Monday, October 30, 2017

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway - Subhuman by Michael McBride


Subhuman
Michael McBride
(Unit 51 #1)
Published by: Pinnacle Books
Publication date: October 31st 2017
Genres: Adult, Horror
THEY ARE NOT HUMAN.
At a research station in Antarctica, five of the world’s top scientists have been brought together to solve one of the greatest mysteries in human history. Their subject, however, is anything but human . . .

THEY ARE NOT NATURAL.
Deep beneath the ice, the submerged ruins of a lost civilization hold the key to the strange mutations that each scientist has encountered across the globe: A misshapen skull in Russia. The grotesque carvings of a lost race in Peru. The mummified remains of a humanoid monstrosity in Egypt . . .
THEY ARE NOT FRIENDLY.
When a series of sound waves trigger the ancient organisms, a new kind of evolution begins. Latching onto a human host—crossbreeding with human DNA—a long-extinct life form is reborn. Its kind has not walked the earth for thousands of years. Its instincts are fiercer, more savage, than any predator alive. And its prey are the scientists who unleashed it, the humans who spawned it, and the tender living flesh on which it feeds . . .
Praise for Michael McBride
“A fast-paced and frightening ride. Highly recommended for fans of creature horror and the thrillers of Michael Crichton.”—The Horror Review on PREDATORY INSTINCT
“McBride writes with the perfect mixture of suspense and horror that
keeps the reader on edge.” —Examiner
EXCERPT:
Anya screamed and ran to Richards. Grabbed him by the back of the jacket and pulled.
“You have to help me!”
The freezing air buffeted her in the face when she looked up and saw a man only vaguely resembling Armand Scott pounce to the ground from on top of Connor. Snowflakes blew sideways past him and stuck to the walkway between them. His cranial deformity was identical to that of the remains she’d unearthed in Russia, only the physical expression of the flesh was for more terrifying than she could ever have imagined. She’d envisioned its face as being similar to that of modern man, but there was nothing remotely human about Scott’s appearance. Everything about him was alien, from the grayish cast of his skin to the way he twitched and moved in lurches, as though unfamiliar with the mechanics of motion.
Fissures crackled as they raced through the Plexiglas.
The creature scuttled forward and cocked its head, first one way and then the other. Blood dribbled from its mouth when it issued a hiss that sounded like steam firing from a ruptured pipe.
Anya screamed and threw herself to her knees.
“Come on!”
She grabbed Richards underneath his arms and shouted with the effort of lifting him. He found his feet, but couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the creature.
“It’s magnificent,” he said.
“Hurry!” Friden shouted.
The stairwell echoed with the drumroll of footsteps hitting the iron steps.
Anya looked back and saw several silhouettes bounding down the staircase toward them. She jerked Richards so hard she nearly sent him sprawling once more, but he regained his balance and stumbled backward with her. She took advantage of his newfound momentum to drag him away from the creature, which lunged forward, cutting the distance between them in half.
A scream from behind her.
She whirled to find Kelly in the opening to the Skyway, her hands clapped over her mouth. When Anya looked back, the creature was within ten feet of them and tensed to make another advance.
More popping sounds from above her. The cracks spread through the walls in her peripheral vision. Chunks of Plexiglas fell to the ground between her and the creature, which released a series of clicking sounds and retreated into the blowing snow.
A loud snap and a cable sang past to her right. The entire bridge shuddered.
“Hurry, Anya!” Friden shouted.
“There’s another one behind us!” Jade screamed.
“Start barricading the stairwell,” Evans shouted.
“And then what?” Jade asked. “We’ll be trapped in here without light or heat or any way to signal for help.”
Anya pulled Richards toward them. If she could just cross the threshold at the end of the Skyway, they could seal the creature on the other side.
Another cable snapped and the floor dropped.
Anya hit the ground on her knees and barely scrambled out of the way before Richards landed on top of her.
The walkway sloped downward toward where the creature crouched. The domed Plexiglas shattered and dropped enormous shards between them. The storm raced through the gap, creating a moving wall of snow between them that nearly concealed the creature as it approached, low to the ground and coming up fast.
A resounding thud.
The Skyway slanted downward, so steeply that Anya started to slide. She grabbed Richards by the back of the jacket with one hand and reached for anything at all with the other.
“Hang on!” Evans shouted and dove for her. He caught her by the wrist and halted her slide.
Another cable snapped and whipped the frozen glass beside them hard enough to shatter the glass and impale her cheek with tiny fragments.
Evans groaned and pulled her up toward the doorway, the seal around which was already buckled and peeling away from the building.
“Give me a hand!” he shouted.
Friden tentatively crawled to Evans’s side, grabbed Richards, and pulled hard enough on the back of his coat to pry him from Anya’s grasp, lightening her burden enough that Evans could drag her up the slope and over the fractured edge.
She scurried past Evans, turned around, and helped the others pull Richards into the stairwell.
Bolts snapped and structural rings disengaged. Bits of Plexiglas cascaded down the bridge toward where the creature crawled toward them.
A chasm opened behind it. Connor’s body slid through, tumbled out over the nothingness, and vanished into the storm.
“Close the door!” Anya screamed.
The creature slapped at the floor with its bare hands as the bridge grew steeper, digging its fingernails into the tiles in an effort to gain traction.
Evans pried the door from the recess until the others were able to help him drag it across the entryway.
The creature shrieked and scrambled uphill, blood dribbling from the gunshot wounds on its chest.
Ten feet.
Five.
It was nearly upon them when the Skyway broke away from the building.
The creature’s eyes widened. Its nails tore from the cuticles. It screeched and flailed.
The last thing Anya saw before they sealed the door was the expression of sheer terror on its face as it plummeted into the blowing snow.
“Someone help me!” Roche shouted from the landing at the top of the staircase, where he struggled to jerk the door from its slot in the wall. “It’s right behind me!”
Anya rushed for the stairs and hit them behind Kelly and Jade, who were already halfway up. She barely had the strength to climb and had to use the railing to pull herself higher. She nearly lost her balance when her hand slipped in something wet, but she managed to stumble forward and made it to the landing, where the others already had the gap down to a mere foot. A dark shape streaked straight toward the opening from the foyer on the other side, the light reflecting from its inhuman eyes.
“It’s coming!” Anya screamed.
She threw herself against the face of the door and used her shoulder to help the others drive it closed with a resounding thud.
The creature struck it from the other side, hard enough to knock her backward, but she braced herself and leaned into it again.
Kelly screamed beside her as the creature hurled itself against the steel door, over and over.
Until, finally, it stopped.
Anya desperately listened for any indication of what it was doing on the other side but couldn’t hear anything over the combination of their heavy breathing and whimpering.
She pictured Arkaim, with its twin fortified rings, a veritable fortress that should have been able to withstand any siege, reduced to little more than scorched rubble in the middle of a field, and the strange remains she exhumed near its outskirts. She’d made a terrible mistake in assuming that the coneheaded species represented a terminal branch in the human evolutionary tree rather than an off shoot from modern man, one facilitated by something lacking in humanity, something subhuman, the outward physical manifestation of which looked an awful lot like the alien species referred to as Grays.
Only there was nothing fictional about this being.
The creature shrieked and threw itself against the door one final time. It released a torrent of guttural clicks, then retreated into the station. The sound of its footsteps diminished until she couldn’t hear anything from the other side at all.
Anya stepped back and looked at the door. Her hand had left a smear of blood on the steel. She glanced down at her palm, expecting to find a laceration, but the skin was intact.
She took Roche’s flashlight from him and traced the railing down to where she’d slipped. There was blood on the rail, and even more on the wall above it, leading up to a hole in the exposed ductwork. Her heart sank when she gave voice to what they were all thinking.
“We’re going to die in here.”


Author Bio:
Michael McBride was born in Colorado and still resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He hates the snow, but loves the Avalanche. He works with medical radiation, yet somehow managed to produce five children, none of whom, miraculously, have tails, third eyes, or other random mutations. He writes fiction that runs the gamut from thriller (Remains) to horror to science fiction (Vector Borne, Snowblind) . . . and loves every minute of it. He is a two-time winner of the DarkFuse Readers' Choice Award. You can visit him at author.michaelmcbride.net.

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Friday, October 27, 2017

#NewRelease - Haunting Magic by Neely Powell

About the Book

Title: Haunting Magic
Author: Neely Powell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Fiona Burns, a witch who sees dead people, meets Hollywood producer Bailey Powers, who sees her as the next cable star—and a fake. Even so, she’s tempted by the dynamic producer in more ways than one. But she has a big distraction—a vicious curse on her family coven.
The ghosts of New Mourne warn of the return of the Woman in White, a vengeful spirit who claims the life of a Connelly witch from every generation. During the battle, Fiona unwittingly fuels the demonic forces, and black magic brings death and heartbreak to her family.
Initially a skeptic, Bailey is soon caught up in her supernatural battle with forces of evil. He’s also beginning to think Fiona can help him escape his haunting past.
With magic and mayhem at war and survival on the line, the Witches of New Mourne face a new challenge from their ancient foe. They discover that not all dark deeds are borne of the Woman but a demon who is bent on gaining the Woman’s powers for his own. Will another generation fall? Or does the curse end here?

Author Bio

Neely Powell is the pseudonym for co-writers Leigh Neely and Jan Hamilton Powell. The best friends met when they both worked at a rock ‘n roll radio station in Chattanooga. It turned out their husbands were long-lost high school buddies, and Jan and Leigh were both writing romantic fiction in their spare time. A partnership was born.
They tried writing fiction together for several years, but life and other adventures got in the way. Their friendship endured as they went on to individual careers. Writing as Celeste Hamilton, Jan published 24 romance novels for Silhouette and Avon Books. Her books appeared on the B. Dalton, Waldenbooks Romance, and USA Today bestseller lists before she left fiction for a career in corporate communications.

Links

 

Giveaway

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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

#BookReview - Shadows and Teeth, Volume Two

Title:  Shadows and Teeth: Ten Terrifying Tales of Horror and Suspense - Volume Two
Authors:  Antonio Simon, Jr, Bryan Cassiday, Reed W. Huston, Chris Lynch, Barnaby King, Ken Pelham, Steven Samuel Stafford, Justin Cawthorne, Kelson Hargis, and Daniel Russell
Genre:  Anthology, Fiction, Horror
Release Date:  April 30, 2017

About the Book:
Volume two of this award-winning series emerges from the shadows with a fresh crop of extreme horror. This collection of ten stories features authors from all over the globe for an international perspective on fear. Take care as you reach into these dark places, for the things here bite, and you may withdraw a hand short of a few fingers.

Toll Road, by Antonio Simon, Jr.
—A professional kidnapper gets more than he bargained for when his latest abduction leads to terrifying supernatural encounters on the Florida Turnpike.

Boxed, by Bryan Cassiday
—A group of strangers trapped in an elevator run short of time and bullets as they attempt to discover who among them is infected with a deadly plague.

A Murder of Crows, by Reed W. Huston
—Daniel, Rebecca, and their cat Southpaw have just moved into a new home, and the local wildlife is not happy to receive them. It’s more than coincidental that a group of crows is called a murder…

We All Ate The White Flesh, by Chris Lynch
—In the depths of a harsh winter, a starving family unearths a massive turnip and unexpected horrors.

The Lonely Man, by Barnaby King
—Thomas’s investigation into an idyllic English village uncovers the tragic story of two young lovers, and the ghastly secret the villagers thought they’d left buried in the past.

The Queen Beneath The Earth, by Ken Pelham
—Charles Bonham knows better than anyone that grave-robbing is a lucrative business. While in Ireland to ply his trade, he learns that some secrets are better left buried.

Dear Sir, by Steven Samuel Stafford
—Two field medics on the Western Front race against time to fulfill a soldier’s dying wish and stop an unspeakable horror.

Colder Still, by Justin Cawthorne
—A relic from John’s past holds a portentous future for his son and the secret to a fatal gypsy curse.

Quarry Lake, by Kelson Hargis
—Ghosts have beset Whit ever since his kid brother drowned. Whit is determined to plumb the secrets of Quarry Lake, but at what cost?

God May Pity All Weak Hearts, by Daniel Russell
—Something dreadful lives within the walls of Dr. Crippen’s home. More dreadful still is what it has in common with him.

Buy Links: Amazon 
My Review:

Caution!  Do not read this on a full stomach!  Otherwise, you are very likely to lose it's contents (especially when you read "Toll Road").  And listening to these stories on Audible only enhances that queasy feeling.  And if you're thinking about food, I doubt you'll ever eat turnips again after reading "We All Ate The White Flesh".  Ugh!

With less than a week to go before it is Halloween, I got the urge to listen to this audio, which was provided to me by Antonio Simon, Jr. a few months ago.  Perfect time to listen to HORROR!  This is a collection of ten short, but terrifying, stories that will make you afraid to close your eyes at night. 

So turn off the lights, light a few candles, pour yourself a big glass of merlot, and enjoy!

I'm not normally a fan of anthologies, but these were quite entertaining!  This one is not for the kiddies since there is some rough language in some of the stories.  Besides... it will give them nightmares.  But for the grownups... great Halloween-time reading (or listening on Audible).

Disclosure:  A complimentary copy of the Audible version was provided by Antonio Simon, Jr. and Darkwater Syndicate in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating:

About the Authors:
Antonio Simon, Jr. is an award-winning author of several books. His debut fantasy/comedy adventure novel, "The Gullwing Odyssey" was an instant hit in 2013. He has won the prestigious Royal Palm Literary Award; the Pacific Book Award; Indie Book of the Day; and the Reader's Favorite Five-Star seal.

Antonio’s interests are as varied as his literary repertoire. He is a local historian and has written "Miami Is Missing", which delves into the hidden history of the Magic City, with all its glitz and scandal. His public appearances on Miami’s history never fail to enlighten and entertain. He is also an avid tabletop gamer and the author of "R.A.G.E.: Roleplay Adventure Gaming Engine", a fun, innovative, and original roleplaying game system.

He holds a law degree from Saint Thomas University School of Law and two undergraduate degrees (Political Science and History) from the University of Miami. He lives in Miami, Florida.


Bryan Cassiday has published twelve novels. His numerous short stories have appeared in anthologies, such as SHADOWS AND TEETH VOLUME TWO, which won the International Book Award for best horror fiction anthology 2017. It was also a finalist in the best anthology category. 

Other stories have appeared in HORROR SOCIETY STORIES VOLUME ONE and the French anthology TENEBRES 2015. 

He has been compared to writers as diverse as Robert Ludlum, Jorge Luis Borges, and Max Brooks. 

His ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE: THE CHAD HALVERSON SERIES includes ZOMBIE MAELSTROM (book 1), ZOMBIE NECROPOLIS (book 2), SANCTUARY IN STEEL (book 3), KILL RATIO (book 4), and POXLAND (book 5).  ALIEN ASSAULT, COMES A CHOPPER, HELTER SKELTER, and BLOOD MOON: THRILLERS AND TALES OF TERROR are his collections of apocalyptic horror short stories. He wrote the CIA spy thrillers THE ANACONDA COMPLEX, THE KILL OPTION, and FETE OF DEATH.  His crime thrillers include his Ethan Carr private detective novels COUNTDOWN TO DEATH, DYING TO BREATHE, and WIPEOUT.


Bryan Cassiday graduated from UCLA with a BA degree in English and did post-graduate studies at the USC Graduate School of Cinema--Film Production. He lives in Southern California near the beach.

Reed Huston is a mild mannered engineer who loves to read and write in his lounging time. His favorite authors include Stephen King, Michael Crichton and Clive Cussler. No genre of book is too otherworldly for him, though he does prefer horror and adventures. Reed has written many short stories, though only a few appear on this site. His preferences are thrillers and horror. Reed also hopes to someday finish writing that epic historical fantasy novel set in Egypt followed by that space opera that's been floating around in his head waiting to be put to paper.

Chris Lynch is a writer, technologist, and hypnotist from Cardiff, UK.  He has written novels, comics, graphic novels, and screenplays for independent publishers and producerfs both in the UK and the USA.

Barnaby King fell in love with literature at an early age. J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, laid a foundation for an appreciation of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. He attended Steyning Grammar School, found employment throughout the UK, and is now reading Psychology at the University of Surrey. All throughout he has had a passion for writing, creating short stories and working on potential novels. His favourite authors include the late Terry Pratchett and Iain M. Banks, as well as Richard Adams and Neil Gaiman, whose work, American Gods, first inspired an interest in Norse history and mythology. Since then Barnaby has become an amateur historian around the Viking age and is currently working on a young adult historical fiction piece set in that time period. His interest in horror has been moulded by the classic works of Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and in particular M.R. James. When it comes to horror movies he considers himself something of a snob and prefers the subtle building of dread to jump scares. Besides writing, Viking history, and psychology, Barnaby also has a love of animals, enjoys archery, and is a classically trained singer. His main dream, however, is to foster his talents as an author and continue to improve his skill in writing for future works.

Ken Pelham's debut novel, BRIGANDS KEY, a first-place winner of the Florida Writers Association's Royal Palm Literary Award, was published in 2012 by Gale Cengage-Five Star. The Kindle edition became available on July 18, 2013. His new novel, PLACE OF FEAR, won the first place Royal Palm in 2012. He's also published numerous short stories and non-fiction articles, and is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Florida Writers Association, and Maitland Writers Group.






Steven Samuel Stafford was born May 31, 1976 in Martin, Tennessee. His parents recount the tale of his mother, Brenda, going into labor with him as they watched the film, Arsenic and Old Lace. His earliest exposures to the horror genre were his grandmother’s retelling of the classic folklore ghost story, The Golden Arm (most famously done by Mark Twain), and an elementary school filmstrip based on Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Stafford began the outlines of several of his works in the mid-nineties while still in high school, but began his writing career in earnest after the advent of online digital publishing. He published his first work, Buoyant Mary, in January of 2013, and has published several others since then. He is an avid reader of H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe, whom he credits as his greatest inspiration.


Justin Cawthorne is an author of tales that explore new ways to draw terror from both the known and unknown.

In partnership with the "Tales To Terrify" podcast, Justin Cawthorne was a recipient of the 2016 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Story: Small Cast (Short Form), awarded for the adaptation of his short story "Graves". He has a short story, "Colder Still" appearing in the anthology Shadows & Teeth Volume 2, published by Darkwater Syndicate.

The novella, "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out", is his first work to be published on Amazon.


Kelson Hargis is an author, analyst, and professional technical writer for a Fortune 100© insurer. He has a B.S.|B.A. in Organizational Innovation which he’s found to be completely useless. He’s also an internet entrepreneur and partner at 1106 & Darkhouse Films where he’s still forbidden from touching any equipment. 

Their 2016 Cincinnati 48 Hour Film Project entry Abaddon was critically acclaimed by close friends, relatives, and anyone remotely familiar with the disturbing nature of Kelson’s horror fiction. He’s occasionally permitted to relieve himself, eat, or sleep when he meets scripting word counts, casting, sourcing, and project management objectives.

Kelson has published horror shorts such as Elijah’s Phone, Festival of Ghosts, and Acta Somnium under his brand Horror by Hargis. He is determined to prove his sanity to family and friends by publishing a compilation of modern realistic shorts called True Stories & Other Fantastic Tales, then despoil that with a supernatural, thriller novella, Karma, Pleasure & Pain both of which are almost done (really). Please don’t startle Kelson should you encounter him as he is considered clinically “unstable.”


Daniel I. Russell has been featured publications such as The Zombie Feed, Pseudopod and Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. Author of Samhane, Come Into Darkness, Critique, Mother's Boys, The Collector, Retard, Tricks, Mischief and Mayhem, and his latest novel, Entertaining Demons. Daniel lives in Western Australia with his partner and four children, and is currently completing a BA in psychology and counselling.


Tuesday, October 24, 2017

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway - Marked by Fate: A Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction Collection


Marked by Fate: A Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction Collection
Publication date: October 24th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Marked by Fate is now enhanced with Augmented Reality! Read, Watch, Listen. The new ultimate reading experience!
Step into adventure with Marked By Fate; the ultimate reading experience. Be immersed in twenty-six fantasy & science fiction worlds with state of the art Augmented Reality technology. Read, listen, and watch bonus content inside to bring the characters and story to life around you.
Enjoy the added features of this special edition, which allow you to enjoy bonus content right from your reading device. See character artwork. Listen to your story’s soundtrack. Watch book trailers and bonus videos. Experience behind the scenes like never before, thanks to Augmented Reality technology. Immersive Fantasy™; bringing fantasy worlds to life.
25 COMPLETE SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY NOVELS BY 26 BESTSELLING AUTHORS. PLUS, A SPECIAL BONUS NOVELLA.
Embark on fantastic journeys through magical realms, dystopian lands, and faraway galaxies in this exciting collection of fantasy & science fiction novels brought to you by some of today’s hottest authors. Encounter werewolves, robots, angels, time travelers, shifters, and more in this action-packed box set that will leave you breathless.
Authors:
Kristin D. Van Risseghem
Rhonda Sermon
Kelly St. Clare
Raye Wagner
Ednah Walters
Erin Hayes
Siobhan Davis
Jamie Thornton
Debra Kristi
Sarah K. L. Wilson
Hilary Thompson
Ingrid Seymour
Jeanne Bannon
Melle Amade
Lena Mae Hill
C.J. Anaya
Jackson Dean Chase
D. L. Armillei
Emily Martha Sorensen
Amalie Jahn
Dionne Lister
J.L. Weil
Alisha Klapheke
Angela Fristoe
Meg Cowley
Brandon Barr
99¢ for a limited time only!
Welcome to Marked By Fate:
An interactive Immersive Fantasy™reading experience!

The authors of Marked By Fate are thrilled to share this ground-breaking novel with you!
Think Harry Potter and Kindle in Motion. Moving, singing books,and all the excitement of a truly enriched reading experience.
We call it Immersive Fantasy™, because that’s what it does. It draws you into our stories and brings our worlds to life!
The titles in Marked By Fate use this revolutionary technology to bring you the best reading experience of your life.
How does Immersive Fantasy™ work?
Immersive Fantasy™ utilizes what’s known as Augmented Reality (AR). Using a smart phone/device, you can scan secret cues in the stories, and extra AR content will pop up on your device, streamed direct from the cloud (internet connection required).
See amazing, exclusive character artwork. Watch video content.Listen to the soundtrack whilst you read. Discover behind the scenes with the authors in bonus content.
Would you like to try it?
Then keep reading! You have already downloaded the Immersive Fantasy edition of Marked By Fate, and you just need to bring the magic to life.
The simple instructions overleaf will help you easily access this astonishing new world of fantasy that will delight your every sense.
Start your Immersive Fantasy™ adventure today!
Immersive Fantasy™ Instructions
Getting set up
These three steps are crucial to ensure you can access the AR content.
1.On your smart phone or tablet, download the Aurasma app from your app store.
2.Login to the app, and register your account.
3.Search for the user ‘MarkedByFate’, and click follow.
Accessing the Immersive Fantasy™ Augmented Reality content
Follow these steps carefully to access the AR content. Additional help can be found on the Aurasma help desk.
1.Read and enjoy the story, and watch for clues to the AR content. These will appear in the form of images with a symbol next to them, denoting the type of AR content. Content viewable includes images (camera icon), videos (movie clip icon), or music (music icon).
2.You will need one device/format to read on, and a smart device to access the AR content.
3.When you spot an Immersive Fantasy™ clue, open the Aurasma app on your smart device.(Navigate to the viewfinder screen if the app does not automatically do this.)
4.Centre your viewfinder on the trigger image. Make sure to include all of the trigger image in the screen. You can view the content vertically/in portrait or horizontally/in landscape.
5.The app will display the AR content in the form of an image overlay, video overlay,or music overlay, as denoted by the symbol next to the image.
6.Enjoy!You can zoom in and out and tilt your camera to fully explore each piece of content. Make sure you have your sound turned on so you can listen to the video and audio content! You will have to continue focusing on the content to keep listening to music/watching videos/viewing images.
7.It might take a little practice – don’t worry if you struggle on your first try.
Troubleshooting
What to try if it won’t work.
1.No AR content is popping up: have you registered an Aurasma account,and followed ‘MarkedByFate’? You must do this to access the content.
2.No AR content is popping up: have you made sure all of the trigger image is in your viewfinder?
3.No AR content is popping up on my kindle/e-ink device: please adjust your device screen brightness. If the screen is too bright or too dim, the image cannot be recognised by the app.
4.I can’t hear any sound: check the icon. Only video/music AR content has sound.
5.I can’t hear any sound, and it should be playing some: please ensure your volume is not muted,and turned up.
6.The content keeps disappearing: ensure you keep the viewfinder focused on the trigger image so that the AR content will remain overlaid on your screen.If you move too far away from the trigger image, the AR content will disappear.Activate it again by re-scanning the trigger image.
7.Can I access the eBook and the AR content on the same device? No. Aurasma uses your device camera, so you will have to read the book on a difference device to the device you are using Aurasma with.
8.It’s just not working – I’ve tried everything: Please refer to the Aurasma help files,and contact their help desk if you are still having issues. Whilst extensive testing has been performed to ensure maximum device compatibility, regrettably not all devices may be compatible. Best compatibility will be found on pixel based screens with good brightness levels.

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Monday, October 23, 2017

#BookBlitz & #Giveaway - Whine with Cheese by Brooke E. Wayne


Whine with Cheese
Brooke E. Wayne
(Vineyard Pleasures Series, #1)
Publication date: July 10th 2017
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance
Swirl a hot mess, a savvy vintner, and a meathead ex into a chaotic adventure and indulge in a taste of humor when a sensual journey of self-discovery collides with true love.
Twenty-five-year-old Max Novaline just had her heart ripped out by her meathead ex-boyfriend, Bart Moore. Determined to bounce back, she heads to Napa Valley’s Angel of the Vine Winery, maker of her favorite Moscato, to scout out tours for work and—let’s be honest—catch a glimpse of the owner’s drool-worthy son, Chase L’Angevin, as seen on YouTube.
Chase, who likes a pin-up girl with a sexy derrière, starts to pour on the charm the moment he meets Max. When their first date rolls into a long, romantic weekend, their chemistry ignites faster than a matchstick in hell.
But after their second date is interrupted by Chase’s work-related obligations, Max bides her time wine tasting awaiting his return, which is no biggie, until a drunk tourist catapults her into a whirlwind of chaos, that dumps her right back into the clutches of her manipulative ex.
Not only that, determined to reconcile with Max, Chase keeps sneaking around, insisting they had a hotter connection, only to come off looking like a stalker with only one thing on his mind—his own ax to grind.
Even more adventures arise when Max has to deal with what she wants and what she has. Not only does she need to do major damage control with the entire L’Angevin family thanks to Bart’s shady deeds, but she also has to convince Chase she’s worth a second chance despite her antics having practically snuffed out their flame.
WHINE WITH CHEESE (Vineyard Pleasures Series, #1) is about a young woman discovering her full potential while falling in love one sweet wine tasting at a time.
***This novel is a classy, passionate, sexy, funny, feel good CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE – ROMANTIC COMEDY full of twists and turns that will have you laughing out loud from start to finish. Grab a bottle of Moscato, kick up your feet, and enjoy the ride.***
(Heat Level: Sensual but Closed-Door)
Although a standalone as Vineyard Pleasures Book 1, Max’s bestie, Blanca Grazia, will have you belly-laughing with her own crazy romance in Love the Wine You’re With, (Vineyard Pleasures Series, Book 2), Coming November 1, 2017.
EXCERPT:
Max
She couldn’t tell if she was nervous or excited. The sensations felt the same. Her heart raced, her stomach tingled, and her unabashed thoughts ran wild.
I’m not a rebound kind of girl. I’m just not. Right?
Chase pulled up on a vintage Honda CB 750 motorcycle, kicking up gravel and brandishing a huge smile. Max tried to avoid staring at his sculptured chest defined by his tight, black t-shirt, as a tinge of guilt rose up in her unexpectedly.
I have every right to spend the day with this guy. I’m single now, and we’re just wine tasting.
But the instinctive habit of loyalty to Bart flared up in her like acid indigestion.
“Good morning, beautiful. Let’s get this day started. I’ve got bread baking in the oven. Hop on.”
Again with the beautiful? He actually thinks I’m beautiful.
“You bake?”
“I do.”
Oh, good lord.
Max’s giddiness curled the corners of his lips as he handed her a helmet and tilted the bike to the side. She slung her leg over and perched herself above him, looping her long purse strap across her back and fastening the helmet onto her head as a shock of exhilaration rose up in her at the thought that he was already between her thighs.
She had never experienced such hospitality before from a man—a gorgeous, bread-baking, sensitive, ponytail-wearing kind of man—and it rallied her nerves with feelings of unworthiness.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, nothing.”
It’s just wine tasting. Tasting … wine. That’s all.
She slipped her hands around his waist, reeling from the feel of his ripped abs against her palms. She even leaned in to breathe in the skin on the back of his neck. Her eyes rolled back in her head for a split second as she resisted the urge to plant a kiss on the exposed patch of skin behind his ear.


Author Bio:
BROOKE E. WAYNE is a Contemporary Romantic Comedy novelist who lives the RomCom dream in California. She is married to a South Philly, Eagles-obsessed Italian who she met online before it was cool. They have two young daughters who flood their happily-ever-after lives with girly giggles and immeasurable love.
When she is not dribbling sticky sweet/sensual romance with a lighthearted, witty twist all over the pages of a RomCom manuscript, she teaches English Language Arts.

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Saturday, October 21, 2017

#BookReview - Scavenger Girl by Jennifer Arntson

Title:  Scavenger Girl:  Season of Atchem
Author:  Jennifer Arntson
Genre:  Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Release Date:  October 20, 2017

About the Book:

Stripped of their birthright and shunned by the people of Ashlund, Una and her family are forced to live on the fringe of society as Scavengers. There is no question that her family's bond is strong, but the law of the Authority is stronger...and soon it will come to collect her. After all, the family is on borrowed time already. 

When a night of torment and truth reveals well kept secrets, Una takes new freedoms - free from the Authority, her family, and possibly her fate. Pulled between the life she's always known and a world where status and rituals are everything, Una struggles to understand a culture that has rejected all she holds dear. As Atchem comes to an end and she learns who she really is, will Una find the courage to do what it takes to ensure her family's survival, or will she find the faith to follow her heart?

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Nooooo!  I was soooo getting into this book!  And then it ended without a conclusion!  Yes, a lot of questions were answered... but not the big one!  And we have no idea how the situation is going to play out!  And now.... I have to wait for the next book to come out!

Jennifer Arntson had me hooked from the first chapter with a world of totally different societies, each with their own beliefs, customs and lifestyles.  The characters were well developed and very likeable, each tugging at your heart.  

Without giving away spoilers, there was a certain creep factor that involved brotherly love, but you soon discover that all is not what it seems.  

Una and her family are Scavengers.  Their place in society has been stripped to the lowest level possible, unable to work to obtain money or purchase items from the shops.  In order to survive they must keep to the shadows, heads bowed, and reclaim those items that Citizens no longer want.  Upon coming of age, the boys are hunted and the girls are sold to become slaves or surrogates.  When an opportunity presents itself, Una must choose between saving her family or being with the one she loves.

This book had a bit of everything.  Romance was sweet but there were a couple of scenes that may be a bit much for some Young Adult readers.  I thought they were well written, but as you know some readers may be put off by a bit.

Disclosure:  A complimentary ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Inspired by great authors that tend to blur the lines of mainstream genres, Jennifer Arntson weaves together elements of fantasy fiction, romance and speculative fiction with undertones mythology, dystopian culture, and the coming of age struggles of strong characters in unimaginable situations. As the curious observer of world cultures and social issues, Arntson creates a world everyone can relate to without conforming to "previously formulaic and sometimes predictable genres."

Arntson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children, who support her compulsion to write.



Thursday, October 19, 2017

#BookReview - A Bella Flora Christmas by Wendy Wax

Title:  A Bella Flora Christmas
Author:  Wendy Wax
Genre:  Women's Fiction
Release Date:  November 7, 2017

About the Book:

A TEN BEACH ROAD NOVELLA

The ladies of Ten Beach Road are home for the holidays in this brand-new novella.

Although their lives have changed since their first desperate renovation of Bella Flora, friends Madeline, Avery, and Nicole have always been there for each other. Now they're returning to Bella Flora for Christmas—where Maddie’s daughter Kyra isn’t feeling particularly celebratory. 

Kyra was hoping for a peaceful holiday at Bella Flora—a last gathering before a wealthy, mystery tenant moves into the home she’s been forced to rent out. Instead, she must make a life altering decision by New Year’s -- a decision that becomes even more difficult when unexpected guests arrive at Ten Beach Road on Christmas Eve. Now Kyra, Maddie, Avery and Nikki will need to pull together to secure Bella Flora’s future, as well as their own.

Buy Links: Amazon 
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER - RELEASE DATE IS NOVEMBER 7, 2017

My Review:

I have been a big fan of the Ten Beach Road series and I thoroughly enjoy the writing style of Wendy Wax.  This book, however, was a bit of a disappointment to me.  It was more of a re-hash of all the previous books, describing each character and previous plots.  The only thing "new" was Max... the new puppy (although I did chuckle at some of the names the ladies came up with). 

There was a bit of intrigue, trying to figure out who the mysterious renter was, but we never found out.  The book just ended.  Kyra made a decision and then... it ended.

On a positive note, the cover is lovely and the first couple of chapters described some nice Christmas traditions.  And Wendy Wax does a very good job of describing the scene, making you feel like you are right there.

Disclosure:  A complimentary ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:


USA Today bestselling author Wendy Wax is heralded for her contemporary women's fiction exploring friendship, loyalty, self-discovery and the seemingly insurmountable challenges life sometimes presents. Her latest novel, SUNSHINE BEACH, brings TEN BEACH ROAD's Maddie, Avery, and Nikki back to the beach where they first met as they struggle to regain control of their renovation-turned reality TV show, Do Over. 


Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Wendy grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. Appropriately enough, Wendy attended Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil. Not surprisingly, some of her favorite Florida beaches were destined to become settings for her bestselling fiction, including her "Ten Beach Road" novels, TEN BEACH ROAD, OCEAN BEACH, THE HOUSE ON MERMAID POINT, her e-novella, CHRISTMAS AT THE BEACH, and SUNSHINE BEACH. Her next Ten Beach Road novel, ONE GOOD THING, will be released in April 2017 and is available for pre-order. 

Wendy's writing has been highly praised. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says she "writes with breezy wit and keen insight into family relations." Her books have been featured in national publications such as USA Today, Ladies Home Journal and Woman's World, and at online book sites such as On a Clear Day I Can Read Forever, Luxury Reading, Book Reporter, Night Owl Reviews and Fresh Fiction. 

Wendy loves to hear from her readers! You can reach her at wendy@authorwendywax.com.


Wednesday, October 18, 2017

#BookReview - Clockwise: A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (Book #1) by Elle Strauss

Title:  Clockwise:  A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (The Clockwise Series, Book #1)
Author:  Elle Strauss
Genre:  Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Time Travel
Release Date:  October 16, 2011

About the Book:

A teenage time traveler accidentally takes her secret crush back in time. Awkward.

Casey Donovan has issues: hair, height and uncontrollable trips to the 19th century! And now this --she's accidentally taken Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Awkward.

Protocol pressures her to tell their 1860 hosts that he is her brother, and when Casey finds she has a handsome, wealthy (and unwanted) suitor, something changes in Nate. Are those romantic sparks or is it just "brotherly" protectiveness?

When they return to the present, things go back to the way they were before: Casey parked on the bottom of the rung of the social ladder and Nate perched high on the very top. Except this time her heart is broken. Plus, her best friend is mad, her parents are split up, and her younger brother gets escorted home by the police. The only thing that could make life worse is if, by some strange twist of fate, she took Nate back to the past again.

Which of course, she does.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

This was a cute, sweet, imaginative quick read that would probably appeal more to high school students. Not that I didn't enjoy the book! It was fun to read. Clockwise is Book #1 of a 6-book series.


It seems that Casey has been plagued with dizzy spells since she was around 9 years old. But these aren't normal dizzy spells. When this sensation overcomes her, she is transported back to 1861. Life is much different for a 16-year-old girl in 1861. For awhile, she pretended to be a young boy in order to get odd jobs. Then it became more difficult to conceal that she was a girl and she just had to go with it. Thankfully, she found a caring family to take her in... even though she kept popping out and back to modern times. Casey was not able to control when this "traveling" would take place.

Add in Nate, Casey's secret crush, and the accidental "travel" that happened when he was dancing with her, and things get very interesting. A bit of history at the outbreak of the Civil War, slavery, and then an accidental "travel" to 1961 with Samual, and things get even more interesting.

Elle Strauss created interesting characters and a cute, imaginative story. A bit too light for my taste, but I'm sure younger readers will love this.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Elle Strauss is the bestselling author of fun other-worldy YA: whimsical things like time-travel, fairies and merfolk (with a nice helping of romance!) She divides her time between Canada and Germany, and enjoys drinking coffee and eating chocolate in both places. 

She also writes mystery and spec/fic as Lee Strauss and sweet inspirational romance as Hope Franke Strauss.





 

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