Giveaway & Review – Storm of Aaranon by R E Sheahan @RESheahan @RESheahan

 

We’re happy to have with us today R. E. Sheahan, author of STORM OF ARRANON!  R.E. is on a virtual book tour this month and is giving away paperback copies of Book Two: Storm of Arranon: Fire and Ice and Book Three: Storm of Arranon: Allies and Enemies.  Enter below!

 

 

Author: R. E. Sheahan
Publisher: Rule of Three Press
Pages: 300
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Fantasy
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MY REVIEW
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I have seen Storm of Aaranon by R E Shehan around for some time now and was curious, so when this tour came up I decided now is the time. My sister, Laura @ fuonlyknew had all the books, so the one I didn’t have, I borrowed from her.
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I love covers and this is an interesting one. There is a lot going on and I wonder who is good and who is bad.
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I didn’t anticipate the story inside. Intense…from the opening sentence. So you better buckle up because this may be a bumpy ride.
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Erynn is special, but she doesn’t know it. There is a lot she doesn’t know, as her enemies come after her. She had been secretive and isolated, alone because of her differences. She’d always done her best to control and conceal her powers, feeling there was something wrong with her. That she was a freak. Sounds like a real person, doesn’t it? She thought she was the only one…
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Until Jaer. There is something about about him, something she’s drawn to. As things become clearer to her, she finds her purpose and place. R E Sheahan brings her from innocence and naivety to determination and bravery.
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When she was taken, she didn’t know, but her life would be changed forever. I am curious to see how she adjusts and adapts to the changes in her life and and she learns of her true heritage. R E Sheahan handles it in a fantastic way making me believe, forgetting that Storm of Aaranon is a fantasy.
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Betrayal…I like trying to figure out who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. Just like the characters, I have to be observant and sift through the clues. It’s like playing chess, you have to think way ahead, planning your moves.
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Most books I read, the characters dance around their feelings for each other. We do it to protect ourselves from hurt and embarrassment.  I understand the reason for it, but don’t do it too long. In the face of danger, I would think they’d fess up.
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I love the magic, the creatures and her connection to the world of Aaranon. A combination of elements gives this read a freshness and conveys the innocence and goodness of Erynn. She grows and develops into a confident and independent woman, believing in herself and the ability to GET IT DONE or die trying.
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There was one part with Faylen that I would have loved to have seen developed more. I grew to care for him and his ability to change his mind when the facts were in. I couldn’t quit thinking about him.
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Storm of Aaranon by R E Sheahan is a mashup of science fiction and the paranormal with nature having its share of input in a big way. The story could have ended here, except for…
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I debated about the rating, because I like a lot of depth, detail, blood and guts, but this is a perfect read for the target audience, teens and young adults. So, with that in mind…4 stars.
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I received a copy of Storm of Aaranon from R E Sheahan in return for an honest review.
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Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 Stars
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ABOUT THE BOOK

 A forbidden birth. A remarkable young woman. A marauding alien society. The battle begins.

 A brutal alien society invades Korin and Arranon, intent on destroying the two worlds that make up Cadet Erynn Yager’s home. Forced to expose her strange abilities and reveal her forbidden birth, a guarded web of secrets unravels.

Stranded on an unfamiliar planet of eternal winter and predatory wildlife, the mysterious living consciousness of Arranon intervenes, leading Erynn on a mystical journey.

Aware of Erynn’s potential, the alien enemy pursues her. She struggles to gain control of her growing powers while in a constant race to elude the invaders, and join the forces preparing to fight a mounting occupation.

Erynn’s secret may be her worlds’ only hope, but at the cost of her life. Swept up in a chain reaction of events, Erynn’s dedication extends far beyond service and duty. She learns the true meaning of sacrifice.

Along with courage and hope, Erynn finds something unexpected on her journey of awareness and growth.

Love.

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Fire and Ice (Storm of Arranon, #2)Storm of Aaranon, Book II, Fire and Ice by R E Sheahan

MY REVIEW

The story could have ended with Book I, except for Dhoran, the evil leader of Aaranon’s Underworld.

I read this three book series, one after the other. Once I began, I had to know…

As evil plumbs the depths, I am looking for some serious…stuff to happen. Dhoran’s goal was to seduce Erynn to the dark side. He definitely underestimated her.

Her powers and the danger mounts, so does the suspense and my anticipation of what comes next.

Erynn doesn’t seek trouble, but she does what she feels she has to, no apologies, recruiting followers along the way.

The story gets better, the dangers grow, love blooms and the adventure continues…above ground and below.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 Stars
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Allies and Enemies (Storm of Arranon #3)Storm of Aaranon, Book III, Allies and Enemies by R E Sheahan

MY REVIEW

I read all three books straight through and it keeps getting better and better. I am excited to see that the finale ROCKED!

The first sentence told me the gloves were off and we were coming out fighting. That’s how good the writing is…I felt part of the story.

Who can she trust? Will her enemy be her friend?

“I’m figuring this out as I go.”

Isn’t that real life?

“Flying fast and low, just the way I like it.” Her motto.

Danger surrounds them all and I cannot figure out who to trust.

I felt deeply involved in the outcome, BUT…it doesn’t end here. I didn’t know there was more coming and I am deeply disappointed that I don’t have the next book. I am VERY eager to find out what happens next.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 Stars

For More Information

  • Storm of Arranon is available at Amazon.
  • Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

 TENDRILS OF BLUE STATIC POPPED and snapped around Lieutenant Erynn Yager’s fingers as she tapped the keypad. Black numbers and symbols streamed across the white screen of her monitor. She glanced up, checking the equation on the large overhead at the front of the cramped classroom and smiled, her answer correct.

Delicate blue currents reached out and wrapped around her hands with a faint tingling sensation. In a breath Erynn whispered, “Com avlash.” She brushed at dappled shadows that danced across the pool of sunlight at the edge of her desk, amused by the wispy blue filaments tracing her movements. They flowed like a lazy stream, trailing the path her fingertips traveled before the energy faded. As the static disappeared, she glanced around to make sure no one noticed.

No one ever had.

The buzz of winged centinents drifted in on a warm breeze through the open window next to her. She sighed and fingered the neck of her white uniform shirt, the stiff collar tight and irritating in the rising temperature.

From the front of the classroom the instructor, Major Kendal, his tan uniform meticulous, asked, “Does anyone need more time?” He scanned faces in the room. No one responded and he continued, “I trust you took into account gravitational pull, divided by trajectory angles, while factoring in speed given mass and friction before multiplying . . ..”

Erynn tried to listen, but his incessant droning soon matched the hum from outside.

Static crackled, and the air thickened with a sinking heaviness. The temperature plunged to an icy cold, chilling her moist skin. A sweet, spicy aroma replaced the electronic scent of computers and sour sweat of bodies pressed into a tight space for too long. She glanced out the window and frowned. What

Broad yellow, orange, and red leaves trembled in the breeze. Brown stone buildings melded with the blue sky and manicured green lawns. The colors ran, blurred, and morphed into dark oily shapes with faint outlines of long arms and legs. She stiffened and squeezed her eyes shut. Images played in her mind like a silent vid in fast-forward.

Flash—a brilliant jeweled city nestled in a deep green forest. Flash—majestic spires of trees surrounding a clearing, the woods tossed in a violent windstorm. Flash—mountain peaks covered by snow and ice.

More impressions swirled and sped by, eclipsing her thoughts, taking control.

Bright pinpoints of red and orange exploded, swarming under her closed lids. The high-pitched sound of a hundred musical instruments in discord screamed in her mind. The syrupy aroma intensified. She caught two words through the cacophony—a plea, and a warning.

“Cadjoo. Mabrath.”

Her chest constricted, unable to expand.

Help. Death.

The meaning of these two words, in a language she’d made up as a child, took her breath. She pushed recognition away, refusing the insistent vision that pried at the corners of her mind seeking purchase.

Prophecy.

The word slithered across her nerves like a dry whisper.

Heart thudding, her lids flew open. At the periphery of her vision, the sparkling colors blinked out, and the heavy atmosphere in the room lifted. Erynn’s ears popped and the shrieking voices died, sudden quiet making her believe the shrill proclamation left her deaf. She jumped up, chair legs screeching backward on polished tile as the desk banged into the seat in front of her. “No!” Her shout rang out in the small, quiet room.

Floor heaving like rolling waves, she leaned against the desk on unsteady legs. Startled students in her weapons-and-tactics class stared at her, most of them shaking their heads and smirking. Ridicule and resentment came as a barrage of stinging barbs digging under her skin. Concentrated emotions of pity, anger, concern, scorn, disgust and envy bombarded against her attempt to focus, to gain control.

In a practiced technique, Erynn envisioned a wide tunnel of white brightness spiraling into a tiny point of light. This method narrowed her exposure to the emotions of others. The reactions assailing her all but disappeared. She hissed quick breaths through clamped teeth and the nauseating sensation of motion stopped.

About the Author

 

I have always been a reader. I love books. When I’m not able to read, I listen to audio books. I started writing while working as a Paramedic/Firefighter in Northern California. Trust me, it’s not like it appears on TV. There was plenty of time for books, mostly reading them. I didn’t seriously start writing until I moved to my ranch in Oregon. While waiting for lambs to be born in the middle of the night, I would head back to the house for an hour or two and sit down at the computer. Before I knew it, I had a manuscript. Not a good one, but a start.I joined critique groups and attended writer’s conferences. I was on the fast track to learning.

In 2013, I received an honorable mention in Writer’s Digest’s Self Published book awards for MG/YA. I guess I am learning something!

Ideas from dreams follow me into warm sunny days or the quiet of falling snow. “What ifs” feed a vivid imagination. Even mistyped phrases may lead to an “aha” moment. Brain storming sessions standing in windy, dark parking lots with fellow writers release thoughts that pry at the corners of my mind, grasping for purchase. Sometimes the ideas pursue me, with persistence.

For More Information

GIVEAWAY

R.E. Sheahan is giving away a paperback copy of Book Two (Storm of Arranon Fire) and Book Three (Storm of Arranon Allies and Enemies)!

Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive both books
  • This giveaway ends midnight October 28.
  • Winner will be contacted via email on October 29.
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

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So far, there are three book in the series, and if it sounds like it’s for you, it is available in a three book set for $8.97 on Amazon.

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One Sentence Review – The Wicked Awakening of Anne Merchant by Joanna Wiebe #JoannaWiebe

I won The Wicked Awakening of Ann Merchant by Joanna Wiebe from Fiktshun some time ago and just got around to reading it. Even though it is Book II in the series, I don’t feel it affected my review, though now I want to read the first book, The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant.

This is my kind of cover and the book met all my expectations.

The Wicked Awakening of Anne Merchant (The V Trilogy, #2)Amazon Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Anne Merchant has been born again, but I bet it is not quite what you are thinking, more like being brought back from the dead on Wormwood Island, where caution must be taken because the gates of hell beckons and her life is on the line, and the suspense reaches a level that kept my fear for her and those around her at a high level…waiting and hoping…

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos   4 Stars

GOODREAD BLURB:  Life and death, light and dark, spirit and flesh-on Wormwood Island, the lines are always blurred. For Anne Merchant, who has been thrust back into this eerily secretive world, crossing the line seems inevitable, inescapable, destined.

Now, as Ben finds himself battling for the Big V and Teddy reveals the celestial plan in which Anne is entwined, Anne must choose: embrace her darkly powerful connection to a woman known as Lilith and, in doing so, save the boy she loves…or follow a safer path that is sure to lead to Ben’s destruction at the hands of dark leaders. Hoping the ends will justify the means, Anne starts down the slippery slope into the underworld, intent on exploring the dark to find the light. But as the lure of Lilith proves powerfully strong, will Anne save others-only to lose herself?

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Giveaway – A Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi #CunningTour @astrid_arditi @MasqTours.

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Author: Astrid Arditi
Publication Dates: June 8, 2016
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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MY REVIEW
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A Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi is her debut novel. I am not afraid to try a new author, in fact, I am always on the lookout for one. You never know where that hidden gem may come from and I found one here.
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The cover is so pretty, but it was the blurb that really grabbed me.
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A woman scorned does not bode well for Tom.
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The first pages had me cracking up, all the while thinking, the bitch is crazy. 😈
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I want to jump into the pages and punch both their lights out. Tom is a douche and Sloane is a wimp. He really needs to man up. Ethan, hmmm, a hunky IRS agent and Sloane’s life gets more interesting…and humorous once he enters the story.
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I cursed and laughed my way through a Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi. Her writing makes me think of Janet Evanovich. The more I read, the more I couldn’t help but laugh at her misconceptions and naivety. She is one of us…a real person with all her insecurities alive and well.
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The two little girls are cute as hell with tons of personality, lovable bundles of joy.
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And we cannot forget Sloane’s trusty sidekick, Claudia. She reminded me of Rosie on Will and Grace, if you have ever watched the TV show, you can imagine her personality ‘shining’ through.
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A Cunning Plan by Astrid Arditi is a funfilled romp, full of mystery and romance, with delightful and heart-grabbing characters. Seeing this is Astrid’s entrance in the writing world, I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next.
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I received an ARC of A Cunning Plan from Astrid Arditi in return for an honest review.sted: 
Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars
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SYNOPSIS

Determined to put her family back together, Sloane Harper stalks her ex husband and his annoyingly stunning mistress, Kate Stappleton. But she’s not the only one.

Handsome IRS agent Ethan Cunning is surveying Kate too, but for entirely different reasons. He is attempting to nail Kate’s playboy boss.

Ethan and Sloane decide to help each other, which sends Sloane’s wobbly life spinning out of control. She’ll have to face danger, humiliation, and – scariest of all – the dating scene, to lure her daughters’ father home.

Losing control was the best thing to happen to Sloane…until it turned lethal.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | GoodReads

Author Bio

 photo Astrid Arditi.jpgAstrid Arditi was born from a French father and Swedish mother. She lived in Paris and Rome before moving to London with her husband and daughter back in 2013.

After dabbling in journalism, interning at Glamour magazine, and teaching kindergarten, Arditi returned to her first love: writing.

She now splits her time between raising her kids (a brand new baby boy just joined the family) and making up stories.

A Cunning Plan is Arditi’s first published work.

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Two (2) $25 Amazon G.C. Ends 9/30. Open Internationally. Void where Prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review – Baby Girl by Bette Lee Crosby @BetteLeeCrosby

Bette Lee Crosby is an award winning author whose stories are filled with southern charm and Baby Girl is the fourth book in the Memory House series.

Exciting news! Baby Girl is being read by Wind Dancer Films for a film or TV option.
Who would you like to see cast as the lead characters?
CLICK HERE
and leave a comment with your answers.
I’ll pick one random winner to receive a paperback copy of
Baby Girl and Cracks in the Sidewalk.
***US shipping only. Ebook sent to international winner***

Looking at the sweet cover, you would think this is going to be a happy story, but I must tell you, Bette Lee Crosby writes tear jerkers and you WILL want a box of tissues handy.

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Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have been reading Bette Lee Crosby’s books for years, so I was very happy to read about some new characters and some familiar characters in her new novel, Baby Girl. Her characters come to life and I feel their pain and their joy. Her writing wrings emotions from me and require tissues, so be prepared.

Baby Girl deals with a young woman’s decision to place her baby up for adoption. She wants the best for her child and there is a couple who wants to give her child the best they have to offer.

Cheryl Ann struggles and I loved watching her grow from a naive girl to a grown woman. Her trials and tribulations ring true and when she met Nick even I swooned and I don’t believe I’ve ever used that word before. Then, I laughed at what came next.

Yeah, I saw that coming, nope didn’t see that. Scumbag…when IT happens I am the kind of person that thinks, “Is he going to pay for that?” Baby Girl shines a dark light on men and their character…or lack thereof.

Cheryl Ann’s journey will take her to Memory House and I know good things happen there.

So many thoughts went through my mind as I read Baby Girl. Things like, people have baggage and sometimes act out instead of sharing and letting it go…A good lesson is don’t be too quick to judge…Funny how our perspective changes from the dreams of youth to grown up reality.

I myself have learned that you never know what a smile or a simple gesture of kindness can do.

The story and characters seem so real and I felt many emotions as I read along. That is not surprising with Bette Lee Crosby’s writing. She has a way with words that make me get so involved with the characters that I want only the best for them…or should I say most of them.

I received a copy of Baby Girl from Bette Lee Crosby in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  When young Cheryl Ann leaves home, she thinks her path is straight…until she’s forced to make a choice she could never have imagined. The man in her life makes it clear: either pick your baby or pick me, he says. Suddenly, Cheryl finds herself at a crossroads. She makes a decision that will change her life forever, and that decision causes a chain of events that will lead Cheryl to a completely unexpected place.

Baby Girl is a mother’s story. It’s about the greatest sacrifice a mother can make when she wants only the best for her child. It’s about falling in and out of love, of losing and finding one’s self. It’s about the perilous journey from passionate young love to happy true love and understanding the differences between the two.

Baby Girl is a book that readers won’t want to miss because it’s a story they won’t forget.

From the Author:

This book is based on a true story…a story that is heartbreaking at times but will leave readers with a better understanding of what a woman will do to protect her child. When I first heard this birth mother’s story I was touched by it, so much so that I needed to know more. When I knew more, I knew I needed to write my novel. The result is Baby Girl.

ABOUT BETTE LEE CROSBY

Bette Lee CrosbyUSA Today Bestselling and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby’s books are “Well-crafted storytelling populated by memorable characters caught up in equally memorable circumstances.” – Midwest Book Review

The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Crosby’s writing is, “A quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about important things in life and madcap adventures.”

Samantha from Reader’s Favorite raves, “Crosby writes the type of book you can’t stop thinking about long after you put it down.”

“Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.”

It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win twenty awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal, Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award.

Website  /  FacebookTwitter  /  Goodreads  /  G+  /  Pinterest  /  Instagram

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MY REVIEWS OF BETTE LEE CROSBY’S NOVELS

 

 

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One Sentence Review – Oh Ship! by Lori A Moore @LoriAMooreKY

I have been on many cruises and if you enjoy people watching, like I do, Oh Ship by Lori A Moore will supply you with plenty of laughs and travel tips.

Oh Ship!

Goodreads  /  Amazon

MY ONE SENTENCE REVIEW

If you are a people watcher, Oh Ship by Lori A Moore is chock full of people…some nice and some not so nice…that had me laughing and shaking my head at their antics.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  3 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  Ship happens. Cruises can be quite the adventure within an adventure if you keep your eyes open and watch the little dramas that are going on among the several thousand passengers and crew members aboard the ship. Reading author Lori A. Moore’s true tales of things that happen on the high seas will have you saying, “Oh Ship!” From stories of passengers pepper-spraying other passengers to grown men fighting over glass figurines of penguins, you’ll laugh until your ribs hurt.

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Cozy Giveaway – Gnarly New Year by Anna Celeste Burke @aburke59 @dollycas

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What a fabulous cover for Gnarly New Year by Anna Celeste Burke. I want to be on that beach. How about you?

romantic sea beach. Women's Glasses and Champagne cork on sand

Gnarly New Year! Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery

Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Paperback: 220 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1530845781
E-Book ASIN: B01G15GEPC
goodreads-badge-add-plusMY REVIEW

Gnarly New Year by Anna Celeste Burke is Book II in the Corsario Cove cozy mystery series. I would recommend started with Book I, Cowabunga Christmas.

Cozies have such fun titles and covers, I find them irresistible, even though they are not the hardcore mystery, thriller and suspense reading that I love the most.

Gnarly New Year by Anna Celeste Burke picks up where Cowabunga Christmas left off. The murderer had been found, but there were many unanswered questions.

We have the small town cop with an attitude and lots of surfers. Kim and Brien partake of the sport as they follow the trail to the…treasure. It’s not really a treasure, per se, but it is the object everyone is looking for.

The dialogue is fun and the characters entertaining, especially with all of Brien’s little quirks. He’s such a sweetie pie.

I received a copy of Gnarly New Year from Anna Celeste Burke in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 3 Stars

Synopsis

The honeymoon’s not over yet! Kim and Brien’s excellent adventure at the swanky Sanctuary Resort & Spa continues when an unwelcome visitor drops in on New Year’s Eve. An elusive marine GPS device found and lost again, unleashes another wave of murder and mayhem in Corsario Cove! What is it about that thing? Will the secret be revealed when they visit the chamber of heinousness? Stooges, Krugerrands, and monks—oh my! Is it going to be a Gnarly New Year for Kim and Brien?

ac burke

About The Author

Anna Celeste Burke is an award-winning and bestselling author who enjoys snooping into life’s mysteries with fun, fiction, & food—California style! Her books include the Jessica Huntington Desert Cities Mystery series set in the Coachella Valley near Palm Springs, the Corsario Cove Cozy Mystery series set on California’s Central Coast, and The Georgie Shaw Cozy Mystery series set in Orange County, California–the OC. Coming soon: The Misadventures of Betsy Stark that take place in the Coachella Valley.

Author Links

Purchase Link:  Amazon

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tour Participants

September 7 – The Self-Rescue Princess – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

September 9 – Author Annette Drake’s blog – SPOTLIGHT

September 10 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 11 – Christa Reads and Writes – GUEST POST

September 12 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

September 13 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW

September 14 – Varietats2010 – INTERVIEW

September 15 – fundinmental – REVIEW

September 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

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Breezy grass shack

 

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One Sentence Review – A Bad Reputation by Jane Tesh @janetesh

I find it so hard to say no to a cozy mystery, even though I require more depth and blood and guts to be engrossed in the story, I just can’t pass them up.

a-bad-reputationAmazon  /  Goodreads

MY ONE SENTENCE REVIEW

A Bad Reputation by Jane Tesh has everything you need for a fantastic cozy; fun, intriguing characters, lots of suspects and dialogue that puts a smile on your face.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  When Wendall Clarke announces plans to open a new art gallery downtown, it’s both the talk of Celosia, North Carolina and the envy of its residents. But the news is upstaged when Clarke is found murdered, prompting beauty queen turned private investigator Madeline Maclin to take on the case. Faced with a laundry list of suspects including a furious ex-wife, a competing business owner, and jealous local artists, Madeline’s also struggling to keep her con man husband, Jerry Fairweather, out of handcuffs. If Jerry wasn’t enough trouble on his own, enter Honor Perkins, dead set on luring him back into a life of crime. Between foiling Perkins’ plans, stabilizing her marriage and possibly being pregnant, Madeline juggles her responsibilities as she races to solve the crime before the killer strikes again – or her life falls apart.

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Tag Team Giveaway – Girl of Mine by Taylor Dean @taylordeanbooks

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Welcome to the Tag Team Tag Team Event & Giveaway!

This is where myself (Sherry at fundinmental) and Laura at fuonlyknew tag team authors and their books. We share our reviews and giveaways, giving you two perspsectives of the book and two chances to win!

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I am so happy to welcome Taylor Dean back to fundinmental with her novel, Girl of Mine. As a tease, I think I will start with the book trailer, but be sure and read the entire post, because she has some amazing things to share with you.

I have been following Taylor Dean since I first read her paranormal series Lancaster House. She writes some amazing clean romance stories that brings tears to my eyes.

Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Taylor Dean is an award winning author that is at the top of my must read list and Girl of Mine is another one of her clean romance novels that tugged at my heartstrings. I must warn you, though…. a box of tissues is required.

One month before her wedding, Jill was jilted. Now…HE’s back, continuing to break her heart.

Why is Lucas so desperate to talk to her NOW?

Jill is still in love with Lucas, so why is she engaged to another man? That is something you will have to read the book to find out.

I wonder how Taylor will HOOK me…and now I see.

The characters are complex and intertwined in a complicated scenario. Of course, I felt bad for Jill, but I felt equally as  bad for Lucas, even though it was his own fault. He made the choice to walk away.

Guilt, manipulation and miscommunication lead to a tangled web…isn’t that like real life? It is Taylor Dean’s ability to write and make it believable that allows me to become so involved in her characters and bring them to life on the pages.

Even a ‘bad guy’ can be good…can’t he? I love flawed characters. It makes them more interesting to me. I wonder if they can redeem themselves…

Jill’s childish and pouty behavior gave me some chuckles and I find romance and humor go together in real life, so it is easy to relate to her.

Girl of Mine by Taylor Dean has everything I need for a wonderful romance. Love, heartbreak and bliss, with a happy ever after. Her writing makes me laugh, cry, wring my hands in frustration as I want to yell at the characters, “Hey guys…you need to communicate.” I love that her stories leave me with a feeling of happiness and satisfaction when I turn the last page.

I received a copy of Girl of Mine from Taylor Dean in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB:  HE CAME HOME

The year is 2003 and Captain Lucas Graham is at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, about to be deployed to Iraq. A few weeks ago, he broke his engagement with Jillian Barrett, leaving her stunned and heartbroken.

Knowing he can’t leave for war without putting his affairs in order, Luke obtains a four day pass with only one goal in mind: explain his life story to his former fiancée.

The problem: Jill is now engaged to another man.

But Luke isn’t giving up. He only has four days to gain an audience with Jill, even if he has to resort to drastic measures to do so.

And he will . . .

THE TREE HOUSE FEATURED IN GIRL OF MINE

The tree house featured in GIRL OF MINE is inspired by an actual tree house that my father built on his property. It is AMAZING!

On occasion my parents let friends use their property for a wedding reception. The bride climbs to the top and throws her bouquet from the highest level.
 
Even as an adult, the tree house calls to me and brings out my inner child. I want to spend hours wandering the many levels while imagining grand adventures in my head.
 
When my siblings and I were young, my Dad promised to build us a play house. He had impressive plans for making it into a storybook cottage, similar to what Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs lived in.


It never happened.


Next the play house was going to make an appearance for my children, his grandchildren.


It never happened.


Years later he built the tree house with one of his grandsons at his side, helping every step of the way.
 
Time passed, life interfered, and the play house was never built.

Now my children have children and the play house never came to be.
 
My father recently passed away from pancreatic cancer. Up until he became ill, he still had every intention of building the play house. He even had a plot of land picked out for its future home.

 

 
 
No worries.


I think he has more than redeemed himself over the play house promise, wouldn’t you agree? I told him on numerous occasions the tree house more than made up for the lack of a play house!
 

 

Now my grandchildren have an AMAZING place to play when they visit.
(And my adult children . . . and me! Let’s face it, you’re never too old to enjoy an amazing tree house!)
 

 

My father has left behind an incredible legacy.
 
This amazing tree house made its way into GIRL OF MINE, along with many other personal family stories.
You might even say my characters, Jill and Luke, fall in love in the tree house.
It’s a great place for a budding romance.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Taylor Dean

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up.

To find out what Taylor Dean is up to, follow the links below:

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NOW…it’s time for Taylor Dean’s amazing GIVEAWAY.

GIVEAWAY TO ONE US WINNER:

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY:
ONE KINDLE EBOOK OF GIRL OF MINE TO TWO LUCKY WINNERS.
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To be entered to win, let us know if you are US or International, leave your email so we can contact you if you are a winner and answer the question:
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Are you a jilter or a jiltee?
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 For another chance to win, soar on the wings of love over to fuonlyknew.
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Giveaway will run from 9.9.16 – 9.28.16

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  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • Problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!
MY REVIEWS FOR TAYLOR DEAN’S BOOKS
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Giveaway – Tales of a Redheaded Sea Witch by J E Hunter @byJEHunter

  Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch tour bannerI love anything to do with oceans, water of any kind and mermaids, so just the cover for Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch by J E Hunter is right up my alley.

I can hardly wait to dive in!!!

Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch coverTales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch (Black Depths #1)
by J.E. Hunter
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: April 2014

MY REVIEW

Anyone that knows me, knows I love anything to do with our oceans, seas, lakes…water of any kind…and mermaids, so when I saw Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, I had to have it. The cover had me hooked and the more I read, the more I became involved with Nessa’s life.

Nessa fights everything after her father’s death, but the move to her grandmother’s house on an island in the middle of nowhere, was the last straw. Myself, I would love to be there, meeting the new “people” in her life, mermaids, sea nymphs, pirates, orcies, sirens and vodiani. We will meet some even stranger and not so nice creatures, as Nessa learns to control her new powers and adjust to her new life.

Nessa not only needs to learn how to deal with the normal things a teenager deals with, school, friendships, misunderstandings, and young love, she will also have to learn how to develop her rare gifts as a sea witch and use them to protect herself and others.

I love Nessa’s feistiness and her determination to overcome her best friend’s resentment of her new pirate boyfriend. It’s moments like this that make the characters seem real and I am able to relate to them.

The fantasy elements were woven into the human elements so well, I was able to get lost in the pages and become a part of Nessa’s world. The surrounding characters all played an important part and she will learn what it’s like to work as a unit, a team, where sacrifice will be done in the name of love. She matures and develops at a believable pace.

Supernatural and paranormal creatures are high on my reading list and Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch by J E Hunter did not let me down. I have read numerous mermaid stories, but not many about a sea witch and some of the other magical creatures J E brought to life. I am eager to keep on reading about their world and I think you will be too.

I received a copy of Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch from J E Hunter in return for an honest review.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos  4 Stars

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SUMMARY

Death, power, transformation….

When Nessa’s dad dies, the last thing she’s expecting is to lose everything else too. But when her hair suddenly turns electric red, and her estranged grandma turns up on her doorstep ready to haul her off to an isolated island, that’s exactly what happens. In one day, Nessa losses her mother and her friends, and learns that she’s a redheaded sea-witch with magical powers. She’s one of many Neptunians—magical beings blessed by the sea, including selkies, mermaids, pirates, and sea nymphs. Nessa doesn’t want to live on an island, she doesn’t want to be a sea-witch, and she certainly doesn’t want to be hunted by humans who harvest Neptunians for their magical powers. But if Nessa wants to live, she’ll have to accept her new life and everything that comes with it including a witty pirate named Caesar, who just might break her heart.

Challenges arise at home and at school. Nessa struggles with her lessons, her friendships, and her burgeoning romance. She has no idea who she is, where she belongs, or that the danger lurking in the shadows is about to tear apart her world all over again…

Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch is the first book of the Black Depths series. This stunning series of books follow Nessa, a sea-witch. The second and third books, Broken Tide and Dark Shores, are also available on Amazon, as well a Black Depths novella, Windbound, which features the siren, Amynta, from the Black Depths series.

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About the Author

rJE HunterE. Hunter lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and began writing at a young age as an excuse to stay indoors during the cold winters. Several trips to the Pacific coast brought the inspiration for the Black Depths series. Tales of a Redheaded Sea-Witch, book 1, was published in 2014. Book 2, Broken Tide, was released in November 2015. Book 3 will be released in March 2016. J. E. Hunter has spent many years working in the field of environmental engineering and protection, a common theme in her works. When not reading, writing, or working, J. E. Hunter is often planning future adventures or busy living them.

Author Links:  WebsiteGoodreadsTwitter

GIVEAWAY:

Subscribe to the author’s newsletter and three lucky winners will receive a copy of the book! (INT)

Blog Tour Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

YA Bounk Tour Button

  • You may see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • Problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

There are four books in the series and Twisted Currents, the final one will be released in September of 2016.

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Giveaway & Review – Untouchable by Sibel Hodge @SibelHodge @BPICPromos

 

by Sibel Hodge
Genre: Psychological/Vigilante/Suspense Thriller
Release Date: July 18, 2016

 

A Conspiracy. A cover-up. And a whistle-blower who knows too much. You think you know who to trust? You’re wrong. And the truth may kill you…

~~ Inspired by real UK police investigations, this book contains scenes which some readers may find disturbing ~~

It’s Maya and Jamie’s anniversary, and she waits with excitement for him to return home for a celebratory dinner. There’s a knock at the door. It’s the police. Jamie has been found hanging in a local wood.

His death is ruled a suicide, but Maya doesn’t believe Jamie would take his own life. Something isn’t right. Someone has broken into her house. Someone is watching her. And someone has gone to great lengths to cover up what Jamie was doing before he died.

Maya’s grief turns to suspicion, and as she begins to investigate the weeks leading up to Jamie’s death, her trail leads her to a place known as “The Big House” and the horrific secrets within. Secrets people will stop at nothing to keep hidden. People linked to the heart of the Establishment who think they’re untouchable.

Now Maya has a dangerous decision to make. How far is she prepared to go to reveal the truth?

 

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OMG. I AM BLOWN AWAY by Untouchable by Sibel Hodge. I read a lot of romantic suspense. It is one of my favorite genres, and I just want to say, “Sibel Hodge is a master storyteller that left me screaming for more!”
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Untouchable contains some sensitive topics, so I would definitely recommend this to adults only and if you are squeamish, think twice…then read it. 🙂
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Maya and Jamie are opposites. She is loud, messy and social. He is more of a spectator, neat and tidy and enjoys his own company, yet they complement each other well.
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Untouchable is told from two perspectives – Maya in the present and Jamie in the past.
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I don’t want to give away Jamie’s story and the secret he holds, but I will say, it is terrible, tragic…Makes me soooo angry and I think it will make you angry too.
Did Jamie commit suicide?
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That age old question arises..WHY?
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It s a painful topic, yet Maya refuses to believe he would take his own life. I often wonder, when reading novels like Untouchable, how well we really know each other. We all have our little secrets, the pieces of our soul we hide from others. I wonder what I would do in her situation and, to me, that is the sign of great writing, making me get so into the story that I place myself in the characters situation.
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Would I, would you, accept what everyone was telling me, or you? Or…would I, or you, have faith in our own intuition, or own gut feeling, that they are WRONG! What strength would it take to act on it.
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I can’t imagine her pain at the loss of the love of her life, how stuck she is not wanting to forget him and move on. Wearing his clothes, absorbing the smell of him…wishing…
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Watch out you fuckers. I’m coming to get you.
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We all need a purpose to go on and now she has one.
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Would I want justice…YOU BET! I love books that present the What IF..Would I…to me.
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This is what I have been waiting for…the suspense and anticipation are making me fidgety, my eyes twitching, as I strive to read faster and faster, yet not wanting to miss anything.
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They are Untouchable, but..
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I find them so disturbing, so sickening, making me want to vomit as I scream and rage. I want to jump in my Kindle and rip them apart with my bare hands. Depraved, twisted, scummier than the bottom of the pond. My outrage makes me wince and shiver as I read on.
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When Mitchell, who comes to Maya’s aid in solving the mystery, talks about Iraq, even though it’s a novel, my conspiracy theories come out.
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“Talking to someone would be like putting a bandaid on a shark bit. What I needed was an AK-47 or a grenade to blast the people who killed Jamie to smithereens. Could I get a script for that?”
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When Mitchell talks about the media brainwashing us, I believe that too. Do you ever wonder who really controls the world? Are we being duped by our own government? How about 911, Homeland Security and terrorism…is the government, or the power people creating a distraction so we don’t see what is really going on right under our noses?
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I just don’t find any way for Maya to find justice. I don’t know how she does the things she does in Untouchable, but Sibel Hodge has created a character that rocks! The woman is very strong, committed, afraid yet fearless, brave and courageous as she struggles with her loss, fear, frustration and despair.
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Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.
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I was crunched forward, my foot tap, tap, tapping, racing through the pages, fighting the pain in my neck, hands, and wrists, from holding, clutching my Kindle…unable to stop. My head aches, my eyes burn and still I can’t stop. I have not read her bestseller, Look Behind You, but after reading Untouchable it is high on my wish list. Sibel Hodge has now become a MUST READ author for me.
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Untouchable by Sibel Hodge did not go the way I thought. It seemed predictable, but twisted and turned to the very end. Ooooh, THE ENDING, I never saw it coming and I sat with my mouth hanging open and I had to laugh at my astonishment. AWESOME, Sibel!
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To wrap it up, Untouchable by Sibel Hodge is a mind blowing, off the charts, out of the ballpark, hellacious rollercoaster ride that brought all my emotions to the surface, roiling and boiling.
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I received a copy of Untouchable from Sibel Hodge in return for an honest review.
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 Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos 5+++++ Stars
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Sibel Hodge’s No. 1 Bestseller Look Behind You has now sold over ¼ million copies. Her books are International Bestsellers in UK, USA, Australia, France, and Germany. She writes an eclectic mix of genres, and she’s a passionate human and animal rights advocate.

Her work has been nominated and shortlisted for numerous prizes, including the Harry Bowling Prize, the Yeovil Literary Prize, the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition, The Romance Reviews’ prize for Best Novel with Romantic Elements, and Indie Book Bargains’ Best Indie Books of 2012. She was the Winner of Best Children’s Book by eFestival of Words 2013, Nominated for the 2015 BigAl’s Books and Pals Young Adult Readers’ Choice Award, Winner of Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Book from a Series in the SpaSpa Book Awards 2013, Readers’ Favourite Young Adult – Coming of Age Honourable Award Winner 2015, and New Adult Finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s International Digital Awards 2015. Her novella Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave has been listed as one of the top 40 books about human rights by Accredited Online Colleges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.
  • To see all my reviews, go HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • animated smilies photo: animated animated.gifLook on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • Problem commenting, look for the twitter, facebook…buttons.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

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