The Chosen Knights by Mary Ting with Giiveaway

Title: The Chosen Knights

Author: Mary Ting

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Cover Designer: Regina Wamba at MaeIDesign & Photography

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

(Spin-off to Crossroads Saga) - Read Prequel - The Angel Knights - first **Can be read as stand-alone When teens go missing in Hawaii, a group of demon-hunters—half human and half angel—disguised as high school students, must leave Crossroads, the place where they reside. In a race against time, they uncover the mystery connecting the missing teens, which dates back to the era of the Knights Templar. However, when they discover one of the Templars passed down a book containing all the secrets and codes to finding a particular treasure, they soon realize this forbidden treasure needs to be found before Cyrus, the lord of the possessor demons, acquires it—a treasure which been safeguarded and hidden from him. There is only one problem: the pages containing the clues leading to the treasure is missing. When the first page is found, Cyrus threatens to kill more descendants of the Knights Templar if it is not given to him by Friday the thirteenth. In the midst of threats and discovery, the demon-hunting angels find they are not alone when supernatural beings begin to reveal themselves. Can they put their differences aside and work together to solve the Knights Templars’ cipher? As they astral travel to the past, they witness a lot more than they have bargained for. And some things are better left unseen. 

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Author Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QmDZ8z

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4388953.Mary_Ting

Blog: http://www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryting

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryTing Buy Links:

The Angel Knights: http://amzn.to/2ddjxZF

The Chosen Knights: http://amzn.to/1PpJU8H

The Blessed Knights: http://amzn.to/2crIG6j

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Review: The Bacchanal and Other Horrific Tales

THE BACCHANAL

AND OTHER HORRIFIC TALES

Anthology

Dreaming Big Publications

197 pages

An artist whose love for his wife has horrific results. 

A babysitting job gone horribly wrong. 

A talent agency that promises success no matter what; even if you are the one standing in the way. 

This chilling collection of modern horror stories is sure to have you peeking warily around corners and walking just a bit faster down dark streets. Full of both creepy events and morbid humor, The Bacchanal stands as a testament to humanity’s love of being afraid and of frightening others. 

Humanity’s fear of the unknown and fascination with the supernatural are masterfully depicted in these eleven stories. Though the supernatural elements are the centerpiece of the collection, it is the believable actions of the ordinary humans, both evil and well-meaning, that will send shivers down readers’ spines. 

MY TIDBITS

First, I have to make it clear that this is not a collection for younger readers. Several scenes sprinkled through the stories contain material inappropriate for readers under 18, in my opinion.

Sometimes macabre, sometimes morbidly humorous and other times down-right creepy, this lovely collection of horror stories sends shivers down the spine and dares the reader to return for more.

Normally, I'm not a horror fan. So this was a small step out of my comfort zone. Although I was unsure what I might think, I found myself glued to the pages and curious to see what each story would bring. All of the stories were well written and easily brought the worlds and characters to life. No matter what the setting, each one felt natural and was easy to sink into. When the last words came, each one leaves some food for thought which hang around for days. After all of this, it wasn't the kind of terror that left me wanting to search my closets, but rather more thoughtful.

The stories are as different as night and day, and cover a broad span of horror. Many of them deal more with the negative side of the human condition and demonstrate not only goose bump raising but also intriguing twists. Several of the stories follow a bit more of a traditional scare where others are more of a clever play on the dark side of reality. In other words, there's a type of horror for everyone.

Summed up, this is a wonderful collection of very well written stories that are sure to send chills down the spine. Not all have the purpose to terrify, making this more of a horror which seeps in and spreads it's dark fingers days after the book is put down.

Sneak Peek: The Secret in Mossy Swamp by Rita Monette

Things are never what they seem... in a foggy Louisiana swamp

 The Secret in Mossy Swamp

Nikki Landry Swamp Legends, Book 3

by Rita Monette

Mirror World Publishing

Middle Grade Adventure/Mystery

204 pages

Living in a tiny houseboat, Nikki is stuck with sharing a room with her little brother, Jesse, who does what little brothers do best…torture their sisters. Fed up, she decides to build a place of her own…a tree house where no boys are allowed. Meanwhile, something strange is happening on Bayou Platte. Things and people are coming up missing…and little stick dolls covered in moss, known locally as “signs” from the legendary Rougarou, are showing up in their place.

Is the Rougarou really to blame? Can Nikki get to the bottom of the mystery before things get worse? Find out in this third instalment of the Nikki Landry Swamp Legends Series!

Mirror World Publishing:

Paperback

eBook

EXCERPT

“Where’s Mossy Swamp?”

“It’s a thick swamp—part of the Atchafalaya—down yonder, past the row of islands along Bayou Platte. They began calling it that about twenty years ago…after some, uh…people…spotted a creature out there. They say it was covered in moss, and the legend is—”

Mama slammed a pot down from across the room. It was her way of telling Papa to stop with the scary legend talk.

“Was it the rougarou?” I asked.

I’d heard about that old rougarou ever since I was old enough to walk. Grandpas and other old people would say that if you didn’t behave, the rougarou would get you, or they’d make horrible faces and come after you growling pretending they were the creature. So, because of all that, kids living in the bayous grew up believing in the strange werewolf creature that roamed the swamp, eating up bad children. Then, after you absolutely knew it existed…like an evil Santa…they’d take it back and tell you there’s no such thing.

“No such thing, Tadpole. And whatever they saw, there’s a logical explanation.” Papa winked at me. “But right now I have more important things to worry about. I’ve got a missing kid on my hands. I just hope he didn’t wander into that swamp alone. I gotta run to the sheriff’s office to see if he has anyone that can go and positively identify that pirogue. I hate to tow it in, in case he’s still out there. I’m sort of hoping the boat isn’t his, or if so, it ended up there on its own, because I hate to think of the alternative.”

“Alternative?” I asked, ignoring Mama’s signal.

“There are a lot more dangers in that swamp than a moss-covered creature,” he said.

Moss creature? Something else to keep me awake at night? My papa, who was never scared of anything, had an awful worried look on his face. I guess he was just fretting that the boy might have become gator food. I shuddered, then shrugged it off. I had more important things to worry about myself. I had a tree house to build.

Behind Every Legend Lies the Truth!

Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. She loves to write stories set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state. She is currently retired and lives with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee. Besides writing and illustrating, She enjoys participating in festivals and craft shows where she does face and body art, along with selling her books.

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/RitaMonetteBooks

Amazon:  

http://amzn.to/2d0B4aF

Goodreads Author Page:  

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6580833.Rita_Monette?from_search=true

Blog: http://ritamonette.blogspot.com/

Author Website: http://www.ritamonette.com/

Follow the Blog Tour:

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-tour-schedule-secret-in-mossy.html

Review: Beyond the Lines by Claudia Whitsitt with Giveaway

BEYOND THE LINES

 by Claudia Whitsitt 

Claudia Whitsitt Publication 

February 27, 2016 

 Middle Grade Fiction

260 pages

The Dream Girls—Hattie, Crackers, and Beverly Jo—are back with the same determination and resolve they displayed in Between the Lines. This time, it's Crackers who has a dream. She has oodles of talent, can outshoot any guy, and she wants to be the first girl on the boys' basketball team. Everybody knows she's the best player at school. The problem is, the rules say: No girls allowed on the team. Ever. But the Dream Girls have challenged old-fashioned notions before, and they're not about to give up now. Beverly Jo rocks the world with an ingenious plan, Hattie sets the wheels in motion, and Crackers gives her all. For this threesome, nothing is impossible.

BOOK BUZZ. . .

"BEYOND THE LINES is a refreshing story of true friendship." - Lori (Amazon)

"A delightful story of true friendship" - David (Amazon)

"Great characters, superlative writing and the sense of being dropped into the mist of a Dream Girls meeting makes "Beyond The Lines" a wonderful book." - DJ (Amazon)

"Beyond the lines is a beautiful story of friendship." - (Amazon)

MY TIDBITS

This is a lovely book about friendship, which goes beyond boundaries, and the miracle of working together and never giving up.

I didn't read the first book in this series, but it isn't really necessary. The first chapter dives right into the colorful personalities of the three girls and makes it clear that they are a trio which can't be ignored. The support they offer each other is simply inspiring and shows that with cleverness, perseverance and patience, even the seemingly impossible can be achieved. Even for a group of ten-year-olds.

This is a book which will inspire middle graders and show them that they can make a difference. The plot moves along at a steady pace, never leaving moments of boredom. Especially the dialogue and character interaction draws in, and leaves these three girls feeling as if they were the reader's friends. The theme of sports is refreshing as well as the slightly historic setting. And of course, there's tons of girl power.

Summed up, middle graders will have no trouble sympathizing with this trio and are sure to enjoy their adventures. 

And here she is. . .

CLAUDIA WHITSITT!!!

Claudia Whitsitt spent a lifetime teaching special education and writing before becoming a full-time author. She believes in the power of friendship, small acts of kindness, and paying it forward. Nothing makes her happier than spending time with her children, which includes not only the five she raised but the countless students who touched her life over the years.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

GIVEAWAY!!!

Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: September 27, 11:59 pm, 2016
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Claudia Whitsitt and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to stacie@BeachBoundBooks.com.

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Review: Plushinomicon: The Legends of Teddy Bear Island created by Pat McNary

PLUSHINOMICON: THE LEGENDS OF TEDDY BEAR ISLAND

Created by Pat McNary 

Edited by Kristi King-Morgan

YA Fantasy Anthology

Dreaming Big Publications

146 pages

Teddy Bear Island has as many grizzly tales as it does flesh-eating plushies, and it’s bursting at the seams. From the elven vagabond lurking the jungle to the hired mercenaries looting the temple, every corner of the island has its own history, and its own secrets. Tear into this collection of curious, creepy, and downright crazy adventures based on Teddy Bear Island RPG, where escape is never easy, and nothing is quite as innocent as it appears. Around every corner waits something eager for the ripping. Grab your toughest dwarves, your surliest orcs, and your most loyal kobolds, and get ready to spill some stuffing. 

What story will you tell?

MY TIDBITS

With a creepy mixture of stuffed animals, mystical creatures, stuffing and gore, this collection of short stories brings a whole new and curious meaning to the thriller world.

Not being familiar with Teddy Bear Island RPG, I dove into this collection with no previous knowledge or prejudices toward circumstances the stories centers around. One thing became clear right away--open-mindedness is key when hitting these pages. But once that's done, the stories are a curious delight.

The creepy factor never jumps into extreme horror but often falls into more of an odd category. Each tale is different from the other, so there's no danger of repetition. The stories always finish up with an open end, as if it was a scene in the game. . .because anything could happen next.

It's an interesting collection and is great for picking up whenever a quick taste of plush-goosebumps is needed. The twists and turns are definitely unexpected and one never knows what's coming next. Although stuffed animals abound, this isn't a collection for younger readers due to the violence but is great for teens and older.

This is a perfect collection for gaming fans, readers who enjoy a bit of zany with their creepy and simply those who want to grab something refreshing and totally new to read.