tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59374718653231927642024-02-06T23:37:54.146-08:00AimeeKay's Reviews & Other Awesome Randomness!This blog is for the reviews of the books that I have won through GoodReads First Reads Giveaways and for showcasing other awesome things and books I've found around the web!AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.comBlogger616125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-8639933632430493102017-07-10T19:33:00.004-07:002017-07-10T19:33:57.794-07:00Check out my Darling Vox Box from Influenster! #DarlingVoxBox #Influenster #GotItForFree #Contest #FreeStuffIsAwesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfB3yT2EdpwvavVNdPZrVRFHIzuaaaS5_DPoRGfXsomeIcfniry7gICKaoaxs4wmgnjOgeeeT8dUgO7TE6zw0yuq0UwrVZk1OM_6Wf-3z3Y_NyscIHTalQYDJGiDNY1XHJuvKocgY2Gjb/s1600/Darlingvoxboxpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfB3yT2EdpwvavVNdPZrVRFHIzuaaaS5_DPoRGfXsomeIcfniry7gICKaoaxs4wmgnjOgeeeT8dUgO7TE6zw0yuq0UwrVZk1OM_6Wf-3z3Y_NyscIHTalQYDJGiDNY1XHJuvKocgY2Gjb/s320/Darlingvoxboxpic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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^^^See all my goodies!!^^^</div>
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So a few weeks ago I received a Darling Vox Box from <a href="https://www.influenster.com/" target="_blank">Influenster</a>. In exchange for my honest review of the products I received Duncan Hines Perfect Size for 1 Chocolate Lovers Cake, Live Clean (Baby) tearless shampoo/wash and lotion, Nature's Bounty Energy Gummies, Eva NYC Surf's Up Texture Spray, and a coupon for a free Country Crock Buttery Spread with Calcium. <br />
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I so enjoyed everything in my box! <br />
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The Duncan Hines Perfect Size was AH-MAY-ZING! Don't just take my word on it check out the other <a href="https://www.influenster.com/reviews/duncan-hines-perfect-size-for-1-chocolate-lovers-cake" target="_blank">Darling Vox Box reviewers thoughts here.</a> (And PICS!) I've already stalked my local store to make sure they carry it, they do. Plus they have A LOT of flavors. With how moist and wonderful it was I can't wait to try them ALL!<br />
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The Eva NYC spray held it's own against the 110+ heat waves out here. The heat killed me, but my hair still looked great. No wilting, no frizzing. I'm still not too keen on the fragrance, but apparently I'm in the minority on that one. I also still plan on buying more to get me through the rest of this summer. (Yes, I used it all already! So obviously the smell didn't bother me that much!) <a href="https://www.influenster.com/reviews/eva-nyc-surfs-up-texture-spray" target="_blank">Check out more of the reviews here. </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxGTJ8JtqVM6XQUC8c7HCQ25WPeRmk5U-dtJCg1_TjMg_3fZ8TZDDspdABtYGt1idigDgLBdySm1_P9jQLzyVjHGJWizo3YMI2ngUMCvgZzUI3PusHacSoKiWJYqQ13GlyAlqyF4xeh5E/s1600/countrycrok2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="947" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxGTJ8JtqVM6XQUC8c7HCQ25WPeRmk5U-dtJCg1_TjMg_3fZ8TZDDspdABtYGt1idigDgLBdySm1_P9jQLzyVjHGJWizo3YMI2ngUMCvgZzUI3PusHacSoKiWJYqQ13GlyAlqyF4xeh5E/s320/countrycrok2.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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There there's the Country Crock Buttery Spread with Calcium. See that pic >>>> Doesn't it look delicious? I had to take it right after I put the spread on though because the potatoes and corn were fresh off the stove and it was melting fast. It really helped enhance the taste. <a href="http://www.countrycrock.com/product/detail/91763/calcium-plus-vitamin-d" target="_blank">Want to find out more? Click here.</a><br />
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The Nature's Bounty Energy Gummies tasted really good. I was surprised. I usually avoid vitamins/supplements because of the taste and smell. But these? No horrible smell. No horrible taste or after taste. I actually looked forward to taking them every day. While I didn't notice any extra energy I still plan on checking out more of Nature's Bounty products and seeing what else they've been able to make taste great. So I'm really glad I was able to try out this sample and find out more about this amazing brand. <a href="http://www.naturesbounty.com/our-products/specialty/diet-supplements/energy-gummies/?utm_source=influenster" target="_blank">Want to find out more? Click here.</a><br />
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I was also able to try the Live Clean (baby) wash and lotion. I know I'm not a baby, but sometimes my skin seems to be as sensitive as one! It got my hair clean without blinding me and smelled nice. Also the lotion made my skin really soft. I will definitely be picking some up for my friends baby shower next month. It's always nice to have options when it comes to what you use on your baby, so I want her to know this is out there and get a chance to try it before committing to a specific brand. Find out more about the wash and lotion<a href="https://www.influenster.com/reviews/live-clean-baby-gentle-moisture-baby-lotion" target="_blank"> here </a>and <a href="https://www.influenster.com/reviews/live-clean-baby-tearless-shampoo-wash">here.</a><br />
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Want to find out more about Influenster? <a href="https://www.influenster.com/">Click here and sign up</a>. It's fun and you get to try and review cool stuff for free!<br />
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-58504472954829014122017-06-27T00:00:00.000-07:002017-06-27T00:00:27.155-07:00Blog Tour: Freak by Erin Lee ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-freak-by-erin-lee/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freak banner" class="aligncenter" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyx-ROkN4pozA7d5EYgbCrD7jjmlTW8Pyx384f-AbR55f8IO-W1i-HM9S4JZyWDhoWCrYoCVsjGEWac7rCN3CVZFWC4b8ojhrxJg9voExqq24Oi8_Yx0gD0mgkS5S9kTqmEr8MEg8Ibw47/s400/Freak-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my stop during the book blitz for Freak by Erin Lee. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 27 June till 3 July. See the tour schedule <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-freak-by-erin-lee/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35264841-freak" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freak" class="alignleft" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHMKA9bhClTUwF38qCM8813NnzUNFKJvaSv-G_LXJkGWgDw16Ev1pGeohz2A94DezNe7VIzSpdpWnvV-d553HY4hRpbOeMteCybnWnikQGlyqmcFdxBoFZ8MMDplEVvHlzyAzOGcQtv5k/s1600/Freak.jpg" /></a><b>Freak</b><br />
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<b>by Erin Lee</b><br />
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<b>Genre:</b> LBGT/ Contemporary<br />
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<b>Age category:</b> Young Adult<br />
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<b>Release Date:</b> 29 June, 2017<br />
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<b>Blurb:</b><br />
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<b>Regret Comes in Every Color of the Rainbow</b><br />
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Based on Erin Lee’s novella, <i>Her Name Was Sam</i>, Freak is the story of Kelly and Morgan, the mother and sister of Sam Harris, in the aftermath of her suicide. Bullied for being brave enough to show her true colors to the world, Sam has been gone exactly one year and Kelly and Morgan are left to tackle the grief that comes with regret in her absence.<br />
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But Sam’s story is far from over…<br />
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Through the love of Willow, a teenager intent on standing up for her “Freak” best friend at all costs, Ryan is able to finally come out to family and friends. His transformation from ashamed to proud with Willow’s help gives new meaning to Sam’s story and how things could have been.<br />
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<b>Because love comes in all shades too.</b></blockquote>
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Excerpt:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; text-align: center; text-indent: 28.8pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sarah</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At some point, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">someone</span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is going to need to do something. This is the third time in just as many months that I’ve patched my daughter’s best friend up after a fight. This time, they tell me from our tattered leather couch patched with electrical tape that fails to hide a thing, that it was Colby Brown who started it. Colby, a sophomore middle linebacker on the Conant High School junior varsity football team, is a kid I’ve known since he was in grade school. In fact, I used to be his Sunday School teacher. It’s hard to believe that the kid who was the first to remember the Lord’s Prayer is now the first to throw a punch over something as stupid as how another kid walks. But times change and so do people. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hold this to your head. And not like last time. Put pressure on it. We need to stop the bleeding. Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the doctor? It’s totally fine. I could get a sitter…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Really, Mrs. Schoen. I’m okay. I’ll be fine. Sticks and stones, right?” Ryan brushes his long blond bangs away from his eyes, pulling gently at the hairs wet from the blood gushing from his eyebrow. He throws his neck back and waves one hand at me while holding my new white towel to his head. “Really! I’ll be fine.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No you won’t. Why don’t you just let my mom </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do</span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> something? I’m sick of this. It’s not fair, Ry. It happens like every single day. Mom could like call your mom or the school or something. They have all that bullying crap up now. They </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have </span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to take it serious. It’s not like they are blind…”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The skinny boy on my couch who doesn’t look a day over thirteen but is technically sixteen, glares at Willow; my daughter and his best friend since the first grade. “Yeah. And </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that </span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will help. Be serious. It will only make it worse. Like I don’t already have a target on me? Like they can’t tell? Why do you think this shit—he looks up, ‘sorry, Mrs. Schoen,’ and continues—keeps happening?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I sigh, turning back to the kitchen to see if I have a bag of frozen peas or something for the welt that’s already forming on his face. I have no clue how he thinks keeping a fight like this a secret is going to be any easier than being gay. I pretend not to ease-drop on the duo but can’t help myself as they wrestle with what to do about kids at school, the administration and, most importantly Ryan’s parents who have no </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">clue </span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he’s gay and would likely disown him if they knew. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What the hell is wrong with people? He’s a great kid. Why does it matter?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Digging through the freezer and wishing I hadn’t used up the last of the chilled ice packs for John’s lunchtime cooler, I try to put myself in Ryan’s parents’ shoes. I want to believe that I would be okay and supportive if Willow was gay, but I’m also realistic. I know it might be something I’d have trouble with at first. It makes me hate myself for feeling that way. What I </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do</span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> know, though, is that ultimately I’d come around. Willow’s happiness has been all and John have ever really wanted for her since I first learned I was pregnant. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I linger at the freezer, spying on their conversation and trying to come up with a plan of how to help this kid who I’ve also known since he was chubby with coke-bottle glasses. Ryan was once the happy kid who met Willow at the bus stop every morning with a bright smiles and sometimes a handful of dandelions. Back then, I swore they’d end up married someday. His mother, Mary, and I had joked about what gorgeous babies they’d make with Ryan’s chubby cheeks and Willow’s naturally curly hair. Even now, listening to them bicker like an old married couple about the best way to handle another round of bullying from Colby and half the jocks at the high school, it seemed hard to imagine that they’d eventually go their separate ways. For as long as I can remember, they’d been stuck together at the hip. Still, most of their free time is spent either Snap chatting each other on the latest gossip or practicing together for the school marching band or choir; extra-curricular activities they joined together back in middle school. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Dude! I’m just not, okay. Let it go. You don’t get it. And I don’t know </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">why</span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you don’t. You’re the kid who has to sit with the freak at lunchtime. And you know what? Don’t.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh hell no, you don’t. That’s BS and you know it. I’m not like that. What’s </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wrong </span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with you? You aren’t taking this crap out on me, Ry. Chill out. I’m only trying to help you. Team you, remember? Loyal, remember? Don’t piss me off.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I suck in a sharp breath, waiting for Willow to continue her rant. She doesn’t. All I can make out now are whispers. I throw a gallon of ice cream on the counter and reach for the scooper, forgetting entirely about the peas for Ryan’s head. I need to get back in there. Then again, I really don’t. Willow can hold her own. She’s always been this way. Somehow, she came out of the womb an old soul. Never one to care what people thought or said, my daughter was born with an innate self confidence that never really made sense to me; the woman who still worries about straightening her hair for parent-teacher conferences or a school bake sale. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I return with two bowls of mint chocolate chip, which Ryan happily takes and Willow pushes to the side on a coffee table. I sit across from them in a reclining chair prepared to give Ryan the lecture my daughter’s already begun. I’ve known Mary and Tom longer than their son and can’t imagine they’d be </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> difficult to talk to. Sure, I know they are big into church and might not be thrilled with the idea of Ryan living a different lifestyle from theirs. But still, being gay doesn’t mean you can’t be spiritual or don’t believe in God. Mary would see that, eventually. No mother would want their son going through something like this alone. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would they?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What if I called your mom and explained things to her?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ryan puts down the spoon he holds in one hand and removes the towel from his head with the other. He shakes his head.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“No.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“No?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Listen, guys. I appreciate it. I really do. You just don’t get it. This isn’t something that would be cool. I’ll deal with this eventually. I’m just not ready to. I mean, hell, do you guys even comprehend that my mother asks me at least ten times a day who I’m asking to the homecoming dance? She’s just not ready for it.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Shoot. I forgot the peas. Put that thing back on your head. At least it’s cold.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Peas?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yes. For your head. That bump is huge,” I say, uncertain about why I’ve never heard anything about the homecoming dance myself. “I’ll be right back. Willow, eat that ice cream. You’re too skinny.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Gee, thanks, Ma.”</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071J79JCY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Freak graphic" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-CxUhtTHvz6zPUsfKA9_VsMww-ATjJiNQGvDo8jeQmttQ4GcBqeUSRtR_MQfZyCTM3IxbUpXPhja9RMwg3e9PPc6ZFEgJxvHaptcGI16tXKjElEj-JQSyIIH7cP_FGyeeCmY_fK9Izui/s400/Freak-graphic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find Freak on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35264841-freak" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <br />
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You can buy Freak here on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071J79JCY/" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.authorerinlee.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Erin Lee" class="alignright" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XYM-cmDAJ4LvWWQyav1R6TQcV2Q40VHjHGnoZ0S5FdNj9cbpwuKmtcyg2J2dgOvUb_xknF48Yto0hFzjO0ei7iRtCT90goCC-ObTXtCN4QnnjIu-GEoHtWAWlceTsoo_hbrQ3FXST92M/s1600/Erin-Lee.jpg" /></a><b>About the Author:</b><br />
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Erin Lee is a freelance writer and therapist chasing a crazy dream one reality at a time. She is the author of <i>Crazy Like Me</i>, a novel published in 2015 by Savant Books and Publications, LLC, <i>Wave to Papa</i>, 2015, by Limitless Publishing, LLC and Nine Lives (2016). She’s also author of <i>Alters</i>, <i>Host</i>, and <i>Merge</i> of the “Lola, Party of Eight Series,” <i>When I’m Dead</i>, <i>Take Me As I Am</i>, <i>Greener</i>, <i>Something Blue</i>, <i>Once Upon a Vow</i> and <i>99 Bottles</i>. She also penned <i>Her Name Was Sam</i>, an LGBTQ awareness novella. She is author of <i>Losing Faith</i>, and co-author of <i>The Morning After</i> with Black Rose Writing. These days, she spends her free time working on the sequels to this novel, <i>Jimmie’s Ice Cream</i> and <i>Thing Fifteen</i>.<br />
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Lee is a co-founder of the Escape From Reality Series. She, along with authors Sara Schoen and Taylor Henderson, are working with twenty other authors to bring the hopes, dreams, fears and terrors of a tiny fictional town alive. The town and its setting is exactly the type of place a man like Jimmie might escape to as the bodies thawed.<br />
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Lee holds a master’s degree in psychology and works with at-risk families and as a court appointed special advocate. She cannot write horror with the lights off. However, these days, she’s getting braver and dimming them. She’ll get there . . . <br />
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You can find and contact Erin Lee here:<br />
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- <a href="http://www.authorerinlee.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gonecrazytalksoon" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://twitter.com/CrazyLikeMe2015" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13994843.Erin_Lee" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Lee/e/B013Q953LM/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <br />
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<b>Giveaway</b><br />
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There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Freak. One winner will win a signed paperback of Freak by Erin Lee. US only.<br />
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For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:<br />
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AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-50061032044745913352017-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:002017-06-12T20:05:53.974-07:00Scions of the Star Empire Book 1: Scandal by Athena Grayson Blog Tour Stop Excerpt & Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kENHBU1eAJZiFfg9ejn9fMp2rSdMA1Bp1KFlyxcVtviTCTkQJtzCqrYQUXqAukzVS2fWXWB0jN7hogzyGV5x8NMbE-VTe6ruPior4WO2wHxwO7XA4mws2mvgACz99xKoMn39OAbj4kHn/s1600/Scandal+banner+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kENHBU1eAJZiFfg9ejn9fMp2rSdMA1Bp1KFlyxcVtviTCTkQJtzCqrYQUXqAukzVS2fWXWB0jN7hogzyGV5x8NMbE-VTe6ruPior4WO2wHxwO7XA4mws2mvgACz99xKoMn39OAbj4kHn/s320/Scandal+banner+new.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my stop during the blog tour for Scandal by Athena Grayson. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 12 till 25 June. See the tour schedule <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-scandal-by-athena-grayson" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Today I will be sharing an excerpt from Scandal.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34723771-scandal" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Scandal" class="alignleft" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrwLiyDtFS7r52m00FFP2P2J3nprUPCiGKJN1ifrp71_EcVznVYLm_oZ9k9nNbOT2cKq15Ysu2Oo-84Y8EzakpyLQhujXykyK35Tv6m3DhR7PZYA8VVAitGOlg_UflKeayDCvHjTFqAmm/s1600/Scandal-new.jpg" /></a><b>Scandal (Scions of the Star Empire #1)</b><br />
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<b>By Athena Grayson </b><br />
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<b>Genre:</b> Sci-fi dystopian with romantic elements<br />
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<b>Age category:</b> New Adult/ Adult<br />
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<b>Release Date:</b> 23 March 2017<br />
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<blockquote>
<b>Blurb:</b><br />
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<em>They can have anything they want...except a future.</em><br />
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Nothing infuriates Princess Ione Ra more than having someone else take control of her reputation from her, and her old nemesis--gossip journalist Jaris Pulne--is poised to do just that with pilfered pics of her caught in a compromising position with her power-couple partner. As someone who's no stranger to manipulating the markets on her own social life, Ione knows the wrong scandal means social suicide.<br />
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For the other half of the power couple, Den Hades, his survival has depended on staying in his powerful father's shadow in order to protect his secrets. But on the very night of his one chance to earn a shot at becoming a Scion--and freedom from his father's ambitions, scandal threatens to tear him from Ione, or worse--force them together before their time.<br />
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Damage control turns into danger when their attempts to retrieve the images lead them both into the dark underbelly of the glittering city-planet, exposing secrets of both friends and foes that could lead to more than just social suicide.</blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excerpt Fool’s Gambit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em>
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></em>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Denaat Hades held his blade extended,
his arm outstretched. He held the lunge on one burning thigh muscle while he
stood in near-complete darkness, waiting for the spectacle to begin. The
landscape of the party had given way to the evening’s main event—an exhibition
duel and bladework demonstration between himself and the Academy’s Blademaster
with a twenty-five year record.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gone were the ornamental topiary
plantings that created nooks and alcoves for socializing, and gone was the
impressive display of fine foods and the waterfall made from champ-ale bubbling
and fizzing over cut-crystal held under pressurized glass until it burst out of
the pursed lips of a crystal nymph into glasses for guests. They’d been
discreetly cleared away for anti-gravity pods holding comfortable seating for
up to a dozen guests. The pods jockeyed for position along x, y, and z axes
based on the credit amounts donated by their occupants, except for the single,
stationary pod holding his instructors and closest classmates, fixed to the
floor at the edge of the ring of drones generating the light field for the
dueling area.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gone also was his shiny,
holo-patterned suit and the starsilk shirt beneath it, and the ornamental
lights in his hair. His finery—picked out by his class’s style consultant to
display his status and wealth—was stuffed into a storage container in favor of
light, form-fitting carbon-fiber armor, with a matching face mask. Gauntlets
secured to his wrists generated power for the sensors emitting an electro-mesh
shield around his body that shifted with the movements of his off hand. His
weapon, an elegant blade of wire and light, derived its power from his main
hand gauntlet and the glove that protected his hand. Tuned to full, the blade
could melt steel or puncture the transparent alloy that made up the dome above
his head.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, this was an exhibition
duel. The blades would sting, but not incapacitate or kill.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He waited, holding his ready position,
as the banners came down, displaying his family’s banner, with the twinkling
ribbons of support from classmates and other interested parties, and the
Academy banner, under which Master Kenndar dueled. Tradition kept the Academy
banner free of ribbons, but his neural interface told him the odds of his loss
were just under fifty percent. The markets were calling this a close thing and
the players in the markets were nothing, if not savvy odds-players.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The lights came up around the ring,
plunging the shifting observation cars into darkness as Master Kenndar entered
from the other side of the oval. He took his cue to step forward, meeting his
opponent in the center of the ring. He executed the formal bow, hand-grip, and
blade salute deserving of a worthy opponent and prayed his master’s teachings
weren’t wasted. He returned to his ready position to await the chime beginning
the match, but not before he glanced towards the stationary box and spotted her
in the front row, the lights in her hair twinkling in time with the flashes of
crystal on her dress.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ione wore a small smile of bored
amusement, echoing the expressions of probably everyone in the audience, and he
knew their thoughts. Yet another Academy student, ready to show off for status
and praise, as if the privileges of his born position didn’t already come with
their own accolades. His gaze flicked to the VIP box and he saw another bored,
slightly amused expression, only he knew this one masked keen interest. As if
the man sensed his scrutiny, Invicti Hades lifted one eyebrow and Den heard the
words as surely as if they’d been broadcast for all to hear. <em>What new way
have you found to disappoint me?</em><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The lurking paranoia he’d lived with
for ten years summoned itself to the forefront of his awareness as the lights
in the arena changed to a soft blue. The chimes sounded for Ready and Arm, and
his blade flared to golden life. Across the ring, Master Kenndar assumed his
own ready position. Den felt the eyes of the spectators crawling over him,
adding weight to his protective gear. Waiting for him to fail.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last chime sounded. <em>Engage!</em><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He leapt forward, his awareness
extended out to the blade’s end, as he’d been taught and trained by Kenndar to
do for ten years. <span lang="NL">And knew he’d made a mistake.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="NL"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="NL"><br /></span></span>
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You can find Scandal on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34723771-scandal" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <br />
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You can buy Scandal here:<br />
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- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XSXJB3B" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <br />
<br />
- <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scandal-athena-grayson/1126035733" target="_blank">B&N</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/scandal-scions-of-the-star-empire-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1219014238" target="_blank">iTunes</a> <br />
<br />
- <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=dfJ2DgAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google Play</a> <br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/713759" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> <br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.books2read.com/u/bOr7Wo" target="_blank">Books2Read</a> <br />
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You can also find all the buy links for this book <a href="http://athenagrayson.com/scions-of-the-star-empire/" target="_blank">here on the author's website</a>. <br />
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<br />
<b>About the Author:</b><br />
<br />
Athena Grayson likes kickass heroines, big-brained and sexy beta heroes who aren't afraid of strong women or their own feelings, and stories that turn the genre tropes sideways. If you're looking for something a little unexpected, a little more, and a lot of fun...this is your kinda place.<br />
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You can find and contact Athena here:<br />
<br />
- <a href="http://athenagrayson.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://facebook.com/AthenaGrayson" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://twitter.com/Athena_Grayson" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://amazon.com/author/athenagrayson" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430188.Athena_Grayson" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/athena-grayson" target="_blank">Bookbub</a> <br />
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<b>Giveaway</b><br />
<br />
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Scandal. These are the prizes you can win: <br />
<br />
- 2 paperback copies of Scandal by Athena Grayson (US Only)<br />
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- 2 $10 Amazon Gift Cards (International)<br />
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For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:<br />
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AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-62322173608231458432017-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:002017-06-06T00:00:15.213-07:00Destiny of the Queen Blog Tour 5/29-6/11 ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-destiny-of-the-queen-by-jacqueline-patricks" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Destiny of the Queen banner" class="aligncenter" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8wgqfZgarZtfJhQ9uxXX6awCc621e-PX7d_WTLuxUAOZNdx_gRi2W3JgKIn8Zf9kBo-LZEq67slSmzUMZf1tAGF7xuS_8bsn8qzMkrTuNALo4P_MzR5vSjRIsikKKD4N2Liyp-qVBWqZ/s400/Destiny-of-the-Queen-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my stop during the blog tour for Destiny of the Queen by Jacqueline Patricks. This blog tour is organized by <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/" target="_blank">Lola's Blog Tours</a>. The blog tour runs from 29 May till 11 June. See the tour schedule <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-destiny-of-the-queen-by-jacqueline-patricks" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22430700-destiny-of-the-queen" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Destiny of the Queen" class="alignleft" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RCrs8eQ-Kak1lYeP5nS7drgOwyiLLijYg6WMue4itH1FrMOlf5S2tFGEt-rw7ZnzYgOqr2o3cBITOAJA15Eah7UnlQV5M2re6XUZjJu_5oZXApcb9PsQVIGcgxlY5nFbjHSy4RfyVL5w/s1600/Destiny-of-the-Queen.jpg" /></span></a><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Destiny of the Queen (The Brajj #3)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Jacqueline Patricks</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Genre:</b> Science Fiction Romance</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Age category:</b> Adult</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Release Date:</b> 6 May, 2017</span><br />
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<blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blurb:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Can a goddess find redemption? Can a soldier find purpose?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you think all is lost,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you believe life is meaningless,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes your destiny is revealed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re willing to see the signs,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And brave enough to fight,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes you can change worlds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rejoin Cass, Jeamon, Lewis, and Ta'mat as they deal with the ramifications of Ta'mat's insanity and General Neville's betrayal. The few Brajj remaining with Cass and Jeamon are now under Dr. Saniya's control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, a world away, Captain Lewis and Ta'mat struggle with their strange bond inside his mind as they unravel the mystery of their new circumstances. Where did Ta'mat's wormhole transport them? Why? Is there some greater destiny unfolding? Where does freewill end and destiny begin?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The stunning conclusion to the Brajj trilogy!</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Excerpt:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “You lost him?” Cass jumped from her chair and accidentally hit the round
melamine table, tipping her paper cup of coffee on its edge.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Lewis!” Jeamon smacked the table as he stood, finishing off the cup’s
precarious balance. A river of brown liquid spilled over the edge of the table,
splashing onto the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars threw his full cup across the room. Coffee exploded against the
vending machines and the ubiquitous white wall behind it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mathews sulked in her chair, arms crossed, and chin to her chest.
“Figures.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya sighed and bowed her head. “I understand how distressing this
must be for all of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars and Mathews exchanged pissed off looks while Cass sputtered and Jeamon
growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lunging at Dr. Saniya, Lars said, “No, <i>doc</i>, I really don’t think you
do. We’ve been stuck in here for hours, then you come tell us you lost our
captain?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass circled the table, stepping over the puddle of her coffee, her bare
feet padding on the highly-waxed, industrial tile. Sometime during the earlier
conflict, she’d lost the slippers Ta’mat favored and had yet to acquire a new
pair of shoes. Not that she cared about shoes when Lewis’ life was in danger.
Taking a deep breath, she waved the others back and approached Dr. Saniya as a
colleague rather than an enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Dr. Saniya,” Cass said, “exactly what do you mean when you say, ‘you lost
him’?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Although Dr. Saniya’s expression eased, her eyes darted around the room. “Well,
Dr. Baros, that’s difficult to say.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass sensed the frustrated energy of her friends and felt, rather than saw,
Jeamon, Lars, and Mathews march from the far side of the break room to stand
next to her. She wrinkled her nose at the pungency of everyone’s clothes
arriving a second before them. Dirt caked Lars and Mathews’ uniforms, Cass’
gauzy blue dress hung in tatters, and Jeamon’s iridescent black Brajj tunic and
pants were torn and ragged. Blood matted his long pale hair, which hung
unbraided and tangled. All of them looked like they’d survived a life and death
fight—an accurate assessment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass feigned a smile. “Try.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya adjusted the collar of her lab coat. “Dr. Umi and I were
assessing Captain Lewis and the entity known as Ta’mat within his psyche, when
he became extremely agitated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars snorted and shuffled his feet. “I bet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya glared at Lars but continued in a dispassionate voice, “He
escaped the exam room and made it into the main passageway. During the
recapture,” she wrung her hands, “he, well…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What?” Mathews asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“He jumped through a wormhole.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“My God. What’ve you done?” Cass closed her eyes and covered her mouth with
her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeamon wrapped her in a hug. “Lewis is strong. He will survive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass pressed her face to Jeamon’s chest, shaking her head. “You don’t
understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya moved closer, one hand reaching out before she stopped and
lowered her arm. “What do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I mean if he was,” she gave Dr. Saniya a pointed look, “extremely agitated
when Ta’mat created the wormhole then there’s no telling where they are, or if
they’re still alive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“You can’t be serious!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m very serious, Sergeant.” Cass slipped from Jeamon’s embrace but
remained at his side, her hand clasped in his. “From what I learned while
Ta’mat was a part of me, dark energy is very unstable when it’s used to
manipulate strings. If Ta’mat was not completely focused at the time, then
likely she was unable to select where the wormhole ended.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hang on.” Mathews massaged her temples and grimaced. “Dark energy?
Strings?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya touched Cass’ forearm. “You’re certain of this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Absolutely.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What does this mean? Manipulate strings?” Jeamon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass squeezed his hand and gave him a gentle look. “She’s able to change
the frequency and vibration of the fabric of the universe, which means, in most
cases, she can change the universe to her desires. Any universe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“This is how she became a goddess?” Jeamon asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass frowned. “She’s not a goddess. She’s what’s left of a twisted human
being. It took a tremendous amount of skill for Ta’mat to gain her powers
because they go against the very nature of the cosmos. She shouldn't be able to
do these things, but she's attained a higher state of non-physical existence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I wondered how she was able to do such amazing feats.” Dr. Saniya’s gaze
intensified. “You must tell me more!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“No one should possess such power.” Cass crossed her arms and jutted a leg.
“What about you telling us what you’ve done with Jeamon’s people?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Now, Dr. Baros...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Growling, Jeamon moved closer to Dr. Saniya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yeah, doc,” Lars said. “What’s up with them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya moved back. “You don’t have the authority–”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass gasped. “Authority?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Who the hell do you think you are?” Mathews said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars and Mathews closed ranks with Cass and Jeamon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I only meant, that is...” Dr. Saniya pressed something clipped to her
pants’ waistband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars snagged her wrist, twisting it away from her torso. “Whatcha got
there, doc?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s nothing.” She presented opened palms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars unclipped a black square from her pants. A small red light blinked at
one end. He shared an irritated look with Cass. “Shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two guards dressed in black fatigues rushed into the break room, weapons
drawn. “Is there a problem, Doctor?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Everything is under control.” Dr. Saniya broke her wrist free from Lars’
grip. “Isn’t it, Sergeant Lars?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars turned to Cass, who nodded. “Sure, Doc,” he said as he handed back the
personal alarm then carefully moved out of Dr. Saniya’s space. “Things are
great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The guards lowered their weapons and relaxed. “In that case,” one guard
said, “you won’t mind if we stay here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Nope,” Lars waved a hand towards the empty chairs. “Make yourselves
comfy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya’s wooden smile never reached her eyes. “We’d all like to stay
friendly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Friendly?” Cass said. “Is that what you’re calling locking us in here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Dr. Baros,” Dr. Saniya extended her opened hands, “please remember that
all of you insisted on accompanying the captain and the Brajj refugees to my
facility against my wishes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mathews tensed. “Damn right!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya continued, “I want to help you any way I can, but as I initially
informed all of you, security measures must be observed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass pressed further. “But why keep us separated from Jeamon's people?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“For your safety.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars spread his arms and looked around. “This is safe?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“You don’t understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The hell we don’t. You’re experimenting on them!” Mathews said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Of course not!” Dr. Saniya shied, pulling her hands inward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Jeamon stepped forward. “We find your explanations difficult to
believe. What harm could befall us? Why keep us separated?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“The Brajj need to be quarantined for at least thirty da–”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Bullshit!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sergeant,” Cass placed a warning hand on his arm, “she’s not wrong about
that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What about Jeamon?” Lars waved at him. “I know he didn’t go through
quarantine. And you, Cass?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Excellent question, Dr. Saniya,” Cass said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“True, while you’ve both been here for nearly a week, mixing with the
general public, without adverse effects, General Neville should’ve initiated
quarantine procedures upon your arrival. Unfortunately, any damage is done, and
I can hardly justify quarantine now other than to keep you confined to a
limited area in my facility.” Dr. Saniya checked her watch then shoved her
hands into her lab coat pockets. “If there’s nothing else…?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“You’re leaving?” Cass asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya shrugged. “If you’ve nothing further to add than arguments, I’m
afraid I have a full schedule of research awaiting me.” She turned and walked
to the exit, signaling to the guards, who moved closer to the four of them. <span lang="NL">“Theywill
escort you off site.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass bit her lower lip and exchanged worried looks with Jeamon, Lars, and
Mathews. Jeamon rubbed his fingers together and reached for something at his
hip, then frowned. Cass recalled a vague memory seen through Ta’mat’s mind. <i>His
whip. She destroyed it. </i>Then, feeling suddenly aware of her poverty-striven
state, Cass looked down at her shabby, filthy dress and bare feet. Did her bank
accounts still exist? Did anyone remember her? Did she have anything she could
claim in this version of Earth? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “So that’s it?” Cass asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya paused in the open doorway. “Pardon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Cass?” Jeamon tugged on her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass glanced back at him, winked, then slipped from his grasp and
approached Dr. Saniya. “You’ve gotten everything you can from Lewis, so you
kick us out and keep Jeamon’s people?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Doctor?” The guards tensed and shifted their weapons upwards again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s alright, Carson.” Dr. Saniya moved past the guards, waving their
weapons down. “Dr. Baros, did you have something else in mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“You want information.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Go on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“You want to know more regarding the Brajj and their technology. Correct?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya pursed her lips. “You know this to be true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What if,” Cass looked at her friends once again, seeing comprehension dawn
in their eyes before she faced Dr. Saniya again, “what if all of us remained
here in exchange for our cooperation with your research?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Your,” the doctor gazed at each one of them, “full cooperation?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “We need full disclosure
at every step.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass and the others murmured in agreement. “No secrets,” Cass added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya nodded. “Yes, of course. I merely wish to gain a broader
understanding of the Brajj and everything you’ve experienced, particularly in
regard to this Ta’mat and her abilities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mathews scowled and backed away from the group. “I don’t know about this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya added, “You’ll be compensated as well as given full access to
the guest facilities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lars rubbed his scalp as he barked out a short laugh. “So, you can keep a
short leash on us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Saniya showed her palms in a gesture of surrender. “Must everything be
suspicious to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Forgive my friend, Doctor,” Jeamon tilted his head toward Lars, “but we
have dealt with an enormous amount of difficulties.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Difficulties?” Mathews fake coughed into her fist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeamon bowed his head at Mathews, who sighed heavily then shrugged and
stared off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeamon continued, “And now you expect us to trust you after telling us of
Lewis’ disappearance while in your custody?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I do not expect that,” Dr. Saniya said. “I’m hoping to gain your trust, so
we can discover how to locate Captain Lewis and return him here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“So you can experiment on him?” Cass asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I want to help him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass faced Jeamon while Lars leaned closer and Mathews hovered farther
away. “What do you guys think?” Cass asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I think she’s a fucking liar,” Mathews said in a loud voice as she glared
over Cass’ head at the doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cass suppressed a sharp laugh and resisted turning around to check Dr.
Saniya’s expression. Surely it showed further displeasure. “Yes, but do you
think it’s worth taking a chance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mathews’ lips twisted. “More than coming here in the first place?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Good point, Beth.” Cass ran her hands through her frizzed hair, then
scratched her face. Everything itched. A shower would be nice. When was the
last time Ta’mat bathed while using her body? Not since leaving the Brajj world
at least, and the Brajj didn’t have showers just shallow, freshwater pools. <i>Really
not the same. </i>Cass rolled her head, cracking her neck. “God, what I
wouldn’t do to feel normal again.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeamon rubbed Cass’ neck with one hand until she groaned and her eyes
fluttered shut. “I think we should stay,” he said. “I cannot leave Lewis
behind, no matter how long it takes to find him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eyes snapping open, Cass met Jeamon’s intense sidelong gaze. “I agree.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Guess we’re staying at the creepy underground government facility, then.”
Lars said, grinning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mathews yawned, her hand barely covering the excited glint in her eyes.
“Looks like.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Liked what you read? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can find Destiny of the Queen on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22430700-destiny-of-the-queen" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can buy Destiny of the Queen here:</span><br />
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<br />
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier books in this series!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Queen-science-fiction-adventure-ebook/dp/B009XTVGNE/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Dreams of the Queen" class="aligncenter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8uYX78zAIZiBlcKUW9tnHnkYiNhc1jgls-wZDM1AtFtboeHM6mMBL-m1XFWB_ACxAWzbTaxSPCPMRt92ENdigLpuX3iwGuo-arWsf7yklUTc_f3oVv-DFTSjpUS6XwebiQcRMKT4m-DG/s1600/Dreams-of-the-Queen.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dreams of the Queen (The Brajj #1) by Jacqueline Patricks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Cass Baros is haunted by dreams of an alien world...<br /><br />
...and will do anything to find it.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Links:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17458342-dreams-of-the-queen" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Queen-science-fiction-adventure-ebook/dp/B009XTVGNE/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dreams-of-the-queen-the-brajj-1-jacqueline-patricks/1114035229?ean=2940015888140" target="_blank">B&N</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.kobo.com/en/ebook/dreams-of-the-queen" target="_blank">Kobo</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/248843" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jacqueline_Patricks_Dreams_of_the_Queen?id=47F-BgAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google Play</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dreams-of-the-queen/id919283882?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nightmares-Queen-action-adventure-romance-ebook/dp/B00JC6QZ5C/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Nightmares of the Queen" class="aligncenter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lOHSRpNhlwv9XOSifMWujuR2YHZeRZdiGwFgsKAEFEsVih9oisPC__MC4abD79GvT6sMdbavehI8WWuPPnz7GxJi6LmLsDn1RzFHDwRadw-Zdnp3eMyx3QQfRo5t-oMIN4-mjyeVGbAZ/s1600/Nightmares-of-the-Queen.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nightmares of the Queen (The Brajj #2) by Jacqueline Patricks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their love will be tested by betrayal and deceit.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Links:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21859853-nightmares-of-the-queen" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nightmares-Queen-action-adventure-romance-ebook/dp/B00JC6QZ5C/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nightmares-of-the-queen-jacqueline-patricks/1118904417?ean=2940045752169" target="_blank">B&N</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.kobo.com/en/ebook/nightmares-of-the-queen-the-brajj-2" target="_blank">Kobo</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/416013" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jacqueline_Patricks_Nightmares_of_the_Queen?id=zvR-BgAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google Play</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/nightmares-of-the-queen-the-brajj-2/id836911143?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://jacquelinepatricks.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Jacqueline Patricks" class="alignright" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg276GVOThnxfkLikIGnMm6TIyzwFGKeZLMbfLAh7LH1LmMKx1-ItYpdZqoHAHcVt2SQ_BCEyiQaFMwfIsqt8fCombQcpwxq6v5CLJFiffYsj8HuR9FUAOLDQyENw_V1YTEG6jo3aBcjg84/s1600/Jacqueline-Patricks.jpg" /></span></a><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">About the Author:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nominated by The Author Show as Top Female Author 2017, PAN member of the Romance Writers Association, a volunteer with Houston’s Writespace, and a winner of the Seal of Good Writing from the IndiePENdents for her first published novel, Dreams of the Queen, Jacqueline Patricks’ passion for writing began early in life. Before she published, however, Jacqueline traveled a winding path through the U.S. Army, college, over twenty years in 911 as a paramedic, professional teaching, and all the exciting adventures in between. She currently resides with her husband and four parrots and hopes to meet Mark Twain someday since he understands parrot people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot.” – Mark Twain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can find and contact Jacqueline Patricks here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="http://jacquelinepatricks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://facebook.com/jacquelinepatricks" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://twitter.com/jackiepatricks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6584097.Jacqueline_Patricks" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jacqueline-Patricks/e/B00AACPHB0/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- <a href="http://eepurl.com/QgpzX" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Giveaway</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Destiny of the Queen. One winner will win their choice of an e-copy from one of Jacqueline Patricks's books (INT)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-88005423120973232472017-05-31T03:00:00.000-07:002017-05-31T03:00:32.764-07:00Top 10 Reasons Why Being A Spy is Cool! ~ My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit by Liz Laz Blog Tour <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-my-not-so-normal-life-spy-recruit-by-liz-laz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit banner" class="aligncenter" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy3UsA_CPYRozCaHylp2a1JvX8N_wUapvcW4rrj_Hv8J9iT7rb_X9I-Nz8RVoT_prUCoE0gMiS0CAfU9Qpik7tu4vQeDTejO4mGLWdtMn9EaagVrZjkqyQxHS67mgvpBIGsa8oplj2LgW/s400/My-Not-So-Normal-Life-Spy-Recruit-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my stop during the blog tour for My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit by Liz Laz. This blog tour is organized by <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/" target="_blank">Lola's Blog Tours</a>. The blog tour runs from 29 May till 18 June. See the tour schedule <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/blog-tour-my-not-so-normal-life-spy-recruit-by-liz-laz" target="_blank">here</a>. Today Liz Laz is stopping by to let us know her top ten reasons why being a (fictional) spy is cool! So without further ado here's Liz!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been obsessed with spies since I can remember. When I was about five I attempted to pick my
garage door lock with small twigs, pretending to be a spy. My dad had to
disassemble the lock to clean out the bits of wood that had splintered in the
mechanisms. I was told never to pretend to be a spy again. But I never stopped
dreaming about what it would be like to be a spy. Here are my top ten reasons
why being a (fictional) spy is cool: </span></div>
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<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy travels the world. What other job requires
traveling to exotic places all the time? </span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy is a martial arts master. Ji jitsu; krav maga;
kickboxing; boxing; karate; tae kwon do. A spy is a master fighter that rarely
needs a weapon. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy is multilingual. Whether in Japan, Germany,
Russia, a spy can always converse like a local. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy is always cool and calm under pressure. If they
get caught they are always relaxed. They don’t panic. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy gets awesome gadgets. Only a spy would get to
drive a car that also ejects missiles or have a watch that is also a listening
device. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy is brave. This may go with Number 4. But a spy is
not scared of anything. Whether they are parachuting out of a plane into a
party or climbing a rocky cliffside, they do it without hesitation. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy is a genius. Who else knows how to disarm a bomb,
hack into a computer, or stop a missile launch without taking a moment to
review a manual? </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy has a double life where they are normal. No one
suspects the co-ed, or greeting card writer, or boring housewife is actually a
lethal killer who is fluent in seven languages. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A spy works secretly, without praise from the rest of
the world. If a spy has done their job right no one knows there was even a
threat or that someone is looking out for them. They are like comic book super
heroes, but the kind that live deep in the shadows so no one knows that they
even exist. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->A
spy is resilient. Betrayal, pending nuclear holocaust, death, nothing can shake
a spy from completing their mission </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34852799-my-not-so-normal-life" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit" class="alignleft" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34RAEpKkjpFu2QX0dRM9PAitXSQTEbv9o-rUJaF0n9AOtQ0tgb9QBtE_mUu_TSWAnfRr_GPxo4tQXbyNyOQZdyGBgtQY0wyXW1pxgWxRK47cp5RtJnFCOAWLaq767C8yhj_frOcM5KpNm/s1600/My-Not-So-Normal-Life-Spy-Recruit.jpg" /></a><b>My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit (My Not So Normal Life #1)</b><br />
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<b>By Liz Laz</b><br />
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<b>Genre:</b> Fiction/ Action/ Adventure<br />
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<b>Age category:</b> Middle Grade<br />
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<b>Release Date:</b> May 23, 2017<br />
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My name is Lily Anne Gemorski. I am not your normal eleven-year-old. I am a spy. I speak four languages and know how to defend against someone three times my size.<br />
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As a new recruit, I have learned a lot about being a spy. What I haven't learned is how to lie to my best friend, Becky; or how to get my team captain to stop hating me.</blockquote>
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You can find My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34852799-my-not-so-normal-life" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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You can buy My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-Not-So-Normal-Life-ebook/dp/B072LSDJXT/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <br />
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<b>About the Author:</b><br />
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Liz Laz began writing as a child and penned her first novel, My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit at the age of 15. Liz continued writing in her spare time while attending college at Dominican University and law school at the John Marshall Law School. Liz works as an insurance attorney and writes in her spare time. Liz loves binge watching Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock on Netflix, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. Liz lives with her rescue dog, Robin Hood, just outside of Chicago.<br />
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You can find and contact Liz Laz here:<br />
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- <a href="http://liz-laz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Website</a><br />
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012944979498" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
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- <a href="https://twitter.com/LizLaz3" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6429160.Liz_Laz" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <br />
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AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-61565003018116583682017-05-03T03:00:00.000-07:002017-05-03T03:00:31.943-07:00Cover Reveal ~ Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault by Candace RobinsonToday is the cover reveal for Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault by Candace Robinson. This cover reveal is organized by <a href="http://www.lolasblogtours.net/" target="_blank">Lola's Blog Tours</a>. The cover is designed by Jenny @ <a href="http://www.seedlingsonline.com/" target="_blank">Seedlings Design Studio</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34511974-quinsey-wolfe-s-glass-vault" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img alt="Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault" class="alignleft" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhWrioLLpQQd8uhyphenhyphendhs5A_VKUUZW7Nqvue12_-56-bHz7TIsM3UXhotlaSZZoFl9y5_MUYInPPilpP9Lrmwt0WkntJDg75vWcOwNdbEX2M1lCS4jBAP89HvwMKZqRKyA4N3IiBpR-rwLx/s1600/Quinsey-Wolfe-s-Glass-Vault.jpg" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b><b>Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault</b></b></div>
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<b>By Candace Robinson</b></div>
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<b>Genre:</b> Urban Fantasy/ Horror</div>
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<b>Age category:</b> Upper YA</div>
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<b>Release Date:</b> May 16, 2017</div>
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<b>Blurb:</b><br />
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Some see it... Some don't...<br />
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People in the town of Deer Park, Texas are vanishing. There is a strange museum, known as Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault, that appears overnight. Perrie Madeline's best friend and ex-boyfriend are among the missing. Perrie, along with her friend August, go on a pursuit to search for them in the mysterious museum. Could the elusive Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault have anything to do with their disappearances?</blockquote>
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You can find Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34511974-quinsey-wolfe-s-glass-vault" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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You can pre-order Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Quinsey-Wolfes-Glass-Candace-Robinson-ebook/dp/B06XR44W6M/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://authorcandacerobinson.wordpress.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Candace Robinson" class="alignright" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzawzaD9GEoxqK1fF5YzmJzIRkEfNLp5iNg0jgRYsVOBXUrwtpBlSpcLtx1a7u9SnEicfhNwD8Mw2VZiYSQOVqghtk91aARho8c2tPPF269_70EbJzvcRZq4ABds5WHr219A5sI90dg0fB/s1600/Candace-Robinson.jpg" /></a><b>About the Author:</b><br />
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Candace Robinson is just your average hemiplegic migraine sufferer. Her days are spent writing, book reviewing and traveling through books. She live just outside of Houston, Texas, where it feels like the hottest place on Earth with the crazy weather. No, seriously, one day it's 30 degrees and the next it's 70 degrees! She resides with her husband and daughter.<br />
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You can find and contact Candace here:<br />
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- <a href="https://authorcandacerobinson.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/literarydust" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://twitter.com/literarydust" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16541001.Candace_Robinson" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <br />
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- <a href="https://www.instagram.com/literarydust/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <br />
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******</div>
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I LOVE this cover! What do you think? </div>
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AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-85474596916539323762017-04-30T23:31:00.001-07:002017-04-30T23:31:59.629-07:00Z is for Zombie Apocalypse! by Stephen Jones #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327312751l/8721183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327312751l/8721183.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Apocalypse-Stephen-Jones-2010-10-14/dp/B01MYMGIJM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1493618166&sr=8-7&keywords=zombie+apocalypse%21+by+stephen+jones" target="_blank">Zombie Apocalypse!</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Apocalypse-Stephen-Jones-2010-10-14/dp/B01MYMGIJM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1493618166&sr=8-7&keywords=zombie+apocalypse%21+by+stephen+jones" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8721183-zombie-apocalypse?from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">In the near future, a desperate and ever-more controlling UK government attempts to restore a sense of national pride with a New Festival of Britain. But construction work on the site of an old church in south London releases a centuries-old plague that turns its victims into flesh-hungry ghouls whose bite or scratch passes the contagion - a supernatural virus which has the power to revive the dead - on to others.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">'The Death' soon sweeps across London and the whole country descends into chaos. When a drastic attempt to eradicate the outbreak at source fails, the plague spreads quickly to mainland Europe and then across the rest of the world.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Told through a series of interconnected eyewitness narratives - text messages, e-mails, blogs, letters, diaries and transcripts - this is an epic story of a world plunged into chaos as the dead battle the living for total domination.</span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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So this is another "found footage" type piece. I don't always care too much for the movie versions, but I love them in book form. This one even had a few reoccurring characters their stories told via official reports, newspaper articles, transcribed meetings, blog entries, etc. I wanted to see how their stories ended, or in some cases didn't end after encountering the dead. I also enjoyed the detail the book was able to go into via it's 'found footage'. Some of it was even funny. Like laugh out loud funny. It's good to know that humor will still be around even during a zombie epidemic.</div>
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This looks to be the first book in a series, or maybe just the first in a group of books set in the same universe. I found a copy at Barnes & Noble, but I don't think it's in e-book form. I'm not sure about the other books though. I didn't see any others at B&N, but I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for them online and IRL. Some have the authors name. Others have a different author listed, but give the original author a created by credit. So I might have to do some digging to find some of them. If you happen to have read any of the Zombie Apocalypse books or happen to know if any are in e-format let me know in the comments. </div>
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*I only prefer e-format because it means I don't have to leave the house or wait for it to be delivered. Yes, I know this is a bad quality. But you try having your mobility slowly taken away from you. I'm somewhat better now. But for a while it wasn't a choice of where I'd go that day, it was simply I wasn't going anywhere. So you can stuff you judgments aside, I'll be the one doing the reviewing of things here. lol I also still do love print books. They will always hold a special place in my heart and numerous places in pretty much all the spaces in my home. lol</div>
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So this is my last post of the <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/" target="_blank">A to Z Challenge for 2017</a>. I might write up a challenge review, I might not. I do have some posts already scheduled to go up next month that aren't challenge related. Since the challenge was my jump start to begin blogging again and I have tried to commit to getting at least one or two posts done a month. Hopefully more, but I'm probably going to suffer another relapse into procrastination so I'm not going to promise more than I can deliver at this moment. I hope you enjoyed my A to Z reviews this year. One of these years I'm going to review strictly zombie A to Z probably not next year, or the year after that, but some time in the future. Maybe. lol. Hopefully I'll see you here again before next years challenge! Thanks again for following me! </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-18958456233784545572017-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-29T00:00:24.465-07:00Y is for The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Ive-Never-Known-ebook/dp/B01GD9DOPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493443210&sr=8-1&keywords=the+you+i%27ve+never+known" target="_blank">The You I've Never Known</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Ive-Never-Known-ebook/dp/B01GD9DOPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493443210&sr=8-1&keywords=the+you+i%27ve+never+known" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/You-Ive-Never-Known-ebook/dp/B01GD9DOPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493443210&sr=8-1&keywords=the+you+i%27ve+never+known" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">How do you live your life if your past is based on a lie? A new novel in both verse and prose from #1 </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">For as long as she can remember, it’s been just Ariel and Dad. Ariel’s mom disappeared when she was a baby. Dad says home is wherever the two of them are, but Ariel is now seventeen and after years of new apartments, new schools, and new faces, all she wants is to put down some roots. Complicating things are Monica and Gabe, both of whom have stirred a different kind of desire.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Maya’s a teenager who’s run from an abusive mother right into the arms of an older man she thinks she can trust. But now she’s isolated with a baby on the way, and life’s getting more complicated than Maya ever could have imagined.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Ariel and Maya’s lives collide unexpectedly when Ariel’s mother shows up out of the blue with wild accusations: Ariel wasn’t abandoned. Her father kidnapped her fourteen years ago.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">What is Ariel supposed to believe? Is it possible Dad’s woven her entire history into a tapestry of lies? How can she choose between the mother she’s been taught to mistrust and the father who has taken care of her all these years?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">In bestselling author Ellen Hopkins’s deft hands, Ariel’s emotionally charged journey to find out the truth of who she really is balances beautifully with Maya’s story of loss and redemption. This is a memorable portrait of two young women trying to make sense of their lives and coming face to face with themselves—for both the last and the very first time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">My Review:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I love Ellen Hopkins. She brings poetry into modern story telling. Seriously her work is AH-MAZING!! Her books tend to veer to the dark, the dirty and the real. She doesn't shy away from abuse, chemical or physical. Honestly her style reminds me of Go Ask Alice, except in verse. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Her characters are always broken in some way or another. But even at their worst Hopkins finds a way to draw the reader in and make them care for them. In The You I've Never Known she does it again. While Ariel and Maya are probably some of the cleaner main characters I've met in her books, they are still both so real. Maybe not always making the best choices, but still real. Watching her characters evolve is just amazing. Through her use of first person pov the reader really gets pulled in,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Combined that with the poetry and the way the poems are formatted to the page. Although Maya's story is in standard form and I felt drawn into her head as well. But I really love the way the pages are set up. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The twists and turns that populate Hopkins other books are present in Never Known as well. Some I suspected. Others I never saw coming. I won't give anything away. Whether you've read her work before or not, I don't want to take that away. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">I love Ellen Hopkins. Her books are raw. She doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable in hopes of making her characters lives easier for her readers to view. If you haven't read any of her work I definitely recommend doing so. Don't be scared off by the poetical format. Also don't read any of her books without tissues. </span></div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-46479793447703557102017-04-28T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-28T00:00:22.918-07:00X is for X: A Short Story by Jack Croxall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/X-Short-Story-Jack-Croxall-ebook/dp/B00EYMXTJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493282750&sr=8-1&keywords=x+by+jack+croxall" target="_blank">X: A Short Story</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/X-Short-Story-Jack-Croxall-ebook/dp/B00EYMXTJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493282750&sr=8-1&keywords=x+by+jack+croxall" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/X-Short-Story-Jack-Croxall-ebook/dp/B00EYMXTJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493282750&sr=8-1&keywords=x+by+jack+croxall" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Fifteen-year-old X thinks she is going to die. Shacked up in the cellar of an old farmhouse, she starts a diary to document her last few days. Much less than a few days if the uglies manage to get in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">My Review:</span></span></div>
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Wow. Just wow. </div>
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Yes, X is short, but it just blew me away. Thank goodness it has a full length novel based on it because I can't wait to dive back into the world that Croxall has created. ***Spoiler Alert*** I know based on what I read that X probably won't be making an appearance in the novel. But if it draws me in as well as this did, I'll forgive. You never do learn X's real name, so *shrug* who knows. ***End Spoiler*** </div>
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Anyway. X is a great short. It pulled me in from the beginning and left me wanting more. I really didn't want it to end. If you haven't read anything by Croxall definitely pick this one up. It's currently free on Amazon. If you have read any of his work before... I still recommend picking it up. As I said previously I can't wait to read the book based on this story. X was AH-MAY-ZING!</div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-88639829834812162332017-04-27T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-27T00:00:01.517-07:00W is for Welcome to Zombie Colorado by Darby K. Michaels #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Zombie-Colorado-Survivors-Federation-ebook/dp/B00C8NOJ22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493259027&sr=8-1&keywords=welcome+to+zombie+colorado" target="_blank">Welcome to Zombie Colorado</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Zombie-Colorado-Survivors-Federation-ebook/dp/B00C8NOJ22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493259027&sr=8-1&keywords=welcome+to+zombie+colorado" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Zombie-Colorado-Survivors-Federation-ebook/dp/B00C8NOJ22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493259027&sr=8-1&keywords=welcome+to+zombie+colorado" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Colorado is overrun with zombies. A small group of survivors try to stay alive amid all the chaos and make it to safety, while the world they know begins to crumble.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Welcome To Zombie Colorado is a scary but fun adventure, with a little humor thrown in. It is a dark but realistic look at what the end of the rational world could be like, with a healthy dose of zombies. It's a great example of survival horror, and what a group of average people can do to survive a zombie apocalypse. Will these survivors be able to make it to safety, or will they die a painful death?</span></span></div>
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I was really disappointed with Welcome. The story itself I think could be amazing. There were characters that could have evolved into real stars. Also the world that Michaels has decided to showcase them in could have been really interesting. But none of that happened. The main reason? There were huge editing issues. </div>
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Constantly, from the beginning of the book to the end, the story switches between present and past tense. Sometimes even in the same sentence. </div>
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Also the way the author has decided to jump into random characters heads with no warning. One moment it seems to be being told from the 3rd person, then it jumps into a characters head for a brief 'thought' or for the person to 'speak' and then back to 3rd person then to a characters POV. All within a few paragraphs. </div>
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Both of these issues could have easily been resolved if the author had only chose a course and stuck to it. I kept hoping by the end of the book that the author would have done so, but they didn't. </div>
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Lastly there were some very obvious editing issues. Word repetition. Missing punctuation. Misspellings. etc. Things that should have been caught in editing or by a decent beta reader. Heck some of the items could have been pointed out by a simple Word program. </div>
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Altogether the book read like a first copy. Maybe something that should be sent to beta readers or an editor. Definitely not something that should be put out as a finished work. Here's the thing, I understand that not all authors can afford a decent editor for their work. But generally beta readers are free. A decent beta reader would have caught the tense and <span style="background-color: yellow;">POV</span> issues and brought them to the author attention. I'm not sure if the author had beta-readers or not, but if they did they need to get new ones. Because if there were beta readers either the author refused to take any suggestions they made into account. Or worse, they were afraid, for whatever reason, to be honest with the author and point out things that needed to be corrected. </div>
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The worst part is this story has A LOT of promise. But I don't think it was ready for print. I would love to read some more polished versions of the authors work in the future. I don't like writing reviews for books I don't enjoy. But I hope the author doesn't take this review as simply bashing their work. I tried to point out what caused me not to enjoy Welcome and I hope the author realizes that and that it helps them in the future to put out work that is finished and ready for publication. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-2007903376732003532017-04-26T03:55:00.002-07:002017-04-26T03:55:45.225-07:00V is for Virus the Unknown by Larry Finhouse #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Virus-Season-Dying-Zombie-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B00HVRD7ZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493183466&sr=1-1&keywords=virus+the+unknown" target="_blank">Virus the Unknown</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Virus-Season-Dying-Zombie-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B00HVRD7ZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493183466&sr=1-1&keywords=virus+the+unknown" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Virus-Season-Dying-Zombie-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B00HVRD7ZA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493183466&sr=1-1&keywords=virus+the+unknown" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Brody had always wanted to live like the rich kids did, with their hot meals and shiny cell phones. Unfortunately, life had other plans for him and his sister Pippa. Struggling to pick up the pieces after their father’s mysterious death and coping with their mother’s drug use and her abominable new boyfriend, the children felt even more removed from hope. In this thrilling debut novella, Brody and Pippa are about to learn to rely on a completely different set of survival mechanisms — a set that would keep them alive while horror, a virus that slowly poisons the human brain, tears apart their small town. Amid the outbreak, tales of fright breed and people begin using the word zombie — something Brody, even though young, thinks is foolish.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The horror and fun begins here, Episode 1</span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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This first episode of Virus is definitely graphic. I know, I know. It's a zombie/horror story so it should be, right? Well, yeah, I guess. It's just it's more gory and graphic than I've read in a while. I think it's because the gore comes in even before the zombies make an appearance. Maybe that's it?</div>
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If you're ok with guts and gore then you should be fine with Virus. At least that part of it anyway.</div>
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As for the story itself. It ends on a cliffie. Which I kinda expected going in since it was labeled episode 1. The rest of it was interesting. Unlike the average 'zombie' some of these were talking and obviously thinking. Plus a few other twists for the MC's themselves were thrown in. So it looks like the following episodes could go in any direction. Which is good. Not too predictable. </div>
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The only problem I had with it was that certain phrases threw me out of the book. It's supposed to be set in the U.S. But there were a few phrases that obviously weren't American. So I found myself going back to confirm what country it was supposed to be in. It just threw me out of the story. If I wasn't from the U.S. I probably wouldn't have noticed. But yeah. I just think if you're going to set a story in another country you should make an effort to make sure you use the correct slang and stuff. </div>
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Overall if you like your zombie/horror genre with a healthy dose of gore then this should be right up your alley. It is an episode, so it's short and and ends in a cliffie. But if you're familiar with serials none of that should come as a surprise. I would read the next episode. I want to see if some of my personal theories pan out about certain characters. It isn't the best first episode I've read, but it is by far not the worst. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-84941147839928895912017-04-25T21:30:00.001-07:002017-04-25T21:54:56.905-07:00U is for The The Unsame Ones by Stephanie Skeem #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456387526l/29336106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456387526l/29336106.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unsame-Ones-Stephanie-Skeem-ebook/dp/B01C249IRM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493173033&sr=8-1&keywords=the+unsame+ones" target="_blank">The Unsame Ones</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unsame-Ones-Stephanie-Skeem-ebook/dp/B01C249IRM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493173033&sr=8-1&keywords=the+unsame+ones" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unsame-Ones-Stephanie-Skeem-ebook/dp/B01C249IRM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493173033&sr=8-1&keywords=the+unsame+ones" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I was born in January.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">So I am January, and everything that it entails. I bear the same name as a million other Januaries just like me, the same look, the same genetic makeup, the same job, the same face, the same goals, and the same dreams.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I am and will be a secretary for the rest of my life. I am good at what I do, I was made for my job, and my job was made for me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I am Same.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I have lived the Same as every other January like me for seventeen years. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And a year from now, on the first of January, I will die from the same genetic defect every January has died from. No January has ever lived past eighteen.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">No January has ever wanted to.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Until now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I believe I have been infected with the Unsame Virus. My head aches, throbs, and pounds </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">without ever stopping. Before now, I never felt pain. I know I must turn myself in. That is the only logical thing to do.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">It all started with the hideous Unsame One who crossed my path, and thrust a strange object into my hands. It is he who is to blame, and it is I who must fight this. I cannot shut out my master, keeper, and overseer, Time---nor disobey the clock. I will forever march to its dictates, and remain true.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I am a Same One. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I was born Same. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I have lived Same. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And I will die Same.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I am January. </span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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I really was looking forward to The Unsame Ones. The summary had really caught my attention. </div>
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Overall I did enjoy the book. I liked the characters and I think the world Skeem has built is quite amazing. </div>
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But there was one main issue that got to me. </div>
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The main character would just go on these long winded overly repetitive internal speeches. The thing is when it first started I kinda liked them. They were almost poetic. The problem was not only were they long winded, they had a tendency to say the same thing in a slightly different way over and over and over and over. At first I thought that maybe it was the author trying to be ironic. Like the Sames are a certain way so that was how the character described the Sames world or anything involving the Sames. Then it happened describing anything Unsame as well. Then it seemed that some of the descriptions were repeated all over again. While a lot of it was pretty, whole pages of it just started to drag on. I felt like I was stuck in the same scene for ages. Really I thought the book might never end, and not in a good way. I hate saying that because like I said, I really was intrigued by the premise of the story. I liked the world that Skeem has created. I would like to see more of it. Maybe a prequel explaining how the different Sames came to be. I wouldn't mind seeing what happens to Blade and January. But maybe in the next book the author can keep a tighter leash on January's internal monologues? </div>
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Again, I did like the story that the book tried to tell. I just got bogged down in the constant flowery descriptions in the MC's head. I hate reviewing books like this. Where I actually enjoy the majority of the book, but there's that one thing that just kills it. Especially when without that one little thing the book would have definitely been 5 star amazing.</div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-70249171788733609592017-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-24T00:00:29.305-07:00T is for Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462990678l/29844228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462990678l/29844228.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-10th-Anniversary/dp/1595147888/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492984771&sr=8-2&keywords=13+reasons+why" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-10th-Anniversary/dp/1595147888/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492984771&sr=8-2&keywords=13+reasons+why" target="_blank">Thirteen Reasons Why</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-10th-Anniversary/dp/1595147888/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492984771&sr=8-2&keywords=13+reasons+why" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-10th-Anniversary/dp/1595147888/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492984771&sr=8-2&keywords=13+reasons+why" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">You can't stop the future. </i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">You can't rewind the past.</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.</span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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So I initially was going to read thirteen before I binge watched the new show. Yeah.... that didn't quite work out. lol. My daughter really wanted to watch it and I ended up watching the whole thing in one sitting. </div>
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I liked both versions equally. They both bring a very dark subject into the light and I think give it the attention it needs. I heard from someone recently that there has been some backlash. That some people are saying they feel both the book and the show glorify suicide. As someone who has had their own close relationship with the topic I have to disagree. I even recently read an interview that the author gave that said originally he planned to have Hannah live. But decided against it because it would have given the reader the idea that suicide wasn't permanent, or something along those lines. </div>
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But I am not here to start a debate or fan girl over a tv show. I am here to review a book. (and maybe fangirl over it a bit. lol)</div>
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So on with the show!</div>
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I loved this book. I think it takes a heartbreaking topic and shows it in an honest light. Because of it's huge popularity it also opens a door for the readers to discuss said topic without the stigma that has become attached to it.</div>
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The characters. OMGS. Just yeah. I knew how the book ended. There wasn't going to be some magic last minute twist that brought Hannah back, yet I still couldn't help getting attached to her and Clay. Obviously you don't get to know the supporting characters as well in the book as you do in the show. But I didn't miss that. The book didn't give me a chance to. Where the show investigates how everyone effected Hannah and was effected by her death, the book is just the raw emotion of Hannah and Clay. One isn't better than the other, they're just different. But since the only two characters who's viewpoints you get to see in the book are theirs it just makes it a bit more raw. You also get to a better look at how she saw Clay. Why she was interested in him in the first place. Why she didn't see a way to make things work for him. </div>
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The author did an amazing job of telling Hannah's story from her pov. You read it and you want to say "But no Hannah, there are other choices!" But that's the point. In her mind there wasn't. That's one of the hardest parts to explain to someone who has never had to struggle with suicidal thoughts. Even if you know there are better choices. You need help to get away from that mind set. In Hannah's case she even realized that, but when she reached out the person she asked for help just didn't. </div>
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That's another thing, a lot of the time when someone reaches out they aren't taken seriously. I admit it is a hard thing for someone in good mental health to understand. That things are SO bad that the only acceptable plan of action would be one that leaves the opportunity for other choices to never happen again. But that's where a suicidal persons mind takes them. Sometimes even when they have enough left to want to ask for help they still can't take it. The person who wants to help them has to realize they have to hold on and not let go. Because it can be a constant battle. Somehow Asher is able to bring all of that to the table. He shows Hannah acknowledging that she can't do it alone. At the same time showing Clay coming to the realization that maybe there was something he could have done if he had just seen the signs. But that at the same time even someone who was supposed to see them wasn't able to help her. I'm not trying to be negative and say that she couldn't have been helped. I just think the help she needed was way more than Clay would have been able to provide on his own. </div>
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But Asher is able to weave both their voices together to show both sides of the issue. From the very first page the reader is drawn in and long after the final page they still aren't let go. This isn't just another teenage angst ridden ill-fated romance. If you haven't seen the show or read the book, for whatever reason, I think that you should definitely at least read the book. Yes, It's heartbreaking. Yes, the girl died. No, I'm not going to give a spoiler alert on that one, you find out she's dead at the beginning of the book. There is no magic or hero. There is only Clay and Hannah and their story. But it is so worth reading for whatever lesson you think to take from it. Whether it's suicide isn't the answer to you should be kind because you never know how your actions effect others. I think this is a book that should be read and discussed and read again. Even in it's simplicity the author has found a way to move the reader. For that reason alone it deserves to be read.</div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-75649100704820897042017-04-22T02:11:00.001-07:002017-04-22T02:17:09.841-07:00S is for Salem's Vengeance by Aaron Galvin #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Salem's Vengeance</div>
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Amazon Summary:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Sixteen-year-old Sarah Kelly never expected to meet the Devil’s daughter. She only sought innocent dancing in the moonlight, not a coven entranced by their dark priestess. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">When her friends partake of a powder meant to conjure spirits - and the results go horribly awry - Sarah is forced to make a choice. To keep their secret risks her own damnation, but to condemn them may invoke the accusing remnants of Salem to rise again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">My Review:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Salem's Vengeance was a good read. I was intrigued by the authors take on the Salem incident. Just to clear up something though, the story itself does not take place in Salem. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">The story is told from the MCs POV. But through her eye you are still able to get a decent understanding of the supporting characters. I like them all enough</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"> to want to find out what happens to them after the end of the book.</span></div>
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While the ending does leave some strings untied, it doesn't end on a cliffie, which is always a good thing in my book. lol</div>
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From the looks of this one the series should be good. I definitely plan on picking up the next book as soon as I get the chance. </div>
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Salem is quick paced and a solid read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to fill their summer reading list. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-87670561541133528702017-04-21T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-21T00:00:19.366-07:00R is for The Rescue by Keith Ward #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Rescue</div>
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Bookfunnel Summary:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Courage Can Be Deadly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kertram isn't what he was. Yesterday, before the Transfer, he was meek and timid. Today, he's bold and fearless. His life has taken a turn for the better, he believes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That belief is challenged when he comes face-to-face with the most fearsome animal alive. Run or fight? Life is full of tough choices when you're 10.</span></div>
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My Review: </div>
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The Rescue is a solid introduction to Slypht, the world that Ward has created.</div>
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I liked the characters, the creatures and the magic. The story is short and is set up to lead into a larger story or series, but it is still capable of standing on its own. Although I really do hope that Kertram's story is continued in another, hopefully longer, book. I liked seeing his world through his new eyes.</div>
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I also want to see what else the world of Slypht contains. Especially what other kinds of dragons there are. </div>
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I received a copy of The Rescue as part of subscribing to <a href="http://keithwardfiction.com/" target="_blank">Keith Wards Newsletter</a>. I'd love to provide you with a link to where you could purchase it, but I couldn't find it anywhere besides the link in the newsletter. So I've given you the link to sign up yourself instead. On the upside I got a cool book out of it and he doesn't seem to blowup my email with a new newsletter every 10 minutes. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-75024552932383802052017-04-20T03:28:00.003-07:002017-04-20T03:28:39.153-07:00Q is for The Queen of the She-Zombies by Raol Mavin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Queen-She-Zombies-Seven-Brides-Satan-ebook/dp/B00NAGZC0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492681239&sr=8-1&keywords=the+queen+of+the+she-zombies" target="_blank">The Queen of the She-Zombies</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Queen-She-Zombies-Seven-Brides-Satan-ebook/dp/B00NAGZC0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492681239&sr=8-1&keywords=the+queen+of+the+she-zombies" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Red Blade is a legendary Paladin, the youngest and the most skilled of the Holy Knights. Young and having lived in exclusively sheltered monasteries where women are not allowed, Red Blade is not comfortable in the presence of women. Now he has to face the vicious but sensual she-zombies.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Azulanja, the Queen of the She-Zombies, raises an army of she-zombies with her demonic power. Her foul and evil minions are sexually arousing, allowing the She-zombies to easily subdue and hold in thrall their male victims, before sucking dry their life and flesh. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Vi is a deadly and sexy assassin, the most beautiful woman that Red Blade has ever seen. She was in her quest of ridding the world of demons and zombies when her path crossed with Red Blade’s. Now, together with Red Blade, she is trying to stop Azulanja and her horde of she-zombies.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Will they manage to rid the world of the terror of the she-zombies? Or will they end up as the plaything of the Zombie Queen?</span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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So earlier this month was <a href="http://reviewsfrommyfirstreadsshelf.blogspot.com/2017/04/k-is-for-kill-them-dead-genesis-episode.html" target="_blank">zombies in space.</a> Today I bring you zombie erotica...</div>
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Yeah, you read that right. </div>
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Zombie. Erotica.</div>
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(and it's not written by <a href="http://bobs-burgers.wikia.com/wiki/Tina_Belcher" target="_blank">Tina Belcher.</a>) </div>
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I wasn't too sure about zombie sex. I'm still not. But if you're going to make a porno with zombies this is definitely one way to do it.</div>
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So when I read erotica that has a story I expect that if I take out the sex scenes that there will be an <i>actual</i> story. I think with Queen you can could get that. I mean you would have to re-write how the zombies take the males energy. But I think it could be done. There were also parts that I actually laughed out. They were just<i> really </i>over the top. I'm not sure if that is what the author intended. But they were funny to me. </div>
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There were some spots that felt rushed. Considering the length of the book I don't see any reason for it. Obviously the author was going for some kind of story, not just straight porn, so it didn't need to be rushed. Also there were a couple things that just felt thrown in for the sake of it. For example the final sex scene involving the MCs. It went from being erotica sex to romance sex. Love and feelings and all that. Look I get it, he's a virgin. They tend to fall in love with anything that will let them do it. But still. Really? I could see them having feeling yes, but Love of their lives type feelings... Not just yet. Then there was the tentacle rape scene... It just felt like it was thrown in to get the hentai crowd. </div>
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"But AimeeKay!!," you say, "IT'S a friggin' erotica!!"</div>
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Yeah, I know. But the book felt like a story with extremely erotica tendencies, not just an erotic novel with intervals that were just lead ins to the next sex scene. So I'm gonna judge it on a different scale. Now if the author says he wants me to just judge it on its erotic moments...? Well that's a completely different review. </div>
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So anyway. The cover does have the warning about mature, explicit, offensive content. Yes, that is definitely a truth in advertising warning. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK FOR YOUR KID!!! NO!!! </div>
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Now if you're an adult that's a different story. It's free for kindle on amazon at the moment. It's a unique twist on zombies. And like I said some of it's so over the top it's fun. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-46366685770006856382017-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-19T00:00:11.605-07:00P is for Project Snow by Cherita Smith #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Project-SNOW-Science-Fiction-Fairy-ebook/dp/B01M1BH77W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492410284&sr=8-1&keywords=project+snow" target="_blank">Project Snow</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Project-SNOW-Science-Fiction-Fairy-ebook/dp/B01M1BH77W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492410284&sr=8-1&keywords=project+snow" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Project-SNOW-Science-Fiction-Fairy-ebook/dp/B01M1BH77W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492410284&sr=8-1&keywords=project+snow" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Snow White meets genetic engineering in this captivating novelette that blends science fiction and fairy tale — you'll be hooked from the very first line...</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Like most engineered kids, Amara can't wait to turn sixteen. Sixteen means confirmation of immunity to the aging infection that plagues mankind. And confirmation means freedom, leaving behind the quarantine of the Tower where she's lived all her life for a new life in the city — no filtration veils required.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">But the queen has other plans. The queen is dying and needs a new heart. Daughter or not, Amara's will do. A Guardsman wants to save Amara, but is it for love, or his own dark want?</span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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I love rewritten fairy tales. It's always fun to see how the author decides to re-invision a classic. Sometimes it ends up not even resembling the original. Honestly as long as it is written well that's all that matters. In the case of Project Snow there are definite nods to the original and it definitely excels in the well written category. </div>
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I really enjoyed Smith's version. It isn't an <i>obvious</i> Snow White. There is an evil queen and a huntsman as well as a few other Snow White references. But here's the thing, if you took out the references that make it obviously a new version it would still be a really good book. The world Smith has built is interesting. The characters make you care about them. Even the ending, which I hope is a set up for either a larger novel or even the start to a series, has it's own unique twist. </div>
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Even if you're not a big fan of fairy tale rewrites I still think you should pick up this book. Especially since it's currently only .99 cents on Amazon. It's well written. Even if there aren't any further books related to this specific title, I still can't wait to read more from this author. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-53997392430910263402017-04-18T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-18T00:00:19.000-07:00O is for One for the Road by Chad Lutzke #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Road-family-zombie-story-ebook/dp/B00MKHT318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Road-family-zombie-story-ebook/dp/B00MKHT318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">One for the Road</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Road-family-zombie-story-ebook/dp/B00MKHT318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">A Family Zombie Story</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Road-family-zombie-story-ebook/dp/B00MKHT318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Road-family-zombie-story-ebook/dp/B00MKHT318/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A teenage boy deals with his family's decision to keep his undead grandfather captive in the attic. How far would you go for those you love?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Review:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One is short, only 14 pages, but it is interesting. I'd like to see what the story would look like if expanded into a larger format. The ending feels kind of abrupt. After all the word the kid goes through I would have liked to see what came of his actions. Obviously his parents are going to find out. But otherwise it was a decent short story. I definitely got a feel for the authors voice and I would be willing to read more by him. In the end isn't that the main point of short stories? Especially free ones? To give you a chance to meet the author and their creation without having to commit to a full length novel. This story did that and achieved its purpose to those ends. Again there are still some unanswered questions and as this isn't listed as being a prequel or connected to another book or series I don't feel I'll have them answered. But I did enjoy the story. I do plan to pick up more of his work and I would recommend this story to others.</span></span></div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-32531261502661822802017-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-17T00:00:18.758-07:00N is for Not Just Voodoo ~~ Anthology #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-Just-Voodoo-Rebecca-Hamilton-ebook/dp/B01N37BAIP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492277231&sr=8-1&keywords=not+just+voodoo" target="_blank">Not Just Voodoo</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-Just-Voodoo-Rebecca-Hamilton-ebook/dp/B01N37BAIP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492277231&sr=8-1&keywords=not+just+voodoo" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Not-Just-Voodoo-Rebecca-Hamilton-ebook/dp/B01N37BAIP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492277231&sr=8-1&keywords=not+just+voodoo" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">To celebrate the release of Something Like Voodoo by New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton, we've put together this paranormal fantasy collection of short stories that include works from some of her favorite authors!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Most of the stories in this specially curated collection are brand new, exclusive content - never before distributed anywhere else and yours for the taking!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">If you're in the mood for unique magic and familiar creatures, this anthology is sure to add spark to your day!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">WHAT'S INSIDE:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Margo Bond Collins - Major Arcana </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Erin Hayes - I Wish I Weren’t A Djinni </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Aileen Harkwood - Splintered Magic</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">L.C. Hibbett - Wicked Witch</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Megan J. Parker & Nathan Squiers - Journal of Abigail DiAngelo </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Katerina Martinez - The Witch and the Thief</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">K.N. Lee - Awakened</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Nicole Zoltack - Gavin’s Gamble</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Debbie Cassidy - Deadtown</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Alicia Rades - Visions Among Frost </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Monica Corwin - The Dying of the Light </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Jasmine Walt - Tested by Magic</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Thea Atkinson - Reaper’s Redemption</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Rebecca Hamilton - Leaves Like Magic</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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I found out about Not Just Voodoo through <a href="http://www.rebeccahamiltonbooks.com/newsletter" target="_blank">Rebecca Hamilton's newsletter.</a> </div>
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Depending on the Anthology I have 2 ways of reviewing. The first, where I review the collection as a whole. The second is where I do a mini-review for each story. I've decided to do the second for Not Just Voodoo. </div>
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Overall I really enjoyed the anthology. I definitely recommend picking it up. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Major Arcana</b> by Margo Bond Collins -- So sweet! Some twists I did not expect. Plus it's a prequel to another book, so can find out more about the characters that I was starting to become attached to.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>I Wish I Weren't A Djinni</b> by Erin Hayes -- Liked this one too! lol. It's a stand alone, but I wouldn't mind visiting Hayes worlds again. Lot's of fun and a HEA. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Splintered Magic</b> by Aileen Harkwood--Creepy, in a good way. Towards the end it felt rushed. I don't know if that would be the case if it had been a longer format. I definitely want to find out more about the MC and her family. So I'd be willing to read more from this author. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Wicked Witch</b> by L.C. Hibbett -- Loved this one! The series it is a part of comes out this year. Can't wait! I want to find out what happens to Destiny. I also want to see more of the world the author has built. It looks like tons of fun.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Journal of Abigail DiAngelo </b>by Megan J. Parker & Nathan Squiers -- This one started out slow, but evened itself out. By the end I had really started to root for Abby and I hope that there is a book out there that tells more of her adventures.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>The Witch and the Thief </b>by Katerina Martinez --Interesting. It definitely is set up to lead into a larger story. The story didn't pull me in as much as some of the previous ones did. But I'm still putting it on my wish list since I am interested to see where the story goes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Awakened </b>by K.N. Lee -- This was drew me in. Again, it is more of a lead in than a stand alone. I still have so many questions. How is Willa going to live in the Spirit Witch's castle and still be married, much less attend university? How was she planning on keeping her secret from whoever she ends up marrying? and many more. I want to know!! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Gavin's Gamble </b>by Nicole Zoltack --So this one ends rather suddenly. So suddenly it feels a bit incomplete. I know, I know... Most short stories these days are prequels or lead ins to a full-fledged novel or series. But usually they feel like they can at least some what stand on their own. I AM curious to find out what happens to Gavin and from the author info after wards it looks as if this is a prequel for one of the authors books. So I should be able to see what happens to him. But again the way it felt like it ended mid story kinda threw me off. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Deadtown </b>by Debbie Cassidy --Oooooo... this one is GOOOD!!! I really hope a book comes out with more adventures of Daria and Ethan. The world Cassidy has built for them to run around in looks really cool too.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Visions Among Frost </b>by Alicia Rades -- Ok. So sad. I mean it has a not so sad ending. But still wanted to cry. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>The Dying of the Light </b>by Monica Corwin -- I don't usually like crime stories. But this one looks interesting. I especially want to find out more about the world the author has created.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Tested by Magic </b>by Jasmine Walt --Another procedural. I swear I can hear the *dundun* at the beginning of each chapter. lol. While I AM serious about that, I will say that I enjoyed this one a lot too. Between the world that Walt has created and the MC I was drawn in from beginning to end. The other thing about this one. It felt longer then it actually was, but in a good way. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Reaper's Redemption </b>by Thea Atkinson -- This one's short, yet interesting. You get just enough of the story to leave you wanting more. I'm definitely going to have to check out the series that it's a part of. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><b>Leaves Like Magic </b>by Rebecca Hamilton -- Another one that feels almost like a complete story. The characters and their world kept me reading. I do want to find out more about both. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall I think this anthology is awesome! I really love anthologies anyway because you get to see a whole bunch of writers in one place. You get a sense of their voice and it's in a short story/novella format so if you don't enjoy one author in particular it's not like you've committed a huge amount of time. I definitely have a whole bunch of new authors to check out after the challenge is over. <br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /></span></div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-1450702317025945372017-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-15T00:00:19.141-07:00M is for The Midnight Sea by Kat Ross #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Sea-Fourth-Element-Book-ebook/dp/B01BN5Z7LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492237704&sr=8-1&keywords=the+midnight+sea" target="_blank">The Midnight Sea</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Sea-Fourth-Element-Book-ebook/dp/B01BN5Z7LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492237704&sr=8-1&keywords=the+midnight+sea" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Sea-Fourth-Element-Book-ebook/dp/B01BN5Z7LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492237704&sr=8-1&keywords=the+midnight+sea" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">They are the light against the darkness.</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The steel against the necromancy of the Druj.</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And they use demons to hunt demons….</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Nazafareen lives for revenge. A girl of the isolated Four-Legs Clan, all she knows about the King's elite Water Dogs is that they bind wicked creatures called daevas to protect the empire from the Undead. But when scouts arrive to recruit young people with the gift, she leaps at the chance to join their ranks. To hunt the monsters that killed her sister.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Scarred by grief, she's willing to pay any price, even if it requires linking with a daeva named Darius. Human in body, he's possessed of a terrifying power, one that Nazafareen controls. But the golden cuffs that join them have an unwanted side effect. Each experiences the other's emotions, and human and daeva start to grow dangerously close.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">As they pursue a deadly foe across the arid waste of the Great Salt Plain to the glittering capital of Persepolae, unearthing the secrets of Darius's past along the way, Nazafareen is forced to question his slavery—and her own loyalty to the empire. But with an ancient evil stirring in the north, and a young conqueror sweeping in from the west, the fate of an entire civilization may be at stake…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">My Review:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The Midnight Sea is an alternate earth history.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Ross has deftly woven bits and pieces of actual history into the world she has built. I enjoyed traveling through it. I hope to see more of it in the books that follow this one. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Upon this stage that she has built she brings her characters to life with heart breaking clarity. One by one I slowly fell in love with them, even poor broken Ilyas. I can't wait to find out more about the MC's. I also want to find out more about some of the supporting characters as well. I especially want to see how they react when their own history is turned on it's head. Although some of them, thanks to their long lives, already know the truth since they lived it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">I definitely recommend Midnight Sea. It's a solid beginning to what looks to be an amazing series. I hope that the following books continue with the same momentum. Whether you are an avid alternate earth reader or not, I think you will enjoy this book. The ending is a lead in to the next book, but it doesn't end on a cliff hanger. But if you decide to pick up the first book, since it is currently free for Kindle on Amazon, I recommend picking up the second book as well. That way you can just begin reading it as soon as you finish with the first. If I had known how deeply I would be drawn into the world Ross has created I would have bought the second one with the first. As is it is on my wish list and I plan to pick it up as soon as I am can so I will be able to pick up where I left off when I am finished with the A to Z challenge. </span></span></div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-49408832857776641612017-04-14T01:57:00.002-07:002017-04-14T02:35:17.925-07:00L is for Luck of the Draw by Piers Anthony #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1343938018l/13539168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1343938018l/13539168.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luck-Draw-Chronicles-Piers-Anthony-ebook/dp/B008BU6ZNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492154143&sr=8-1&keywords=luck+of+the+draw+piers+anthony" target="_blank">Luck of the Draw</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luck-Draw-Chronicles-Piers-Anthony-ebook/dp/B008BU6ZNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492154143&sr=8-1&keywords=luck+of+the+draw+piers+anthony" target="_blank">Xanth #36</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luck-Draw-Chronicles-Piers-Anthony-ebook/dp/B008BU6ZNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492154143&sr=8-1&keywords=luck+of+the+draw+piers+anthony" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luck-Draw-Chronicles-Piers-Anthony-ebook/dp/B008BU6ZNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492154143&sr=8-1&keywords=luck+of+the+draw+piers+anthony" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">Bryce is summoned to Xanth as part of a wager between the Demons Earth and Xanth. To his surprise, he has left behind his home and family and eighty-year-old body forever, in exchange for youth and magic….and a quest. He must court and marry Princess Harmony, who is anything but willing to be courted!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">My Review:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">It has been a very long time since my last visit to Xanth. Not on purpose, mind you. Just things here became busy... I knew Anthony is a very prolific writer and when I realized how much time had passed that I didn't know if I'd ever be able to catch up. (Note: I still haven't.) Then I remembered when I began reading the Xanth books it was out of order. lol. So I figured I would buy all I could find at the book store, there were only 3, and just go from there. I'm so glad I did. I missed Xanth.</span></div>
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Luck of the Draw was like going home again. Except this home is still the same, and not in a bad way. Yeah, there are new faces and some of the scenery has changed, but underneath it all Xanth is still Xanth. The Gap Chasm is still there and Murphy's still old. The puns are gloriously groanie and ever abundant. As I followed the newest cast of characters on their quest I gleefully guessed at the nature of new puns. I enjoyed the story's twists and turns and trying to figure out where exactly the MC's would end up. </div>
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If you're an old fan, well you've probably already read this one, since it is #36 out of 40. But if you haven't, for whatever reason, pick it up. If you've never read a Xanth novel... UM... Why? While I do suggest you start at the beginning. You can pick up any one of the 40 and start reading. I suggest you start sooner than later since there are already more to be published AND it is <a href="http://www.tor.com/2017/04/12/piers-anthonys-xanth-novels-to-become-feature-film-and-tv-series/" target="_blank">rumored to be possibly coming to tv</a>. Yes, the puns are silly. Yes, the story isn't gore and violence. But it's fun and fantasy and a great place to get lost in for a while.</div>
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**Anthony and Xanth introduced me to the "Author's Note". Long before I met authors in person. Long before I became related to authors. I realized that some authors interact with their fans. Even take ideas from fans. While I'm still working up the courage to write Mr. Anthony 30 yrs later..Those authors notes changed how I viewed authors. (You have to understand this was before Facebook, and Twitter. Heck it was before the internet. I know, I'm old.) But you didn't just get a day to day view of your favorite authors back then. If you were lucky and your favorite author was REALLY popular you got to read an interview in some random magazine. But never usually something you could walk into the average store and buy. You had to go to actual bookstores for specific magazines about writing. But in those notes he gave updates on his life. Background on were certain characters came from. Gave credit to readers for puns they contributed. Sure there was a little bit of losing the mystery of the man behind the curtain. But they were like the email newsletters of today, except you didn't get one every month or more. lol. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-53327103237175929242017-04-13T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-13T00:00:20.997-07:00K is for Kill Them Dead: Genesis Episode 1 by Benn Finn and Marc Webb #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441439138l/17619994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441439138l/17619994.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Them-Dead-Zombie-thriller-ebook/dp/B00BNXZZOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492062572&sr=8-1&keywords=kill+them+dead" target="_blank">Kill Them Dead: Genesis</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Them-Dead-Zombie-thriller-ebook/dp/B00BNXZZOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492062572&sr=8-1&keywords=kill+them+dead" target="_blank">Episode 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Them-Dead-Zombie-thriller-ebook/dp/B00BNXZZOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492062572&sr=8-1&keywords=kill+them+dead" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Them-Dead-Zombie-thriller-ebook/dp/B00BNXZZOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492062572&sr=8-1&keywords=kill+them+dead" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">When asteroid mining vessel, Photon-II returns to the space station, Orion, it immediately becomes apparent that something is </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">very wrong </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">. A total communications blackout forces the crew of Photon-II to dock manually, however, once on board they discover that the Orion appears to be completely abandoned.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">David Taylor and Jason Clark split the crew into two groups to try and figure out what went down on the Orion. They soon discover that they are not alone, and that something deadly is lurking in the shadows.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">My Review:</span></span><br />
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It's zombies in space. Zombies. In. Space.<br />
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Don't worry it's not as cheesy as it sounds. In fact, so far it has the makings of a pretty good thriller. I could easily see it being made into a horror movie. The setting's got the creep factor down. The red emergency lights flashing constantly. The empty space station.<br />
Of course the group splits up.<br />
The zombies only really make an appearance at the very beginning and the very end. Which are time frames separated by centuries. (Don't worry, it makes sense.)<br />
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This first episode was fast paced and creepy. As I said before I could definitely see this easily be transformed into a horror flick. I want to see who makes it out alive in the end.<br />
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The first episode is currently free on Amazon. Pick it up. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.<br />
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-25505173010366984752017-04-12T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-12T01:23:47.945-07:00J is for Just Another Day in the Zombie Apocalypse by L.C. Mortimer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Day-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1519012942/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491974920&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=just+another+day+in+the+zombie+apocalyypse" target="_blank">Just Another Day in the Zombie Apocalypse </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Day-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1519012942/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491974920&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=just+another+day+in+the+zombie+apocalyypse" target="_blank">Episode 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Day-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1519012942/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491974920&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=just+another+day+in+the+zombie+apocalyypse" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Just-Another-Day-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1519012942/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491974920&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=just+another+day+in+the+zombie+apocalyypse" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The zombie apocalypse? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Like that could ever happen. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Alice wakes up on the roof one day to find the world on fire. Everything’s burning, and what isn’t burning is coming back from the dead. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Zombies. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Trapped on top of their apartment building, Alice, Mark, and Kyle must work together to find their way out of the city and to safety. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Can they do it? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Find out in Just Another Day in the Zombie Apocalypse, episode 1.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My Review:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just Another Day is the first episode in this serial. So it's short and like most episodes I've read it ends on a cliffie. Not too bothered by that because: a- I've come to expect that from the 'episodes' of serials. and b-The author is polite enough to let the reader know in the beginning of the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> As for the story. It's interesting. I'll give it that. The voice switched between all 3 characters, which helped to get to know each one a little better. The zombies are there from the beginning. In fact, the characters wake up to the apocalypse in full swing. The focus of this part is on introducing the three main characters and getting them started on their journey in their new world. Think more prepping, less slaying. It ends with their first major confrontation with their new neighbors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Would I read more of the series? Yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just couldn't seem to connect to any of the characters. Maybe because the episode is as short as it is? I mean if one of the three main MC's got eaten before the end of that episode I didn't really care. It's not like I was rooting for them to get chomped. (Yes, it happens. lol) But it just didn't get me to care. I really think that has to do with the length of the book. I tend to think of episodes being like an episode of a tv show. Sometimes, even really good shows don't quite have all the kinks worked out in the pilot or the premier. Because of this I tend to give episodic serials more leeway in the beginning then I do ones of a longer length. IF this had been a full novel and I felt this way at the end I definitely wouldn't be picking up the next book. </span></div>
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So yes, I will definitely pick up the next episode. I want to see where the author plans to take these characters. I saw a lot of different directions that characters could go in. Plus it ends on a cliffie. So maybe one of their stories will end at the beginning of the next book. But I wasn't completely sold on their stories yet. Which is why I'm not giving it a perfect 5 out of 5. It's not horrible, but it didn't quite blow me away.</div>
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I think if I were to do it over I would pick up more than just the first episode. Then I would have gotten a better feel of the series as a whole and wouldn't be stuck in such a limbo. I would either love it or hate it. Not just be ok with it. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-21981055762526775032017-04-11T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-11T00:26:16.380-07:00I is for Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443433956l/23395680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1443433956l/23395680.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Illuminae-Files-Amie-Kaufman-ebook/dp/B00OEXJARS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491882373&sr=8-1&keywords=illuminae" target="_blank">Illuminae</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Illuminae-Files-Amie-Kaufman-ebook/dp/B00OEXJARS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491882373&sr=8-1&keywords=illuminae" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Illuminae-Files-Amie-Kaufman-ebook/dp/B00OEXJARS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491882373&sr=8-1&keywords=illuminae" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Illuminae-Files-Amie-Kaufman-ebook/dp/B00OEXJARS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491882373&sr=8-1&keywords=illuminae" target="_blank">Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">swore</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> she’d never speak to again.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Illuminae</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes</span></span></div>
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My Review:</div>
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OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! OH MY GOOOOOOD!!! This book was soooo good!!! Just absolutely AH-MAY-ZING!! </div>
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Ok. I think I've got all the fan girly gushing out of the way. lol. Let's get on to why I'm so head over heels for this one.</div>
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First of all, let's talk about the big multi-medium elephant in the room. Window? Page? I'll stick with room. The Found Footage elephant is a style that was ALL the rage a while back in movies. It started with The Blair Witch Project and went down hill from there, more on that in a bit. While not <i>as </i>new in books, following society's trends it also became more popular in the written medium too. There seem to be two distinct types of 'found footage' books. The diary/journal entry types, which have been around forever, is the first. The second, the one I feel is more recent and more like the movie genre versions, consists of what seems to be actual 'found footage'. Think less you're reading someones diary and more you're discovering the story through newspaper clippings, pictures, notes, letters, police reports, etc. The former style has been around for a long time and has had time to have found it's formula. So the fear that it will be bad simply because of how it's written isn't that great. The latter, like it's silver screen counterparts however, still is experiencing some growing pains. Unfortunately for movies the words found footage can be a an instant deal breaker. With books it's not so bad, but only because there is more than just one type of information that can be 'found' to create the story. Honestly it makes me sad that found footage films have become sort of a joke. I LOVE the found footage format. But like other style fads, the love triangle, vampires, zombies, etc. it seems that sometimes a author/director will decide to throw it in just because at that moment it's what's hot and they think they can cash in on it. Whatever the new 'in thing' it ends up becoming overused at best. At worst? It is just thrown in pull in more of an audience and because it's just a gimmick and no real thought is put into it the final product suffers. In the long run there's backlash. In the case of found footage, just seeing those words can keep someone from giving the book or movie a second glance. Most people hear found footage and respond the way I do when I hear 'love triangle'.* </div>
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But with Illuminae, which is ALL found footage, the authors have gotten it just right. They have diagrams and flyers, emails, IM's, transcribed recordings, anything that can be put in a computer. They even have videos. Yes, you heard me correctly: videos and yes, it is a book.(I read the print version) So the videos that you are 'watching' are actually written descriptions of what is going on in the video...but still.** There are a few journal entries. But they are there more to give you deeper insight into the characters mindset, than to say describe how a scene is played out. Altogether they authors have created a highly detailed story that pulls you in and doesn't let go. I had to know what was going to happen to Kady and Ezra. I had to find out what was going on with AIDEN. I wanted to see what the next page was going to bring presentation wise as well. Would it be a conversation between Kady and Byron? Would it be a PSA flyer handed out about the Hypatia? The only reason I didn't finish faster then I did was because I wanted to absorb every detail from each page. Also underneath the book cover, at least in hard back form, the outside of the book is just as detailed as the inside. Of course the papers you see on the books skin are still the redacted versions... But the Illuminae sheds light on all of them eventually.</div>
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Also this book will drag you through ALL the feels. My heart broke for the various characters as they made impossible choices. I actually laughed out loud multiple times while reading. (Once even in my drs office. If they didn't think I was off before...) I fell in love with the MC's. Correction, all the C's. Supporting as well as main. Save for a few specific asshats, I wanted them all to make it to safety. I cheered when they overcame a new challenge. I cried when they were overcome instead. That Kristoff and Kaufman were able to pull all this off with found footage. Absolutely brilliant. Usually with this type of found footage I fall in love more with the story than the people in it. It's a casualty of not always hearing the characters inner voices. This isn't always a bad thing, it's just a thing. With Illuminae it's a moot point. Even without hearing their every thought I still felt that I really got to know them as individuals, not just a populace that something happened to.</div>
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Illuminae is part of a series. The second book is already available. But it can be read as a stand alone. From what I've seen of the second book it tells what happens at the Heimdall Station while the first book is taking place. So not only is it in a new location, but it also is a completely new cast of characters. So when I finished this book, I really hoped there was another one. I wanted to find out more and it was left open for future books, but it wasn't a sharp drop cliffie ending. So while I wanted the next book right away, it wasn't like I needed it. Scratch that last part. I DO need it! I need it right this instant so I can dive back into Kaufman and Kristoff's universe. The only thing stopping me is that the only cash I have on hand is paper. Neither Amazon nor my computer have a way for me to pay them using real world cash. lol</div>
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Definitely recommend this book. There is gore and A LOT of death, but all the curse words are blacked out. (This actually made the book even more amusing because I could insert my own. lol) </div>
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So why are you still here? GO ! Buy the book and start reading! I can't wait to see that you enjoyed it as much as I did! </div>
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*Note to authors who want me to review your work. If there's a love triangle... probably don't tell me ahead of time and you better have put A LOT of effort into it. I will judge and judge harshly.</div>
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**Side note: With the advent of new tech, such as e-books and the variety of platforms to read them on why has no one thought to use actual videos and recordings in books yet? At least electronic ones. I mean that would be SO COOL!! Somebody get on this!!!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This is another book that I 'borrowed' from my daughter. I saw it and recognized one of the authors and thought it would be an interesting read for the letter I in the the A to Z Challenge.I have to give it back to her now. I can't wait for her to finish it so I have someone to talk about this book with!!! </span></div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937471865323192764.post-67678718605704491802017-04-10T00:00:00.000-07:002017-04-10T00:00:09.479-07:00H is for Heartland Junk by Eli Nixon #atozchallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1472324244l/31690723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1472324244l/31690723.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heartland-Junk-Part-ZOMBIE-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B01KY78DE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491778737&sr=8-1&keywords=eli+nixon" target="_blank">Heartland Junk</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heartland-Junk-Part-ZOMBIE-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B01KY78DE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491778737&sr=8-1&keywords=eli+nixon" target="_blank">Part 1: The End</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heartland-Junk-Part-ZOMBIE-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B01KY78DE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491778737&sr=8-1&keywords=eli+nixon" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Heartland-Junk-Part-ZOMBIE-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B01KY78DE8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491778737&sr=8-1&keywords=eli+nixon" target="_blank"> Amazon Summary:</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">It came at you first like an unexpected chill breeze on a warm day. Most people never had a chance to figure out what was happening before it was too late. Only the lucky ones, the ones already ruined, like me, were able to defend ourselves.</span></h2>
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Junk looks to be an interesting zombie series. It's definitely got some twists that I haven't read before. </div>
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There's a disconnect between the first chapter and the rest of the book. The first chapter is obviously sometime farther in the future than the rest of the book. Nothing too big. It won't stop me from picking up more books in the series. Honestly it might connect back to the first scene at some point since Junk obviously isn't a full length novel. But based on the title alone I knew that it was part 1. So again, it didn't bother me that much. I'm just used to when a book starts out that way to it coming full circle and by the end being back where it started. </div>
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Part 1 did a good job of introducing the characters and how the zombie apocalypse started, at least for them. I thought the idea of using certain drugs to stave off the transformation was interesting. Also the glimpses into the zombies thoughts were cool too. I can't wait to see where Nixon plans on going with the world he has started to build. There were definitely some questions left open at the end that I want to find out the answers to as well. </div>
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There is gore. A lot of gore. There is also serious drug use. So I wouldn't recommend Heartland Junk for anyone under 18. But otherwise if you are a zombie addict like me looking for a fresh fix.... I definitely recommend it. Last I checked it's still free for Kindle on Amazon. I'm pretty sure after your first read you'll be hooked too. </div>
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<br />AimeeKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16214445800351937910noreply@blogger.com0