Thursday, January 31, 2013

Maxie Duncan Box Set - FREE

Maxie Duncan Box Set by Melissa L. Webb
FREE - 1/31/2013

Maxie Duncan Box Set

This set includes 3 Maxie Duncan pieces.

Bell, Book, and Sandals- a novel

It's Not The Great Pumpkin, Maxie Duncan- a novelette

A Very Maxie Christmas- a short story.

By all 3 now for a discounted price!

Bell, Book, and Sandals:

Sometimes life can be a real witch.

Meet Maxie Duncan. Your average 23-year-old blonde. If you can call being wealthy, gorgeous, and knowing what the future holds at times, average.

After her fiancé blindsides her with a breakup at their favorite restaurant, she leaves Maine for a shot at being Hollywood's new 'it girl.' There's only one problem. She's never acted a day in her life.

When a big Hollywood director sends her packing, she realizes if she wants to stay in L.A., she may have to become a normal girl after all. But normal has never been in the cards for her. Strange things keep happening wherever she goes, a red-eyed shadow no one else sees is stalking her, and to top it off, she may be falling in love again, with either the bookish guy next door, or Hollywood's hottest leading man.

But everything isn't what it seems. Someone's keeping secrets from her. Is it her new friends at the apartment building she moved into? Or is it Ryan Everheart, the actor who wants to sweep her off her feet? And why are her feet suddenly floating off the ground?

It's enough to drive a girl insane. All Maxie wants to do is ride off into the sunset with her one true love and find a killer pair of Manolo Blahniks on the way. But how's a girl supposed to focus on a love life and shopping when everywhere she turns someone or something is trying to kill her?

It's Not The Great Pumpkin, Maxie Duncan:

The Witch is back!

Maxie Duncan wants to celebrate her first Halloween as a witch in style. Unfortunately for her, the Supernaturals don't celebrate it like humans do. They would rather sit at home, watch movies, and hide from the spectacle the norms think creatures of the night are.

She needs help. She needs to fine a way to restore the joy Halloween use to bring. She comes up with a plan. Throw the biggest party Enchantment Cove has ever seen. Can the Supernaturals that live there be convinced there is fun to be had in even the most backwards of traditions?

Maxie has her hands full with the plan, but if anyone can pull it off, it's her. Too bad something is dead set on crashing her party of the year. Now the night may really be "to die for."


A Very Maxie Christmas:

It’s Christmas time for L.A.’s newest witch, but all Maxie wants to do is Bah Humbug her way through it. This will be her first Christmas without her parents and her friends have been called away. She thinks it’s a blue, blue holiday until things get worst.

Katelyn, one of the Hotel DenMark maids, was just dumped by her fiancé on Christmas Eve. She’s a sobbing mess and Maxie knows how it feels. After all, her fiancé broke up with her in a restaurant.

Maxie decides it might be time to meddle again. She’s got a few spells up her sleeve to insure Katelyn gets her man back. After all, there’s no point in both of them being miserable for Christmas.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

101 Money Saving Tips, Tricks and Strategies by Murray Lunn Review

Author: Murray Lunn
Pages: 24
Price: $2.99 or FREE for Prime Members
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

101 Money Saving Tips, Tricks and Strategies by Murray Lunn was a book I was lucky enough to stumble across while it was free on Amazon. Currently, the book costs $2.99, but is free for those that have a Prime Membership.

I must say that I have mixed feelings about this book. Personally, I didn't learn anything new from this book, but I feel that's because I was raised in a single-family home and grew up poor. I have also made a living telling people how to save money for a number of years. With that said, I can definitely see how this book would be useful to those that have never had money issues in the past.

If you grew up never having to want for anything and then went on to a good university and well-paying career, only to have everything taken away from you due to the bad economy, you need this book. There are a number of useful tips for those that know nothing about cutting expenses.
However, this means that the book may not be useful if you having been finding new ways to cut your expenses for several years. But, that doesn't make this book useless. If you know a college student or someone who is down on their luck, this would make a great gift.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It offers great advice to those that aren't familiar with money saving tips, but those that are frugal won't find the book very useful.

The Felix O'Shea Collection by A.R. Gajraj

The Felix O'Shea Collection by A.R. Gajraj
$2.99

Four books in one! Follow the adventures of Felix O'Shea as he travels around the world, dives into a dream world, tries to solve a mystery of the ages, and shrinks down to the size of a human cell. Felix learns some valuable lessons along the way and comes to understand the world and himself in the exciting adventures that he experiences

If you'd like to find more great books for your kids, visit me Kindle Kiddies.

The Cestus Concern by Mat Nastos

The Cestus Concern by Mat Nastos
$3.99 - 1/30/2013

WHO IS MALCOLM WEIR?
Waking up in an operating room, much to the surprise of the attending surgeons, Malcolm Weir frantically fights his way out of a secret government installation, located in downtown Los Angeles. Battling through a mass of armed guards and meta-gene operatives, the cyborg warrior realizes he has no memory of how he got there.

The past 11 months are gone.

With a hole in his mind, Weir must retrace his steps for the past year, fighting his way through the nearly endless horde of super powered mercenaries and assassins the government sends after him.

Travel along with Weir, facing some of the most intense action ever put to paper, along with a body count of ridiculous proportions, as he tracks down the secrets trapped in his head.

In the end, Weir must stand alone against a former friend and a squad of the deadliest killers ever created, all to learn the terrifying truth behind Project: Hardwired.

Fans of films like "Bourne Identity" or "Smoking Aces," or the comics of Deadpool and Wolverine, will love the over-the-top science fiction action of "The Cestus Concern" by Mat Nastos.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

For the Love of Hades by Sasha Summers Promo





For the Love of Hades
Loves of Olympus, Book 2
Sasha Summers

Genre: Romantic Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

ISBN: 978-1-937254-83-4
ASIN: 978-1-937254-84-1

Number of pages: 309
Word Count: 78,500

Cover Artist: Jeannie Ruesch


Book Description:

Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, has no patience for living things or his Olympian brethren. His purpose is order, administering justice to those who enter his realm, and keeping the balance decreed by the Fates. Meeting Persephone sways his focus, her gentle sweetness threatening his control. But he will not be tempted.

Poseidon’s scheming wreaks havoc upon Persephone. Hades has no choice - he must rescue her.

Hades awakens something within the Goddess Persephone. She feels no fear from his brooding presence. In truth, she’s never felt so alive. Every stolen moment together only confirms her instinct: he is meant to be hers. Such a powerful union suit will face opposition – from Olympus, her troubled betrothed, the Fates, even Hades himself – but she is determined to win his heart.

Tagline: Hades, God of Death, has no heart. Persephone is determined to prove otherwise…



Short Excerpt For the Love of Hades



Hades glanced at the lily propped atop the mantle. The blossom was bright white against the black silk to which it was pinned, light against the darkness. He reached up, tracing one petal with an unsteady finger. He saw the tremor, cursed it, and clenched his hand, drawing back from the flower as if it had burned him.

Turning abruptly from the fire, he made his way to his chair and sat heavily. There was a sweetness to his burden, but it was no less a burden.

He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees and covered his face with his hands.

What had he done? How could he make amends now that his heinous act had been hidden so long? Using his powers to aid a mortal would seem trivial in comparison with the offense he’d committed against Demeter. Against Olympus.

And yet, he felt whole.

The raw emptiness that he’d held at bay, for nigh on an eternity, no longer threatened to consume him. Having her here, with her constant laughter and endless conversation, had changed his world irrevocably.

If not for her, he would have remained bitter and angry. He would not have interfered at Cyprus. He would never have thought to champion the mortal, Ariston…

“My lord.” Her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

He lifted his head from his hands, surprised.

Persephone stood, beauty to behold, watching him with wide green eyes. In the blazing firelight her hair glowed copper, warm and rich. Her face, normally alight with smiles and laughter, was drawn. Was she not fully recovered? Or did the tension between them tire her as well?

His voice revealed nothing. “Persephone.”

Her steps were cautious, but she made her way to him. “Aphrodite?”

So she had seen Aphrodite. “Has gone.” And she should have gone with her fellow Olympian. He should have insisted she do so. He swallowed against the lump in his throat, ignoring the tightening in his chest.

“I thought as much.” She stood so close he could see the front of her tunic. The fabric trembled, thundering in time with the rapid beat of her heart.

Was she disappointed? Was she ready to leave him… his realm?

She should go. She should have gone weeks ago. He knew it was right. Yet knowing it did nothing to soothe his agitation. He clutched the arms of his throne, clinging to control.

“I’ve not asked you for anything in my time here.” She paused. “Have I?”

He shook his head once. No, she’d seemed happy, though he had little knowledge of true happiness, he supposed. His gaze found shadows beneath her eyes and a tightness about her mouth. He was a blind fool.

Have you been miserable? He could not ask the words aloud, fearing her answer.

Her voice was no steadier than her pulse. “Nor would I trouble you now, if my need were not so great.”

“What is it?” he asked. His voice sounded harsh to his own ears.

She sank to her knees, glancing at him with an almost timid gaze. Her hands lifted, wavered, and covered his hands. He stiffened, stunned by her actions. She touched him… He swallowed. The feel of her hands upon him squeezed the air from his lungs.

“Show me mercy. Show me the same mercy you’ve bestowed upon the mortal… the soldier Ariston.” Her hands clasped his tightly.

He would not reach for her, he could not. No matter how he might want to.

“Have I been cruel, that you feel the need to beg for anything from me?” His words were a harsh whisper. She shook her head and he continued, “Then why do you kneel before me?”

“It is a selfish request, one that may turn you from solicitous to,” she paused, her cheeks growing red, “… sickened.”

Was it possible for him to feel so towards her?

He stared at her hands, wrapped about his. He would not meet her gaze. He would not reveal his damnable weakness to her. He could not risk losing himself in the fathomless depths of her green eyes. “Ask me,” he murmured as his traitorous eyes sought hers.

She drew in a wavering breath, ragged and labored. Her whispered words were thick.

“My lover… Release him. Release the man who loves me, please.” Her eyes sparkled, mesmerizing him while his heart, so newly discovered, seemed to shudder to a stop once more.


Medusa A Love Story
Loves of Olympus Book One
By Sasha Summers

Book Description:

It's said love can change a person. Medusa wasn't always a monster...

Medusa is ruled by duty, to her Titan father and the Goddess Athena. She's no room for the tenderness her warrior guard, Ariston, stirs. When Olympus frees her from service, her heart leads her into the arms of the guard she loves... and curses her as the creature with serpent locks.

Ariston goes to war with a full heart... and dreadful foreboding. He learns too late of the danger Medusa faces, alone, and a Persian blade sends him into the Underworld. But death, curses, nor the wrath of the Gods will keep him from returning to her.

Poseidon will use Greece's war to get what he wants: Medusa. He does not care that she belongs to another. He does not care that she will be damned. He is a God, an Olympian, and she will be his.




"This tragic and beautiful retelling of one of the world's oldest stories tackles the eternal battle between duty and happiness. Medusa, A Love Story broke my heart then filled in the cracks with joy. Sasha Summers is simply a mesmerizing new talent." ~Stephanie Dray, Author of the critically acclaimed Song of the Nile


About the Author :
Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe.

She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.


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Monday, January 28, 2013

Excuse My Fairy by Kinley Baker Review






Title: Excuse My Fairy
Author: Kinley Baker
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Pages: 124
Price: $4.99
Rating: 5 out 5 stars

It's hard being a fairy living outside of your world, but imagine being a broken fairy that has no powers and relies on cheap tricks to fake her way through life. When Dray meets her mate though, things start to change. Should she trust the feelings she has for Barrett or run away? And what about this new power that has surfaced? How will it change her world?

I love urban fantasy/paranormal romance. This book was such a delightful read and I can't wait to read more in the series. If you love these genres, don't miss out on this new series.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Marked (Howl #5) by Jody Morse and Jayme Morse

Marked (Howl #5) by Jody Morse and Jayme Morse
$0.99 - 1/27/2013

When the Ima and the Vyka packs merge into one, everything changes. Factor in the unusual tattoo that’s appeared on her neck out of nowhere, and Samara finds herself more confused than ever before. She finds it difficult to focus on her upcoming wedding when it’s clear that someone is out to get her—someone who’s willing to sacrifice innocent lives along the way.

In the midst of everything else, Samara must decide what’s best for her and her pack, but sometimes the right choice isn’t always clear—especially when there’s a risk of someone getting hurt . . .

A Nose for Hanky Panky by Sharon Love Cook - $0.99 Goodie

A Nose for Hanky Panky by Sharon Love Cook
$0.99 - 1/27/2013

It's midnight in Granite Cove and only the sea clams are open. Murder creates havoc in this sleepy New England fishing village and Rose McNichols, reporter for the Granite Cove Gazette, is drawn into the case. Who killed Vivian Klinger, Ph.D., a woman too perfect for mere mortals, a woman who had everything but a sense of humor?

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Den by Jennifer Abrahams - FREE

The Den by Jennifer Abrahams
FREE - 1/26/2013

THE DEN was inspired by actual events and their resulting, recurring nightmares.

Is it possible to run away from yourself? No. Skyla Jane Judge should know.

Fresh on the heels of a breakup and college graduation, Skyla Jane Judge feels an inexplicable urge to accompany an attractive stranger on a road trip from New York to New Orleans. Maybe it has something to do with what a psychic has told her about a past life. Maybe some old friends stuck between lives are waiting for her there.

Whatever the case, she gives in to the lure of Louisiana’s voodoo country and doesn’t look back. Longing for change, she uncovers a “den” beneath the haunted cobblestone streets of the French Quarter and, in the company of vampires, begins to discover her true self.

Skyla embarks on a journey to self-awareness that ultimately uncovers a secret ceremonial path to love and eternal enlightenment. Though change is what she wanted, is she ready for the irrevocable change her “new” friends offer her?

THE DEN (47,000 words) is Book #1 of The Vampire’s Witch Saga. Books #2 (IN THE BLOOD) and #3 (THE SEVENTH DAY) in the series are also available for sale.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Stormcaller by R. K. MacPherson - FREE

Stormcaller by R. K. MacPherson
FREE - 1/25/2013

Power always carries a price...

For Isaura Durand, homeless life on the streets of Seattle posed plenty of challenges. She didn’t ask to become a witch. She didn’t understand how it would change her, but when she awakens to her power, Isaura finds herself plunged into a brutal struggle with dark forces.

Thrust into the heart of Seattle’s eldritch world, Isaura uncovers a series of ritual sacrifices designed to unleash magic’s true power upon the world.

Allied with a grumpy Norwegian mage, a Native American shaman on a Harley, and a beautiful medic, Isaura must overcome her own demons and her growing list of enemies. Victory is anything but certain, and to survive, Isaura must embrace her potential and become the...

STORMCALLER

To Stand Beside Her by B. Kristin McMichael Review

Title: To Stand Beside Her
Author: B. Kristin McMichael
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 323
Price: $2.99

Leila is the best of best at what she does. Or, at least she was until she broke her own rules. Now being forced to marry a king in order to save her best friend's life, Leila must decide whether or not to trust what destiny has in store for her.

I found To Stand Beside Her to be a well-written adventure that had a strong female lead. I think many young women will find this story intriguing, especially those getting over their first bad breakup. I would recommend it to anyone that loves fantasy and adventure served with a bit of romance.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Waterfall Promo



Waterfall
A Dragon’s Fate Novella, Book 1
Lacy Danes

Genre: Romance, Alternate Worlds, Paranormal, Steamy/Erotic

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Number of pages: 138
Word Count: 38K

Cover Artist: Kanaza http://www.kanaxa.com/

Book Description:

It’s easy to fall in love. Destiny requires tooth and claw.
Curses are designed to be cruel, but the one afflicting Jordan and his brothers is almost beyond bearing. A dragon born by blood magic, he is an immortal trapped in human form, with only one hope of finding his eternal mate. He must bite her—and pray she lives.

One dark night, he senses the wounded heartbeat of a woman in the shadows, begging him to end her life. Ever the gentleman, he chivalrously obliges her wish. Only to discover three days later that she lives. And has married another.

Celeste always dreamed of marrying for love, but the nightmare of living in her father’s home drives her to wed the Duke of Hudson. Yet on her wedding eve, she is compelled to follow a mysterious man who professes to know her secret. A man with curious blue scales on his muscular arms—whose shadowed eyes reflect a dangerous mix of destiny and desire…
Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, sex in water, four super-hot dragon brothers, and a curse born from magical power that has left them wondering who they are all their lives.

About the Author :

Lacy Danes made a New Year's resolution to write a hot, historical romance.

A year and a half later, she achieved her goal. She lives in Portland, Oregon, where besides writing she enjoys playing cards, chasing her kids around, and savoring a great martini with the man of her dreams all while watching the world go by.

Visit Lacy at her web site. www.LacyDanes.com








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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Zombie Hunter's Bible by Raymund Hensley - FREE

The Zombie Hunter's Bible by Raymund Hensley 
FREE - 1/23/2013

A horror-comedy novella. (Editor's Note: Information contained within these pages is for entertainment purposes only. Please do not murder people because they have been bitten by "zombies".)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Tales From a Second Hand Wand Shoppe by Robert P. Willis - FREE

Tales From a Second Hand Wand Shoppe by Robert P. Willis
FREE - 1/22/2013

Tales from a Second Hand Wand Shoppe (Book 1):
They were the Best of Gnomes, They were the Worse of Gnomes.

Two Gnomes - Grimbledung and Drimblerod- are just trying to get along in life when their worlds collide. Drimblerod runs a moderately reputable Second Hand Wand Shop that does pretty well at moving inventory. Grimbledung runs a disreputable Second Hand Wand Wagon that he moves regularly to avoid the authorities.

Everything changes when they combine their talents:
City ordinances are broken. Neighbors are annoyed. The Constable becomes involved. Even the Magician's Guild sends over some Enforcers to deal with them. Things are looking up for the Gnomes!

From multi-headed travelers looking for a good time, to Half-Orcs just trying to obey their mates, everyone seems to come to the Second Hand Wand Shoppe to either buy or sell a wand. Along for the ride are a neurotic Jousting Dummy, an immortal (so far) Rat, a Trolless who runs the Tavern and Restaurant across the street, a Dwarf next door with (alleged) Mob ties, and the Head Mistress of the local School of Magic (with definite Mob ties).

Did we mention the Halfling Army that's out for blood? They'll have to deal with them as well!

Bask in this illustrated 96,000+ word adventure! You'll laugh! You'll cry.

You'll never be the same.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Little Red Wolf by Jessica Aspen Review


Title: Little Red Wolf
Author: Jessica Aspen
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 91 Pages
Price: $5.99
Rating: 5 out 5 stars

What if Little Red Riding Hood wasn't afraid of wolves. What if she were the wolf? Little Red Wolf turns the classic fairy tale upside down with a delightful spin on the story we all know so well. With a young, red-headed woman putting her pack's safety at stake by spending time with a human. Can she find a way to love a human and stay true to her pack?

While this book had a well-developed plot, the real reason to read this book is the sinfully delicious sex scenes. You'll find yourself needing a cold shower, or a little alone time with your man, when reading this delightful novella. If you love werewolves and paranormal romance, you're going to love this book.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Tainted by Helen Macdonald Review

Title: Tainted
Author: Helen Macdonald
Genre: Fantasy/YA
Pages: 9
Price: $0.99
Rating: 5 out 5

The first chapter in the Tainted Series by Helen Macdonald, this story genuinely impressed me. It grabs you right away and leaves you wanting more. About a young girl who is growing up too fast in a world where everyone seems to be tainted by lies, darkness, and a hidden past, Reagan must learn to fight a war she didn't even know existed. Will she make it out alive or suffer the same fate as her mother?

Read this! It's only one chapter, but you'll never regret downloading this one. If you love fantasy, girl adventures, or sci-fi, you'll love this series.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Flip That Haunted House by Rose Pressey - $0.99 Goodie

Flip That Haunted House by Rose Pressey
$0.99 - 1/19/2013

Alabama Hargrove has a new, sure-fire, money-making scheme up her sleeve:
house flipper. So what if she knows zilch about renovating homes--how hard
can it be?

Tougher than she thought when she discovers ghosts inhabiting the run-down
mansion and the corpse of the previous owner. Oh yeah, and now the local sheriff thinks Alabama is the killer.

Holy house rehab, what's next? Reed O'Hara, the sexy know-it-all next door neighbor that's what. Alabama is hell-bent on proving she can handle the fixer-upper. Plus, unravel the mystery and find the killer. But if she's not careful, she may end up in the house forever…

$1.99 or Less for Kindle Books in Romance!

Score a great deal today on 25 Kindle books at $1.99 or less! Many titles are $0.99! Today only, save on 25 top-rated Kindle romance novels. Suspenseful, historical, fantastic, or tender, these romantic tales can be read on Kindles or free Kindle reading apps and given as gifts to anyone with an e-mail address.

CLICK HERE TO SAVE!

Friday, January 18, 2013

Kindle Fire HD Manual FREE

Kindle Fire HD Manual
FREE - 1/18/2013

The Kindle Fire HD Manual is ALL you will need to get the most out of your new Amazon Tablet!

The perfect guide that covers all you need to know about the Kindle Fire line of devices including the new Kindle Fire HD 8.9. Not only providing valuable tips and information about your device but also accompanied with beautiful full-color images within every chapter.

You will learn things like:

• The Kindle Story

• Hardware & Software

• Downloading Youtube Videos

• Using Flash Player

• A Visual Tour

• Opting Out of Ads

• Connecting to Wi-Fi

• 3G On Demand

• Taking Crisp Screenshots

• Activating Your Tablet

• Speeding up your Browser

• Battery Saving Tips

• Accessories For Your Kindle Fire

• Printing from your Kindle

• Keeping Stuff Private!

• The Two-finger spread

• Side-loading

• Riveting Reads

• Essential apps

And MUCH more!!

Big Bucks in Bad Times by Marc Charles Review

Author: Marc Charles
Pages: 194
Price: $3.99 or FREE for Prime Members
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

As a freelance writer, I'm always looking for ways to save money. In Big Bucks in Bad Times, Marc Charles offers up 314 ways to make and save money when times are tough. As someone who writes about personal finance, I doubted I would learn anything new, but I was pleasantly surprised. This book has a lot to offer and is well worth the small price of $3.99.

Throughout the book, Marc Charles offers little snippets of advice on making or saving money. While every tip may not work for you, there's a good chance you'll find at least one tips that saves you hundreds of dollars each year. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the author appears to have taken posts from his blog and crammed them together in an ebook. While that would have been fine, the author fails to remove special savings alerts that are outdated. Other than that, the book is filled with great information that anyone can find useful.

I give Big Bucks in Bad Times 4 out 5 stars and highly recommend it to those looking for quick and easy ways to save and make more money. This is a book that is loaded with links to great resources that I will be turning to time and time again in the future. If you want to save more money or make some pocket change, read this book.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Carpe Bead'em by Tonya Kappes - Splurge Time!

Carpe Bead'em by Tonya Kappes
$2.51 - 1/16/2013

**eFestival of Words 2012 Women's Fiction Winner**

Orphaned at a young age, Hallie Mediate was raised by her (slightly) crazy Great Aunt Grace on the wrong side of the tracks in Cincinnati. Hallie dreamed of escaping her hometown and never looking back. After putting herself through college, landing her dream job in Chicago, and starting a romance with her handsome running partner Bo Pompillio, life is finally exactly as she wants it.

That is, until she’s transferred back to the hometown. Not wanting her past to cross paths with her future, Hallie puts her relationship with Bo on hold.

When she arrives in town, Hallie finds crazy Aunt Grace rummaging through a dumpster looking for the “perfect” welcome home gift for her niece. That’s just the beginning. After that, Aunt Grace stays busy by dying her stolen poodle’s hair pink and leaving the dog on her apartment roof to pee, throwing bricks out the window at passing neighbors, and climbing every flag pole to kiss the ornamental eagle.

Hallie finds some sanity at a local jewelry-making class where she uncovers a hidden talent for beading. When her talent is discovered by a major department store jewelry buyer, Hallie realizes that what she had in Chicago might not have been her dream life after all.

When faced with the choice of moving back to Chicago and Bo or taking a leap of faith to start her own jewelry company (with Aunt Grace in tow), Hallie has to make a decision. Will she let her past and her future collide, or will she or keep searching for the happiness she may already have found?

Monday, January 14, 2013

Heels and Heroes by Tiffany Allee Blitz





Heels and Heroes
Tiffany Allee

Genre: Superhero/Contemporary/Fantasy

Publisher: Decadent
ISBN: 978-1-61333-451-5

Number of pages: 79
Word Count: 27,000

Cover Artist: Mina Carter

Book Description:

Brenda is a second-rate superhero, normally more concerned with uniform fashion than defeating bad guys. But when a violent, new super villain declares war against her city, she suddenly finds her specialized power to deafen sound in high demand.
As if facing the destructive force of a new enemy isn’t bad enough, she finds herself paired with the powerful, yet emotionally distant, Justice. Forced to work at the side of the only man who gets her heart pounding, Brenda is not only in danger of losing her life in battle, but also her heart to a man who might not be able to love her back.

Short Excerpt

“You think only some superheroes are real?” he asked, shock rushing through him.

“Justice,” she said, after glancing around to make sure they were alone. “There is a difference between real superheroes like you who have the power to save people from villains on a regular basis and people like me. My powers, such as they are, don’t make me any different from Maria and other normal people. Yours do.”

“You think it’s the powers that separate us?” Before he realized what he was doing, he was up from his chair and standing only inches from her. Her face was turned away, and she had to look at him so he could make her understand. He touched her soft skin with his fingertips, tipping her chin up. A scowl cut across her full mouth at his touch, but she didn’t move away.

“Isn’t it?” Her voice was soft, caressing.

It took a moment for him to remember what they were talking about.

“It’s not our powers that separate us—make us heroes. Yes, us,” he added as she started to shake her head. “It’s the willingness to put on the uniform. To face things that might be stronger than ourselves in order to save other people. And the lack of power you’re talking about?” Her skin brushed against his as he leaned in to whisper. “That lack of power is what makes you a real superhero, Brenda, because you’re willing to fight in spite of that fact.”

She turned her head, mouth parted to argue with him, to deny what he could so clearly see. Bringing his face down inches from hers, he grazed her jawline with his knuckles. She swayed toward him, gaze fixed on his mouth. She licked her lips, and the last bit of control he’d clung to broke.

Her lips were soft—so soft—and after a moment’s hesitation she kissed him back with a zeal he hadn’t expected. The sweet smell of strawberries filled his nose, and it occurred to him on some level that the intoxicating scent was probably her shampoo. He reached for her, touching her back with his hand, needing to get closer, to feel her body on his. She pressed against him eagerly, and her mouth opened. Soft and wet, her tongue caressed his.

Suddenly he couldn’t think about anything but her. The way she’d filled out her tight, little uniform. And the sexy confidence she donned with her conservative blouse and slacks. He hardened painfully in his uniform, and she moaned. The small sound made every muscle in his body tighten. He didn’t care that they were practically in public. He had to have her. Now.


About the Author:
CPA-turned-romance-author Tiffany Allee used to battle spreadsheets in Corporate America, and now concentrates on her characters’ battles to find love. Raised in small-town Colorado, Tiffany currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver. She is happily married to a secret romantic who tolerates her crazy mutterings.
She writes about ass-kicking heroines and the strong heroes who love them. Her work includes the suspense-driven Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series which revolves around a group of paranormal cops solving crimes and finding love, and Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid, a lighthearted paranormal romance (Entangled Publishing).
Tiffany has an MBA in accounting and nearly a decade of experience in corporate finance. All super useful stuff for a writer who spends far too much time trying to figure out fun ways to keep her characters apart, and interesting ways to kill people (for her books—of course!).




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Sunday, January 13, 2013

The Death Series Book 1 - 3 - FREEBIE

The Death Series Book 1 - 3 by Tamara Rose Blodgett
FREE - 1/13/2013

3 books in 1 Bundle:

DEATH WHISPERS (#1)
DEATH SPEAKS (#2)
DEATH INCEPTION (#3)

(App. total word count 235,000)

DEATH WHISPERS:
Almost fifteen-year-old Caleb Hart is a Cadaver-Manipulator in the year 2025. When teens receive a government-sanctioned pharmaceutical cocktail during school, paranormal abilities begin manifesting... making the teens more powerful than the adults.

After Caleb discovers he has the rare, Affinity for the Dead, he must do whatever it takes to hide it from a super-secret government agency whose goal is exploitation.

Caleb seeks refuge in his new girlfriend, Jade, until he realizes that she needs as much protection from her family, as he does from the government.

Suddenly, Caleb finds that hiding his ability while protecting Jade and his friends is a full time job; can he escape the government, protect Jade and lose the bullies that are making him miserable?

DEATH SPEAKS:
Caleb's in high school now and thinks the chaos of last year is behind him. Unfortunately, a serial killer is on the loose and children are his victims. Caleb agrees to help the police apprehend the murderer...until the killer takes notice of Caleb and his paranormal friends.

Carson and Brett remain the bullies they always were and their posse continues to grow. How long can the two groups stay out of each others' way before there's a firestorm of retribution...

The Government Graysheets continue to keep tabs on Caleb's every move while Jade's family threatens their relationship. Can they still be together even when events threaten to tear them apart?

DEATH INCEPTION:
Kyle Ulysses Hart and his team of scientists mapped the human genome in the year 2010. As Brain Impulse Technology came online... so did the long arm of the United States government. A covert, military-driven regime was born with genetic manipulation the key to future widespread control.

When pharmaceutical laboratories, funded by the Graysheets, discover a way to unlock paranormal potential through compulsive inoculation, their exploitative dream is realized.

Clyde and Caleb's lives are predestined to intertwine as they cross paths, his history becoming Caleb's future.

A lone teenager named Jeffrey Parker, falls prey when he manifests the rare, Affinity for the Dead.The Graysheets abandon all pretense of stewardship, ripping him from his family for their nefarious purposes.

Can Jeffrey remain who he was destined to be in an environment exclusively built for mass control?

Suggested reading order for The Death Series:
DEATH WHISPERS
DEATH SPEAKS
DEATH INCEPTION
DEATH SCREAMS
DEATH WEEPS
UNREQUITED DEATH

Atticus for the Undead by John Abramowitz - FREEBIE

Atticus for the Undead by John Abramowitz
FREE - 1/13/2013

The next chapter in the struggle for equal rights begins!

Hunter Gamble is an idealistic young attorney in a very special area of the practice: arcane defense. Funded by enigmatic billionaire Charles McClain and aided by shy-but-energetic research attorney Kirsten Harper, he's making the world a better place--one vampire, zombie, or werewolf client at a time. After all, they deserve their day in court too, right?

When a young zombie walks into Hunter's office accused of murder (by brain-eating), Hunter's idealism is tested as never before as he struggles to secure the man's freedom. To do so, he must square off against a savvy and ambitious district attorney, contend with a judge who is deeply biased against arcanes, and stand up to a human-supremacist group which will stop at nothing--not even Hunter's own death--to see his client convicted.

The Witching Pen by Dianna Hardy - FREEBIE

The Witching Pen by Dianna Hardy 
FREE - 1/13/2013

Book One of The Witching Pen Novellas 

It's hard being the most powerful witch on the planet. It's even harder when you're a twenty-five year old virgin who'll lose all of that power the moment you sleep with someone ... that's why Elena's never slept with her best friend and flatmate, Karl, despite the true feelings they harbour for each other.

Elena's about to discover that there are even more difficult things in life to deal with. One of them comes in the form of a pen she discovers one day, a pen that allows anything she writes to come to pass...

Suddenly, it's not just her powers or her heart that's at stake, but her very soul, as a dream demon with a seductive pull uses the pen to try and turn her away from her reality, and from Karl.

But the pen is just the beginning. Everything Elena has believed in is a lie, and her world is about to fall apart...

(Book length: novella - over 37,000 words)

NOTE: All three books are now also available in one large Omnibus Edition!

A Demon Made Me Do It by Penelope King - FREEBIE

A Demon Made Me Do It by Penelope King
FREE - 1/13/2013

A Wicked Curse... A Deadly Secret... An Approaching Evil... A Forbidden Love...

Some girls share clothes. Some girls share a bedroom. Seventeen-year-old Liora Greyson has to share, too. Only she shares her body--with a demon.

Liora just wants to survive her senior year with her dark secret intact. But the walls she's built to keep people away come tumbling down once she meets the sexy and mysterious Kieron, and he lights her world on fire. She can't let him know she transforms into a demon named "Lucky" at nightfall--a demon with an entirely separate personality who passes out Torment, Justice, and Revenge like Halloween candy.

Turns out Kieron is the one who should be afraid once Lucky discovers his true identity and motivations. Liora wants to love him, but Lucky thinks he's public enemy #1.

Fighting your demons is one thing. Having one that fights back, messes with your guy, and leaves you with nasty hangovers can be pure hell.

Being bad has never been so good...

Friday, January 11, 2013

Couponing for Busy People by Elle Marshall Review

Author: Elle Marshall
Pages: 67
Price: $4.99 or FREE for Prime Members
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I remember clipping coupons at a very early age. To be honest, my mother gave me coupons to keep me busy and so I could work on my motor skills. As I got older, I knew that we couldn't afford some of the junk food items at the store, but if we clipped coupons, I'd have a better chance of getting my beloved sugary cereals. When I moved out, I clipped coupons so my boyfriend and I could save money off our grocery bill. Soon, it became a game and I found it fun to match sales with coupons. Unfortunately, I let things slide because it became too time-consuming with a full-time job and going to college full-time. When I saw the book Couponing for Busy People by Elle Marshall, I knew this was a book I had to read.

Couponing for Busy People gives you inside tips, but doesn't require you to go to extremes in order to save. This book is not about dumpster diving for coupons or knocking down little old ladies for the last bottle of body wash. Instead, this book teaches you have to save money in ways that are quick and easy.

What I loved most about this book were the links to useful resources. Not only will you learn where to look for a list of this week's coupons, but you'll also learn where to find coupon schedules on which inserts will be available in the future. You will also find great links on where to print and buy coupons as well as sites that help you match coupons with sales.

If you want to use coupons, but don't want to invest 40 hours a week, Couponing for Busy People by Elle Marshall is the book for you.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Grave Intentions by Lori Sjoberg Review





Title: Grave Intentions
Author: Lori Sjoberg
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 260
Price: $4.99
Rating: 5 out 5 stars

Imagine that death wasn't one entity, but many people - people who need to wash their hands of sins they committed in life. That's exactly what David Anderson is, a reaper. All he has to do is finish out his sentence and he'll be on his way to the afterlife. There's only one problem. A woman has walked into his life and gave him a reason to stick around a little longer. Just when it's time to say goodbye to this world, he chooses to do the unthinkable in order to save the one he loves.

I love, love, love urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Grave Intentions provides a healthy dose that is sure to keep you on the lookout for future releases from this talented author. I would recommend Grave Intentions to anyone that loves paranormal romance.


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Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Remember When by T. Torrest - FREEBIE

Remember When by T. Torrest 
FREE - 1/9/2013

Ever wonder how often Brad Pitt’s high school girlfriend must ponder jumping off a bridge? Ever think about the girl that had her hooks in George Clooney before he took off for TV stardom? How about Leonardo DiCaprio’s ex, or Johnny Depp’s first groupie, or any number of young women who got left behind when their boyfriends set off for greener pastures and eventually achieved unfathomable Hollywood fame?

My name is Layla Warren and I don’t need to wonder about any of those things. I already know. Because years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen sitting in the desk behind me in my high school English class.

This was back in 1990, and I cite the year only to avoid dumbfounding you when references to big hair or stretch pants are mentioned. Although, come to think of it, I am from Northern New Jersey, which may serve as explanation enough. We were teenagers then, way back in a time before anyone, himself included, could even dream he’d turn into the Hollywood commodity that he is today.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you who Trip Wiley is. But on the off chance you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, just know that these days, he’s the actor found at the top of every casting director’s wish list. He’s incredibly talented and insanely gorgeous, the combination of which has made him very rich, very famous and very desirable.

And not just to casting directors, either.

I can’t confirm any of the gossip from his early years out in Tinseltown, but based on what I knew of his life before he was famous, I can tell you that the idea of Girls-Throwing-Themselves-At-Trip is not a new concept.

I should know. I was one of them.

And my life hasn’t been the same since.



Author's Note: Remember When is the first book in a trilogy. It is intended for mature teen readers and immature adult readers due to some high school sex scenes, questionable language and 1980s flashbacks.

Kismetology by Jaimie Admans - Special Price Alert

Kismetology by Jaimie Admans
$1.60 - 1/9/2013

***Special Promotional Low Price For A Limited Time Only!***
 

Finding the perfect man isn't easy. Especially when it's for your mother...

Mothers. Can't live with them, can't live without them, can't live three doors down the road without them interfering in every aspect of your life.


Mackenzie Atkinson's mother has meddled in her love life once too often and something has to be done. Mackenzie decides to turn the tables and find love for her lonely mother. 
Her lonely and very fussy mother.
Surely finding an older gentleman looking for love won't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
If you've ever thought that boys grow up, here's the problem: They don't. Ever.
And Mackenzie is about to learn that the hard way.


Faced with a useless boyfriend, dressed up dogs, men who wear welly boots on dates, men who shouldn't be allowed out in public, and men who make reptiles seem like attractive company - will she ever find the perfect man for her neurotic mother? 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

925 Ideas to Help You Save Money by Devin D Thorpe Review


Title: 925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire a Millionaire
Author: Devin D Thorpe
Genre: Advice, How-To, Finances
Price: $0.99
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

At just shy of 1000 tips, 925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire a Millionaire by Devin D Thorpe, offers advice for a variety of situations. Whether you're trying to figure out how to pay for your next car or just want to get out of serious debt, these tips can help.

I found this book to be a refreshing approach to finances in that it allowed me to easily jump to the sections that were important to me. While I'm also a financial writer, I still found a few pieces of information in this book to be useful. For example, the approach to paying off debt took what I knew one step further making it even easier to put extra money towards my bills each month.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a quick and easy to read book that will help them tackle a variety of financial situations.



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Carpe DiEmily (Part 1) by Riley J Ford - FREEBIE

Carpe DiEmily (Part 1) by Riley J Ford 
FREE - 1/8/2013

OT NEW RELEASE!

#1 BESTSELLER IN ROMANCE & COMIC FICTION! 

(NOTE: Part 1 is half of a two-part book. It is offered free because it is a not the full book, although it is well over 220 pages. If you would like to read the entire book (440 pages), please purchase CARPE DIEMILY - PARTS 1 & 2.)

Emily Keane has her life all planned out. She's played by the rules and never stepped outside her box, and now she will finally be rewarded with everything she always dreamed of: a job promotion, a fiance, and a future she can count on. But when her perfectly planned world falls apart, Emily is plunged into the wildest year of her life.

From the beaches of California to Jamaica, New York, and Europe, Emily finds herself on a madcap race against time, running from an unscrupulous organ broker who wants her dead, all the while checking items off her unusual bucket list. On top of it all, she's falling in love with the most unlikely person, a man who can never return her feelings . . . but will his friendship be enough?

Confronting one hilarious misadventure after another, Emily finally learns who she really is and how to seize the day . . .

  • CARPE DiEMILY is a raunchy, fearless comedy in the same vein as the movie Bridesmaids, to which it has been favorably compared. Both female and male readers will enjoy this zany comedic adventure.

Demon Kissed by H.M. Ward - FREEBIE

Demon Kissed by H.M. Ward
FREE - 1/8/2013

BOOK #1 IN THE BESTSELLING DEMON KISSED SERIES

The Valefar boy tricked Ivy Taylor into kissing him, but he took much more than a kiss - he stole her soul and left her within inches of death.

By surviving, Ivy is drawn into the conflict between the Martis and the Valefar. The war between these two immortal forces has raged for millennia without distraction. Until now. Ivy is an anomaly--she is the only person who has ever walked away from a demon kiss alive. Her survival gives her unique and deadly abilities. Too powerful to ignore, Ivy is a threat to both armies. These two ancient enemies will stop at nothing to kill the seventeen-year-old. 

Surviving is nothing new for headstrong Ivy, but her survival has never depended on another person before. This time it does. And if she misplaces her trust, she's dead. To her horror, she starts falling in love at the worst possible time--with the enemy. He appears to be protecting her. But she can't be certain if he is trying to help her, or help himself to her power. 

For Ivy, trusting the right person is the difference between love and survival, or a deadly demon kiss.

92,327 Words, 3rd Edition. Young Adult Paranormal Romance.

BESTSELLING DEMON KISSED SERIES ORDER:
#1. Demon Kissed
#2. Cursed
#3. Torn
#4. Satan's Stone
#5. The 13th Prophecy
#6. Assassin: Fall of the Golden Valefar 
#7. TBA


ADDITIONAL DEMON KISSED BOOKS:
VALEFAR VOLUMES (Demon Kissed Novellas)
#1. Valefar Vol. 1
#2. Valefar Vol. 2 
 


In Search of a Love Story by Rachel Schurig - FREEBIE

In Search of a Love Story by Rachel Schurig
FREE - 1/8/2013

Emily Donovan doesn’t have a romantic bone in her body.

At least, that’s what her friends Ryan and Ashley keep telling her. They’re convinced her bad luck with men is directly related to her life-long lack of interest in all things romantic. When Emily’s latest relationship crashes and burns, she decides to go along with her friends’ plans for a romance research project. Sure, the idea that she’ll have better luck if she learns about the great romances of literature and film seems a little silly, but Emily figures it can’t hurt.

In no time at all, Emily finds herself buried under a mountain of romance novels, chick flicks, and sappy love songs, hopeful that her hard work will pay off with true love. When she meets Greg, Ashley and Ryan are convinced she’s found prince charming—after all, he’s rich, handsome, and totally into Emily. What more could she want? And why does it seem that her friend Elliot isn’t exactly happy for her?

Faced with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a seemingly endless string of missteps, she is nevertheless determined to give true love a try. In doing so, Emily will eventually find that true romance, the kind that lasts, has little to do with stereotypes or clichés, and everything to do with finding out what’s in her own heart.

This is book #1 of the Love Story series. Don't miss the sequel, An Unexpected Love Story, out in December 2012!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Dreams of Gray by Maurice Lawless - FREEBIE

Dreams of Gray by Maurice Lawless 
FREE - 1/7/2013

Dreama Cargill is in trouble. She woke up naked, cold, and sporting a back mural. Where did it come from? Tattoos aren’t her usual scene. Then again, neither is blood and a strange attraction to the woods at night. Something is changing her, and not for the better. Can she unravel the mystery before the moon calls her to kill?

Blood Kiss by M Kenyon Charboneaux - $0.99 Goodie!

Blood Kiss by M Kenyon Charboneaux
$0.99 or FREE for Prime Members

What do a Catholic Priest from 1323 AD and a night club owner and and hunter of men from 2003 have in common? They're the same being, Michel de Brissault, only changed.

One thing that hasn't changed is Michel's grief over love lost. The priest Michel was forced to watch his true love marry another, and the vampire Michel carried that loss for centuries.

Now it appears his love has come back to him in Mae, a creature so like his lost love that even Michel's blood runs warm. When Michel discovers what kind of creature Mae really is, it may cost him eternity.

The Interview - A Zombie A.C.R.E.S. Story by Joshua Cook



The Interview
A Zombie A.C.R.E.S. Story
Television sets across America flicked on almost simultaneously. The country collectively held its breath out of sheer anticipation. Few times in America's history had one moment brought all her people together; this was one of those times. This moment would go down as one of the most important events in human history.
Ladies and Gentlemen, do not adjust your television sets.” The voice on the television was firm, yet possessed a calming quality, the hallmark of a veteran anchorman. “We are intentionally not showing tonight’s guest yet. With the amazing shock to the country that Mr. Lohman’s buzz has already served to spawn, we thought it best to try and ease our viewers into what is about to come.”
Tom Laudner finished speaking and the previously blank screens flashed to life, showing his face, but not that of his guest. “This interview is taking place at an undisclosed location for the safety and security of all who are involved. I am speaking with William Lohman, a former employee – of sorts – of Roslun Global. Within the last five years, Roslun has seen major growth and has become the leading pharmaceutical company in the United States of America. Mr. Lohman’s recent announcement has helped to explain why.”
The screen cut to black again and broadcast nothing but dead silence for almost two minutes. A collective nation held its breath yet again; imaginations ran wild in the heads of every man, woman, and child watching. Finally, Tom's face returned, and the sounds of last-second scuffling could be heard in the background.  Tom glanced to one side, his eyes throwing an "Are we back on?" look at his producer.  He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment to his unseen producer and turned his attention back to the camera, but before Tom could welcome the nation back to the broadcast, a sound came across the airwaves. It wasn’t quite a voice, though words seemed to be carried by it.
Hello.” Rusty. That was the only way Bob Johns could describe what he heard in his Duluth living room that night.
My name is William Lohman.” Hole. A hole in your larynx, to be exact. That is how Phyllis Weidmar would later describe what she heard during her Wednesday bridge game in Miami.
Tom took back control of his broadcast.  "Welcome, Mr. Lohman." Tom's butter-smooth voice set the viewers at ease, though not because of its perfectly groomed diction and pitch; that night it made people happy simply because it was not William Lohman’s rasp. “We are going to pan over to Mr. Lohman in just a few seconds. I want to be perfectly clear on this matter."  The camera zoomed in on Tom's eyes which expressed the gravity of the situation better than the words he uttered next. "What you are about to see is not for the squeamish. That cannot be emphasized enough. Please leave the room or turn the channel if you are afraid of what you may see.”
The camera stayed focused on Tom, giving everyone ample time to ponder his warning. With a nod, Tom gave the cameraman the sign to start to pan over to the hot seat - ever so slowly. Sources have since claimed to have observed much vomiting for the remainder of the interview.
William Lohmans’ skin was heavily blackened and blotchy, making it appear as if he had been on the losing end of an extremely bad beating. Around his eye sockets and orifices, it was sickly receded. Gashes along his neckline were partially draining pus and had to be wiped every few minutes, drawing even more attention to the deep cuts around his throat. They looked to be made in haste, with many stops and starts. William’s teeth seemed large in his mouth, next to the receding, blackened gums. On his head he wore an expensive looking hat, helping to draw some of the attention away from the grotesqueness of his face.
So why don’t you begin to tell us what your announcement is, Mr. Lohman.” Tom’s voice came across again, but this time people were not happy as they were still forced to stare at William Lohman’s face of death.
As you have said, Tom, I was formerly employed by the Roslun Corporation. I was their salesman for special projects. I was a shining specimen of their progress and was made to prove it in secret meetings all over the globe.” The rasping voice coming out of that gut-wrenching face was worse than any horror film, yet his clothes seemed to match his 'salesman' title - an expensive, dark suit with a bright red power tie. “As far back as the sixties, the powers that be have been seriously experimenting on ways to beat death. Their first breakthrough came in 1968, when they managed to partially reanimate a corpse. By partially, I am referring to the fact that Specimen Zero could only wave his arms and legs, but they were dead - and moving - nonetheless.”
Camera 2 cut to Tom Laudner’s beautiful face; he was a handsome man, but compared to Lohman he was a Greek God. “What proof do you have that this 'Specimen Zero' even existed? I find it hard to believe that, even back in the sixties, something this big would not be leaked at some point.”
Oh it was leaked, Mr. Laudner."  Lohman gave Tom a look like an adult gives a child when they are about to impart a life lesson; even through the oddly hanging skin and deathly pallor, that look was unmistakable. "And it was just as quickly covered up. Writer and director George Romero has become the Father of the Modern Zombie, and that is truer than most realize. Mr. Romero actually worked at an underground testing lab in Pennsylvania in 1968. That lab had managed to somehow ‘misplace’ one of the confidential observation videos from the night of Specimen Zero’s second birth.”
George being the quickest on his toes that night proposed they film a cheesy horror movie to cover up these film reels of Specimen Zero. One month later, Night of the Living Dead was finished. What nobody ever expected was the success of this new genre, and the fascination of the American people with the idea of bringing the dead back to life.
Now wait a second,” Tom sounded a little agitated this time. “You expect me to swallow that… that… that Night of the Living Dead was a cover-up?” He spit out this last part like it was burning his throat.
You may swallow whatever you wish, Mr. Laudner, I expect nothing. I am telling you the truth, and that is all I am doing.” William was doing his best to smirk, but succeeded only in making his features more disgusting. “As I was saying, this rise, though unexpected, was a godsend for the Second Birth project, as it had come to be known. It enabled them to keep producing these low end horror films, which helped a little financially, but mostly it cast doubt on every single piece of evidence ever brought to light. With so many of these films coming out, and the technology so dated, there was no way to prove authenticity.”
So the Second Birth project just kept on going. The major players would switch every so-often, but the goals and practices would remain the same. With the boom of the pharmaceutical industry during the seventies, drug companies became more and more interested in the Second Birth technology. Roslun came into the game during the late eighties under the generic title Danko Drug Co., due to the Civil Liberties protests and controversy surrounding Second Birth rumors. The early nineties brought an end to the rumors and provided the first concrete proof as the technology finally reached the point to see through Second Birth’s cover-ups once and for all.”
Mr. Lohman!” Tom almost screamed at his guest, his practiced air of composure definitely shaken. “I have been in the news for thirty years, and I have never heard of any of this!”
Have you never discovered new information years after the actions had taken place? I’m dead and even I understand that is how cover-ups work. It was decided in most of these cases that public safety was more important than public knowledge. After a particularly nasty incident, Danko Drug Co. was dissolved and Roslun emerged as themselves; quickly becoming a powerhouse in the Second Birth project. Roslun Global was the first one to bring Zombie A.C.R.E.S. to the idea table.”
Acres?”
Animated Corpses Reintegration Experimental Subdivision. The Second Birth experiments have gotten to the point of actual moving and thinking zombies. Roslun wanted to take the experiments out of the underground labs and into a small gated-community. After much debate and great monetary cost to Roslun, powerful benefactors were convinced of the merits of the program and Zombie A.C.R.E.S. was built in 2005 in the desert of Nevada."
So for the last six years, there has been a zombie housing program in Nevada? And who are the major players involved in this Second Birth project? The government?”
The government had knowledge and closely followed Second Birth, but no government ever once got involved in any actions or projects.”
IMPOSSIBLE!” Tom screamed, his journalistic professionalism gone for the moment. “That’s just outrageous! You’re saying that no government ever had anything to do with these zombie projects and cover-ups?”
Other than possessing knowledge of the program, that is exactly what I'm telling you. It may be hard to believe, but again, I'm just telling you the truth, that’s all.”
So why have you decided to come forward now, six years after this all started? Did your conscience come back to life all of a sudden?”
Yes.”
Yes what?”
Yes, that is exactly what happened. Before 2010, zombies could not feel.” That word - zombies - came out even more heinous than most of William Lohman’s words. “Early experiments only resulted in a lot of screaming from the zombies, whose ability to speak was just beginning. By summer 2010, feelings were brought back online, and things were smooth. The zombies said they only felt minimal pain, but there only seemed small traces of any indication to a conscience. This is when my second birth occurred. I had only been dead a week when I was discovered. At first, I felt nothing inside. Just empty. The more they toted me around, the more I learned. That is when I started to feel something: Anger. That was my first emotion. I wanted to get them for what they have done to us. How dare they play God?!”
But these experiments are to ultimately help the living, aren’t they?”
At this point, who the hell knows? I have heard some talk of helping people, but much more it has been of war and weapons. Who knows where…”
Instant darkness. All of the video feeds carrying the simulcast went dead. After what felt like an eternity, two news anchors were smiling at the viewers.
It seems there has been some technical difficulty with our live feed. We thank Tom and his... guest... for their time and work. We will keep you informed as this story unfolds. Tonight was unfolding well for these women as the annual Laundry Folding Competition was starting…”
***
Joshua Cook was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, late in 1977; and this is where he has spent most of his life. There have been short bursts throughout his life where he has spread his wild oats to other parts of the United States, though.

Briefly Josh lived in Arizona and a brief – dark – time in Indiana and Ohio. Finally he landed in Washington state. He now calls Washington home where he lives with his girlfriend and dog. 

This is where he created the growing fan favorite web site ZombieACRES.com, which spawned its first book in 2012. After many years of writing non-fiction, news, and various other articles, Josh decided to poke around in fiction – and loves it.

***

AiZ: Alice in Zombieland (Complete Saga)
In a world where corporate greed is allowed to run wild, Roslun Global has become the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. As head of this juggernaut of a company, Richard Roslun wields unheard of global power. To obtain and hold onto this power, Roslun is willing to do anything, including killing innocents.

When Richard Roslun realizes what he must do to save everything, his sights become set on a young girl named Alice. When Alice’s mother returns home from work with an infection, all hell breaks lose in Alice’s fragile world. Alice and her sister Georgia are hiding as death is literally banging on the front door when the unthinkable happens.

A second outbreak tests the love between Sam Ashe and and his fiancé Heather. Sam is a horror geek who has always been obsessed with zombies. When his fantasies become a reality, the man inside him will have to rise to the adventure ahead.
Fate brings Sam and Georgia together in the mission to save young Alice. Will love be enough to fight off the undead and stop pure corporate greed?

Find AiZ: Alice in Zombieland (Complete Saga) on Smashwords, Amazon KindleBarnes and Noble NookPaperback, and many other online retailers.

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