Christine Rains's Blog, page 46

Friday Five for April 24, 2015

1. What a busy week! I had a great visit with my mom. My son's birthday party was rained out, but he wasn't bothered by it at all. He's such a trooper! I, on the other hand, was really disappointed. Spring weather is unpredictable. We brought his cake and decorations to school on Monday and had a little party there with his school friends. It makes me so joyful that I have a happy child who goes with the flow when things like this happen.
2. Thank you to everyone who visited this week. It's my pleasure to help out my fellow writers with reviews and promos. It'll take me some time to catch back up on things, but I'll be making the rounds.
3. For those of you doing the A to Z Challenge, wow, we're nearly at the end. You're almost there! This month has been speeding by. It's been so much fun to participate with Untethered Realms. Next week, look on X day for a certain dragon slayer. *winks*
4. No writing or reading was done this week, but I squeezed in a bit of time to critique two short stories for my local writer's meeting this Saturday. I submitted my sci-fi horror tale. Hopefully I managed to pull off the terrifying twist.
5. Have a wonderful weekend, folks! Here's a smile to help you get into the happy weekend mood.

Once Upon a Nightmare will bring you chills!

Excerpt: Cassie cringed at each bump along Tree Branch Trail. Gravel crunched underneath the truck’s tires, yet somehow the dilapidated vehicle withstood the beating. Squished between her best friend Mary and the door, Cassie tensed and tried not to hit anything or anyone as the truck vaulted over another pothole. She wished she had a seat belt on, but with two seat belts and four people in the front seat, it wasn’t happening. They should’ve taken her car, but it never would’ve made it on this backcountry road. Why didn’t they stick with the plan and not come out here anyway?
“How do you like your first off-roading adventure, Cassie?” Denise asked with the harsh laugh of a smoker while shifting her plump hips between her boyfriend James and her sister Mary.
“It’s great,” Cassie said without enthusiasm and with a whole truckload of sarcasm. The vehicle ran over a monstrous rut, and her head knocked against the window. She sucked in air through her teeth. Checking for a bump, she glanced over to Mary. Although three years younger and still in high school, Mary was Cassie’s best friend and confidante. Cassie had missed her most since she moved to Missouri for college. She leaned close to Mary’s ear. “I think we should’ve stayed and watched a different movie.”
“Me too,” Mary whispered back.
James slammed on the brakes, and the truck fishtailed to a stop.
Cassie pressed her hand against the glove compartment. Dashboard lights illuminated Mary’s grimace and her white knuckles from clutching the seat belt so hard.
“What’s out there?” Cassie peered ahead.
Book Description: A monster hunts us. After hibernating for a decade, it’s ravenous. We long to stop this nightmare, but the end of the road is far. There is no waking up once a legend sets its sights on you.
Disappearances every ten or so years make little impact on the small town of New Haven, Virginia. Hikers get lost. Hunters lose the trail. Even when a body is discovered, the inhabitants’ memories last about as long as the newspaper articles.
No one connects the cases. No one notices the disappearances go back beyond Civil War times. No one believes a legendary monster roams the forests in Southwestern Virginia.
I don’t either until the truck breaks down on an old mountain trail. Cell phones won’t work in this neck of the woods. It’s amazing how much a person can see by starlight alone. So what if we can’t feel our fingers or toes as we hike toward the main road. How many more miles left to go?
Crrraaack!
Hear that noise?

Purchase Print/Ebook on Amazon! The ebook is on sale for $0.99 until April 30th.
About the Author: Cherie Reich has more books than she can ever read and more ideas than she can ever write, but that doesn't stop this bookworm from trying, even if it means trying to curb her TV addiction. She is a speculative fiction writer and library assistant living in Virginia. Her short stories have appeared in magazines and anthologies, and her books include the paranormal horror collection Once upon a Nightmare and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. Reborn is her debut novel. She is a member of the Virginia Writers Club, Valley Writers, and Untethered Realms. For more information about her and her work, please visit her website and blog .
Cover Art: Amygdala Design
Tweets
A legend awakens... Once upon a Nightmare by @bookworm0753 #horror #99cents 4/16-4/30 http://smarturl.it/OuaNKindle
Who can survive a legend? Once upon a Nightmare by @bookworm0753 #horror #99cents 4/16-4/30 http://smarturl.it/OuaNKindle
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A legend awakens... Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection by Cherie Reich is now available on Amazon as an ebook and a paperback. This paranormal horror/thriller collection features the novelette Once upon a December Nightmare, the novella Nightmare Ever After, and the short story “Good Nightmare, Scary Monster.” From April 16-April 30, you can purchase the ebook for only 99 cents. http://smarturl.it/OuaNKindle
A monster hunts us. After hibernating for a decade, it’s ravenous. We long to stop this nightmare, but the end of the road is far. There is no waking up once a legend sets its sights on you. Cherie Reich’s Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection is now available on Amazon as an ebook and paperback. From April 16-April 30, you can purchase the ebook for only 99 cents. http://smarturl.it/OuaNKindle

Review for Tallas

Blurb:In a decimated world, setting foot outside the protected village of Tallas is certain death—or so they say. Mutations caused by those in the wilderness have plagued Tallas’s citizens—or so they say…

For Doogan and Keeyla their belief in a Free Tallas has lost its glimmer. And when their young son, Fabal, is given a very dangerous assignment, they risk everything to protect him. Fleeing Tallas, they head for the wilderness. But when they are ambushed by cruel Mediators, Doogan is recaptured, and while Keeyla and Fabal escape, she is severely injured. Can the two of them survive in the wilderness? Will Doogan getaway from the clutches of the Mediators? And are the terrible legends about the monsters beyond the walls of Tallas true?
My review: Young Fabal is waken by his mother Keeyla in the middle of the night and she leads him on a daring escape from their protected village into a post-apocalyptic wilderness. The Elite claim Tallas is the only safe place in this ravaged world, but life might be harsher inside with the vicious Mediators running things. Fabal's father Doogan is captured but Keeyla continues on with her son in search of his grandfather. Both monsters and Mediators lurk in the dark. Can they survive in this perilous land?

TALLAS is a wonderfully written YA dystopian fantasy. The world building is brilliant. Tallas is this haven in a chaotic world full of fascinating mutants and terrifying monsters. It's a mystery as to what exactly happened, but that's the draw of it. The history of the village itself tells like an ancient legend even if Tallas isn't that old. This world holds all sorts of possibilities for many stories.

As interesting as the world is, it's the cast of characters that make this a great read. Fabal might be small and young, but he's brave. He's definitely his father's son. Doogan is a smart man in a tough situation. I could never guess exactly what was going to happen next. Keeyla is his perfect complement. I also loved Fulvio, Smelt, Swan, Knox, and Tibbles. And there are bad guys a plenty. Loathsome and just plain downright detestable.

I recommend this to young and old readers alike! An original dystopian tale that holds you from start to finish.
Buy the book here!
Find out more about Cathrina Constantine at:Website * Blog * Facebook

Friday Five for April 17, 2015

1. Progress on my current WIP has been steady as a snail. I'm near 10k now and it's just getting into the thick of things. Usually I just throw my readers right into it, but with the weight of this story, it needs the slow start.

2. I've been trying to catch up on my reading. I have a lot of writer friends' books on my Kindle. Please don't think I'm forgetting about you! I also review everything I read. So know when I do read your book, you will know.

3. It's going to be a busy week for me. My mom's arriving tomorrow for a week long visit, and it's my son's 5th birthday on Monday. We're having a party at the park for him on Sunday. (Hopefully the weather will cooperate. *knocks on wood*) Lots of fun!

4. For all of you who are participating in the A to Z Challenge, you're over halfway through! Yay! You can do it. I've been having a great time reading people's posts and meeting new bloggers. In case you missed it before, I'm doing it with the Untethered Realms group. Our theme is teasers from our books, and wow, these books are amazing.

5. Don't forgot today's #SpecFicChat hosted by @UnRealms and @EllieMGarratt at noon EDT. The topic: What happened to the future? The flying cars and time machines? We want to hear what you have to say. And I really want my own hover board.

Already Home cover reveal

Already Home
A Maguire’s Corner novel

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Title: Already Home Second Edition: formerly Maguire’s CornerAuthor: Heather M. GardnerGenre: Contemporary Romantic SuspensePublisher: InkSpell PublishingCover Design: Najla Qamber DesignsRe-release Date: May 20, 2015
~~~)(~~~Coffee shop owner Maggie Maguire doesn’t trust the new police chief her father hired to protect Maguire’s Corner. He’s a stranger, cold, bossy and annoyingly handsome. But, Maggie’s witnessed a serious crime and now someone’s trying to kill her. The man that aggravates her most might be the only one that can help her.

Police Chief Jack Munro likes his new job and his new town, and unfortunately he also likes the stubborn but beautiful town sweetheart. His self-imposed hands-off Maggie policy is about to be put to the ultimate test when he must keep her close to protect her while he tracks down a ruthless killer.

Determined to ignore Jack’s charms, Maggie attempts to help him unravel the mystery but when their lives hang in the balance she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to save the man she suddenly can’t resist.
~~~)(~~~
Heather M. Gardner's love of books began on the hand-woven rugs of her small town library where her mother worked. There she had a never-ending supply of stories to read at her fingertips. As a teen, her favorite genres to curl up with were romance and mysteries. When she started to create her own stories, they were the perfect fit.

Heather resides in New York with her best friend who is also her husband, plus her talented and handsome son. She is currently owned by four stray cats. Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.
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Blog: The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Twitter: @hmgardner
Goodreads : HMGardner 
Facebook : HeatherWritesRomance Bottom of Form

Dragons of the Stars review

Blurb:The ship of legends…

The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. He’s poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter. He’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?

One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?
My review: For Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, every step of his future has been planned. He'll become a captain, marry the queen's daughter, and then eventually take over his father's business. Determined and confident, he will not be deterred until the Alliance declares war on his world. Only one thing can save his home: the Dragon. It is the most powerful ship ever created, but lost amongst the stars. Aden must find the Dragon to save his people, but will this dangerous mission be his last?

An incredible tale of determination, loyalty, and sacrifice. We begin with Aden adeptly navigating through the tangled societal and political environment. It in itself is intense even before Hyrath goes to war with the Alliance. It was easy to get caught up in Aden's fierce determination in everything he does. I was hooked on the story from page one.

Hyrath and the Alliance go to war over a planet with highly valuable resources. Ships from all races face off in space. The scenes are fast, fiery, and vivid. What's even more is how clever and daring Aden is in dealing with various situations. It isn't all about who has the biggest weapons, but tactical maneuvering and calculated risks.

The characterization is phenomenal. Aden can be a bit hard edged, but I became immensely invested in him as the layers were peeled back. I liked even more the moral struggle about the Dragon and its secret. Two of my favorites were Tamsin Pavott and Shadvey. Pavott's unwavering loyalty to Aden was awe-inspiring, and I loved the little peeks we got of her as a person outside of her position on the ship.

I was already a fan of Alex J. Cavanaugh before I read this book, but DRAGON OF THE STARS is by far my favorite of his work. It is space opera at its finest.

Buy the book here:Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * Chapters * Amazon UK * Goodreads * iTunes * Overdrive * Amazon Print  About the author: Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm. http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Friday Five for April 10, 2015 plus Letter I

1. Last Friday, my son was hit by a rotten stomach virus. This week, it found a new host in me. I still feel like a zombie, but we're both doing better. Hopefully the weather will hold and be nice for the weekend.

2. It's that time again when I have to renew my passport. I hate having my picture taken. It always looks like a mug shot.

3. I haven't done much writing at all. I've watched several episodes of Castle, though! I'm almost done with season five.

4. Tomorrow we register my little guy for kindergarten. Wow. I'm so excited and panicking at the same time! It's like pre-release jitters.

5. Check out the Untethered Realms blog today for the letter I and a little teaser from Of Blood and Sorrow.

The Dragon unleashed! - Scavenger Hunt

SCAVENGER HUNT! Comment to win an autographed copy of Dragon of the Stars, tons of bookmarks & postcards, and a $20.00 iTunes gift card–where is Mini-Alex? Visit Alex for a list of the participants. (Open through April 11 – winner announced April 13 at Alex’s blog.)
   Available today!Dragon of the StarsBy Alex J. CavanaughScience Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/MilitaryPrint ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057What Are the Kargrandes? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/
The ship of legends…
The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. Poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter, he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?
One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?
Purchase:Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Kobo * Chapters * Amazon UK * Goodreads * iTunes * Overdrive * Amazon Print
About the author: Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm. http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

Friday Five for April 3, 2015

1. We're three days in to the 2015 A to Z Blogging Challenge. If you're participating, how are you doing? I'm doing it with the Untethered Realms group again this year. It's so much fun and less stress that way. Pop on over to read teasers from our books.

2. With the Challenge going on, I'm going to step back and only do a few blog posts this month. Some promos and reviews for my fellow authors, and my Friday Five.

3. I've started a new urban fantasy novel. It's slow going at the moment, but this one is heavy. It's going to be a big one. Huge in length, but also heavy plot-wise. So many things are weaving together. I love having a story grow organically like this.

4. Today is my husband's birthday. My son and I will bake him a cake and make him a special dinner. And it's Easter this weekend. Happy Easter to all who celebrate! My little guy is eager to go egg hunting.

5. Finally, thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me during my tours. You guys are awesome! Here are the final winners of the Geeky Dice & Debauchery Tour Giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

IWSG for April 2015

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) is the brilliant idea of Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the group is to share doubts and insecurities and to encourage one another. Please visit the other participants and share your support. A kind word goes a long way.

This month there are six awesome co-hosts: Tonja Drecker, Donna Hole, Suzanne Furness, Toi Thomas, Fundy Blue, and Rachna Chhabria.

A huge good luck to everyone participating in the A to Z Challenge this month. I'll be posting with the Untethered Realms group. Click over to our blog every day this month and get a teaser from our books.

Some days of the Challenge will feel like this:


26 days with 26 posts. That's a lot to write. So many fantastic blogs to visit. So little time.
But I believe in you. You can do it.
Take one day at a time. And by the end of the month, you'll be like: