Category Archives: Book Tour

BOOK TOUR: Conquist by Dirk Strasser

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Book Title: Conquist
Author: Dirk Strasser
Publication Date: September 1st, 2024
Publisher: Roundfire Books
Pages: 360
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Capitán Cristóbal de Varga’s drive for glory and gold in 1538 Peru leads him and his army of conquistadors into a New World that refuses to be conquered. He is a man torn by life-long obsessions and knows this is his last campaign.

What he doesn’t know is that his Incan allies led by the princess Sarpay have their own furtive plans to make sure he never finds the golden city of Vilcabamba. He also doesn’t know that Héctor Valiente, the freed African slave he appointed as his lieutenant, has found a portal that will lead them all into a world that will challenge his deepest beliefs. And what he can’t possibly know is that this world will trap him in a war between two eternal enemies, leading him to question everything he has devoted his life to – his command, his Incan princess, his honor, his God.

In the end, he faces the ultimate dilemma: how is it possible to battle your own obsessions . . . to conquer yourself?

Buy Links:

Universal Amazon Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4AM52K

Publisher’s Conquist page: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/roundfire-books/our-books/conquist-novel

Excerpt:

Huarcay had no sense of being watched when he made his way through the darkness. Why would he? He had done this many times since the company left Machu Picchu. The wind had abated and had left a biting chill behind. After entering a small tent on the northern edge of the encampment, he carefully tied the entrance and lit a candle.

He placed a jug of corn beer and a plate of roasted guinea pig at the feet of a dark figure propped up on a low wooden bench. “I’ve brought you fresh chicha, Grandfather, and the cuy has been cooked in the earth oven until it’s soft and sweet.”

The dark figure seemed to nod in response as it contemplated Huarcay with bottomless eyes.

“We’ve finally had the news we have been waiting for, Grandfather,” said Huarcay. “The chaski has been sighted and the bearded ones are preparing to follow.”

He reached down and started taking off the dark figure’s sandals. “But as usual, I’m too absorbed in my own concerns, Grandfather. How are you? Have the servants still been treating you well?”

He held one of the figure’s feet in his hands and started rubbing it. “You’re cold, Grandfather. I’ll ask the servants to bring you an extra blanket.”

The figure’s grimace was almost a smile.

“I’m at the crossroad now, Grandfather. There’s no path back from this decision. I need to know what I’m doing is right.”

He reached out for the figure’s desiccated hand and kissed it. “Whisper the words to me.”

Huarcay stood up and leaned forward, his cheek touching the mummy of his long-dead grandfather. He lowered his voice so that not even the wind could capture it. “Grandfather, give me your wisdom.”

The air around Huarcay froze and the words echoed inside his head.

You are worthy. Do what will make you great.

Huarcay smiled and kissed the mummy on the lips.

Author Bio:

Dirk Strasser’s epic fantasy trilogy The Books of Ascension—Zenith, Equinox and Eclipse—was published in German and English, and his short stories have been translated into several European languages. “The Doppelgänger Effect” appeared in the World Fantasy Award-winning anthology Dreaming Down Under. He is the co-editor of Australia’s premier science-fiction and fantasy magazine, Aurealis.

Dirk was born in Germany but has lived most of his life in Australia. He has written a series of best-selling school textbooks, trekked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and studied Renaissance history. “Conquist” was first published as a short story in the anthology Dreaming Again (HarperCollins). The serialized version of Conquist was a finalist in the Aurealis Awards Best Fantasy Novel category. Dirk’s screenplay version of Conquist won the Wildsound Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival Best Scene Reading Award and was a featured finalist in the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival and the Creative World Awards.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.dirkstrasser.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DirkStrasser

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054955883297

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-strasser-1249a949/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B00CWMHGHO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203225407-conquist

Dirk’s blog: https://www.dirkstrasser.com/dirks-blog

BOOK TOUR: Amulet’s Rapture by Linnea Tanner

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Book Title: Amulet’s Rapture

Series: (Curse of Clansmen and Kings Book 3)

Author Name: Linnea Tanner

Audiobook Narrator: Kristin James

“Amulet’s Rapture by Linnea Tanner is the story of the survival and transformation of Catrin. The plot is packed with action, politics, corruption, ambition, prophecies, and ancient magic. With a gripping plot, mindblowing storytelling, and unpredictable twists, Amulet’s Rapture by Linnea Tanner is going to be among my top three favorites of this year.” — Ankita Shukla for Readers’ Favorite

Blood stains her Celtic home and kingdom. The warrior Druid princess will do anything to retake her kingdom.

Although Catrin is the rightful heir to the Celtic throne in Britannia, she is lucky to be alive. After witnessing the slaughter of her family at the hands of her half-brother, who was aided by the Romans, she is enslaved by a Roman commander. He disguises her as a boy in the Roman Legion with the belief that she is an oracle of Apollo and can foretell his future. The sole bright spot in her miserable new life is her forbidden lover Marcellus, the great-grandson of the famed Roman General Mark Antony.

But Marcellus has been wounded and his memories of Catrin and their secret marriage were erased by a dark Druidess. Though Marcellus reunites with Catrin in Gaul and becomes her ally as she struggles to survive the brutality of her Roman master, he questions the legitimacy of their marriage and hesitates to help her escape and retake her kingdom. If their forbidden love and alliance are discovered, her dreams of returning to her Celtic home with Marcellus will be shattered.

Book Trailer on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjYCvgdKzQI

Buy Links:

Amulet’s Rapture isavailable to read on #KindleUnlimited.

*Amulet’s Rapture is free on Kindle on October 17th – 21st, 2024*

Universal Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/Amulets-Rapture-Book3

Universal Buy Links for Individual Books in Curse of Clansmen and Kings series:

Apollo’s Raven (Book 1): https://books2read.com/Apollos-Raven

Dagger’s Destiny (Book 2): https://books2read.com/Daggers-Destiny-Book2

Amulet’s Rapture (Book 3): https://books2read.com/Amulets-Rapture-Book3

Skull’s Vengeance (Book 4): https://books2read.com/Skulls-Vengeance-Book4

Series Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GVCZJ8M

Author Bio:

Award-winning author, Linnea Tanner, weaves Celtic tales of love, magical adventure, and political intrigue in Ancient Rome and Britannia. Since childhood, she has passionately read about ancient civilizations and mythology. She is particularly interested in the enigmatic Celts, who were reputed as fierce warriors and mystical Druids.

Linnea has extensively researched ancient and medieval history, mythology, and archaeology and has traveled to sites described within each of her books in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series. Books released in her series include Apollo’s Raven (Book 1), Dagger’s Destiny (Book 2), Amulet’s Rapture (Book 3), and Skull’s Vengeance (Book 4). She has also released the historical fiction short story Two Faces of Janus.

A Colorado native, Linnea attended the University of Colorado and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry. She lives in Fort Collins with her husband and has two children and six grandchildren.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.linneatanner.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/linneatanner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linnea.tanner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linnea-tanner-a021932b/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linneatanner/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@linneatanner

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/linneatanner/_created/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linnea-tanner

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linnea-Tanner/e/B01N6YEM04

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16474282.Linnea_Tanner

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: To Find a Killer by Leah Brewer

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A Natural State Murder Mystery, Book 1

 

Murder Mystery

Date to be Published: 10-04-2024

 

 

When Atlanta Detective, Tammy Sharp’s past collides with her present, it’s
a wild ride of bullets, broken hearts, and chilling mysteries.

In her hometown of Pocahontas, Arkansas, she faces not just her ex, Jace
Eubanks, but also a dangerous killer on the prowl.

With murders old and new intertwining, Tammy faces a choice: team up with
her ex or let justice slip away.

As the clock ticks down to a sinister ultimatum, will Tammy outsmart the
sociopath or fall prey to a deadly game of cat and mouse?

 

 

Author Interview

  1. Tell us about your current release
    1. “To Find a Killer” tells Tammy Sharp’s story. She is a determined detective in Atlanta who overcame the loss of her father. Despite facing tough challenges, including being injured in the line of duty and losing her uncle Ellis, Tammy returns to her hometown of Pocahontas in search of peace. However, she is unexpectedly confronted by her ex, Jace Eubanks, and a dangerous killer on the loose. This book isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s also about love, forgiveness, moral dilemmas, small-town living, and more.
  1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
    1. I wanted to write when I was still in high school, but I let life get in the way. I realized that I wanted to take it seriously after healing from Ovarian Cancer in 2019.

3. Have you published any previous books?

    1. Yes, my first two works are titled The Hidden and The Missing (Moon Lake Series). I also have a Christian Romance series (Seeds of Faith) that includes Keatyn’s Journey, Sylvia’s Journey, and Frankie’s Journey. I have a Historical Fiction novel titled Petunia 1949.
  1. What can we expect to see from you in the future, any books on the backburner?
    1. Oh yes! I am working on two novels: the fourth in my Seeds of Faith series titled Lottie’s Journey and the second in A Natural Stare Murder Mystery series (title pending). Lottie’s Journey will tell the story of Lottie McKenna, a woman who has been addicted to drugs and alcohol since her teenage years. It will be a raw look at how addiction not only affects the person but also their family, specifically Lottie’s daughter, Rhnae. We will see how Lottie handles her struggles and deals with the aftermath of damaged relationships, insecurities and more. Stay tuned for more info on both books!
  1. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    1. Study my Bible. I also love to travel and spend time outdoors. My family means the world to me, and spending time with them is my main priority.
  1. Did you learn anything from writing your book? What was it?
    1. I learned that the story doesn’t have to be all about the protagonist. I feel that To Find a Killer features my strongest character development out of all my novels.
  1. Some writers have something playing in the background, do you and what?
    1. I do not. Not that I’m opposed to it, but I do most of my writing in the early morning hours, so I like to drink coffee and write in silence.
  1. Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps something not many people know about?
    1. Hmm… I am an open book for the most part. One thing not many people know is that I am a closet Justin Bieber fan…
  1. What do you hope your writing brings to your readers?
    1. I hope that when people read my books, they can escape whatever they have going on in their lives, even if it’s just for a little while.

Excerpt

IF THERE WAS ONE thing Tammy Gail Sharp had learned over the past ten years as an Atlanta homicide detective, it was never to hesitate when facing a killer. Then what would cause her to stand there like a fool instead of pulling the trigger? Because Chip Reeker looked young enough to be her child. The child she’d never have.

The basement in the home Chip shared with his grandmother reminded Tammy of the sauna she frequented at the gym – tiny and hot enough to melt a bucket of Rocky Road ice cream in seconds. Sweat clung to her scalp, and she had no doubt her chestnut hair looked as greasy as Chip’s bleached blonde locks.

His right hand shook as it clung to the pistol. His open-mouth breathing caused his chest to move up and down. Despite his bloodshot eyes, Chip’s round face almost looked angelic as his finger twitched on the trigger of the 22-caliber pistol in his short, plump hand.

“There’s no need for anyone to get hurt,” Tammy said, her eyes working to align with Chip’s. ”Your grandmother asked me to stop by to talk to her.”

A tendon in Chip’s neck twitched before he adjusted his view downward. “She was going to fill your head with lies.”  The bulge of his throat rippled with every swallow.

She didn’t want to believe he’d shoot her. He hadn’t even been on her radar as a suspect in his father’s murder – not with his solid alibi. Now that they’d made an arrest, what could be the reason? And where was his grandmother?

About the Author

Leah Brewer writes all kinds of things.

Sometimes, she writes Christian Fiction (Seeds of Faith Series). Other
times it’s Historical Fiction (Petunia 1949). Right now, it’s
all about murder. The first novel in her Natural State Murder Mystery
series, To Find a Killer, is set to release this October.

In 2019, after an Ovarian Cancer diagnosis, Leah decided to pursue her
passion for writing. Being cancer-free, she now revels in her life as an
author.

With an extensive 28-year career that encompasses diverse leadership roles
in a Fortune 500 company, Leah brings an authentic perspective to her
storytelling.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook: @writingleahbrewer

Twitter: @leahlbrewerr

Goodreads

Instagram: @writingleahbrewer

 

 

Purchase Today

 

 

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BOOK TOUR: Immortal Wounds by Angie Barton

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SPOOKY COOKIES 
I LOVE baking, especially around the holidays!
Every October I make these amazing double chocolate  chip cookies and it’s easy to say that they are a hit  with both children and adults! They are soft and chewy  with just the right amount of chocolate, but it’s the candy eyeballs that are the star of the show!
INGREDIENTS
• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed
• optional: black food coloring
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup + 2 Tbsp. Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 Tbsp. milk
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)
• Candy Eyeballs for topping the cookies
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugars. You can add black food coloring at this time to get a deeper shade of black in the cookies. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Blend in the egg and vanilla, scrape down the bowl if needed.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in the mixer on low speed just until mixed. Mix in the milk on the lowest speed and fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Roll about 2 tablespoons of dough into balls and place on the baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Top cookies with candy eyeballs.
Place cookie sheet in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Bake for 10-11 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. ENJOY!
 

Immortal Wounds

Immortal Wounds Series
Book One
Angie Barton
 
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Magical Realism
Publisher: Angie Barton 
Date of Publication: April 22, 2022
ISBN: 979-8990647206
ASIN: BOD9XTF25K
Number of pages: 392
Word Count: 93,000
Cover Artist: Donnell McKenzie
 
Tagline: Did Isobel make an error in landing in the wrong time, or was it part of her destiny?
 
Book Description: 
 
After witnessing the brutal deaths of her mother and husband, Isobel overhears a confession from one of the murderers, a ruthless vampire who claims to be her father. For fear that she and her unborn daughter’s death could come next, Isobel uses the only magic she possesses and summons a portal to take her two hundred years in the past to revisit an ancestor in Scotland who she believes may know the truth of her parentage. However, in her haste, Isobel lands in the wrong century. Before she realizes her mistake, she stumbles upon a family: a ferocious Highland warrior and his two sisters.
 
Isobel could not have prepared herself for what she discovers during her stay: the vampire who claimed to be her father, alive three hundred years in the past! With the help of Meg, the youngest sister, and Mariam, both women’s ancestor, Isobel finds herself belonging in a world she never dreamed of—one entangled with vampires and webbed with revenge, curses, and a prophecy that has dictated all of their lives for the last four hundred years. 
 
Did Isobel make an error landing in the wrong time, or was it part of her destiny?
 
Amazon
 

 

About the Author:

 
Award winning author, Angie Barton, published her first novel, Immortal Wounds, in 2022. Angie’s love for writing centers around the fantasy genre, but she also enjoys writing thriller and romance. Her passion for reading, which led to her love of writing, began in elementary school with the Scholastic Book program. Her parents, who are life-long avid readers, have been a huge influence on her reading. Therefore anything and everything Angie could get her hands on she read.
 
Angie has been an early childhood educator since 1986 and hold a B.S. in Child Development. Her love for literacy has continued throughout her career, not only for herself, but also with the children she has cared for and taught. What Angie is most passionate about is helping others discover the excitement that reading brings. Her greatest desire in writing is to create and bring joy and entertainment to everyone she touches.
 
Currently, if Angie isn’t reading at least three books at a time or working on a rough draft for her next book, she can be found outdoors gardening, woodworking, or relaxing by her pond. She shares that she’s a Capricorn, tried and true, drinks way too much tea, and that her “to be read” pile of books can spike at any time.
 
 
 
 
 

 

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BOOK TOUR & REVIEW: The Gulf by Shelly Campbell

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We have the quintessential spooky read for you this month! Check out Gulf by Shelly Campbell, and the newly released sequel, Breach!

Gulf (Dark Walker Series Book 1)

Publication Date: July 2024

Genre: Horror/ Sci-Fi

A lonely teen discovers a new door in his family’s old summer cottage and unknowingly opens a portal to a terrifying world.

All my life they told me monsters weren’t real. They were dead wrong.

Hello. My name is David Rawlingson Junior and I’ve accidentally opened a door into Hell.

When my brothers and I found the locked door to the newly built extension on our rental cottage, the race to find the key was on. Little did I know that exploring the room beyond would create a bridge to countless alternate realities where humans have been eradicated. Ravenous creatures stalk the night, and they want nothing more than to get onto my side and feast.

But time is running out. I can’t get the bridge to break, and the more time I spend on the wrong side of the door digging for clues, the more I fade in my world.

Whatever these creatures are, I’m the only thing in their way. Shit.

Get ready for the re-release of this creepy, disturbing and intense novel by Shelly Campbell.
Including a brand new BONUS Novella taking place after the events of that fateful day.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

MY REVIEW – 4 1/2 stars

New to me author. That being said, I really love horror stories, and this was one was short enough I could squeeze it into my tight schedule. Don’t let the page count fool you. It’s a very well-written, fast-paced story that will keep you glued to the pages. The author didn’t skimp on details, and writes in a descriptive way that makes you feel as if you’re in the story. I found myself rooting for David, and sad over how he felt invisible to his family. But the world beyond the door was everything I hoped it would be. I don’t do spoilers so you’ll have to read the story to find out more. Very enjoyable read!

*Disclaimer: I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review. The review above is only my opinion. 

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BOOK TOUR: The Ripper of Bedeville by C. Hebert

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It’s release day and that means The Ripper of Bedeville by C. Hebert is LIVE! It comes on the heels of the first anniversary of The House of Whispers, so happy book birthday to the author as well!

The Ripper of Bedeville (Living Nightmares)

Publication Date: October 13, 2024

Genre: Dark Fantasy Horror/ Novella

After the horrific murders committed by The Ripper of Bedeville, Casper finds herself locked away in an asylum, enduring endless mental and physical torture. It isn’t until she is brutally pushed beyond her mental capacity that her sanity breaks, unlocking an unstoppable chaos that guides her to a new world.

This novella sequels the characters, story, and timeline of The House of Whispers and contains spoilers. It is advised that you read The House of Whispers first.

Reader caution is advised as there are no happy endings.

CHECK TRIGGERS

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

THE HOUSE OF WHISPERS

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BOOK TOUR: Tar & Bone by Debbie Iancu-Haddad

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We’re back in Achten Tan, but this time we are going back in time with new characters and a new adventure! Check out Tar & Bone by Debbie Iancu-Haddad!

Tar and Bone (The Sands of Achten Tan Book 1)

Publication Date: August 24, 2024

Genre YA Fantasy Adventure (Ages 12 to 18)

* Magic
* Adventure
* Disability & LGBTQ rep
* Friendly Giant ants!
* Non-European Setting
* A weird Desert town in a ribcage.
*No spice 🚫 🌶️🚫

Thirteen-year-old Kamal has been waiting his whole life to join the An’chers – the giant ant riders who protect the desert town of Achten Tan. Despite his disability, a crooked leg caused by a childhood injury, he’s determined to succeed in the try outs and become a cadet. To overcome the challenge, he strikes a bargain with an unexpected ally.

D’or is a half-elf with a dark secret. When the young giant Tar-tule rider agrees to help Kamal, his hazardous magic and the enemies it attracts put both boys in harm’s way.

Now they must evade the fanatic high elves who see D’or’s very existence as an abomination, and the dread sorcerer C’naga, whose interest in the boy threatens to lead them both down a dark path, from which there is no return.

Tar and Bone is a standalone prequel story to Speechless in Achten Tan. It includes themes of friendship, coming of age, and making tough choices. PG content is suitable for younger teen readers.

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BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Devil in the Desert by Russel James

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In 1942, Major Ray Hawkins must assemble a unit of civilians and military to keep the Nazis from releasing a desert djinn against the Allied forces in North Africa. They will have to employ conventional warfare and unconventional witchcraft to accomplish the mission.

Devil in the Desert

Office of Supernatural Directives Book 1

by Russell James

Genre: Historical Horror

It is 1942 and a secret group within the Nazi SS is on the hunt for objects of the occult, hoping to harvest their power for wonder weapons to win the war. Its leader, Gruppenfuhrer Karl Weitz, has more than military might behind him. He has recruited the Ochre Witch, an Eastern European sorceress capable of adapting what they seize to serve the Reich’s needs.

Only one team can stop the Axis powers from winning World War II. Army Major Ray Hawkins is tasked with creating the Office of Supernatural Directives to stop these fanatics. He assembles a team that includes a female WASP pilot, an enlisted man with a passion for language and puzzles, a mysterious American ex-pat from the French Foreign Legion, and a young Romany woman who will need to embrace the mystic Gypsy teachings she’s spent her life despising. Their first mission unfolds in Tunisia, where Weitz and the Ocher Witch plan to release a djinn the locals call the Devil in the Desert. It wields the power to spread debilitating fear. If Major Hawkins and his band cannot stop the djinn, it will sow panic among the Americans and Rommel’s Afrika Korps will crush the invasion force. But Hawkins’ new team has many weaknesses, and Weitz and the Ocher Witch will exploit every one of them to win.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

John paced back and forth a few yards from his truck, uncertain what to do.

Through his connection to the djinn, John knew it had been at work on Rommel all day.

Had that given the Allies enough time to take the initiative and turn the tide? He had no idea what the logistics were to get a routed army from the defense to the offense. But he knew the power of the American fighting spirit, and once the djinn stopped crushing it, that had to count for a lot.

“You have no idea what you are doing,” a raspy woman’s voice said.

He looked up to see a ghostly figure of the Ochre Witch floating a foot off the ground a few yards away. Her cape swirled at the edges though there was no breeze.

How could she find me? John thought. Daciana’s hex bag…

…was in the German uniform shirt I’d shed.

“I warned you that you were walking into your own execution, and now you have. You can’t control the power the ring wields. It wasn’t made for the weak, the ignorant. Can’t you feel it burning you away inside right now?”

John did feel weak. He attributed it to hunger or lack of sleep. Was the power of the ring chewing him up inside? He could imagine his organs darkening and shutting down.

“Weitz could barely manage it,” she said. “And you know you aren’t half the man he is. If someone chopped your fingers off, you’d be crying in a corner, not fighting back like he did. This thing will consume you soon, and leave a shriveled corpse behind.”

“Then I guess I’ll die saving American lives,” John said.

“I’d rather not wait for that to get my ring.”

John ran for the side of the truck where he’d abandoned his Axis uniform in a pile. He grabbed the shirt with the hex bag in the pocket.

The witch rushed toward him. But at several feet away, she slammed to a stop like she’d hit an invisible wall. She looked confused, then enraged. She pressed forward again, but got no further. She snarled in fury. Then she closed her eyes and raised one hand. She reopened her eyes.

“A hex bag? That’s what stopped me back at that estate as well. Found some protection, have you?”

John smiled in relief. “A little.”

“You will find it is very little indeed.”

The witch backed off and swept her hands across the ground before her. She uttered a few lines of an unintelligible incantation.

The sand at his feet shifted. A yellow scorpion several inches long emerged. It flexed its pincers at him. The stinger on its curled tail quivered.

Then a wide arc of sand surrounding him stirred. An army of scorpions crawled to the surface. A yards-wide writhing carpet of pincers and stingers blocked any escape.

“Your hallucinations can’t hurt me,” John said.

“These aren’t hallucinations.”

A scorpion scrambled forward and jumped on the toe of his leather boot. John stomped it with his other heel. Scorpion splattered all over his shoes. The insects were indeed real.

“One sting is painful,” the witch said. “A hundred would be living hell. For the few moments you stayed alive, that is.

Russell R. James was raised on Long Island, New York and spent too much time watching Chiller, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, and Dark Shadows, despite his parents’ warnings. Bookshelves full of Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe didn’t make things better. He graduated from Cornell University and the University of Central Florida.

After flying helicopters with the U.S. Army and a career as a technical writer, he now spins twisted tales best read in daylight, including horror thrillers Dark Inspiration, Q Island, and The Playing Card Killer. He authored the Grant Coleman Adventures series starting with Cavern of the Damned and the Ranger Kathy West series starting with Claws. He resides in sunny Florida. His wife reads his work, rolls her eyes, and says “There is something seriously wrong with you.”

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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BOOK TOUR: Vicious Luna by C.J. Primer

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Welcome to the book tour for Vicious Luna by C.J. Primer! Read on for more details!

Vicious Luna: An Enemies to Lovers Wolf Shifter Romance
(Shadowed Heirs Book Four)
Publication Date: September 17, 2024

Genre: PNR/ Shifters

  • Fated Mates
  • PNR (Wolf Shifters)
  • Enemies to Lovers
  • Forced Proximity
  • Hostage Situation
  • Strong FMC who takes no shit
  • Morally grey MMC
  • Primal play
  • Secrets & Lies

I usually dance on bars, not find myself waking up behind them.

I’m in a cell, captured by the enemy that has been hunting my kind for the past decade. They’re holding me hostage to use for leverage in their sick extermination effort, forcing me to live through my worst nightmare and subjecting me to unspeakable horrors. While a lesser woman would give up, I’ll stop at nothing to find a way to escape this place, even if it means crossing a few lines.

The guy who’s keeping me under lock and key is stone cold, but there’s no mistaking the way he looks at me. As much as he hates himself for it, he wants me, and that’s something I can work with.

Little by little, I’ll let him get closer. I’ll make him believe I’m playing his game while setting a honey trap he can’t help but get caught in. He’ll think he’s breaking me down, but I’ll just be biding my time, waiting for an opening to shove a knife in his back and set myself free.

There’s only one problem with my plan, though…

There’s a fine line between love and hate.

Vicious Luna is book four in the Shadowed Heirs series, a collection of paranormal romance novels centered around a group of aligned packs of wolf shifters. These books contain mature content (steamy scenes!), frequent use of profanity, and darker themes. While each book in the series concludes with a HEA for the main couple featured, there are some loose ends concerning the overarching storyline that runs throughout the entire five-book series. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone. The first three books in the series are available on KU.

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TRIGGERS:

This book contains darker themes that may be triggering for some readers. Possible triggers include, but are not limited to: bullying, kidnapping, hostage situation, emotional blackmail, manipulation, dubious consent, rough sex, primal play, graphic violence, blood, gore, use of firearms, death, threat of sexual assault (not between MCs), anxiety, depression, and thoughts of self-harm. I have tried to handle all of these with care, and this story WILL have a happy ending. It’s just a rough road to get there, but if anyone can go through hell and come out stronger on the other side, it’s Avery. I hope you enjoy her story.

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Surviving the Summit Conference by Jon Kaczka

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Everyone can achieve success through the Summit Conference.

They just need to follow one rule:

There’s no escape.

Surviving the Summit Conference

by Jon Kaczka

Genre: Horror

Everyone can achieve success through the Summit Conference. They just need to follow one rule: There’s no escape.

In the luxurious and prestigious Beburoa Hotel, the Summit Conference promises to help attendees achieve their dreams.

Meet five unlikely individuals who have come to the conference. An Asian American single mom with a talent for social media hopes to launch a corporate marketing career. An unemployed dad is determined use his new MBA to leave behind his impoverished upbringing in a West Virginia trailer park. And a trio of influencers, including a fake televangelist, a thrill-seeking rock climber, and a laid-back stoner, accidentally stumble into the conference. Little do they know, the conference is a trap set by the enigmatic Chairman, Abigor, to manipulate and exploit them. As Abigor’s deadly intentions come to light, the attendees must confront their deepest fears and fight for their survival. Don’t miss out on this heart-pumping and suspenseful read. Find out who will survive the Summit Conference from hell.

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What inspired you to write this book?

I used to go to a lot of conferences for work, and I didn’t like it. While I don’t mind traveling for vacation, I realized I don’t like traveling for work. Also, I heard some stupid stuff at these conferences. Usually, 90% of the conference was focused on professional development, but 10% of the conference was a circle jerk. The exact ratio varies, depending on the conference, but there’s always a chunk of time devoted to people patting themselves on the back and saying how smart they are. Eventually, I started to imagine being trapped at a never-ending conference as a type of torture. And of course, the conference in Surviving the Summit Conference is 99% circle jerk. I’m the kind of person who has an overactive mind, but that doesn’t mean I’m naturally productive. When I let my mind wander, I tend to overthink every aspect of my life and make myself miserable. But it can be fun to focus my attention on imaginary problems. Like, how can I draw from my own life and experiences to make an awful conference that will make fictional characters miserable? Writing Surviving the Summit Conference was a fun way to externalize my anxiety. It was strangely cathartic to write about fictional characters getting brutally murdered. I spent a lot of time writing while on business trips. I wrote on airplanes. I’d go to a conference during the day, and then in the evening, when other people are at a reception, I’d sit in my hotel room and write my book. Parts of the book are inspired by stupid things I heard people say at conferences. Parts of the scenery were inspired by my surroundings. There’s at least one description of a carpet that was simply me describing the carpet in my hotel room as I typed.

Jon Kaczka is the author of Surviving the Summit Conference. 

He lives in Maryland with his wife and daughter.

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