Sunday, October 23, 2016

Blog Tour: Temple of the Exploding Head Trilogy by Ren Garcia



Welcome back to Author Ren Garcia with his Trilogy today!




The Dead Held Hands - In the ruins of a distant castle, a light comes on signaling the end of everything...

Kabyl, son of the famed Captain Davage, discovers the world around him is not as it seems. His beloved is a haunted woman full of secrets. She looks over shoulder at things that are not there and dread's the dark. What is she so afraid of? The Dead hold hands, they say, and lend the living their power. Will they hold hands for Lord Kabyl as he ventures into the unknown?

The Machine - The Temple of the Exploding Head Saga continues...
Lord Kabyl of Blanchefort, his cousins Sarah and Phillip and their friend Lord Lon of Probert quest to recover the three pieces of a fabled machine lost for centuries: The Oberphilliax. Their quest will take them beyond the safety of the League to the Xaphan city of Waam where an ancient Black Hat and her vile army of Spectre henchmen await their arrival with great anticipation
The Temple of the Exploding Head - A God In His Temple Is Invincible. An outlaw and evil spirit, the Horned God confronts the gods themselves. From his Temple deep in the ground he is finally ready to act.

Lord Kabyl of Blanchefort returns to his home with the pieces of The Machine in hand. He expects his love, Lady Sammidoran, will return to begin their life together as man and woman at last. However, the Horned God has other ideas and he pursues Lady Sammidoran without pause. As Lord Kabyl seeks to save his love from an insane god, all roads lead to the dreaded Temple of the Exploding Head, where none emerge alive. Elsewhere, Captain Davage and his Countess, Sygillis, find themselves lost deep in enemy territory where the Horned God's horrific servants hold sway. Even if the Captain and Countess manage to return home to Kana, what will they find when they arrive? The Temple of the Exploding Head saga concludes in this action-filled adventure of love and loss. In a place where even the gods fear to tread, how can naught but a tragedy be the outcome?





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Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature. Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood, he also has a passion for caving, urban archeology and architecture. His highly imaginative "League of Elder" book series is published by Loconeal Publishing

  



Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Amazon ~



Top Ten List

10:  Ren was once engaged to a woman 25 years his elder.
9:    Ren visited New York City and admired the World Trade Center towers just a month or so before the tragedy of 9/11.
8:    The FBI once put a gun in Ren's face.
7:    Bad hearts run in Ren's family. He's already outlived most of his paternal grandfathers, all of whom died in their 30's.
6:    Ren's poor eyesight went undiagnosed until he was in the 3rd grade. Up until that point, he was considered "mentally challenged".
5:    Ren broke his neck playing volleyball in college.
4:    Ren often sleeps on the floor, finding it more comfortable than the bed.
3:    Ren was once held at gunpoint and frisked by the guards of the Prince of Saudi Arabia.
2:    Ren was introduced to his wife via Match Makers International.
1:    In a vast extended family of exclusively brown-eyed people, Ren somehow managed to get blue eyes.



To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



Friday, October 14, 2016

Book Blitz: Don't Fall by Rachel Shieffelbein




Rachel grew up in a tiny town in Minnesota. She still lives there with her husband, their four kids, three cats, and a perfectly overweight black lab. She coaches high school speech and theater, rides Arabian horses, reads as much as she can, and writes stories.




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In this modern day retelling of Rapunzel, Anya has her books, her photography, and her daydreams. She doesn’t think she needs anything else.

She lives in a house on the edge of town with her adopted mother, who goes to extreme measures to keep her daughter safe. Anya doesn’t even go to school, but instead has a private tutor. Anya tries not to acknowledge her loneliness; she puts her efforts into pleasing her mom, and gives her heart to her stories, secretly wishing for a story of her own.

Then one day at the library, the only place she's allowed to go, she takes a picture of a beautiful boy.

Before long she's lying to her mom, and sneaking out late at night to meet Zander. But Zander wants more than a secret romance. If Anya wants to be with the boy of her dreams, she will have to risk her relationship with the only other person she's ever cared about.







To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 



Monday, August 1, 2016

Book Review: The Librarian Shoots a Gun by Amber Gilchrist



Audrey Scott is more upset for her jilted cousin than for the best man who supposedly disappeared and caused the cancellation of the wedding. That is, until the cops come around looking for him on suspicion of murder. When that very same best man, Foster McGuire, ends up bleeding in Audrey's closet, she has no choice but to try and get him off the hook for a crime he didn't commit. 

Too bad there's too many people, from an irritating homicide detective who's way too attractive for Audrey's own good, right to mob bosses, who don't want to see Foster McGuire tell his story. Audrey is no detective. In fact, she's a children's librarian. However, there's always room for some good old investigation work between story times, and she's going to use the skills she knows to follow a trail that starts with murder and ends with betrayal, with a whole lot of guns in between.





Amber Gilchrist lives in New Mexico with her husband and five children. She writes mysteries and LDS Romantic Comedies. Under the name Aimee Gilchrist, she writes mysteries and suspense.  She calls her lifetime of jumping from one job to another 'experience' for her books and not an inability to settle down. Amber loves mysteries and a good, happy romance. She also loves to laugh. Sometimes she likes all of them together. 

A fan of quirky movies and indie books, Amber likes to be with her family, is socially inept, and fears strangers and small yippy dogs. She alternates between writing and being a mom and wife. She tries to do both at the same time but her kids don't appreciate being served lunch and told, "This is the hot dog of your discontent." So mostly she writes when everyone else is in bed. 

Amber loves to hear from readers and can be reached at ambergilchristbooks@gmail.com 

If you would like to be added to her newsletter please email your address to be notified about future releases and events!

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So, here comes the part where I finally get to gush about this book. Because yes, I LOVED it!
Five stars for sure.

When Audrey Scott's sister's wedding is called up because the best man is missing, and accused of murder, she can't sit still. Especially not when a pair of hard core cops come around, accusing her of knowing the suspect and harboring him from the law. Of course she has to set the record straight, but with her diminutive size, and not exactly the best detective skills, she's at a decided disadvantage. And when both cops try to play to both her good and bad side, it becomes unclear who exactly she should trust.

This book is a mystery set in the least likely place imaginable, which is totally cool. Amber weaves a very interesting tale of confusion, lies, illusions, and interesting situations. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. The characters are well written, flaws and all, because what's a good character without a few flaws? I mean, come on! And our heroine has many flaws, but they only make her more amazing.

The pacing was great. My husband actually got a bit jealous of how much time I devoted to reading this book simply because I could not put it down.

I do have one complaint, though, we NEED more! A sequel! Something! There is so much a love interest in here, can't tell you who with, but come on! Couldn't they at least do a bit more at the end?! Don't leave me hanging and write a sequel soon! Please?



Excerpt:

 I stood, hoping that would make him back up some, since I was now on his level. It didn’t
make him less intimidating. He was still like seventy-two inches taller than me. “I already had
this conversation with Pennyworth.” 
Smith moved close enough that I could have touched him if I raised my hand. My plan
clearly wasn’t working. Now I wished I had remained seated, since he only could have gotten so
close if we were level. I focused my attention on the middle button of his white and blue striped
dress shirt, refusing to give any indication that he made me nervous. I knew a predator when I
saw one, and I knew that weakness made a predator strike. I would show none. 
“What did Pennyworth tell you?” 
“If I see Foster, tell Pennyworth first. You’re trying to send Foster to the big house on a
way train to setupville, blah, blah, blah. Since neither of you are remotely interested in hearing
that I don’t know Foster McGuire, let alone have some deep and abiding relationship with him,
I’m not surprised that you’re doing this shtick, too.” 
“Okay, listen to me, Audrey.” The words were low, intense, and spoken slowly as though
to emphasize every single syllable. I couldn’t help but look up at him. Everything about him was
designed to ensure he wasn’t questioned. “This is very important. For the love of all that is holy,
do not tell Pennyworth first.” 
I raised my eyebrows, shaking off the daze his words and attitude left me in. “Well,
Pennyworth went for the sympathy factor. I guess you’re going in for dramatics.” 
He flinched slightly. At least, I thought he did. It was kind of hard to tell with the
sunglasses and the static features. “I wasn’t trying to be dramatic. I’m just saying. Pennyworth is
my partner. What’s more he’s the senior partner. But he’s about to retire, and a big collar would
be a great way to go out in a blaze of glory. That’s all I’m saying.” 
“What do you care anyway? What if Pennyworth is looking to score a big arrest? It’s not
like Foster’s your friend.” 
He didn’t answer for a long second, and seemed to find something of interest somewhere
to my left. “Let’s just say that I’m a big fan of justice.” 
I had no idea what to make of that. “Okay, Batman. If Foster McGuire comes to me,
maybe I’ll let you know.” 
His mouth twitched. “I suppose that’ll have to do.” 
There was a long moment of silence between us. He looked down at me, his head cocked
to the side like he was considering something. A gust of wind gave me the shivers suddenly,
even though it was brutally hot. The scent of Smith carried on the breeze, like wood smoke and
spices, even though I didn’t have clue where he could have been exposed to open flame.
A woman called shrilly for her twins, unfortunately named Derek and Eric. The kids
ignored her, but Smith jerked his head in her direction as if by compulsion. His upper lip
twitched, but otherwise there was no reaction from him. Not that I could tell, because he was
still wearing those stupid aviator sunglasses. Just like always. 
“Why do you wear those, anyway?” 
He glanced back to me, seeming suddenly surprised to see me. “What?” 
“The glasses. You wear them inside, too. It’s really weird and rebellious. Especially since
everything else about you is so…laced up.” 
The corner of his mouth twisted. I wasn’t sure if it was trying to be a smile or a frown.
Whatever it was, the expression never really manifested. “It’s because…well, it’s because of my
eyes.” 
“Like, they’re sensitive to the sun or something?” 
This time I was pretty sure the twist was supposed to be a smile. “No. They make
people…uncomfortable. I was very aware of the discomfort others were experiencing when they
looked at me, and especially of how memorable that discomfort was. I can’t wear contacts. I
have an allergy to the polymers. It’s just easier to wear the glasses.” 
I cocked my head. I remembered his eyes as being strange, but not so weird as to leave
people with lasting bad feelings. Had I forgotten something? Maybe. Our meeting was a little
fuzzy now. Or maybe it was just him being sensitive. 
“Are you sure that’s why you made them uncomfortable? You are a little…intense.” 
He was silent for a moment and then pulled off the glasses, meeting my eyes head on. For
a second, I was just shocked to find him looking at me so intently. I pulled in a hard breath,
struggling to remain impassive and make a scientific perusal of his eyes. I raised mine, making a
point to take in every detail. The irises were pale and silvery. I remembered that. I hadn’t
noticed the rest, though, in my aunt’s parlor. The color was hardly darker than the whites around
it, shot through with hints of soft bluish lavender and an occasional injection of a darker
cornflower blue near the pupils. Fringed with dark lashes, they were incongruous and, he was
right, strange. A little disconcerting. 
So incredibly beautiful. 
Breath caught in my throat, struggling for some way to release. My temple thumped,
reminding me of the desperate need to inhale. When I did, it was a low gasp, nothing that would
normally come out of my throat. His pupils expanded instantly, darkening his eyes to almost a
normal blue. My pulse thumped violently at my throat, like a wild animal struggling to get out. 
Why did he have to be so hot? Why, why, why? 
I tore my eyes away, desperate to meet anything but his gaze. At some point I’d either
moved to closer to him, or he’d moved in my direction. I didn’t even know which it was. How
did that even happen? I backed away, the pits of my knees banging into park bench. Was I out of
my mind? 
“Well, anyway, I don’t know anything,” I blurted out, practically yelling. It came out of
nowhere, nothing but a lame attempt to get him out of my space before I made myself sorry. 
He blinked, the first overt sign of confusion I’d ever seen in him. Really, of anything at
all, except annoyance. 
“Of course.” He stepped away from me. It didn’t read like he was nervous, disconcerted,
as confused as I was. I felt the distance keenly. I repeated not my type a few dozen times in my
head, just to reinforce it. Then added not Mormon in case my type didn’t give a crap if he fit
there.
 


To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page