Gritty, graphic, fatal, heart-pounding, dangerous--what is left but survival? One year after New York City collapsed in a fiery blast, and most of the few remaining succumbed to airborne plague, still a few hardy or sneaky survive. Nostradamus (Nos) Greene and young daughter Naomi are among them; his wife and two adolescent sons died in the destruction. Nos carries on in order to protect Naomi, his Special Forces background all too often handy. This novel is not just about post-apocalyptic survival; it's living with the memories of loss.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Tour: HALF DEAD & FULLY BROKEN by Kevin Craig
Half Dead & Fully Broken, by Kevin Craig
Genre: young-adult, contemporary-fantasy
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release: January 19, 2015
Cover Artist: Eugene Teplitsky
Find Online: Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Description:
Carter Colby is the most unpopular teen at Jefferson High. This would be easier to deal with if his identical twin brother, Marcus, weren’t the hottest, most popular boy in school.
When Marcus is killed in a motorcycle accident, Carter discovers the one thing more painful than trying to compete with Mr. Wonderful: wearing his dead brother’s face. He felt invisible before the accident, but with Marcus dead, everybody turns away from him in mourning. How can he blame them? He can’t bear to look in the mirror.
When Carter begins to see Marcus’ ghost, Mr. Wonderful’s quest to save the world and spread happiness may not be over after all, even in death. Marcus knows that Justin Dewar, the boy who drove the truck that crashed into his motorbike, is struggling with the guilt of taking a life. Melanie, Marcus’ mourning girlfriend, was also hit hard by the tragedy. Marcus wants to make things right before it’s too late.
With Marcus’ help, Carter experiences love and friendship for the first time in his life. But is Mr. Wonderful’s helping hand enough for Carter, Melanie, and Justin - three kids fully broken by the tragedy - to save one another?
About The Author:
Kevin Craig is the author of four previous novels; Burn Baby, Burn Baby, Summer on Fire, Sebastian’s Poet, and The Reasons. He is a 4-time winner of the Muskoka Novel Marathon’s Best Novel Award. Kevin is also a playwright and has had eight 10-minute plays produced. His poetry, short stories, memoir and articles have been published internationally. Kevin was a founding member of the Ontario Writers’ Conference and a long-time member of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR). He is represented by literary agent Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group.
Find Kevin Craig Online:
Review:
HALF DEAD & FULLY BROKEN by Kevin Craig
Carter and Marcus Colby are twins, products of a difficult [read, constant parental discord] home, in which "Mr. Wonderful" (Marcus) parents younger sibling Meagan, and Carter just reflects Marcus, more of a shadow than a foil. Early in May of their seventeenth year, Marcus determines they should ride his motorbike to the high school. Taking the wrong chance, Marcus dies, Carter suffers serious road burn. Of course, given the family of origin, Carter is mostly overlooked, because he is Marcus' mirror image. But Carter can never forget Marcus, whose spirit remains visible to him while Carter works through a series of terribly difficult choices while he fights to discover his purpose in life.
Heart wrenching, heartbreaking, ultimately hopeful, don't miss HAKF DEAD & FULLY BROKEN.
Review: BLOOD INFERNAL by James Robbins and Rebecca Cantrell (ORDER OF THE SANGUINES, #3)
REVIEW: BLOOD INFERNAL by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (Order of the Sanguines #3)
A rip-roaring historical prologue sets the scenery for this riveting thriller whose suspense never falters. Readers who loved the first two books in the Order of the Sanguines Series (BLOOD GOSPEL and INNOCENT BLOOD) will find this conclusion immensely appealing; those who haven't yet read the first two novels can still enjoy this one (and will be inspired to check out the earlier books, and enter the saga of the Sanguinists, once preternatural monsters who have converted to the Blood of Christ, and archaeologist extraordinaire Dr. Erin Granger, herself bonded to the Blood Gospel of Christ.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Review: KICKBACK (DI NICK DIXON CRIME SERIES #3) by Damien Boyd
Review: KICKBACK by Damian Boyd (DI NICK DIXON #3) Possibly the best yet in this quite engrossing series, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon of Avon and Somerset Police is inadvertently drawn into a domestic hostage situation, and from that into the death of a young stable lad which had already been ruled accidental. As he peels away layers of deception, DI Dixon gets an education in horse racing, betting, and potential crimes associated with this activity. Once again, the final denouement surprises and enlightens Dixon and his crew--and will readers as well.
Review: HEAD IN THE SAND (DI NICK DIXON CRIME SERIES #2) by Damien Boyd
Review: HEAD IN THE SAND by Damien Boyd Surprisingly, the figure of speech is literal, blazingly so. Author Damian Boyd gives Avon and Somerset Police Detective Inspector Nick Dixon a massively convoluted, crimes-in-different-eras, gritty noirish case to unravel. As his off-scene relationship with Detective Constable Jane Winter deepens, Dixon is tasked with a series of inexplicable crimes, and troubled by his diabetes.
Review: AS THE CROW FLIES by Damien Boyd (DI NICK DIXON CRIME SERIES #1)
Review: AS THE CROW FLIES by Damien Boyd (DI Nick Dixon #1) First in a series, AS THE CROW FLIES introduces amiable yet diligent hero-protagonist Nick Dixon, returned to his boyhood region after some years with London Metropolitan Police. Now with Avon and Somerset Police, Dixon is fitting himself into the department and handling his own case load, when he is tasked by the bereaved parents of a climbing buddy from his younger days, who has just died in a cliff fall while preparing for a new ascent. What appears to be accident, may or may not be, but Dixon, who has the perseverance of a wolverine beneath that amiable and personable demeanor, will discover the facts; and the answers will really surprise readers.
Review: THE SAME SKY by Amanda Eyre Ward. Release
REVIEW: THE SAME SKY by Amanda Eyre Ward A heart-wrenchingly poignant novel of two families, a broken family in Honduras, struggling to survive, let alone to thrive, and a happily married, busy, couple in Texas, THE SAME SKY is a novel unlikely to leave readers with dry eyes. 40-year old Alice wants to adopt, but that is a path strewn with obstacles like broken stones. Carla is a child in Honduras, only five when her mother pays a "coyote" for illicit transport to the States, to.work in a Texas restaurant kitchen. Carla and her younger twin half-brothers are.raised by their grandmother, who dies when Carla is thirteen. The path Carla takes from here on is fraught and troublesome, but in the end demonstrates that we are all siblings beneath the skin and brothers and sisters under the same sky.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Review: CHRISTINA GEORGE, THE PUBLICIST SERIES
Review: THE PUBLICIST by Christina George (THE PUBLICIST Book 1)
This is an amazingly enjoyable book and series--and I am a reader who generally avoids chick-lit, women's fiction, romance of any stripe. But I totally enjoyed THE PUBLICIST, which proved to be not only fascinating, but to have unexpected character depths. The author knows her venue, as she has been in this field for a number of years. Better yet, she knows what makes people tick, and she understands her characters. From the sleazy traditional-publisher CEO to the seemingly one-hit reclusive author, from sexy married (sort of) senior editor to the feisty, diligent, publicity lead, from sweet and savvy authors to idiot wannabe writers, THE PUBLICIST covers the gamut, and leaves readers hungry to follow on.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Review/Tour: BLOODLINES by Vanessa Skye
Review: BLOODLINES by Vanessa Skye (Edge of Darkness #3)
The conclusion to this trilogy is purely gritty police noir and close-up underside of the crimes, sins, and failings of humanity. Chicago Detective Alicia Raymond is living a life of multiple lies, and try as she might, happiness always eludes her. She only seems to be effective at tracking criminals, but now it may be too late: her rubber-band existence may be near to snapping back at her with dangerous consequences.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Review: THE MATRYOSHKA MURDERS by Kay Williams and Eileen Wyman
A brutal, gritty, and honest explication of 1991 Russia, a period of intrinsic violence, economic collapse, and political chaos, when no lives were safe and crime was a way of life. In Leningrad to attend the Second International Documentary Festival, documentary filmmaker Kate Hennessey intends to capture the nitty-gritty of daily reality for Russian urban women. Instead, she stumbles inadvertently and instantly into the seamier and violent side, including rape and trafficking. A novel not for the faint of heart, but definitely an eye-opener onto a horrible historical period.
Blog Tour: RUE TOULOUSE
RUE Toulouse
by Debby Grahl
Release Date: January 15 , 2014
Published by The Writers Coffee Shop
Genre: FICTION / Romance / General / Suspense
ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-318-8
~~SUMMARY~~
It’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans. Attending a masquerade ball, wealthy fashion designer Caterine Doucette, dressed as a shimmering ice princess, has her cool façade shattered when she encounters Bayou-born ex-cop Remi Michaud, disguised as the darkly handsome pirate Jean Lafitte. Their true identities hidden, the princess and the pirate come together in an explosion of passion and desire. But when fantasy turns to cold reality, Caterine panics and disappears into the night, unaware this man will soon be sent to rescue her from a killer and will capture her heart.
Orphaned at a young age, Caterine grew up in the home of her beloved grandmother, Miss Dauphine Doucette. Despised by her Doucette relatives for the devotion she received from her grandmère, Caterine suffered years of envy and disdain. The young Caterine learned quickly how easily the love she had to give could be thrown back in her face.
After Miss Dauphine turns over ownership of the century-old fashion house, Ma Chérie, to Caterine, an attempt is made on her life, for there are those in the Doucette family who will stop at nothing to possess what they feel is their rightful inheritance.
Not knowing whom to trust, Caterine goes into hiding. Miss Dauphine, convinced someone in her own family is behind the attack, hires Remi, now working for a private security company, to track her down and unmask her would-be assassin.
Learning that the affluent Caterine Doucette is the beautiful princess he held in his arms at the ball, Remi is torn between his growing desire for her and painful memories of another rich socialite’s betrayal. Caterine finds herself falling in love with Remi, but old embedded pain leaves her afraid to open her heart.
Down in the Big Easy, Caterine and Remi must learn to trust one another if they are to survive in a world of family greed and ruthless revenge.
~~EXCERPT~~
“Hello, Princess.”
Caterine stared in disbelief at the man leaning against the door frame. Her mouth suddenly gone dry, she whispered, “Remi?”
“At your service.”
She opened her mouth and closed it several times before she stammered, “Wha-what are you doing here?”
“Your grandmother sent me.”
“Why?”
“Let me in, and I’ll tell you.”
Without a word, she stepped back to let him pass. He quickly scanned the room. “Nice, isn’t it? I’ve never stayed here, but I’ve heard it’s a great hotel. It suits you. But would you care to tell me why you’re here and not on a plane out of New Orleans?”
Caterine’s back stiffened. “I don’t see what concern that is of yours. I called Elaine and expected either Paul or her to come. So, again, what are you doing here instead of Paul?”
“You’re in trouble and need help.”
“But you don’t even know me.”
Remi smiled. “We have met.”
Caterine felt her face turning scarlet.
He chuckled. “I take it you remember.”
Remember? Oh, how she remembered. She’d relived those moments in his arms over and over again. And here he was standing in front of her wanting to help. It took everything she had not to throw herself at him. “I still don’t understand. How did you find out what happened?”
“I was on my way home when I heard Ma Chérie’s alarm. I found your hair clip and the blood on the sidewalk. What did that guy do to you?”
She looked away and in a barely audible voice said, “He held a gun to my back and tried to force me into a van.”
Remi’s jaw tightened. “That fils de putain left some blood. If we find him, we have a DNA sample.” He reached out and took her hand. “How did you get away from him?”
“First I swung wildly and hit him in the nose with the alarm remote I had in my fist. Then I got him with my umbrella.”
“Way to go, Princess.”
She gave him a slight smile. “And I’m pretty sure the remote saved my life. I set the alarm off while he held the gun to my back.”
“You must have been terrified. I promise we’ll get the bastard who did that to you.”
She tried to blink back the tears that suddenly filled her eyes.
“Don’t cry.” With the tip of his finger, he brushed away the tear that slid down her cheek. “You’re safe. I’m here.”
~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Debby Grahl lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David, and their cat, Tigger. When she’s not writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach, and having a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are the Cotswolds of England, Captiva Island in Florida, New Orleans, New York City, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books. Debby belongs to Romance Writers of America, Florida Romance Writers, Hearts Across History, and Lowcountry Romance Writers. Her first novel, The Silver Crescent, was released January 2014.
Be sure to look for her other book, The Silver Crescent as well!
Special pricing for RUE Toulouse Release!
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~
Praise for RUE Toulouse
"When privileged fashion designer Caterine Doucette meets sexy Cajun ex-cop Remi Michaud, things get way hotter than usual in New Orleans around Mardi Gras. Caterine's life is in danger, and Remi is hired to protect her - a job to which he applies himself most personally. Hot, and with a genuine mystery, I didn't know exactly who the baddie was until the ultimate showdown." - Andrea
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