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She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live. – Annie Dillard
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 Genre: Fantasy Publisher: KDP Publishing Date: June 4, 2018 Pages: 465 Format: Paperback Add to Goodreads Buy: Amazon SynopsisThe natural world was dead. Archaic gods and legends withered away, forgotten by mankind in their lust for industrial advancement. The Time Fathers of Panagea kept their divisions’ times in check, but they couldn’t keep the land from crumbling beneath their feet. Nicholai Addihein rules the Southeastern division’s world of coal, steam, and iron. An impulsive decision soon bucks him from his status as a respected leader when he stops his division’s time to save his love, Lilac, from an untimely death. He finds committing the ultimate taboo comes with the ultimate punishment: the Time Fathers want him killed, and the already fragile earth deteriorates even faster, leaving millions dead. Falling from grace lands Nicholai in the company of Captain Kazuaki Hidataka and his crew of outcasts. While safe from the Time Fathers at sea, Nicholai is at the mercy of the captain and his crew. But when a discovery unveils the existence of the last Earth Mother, Umbriel, and the foundation of lies in which the Time Fathers are built, an uprising begins. Through bloodshed and revolution, there is no good or bad: only doing what one thinks is right. The Tree That Grew Through Iron showcases the intricate balance of mankind’s relationship with his environment, and himself. Rating ReviewI received this Book from the Author in Exchange for an Honest Review.This has been one of my most favourite reads, ever. To say I devoured the book would be an understatement. I had to convince myself to slow down and live life outside of the book but it didn't stop me from thinking about it! I think that hardest part of reading this novel was knowing that the path that we, as a general population, and our political leaders are on the same path that those of the dead world of Panagea's world. A world dominated by men who make the rules and hold the reigns tightly, despite the obvious balance of the world being out and the citizens are dying. Nicholai He broke all the rules to save the love of his life. Stopping the Southeastern division's time in order to find a way to save her. He clearly grew up not knowing really how to survive the outside world. But his knowledge of how division's work and the behaviour of the leaders came quite in handy for him. He was quite lucky to find Kazuaki Hidataka and his crew. A group absolutely willing to do what it takes to overthrow the leaders. What they find is the hope to restore Panagea to its former glory. This was a phenomenal epic fantasy full of monsters, myths, spells and the battle to restore a dying world. This, for sure, has become a favourite that I will recommend over and over! About the Author McKenzie Austin has always enjoyed her relationship with the creative arts. Like any whirlwind romance, she finds the ebbs and flows of the artistic process as challenging as they are rewarding. A tattoo artist by trade, McK is intimately familiar with the art world. Writing has always been the most ambitious undertaking, however, as her inherent demand for quality often keeps her from publishing her works. She resides with her family in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and hopes to publish a follow up to The Tree That Grew Through Iron in the future. Contact McKenzie
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 Genre: Satire, Thriller Publisher: Something Something LLC Publication Date: November 18, 2018 Pages: 268 Add to GoodReads Buy on: Amazon SynopsisDeath once had a near-Chuck experience. Meet Chuck Steak. His insides are well done. He’s a cop, but not just any. He’s the best. Hasn’t been one like him since the ‘90s. Won’t work with partners and disregards the collateral damage his boss is always screaming about. Chuck Steak is USDA Prime badass, so having a bomb planted inside Mia, his secret, longtime girlfriend who’s been dreaming of marriage for almost a decade, should be just another day at the office. The problem is, an elusive villain challenges Chuck to deliver Mia’s dream wedding within a week’s time, or she’ll blow. Overwhelmed with “girly tasks”, Chuck’s forced out of his action-heavy comfort zone and into scenarios which require words instead of bullets. One results in the loss of his right hand, and when it’s replaced with a black hand, this white cop (now .65% black) encounters a new kind of villain: racism. With time against him, Chuck will have to find a non-violent way to convince the love of his life and her disapproving family that this isn’t another publicity stunt—that after all of these years, it’s finally time to ditch the legacy he’s been slaving over in favor of the family she’s always dreamed of. All while overcoming unexpected hurdles like his own department and their trigger-happy mentality toward minorities, backstories, a feminist gang, incredibly friendly Muslims, dementia, depression, gender equality, and trying to maintain action-orientated roots in an increasingly politically correct world. About the Author Casper is somewhat published and will probably continue to write for like ever. Connect with Casper Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Romance Publisher: Waterside Press Publication Date: October 9, 2018 Pages: 200 Add to GoodReads Buy on: Amazon, B&N SynopsisWhen the world collapses from a Golden Age into one of chaos and strife, mankind’s salvation lies in the hands of eternal Emissaries — guardians chosen to protect the secrets of a sacred, ancient civilization and to guide humanity back to enlightenment even as its darkest hour approaches… A timeless tale of love reborn through the ages. Marcus has past life memory and his soulmate Theron does not, but the two lovers are bound by an eternal and unshakable bond. As a series of catastrophic events nearly destroys their world, the two along with a chosen few become Emissaries destined, over the course of 13,000 years and through many reincarnations, to lead humanity into an era of peace and prosperity as foretold by the Elders of their race. But the forces of evil have taken possession of one man, Helghul, who relentlessly pursues Marcus and Theron through time, determined to destroy them and ruin all hope for salvation. The Emissary, Book I in The One Great Year Series, tracks Marcus’s epic adventure across centuries of human civilization to present day, where envoys of darkness gather around them threatening to bury the life-giving secrets of Atitala forever. Good and evil come to blows and the future of mankind hangs in the balance. “For every soul there is a theme, a path that must be followed, lessons that must be learned…” About the Authors Rene DeFazio and Tamara Veitch are a husband and wife writing team. Rene is an actor, producer and author. Tamara studied English, History and General Arts at Simon Fraser University. The co-authors have been writing together for nearly a decade. In 2012 they received Honorable mention from the New York Book Festival and The London Book Festival. In 2014 they were each awarded an Empowered Writers Award at the World International Peace festival In Vancouver BC, Canada. Tamara and Rene continue creating The One Great Year Series and traveling the world researching with their children. They are grateful for the support of their faithful readers and hope you truly enjoy your journey into the world of The Emissary. Connect with Tamara and Rene Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery Publisher: SeaMonkey Ink Publication Date: August 14, 2012 Pages: 208 Format: ePub Add to Goodreads Buy on: Amazon, Kobo Synopsis Did the Amarna line really end with King Tut's Death? Ancient Egypt. 1324 BC. The last living male descendant of the Amarna line, Pharaoh Tutankhamun, has died suddenly under mysterious circumstances. His wife, Queen Ankhesenamen, is left without a male heir. The ambitious vipers Ay and Horemheb are nipping at her heels in their bid to seize power. Queen Ankhe has but one hope to maintain her hold on the throne - an alliance with the Hittites. With Ay and Horemheb watching her every move, there is only one person she can trust to save her and her line - a girl, a slave - Ida. Review  I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. Oh how I love historical fiction! Ida I wasn't so sure about Ida at first. I knew she was meant to be a slave but she was pretty dang bossy for a slave. She was rough and harsh. She seemed very unwilling to be a slave girl born with nobility in her blood. Eventually though, life tamed her a bit. She became head slave and a beloved friend of the Queen Ankhesenamun and childhood friend of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and eventually his forbidden and secret love. Quite an admirable feat for this woman to bear and live with. The moment that Ida chose to be Tut's wife of his heart, her life was set for an entirely new path. All the supporting characters played their parts well for Ida's story to flourish. I enjoyed the happiness that Pharaoh Tutankhamun before his unfortunate death at such a young age, the secret that Ida carried to as much safety as she could muster, and the eventual just desserts for the scheming Queen Ankhe. This is a short, sweet historical fiction with a lovely touch of romance with one of Ancient Egypt's most famous Pharaoh's. About the Author Grea Alexander is a female writer of African American, Native American and French descent who does not write her profiles in the 3rd person. Born and raised in Houston, TX, I have successfully wormed my way across many a border and have, in effect, managed to infect all that I survey with my particular brand of grea-ness. My books are very character-driven with a focus on flawed, dynamic, culturally-diverse characters and strong, smart female protagonists. Connect with Grea
 Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia Publisher: CreateSpace Publication Date: March 25, 2016 Pages: 298 Format: ePub Add to Goodreads Buy on: Amazon, Kobo, B&N Synopsis Catastrophe befell Earth seventy-five years ago after an alien virus was introduced, accelerating evolution in wild and unpredictable ways. Humanity has become an endangered species, but an ancient prophecy, a Warrior of the People, and his prophetic vision of an unknown youth may be the keys to healing both the human race and the planet. After being wounded in battle, Otaktay- a warrior of the People- receives a prophetic vision which opens the door to the rediscovery of a lost and forgotten prophecy as old as the first people of North America. With the guidance of the Ma'iingan, he and his band of brothers- the Swooping Hawks- are sent on a desperate race against time to find and rescue the young man foretold by the Prophecy of the Seven Fires. In the New World, survival of the fittest is the rule as the struggle against savage, bloodthirsty predators and shifting paradigms creates an exciting and action-packed adventure where old magic and ancient prophecy shape the future. Review  I received this eBook from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This was definitely a unique read for me. It mixed the apocalypse, an advanced dystopian world in which people are surviving the best they can with what they have and the skills they've learned. It's also managed to sew Native American beliefs into the story quite seamlessly. The author has done a great job at building his world, creating unique characters, adding in new and old lore and adding in the horrors of a lawless world with monsters at your back, and monsters in humans. That all being said, the story does possess some pretty tough topics. Although we've all gathered that in a dystopian world with no laws, people show the worst of the worst. With no one to have them face their crimes, they get away with it. Especially if someone is desperate enough to turn blind eyes. Either way, this was written well and I did enjoy it, as dystopian sci-fi is a favourite of mine. I recommend it for any other dystopian sci-fi fans. About the Author  Born in the heart of West Virginia, Royce dreamed of becoming a writer throughout his younger years and was always an avid reader. Starting out with an old, and often temperamental typewriter, he wrote poems and stories that helped to develop his young imagination. A kind-hearted teacher in Junior High School took his first "manuscript" home for the summer and painstakingly read through pages and pages of violent, poorly written L. Sprague de Camp-esque combat scenes. She returned it the following school year with the classic red marks, suggestions, and encouragement that fueled his desire to write. (I still edit with a red pen, just to experience the nostalgia of that first "manuscript") A word processor, a gift from his grandparents, became the source of many tall tales which unfortunately never left the realm of the 3.5 inch floppy disks. Those tales, and the disks they were stored upon, faded into the digital oblivion of lost ideas. He later joined the Navy, serving on the USS Belknap (CG-26), the USS Mississippi (CGN-40) and at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, in Portsmouth, Virginia. After a brief career in sales, he went back to school at Marshall University, and is now a Registered Nurse in Charleston, WV at one of the largest hospital systems in the region. He attended and graduated from Saint Mary's School of Nursing and Marshall University. Royce lives near Charleston, WV with his wife Carolyn, and their menagerie of fur babies. Connect with Royce
 Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure Publisher: Words Matter Publishing Publication Date: August 15, 2018 Pages: 340 Add to Goodreads Buy on: Amazon, Indigo, Kobo, B&N, IndieBound Synopsis Grace's nine-year-old son, Jordan, is dying. First, the Metagenesis disease will tear his soul from his body, and then it will kill him. Desperate for a cure, Grace agrees to take part in an illegal clinical trial cloning souls. Supported by her best friend Kay, the two embark on the ultimate "Vegas Vacation" to the past in search of the right soul to clone, racing against time to save Jordan's life. But someone is trying to stop them and when they discover why, Grace must make a choice: let her son die or kill her husband. If she kills her husband, she triggers widespread Metagenesis, sealing the fate of the human race with a new plague. Humanity is counting on Grace choosing to let her son die. About the Author Raquel Rich is a self-employed English Language Teacher and an author with Words Matter Publishing. She loves to travel, suntan, walk her dog, and is obsessed with all things Beauty & the Beast. She despises cold weather, balloons, and writing about herself in the third person but noticed all the real authors do that. Raquel recently left (ok, got let go from) a career in the travel industry and rather than looking for a real job, she wrote her first book, HAMARTIA. Born and raised in Canada to Brazilian parents, she lives in the Toronto area with her family. Married to the guy she’s been with since she was fifteen (her baby daddy), her superpowers include being a mom to their two awesome grown-ass boys and one fur baby. She’s also an okay step-mom and an auntie to a clan of classy ladies. Connect with Raquel
 Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Almond Jones LLC Publication Date: July 31, 2018 Pages: 476 Add to Goodreads Buy on: Almond Jones | Amazon | B&N Synopsis Celeste Bonalee is anything but average. In fact, she's one of a kind - a highly skilled courier pilot with dreams of owning her own hangar. One last delivery is all she needs. There's only one thing stopping her... World War II. When Celeste is shot down over Paris in 1940, it'll take more than she ever expected for Celeste and her dreams to survive in a world that is falling apart. Can Celeste and her wingmen make it back home in one piece? Or will war consume her generation and its aspirations? WINGMEN is the story of us all and the lessons we have yet to learn. Grab your Free Chapter of Wingmen Interview Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea? AJ: I write because I have a story to tell. My ideas come from stories that need to be told. We live in a time where there is a strong need for people to understand each other. That is a large part of this story. How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? AJ: No, my characters aren’t based on anyone. I pull them from my imagination. Once I know my characters, I know their story and what they will and won’t do. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? AJ: I write consistently. If I’m working on a project, I write a little bit everyday. If I’m starting a new project, depending on what it is, I do the character work first. Then I can write. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? AJ: Write the story. Figure it out. No one is going to tell you how to do it or how they did it, so get to work. Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? AJ: I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer. In fact, I tried everything I could not to be one, but God had other things in mind. It was something that took years to figure out. So, I’m just getting started. How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? AJ: I separate myself from all my characters. They react differently than I would and make different choices. It’s difficult to write about myself, so I make sure my characters are their own person. What has helped shape and improve your writing? AJ: Getting an editor and other industry professionals to proof my drafts. They can tell me things about my writing that will help me write a better draft and get my projects to where they need to be to proceed to the next phase. What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? AJ: I lean toward nonfiction in my personal reading times. I finished reading Redefining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies by Dick Gregory a few months ago. I’m looking for my next good read. Connect with Almond Jones
 Genre: Horror, Anthology Publisher: KJK Publishing Publication Date: October 22, 2018 Pages: 358 Add to Goodreads Buy on: Amazon Synopsis Roll up, roll up! Welcome to the carnival! Enjoy the sweet smells of the cotton candy and candy apples. Listen to the calliope music as you wander among the many stalls, to the screams of children enjoying the various rides. It’s all been designed to take your money, but you already know that. What you are not aware of, however, are the strange goings-on of the carnival world after dark. Do the carnies want more than your money? Does the fortune teller know more than she tells you? Are some of the games more dangerous than others? Explore your worst fears, and perhaps gain some new ones, in these twisted tales of what really goes on at the carnival after dark! Table of Contents: Mark Fleming - Lifeblood Lex H. Jones - For One Night Only Andrew Lennon - House of Illusion Jason M. Light - Abandonland David J. Fielding - Wobbly Bob Ike Hamill - The Pinch Christina Bergling - Zoltara Gary A. Braunbeck - In a Hand or Face John Dover - Frimby's Big Day David Owain Hughes - The Last Freakshow on Earth H.R. Boldwood - Mister Weasels and the Cosmic Carnival Joe X. Young - The Frog Prince Guy N. Smith - Blood Show at the Carnival Steven Stacy - The Voodoo Man J.C. Michael - What a Price to Pay for a Fucking Teddy Bear Selene MacLeod - Sweetheart Kevin J. Kennedy - Vampiro About the Author  Kevin J Kennedy is an author/editor from Scotland. He is the co-author of You Only Get One Shot, and the man behind the best-selling Collected Horror Shorts anthologies and 100 Word Horrors. His stories have featured in many other notable anthologies in the horror genre and he has recently become a guest editor for several publishers. He is an active member of the Horror Writers Association. Connect with Kevin
 Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy Publisher: On the Fly Publications Publication Date: March 5, 2018 Pages: 440 Add to Goodreads Synopsis SHADOW IS AZH’NAHN, A POWERLESS MAGE born into a culture that prides itself in sharing the earth’s powers. When he chooses a life of voluntary exile to preserve his family’s honor, Shadow receives a mysterious call to witness the unearthing of kotrakoy, treacherous telepathic beasts with four wings and four rows of teeth. As he watches their unholy resurrection with great horror, kotrakoy open their minds to his and offer a glimpse into what life would be like wielding a mage’s powers. As Shadow races to warn his people of the impending threat, he stumbles into an unexpected romance, an unwanted leadership position fraught with treachery, and the creepy Mists of Ishmandool. Soon a superstitious tech race begins bombing his people and magic evolves, leaving Shadow’s people crippled and defenseless. When he announces that he's unlocked the secret to the new magic and the key to defeating enemy troops, few are ready to listen. To be fair, his solution suffers a few fatal flaws, the least of which is that it risks the complete annihilation of his people. Worse, it’s unprecedented and UNPROVEN. Where to Buy About the Author  Drew explores what happens when technology clashes with magic. He’s been compared to Ursula LeGuin (Harry Potter’s biggest influence), Elaine Cunningham (queen of dark fantasy and Forgotten Realms), and Fydor Dostoevsky (godfather of Crime and Punishment), but he takes his greatest pride in the fact that he can juggle more balls than any other author on the planet. His books feature post-apocalyptic genetically engineered humans joining forces with magically empowered aliens (Moon 514), superstitious steampunk societies warring with a magical society temporarily deprived of its magic (Unproven), high-tech assassins trying to distinguish memory implants from reality (Assassin Hunter), drug enhanced magic systems (Slice), psionically gifted dragons, telepathic griffons, symbiotic vampiric vines, and entrancing world building. He aims to deliver thriller pacing a la Dan Brown and tightly outlined Brandon Sanderson-esque plots all while exploring deeply personal character growth. He accidentally found himself a bestselling author in YA SFF Steampunk (#1) and Action & Adventure (#2)(Unproven) and SFF Anthologies (#1)(5 Blades) and a Top 5 Author at SciFiFantasyFreak.com (Moon 514). Currently, Drew’s working on a screenplay for Unproven (as a teen animated series) and Sea Dragon Apocalypse (a technothriller-epic-fantasy-mashup). Connect with Author Interview Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea?
DB: I find ideas everywhere (books, movies, advertisements, history, science articles, etc.) but often, the most inspiring ideas for me come from fantasy art. The first scene from Unproven came from a painting I found where a group of people come across what appears to be dinosaur bones but they are intact as if on display at a museum - but they are half buried. I started asking myself questions about the painting. Who were these people? What were they searching for? Are those dragon bones? Why are they intact but half buried? About the same time, I came across an article about microraptors that really inspired me and voila, I began writing a story about the unearthing of kotrakoy, the cursed beasts of Ali'ikiswan. How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? DB: I attended FantasyCon. An editor there complained that no one was writing about conflicts between tech societies and magical societies. I spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about that and researching a tech society that wouldn't overwhelm a magical society if they were at war. By surprise, I ended up writing about a steampunk society warring with a magical society, but that wasn't creative enough for me. I wanted something more interesting than a simple political conflict so I started looking for a character I hadn't seen in literature I'd read before. Brandon Sanderson thinks like this so I took a page from his book, so to speak. I ended up with a self-exiling, powerless mage who stumbled upon the scene I described above, which in turn became one of a few precipitating events to begin a war between the two societies. My characters are often based on someone. I usually pick a few of my own traits to create a foundation for my main character. I find this allows me to more intuitively know how he or she will react to events and it allows me to write more authentically. All of us have several character traits so it is easy to choose a few and rotate for each book. I took a course by David Farland about character development that helped me tremendously with Unproven. I spent time with each character, asking myself who they were most like (using people I know). Then, I asked questions about how they felt about what the main character was doing, how loyal they could be to the main character, how their motivations aligned with the main character and how they might run into conflict with the main character's aspirations. After exploring these and many similar questions, I ended up with characters that were fairly well flushed out and with subplots that made the story much more interesting. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? DB: Both. When I can write every day, I usually feel very inspired and happy to write. The only times I'm not inspired to write are when something bad is happening in my personal life that keeps me from being able to slip into fantasy land ... and frankly, that takes a lot. So, I try to keep a schedule. When I'm not on a schedule, I find myself getting more and more anxious to write so when the time arrives that I can sit down to write, I'm more than ready and the juices are flowing. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? DB: There are many things required of authors in today's society. Even if you find a traditional publisher, you'll likely need to learn how to market on your own or else your sales may lag. My advice is to take a step back, look at the big picture, and learn everything there is to learn about the industry, whether that is how to write an engaging query letter or how to use effective keywords on Amazon or how to avoid using too many plot cliches while keeping your story grounded in familiar tropes that audiences are looking for. Everyone has their own unique weaknesses so don't be afraid to find yours and tackle it. For me, that's been marketing and not writing too high brow. For others, it may be writing a story that is truly unique. Whatever it is, don't allow yourself to be blind to your weakness or to use excuses that allow you to remain in that weakness. Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? DB: I took a creative writing class in high school and realized that this was something I really enjoyed. As life's journey progressed, I found myself telling bedtime stories to my children and wanting to write them down so I wouldn't forget. Then, I started writing on Wattpad with my daughter to support her efforts. By surprise, I found myself #2 on Wattpad and writing furiously to publish at least one chapter per week to keep fans happy. That was it. I was hooked. I don't know what inspires me to write. I could say art or stories or other things that inspire stories in me but what inspires me to want to write in the first place ... that is too deeply philosophical for me to answer. What makes you like chocolate? I don't care for chocolate but many people are really passionate about it. I've written a dozen books. I literally have five or six others in progress (some non-fiction as well as fiction). I focus on one to ensure it gets finished but others are very close to my conscious mind, begging for their turn. I don't know what makes me like that. DNA. Spirit. OCD. All three. Who knows? How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? DB: Both. What I relish the most about writing is putting myself in someone else's head and trying to think like them. Even when I base a character on myself, I give him/her traits that are very different from me and I put them in situations I'd never be in so I have to think like they think. For instance, I'd never really think, "which spell will help me get out of this situation safely?" but when I'm writing, I think those thoughts frequently. I first realized this was a very enjoyable thing about writing when I wrote a chapter from an aging black dragon's perspective. That was probably the most engaging chapter I've ever written from an author's point of view. It changed my world. What has helped shape and improve your writing? DB: Masterclasses and the Great Courses and other writing course. I'm constantly taking new courses to hone my skills and to make me think from a different perspective. What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? DB: Tagana. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it or not. It's a best seller so it must have something worthy of attention but it's a bit slow moving right now. I know better than to give up on a novel like that (though I did give up on Name of the Wind because it didn't feel like it had a plot after 100 pages) so I'll keep reading but so far, it's only okay. A few months ago I read This Mortal Coil. That was a fun read and it was mostly very creative. Bonus Questions: Do your novels carry a message or do you feel it's subjective? DB: My novels definitely carry messages, though I don't always plot them out. Unproven, for example, deals with mental illness as a subplot but I never planned that. It just happened. My wife had been recently diagnosed with a severe mental illness so it was hounding my subconsciousness, I guess. Other themes can similarly be unintentional. Usually, I discover them while doing a broad edit and enhance them so that they are more meaningful and usually, I try to keep them subtle anyway. What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand? DB: Scrivener. Hands down.  Genre: Historical Fantasy Publisher: Purple Toga Publications Publication Date: September 1, 2018 Pages: 362 Add to Goodreads Synopsis This is the second story of Togas, daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Hard-boiled detectives, and Urban Fantasy. A rich landlord finds tenants are abandoning his apartment buildings, spouting tales of horrific events and whispering that the old gods - the numina - came alive and cursed the buildings. Enter Felix, a professional fox. Dressed in a toga and armed with a dagger, Felix is neither a traditional detective nor a traditional magician - but something in between. Whenever there is a foul business of bad magic, Felix is hired to sniff out the truth. Now he must separate fact from superstition - a hard task in a world where the old gods still roam the earth. In Numina is set in a fantasy world. The city of Egretia borrows elements from a thousand years of ancient Roman culture, from the founding of Rome to the late empire, mixed with a judicious amount of magic. Where to Buy About the Author  Assaph has had his nose in a book since he was five, so it wasn’t surprising that he turned to writing. All those years reading on ancient Rome, sci-fi, fantasy, and mysteries while practicing various martial arts, travelling the world, and working odd jobs lead to some interesting combinations in his stories. Connect with Assaph
 Synopsis Hot soldier + brilliant doctor = a thrilling romance in the desert sands. Doctor Mae Jones had no idea when she agreed to assist the army in vaccinating children half-way around the world what she’d face. She didn’t sign up for a sexy British officer trailing her every move, his giddy smile and sunshine good-looks distracting her. Nor did she expect the sudden rebel attacks and bullets flying while she attempts to try to cure an unexplainable virus about to threaten the whole world. It’s up to her to try and stop a war before it even begins while she keeps falling for this man who’s her total opposite in every way but the heart. In the second entry of the Inquisition series, this stand-alone novel presents Alistair Young. For those tired of the alpha who want someone sweet as cotton candy, Alistair is your man. Easy on the eyes, and light on the heart — he’s prone to cracking jokes and playing card games with the sick kids. For all his easy-going ways he knows how dangerous growing close to the new genius doctor can be, but he can’t look away either. Where to Buy About the Author  Ellen Mint adores the adorkable heroes who charm with their shy smiles and heroines that pack a punch. She recently won the Top Ten Handmaid's Challenge on Wattpad where hers was chosen by Margaret Atwood herself. Along with her husband and black lab, she spends a lot of time with her skeletons -- don't worry, they're just Halloween props. Connect with Ellen
 Synopsis A TRUE WOLF IS BORN, NOT MADE… Raven Cade is new to the sleepy little town of Wolcott and desperately in need of a job. So it seems like a good idea when she hastily accepts one at a seedy dive bar she finds along the side of the road. Especially when she ends up meeting an unbelievably gorgeous man who arrests her attention and inflames her desire like never before. But when two terrifying men start an equally terrifying bar brawl in an attempt to kidnap her, she realizes she made a horrible mistake. Her first night on the job becomes an incomprehensible nightmare that threatens her life and her sanity, and has her questioning everything she knows. Emmett Weylin isn’t human. He and his family are part of a pack of werewolves living in secret in the tiny town of Wolcott. Drawing undue attention to himself is the last thing he can afford, so hitting a shady bar outside of town with a questionable reputation is a necessary evil when he needs to scratch an occasional itch. He never expected to find his mate and the love if his life there. And when he sees her, both the wolf and the man inside him instantly take notice. Wanting. Needing. Coveting. But when two evil and inhuman abominations show up to take her away from him, can he keep her safe long enough to do something about it? Or will the shocking truth about what he really is, and what they are to each other, scare her off before he even has a chance? Where to Buy About the Author  Samantha is a self-professed nerd from the Midwest, who loves anything with a good plot. She'll watch anything with werewolves, vampires, or zombies in it. She is a voracious reader and loves smutty romance novels and contemporary fantasy. Samantha started writing her first erotic romance in February of 2015, and now she can't stop. It's a passion that she can't shut off, nor would she want to. She loves animals, especially dogs, and if her husband let her, she'd have a dozen, but 2 are his limit. She's looking forward to sharing more of her books with the world. Connect with Samantha
 Genre: Novella, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Publication Date: October 25, 2016 Pages: 136 Format: ePub Add to Goodreads Synopsis I should've let him drown. That's what any normal Mer would have done. Of course, if I was like the rest, I wouldn't have been lurking around that party yacht, trying to catch a glimpse of the humans. My people will kill me if they find out--literally--but I can't help going back every time he shows up. And he's offering me everything I've ever wanted: A chance to see land. Those stormy blue eyes don't hurt, either. Now I have to decide. Is it worth risking everything I've ever known, everything I've ever believed, to follow my heart? How can I say yes? But how can I possibly say no? Includes Legend of the Mer, the creation short story that started it all. Readers of clean young adult fiction will enjoy this modern sweet romance with all the charm of The Little Mermaid. Where to Buy My Rating  Review I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. This was a decent retelling of the Little Mermaid (Disney, not the Brother's Grimm). Skye, too, couldn't let Vince drown. Rescuing him thrust her into his world and him into her world. Sometimes it takes living in one another's "shoes" to really understand what each other's life is about. Skye is bright, intelligent and compassionate. When she should have done as she had been taught, she found her humanity and saved the boy. Trading places taught Skye the lessons she needed to go on in life. Vince is a rich, spoiled party boy slowly dying. Although he clearly had friends, he was very lonely and I feel like Skye was one of his first true friends. However the romantic interest between Skye and Vince was really quite bland. I know this was a clean romance, but there was no spark there. It was a little too innocent for my liking, I feel. But for those who enjoy a clean romantic fantasy read, this is a decent enough one. About the Author  Angel Leya focuses on creating clean young adult fiction with a touch of magic and romance. It also happens to be what she enjoys reading, and she blogs regularly about her latest reads. With a tendency towards writing different shades of fantasy and light sci-fi, her stories are intended to transport readers into worlds of possibility and wonder. When not writing, you can find her daydreaming about her stories and searching for her own adventures. Feel free to drop her a line any time. She hopes you enjoy her fiction as much as she enjoys writing it! Connect with Angel
 Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Anthology Publisher: Troubador Publication Date: February 19, 2016 Pages: 144 Add to GoodReads Synopsis The ‘Wakeful Children’ anthology by S P Oldham showcases eleven short tales of the horror and supernatural genre. There’s something for everyone’s taste here, providing you are looking for a scare! Ranging from the mildly spooky to the outright graphic and gory, these highly original, imaginative stories, finely scattered with a touch of dark humour, are definitely not for children. Grown-ups only please, though be warned, even you may want to keep the lights on whilst reading... via goodreads  About the Author  S P Oldham: I live in the Sirhowy Valley in beautiful South Wales, UK. I have been writing stories and poetry since childhood. My first success was a poem called ‘Pegasus’ which I was thrilled to have accepted for publication by the village newspaper at the age of 12. Since then I have been published in various anthologies, calendars and eZines, greetings cards and other media, as well as having a short story broadcast on Rutland Radio’s Sunday Night Story. I only ventured into the world of Self-Publishing in February 2015. I write primarily in the Horror and Speculative Fiction/ Supernatural genre. I currently have five horror fiction books available on Amazon and am in the process of writing a sixth. Connect with the author Interview Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea?
SPO: The inspiration for my stories comes from all sorts of places, often unexpected and sometimes unexplained. It can come from an overheard snippet of conversation, something I have seen in passing and so on. A good example is an especially vivid dream which became 'Sleep, Think, Die,' a story about the zombie apocalypse. This story ended up being a trilogy. Another example is when I overheard a young child mispronouncing 'Madagascar' as 'Mad Gasher.' He became a prominent character in the first book of the trilogy. How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? SPO: I try not to base my characters on people, although I may borrow a trait or a characteristic. I often think that writers subconsciously create characters that my be based in part on 'real' people. Speaking for myself, I don't do this deliberately. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? SPO: I write when I am inspired, in the main. This can often mean in the wee small hours, when everyone else is asleep. I know this is a cliche but in my case, for reasons I won't bore you with here, it is true! Usually with my little Cocker Spaniel for company. The only schedules I have to keep are self-imposed in the main. I try to be disciplined but it is not always easy! Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? SPO: Don't give up! Learn from your mistakes, take on board constructive criticism and professional advice whenever you are fortunate enough to receive it, and learn from it. Don't let the detractors and nay-sayers stop you. No matter the size of your audience, just keep writing. And keep reading too - it helps enormously and you learn so much without even realising it. Plus of course, it is thoroughly enjoyable. Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? SPO: Another cliche coming up, but again, it is true. I have always had the desire to write. Ever since I was a very small child, I was writing little stories and poems, and I just kept on doing it. The older I got, the more I wrote (when other commitments allowed) and the more willing I became to share it with audiences other than my family. I have learned a tremendous amount in the process and I am still learning. How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? SPO: In terms of passion, intention and a desire to tell the story, I put a lot of myself into my writing. However, I don't believe I have ever based any character upon myself. I prefer to keep them at arms length, so to speak, so that I can observe their actions and dialogue and 'keep it real' as far as is possible. I don't necessarily base my characters on anyone, at least not knowingly, though I borrow certain traits, I am sure. What has helped shape and improve your writing? SPO: Practice! Just keep writing, keep reading, be willing to accept that you are not perfect and that you make mistakes, some of them so glaringly obvious you feel like banging the keyboard off your head, others that only those in the know can spot and if you are lucky, they will point out to you. Be open to feedback, both good and bad, be prepared to learn from it but don't allow yourself to be so changed as a writer that you no longer recognise yourself or your story. What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? SPO: I have just finished reading The Falcon of Sparta by Conn Iggulden. I would recommend any of his work to lovers of historical fiction, especially the Conqueror series depicting the life of Genghis Khan. Excellent writing and a thoroughly absorbing read. Do your novels carry a message or do you feel it's subjective? SPO: I never intentionally write a message into my work, so it always fascinates me when readers find one anyway. That is the beauty of creative writing, in particular poetry - it allows the reader to interpret it as they may. Wonderful! What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand? SPO: All of the above, with the exception of dictation. I need to see the written words on the page as I go along. Dictation has its place, but it is not what I would naturally revert to. I do the bulk of my writing on the keyboard, but now and then I need to do things the old-fashioned way and put pen to paper. It is useful to keep a pen and pad close to hand, to jot down those unexpected ideas that just form in your head out of nowhere, too. For instance, at 2 am or when you are staring out of the bus window... Thank you to S P Oldham for kindly providing us with this awesome interview!- Leticia  Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance Publisher: DysCovered Publishing Publication Date: August 25, 2015 Pages: 192 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads Synopsis Two teens discover the government is staging terrorist attacks to exploit and control the public in Tracy Lawson’s eerily believable YA debut novel. In an alternate reality version of 2034, terrorist attacks on American soil continue after the events of 9/11. The Office of Civilian Safety and Defense, created in 2019 to oversee domestic security, rises to unprecedented heights of power by exploiting the people’s overriding fear of terrorism. When Tommy Bailey and Careen Catecher meet during one of the bogus terrorist attacks, they discover the OCSD’s darkest secret: an antidote distributed by the government to “protect” people from the effects of imaginary toxins in the air is really being used to lull them into a state of submission. Tommy and Careen face a difficult choice: stay quiet about what they know—or risk their safety and anonymity to join an underground rebel group that’s determined to break the OCSD’s grip on the nation. Counteract explores the nature of power and the consequences and difficulties created when government attempts to control minute details of citizens’ daily existence. "Tracy Lawson's novel asks an even more disturbing question--what if the real culprit was someone or something we trusted? I thought The Hunger Games might be the Millennial generation's version of George Orwell's 1984. Now, I think Counteract and the Resistance Series are more primed to take that spot."--SR Staley, author of St. Nic, Inc., and the Tortuga Bay series. Where to Buy My Rating  4.75 Stars Review I received this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review. 9/11 was possibly one of the scariest times in the Western world. I don't think we ever would have thought things would end up the way it had. But could you imagine a world where the fear of terrorists completely changed how the United States of America functions, right down to continuously creating fear of terrorists? Oh, wait, parts of that is already happening. This is eerily familiar, almost creepy how familiar this is to what is currently happening all over the world. The Office of Civilian Safety and Defense was created to keep civilians safe from the on-going threat of terrorism. But it functions in a way that what you eat, drink, listen to, watch and so on is determined by the OCSD. Keeping the people ignorant and the people's fear high. Careen As a lead character, she is admirable. Careen is smart, enough to know that the antidote wasn't really right as it makes her feel silly and loses hours. She's independent enough to try to fight it. Questioning the motives of the OCSD is brave, especially as people who speak out are often detained. Tommy He was tough to read about, having to grieve the loss of his family and be contained to his house with a broken leg. The antidote became more of an escape for him from his reality, even though Careen's presence makes him question what really happened to his parents, what the antidote does and what the OCSD is up to. So with the chaos of the end of the book, it will be interesting to see if Careen and Tommy have what it takes to bring down the OCSD. If you enjoy dystopian, young adult, new adult genres, this might be a very good read for you. About the Author  Once upon a time, Tracy Lawson was a little girl with a big imagination who was obsessed with telling stories. Her interests in dance, theatre, and other forms of make-believe led to a twenty-year career in the performing arts, where “work” meant she got to do things like tap dance and choreograph musicals. A mid-life career change has yielded six books–a four-volume series of thrillers for young adults, and two nonfiction history books based on the lives of her pioneer ancestors. Tracy, who is married with one grown daughter and two spoiled cats, splits her time between Dallas, Texas and Columbus, Ohio. Connect with Tracy
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