Tag Archives: sci-fi

Claimed by Andrea R. Cooper (Book Showcase)

 
 
Intern Renee Maxwell has a chance at her dream job as assistant to a renowned archaeologist in exotic Turkey. Things get a little weird when she finds a unique crystal and starts hallucinating crazy yet sexy things. Her once staid boss now looks like a gorgeous demi-god and underwear model combined. Her feminist ideals are challenged with each seductive look and bit of banter he gives her, but she’s not falling for his charm.  Damon Cubins never met a woman his Incubus powers couldn’t seduce…until now. If he doesn’t find an ancient crystal, he’ll turn into a full-fledged demon. When his new Intern Renee arrives on site, wearing the exact necklace he needs to save his existence, he thinks he’s got it made until he discovers a curse is keeping him from claiming what’s his. He doesn’t want to harm the woman who has enraptured his heart, but Damon isn’t the only dark creature seeking the crystal’s powers.  Winning Renee’s love to release the curse becomes the only cure to save her life.
 
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After he set her on the rocks, she scrambled away from the water’s edge in her wet bra and panties.
 
“Don’t forget your promise,” he teased, but he couldn’t help it. Any longer staring at the blush on her cheeks and chest and he’d forget his vow and claim her. Even her erect nipples strained against her wet lace bra made him dig his nails into his palms.
 
She huffed and snatched up her towel. Thankfully, it reached just below her butt, leaving her long legs exposed for his admiration. Then she flipped her curly hair over her shoulder, batting her eyelashes at him.
 
“I would never give you the satisfaction.”
 
“Of which?” He cocked his head to the side and beamed. “Drowning or bathing?”
 
“Both.” She tucked the corner of towel between her breasts, locking the rest of it around her body, and then snatched up her canteen.
 
“Uh, thank you for saving me.” She shivered, and he doubted it was merely from cold and wet. “Please don’t tell the others, it’s embarrassing.”
 
At his nod, she breathed out a sigh. She looked as if she anticipated him to haul her back into the water for another lesson. Inching closer to the shore, her gaze never left his.
 
Her movements reminded him of abused animals. He speculated most people, who couldn’t swim, would want to learn unless they experienced drowning in the past. Could that have happened to her?
 
There was more to this situation than her usual stubbornness. Vulnerability even. As she leaned forward to finish filling her canteen, her ample bosom peeked out. His lust twisted to the sounds she would make when he touched and kissed her nipples until they pebbled.
 
Suddenly, she jerked up, spilling some of the water. “Did you get a good enough view?”
 
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
 
Without waiting for his reply, she stormed away.
 
Damon flopped onto the water letting his body float. His mind drifted to images of making love to Renee in the water. After he helped her over her phobia, somehow. Hmm, he could kiss her down there while she treaded water.
 
Nah, she’d never go for it. This is a business trip. No time for sleeping with the staff, no matter how sexy when arguing with him.

 
 
 
Purchase Links: 
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Andrea has always created characters and stories. But it wasn’t until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.

What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).

Andrea writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.

She believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a blessing. But most importantly, she believes in love.

 
 

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Have Amber — Will Travel by Keith Vlasak (Book Review)

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A modern American princess leads her brothers and sisters, a professor, a boy friend of her older sister and an army into an ancient underworld to free a millennium of lost souls and one lonely little girl.

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myreview-1(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

No matter where you purchase your books, the first thing that captures your eye is the cover. You can tell a lot about it — genre, age range, main character(s), etc. Therefore, as an author, publisher, or cover artist, one goal should be to depict the book properly from first glance. 

Sadly to say, the ball was throughly dropped on the construction of Have Amber — Will Travel’s cover. The adventure takes place in Egypt, dealing with gods, pharaohs, mummies, serpents, multiple-headed monsters and various other beings. However, none of those things were illustrated on the cover. No temples. No Egyptian images at all. What we have was an anime looking girl which could represent anything. In fact, I showed the book to my family and NOT ONE of them could tell me the genre or plot. That’s not good. NOT AT ALL.

Honestly, if I wasn’t requested to read this, I would’ve overlooked it. Thankfully, I was asked because within the pages were some outstanding depictions of mythical creatures, temples which would leave a visitor speechless, and battle scenes worthy of the price of a movie ticket (plus snacks). 

The showdown with Seth and Apep (giant serpent) was electrifying and occurred in the best section of the book — In the Underworld. Whereas some other areas in the story droned on and never seemed to end, this area could’ve went on far longer (IMHO). This particular section also delivered quite a surprise regarding Peter. Just wait, I know you won’t see this bombshell coming. 🙂

However, through everything, something kept nagging at me. This story read as a sequel. There were multiple mentions of King Arthur, Merlin, and a quest regarding the Holy Grail. Plus, I didn’t grasp why they treated Amber with kid gloves. Why was she the princess on all their treks into the dreamworld? Why did they follow her every command?

So, I contacted Keith. I had to know if I missed out on a prior adventure because, again, it read as if I should already be familiar with these children and their roles in past quests. Here’s what he said, “Sorry. It is not a sequel (and I will definitely never write a prequel).”

In truth, this confusion was simply incomplete character and story development. A problem some authors are prone to have on occasion because they get a story in their head and forget the fine details when it travels from their creative noggin to a screen. 

Now don’t get me wrong, all in all, this was a pretty nice read. Sure it had it’s up and downs, areas that definitely could have benefited from a little more spit and polish, but for the most part it was on point. Keith gave us an interesting storyline, weaved in just the right amount of Egyptian history, and repeatedly introduced new beings/obstacles so folks never knew what to expect next. 

It’s definitely a book worth reading. 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 

Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Print Link

Kindle Purchase Link

 

Meet the Author!! 

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“[Keith Vlasak’s] prose flows as a river. The surface is smooth, placid; the current, strong. When you step in, immerse yourself, glide with the water, you can certainly feel the pull but you don’t know where it’s taking you. Then, suddenly, you round a bend, the river opens up, a new light bathes the water and the riverbank, and you realize you’re in a radically different place.” – George Konstantinow

I go back a long ways. I was born in 1950 and started sending out my stories in 1964. I started getting published in the literary small press in the 1970’s. In the 1980’s hundreds of my poems were published. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s I sold a bunch of genre stories: fantasy, science fiction, horror and suspense. In the last decade, I’ve been writing novel length projects. You’ll find them at Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

Over the years I’ve been a musician and song writer performing in failed garage bands and solo in coffee shops, I’ve worked in oils and water colors, pen and ink and even enjoyed taking art courses, an award winning photographer, computer programmer, and have actually earned my living as a farm laborer, tree trimmer, dish washer, house painter, store manager, retail supervisor, and a whole bunch of self-employed over the years. I’ve had a lot of fun and I think that shows in my writing.

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Solace: Fae Warriors, Book 1 by Gini Rifkin (Book Review)

 

Solace Goodeve, one of Mother Nature’s favorite Fae Warriors, is assigned to Earth to help save the planet. Reptile invaders, disguising themselves as humans, are waging a takeover—and Mother is mad enough to eat asteroids. Solace is ready to prove herself as a warrior, but having a human for a partner is not in her battle plan—even if the man is rugged, ripped, and ready for action.

Army Ranger, Tanner Jackson, has seen his share of black op missions. The last one took a toll on both body and soul. Tanner isn’t looking for love, even though his new partner is six-foot-tall and drop dead gorgeous. However, after Solace shows him a new meaning to working undercover, he may have to reconsider that possibility.

As the Reps plan to sabotage NOAA, Tanner and Solace must learn to trust one another. But as they’re trying to save the world, Solace and Tanner might just lose their hearts—and that takes the most courage of all.

 
 
 
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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 
 
Science fiction lovers, I’d like to proudly introduce you to your next favorite book. 
 
In Solace, you’ll watch the Fae Warriors battle Reptilian/Men. A battle which began in chapter one and didn’t let up. In fact, the action will continue in Bliss (Fae Warriors Book 2). FYI: A sneak peek is found following Solace’s glossary.
 
The initial fight scene was pretty extraordinary. Her opponent was no one I’d like to run across in a darkened alley or one heavily lit up either. Reptilians are bad mojo. Let me describe them to you. 
 
Imagine this showdown: Watching a “man” slowly morph into a Reptile… thick green skin, elongated nails, and sporting a lizard head. A creature with lethal pointy teeth, outweighing you by 200 pounds and harboring a very deadly weapon —- a tail. A tail that grew right before Solace’s eyes. Oh, lets not forget he wore scaly body armor. Freaky!!!
 
If I faced one of those abominations, I would definitely develop a full blown case of herpetophobia — fear of reptiles. 
 
If you think you wouldn’t, you would after taking a gander at its genitalia. Huge and thorny. I mean, I’m ok with a little pain with my pleasure but I’m not in the market to get ripped wide open. No way, Jose. This chick would become celibate. 
 
Luckily for Solace, she didn’t have to remain celibate. She found herself an Army Ranger who literally plucked her out of the sky. 
 
With moves like that, I can see why she fell for the human. 😉
 
I’m not sure how long they will stay together since she’s not a human but, for now, their relationship is full speed ahead.  
 
 
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
 
 
 
 
 

Gini Rifkin writes adventurous romance, past present, and into the future. Her settings include the American West, Medieval England, Victorian England, and contemporary fantasy. When not reading or writing, she has the privilege of caring for a menagerie of abandoned animals including ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, donkeys, and cats. She was born and raised in Illinois where she went to school to become a registered nurse. When struck by wanderlust, she moved to Colorado and met her husband Gary. They shared the journey for 30 years, spending vacations canoeing, doing Mountain Man reenacting, and traveling around this great country. Although Gary has passed on, he left her with the skills to soldier on alone, and a little bit of him lives on in every hero she creates. Her writing keeps her hungry to keep learning new things, and she considers family and friends her most treasured of gifts.

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Toxic Tide by CJ Matthew (Book Review) (CONTEST INCLUDED)

 
Dolphin Shore Shifters book 5
 
She’s on a mission…and it’s personal.
 
When Heather O’Donnell’s younger sister is murdered, and homicide detectives fail to uncover a suspect, she
abandons competitive swimming and moves to New Jersey. She stakes out her sister’s former employer, a mob-run waste disposal company. But it’s the sudden appearance of another investigator, a ruggedly handsome man, that sets off all her alarms—and more than a few pheromones. Before she’ll act on the attraction, Heather needs to unravel his true connection to her sister’s case.
 
It’s his last chance to redeem himself…no personal distractions allowed.
 
After three disastrous missions in a row, SBW shifter and field ops agent Grus Garret returns to New Jersey determined to solve the murder of Lorelei, a shifter gunned down with her whistle-blower. Grus’s gut tells him the mob boss is responsible for both deaths. But after a shocking encounter with the beautiful stranger, Grus questions
his gut. Especially when it urges him to grab the human woman and hold on forever.
 
When the mob boss decides it’s personal and sends his hit man to eliminate Heather and Grus, they’ll need to use their unique connection to save each other.
 
 
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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

If you haven’t read any other book in the Shore Shifter series, don’t worry, you won’t get lost picking up book 5 in the series. However, I do encourage you to read the others because they are that good. CJ is that good. 
 
Like the other stories in the Shore Shifter series, Toxic Tide contains plenty of action and a bit of hanky panky, too. 
In this case, the hanky panky was between a tough ass human (Heather) and a dolphin shifter (Grus). An unlikely couple who shouldn’t have found love with each other but did. And, they did so while solving the murders of two people close to them. 
 
During their investigation, they encountered many obstacles: a hitman, the mob, FBI, ATF, faced an abduction, suffered battle wounds and much more. However, everything they encountered/endured was worth it in the end because they each found the closure they desperately needed. Due to their determination to see justice served, they aided the pod and Heather’s parents in finally achieving closure, too. 
 
Trust me, you want to buy this book. It’s worth every damn penny spent. 

On a final note: AMAZING cover. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Probably my favorite one yet. 

Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
 
 
 
 
 
Alrighty folks, let’s get to the main event. 
WHO WANTS TO WIN A MEGA, FABULOUS PRIZE PACKAGE?
 
Prizes included: An SBW drink container w top and straw, a SIGNED COPY of Toxic Tide, a TT book mark, a fancy TT keychain, plus trinkets: little plastic dolphin key chains, temp. dolphin tattoo, dolphin stickers. 

Contest open to anyone — anywhere!!  
 
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below before THURSDAY (midnight, central time). 
 
FRIDAY morning, I will post the winner’s name and attempt to message you. Please
follow the comment thread or come back on FRIDAY to see if you are the lucky
recipient of this amazing prize package. 
 
Good
luck!!!
 

CJ Matthew grew up in an Air Force family traveling and living all over the US and around the world. It proved to be the perfect experience for gathering ideas and material for future books. And for meeting real life heroes and heroines in uniforms and flight-suits. She spent her high school and university years in California, which inspired her love of marine life, and the Pacific Ocean.
 
Toxic Tide is the fifth book, so far, in her paranormal romantic suspense series: Dolphin Shore Shifters. The series features a pod of dolphins living in the Santa Barbara channel off the coast of California, who are capable of shifting to human form. While posing as real humans, the dolphins work, through their oceanic conservation corporation, Save Blue Water, to protect their oceans at any cost.
 
CJ’s next series, The Paladin Group, launched with Deadly Reboot. The books are in the romantic suspense genre, set in a small southern town, and starring  wounded air force veterans, men and women warriors turned civilian attorneys and investigators determined to continue their rescue work.
 
The third series, titled The Colonel’s Daughters, is a quintet with each book featuring one of the five sister’s story. Born in different countries around the world, when each of the daughters happens to return to her country of birth, she’s meets her true love and is forced to confront her destiny. Book 1, A Major Seduction is the oldest sister Kari’s book and takes place at an air force wedding in Tokyo. 
 
A member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Georgia Romance Writers (GRW), and Kiss of Death, CJ lives and writes near a lake in the woods northeast of Atlanta. When she isn’t writing or reading romances, CJ spends time with her two grown children, their spouses, a brilliant grandson and a feisty cat named Max.
 
Schedule permitting, CJ loves to travel, to discover new favorite places and to meet new friends in both the US and around the world.
 
Max flatly refuses to travel. 

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CLICK ON THE TITLES LISTED BELOW TO BE REDIRECTED TO AMAZON!  
 

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Bringer of Chaos: The Origin of Pietas by Kayelle Allen (Book Review)

  • Print Length: 189 pages
 
Two enemy warriors: one human, one immortal. 
Different in belief, alike in spirit, marooned together on an alien world.
 
  • Imprisoned and in isolation over a year without food or water, the immortal Pietas survives. Though broken in body, his intellect and will are intact, thanks to Six, the special ops warrior who captured him, but kept him sane. The warrior had no hand in his deprivation and, like Pietas, was betrayed by his own kind. When Pietas is abandoned on an alien world with nothing but his honor–and Six–he must find and rejoin other immortal exiles. After centuries of war, Pietas detests humans and kills them on sight, but he is too damaged to continue on his own. Though he despises needing help, he allows Six to nurture and restore him to full strength, and then accompany him. As they cross the planet together on foot, the immortal begins to wonder if he has found his first human friend, or if Six is loyal only because Pietas could keep the others from tearing him to shreds. This human will either be his closest living friend, or the one whose betrayal will trigger all-out vengeance by the most powerful immortal ever born.
  •  
  • Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
 
 
 
 
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

As a fan of science fiction and fantasy, I was eager to dive into Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas. Based off the book summary, my expectations were set high. Certain aspects of the story caught my interest, but then, several sections dragged on and didn’t reach their full potential. 
 
High points: Kayelle invented the Ultras. Whose abilities would astound anyone. They heal quickly, diseases don’t affect them, can survive any wound, and can be “reborn”. Only two ways ensured their death was permanent. 1) Immolate, freeze and then shatter the Ultra. 2) Put the Ultra through a bone shredder. 
 
During Pietas captivity, he never met his true death. Actually, he was reborn 1000 times over and, according to him, that’s almost worse than dying. Imagine your body wasting away, perishing, coming alive again, & repeat. I can see why Pietas had no love for humans — Until he met Six (not his real name). 
 
Six started off his adversary but things changed in the year it took them to reach Sempervia. Once they landed, Six became the hunter, caregiver, protector, comrade and, most importantly, a friend to Pietas (or as Six dubbed him, Pi). 
 
There on Sempervia, I felt Kayelle could’ve done so much more for the readers. She could’ve added more scifi elements to this science fiction tale. I expected more trouble with the elements. Heck, give me a battle with unknown creatures on the island. Something. Anything. 
 
We did see a storm, numerous birds, and cats but that’s it. But basically, there was nothing really holding my interest. 
 
I, once again, had such high hope things would pick up when Pi finally reconnected with the other Ultras in chapter 24 but nope, nothing. In chapter 26, they discussed creating a plan to secure food, shelter, and a way home. 
 
That’s where the story ended. 
 
No closure but a set-up for book 2,  Bringer of Chaos: Harvest of Blood. 
 
Heart Rating System 
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kayelle Allen is a best selling American author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.
 

www.twitter.com/kayelleallen  

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Marketing for Romance Writers www.bit.ly/mfrwgroup  

The Author’s Secret www.theauthorssecret.com

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