted his face from the scalding droplets. Xeralith’s breath, heavy with malevolence, contaminated the air with the stench of burning metal and rotten meat. Stomach heaving, Jaldeen forgot to maintain his shield. Her eyes swirled and she locked her gaze on his. Trickles of flame erupted through teeth that could rip him in two. He lost control of his limbs and fell. She lunged at him and he scrambled back, his heels banging on the stone floor. The horns on her sinewy neck snagged against the outer wall and pulled her short. She screeched in frustration.

AUTHOR Bio and Links

I was raised in Kent, the garden of England, and lived in an Oast House whose round rooms were once used for drying hops. Must be why I’ve enjoyed a drink ever since!

At university, I fell in love with medieval French writing, discovered The Gormenghast Trilogy, and became hooked on fantasy.

I have sailed down the Yangste, survived an earthquake in Cairo, and picnicked in the Serengeti. My travels for work and pleasure have inspired my fantasy world. I now live in France with a naughty Australian Labradoodle, a jealous cat and a squash mad husband. Our two huskies, Ice and Sapphire, are sadly now gone but are transformed into wolves and immortalised in my book. Lumina is my debut novel and the first in a trilogy.

Facebook URL http://facebook.com/thedragonlitelegacy

Website: https://www.paddytyrrell.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/paddyty

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Paddy-Tyrrell/e/B08284GP1Q

The book is $0.99.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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Books From The Backlog – Born in Flames by Candace Knoebel @Candaceknoebel #booksfromthebacklog

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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.

Born in Flames (Born in Flames Trilogy, #1)

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

Red mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon.

Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast. Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out.

In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?

Goodreads rating: 3.68 – Rating Details: 768 ratings  ·  151 reviews

I won Born in Flames and added it to my TBR on 9.24.12. Did you see that gorgeous cover? And dragons? What am I waiting for? LOL

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Books From The Backlog – The Cult of Me by Michael Brooks @TheCultofMe #booksfromthebacklog

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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.

The Cult of Me (Third Path, #1)

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

The first book in ‘The Third Path’ Trilogy.

For too long he dwelt apart, watched those who passed him by. With his unique abilities he entered their minds and inflicted terrible suffering upon them. They didn’t even know who he was. The game has lasted for years, but now the game has become stale. On an impulse he decides to make a final and very public last stand. After surrendering himself to the police he enacts his plan to seize the prison for his final bloody act.

There he discovers that he’s not as unique as he once thought.

Goodreads rating: 3.89 – Rating Details: 75 ratings  ·  42 reviews

The Cult of Me by Michael Brooks sounds pretty off the rails. The cover is creepy and I like that a lot. Sounds like this will be a wild ride and I’m looking forward to it.

  • 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 – Mermaidia Anthology @SDSXXTours

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Mermaidia
A Limited Edition Anthology
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
Love mermaids and all creatures aquatic? This limited time anthology is just for you! With more than 700 pages of captivating fiction, you’ll be enchanted by sirens, dive the depths with a mermaid, and fear whether the sea witch is friend or foe.
With stories from:
Catherine Banks
Kai Ellory Viola
Mia Ellas
Anthea Sharp
Kristi Lea
LA Fox
Nicole Zoltack
Mara Amberly
Raine English
Margo Bond Collins
Sara Elizabeth
Mikayla Symonett
Tricia Schneider
Merrie Destefano
Bokerah Brumley
Rachel A. Marks
and Pauline Creeden
Are you ready to dive in before your chance is lost forever? Then order this limited-edition collection of exclusive material from USA Today and award-winning authors
Including the following stories and more! Queen of the Island by Bokerah Brumley Fated to be together, Calder and his mate must overcome the evil nymph that would keep them apart. Seize the Storm by Kristi Lea An Isyre hides from the hunters who killed her family, as far from any ocean as she can be. The fire mage who discovers her secrets has a few of his own. Can they trust each other to face their pasts Touched by a Mermaid by Raine English A secret society. A sea witch bent on revenge. An ancient world in peril. Paranormal Maritime War by Nicole Zoltack A stolen selkie skin just might start a war between the merfolk, the selkies, and the sirens. Racing the Clock by Catherine Banks “You will seduce the prince and convince him to give you his soul. If you fail, you will give me your soul for eternity.” The Church of Moon and Sea by Sara Elizabeth She must choose between two loves – the sea or the land. Fury by Merrie Destefano To survive, she made a secret deal in the Underworld. Soul’s Reef – Kai Ellory Viola A mysterious phenomenon. A weird cult. Vaccines needed at the end of the universe – Captain Holloway just needs to get through the reefs. The Sea of Time and Stars by Mara Amberly “A woman watched from just above the water line, her sleek blue hair drifting in the water around her. One moment she was there and the next she was gone; so quickly I could’ve put it down to my imagination or a hallucination from my injuries.”
**Only 99 cents until March 8th! **
**scroll through the slideshow to find out more about the authors!!**
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Giveaway & Review – Dagana by Kody Boye @SDSXXTours @KodyBoye

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Dagana: The Last Mermaid
by Kody Boye
Genre: Fantasy Thriller

MY REVIEW

I love mermaids, evil and sweet. Dagana is one of the dangerous kind, and once I find out why, I can empathize with her, but that doesn’t excuse what she’s doing now.

I live on the Gulf Coast and have yet to see a mermaid. But, there have been sightings. When her father was killed, Jessica saw a red and orange tail, nothing like she had ever seen before. After the fifth death, she figured out she would have to be the one to do something about Dagana.

She begins to research the history behind Mermaid Cover. Well, it seems pretty self explanatory to me. After all, the businesses had mermaidish names too.

We have some of the usual teenage angst, some bullying, some young romance, but Samantha, her best friend, is always by her side, through thick and thin. And, we can’t forget about Tibbles, her cat, who seems to know she needs comfort. Aren’t critters cool in that way?

I was slowly drawn into the story, wondering what she can do by herself.

Dagana is a bit different from my normal mermaid reads. I am confused about my feelings. Do I like the direction Kody Boye took with the storyline, though I do love the idea of a man writing about a young girl and a mermaid. Maybe that’s why he came up with the ending. Even though I am ambivalent about it, I don’t see how it could have ended any other way.

I think teens and young adults may appreciate this more than I did. I think they may be able to better related to the character of Jessica.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dagana by Kody Boye.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars
I have always loved the ocean. Beautiful and tranquil, it seems like it can do absolutely no harm.
Until the night my parents go missing, and then are subsequently found dead.
Both have been viciously mauled by something off the Gulf—something even the medical examiner claims is an ‘unknown animal.’ But the worst part? I swear I saw something in the water the night they were both killed.
But this is no chance occurrence. As the body count begins to rise, and as more tragedies unfold, I realize that something has to be done.
Someone has to hunt down, and kill, the monster of Mermaid Cove.
That someone is me.
Though he was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho, Kody Boye has lived in the state of Texas since 2010. His first short story, [A] Prom Queen’s Revenge, was published at the age of fourteen. He has since gone on to publish numerous works of fiction, including the young-adult novels When They Came, The Beautiful Ones, The Midnight Spell and ALT CONTROL ENTER, as well as fiction for adults. He currently lives and writes in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. He is in the process of obtaining an undergraduate in creative writing and plans to pursue an MFA to teach afterward.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Welcome to Harborsmouth – Devil in the Details by E J @EJStevensAuthor

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This is not my first story, nor will it be my last, of E J Stevens’ work. I especially enjoy the Ivy Granger series. Looking at the cover I was hooked.

Devil in the Details (Ivy Granger, #3.75)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Welcome to Harborsmouth, where the supernatural exist unbeknownst to most humans.

Ivy Granger, cofounder of the Private Eye detective agency, has an ability to ‘see’ through touch.

Written with a humorous touch and filled with quirky characters, I laughed more than I stressed, because I know Ivy Granger is on the case.

Spanky, her demon child is ill. She had saved him once, and she would do it again. He is family.

Devil in the Details by E J Stevens was a quick read, yet it was filled with supernatural goodness.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Devil in the Details by E J Stevens.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Be careful what you wish for…

Ivy Granger, psychic detective and unlikely protector of Harborsmouth, must uncover the source of her beloved demon child’s illness before it’s too late.

Devil in the Details is a delightful new urban fantasy short story set in the award-winning Ivy Granger Psychic Detective series by E.J. Stevens. Longtime fans and first-time readers will enjoy this tantalizing glimpse into the world of Ivy Granger, featuring Ivy, Sparky, Jinx, and Forneus.

Originally published in The Final Summons anthology.

The Ivy Granger series has won numerous awards, including the BTS Red Carpet Award for Best Novel, Imadjinn Award for Best Short Story, Raven Award for Best Urban Fantasy Novel, Independent Audiobook Award for Best Short Story, PRG Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Urban Fantasy Series.

“I absolutely love this series!”
-My Urban Fantasies

“Ivy is one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy characters.”
-The Reading Diaries

“Lose yourself in the world of Harborsmouth.”
-Reading Lark

“The Ivy Granger series is fantastic!”
-Book Bite Reviews

Take a trip to Harborsmouth where you’ll encounter bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and our favorite snarky, psychic detective.

ABOUT E J STEVENS

E.J. Stevens is the bestselling, award-winning author of the IVY GRANGER, PSYCHIC DETECTIVE urban fantasy series, the SPIRIT GUIDE young adult series, the HUNTERS’ GUILD urban fantasy series, and the WHITECHAPEL PARANORMAL SOCIETY Victorian Gothic horror series. She is known for filling pages with quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines. Her novels are available worldwide in multiple languages.

BTS Red Carpet Award winner for Best Novel, Imadjinn Award winner for Best Short Story, Raven Award winner for Best Urban Fantasy Novel, Independent Audiobook Award winner for Best Short Story, SYAE finalist for Best Paranormal Series, Best Novella, and Best Horror, winner of the PRG Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Young Adult Paranormal Series, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Young Adult Paranormal Novel and Best Urban Fantasy Series.

When E.J. isn’t at her writing desk, she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.

Join the E.J. Stevens newsletter and learn about news, events, and receive a free book. http://www.subscribepage.com/n6k1a5 Monthly news updates, tour photos, and exclusive reader perks (FREE reads & giveaways!).

Website: http://www.EJStevensAuthor.com
Ivy Granger Series: http://IvyGranger.com
Blog: http://www.FromtheShadows.info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EJStevensAuthor
@EJStevensAuthor

MY E J STEVENS REVIEWS

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The Killing Fog by Jeff Wheeler @muirwoodwheeler @JeanBookNerd

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Print Length: 404 pages
Publisher: 47North (March 1, 2020)
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07RJQPB63
Praise for THE KILLING FOG
“Wheeler (Broken Veil) opens the Grave Kingdom series with this winding tale of valor and sacrifice, set in a realm where using magic summons a heavy fog that kills every living thing it touches. [T]he threat of the fog looming in the background adds atmosphere and tension…This excellent introduction to the prolific Wheeler’s work will appeal to fans of Asian-influenced fantasy.” —Publishers Weekly

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series conjures an epic, adventurous world of ancient myth and magic as a young woman’s battle with infinite evil begins.

Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.

Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.

Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.

You can purchase The Killing Fog at the following Retailers:

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

THE KILLING FOG BY JEFF WHEELER EXCERPT

Bingmei turned back to watch the struggle between Kunmia and the Qiangdao leader. If only it were the man who had murdered her grandfather. She’d hoped to find him this season, to make him pay for what he’d done. But this was the first band of marauders they’d come across.

Kunmia’s weapon was soon the only one shining, and the fog’s sickly haze was drawn toward it like a flock of moths. Magic lured the fog. It was why the artifacts were used sparingly, if at all.

And then the leader went down, his skull cracked by the staff.

“Lieren!” Kunmia shouted in warning. The valiant man continued to fight, not seeing the creeping mist that licked at his adversaries’ ankles as if to taste them. He was still surrounded. And then the fog suddenly surged forward, engulfing him and the others near him.

“Please!” Marenqo gripped the young man’s arm, hoisting him to his feet. The fisherman’s boy saw the fog then, the scene illuminated by the glow of Kunmia’s staff. No further warnings were needed. The boy leaped into the boat and began unfastening the ropes, working quickly. Screams of panic started. The fog had begun its deadly work.

“Kunmia!” shouted Zhuyi. “The boat!”

Kunmia stood transfixed, gripping the weapon that had helped summon the death of her friend, her companion in arms. Bingmei saw the anguish in her face, which was quickly replaced by implacable determination. The leader of the ensign rushed toward the boat, the staff’s glow slowly decreasing. Still it lured the fog to follow her. Knee-high tendrils of mist snaked through the grass, chasing after Kunmia.

Photo Content from Jeff Wheeler
Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to write full-time. He is a husband, father of five, and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeff lives in the Rocky Mountains. His books have been on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller list 5 times (for The Thief’s Daughter, The King’s Traitor, The Hollow Crown, The Silent Shield, and Prism Cloud) and have sold more than 4 million copies. His novels have also been published or will be published in many languages: Italian, Chinese, Hungarian, Turkish, Polish, Spanish, Russian, and German.

He is also the founder of Deep Magic: the E-zine of Clean Fantasy and Science Fiction (www.deepmagic.co), a quarterly e-zine featuring amazing short stories, novellas, and sample chapters.

You can usually find Jeff at Emerald City Comic Con, New York Comic Con or at writers conferences.

He welcomes hearing from readers: jgwheels /at/ gmail dot com

If you are interested in purchasing signed copies of his books for friends, family, or your own collection, please e-mail: WOJWbooks /at/ gmail dot com

Follow the tour and enter the giveaway HERE.

  • 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’.
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Books From The Backlog – Boundless Sea by Nadia Scrieva @NadiaScrieva #booksfromthebacklog

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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.

Boundless Sea (Sacred Breath, #3)

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

An underwater kingdom. A missing queen. A modern man plunged into an ancient war…

Trevain Murphy’s new wife has been forcibly taken. He must do all he can to search for her without falling apart. His love was the noble Queen Aazuria, ruler of Adlivun, and he has been burdened with all of her responsibilities. The Alaskan man is unable to cope with the political unrest of his new nation, and turns to his wife’s younger sister for help. Princess Elandria is expected to assume important administrative duties, but she is overwhelmed with depression and completely useless to her endangered people.

With Adlivun facing a growing threat from the foreign submarine superpower known as the Clan of Zalcan, headstrong General Visola Ramaris becomes focused on seeking advanced military protection. Going against the ancient mermaid tradition to remain hidden from land-dwelling societies, Visola decides to reveal herself to the American public and make an eloquent appeal for assistance. But nothing comes for free. The countries of the Pacific Rim invite Adlivun’s diplomats to an APEC conference to present their conditions. The price for survival is outrageous and unexpected; if Trevain agrees, the small marine kingdom will play a crucial role in changing the infrastructure and economy of the world forever. But will the proud citizens of Adlivun sacrifice their freedom and dignity for security?

Meanwhile, on a dark and desolate continent, a displaced queen has been captured and imprisoned by enemy forces. Her only concern is concealing the child she is carrying from her deranged captor. Thousands of miles from any sign of humanity, Aazuria must battle the coldest temperatures on earth in order to find her way back to her husband–but even if she lives, will she be in time to save her beloved Adlivun from itself?

Goodreads rating: 4.13 Rating Details:  277 ratings  ·  22 reviews

The reason I added Boundless Sea on an Amazon free day, July 9.12, speaks for itself…mermaids!!! I added it to my TBR on 9.15.12. I don’t know if it needs to be read in order, seeing it is a part of the Sacred Breath series, but I will be checking for any other books I may have and read it regardless. After all, it’s mermaids!

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  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

She’s A Truck Driver – Birth Marked by Maria Violante #MariaViolante

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I got this book back on 10.1.13 and Maria Violante was looking for reviews. I’m not sure when I read it, but probably right around that time. I started writing the review on 2.19.14, but never finished it. No excuse…

Amazon / Goodreads

Charlie is a truck driver and looked like one. She was a mess – overweight, bad complexion, zombie looking. She was horny and looking forward to Luke joining her on the the road, but that never happened. She had given up everything for him, and he betrayed her. Used her, then threw her away. At first she felt pity, then anger, then desperation.

She’s driving along, trying to find a radio station, making up her own words to the song playing. “I woke up alone in a bed I don’t know.” “And eat my breakfast all alone….” It made me think of my hubby and I, laughing and making fun of country music lyrics in that same way.

She stopped for a dog in the median. She could relate to it being dumped and wanted to save it. It would be mine, she thought. She named him Diesel. He was helping her already. He calmed her. 

My heart pounded and I moved forward in my chair, when the truck began to wreck. Her description is so vivid it’s as if it is happening  before my eyes. She looks out the window at something – what is it? It’s very large and furry. What runs through my mind – werewolf, then Sasquatch – as it grew and bared its fangs. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when she got sick.

He was going to kill her…until he saw her birthmark.

I knew Maria’s book would need to take a twist…and it begins here.

Birth Marked reads like a Twilight zone episode. I was sorta ho hum until this point.

I loved her change of attitude. I’m feeling good about her. Her curiosity became my curiosity. What comes next?

Maria had me cracking up, “You can stare at my chubby ass stomach, assholes. You’re not getting any more looks at the jubbblies.”

A boy brought her breakfast – two pieces of plain toast and plain oatmeal. “That’s it?” “AH!!!!!!!!” “They said I a was a porker, heh?”

As the pieces come together, my interest grew. Now we’re getting to the good stuff. Even though her Master is Buckner, its his duty is to protect her, it was Shawn that saved her. I feel he will play a big part in finding the answers she seeks.

Haven’t you ever wondered why nothing turns out for you? What if you were supposed to be doing something else all along?

The monsters were unique and new to me and had comical names, but are not nice at all.

I know she’s gonna kick ass. I loved the sci-fi element, the monsters fighting in spacesuits and futuristic equipment. I find myself shivering in fear one minute, and chuckling the next.

She would learn fast or die. I felt a sense of adventure with her, stepping out of her rut of a life into mission impossible. Does the way you die determine your afterlife? This was her moment. I felt the weight on her shoulders, the heavy heart and determination to show them she belonged. She had found her place and would fight for it.

Her descriptions like ‘The little mouse that had the heart of a dragon’ brought the characters to life with a humorous touch. Describing the death of a beloved Marker was very creative.

There was a prophecy, there will be an unlikely Marker named the Lily. Is it her?

Maria Violante left me wanting more of this fantastic world.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Birth Marked by Maria Violante.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

For the first time in her life, truck driver Charlie Kale might have finally found her little piece of happiness. She’s got it all-her big rig, friends, a great mentor, and a man about to join her on the road. Or so she thought. One by one, the good things in Charlie’s life all fall apart, until a catastrophic accident leaves her at the mercy of a sexy but mysterious gunman. He claims to be a member of a secret order dedicated to fighting the supernatural monsters that filter over into our world. She’s given a choice-join up or die, and while the gunman might be insane, Charlie’s hell-bent on not dying. Too bad it looks like that might not be an option.

ABOUT MARIA VIOLANTE

Maria Violante is the best-selling author of several urban fantasy and science fiction novels.

Her most recent series, The Markers, is published by Hartwood Publishing.

Books by Maria Violante (currently in print):

BirthMarked (Hartwood Publishing)
Monsters and Markers (Hartwood Publishing)
Witness (Hartwood Publishing, previously two separate volumes with Liquid Silver Books)
Gambler’s Luck (Hartwood Publishing, previously Liquid Silver Books)

Books no longer in print:
Wit Awakening (now part of Witness; see above)
Wit Transforming (now part of Witness; see above)
Hunting the Five
Honor in Hell
Seven Sacrifices

I couldn’t find any valid links for her, but you can find her books on Amazon. Maybe I couldn’t find any links because she has recently been picked up by Hartwood Publishing.

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Unicorns and Dragons – The Unicorn Quest by J A Culican @jaculican

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I love unicorns and dragons and have read The Unicorn Key, Book I of the Realm of LIght and Fire series, so when I saw the ARC for The Unicorn Quest, Book II, I had to have it.

The Unicorn Quest (Realm of Light and Fire, #2)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have been waiting for The Unicorn Quest, seeing that the series does not stand alone. Have to keep reading to know the ending, and there is more to come.

I love unicorns and dragons, so this is a perfect fit for me. I’m back with some familiar friends, humans, unicorns and dragon shifters, and a couple of pixies.

Freya and River have become more than friends. Their romance is a slow burn and I love that they take their time, getting to know each other.

I am curious about River’s mom. Is it good? Bad? Why does he not want Freya to meet her?

The gang is off on a new adventure when Jet, a unicorn shifter that holds a key, is kidnapped. They know the why, but who has taken him? And where?

They travel through mountains, cities, on a river in their quest to find their unicorn friend and protect the world from the evil that wants to bring it down.

Danger, betrayal and treachery come from known and unknown sources as they search for the pendants that can keep the world safe.

We do find time for love and romance and new friends.

They had one success and one failure on their mission and that leaves us with another story. Unicorns, dragons, witches, some familiar and some new supernatural beings, making me question, who is friend and who is foe?

I enjoyed the fact that I didn’t know all that would happen and the end was not known until I got there. The writing is great and the storyline is one I enjoy. I didn’t feel that, I can’t put it down feeling, an urgency to race through the pages. Is it because it wasn’t aimed at me, but teens and young adults? Is it because I have been devouring books and want that shock factor? Either way, I enjoyed the story and look forward to finding all the answers and saving the world.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of The Unicorn Quest by J A Culican

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Unicorns and Dragons and Shifters oh my!

With everything back to normal and a new boyfriend, my life couldn’t be better. That is until my unicorn shifter friend is kidnapped by forces unknown, along with the key he was holding.

With the Dark Fae Lord beaten, the only conclusion to come to is that there is another foe out there, one far more deadly and this time they aren’t looking for just one unicorn, they want them all.

The Unicorn quest is the exhilarating second in series by the USA Today Bestselling authors who brought you the Dragon Tamer series. Realm of Light and Fire is guaranteed to have you hiding under your blankets with your flashlight, turning the pages.

ABOUT J A CULICAN

J.A. Culican is a teacher by day and a writer by night. She lives in New Jersey with her husband of eleven years and their four young children.

J.A. Culican’s inspiration to start writing came from her children and their love for all things magical. Bedtime stories turned to reality after her oldest daughter begged her for the book from which her stories of dragons came from. In turn, the series The Keeper of Dragons was born.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

MY J A CULICAN REVIEWS

The Unicorn Key

  • 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!