Check out my Darling Vox Box from Influenster! #DarlingVoxBox #Influenster #GotItForFree #Contest #FreeStuffIsAwesome!

^^^See all my goodies!!^^^

So a few weeks ago I received a Darling Vox Box from Influenster. 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.

I so enjoyed everything in my box!

The Duncan Hines Perfect Size was AH-MAY-ZING! Don't just take my word on it check out the other Darling Vox Box reviewers thoughts here. (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!

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!) Check out more of the reviews here. 

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. Want to find out more? Click here.








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. Want to find out more? Click here.


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 here and here.


Want to find out more about Influenster? Click here and sign up. It's fun and you get to try and review cool stuff for free!

Blog Tour: Freak by Erin Lee ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

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 here.



Freak

by Erin Lee

Genre: LBGT/ Contemporary

Age category: Young Adult

Release Date: 29 June, 2017

Blurb:

Regret Comes in Every Color of the Rainbow



Based on Erin Lee’s novella, Her Name Was Sam, 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.



But Sam’s story is far from over…



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.



Because love comes in all shades too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

 Sarah

  

At some point, someone 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.

“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…”

“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.”

“No you won’t. Why don’t you just let my mom do 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 have to take it serious. It’s not like they are blind…”

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 that 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?”

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 clue he’s gay and would likely disown him if they knew. What the hell is wrong with people? He’s a great kid. Why does it matter?

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 do 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.

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.

“Dude! I’m just not, okay. Let it go. You don’t get it. And I don’t know why you don’t. You’re the kid who has to sit with the freak at lunchtime. And you know what? Don’t.”

“Oh hell no, you don’t. That’s BS and you know it. I’m not like that. What’s wrong 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.”

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.

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 that 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. Would they?

“What if I called your mom and explained things to her?”

Ryan puts down the spoon he holds in one hand and removes the towel from his head with the other. He shakes his head.

“No.”

“No?”

“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.”

“Shoot. I forgot the peas. Put that thing back on your head. At least it’s cold.”

“Peas?”

“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.”

“Gee, thanks, Ma.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can find Freak on Goodreads



You can buy Freak here on Amazon

About the Author:

Erin Lee is a freelance writer and therapist chasing a crazy dream one reality at a time. She is the author of Crazy Like Me, a novel published in 2015 by Savant Books and Publications, LLC, Wave to Papa, 2015, by Limitless Publishing, LLC and Nine Lives (2016). She’s also author of Alters, Host, and Merge of the “Lola, Party of Eight Series,” When I’m Dead, Take Me As I Am, Greener, Something Blue, Once Upon a Vow and 99 Bottles. She also penned Her Name Was Sam, an LGBTQ awareness novella. She is author of Losing Faith, and co-author of The Morning After with Black Rose Writing. These days, she spends her free time working on the sequels to this novel, Jimmie’s Ice Cream and Thing Fifteen.



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.



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 . . .


You can find and contact Erin Lee here:

- Website

- Facebook

- Twitter

- Goodreads

- Amazon



Giveaway

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.



For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Scions of the Star Empire Book 1: Scandal by Athena Grayson Blog Tour Stop Excerpt & Giveaway!

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 here.
Today I will be sharing an excerpt from Scandal.

Scandal (Scions of the Star Empire #1)

By Athena Grayson

Genre: Sci-fi dystopian with romantic elements

Age category: New Adult/ Adult

Release Date: 23 March 2017

Blurb:

They can have anything they want...except a future.



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.



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.



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.

 ~~~~~~~ 

Excerpt Fool’s Gambit

©2016 Athena Grayson


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.
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.
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.
Thankfully, this was an exhibition duel. The blades would sting, but not incapacitate or kill.
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.
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.
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. What new way have you found to disappoint me?
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.
The last chime sounded. Engage!
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. And knew he’d made a mistake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can find Scandal on Goodreads



You can buy Scandal here:

- Amazon

- B&N

- Kobo

- iTunes

- Google Play

- Smashwords

- Books2Read



You can also find all the buy links for this book here on the author's website.





About the Author:

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.



You can find and contact Athena here:

- Website

- Facebook

- Twitter

- Amazon

- Goodreads

- Bookbub



Giveaway

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Scandal. These are the prizes you can win:

- 2 paperback copies of Scandal by Athena Grayson (US Only)

- 2 $10 Amazon Gift Cards (International)



For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Destiny of the Queen Blog Tour 5/29-6/11 ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

This is my stop during the blog tour for Destiny of the Queen by Jacqueline Patricks. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 29 May till 11 June. See the tour schedule here.



Destiny of the Queen (The Brajj #3)

By Jacqueline Patricks

Genre: Science Fiction Romance

Age category: Adult

Release Date: 6 May, 2017

Blurb:

Can a goddess find redemption? Can a soldier find purpose?



When you think all is lost,

When you believe life is meaningless,

Sometimes your destiny is revealed.



If you’re willing to see the signs,

And brave enough to fight,

Sometimes you can change worlds.



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.



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?



The stunning conclusion to the Brajj trilogy!

Excerpt:

 “You lost him?” Cass jumped from her chair and accidentally hit the round melamine table, tipping her paper cup of coffee on its edge.

“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.

Lars threw his full cup across the room. Coffee exploded against the vending machines and the ubiquitous white wall behind it.

Mathews sulked in her chair, arms crossed, and chin to her chest. “Figures.”

Dr. Saniya sighed and bowed her head. “I understand how distressing this must be for all of you.”

Lars and Mathews exchanged pissed off looks while Cass sputtered and Jeamon growled.

Lunging at Dr. Saniya, Lars said, “No, doc, I really don’t think you do. We’ve been stuck in here for hours, then you come tell us you lost our captain?”

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.

“Dr. Saniya,” Cass said, “exactly what do you mean when you say, ‘you lost him’?”

Although Dr. Saniya’s expression eased, her eyes darted around the room. “Well, Dr. Baros, that’s difficult to say.”

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.

Cass feigned a smile. “Try.”

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.”

Lars snorted and shuffled his feet. “I bet.”

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…”

“What?” Mathews asked.

“He jumped through a wormhole.”

“My God. What’ve you done?” Cass closed her eyes and covered her mouth with her hand.

Jeamon wrapped her in a hug. “Lewis is strong. He will survive.”

Cass pressed her face to Jeamon’s chest, shaking her head. “You don’t understand.”

Dr. Saniya moved closer, one hand reaching out before she stopped and lowered her arm. “What do you mean?”

“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.”

“You can’t be serious!”

“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.”

“Hang on.” Mathews massaged her temples and grimaced. “Dark energy? Strings?”

Dr. Saniya touched Cass’ forearm. “You’re certain of this?”

“Absolutely.”

“What does this mean? Manipulate strings?” Jeamon asked.

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.”

“This is how she became a goddess?” Jeamon asked.

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.”

“I wondered how she was able to do such amazing feats.” Dr. Saniya’s gaze intensified. “You must tell me more!”

“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?”

“Now, Dr. Baros...”

Growling, Jeamon moved closer to Dr. Saniya.

“Yeah, doc,” Lars said. “What’s up with them?”

Dr. Saniya moved back. “You don’t have the authority–”

Cass gasped. “Authority?”

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Mathews said.

Lars and Mathews closed ranks with Cass and Jeamon.

“I only meant, that is...” Dr. Saniya pressed something clipped to her pants’ waistband.

Lars snagged her wrist, twisting it away from her torso. “Whatcha got there, doc?”

“It’s nothing.” She presented opened palms.

Lars unclipped a black square from her pants. A small red light blinked at one end. He shared an irritated look with Cass. “Shit.”

Two guards dressed in black fatigues rushed into the break room, weapons drawn. “Is there a problem, Doctor?”

“Everything is under control.” Dr. Saniya broke her wrist free from Lars’ grip. “Isn’t it, Sergeant Lars?”

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.”

The guards lowered their weapons and relaxed. “In that case,” one guard said, “you won’t mind if we stay here.”

“Nope,” Lars waved a hand towards the empty chairs. “Make yourselves comfy.”

Dr. Saniya’s wooden smile never reached her eyes. “We’d all like to stay friendly.”

“Friendly?” Cass said. “Is that what you’re calling locking us in here?”

“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.”

Mathews tensed. “Damn right!”

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.”

Cass pressed further. “But why keep us separated from Jeamon's people?”

“For your safety.”

Lars spread his arms and looked around. “This is safe?”

“You don’t understand.”

“The hell we don’t. You’re experimenting on them!” Mathews said.

“Of course not!” Dr. Saniya shied, pulling her hands inward.

 Jeamon stepped forward. “We find your explanations difficult to believe. What harm could befall us? Why keep us separated?”

“The Brajj need to be quarantined for at least thirty da–”

“Bullshit!”

“Sergeant,” Cass placed a warning hand on his arm, “she’s not wrong about that.”

“What about Jeamon?” Lars waved at him. “I know he didn’t go through quarantine. And you, Cass?”

“Excellent question, Dr. Saniya,” Cass said.

“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…?”

“You’re leaving?” Cass asked.

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. “Theywill escort you off site.”

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. His whip. She destroyed it. 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?

 “So that’s it?” Cass asked.

Dr. Saniya paused in the open doorway. “Pardon?”

“Cass?” Jeamon tugged on her hand.

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?”

“Doctor?” The guards tensed and shifted their weapons upwards again.

“It’s alright, Carson.” Dr. Saniya moved past the guards, waving their weapons down. “Dr. Baros, did you have something else in mind?”

“You want information.”

“Go on.”

“You want to know more regarding the Brajj and their technology. Correct?”

Dr. Saniya pursed her lips. “You know this to be true.”

“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?”

“Your,” the doctor gazed at each one of them, “full cooperation?”

Lars crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “We need full disclosure at every step.”

Cass and the others murmured in agreement. “No secrets,” Cass added.

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.”

Mathews scowled and backed away from the group. “I don’t know about this.”

Dr. Saniya added, “You’ll be compensated as well as given full access to the guest facilities.”

Lars rubbed his scalp as he barked out a short laugh. “So, you can keep a short leash on us.”

Dr. Saniya showed her palms in a gesture of surrender. “Must everything be suspicious to you?”

“Forgive my friend, Doctor,” Jeamon tilted his head toward Lars, “but we have dealt with an enormous amount of difficulties.”

“Difficulties?” Mathews fake coughed into her fist.

Jeamon bowed his head at Mathews, who sighed heavily then shrugged and stared off.

Jeamon continued, “And now you expect us to trust you after telling us of Lewis’ disappearance while in your custody?”

“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.”

“So you can experiment on him?” Cass asked.

“I want to help him.”

Cass faced Jeamon while Lars leaned closer and Mathews hovered farther away. “What do you guys think?” Cass asked.

“I think she’s a fucking liar,” Mathews said in a loud voice as she glared over Cass’ head at the doctor.

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?”

Mathews’ lips twisted. “More than coming here in the first place?”

“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. Really not the same. Cass rolled her head, cracking her neck. “God, what I wouldn’t do to feel normal again.”

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.”

Eyes snapping open, Cass met Jeamon’s intense sidelong gaze. “I agree.”

“Guess we’re staying at the creepy underground government facility, then.” Lars said, grinning.

Mathews yawned, her hand barely covering the excited glint in her eyes. “Looks like.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liked what you read? 

You can find Destiny of the Queen on Goodreads



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Earlier books in this series!



Dreams of the Queen (The Brajj #1) by Jacqueline Patricks



Dr. Cass Baros is haunted by dreams of an alien world...

...and will do anything to find it.




Links:

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Nightmares of the Queen (The Brajj #2) by Jacqueline Patricks



Their love will be tested by betrayal and deceit.




Links:

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About the Author:

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.



“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



You can find and contact Jacqueline Patricks here:

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Giveaway

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)



For a chance to win, enter the giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top 10 Reasons Why Being A Spy is Cool! ~ My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit by Liz Laz Blog Tour

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 Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 29 May till 18 June. See the tour schedule here. 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!

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:

1.    A spy travels the world. What other job requires traveling to exotic places all the time?

2.    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.

3.    A spy is multilingual. Whether in Japan, Germany, Russia, a spy can always converse like a local.

4.    A spy is always cool and calm under pressure. If they get caught they are always relaxed. They don’t panic.

5.    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.

6.    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.

7.    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?

8.    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.

9.    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.

10.  A spy is resilient. Betrayal, pending nuclear holocaust, death, nothing can shake a spy from completing their mission 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit (My Not So Normal Life #1)

By Liz Laz

Genre: Fiction/ Action/ Adventure

Age category: Middle Grade

Release Date: May 23, 2017

Blurb:

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.



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.

You can find My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit on Goodreads



You can buy My Not So Normal Life: Spy Recruit on Amazon



About the Author:

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.



You can find and contact Liz Laz here:

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