Monday, December 28, 2015

Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

http://amzn.to/1mMI5fQ
The Martian
by Andy Weir

Published: February 11, 2014
Publisher: Broadway Books
Available: Amazon

Synopsis:
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.

Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first.

But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Review:

The Martian is not my typical type of read. I love a good romance; The Martian had none (discounting the mention of romance between two secondary characters). I love happily-ever afters, and The Martian had no guarantee of one. The only thing compelling me to pick it up was the trailer for the movie. I'm glad I did.

The Martian was amazing. The first few pages had me wondering if the science of it all was going to bore me to death, but Weir does an awesome job of bringing Mark Watney to life. Watney has a strong, outgoing personality and his resilience and good humored nature is peppered throughout the story, breaking the ice during some of the most serious, and devastating moments he faces. It's Watney's character that kept me turning the pages despite the science I didn't understand.

Don't get me wrong about the science aspect. Weir seems to understand his readers aren't as knowledgeable about physics, chemistry, biology, botany, and every other science involved in space travel. The majority of the book is written as journal entries by Watney, and Watney speaks to the reader as if, despite our adequate intelligence, we don't understand. Things are explained, defined, and given examples in a humorous, simple way.

I will admit that although I have yet to see the movie, I did spend much of the book visualizing Matt Damon as Watney. Having the images of the movie trailer to give me a bit of reference as to the Hab and the MAV helped me make sense of the setting.

I'm looking forward to reading Weir's next book and I can't wait to see whether Matt Damon and the movie does The Martian justice.




 

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Cover Reveal ~ The Ghost Files 3.5 by Apryl Baker

Check out the thrilling cover of THE GHOST FILES 3.5 by USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Apryl Baker!


THE GHOST FILES 3.5 by Apryl Baker

Cover Designer: Robin of Wicked by Design

Release Date: December 1, 2015

- SYNOPSIS -
Tick tock…

Mary Cross has been forced to accept the world of the supernatural because of an experience that left her with the ability to hear—but not see—the supernatural. She survived three weeks of being kidnapped and tortured, and it has left her emotionally and physically scarred.

Across the street from her house, strange things are happening…

Mysterious noises haunt the residents, faucets turn on by themselves, and footsteps can be heard running up and down the stairs. It all centers around Noah, a two year old child. Babysitters have run screaming from the house.

Caleb Malone has been dumped into a teeming hornet’s nest…

He’s always been the good son, done everything asked of him, and even gave up graduate school to join the family business of hunting supernatural villains. He’s convinced himself he’s happy, that his duty to his gift should come before anything else.

Until he meets Mary Cross.

She gives him hope that things can be different, that he can be different.

Together, the two of them must solve the mystery of the two shadows stalking the child and save him from whatever has attached itself to him. Time is running out and to save Noah, forcing Mary to face her own demons.

But in doing so…has she put a target on her back?




:: PRE-ORDER ::

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1QxgGL9

iTUNES: http://apple.co/1I0uyuE


Check out the Ghost Files Series: http://amzn.to/1j8yzRT



::: MEET THE AUTHOR: APRYL BAKER :::
So who am I? Well, I’m the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn’t love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there’s always someone to tell your mama you were seen kissing a particular boy on a particular day just a little too long. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled “Lord Margrave’s Deception.” I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my niece and nephew and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce…lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.









Saturday, November 14, 2015

Rising has Finally Arrived!

 So excited to announce the release of Rising, book 2 in The Woods of Everod Series!

 http://amzn.to/1YbfGNS
by Angela Fristoe

Elin's army has a new leader and they're coming for Janie. But outsiders aren't the only threat to the new life Janie has created. With her sister set on destroying her, Janie's circle of friends disappears, leaving her to question just who can she trust. 
­Now is the time for Janie to rise and become the Wolf.




Other Books by Angela Fristoe


A Touched Trilogy
Lie to Me     Heal Me    Watch Me

The Woods of Everod


Author Bio
Angela grew up in Alberta, Canada. She dreamed of becoming the next Dian Fossey or Jane Goodall, until she realized she wasn’t all that keen on the outdoors or animals. Instead, she went into education, focusing on elementary education and helping struggling readers. Her passion for writing was ignited by The Hunger Game and Twilight crazes. Angela lives in Canada with her family where she is completing her M.S. in Education while continuing to pursue her writing career.

Sign up for Angela’s newsletter for EXCLUSIVE content, deals, and monthly Amazon giveaways!


Author Links

 

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Blog Tour ~ The Only Shark in the Sea by DelSheree Gladden

Vance Sullivan has always been the rock everyone turns to for help…

His work with patients recovering from traumatic events makes him the perfect person to help his friend, Guy Saint Laurent, with one of his Date Shark appointments. When Vance meets hesitant, frightened Natalie Price, he suspects she’s hiding the truth behind her fears, and he’s drawn in by a need to help her.

Haunted by a terrible event from her past, Natalie can’t even endure being touched without suffering a crippling panic attack… 

She doesn’t know why, but Natalie feels Vance might be the only one who can help her put the pieces of her life back together. Despite the tension their arrangement causes with his girlfriend, their bi-weekly sessions seem to be helping…as long as he keeps his promise not to push her to reveal more than she’s ready to share.
Suddenly the tables have turned…

When Vance suffers his own unspeakable tragedy, asking for help is the last thing he wants to do. Drowning in grief and guilt, crushed by betrayal and lies, Vance needs a lifeline. 

Natalie has no idea why anyone thinks she can help him, given her own deep-rooted fears—but she knows she has to try. 

A twisted notion of justice makes the danger all too real, 
and Vance and Natalie realize it might take one broken soul to mend another…
DelSheree Gladden was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. Literally. She didn't speak a single word for the first three months of preschool, but she had already taught herself to read. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting and perfecting it before having it published.

Native to New Mexico, DelSheree and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again. Their two children love having their cousins close by. When not writing, you can find DelSheree reading, painting, sewing and trying not to get bitten by small children in her work as a dental hygienist. DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series, including "Invisible" which was part of the USA Today Bestselling box set, "Pandora." The Date Shark Series is her first contemporary romance series, and her first book in her upcoming new adult series, The Ghost Host, will be releasing 2015.

Connect with DelSheree:

DATE SHARK (Date Shark #1)
SHARK OUT OF WATER (Date Shark #2)
Amazon ~ B&N 
INVISIBLE (Aerling #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
INTANGIBLE (Aerling #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
INVINCIBLE (Aerling #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
INQUEST (Destroyer #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
SECRET OF BETRAYAL (Destroyer #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
DARKENING CHAOS (Destroyer #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
TWIN SOULS (Twin Souls #1)
SHAXOA'S GIFT (Twin Souls #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
QALETAQA (Twin Souls #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
PREP FOR DOOM
WICKED HUNGER (Someone Wicked This Way Comes #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
WICKED POWER (Someone Wicked This Way Comes #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
WICKED GLORY (Someone Wicked This Way Comes #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
ESCAPING FATE (Escaping Fate #1)
SOUL STONE (Escaping Fate #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords





Saturday, September 19, 2015

New Release: Timesurfers by Rhonda Sermon *Review

I'm so excited to announce the release of Rhonda Sermon's debut novel Timesurfers! Not only is this an amazing YA read, but I was lucky enough to be asked to design the cover :)

Timesurfers
by Rhonda Sermon
Published: Sept 13, 2015

"You’ve misunderstood. It’s not a choice. It’s a destiny."

When fifteen year old Cate accidentally brings a dead cheerleader back to life her connection to the secretive Timesurfers is revealed. The Timesurfers travel through time and battle the powerful dark forces intent on manipulating history. Cate must discover her powers, choose a side and end a centuries old war. No pressure.

Review:
So I will cop to being mildly biased as to the awesomeness of this book. I was an early beta reader and was able to see the transformation of this novel from a good story to an amazing one. 

Sermon does a wonderful job of exploring the complexities of time travel and how along with some magic it can alter reality. For Cate that means waking up to find that the life she remembers never happened for anyone else.

Cate is a spunky character, and I love that she's strong enough, physically and emotionally, to take care of herself. She definitely has her weaknesses and her limitations, but she's willing to doing everything she must to take care of the ones she loves.

  

Friday, September 11, 2015

Book Trailer ~ Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

Carrie Ryan (author of my fav zombie series The Forest of Hands and Teeth) has a new book out and along with it an awesome book trailer produced by @Red14Films.

Daughter of Deep Silence
by Carrie Ryan


Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published: May 26, 2015
Available: Amazon   B&N

I’m the daughter of murdered parents.
I’m the friend of a dead girl.
I’m the lover of my enemy.
And I will have my revenge.


In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.

Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.



Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Cover Reveal ~ The Only Shark in the Sea by DelSheree Gladden

Vance Sullivan has always been the rock everyone turns to for help…

His work with patients recovering from traumatic events makes him the perfect person to help his friend, Guy Saint Laurent, with one of his Date Shark appointments. When Vance meets hesitant, frightened Natalie Price, he suspects she’s hiding the truth behind her fears, and he’s drawn in by a need to help her.

Haunted by a terrible event from her past, Natalie can’t even endure being touched without suffering a crippling panic attack… 

She doesn’t know why, but Natalie feels Vance might be the only one who can help her put the pieces of her life back together. Despite the tension their arrangement causes with his girlfriend, their bi-weekly sessions seem to be helping…as long as he keeps his promise not to push her to reveal more than she’s ready to share.
Suddenly the tables have turned…

When Vance suffers his own unspeakable tragedy, asking for help is the last thing he wants to do. Drowning in grief and guilt, crushed by betrayal and lies, Vance needs a lifeline. 

Natalie has no idea why anyone thinks she can help him, given her own deep-rooted fears—but she knows she has to try. 

A twisted notion of justice makes the danger all too real, 
and Vance and Natalie realize it might take one broken soul to mend another…

 
DelSheree Gladden was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. Literally. She didn't speak a single word for the first three months of preschool, but she had already taught herself to read. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting and perfecting it before having it published.

Native to New Mexico, DelSheree and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again. Their two children love having their cousins close by. When not writing, you can find DelSheree reading, painting, sewing and trying not to get bitten by small children in her work as a dental hygienist. DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series, including "Invisible" which was part of the USA Today Bestselling box set, "Pandora." The Date Shark Series is her first contemporary romance series, and her first book in her upcoming new adult series, The Ghost Host, will be releasing 2015.

Connect with DelSheree:

DATE SHARK (Date Shark #1)
Amazon ~ B&N
SHARK OUT OF WATER (Date Shark #2)
Amazon ~ B&N 
INVISIBLE (Aerling #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
INTANGIBLE (Aerling #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
INVINCIBLE (Aerling #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
INQUEST (Destroyer #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
SECRET OF BETRAYAL (Destroyer #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
DARKENING CHAOS (Destroyer #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
TWIN SOULS (Twin Souls #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
SHAXOA'S GIFT (Twin Souls #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
QALETAQA (Twin Souls #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
PREP FOR DOOM
Amazon ~ iBooks 
WICKED HUNGER (Someone Wicked This Way Comes #1)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
WICKED POWER (Someone Wicked This Way Comes #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
WICKED GLORY (Someone Wicked This Way Comes #3)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords
ESCAPING FATE (Escaping Fate #1)
SOUL STONE (Escaping Fate #2)
Amazon ~ B&N ~ kobo ~ iBooks ~ Smashwords