New Release & My Review: Of Ice and Air by Carlie M A Cullen

Posted on November 21, 2015 by fundinmental

Of Ice and Air is Carlie Cullen”s new novel and I am so happy to be a part of the kickoff.

Take a gander at this beautiful cover and I believe you will get an idea of what is in store for you. Read on and see if it reflects your thoughts.

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MY REVIEW

Of Ice and Air is an amazing fantasy novel with a cast of characters to love and hate and critters and worlds that stretched my imagination. Carlie Cullen has the ability to spin a tale that captures me in its web, unable to break free. She is an author that has a prominent place on my must read list.

Imagine if you can two worlds, one of Ice and one of Clouds. One a world of sharp angles, the other of curves. In one world the creatures fly, in the other world they run…very fast.

Kailani is the star of both worlds, a princess with one foot in the Cloud Palace and the other foot in the Ice Palace. She is headstrong and confident, some would say reckless.

On her twenty first birthday, Kailani embarked on a journey to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance. She stepped through a magical door, leaving her world of Clouds and into the danger of Ice. I have a feeling she is destined for great things and I am so very eager to find out what they will be.

I knew bad things were coming from the opening pages and I was eager to find out what they would be.

I love a strong, female protagonist, and I have every confidence that Kailani will solve the mystery. She will need to hone her magical skills, as well as her ability to fight with swords, knives and fists. She relies heavily on her intuition, which speaks to her loud and clear.

Being from a royal family, I can see some of the problems that will arise. Jealousy, treachery and greed are never in short supply. Danger and death confront her at every turn. I know the star of the show cannot die, can she? Every time her life is threatened, I fear for her safety and wonder how she will survive. I know things cannot go easily, what will attack, who will attack, who will get injured and who will die.

I love letting my mind run free, to live in the fantasy of odd creatures and magical abilities that make all things possible. I rode the Blenorai with her, over the ice, through the Lost Mire and the Silent Forest to the Land of No Souls.

The adventure is long and treacherous, fraught with danger. She fights, surviving with the help of magic and her animal companions, the Blenorai.

Carlie Cullen creates strong characters and original worlds that awe and amaze. Her heroine will fight bloody battles against man and monster alike. Kailani is a warrior princess in every sense of the word.

The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but I can live with it. The story is finished and I got the ending I wanted. How can I be upset with that? I think I feel this way because I did not want the story to end. I love a book that makes me want more…more…more.

I received an ARC Of Ice and Air by Carlie Cullen in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

ABOUT OF ICE AND AIR

On her 21^st birthday, Princess Kailani’s father tells her that when she was a baby, her mother was abducted. She also learns she has family in another world.

Defying her father, she travels from her Cloud Castle home to the ice kingdom of Idenvarlis where Kailani’s instincts drive her to find the mother she doesn’t remember.

Gifted with the magic of two worlds, and skilled in the use of weapons, she journeys into unknown and dangerous territory. Despite her determination to rescue her mother, she’s forced to overcome new fears and find a way to cope with all she encounters.

However, a person in authority will stop at nothing to prevent either of them returning.

Kailani faces isolation, wild beasts, rogue soldiers, and more as she battles to return to the Ice Palace. With the stakes so high, can she make it back alive?

ABOUT CARLIE M A CULLEN

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing.

She has always written in some form or another, but started to write novels in 2011. Her first book was published by Myrddin Publishing in 2012. Author of the Heart Search trilogy and Of Ice & Air, she writes in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a principal editor for Eagle Eye Editors.

She also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. They have published four anthologies so far, two for adults and two for children, all of which raise money for a local hospice.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

Stalk Carlie:

Website / Twitter: @carlie2011c / Facebook / Linkedin / Amazon / About.me

Wattpad / Goodreads

My Reviews for Carlie’s Heartsearch Vampire Trilogy but first a little tease:

Trailer for Book I, Heartsearch Lost, where it all started:

Review of Heartsearch: Lost, Book I by Carlie M A Cullen

Heartsearch: Found: Book II by Carlie M A Cullen

Review: Heart Search: Betrayal by Carlie M A Cullen

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To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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FREE Zombies – Mutation Z by Marilyn Peake @marilynpeake

Posted on October 30, 2015 by fundinmental

I am so happy to have Marilyn Peak here with her Mutation Z zombie novellas.

Book III has just come out, so you are in the catbird’s seat.

Mutation Z: The Ebola Zombies is FREE

Goodreads / Amazon

Cover Art: Mike Tabor

MY REVIEW

The first book I read from Marilyn Peake was The Fisherman’s Son, a middle grade fantasy. I was so surprised to find that she does adult horror, Mutation Z zombie horror, as a matter of fact. Her writing is so good, it doesn’t matter what genre she writes, I will be reading.

The Mutation Z series is a post apocalyptic look at life after zombies.

Emma Johnson is a spoiled, rich kid who sets off the adventure of a lifetime, as a volunteer nurse in Africa. The Ebola crisis is so much more than she could have ever imagined.

Dr. Gustavo Tovar is the tour guide for the new recruits. She picked up bad vibes from him, but shook them off. He stressed the necessity of never wandering off on their own. With such a highly infectious disease, they must proceed with extreme caution.

Well, hell, we all know they are going to fuck up and fuck up in a big way.

Something struck me wrong from the very beginning. The creep factor was running on high.

This conspiracy, horror novella scared the bejesus out of me. It started out fast and never let up. Every time I turned around, something was there to creep me out. I mean, think about it, a highly infectious disease is lurking, just waiting for you to make a mistake. A conspiracy is operating behind closed doors and when Emma stumbles in there is no turning back. I love this series and would highly recommend it to all horror lovers.

If Zombies are your thing, Mutation Z, Book I is free on Amazon.

4 Stars

SYNOPSIS

From Goodreads: First book in a series.

Ebola, one of the most feared of the hemorrhagic diseases, has begun spreading across the borders of West African countries. The CDC and the World Health Organization have admitted they are losing control over the disease. Some hint at a possible worldwide pandemic. At exactly this point in time, Emma Johnson graduates from nursing school. She takes a job in an Ebola treatment camp inside Liberia, West Africa. The camp is state-of-the-art. It’s run by the CDC and the World Health Organization, and protected by the U.S. military. Emma uncovers a secret about this facility: medical experimentation is being conducted along with treatment. Whether or not Emma can ever escape the camp, she’s determined to get the story out. She has intimate knowledge of a biological horror being secretly unleashed upon the world. NOVELETTE. GENRES: Apocalyptic Science Fiction, Zombie Fiction, Conspiracy Fiction, Horror.

Mutation Z: The Ebola Zombies is the first book in a series. In the next book, the zombie virus will cross geographical boundaries and go increasingly out of control.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

Mutation Z: The Ebola Zombies is free and I received Book II in return for an honest review.

SPOILER ALERT

Emma is now part of the experiment to create a zombie army. It wasn’t bad enough for her in Book I, now she has traveled to the furthest reaches of HELL and knows it.

In NYC, journalist Hunter Morgan smells a rat when Chen-Zamora Pharmaceuticals gets an exclusive government contract to develop the Ebola vaccine. I mean, wouldn’t they want competition? Why an exclusive contract? Corruption? Conspiracy? Greed? And why was he given such easy access to a crime scene?

The scene with Hunter and his daughter is so sweet. Marilyn Peake has an ability to make her characters come to life, human and zombie alike.

Hunter gets more involved and could be making the biggest mistake of his life or becoming the savior of the planet.

Imagine being aware of turning into a zombie, aware of your shambling walk, bumping and jostling each other, your skin falling off in sheets, and the worst of all…

Can a shred of humanity remain?

Mutation Z is gross, horrific, outrageous, infuriating, corrupting…heads are cracked open, entrails pulled from shredded abdomens, body after body, young and old alike.

I am so into Mutation Z, I am wringing my hands with an evil grin on my face as Marilyn Peake tells me Mutation Z: Protecting Your Own, Book III, has just come out and I can have a copy for review. YAY!!!!

5 Stars

SYNOPSIS

From Goodreads: Second book in the series.

Eviscerated bodies are found along both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Military security is stepped up on both sides of the border. However, journalists are given free rein to explore the devastation. As more and more bodies are found, people begin to panic. Meanwhile in The Liberia Treatment and Research Camp of West Africa, Emma Johnson and Chibueze Koroma continue to receive experimental doses of Mutation Z. They also begin to remember the horrific things they’ve done. As journalist Hunter Morgan’s investigation leads him to that same Camp, his own little girl falls sick with fever. NOVELLA. GENRES: Apocalyptic Science Fiction, Zombie Fiction, Conspiracy Fiction, Horror.

Mutation Z: Closing the Borders is the second book in the Mutation Z series. In the next book, Mutation Z: Protecting Our Own, guerrilla warfare breaks out between armed militias and those perceived as protecting the zombies.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

The story continues and gets more horrific with every page.

The monsters are not only zombies, but humanity when it lets fear take over.

In the opening scene, I breathed a sigh of relief when I felt the Dixon family dodged a bullet.

Well…

Hunter Morgan, the journalist striving to expose the truth of the zombies, has an emergency of his own.

The disease does not care if you are young or old, good or bad.

It is spreading and Hunter smells the RATS. His suspicions are growing and so are mine.

As the story develops, Marilyn Peake breaks my heart. Not everyone can live, I know that! But, damn it, why…

Fear can make people do things they never anticipated.

Zealots, hunters, and their victims. Who is good and who is bad?

I think stories like Mutation Z are food for thought. I always wonder what I would do if my life were threatened and I had to take action. Would I? Would you? And would it be the right kind of action. Would fear drive me? Would I sacrifice others for my own?

The Mutation Z series is a must read for horror and dystopian lovers everywhere. The story grows better and better with each novella.

I received a copy of Mutation Z: Protecting Our Own by Marilyn Peake in return for an honest review.

5 Stars

SYNOPSIS

From Goodreads: Third book in the series.

Guerrilla warfare breaks out between armed militias and those perceived as protecting the zombies. Journalist Hunter Morgan becomes the target of Clay Dixon, the organizer of a militia in a Texas border town, when he advocates for protecting the zombies until a cure is found. The journalist has strong motivation for his beliefs: his daughter is suspected of having the disease caused by Mutation Z. This book ends with a devastating confrontation. NOVELETTE. GENRES: Apocalyptic Science Fiction, Zombie Fiction, Conspiracy Fiction, Horror.

Mutation Z: Protecting Our Own is the third book in the Mutation Z series. In the next book, Mutation Z: Drones Overhead, the people working in Dr. Rojas’s house to find a cure for Mutation Z hide from the U.S. government spying on them with helicopters and drones that constantly fly overhead.

ABOUT MARILYN PEAKE

From Goodreads:

Marilyn Peake is the author of both novels and short stories. Her publications have received excellent reviews. Marilyn’s one of the contributing authors in BOOK: THE SEQUEL, published by The Perseus Books Group, with one of her entries included in serialization at THE DAILY BEAST. In addition, Marilyn has served as Editor of a number of anthologies. Her short stories have been published in seven anthologies and on the literary blog, GLASS CASES.

Awards: Silver Award, two Honorable Mentions and eight Finalist placements in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, two Winner and two Finalist placements in the EPPIE Awards, Winner of the Dream Realm Awards, and eight Top Ten Finisher Awards in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll.

Stalk Marilyn Peake: Website / Twitter

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Friday 56 #57 & BB #33 – Stephen KING of Horror

Posted on October 2, 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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2015-09-30 23.17.21

As you can see, I am a huge fan of Stephen King, who some would call the master of horror.

I found it hard to choose my favorite one, so I put them through random.org and it chose #26, The Gunslinger, The Dark Tower I, by Stephen King.

Add me to Goodreads now.

MY FRIDAY 56

“You’ll be leaving in the morning,” she said dully.

“I should. I think he’s left a trap for me here.”

(page 56 of paperback, Signet, published in 1989)

MY BOOK BEGINNINGS

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.

GOODREADS BLURB

This heroic fantasy is set in a world of ominous landscape and macabre menace that is a dark mirror of our own. A spellbinding tale of good versus evil, it features one of Stephen King’s most powerful creations – The Gunslinger, a haunting figure who embodies the qualities of a lone hero through the ages, from ancient myth to frontier western legend.

This is the cover for the paperback I have, which was printed by Signet in July, 1989. The cost was $4.95.

Which cover do you like best?

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Skull and Crossbones (c) Sherry J Fundin

Giveaway & Review for The Key of Amatahns by Elisabeth Wheatley

Posted on September 30, 2015 by fundinmental

In a land where those with magic are esteemed and revered, Janir guards a secret that would send her to the headsman’s block at a word. As one of the reviled Argetallams, she has the power to destroy enchantments and steal others’ magic—an ability that has caused bloodshed for generations.

Raised as the illegitimate daughter of an influential lord, she was determined to turn her back on her heritage, but when her power manifests, leaving a nobleman dead, she has no choice but to flee her adoptive home. In exile with the help of a fearless young enchanter and an elf sworn to protect her, she finds herself entangled in a quest to hide an ancient artifact from the kingdom’s enemies.

But they are not the only ones after the relic and soon their paths cross with a rival from Janir’s distant childhood. With no hope of help or rescue, the fate of nations will depend on a fifteen year old girl and her mastery of powers she doesn’t understand.

Download off Amazon for $0.99 for a limited time!

MY REVIEW

The Key of Amatahn by Elisabeth Wheatley is her debut novel, and part of a trilogy. I have read her Fanged novellas and they blew me away, so I asked her for a copy of The Key of Amatahns. I am excited to embark on another adventure with this amazingly talented young author.

Janir and her mother were sent away from Adasha, but they never made it to their destination. Janir was saved by an elf and Amandius took her in. She is now a member of the Caersynn household, even though she is the daughter of the ruler of Argetallam.

The Argetallam are the Invincible. They feared and detested by all, because of their ruthlessness and powerful magic.

Lucan, Janir’s brother hated her. She is older, therefore would inherit the role of leader. He is mean, jealous, arrogant and self serving. I don’t think he would make a very good ruler. Lucan would do anything to find the Key and the Temple.

An unfortunate incident and she is on the run again, this time into the forest on her own. She meets up with Karile who appears to be a bumbling enchanter.

Saoven, an elf, is sent by Amandius to protect her and the three of them bond together to hunt for The Key To Amatahn.

The Key could lead to the world’s end if it were to fall into the wrong hands.

Once they have the Key, the pace picks up as they are chased through the woods, dodging evil and magic at every turn.

We have elves, wargs, mazag, dragons, enchanters… A cornucopia of magical creatures. And, of course, some mortals.

It took me a while to get into the swing of this fantasy adventure. As I figured out the different characters and the fantasy world Elisabeth Wheatley built. The characters became friends of mine and I cheered them on in their race to find the Key and the Temple it will unlock. I enjoyed the journey and would recommend The Key of Amatahn by Elisabeth Wheatley to all you fantasy lovers out there.

Janir, and Karile’s journey was a long, ugly, torturous one and it will not end here. The Key of Amatahn by Elisabeth Wheatley does not end with a cliffhanger, but leaves the story open for more fantasy adventure.

I received a copy of The Key of Amatahn by Elisbeth Wheatley in return for an honest and unbiased review.

3 Stars

About the Author

Elisabeth Wheatley began what would be her first novel at eleven and hasn’t stopped writing since. When she’s not daydreaming of elves, vampires, and/or hot guys in armor, she can be found wasting time on the internet, fangirling over her latest obsession, and pretending to be a functional citizen.

Click here to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for a signed copy of THE KEY OF AMATAHNS

Click here to see my reviews for Fanged Princess and Fanged Outcast.

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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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Mystical Romance – Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki Giveaway & Review

Posted on August 26, 2015 by fundinmental

I love the cover for Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki. I like when the cover matches the story and I feel the designer, Coreen Mantagna did an excellent job.

Be sure and read to the end to enter the giveaway.

Add me to Goodreads now.

Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki
Publication Date: 25 August 2015roma
Genres: Paranormal, Romance

MY REVIEW

The lovely cover portrays the sweet, loving romance inside. Adult, yet sweet and naive. The sex is more about the romance than the physical act.

Mortal Musings is told from two perspectives, those of Brett, the writer and his muse, Andie.

Brett had writers block. Had his muse deserted him, if there was such a thing?

Silly humans. Didn’t they had understand that they had to come up with the ideas, then the muse can help develop them.

As he typed the words, she appeared. I love the storyline. It sounds like so much fun. She is now mortal, no longer faerie. What will become of her? Can she go back? She had bucked the system, but never planned to leave it.

The flavor of Mortal Musings reminded me of Splash, learning to do all the simple things of being human that we take for granted. Her first taste of human food, learning about financial means. She had to learn about clothes, instead of clouds, of showers instead of fae lakes, where her hair floated and dried in a flash.

The details and description of simple things seen in a different light. The sweet gesture of Brett zipping up her for she doesn’t know what a zipper is.

The Dream Weaver, Rizen, had he been sent to help her? Andie had cast a spell and Rizen told her to search for the loophole.

The slow sweet, innocent and tentative moves toward closeness is so romantic, captivating and sensual. I love the slow pace as their relationship develops, even though it has only been days. Nothing is rushed or hurried. After all, this isn’t insta love. They have know each other for a long time.

Brett is sweet and chivalrous.

Allie has an other-world aura, that the people around her seem to sense without realizing it.

I am so curious how this will end. I know what I want to happen.

I have not read a story like this before and I was swept away with her innocence and naivety.To watch her grow and develop in a human world was fun and sad at the same time.

What man wouldn’t want a woman who would rather be naked the clothed?

Mortal Musings brought to mind the movie, Splash, where even the simplest thing is new – how to plug a bathtub, take a shower, dry off with a towel. Her wet hair stuck against her back, instead of being instantly dry in the faerie world, clothes on, clothes off at a snap or quicker. Because of watching Splash, Mortal Musings was easy to follow and picture the scenes when she is learning something new and I loved that.

It is so hard to describe the details without spoiling it for you and I want you to have the enjoyment of discovering it for yourself.

I received an ARC of Mortal Musings by Aria Glazki in return for an honest and unbiased review.

4 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK

Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CAN • Smashwords • Barnes & Noble • Book Depository

Muse Alexandra has had it with the arrogant, ungrateful humans she is obligated to inspire. When the internal ranting of her latest charge pushes her past reason, she disregards the rules and forces her own words through his fingers, and is instantly entrapped in mortal form. With no magic, no identity, and no resources, Allie has no alternative but to navigate the mortal realm, depending entirely on her reluctant host while discerning what exactly caused her transformation — and how to reverse it.

Brett doesn’t have a chance to consider the words that mysteriously showed up on his screen; he’s too distracted by the stunning woman who appeared in his office out of nowhere. Before his brain can catch up, Brett’s uninvited guest becomes enmeshed in his everyday life. Her artless innocence gradually lessens his suspicions. Most importantly, the writer’s block that’s been plaguing him dissolves under the fantasies the naively beguiling Alexandra inspires.

All too soon, the forced proximity sparks a confounding awareness neither writer nor muse are able to resist.

ABOUT ARIA GLAZKI

Aria’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published in a few collections. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together – if they don’t get in their own way, that is.

Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

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

New Release Blitz for An Officer and a Mermaid by Blaire Edens

Posted on July 21, 2015 by fundinmental

An Officer and a Mermaid

by Blaire Edens

Series: Falling In Deep

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy RomanceCover Designer: Quirky Bird

Release Date: July 21, 2015

When a slave uprising threatens the life of Syreena, the daughter of an eighteenth century plantation owner, a servant uses voodoo to transform her into a mermaid. The spell will be only broken when she returns to the beach where it was cast. After three hundred years of swimming, she’s ready to trade fins for legs. The only problem is she can’t find her way home.

Dylan, a twenty-first century Coast Guard Officer, has sworn off love for the sea. When a wave throws him overboard, Syreena uses her amulet to ward off the sharks and save his life.

With Syreena and Dylan stranded on a remote cay, Dylan has the know-how to build a raft and navigate but his near-drowning has made him terrified of the water. Syrenna will use every charm she has to convince Dylan to take her home.

Even if it means falling in love. . .

It was a small amulet, about the size of a small Manonsillo fruit, painted with the image of Mami Wata, a mermaid-like deity venerated by the slaves. She was carefully painted, from the curls in her ebony hair to the scales of the snake wrapped around her neck.

Guilliame said, “Mami will show you the way.” He held up a leather pouch and threaded onto the thin leather strap that held the amulet. “Do not lose be without these until you are sure you don’t need them.”

“How will I know?”

“There will be no question. You will be safe.” The lyrical sounds of West Africa were heavy in his voice. “Do not be afraid, mademoiselle. Your papa and I are doing this because it is all we can do. When it is time,” Guilliame said, “you must return here, to this very spot. Do you understand?” His eyes were serious. “You must complete the circle.”

“I understand,” she replied in a whisper.

Guilliame stood behind her. He placed the necklace over her head. The leather pouch hung right above her breasts. She touched it with her finger. It felt warm, alive.

“Keep your fingers on it,” Guilliame said. He touched her shoulders, a familiarity unimagined only minutes ago. “Good luck.”

His bass voice was hypnotic, drifting between the patois of the island and the stranger, foreign sounds of West Africa. Her eyelids became heavy; she was falling into a deep sleep.

The sounds of the beach became louder and Guilliame’s voice became more distant.

The last thing she heard was, “She will swim alone until the man who is her true equal comes to her.”

She whirled into a vortex of color, sound and wind. Her body felt lighter and lighter, weightless.

Then there was nothing but blue.

Blaire Edens lives in mountains of North Carolina. She grew up on a farm that’s been in her family since 1790. Of Scottish descent, her most famous ancestor, John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Guardian of Scotland, was murdered by Robert the Bruce on the altar of the Greyfriars Church at Dumfries.

She has a degree in Horticulture from Clemson University. She’s held a myriad of jobs including television reporter, GPS map creator, and personal assistant to a fellow who was rich enough to pay someone to pick up the dry cleaning. When she’s not plotting, she’s busy knitting, running, or listening to the Blues.

Blaire loves iced tea with mint, hand-stitched quilts, and yarn stores. She refuses to eat anything that mixes chocolate and peanut butter or apple and cinnamon. She’s generally nice to her mother, tries to remember not to smack her bubble gum, and only speeds when no one’s looking.

She’s the past president of South Carolina Writers Workshop and an active member of Romance Writers of America.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

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Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.

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Giveaway – The Dark Masters by David Wind

Posted on July 10, 2015 by fundinmental

The Dark Masters

by David Wind

Series: Tales of Nevaeh: Volume 2

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Release Date: May 15, 2015

A race to stop extinction!

In what once was Europe, the Dark Masters launch a fleet of ships filled with tens of thousands of their followers.

While in Nevaeh, charged with an epic journey by the eight sorceresses of ‘The Island’, Areenna and Mikaal must travel to the desolate and unchartered frozen mountains, armed only with their psychic abilities and their swords, where they must discover not just the legends, but the millennia old secret awaiting them in their fight to save Nevaeh from extermination.

Book 1: Born to Magic

I live and write in a small village about thirty miles upstate of NYC, and share my home with my wife, Bonnie and our dog Alfie, an apricot poodle.

When I began writing in 1980, I had no idea where I was headed. Since then, I’ve published thirty-five novels, thirty-three of them with traditional publishers, but I decided I wanted more freedom than the traditional publishers would allow and began a new phase in my life as an Independent Author.

Sci-Fi & fantasy has always been my most favorite genre. My first novel in the genre, Queen Of Knights was a medieval / historical fantasy and reached #2 on the Amazon.com bestseller lists for historical fantasy and medieval fantasy, and my sci-fi of parallel worlds, The Others, received wide acclaim.

My first Independent novel Angels In Mourning, was my ‘homage’ to the old time private detective books of the late 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. I used to love to sneak them from my parents’ night-tables and read them as a young boy. Angels, is a modern day take on the old style hardboiled detective. Angels In Mourning won the Amazon.com Book of the Month Reader’s Choice Award shortly after it was published.

My most current thriller, The Cured, was written with Terese Ramin.The idea for this Medical Thriller came shortly after the death of a close friend. I couldn’t help but wonder about the medication….

My previous suspense thrillers are The Hyte Maneuver, (a Literary guild alternate selection); As peace Lay Dying, Conspiracy of Mirrors, And Down will Come Baby, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and Shadows.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

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Awesome Mermaid Giveaway and Novella – How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes

Posted on July 8, 2015 by fundinmental

HowToBeAMermaidBlitzBanner1

I am so excited to be able to share Erin Hayes new novella, How To Be a Mermaid.

I have the option to share so many things, it was hard to choose. Everyone likes a bit of music, so I chose to share the song list. Here is a little something to listen to while you see the great things I have to share.

How to be a Mermaid Soundtrack:

Below is a list of songs that I listened to while writing How to be a Mermaid. Each of these songs helped to get me into the right mindset in order to pretend that I was a mermaid!

Go – Grimes featuring Blood Diamonds
Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Never Let Me Go – Florence and the Machine
What the Water Gave Me – Florence and the Machine
Start a Riot – Jetta
Believe – Mumford and Sons
I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons
Dirty Paws – Of Monsters and Men
Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding
Part of Your World – Jodi Benson from The Little Mermaid ß No mermaid soundtrack would be complete without that song!

Check out the beautiful cover, keep scrolling to check out more about the story and enter the awesome giveaway! I want to wish you good luck in the giveaway, but I want to win it too. LOL

Add me to Goodreads now.

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How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes
(Falling in Deep Collection, #10)
Publication date: July 7th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

SYNOPSIS

All Tara ever wanted was to be a mermaid.

So she takes a year off between high school and college to don a fake tail and tour aquariums across the country in a professional mermaid troupe.

Everything’s great until she meets a gorgeous real-life merman named Finn. Suddenly, what she thought was a dream turns out to be a nightmare — she’s turning into a mermaid herself. For real.

Yet when she returns to the sea to seek out Finn and reverse her transformation, she finds herself in the middle of an impending war between the land and sea. Tara may have always wanted to be a mermaid, but now it’s sink or swim. In order to survive, she has to learn how to be one, too.

Summer 2015, award-winning, and best-selling authors will bring you romantic tales of mermaids, sirens, sprites, and other creatures of the deep! Keep in touch as we reveal each title in our collection!

Purchase: Amazon I B&N

ABOUT ERIN HAYES

CASTKatie_McGrath Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy mystery novel Death is but a Dream, the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is Incredibly Average, and the Her Wolf paranormal series.She works as an advertising copywriter during the day, and she moonlights as an author. She has lived in New Zealand, Texas, and now in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.

Author links: Goodreads I Website I Facebook I Twitter

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

A mermaid care package to help you be the best mermaid:
- A signed copy of How to be a Mermaid
- Tara’s necklace
- Two Mermaid Mix soaks
- A mermaid mirror compact
- Six starfish hairpins
- A mermaid wallet
- Mermaid perfume
- Mermaid Tail Nail Polish
- A mermaid makeup bag
- Four Little Mermaid Buttons
- And one mermaid handbag to carry all your dinglehoppers

ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.

If you have a problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.

Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Teaser Tuesday #44 – Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L Reid

Posted on June 30, 2015 by fundinmental

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of adailyrhythm.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Pretty Dark Nothing, Book I, by Heather L Reid is a horror novel that’s a bit different from the norm. Sure there are demons and a battle between good and evil, but we also have a psychic and an amnesiac (why an amnesiac is a story in itself). I am really on Book II, Pretty Dark Sacrifice of the Pretty Dark series. It is available for pre order, so if you like Pretty Dark Nothing, you won’t have long to wait.

Add Me to Goodreads now.

TEASE ONE

It only took a second for the veil between reality and nightmare to rip.

TEASE TWO

Dragging Quinn through the splintered void, the fog suspended her in its web across the black abyss of the tunnel below, until, one by one, the tendrils unraveled and dissipated into the walls, leaving gravity to pull her into a long, terrifying free fall.(1% on Kindle)

SYNOPSIS

It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.