Review + #Giveaway: Devour by R.L. Blalock @rocblalock

Devour

(Death & Decay Book 1)

by R.L. Blalock

Published: September 12th 2016

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic

Blurb:

St. Louis is falling to pieces. In the midst of rioting, a dangerous new disease has sprung pushing an already dire situation over the edge. Those who are infected suddenly become extremely aggressive, attacking and even eating those around them. And Olivia "Liv" Bennett is caught right in the middle of it.

Liv’s hectic life of school, work, and motherhood grind to a halt as the city around her begins to devour itself. Forced to flee from her car with nothing but a diaper bag and her eighteen-month-old daughter, Elli. Liv must trek forty miles on foot across the feral infested suburbs of St. Louis to a safe haven that may not even be safe.

What other hope does she have?

As her world begins to crumble, Liv is left clinging to the hope that Slag Stead, a two hundred and fifty acres, self-sufficient farm, remains a beacon of light and not another slaughter. But getting there just might kill her.

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Book Trailer:

My Review:

Being trapped in a car has become one of Olivia “Liv” Bennett’s worst nightmares since the day the world came to a halt. Liv and her eighteen month old little girl, Elli was on their way back home from a visit with her husband and Elli’s daddy where he worked for lunch. They had just crossed the bridge when traffic suddenly came to a dead stop. Liv is looking around trying to see what the problem is when she sees a paramedic helping his partner walk across the street when all of a sudden the guys partner just torn into him and started biting him. Liv looked around her and all she saw was people biting people. So Liv grabbed her baby girl from her car seat and took off as fast as she could.

After she got Elli away from there and to a place where they were somewhat safe for the moment Liv tried to call her family to see if they knew what was going on and if they were safe. The only person she was able to talk to was her sister. Her sister told her about a farm, Slag Stead that they were going to and told Liv they would meet her there.

So now Liv has to get her little girl, Elli and herself to a farm that might still be safe and not over run with all these crazy sick people without getting herself or Elli bit. How was she going to do this all by herself? Liv is scared so Elli picks up on her mother being scared and so that makes Elli scared and the only way Elli can let her mother know she is scared is to cry which alerts the zombies or feral as Liv calls them and they come a running right to the sound of Elli crying.

Liv and Elli get lucky on the way to the farm they meet up with a couple more people when they get into a little trouble with the ferals and they help them out of a situation that could potentially be bad. They all become fast friends and Liv is glad to have someone else around not only to help watch the feral but she now has someone to talk to while they are trying to make their way to the farm and hopefully safety.

Will Liv and Elli make it to Slag Stead safely? Will they get eaten by the feral? Will her family make it to safety? Will the farm the still be a safe heaven? To find out all the answers grab a copy of Devour to find out.

I think I read Devour like I had feral on my butt and I was running for my life. If you love shows like The Walking Dead then you are going to absolutely love Devour I know I definitely did and can’t wait for more. 

Find out more about Devour and R.L. Blalock

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Giveaway:

The giveaway is called the Ultimate Zombie Book Box Giveaway and is tied in with the launch of the Zombie Book Buzz newsletter. The newsletter is a cooperative effort between myself Claire C. Riely, Armand Rosamilia, Eric Shelman, Mark P. BeDyran, Adrienne Lecter, T. W. Piperbrook, Bobby Adair, and Jay Wilburn. Each month the newsletter will contain an author feature, new releases, sales, and giveaways. Just the stuff people want to know about. The giveaway is a donated ebook or audiobook from each author (so a total of 9) to one lucky winner. We are using ebooks so international readers can enter as well. A link to the giveaway can be found here.

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Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Avenging Fate by Jennifer Derrick @JDerrickAuthor @XpressoTours

Avenging Fate
Jennifer Derrick
(Threads of the Moirae #2)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: September 12th 2016
Genres: Mythology, Romance, Young Adult

Still reeling after killing the man she loved, Atropos turns her attention to the twin tasks of avenging his death and freeing humanity from the deadly grip of the Keres. When she sets out on a murderous mission to retrieve her shears, her only aide is her temperamental ex-boyfriend, Ares. He is fickle at best, traitorous at worst, and assistance from him may be worse than none at all.

Along the way, she allies with a group of powerful supernaturals and learns that the crimes of the gods are more twisted and far-reaching than she realized. What begins as a quest for vengeance becomes a journey through betrayal, loss, love, and hope. It ignites a war that will pit Atropos against the gods in a battle for the freedom of humanity.

Avenging Fate is the second book in The Threads of Moirae Series by Jennifer Derrick.

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Grab book 1 – Broken Fate – for FREE!
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EXCERPT:

When we reach Alex’s house, I’m not surprised to see that it’s been vandalized. With no residents to defend it, it was easy pickings. The front door’s been kicked in and the frame is splintered so it won’t close properly. A couple of the windows are broken, too. Once we’re inside, I’m relieved to see that most of the damage is limited to the kitchen. Whoever came here was looking for food and not much else. The presence of a rotting, stinking corpse on the kitchen floor probably made them hurry up and get out.

I leave Ares and Elaina to gather up any dog food and supplies they can find as I make my way down the hall to Alex’s room. Stopping in the doorframe, I grip it hard to keep myself upright. The memories and the grief come fast and hard, threatening to overwhelm me. The hospital bed is still in the room, as is most of the medical equipment that kept him alive those last few days. No one’s made the bed, so the sheets are still rumpled from Alex’s body.
The IV still hangs on the pole next to the bed, and the oxygen tank is on the floor under the bed. The needle and tubing for the IV and the cannula for the oxygen rest on the mattress where I dropped them the night I took Alex away from here to die in peace. The book we were reading together lies facedown on the mattress, open to the page where we left off. Everything is frozen in time, except the most important part. Alex is gone and he isn’t coming back.
Alex’s bookcases still droop alarmingly, although they aren’t as orderly as they once were. It appears the looters rifled through them, probably looking for stray cash tucked in the pages of the books. I force myself to cross the room and scan the shelves for anything that might indicate where Emily has gone. I also check the desk, but find nothing in either place.
I cross to the bed and can’t help myself. Picking up the pillow, I hug it to my chest, burying my nose in it. I catch the last whiff of Alex’s shampoo, the same fruity-spicy scent he always used. I’m aware this isn’t good for me and it’s not helping us with our mission, so I reluctantly put it down. But I can’t resist one other thing. Grabbing the book, I fold down the corner of the page we were on and tuck it in my waistband next to the gun. It’s sentimental and dumb, but I want to remember our reading time.
When I turn to leave, Ares is standing in the doorframe, watching me with an expression that is both pitying and concerned. I can stand the latter, but I don’t need his pity.
“Don’t say anything,” I warn as I push past him and head down the hall toward Emily’s room.
“I just came to see if you’re okay. I figured this would be hard for you.”
“Just getting up in the morning is hard for me, but I do it,” I say. “I’ll be okay.”

Author Bio:
Jennifer is a freelance writer and novelist. As a freelancer, she writes everything from technical manuals to articles on personal finance and European-style board games. Her interest in storytelling began when she was six and her parents gave her a typewriter for Christmas and agreed to pay her $.01 per page for any stories she churned out. Such a loose payment system naturally led to a lot of story padding. Broken Fate, her first novel, earned her $2.80 from her parents. 

Jennifer lives in North Carolina and, when not writing, can often be found reading, trawling the shelves at the library, playing board games, watching sports, camping, running marathons, and playing with her dog. You can visit her at her official website:www.JenniferDerrick.com. 

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Cover Reveal + #Giveaway: Breaking Down by Juliana Haygert @Juliana_Haygert @XpressoTours

Breaking Down
Juliana Haygert
(Breaking #4)
Publication date: April 2017
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Gabi was born to play polo, but her career opportunities are far from abundant. She’d have her best shot at her goal if she could move from Brazil to the U.S., where many of her family and friends already live. However, the U.S. government doesn’t exactly issue work visas without a sponsor. And there aren’t many women’s polo teams in the U.S. that are hiring.

Tyler already gave up his dreams. Because of an inherited debt, he’ll probably finish paying it off when he’s dead. Tyler had to drop out of vet school and work, work, work. He desperately needs money, but his options are limited.

Until Tyler meets Gabi, and she proposes a deal with the potential to change everything.

She will pay him to marry her. He’ll get the money to pay off his debts, and Gabi will get a green card and the freedom to follow her passion. A fake, temporary marriage to a beautiful, hot girl doesn’t sound like a bad deal.

As their fake marriage starts to turn into a real one, a twist of fate threatens to tear them apart, and a choice needs to be made.

Their dreams or themselves.

Companion novel of Breaking Free and Breaking Away and Breaking Through. Can be read as a standalone. Genre: NA contemporary romance. Warning: strong language and sex scene.

Book 1: Breaking Free
Book 2: Breaking Away
Book 3: Breaking Through
Book 4: Breaking Down

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Author Bio:
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting--but equally gratifying--life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy. 

Subscribe to Juliana's newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases: http://eepurl.com/CKsmX 

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PROMO Blitz: Ashia by L.E. Thomas @lethomasjr @RABTBookTours

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Date Published: August 13, 2016

Plagued by nightmarish visions of apocalyptic battles and burning victims crawling across the desert sands, the slave girl known as Shanda has been trying to keep her growing gift hidden from her abusive master as she knows being able to see images of the future is a cursed gift carrying the King’s ultimate punishment.

But as her tribe seeks solace from the deadly raids by the Mazomi Clan in their magical airships by moving toward the legendary Spire of Ashia, Shanda discovers her past will soon clash with a dangerous future.

A new epic tale full of adventure and discovery by the author of Star Runners, Ashia brings you a story of a world mired in secrets, oppression and a decades-old cover up that could alter the course of events for the entire planet.

This book is a sci-fantasy novel.

Excerpt

The Royal Guard surged forward like a living wave. Grev cut through the men, his sword slashing through their flesh like a rabid animal. He ignored his tiring muscles. He couldn’t feel the wounds from counter attacks, his blood igniting like the fires of the stars.

Spinning, he hurled guards into their comrades, using the close quarters of the hall to his advantage. He yelled as a knife penetrated his bicep. Without stopping, he yanked the weapon from his body and hurled it through the face of an attacker.

A force hit him from behind—an arrow piercing his back. He fell to his knees, swinging his sword with his remaining strength. A blade hit his forehead, splitting his skin. Warm blood spilled into his eyes. Strong hands clasped his shoulders, preventing him from falling into darkness.

“At least, you cannot have my wife,” Grev breathed, his muscles failing as the guards restrained him to the floor. “She has fled beyond your reach.”

The Baron stepped forward, a torch in his hand.

“Oh, no, my dear Captain, we already have her.” He held the fire close to Grev’s face and laughed. “The Captain of his Royal Guard. Bah!”

Blunt force thumped into the back of his head and darkness took him.

About the Author

L.E. Thomas lives in Georgia with his wife and rescued dog where he is currently working on his next novel.

Contact Links

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VBT + #Giveaway: Secret Lives and Private Eyes by Heather Weidner @HeatherWeidner1 @GoddessFish

Secret Lives and Private Eyes

by Heather Weidner

GENRE: Mystery

BLURB:

Business has been slow for Private Investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to find rock star, Johnny Velvet. Could the singer whose career purportedly ended in a fiery crash almost thirty years ago, still be alive?

And as though sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn’t bad enough, Chaz Wellington Smith, III, a loud-mouthed, strip club owner, also hires Delanie to uncover information about the mayor’s secret life. When the mayor is murdered, Chaz, is the key suspect. Now Delanie must clear his name and figure out why landscaper Tripp Payne, keeps popping up in her other investigation. Can the private investigator find the connection between the two cases before another murder – possibly her own – takes place?

Excerpt:

“Hey, do you want another drink?” slurred the man on the barstool next to Delanie Fitzgerald.

         

Delanie leaned in closer. “No, but I’d like to go somewhere and get to know you better. What do you think about that?” she asked, winking at the fifty-something sitting next to her. She tossed her long red curls to one side and tilted her head toward him. She hoped the black dress showed enough cleavage to do the trick.

He smiled. He looked like he was expecting her to kiss him. When she didn’t, he waved to the bartender for the tab.

The man placed two twenties on the bar next to his glass. Delanie slid off the barstool, careful not to cause her micro-dress to creep any higher. Flipping her shiny purse strap over her shoulder, she made her way out through the crowd. Delanie felt his ragged breaths on the back of her neck, huffing and puffing like he’d run three or four laps. He reached out and touched her shoulder, trying to steady himself.

When they arrived at the parking lot, she said, “I’m over there. I’ll follow you. Where to?

         

“I dunno. I’m not from this part of town.”

         

“We could go to your place,” she suggested.

“Uh, no. Too far. It wouldn’t be any fun.”

“Well, I’m all about fun. Okay, where then?” She shivered and wished she had brought a jacket, but it would have ruined the effect.

“Uh, I dunno,” he stammered. “I think they’re some places over near the interstate a couple of blocks from here.”

“Okay. I want somewhere nice with a Jacuzzi.”

“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

“Neither did I,” she said.

He leered at Delanie, taking in her long legs and short skirt, while fishing through his pockets for his keys.

 “I’m in the beige Corolla down there,” he said.

She climbed in her black Mustang and watched him stagger to his car.

Delanie felt a tinge of guilt for letting him drive drunk, but she needed to get him at a motel. She started the engine. He still hadn’t made it to his car. After turning on the lights and the radio, she kicked off the four-inch heels that pinched her feet and made her calves burn. She threw them in the backseat and settled in to watch what he would do next.

He finally backed out, and Delanie followed behind him until he pulled into a small motel at the entrance ramp to I-95. The sign under the neon vacancy advertised Jacuzzis and free breakfast.

He parked and walked over to her car. Rolling down the window a crack, she waited. He leaned forward but didn’t say anything.

“Why don’t you get us a room?” she asked. “I’ll pull around back and wait for you to get everything ready.”

“Okay,” he smiled again and wandered off in the direction of the office. It was twelve thirty-five according to the radio display.

Author Interview:

What inspired you to write Secret Lives and Private Eyes?

I have always loved mysteries. I started out with Nancy Drew, and I wanted to write a series with a strong, female sleuth. Delanie Fitzgerald is sassy and fearless. And she gets herself in and out of humorous situations. She likes fast cars and men who are a little dangerous.

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I loved reading and writing as a young child. I was in elementary school when I started dreaming of being a writer.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

I started reading at four, so I started with picture books and moved on to chapter books in kindergarten and first grade. My early favorites were Monster at the End of the Book (with Grover, and it was a mystery) and The Wind in the Willows.

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

I like to read a lot of genres, but my favorites are mysteries and thrillers. I read a lot of biography, history, and technical manuals (for work).

What is your favorite book?

There are way too many to list. My top two are To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby.

You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

There are way too many to list. I’ve been reading for many, many years. Both of my degrees are in American literature, so I always go back and reread Harper Lee, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Edgar Allan Poe. My favorite mystery authors are Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Robert Parker, Lee Childs, John Grisham, and Steve Berry.

If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

I grew up watching “Happy Days” on TV as a kid, and I would love to go back to the America of the 1950s for a visit. I loved the movies, music, and pop culture of that era. And I would have loved to see Elvis in concert in his heyday.

When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

I like the writing and researching parts. I can usually write a first draft fairly quickly, but I spend lots and lots of time on rewrites and revisions before my critique group or editors see it.

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

I do. My husband and I share our house with crazy Jack Russells from the same litter. Disney bosses her brother Riley around even though he outweighs her by 7 pounds. They are curious and exuberant, and everything is a game to a JRT.

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

My favorites are dark chocolate and pizza. I prefer those any day to a gourmet dish.

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Do NOT give up. Writing is hard work. If you want to be a published author, you need to hone your craft and keep writing. It is a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is my first published novel. I have three others in a desk drawer.

AUTHOR BIO:

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries and Virginia is for Mysteries Volume II. Currently, she is President of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, and a member of Guppies and Lethal Ladies Write. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is her debut novel.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.

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Giveaway:

(1) Set of 4 Nancy Drew Wine Charms (US Only)
 

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