Monday, March 19, 2018

Read an excerpt from Fred & Mary by Kipjo K. Ewers

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel may interest my readers. Please note affiliate links may be present. Should you make a purchase through one of these, I may earn a small commission to help support my websites at no additional cost to you.)




Fred & Mary


Fred can’t sleep.

Ever since his wife, Mary, was killed in front of him, Fred has been unable to rest. After trying every conventional way to cope with the loss of his wife and best friend for almost a year, Fred decides to try something new.

He purchases a life size doll to share his bed.

During the night, it provides Fred some comfort and eases the painful loneliness finally allowing him to sleep.

When he awakes, he begins to notice some strange and familiar events taking place within his apartment that leave him terrifyingly unsettled.

From the heart of Kipjo K. Ewers, Author of The First series and Eye of Ra, is a story for all who wish they had one more chance to say goodbye.

Find out if Mary has come back and found a way to communicate with her Fred.

Or, is it something else?


http://amzn.to/2u2b2Ny


Read an excerpt:

Fully clothed and awake, Fred began to pace his bedroom wondering what to do next. It was a toss-up between going outside, calling the police or a priest.

He wasn’t afraid, but he wasn’t brave either, and the one thing he knew was whatever it was outside was not human, even if it used to be one. There was no way of knowing its intentions toward him.

“Think man, think!” He thought to himself. “Barney …call Barney!”

Before he could take a step to his phone, his ears picked up a sound that would cripple his heart.

Sia’s “Fire Meet Gasoline” softly poured from the surround system and filled the apartment. It made Fred clutch his chest, it was the last song that they danced. Without thinking, he turned on his heel and ran out of the room as his mind took him back to that day.

˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

He was returning from an over four-hour business trip in Los Angeles and had endured the hell that was L.A. traffic and sweltering weather that soaked his clothes until they clung to his body like a miserably wet second skin. He came through the door searching for the relief of an ice-cold shower. The sound of music blaring through the door put him in an even fouler mood as he had to tolerate the constant droning of car horns for about an hour.

Fumbling with his keys, Fred managed to get the door open. Trudging through he prepared to use a voice several octaves over the music to politely ask her to turn it down.

He never found his voice.

It was silenced by the sight of her gliding barefooted across the room in his t-shirt that looked like it was swallowing her. The sunlight just amplified her beauty. Suddenly his clothes didn’t feel that sticky, his headache faded away. Kicking off his shoes he found his rhythm, the little that he had, and made his way over to her. She never broke character as he grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him. Instead, she raised her arms and grasped the back of his neck. With eyes still closed she fell into him matching his rhythm. Finally, she spun around on the tips of her toes wrapping her arms properly around his neck. She nuzzled his nose and pecked his lips into a deep kiss.

“Welcome home.” She serenaded into his ear.


˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜


A broken-hearted Fred blinded with tears and drowned by memories of better times managed to find his way to the living room.

She stood waiting for him, with her hands clasped behind her. Wearing the same t-shirt and shorts she had on that day. Muffling his cries, Fred had enough strength for one more step.

He watched as she decided to close the gap. She kept her head down while her long brown curly locks covered her face. Her steps were slow, awkward, and creepy.

“I want to say your name,” Fred got out. “I want to say it so badly …but I’m afraid …I’m so scared …it’s not you.”

She stood before him and extended her finger writing softly on his chest. With each stroke of her finger, he wailed in agony.

She wrote, “Welcome home.”



http://amzn.to/2FNso6c




About Kipjo Ewers

Kipjo K. Ewers was born July 1, 1975. At an early age, he had an active imagination. By the time he started kindergarten he would create fictional stories, one of his favorites was about a character named “Old Man Norris” who hated everyone in the world except for him. When Kipjo attended our Lady of Victory Elementary school in Mount Vernon, NY he continued writing and reading stories to his classmates. His teacher, Mrs. Green, told him the children would laugh. However, she would remind Kipjo that this is how some of the great stories they read actually came about so don't let what others think deter him from continuing to write.

Social Media Links:
1) https://www.facebook.com/EVOUniverse/
2) https://twitter.com/JoEwers
3) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-jnCizZoga7AXD1owYMCxw
4)https://www.tumblr.com/blog/evocomics

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Review of Can't Stop the Music by C.D. Hersh with Giveaway


Welcome to the review tour for Can't Stop the Music by C.D. Hersh. It's the second book in a series that revolves around the idea of a soul mate tree, published by Soul Mate Publishing. Here you'll have the chance to read an excerpt as well as my thoughts about this unique story. Then you can leave a comment for the authors here and along the book tour as well as enter the giveaway for a $10 gift card. Please note that you will find affiliate links within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to support my websites. Also note that while I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of reviewing, this did not alter my thoughts and I am sharing my honest opinions. Thanks for checking it out!



Can't Stop the Music


Jammed highways, food shortages, and rainstorms can’t stop the music when hippies Rose and Dakota hear the melody of love at the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. Or can it? When a jealous wannabe girlfriend and misunderstandings drive them apart, the couple loses track of one another in the massive crowd. Will they find each other again, or live lives of missed opportunities?




Read an excerpt: 
“I shouldn’t have let you talk me into burning my bra last night.” Rose glanced at Willow, envying her pert A-cups. You couldn’t tell Willow’s girls were unchained. “Even that thin layer would have kept the sweat off. Bra burning might be the rage right now, and that’s fine for someone built like you. For C-cups or bigger, loose boobs are a drag. Pun intended.”

Willow laughed. “You’ll get used to it. Once you do, you’ll see the advantage.”

So far the only thing her hippie friend introduced her to that she’d embraced was the shortened flower name Willow had given her.

“Rosemary’s the name of your grandmother, not a flower child. I’m renaming you Rose,” Willow had said.

Jake and Starr, the other two in their group, came around the side of the Woodie. Jake’s tangled curls looked as if he’d just rolled out of bed. Grass stuck out of Starr’s hair in a green corona. She doubted they’d been doing anything that merited halos.

Frowning, she slid off the hood, motioned Starr over, and began picking grass from her braids. “I hope you two weren’t cavorting in poison ivy. I don’t think we packed any anti-itch lotion.”

“You should cavort sometime, Rose.” Starr gave her a friendly shove. “You need to loosen up, girl. Partake of free love.”

She couldn’t get used to free love either. “No thanks.”

Buy links


**My thoughts**

I was born a decade too late for Woodstock, but that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate the music. I fondly snuck my dad's Woodstock records and finally dubbed them onto a cassette tape so that I could listen to the magic whenever I wanted to, without risking getting in trouble for accidentally ruining his beloved records. Stories of the magic that ensued over those three days have contributed to all kinds of fantasies about what it would have been like to have been there and found love. There's also that romantic notion of finding your soul mate and love lasting forever. This book seeks to combine those two fantastical ideas.

I will say that reading the portion of the book taking place in Woodstock, it did feel like more of a story based on research as opposed to having actually been there. But I loved the descriptions of the music and the vibes. I am very much like Rose and easily get swept up in the magic of music. She was at the concert to enjoy the music, putting more stock in that than all of the free love and carefree sex. I would have been the same way. I need my music like I need oxygen. And that lineup would have been a helluva breath of fresh air.

Rose hangs around the perimeter of the concert, suffering from severe claustrophobia. As she does so, she gets to experience some of that magical music and also learns about the pros and cons of some of those free love choices. She also comes across a magical tree that sings a song of faith and love in the form of a soul mate. It makes her a promise and then she meets Dakota. 

Unbeknownst to her, he sees the same tree and hears the same promise, but fate separates the two of them for an extended period of time. The story becomes one of fate and second chances. Both of them have moved on in that decade and have to reconcile their pasts and presents in order to pave the way for their future. They also have to have faith in that serendipitous reunion and idea of soul mates. It's not an easy road that they must travel to find their way to each other.

It's an interesting concept for a story that you aren't going to necessarily run across again any time soon. There's a definite sense of fantasy. It's not a book that is going to make your heart pound and cause the windows to steam up as you read. It also makes some interesting commentary on the history of music and the problems with trying to rewrite history to fit your own needs, instead of taking it for what it is and learning from it. I was able to read it in just a couple of hours.


About C.D. Hersh


Two hearts creating everlasting love stories.

Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after.

The books of their paranormal romance series entitled The Turning Stone Chronicles are available on Amazon. They also have a short Christmas story, Kissing Santa, in a Christmas anthology titled Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection, with seven other authors.

They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life.

LINKS FOR C.D. HERSH:

Soul Mate Publishing Author Blogsite: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/CDHersh




C.D. Hersh will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Conflux: Threat From the Troika by William Brazzel

Action, Military Thriller, Thriller
Date Published:  January 2018
Publisher: Balboa Press

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A new threat to the United States has emerged within its own borders. Deutsche Christen, a powerful paramilitary organization, led by a ruthless ex-Special Forces Officer, Carl Dietrich, is threatening to overthrow the U.S. government and assume absolute power over the country.

Bolstered by the overwhelming support provided by two foreign governments, Dietrich believes his forces to be invincible, and his future rise to power inevitable.

Hoping to garner additional members for his organization, he demands an interview with Sean Carrol, an ex-Special Forces officer and an investigative reporter for the New York International News. Dietrich orders that their meeting be held at one of the Deutsche Christen paramilitary camps. To assure Seans cooperation, he kidnaps his niece and nephew.

Understanding Dietrichs rationale for the meeting and further realizing that his niece and nephew arent going to be released, Sean develops a plan to rescue the children. Desperate, he along with Colonel Gannon, his ex-commander, reorganize his old Special Forces team and create a rescue mission.

While tensions rise worldwide and threats of war loom, panic takes center stage, as the prospect for cataclysmic destruction promises to annihilate civilization as we know it.



Praise for Conflux: Threat from the Troika:

"Written in the style of Patricia Cromwell, the author has you in the middle of the story from the first few pages. Bound to be a favorite on the beach this summer with it's fast page turning tempo." - John Lunde (Reader)


"...Conflux explores how panic and hatred, power and violence can cause chaos and pain, with real emotional stakes and a spark of hope for a better tomorrow. Brazzel’s skill and style makes for an enjoyable read for a wide audience of readers who enjoy living vicariously through fictional characters exhibiting strength, valor and the commitment to children’s safety." - Pacific Book Review


Purchase Links
Amazon * B&N * Kobo *  iTunes * indieBound * Google Books * Books a Million
(Affiliate links are included. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission to help support my websites at no additional cost to you.)


About the Author


William Brazzel has been a property and casualty insurance agent for over thirty years. Dreaming of writing a novel has been a long term goal in his life. Finally, after many years of raising a family and nurturing his career, he has written his second novel "Conflux Threat from the Troika." Unique and exciting, this novel projects a contemporary view of current day world threats that haunt and endanger all of us. With the creation of fictional characters and original scenes, he has fashioned a truly engaging and enjoyable but thought provoking storyline. Currently, he is busy working on his next project and hopes to complete it within the next year and a half.


Contact Links






RABT Book Tours & PR

Monday, March 5, 2018

Review of Back to You by P. Creeden



Back to You

With first love, everyone makes mistakes… but a few get a second chance.

Rachel Sawyer gave up her first love to chase after her career in New York. Since moving to the city, finding success has been easy, but finding love? Not so much. But she doesn’t have time for what-could-have been, until her Grandmother calls, and she decides to make a quick trip back home to her small town in Ohio.

Brandon was dumped by the love of his life, on Valentine’s Day. When Rachel broke up with him, the plans he had for his future fell to pieces. Nothing has ever been right since. A failed marriage, a business in shambles, his family mad at him… he can’t seem to get back the success he once had. Then she waltzes into his life once more.

Is it a second chance, or will she set him up for heartbreak again?


Buy links:

(I am an Amazon affiliate, which means if you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence my review in any way and also helps to support my websites.)



**My thoughts**
I love fast and sweet romances. I often find myself with small blocks of time in between engagements and like to have something that I can pick up to read and not have to worry about getting lost when I am interrupted and have to pick it up again later. This sweet story about Rachel and Brandon easily fit the bill.

Those first loves in high school can be difficult. Sometimes you know that you are meant to be together, but then have to have some time apart to truly appreciate what it is that you had. You're both still growing, trying to figure out who you are as a person, let alone as part of an intense relationship. Rachel had her dreams and goals in place, but wasn't really sure how to make Brandon a part of them. Brandon thought he knew was his future was, but Rachel broke his heart when she let him go.

It's easy to make a mistake in a relationship. It's not always so easy to go back to the way things were. Rachel and Brandon have both moved on in their lives, yet have never found anyone new who really completes them in the same way. When Rachel goes back home, she and Brandon end up thrust together, thanks to Rachel's conniving grandmother. They cautiously set out to see if they can rekindle what once was and turn into something new. 

As with all short romance stories, sometimes they feel a little hurried. You sometimes want to get deeper into the characters and their conflicts because you like them so much. I felt like this story resolved itself quite quickly after a 10-year hiatus. But at the same time, it did leave me with those feel-good butterflies as it worked itself out. Definitely a sweet read to keep you entertained in an afternoon. And bonus points for being a clean romance for something a little different, which I need on occasion.



Pauline Creeden

Pauline CreedenPauline Creeden is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.  


Follow Pauline Creeden:


Friday, March 2, 2018

The Carbynarah Chronicles by Jon Franklyn

I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel my readers will enjoy. Please note that affiliate links are also included. Should you make a purchase through one of these, I may earn a small commission to help support my websites at no additional cost to you.




The Carbynarah Chronicles


Enter a world of fantasy and magic …
The Carbynarah Chronicles – a new Amazon bestseller

The Carbynarah Chronicles takes the reader on a tale of magic, swords, and sorcery as the battle for the very soul of this magical realm unfolds. With a cast of unforgettable characters, perfectly paced adventures, and epic battles, The Carbynarah Chronicles delivers a world that leaves the reader desperate for more.

Prepare for a journey of fantasy, swords, and a battle for a world of unsurpassed magic.

Having reached the #1 spot on Amazon in several categories and across several countries, The Carbynarah Chronicles is delighting readers with its epic tale of magic wielders and an ending that blows everyone away. Aimed at the entire family, The Carbynarah Chronicles is destined to become a classic, in science fiction and fantasy, that will capture the imagination of all generations.

Thank you for reading! We can’t wait for you to discover the incredible world of Carbynarah.


http://amzn.to/2oCoBy6


About Jon Franklyn

Franklyn was born in the majestic San Juan Islands, in Washington State (ten miles east of Vancouver Island) surrounded by artists and writers. Inspired by the faculty at his local high school, including the cousin of Kurt Vonnegut, author of over 25 books and plays, Jon always dreamed of writing his own book. Graduating from Anacortes High School, Westminster College, and the American Institute of Applied Politics, Franklyn worked on several political campaigns before he started his foray into business.

His business career eventually led him back to writing. In 2010, Franklyn sat down at a computer, and 90 days later he had written the first draft of “The Inset.” Years later, with the encouragement of his wife, Julie, he picked up the keyboard and pursued his career in writing. Several books later, Jon contacted an editor, and today you are enjoying the fruits of that labor.