Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 87
March 8, 2024
Blog Tour: LATENCY by Nathaniel Koszer
LATENCY
by Nathaniel Koszer
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GENRE: Sci Fi biotech
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BLURB:
Serais a LO-EC, a human who gained superpowers as an unintended side effect of abiotechnological breakthrough. Her unique abilities allowed her to survivewhile others like her, including her parents, were exterminated by a worldgovernment fearful of their potential.
Afterdecades of hiding, she meets Naren, another superpowered survivor who hasinfiltrated the ranks of the military. Together, they form a plan to unite withother surviving LO-ECs, claim vengeance against the forces who murdered theirfamilies, and ultimately stoke a worldwide rebellion against the governmentthat wanted them dead.
Theentirety of 26th century Earth’s armed forces stand in their way: Soldiersequipped with terrifying weaponry, armies with electromagnetic cannons,merciless bloodthirsty androids, and Spidre, the World Leader with unnaturalabilities of his own. The world brought Sera and the other LO-ECs pain andloss, and they’re determined to return it in kind.
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Excerpt One:
In the basementof a skyscraper hundreds of stories high, a constant shaking and groaningaccompanied the cacophony of breaking glass and falling bricks from the streetabove. A man and a woman had spent the night here, fearing those sounds meanttheir building was on the verge of collapse. Finally, the sun rose and thesounds gave way to stillness. The death of the noises gave life to new fears,in that now the man and woman had to take action.
“Are there anysort of supplies on the cycles?” the man asked. He was bleary-eyed, his facewas flush, and even the simple task of standing up seemed to be a struggle.
“I doubt it,”the woman replied, her expression as beleaguered as his. “And you’re sure therewas nothing in these boxes?” she continued, glancing around the small storageroom.
The man shookhis head. “Just lots of cleaning supplies. And we can’t risk going backupstairs,” he replied. “I can’t even hear the big one lumbering around, thathas to mean they’re searching another building. We need to move now. We’llworry about supplies after we get out of New Orleans, and after it feels safe.”
The womannodded and walked over to one smaller pile of boxes. She pulled them away andthe room lit up in an orange glow. The boxes had been covering a young girl, nomore than six years old, whose skin had trails of orange light swirling acrossher arms, legs, and face.
“We need toleave, sweetie. We’re going to find our cycles in the garage, Ok?”
The little girlnodded.
“Do youremember that woman? Alison?” she asked the girl. “Do you remember where sheand her friends live?”
The little girlnodded slowly, while the man’s face furrowed with skepticism.
“If anythinghappens to us, you go straight to her. Do you understand?”
“She can’t goto them!” the man exclaimed in an elevated whisper. “They’re a bunch offanatics!”
“They are, butthey will keep her safe!” the woman responded
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What makes your book different from any other book in thisgenre
Latencyhas unique aspects specifically because it is a book. This always seems strangeto admit as an author, but I am by no means a prolific reader. I listen to afew audiobooks a year and that’s about it. What I have consumed a lot of isother science fiction media (movies, TV shows, comic books, video games) andLatency uses a lot of ideas that are much more common, albeit exploreddifferently, in those other spaces and throws them together in an 83,000 wordnovel.
The unique aspect of Latency readers will first notice isthat there are six protagonists. Yes, this book bounces back and forth acrosssix different character’s points of view throughout its chapters. Multi-POVbooks do occur in sci-fi and fantasy novels, but having this many is a rarity.But for comic books and anime, six main characters is standard fair. The X-men,who are arguably the single biggest influence behind Latency, have dozens ofcharacters who all take the “main character” role at some point. In anime thereis usually one “main” character, but they are often flanked by several otherprotagonists who are united in their goals and who are frequently just aspowerful, engaging, and interesting as the main character.
One part of Latency that I do think is truly unique, evenif you include tv, film, games, and comics, is the origin story of thecharacters superpowers. It is also unique in the sense that the inspiration forit came from one single source. That source is The Matrix, the epic sci-fiaction movie from 1999. I was intrigued by the idea of machines using humanbody heat and synaptic energy as a fuel source and was always frustrated thatno one ever wrote a story exploring what would happen if we, humans, were ableto store and use that energy. Eventually I got tired of waiting for someoneelse and wrote it myself, and thus Latency was born.
Bio-punk as a genre isn’t really explored much as it canbe, and that’s unfortunate. In fact, I have now had to explain what thebio-punk genre is to easily a dozen different people, and some were prolificreaders and even librarians! My go-to now is to say something like “You everread or see a story where people get genetically spliced to have animalfeatures? That’s bio-punk,” and that is really what most people’s familiaritywith the genre is. I’d love to see more bio-punk, and I’m glad I have abio-punk superhero book coming out into the world.
The last unique feature of my book was one I learnedrecently, when doing an interview for another podcast. The interviewer saidthat the protagonists in Latency felt like real people, that there wasinterpersonal conflict but that an overall gentle understanding made itbelievable when they eventually reconciled their differences. So I guess whatmakes Latency different is empathy. Don’t get it confused though. When it comesto their enemies, the six protagonists are brutal, some might even sayremorseless. But when they finally meet up with each other, they understand thehard life each has led and keep that in mind as they all work through theirhangups. Having six main characters helps here. If two of them have an issue,there is always one or two other characters around who can see a middle ground.But even in instances where there is no mediator, characters work through theirdifferences in a relatively healthy way.
It was not even a conscious decision to write characters likethis, at least not exactly. What I was trying to avoid was something thatannoyed me about many other fiction stories: Two characters having a hugefight, one that if it happened in real life would irreparably damage therelationship, but a few chapters or episodes later they’re friends or lovers orteammates again like nothing ever happened. I didn’t want that, but it was alsohard to imagine six characters coming from different backgrounds being in completeagreement with each other about everything all the time. Empathy was just themiddle ground I landed on, and hearing that it makes my book unique makes mevery happy (and also a little sad, because let your characters have empathy people!).
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Nategrew up in Brooklyn NY, but now calls the Bronx home along with his wife andtheir sons. Nate grew up on all things sci-fi. Partly due to his chronicillness, Nate always had a special place in his heart for the X-Men, andespecially the invulnerable Wolverine. This was heavy inspiration for his firstnovel, Latency a superhero sci-fi story to be released March 5, 2024.
Website:https://natekoszer.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/natejklol.bsky.social
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Latency-Nathaniel-Koszer/dp/1962308073/ref=sr_1_1
Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1489470
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GIVEAWAY
NathanielKoszer will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 7, 2024
Blog Tour: ALEX by Dianne Hartsock
ALEX
Dianne Hartsock
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GENRE: psychological thriller
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BLURB:
Alexis twenty and confused. He always is. The world presses on him with its horrorsand pain, with scintillating auras that bewilder his eyes and drive themigraines deeper. He hears the cries of the children, sees the brutal images oftortured victims. He feels out of control and his mind slips…
Severelyabused as a child, he is left with horrible scars on his body and even worsescars within his mind. Even though it puts him in danger, he’s compelled tohelp those who call to him. He’s driven, motivated by his visions to rescuethem and hopefully uncover the killer. When he can, he helps the police; yetsome detectives suspect he’s involved. Often, Alex finds himself alone andafraid in a world he doesn’t always understand.
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT
He hurried after her as she went inside but froze when hisfoot landed on the bottom step. The thought of walking into the confining spaceof their home made him nauseous.
He raised his head suddenly, alert, his skin crawling.Someone had called his name from the driveway behind him.
“Jane?” he managed through a constricted throat, needing herhelp as he stepped back into the yard. Someone called his name again from theroad, drawing him irresistibly forward. He moaned, not wanting it to happen,but he broke into a stumbling jog.
His mind cleared briefly as he neared the bridge. He slowedhis pace. A figure sat there with their feet dangling over the water. “Helen?”
She looked at him and smiled. “I was hoping to see you. Thisis nicer than going up to the house.”
He glanced around, then cautiously sat on the bridge nexther. “It’s good to see you out of that place. But what are you doing here?”
“Father brought me as soon as you’d left the clinic.”
Alex scrambled up, but it was too late. Helen lunged forhim, throwing him off balance. Unable to catch himself, they both went over theedge and plummeted into the icy water.
Helen clung to him as the dark, roaring water closed overhis head. The current dragged them to the bottom where the numbness grippinghis limbs made it impossible for Alex to break free. His chest was on fire ashe kicked desperately for the surface.
The river slammed him into a boulder along the shore and helost the last of his air. Helen’s hold slipped and she tumbled away. Alexmanaged a painful intake of air before the swiftly flowing water pulled himunder again. He almost surrendered, but someone grabbed his arm and hauled himto the bank.
He didn’t have time to think before the person jerked himinto the brush and pushed his face into the dirt. He tried to break free, buthis arm was bent painfully behind his back.
“Hurry, you damn fool.”
Hearing Kramer’s voice, Alex struggled, ignoring theblinding pain in his arm. He let out an oath when he heard someone elseapproach and Kramer’s satisfied breath.
“Hello, Alex,” Beckett sneered and kicked him in the face.
“Enough of that shit,” Kramer hissed. “Get it done.”
“With pleasure.”
Beckett knelt and dug into his medical kit.
Alex cried out when Beckett withdrew a syringe filled with amurky liquid.
Beckett patted his bruised, aching cheek. “If you weren’tinsane before, this will send you there.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Diannegrew up in one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place ofhardwood floors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghostslurk in the basement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the frontstairs. Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s whereher love of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne is the author of m/mromance, paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, andanything else that comes to mind.
Shenow lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incrediblypatient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over thekeyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are theperfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up inthe house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in herhands, which kindles her imagination.
Currently,Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is theperfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the richcolors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Blog:https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
FaceBook:https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock
FaceBookAuthor Page: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsockbooks/?show_switched_toast=1&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/
JMS Books: https://www.jms-books.com/dianne-hartsock-c-224_445/alex-p-4993.html
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alex-dianne-hartsock/1104468927?ean=9781685506599
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/alex-76
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1519070
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will award a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveawayMarch 6, 2024
Blog Tour: A TWIST OF HATE by T.E. Lorenzo
A TWIST OF HATE
T.E. Lorenzo
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GENRE: Romance
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BLURB:
Theylove to hate each other...
Nataliais content with hating her co-worker, Adrian. The two can hardly stand being inthe same room, despite having worked together for several months. When Nataliaagrees to a trip out of town with a friend, little does she know that Adrianwill be there, too. This is the time to crank up the hate, right?
Thetrip is not what Natalia thought it would be. Forced to spend time with her enemy,she finds there is more to Adrian than meets the eye. Will Natalia push asideher hatred and see the true Adrian?
Witha twist of hate, just maybe...
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Excerpt One:
All Nataliacould think about was another opportunity to get Adrian to speak to her beforethey wandered around the desert together. She thought the odds might be in herfavor, considering she had overheard Denver mention that he and Adrian wouldleave for the airport immediately after their shift ended today. Vegas would beat the forefront of Adrian’s mind. Surely he would clear the tension that hadgrown so awkward and heavy between them before he left.
Further playinginto her hands was the special seating arrangement drawn up for the day. Lopezassigned both Adrian and Natalia to desks on the suite level, and they’d be inthe same row, four seats apart.
Once she sawthis seating chart posted on Friday, Natalia knew she had to crank up the heatfor the big day. She dressed in a form-fitting pencil skirt that cut off justabove the knees, revealing the Speedy Gonzales tattoo just above her ankle. Shehad even shaved—in the winter—to make sure her legs were as appealing aspossible.
Natalia alsowore a blouse that revealed the slightest glimpse of cleavage. She questionedherself as she dressed earlier this morning, wondering why she was putting inso much effort into her appearance to get Adrian’s attention. She hated him,after all.
It’s not forAdrian. It’s for me. I’m freshly single, going to Vegas in two days, and lifeis good. I can get sexy all for myself if I want to.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
TELorenzo is the debut author of A Twist of Hate. Having lived through his ownenemies-to-lovers story, he believes love can come from the most unexpected ofplaces. When he's not writing, TE is likely chasing his kids around, playingbaseball, or relaxing with a good book. He is currently living out hishappily-ever-after with his wife and three kids in their hometown of Denver,CO.
AMAZONLINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP2TF94Z
BN:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-twist-of-hate-te-lorenzo/1144416094
KOBO:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-twist-of-hate
SW:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1485296?ref=5princepub
GOOGLEPLAY:https://play.google.com/store/books/details/T_E_Lorenzo_A_Twist_of_Hate?id=PbTlEAAAQBAJ
Website:https://www.5princebooks.com/telorenzo.html
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will award a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveawayMarch 4, 2024
Blog Tour: SAM SAYS YOU ARE BORN TO SHINE by Sam Hirschman
Join Us for This Tour from Feb 19 to Mar 8Book Details:
Book Title: Sam Says: You Are Born to Shine by Sam Hirschmann
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: February 2024
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.Book Description:
Shine bright and don’t ever dim your light. These are the words Sam’s mom tells her every night.
When Sam begins at a new school, her classmates make fun of her colorful clothes and vivacious dance moves. Not letting her inner light dim, Sam shows them that the joy you exude when you’re unapologetically yourself is contagious!
In Sam Says: You Are Born to Shine , readers learn the power of expressing their true selves.
Buy the Book:
Mascot ~ Amazon
B&N ~ BAM
add to Goodreads
Review: Little Sam was going to her firstday of school and she was nervous.
But then her mom says, “You justhave to live from your heart and don’t let anyone tear you apart! Don’t everdim your light as you should always shine bright.”
While the other kids commentedabout how weird she looked, Sam kept smiling and being herself. The kids werereflected in monochromatic colors, Sam livened up the scene with her dancemoves. Soon, the kids couldn’t resist and they began dancing along with her,spreading the colors over the pages.
“They all started dancing andproudly let out their weirdness. All their fears of what others might thinkdisappeared.”
Let’s face it, the dancing wascontagious.
A nice, colorful read! Goes toshow that you can be yourself wherever you go. Celebrate YOU with color.
Rating:4 stars
Meet the Author:
Sam Hirschmann is the creator and writer of Sam Says: You Are Born to Shine , and is a true dancer of life. After playing Division I volleyball and working on the trading floor in New York City, she decided to take an acting class, which Sam thanks for sparking her journey into seeing life in color.
She left finance to study acting at the William Esper Studio, which took her down the path of finding her true self and how to authentically let her light shine in every situation. While pursuing acting, Sam began teaching Breathwork classes and sharing her insight on social media in hopes of inspiring others to find their joy within and to let their inner light shine.
connect with author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Enter the Giveaway:
SAM SAYS: YOU ARE BORN TO SHINE by Sam Hirschmann Book Tour Giveaway
March 2, 2024
Review: ROMANCE QUICKIES #15 by Monique DuBois
Who killed Malia’s look-alikeneighbor? Was it her latest hook-up, who was disbanded from the army onsuspicion of murder? Evidently, Chad the psycho wasn’t through with Malia andwanted to finish what they started. Then an unlikely hero in the form of apreppy nerd boy comes in…and gets sucker-punched by the psycho. Well, at leasthe tried.
For one night, Malia trades in thearrogant jerk for a naïve prepboy that was evidently loaded. This was newterritory for the sex goddess, Malia, as she was about to take on a virgin. Inthis one, Malia teaches the student and tries to mold him to be her perfectlover.
This was sweet and sensual.
Rating:4 stars
Review: ROMANCE QUICKIES #13 by Monique DuBois
Ella’s cupcake shop caught on fireand now she has to rebuild. But, first, perhaps a fast ride with a firemanwould help release some of the tension. Loved the fire analogies they tossed inthere.
“For a single woman married to herwork, what could be better than a no-strings hook-up?”
The hook-up scene was fun and all,but was this still enough for Ella? By the end, the friends gather to tally uptheir scores and share stories. In this case, we see the repercussions of thetwins’ fallout. Would one of them fall in love in the end?
A great series that gets youhooked!
Rating:4 stars
Review: ROMANCE QUICKIES #14 by Monique DuBois
After the last encounter ended indisaster, Brooke made a promise: no more hook-ups with students. Perhaps theluck of the Irish will help her get back in the game again. And her luck mightbe changing when she gets swept by her feet by the sexy Irish. But a hot nightturns sour when he deceives her. He took off the condom!? That’s when she takescharge of things and the read gets good.
A hot read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: DON’T LET SISTER-IN-LAW BE SAD by Panahi (erotic manga)
A man in love with hissister-in-law succumbs to wild fantasies. It was cute and funny how shy andawkward he was around her. A yoga session becomes close and intimate. Wow, doesit get good! So sexy! But no one can compare to his sister-in-law.
Very sexy! Wish we could’ve seenwhat happened next with the sister-in-law.
Rating:4 stars
Review: MASTER MEETS CHALLENGER (erotic manga)
A young man realizes his adoptedfather actually has two legitimate (and hot) daughters. It was bad enoughhaving to live with his dad’s sexy girlfriend, but now the other hotties?
The most action we get here isbetween the dad and the girlfriend. Nothing much really happens with the youngman. There are some erotic scenes, sure, but this was just an okay read in mybook.
Rating:3 stars
Review: NAUGHTY SISTER-IN-LAW by Kelly Un Ho (erotic manga)
A married teacher that feelslonely. The only married guy on earth that needs to make an appointment to havesex with his wife. And the hot, irresistible school director doesn’t help any.Poor guy has to work too hard to get any and the wife’s too bossy, too. What todo? Well, good thing his sister-in-law was coming for a visit.
The nervous guy act was too funny.As luck would have it, his sister-in-law turns out to be a hottie, too. And hejust watches her and drools over her. The illustrations were pretty good andcertainly naughty. Some of the angles were a little off in the artwork. It waskind of hard to follow the story sometimes. Does the guy cheat on his wife ornot? It just seemed like the guy was sexualizing every girl he saw and it wasmaking him mad. Seriously, he practically loses it.
A pretty good and sexy read.
Rating:3 stars
