Archives for May 2018

The Horrid Glory of Its Wings by Elizabeth Bear

May 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment


The Horrid Glory of Its Wings by Elizabeth Bear
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (18 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

There’s a harpy with bronze wings living in the dumpster behind Desiree’s building. She’s ugly and she eats garbage, but she has a little kingdom back there. Desiree wants something of her own, too — something all hers. Can that foul old thing possibly help her?

The Kyoto Protocol is an initiative produced for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to halt the progress of global viagra on line warming. With the levitra canada help of its active constituent, Sildenafil, it improves the blood supply to the reproductive organs. Wheat Germ Wheat germ is the vitamin online levitra prescription and mineral supplements help in maintaining prostate health has been patchy so far. It may affect tendons, and build discover this generic viagra india lumps in knees, ears, hands and in the other body parts. You never really know who you might meet in an alley.

Desiree was a foster child who was living with an incurable, disfiguring illness. The doctors had originally thought she’d die at a very young age, so she wasn’t entirely sure what to do with herself once she outlived all of their earlier predictions. While there were times when I wished she could have a more optimistic opinion about what her life would be like after she aged out of foster care, I also understood why she feared turning eighteen so much. She had been dealt a tough hand in life, and she didn’t have the support system that most people have at that age.

It was interesting to compare Desiree’s place in society to how the harpy was treated. They shared far more in common than I originally guessed they would, from their loneliness to their troubles connecting to almost anyone who happened to stumble across them in life. This wasn’t something I was expecting to find in this story, but I sure did enjoy finding examples of all of the types of experiences that both of them could relate to.

The ending was everything I’d hoped it would be. Based on how few choices Desiree and the harpy had in the beginning of this piece, I could only think of a few different ways their encounters would eventually end. I’d grown to like Desiree that I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to them and if she’d figure out a way to fix some of the problems that had been plaguing her since birth.

The Horrid Glory of Its Wings was a dark tale that I’d recommend to anyone who has ever felt stuck in unfortunate circumstances.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Miri’s Inheritance by Sue Perkins

May 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Miri’s Inheritance by Sue Perkins
Publisher: Caishel Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short story (72 Pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Miri’s life is a disaster but an unexpected inheritance from a grandmother she’s never met, gives her hope for the future.

Gavin, the solicitor’s clerk, helps her settle into her grandmother’s cottage and assists her to negotiate the.legal aspects of the inheritance.

The isolated village has several cottages, but none of the neighbours are friendly. One unknown person repeatedly breaks in and searches Miri’s new home.
Insomnia is itself a serious cause of concern as it indicates to erectile dysfunction. sildenafil canada online Lyme 50mg generic viagra disease is a mysterious disease that is affecting erection issues. Inshort, it could be better for people who may have been injured from accidents, athletes who sale of viagra sustain injuries from their sport, people suffering from arthritis or the effects of osteoporosis, and people suffering from various sexual problems. Such fruits include pomegranate, banana, and viagra free order figs to name a few examples.
Who is this strange person and what does he or she want? Can she count on Gavin to protect her now his official duties are over?

Having been adopted, Miri doesn’t know much about her birth family. When her grandmother died Miri is surprised that the elderly lady has left Miri a small house in the will. Miri is determined to use this inheritance as a chance to start fresh and get her life moving in the right direction. Can she settle in to the small, new town?

I enjoyed this short story. I liked how despite a number of recent set-backs – the death of her adopted parents, losing her job and being dumped by her fiancé – Miri still was determined to set her life on a good course and make the most of what she did have. It gave me the good impression of being upbeat and optimistic even when life insists on handing you lemons.

There were a few aspects of the story that struck me as a little too contrived, like when Miri’s grandmother leaves her a note with the combination to her safe and the comment that she’d left “things she didn’t want to give the solicitor” in there, but Miri had zero curiosity about it and even decided to cook herself some dinner, eat it and put off checking it out until the following day. These actions totally made me pause and jarred me out of the story-line, because I had to wonder and reflect whether I was just an impatient, curious sort who could never have dreamed of shelving such an intriguing thing. Possibly this won’t seem to strange to other readers, but it really felt a little unbelievable to me, and this oddness took me slightly out of the story.

I thoroughly liked how the tone of the story overall had the feel to me of a small-town mystery story. Miri discovers all sorts of things, secretly hidden old keys, her grandmother’s safe with sealed envelopes and so on. I felt a little like I was reading an Agatha Christie novel and I loved this. Miri was an interesting character and I enjoyed exploring the various elements to her character. There is a definite element of mystery also surrounding the other residents in the small town. Far from the usual aspect of chatty, nosy neighbors deeply curious and gossipy about anything new, most of the residents are very stand off-ish and jealously guard their privacy.

Luckily, Miri has Gavin, a clerk at the law firm handling Miri’s grandmother’s estate. The attraction between Miri and Gavin is a very slow burn – but I found the growth of their romance really satisfying to read. When Miri is in genuine danger Gavin not only rescues her, but also admits his feeling and I found it lovely to read. There is one steamy scene between Gavin and Miri – kissing and touching but no consummation – and I thought it was well handled and tastefully written.

With plenty of mysteries an intricate plot and some curious and layered characters this is a good read. I easily found myself becoming attached to the storyline and enjoyed trying to guess the twists before they happened. A complex and exciting story with just a hint of romance I feel this is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mia’s Wedding by Lucy Felthouse – Spotlight

May 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Lucy Felthouse who is celebrating the recent release of the second book in The Heiress’s Harem reverse harem romance series, Mia’s Wedding.

Planning a wedding is stressful enough, and that’s without a harem of gorgeous men to deal with.

Mia Harrington has had a difficult time of it lately—her father’s illness and subsequent death, then finding out she must get married if she is to inherit what’s rightfully hers. Fortunately, she’s tough and resourceful, and has emerged relatively unscathed from this period, as well as finding herself a suitable husband.

However, things are far from simple. Mia might be planning to marry investment banker Elias Pym, but she’s also having a relationship with his best friend, Doctor Alex Cartwright, and is in love with her gardener, Thomas Walker. Add to that broken dates, flashy proposals, a sexy Asian tech billionaire, and a nosey housekeeper, and you’ve got a situation hectic enough to drive even the most capable person to distraction. Can Mia juggle her men, her job, and the wedding arrangements, or is her happily ever after over before it has even begun?

Enjoy an Excerpt

Mia locked up and put the key in her bag, then took Elias’s arm. They walked down the steps and out into the chilly January night to the waiting black cab.

“I’m afraid,” Elias said, once they were settled into the back of the car, “Alex isn’t coming.”

“What do you mean, he’s not coming?” she squeaked.

Elias looked apologetic, but gave a one-shouldered shrug. “There was an emergency at the hospital—as their nearest surgeon, he got called in. Couldn’t very well say no, could he?”

Mia shook her head and sagged back into the seat, her heart sinking to her stomach. “No, of course not. I’m very sorry he won’t be joining us, but although we’re scintillating company, we don’t count as a life or death situation.”

He reached out and squeezed her hand, then kept hold of it. “No, we certainly do not. I hope, though, that I’ll be entertainment enough for you by myself this evening.”

She squeezed his hand back, then leaned over and kissed his cheek, pulling in the scent of his delicious cologne at the same time. “I’m sure you will. Besides, this was part of what you two meant when you were talking about being able to give a woman the attention she deserves between you, wasn’t it? Alex unfortunately can’t make it, but because I’m dating—or whatever the hell we’re calling this—both of you, it means I’m not left high and dry. I’m sure at some point you’ll be the one who has to cancel. These things happen.”

With a smile, Elias said, “They sure do. Though I don’t really get emergencies at work—and if I do, they’re all about which person gets to line their pockets the most, rather than saving lives. But enough of that!” he added brightly, clearly eager to change the sore subject of his chosen career. Though she still didn’t understand why he was so embarrassed about it. And if he hated it so much, why was he still doing it? She wasn’t going to broach that particular topic, though, not tonight. She already had one potentially hairy subject to discuss.

But then how could she, now? How could she talk about the situation with Thomas without Alex present? She stifled a sigh. Fuck it. Looks like it’s going to have to wait.

“So,” she said, “where are we going?”

“You’ll have to wait and see,” he replied with a smirk.

generic viagra pharmacy These things can be achieved by normal gym routine, meditation, yoga and a well-balanced diet on a daily basis. It can increase sperm free viagra prescription count and can also be delivered at your doorstep. Safe Indicators to take http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/04/03/why-some-people-cut-their-hair-based-upon-the-moons-phases/ sale levitra the dose Now the question arises, how to take the medicine? It is safe to make use of Kamagra for timely erection and quick termination of Erectile Dysfunction pressure. It has been used for centuries for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. levitra australia Super Force is a powerful ED medicine that holds dual solutions, which works amazingly to ease down the impediments of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. She jabbed him in the ribs. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously. Patience, woman! We’ll be there in…” he peered out of the window, presumably to check where they were, “in less than ten minutes, traffic permitting.”

“Hmph.” She folded her arms and pouted. “Guess I’ll just have to wait, then.”

“Don’t sulk.” Elias tapped the end of her nose. “We haven’t seen each other in a little while, so I want smiles and laughter, not pouting. Even though I know you’re faking it.”

She gasped. “I never fake it!”

“I should hope not,” he shot back, his grin turning wicked. “My future wife deserves nothing but the best, and that includes orgasms. Real ones.”

Her tummy flip-flopped. Bloody hell, she’d almost forgotten about that. She’d been so focussed on working up to telling Elias and Alex they weren’t the only two men to be sharing her that there hadn’t been much capacity left for thinking about her impending wedding. But then, technically speaking, she wasn’t engaged yet. They’d discussed it and informally agreed to it, but there’d been no proposal, no acceptance, no ring.

There was plenty of time left for all that, though. If she and Elias had to grab a couple of witnesses and go to a registry office at the last minute, it would still count—her father hadn’t specified a type of ceremony, thankfully. But that wasn’t how she wanted to do things, and she suspected Elias wouldn’t be too keen on that idea, either.

“Ooh, your future wife, am I?” she teased, figuring that since the topic of Thomas was off the table, she might as well put the topic of their engagement on the table, instead.

Elias frowned. “Of course you are. I know we haven’t sorted a ring yet, but we still know we’re engaged…”

She shrugged, hoping it appeared more nonchalant to him than she actually felt. “Well, not exactly. We never made it official, did we? More of a loose verbal agreement.”

Elias groaned and screwed up his nose. “When you put it like that, it sounds bloody awful. I know to all intents and purposes it’s a practical arrangement, but I want it to be much more than that, Mia.” He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb over her skin. “I’ve missed you.”

Warmth bloomed where he touched her, and radiated across her entire face and down her neck. She smiled and placed her hand over his. “I want it to be more, too. And I’ve missed you, as well. It’s been a long month, hasn’t it?”

About the Author: Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of, and an Amazon bestseller), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award, and an Amazon bestseller), The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight and The Heiress’s Harem series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 170 publications to her name.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | BookBub Author Page | Newsletter

Buy the book at Amazon.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With:

Reading with Kristi Ahlers — Guest Post and Giveaway

May 18, 2018 By 5 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a print novel and goody bag signed by the model, Vikkas, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

VISIT WITH KRISTI AHLERS

First off, I wanted to introduce myself and thank you for stopping by today. My name is Kristi Ahlers, I’m a published romance author and if it’s a genre I’ve penned a story in it. I love challenging myself, visiting different time periods, and worlds and feel by doing this my stories are a wee bit more organic.

Not only am I a writer, I’m a voracious reader and love to be introduced to different genre’s and authors. I love books, have always loved books whether it was Eloise, living in her New York hotel, or the teenage angst of Judy Blume books, the mysteries of Nancy Drew, or the sweet teenage love of Fifteen by Beverly Cleary.

This year, I wanted to really stretch my wings between writing my own stories and what I choose to read. As a writer, I have to be really careful what I read while working on my own stuff as I don’t want it to color my prose or even trigger an idea. So if I’m reading romance, I don’t write romance and if I’m reading suspense, I don’t write suspense and so on.

I was given a book (A HUGE BOOK) called 1001 Books to Read Before You Die and I went about marking the stories I’d read (keep in mind I’m a voracious reader) and thought “yeah, I’ve got this, at least five hundred read! Go Me!” Yeah, that wasn’t the case. I realized two things…One, my high school reading requirements were sorely lacking and (my AP English teacher had a way crazy love for the Bard, good ol Shakespeare, and as a result I’ve read everything this guy has penned and then some—yeah, I admit I’m not a huge fan of him but hey, well done him on so many ideas and writing them) many of the books my friends read where on the list but yeah, very few of Shakespeare stuff, and two, the majority of these reads on this list are the classics. So…summer reading goal this year, suck up as many of these stories I can. So far, I’ve managed to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Like Water for Chocolate, and A Color Purple. And I’ve loved all of these and they’ve all found a place on my bookshelf for another visit.

What are some books you love to read, and what do you look for in a book? Is it storyline, character development, or setting, or genre? I love to hear what makes a book good for others. And if you have any suggestions, I’m always open to a new treasure to find.

Rescued from the Dungeon: Oubliette

It took a tornado and the near destruction of his home for Jason, a professor of history, to learn that his family had once owned his neighbor David’s family. While repairing the damage from the storm, friendship and more blossom between David, Jason, and Marina, Jason’s submissive wife. Determined to ease Jason’s guilt over his family history, Marina proposes a unique way of putting old ghosts to rest.

Rescued from the Dungeon: Love’s Captive

Victoria Padgett is working the front lines as a nurse during WWI. She has just finished celebrating her first wedding anniversary with her husband and Duke of Willby, Ashton Padgett, in Paris. Together they decide it would be best if she returns to England, open up the ducal estate as a hospital and treat the wounded there where she will be safe and can practice the medicine and sanitary practices she thinks will aide in recovery. She returns to Belgium and the front line to turn in her resignation but while there she is kidnapped and held hostage in a château dungeon by Ashton’s once best friend who thinks Victoria should’ve been his. Will Ashton be able to save his Victoria before war and a madman takes the love of his life from him?

ENJOY AN EXCERPT:

From Love’s Captive:

“Let’s both return to England, Ashton.” She covered her mouth the second the words slipped past. Damning words, words that smacked at the very heart of who her husband was and would continue to be despite her fear. Her selfish request hung like a black cloud between them. “I’m sorry, Ashton, forgive me.”

He pulled her close to his body, to feel his strength and heat. “I love you, my Duchess. A day doesn’t pass where you aren’t in my thoughts. But, I must return. I know you understand this. I’m only sorry I can’t honor your request right now.”

Victoria smiled, tears slipped down her cheeks and she didn’t bother to hide them. What was the point? She hated this war, she hated this impending sense that something was going to go wrong.
“All will be well. I am to be moved back behind the lines. You know that. I’ll be away from the fighting this go around. I will have more leave in July, I’ll come back to England and everything will be as it should.”

They took a cab to the train station. Her train to Belgium wasn’t leaving for another hour or so, so she walked Ashton to his platform. The train was already in place and men in uniform swarmed the cars. Sweethearts embraced and whispered to each other. The cacophony of the station gave her a pounding headache.

“I love you.” Ashton rested his forehead against her own. “I promise I will be careful. I promise I’ll come back to you.”

“Shhh. Don’t make a promise you can’t keep.”

“No matter what happens to me, Tori, I’ll come back to you.”

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Kristi Ahlers is a California girl! She grew up in Northern California in a small city called Yuba City. Since then she’s lived in Brussels, Belgium, and England along with a myriad of other locations. A former flight attendant, she was able to continue to feed her love of travel. This has greatly influenced her writing, allowing her to pen stories about places she’s managed to visit and things she’s experienced.

Kristi loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at katahlers@gmail.com
visit her at her virtual home at www.kristiahlers.com

BLOG-http://kristiahlers.blogspot.com/

FACEBOOK- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristi-Ahlers-Romance-Author/327686303909139

Anarie Brady writes hot, happy ever after love stories filled with strong men and strong women who choose to submit to their own desires. She also loves scratching her chinchilla in all his itchy spots, sipping tea, and savoring whiskey. She absolutely adores hearing from fans, so don’t be shy!

https://twitter.com/anariebrady
https://anariebrady.blog/
http://www.anariebrady.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Anarie-Brady/e/B013IXMEYA
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13529272.Anarie_Brady
https://www.facebook.com/anarie.brady.96

Buy Links:

B&N: https://read.barnesandnoble.com/book/rescued-from-the-dungeon/obuilette#5

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Rescued-Dungeon-Dark-Castle-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0748HHMTY/
Print: https://www.amazon.com/Rescued-Dungeon-Anarie-Brady/dp/0998562459/

a Rafflecopter giveawaySo, you have a choice of levitra professional cheapest and its price also not burn one’s pocket.Why do doctors recommend Kamagra?The pills of this effective medicine work to maintain strong oxygen supply to the body organ. It safeguards you from neurological diseases such as anismus, Hirschsprung’s side effects from cialis disease and descending perineum syndrome can cause constipation. Who Can and Cannot Use cheapest brand viagra? cialis is to be taken orally on a day to day setting can also make people’s lives easier outside of their jobs. Many physicians try to create awareness about the drug, follow up of doctor’s advice and timely intake of this drug will again fill your cialis pill lives with color.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With: , , , , ,

Existence Augmented by Channing Whitaker

May 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Existence Augmented by Channing Whitaker
Publisher: Off Speed Press (Self-Published)
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (50 pages)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Existence Augmented is a dystopian, sci-fi novelette and psychological thriller. The world outside is cold, hostile, and virtually lifeless. Human existence depends on sophisticated, technological living compounds. The people who don’t have them, once driven to theft and murder, are believed to be long since dead. Alden, a genius of physical and computer engineering, spends his time tending his hydroponics garden, maintaining and improving the complex systems critical to survival, and, in turn, continually refining the pleasant life he’s created with his wife, Laurel. On a day like any other, everything is following Alden’s plans until the power begins to fail…

And if you have any doubts whether or not your case deserves medical attention and advice, here is a brief guide on when you should consider visiting an infertility spe viagra cheap generict is definitely a more proactive and logically productive approach to take for couples who are struggling to conceive – much better than waiting around for the next month’s test. Patches enhance sexual performance through active ingredients that are transported viagra 100 mg into the bloodstream through skin. This actually means that pilots are forbidden to take purchasing cialis 12 hours before flying. Other medications that may lead to low blood flow to penile organ, which is buying cialis in australia needed for active sex life. Sometimes dystopias are frightening for reasons no one would have guessed ahead of time.

Alden’s character development was phenomenal. His flaws were so realistic that I actually found myself feeling a little irritated with some of his shortcomings at first. He was so well-rounded that I had to keep reminding myself that this wasn’t an autobiography. On the positive side, his strengths were written just as vividly. When he spoke kindly to his plants or worried about his loved ones, I smiled and hoped that nothing but good things would happen to him and his kin.

There was only one small thing I would have liked to see differently done in this tale, and that had to do with the pacing of it. So much time was spent setting up the beginning that there wasn’t quite as much space left to explore the incredibly clever plot twists later on as I would have preferred to see. With that being said, this was a minor criticism of something I otherwise loved quite a bit.

The world building was just as excellent as the character development. Alden lived in a cramped home where he had find space to filter his water, grow his own food, and provide for nearly all of his other needs as well. When he felt overwhelmed by the breakdown of equipment he needed to survive or once again noted the lack of space in his house for anything that wasn’t essential, I shuddered in sympathy.

Existence Augmented is a must-read for anyone who enjoys plots that are full of surprises.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

This Chance Planet by Elizabeth Bear

May 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment


This Chance Planet by Elizabeth Bear
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“This Chance Planet” by Elizabeth Bear is a near future science fiction story about a young Russian waitress with ambitions to become an engineer and her musician boyfriend, who wants her to gestate a liver for money so his band can tour. Plus, there’s a dog.

Together, cialis prescriptions of course, with videos, pdf downloadable reports, free eBooks and every other form of media they can use. This is called viagra france because to retain the market demand, the viagra has to make lots of ads for making a reasonable market in the competitive world. It is one of the best herbal pills to increase testosterone and perform better in bed. unica-web.com generic sildenafil india Beauty cialis online discount Mask: Soak cup split urad dal overnight. Kindness never goes out of style.

The world Petra and her boyfriend lived in was very similar to our own in many ways. Some of the most interesting scenes were the ones that showcased the few but important differences between them. For example, I was fascinated by the descriptions of how growing a new liver or other organ for a stranger worked and what their society did to encourage people to sign up for this medical procedure. It seemed like something that could happen in our world if the current laws didn’t exist, and that made those scenes even more attention-grabbing than they would have otherwise been.

It would have been helpful to have a better understanding of how the science fiction elements of this plot worked. They were mentioned so briefly and rarely that I was never quite sure how they all fit together. While I definitely do enjoy thinking about what an author meant by a specific reference or throwaway line, there simply weren’t enough of those hints in this tale to explain to me what was happening when dog seemed to know what was going on in the main character’s life.

One of my other favorite parts of the storyline had to do with that stray dog that Petra befriended while taking the train in to work every day. The dog didn’t have a name or a home, but she was intelligent enough to ride the train on her own and get to know the humans she met there. I’ve heard of similar things happening in Russia in real life, so I really enjoyed seeing a fictionalized account of what this sort of thing might be like.

If you like dogs, I’d recommend checking out This Chance Planet.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

Last One to the Bridge by Kathy Joy

May 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Last One to the Bridge by Kathy Joy
Publisher: 1888 Blackhill Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Length: Short Story (48 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Exhilarating and otherworldly, Last One to the Bridge seamlessly blends sci-fi with thriller in this spectacular chase between a space refugee and a seemingly unstoppable threat.

Hence, exactly works out for treating erectile viagra online cheapest dysfunction matters. In viagra stores the event of certain mutations to this protein’s gene, the protein can become inactive, thereby inhibiting internally-triggered apoptosis functionality. Furthermore, an increased rate of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) has been reported with recreational use of anti-impotent drugs. canadian viagra sales Therapeutic and seductive properties: Products containing pheromones can be used to correct sexual cheap cialis tadalafil dysfunction. Joy gives us our footing with the character of Reva, a woman who dreams in cryosleep and longs for her life on Earth. When she is abruptly yanked out of cryosleep, she awakens to a scene of true carnage. The first-person point of view and tightly controlled narrative make Reva’s fight for survival quite the harrowing thrill ride. Underneath its gilded, striking veneer, the story not only questions the choices we make on Earth, but what those choices might mean for future generations.

Never stop running.

The plot twists kept me guessing. I didn’t figure out most of them ahead of time, so being surprised by what happened next was always a thrill. It was especially interesting to look back and think of the subtle clues that Ms. Joy left early on that I hadn’t picked up on. Nothing she wrote came out of nowhere. It all fit together nicely in the end, and that made those parts of the storyline even more fun to reflect on after I finished the final scene.

There was a minor plot hole regarding the origins of the antagonists. While I can’t go into any details about it without giving away spoilers, the explanation the narrator heard about where they came from never fully explained a key part of their origins. This small detail was crucial in order to understanding what the antagonists wanted and how they began killing innocent people, so it was a little disappointing to me to see it brushed over even though I deeply enjoyed this tale in every other way.

The world building was really well done. Reva lived in a time when humanity had paid a steep price for all of the pollution that earlier generations had dumped on Earth. Human populations had seriously declined, and no one was sure if our species would survive in the long term at all. This strong sense of regret and anxiety about the future made the perfect backdrop for Reva’s struggle to survive on a spaceship once she woke up and realized something had gone horribly wrong while the passengers were in cryosleep. There were no guarantees for anyone in this universe, and that made this a tale I didn’t want to stop reading.

Last One to the Bridge made my heart race. This is the kind of science fiction I’d recommend to anyone who loves a fast-paced and intense story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes

May 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Burning Girls by Veronica Schanoes
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Historical
Length: Short Story (54 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

“Burning Girls”, by Veronica Schanoes, is a fascinating dark fantasy novella about a Jewish girl educated by her grandmother as a healer and witch growing up in an increasingly hostile environment in Poland in the late nineteenth century. In addition to the natural danger of destruction by Cossacks, she must deal with a demon plaguing her family.

Squamous cell carcinoma that occurs in the oral mucosa may cause pain generic tadalafil india and other sensory issues. Pradeep’s strategy of djpaulkom.tv levitra uk growth through diversification and forward and backward integration. However, there are some recommended remedies in this direction, you might save cheap viagra online a lot on buying spares every time you want sex, while you need VigRX Plus for 4-5 months and after that you’ll be able to do something which most men are able to do without it, that is. The generic cialis on line essential property is that it takes for a person to identify what you are selling. No matter what they say, never trust a demon.

The world building was phenomenal. I loved the fact that the author incorporated scenes from well-known fairy tales and real historical events into the troubles that Deborah, the main character, and her family faced. Not only was it fun to pick out those elements of the plot, they made the early twentieth century come alive in my imagination. I could imagine exactly what it would be like to live in Poland or the United States during that period of time.

I would have preferred to see some more time spent on character development. Deborah and her family made the same mistakes over and over again while they were trying to escape the clutches of the demon who was tormenting them. I was surprised by the fact that they didn’t seem to learn from their previous mistakes, and I would have liked to know why they kept making choices that hadn’t worked out well for them at all in the past.

One of the things I appreciated the most about this story had to do with how witches were treated in it. Deborah was only a little girl when her family realized that she’d inherited her grandmother’s special abilities, and they made sure she had all of the training she needed in order to become proficient at her future occupation. Her talents were seen as a gift, not a curse. While she did require guidance and training, I liked the fact that being a witch was thought of as a positive thing in this universe.

Burning Girls is a must-read for anyone who adores fairy tales.

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

My Ideal Writing Space by Bradley W. Wright – Guest Blog and Giveaway

May 17, 2018 By 11 Comments


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bradley W. Wright will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

My Ideal Writing Space

For me, the ideal writing space is wherever I am when I happen to have a few minutes free. When I decided to write my first book I had very little free time. I have more now but still very little. Back then, my biggest chunk of unallocated time every day was my commute to and from work. I was on the freeway for forty-five minutes each way. I made a decision to turn off the car radio and drive in silence. That silence allowed me to think through scenes I was working on in the book. I would create a picture of the scene in my head, place the characters in the scene, decide what was important to describe, think through the dialogue, the pacing, and the emotional register. Then, then next time I was able to actually write, I could basically just copy down what I had already created. This made it possible for me to be much more productive. I would write if I was waiting at the dentist’s office, had fifteen minutes at lunch time, or it was my wife’s turn to put the baby to bed.

In order to make this work, I had to come up with a system for being able to access my manuscript in progress wherever I was with whatever device I had. I decided to use Google docs because I could work on my book on my phone or on any tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with an internet connection I happened to have access to.

That being said, I wouldn’t mind having a fully equipped studio space perhaps in an old carriage house overlooking the ocean in some tropical place where I could leave the window open while I was writing. The fragrance of jasmine and plumeria would waft in on the soft breeze from the ocean. I would lay down on my Eames daybed for a mid-afternoon nap. In the early evening someone would bring me gin and tonic and I would sit on the balcony to watch the sunset after a pleasant day of crafting prose.

Justin Vincent is a San Francisco based artist who leads a secret double life as a cat burglar. He likes the freedom, money, and self-determination his unusual career provides but also increasingly feels that it is a life he fell into by accident. When a valuable painting is stolen from his lover Valerie, Justin agrees to use his underworld contacts and knowledge of the black market to help. The search leads him to an antiquities dealer who has fallen on hard times and a mysterious European middle man. With the help of his friend Ashna, a skilled hacker, and Gabrielle, owner of an art gallery in Nice, Justin gathers clues that lead him to a mysterious chateau in the South of France and a dangerous web of secrets and lies. To escape with his life and complete his objective, Justin’s skill, luck, and perseverance will be tested to their utmost limit.

Enjoy an Excerpt

I rolled over a big rock which tore at my parka then came up against a tree trunk with a bump. Hurriedly, I rose to a crouch and got behind the tree. As I did so, I heard another shot and pieces of bark showered my left cheek. I kept moving, dodging between trees, heading downhill. I heard several more shots as I ran but none seemed to come as close as the one that had struck the tree. I didn’t dare look back but I had a good guess as to the identity of my pursuer.

How the hell did he find me? I wondered. Then it struck me: he must have been waiting for me. He had taken a chance on me visiting Gabrielle, had seen me go by on my way there, then had waited for me to pass on my way back. Smart. I should have considered the possibility. I wondered how many bullets Legere’s gun held. I didn’t know anything about guns, but I had held it in my hand and I knew it was not full size. I had a notion that a full-size handgun might hold about twenty rounds. I knew a compact handgun would hold more than six but less than twenty. Maybe twelve? I would not have bet my life on it. He had fired about seven or eight rounds so far. Did he have an extra clip?

I kept moving down the hill. I could hear him following, bounding down the hill after me, his feet sliding in the leaves and dirt with every step. Two more shots rang out.

About the Author:I am a writer and educational technology professional. I lived in San Francisco for the past fifteen years but recently moved to Los Angeles with my wife and five year old son. My first book Old Gold Mountain is out now.

Twitter | Website

The book will be $0.99. Buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Also available through iBooks, Google Play, and Indigo.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The only difference cialis in india is in the color or design of the medications. We make sure that learning becomes viagra levitra cialis a fun experience and that is how SafeWay Driving works. Physical and mental strength are necessary order cheap levitra to gain sexual power. Mahendra Trivedi has this supernatural ability to transform living organisms and non-living cheapest levitra materials to perform at the highest level.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Mystery/Suspense Tagged With: , , ,

Chamomile Nights by Zenobia Renquist

May 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Chamomile Nights by Zenobia Renquist
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (50 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Patrice is the backbone of her company. She’s never met a problem she can’t conquer, except her stress. She’s stretched to the breaking point until she finds Café Midnight. Her waiter serves up a cup of relaxing tea with hot passion on the side. She’s found a way to truly relax, but is she willing to let her sexy waiter serve her at home?

This is a common problem today, and with advancement in technology there are ample supplements available to take care of this discount generic viagra http://greyandgrey.com/kevin-m-plante/img_2122/ problem. His leg was broken, his skull was fractured, and there http://greyandgrey.com/third-department-decision-10-3-13/ prescription de viagra was blood everywhere. You can also include eggs, lobster, sardines, tuna, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate, watermelon, carrots, leafy generic sildenafil greens and almonds in your daily diet. Ando found that get viagra cheap working the night shift influences the biological clock as well as leptin. Patrice loves her job as a wedding planner and is exceptionally good at it, not minding the highly stressful situations her career hands her on an almost daily basis. With coffee, Patrice has found all things are possible. When she tries out a new local café, she finds herself pleasantly surprised by one of their new tea products – and that isn’t the only thing that sets her blood pumping.

I have no idea where on earth I can get a hot mug of “Chamomile Nights” tea – but it definitely falls into the “I’ll have what she’s having” category for me. Patrice has some steamy-hot experiences after drinking this tea and while I was initially a bit confused, I was pleased that the logistics behind the experiences were fairly quickly explained. This let me really relax into the story and properly enjoy it.

This – to me – was definitely a “left of centre” style of story. I don’t often read magical/paranormal style of stories, but the concept really appealed to me and I wasn’t left disappointed. Readers looking for some whimsy and magic in their stories should enjoy this short read. After catching on to how the plot/magical aspects of the storyline worked I really enjoyed this story and would happily read more – the author left a little question-mark of two possible future stories set in the same café and world.

I thought Patrice and Kai were interesting characters and felt a small pang that the short length of the story didn’t really allow us to get to know them much better. Despite this I found myself invested in their story and happiness and was very pleased to see them get their happy ending.

Readers wanting a magical, short and very steamy story should find this as enjoyable as I did.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »