Brenda Sparks's Blog, page 10

Have you seen the latest From @haley_cavanagh? Check out Astraeus By Haley Cavanagh and Enter the $25 #Giveaway

Tagline:
His existence changes everything.
Blurb:
One pre-apocalyptic Earth. One desperate space mission to find a solution. One unexpected alien.
When Dr. Sakota Thorell signed onto the mission to scout out a new, habitable planet, she knew discovering extraterrestrial life was always a possibility. But she never expected to find an alien adrift in space, nor for that alien to be so intriguing. Sakota feels an instant and undeniable attraction to Astraeus, but he represents a million possibilities, and just as many threats.
There are others hunting Astraeus, and his rescue may cost Earth its last hope.
Astraeus buy links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J42YGPN/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/astraeus-haley-cavanagh/1129709119
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/astraeus-1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42207961-astraeus​ Excerpt:
“What are you called? What’s your name?”
He opened his mouth, and she moved closer, eager for his first words. Instead, he focused on her lips with obvious fascination. His intriguing eyes caught the light. Despite her disappointment that he couldn’t speak, a rush went through her. Alien or not, he was the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on, with the kind of ethereal elegance some upper-class, privileged men on Earth spent fortunes on plastic surgery trying to achieve.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk, or if you can’t. We’ll get there. Now, I’m going to check you.” She kept her voice gentle, as she might use with a child. She pressed the button to disengage the protective bubble over the med bed and shone the retinal scanner in her own eye to demonstrate. “I just need to look at your eyes with this.” She motioned with the scope to him. “It won’t hurt. I promise.”
Warm puffs of his breath blew on her neck as she leaned in. She paused, noting the remarkable eight-pointed star-shape of his pupils. The mutation was his one physical difference, and only if one looked closely. The pupils dilated when hit by the scope’s light. She’d never seen eyes as remarkable.
“You’re doing great,” she soothed. Her head burst with countless questions. Where are you from? How did you get here? What do you want?
He appeared to like the cadence of her voice. His posture relaxed, and his breath against her was steady. How long had she been staring into his eyes? Should she push her luck and try to examine his mouth?
Before she could try, his finger stroked her inner arm. He was still restrained at the wrists, but he could reach her.
She allowed it. He stroked a featherlight finger along her forearm. As he did so, his gaze never left hers. She offered a kind smile. “That’s right. Friend. Sakota. Sa-ko-ta.”
He opened his mouth and let out a chicken-like squawk. “-Ota,” he said in a throaty, deep voice.
She raised her eyebrows. “Good. Very good.”
He tilted his head, watching her lips. “Gooood.”
Excited, she lowered the retinal light. “Can you understand me?”
He looked confused. “Me…”
“Okay. That’s a no. Then let me take this opportunity to say, in no uncertain terms, you, my friend, are the stuff of dreams and legends. I’ve waited my whole life for this. Are you getting this, Alistair?” she called out.
He came in over the speakers. “I am. Amazing. I’ll get to work on a linguistics program. Our friend seems to want to communicate.”
She moved to pull away, but the man’s fingers closed over her wrist.
“Let me go.” She jerked her arm, but he wouldn’t release his grip. She gave him a cautionary look, and he loosened his fingers, though he still held her. Warning bells went off. What if he’s not here in peace? But his eyes sparkled impishly. He seemed to enjoy her skin pressed against his. Maybe he hadn’t been touched in a while. Or maybe he had a crush. Who knew.
Before she could extricate herself, the intercom chimed. “Sakota, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. He’s just being friendly—”
The man’s forefinger trailed along her arm again. She sucked in a breath and shut her eyes as a series of images flashed through her mind. A high wall made of stacked stones. A hand spread out to touch the tips of tall, golden wheat of a field. Multihued buildings in the distance under a purple sky. Children’s laughter and then screams. She jerked when the images changed. Strange rain, like metal. Black ships attacking from the sky, horrible screams which rent the air, death. A gentle brush against her hand again. She inhaled and opened her eyes. The man searched her, calm and patient. She struggled to see straight, but her mind spun.
“W-was that your—”
The isolation walls shot up. Rutledge burst into the room and advanced like an angry bear, brutish, immaculate, and combat ready in his black Oceanstone fatigues. “Let her go,” he snarled.
Rutledge yanked the man’s hand off her and pushed her aside. She fell to the floor on her back in a dizzy haze, reeling from the vision. She turned her head. The man bellowed and tore loose from his restraints. His and Rutledge’s images faded into one as they collided and fought. Rutledge’s weapon whirred as he strained to activate it. The rifle propelled over her head and hit the wall.
“Stop.” Her pleas fell on deaf ears. She closed her eyes.
The men barged into the room with heavy footfalls and angry shouts. She opened her eyes, but her vision swirled. The blurred image of the alien lifted Rutledge’s lieutenant like a kitchen chair and catapulted him in the same direction as the weapon. “Stop,” she hollered to the men. “Don’t shoot him. He wasn’t attacking me.”
Another soldier fell to the floor with a sick thud, holding his stomach. “Yeah? Well, he’s attacking me.”
The alien pounced over her, crouching low. He caged her with his body and made a guttural rumble in his throat, a warning to the men. She turned her head to the marines, who zeroed their weapons in on them.​
​

Author Bio:
Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media.


Author social media links:
Website: www.haleycavanaghbooks.com 
Newsletter: https://haleycavanaghbooks.com/vip-readers-group/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/1769243778 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/haley_cavanagh 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haleycavanaghbooks/ 
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ambitioushales/ 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42207961-astraeus  Want a Chance to Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card? Click the link Below to Enter http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2a7ba83120/? ​

#FridayFunny

When divorce is out of the question, can murder be forgiven?---Crime Times Two by JULIE HOWARD

Tagline:
When divorce is out of the question, can murder be forgiven? [image error]  
 
Blurb from “Crime Times Two” (coming Fall 2018):
Meredith knows three things: First, the man in the library begged her to help him. Second, he was afraid of his wife. Third, now he’s dead.
While the evidence first points to a natural death, Meredith is certain there’s more to discover. People are tight-lipped in this small mountain village, and the man’s wife isn't talking either. Then a second death occurs, with remarkable similarities. It’s time to talk about murder. 
As a slow-burning relationship heats up in her own life, Meredith struggles with concepts of love and hate, belief and suspicion, and absolution and guilt. Nothing is clear cut…
She must decide: Is guilt, like evil, something you can choose to believe in?
 
Excerpt from “Crime Times Two”:
 
Jowls quivered under the man’s weak chin, and Meredith noted the stained and frayed shirt of someone who spent a lot of time alone in dark rooms, sending out a better version of himself into the virtual world. His eyes were anxious and beseeching at her as though she should have a clear understanding of him and his life.
Somehow, over the past hour and a half they’d been sitting next to each other – him playing video games and sharing his life story and her ignoring him the best she could – she had become his confessor and friend.
Meredith gave him what she hoped was an impartial-though-quasi-friendly smile. She reached for her purse and papers and rose from her chair. “Well. Nice talking with you.”
The man was lost in his own train of thought and seemed only slightly aware that Meredith was leaving.
He shook his head, morose.
“To make a long story short,” he summed up, “I think my wife is trying to kill me.”
 
 
Flash sale! Julie Howard’s first book in the Wild Crime series, Crime and Paradise, is on sale for 99 cents for a limited time. https://www.amazon.com/Crime-Paradise-Wild-Julie-Howard-ebook/dp/B073MYJSP9/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Bio:
Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.
​Website: http://juliemhoward.com
 
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard
 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07D6CS4NQ

#Wednesdaywisdom: The Secret to Success Is To Gain Wisdom Through Patience!

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Not Your Usual Ghost Story: Lights Out by Kayelle Allen #SpaceOpera #SciFi (@kayelleallen)

​Lights Out by Kayelle Allen is different. This ghost has flesh and blood and he's alive... or he is now. But that wasn't always the case. In this universe, soldiers can be resurrected. Check out the story by downloading a behind the scenes look at the world and characters. Here's a free, downloadable illustrated book filled with inside information, exclusive character insights, and links to the author's research. https://bit.ly/peek-lights-out Lights Out
He can save mankind. After he does one important thing. Die.
Join the Ghost Corps, they said. You'll live forever, they said. You'll save mankind, they said. They didn't say that to do it, first he had to die.
When Tornahdo signs on the dotted line, he puts his life into the steady hands of the mighty Ghost Corps. Three grisly deaths and three agonizing resurrections later, he's assigned duty on the space station Enderium Six.
He's facing his most dangerous mission yet, the very reason the corps exists.
Do they expect him to win? Fat chance. Tornahdo and his team are already dead and this mission is codenamed "Lights Out." No, there's more to this than he can see.
To discover the truth, he must face an unbeatable, unkillable enemy, and this time--somehow--find a way to keep himself alive...
Lights Out part of the Science Fiction/Space Opera anthology The Expanding Universe Vol 4, edited by Craig Martelle.
Free on Kindle Unlimited https://amzn.to/2QxKBGB
Book info page https://kayelleallen.com/lights-out-save-mankind/

EXCERPT
 
The air reeked of antiseptic and starch stiffened the pillowcase. If only the mind-numbing jabbering would stop.
Tornahdo pried open his eyes. The flattened blood bag above him, stenciled equipment and gray walls screamed military hospital.
He'd died. Again.
Spanish curses slipped out. His abuela would've taken a switch to him. He made the sign of the cross and kissed his fingertips.
After yanking the tube out of his arm, he pressed a thumb over the entry point. Thankfully, this time, he wasn't writhing on the floor in agony. Well, not yet.
A faceless android in a Ghost Corps uniform loomed over a bank of equipment displaying Tornahdo's name and vitals. First impression was right. Military hospital.
The weapons-grade yapping continued.
"Did you hear?" a youthful voice bragged. "He killed six of 'em last night."
"Yeah, but they don't stay dead. They never do."
"If Ultras didn't come back to life, their plasma wouldn't bring our own people back."
The transfusion of enemy blood healed the hole in Tornahdo's arm in seconds. He thumbed off the red smear and rolled over on the gurney.
An open door led to a sink and toilet built to let gravity do its work. Which meant this was a planet. You hadn't lived until you were in space, floating in zero gravity while your body's final twitches sent your corpse spinning.
Notices on the wall confirmed this was San Xavier in the Colonies of Man. Same place he'd bought it the first time.
This was getting old. Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She is the author of seven books, three novellas, and multiple short stories. She's also a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she's tenured.
Homeworld https://kayelleallen.com
Reader Groups https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups/
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
Amazon Author page http://amazon.com/author/kayelleallen

His Midnight Sun- a Romantic #SummerRead from Viviana MacKade (@ViviMackade)

His Midnight Sun
by Viviana MacKade [image error]
Tormented, fierce, and broken, sculptor Aidan Murphy has judged himself guilty. He yearns for love but pushes everyone away. He longs for acceptance but has lost the key to open his heart. Until he meets Summer Williams. Beautiful and smart, Dr. Williams promises haven for a man who believes he deserves none. All he has to do is let her in and risk his heart and soul.
Summer’s managed to keep her inner light alive, even through tragedy. She’s created a new life for herself and her daughter in Crescent Creek with loving, caring and fun friends–well, except brooding, breathtaking Aidan. She’s used to keeping away from his type, though. All she has to do is ignore the pull of a man who’s turning up to be much more than snarls and storms. Will her compassion and medical instincts let her?
Love can heal a broken soul and shake up a timid heart. Or it can unleash devastation and revenge.
Will Aidan and Summer survive the hurricane?
 
Release September 15, available for pre-sale
$ 0.99 FREE with KU
Buy Link
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GDP26VB?
 
https://goo.gl/L8okF6


Find Viviana:
On her website http://www.viviana-mackade.blog/
On FB
On Twitter
Amazon Author page
​ THE AUTHOR
Beach bum and country music addicted, Viviana lives in a small Floridian town with her husband and her son, her die-hard fans and personal cheer squad. She spends her days between typing on her beloved keyboard, playing in the pool with her boy, and eating whatever her husband puts on her plate (the guy is that good, and she really loves eating). Besides beaching, she enjoys long walks, horse-riding, hiking, and pretty much whatever she can do outside with her family.
Now for a fun character interview...
Welcome to the blog, Summer. His Midnight Sun looks like a great story to be a part of. I'd like to ask you a few questions so my readers can get to know you a little better. Here goes.
Full Name
Summer Ann Williams
Have you ever had a nickname?
My brother calls me BS. Yeah, I know. He swears it stands for Big Sister, which I am, but I know better than believing him.
Profession
I’m a GP in Crescent Creek
What kind of impression do you make on people when they first meet you? Is that accurate?
That I’m a nice person, happy, and ready to help them. At least, I hope that’s is. It would be spot on.
Favorite dish.
Can I say almond croissants? I know it’s not a dish but it’s all I can think of whenever I’m asked about food I like. Which is not often, by the way.
What would you change about Aidan?
I’d love if he could learn to trust people a little more. There are good people around, and it’s a shame he pushes everybody away.
What do you like about him?
Kind of an easy question. His heart. Is so very gentle, despite the war-show he puts out.
Your first thought and impression when you first met.
That he was hot, because come on, and that he had issues, which he had.
If you were an animal, or a shifter, what animal would you be?
I wish I could say something cool like a lion, or a wolf or something. But I’d be a puppy.
Your obituary would be …
She lived happy and in love.

What would you do if:
someone tried to blackmail you. How easy or difficult would it be? 
It would be hard. I’m really that boring.
You arrive home to find your door unlocked and slightly ajar, and you’re sure you locked it on your way out.
You’re stirring up horrible memories now… next question please.
You wake up to find a poisonous spider on your pillow next to his/ her head.
I’d just swat it away. I’m a mountain girl, my brother is a Park Ranger. I’m used to bugs.
Someone else take credit for his/her work.
I’d be annoyed, and I’d try to make it right. If someone needs help for doing something, all the have to do is ask. No need to steal from me so it would be a very not nice thing that I would address.
A natural disaster traps you on your way to an important destination.
I’d make sure nobody needs my help, then call and reschedule, I guess? I mean, if it’s a big disaster surely whoever is waiting would understand.
Someone told you today that you are destined to fulfill a great prophecy.
Bugger. They never end up well, so I wouldn’t be happy, that’s for sure. Then I’d do what I have to. Part of my being good and all that.

Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
I chose the cut-offs, Aidan has a thing for my, um, buttocks, and I try to wear things that make it look good. I picked a shirt that went well with it.
Thoughts on gas prices?
Too high, but here in Florida is better. Gas is a little more expensive in Oregon. Not much, but enough to make me feel better about paying for it.
Up early or sleep in.
Between being a doctor and Chloe, sleep in doesn’t really happen. Aidan has no internal clock and can be up at whatever time. Let’s say we’re messed-up sleep family.
Is marriage outdated?
It’s not about being outdated or still fashionable as much as if it’s right for you as a couple. It was for us, certainly.
How honest are you?
Too much.
What's the color of money?
Depends on the bill. I believe is green for 1 and 2 dollars bills. Purplishy for the 5. Orangy for the 10, and bluish for the 20 cuts. I’m afraid I can’t tell for sure for the others.
 
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#WednesdayWisdom: The Secret of Success Is To Realize Happiness is a Process!