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Friday, November 18, 2016

Blog Tour + Review + #Giveaway: Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman @MichaelARothman

Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman
Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman
Publisher: M & S Publishing, L.L.C. (June 1, 2016)
Category: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Epic Fantasy, Young Adult
Tour Date: Oct and Nov, 2016
ISBN: 9780989089494
ASIN: B01GIIEDXW
Available in: Print & ebook, 406 Pages



Dispocalypse

In a post-apocalyptic world ruled by a Governor who is both feared and worshipped, Willow is a seventeen-year-old girl who is just trying to get through her last year of studies. But when her father dies, she experiences strange dreams that change everything about how she looks at the world and at herself.

Haunted by the tragedy, Willow begins pushing herself beyond anything she could have imagined she was capable of. It’s only when she catches the attention of some of the Governor’s minions that her world is turned upside-down.

"Michael Rothman is a writer with interests in many areas: from fantasy adventures to nail-biting science fiction thrillers. As a result, his stories are like a roller coaster that carry you away into imaginative worlds where surprises abound, and the only thing that you can expect, is the unexpected. So sit back and enjoy the ride!"-David Farland, New York Times Bestselling Author


Praise for Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

"The duality of worlds was very interesting and it hooked me completely especially with the way Willow was made out in those scenes. The presence of a world we are familiar with and then another which had totally different geography and races drew me in slowly but steadily. The world building was unique and it was a blend of dystopia and fantasy. I believe that was my favourite part of the book. It's not usual that fantasy elements are introduced into a dystopian/apocalyptic tale. And it has more of a feel of the events happening after apocalypse so it was appropriately named too.
Overall, the read was a great enjoyable one with ample fighting and adventures. I can recommend this to fantasy and dystopian lovers equally."- Floryie, Travelogue Of a Book Addict

"I like how this book kept me guessing. It certainly didn't expect the book to go to the places that it did. You think that one thing will happen, but the story surprises you and goes a totally different direction. The lack of predictability was quite refreshing.
The pacing in this was great! I was surprised how fast I was able to read this once I got started. Nothing seemed to drag. The flow was just perfect. I highly recommend this book! It is one of the most unique stories that I have had the pleasure of reading. The meshing of genres really makes this one stand out."- Vanessa [Queen Alchemy ], The Alchemy of Ink

I loved reading it, and can truly say it's unique! I love how it's written, and the wording/tone really drew me in. The prologue is somewhat confusing, and it took me a chapter or so to really understand what was happening, but it was a quick read, and easy to follow after that. I also enjoyed the illustrations, an added bonus in any story!
"I loved the characters, and felt the plot was unique, and well thought out. I enjoyed the quick pace, and read a large portion of the book in one sitting!
For this time this is a stand along, still I still have some questions, but I would love another book to answer them! XD (OK so I really just want to visit Willow's world again!)"-Stephanie, Adventures Thru Wonderland

"Dispocalypse is a Shannara-esque post-apocalyptic return of magic tale, rich with prophecy, redolent with the stink of evil, and vibrant with the undaunted clamors of a young woman who will not allow her will to be constrained. It walks a delightful line between science fiction and fantasy and delivers a tale sure to please readers looking for unusual adventure fiction."- Big Dave, Amazon Reviewer



My Review:

In a post-apocalyptic world seventeen year old Willow Parks just wants to make it through the Academy and the Choosing so she can get on with her life. Willow comes from a family of Merchants but wants to be a soldier too. She has a hard time at first getting into the hand to hand combat class without the help from another teacher. But with the help of one of her teachers she finally makes it in. In Willow’s world women do not become soldiers they stay at home doing girly things but not Willow. After getting in the class Willow excels in the hand to hand combat class and all of her classes and makes it to the top.  

Some of the students from the Academy start to disappear; after a while Willow puts it all together and realizes that they have probably been exiled. The reason for them disappearing or being exiled is not exactly known but people know that if you say or do anything that goes against the governor then you will be punished.

After Willow lost her mother she decided that she was going to do whatever it took to take down the person that was responsible for her death. Willow knows who this person is and she will take them down when her plan is in place or the time is right. Willow is a very strong person with a great big heart who cares deeply for her family and her friends.

Then one day Willow is awaken and taken from her room at the Academy and is deposited in the Forbidden land. She realizes she has been exiled. The Forbidden land is just as scary as she has been taught but she soon learns that there is more in the Forbidden land than anyone knows or has been lead to believe.

Her whole life she has been taught that no one could survive in the Forbidden land with all the monsters among other things. Can Willow survive the Forbidden land? Will the monsters get her before she has the chance to try?

I loved the world the author created in Disapocalypse and reading about the Great War and how the earth was destroyed over five hundred years ago. I also loved the girl that Willow was and how strong she was but with the life she lead and the things that happened to her would make anyone grow up fast. She had to endure things that no young child should ever have to face. I am just glad she had her brothers to help her out and let her be her own person. She had a great friend in Tristan a guy she met at the Academy who helped her more than he will ever know. I think Willow was also a big help to Tristan as well. She came into his life and became his friend at a time in his life when he needed it most.


If you love a good dystopian novel mixed with fantasy then you are going to love Dispocalyse. It has mixture of few genres. Most of the characters are very lovable and ones that you would love to know more about. I can’t wait to read more of Willow, Raz, Ramia and the other characters stories. 




Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman
About Michael Rothman
Michael Rothman is an Army brat, a polyglot, and the first person in his family born in the United States. Given his first-born American status, hegrew up with English as his third language. As a child, he always had an active imagination and would continuously drive his family crazy with a myriad of “what if” questions.

After a while, they shoved him at the local public library and that’s when he was finally introduced to the world of books, and more specifically, science fiction and fantasy novels. His earliest influences were J.R.R. Tolkien’s classics as well as those of Isaac Asimov. Titles such as these tickled his imagination both as a child and into adulthood.

Buy Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble


Giveaway:

Ebook Copy of Dispocalypse

Ends November 25, 2016 @12:00 AM CST

Follow Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman Tour

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 1 Excerpt & Giveaway 

Book Talk with Alana Nov 4 Review, Interview, & Giveaway 

Our-Wolves-Den Nov 7 Excerpt & Giveaway 

Rockin' Book Reviews Nov 9 Review, Interview, & Giveaway 

Deal Sharing Aunt Nov 16 Review 

JBronder Book Reviews Nov 17 Review & Excerpt 

The Avid Reader Nov 18 Review & Giveaway 

Megan’s Bookshelf  Nov 21 Review 

Lisa's Writopia Nov 23 Review & Interview 

Infinite House of Books Nov 29 Interview

  Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman

Host Dispocalypse by Michael Rothman


PROMO Blitz: Collide by L. R. Johnson @lrj8826 @RABTBookTours



Paranormal Romance
Date Published:  September 2016

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Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true...Lauren's life has been turned upside down by some simple choices that have gone awry.

Since her father’s mysterious death, Lauren Cowley has been stuck in a pitiful rut until she begins having ominous encounters, haunting her every move. While attempting to break free from her wretched life she meets Donovan. He is tall, dark, good-looking, strangely familiar – and yet terrifying. His unexplained ability to stare deep into her soul with emotionless eyes frightens her, yet she has no desire to break free from the gravitating pull he has on her. He unlocks her passion…and suppressed memories forcing her to fight for everything she loves. Lauren now has to face the reality of demons and the tragic consequences they have had on her life.



Excerpt

The room was filled with several insidious beings, a scene Donovan was all too familiar with. This was a part of the work he detested the most. He didn’t want to be here, but this man’s corrupt desires forced his hand. Donovan’s height reached a good foot above the man’s stout body, making Donovan appear even more menacing. A heavy debate had transpired between the man and a friend who had tried to stop the transaction, causing heavy amounts of sweat beads to form around the stout man’s receding hairline – despite the cool air.
Turning towards Donovan the man begged, “Please, you don’t have to do this. I have a family and…”

“You should have thought about them before you decided to ruin their lives.” Donovan’s voice was dark, yet a tinge of regret coated his tongue.

The man’s eyes pierced into a part of Donovan he hadn’t felt for years. How could he justify what he was about to do? Just because he was trapped in this situation didn’t mean he should damn someone else to this life – if it even is a life. What is wrong with wanting something so bad you are willing to sacrifice everything for it?

The man slowly turned towards his dark-haired friend who had tried to stop the exchange, gazing into his eyes sorrowfully. The two men were a yin and yang of each other. Where one was stout and fair with the beginnings of a receding hairline, the other was tall and thin with dark, thick hair and olive complexion. Though the two were opposite in appearance their friendship was intertwined like a thick rope.

The dark-haired man’s eyes narrowed as he pleaded to his friend in a weak whisper, “If this needs to happen, let it happen to me. I have no family, nothing that will be destroyed by the outcome.”
The dank air within the room hung thick and dark like a heavy blanket suffocating the room and making it hard to breathe. Donovan was familiar with what was transpiring. Gripping his fingers into a tight fist he fought back the urge to give in to his now natural instinct. Locking his sights onto the two men in front of him he silently watched their useless debate. There was only one way out of this situation and that was if Donovan would let him go, and that could never happen.

The stout man grabs hold of his friend’s shoulders, uttering firmly, “No, this is my fault and I take responsibility for it, but I need you to do me a favor. I need you to…”

Instantly the door opened, causing the two men to turn towards the intruder. “Father, what are you doing?”

A blithe voice rang in Donovan’s ears as he turned abruptly towards the intruder. The girl’s eyes locked onto his and for a brief moment he was reminded of who and what he used to be – a good man. Though his past was now just a grain of virgin sand in a murky moat, for a brief moment
Donovan was able to see the grain and grab onto it.

Donovan watched her eyes transform from a bright joyful appearance to one of fear and disgust. Her smile dropped, ripping out her heart on its way down. Donovan’s eyes remained locked onto hers like two magnets colliding, mentally grabbing hold of her with fervor and strength – refusing to let go. Her eyes too were locked onto Donovan’s, though hers told a very different story. One of betrayal, rage and despair, something he couldn’t look upon anymore.

“Please leave, sweetheart. I need you to go – now,” the stout man uttered to his daughter. His voice echoed loudly with guilty pain.

“No,” she snapped back.    

A growling voice instantly cut into the small yet crowded room, making everyone freeze with fear. A man stepped out of a dark corner from the far side of the room. He seemed to materialize from the bleak shadows draped mysteriously from the corners of the room, like tattered curtains ready to reveal the main event. “You are pathetic, Donovan. Do I have to do everything myself?”

“Darius, please don’t,” Donovan uttered, trying to stop Darius, but it was too late.

Darius’s black eyes deepened as he tore across the room. A swirling wind ripped through everyone as Donovan rushed over to the girl. His eyes locked onto her now silver-dollar-size blue eyes for the last time. He quickly lifted his hand, wrapped it firmly around her throat and gently squeezed. He watched as the light within her eyes slowly diminished, leaving the room a black plague where there once was light.


About the Author

L. R. JOHNSON is the founder and President of The Inspired Writers League - an active community writers group. When L. R. Johnson was a child she would live in a world of her imagination. Her teachers would have to put her in the front row of the class or she would drift off into a story she was creating. Though she studied Psychology in college she never lost her imagination, constantly creating stories in her mind. Bringing to life her characters and writing great love stories filled with adventure, dynamic characters, and brilliant surroundings is something that L.R. Johnson has a natural gift for. She lives in California with her husband and two wonderful children.

Contact Links



Purchase Links



Other books by L. R. Johnson:

YA/NA Romance
Published: November 2015

Needing a fresh start, eighteen year old widow Breanna Hayes flees from America to England to fulfill her husband’s last request and her dream of going to Cambridge University. There she meets Callum. He’s arrogant, brash, affluent, rippling with charisma – and certain to run away when he learns about her tainted past. But as an unexpected bond is formed between them she discovers he has secrets of his own. She must overcome her stubbornness, fears, and open her heart again or risk losing a chance at love and the stable family she has always wanted.

“Stop,” I interrupt, not wanting to hear a frivolous apology, “What I do is no longer your concern.” A heavy sigh rolls off of me, “I come from trash. I have always known it, and now I know you believe it, too.”

Turning my back on him I begin hastily walking away when suddenly I hear him softly utter my name. It rolls along the surface of the mist, slamming against my back, piercing into my core, revealing his internal pain. Ignoring his pleading call I continue to walk away from him, leaving all my hopes and dreams behind. My decision is made. I am leaving as soon as my classes are done.

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New Release + #Giveaway: Titan Elite by Kolleen Fraser @KFraserAuthor @HotTreePromos

What are you willing to fight for?

Title: Titan Elite
Series: Demigods, book 2
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: November 16, 2016
 Add to Goodreads
All buy links
With her experiences at the Academy behind her, Phoenyx and her fellow Titans leave the safety of the island and embark on the Titan Elite tour.

Battles won't be the only fight they have ahead of them. 

Expectations are high and nothing is as it seems. 

Life off the island is a very different world, where money buys freedom and power is always for sale.
Stirring, she sits up, watching the note in my hand like it’s a loaded gun. 

“Do you have any idea how it felt for me to find something like that, Marcus? To know I had sunk that low and you stepped in and just wiped it all away. I hate you for keep this a secret from me.” 

“You needed to stop all of this wallowing in self-pity shit. I’ve got a tour to run, people’s lives are at stake, you needed to get your head in the game.” I have tried being patient and gentle with her, it obviously didn’t work. 

Her glare sharpens and she clenches her fists. I’m glad she’s pissed off. I need to see the fire in her to remind myself why I have risked everything bringing her into all of this. Sometimes, I swear she’s more trouble than she’s worth but I didn’t save her all those years ago to let her go now. She’s my family, blood or not. 

“Wallowing in self-pity? Oh, I’m sorry, I’m not completely dead inside like you are. This shit affects me. You… you put all of these things in my head.” 

Losing it, I shout, “You asked for it! I told you that you didn’t want this shit in your head, but you kept demanding to know everything.” Taking a breath, trying to get my anger in check. “Did you want me to lie to you? Let you drag that knife across your wrist? Watch as Mason and Ianna die inside at the loss of your life? You forced my hand. I couldn’t spend every day worrying you would try to kill yourself the moment my back was turned.” 
Why can’t she understand that I did this for her? 

She scoffs, “You can’t keep changing me when I do something you don’t like.” 

“I’m not changing you! I’m fixing you.” Sitting down beside her. “I can’t change the fact that we had a nightmare childhood, but we have grown stronger because of it. You are brave and talented. You are Phoenyx mother fucking Warren, kick ass demigod with more than one power under her belt. You are incredible. Why can’t you see that?”

Demigods Series

Phoenyx Rising
book 1
Amazon: US | UK | AU | CA

Kolleen is a wife, mom, author, beta reader and book blogger. 
When she isn’t making her house a home for her husband and two children she enjoys reading everything from paranormal to romance to YA and dark stories. But she spends her free time being held hostage by her current work in progress and letting her characters come to life through her words on paper. That and binge watching Netflix.

Book Blast + #Giveaway: Luke’s Redemption by Anni Fife @GoddessFish



Luke’s Redemption
by Anni Fife
GENRE: Contemporary Erotic Romantic Suspense


BLURB:

Chased by her criminal kingpin father, Katya Dalca runs to New Orleans and straight into the arms of Luke Hunter. Sucked into the carnal world of the French Quarter, she succumbs to Luke’s potent sexuality. He not only steals her breath, he steals her heart and the only leverage she has against her father. She is left with no choice except to pick up the pieces and rebuild her life alone.

Undercover DEA agent Luke Hunter thought his newest assignment—recover a stolen flash drive to gain the trust of the Russian mob—was like any other. But his target brings him to his knees, and after one taste of her intoxicating beauty, he's in too deep. Doing his job means walking away, leaving his heart behind with nothing but a promise to reunite. It's a promise he can't keep.


When Katya's past reaches out and her world unravels, her only hope is the one man she is most vulnerable to—Luke.


Excerpt:

The smell of beignets wafted up and distracted, I lifted the bag and took a deep breath. Whoosh! Fine sugar blew up out of the bag and coated me. 

“Shit, honey, you look sweet all over.”

Oh, just great. 

Blinking sugar out of my eyes I looked up. And up. He was tall, well over six foot. Midnight-blue eyes rimmed by a deeper blue-black smoldered lazily down at me. “You’re holding the best beignets in the world. You gonna stand there or you going to take a bite?”

“Umm.” Jeez, Katya. Say something.

“Here, let me hold that for you.” He took the coffee from my hand. “Go on, babe. Take a bite. It’ll be the best thing you’ll ever taste.”

Still struck dumb, I did what he asked and lifted a beignet out of the bag and took a big bite. Oh! It was like sinking my teeth into a sweet pillow of ambrosia.

“Good huh?”

I nodded and stared back at him. Then, without uttering a word, I stuffed the rest of the beignet into my mouth. He grinned at me, shaking his head. “Want to wash it down with this?” He held out my coffee.

My fingers brushed against his. Yikes! I couldn’t stop the slight tremor caused by his touch. I took a gulp of coffee - half rich chicory, half hot milk - and finally found my voice. “Would you like one?” I offered the bag of beignets to him.

“Would be like taking candy from a baby,” he grinned. “But don’t worry, I’ve got my own.” He dangled a packet like mine in front of me.

Then we both stood there and smiled at each other while we gorged on sugary donuts. He would reach for my coffee to free my hand. Then after I ate some fluffy yumminess, he’d hand it back to me so I could take a sip. We swallowed the last of our beignets and licked our fingers. 

I didn’t even know his name, yet I was more turned on than I had ever been in my life.


AUTHOR BIO:

Last year, Anni Fife closed the door on a twenty-year successful career in television production, to fulfill her lifelong passion, writing. In the space of one month, she closed her business, packed up her city life and moved to a small seaside village. ‘My writing has always been constrained by client briefs,’ Anni says. ‘Now, I finally have the opportunity to write to the beat of my own heart.’ LUKE’s Redemption is Anni’s debut novel and she hopes you enjoy it as much as she loved writing it. Anni loves to spend hours walking on the beach searching for pansy shells, more hours drinking red wine with her gal posse, and the most hours writing romance novels filled with women you can relate to and men you love to dream about. She is currently working on her second novel, GRAY’s Promise.
Anni is published by The Wild Rose Press.

Special Promotion available on the author's website for new members who join her mail list, Anni's Posse.


Join Anni’s Posse and get regular updates and Bonus Treats 
SPECIAL PROMOTION. Join by 17 Nov and you receive Chapters 1-3 of Luke’s Redemption and the chance to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Voucher. www.annifife.com




Giveaway:

$15 Amazon or B/N GC
 



Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.


Book Blitz + #Giveaway: A Harmless Little Ruse by Meli Raine @meliraineauthor @XpressoTours


A Harmless Little Ruse
Meli Raine
(Harmless #2)
Publication date: November 18th 2016
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Political Thriller


She has no idea what she’s doing. Loose cannons never hit their targets.

And they take out plenty of collateral damage.

Four years ago Lindsay experienced the unspeakable right before me, and I couldn’t stop them.

But that’s all changed now.

When her father, Senator Bosworth, contacted me to ask — demand — that I protect her, it was a second chance. A shot at redemption.

An opportunity to right an unspeakable wrong.

Controlling Lindsay as she seeks her revenge on the monsters who hurt her won’t be hard.

Containing my own out-of-control feelings for Lindsay and keeping up this ruse of cold-blooded distance will be.

Even harder than admitting to her what really happened that night four years ago.

It turns out I don’t have to, though.

Someone else did it for me.

And I’ll make sure they regret it.

* * *

A Harmless Little Ruse is the second in this political thriller/romantic suspense trilogy by USA Today bestselling author Meli Raine. This series includes:

A Harmless Little Game (Now available)
A Harmless Little Plan (release date December 13, 2016)



EXCERPT:

I wake up to an empty bed.
It’s not mine.
Lindsay’s gone.
I can feel a change in the air. I jump to my feet, instantly alert, blood pumping to arms and legs that are battle-ready. Her bedroom room smells like lavender and beeswax, mingled with the hot scent of sex. I swear her heat still lingers on the sheets. The ceiling fan is still, the room crackling with silence.
I grab my gun belt and —
What the hell?
My weapon is missing.
Gun’s gone.
Lindsay’s gone.
Oh, shit.
She didn’t?
She did.
“Gentian,” I bark as I shove my earpiece in. “Where’s Lilac?” Lilac’s her code name.
“With you,” he responds.
“Negative.”
Dead air.
“Gentian?”
“I don’t know, sir. No one’s seen her. Last we knew, she was locked in her bedroom with you.”
No trace of irony. No hint of teasing. If he had even one whiff of either, he’d have his ass handed to him.
And he knows it.
“She’s gone, Gentian. Find her.”
“Yes, sir.”
The instant flurry of activity in the house matches my organs. They rearrange themselves inside me as I assess the situation, which is pretty fucking simple.
Lindsay stole my gun and ran away.
Doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Last night was the first time in four damn years that I slept. Actual REM sleep. The night those bastards tortured us was the first night of my new life.
A life without sleep.
And last night?
I slept like someone who had finally come home.
“Jesus,” I mutter to myself. “Great job, Drew. She totally snowed you.”
I have to hand it to Lindsay. She fooled me. I believed her act the entire time. She managed to outwit us all.
Damn smart woman.
Damn dangerous, too.

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Author Bio:
Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. 
Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family. 

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Thursday, November 17, 2016

Review: Magic and Mayhem: Wicked Is As Wicked Does (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Cherie Marks @CherieMarks

Magic and Mayhem:
Wicked Is As Wicked Does
(Kindle Worlds Novella)
by Cherie Marks
Published October 19th 2016
Publisher: Timbercreek Press
Genre: Romance, Romantic Comedy


BLURB:

I know exactly how to be a bad girl: 

1. Be born that way 
2. Have notorious parent 
3. Be real witch to everyone. 

But, I’ve got to be good now because in between teaching Chemistry at the local high school in Assjacket, West Virgina, I have to save all humanity from the forces of evil and…blah…blah…blah…keep the Halloweeneedtokissourassesgoodbye apocalypse from happening. With the help of an off-the-charts, smoking hawt instructor/boss, I might just have a fighting chance—if I can stop drooling over his naked chest. Dane Calvin agreed to teach me how to use my abilities responsibly, but he’s never met a witch as hard-headed as me. And, of course, it doesn’t help that the last time I used my powers it ended in tragedy, so forgive me if I’m a little magic gun-shy. I might be made for wicked things, but when he’s watching, I’ve got to be good because Wicked Is As Wicked Does.




Buy Link:





EXCERPT:

Like the gorgeous best friend and amazing distraction I needed, Celia poked her head into my classroom and gave me a smile that said she had juicy, juicy gossip that I’d so want to know. School started in three days, and we were here prepping our classrooms for another school year of blessing young minds and shaping the future because we were professionals who’d chosen this job. Why? Clearly, we were good, decent people who wanted to make a difference in the world. Or, we were slightly insane and needed an outlet for our crazy.
“Is your ass coming, or what?” As usual, Celia looked like the model for the Van Halen song, Hot for Teacher. She was blonde, tan, and had legs that were longer than a week of standardized testing. She was flat-out hawt, and worked her physical blessings to get many, many dates. Or at least that’s what she led us all to believe. I thought it was likely she just loved to talk a big game, but we all let her maintain her bad-ass image. Seemed like the right thing to do.
“Where are we going?”
“To meet the new principal.” Her chin dropped and she waggled her eyebrows a few times before explaining, “I hear he’s hot, and I gots to see it for m’self.”
I laughed a little as I said, “Celia, you’re always horny. He could look like a puddle of melted ice cream and you’d slurp it up like the best thing you’ve ever eaten.”
She made a sucking sound and beckoned me to follow her. “Come on. Time’s a wastin’, darling! How will we get the jump on fruity-tooty Mrs. Rudy? If she digs her hooks into him, we’ll never have a shot.”
“She can have him for all I care. I don’t have time for dating right now.”
“Who said anything about dating? I was thinking I’d slam his body down, wind it all around, and then we’d zigga-zig-ah.”
We walked to the center of the building where the staff was hosting a reception in the library. As we walked inside, I noticed people standing around with cake and punch in hand. It just wasn’t a party until someone handed out a piece of cake, right?
As I glanced around, I saw a few familiar faces, but a number of new ones too. This was only my second year teaching at Mount Shelley High School, where the motto was, “Don’t be named Shelley.” Maybe it was really some crap about reaching for heights, but I was thinking about starting a petition to change it. For now though, I was still meeting everyone, and it didn’t help that turnover was inevitable in a school, but especially in our school this year.
Turns out, a new high school opened on the other side of town. For some strange reason, Assjacket was having some kind of population boom, and it had called for a new building to house the growing number of students. As a result, many teachers and even the previous principal from MSHS made the jump to the new facility, probably hoping to get the good office chairs and the student desks that didn’t wobble and rock. Fancy!
That meant one thing though for us—newbie staff—and all the hilarity that ensued. Of course, technically I was still a newbie since this was only my second year here. Sadly, I didn’t stay in one place too long, and as much as I loved the friends I’d made here, I knew the time would come that I’d have to run again. Until that day though, I’d enjoy belonging somewhere.
Celia and I hit it off first day last year or else I’d have been one of her targets for hazing. Instead, I got to be in on the jokes, and only had a few run-ins with the Mounters, Celia’s crew of hardcore veterans who got just a little joy in laughing at the inevitable moments of insanity brought on by the newness of newbie teachers.
Don’t get me wrong. They helped them more than they hurt them, but Celia showed me how finding humor in the situation kept you from going batcrap crazy like the rest of them.
Even now, Celia had engaged a new, male teacher wearing a caught-in-the-headlights look in his eyes into a conversation with her. He was clearly doing his best to talk himself up, and it was almost unfair how easy he was going to make this.
“Evie, have you met Mr. Feldman?”
“Um…it’s Mr. Frederick.”
“Uh, huh. He was just telling me that he’s going to be our new chemistry teacher. Just hope they fixed the problem. I’d hate to lose another teacher in the same way as the last one.”
Mr. Frederick’s eyes widened, and I nearly ruined it all with a giggle I covered with a swipe of my hand over my mouth.
“How exactly did the last one leave?”
I didn’t know how Celia kept such a straight face as she asked, “What do they call those things? Oh, yes, I think it’s called a body bag.”
Sputters and questions by Mr. Frederick were cut off as Celia raised her hand to wave at someone across the room. “Look! There’s Liz. Let’s go ask how her summer was.” As she stepped away, Celia called behind her, “Bye, Felicia.”
She grabbed my arm and took off for the side of the room where Liz was talking to a few other people, leaving poor Mr. Frederick to wonder what had happened to the teacher for which he was taking the position and calling after us, “It’s Frederick, but….”
“Celia, you’re heartless.”
“Oh, he’ll learn soon enough not to believe a word I say. It only took me explaining that there was a hierarchy for copier use, and that you were at the very bottom for you to see through my bullshit.”
The memory of the first time I met Celia made me laugh. I thought she was a real bitch. Of course, that only convinced me we’d be friends forever.
As we crossed the room and closed in on Liz, I noticed a larger crowd gathered in one part of the library. I tried to angle my head to catch a glimpse of our new leader, but only caught sight of short, wavy, brown hair with natural bronze highlights. He stood taller than the rest of the staff, but I still couldn’t see a clear view of his face. Not that I cared. One principal was just like any other. His or her job was to make the big decisions that guided the school. There were always four major factions pushing the administrator toward certain choices—students, teachers, parents, and the mighty ones in charge sending their own decisions from above. Usually, one decision helped one particular group but possibly hurt another. In other words, a principal didn’t stay popular for long.
I could’ve used my powers to separate the crowd. They wouldn’t even know what’d happened, but I’d sworn not to use magic. It would draw too much attention, and I was all about staying under the radar nowadays.
“Hey, Liz. How was your summer vacay? Did you finally get laid?” Liz winced the slightest bit at Celia’s blunt questions, but she no doubt expected such boldness from our brash friend.
“As a matter of fact…my summer was great but short. And I think you know the answer to your second question.” She gave a twist of her mouth and rolled her hands along her curvy hips. “I got a whole lot of…nothing.”
Though she often alluded to the fact she was a tad rounder than most, she was such a beautiful woman. Her cropped, blonde hair was always perfectly styled and her make-up looked airbrushed and striking every day. As much as she joked about wanting to be a walking stick, she was perfect the way she was, and we all knew it.
Liz changed the subject quickly by asking, “Have you seen the new principal? Beam me up, McHawtie!”
Again, my gaze strayed to the crowd, but I still couldn’t get a clear view of the subject of our conversation. “Is he really that attractive?”
“Let’s just say, I’m on my third pair of underwear, and I’ve only been here for fifteen minutes.”
“Oooo! Gross, Lizzy. TMI to the extreme.” I pushed my brain not to think about her revelation, but once it was out there, it was impossible not to know.
“Hey! I spit the truth. Handle it.”
“We should go over there.” Celia was beginning a plot. I could feel it.
Liz shrugged. “Looks pretty crowded right now. Maybe we should wait and catch him when he’s not surrounded.”
In a sudden motion, Celia grabbed my shoulder and squeezed. “Oh, no! Mrs. Rudy at nine o’clock! We have to stop her now before she makes him her bitch.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no stopping that train. She’s going to do what she’s going to do.” I’d had my run-ins with Mrs. Rudy. She always got her way, and people defied her at their own peril. Not only did she know the superintendent personally, but she also regularly hung out with the school board members. Needless to say, she got the computer lab whenever she wanted it.
“No! We can’t let her this time. Evie, get in there and cause a distraction. I’ll find a way to keep them apart.”
I laughed because she clearly had lost her mind. Did she think she could keep them apart all throughout the entire school year? I didn’t get her logic one bit. “Celia, you’re asking for the impossible.”
But, the next thing I knew, she was behind me, steering me toward the group, and I was digging in my heels, fighting her every step of the way. We were making unintelligible sounds to each other as I slapped at her hands on my shoulders, and people were starting to stare. Somehow though, she maneuvered me into the crowd, and with one last shove, pushed me straight into an immovable object, like a brick wall or a Mack truck.
Yet, when I looked up, I realized exactly what I’d hit. Him!
My hands were on his chest, and though I knew I should pull away, one involuntary squeeze of his warm, nicely-clothed body in my hands, and I went brainless. All I knew was that I had an unobstructed view of him finally, and this was my chance to see how handsome he was for myself.
I started at his black, motorcycle boots and let my gaze travel up his vintage-washed, indigo-detail jeans until I paused at the dark, blue button down where his chest widened considerably into full, linebacker shoulders. My anxiety built and rolled in my stomach as I started to lift my eyes to meet his gaze. Not much actually scared me anymore, but looking him in the eyes was the hardest thing I’d done for quite some time.
I took it slow, pausing at his perfectly sculpted mouth and lingering on his straight nose and sculpted cheeks. Oh, but, when I stared into the sparkle of his green gaze, I felt my mouth go dry, my heart constrict, and my happy place leap—actually leap—in response. I might’ve even let out a small squeak. I suddenly understood Liz’s underwear comment completely. Might need a change myself after this encounter.
“Are you okay?” The deep timbre of his voice sent shivers down my spine. It was like sweet, melted butter poured over the most delectable dish, and I wanted to hear it over and over again.
“Fine. And you?”
He chuckled lightly and a corner of his mouth lifted, but then his face turned grim again as he cleared his throat and set me back away from him, finally breaking my grip on his shirt.

“Doing my best to stay on my feet. Guess you’ll have to try harder next time…Ms. Ward, is it?”




My Review:

After witnessing the death of her mother at a very young age Evie has been on the run and hiding out from the person who killed her. She has been living in Assjacket, West Virgina teaching chemistry at the local high school. Evie loves teaching and living in Assjacket with all the friends she has made. Evie hasn’t had many friends in her short life as she was too afraid of becoming close to other people and them finding out her secret.

You see Evie is a witch and she has not used her powers in a very long time. She tries to fly under the radar when it comes to using her powers hopefully no one can find her. If she uses her powers then they could be traced and then she could be in danger.

But Evie is in luck there is a new guy that has moved into town and he knows that Evie is a witch and has come to train Evie how to use her powers becomes trouble is brewing. Evie must learn to use her powers so that she can protect herself and other people like her not to mention the people who live in Assjacket. The people who are responsible for her mother’s death are on their way to Assjacket for Evie.

Evie has come to love her friends, her teaching job and the little town of Assjacket and no one is going to take any of that away from her if she can help it. She will fight tooth and nail to keep what she has built in Assjacket, West Virgina.

Can Evie stop what is coming? Can she stop the people that are out to destroy her and the people of Assjacket? Can she save her life and everyone else’s’? To find out pick up your copy of Wicked Is As Wicked Does today. Trust me you will not regret it.

Wicked Is As Wicked Does has been an amazing and thrilling ride. It will take you on emotional roller coaster of a ride. I don’t think I have laughed so hard in a long time and around my house we laugh a lot. My husband keeps me in stitches all the time so if you can top that you are doing good and let me tell you Cherie Marks did just that. I am stilling laughing at certain passages in the book to this day. I don’t think I will forget it for a long time to come and I do plan on borrowing some of the things she said and using them when the opportunity arises.


I can’t wait to read me more about Evie, Dane, all the other characters and Assjacket, West Virgina. Or at least I hope Cherie gives us more of Evie and Assjacket’s little world. If you want to read a good book this is not the first book Cherie has written so check some of her other work as well. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


It all started with an old fashioned typewriter. When my family brought it home, I knew what I wanted to do. All those stories rolling around in my head could finally get out. The press and click of the keys were satisfying in their own right, but when I pulled out a finished page, I knew this was for me. Since then, I’ve graduated to a laptop, but the stories still find a way out.

I’m a breast cancer survivor, a teacher, a wife, a mother, and from the very beginning—a storyteller. Always a hint humorous and honest to a fault, I love to make people laugh, smile, and have “a-ha” moments. My goal in life is to achieve tact and stop procrastinating. The battle wages on.