Haunting Obsession Blog Tour - R.J. Sullivan

 Kindle

• File Size: 419 KB
• Print Length: 114 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Seventh Star Press (August 14, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.  

Print

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Seventh Star Press, LLC (August 11, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937929876
• ISBN-13: 978-1937929879

I am so exited to be apart of the RJ Sullivan Haunting Obsession Blog tour hosted by

 Synopsis:

“She wants to be loved by you…alone!”
Daryl Beasley collects all things Maxine Marie, whose famous curves and fast lifestyle made her a Hollywood icon for decades after her tragic death. Daryl’s girlfriend, Loretta Stevens, knew about his geeky lifestyle when they started dating, but she loves him, quirks and all.
Then one day Daryl chooses to buy a particularly tacky piece of memorabilia instead of Loretta’s birthday present. Daryl ends up in the doghouse, not only with Loretta, but with Maxine Marie herself. The legendary blonde returns from the dead to give Daryl a piece of her mind—and a haunting obsession he’ll never forget.

My Thoughts:

This is a Love Story and a Ghost story. Two kinds of stories I enjoy so bonus that it was both. RJ Sullivan is a master of dialogue. It is one thing I look for and enjoy in a book so I love when dialogue is wonderful. It flowed well it felt like I was listening in on a conversation. It was a short novella but the author took the time to development the characters in a way that there was understanding of them and their personalities. I think I liked the characters because they were so much more real then the average ghost story. Loretta stood up, took action, and did not back down. They were realistic (as much as you can be when up against a souped up overcharged sex icon's ghost) in that their responses made sense. It was told like you would tell someone about a particularly rough day. Rebecca Burton was an awesome character, I fell in love the instant she walked in the coffee shop. I can not wait for more books featuring her. It was haunting. Maxine for all her faults and for all that happened was such a sad creature really. I caught myself tearing up a little. Which screams to be great story. In a word the book is elegant. :)

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

 As usual Seventh Star does not disappoint with the art. More info can be found on the artist Bonnie Wasson on the Seventh Star Website.

Author Bio:

R. J. Sullivan and his family live in Heartland Crossing, Indiana, south of Indianapolis. He's published short fiction in Midnight Graffiti and Strange Weird and Wonderful ezines, and the Indiana Horror Anthology 2011 edited by James W. Kirk. His first novel, Haunting Blue, is published by Damnation Books. He's composed dozens of articles for local magazines and newspapers, and "ghost writes" enewsletter content for several corporate clients. He is a member of the Indiana Horror Writers.

R.J.'s novella Haunting Obsession was released August 2012 from Seventh Star Press, and he is also hard at work on Virtual Blue, the sequel to Haunting Blue. He drinks his morning coffee from a Little Mermaid mug and is man enough to admit it.

Connect with RJ Sullivan 
Website 
Like on Facebook 
Follow on Twitter 
Sign up for his Newsletter 
RJ's Blog 
Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon
Kindle 
Print 
Barnes & Noble
Print & Nook

Publisher 
SSP Store

Next Stop is I Read a Book Once

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of the tour but all the thoughts and opinions are all mine. 

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The Daughter of Ares Chronicles: The Complete Trilogy By Shannon McRoberts

 

• File Size: 979 KB
• Print Length: 320 pages
• Publisher: Obsidian Poet Press (July 3, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008HJO5X4

Synopses: 

Athine has long been told she was the chosen one. Only problem is she doesn't want to be chosen for anything; she wants her own adventures. She gets her chance when she learns that her new powers allow her to kill other immortals.

Follow Athine from the beginning as she learns about her heritage and being an immortal born. See how she interacts with some notable immortals such as Zeus, Hera, Odin, and Morrigan. Learn about the origins of the vampire and what happened to the dragons!

This is a special edition volume that includes: Daughter of Ares, Athine Verses: The Narkurru, and the NEW story Athine Verses: The Blood Sisters.

This version also includes an extensive "appendix" of characters, places, and things from the books that is a must have for all enthusiasts and not available in any other edition!

My Thoughts:

This was a great read. I really enjoyed it. This author is new to me and I do plan to read more. I love her cover art which she did herself. The version I read was the entire trilogy together. It was the perfect length and really flowed well. I had a bit of trouble at the start but it really picked up in Chapter one. She writes characters well. They really stand out and have personality and life of their own. I would recommend this to any fantasy lover. Look forward to reading more from this author. And again love her art.

Author Bio:

Shannon McRoberts was born in Kentucky a while ago. She is still reportedly living there, but prefers to not be seen or heard from because she has a day job that sucks most of her life away. She began writing novellas late in her life after fulfilling a college dream of publishing her poetry book. She has even won a few awards here and there, but that really doesn't matter to her much.

She enjoys creating fantasy art in Poser and Daz Studio to help spur on her writing about fantasy worlds. She is also an avid reader enjoying many books that feature strong female leads. It comes as no surprise that when she writes the characters are also strong female leads ;)

Her books are not long at all as she feels that something should be left up to the reader and no you don't really need to know on the fourth floor that the walls were blue in most situations!

If she has any spare time Shannon enjoys playing things like World of Warcraft, Elder Scroll games, Guild Wars, Rift, and Second Life. However, she often doesn't have any spare time between work, family, and her art/writing hobbies.

Website 

Facebook 

Blog 

Goodreads 

Twitter 

Zazzle  - I really love her art and you can get greeting cards from her zazzle store. Wicked Awesome.

Buy trilogy: Amazon 

Buy Book one: Amazon 

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I Listened, Momma By Darlene Franklin- Campbell

Synopsis: Chippie Pablo, is a third generation Mexican-American growing up in southern Appalachia during the late 1970s. Times are hard for Chippie’s family. They face prejudice and poverty while they struggle with internal battles, but it’s tragedy that threatens to rip her family, her world, apart.

Excerpt For my extra credit class I took Spanish. That night when Daddy was sitting at the table, having his coffee, I went into my room and took my schedule out of my tablet. I held it for a moment; imagining the day when I would speak Spanish as well as I spoke English, when I could speak the language my family hadn’t used in eighty years. I stepped back through the kitchen door and eased into a chair at the table. “What are you grinning about, Sis?” “Daddy,” I laid the paper on the table in front of me, even though I knew he couldn’t read it. “I’m going to learn how to speak Spanish.” “What’re you talking about?” “Mexican, Daddy. I’m going to speak Mexican just like Great-Grandpa did.” Daddy set his coffee down and gritted his teeth. “Sissy…” he shook his head. I didn’t understand what the problem was. I fumbled with my paper, drawing it closer to myself. “You don’t understand. We been treated like colored folks my whole life. I want better than that for you kids. That’s why we don’t speak Mexican. I don’t want you speaking Mexican just like Momma’s people didn’t want me speaking it when I was little. My Uncle Henry spanked me for saying words I heard from Grandpa until I learned the difference. I forgot them Mexican words. Forgot every one of them and here you are wanting to go dig them up again.”  My Thoughts: Man oh Man can this author write. I really felt like I was sitting at the table with Chippie, see what she saw. You can tell she was writing from the heart.  She draws you in and you can almost feel what this family is feeling. She paints a true and accurate picture of Appalachia and what life was like for people living in rural Kentucky. Even though I was born and raised in Kentucky it was an eye opener to see this part of my state.  This books tugs at your heart and keeps you thinking. Rich and Beautiful writing,  Rating 4.5 out of 5 Website  Facebook

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Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells Edited by Herika R Raymer

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Kerlak Enterprises, Inc. (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937035107
• ISBN-13: 978-1937035105

Synopsis:
Steampunk Machinery Versus Magic! The Victorian era brought us the wonderful world of steam powered gadgetry and industry. It also still held many of the old beliefs. The Challenge: to write intriguing steampunk tales with a twist - magic versus machine.

My Thoughts:
It is rare for me to find an anthology in which I enjoyed every story but this one was one of those. Herika R Raymer has done an amazing job in selecting the perfect stories to fit in this anthology. There were many stories I loved but they were all enjoyable reads. I think that it is awesome that there is a mix of stories, poems and art. Going into this anthology I did know a couple of the authors but was so excited to find several new to me authors that I fully intend to read anything by them I can get my hands on. Robert J. Krog being the one I am most excited about, his story "Discombobulation" was a great tale and I love the way this author tells a story. Jackie Gamber is a favorite from before this anthology and I quite enjoyed her story as well. Other stand outs for me include Kathryn Sullivan, J.L Mulvihill, Mandi M Lynch.  Kathryn Sullivan has quite a way with words, I can tell she really understands fantasy and can write it well. With Mandi M. Lynch's story "Wax Seal", I found myself wanting to read more about and more stories set in the world she has created.

The intorduction to the anthology really got me thinking and Herika R Raymer is right you really can not guess the amazing writers that can be found just around the corner, she talked about small press and self-published authors and encouraged the readers to look at book fairs, conventions and local events to discover new books and authors. And I will add to that check out anthologies there are truly gems to be found.

Well done to the editor and writers this is a awesome book.

I give it a 4.5 out of 5.


Where to buy:
Kerlak
Amazon
B & N

Available in Paperback and eBook formats.


Anthology contents:
The Stories:
Ironwork Falcon by Jackie Gamber - Magic and metal, sometimes at odds, can work great beauty
Discombobulation by Robert J. Krog- Even the most ambitious magician can overestimate his own abilities
Moved To Action by Angelia Sparrow - Labor problems are not always restricted to humankind
The Taste Of Treasure by Kathryn Sullivan - A precious item is often defined by the one who appreciates it most
Quest For The Dragon's Scale by M. R. Williamson - A race, a prize, and a lesson about both
A Bit Of A Bind by CRS Bailey - Who wears the corset does not define the person inside
The Leprechaun's Story by J. L. Mulvihill - A chance encounter on the river turns into an interesting take on luck
The Witch Of Midnight Hollow by Alexander S. Brown - The great detective faces a new supernatural challenge
When The Heart Lies Open To Steam And Star by Anne E. Barringer - A mix of magic and mechanics to serve a Queen, with a cup of tea to top it off
Wax Seal by Mandi M. Lynch - Oppressed magical healing may be the last, forbidden hope of a dying royal
Survival by S. P. Dorning - That you are enemies does not mean you cannot respect each other
The Black Dress by Nick Valentino - Innovation in fashion can be equal to just about any task
Words in Eden - Lewis Sanders - A prayer, or a confession?
Time by Windsong Levitch - Two ways of looking at time, from those who measure it and those who live it
Adventure: A Series of Steampunk Haiku by Michael Greenway - Ten haiku on a theme

Edited by : Herika R Raymer
Cover image by: Dan Gamber
Cover Design by: Allan Gilbreath

Published By : Kerlak Publishing

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Spirit of Fire By Stephen Zimmer Blog Tour

Stephen Zimmer has had so many cool stops along his blog tour and I am so excited to be a part of the tour. I thought long and hard about what I wanted my stop to be like. I thought I could do a regular review where I tell you I love the new book, Spirit of Fire, (cause I did), I could let you know how I rated it, (4.5 out of 5), I could say buy and read this series ( which you should) but I wanted to do something different.

I had the real honor and pleasure of spending last weekend hanging out with Stephen Zimmer at Fandom Fest, as well as tons of other cool book people. Thanks to Stephen I have discovered so many authors I may have otherwise never found. Especially small press authors and one of the books that I was lucky to get my hands on over the weekend was an anthology, Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells edited by Herika R. Raymer and in her introduction she talked about small press and self-published authors and encouraged the readers to look at book fairs, conventions and local events to discover new books and authors. Which was in fact how I “discovered” Stephen he is a local writer from the Kentucky town I was living in, so we should take her advice and discover what is all around.  But anyway this got me to thinking about how awesome Stephen’s books are and how I think they are a must read for fantasy lovers…. OK well everyone really.  So I asked Stephen Zimmer what he thought were musts for people. I asked him his top 5 books, movies, places and foods/beverages he thought everyone could discover in their lifetime. And if you know Stephen at all you will not be surprised that Monster Energy Drink topped the Food/Beverage List.

Books

1. Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)- Perhaps the most important fantasy literature ever written, the Lord of the Rings gave literary credibility to the fantasy genre, in addition to being the godfather of epic fantasy.  Middle Earth, in many ways, is a standard by which most all other fantasy and speculative fiction realms are measured. 
2. The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)-While a different style of fantasy than Lord of the Rings, there are few novels in any genre that can match the celebration of life that flows through these books.  The Last Battle, the final installment of this series, is in my opinion the most satisfying conclusion to a series ever.  You can’t end on a higher note than this one does. 
3. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)-A deep, thought-provoking novel that goes to the essence of what it means to be truly free and have self-determination.   Few books illustrate an entire philosophical outlook as comprehensively as this novel does.   We need a John Galt very badly today.
4. Song of Ice and Fire (George R.R. Martin)-An incredible series with such an amazing range of characters and layers to the story.  This series shows the power of epic fantasy and what it can deliver. 
5. The Bible (multiple authors)- Even if you are not of a religious persuasion, the Bible is an incredible collection of works involving a multitude of authors covering the history of a people and the birth of a religion that gripped the world.  It is filled with a host of interesting characters, history, imagery, and multiple styles of writing. 

Movies

1. Lord of the Rings-Peter Jackson pulled off a stunning adaptation of a series that few thought could be brought to the big screen in a satisfactory manner.  The right blend of physical effects and CGI, a superb cast, and so much more made these films magical for me to watch.
2. Star Wars-Star Wars mesmerized me as a child.  It is epic fantasy in space, on the big screen, and really inspired me to the potential of epic-scale stories and what movies could do.  The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi concluded what was a timeless trilogy.   
3. Kingdom of Heaven-Kingdom of Heaven is simply incredible in its balanced portrayal of events during the heart of the crusades.  There are good and bad individuals on all sides, and there is a subtle, mystical undercurrent to this film if you look for it carefully.  Just a brilliant movie that brings to life an age in history that is near and dear to me. 
4. Blade Runner- Dystopian science fiction has always appealed to me, but the depth of the story and characters in this film is rarely approached in the movie world.  Some very deep philosophy and concepts are explored in Blade Runner in a way that is anything but dry or dull.  The visuals are extraordinary in a tale that, to me, looks at what life ultimately means.
5. Spartacus-A grand epic in which Kirk Douglas pulls off a stirring portrayal of one of humanity’s greatest heroes of all time, Spartacus.  This film also explores what it means to be free, and that sometimes you may have to take a stand and fight against tyranny, even if the odds are overwhelming.  Truly, this  a film that looks at the potential of humans to reach heights of courage, honor, and nobility.

Places

1. Caribbean- Truly a magical region to visit, the islands almost seem timeless when you are visiting them.  The waters at St. Martin’s seem to be from another time and place, and the luxurious flora of Dominica echoes what I imagine the Garden of Eden to be like. 
2. Alaska-Rugged and gorgeous, Alaska beckons you to adventure and stimulates your imagination!  The abundant wildlife and spectacular vistas make for some inspirational moments.  The place resonates with self-determination and inner strength, from the land to the people that inhabit it. 
3. Wales-Probably the best-kept secret of the United Kingdom, Wales is incredible.  From the canals with the longboats to the gorgeous hill and mountainsides draped in rich green, Wales is another land of timeless grace.  Walking around the base of the walls of a castle like Caernarfon, or looking at the unique wooden spoon-sets in one of the shops, Wales has little adventures to undertake at every turn. 
4. Texas-Big skies that hint of infinity, and hardy landscapes that sing of endurance and vitality, Texas is a place that speaks strongly to my individualistic nature.  The people of Texas reflect these qualities, exhibiting both toughness and a generous spirit that restores my confidence in human potential. 
5. Britain-Such a richness of history, where a short walk in London can take you from a Roman-era wall, to a medieval fortress, to a soaring cathedral, Britain is a treasure trove for those with a passion for the things of the past.  Rustic scenes in the countryside, to towns surrounded by medieval walls, Britain spoke to my imagination at every turn.  It is easy to see how the likes of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien thrived with such an environment.   An abundance of good-hearted folk cannot be overlooked either, as no matter where I went I encountered warm receptions by the people I met.

Food/Beverage

1. Monster Energy Drinks-The magic elixir itself, I can’t say enough good things about Monster Energy.  Like I always say, “Epic Fantasy Requires Epic Energy” and Monster Energy is Epic in every way.  The company never rests on its laurels, but is always developing new types, from the several energy drink variations, to the coffee-energy line, to its rehydration options.  I have had about thirty types of Monster Energy and all of them were winners.  Simply an amazing, wondrous company.
2. Pizza-the most complete food in nature, if you put the right toppings on it, you can cover all of the food groups!  Pizza suits any occasion, and I never get tired of it.  The New York style is my favorite, but there isn’t a type that I have a problem with! 
3. Fried Rice-I love fried rice, and it makes up a part of so many of my favorite Chinese restaurant dishes, such as General Tso’s Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Beef and Broccoli, and Sweet and Sour Chicken.  Whether beef, pork, chicken, or plain, fried rice always hits the spot!
4. Hamburger-No, I’m not a steak person.  I confess that I simply love ground beef and especially hamburgers.   Like with pizza, you have all kinds of options on toppings, and there is nothing better in the summer than a nice grilled burger with fresh tomatoes, cheese, lettuce and a sesame seed bun! 
5. Beer-With lots of Irish and German heritage, beer is in my blood, from light to dark and everything in between.  I love trying new types of beers from around the world, lagers, pilsners, porters, stouts, all manner of variations.  A cold light beer on a hot day, or a German lager with a dinner, there are beers for every occasion!

• Paperback: 772 pages
• Publisher: Seventh Star Press, LLC (May 29, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193792985X
• ISBN-13: 978-1937929855

 Synopses: A maelstrom of war engulfs the lands resisting the designs of the Unifier to bring about a new order, of a kind that has never existed within Ave. Battered by a massive invasion force from Gallea, the tribal people of the Five Realms and their Midragardan allies are being driven eastward, towards the sea, while the Saxan lines are wearing down ever thinner on the Plains of Athelney. Time is running out quickly, as an ancient creature of legend soars through the skies with a brave young Saxan. They carry the desperate hopes of two realms sorely beset by a voracious enemy. Diabolic entities conduct a great hunt, as a malignant darkness deepens across all of Ave. The exiles from another world must gain refuge, or find themselves ensnared by the long reach of the Unifier. The very nature of creation itself stands in the balance. It is a time when the honor and fortitude of many are put to the test, and terrible prices are paid for resisting great evils. It is also a time of awakening for many, old and young alike, some of whom may yet discover the spirit of fire that lies within. The third installment in the Fires in Eden series, Spirit of Fire is richly imagined epic fantasy with a diverse ensemble of characters that offers a new world to explore for the readers who enjoy large-scale tales along the likes of George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Steven Erikson, and J.R.R. Tolkien.


One thing you will also see is Stephen's books as well as all Seventh Star Publications have kick ass art so I thought I would share a sampling of the art here. These can all be found in Spirit of Fire. Matthew Perry is the artist and he is fabulous.

Find Stephen Zimmer on Facebook
Fan Stephen Zimmer  on Facebook
Order from the Publisher Seventh Star Press (Books and the some artwork as well)
Order on Amazon

And you can see what a huge fan we are of Stephen's these are hanging up at our house. :)

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Crown of Vengeance Book 1 The Fires in Eden Series By Stephen Zimmer

Synopsis:

On what started like many other nights ends with a strange mist covering the lives and worlds of  Janus Roland, Erika Laesig, Mershad Shahab, and others in their quiet mid size town . When finally the mist is gone they find themselves in another world one beyond their imagination.

Not understanding or knowing why this has happen they venture out in this new world of Ave. You find these people spread amongst the tribes of the Five Realms confederation. War is looming over all of the land under the influence of The Unifier who is as mysterious as  Ave is to the people who find themselves there after the mist.

My Thoughts:
Stephen Zimmer is a master of words. He creates intricate people and places that are both wondrous and exciting. Beautiful imagery and amazing characters are found in this book. His detail is amazing he writes and you read and can picture the places in the story. He is making epic fantasy as a genre rock. I will say that is one and his others are hefty reads. This one was slower for me to get into then the other series but it was worth it to read through to the end. I found myself most drawn to Janus. A man who has known loss but also is so loved by family and friends. Epic Fantasy is a genre that many try at and few really master it. I was also impressed with his ability to write female characters which I feel sometimes are not quite done justice in fantasy. You can tell that Stephen Zimmer loves epic fantasy, loves his characters and the story he is telling and this truly does show through. Wonderful fantasy book. Would recommend to anyone.This book is not to be taken lightly but it is to be taken seriously. 

 I really did enjoy this book as I said it was a little bit of a slow read for me. I give it a 4.5 out of 5. This is Book one in The Fires in Eden Series. It is followed by Dream of Legends. 

Free eBook Tuesday June 5th and Wednesday June 6th. Limited Time only Grab it while you can. 

eBook

And you can always get the paperback from the publisher and amazon and many places where books are sold. 

Paperback 

Publisher 

Facebook Fan Page 

Stephen Zimmer Facebook 

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Angelkiller by H.David Blalock

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Seventh Star Press, LLC (November 28, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983740232
• ISBN-13: 978-0983740230

Synopsis:  
Why do bad things happen to good people? Simple. In the ancient war between the Angels of Light and Darkness, the Dark won. Now it is the job of an undercover force simply known as The Army to rectify that.

Using every tool available, The Army has worked to liberate our world from The Enemy for thousands of years, slowly and painfully lifting Mankind out of the dark. On the front of the great Conflict are the Angelkillers, veterans of the fight with centuries of experience.

Jonah Mason is an Angelkiller, and his cell is targeted as part of a plot to unseat a very powerful Minion of The Enemy. Mason and his troop are drawn into a battle that stretches from real-time to virtual reality and back. The Conflict is about to expand into cyberspace, and if Mason is unable to stop it, The Enemy will have gained dominion over yet another realm.

My Thoughts:
This was a great good vs. evil story. This was a short read but by no means a light one. It was pretty intense. It was very plot driven and I am looking forward to more in the series for more character development. I am stickler for in depth characters which sometimes I found myself wondering more about some characters and I am betting that was a way for them to be aloof and mysterious. Which is what they felt like to me and which drew me in wanting to know more. I loved that this was a futuristic story, a Fantasy and a what if story all rolled into one. There are tons of good vs evil books but in Blalock's created world evil won but good did not just lay down and take it. I was surprised when I got to the parts that were battles fought in a Warcraft like setting. I have to say I love that it was a classic good vs. evil story but totally told in a new nontraditional way. I can not wait for the next book. I recommend this book to fantasy lovers, gamers and action lovers. I am very impressed by Blalock's writing, style and mastery of storytelling. This is an author to add to the must read list.

Rating 4.5 out of 5. This is a solid, well written book.


eBook on Amazon
Paperback on Amazon

Goodreads
Authors webpage: http://www.thrankeep.com/
Publisher: Seventh Star Press
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Overkill by Steven L. Shrewsbury Blog Tour

I am so excited about being a part of the Overkill blog tour. I have read Thrall which was an excellent read and was more then excited about being able to read and review Overkill.

Synopsis:

Deliverance will come…

A great flood once wiped clean the earth, destroying everything upon it. Before the deluge, in a time now forgotten, the world was a place of warriors and witches, conflicts between kingdoms, and, until their
extermination, dragons.

In this world, men may live centuries, fallen angels have begotten terrifying spawn, and sometimes, the best hope can be found in a brothel.

In the land of Transalpina, a new religion spreads, and important men are dying mysteriously, slain by what can only be the fire of dragon breath. Summoned by the Queen Garnet, the legendary warrior Gorias La Gaul returns to the place where he once saved the queen's young granddaughter from treachery and enslavement. The Princess Nykia is gone, and soon others may try to claim the throne. The queen has little choice but to turn to the only man who ever told her no.

With the aid of one of the queen's elite guard, the battle maiden Alena, and the young palace servant Orsen, the old mercenary will face pirates and traitors, monsters and foul magic in the quest to find the missing heir and learn the truth behind the disconcerting murders.

Deliverance will come for Gorias La Gaul, but for now there are women to love, secrets to discover, and killing that needs doing.

Find on Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

First I would like to say that this is another great cover by Matthew Perry. He does amazing art for many of the Seventh Star Press Books. 


I want to start by saying. That is is another story with Gorias La Gaul as was Thrall but this actually takes place before Thrall. 


I love Fantasy stories and I often find that sometimes they fall short of my expectations of what a fantasy story should be. Crazy as it sounds I like my fantasy to be realistic. I know, I know how is that but what I mean by that is that the story makes sense and the author does not have to juggle the story line for it to make sense and Shrewsbury has managed to do this well. He has written action, suspense, humor, adventure and connections and they flow flawlessly from one part to the next. 


This is book is what I look for in Fantasy. Magic, Dragons, action, and very very great characters. Characters that are interesting and impressive. The twists and turns kept me reading and characters keep it impressed. Nothing beats well developed characters, that I become invested in. I love that Gorias is a wicked cool warrior but there is so much more to his character then muscles and brawn.


All in all really enjoyed this book and would recommend it for an adult crowd. There is quite a bit of bloodshed which is to be expected from a book about a warrior. And some language and adult themes. 


I really enjoy the author's writing style and look forward to reading more books of his in the future.


When I first read Thrall I had the thought if ever I was going to have to go into battle (heaven forbid I would be in trouble) I would totally want Gorias to have my back. For a 700+ year old guy he kicks some serious butt. 


Overall I give this a 4 out of 5. I liked it quite a bit. This is a great writer. Yea for wicked good fantasy!!!!!


More about the Author and his other works can be found at Seventh Star Press. Also at this site you can order the book. They offer a limited edition hardcover copy as well as paperback. And also have many extras like posters, buttons and art cards. (which I like immensely) 


You can also purchase this from Amazon in paperback or ebook versions. 
Paperback Copy 
eBook 
  
And as of the day I am posting this May 8 the eBook will be free on Amazon so go snatch it up while you can. It will only be free on May 8th and May 9th so get it quick.  

Next Stop on the tour tomorrow is I Smell Sheep


Full List of Participating blogs can be seen here. http://www.seventhstarpress.com/documents/press_releases.html

This book was received from the publisher for the purpose of review for this blog tour.

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Opal Moon ~ Review by Tori Peterson

I am fascinated with anything historical in time. Whether it is from the U.S. or another country, I just crave to learn more about the historical way of life, customs, etc. That is one of the reasons I was drawn to this book aside from the mysterious woman on the cover. It promised a great love story, suspense, and the chance to learn of historical customs in China.

• 
  
• 
  
• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co (November 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434912183
• ISBN-13: 978-1434912183

From the back of the book::

The land of China is under the rule of Emperor K'ang-his. As an upright and efficient leader, he favors his fourth son, Yin-chen, a young man of upstanding character, over his corrupt heir apparent, Yin-jeng, who brings nothing but trouble to the family. The latest is an attempt by Yin-jeng on the life of Opal Moon, a teenage orphan girl whom Yin-chen rescues with the aid of his chamberlain.

Captivated by Opal Moon's beauty, he takes her under his care and presents her as a boy to ensure her safety as his ward. But the pretense cannot suppress their feelings and they eventually give in to their hearts' desires, setting off a course of events they could not have foreseen.

My Thoughts::
This book didn’t turn out to be what I thought it would be. There are a lot of events that disturbed me in this novel, and if you surprise easily I wouldn’t recommend it. One of the most disturbing to me was Prince Yin-jeng’s sexual encounters with young boys. I couldn’t hardly stomach the details in which the events were explained, even though that is how things were done in imperial court back then. All in all I felt it was a very sad novel, and I was very upset by the ending. I felt the book focused on more carnage than anything. Without spoiling the novel I will just say that there was no way I could have at all predicted how things would turn out for our characters so the unpredictability of the novel was what kept me reading. The one thing I did like about this novel is Opal Moon’s will to overcome all obstacles thrown her way. Having been abandoned by her mother at a young age and raised by foster parents serving as their maidservant, she had to learn at a young age to be independent and diligent. This shows through her character and it was easy to admire her at times despite her young age. Even though she succumbed to her passions with Prince Yin-chen eventually, and despite her ardent Christian beliefs she continued to try to do the right thing. The problem arose when there became too many obstacles for her to try and overcome all alone and instead of seeking wiser help she tried to take things into her own hands.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for anyone under the age of eighteen due to sexually graphic/disturbing content. Despite the fact that this novel wasn’t quite what I expected it was very well researched, and very well written. I was hooked in by Opal Moon, and I couldn’t wait to see how things would turn out for her in the end.

All in all I would rate this book: 4/5 stars


This book is available in Print, Kindle, Nook, and PDF formats.




Review written by: Tori Peterson
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review purposes. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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From the authors website 

"Conquering Your Goliaths"

A Parable of the Five Stones

David gathered 5 smooth stones to meet and defeat Goliath. What did these stones represent and how can you use them to conquer Goliaths in your own personal quests? Ms. Virginia Bean will show you how.

Travel with her on her own personal journey. See what she does. Learn how she grows. Discover what she becomes.

“Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones” is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain and fear. Learn of the great power within you, a power given to you from God, a power that must ultimately be unleashed to conquer the Goliaths in your own life. Come to an even deeper understanding of God and what he wants for you. Come…

About this author

When I was young I thought I had to sound like a great writer to be one. It was all so overwhelming; now I know I only need to sound like myself. My ideas come from two primary sources. My work might spark from the enlightening words of a friend, teacher or writing prompt. At other times, I am sitting in a very still space and the words I should write come to me like a powerful and glowing wind.

My favorite tool is the pen. Though computer keys get the words down quicker and easier, I like to put pen to paper, smell the ink, see the words as they are developed and renewed by new phrases or thoughts.

I enjoy traveling to wherever the character takes me. This often means even I am surprised and warmed at the outcome. In the end, when my writing is done, I like to watch the eyes of the reader whenever I can. Their reflective expression gives me the greatest glimpse into what my writing has become.


Before I was one, I loved to read books-or at least, pretend to. I couldn't walk yet but I would crawl to the bottom shelf for what I wanted. My Grandma says my books were placed near the floor for that very reason, and my mother speaks of me pulling my favorite book from the shelf and crawling back to the couch with the book safely in tow.

I would sit on the couch and pretend to read, speaking the language of some foreign diplomat-or perhaps, the tongue of angels, my mother wasn't quite sure which, and when I was done, I would crawl back to the shelf for another story.

When I am not writing I'm reading. I am an avid reader of the scriptures and books of spiritual merit. I have been married 30 years and enjoy teaching and working with youth and children-including my own three girls,three grand-daughters and grandson.

A published writer since 1987, I have published various newspaper and magazine articles for teens and adults.

My Thoughts:

A parable is a brief and to the point story, in prose or verse, which illustrates one or more instructive principles, or lessons. In Conquering your Goliaths the reader is introduced to an analogy to David and Goliath in that Goliath had 5 stones instead of one. This parable is a realistically told story that seems  probable and takes place in a familiar setting of life, meaning the life of Ms. Virginia Bean. She recently lost her job and finds herself going to an interview for a new one. There she finds herself in the presence of God and with His help, learns things that she thought did not pertain to her. She is given 5 different stones. They represent listening, trust,optimism, tenacity and constancy. She learns that these are the 5 things we need to remember to guide us through our lives. Ms.Bean relalizes that things are not always as they appear, the future is not always clear, stay optimistic, no two people have the same journey in life and to be constant as to what matters most. Valuable lessons to be learned for sure. I found this short book to be very enlightening and a pleasure to read. 
You can read more about Kathryn and her books at her website

I received an ecopy of this book from the author and was not monetarily compensated for my review.

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Sela By Jackie Gamber

Synopsis:  Sela picks up a few years after the events of Redheart. Vorham Riddess, Venur of Esra Province, covets the crystal ore buried deep in Leland's mountains, and his latest device to obtain it is by marriage to a Leland maiden.

Among Dragonkind, old threats haunt Mount Gore, and shadows loom in the thoughts of the Red who restored life to land and love. A dragon hunter, scarred from countless battles, discovers he can yet suffer more wounds.

In the midst of it all, Sela Redheart is lost, driven from her home with only her old uncle to watch over her. As the dragon-born child of Kallon, the leader of Leland's Dragon Council, she is trapped in human form with no understanding of how she transformed, or how to turn back.

In a world where magic is born of feeling, where the love between a girl and a dragon was once transformative, what power dwells in the heart of young Sela?

My Thoughts:  Sela was a very fast moving and enjoyable fantasy. It is the second book in the Leland Dragon series that began with Redheart. I think that it has moved to one of my top ten favorite books of all time. I love fantasy and I love engaging, intelligent, strong women in fantasy and just like in Redheart, Sela did not disappoint.

Something that struck me in Jackie Gamber's first book and holds true in the second her writing style makes the fantasy fun and engaging. Many times fantasy is all about the set up with her it is the pay off. She makes characters that are easy to see, feel and like. Jackie Gamber has the uncanny ability to make twists and turns in a story that keeps you turning page after page. She is a true storyteller. Some people just write books and some tell tales and she is the latter. I really believe she loves her characters and feels excited to be the one telling their stories.

Another element I love was that never in a book has a first kiss moved me so much. Sweet moving romantic. Perfection. Sela a sweet young girl so confused and lost but able to find hope and love.

This book had action, adventure, dragon hunts, love and real relationships. The interaction between Sela and her parents was so true of a rebellious teenager and parents that are just trying to figure it all out.

I enjoyed seeing many of the Characters introduced in Redheart continue in this book and the new characters just added to the story.  Bannon and Leesa are amongst a couple of my new favorites and I love how she continued Jastin's story. Jastin may be a dragon slayer but he is one I feel such sympathy for.

Be sure to read Redheart the first in the Leland dragons series. While Sela is truly it's own story Redheart is the story of where Sela comes from. And it also is a great fantasy story. I am stickler for reading books in order and was glad that I had read Redheart first.

Sela will be released in softcover and eBook versions during the first week of April, following the launch party at MidSouthCon in Memphis, TN during the March 24-26 weekend.  Continuing the Seventh Star Press tradition of releasing collectible, limited edition hardcovers, Sela is now available for pre-order in a beautiful hardcover edition that is strictly limited to 75 copies.

The limited hardcover edition is signed and numbered by Jackie Gamber, and includes a bonus illustration from Matthew Perry not included in other editions.  It will be accompanied by an assortment of collectibles, including a set of glossy art cards, bookmarks, and magnets.  The limited edition hardcovers will also be bundled with the eBook version, with buyers able to choose an ePub, Kindle, or Nook version.  Those interested in securing one of the 75 limited hardcovers can place a pre-order at: Pre-Order

The Soft Cover editions can be pre-ordered as well and that will also be signed.

I have enjoyed several books by this publisher and with each order you always get very cools extras, like art cards, bookmarks and magnets.

More Information can be found at the publishers website. Seventh Star Press
Jackie Gamber can be found on Facebook and at her website. Jackie Gamber or Twitter. Jackie is a delightful to talk to and does this amazing thing called book tasting.

As I said it this book as moved into my top ten. I loved it. I give this one a 5 out of 5. I look forward to more adventures in Leland.

I was truly fortunate to be able to receive an early copy of this. I received a copy from the publisher and was in no way compensated for my review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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