Friday, June 29, 2012

Featured Ebook : The Wake of the Dragon by Jaq D. Hawkins

Ebook : THE WAKE OF THE DRAGON
Genre :  Steampunk, Fantasy
Author : Jaq D. Hawkins

Author Website :  
http://www.amazon.com/Jaq-D-Hawkins/e/B0034P4BFI
Goodreads author page:
 http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/218599.Jaq_D_Hawkins
Amazon Store:  
http://www.amazon.com/The-Wake-Dragon-Steampunk-ebook/dp/B0080UVQIW

Smashwords Store :  
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/158970 
ISBN : 9781476396354 (digital, paperbackback to be released soon)

Reviews : 4-5 stars  

BLURB : No sane airshipman will fly near a storm, but the cover of storm edge offers effective concealment for airship pirates who can strike quickly from above before anyone knows a ship is near. With the protection of Aide, the goddess of air travel, one airship defies the elements to seek fortune for the rag tag aerialists who make up the pirate crew.

The elements are the least of their problems when they find themselves saddled with an airsick clerk, a crewmember suspected of working for the East India Company and a love sick farm girl whose headstrong misconceptions compel her to seek adventure where no decent woman would wander unescorted.


Battling businessmen, mechanoids and villagers armed with torches and pitchforks, Captain Bonny must decide who to trust, and if the only rational course of action is one of apparent madness.

Amazon Reviews 
Superb Swashbuckling Steampunk June 9, 2012 : 5stars
By Mallory_Supernatural Aficionado
Format:Kindle Edition
 

13 Stars! An exciting, adventurous, engrossing adventure, a Steampunk thriller, delightful in every aspect, "Wake of the Dragon" is a superbly-written story that will surely appeal to readers of all stripes of genre interest. Yes, it is Steampunk, but it is rich in historical background; the thrill-a-minute pace will appeal to readers of adventurous thrillers; and the sheer excitement of the airships, the piracy, the many chases, mobs, and the upending of normal consensus reality to paint a reality so similar, yet so different-everything in this book is fantastic.

Take a pinch of legal opium trade as administered by Britain's East India Company; add airships, clockwork mechanoids; Dickensian business practices; rural communities and farms straight out of the Victorian era; pirates, cars, and the usual human emotions-toss in a hint of spy novel; and the result is a riveting page-turner that is not to be missed. Do pick this one up-you will likely find yourself reading it in one sitting as I did, then immediately wanting to turn back to the first page and read through again.  


Smashwords Reviews 
Review by: Jim Browning on May 25, 2012 : 5stars
 
This one had me laughing on the first page. As Steampunk writing goes this is what it should be, an airship pirate adventure in the opium trade where a convoluted series of thieves, spies and corrupt businessmen form a fast moving tale that keeps the pages turning and the reader both intrigued and amused.

The story can be engrossingly serious at one moment and delightfully comedic in the next.The characters are well defined and form an interesting tapestry of opposites. A businessman's clerk who suffers from travel sickness is an unlikely companion for a gentleman pirate captain with a mystical proclivity who thrives on the thrill of danger at storm's edge. A farm girl, a hired spy and a mechanoid pirate crew add both flavor and comedy to a story that has been notably historically researched, even giving the date of a significant earthquake in England that really happened.

The aspects of alternative technology that define good Steampunk are handled well and the writer's skill with the story teller's art makes me curious about her other books. I hope her future releases will include more Steampunk. A sequel to this one would be great as I would like to see more adventures with some of these characters.


Review by: C.M. Gray on May 24, 2012 : 4stars
 
In a steam punk world reminiscent of Victorian London, a world where steam powered airships roam the sky and it would seam everyone and his mother succumb to the tempting embrace of opium and rum, a robbery sets the story for an adventure around the skies.

The thieves head off in their airship, captained by the incredible Captain Bonny, while the luckless Dudley, clerk of the dubious victim, Mr Wyatt gives chase.The character of Captain Bonny is extremely well developed as he tempts the faits with his flirtations with Aide, goddess of the storm winds, always sailing a little too close to a storm so that he might feel a connection with her.

I thought this was a really well put together story that drew me along entertaining all the way. I look forward to exploring other books by this author. 


 

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Featured Ebook : Sanctuary by Colleen Wait

Ebook : SANCTUARY
Genre :  Young Adult,Inspirational fiction 
Author : Colleen Wait
Author Website:  http://www.amazon.com/Colleen-Wait
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4180627.Colleen_Wait
Amazon Store: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051BS8FC

Digital ISBN : 9781452401379 
Smashwords Store : https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/11572 

Reviews : 4-5 stars
SPECIAL OFFER : Now through Sept sale through Smashwords, on sale at $0.99
Author Blog : http://colleenwaitwrites.blogspot.com/p/e-books-fan-page.html  

BLURB : We've all read the doomsday books, seen the doomsday movies. However, have you ever wondered - what happens next? What if someone survived and rose to the challenge of starting a new society and getting it right? What if that someone said, "God saved me for a reason and I'm going to do things His way this time." 'Sanctuary' is the story of one girl's journey through that possibility.

Claire, a teenage girl, has just survived  an apocalyptic event, most of which was spent underground and alone for an extended period of time. Her friends and family were supposed to join her but they did not make it.  As she lay in the darkness, a voice wakes her from sleep telling her it is time to leave her bunker.  Unsure of what she is hearing, yet yearning to be free from her solitude, she obeys the voice and leaves the bunker.

Hope turns to sadness when she realizes that she is still alone and her world has turned to ruin. For as far as she can see, there is nothing but rubble, a few piles of concrete and shards of rusted metal. No life whatsoever. Urged on by the voice, Claire sets out on foot to find someone, something, some other life.  She questions her sanity, questions what has happened to her city, her state, or perhaps even her planet. 

After a long and exhausting walk, with her meager food supply nearly depleted, Claire meets up with several other young people who had survived as she had, alone and in bunkers.  Together, they decide to travel until they find someone, something.  Life.  Would there be other survivors?  Would the total destruction end over the next hill? Why were there no airplanes or sounds or life. Why was the radio completely silent? Most importantly, why is God speaking to them?

Not everyone believes. In fact, one young man flatly denies believing in God and sets out on his own to find out what has really happened to their country.  He doesn’t believe, and therefore, he doesn’t feel like he belongs with the group.

The remainder of the book is how these young people listen to and rely on God to learn to live within the destruction that mankind has brought upon itself.  They must learn to survive by living off the land that God leads them to  which is a place of sanctuary.  


Amazon Reviews : 

Survival August 20, 2011
By weishampel writes

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Readers who have experienced the horrors of devastating hurricanes can relate to Claire in "Sanctuary". Claire escapes from a bomb shelter or storm cellar to discover a decimated world devoid of humans, animals and plants. Mountains of debris are all that remain of cities, no electricity, water, food, shelter or clothing, so similar to the aftermath of a tornado or hurricane. "Sanctuary" is a story of survival, of learning to care for basic needs and the determination to make a new civilization under God that doesn't repeat the political and immoral past.



Great Read June 2, 2011
By oliver99

Format:Kindle Edition
This book is extremely well written with a great story. Characters are developed nicely. You really care about what happens to everyone. Good technical detail; well researched. Overall book will make you think while holding your attention throughout. Great product!!



Smashwords Reviews :
Review by: Carol Weishampel on Aug. 20, 2011 :4stars
Readers who have experienced the horrors of devastating hurricanes can relate to Claire in "Sanctuary". She leaves a bomb shelter or storm cellar to discover a decimated world devoid of humans, animals, and plants. Mountains of debris are all that remain of cities. No electricity, running water, shelter, food or clothing similar to the aftermath of a tornado or hurricane. "Sanctuary" is a story of survival, of learning to care for basic needs, and the determination to make a new civilization under God that doesn't repeat the political and immoral past.


Sunday, June 24, 2012

FREE DOWNLOAD TODAY- June 24 : Ebook 12 Precious Anecdotes from Life

Special Offer 
FREE DOWNLOAD Today June 24, 2012 :   

Ebook : 12 PRECIOUS ANECDOTES FROM LIFE by author Payal Roy  is available FREE across all Amazon Stores. Grab your free copy of this 5stars book today on June 24, 2012.

Trivia about 12 PRECIOUS ANECDOTES FROM LIFE :

5stars at Goodreads and Amazon Stores.

Genre : Contemporary fiction, short stories

Blurb: This summer, take a journey into the fictitous world of 12 people who happen to cross their paths suddenly with a common friend in 12 different scenarios.

They share some riveting tales with their common friend, tales that reveal some precious secrets, that have changed their lives forever. Choices, hope, sorrow, doubt, faith , intrigue, drama and a lot more amongst the pages as the characters are unravelled one by one. What do they share and why do they share? To know, read this Free ebook today.

FREE DOWNLOAD at the following Amazon Stores today June 24 2012:




Germany Amazon : http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0087OXSS2


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Featured Ebook : Buried Secrets by Brandi Salazar

Ebook : BURIED SECRETS
Genre : Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Author : Brandi Salazar

Author Website:  http://www.amazon.com/Brandi-Salazar/e/B004TWZSS4
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4810728.Brandi_Salazar
Amazon Store: http://www.amazon.com/Buried-Secrets-ebook/dp/B0075VOJ4U
Print ISBN: 9781105519
Paperback Edition at Lulu Stores : http://www.lulu.com/shop/brandi-salazar/buried-secrets/paperback

Reviews : 4-5 stars

SYNOPSIS : How do you live with yourself when you don't even know who you are? 

On a chill October night, a girl goes missing setting the small town of Oakridge on edge. James has spent the last five years running from a past that still haunts him to this day. Now he finds himself thrust back into a life he thought he left behind. Finding out his new home may be haunted and reconnecting with an old friend while being thrust into a murder mystery, James finds himself trying to figure out which end is up while questioning his own sanity.

Reviews: 4.4 star out of 5 on Amazon


"The writer does a good job at keeping the reader on their toes through the whole book in this murder/mystery/paranormal story. I loved the details in the writing, namely in the prologue. It hooked me right from the beginning and towards the end I couldn't put it down. I NEEDED to see who the killer was! I would say that the book is safe for YA readers, the book has moments of violence but nothing too grotesque. I will definitely be looking forward to see what other stories this writer has coming out in the future!"

"The author does a very good job with the characters in this story. The reader is pulled in with a good storyline and characters you can empathize with. I enjoyed how it all pulled together in the end. It didn't bother me that I was able to predict what was going to be the end result because I enjoyed the twists and turns to get there. Good read."

"It is really hard to review this book without giving anything away. I really didn't think I was going to like this book when I found out it was about a high schooler, but I am glad that I didn't let that deter me. If you don't like sex scenes or swearing I don't think there was any in this book. Doesn't bother me but it does bother some people. I couldn't give this book a solid 5 because I knew what was going on from the get-go. I have a sixth sense when it comes to mysteries;) However, that did not make it less enjoyable to read. It was just so interesting. I will definitely check out any other books by this author."

"I loved this book because it made me think. I like a book that keeps me on my toes and is not predictable. This book was not. I also enjoyed the dark, mysterious ways of the MC, he was a guy with a past, but you never quite know just what that is. There were moments I felt sad for him and other times I was freaked out. The author knows how to get inside the minds of the readers. Anyone who enjoys a thriller that keeps you guessing all the way until the end, I suggest this book." 


 "The author very well understands her characters, so the reader sees them from inside out, as if they were our own friends or family. That makes it simple for us to empathise, and want to see the deserving ones rewarded, the bullies and jerks disciplined or at least going without. Then too, the suspense starts right from the very beginning, with poor loner James' itinerant friend, A. J., a boy whom only James knows and who is the only person who really respects and befriends James. Before we can get our feet solidly on the ground story-wise, the author turns us topsy-turvy with the first major tragic event-and before we can catch our breath from that, we're tossed five years forward, and watching the past determine to replay itself-only this time, will things turn out right for James? Or will tragedy strike again-and again? Homecoming can be a wonderful thing-or it can mean misery.

I really liked the author's approach. I didn't have time nor inclination to lose interest, because the story was "always happening," and I just kept reading and flipping the pages without even thinking, to learn more and more. Author Brandi Salazar does not disappoint; the goodies in this novel just keep on rollin'. "Buried Secrets" has quite a different, yet appealing, "feel" to it, and I enjoyed it very much. I've put Ms. Salazar on my "must read all" list."


"One of my favorite episodes of "Criminal Minds" stars Frankie Muniz, who grew up as "Malcolm in the Middle." In this episode, though, he is a cartoonist who watched gang members rape and kill his fiancee, and subsequently had a violent break in his personality.

After his break, he goes around the city killing people -- including the gang members who killed his fiancee. The most poignant part of the show involves the killer calling his fiance's cell phone, over and over again, only to hear it go to voice mail. His confusion as to her whereabouts shows how far he has fallen from reality. At the end of the story, the profilers from the BAU treat the killer with gentleness, even pity.

In "Buried Secrets," five years ago, James Clearwater and his family had moved away from the town where they lived, after the disappearance of Mercy Worthington. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the family moves back, and the pattern begins again.

Now that he is back, James notices that whenever his friend A.J. spends time with a girl, she turns up missing -- and eventually dead. A.J. is everything that James is not, but sort of wants to be -- he ditches school, dresses like a heavy metal fan, and has an easy time picking up girls.

Constantly at war with his father, beset by migraines and blackouts, bothered by ghosts at night, and harassed at school by those who remember the cloud of suspicion that hung over him five years ago, James starts down a doomed path almost at the start. Despite the fact that the beautiful Jennifer Morton sees great things in James, the truth is inevitable.

In stories such as this, the better authors will show you the tension between the good person that the villain wants to be, and the awful deeds that the villain commits. Salazar does a fine job of showing James unraveling, and his illusions becoming less and less real. It would have been better to see some development with the parents, particularly in a third-person work such as this. What turn out to be two fairly static characters could have been so much more dynamic, especially given the family secret that we learn about three-fourths of the way through. Even though I had a pretty good idea of the truth about James, though, the storytelling was compelling."






 



 








Friday, June 15, 2012

Featured Ebook : Hard Target by Barbara Phinney

Ebook : HARD TARGET
Genre : Romantic thriller/espionage
Author :  Barbara Phinney


ISBN: 978-0-9878404-2-4 


Reviews :  5 stars

SYNOPSIS :  Under siege, her life and her heart...
Sgt. Dawna Atkinson has worked hard for her South American embassy posting. She'd also taken the blame for a shared indiscretion with her instructor, Tay Hastings. But when her embassy is bombed, she comes under the microscope all the more. Worse still, her unit sends Tay to search for any mistakes she's making. Things go from bad to worse when a sniper tries to eliminate both Dawna and Tay within hours of Tay's arrival.
    
Tay had tried to take the blame for that one night of passion, but when that failed, he quit his instructor's post. But circumstances force him not to reveal any of this. Dawna has her own secrets. She inwardly questions if Tay is somehow linked to the sniper, who later is discovered murdered. Did Tay panic when the sniper called Dawna and promised to reveal all to her?    

As the investigation heats up, and danger lurks around every crowded corner, Dawna and Tay find their relationship is also heating up. And with a killer who can create bombs, use a sniper rifle, and poison the embassy staff, Dawna must set aside her hurt or risk many lives. And Tay must set aside the distrust deep within him.
    
What Dawna and Tay can't set aside is their growing attraction. And that may just get them both killed.


By Diana M. Hockley
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
  I am the first to review this novel, so I will start out by saying that the author obviously knows her stuff, having done the hard yards with research.

The pace of the plot is fast, and I thought the sex angle was well handled - pages of endless sexual content is not my "cup of tea" and the history between the main characters made sense to a point. I wasn't convinced that Dawna's commanders had anything to "get" her on in the beginning. Although the "crime" was definitely committed, it seemed that the hierarchy was out to discredit her right at the start, but unless I missed something, there was no real explanation of why she was so severely punished. I don't want to give any spoilers here, but the followup "get Dawna" orders were not fully explained either. It just seemed like spite.

It is rare when I don't figure out "who's who at the zoo" but the perpetrator's identity fooled me this time. I liked that the cats were safe! All in all, it was a good read, but IMO, the romance between the main characters lacked a little sparkle. I was impressed by the heroine and hero NOT being perfect!

I shall be reading more of this author's works.

By Norah Wilson
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
  Barbara Phinney really knows how to tell a story! She combines romance and suspense/mystery very deftly, and the pacing just carries you forward. This one kept me guessing all the way. Very atmospheric, too, and the details ground you wonderfully. It's almost like being there.






Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Featured Ebook : A Killing in the City by John Holt



Ebook : A KILLING IN THE CITY 

Genre : Mystery/Thriller 

Author : John Holt 


Author Website : http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Holt/e/B003ERI7SI

UK Amazon : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Killing-In-The-City-ebook/dp/B0093N363S

US Amazon :  http://www.amazon.com/Killing-In-The-City-ebook/dp/B0093N363S

Lulu Store :  http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/TomKendall

ISBN: 1475071280

Reviews : 11 4.5-5 stars


SYNOPSIS : "To make a killing in the City" is a phrase often used within the financial world, to indicate making a large profit on investments, or through dealings on the stock market - the bigger the profit, the bigger the killing.  However, Tom Kendall, a private detective, on holiday in London, has a different kind of killing in mind when he hears about the death of one of his fellow passengers who travelled with him on the plane from Miami.  It was suicide apparently, a simple overdose of prescribed tablets.  Kendall immediately offers his help to Scotland Yard.  He is shocked when he is told that his services will not be required. They can manage perfectly well without him, thank you.

“Well Mr Kendall, let us say you purchased twenty thousand shares in Rockford Metals today, and sold them on Friday you should make a profit of about twenty, twenty two, per cent.  Something like that.”  Collier said.  He paused and shook his head. “In other words you’ll make quite a killing.”  He paused once again, and smiled.  “But somehow Mr Kendall, I don’t think you came here to talk about investments did you.” Kendall smiled and shook his head.  No, he didn’t.  He had quite a different kind of killing on his mind ….. the killing of Robert Andrews.
  


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Featured Ebook : 12 Precious Anecdotes from Life by Payal Roy

Ebook: 12 PRECIOUS ANECDOTES FROM LIFE -New Release

Genre : Fiction with a touch of adventure, drama, inspiration and supernatural element.
Author : Payal Roy
Author website :  http://www.amazon.com/author/payalroy
Goodreads website :  http://www.goodreads.com/P_Roy
Amazon store book links : Enrolled in KDP Select for monthly borrows. Can also be read without a Kindle, by downloading free kindle reading applications for PC, Laptop and Tablets like iPad, iTouch etc from Amazon. 2 day Free Promo run on Weekend - 23rd June and 24th June 2012--grab your free copy of this book during these 2 days.
US Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087OXSS2 
UK Amazon :  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0087OXSS2
Germany Amazon : http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0087OXSS2
France Amazon : http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0087OXSS2

A few book Pointers: Please have a look at these pointers, if they interest you...

-- Do you cherish chocolates?Why?
-- Why was Anita intrigued when she met John? Did John survive his adversity?
-- Was Amy ultimately able to forgive herself for what she did, or did she lose everything that defined her?
-- Did Anita really see the sinister shadow of her uncle? What happened that fateful Friday?
-- Why did Anita look forward to visit her grandmother?
-- Anita felt her heart skip a beat at the imminent and a bitter fight about to take place.What did she witness?
-- What power propelled Shaun to go after Tanya? Would anyone believe them?
-- Why was Anita so worried about Maureen, did Maureen survive the impending crisis testing her?

SYNOPSIS: This summer, have a look at this novella- 12 short stories that set the ball of fate rolling on the court of life. Take a journey into the fascinating and intriguing world of  Samantha, John, Amy, uncle Ben and Shaun amongst a dozen other faces who share their anecdotes through this book. What do they have in common? Successful and interesting people from a diverse background, their paths cross with Anita Maher. This sets off a cascade of events that compels everyone to look back at their own lives. How is Anita affected? Other people too seem to bump into Anita all of a sudden when she least expects them . Why? Does life want to convey a message to all?

12 heartfelt anecdotes from their lives kept a secret all this while, only to be revealed to Anita, when time seems limited and many ventures still left unexplored. Does life give a second chance? Find out in this book which shares their exploits and adventures through their intriguing and engaging stories.

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