Tag Archives: Young Adult

Before Night Came Dawn of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler @mhebler

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Now, we have come full circle. The story of the Chupacabra will be told in full. I hope the series caught your attention and you find Dawn of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler just as alluring as the other three. I got shelved this to read on 12.10.15 and finished reading it 12.20.15.

Michael Hebler does manage to come up with some intriging covers.

Dawn of the Chupacabra (Chupacabra Series #4)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

When you think about it, the title and cover are perfect for the subject matter, the origin of the chupacabra. I love MIchael Hebler’s explanation of how and why the chupacabra came to be.

Jeremiah Whiting’s story ticked me off.

The Civil War caused some heinous acts to be perpetrated. A truly evil being wants to bring death and destruction to the world and will do whatever is necessary to ,ale it happen.

And then I met the American Indian, Yuma.

Michael Hebler has no trouble skewing even a good guy to the bad side, maybe even killing them off.

The details and descriptions are so deep, visualization is a snap, the surroundings coming to life.

Want to know what angers the spirits…you need to read Dawn of the Chupacabra yourself. LOL

Well, Michael, it has been quite the ride. The highs and lows kept me wrapped up in the characters, grieving for them when they passed, reveling with them when something good happens, and I can hardly wait to find another ‘family’ from you to hook up with.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The fourth chapter in the award-winning Chupacabra Series follows an A.W.O.L. Confederate soldier, who is hunted by a demon sent to avenge the innocent of his heinous crimes.

Before Night, Came Dawn

Jeremiah Whiting has been a survivor since birth. He endured an abusive upbringing only to fight as a private for the losing side of the American Civil War. But when the war ends, Jeremiah’s battle does not. He will meet his greatest enemy yet, in the form of a heinous entity sent to kill him for crimes against the Cherokee Nation, and the only allies willing to fight at his side are the remarkable instincts he possesses and the voice of a deceptive Soldier who possesses him.

Dawn of the Chupacabra tells the origin tale of a supernatural beast born out of hatred and rage. Sent to kill a man no less atrocious, the monster’s creators soon learn the error of their fatal mistake and abuse of power when the creature terrorizes above and beyond its intended purpose. Dawn of the Chupacabra breathes life into a legendary curse spawned from the ashes of war and begins what will continue to blemish the earth for centuries to come.

ABOUT MICHAEL HEBLER

Michael Hebler

Prior to his tween years, Michael used to “borrow” Stephen King books off his mother’s bookshelf. Although he has not been clinically evaluated, Michael is positive that his adolescent self-introduction into adult horror had an impact on his dark sense of humor and love for Jason Voorhees. On the upside, Michael has found an outlet in which to put his twisted thoughts to proper use, and thanks to a college degree which proves that he had studied the importances of plot, characters, conflict, themes, and interactions, he is able to give his stories the attention they deserve.

But life wasn’t always about the written page. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, Michael had a career as a international film publicist, working on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, as well as the 2013 Academy Award® Best Foreign Language film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty). Sounds exciting, right? Michael thinks so, too.

Currently, in his spare time, Michael also enjoys volunteering in his local community. Organizations he has supported include Meals on Wheels, Get On The Bus, as well as helped protect our animal population by aiding in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.​

To date, Michael’s publications include the first four (of six) books in his Chupacabra Series: NIGHT OF THE CHUPACABRA, CURSE OF THE CHUPACABRA, LEGEND OF THE CHUPACABRA, and DAWN OF THE CHUPACABRA, a couple of short stories, as well as my first publication, THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS, a holiday picture book for believers of any age.

Website / Twitter

MY MICHAEL HEBLER REVEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway & Review – Come the Eventide by Chris Riker @iReadBookTours

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BOOK DETAILS:


Book Title:  Come the Eventide by Chris Riker
Category:  YA Fiction / Adult Fiction, 330 pages
Genre:  YA Eco-Sci-Fiction / Fantasy
Publisher:  Lanier Press
Release date:   June, 2019
Tour Dates: October 14 to October 25, 2019
Content Rating:  PG (There are mature themes, but nothing graphic or gratuitous)
 

MY REVIEW

An original and unique novel of life after the destruction caused by human. Humans, dolphins, and octopodes work together for survival. Told from all characters POV, whether human, dolphin or…

I love any books that relate to water and ecology and the creatures that live there.

Man’s inhumanity to man and everything else on the planet is nothing new. Nothing they won’t do to get what they want and the critters do hold grudges…so beware.

I was entranced, enthralled, disgusted and horrified, tense and frightened, hopeful and dismayed.

Man poisoned the earth and ecologies and species have been decimated and destroyed.

I didn’t see the twist in Chapter 14, but it makes perfect sense. And I love it. I read Come Eventide by Chris Riker in one sitting…because I had to know.

I read slower than normal, not wanting to miss a thing. I had to concentrate to follow and be surprised.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Come Eventide by Chris Riker.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
 
A century has passed since the fall of humanity changed the natural landscape. The oceans are poison, and a fraction of Earth’s magnificent creatures remain. The only surviving humans squabble over limited resources as they cling to a fragile peace. Yet in this bleak landscape hope lives on in Earth’s other intelligent life. It all begins when Septielle, a seven-armed octopod, has a vision of a world restored—a world she will not live to see. Inspired by her vision, a dolphin named Muriel shoulders her mission and enlists any humans who will listen—including Anadare, a young islander with an ax to grind against the oppressive ruling class of tourists turned bureaucrats. An invasion of cannibalistic pirates complicates things as they declare war on a world that rejects them.

As tensions rise to a crescendo, islanders, tourists, and pirates alike must put aside their differences to send Muriel on her greatest journey yet—beyond the sea, beyond form, beyond time itself.

In his first novel, Chris Riker conducts an opus in voce giocoso that grins at the inevitable, but reminds us of the heart that all life shares.
 

 BUY THE BOOK:
 
Website

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * BookLogix * Apple iBooks

Add to Goodreads


MEET THE AUTHOR:


Chris Riker is a writer, father, and journalist. He grew up in Rhode Island and now makes his home in Georgia with his wife, Ping. He has always loved books, from science-fiction and fantasy to historical novels and biographies. Building on a background in broadcast news, including a stint at CNN, he is now focused on telling stories with strong characters and moral resonance. His premiere effort blends a love for our beautiful Earth and her myriad life-forms with a sense of wonder at our shared purpose and fate.

Connect with the Author:  website  *  facebook  *  instagram 


BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE:

Oct 14 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 14 – Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
Oct 15 – Books for Books – book review
Oct 15 – To Thine Own Shelf – book review / guest post
Oct 16 – Fountain Of Books – book review /author interview / giveaway
Oct 17 – fundinmental – book review / giveaway
Oct 21 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book review
Oct 22 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 23 – My Devotional Thoughts – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 24 – Life as Leels – book review
Oct 25 – Just another reader – book review / giveaway


ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway



 
  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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#BooksFromTheBacklog – Dark Before Dawn by Stacy Juba @stacyjuba

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

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

This weeks book to share is Dark Before Dawn by Stacy Juba. I downloaded this from Amazon as a freebie on 6.5.12.

Dark Before Dawn

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

When teen psychic Dawn Christian gets involved with a fortuneteller mentor and two girls who share her mysterious talents, she finally belongs after years of being a misfit. When she learns her new friends may be tied to freak accidents in town, Dawn has an important choice to make – continue developing the talent that makes her special or challenge the only people who have ever accepted her. This novel is aimed at young adults, and at adults who enjoy paranormal YA such as the Twilight series, House of Night, and The Vampire Diaries series, Meg Cabot’s The Mediator series, or Lois Duncan books.

I love a good paranormal young adult story and when I saw they compared it to the Twilight series, House of Night, and The Vampire Diaries series, Meg Cabot’s The Mediator series, or Lois Duncan books, I thought it was hard to go wrong.

3.80  ·  Rating details ·  167 ratings  ·  54 reviews

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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Legend of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler @mhebler

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Allright, Book III of the Chupacabra series by Michael Hebler, Legend of the Chupacabra. I got this book from Michael back in 2015 and finished it on 12.16.15. Man oh man it has been a wild ride…so, let’s get started.

Another fabulous cover in the series.

Legend of the Chupacabra (Chupacabra Series #3)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

As I enter the third book in the series, Legend of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler, I have been reading them one after another, I become more fond of Jessie and her tenacity. She had a sordid upbringing, is self reliant, untrusting. Life is not what she would have chosen, but she would make the best of it. If she ever became your friend, it would be for life.

I couldn’t understand her felling of dread and being stalked. After all, the chupacabra was dead…isn’t it? What do you think?

Hate and revenge are strong motivators, leaving some open to being duped and unleashing a horror never known before upon the white man. In this western world, we learn about man’s ability to be good and bad. Are they born that way or do circumstances dictate their actions? I love a book that makes me ponder deep questions.

Suspense, twists and turns, pain and sorrow, but love and hope blossom from the most evil depredations. Sometimes subsequent books in the series don’t hold up, but, no worries. Each book has held more depth, more terror and more suspense than the last. I cannot stop reading, the suspense and sense of urgency driving me to the end…but wait…there’s one more book. YAY!

OMG…NO…Michael, you are sheer evil. I had a feeling something had to happen, but, damn it! I sure didn’t see the ending coming and it was a fabulous surprise.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

Inside a small village within the Great Plains of Montana, a ritual initiated in blood will be performed. This ceremony has been executed only once before and will mark a rite of honor and justice. Commonly, the Assiniboine are a harmonious people with strong pride and passions, but turn to the spirits for vengeance when wronged. The tribe’s chief will summon the Great Spirit on behalf of his people, for no earthly man can make evil suffer
like a greater evil.

Legend of the Chupacabra finds Jessie and Suzanne living peacefully in Portland, Oregon, six years after they believed to have put an end to the curse of the chupacabra. But the women come to learn of their failure and the futility of their sacrifices when a remarkable reunion brings horror back into their lives; only this time, what they face will be unlike any creature they’ve encountered. Legend of the Chupacabra marks the end of a trilogy but the continuation of a saga that will leave this moment of history drenched in blood.

ABOUT MICHAEL HEBLER

Michael Hebler

Prior to his tween years, Michael used to “borrow” Stephen King books off his mother’s bookshelf. Although he has not been clinically evaluated, Michael is positive that his adolescent self-introduction into adult horror had an impact on his dark sense of humor and love for Jason Voorhees. On the upside, Michael has found an outlet in which to put his twisted thoughts to proper use, and thanks to a college degree which proves that he had studied the importances of plot, characters, conflict, themes, and interactions, he is able to give his stories the attention they deserve.

But life wasn’t always about the written page. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, Michael had a career as a international film publicist, working on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, as well as the 2013 Academy Award® Best Foreign Language film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty). Sounds exciting, right? Michael thinks so, too.

Currently, in his spare time, Michael also enjoys volunteering in his local community. Organizations he has supported include Meals on Wheels, Get On The Bus, as well as helped protect our animal population by aiding in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.​

To date, Michael’s publications include the first four (of six) books in his Chupacabra Series: NIGHT OF THE CHUPACABRA, CURSE OF THE CHUPACABRA, LEGEND OF THE CHUPACABRA, and DAWN OF THE CHUPACABRA, a couple of short stories, as well as my first publication, THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS, a holiday picture book for believers of any age.

Website / Twitter

MY MICHAEL HEBLER REVEWS

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Curse of the Chupacabra by Michael Hebler @mhebler

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I already shared the first story in this Chupacabra series, Night of the Chupacabra (see the review link below) and I want to continue the story. I purchased this, but I believe it was through Michael that I received the gift, on 10.13.15 and I finished it on 12.13.15.

What a fabulous cover, but I don’t know who created it. I like the Kindle version better, so be sure and check that out…SUPER CREEPY!

Curse of the Chupacabra (Chupacabra Series #2)

Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

Curse of the Chupacabra starts where Book I, Night of the Chupacabra left off and I was immediately engrossed by the opening pages. I was engulfed in Suzanne’s nightmare.

Jesse has a plan, though Suzanne would not approve, if she knew about it. Jessie is a grifter that uses all the tricks at her disposal. Even being a child she has learned well. She is pig headed, stubborn, independent. I love this character.

Suzanne is trying to do right by the kids. She is caring, giving, everything the kids were missing and I am fearful of her future. She feels responsible, though they are not her own.

I am in suspense, waitiing…waiting…waiting…for HIM to pop up. I know he will make an appearance, just when and where is the question.

I love the addition of western myths and legends, Indian shamanism, animal spirits, among the paranormal and supernatural horror. Curse of the Chupacabra has everything needed for a screamfest.

Be careful who you get involved with. Michael Hebler is not afraid to kill off his characters, so your favorite may not make it to the end.

OMG. Curse of the Chupacabra pissed me off so much…I am afraid to see what is to coming, but I am rubbing my hands together in wicked glee as I click that button to begin Book III, Legend of the Chupacabra.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
5 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

They never thought their luck would be their curse. In the months following the onslaught, the extraordinary survivors continue to know no peace, as they are haunted by signs that the relentless creature remains on their trail. However, this fight will be better matched, now that they’ve discovered an advantage that will help protect them from the monster’s bloodthirsty lust. But once faced with the decision to kill the beast, the choice will not come lightly since it is still unclear which loved one the chupacabra possesses.

ABOUT MICHAEL HEBLER

Michael Hebler

Prior to his tween years, Michael used to “borrow” Stephen King books off his mother’s bookshelf. Although he has not been clinically evaluated, Michael is positive that his adolescent self-introduction into adult horror had an impact on his dark sense of humor and love for Jason Voorhees. On the upside, Michael has found an outlet in which to put his twisted thoughts to proper use, and thanks to a college degree which proves that he had studied the importances of plot, characters, conflict, themes, and interactions, he is able to give his stories the attention they deserve.

But life wasn’t always about the written page. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, Michael had a career as a international film publicist, working on multiple titles for Walt Disney, Pixar, Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Warner Bros., Summit Entertainment, as well as the 2013 Academy Award® Best Foreign Language film, “La grande bellezza” (The Great Beauty). Sounds exciting, right? Michael thinks so, too.

Currently, in his spare time, Michael also enjoys volunteering in his local community. Organizations he has supported include Meals on Wheels, Get On The Bus, as well as helped protect our animal population by aiding in the capture/spay/neuter/release feral program.​

To date, Michael’s publications include the first four (of six) books in his Chupacabra Series: NIGHT OF THE CHUPACABRA, CURSE OF THE CHUPACABRA, LEGEND OF THE CHUPACABRA, and DAWN OF THE CHUPACABRA, a couple of short stories, as well as my first publication, THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS, a holiday picture book for believers of any age.

Website / Twitter

MY MICHAEL HEBLER REVEWS

Night of the Chupacabra

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

#BooksFromTheBacklog – Wild Child by Mike Wells @MikeWellsAuthor

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

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

Wild Child by Mike Wells was FREE at time of posting. Be sure and look for the ‘0’

Wild Child

Amazon / Goodreads

GOODREADS BLURB

Briana Fox is the wildest girl in school. She and Kyle have been close for a long time…almost lovers. But Kyle is afraid that if he pushes her, he’ll have his heart broken and lose his best friend. When Briana challenges him to a swim across the lake, she’s injured in a horrific accident, but she discovers a mysterious substance in an underwater cave that saves her life. What seems to be a magical yet harmless “power drug” invokes superhuman abilities, and Briana soon becomes dependent on it for her very survival. When two government agents learn of the discovery, they will stop at nothing to find the source and turn Briana into a human experiment. Is Kyle willing to risk everything to protect his love?

Readers of all ages will enjoy this gripping, fast-paced story.

Book blogger reviews:

“Worth a serious read…incredibly gripping and heartwarming.”
– Halinor Everdeen Cipriano, Assortments

“A fast, suspenseful thriller with an ending I never saw coming.”
– Jessica Willis, The Tales Compendium

“Very exciting and gripping, leaves you wanting more.”
– Becky’s Barmy Book Blog

“If anything, you should read it for the unique ending.”
– Rachel’s Book Reviews

“You should give it a try. It’s really different and interesting.”
– Brielle, Awesome Bookworm

  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
  • You can see my Reviews HERE.
  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – Merged by Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl @jimnstephbooks @XpressoTours

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Merged
Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
Published by: Month9Books
Publication date: September 17th 2019
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Seven of our country’s most gifted teens will become Nobels, hosts for the implantation of brilliant Mentor minds, in an effort to accelerate human progress.

But as the line between what’s possible and what’s right, draws ever blurrier, the teens discover everything has a cost.

Scientists have created an evolved form of living known as Merged Consciousness, and sixteen-year-old Lake finds herself unable to merge with her Mentor.

Lake, the Nobel for Chemistry and Orfyn, the Nobel for Art, are two from among the inaugural class of Nobels, and with the best intent and motivation. But when Stryker, the Nobel for Peace, makes them question the motivation of the scientists behind the program, their world begins to unravel.

As the Nobels work to uncover the dark secrets of the program’s origins, everyone’s a suspect and no one can be trusted, not even the other Nobels.

As the Mentors begin to take over the bodies and minds of the Nobels, Lake and Orfyn must find a way to regain control before they lose all semblance or memory of their former selves.

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

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EXCERPT:

Depending on your point of view, I’m either famous or infamous. I’m called by many names: Ward of the State, Orphaned, Foofool (only by Sister Mo), and Kevin. That last one makes me feel like I’m wearing someone else’s clothes. Tight and loose in all the wrong places. So, I came up with my own name, though no one has ever connected it to me. The identity of street artists should never be revealed.

I flick turpentine at a rat that’s getting a little too curious about my brushes. The alley smells like something died, making me wonder if there’s a body in the dumpster. Michelangelo cut up dead people to better understand how we’re built. If he was willing to do that for his art, I can endure this stink for one night. I breathe through my mouth and get back to work.

After four straight hours, the painting is coming along great, and I know I can finish it before people start heading out for their nine-to-five jobs. I paint madly, getting lost in the scene, moving from figure to figure, jersey to jersey. It’s my best work yet, and I want this one to last.

At least, for a few days.

Author Bio:

Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl are a husband-and-wife team who write YA novels and stories of mystery and adventure from their cabin in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Their debut novel, Merged, will be released by Month9Books on September 17, 2019.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram



GIVEAWAY!
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  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I’m an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

Giveaway – The Last Huntsman by Page Morgan @PageMorganBooks @XpressoTours

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The Last Huntsman
Page Morgan
Publication date: September 9th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

No women. No children. No torture. The Huntsman has his rules.

For years, Tobin has done his emperor’s bidding, eliminating threats to the Empire of Morvansk. But when he is ordered to kill the lovely Princess Mara, Tobin’s absolute loyalty ends. The emperor’s punishment is swift and lethal, and Tobin is left with only one desire: vengeance.

Stay quiet. Stay hidden. Stay free. These are the rules Ever lives by.

Raised as a boy by her overprotective father, Ever has something the Morvansk emperor covets: mirror magic. With it, she can see anyone, anywhere, through the mirror’s glass. The emperor stole her mother years ago for this same magic, and now, he wants Ever, too.

When Ever’s mirror shows the wounded rebel huntsman approaching her village, she’s compelled to help him. But as Tobin and Ever grow closer, and their secrets intertwine, they’ll have to follow the rules they’ve always lived by—or break free from them, once and for all.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

The shriek of a bird drew my eyes to the trees above. When I looked down, Mara stepped into the clearing. The call of the nuisance bird muted, as did everything else in the world surrounding the glade. She came through the tall grasses, her lavender colored skirts gathered in her hands to keep the hem from getting soiled against the ground.

I closed my eyes and forced forward the image of my mother. Of Kinn, of Lael. The worst five minutes of my life were about to unfold, and I had to keep those three faces present if I had any hope of following through.

I opened my eyes as Mara searched the glade for Orin, the man she believed had beckoned her there. She lifted her face to the sun, most likely chilled from the walk through the dim forest.

Mother.

Kinn.

Lael.

I looked into the hushed wood. Her ladies would have made plenty of noise had they followed, and her guards’ steel swords and metal fixtures would have been a clattering racket. She’d come alone, just as the note had bid.

She fiddled nervously with the front tucks of her skirt, not seeing me as I stood. I parted the flexible pines and stepped past the young green needles, coming to the edge of the brook’s banking. It was then that the princess spotted me. She let out a small yelp and dropped her skirts. Covering her mouth with her hands, Mara released her breath.

“Huntsman, you frightened me.” She lowered her hand and sent me a small smile, though it quickly fell. “What are you doing here? You didn’t…did you read the note you delivered this morning?”

Don’t look at her. Don’t listen to her.

“Forgive me, of course you didn’t. Are you hunting?” she asked as I stepped across the three rocks in the brook and into the glade.

The sun hit me, and my legs turned to dead weight. They didn’t want to move any closer. My hands, too, stayed heavy at my sides. The blade with the prince’s crest was inside my trouser waistline, and my own personal blades were where I always kept them.

“I’m meeting the prince,” she said, her voice notched louder. “It’s not very indecent, considering we are to be married,” she added with a half smile.

I strode through the grass toward her, pushing the slab of stone in my chest lower to crush the rapid beating of my heart. Mara’s shrewd eyes narrowed. My presence made her nervous, yet she didn’t back away as I came to within a foot of her.

Mother.

Kinn.

Lael.

“The prince is not coming.”

Mara looked sideways at me. “How do you know this?” Her facial muscles went slack. “You’ve done something to him.”

“I’ve already told you,” I said. Level. Clear. “The emperor did not send me to kill the prince.”

She wanted to believe me. Just like she believed me the other night when I said we were friends. I could see it in the way she shifted her bottom lip side to side, gripping the inside of it with her teeth.

“Then why have you followed me here?” she asked.

There was not supposed to be any conversation. I’d been taught to be brief, to make sure the target knew who had come for him and why, and then to finish before the target could beg or offer money in return for leniency.

“I didn’t follow you.” I reached inside my jacket and gripped Orin’s blade, the gold of the crossed hilt cool under my hot, sweaty palm.

She stared at me with a confused grimace, paying no attention to my hand.

“I led you here,” I said. “It is Emperor Frederic’s order, princess. I am only his servant.”

The last sentence spilled out of my mouth unintentionally, and with it, I caught the first whiff of my decaying will. The Huntsman didn’t explain himself. The Huntsman didn’t make excuses.

I pulled the dagger and stepped forward so swiftly Mara didn’t know to resist. She was taller than me, but I was stronger and faster; I wrapped my arm around her neck and her knees buckled, her chin wedging tight inside my crooked elbow. She screamed, but my bicep and forearm squelched it into a sputtering croak.

Mother.

Kinn.

Lael.


Author Bio:

Page is the author of THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED, THE LOVELY AND THE LOST, and THE WONDROUS AND THE WICKED, young adult gothic thrillers critically acclaimed by Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal, VOYA, and The Bulletin. Page’s novels have been an IndieNext selection, a Seventeen Magazine Summer Book Club Read, and a #1 Amazon bestseller. Her next book, THE LAST HUNTSMAN, is a reimagining of the Huntsman and Magic Mirror from the tale of Snow White. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and their three daughters, an English Pointer, an arrogant cat, two boring bearded dragons, a one-eared bunny, a bunch of chickens, and during the summer and fall, their neighbor’s two sweet horses.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Giveaway – In Over Her Head by Lindsay Hager @KrystenLindsay @XpressoTours

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In Over Her Head: Lights, Camera, Anxiety
Krysten Lindsay Hager
(The Cecily Taylor Series, #2)
Publication date: September 3rd 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Cecily feels like she has it all: great best friends, the beginnings of a career as a model/actress, and she’s dating her favorite singer, Andrew Holiday. Then Cecily’s best friend Lila begins to ditch her every time Lila’s boyfriend calls. Cecily feels lost, but she and Andrew begin connecting more and she’s never been in a relationship where she felt so understood. Andrew even begins to confide in her about his anxiety. Soon Cecily experiences her own anxiety on a magazine photo shoot, but she manages to impress the magazine staff. Just when it seems like all her dreams are coming true, everything comes crashing down when a photo of Andrew with another girl appears online. He swears nothing happened, but Cecily is crushed. She feels like she’s lost two of the people closest to her. Was her perfect relationship real or was she in over her head?

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

“Good luck at the photo shoot tomorrow,” he said. “You’ll be great.”

I stared out the window on the ride back to the hotel taking in all the sites. As I walked into the hotel I felt a new air of confidence. Instead of just reading about someone going out with a pop star to some fabulous rooftop hotel restaurant and being in the big city, I was living it. This was my life and not some YA book heroine’s. Tomorrow I was off on a modeling shoot. I was living a dream and proving how I was ready for a big life. This was my destiny. I could do this.

****

My alarm went off and at the same time an alarm went off in my brain saying, no, I could not do this. What was I thinking? Me, model? That’s where people take photos of you for the sole purpose of other people looking at them, which encouraged judgement and evil comments. People don’t just keep those comments to themselves anymore. Oh no, they grab their phone or laptop or whatever device helps them spew out unhelpful and cruel comments on people’s appearances online for all the world to see.

My stomach felt like spewing all over the nice hotel sheets I was wrapped in. Why did I ever think I was up for this? Those strangers online would destroy me within seconds. Girls like Harlow who were born with an undeniable beauty could do stuff like this and even then, I had seen strangers criticize her online when she posted selfies.

Being anxious always made all my senses go nuts. I ate two slices of toast and then my stomach did a weird flipping thing. Oh no, not today. Looking over at the clock I realized it was almost time for us to leave. Come on, stomach. You’re fine. Just relax and…nope, time to hit the bathroom. Why can’t I just be a big girl and go to this stupid shoot which most girls would kill to do without my stomach freaking out?

Author Bio:

Who knew all those embarrassing, cringe-y moments in middle school and high school could turn into a career? And who would have thought that daydreaming in math class would pay off down the road?

Krysten Lindsay Hager writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values.

She is the author of True Colors, Best Friends…Forever?, Next Door to a Star, Landry in Like, Competing with the Star, Dating the It Guy, and Can Dreams Come True. True Colors, won the Readers Favorite award for best preteen book and the Dayton Book Expo Bestseller Award for children/teens. Competing with the Star is a Readers’ Favorite Book Award Finalist. Landry in Like is a Literary Classics Gold Medal recipient. Krysten’s work has been featured in USA Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Beavercreek Current, the Bellbrook Times, Springfield News-Sun, Grand Blanc View, Dayton Daily News and on Living Dayton.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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