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Torch: A Lovelock Novel by Tricia Copeland (Book Showcase)

Lovelock Book 2

 

They can save the human race. To do it, they must take down their own government…

Sixteen-year-old Jema is on the run. Branded a traitor for trying to share a DNA-based cure for a lethal contagion, she and her friends are hunted by forces loyal to her sinister uncle. And unless they force him to release the formula, she fears a worldwide war to claim the antigen.

Forced to fight like soldiers in the desolate desert, Jema learns there could be sympathizers who will support a coup. But with only scavenged food and fading hope, she and her small group of grimly determined teens face a deadly trek across dangerous territory.

Can Jema get the cure in the public domain before the planet descends into bloodshed and chaos?

 

Torch is the second book in the thrilling Lovelock YA dystopian science fiction series. If you like intense action, courage under pressure, and races against time, then you’ll love Tricia Copeland’s fast-paced novel.

Buy Torch to battle for humanity’s survival today!

 

*´¨*)
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(¸.•´ (¸.•`Don’t miss Torch! Now Available $0.99 or Free on KU!

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Excerpt

07 JANUARY 2070

“Okay, I’m officially confused.” Troy cut the radio. “It’s been three weeks. They should at least have something about vaccination centers.”

“Death counts seem to be holding steady which means they’re distributing the anti-viral to those that are sick, right?”

“Who knows what they’re doing. If all that crap we went through was for nothing, I’m going to be majorly pissed.” Troy stomped towards me.

“Hey, pregnant mama here. Calm down.” I held the hare out to him.

“Fine, but I’m definitely going to need an extra-long run tonight.”

“Does the answer to all your anxiety have to be to run?” I lowered the mother rabbit into its pen.

“Maybe there’ll be some eggs. If I have to eat rabbit another day, I think I might kill myself.”

“You could always eat one of the MREs. With the crops and animals, we’re going to have enough food for fifty people soon.” Cleaning my hands, I followed him to the bird coops.

Troy opened the pen, and the road runners scattered. “The meal kits are for emergency use only. We have to be self-sufficient.”

“Is that why I’m hurting my brain to learn electronics, fluids, and mechanics?”

Reaching in a nest, he produced two eggs. “Hey, I stroked a rabbit’s belly to feel for a pea-sized mass that’s supposed to be a baby rabbit. You can learn to hack a computer. Besides if something happens to one of us—”

“Stop, now you sound like my dad. I can fend for myself.”

He kissed my cheek. “We take care of each other, right?”

Leaving the eggs in the kitchen, we weaved through a tunnel to our hidden exit. I loved the feel of the cool air on my skin and the calming effect the darkness had on me. My shoulders relaxed, and I took a deep breath. Traipsing to the road, we stretched and started to run. At the half-hour mark, we looped around.

Cresting a hill, Troy grabbed my arm and pulled me to the ground. Hear that? he signed to me.

Holding my breath, I listened but shook my head. With his super senses, it didn’t mean anything that I couldn’t detect the sound. If he had, we needed to be wary. Staying low, we cut away from the road, stopping every fifty feet to listen.

Vehicle engine, he signed.

We slowed our pace. The highway passed eighteen miles northwest of us, and I wondered if he could hear a motor from that distance. Maybe many vehicles? But what would a convoy be doing this far from the border? My heart raced. Looking for us was the answer.

At our next stop, I heard it, a low roar of an engine in the distance, the crackle of tires on asphalt, rocks pelting the hard desert floor in their wake.

How many? How far away are they? Can you see lights?

Troy nodded. They’re slowing down.

 

*´¨*)
¸.•*´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`Don’t miss Torch! Now Available $0.99 or Free on KU!

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Haven’t started this explosive series yet?
Find the first book, Lovelock Ones on Amazon!

A naturally immune girl. A genetically modified boy. A search for a cure that may cost them everything…
FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

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Lovelock Ones – Goodreads

 

An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. She believes that magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. You can find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

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Viktor by Sarah Marsh (Book Showcase)

Evernight Publishing (June 20, 2017)

Cover Art: Jay Aheer

When the heroes have reputations like these, who needs a villain?

 

Have you ever read a fairy tale and wondered why the goody two-shoe Princes and Princesses were always the ones who got their happy endings?

Pandora is a Fairy Godmother who’s never fit in with her own people. Still, she has the power—and the attitude—to step in and help those who others have decided “aren’t worthy” of a happy ending. How hard could it be to manipulate some of the most feared beings in their world?

Viktor has spent his entire undead life being the bogeyman to the paranormal community, and that’s the way he wants to keep it … with everyone else far away from him. But when the opportunity arises to take his revenge on his nemesis, he can’t resist—even if it means risking his reputation and rescuing the damsel in distress.

Halle never expected to find herself in need of a savior, especially one with a reputation like Viktor’s. But she’s used to listening to her instincts, and her cat trusts the strange woman who pops up and claims to have some solutions. After all, if a girl can’t trust her own Fairy Godmother, then what is this world coming to?

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“I mean you no harm, lady. You can go. I’m only here for what’s in the car,” he said slowly walking towards her. She was a cute little thing, all soft curves with golden skin and hair.

“Ummm, yeah, about that … I’m what’s in the car, Mr. Krescech. You have to take me with you out of here,” she said almost nervously, those big green eyes pleading with him.

Clearly, she was also insane. What was with the women he was running into this week? Viktor had had more than his fair share of groupies throwing themselves at him in the bars, wanting to take a walk on the wild side for a few hours, but this wholesome little beauty certainly didn’t look like the type, so he had no idea exactly what she was asking him for.

“I don’t think so,” he said, moving past her towards the open back door to search the car.

“Seriously, there’s nothing else in the car. They were taking me from my family and my pard to be married to Conrad. I have to go with you to get away from him,” she continued, putting her tiny little hands on her very curvy hips in a way that distracted him far more than it should have.

Interesting, so this little number was a leopard shifter? Viktor hadn’t really had any interaction with the pard in this country, but by reputation, they were a good lot. Why on Earth would she agree to marry Conrad?

“I don’t rescue damsels in distress. I eat them,” he said with a flash of fang. “So run along, little kitten.”

The tiny spitfire threw her hands dramatically up in the air and sighed loudly.

“You just saved me from a life of baby-making slavery. Aren’t you supposed to whisk me away to your super-secret villain lair and ravish me? Sheesh, where’s your follow-through?”

Viktor just stood there and stared at her for a moment. He didn’t know whether to laugh at her ridiculous statement or take her up on her offer and bend her over right here on the trunk of Conrad’s car. He was extremely turned on by the fact that she didn’t seem the least bit afraid of him. He’d always tried to pretend that his reputation in the paranormal community pleased him, that it helped him by keeping the rabble away. But deep down it bothered him that everyone always thought the worst of him. His honor was just yet another thing that Melisandre and Conrad had stolen from him when they took his mortality.

“Don’t you know who I am, woman?” he finally said as she just stood there looking at him expectantly.

“Yes, I know who you are. Who else is capable of keeping me out of Conrad’s douchy hands?” she said sounding a little impatient.

“Don’t you have a family you can go to?” he asked, still wondering why he was even standing here talking to her.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Once she’d said the word “slavery” he knew he couldn’t leave her to Conrad’s tender mercies. Viktor knew more about slavery than he ever wanted to, and no being should ever be held against their will. That and he had seen firsthand what Conrad enjoyed doing to women. It still sickened him to think back to the horrors he’d had to witness as Melisandre’s pet.

“If I go back to my family they’d just have to hand me right back over to him again. My pard owes him a blood debt, and I am the payment. I need this to look like Conrad’s men lost me in the confrontation with you. This needs to be his fault, as otherwise, it will start a war between my family and his coven,” she said, stepping ever closer.

She stood so close now that Viktor could smell the strawberry and coconut scent of her shampoo. Good Gods, she smells good enough to eat.

“Why would you think that I should care whether or not this starts a war for your people? I will not be fighting in it,” he answered, trying to sound like he didn’t care one way or another.

“Because I think that you hate Conrad just as much, if not more than I do, and there’s nothing he wants more than to possess me,” she answered quietly, her huge green eyes staring right into his grey ones.

She was right of course. There was no one on this Earth that he hated as much as he hated Conrad. That’s what he told himself anyway when he ultimately decided he would take the girl with him—whether it was the whole truth about his motivations or not.

“First, tell me how your pard was thoughtless enough to enter into a blood debt with a killer like Conrad?”

“It’s not like we had any choice. My father was jumped one night by a bunch of rogues, and Conrad just happened to be there to offer his assistance … for a price.”

The venom in her voice clearly stated that she suspected they’d been set up. The rogues were most likely paid to attack by Conrad himself. It was a trick the coward had used over and over again.

“Fine,” he said with a sigh. “You can come with me, but just until we find somewhere to stash you that Conrad cannot reach you.”

“Thank you!” she said with a squeal just before she reached up and hugged him before he could stop her. “I’m Halle, by the way.”

Clearly, his reputation was never going to recover from this if anyone saw him being hugged in the alley, but with her luscious frame leaning against his, smelling so sweet, he had a difficult time finding a reason to care.

 

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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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Trapper’s Moon by Gini Rifkin (Book Review)

As a free trapper, mountain man Kade McCauley is wary of the Hudson Bay Company. Their form of vengeance against those who are not part of the company can be deadly. When he and his partner are attacked, he fights back, only to discover one of his shots struck an innocent. A woman who touches his soul, and he will do anything to keep her safe.
 
While searching for her Native American tribe, Blind Deer crosses paths with Kade—with near fatal results. Once she is patched up, she decides it is safer to travel with him than alone Their uneasy alliance turns to genuine caring, but Blind Deer’s past gets in the way, and she must choose between love or old obligations.
 
But nothing in life is carved in stone except the mountains, and those formidable peaks have been known to change the course of a man’s life—or a woman’s.
 
 
 
 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)

Throughout history, there’s been hate, violence, racism, and death. You can’t point your finger at any period in time and not find it. However, even in the darkest of times, there is light. No entire race, religion, culture is 100% evil. It’s not 100% good either. 

Life is about balance. 

In Trapper’s Moon, Gini demonstrated how vile a human or group of humans could be. She also focused and reinforced the goodness in people. How different races can live in harmony. How love and compassion can and should triumph over hate and violence. 

This message should be embraced and utilized in our everyday lives. 

We can’t allow history to repeat itself. We all have the power to love, or at least tolerate one another. 

Trapper’s Moon was a historical story, but I genuinely believe it’s message pertains to the here and now. 

 

Heart rating system:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
About Gini Rifkin…

Gini Rifkin’s books follow characters who are courageous and passionate about life, and when they meet, sparks fly while danger often threatens. Her settings include the American West, Medieval and Victorian England, and contemporary fantasy. When not writing, Gini has the privilege of caring for her rescue animals including ducks, geese, goats, rabbits, donkeys, and cats. Her writing keeps her hungry to learn new things, and she considers family and friends her most treasured of gifts. So step back in time or into the future, where adventurous romance is waiting just for you.

 

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Raven’s Glen by Nancy E. Polin (Book Review)

Skylar Donaghue has no memory of the night her parents died. When the perfect career opportunity arises, she ignores her brother’s superstitious warnings, choosing to leave the Choctaw reservation where she grew up and return to the place of her birth…

Widowed and caring for his young daughter, relationships are the last thing on Jack Langham’s mind. A chance encounter finds him intrigued, then captivated by a beautiful, but mysterious, violet-eyed woman and before he realizes it, he’s falling faster than fate may ever allow…

Stephen Donaghue holds the key to that long ago night, but never speaks of it. Now that Skylar is being pulled into the past, he fears its ghosts will darken their future and claim his sister forever…
 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Raven’s Glen elicited many emotions from me. Read on to discover which ones and why. 


Curiosity: For a while, I pondered these questions…
What was up with the house?
What truly happened the night Stephen escaped with Skylar?
Will Nancy elaborate on John Patrick’s fascination with the occult?
What’s Molly’s background? How could she sense something was a miss with Jack’s house. 
What was up with the numerous encounters with the ravens?
Did Stephen have a unique skill like Skylar?
 
Frustration: Several times, I wanted to shake some characters. I wanted Jack to realize that not everything was kosher with his daughter, girlfriend, neighbor, and house. I wanted Stephen to wake up and stop dragging his feet regarding Chloe. 
 
Fear: For years, I have suffered from night terrors. No matter the age, they are frightening. I can’t imagine my bogeyman becoming real. I wouldn’t want to deal with a live version of Skylar and Avery’s monster either. Brief description: One side of his face was smashed in; the other was charred. An eye that appeared to be melting down his face. 
Gross, right?!
 
Love and Hope: Love was expressed throughout this story. Not always with words but with actions. Avery playing matchmaker for her dad. Avery trying to protect her dad and Skylar from the burnt man. Jack and Skylar finding themselves. Stephen finally realizing how important Chloe was to him. Jack sitting vigil against Sky’s bedside. Stephen taking a walk on the dark side. Even the ravens brought hope that evil would soon leave everyone’s life forever. 
 
I want to end the review with my favorite line from Raven’s Glen. It occurred during a meeting between Jack, the Principal, and a bully’s parents. The father of the bully said, “Words cannot physically harm, but hitting can.” What Jack said next is the absolute truth. 
 
(Jack) “Words can cause intense damage. It’s just not as easily seen with the naked eye.”
 
Recommend this book to others? YES! 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  ❤❤❤1/2

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Nancy E. Polin began writing as a child and returned as a late bloomer to add experience and the occasional quirk to her work. She’s published four novels and several short pieces to date and is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing. Nancy shares her life with her husband, kids and critters, nestled within the towering firs of the Pacific Northwest.
 
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Soul Reckoning by Nancy E. Polin (Book Review)

Rowan O’Herley figures the old tavern bequeathed to her by her uncle is a chance at a fresh start. When otherworldly presences begin to make themselves known, she soon realizes she inherited much more than just a 200 year old building.

Luke Meunier holds a tragic past close to his chest. When he sees Rowan O’Herley for the first time, he’s drawn to her but can’t bear the thought of getting close. He’s determined to erect a wall between them, but when he realizes she may be in the very same danger that killed her uncle, he can’t help but get involved.

For some vengeance is powerful beyond the grave and can only be satiated when it is steeped in blood…

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

New Orleans (Nawlins) is a city full of life, wonderment, great food, and great music. It has a rich history, apparent by the beautifully preserved buildings. It also has deep roots in the realm of magic. Whether you believe in voodoo, caplata, bokor, spiritual beings, New Orleans will draw you in and leave you captivated by what you experienced there. 

I’ve been to New Orleans on a few occasions. I’ve never seen or felt any ghostly beings; however, many others have claimed they have. Shops line many streets catering to the spirit world, anything magically based. 

Rowan has come to New Orleans, inheriting a tavern. With the tavern, she also inherited a handful of spirits and a curse. As you can imagine, not all spirits are peaceful. Having ones rearrange furniture, cause sounds of glass shattering, alter temperature, or create flowery scents in the air can be annoying. They are harmless, but their antics might unnerve a nonlocal. As for the curse, well, those never mean anything good. Luckily for Rowan, she didn’t have to fight off Marcus (bokor) on her own. She had the living and spiritual world watching her back. 

As for my overall feelings on Soul Reckoning, from the moment Rowan drove down the streets of New Orleans till the end of the final page, I felt the love and respect Nancy E. Polin (the author) had for this historic city. 

You did Nawlins proud! 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  ❤❤❤❤

 

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Nancy E. Polin began writing as a child and returned as a late bloomer to add experience and the occasional quirk to her work. She’s published four novels and several short pieces to date and is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing. Nancy shares her life with her husband, kids and critters, nestled within the towering firs of the Pacific Northwest.

 

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