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She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live.
– Annie Dillard |
Publisher: Laurel A. Rockefeller Publication Date: November 22, 2017 Pages: 105 Add to GoodReads
Teacher. Philosopher. Astronomer.
Born in 355 CE. In the aftermath of Constantine's reign Hypatia of Alexandria lived in a collapsing Rome Empire, a world where obedience to religious authorities trumped science, where reason and logic threatened the new world order. It was a world on the edge of the Dark Ages. As libraries burned, she dared defend the light of knowledge.
A few hours later sunset burned rose-orange over the house of Asher ben Nathan. As promised, Hypatia returned with both Orestes and Synesius one pace behind her. Reaching the dining room Orestes offered a bottle of wine to Rachel, “Thank you for inviting us. I hope you do not mind. I found this at a wine merchant a few blocks away. He assured me that it was suitable for your table and approved by the rabbinate as such.”
Rachel looked at the label before handing it off to her husband, “A fine vintage most generously given. Asher and I drank this vintage at our wedding. It has very special memories!” “My lady said this was the right one to buy,” remarked Orestes. “Hypatia has an excellent memory.” “Yes, she does,” agreed Asher. “Daphne, will you prepare the wine for our dinner?” Daphne took the bottle, “Of course, my lord!” Asher beckoned everyone to sit while he stood, “Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah. Blessed is Adonai, our God, Ruler of the Universe, who hallows us with mitzvot and commands us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam,she-asa nissim la-avotenu ba-yamim ha-mem ba-z’man ha-zeh. Blessed is Adonai, our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wondrous deed for our ancestors in days of old, at this season.” Prayerfully he lit the first and second candle, “Tonight as we celebrate Hanukkah together, we are conscious of the precious gift of family and friendship. So often we take one another for granted, forgetting to express our love and devotion. As we kindle these festive lights, let us rededicate ourselves to sharing our interests and time with one another. Like the Maccabees of old, let us always face the troubles and joys of life united by those we love.” “Amen,” answered Rachel and her children. “Amen,” echoed the guests. Rachel turned to her husband, “Asher, Hypatia was kind enough to give us a beautiful menorah as a gift. Shall we light it as well?” Asher kissed her, “Certainly, matok!” Rising he fetched Hypatia’s menorah from the living room and put it on the dining room table in front of everyone. Daphne brought in a set of candles which Asher set into each cup expertly. Lighting the shamash candle for Hypatia’s menorah from the shamash on the original menorah, he lit the first two candles, “Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.” Orestes studied the gifted menorah, “You gave this to them, my lady?” “Yes, why?” “I recognize the craftsmanship. It was made by the finest silversmith in Alexandria.” “Nothing is too good for my dear friend Rachel. We’ve been friends since childhood,” explained Hypatia as she took a sip from her wine glass. “My lady is truly most generous,” added Synesius. “Jew, Christian, Pagan—there is no difference between us,” asserted Hypatia. “We are all in search of truth beyond human understanding, with a greater connection to the Divine. Does it truly matter what name or names we use, what languages we speak, or how we worship? Surely God or the gods care less about how we worship than how we live. Actions, not words, matter most.” “Theophilus disagrees,” declared Synesius. “For him and his followers everyone must believe and worship in accord with his ideas of orthodoxy. There is only one true belief, only one way of correctly worshipping. He preaches in the agora a most fiery and impassioned manifesto, one that often calls for enforcement of Christian orthodoxy upon those who disagree with it—Christian, Jew, or Pagan—all must live, worship, and believe as he interprets the Bible.” “Has anyone of his congregants acted on his words?” asked Rachel. “Not yet, but they may sooner rather than later. Saturnalia is nearly upon us,” answered Synesius. Rachel stared at Synesius, “Saturnalia? I do not understand the significance in this context.” Asher’s face grew grim, “In the Empire, Saturnalia is often a time for murder. Many promotions come out of Saturnalia assassinations.” “Will the legate intervene?” asked Rachel. Orestes met Rachel’s eyes, “It depends on who is killed or at least targeted and who the attacker is. The legate is a politician first. If there is nothing to gain and something to lose by acting you can be certain he will do nothing.” “Orestes is right about the legate. I can easily see him standing by and allowing one or more than one of Theophilus’ congregants get away with murder,” affirmed Hypatia. “Will he attack the school at the Temple of Serapis?” asked Rachel. “Possible, but not likely,” answered Asher. “It’s too big a target and he lacks sufficient support to get away with it—for now, at least. Burn the temple or the Caesareum and he’ll have to answer to the prefect for it. No, he won’t move against either, not yet. Saturnalia violence is small-scale. An attack on any institution like your school costs him too much right now to try. But I promise you this: the moment the prefect and his legates waiver in their protection, our houses of worship and houses of learning will fall to Theophilus and his frenzied thugs he calls Christians.” Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords
Born, raised, and educated in Lincoln, Nebraska USA Laurel A. Rockefeller is author of over twenty books published and self-published since August, 2012 and in languages ranging from Welsh to Spanish to Chinese and everything in between. A dedicated scholar and biographical historian, Ms. Rockefeller is passionate about education and improving history literacy worldwide.
With her lyrical writing style, Laurel's books are as beautiful to read as they are informative. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her cockatiels, attending living history activities, travelling to historic places in both the United States and United Kingdom, and watching classic motion pictures and classic television series.
3 custom Candles , Signed Paperback
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Ghost Slayer
Majanka Verstraete
ISBN : 9781947649033
Release date: 24 April 2018
Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing
Book Description:
Twenty-one-year-old Kaelyn has spent half her life hunting ghosts and killing them. But she's not like the other ghost hunters who have to rely on spells and curses to banish ghosts back to where they came from, hoping that they don't come back. When Kaelyn kills a ghost, they stay dead.
But in Mortimer Hall, a behemoth of a house, Kaelyn is about to face the most powerful Twenty-one-year-old Kaelyn has spent half her life hunting ghosts and killing them. But she's not like the other ghost hunters who have to rely on spells and curses to banish ghosts back to where they came from, hoping that they don't come back. When Kaelyn kills a ghost, they stay dead.
But in Mortimer Hall, a behemoth of a house, Kaelyn is about to face the most powerful and life-threatening ghost she ever met, and what she doesn't know is that the ghost has been waiting just for her...
CHAPTER 2
Sunlight peeked through the blinds. I rolled over, pulled the covers up to my chin, and groaned. Then the alarm clock started blaring like a fire alarm. I turned back around, hit it as hard as I could, and slumped back on my pillow.
There was no inch of my body that didn't hurt, and the pain in my head resembled that of a migraine attack coming on. Maybe I had a concussion after all.
I mumbled a series of curse words below my breath as I got out of bed. Ghost hunting or not, no way was I going to miss class just because I felt like I'd been hit by a train, then was dragged along for twenty miles until they dropped me on a bombshell that exploded right after. When I was done yawning so loud that my neighbors could probably hear it, I staggered out of my bedroom.
"Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Mom said from behind the stove. She was holding a frying pan, the smell of pancakes filling my nostrils.
"Pancakes? Again?" I smiled, and my stomach growled, emphasizing how hungry I was. To me, all good things in the world started and ended with pancakes.
"Milk? Coffee? Hot choco?" Mom asked while I sat down at the table. The apartment wasn't spectacular, at all. It had a small kitchenette, a table and two chairs, a stitched-up couch that looked as if someone might've puked over it back in the seventies, and a stained carpet that seemed to come straight from a murder scene, complete with blood spills and all.
You'd think ghost slaying would pay well, but if you wanted to live under the radar, and work solo, it was tough finding cases. Besides, the apartment had all I needed. Apart from the living area, it had a decent sized bathroom, and two bedrooms. One of them had been rat-infested when I first moved in, but I'd finally gotten rid of that problem last week when pest control dropped by.
"Coffee." I scratched my head and yawned again. "What time did I get home?"
"About twelve-thirty." Mom hovered behind the kitchen counter and dropped a plate with pancakes onto the table. She made her way around to me and kissed me on the forehead, almost blinding me with her ghostly glow. "You look exhausted."
"Thanks for the compliment." I snorted, digging into the pancakes. "If you didn't make such great food, you'd be in trouble for that," I said, between bites.
"Eat with your mouth closed." Mom grabbed a cup of coffee and put it down in front of me. "You love being pampered, just admit it."
I shrugged, but we both knew it was the truth. Even though I was twenty-one now, and I could watch my own back when I went out ghost slaying, I loved when Mom made me breakfast, combed my hair, or did whatever the heck moms do. The only real perk about spending my days chasing after ghosts, was still having my mom around â even though she'd passed away.
"Lots of classes today?" Mom slumped down on the empty chair opposite me. With the morning light peering through the window behind her, I could barely make out her shape.
"Yeah." I took a sip from my coffee. "Parapsychology, two hours. Then I've got a study break for about one hour, and another two hours of developmental psychology, followed by an hour of English literature."
"Bah." Mom rolled her eyes. She shoved her chair back, and got up again to get me another load of pancakes. Whenever she was annoyed, she would walk. "I have no idea why you take that class. Isn't it enough you have to deal with ghosts every day?" She was talking about parapsychology, the class she'd insisted I drop from the moment I started going to college.
I shrugged and studied her while she floated about in the kitchen. She wore a long, wide dress, gypsy style, with beads and chains, and an herb pouch around her hips. Her braided hair reached down to her waist. The dress had once been a myriad of colors, from purple to green to red. Her hair had once been dark brown, and her eyes had once matched that color. Now everything was dulled to gray and surrounded by the glow of the dead.
"Are you still grabbing a drink with your friends tonight?" She peeked over her shoulder, an eyebrow arched.
Of course, Mom hoped I'd say yes. She wanted nothing more than for me to spend some time with my friends rather than with the recently or not-so-recently departed. "Yes." The word came out about as unenthusiastic as if I'd announced I needed a kidney transplant. "Although I don't know why you insist on it."
"You need to get out there. Socialize. No need to barricade yourself inside a cramped apartment with your ghost mother. You're twenty-one, for God's sake. It's time you made some friends."
I rolled my eyes before I gulped down another pancake. "We both know that making friends hasn't really been on the agenda." For the last decade, we'd moved from state to state, without settling down anywhere. We went from one town to the next, swiping the entire maleficent ghost population before moving on. Half of the jobs came without pay, and the ones that did barely offered sufficient funds to keep my head above water. But when I saw a case, I couldn't say no, no matter if it paid or not, or whether it was dangerous or not.
"Honey ..." Mom stopped when a shrill sound pierced the room.
I got up, knocking my chair backward onto the floor. "What the ..." Only then did I realize that the unfamiliar sound was the doorbell. I gave Mom a look. We never got company.
She nodded at me and moved to her bedroom.
"Close the door," I mouthed at her.
I grabbed the knife I'd used to cut the pancakes and walked to the door. Nobody ever showed up at our doorstep. Nobody good, anyway. My hand shook when I grabbed the key and twisted it. The knife felt like lead in my other hand, which I'd curled behind my back.
The door squeaked when I opened it. Hesitantly, I moved into the doorway, and my mouth dropped open at the same time I let go of the knife; it fell to the floor with a clattering sound. "What ..." The words got stuck in my throat. My tongue felt like a dozen bees had stung it, making it thick and unable to move.
"Seen a ghost?" The guy standing out in the hall cocked an eyebrow, smirking at me, a smirk he'd obviously mastered through practice. His brown hair, short back and sides, but long in the front, covered his forehead and his left eye. The other one, stark blue like the sky right before a storm, gazed straight at me. He was at least two heads taller than my 5'4". Muscles protruded from under his black leather jacket. He looked like a supermodel who'd taken a break to ride his Harley Davidson. The shadow of a two-day old beard marked his face, as well as a scar beneath his left eye that ruined his otherwise perfect cheek.
"You ..." I spat out the word, almost choking on the nasty taste it left behind in my mouth. "What are you doing here?"
"Not the welcome I was expecting, but all right." He threw an envelope at me. "Payment for yesterday's job."
I caught the envelope and stared at it as if it was the spawn of Satan. "You mean ... you're my employer?"
He licked his lips and conjured up a half smile. "I'd rather pay twice as much to a ghost layer from the other side of the planet than give you a job. Unfortunately, ghost slayers are rare and my client needed help fast."
Even though it had been half a decade, I'd recognize him anywhere. Not just the scar, the leather jacket, the face that had haunted my dreams â and nightmares â ever since I met him. But his voice, that cocky authoritarian voice he used on just about everyone, sounding like he knew all the secrets to the universe, and you were just a dumb newbie who'd never taken on a real challenge. Always challenging, always tempting. That voice, I'd recognize anywhere.
"What do you want?" I put my hands on my hips, and felt the soft fabric of the yoga pants I'd put on before crashing into bed last night. Suddenly eating a pile of pancakes without showering first seemed like the worst idea ever, and I wished I had a genie who could give me some decent clothes in a heartbeat. Tank tops and yoga pants aren't really impressive when you're facing your self- proclaimed worst enemy.
"I came to give you your well-earned money." He shoved past me into my house, stepping over the knife carelessly, invading my privacy without a care in the world.
I clenched my fists, wishing I was still holding the knife, because then I could do some real damage on him. But at the same time, I was glad I'd dropped it as it removed any temptation I might have to hurt him. Although I wanted to do just that, it wouldn't be smart and I'd hate myself afterward. Hurting ghosts was one thing, hurting humans, another â no matter how despicable they were.
"So how was the Main Street Basement Ghost?" he asked, while he slumped down on my chair, in my kitchen, and grabbed one of my pancakes.
Somehow I thought that if we ever met again, my anger would've lessened. That the fury that threatened to overwhelm me last time, would've evaporated over time. No such luck, though. It was back now, fire and flames, pulling at my resolve, setting me on fire, demanding I hurt him the same way he'd hurt me.
I took a deep breath and tried to relax, but my muscles remained tense, prepared to snap at any moment. Without looking away from him, I pushed the door shut. "Easy."
"Well, I should think so. It was an adolescent ghost." He shoved the pancake into his mouth. "Delicious."
"He did kill three people in the last fifty years alone." I grabbed the empty chair, my mom's chair, and sat down. "Again, what do you want? I don't buy your story. You didn't just employ me so I could get rid of that kid. I know you're up to something, Alex."
Author Majanka Verstraete has written more than twenty unique works of fiction. A native of Belgium, Majankaâs novels explore the true nature of monsters: the good, the bad, and just about every species in between. Her young adult books include the acclaimed Mirrorland (YA Dark Fantasy) and Angel of Death (YA Paranormal) series of novels.
Majanka is currently developing a new YA shifter series with a fresh take on fierce female detectives called THE ADVENTURES OF MARISOL HOLMES which will be published by Monster House Books in October 2018.
Her NA paranormal romance series, Ghost Slayer, has been picked up by Fire Quill Publishing. The first volume will be released in 2017.
When sheâs not writing, Majanka is probably playing World of Warcraft or catching up with the dozens of TV series sheâs addicted to.
Website: http://majankaverstraete.com/
Newsletter: http://majankaverstraete.com/newsletter/
Twitter: @iheartreads
Amazon Profile: http://amazon.com/author/majankaverstraete
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/majankaverstrae/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majankaverstraete/
Publisher: Whitman Books Publication Date: August 31, 2017 Pages: 228 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads About the Book
My name is Aeris Thorne. I am a genetically modified human.
Discover the exciting, long-awaited sequel to The Butterfly Code, the sci-fi romance thriller that’s captivating readers around the world. Hurtful secrets. Terrifying warnings. Forbidden love. All I wanted was to spend a last few weeks with the man I love before tearing myself away to lick my wounds. I know Hunter and I can never be together–too many differences lie between us. He’s a member of an elite group of superhumans. And what am I? His mistake. But we will have no tender respite. No final few magical days. Not us. Not now that I’ve learned a death sentence hangs over my head. Powerful forces are descending upon the cozy little town of Deep Cove, Maine. Beneath the cover of whispering trees, along the shores of wave-tumbled beaches, people are vying for power. And I have become the center of the war. For Hunter’s sake, I’m desperate to run away. Far away. To hide so that no one can find me. For if I stay, I’ll destroy us both. But there’s a child involved now. A seven-year-old girl who’s been pulled into my deadly vortex. There can be no running. No hiding. Not with the child’s life at stake, too. Startling changes are beginning to take hold of me–I can feel them burning through my veins. My only ally is the man I love, the one I can never be with. I’m desperate to hide the truth from him. He can’t know what I’m becoming. For if I put my faith in him, if we stand together, we’ll both be dead. Romantic. Dangerous. Action-packed. Discover the exciting sequel to the sci-fi romance thriller that’s captivating readers around the world. For fans of The Pretties, Twilight, and The Mortal Instruments. If you love exciting romances, nail-biting action, urban fantasy, fated mates, young adult dark romance, and some devilish bad boys, then the world of THE GIRL ON FIRE SERIES awaits you! My RatingMy ReviewI received this eBook from Xpresso Book Tours.
I really wanted to enjoy this book as much as I did the first. But I honestly had some issues with it.
Before I delve into the issues, I do want to say what I do like about the book though, because it wasn't all terrible. Aeris is definitely a lot easier to read about in this book. She's far less scatterbrained, more composed. Although it is obvious that her genetically modified genes are causing quite the ruckus for Hunter and the rest. Hunter is also more focused and less confused. He handles Aeris quite well, even if he is a little evasive to her questions at times. Okay so my issues: who in their right mind puts a child in that kind of danger? Whether they hoped Aeris would rescue the child or not. I really hope that man sleeps with his gun because if I was the mama, he'd be in major trouble. (To make matters worse, the child is also gravely ill. More points for that dad.) The other issue is the Tribunal. Like, do they act outside of the laws of regular society? Also, being Winterborn survivors, their rule is biased when it comes to helping other human beings. Clearly money and immortality makes them above the law, heh. Which also made me wonder about the last book too. Where were the law when there was this massive battle? So many questions, so little time! But as a writer, I know that every story does have a lot of ironing out to do. It's not a perfect science and everyone will question things from time to time. So I am still invested in learning about where this story will go and how it will progress. I'm definitely interested to see if Gage will come out of it and be rescued or rescue himself. It will be interesting. Where to BuyAbout the Author
Sue Wyshynski is a small town Canadian girl who moved to the United States to pursue the American dream. Sue grew up in the same place as musician Justin Bieber. Her last name is pronounced wish-in-ski.
Sue’s style has been described as immersive, emotional, and action-packed. According to Sue, “Writers must do more than write; they must try to speak to the hearts of the world.” The Butterfly Code, coming this fall, is Sue’s first New Adult romantic suspense. Connect with SueGiveawayPublisher: Whitman Books Publication Date: October 15, 2015 Pages: 346 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads About the Book
My name is Aeris Thorne. I am a genetically modified human.
PAINFUL SECRETS. STARTLING TRUTHS. UNDENIABLE LOVE. All it took was a chance meeting--one tingling glance across a darkened street to change my life. I'd been searching for my two best friends in the crowded Zenith Club, which was a really bad idea because I'm totally claustrophobic. I burst outside, and that's when I came face-to-face with the incredibly gorgeous Hunter Cayman. Dark-haired, tall, and leaning against an insane sports car, my pulse went haywire. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. The young doctor had his long muscular arms crossed over his leather jacket clad chest, and all his six-foot something would make any girl's knees turn weak. But then, if what Ella said was true, Hunter was the kind of guy who left behind a trail of broken hearts. And heartache was the last thing I needed right now. Yet there's something strange, something almost superhuman about Hunter. It's more than that infuriatingly knowing grin. I'm trying to stop thinking about him, and I get the feeling he's avoiding me, too. Yet Deep Cove is a tiny town and every time we run into each other the tension literally crackles, sparking around us. It just figures that when suddenly I'm in danger, he's there to save me. In truth, I should be dead. By all the logic in this world, I should be shattered to pieces. How fast was I going on that ATV when I smashed into those iron gates? Ninety? A hundred? And the men who were chasing me, where did they go? Somehow I'm whole. Maybe better than whole. There's no one I can talk to, not even my best friend, Gage. Gage hates Hunter. He wants Hunter's laboratory to be shut down. He thinks Hunter's a monster. And yet, if that's true, if Hunter's a monster...than what am I? I'm not sure what terrifies me more, the metamorphosis taking place inside me, or the intensely powerful connection with a guy whose heart and soul has become linked with mine. My Rating3.75 StarsMy ReviewI received this eBook from Xpresso Book Tours.
You know, at first with the way the story had started, I was sure that this was going to involve vampires somehow. I was partially wrong? Ha ha.
I loved Aeris's name, but honestly she was a tough character to like. She seemed, at first, to be a soft character who was building her musician world around her. However she does end up kind of kicking ass in the book. But being in her mind was not easy. She has a serious case of the scatterbrains. When Hunter was introduced, I was sure he was going to be some rebel without a cause character. But he actually didn't have this bad boy complex. However he seemed to be quite guarded which made him seem aloof a few times. He was as confusing (or confused) as Aeris was. I'm struggling to see the relation between the bad guys, Aeris's father and Hunter Cayman's group plus Aeris herself. I did, however, enjoy the science fiction side of this. It was definitely a new idea and it was well formed. I definitely am looking forward to reading the rest of the books. I hope they are as good as the first book. Where to BuyAbout the Author
Sue Wyshynski is a small town Canadian girl who moved to the United States to pursue the American dream. Sue grew up in the same place as musician Justin Bieber. Her last name is pronounced wish-in-ski.
Sue’s style has been described as immersive, emotional, and action-packed. According to Sue, “Writers must do more than write; they must try to speak to the hearts of the world.” The Butterfly Code, coming this fall, is Sue’s first New Adult romantic suspense. Connect with SueWelcome to Teaser Tuesday, the weekly Meme that wants you to add books to your TBR, or just share what you are currently reading. It is very easy to play along: • Grab your current read • Open to a random page • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! Everyone loves Teaser Tuesday. "He's about as light-handed as a freaking troll!" Matt said, biting his bottom lip. Skylar spat out his beer. Riko had tears in her eyes she was laughing so hard.
57% Publication Date: October 31, 2017 Pages: 238 Format: ePub Add to GoodReads About the Book
Shelby King is tired of living in her sister’s shadow. Just because Christina is the most powerful caster in school doesn’t mean Shelby’s any good at magic; she’s a scribe, like her mom, and everyone expects her to write spells for her sister, the way her mom always has for her dad. But Shelby’s spells fail spectacularly, and by the time she’s a sophomore, Christina won’t touch them with a ten-foot-pole; their parents aren’t much better. Shelby is fed up, and she decides to show the world she doesn’t care if she isn’t as good as her stuck-up sister, or as talented as their powerful parents. In fact, she decides it’s time to break all the rules, magical and otherwise, and she starts sneaking out to meet Jeremiah Smallwood, the second-best caster in school at illegal pop-up spell battles around town. She may not be able to scribe for him, but she doesn’t mind letting him think that she could; Shelby’s been half in love with Miah as long as she can remember, but he’s never paid attention to her until now, and she’s not going to risk her chances worrying about a pesky thing like the truth. But when Christina rats her out to their parents, Shelby can’t control her anger, and words come pouring out of her that she can’t take back even if she wanted to, threatening Christina’s future…and Shelby’s own chances with Jeremiah. It’ll take more magic than Shelby’s ever dreamed of to set things right, but no scribe has that much magic…right?
My Rating
4.85 Stars
ReviewI received this eBook from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Shelby is a scribe.
Or well, she is supposed to be a scribe but her skills haven't quite emerged yet. Shelby lives under the shadow of her caster father (who works for the Caster Force which polices caster and scribe communities), her mother's excellent scribing abilities, the family's long line of caster's and scribes, and of course her sister who is considered the best caster in high school. Shelby is meant to be Christina's scribe but her spells are a bit of a disaster. Which doesn't bode well for Christina and her Caster Level Threes that are fast approaching. The second best caster, Jeremiah (or Miah) is recently single and has his eyes on Shelby. Even though his actual intentions are purely selfish to better himself at caster battles. However out of sheer luck, one of her spells actually works and she begins to test her abilities by creating a side job selling spells to normal folk. Highly frowned upon in her caster/scribe society. And during one fateful night, Christina learns just how powerful Shelby's spells are with a unique twist. So, this starts out a little cliche. Kind of like Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Freaky Friday and Mean Girls all rolled into one. However I did enjoy that Shelby's idea of rebellion was to wear neon pink to school as black and dark colours were the norm. Heh, that was my normal wardrobe in high school. Primarily still is dark colours. Despite the cliche starting, the twist is a wonderful surprise and throws the book into a whole new outlook. So definitely give it a read, if you're a fan of a good young adult with an awesome twist. Where to BuyAbout the Author
Award-winning author Jen McConnel writes NA, YA, and nonfiction. When she isn’t writing, she can be found on her yoga mat or wandering off on another adventure.
Giveaway
- Name a character in Book 2
Publisher: Relay Publishing Publication Date: November 8, 2017 Pages: 285 Add to GoodReads About the Book
In a solar system where The Authority decides who lives and who dies, only one of their own assassins can stop them.
Glade Io is a trained killer. Marked at a young age as an individual with violent tendencies, she was taken from her family and groomed to be a Datapoint, a biotech-enabled analyst who carries out the Culling. She is meant to identify and destroy any potential threats to the human colonies. But when she’s kidnapped by rogue colonists known as the Ferrymen, everything Glade thinks she knows about the colonies, and The Authority that runs them, collapses into doubt. Pulled between two opposing sides, and with her family’s lives hanging in the balance, Glade is unsure of who to trust—and time is running out. Excerpt
I’ve always hated hide-and-seek.
But if you had to play it, like I did right now, so much better to be the hunter than the hunted. I cracked my knuckles in front of me as I stepped into the simulator, and the door slammed behind me. I was instantly plunged into darkness – a blunt darkness, as can only happen indoors. Two points of light opened up in front of me, one on the left and one on the right. I bared my teeth in a feral grin as my eyes bounced from one point of light to the other. They were throwing two colonies at me at once. I waited, tense and ready, as both points of light started spiraling open, focusing. They were forming not just into images, but into my new reality. Within seconds, I was straddling the line between two worlds. I could see the images with my eyes, but when I closed them, I could see the images projected across my brain, as well. The computer implanted in my arm and head was cool like that. There was almost nothing I couldn’t do with it. I scanned the two landscapes on either side of me. Glacially icy on one side, offering all the blues and grays of an icy planet. And on the other side, the black sky met the umber sand of a red planet. I looked back and forth between them. Two colonies at once. I knew it was just a simulation, but still, a bead of sweat rolled down my back as I planted my feet on the floor of the simulator. Come out, come out, little citizens. Using my computer, my integrated tech, I zoomed in on the icy landscape first. I felt the frigid wind, the brisk scent of ozone filling my nostrils, and soon I was close enough to see the roofs of dwellings. And yup. There the people were. I ignored the heavy furs that covered all but their eyes. I ignored their varying heights and weights. I ignored the way some of them held hands or rode on one another’s backs. I ignored the laughter that rang out from a group of citizens who had to be just about my age. I ignored the familiar admonishing tone of a mother at her wit’s end. The only thing I saw were the reddish glows that emanated from each person’s brainwaves. The integrated tech computer that had been implanted when I’d been chosen for this job was designed to detect brain patterns. The computer in my brain could see other people’s brainwaves, and it presented the information in a way that allowed my eyes to see it, too. It had taken a long time to get used to it. But now it was almost like second nature. I let the reddish blurs around each person’s head remain just that – blurry. Shifting my attention to the red planet now, I gave my eyes a second to adjust from the blinding white of the ice planet to the burnished, sunburned bake of the second colony. The black sky was a rich dark, the kind of black that had depth. With the Milky Way splashed across the skyroof of the red planet, I gave my eyes a second to adjust as my tech zoomed in on the colony, the red planet rushing past in my periphery. Soon we were there. The thick canvas tents that the citizens used as dwellings flapped in the constant, stinging wind. Each person wore white garments to reflect heat, but they were all dyed a deep, dusty pink from the red sand being flung in every direction. This was a busier colony than the ice planet. People bustled past one another, balancing baskets of wares on their heads. The streets were narrow and craggy, lined with red rock walls that gave way to the canvas dwellings that stood every ten feet or so. So little of this planet was hospitable that the people had to live on top of one another like bees in a hive. The simulation raced me down one twisting street and to the next, so that I was coasting past grannies in doorways who were sorting seeds into one basket or another. Past children huddled around a game of skipping rocks on the ground. Past a ratty dog, everything but his eyes covered in red grit. And then I landed in the main square. A place I’d only seen photographs of in the past. People haggled over prices in the canvas booths that lined the square. Eggs and bread were traded and bartered. A group of unwatched children ran screaming from one end of the square to the other, adults scowling after them. A line of people 800 feet long wrapped around the square. Everyone held empty chalices. It was the line for water. A group of citizens shouted over one another as they crowded around a small wooden platform where an ox stood. The animal’s age was shown in its milky eyes and swollen joints, but still, the farmers shouted and scrapped for the auctioneer’s attention. On a planet as hard to farm as this one, any help was highly sought after. I pulled my attention from the details of the two worlds and back to the task at hand. This wasn’t a sightseeing simulation. I was a trained Datapoint. This was my job. This was a Culling. Using every bit of training that had been pounded into me over the last two years, I began to block out all of the sensory details of the two colonies on either side of me. The slate gray clouds and the pale icy sun melted away on my left. On my right, the baked red became nothing more than a neutral background. Like I had a hand gripping a knob on a radio, I guided my integrated tech into turning the volume down. The noises of the market on one side muted, and the noises of the children playing on the other side did the same. Soon, all I was left with were the citizens and the halos of red around their heads. I brought each red blur even further into focus. Starting with one alone and then moving to each citizen individually, I read their brainwaves with practiced ease. My integrated technology and my brain worked in perfect, synchronized tandem as I identified the citizens I was looking for. In the simulation, they were scattered about, as they’d be in their worlds. But in my mind’s eye, it was as if all of the citizens were standing neatly in a line before me. Using my technology to organize them, I saw about a quarter of the citizens stepping forward. These were the ones I was about to cull. The ones with brainwaves indicating violence and aggression. The ones with the capacity to commit murder. The ones who were inclined to bring down pain on the citizens around them. Where to BuyAbout the Author
Ramona Finn writes about courageous characters who fight to live in broken, dystopian worlds. She believes a person's true characters is often revealed in times of crisis, and there is no greater crisis than the worlds that she drops her characters into!
She grew up sitting cross-legged on her town's library floor--completely engrossed in science fiction books. It was always the futuristic world or the universe-on-the-brink-of-extinction plotlines that drew her in, but it was the brave characters who chose to fight back that kept her turning the pages. Her books create deep, intricate worlds with bold characters determined to fight for their survival in their dystopian worlds--with a little help from their friends. And, of course, romance is never out of the question. ;) GiveawayCULL 3 FRIENDS & WIN - To celebrate the release of 'The Culling'. I'm giving away a $50 giftcard! My protagonist Glade Io is a trained killer. Groomed as a Datapoint, a biotech-enabled analyst, she's sent into the colonies to execute the once-every-decade Culling—those deemed dangerous to the Authority's perfect world are killed. She is ruthless—and I need you to be ruthless too. Cull 3 of your friends to win. Who could you cull? Facebook
With her armies defeated, Queen Nouei’s enemies march north to capture her. The earth god’s only hope is to alter history before they arrive. To become stronger she must restart her divine journey by reincarnating as Bridget Blade. But what if Bridget doesn’t want to be a god?
All Bridget wants is a simple life with love and family. But she is confronted by a destiny she doesn’t even understand and burdened by powers and impulses she struggles to control. Bridget must choose a path that leads her to Nouei or, must force the Queen to settle for Bridget’s modest ambitions. Two women, two destinies, one life. Who will prevail?
Bridget Blade is both a god with an insatiable desire for love and adoration and a human plagued by insecurities, fears, and anxieties. Unaware of her true divinity she longs for the kind of love and a happy family she's never had. Her husband, Jeremy, though, seems more interested in turning her into a research project that he can commercialize.
When Bridget discovers her new abilities she revels in the discovery that she is a god. But her new powers attract unwanted attention and Bridget must fight for her independence and survival. But when survival means giving up the adoration she craves Bridgett must confront the desires that drive her. Does she want freedom or does she want adoration? She can have one or the other, but not both.
The doors swung open and Padre Bede Blade ran in. He stopped in his tracks at the sight of the man with the foot-long knife raised menacingly over Bridget.
“Oh, dear God,” he muttered. “This is Father Bede,” Sister Kaypore said. “He is a Thysian priest. Will you listen to him?” The man regarded Bede with interest. “You are a Thysian priest? Why are you here with these people and not with us? They worship a demon. They’re intolerant and disgusting. They follow no leader—have no priests.” Bede’s forehead knotted with confusion as he made his way to the bed. His movements were careful and deliberate. “Does Jeremy know?” he asked Sister Kaypore softly. She shook her head. “What are you two talking about?” The man lowered the knife, though it still hovered over Bridget. “Jeremy is Bridget’s husband—my brother,” Bede said with a deep inhalation. “If Jeremy comes in here, you will not make it out alive. He will kill you.” The man’s eyes darted back and forth between them as though seeking validation from the sister. “I’ll kill his wife first.” “No, you don’t understand,” Bede said. “Jeremy believes that his wife can’t die. He’ll let you stab her because he believes she’ll survive, but you won’t.” Sister Kaypore placed her hand on Bede’s forearm to stop him from talking. She walked over to the other side of the bed and stood next to the man. She reached out and held his hand, the one leaning on Bridget. “You want answers. That’s why you’re here. You want to know what it is in this ‘disgusting religion,’ as you call it, that would make people offer their lives to Lord Ryna to be reaped. You want your childhood faith to make sense again.” “I gave up all of this,” he swung his knife in a wide-encompassing arc, “a long time ago. I don’t want—” “I can’t bring your family back,” Sister Kaypore continued, “but I can give you more. Much more. I can give you a beautiful death, euthanasia. Would you like to die a free and meaningful death? Would you like to join your family in the bosom of Ryna?” The man, cried quietly and clung to the side-railing of the bed with both hands. His grip on the knife handle loosened, though its blade still pointed carelessly at Bridget’s ribs. Sister Kaypore closed the space between them, wrapping him in a hug. Tall and regal, she enveloped him, pressing her cheek firmly against his. “Tell me their names, your family. Tell me all about them. I want to celebrate them with you.” His shoulders shook as he sobbed. Grief wracked his body. She gently patted his shoulder to comfort him. “We want to assure you that they meant so much to us. And everything to Ryna.” A loud moan escaped his lips at the mention of Ryna. “After you tell us about each one of them, after you’ve recalled every scrap of memory, which we will record and remember, after all this, I will bring you back here. Then you can gaze at the face of this woman. Hers is the face of a god.” His eyes briefly looked up into Sister Kaypore’s, searching them for truth and sincerity. She continued trying to convince him of the truth. “Then you’ll understand eros. True eros, that takes us out of ourselves into ecstasy, that drives us beyond our physical form into the loving arms of Ryna.” Her voice rose with conviction at her words. “This world is of no consequence. Do not waste another moment pining for what you think you have lost when we can promise you an eternity with the Lord. Do you accept my offer to die a beautiful death?” His subdued sobs continued unabated, and then morphed into loud cries as he poured out his grief. “Look at her face,” Sister Kaypore said cocking her head in the direction of Bridget. “This is the icon of the true beauty that is beyond flesh. Go beyond the shadows, for they offend, and long for true being in the light of Ryna. Do you consent to die?” The man straightened and steadied himself. Drawing in a deep breath, he looked at Bridget. He stood motionless for a few minutes as he took in the view of the unconscious woman who only moments ago was to be his victim. “May I touch her?” His voice was a whisper. “You already have,” Bede said. “That man was not me. His anger blinded him.” The man held Bridget’s limp fingers and kissed them gently. “She is not a witch. She is the face of God. I will go… to the land of my fathers. I want to see my mother again, my father, my sister, and all those I love.” Sister Kaypore held him by the arm. “She gives such peace, doesn’t she? We will grant you your wish. But first, let us celebrate your family. You must tell us everything about them. We will record their lives in our ledger of saints. When we are done, we will take you down to the cavern, where you will yield your life to the Almighty, Her Lord Majesty, Ryna, God of all.”
Ono Ekeh is a fifth generation android whose initial programming has exceeded its original boundaries resulting in a self-conscious, fully functional, quasi-human life form. He is married to a wonderful human woman and has four amazing kids. He is interested in religion, politics, science fiction, writing, food, mathematics, and other things.
Book Tour Hosted by: Silver Dagger Tours
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult
Publisher: The Narcissistic Rose Publication Date: November 1, 2017 Pages: 316 About the Book
For the last five years, Fawn has been the star soprano of a secluded opera house, forced to sing for her kidnapper.
His daughter, Devi, waits patiently in the shadows, hiding a face so horrible that no one who’s seen it will look at it again. As Fawn plots her escape, whispers spread through the shaded corridors of dark sorcery, warning her that she must flee by the next opening night. But when Fawn draws close to the exit, it’s Devi who’s standing in her way, leading Fawn to suspect that Devi has something to gain if she fails. (a dark reimagining of Swan Lake) Excerpt
The musicians set up in the orchestra pit and start warming up. The off-key kaleidoscope of music rises into the warm and stuffy air. I stand on the back edge of the stage, watching dust motes drift down from the rafters.
The first rehearsal. Time is dwindling much too quickly. The urge to run for it is imprinted on my bones. But my jailer waits for me nearby in the darkness, like always. I know from experience how quick he is. Muted footsteps sound from behind me. I spin around and force a wide grin on my face, expecting Dillion. I find Andrew instead, and my forced smile melts into a real one. “You’re here.” I scan the shadows behind him, but there’s no sign of Devi. He came alone. Good. I was afraid he might have run off to spend some time with the little monster. “I missed you at dinner. I hope you can join us next time.” He returns my smile with a warm one of his own. “I can certainly try.” His eyes roam the backstage area. Parts of old sets are tucked away close to the walls, collecting dust. Parts of new sets sit drying in the middle of the room. The thick scent of latex paint sticks to everything. “Where did you run off to earlier?” I ask. “I am sorry to have scared you away.” His smile starts to fade. “You didn’t scare me. I just . . . worry about her.” Irritation punches me in the ribs. “Yes, I worry about her as well. She’s so guarded. It’s so hard to get close to her.” My throat tightens. Why do you even care? A haunted look passes through his eyes. “Yes, it is.” He clears his throat. “Is this the first official rehearsal? Are you excited?” Excited is not a word I would use about anything pertaining to my life. “Yes, very much. I love the new music. It’s so emotive and beautiful.” “I can’t wait to hear it.” His gaze flickers past me to someone on the stage. I turn and see Dillion standing on the other end, surrounded by singers and dancers, watching us, his expression guarded. He nods when he catches us staring and turns to say something to the dancer closest to him. They both laugh. “You and Dillion seem like you’re getting along well.” Andrew’s gaze shifts back to my face. I wave his comment away. “Yes. Viktor wants me to make him feel welcome and special. It’s all very shallow, though.” I watch him closely and decide to test the waters on his end. “I’d much rather spend that time with you.” About the Author
Krystal is the author of supernatural and paranormal fiction, living in the Tennessee Valley with a collection of swords and daggers. When she's not hoarding stuffed pandas, hourglasses, and Hello Kitty replicas, she can be found in YouTube hole or blogging about books, writing, and random things at KrystalSquared.net.
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