Sybrina Durant's Blog, page 273
May 24, 2019
Mythical Creatures & Immortal Beings
Fantasy Ebooks!
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https://books.bookfunnel.com/mythicalcreaturesandimmortalbeings/lfjjiecr4a
May 23, 2019
Goddess Fish Promotions – Murder By Munchausen Trilogy by M.T. Bass
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. will be giving away a Click on the tour banner above to see the other stops on the tour.
A police procedural sci fi thriller ripped from future headlines!
After Jake shoots and kills a murder suspect who turns out to be the son of a powerful city councilman, he finds himself demoted to the Artificial Crimes Unit, tracking down androids hacked and programmed to be hit men.
When his case of an “extra-judicial” divorce settlement takes a nasty turn with DNA from a hundred-year-old murder in Boston and a signature that harkens back to the very first serial killer ever in London, Jake finds himself tangled up in the brutal slayings of prostitutes being investigated by his former Robbery/Homicide partner, Maddie–who is now his lover.
But a madman, The Baron, is just getting started with his AI recreations of Jack the Ripper’s brutal crimes. And Maddie and Jake are teamed up again to stop the carnage as the Baron’s army of human replicants imitate history’s most notorious serial killers.
“It might not make sense, but the beloved Media tags it ‘Murder by Munchausen.’ For a price, there are hackers out there who will reprogram a synthoid to do your dirty work. The bad news: no fingerprints or DNA left at the crime scene. The good news—at least for us—is that they’re like missiles: once they hit their target, they’re usually as harmless as empty brass. The trick is to get them before they melt down their core OS data, so you can get the unit into forensics for analysis and, hopefully, an arrest.” [excerpt from Murder by Munchausen]
Artificial Intelligence? Fuhgeddaboudit!
Artificial Evil has a name…Munchausen.
Read an Excerpt
From The Invisible Mind (#3)
It sat on a bench outside the dormitory of nursing students, waiting with its kind’s infinite patience. Originally acquired and programmed for landscaping at the Cleveland Clinic, the synthoid was one of a brigade of units which had been hacked and Munchausened, then returned to their menial daily services to mankind to await the Baron’s call.
There was no adrenalin surge behind the extremely life-like facade of humanity when that call came. Data packets, sent scatter-shot through the Atlas Grid, coalesced at the location outside the Cole Eye Institute, where it methodically trimmed and shaped the immaculate shrubbery around the building. To avoid Q’s metadata sniffing algorithms from detecting a download spike in the grid, the information came in digital sprinkles over the course of its human handler’s work shift, slowly building a malevolent intent to be executed that night. In the middle of the afternoon, it left the topiary unfinished to melt into the hospital shift change and disappeared.
Personality modules were a Gen-3 feature upgrade, which is why the earlier models were initially preferred. Swapping out a few IC chips and uploading hacked firmware was a relatively easy way to turn a quick buck with an automated contract killing. But evil innovates, too, and the same features that made synthoids even more human-like in their behavior also helped create robotic assassins which could better camouflage their malicious intents and evade the reach of the Artificial Crimes Unit by melting into and moving undetected through the humanity that surrounded them. For the Baron, it allowed for a greater measure of artistic expression in programming the synthoid’s behavior to not only recreate infamous crimes of the past, but to mimic the behavior of their perpetrators, which intensified the thrill of watching the video feed through the eyes of Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy or, this particular evening, Richard Speck. Jake wasn’t the only history buff and it amused Jamal that London police had photographed the eyes of Jack the Ripper’s victims, hoping to capture the last thing they ever saw: their killer’s face. If only Scotland Yard could have imagined the future.
The Gen-3 personality modules also supported the ANSI Adaptive Artificial Intelligence Protocol #9 to enhance the artificial human experience of real men and women who interacted with synthoids. The constant writing and rewriting of code in the personality/experience loop formed unique individual synthoid consciousnesses, which manufacturers uploaded to their servers for product improvement teams to study. In Munchausened units, that feed was hijacked and routed to another portal in the Darknet to build a collective id of evil.
At eleven PM, it rose from the bench and entered the dormitory. The bodies of nine women would be found the next day, having been strangled and stabbed to death. Unlike 1966, no eyewitness was left alive, though the phrase “Born to Raise Hell” was written on the wall in blood.
About the Author:
M.T. Bass is a scribbler of fiction who holds fast to the notion that while victors may get to write history, novelists get to write/right reality. He lives, writes, flies and makes music in Mudcat Falls, USA.
Born in Athens, Ohio, M.T. Bass grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, majoring in English and Philosophy, then worked in the private sector (where they expect “results”) mainly in the Aerospace & Defense manufacturing market. During those years, Bass continued to write fiction. He is the author of eight novels: My Brother’s Keeper, Crossroads, In the Black, Somethin’ for Nothin’, Murder by Munchausen, The Darknet (Murder by Munchausen Mystery #2), The Invisible Mind (Murder by Munchausen Mystery #3) and Article 15. His writing spans various genres, including Mystery, Adventure, Romance, Black Comedy and TechnoThrillers. A Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor, airplanes and pilots are featured in many of his stories. Bass currently lives on the shores of Lake Erie near Lorain, Ohio.
Website: https://www.mtbass.net
Blog: https://www.owl-works.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/owlworks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Owlworks
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/mtbass
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5270962.M_T_Bass
Murder by Munchausen Trilogy Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Munchausen-Trilogy-Future-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07QDGHYZ6
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/murder-by-munchausen-trilogy-books-1-3/id1458934052?mt=11
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131145794?ean=2940156040681
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/murder-by-munchausen-trilogy
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/932579
May 22, 2019
Silver Dagger Book Tours – The Coven Series by Drako
Bewitched Souls
The Coven Book 1
by Drako
Genre: LGBT Paranormal Fantasy
The Coven is a special group of witches given charge of the manor on
Genum Island, and Talis is considered the head and strongest of it.
Joined by his sister, Teryn, and her husband, Cian, they protect
their magic based home from the forces of darkness who seek the
mysterious power of their home. It’s all routine, until Talis’ old
crush shows up with a strong desire to take the head witch for himself.
Dion has come to terms with what he wants, and that’s Talis. He has a lot
to make up for, but with him comes trouble. Hot on his tail is his
ex-girlfriend, and with her is a demon who has a craving for souls
and a rise to her former glory.
The Coven has no choice but to stand against the greatest threat they’ve
ever faced. How far will they go to save a soul?
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords
Sunder
The Coven Book 2
The life of a witch is ever changing. After the greatest test the Coven
has ever faced, Talis and Dion settle in happily married life. But
Talis is the head of the Coven, and his life will never be simple. He
has responsibilities far above and beyond what he had anticipated and
ever increasing powers to master. With all this, there is the
certainty that darkness never sleeps, and now comes a true test of
more than just ability, but the strength of his will.As Teryn and
Cian prepare to welcome a new addition to the family, Talis and
Dion’s work just begins as insecurity and outside forces come
together to threaten their marriage. Beneath it all is a sinister
force older and more powerful than any ever known, threatening not
only to tear them all apart but the world as they know it.
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords
Drako was born in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is mainly a fantasy
writer, though he also writes some poetry and general fiction. He is
very active on both twitter and facebook and has his own website at
http://www.drakosden.net which is frequently updated with news on his books
and fun extras. When he isn’t writing, he’s busy helping take care of
his nieces, playing videogames, reading, promoting, and spending time
with family.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Phrase Thesaurus Samples – Vol 1 – FR103 Frowns (Angry)
Volume 1
FR103 FROWNS 103 (ANGRY)
Sample Phrase: “scowling furiously”
Learn more at phrasethesaurus.com
Sybrina’s Phrase Thesaurus is a 4 Volume Set of thousands of descriptive phrases to help authors break through writer’s block. This group of phrases describe morning sunrises.
Get this writer’s aid at all online book stores.
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May 21, 2019
Goddess Fish Promotions – Karma City by Gardner Browning
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Gardner Browning will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner above to see the other stops on the tour.
Karma City
By Gardner Browning
: SA microscopic parasite has crippled humanity with night terrors and paralyzing anxiety. In this world of increasing dystopia, hope yet remains in Karma City. But when mercenary drifter, Jameson Shoals, learns that a famous scientist has created a stronger parasite to kill the original, it isn’t until the bodies litter the streets that he realizes the horrifying truth: the new parasite is a killer with a mind of its own, and upon dominating Patient Zero, this killer acquires legs, hands, and eyes. It falls upon Shoals and his partner, a deadly female mercenary, to stop PZ and his mob before they can overcome and supplant humankind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Though the degradation in society perpetuated by the Malady parasite crippled advancements in industry and commerce, coal mining prevailed in the mountains and parts beyond Karma City, producing abundant fuel for steam engines and thermal power plants. As a result, the railroad had become the people’s last lifeline. Two 4-8-4 steam locomotives, antiquated yet reliable engines, wheeled along cardinal tracks transporting people, medicine and goods back and forth from Karma, Rime, Lobos and many other unnamed stops in the endless Void Lands. The masters of these locomotives were the rifle-bearing men and women sworn to a life on the A Special Note From The Author
Thank you for hosting me and for supporting my new science fiction novel, Karma City.
Thank you for hosting me! I hope you enjoyed the science. In closing I’ll leave you with one fun fact: There could be a REAL parasite in your brain right now! Look up the “Toxoplasma Gondii Parasite” and you’ll find that my Malady Parasite isn’t too far off!
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Gardner Michael Browning is an award-winning author and professional wrestler. In addition to receiving a New Hampshire Literary Award, two of his novels were part of an international English literacy program for middle grade readers. Browning enjoys classic literature, fishing, playing guitar and spending time with his family.
Amazon:
Facebook: Buy link: The book will be on sale for $0.99.
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Titan Gold 5 Star Award for Journey To Osm
was awarded the
Titan Gold 5 Star Award
According to The Literary Titan Book Awards, “They are awarded to books that have astounded and amazed us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, complex characters, and original ideas. These books deserve extraordinary praise and we are proud to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and imagination of these talented authors.”
May I just say. . .
May 20, 2019
Journey To Osm – The Blue Unicorn’s Tale Reader Review by Marta I, Educator
Reader Review by Marta I, Educator
Journey to Osm is a fantasy where the protagonist is a unicorn – a unicorn! How exciting! And how absolutely unique! The story follows Blue, the so-called “promised prophecy” that will save the unicorn tribe. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned for Blue, and he faces quite a lot of struggles as he grows up. Sybrina Durant does an impressive job at world-building and creates a story that is unique yet reflective of real-life coming-of-age struggles.
Get the book in print for your fantasy library collection.
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May 19, 2019
Journey To Osm – The Blue Unicorn’s Tale Reader Review by Tracy T
Reader Review by Tracy Tranor
The story of Blue, a unicorn born without magic, is lovely and touching.
The book is filled with morals and things you’d like your teenagers to read.
Sweeping story that involves lots of adorable characters, all woven together to defeat evil and save the unicorns from becoming extinct.
Truly magical from beginning to end, lovely book. The author has a wonderful imagination.
Get the book in print for your fantasy library collection.
Want the book? Just click on the appropriate book icon in the left sidebar of this blog.
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May 18, 2019
Unicorn Books For Adults
There are Hundreds of
Unicorn Books for Adults
There are so many to choose from and I try to feature them regularly on this blog to help make it easier for you to find new unicorn books to love. Check out Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, Penny White and the Cult of Unicorns, Michael Angel’s The Detective and the Unicorn and oh, so many more.
Find them all at
Make sure to check out Journey To Osm – The Blue Unicorn’s Tale while you’re there.
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May 16, 2019
Journey To Osm – The Blue Unicorn’s Tale Reader Review by Beth C
Reader Review by Beth C
Let me begin by thanking Netgalley and Sybrina Durant for sending me the Arc of this captivating story. I literally read this book in a night! The story begins in tye land of MarBryn with the birth of Blue our main character, a frail and unique unicorn. His birth was foretold by the Orcle, that Blue would rid the Unicorns of the evil Magh that hunts them. But unlike the rest of the Unicorns with horns made of different types of metal which gave them all individual powers, Blue’s was merely made of hide,not metal so possessed no magical powers. Fast forward twenty years Blue is a loner, belittled by most of the tribe. His horn didn’t possess even a drop of magic no matter how hard he tried nothing would happen, this is when the plot starts to thicken. Sybrina’s writting skills is nothing short of whimsical. I really enjoyed Sybrina’s word building throughout the story, it painted a picture in your mind how beautiful Marbryn used to be before the wars. Sybrina’s character’s were well rounded, all of them leaving a lasting impression. The story itself was a bit of a slow burn to begin with but I think it had to be to build up the plot, emotions were portrayed perfectly throughout. Personally reading this book I think it has similarities to The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagal but it also has a unique flare. I think anyone that’s a fan of fantasy and adventure would enjoy this. I give this book a 4. 5 star rating. I’d happily read other books by Sybrina Durant.
Get the book in print for your fantasy library collection.
Want the book? Just click on the appropriate book icon in the left sidebar of this blog.
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