Yearly Archives: 2016

Happy Halloween (CONTEST)!!

Candy is dandy but you know what’s a really great Halloween treat?

Comics, baseballs and caps, cups, pins, and many more miscellaneous comic swag.

There’s so many goodies up for grabs, I am giving away two prize packages. 

 

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Before I go over the Halloween Comic Contest rules though, lets take a look at the prizes.

~~ Prize Box A ~~

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Comics: 

Bizarro by Corson, Duarte, and Pantazis

Batman Absolution by DeMatteis and Ashmore

The Shadow Seven Deadly Finns, by Helfer and Baker

The Shadow Harold Goes To Washington, by Helfer, Rogers, and Baker

The New 52 Futures End Justice League Dark

Harley Quinn Power Girl by Conner, Palmiotti, Gray, Roux, Fernandez, Flaviano, Moritat, and Mounts

Batman Europa 3 by Casali, Azzarello, Camuncoli, and Latorre

Batman Europa 4 by Casali, Azzarello, Camuncoli, and Parel

The Batman Adventures Mad Love The Deluxe Edition by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

*******

Harley Quinn Earring / Wonder Woman Knee High Socks / Green Lantern Suspenders

Batman Cup / Batman Ice Cube Tray / Joker Bottle Opener

Harley Quinn Pin #1 / Harley Quinn Pin #2 /Killer Croc Pin to name a few! 

Batman Can Hugger / Superman Can Hugger / Wonder Woman Can Hugger

Joker Air Freshener / Harley Quinn Air Freshener /2 Wonder Woman Air Fresheners

Suicide Squad Temp Tattoos / Harley Quinn Magnet

Harley Quinn Decal / Justice League Green Lantern Decal

 Suicide Squad Lanyard / DeathStroke Lanyard

Green Lantern Baseball

~~ Prize Box B ~~images-7

Comics:

Squadron Sinister #1

Cable and Xforce

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man, Is this the end of Cloak and Dagger .. ?!

Future Imperfect #3

BattleWorld Secret Wars Journal #1

The Pulse #10

Secret Wars #1

SuperPro Special Edition, From Football Hero to Superhero!

Excalibur #9

Thunderbolts Caged Angels Part 3

New Excalibur

Hellstorm Of Lies, Heaven won’t have him … Hell Fears to let him in …

Ultimate Fantastic Four Issue 48

Vampire Tales, Volume 1

1602 Part Eight

Inferno

*******

Groot Baseball Cap / Spiderman Baseball Cap / Thor Men Crew Socks

Thor Sticker / Thor KeyChain / Thor Pin / Year One Marvel Pin to name a few! 

Year One Marvel Collector Corps Patch / Marvel Collector Corps Spiderman Patch

Yellowjacket POP! Figurine / Doctor Strange POP! Figurine /  Hot Wheels Spiderman Car

Avengers Cup with Lid and Straw

Spiderman, Captain America, Hulk, and Iron Man Stickers

Deadpool Mouse Pad Spiderman Keyring / Hydra Keychain

Marvel Villain Wallet

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Before you continue reading, I need to state this contest is only open to anyone in the Continental United States. Sorry to those whom this eliminates but, with the shipping costs coming out of my own pocket, I had to put restrictions on this event. Again, my apologies.  

To enter the contest, all you have to do is answer one of the two questions below. Also, make sure you include the  words “DC” or “MARVEL” in your answer so I know which prize box you are vying for.  

Question 1: What’s your favorite sweet treat?

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(Example of an entry: Twix, Marvel or Kit Kat, DC) 

Question 2: Which comic character would you love to come trick or treating at your door?

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(Example of an entry: Gambit, Marvel or The Flash, DC) 

Reminder: You are only eligible to WIN ONE PRIZE so please pick ONE comic brand you’d like to WIN when you submit your answer below. Contest will run until midnight, October 31st (central time). On November 1st, (about 6am, central time), I will post the winner’s name on a comment so please come back to see if you won. Be prepared to supply a shipping address because without it, the gift will be forfeited and YOU don’t want that. Right?

 

GOOD LUCK!!!!! 

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Spooktacular Children’s Books!!

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As a mother of a second grader, I buy her holiday related stories all the time. Below are a few of her favorite Halloween reads. I hope you and your child(ren) enjoy these stories as much as my own little darling. 

 

Happy Reading and Happy Halloween! 

 

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Five of the all-time bestselling Goosebumps books including Welcome to Dead House, Say Cheese And Die!, Night of the Living Dummy, The Haunted Mask, and One Day at HorrorLand.  Each with their original cover in an exclusive retro collector’s tin!

Purchase Link

 

 

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Oscar is short, like all dachshunds, and other dogs make fun of him. On Halloween he takes more ridicule than ever in his hot-dog costume, but one brave act makes him a hero.

Print Purchase Link / Kindle Purchase Link

  

 

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Barbara Gordon, the secret super hero BATGIRL, has been invited to the biggest Halloween party of year. Unfortunately, she already agreed to spend the night with ROBIN, her younger crime-fighting partner. Instead of arguing with her mentor, BATMAN, Barbara decides to bring ROBIN along. That night, the teens arrive at the costume party, hosted by an eccentric collector of Halloween artifacts. Suddenly, all of the lights go out! When they turn on, his prized artifact, a black cat made of rare diamonds, is missing! One of the masked guests must have stolen it, and BATGIRL and ROBIN must capture the feline felon.

Print Purchase Link / Kindle Purchase Link

 

 

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What’s the best way to help a skeleton get over his hiccups?

Print Purchase Link 

 

 

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This spooky twist on the wildly popular “There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly” is perfect for fun Halloween reading!

What won’t this old lady swallow? This time around, a bat, an owl, a cat, a ghost, a goblin, some bones, and a wizard are all on the menu! This Halloween-themed twist on the classic “little old lady” books will delight and entertain all brave readers who dare to read it!

Print Purchase Link

Kindle Purchase Link

 

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The Keresa Headdress by Larry Shackelford (Book Review)

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It’s just a routine case at the FBI’s Salt Lake City offices. The young woman’s boyfriend is missing, possibly dead. Agent Karen Adams thinks he’s probably just out with another woman—but then the Royal Canadian Mounted Police come calling. Why would they care about a wayward addict cheating on his girlfriend in Utah? Soon, Karen is involved in a case like nothing she’s ever seen, navigating through an international criminal network of drugs, sex trafficking, murder, and the black market trade of priceless archaeological relics. Her new partner Marcus “Playboy” McCoy—handsome, charming, and almost unbearably crass—is equal parts help and hindrance as she navigates a seamy underworld in the Utah desert. But she also finds assistance from some unusual sources: a graduate student in archaeology, a dissatisfied sister-wife from a polygamous commune, and an undercover Canadian Mountie. Together they become entangled in the web of international crime and the only way out is to find the most priceless artifact of all: the legendary Keresa Headdress.

 
Kindle Purchase Link

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
When a writer constructs a story dealing with historical facts, it’s easy to get caught up in the finer details and suddenly your story takes on the image of a wikipedia page. In this case, Larry didn’t cross the line from entertaining to overly informative. Sure, you could feel the passion and respect Larry Shackelford had for the Native American culture. Through the use of his characters, (Derek and Ruth), we learned much about their history but it wasn’t presented in a stuffy, clinical way. Knowing when to pull back takes talent. Larry, congrats on possessing such talent. 
 
However, as much as I enjoyed the history lessons, I didn’t connect to some characters. 
 
Constable Lee Bergerman’s focus seemed to shift drastically from work to pleasure once he met Ruth. Guess his “other head” did all his thinking for a bit until work/case struck a little bit too close to home. 
 
I didn’t really see the importance of Marcus except for comic relief. But, if we look at all the great detective shows, there’s always one funny guy to help lighten up the tension filled cases so I guess Larry felt his story would’ve benefited from a funny guy too. Actually, it kind of did. 
 
Karen: When I think of an FBI agent, I picture a woman who comes across as a leader, not a follower. Basically, I felt everyone was leading her around by the nose. Her detective skills were also lacking. She should’ve been able to realize sooner that Marcus had been using her phone for personal pranks. Others caught on fast. Maybe go back to FBI training camp?
 
I could discuss my take on the various other characters but I won’t. I will say despite my lack of love for them, they didn’t turn me off from the story. With the historical info, Marcus’ pranks, I found myself enjoying the story. 
 
So would I recommend this story to others? Yes, yes I would. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤1/2
 

 

 
 
 

Larry was raised in southwest Missouri where he received his college degree, but he received his education after he graduated and began working in a maximum-security federal prison. After spending two years behind bars, he continued his law enforcement career as a criminal investigator, residing and working in eight states and two foreign countries. Larry retired from law enforcement after twenty-five years of service and resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and cat.

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Author Showcase – Sarah Marsh (Dark Redemption)

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Sofia Boon was ready to make changes in her life, but she didn’t see this coming…

Taking a chance, she finds the nerve to ask out her handsome neighbor, but when he doesn’t show up for their date, Sofia knocks on his door and meets a man claiming to be his roommate, and she soon realizes she’s made a horrible mistake.

Eitan Kent is a tortured man, haunted by a death he was unable to prevent…

Eitan believes he is unworthy of being loved. He buries himself in his work and takes a job to track down a wanted criminal, Ben Donovan. He locates Donovan’s apartment, but finds it empty—until Donovan’s “date” shows up.

Eitan doesn’t know what to make of sweet, curvy Sofia, but she’s the only lead he has…

Feeling he has no choice, Eitan decides to take her with him to see if she can somehow lead him to Donovan before it’s too late—or if her innocence is all an act and she’s involved in the bastard’s crimes.

Sofia is terrified and tries to explain to the dark stranger that she barely knows her neighbor and has no idea how to track him down, but Eitan knows exactly how to get the truth from her. Who knew a little torture could be so sweet?

 

Kindle Purchase Link / Print Purchase Link

 

 

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(Adult Excerpt)

 

That rat bastard! She thought as she watched him stroll out of the room just as though nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t just gotten her so turned on that she thought she’d spontaneously combust and then just…left.

Sofia didn’t think about what she would have done if he’d tried to have sex with her. That would just ruin the fury she was currently riding. She should be relieved he hadn’t tried to force her. She should have been, logically speaking, but she had to admit to herself her overheated body was ready to beg for release and that her traitorous hormones were killing the rational part of her brain. Sofia knew it was crazy, but all she could think about right now was that the most satisfying way to get some relief was under her sexy captor. It was an issue that only got worse as he walked back into the room with a tray of food and all that beautiful, tanned bare skin.

“Here, let me help you sit up so you can eat,” he said, putting the tray down on the nightstand and moving closer, “Or would you rather wash up and use the bathroom first?”

“Bathroom first, please,” she said immediately, thinking she could follow his lead and get some satisfaction while cleaning up.

But clearly her eagerness must have given her away because he raised one eyebrow in challenge.

“Okay, but you have ten minutes to shower, and you are not allowed to touch yourself other than to get clean―am I understood?” he said in a firm tone as he leaned forward and undid her wrists.

“You’re going to watch me?” she asked, not quite certain if she was offended or turned on at the prospect. She wondered for a second why his firm tone seemed to excite her more than it should have.

“Do you want me to watch you?” he whispered low next to her ear, causing awareness to spread through her entire body.

Sofia was a little breathless at the thought of putting on the same show for him as he did for her, but in the end, her pride won out over the wanton need she felt inside.

“No,” she barely answered, and it sounded weak even to her ears.

His deep chuckle at her answer made her nipples peak even more, and she was almost disappointed when he leaned back and pushed the timer on his watch.

“You’ve got ten minutes, Sofia. Then I come in and get you.”

Sofia had never used the washroom and showered so fast in all her life, she got done with barely a minute to spare as she put her bra and underwear back on and then wrapped herself in a big fluffy towel before she walked back out into the room.

“You can keep the towel until you’ve eaten, then it’s off,” he said once he saw her.

She’d take that small win, and she took her sweet ass time eating as well until he finally took the tray away after she’d spent five minutes chewing a single piece of melon.

“Now are you going to make this difficult on both of us or are you going to behave?” he said as he motioned toward the wrist cuffs once again.

She thought about it, but there was nothing she could do against his superior strength, so she begrudgingly laid back against the padded headboard and raised her wrists.

“Why are you doing this?” she asked quietly. “I told you everything I know already.”

“Well, I’ll see about that soon enough, won’t I?” was all he said in reply as he fastened the cuffs and picked up the tray before he left the room.

 

****

 

By the time Eitan had gotten the kitchen cleaned up from breakfast and returned to the bedroom, he was already half hard from replaying how she’d looked watching him come in the shower. He thought about putting on a pair of jeans, but why bother? He certainly wasn’t ashamed for her to see how she affected him and she sure as hell didn’t seem to be put off by his body, so he may as well use that to his advantage, right?

“Ready for the ankle cuffs?” he asked as he entered the room.

He saw her swallow hard and move her legs tighter together.

“Why do you have to?” she asked with a worried look. “Are you going to touch me?”

“You don’t want me to touch you?” he challenged, already knowing her body didn’t have any arguments.

“Of course I don’t want you to touch me!” she answered, clearly trying to sound offended that he’d suggest such a thing, “I don’t even know your name!”

“Well, that’s easy enough to remedy,” he said as he placed one knee on the bed and pulled up the first ankle cuff. “My name is Eitan. Now give me your leg, Sofia.”

He could tell she was surprised he’d given her his name, and to be truthful, he was a bit surprised by that himself. But the more he thought about his name on her lips as she moaned her pleasure, the harder his cock got. He was doing all sorts of things with this little captive that seemed to be breaking his rules, and Eitan wasn’t sure he really cared.

When she tentatively placed her little foot in his hand, he quickly attached the cuff and then slowly ran his fingers over the softness of her skin. Clearly she waxed her legs as the skin was still supple and hair free. That thought made him more aware of the noticeably smooth skin under those pretty purple panties, and his mouth watered as he imagined how soft it would feel under his tongue. As he fastened the second cuff and her legs moved further apart, it was all he could do not to crawl up her body and relieve her of those panties just as he’d fantasized about doing in the shower this morning. It was then that he finally had to admit to himself that this interrogation was probably going to be more difficult for him than it was going to be for her…because his self-control was already bucking to be let loose.

 

Kindle Purchase Link / Print Purchase Link

 

 

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Sarah Marsh was born in British Columbia where she still lives, she has only recently began her writing career finding it the perfect outlet for taking the edge off a nine to five office job. She’s been a science fiction and romance junkie for years and when her imagination started to take the characters she’d read about even further in their adventures she decided to try writing something of her own.

Sarah’s also a former pastry chef and spends a lot of time cooking and baking for friends and family as well as painting and knitting. Her biggest weaknesses are animals of any kind…she even loves the ones that wake you up at four in the morning because they can almost see the bottom of their food dish.

When it comes to life in general she’s a big believer that laughter is the best medicine and that there’s no such thing as too much love, which is why she’s such a sucker for a happy ending.

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Twitter / Facebook Street Team link

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Cold Feet Fever by Maureen Fisher (Book Review)

 

An irresistible bad boy with commitment issues, who always takes the easy way out:

For the first time, playboy Sam Jackson has no choice but to tough it out. Turns out owning Kinki, a glitzy nightclub, isn’t as easy—or as much fun—as he’d anticipated. Someone’s trying to shut him down before he opens, he’s on the verge of bankruptcy, and his matchmaking granddaddy has hired a sexy event planner with a mysterious background, bossy disposition, and criminal ties. If Sam can’t deliver a memorable grand opening, he’ll bring his granddaddy down too, and there will be no one to blame but himself.

A determined mortician-turned-event-planner with big secrets, who will do anything escape her past:

A job as event planner for Kinki, Atlantic City’s glitzy paranormal nightclub, offers single mom, Katie Deluca, her last chance to earn enough money to flee her criminal stalker. But who knew party planning was harder than organizing funerals? Plus, the gorgeous but womanizing nightclub owner, although perfect for awakening her sensual side, couldn’t be more wrong for the stability she craves.

Forced to collaborate, they overcome obstacles and fight crime:

Sam soon realizes Katie’s the one person who can salvage Kinki—and heal his emotional wounds. Fighting their growing attraction, the couple tangles with exploding trucks, ruthless thugs, an unfortunate synchronized swimming episode, a corrupt building inspector, disappearing corpses, and the very real threat of live cremation, all to wow the vampire wannabes of Atlantic City.

 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
If you’re familiar with romance books, you’ve read countless stories featuring a playboy with a heart of gold and/or a single mom who’ll do anything to ensure her child has a bright future. You’ll also recognize a theme here, which can be found in other romantic tales: Playboy doesn’t want to fall in love because love is messy – complicated. The woman vows sex without strings is what she wants because she has no interest in falling in love either. As you might’ve guessed, they fall in love. 
 
What you might not have read before is a heroine who happens to be an ex-mortician turned event planner. Different, right? 
 
“Cold Feet Fever” also featured an energetic old man, Hiram, who’s heart was as big as his appetite. A heart who had plenty of room for the ladies. Yup, he might be labeled a “senior” but he had the libido of a man half his age. 
 
Other cast members: I could discuss Katie’s family in detail but I think the food they dined on captured my interest more than the characters themselves. I’m a sucker for Italian cuisine. Lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli….. Mm, I’m with Sam, you can absolutely NOT go wrong with carbs. 
 
Speaking of Sam, you have to appreciate a man who can turn any conversation sexual and drop innuendoes without batting an eye. Well, unless you count winking. He did that on occasion. 😉
 
Katie: Her resolve to keep things professional didn’t last very long. In fact, she made good use of all her sex research she’s absorbed throughout her celibate years. 
 
Her roleplay scenario wasn’t inventive but, really, what guy would pass up the chance to have a slutty secretary ease their “tension”. 
 
If all that doesn’t wet your whistle, how about the promise of a fire, explosion, kidnapping, gun battle, crooked politician, some crazies, and a glimpse into “The Joy of Sex”. 
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
 Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 

I write sassy romance with hot heroes, kick-ass heroines, tons of humor & an animal or two.

Transplanted from Scotland to Canada at the tender age of seven, I’m a voracious reader, volunteer for an addiction family counseling program, bridge player, yoga enthusiast, seeker of personal and spiritual growth, pickleball enthusiast, and infrequent but avid gourmet cook. My husband and I love to hike, bicycle, and travel. I’ve swum with sharks in the Galapagos, walked with Bushmen in the Serengeti, sampled lamb criadillas (don’t ask!!!) in Iguazu Falls, snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, ridden an elephant in Thailand, watched the sun rise over Machu Picchu, and bounced from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a bus called ‘Marula’.

A quote about my books: “Maureen combines action, adventure, romance, mystery, and an often LOL sense of humor in her page-turning novels. They are the perfect additions to your electronic libraries, like da rum and da coconut in your pina coladas.”

To learn more about my books and my blog, please visit my website at http://booksbymaureen.com

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