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Archive for June 29th, 2017

Rise of the Sea Witch

Posted in 5 Star Books on June 29, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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Rise of the Sea Witch (Unfortunate Soul Chronicles – 1) by Stacey Rourke

Details of the sea witch’s banishment have been exaggerated. The body count that preempted it was not. Once an illustrious princess, her hands and tentacles were stained with the blood of thousands. No one could comprehend how the hooks of madness dragged her down from her life of privilege.

Born Princess Vanessa of Atlantica, the ambitious young royal was one of two children born to the great King Poseidon. She and her brother, Triton, were groomed from birth to rule. Yet only one would ascend that coveted throne. While carefree Triton flits through his training with a cavalier demeanor and beguiling charm, Vanessa’s hunger for her father’s acceptance drives her to push herself to the limits of magic, and combat to become a leader worthy of her people.

When war against the humans ravages their once regal kingdom, political sides are chosen. Factions from the seven seas challenge the existing leadership, pitting Vanessa against her brother in a vicious battle for the crown. Traitors are exposed, dark family secrets revealed, and a once strong sibling bond is strained to its breaking point.

Only when the ink black waters from the ultimate betrayal rescind, will the truth be known of how the villainous sea witch rose with one name on her vengeful lips–Triton.

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Author’s Bio

Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Reel Romance Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

 

My Review

5 stars

Vanessa and Triton at the daughter and son of Poseidon. One of them will inherit the throne. Triton just goes through the motions of training taking a half-hearted approach. He would rather have fun than focus. Vanessa on the other hand wants nothing more than to rule and puts her whole heart and soul into training. Vanessa’s past and a conflict end up turning her against her brother. This is the story of the sea witch Ursula.

I find it amazing how as a kid I loved the Little Mermaid and wanted to be her. Of course Ursula scared me but I find as I grow older that I am curious at what made some of the villains. Rise of the Sea Witch is the story of Ursula. She is known as Vanessa and wants nothing more than her father’s approval. But he seems to only have eyes for Triton. She is so above and beyond patient but with everything she goes through I can’t help but understand where she is going to end.

This is an amazing story that easily fits into the Little Mermaid with her friends and even how her song is referenced. I love author’s that can write such compelling stories that you know are going to end badly but done in such a way you feel for the characters. This is the first book in the Unfortunately Soul Chronicles series. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next.

I received Rise of the Sea Witch from Silver Dagger Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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The Lost Spaniel

Posted in General Information on June 29, 2017| 1 Comment »

Mystery/Romance
Date Published: 06/29/17
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The Lost Spaniel is the third novella in the Lost and Found Pets series. Alexandra Prescott opened Lost and Found Pets because she loves animals. Reuniting pet and owner is more than just a job.
When Alex’s mentor, Eddie Hill, calls about his lost Cocker Spaniel, Alex rushes to the rescue. They quickly track the dog to an abandoned construction site, but after bullets start flying, Alex realizes there’s more to this case than a missing dog.
Alex and Eddie have to dig into their pasts to find out who might want to harm them or their pets. The list of suspects grows long as Alex tries to solve the mystery of the lost Spaniel.
Excerpt
It was pure luck that saved us. A slight reflection of light in the window caught my eye. Instinctively, I crashed into Eddie dropping both of us to the ground just as a bullet whizzed by our heads. The glass in the lower window shattered. Another bullet pinged on the metal leg of the platform. I rose to my knees and started crawling.
“The dumpster,” I shouted. “Get behind the dumpster.”
Eddie lay frozen on the ground. I grabbed his arm and pulled. He didn’t move.
“Eddie,” I yelled shaking his arm. I wasn’t strong enough to carry him, but he wasn’t moving. Trying to stay low, I stood hunched over, grabbed him under both arms, and started to pull. It was enough to get him moving. He rolled over to his knees. We scurried over to the dumpster as a couple more bullets hit the ground around us. I heard a yelp behind me just as we made it behind the dumpster.
“Hero,” I screamed. I turned to see my dog staggering. Heart pounding, tears filling my eyes, I called to him. “Here, boy. Come on. Over here.”
Hero shuffled over to us. I grasped him and pulled him to safety. I then ran my hands through his fur. He whined when I reached his hindquarters. When I pulled my hand away, I had blood on my fingers. I started to reach for my backpack when another bullet hit the glass window above the scaffolding.
“Daisy,” Eddie said as he started to step out from behind the dumpster. I clutched him from behind to keep him in place.
“Wait!”
“Let me go,” he yelled. “I need to get her.”
“They have a gun, Eddie,” I said trying to remain calm. My heart was pounding, and I was worried about Hero, but I couldn’t let him go. “We need to call for help.”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
I turned to see a man standing in his backyard across the street. The noise of the shots and breaking glass must have attracted the attention of the neighborhood. I didn’t know if the shooter was still around and didn’t want anyone else in danger.
“Gun shots. Go back inside,” I screamed. “Call for help.”
I saw him pulling his phone from his pocket as he rushed back into his house. I glanced around the area to see if anyone else had come outside. Hopefully, the attention we were attracting would scare the shooter away as well as keep all the neighbors inside. Eddie was shaking and muttering under his breath. He needed something to do. I turned back to Hero, blinking back tears as I dug through my backpack for bandages.
“Eddie,” I said catching his attention. When he looked at me, I shoved the bandages at him. “Help Hero. I’ll see if I can tell if the shooter is gone, and then I’ll get Daisy.”
I peered around the dumpster. I didn’t see any movement, but I wasn’t sure exactly where the shots had been coming from. A car started down Pine and drove past us. When nothing else happened, I decided to risk it.
“Okay, I’m going to try to get to Daisy,” I told Eddie.
He looked up, worried, but nodded. I watched him a moment while he carefully placed a bandage over the wound on Hero’s hip. I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned back around.
The end of the platform was only a few feet away. I inched my way over, hugging the wall, and climbed up the side of the scaffolding. There was glass all around. Daisy was huddled in the middle shaking like a leaf. I coaxed her closer all the while hoping the shooter was gone. Once she was close enough, I grabbed her and quickly moved back to the relative safety behind the dumpster just as the first siren sounded in the distance.
About the Author
B. L. Blair writes mystery/romance stories. Like most authors, she has been writing most of her life and has dozens of books started. She just needs the time to finish them.
She is the author of the Holton Romance Series, the Leah Norwood Mysteries, and the Lost and Found Pets Novellas. She enjoys reading books, writing books, and traveling wherever and as often as time and money allows. She is currently working on her latest book set in Texas, where she lives with her family.
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Enter the Dark

Posted in 5 Star Books on June 29, 2017| Leave a Comment »

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Enter the Dark by Chris Thomas

An anonymous website, a few clicks, and Joe Henderson’s life is changed forever.

‘The Red Room’ is the only place where the failings of a weak justice system are righted and where the line between good and evil becomes blurred. When the lights go up, viewers bid, criminals are punished, and the Brotherhood of the Righteous broadcasts a show like no other.

The room has remained hidden until now, when a video arrives in the inbox of the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit. But outclassed, outplayed, and torn apart by corruption, is there anything Detective Pete Harris and his team can do except watch?

Their only lead may be the room’s latest bidder, Joe Henderson. Because when Joe found the Red Room, it found him too, and now the Brotherhood are watching through the wires, willing to do wrong for a righteous cause.

As they pull Joe deeper into the dark web, will he find any mercy or a way out? And could he be the Red Room’s next volunteer?

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Author’s Bio

Chris Thomas was born near London in 1978 before moving to Buckinghamshire a few months later. He attended the University of Bristol, graduating with a degree in psychology in 1999. It was here that he developed his interest in criminal psychology and serial killers.

After a brief stint working at an investment bank in London, he left the City to work for his wife’s family business, a position he still holds.

Chris is an avid film fan, especially horror, thrillers and dark comedy- something that he tries to blend in his writing. After attending a creative writing course, he gained the confidence to pursue his dream of writing a novel. He self-published his debut novel The Red Room in February 2017 before joining the Bloodhound Books stable and re-releasing the book as Enter The Dark.

Further works are already in the planning, including a sequel to Enter The Dark, which is intended to be even more dark and disturbing!

In his spare time, Chris enjoys karate (holding a black belt) and spending time with his wife and two young daughters.

Website

My Review

5 stars

Joe Henderson is with some friends when he is introduced to The Red Room. A place on the dark net where a group called The Brotherhood of the Righteous punish those that have not adequately been punished. Joe is instantly drawn to this website and finds himself deeper and deeper until he catches the wrong person’s attention. Then The Red Room is brought to the attention of Detective Pete Harris and the Police Cyber Crime Unit. But they almost have their hands tied with what they can do. Will they be able to shut The Red Room down in time or will they be forced to watch the brutal murders?

Joe Henderson just wanted to have fun with some friends but ends up getting sucked deeper and deeper into The Red Room. It’s sad to watch a person enjoy watching this stuff but it really shows how people can be fascinated by brutality but think that they are never part of it because they are behind a keyboard or in a group of people.

Sadly I know that there really is a dark internet. It does exist and if you have the money you can get anything your little heart desires from it. It’s all kinds of sad and scary at the same time and I’m sure that this book just dips its toes into the truth.

I loved Enter the Dark. It draws you in, scares the crap out of you, and leaves you breathless and wanting more from Chris Thomas. A while ago I reviewed a book similar to this one called The Schwarzschild Radius, you can find my review here. This is a great and gory story but I can’t wait to see what else Chris Thomas comes up with.

I received Enter the Dark from Bloodhound Books for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

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