Kory M. Shrum's Blog, page 2

#Tuesdaybookblog: $50 and FREE reads

One week ago today I released Dying Breath the 6th novel in my Dying for a Living fantasy series. For those of you've already purchased the book and begun to enjoy it, thank you, thank you! When you're finished, I'd love it if you left a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you'd like to share your thoughts with other readers--and of course me! 

Regardless of where you are in the series, I hope you'll enter the Rafflecopter giveaway I'm currently running in celebration of the release. And you can also check out this fun post of Jesse complaining about her job--which also has a giveaway!

I plan to run a goodreads and Amazon giveaways next week, so stay tuned!

Find out for just $0.99!Happy Book Birthday to Monica La Porta! 
All his life, Valentine Lobo has done everything the Brotherhood of the Wolf has requested of him, including marrying Mirella Canalis, his genetically engineered bride. 
Now Mirella is expecting his child, and Valentine should be happy to have successfully ensured the continuity of his species. Instead, he is devastated because he has fallen in love with her, and he knows that she won’t survive her pregnancy. As he faces demons from his past and enemies from his present, he must fight his most difficult battle yet.
Valentine will stop at nothing to save his beloved Mirella, but can love conquer all?


Other Great Reads

Free on Instafreebie!

Just $0.99 on kindle

Evolution is FREE on kindle.

#Fridayreads and a $50 Amazon Gift Card #Giveaway

In addition to audiobooks, ebooks, and signed paperbacks, of my new release Dying Breath , I'm also offering a $50 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner. Just click the link below for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Other Great Friday Reads

$0.99 on Kindle 
Kidnapping. Murder. Betrayal.
Would you put your life at risk for a child you barely know?
In a far future US, the once-beautiful domed neo-Victorian city of Bridges is now split between four crime families in an uneasy cease-fire. Social disparity increasing and its steam-driven infrastructure failing, a new faction is on the rise: the Red Dogs.
22 year old Jacqueline Spadros was kidnapped from her mother's brothel and sold to the Spadros syndicate ten years ago. The murder of her best friend Air as he tried to save her from them haunts her nightmares. Now unwillingly married to one of the city's biggest drug lords, she finds moments of freedom in a small-time private eye business, which she hides in fear of her sadistic father-in-law.
Air's little brother disappears off his back porch and the Red Dogs are framed for it. With the help of a mysterious gentleman investigator hired by the Red Dogs to learn the truth, Jacqui pushes her abilities to their limits in hope of rescuing the child before the kidnapper disposes of him.
Dark, gritty, multi-layered Victorian-inspired detective neo-noir that keeps the reader guessing to the very end. 
What readers say about The Jacq of Spades:
"... a world of family intrigue combined with feuding households across the four quadrants of Bridges..." June Lorraine Roberts, Murder In Common
"This was the first steampunk book that I've read that I actually really loved." Gabby's Honest Book Reviews
"... an intriguing and compelling read ..." Diana Johnson
"... a first-rate mystery." Clabe Polk Mystery & Adventure



                                                      FREE on Kindle

Jennifer’s family is scarier than any nightmare. But if she rebels against the family ways, they’ll turn their viciousness on her next..At just a century old, a family dinner gone wrong shows Jennifer Johnston exactly why humans believe Mystics are evil, and the events that follow leave her with more than just a few tortured memories.

Jackson Dawls and Taylor Durham are a deadly species all their own as well, but even they fear the Mystics and their barbaric ways. Now, unforeseen circumstances bring them face to face with not one, but a few.

When the three meet, long-hidden secrets are brought to light. Secrets no one but Jennifer knew. But if they can’t learn to work together, their apprehensions will destroy their lives.

                                                             
                                                      $0.99 on Kindle

Immerse yourself in this eclectic collection of short stories featuring authors from around the world. Travel to different places with them as they enjoy an unexpected journey back home to reunite with family and take a chartered flight to the North Pole. Shiver with the cold and anxiety as their loved ones get stranded in a snow storm in Alaska or share the amazement of gazing at the spectacular views during a hike to Machu Picchu. Explore the Indian subcontinent by train, share an unforgettable vacation in Cyprus or venture into Afghanistan in the midst of war.

Holidays are a time of sharing and can take many forms. These stories explore the issues of family dynamics, reflections on life, and finding the true meaning of love and acceptance. They also show that sometimes, it is just as important to let go of old feelings and old memories.

This collection of short stories is sure to warm your heart and light the spirit of Christmas.

Happy Holidays!



                                                           $2.99 on Kindle

Kalla has uncovered the greatest conspiracy the government has hidden under everyone’s nose spearheaded by the Abyss, a powerful underground agency. Abyss has weaponized humans that can control time and space itself. However, they weren’t prepared for a coup d'etat from their own creations led by Kalla. Assisted by her ability to manipulate the climate around her, Kalla embarks on a mission to stop the underground government agency. Follow Kalla through the deep alcoves of the Abyss Experimentation Labs to the forests of the renegade Myst as Kalla learns that not every battle can be won and some victories come with a dire price.

The Wait is Over! Let's Celebrate! #Tuesdaybookblog

It's here! Finally!I'm THRILLED to announce that Dying Breath, the 6th and penultimate installment of the Dying for a Living series is now available on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Nook and more. Not only do I hope you'll pick up your copy, but I hope you'll join us for tonight's Facebook Party at 8PM EST. There will be door prizes and gifts for everyone who attends.

There's also a special announcement that I want to make personally! 

And don't forget to enter my giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Other Great Deals FREE for today and tomorrow onlyGame of Thrones meets Narnia in the bestselling magical beginning to Natalie Erin's heartfelt Creatures of the Lands series...

Dragons fly, animals can speak and fairies rule over all in the realm they call the Lands, a place that is both beautiful and dangerous. Only one myth remains...Changers, beasts who can morph into any creature at will, and their Accompanies, the mysterious riders who command them. 

Chaos begins when a Changer called Ionan and his Accompany Keota crash down from the sky. They are found by two orphan wolf pups searching for their mother, and the fairy Kiatana, owner of the Verinian Forest. Kiatana refuses to trust the handsome stranger, or believe the story about his troubled past, but she soon finds she has bigger problems as a plague begins to spread throughout her land, killing all in sight. With no option Kiatana heads out on a quest with Keota, Ionan, the two wolves and her trusty pegasus to find a cure before the forest is destroyed forever. But danger has a way of finding her, and Kiatana isn’t sure if she’ll survive the road ahead...

Funny and original, Kiatana's Journey is the first installment in an epic young adult fantasy series that honors love, imagination, and friendship.

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

A mystical calling.
On his 18th birthday, Cole learns that he is a dragon fated to save all that was deemed true.
Destiny.

Cole's life spirals into an uncontrollable battle for life or death. First, he learns that his family isn't really his own and his birth parents are dragons. With that legacy comes a special calling; devoting an eternity to protecting all true beings from creatures bent on controlling the Earth and bringing an end to dragons. 

Danger.

As the newly-minted Prince of Ochana, Cole is also the Keeper of Dragons and his first task is to keep the nefarious farro-fallen fairies-at bay. With no formal training, no control of his mahier-dragon magic, and fear like he's never experienced before, will Cole be able to reach outside of his human side and embrace his destiny in time to defeat the farros?

Just $0.99**2016 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Fiction - Panaromal**

Violca Grey knows life can change instantly. Two years after her parents’ sudden death, Violca is left raising her four younger sisters. She doesn’t realize that their lives are all in danger from something that may not be human.

Chase Reed knows the Grey sisters possibly hold the key to his fate. He is determined to get close, protect them and bring them to his Dragon King.

Together, Chase and Violca not only have to protect their families—they also have to fight against their rising feelings for each other. But what Violca doesn't know is that once a dragon decides he wants something, there is no stopping him from getting it.
Amazon                          Barnes and Noble                      iTunes                     Kobo

$0.99 on Kindle or FREE with KU

Winner 2015 sexiest steampunk book awardVampires. Werewolves. An unlikely love story. How do you choose who lives and who dies?Alchemist Amelia Rimos has just discovered the cure for the Undead. Being naïve and vulnerable, she does not realize the Undead have their targets set on her.Happening upon a tall, dark, exotic man named Michel Gauthier, he saves her from becoming a victim, thrusting her into a game of cat and mouse.Amelia realizes being an Alchemist is not in her best interest when she befriends him. Is Michel as sincere as he seems or does he have an ulterior motive?When her life cannot be more complicated, John Hawthorne interjects himself into Amelia's life and shifts it completely upside down. He informs Amelia she has the key to their survival. Soon, she will realize the Undead are not the only monsters in the world…Amelia will find herself in a desperate stalemate.She will be forced to choose between destroying her evidence and saving the man she’s grown to love or destroying over half the population of the world, including the love of her life with it.Praise for Deadly Alchemy:"Deadly Alchemy is a real page turner, I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. I feel really bad for Amelia with everything she has gone through but she is definitely one tough lady." Karlee Lawrence, Amazon Reviewer"WOW! Okay, so first of all I want to say that I am not a big historical fan HOWEVER this book had me completely hooked! I did not want to put this one down. (insert evil eye to family for interruptions here) There is suspense, who do you trust and who do you fear, oh and there is some heat in here too." Heather Ray, Amazon Reviewer
$0.99 or FREE on KU
A fast-paced fantasy epic that stretches beyond the stars. Two women, two worlds, one epic destiny...

On the world of Hearth, Nightmares crawl out of the East to devour entire villages. A fire-blooded heiress named Meluscia seeks to destroy the threat plaguing her lands and become Luminess of the Blue Mountain Realm. Though she desires the throne, her heart is divided. Forbidden intimacy tempts her at every corner. With life in a state of chaos, she soon realizes that the hard choices before her will determine the fate of her world. Can she save her kingdom, or will all of Hearth be brought to its knees at the feet of a primordial Beast?

On the world of Loam, an ancient evil threatens to conquer the portals that exist on every world, and only a young farm woman named Winter is given the power to destroy it. Gifted as a Seer by the gods and tasked with a deadly mission beyond her world, Winter must first escape the cruel farmland she was raised on, even if it could spell death for those she loves.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black Friday Book Deals

Book 1 is always free.
Amazon
Other retailersBlack Friday for BookloversThis time of year I always try to show gratitude for my amazing fans. In that giving spirit, all of the Dying for a Living books are now just $0.99 for a limited time only.  No matter where you are in the series, this is your chance to catch up before the release of Dying Breath, the latest installment.





Amazon
Other retailers  Amazon
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Other Great Deals Learn more about On a Red Horse Learn more about Fallen Ashes Learn more about Never Say Never Learn more about Wicked Legends

How Did The American Holocaust Happen #WednesdayWisdom

So...lots of talk about walls, trains, and camps and getting rid of millions of immigrants going around. It makes me think another point in history where we used walls and trains and camps. So I drafted up this diddy:

How Did The American Holocaust Happen
… it's difficult to understand how something as horrific as the Holocaust could have come about. However, the Holocaust was something that grew very gradually. It began with a charismatic leader who was elected by the American people. With the belief that Trump had their best interests in mind, many American citizens wholeheartedly supported Trump’s actions. Early on in the Holocaust, his anti-immigration sentiment was not unusual for the time. The early restrictions that were placed on immigrants seemed wholly appropriate to a people who had come to vilify them.

The immigrant community was seen as alien within much of America and Europe (See Brexit). Trump began by emphasizing this in his propaganda. The immigrants were depicted as the root cause of many of America’s problems. They were racially inferior to white Americans and thus posed a threat to their way of life. These beliefs took hold in America and would allow Trump to gradually tighten his grip on the immigrant population more and more until he was systematically committing genocide. Though the majority of the people killed in the Holocaust were Muslim, they were not the only segment of society that was persecuted. The refugees, legal permanent residents, Socialists, Jews, homosexuals, immigrants of other nationalities, and disabled were under fire as well.

The Holocaust began with increasingly strict restrictions on immigrant life. First, immigrants were stripped of their citizenship and forbidden from marrying into America. In later years, they were expelled from schools, evicted from homes with white landlords, and stripped of any credentials for practicing medicine or law. Immigrants were required to have special passports… A curfew was enacted for immigrants in America…

Toward the end of the Holocaust, immigrants were rounded up into ghettos. Here, several families would be confined to a single apartment. Living conditions were horrendous with minimal rations, poor hygiene, and illness running rampant. Many died in the ghettos from the poor living conditions. When the America implemented the Final Solution (because deportation of millions of immigrants proved unfeasible) immigrants were moved from the ghettos to concentration camps where they faced forced labor or death in the gas chamber. Forced labor was often minimally productive and essentially designed to work and starve the laborers to death. By the end of the Holocaust, 6 million immigrants and a total of 11 million prisoners had perished.

Here is the original source of this information, btw.

Please note that all I did was replace words like "Germany" with "America" and "Jews" with "immigrants"....just to show you what might be in the history books in 60-70 years...

Aftermath of the 2016 Election #Mondayblog #Mondaymotivation

Dear educators, other community liaisons, and everyone, really:

I teach at a diverse community college, and as a consequence have a diverse student body. Many of my students were pro-Hilary, others pro-Trump. It's no secret to anyone who knows me where I stand, but in service of my students--ALL my students-- I sought to find a way to bring the reality of recent events into sharp focus, regardless of my perspective. More honestly, I was looking for a way to comprehend what is happening.

I fell back on two thoughtful Ted talks.

A Tale of Two Americas: 
And the mini-mart where they collided (19 mins)
andRich Benjamin: My Road Trip Through the Whitest Towns in America (13 mins)

Full disclosure: Neither of these videos take one side or the other, but rather try to bring the issues at hand into clearer focus.I hope they serve to clarify our situation, to serve as a starting point for the necessary discussions ahead, and to help us think about what needs to be done...
...Because raw emotion will only take us so far. The sooner we decide what work needs to be done, the sooner we'll get to doing it.

#Fridayreads: Hellfire and Brimstone by @Angela Roquet #Review

Hellfire and Brimstone by Angela Roquet is the 7th and final book in the Lana Harvey Reapers Inc. series. First of all, if you aren't familiar with the series, I highly recommend that you begin with Graveyard Shift . It is the first book in this series and it's free. Everywhere. All the time. 
This series follows Lana Harvey, a reaper, and chronicles her (after) life in the well, afterlife. The world building and character development is great from Book 1. But by this installment (Book 7), the author is really nailing it.
One thing I love about this series is the relationships between the characters. Lane is at the center of a web of "chosen" family, and there are plenty of opportunities for them to prove their love and loyalty, as a war/rebellion/revolution unfolds in the series. My favorite relationships are between Lana and a western-movie-lovin' Gabriel and her romantic love with Bub, aka The Prince of Darkness.
I don't like reviews that give spoilers, so I won't do that to you here. But I will say that this book (and this series) gets an A++ for character and world building, as well as sexiness.
If you're looking for a quick, enjoyable fantasy read with a dose of sexy, this one is for you.
Learn more about Ms. Roquet, this book and her other work here.

Mondayblogs: One-Day #Halloween #Sale #amreading

Happy Halloween, guys and ghouls!

In order to celebrate one of my favorite days all year, the Jesse Sullivan books are on sale today.  And just in time for you to catch up before the release of Dying Breath, Book 6 next month.

*Insert witchy cackle*

So go ahead and pick your poison:

Dying for a Living: Free
Dying by the Hour: $0.99
Dying for Her: A Companion Novel $0.99
Dying Light: $0.99
Worth Dying For: $0.99
...or get them all, if you dare!

xo

Kory

#Fridayreads: Autumn Song by Katherine Mansfield #poetry

Autumn Song by Katherine Mansfield

Now's the time when children's noses
All become as red as roses
And the colour of their faces
Makes me think of orchard places
Where the juicy apples grow,
And tomatoes in a row.

And to-day the hardened sinner
Never could be late for dinner,
But will jump up to the table
Just as soon as he is able,
Ask for three times hot roast mutton--
Oh! the shocking little glutton.

Come then, find your ball and racket,
Pop into your winter jacket,
With the lovely bear-skin lining.
While the sun is brightly shining,
Let us run and play together
And just love the autumn weather. 

October Love: Ghosts

Ghosts freak me the &^$% out. I watched Sixth Sense and many people argue it's not even a great ghost story, but I couldn't sleep for days. 


But since they are an ooky spooky part of Halloween, I've included a post to honor the ghosts out there. Here are my top 5 "ghost" picks by category:


Top 5 Ghost Books
The Shining by Stephen King
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
A Woman in Black by Susan Hill
A Christmas Carol by Dickens

Top 5 Ghost Movies
Ghostbusters
Poltergeist
Thirteen Ghosts
Nightmare Before Christmas
Casper


Top 5 Haunted Places
New Orleans!...

...which brings me to my very own ghost story. I haven't told many people this story, so sharing it here on the blog is sort of like "coming out" in a way. But here is my ghost story nonetheless. A few years ago, I went to New Orleans with some friends. We did the ghost tour, like many tourists do and saw the numerous haunted places around the French Quarter.

Near the end of our tour, we stopped in a bar for a bathroom break, but the tour guide warned us "be careful of the bathroom. The original owner used to live upstairs until one night he was clubbed in the head with a crowbar and died. Now he hides out in the ladies' bathroom and pinches all the pretty girls."

I wasn't impressed. But my attractiveness aside, I did go into the bathroom and I SWEAR ON MY PARTNER'S LIFE that I DID feel a pinch just before I was about to sit down and use the toilet. If I hadn't been struggling with my belt, I may not have noticed, but I was. And I felt the pinch on my right side and turned slowly, expecting to find a glory hole or something, where some partner in crime pinches people for added effect.

When I saw NO ONE, I burst from the bathroom stall, holding my pants up and shrieking, much to the confusion of my friends who were waiting in the bathroom for me.

Needless to say, I did not pee alone for the rest of the trip.


Do you have a favorite ghost story, movie or haunted place? I'd love to know it! :)

Kory