Friday, September 29, 2017

Hollow Earth and Antarctica

The Hollow Earth Theory has been around for centuries.  The North and South Poles along with the Himalayan Mountains allegedly are entries to a subterranean civilization.  The theory was started by Edmund Halley and then became more detailed under mathematician Leonhard Euler.  In 1829, military man John Symmes claimed there was a hole in both of the Poles.  These holes/entrances were named after him.  


Authors Edgar Allen Poe, Jules Verne, and Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote stories about the Hollow Earth.  It was Edward Bulwar Lytton's The Coming Race that attracted the attention of various secret societies, including Hitler's Vril Society.  He believed the science fiction novel was much more than a story.  In 1938, Hitler famously sent a crew of Nazis down to the South Pole to obtain a whaling station for fat, the main ingredient in soap and margarine.  At least that was the cover story.  His crew sailed down to Queen Maud, a Norwegian territory, planted some flags and found an ice free area which was used as a research station, Base 211.  Many believe they built a secret base and found aliens and alien technology.  Some even go as far to say that a cave was found 20-30 miles deep with a geothermal lake.

Once the war ended, the U.S. didn't forget about the Nazi's expedition and immediately sent Admiral Richard Byrd with 4700 men, 13 ships and 33 aircraft down to Antarctica.  The mission, called Operation Highjump, was sent to "train troops, build a base, and store knowledge."  Most believe they were sent to see what Hitler was up to.  Byrd supposedly told South American reporters that Earth was hollow and an entrance point was at both of the poles. He faithfully wrote in a journal.  The U.S. government reportedly took the journal and it remains top secret.  Some say both Byrd and Hitler found flying discs powered by red mercury.
My newest novel, The Sequel, uses the Hollow Earth Theory as part of the story line.
The Sequel is coming soon.



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Thursday, September 28, 2017

Goddess Fish Presents: When I Fell for You by Candace Shaw

WHEN I FELL FOR YOU
by Candace Shaw
 
$10 Raffle below.  Enter to win!
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GENRE: African American Romance

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BLURB:

Has a wedding planner with a commitment phobia finally found the man to make her fall head over heels in love?

Reagan Richardson loves planning extravagant, classy weddings as the head planner of Precious Moments Events. Though the notion of walking down the aisle has never entered her mind … considering none of her boyfriends have ever lasted long enough thanks to her. However, meeting Dr. Blake Harrison changes all of that in a glance and she finds herself in uncharted territory.

Blake knows all about Reagan’s fear of commitment but that doesn’t stop him from pursuing the ravishing beauty. Breaking down the wall guarding her heart isn’t as easy as he thought but being with Reagan has stirred emotions in him that no other woman ever has. Can he convince her that history isn’t going to repeat itself this time around?

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Excerpt:
“And you’re going to try parasailing? I’m driving the speedboat.”

The thought of being attached to a parachute high above the ocean while dragged by a speedboat made Reagan nauseous. “I’m still contemplating, but I will go jet skiing with you.”

“Perfect. Can’t wait either way. I don’t care what we do as long as I see your fine bod in a bikini.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks. Blake always knew what to say to make her weak at the knees. Now she had to go shopping to find a sexy new bikini and a cover-up considering it was a family outing. She couldn’t be too sexy.

“You just concentrate on keeping me safe on the jet ski and the parasailing.”

“So, that’s a yes to the parasailing?”

“Mmm … only if you go really slow.”

“I’ll drive at whatever speed you can handle,” he said in a low, deep voice. “Just scream out my name when you’re comfortable and want me to go faster.”

“You have a dirty mind, Doc.” Not that I care.

“What?” he asked in an innocent manner. “That’s your mind in the gutter. Just want to make sure you can handle the excitement and stamina of it all. It’s a very … uh, thrilling adventure.”

“I bet it is.”

“Can’t wait for you to find out.”

“Are we still discussing parasailing?” she asked, crossing and uncrossing her legs. This conversation was causing her to have the urge to jump in the car and speed to his bed where he’d just finished his nap.

“Were we ever talking about parasailing?”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Candace Shaw writes romance novels because she believes that happily-ever-after isn’t found only in fairy tales. When she’s not writing or researching information for a book, you can find Candace in her gardens, shopping, reading or learning how to cook a new dish.

She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her loving husband and is currently working on her next fun, flirty and sexy romance.

Social Media and Website Links

Website: https://candaceshaw.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCandaceShaw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Candace_Shaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candace_shaw/
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+CandaceShaw08
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829266.Candace_Shaw
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/candace-shaw?list=author_books

Buy Links for When I Fell for You

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2v5UEqB
Amazon Ca: http://tinyurl.com/y74377jx
Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/ycvnl3ps
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/when-i-fell-for-you/id1273128330?mt=11
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/y72erpfl
Nook: http://tinyurl.com/yb8t5o2x

Smashwords:  http://tinyurl.com/y93qqya4

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Monday, September 25, 2017

Writer Jack Milgram Stops By With 28 Boring Words Alternatives

28 Boring Words Alternatives - Improve Your Writing

Jack Milgram
https://custom-writing.org/assignment-writing-services#boring-words

Have you ever been in a situation like this?
You’re having a conversation with your friend or colleague. Once it’s over and couple of minutes pass, thoughts appear in your head. You start thinking something like: “I should’ve said that differently. Using other words would be better.”
And it doesn’t even matter, whether the conversation was friendly, or if it was an argument of some sort. It can happen even after a small talk.
Well, today it’s all about to change.
At Custom-Writing, we care about how you present yourself even in a shortest talk. We also don’t want you to be doubting your conversation skills.
That’s why we’ve gathered 28 the most common words that are just too boring to use. And we’ve selected a number of alternatives you can use instead.
Those word alternatives will make your speech way more varied and exciting.
It’s going to be equally helpful both for spoken and for written conversations.
You can find all of this goodness in an infographic below.
We’re not saying that you should get rid of those boring words altogether. But changing things up a little bit will make a big difference.
And again, you won’t ever have to worry about whether or not you’ve made a good impression in that last conversation.
It surely might take some time to get used to. And that’s fine. After all, we’ve been using the same common words each and day over and over again.
However, English has much more to offer. And we all know it well. It’s just became a habit to use the most common words, as it doesn’t require additional thinking. But if the language allows you to express you thoughts in so many different ways, why would you miss this opportunity?
All you need is just a little bit of attention and patience. After some time, you won’t even notice that you’ve upgraded your active vocabulary.
Are you ready for this? Let’s go!

Saturday, September 23, 2017

September 23 and I'm Still Alive!

I might be jumping the gun on this one, but I survived another 'End of the World' prophecy.  The first one that I remember was Y2K. Then there was the Mayan calendar of 2012.  Today, Nibiru is suppose to crash into Earth.  Who knows?  Maybe it will happen.  The day is still early.  

There was a great special on the other night, The Sign (above).  The show was a documentary that talked about the end of the world.  The show led up to the prediction of today as being the end.  The documentary brought up how important events come every fifty years, or a Jubilee (Jewish time period).  The important events always end in the 7th year of something, hence 2017 something must happen.  The last seven was in 1967.  Israel won the 6 Day War against several Arab nations.  
Israel's survival as a nation is key to the Second Coming.  Seven is another key theme of Revelation.  However, if we are going to use the Bible to predict, then why do so many 'prophets' ignore the most important passage in Matthew 24:36?

King James 2000 Bible
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.


As a Christian, I do feel the time is near.  As far as predictions go, I predict that we will have more predictions, more phony Messiahs, more natural disasters, and more signs that are discussed in the Bible.  Again, no one will able to put a date on The End.
Predictions?  Love to hear from you.


Friday, September 22, 2017

XPresso Book Tours Presents: The Billionaire Shifter's Virgin Mate by Diana Seere


The Billionaire Shifter’s Virgin Mate
Diana Seere
(Billionaire Shifters Club #2)
Publication date: October 11th 2016
Genres: Adult, Paranormal
McDermott “Derry” Stanton is an old-money playboy who sleeps his way through half the world, one willing woman at a time. A bear shifter, he never hibernates alone. Sometimes even one woman isn’t enough. But when this irresistible billionaire meets Jessica Murphy, everything changes. The man who views life as a female feast suddenly acquires more discerning tastes. The only woman who can satisfy him now…
Is Jessica Murphy. He must have her. Immediately. Frequently.
Jess, however, doesn’t want any man, least of all a spoiled playboy who’s about to become her brother-in-law. A pre-med student with deep ambitions and a past filled with painful rejection, she’s all business.
Too bad Derry Stanton is her business. A frequent customer at the Platinum Club where she waits tables, and now the best man to her maid of honor in her sister’s wedding, the guy is everywhere. And pretty soon, she finds herself everywhere, too. In his arms, on his bed, between the sheets….
But sex is the last thing she needs.
Or it was until she meets Derry and starts hearing the Beat. And feeling a connection she’d never imagined, never dreamed, never hoped for. It’s all too unbearably good.
The Billionaire Shifter’s Virgin Mate is the second book in the Billionaire Shifters Club series by Diana Seere, the paranormal pen name for two New York Times and USA Today bestselling romantic comedy authors. This book is a standalone *within* a series.
* * *
Welcome to the most exclusive club in the world. The Novo Club. Novo is Latin for “change.” Our members prefer the word “shift” though.
It’s the hottest club in town.
The price of membership is your heart and your secrecy.
All you need to do to join is to be loved beyond your wildest imagination by someone powerful with an…alpha side so primal it’s in their blood.
Are you ready?
Good. Then let’s begin.
The Billionaire Shifters Club is a new series featuring the five Stanton siblings, four brothers and one sister who are all part of an ancient shifter family living in modern America. The subterranean club-within-a-club beneath the streets of Boston, Massachusetts holds secrets only the Stantons and their fellow shifters know.
99¢ for a limited time only!
EXCERPT:
Jess Murphy walked through the wide doors into the opulent lobby below the Platinum Club, surprised by the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. The building was more luxurious than she’d expected, every inch of glass, steel, and marble gleaming like freshly minted coins. Well-dressed men and women hurried around her over the shiny floors.
“Can I help you?” asked a man from behind a vast reception desk decorated with fruit and flowers. He wore a black suit, had gray hair, and sounded like a British butler in a classic film.
“I’m Jessica Murphy,” she said. “I’m, uh, it’s my first night working at the Platinum Club.”
The man tapped something on his screen. “You are expected on eleven,” he said. “You can take either the public or the service elevator.”
She glanced at the posh lobby, the posh people. “I’ll take the service one. Where is it?”
He gestured at a side door behind him.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a deep breath as she walked across the marble floors.
Jess had to remind herself that this was only a waitressing job. There was no reason to be nervous; this wasn’t an important career move for her, just a way to pay for medical school. Because the club’s clientele was so elite, the job paid insanely well, and incoming staff members, at all levels, were screened meticulously.
In fact, she’d been hired almost a month ago, yet this was the first time she was stepping foot in the place. Instead of working tables right away, as she’d expected, she’d had to visit a notary and sign a dozen nondisclosure agreements—and then submit to a background check, personality test, and three phone interviews.
Now, finally, she could actually begin working.
She walked through a doorway into a space that looked older than the lobby, found a vintage-elevator call button, and popped a mint into her mouth as she waited for the car to arrive.
She could imagine her sister Lilah feeling exactly how Jess was feeling now, fighting her nerves on her first day as she thought of all the famous, powerful people upstairs.
Lilah had worked at the Platinum Club until last month, when she’d shacked up with her billionaire love god, Gavin Stanton. In fact, they were already planning their wedding. No more money worries for her.
No more worries of any kind, apparently.
The changes that had come over Lilah in the past couple of months made Jess uncomfortable. She was glad Lilah was happy, but it had happened much too fast. At one point, her sister had been so sex-crazed she’d claimed her rich boyfriend had turned into an animal.
Jess sighed. Lilah had always been too lusty for her own good, too easily enchanted by a pretty face.
Gavin Stanton certainly had that. And the rest of him wasn’t bad either. Not Jess’s type, but… not bad.
Shaking her head, Jess walked into the car—a gorgeous old thing with wood paneling—and pressed the button for the eleventh floor as instructed. Time to focus on the job at hand. Love was the last thing on her agenda. And sex was second to last. If she was going to survive the long slog through med school and internships to become a doctor, she couldn’t get distracted with trivialities. She had to keep her eye on the prize. Work, school, work, school, work. And more work.
The elevator stopped, not on the eleventh floor, but the tenth. Jess looked down at herself, uneasy with the tight jeans and T-shirt she wore. They’d told her the club would provide a uniform when she arrived. Hopefully whoever joined her in the elevator was just another wage slave, not anyone important in management. She wanted to make a good impression on her first day. Her impressively curvy figure looked respectable in formal clothes, but in a T-shirt, her F-cup chest had a knack for distracting people.
Damn, I should’ve worn a jacket. But it had been so hot today. Autumn in Boston could still get steamy.
The doors slid open, revealing an extremely tall, thickly muscular man with long black hair and bright blue eyes that slid over her body so thoroughly she sucked in a breath.
Talk about steamy. Now this guy was her type. He was huge. Dark. Powerful.
Dangerous.
She felt beads of sweat form at the small of her back, under her breasts, her arms. What had he bathed in that morning—testosterone? She could smell it. She could taste it. She couldn’t help sucking it in, breath after breath, eager for another hit.
A slow smile spread over his full, sensual lips. “Why, hello there,” he said. Was that a British accent?
Every alarm bell she had was clamoring so loudly in her head, she was amazed she’d been able to hear him speak.
“Hi,” she said, stepping aside instinctively. Getting too close to this man would be a mistake.
“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.” Oh, crap. It was a British accent. He held out a hand. “McDermott Stanton. My intimates call me Derry.”


Author Bio:
Diana Seere was raised by wolves in the forests outside Boston and San Francisco. The only time she spends in packs these days is at romance writing conventions. In truth, Diana is two New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors who decided to write shifter romance and have more fun. You can find “her” on Facebook at Diana Seere’s Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/dianaseere. Sign up for her New Releases and Sales email newsletter here: eepurl.com/beUZnr

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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

The Mayan Zero: Evidence of Extraterrestrial Intervention by Eleanor Elizabeth

Mayan Counting System
I am a college student who is studying to be a teacher.  Today we learned that the Mayans invented zeroes in mathematics. They counted in groups of fives and twenties which eventually led to the modern day rule of ten.  Their advanced counting system allowed them to use, organize, and count very high numbers.  The culture thrived in Central America around 2000 B.C.  What struck me most interesting during the lesson was the shape of their zero.
One way zero was drawn.
Another common way zero was drawn.
The first picture looks very much like a spaceship.  The second image looks like both a spaceship and a boat or canoe.  My dad thinks it looks like a clam.  I cannot help but wonder why they needed something this advanced.  They are most famous for their calendars and of course 2012, End of the World, which didn't happen.  They are also considered revolutionary for their era in astronomy.  
This amazing civilization abruptly ended around 900 B.C.  Where did they go?  Some believe they died in a natural disaster.  This theory doesn't make much sense.  Most of their architecture, art, and cities were left intact.  Some believe there was a drought.  Maybe.  More interestingly, some believe they were time travelers and ascended up to another planet or perhaps their home.  Their religion claims that the Mayan race came from gods in the sky.  Again, their contributions to calendars and astronomy seems to back up their religious claims.  One of the Mayan kings left a cover of his sarcophagus.  Look at the picture.  It appears as if a man is in some kind of cockpit of an aircraft.  What do you think?  Were the Mayans contacted by extraterrestrials or were they extraterrestrials? Love to hear from you.   It's my first (and hopefully not last) post.
Eleanor Elizabeth, Conspiracy Contributor




Monday, September 11, 2017

Goddess Fish Presents: Uncharted Waters by Micah Persell

Uncharted Waters
by Micah Persell

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance (spicy)

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BLURB:

When a hermit and a scientist are snowbound in a cabin in the woods, the sparks they generate just might melt it all down in this scorching and sensual romance.

Scientist Bethany Morgan discovers the schematics to a world-changing recycling system that will help her realize her greatest dream: providing clean water to the world. The only problem? She must track down the creator, a Dr. Anderson, to help her complete the prototype, and he’s been missing for decades.

James Anderson has clung to the quiet, pain-free existence he’s made in the mountains since his father’s death years ago. But when the determined scientist he rescued gets snowed in at his cabin for an undetermined time, his world is turned upside down...

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Excerpt:

Not a rabbit.

James stood beneath his most lucrative snare, hands on his hips.

It appeared that … he tilted his head and narrowed his eyes just to make sure. Yep. Unless he was mistaken, instead of catching a small woodland creature, his snare had trapped a human.

James watched as long, silky hair swayed back and forth in midair. A slender neck led to a narrow back that tapered into an even narrower waist.

A real, flesh-and-blood woman.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Micah Persell lives in Southern California with her husband, 1.7 children, and menagerie of pets. She writes romance with strong women, smart minds, and scorching love. Visit her online at www.micahpersell.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MicahPersell, and on Twitter @MicahPersell.

Buy Links:

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Micah will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Thursday, September 7, 2017

XPresso Book Tours Presents: The Dark Mermaid by Christina L. Barr


The Dark Mermaid
Christina L. Barr
Publication date: September 5th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
“True love is not a myth. It’s mystic. It’s a force in the universe that draws two people together, resulting in incredible power, for either good or complete chaos.”
On the day Luna proves that she is powerful enough to be her father’s heir, she is banished for saving the life of an enchanting human boy. Her father, the king, gives her two options: kill Ian and regain her honor by the time she comes of age, or be destroyed.
Luna finds shelter in forbidden waters and comes under the protection of her father’s greatest enemy, the Sea Witch. As her ward, Luna becomes a fearsome warrior, but struggles with the fear of turning her powerful magic dark.
With only days remaining before her seventeenth birthday, Luna finds Ian sailing the seas in search of answers. Luna is determined to escape her father’s wrath, and the Sea Witch’s plot of revenge, but dark forces won’t allow her to live a human life without making an impossible sacrifice.
Want to receive a free song inspired by the book that Christina sang herself?
Fill out this form here before Sept 9th!
EXCERPT:
True Love
When I returned to the lair, the Sea Witch was much too distracted gutting her catch of shark to care much about my adventures. She had no idea that I had found Ian and kissed him. I wanted to keep it that way. For all she knew, I spent my day with Napa, and I most certainly didn’t fight my sister to the almost death. I made sure to heal my wounds before she saw me.
I hid the pendent, dagger, and lock of hair in a satchel and hoped the Sea Witch wouldn’t be able to sense the magic. I also had to hope that she wouldn’t sense any special magic in me. It was odd that I wasn’t fatigued from my battle. Instead, I felt energized. My magic was leaking out of my body. I tried to keep my movements limited and to remain completely calm.
Unfortunately, somewhere between the chewing of our dinner, the Sea Witch cocked her brow at me in suspicion. “Did Napa bring you a new gift?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I sense new magic.”
I panicked on the inside, but I would not allow that panic to the surface of my thoughts. Of course, she would have been able to sense the pendent. I reached into my satchel and handed it to her without any fuss, and I hoped she didn’t ask any questions about the other item of interest. “Napa didn’t know any better.”
“Interesting.” It only took a moment for the Sea Witch to analyze what it could do. I don’t know why I was so surprised when she disappeared. “This would be more useful on the surface world.” She tossed it back to me and became visible once more. “Quite interesting.”
“Very.” I grinned hard and continued feasting, but I had the sense that she knew I was hiding many details from her. It’s not that I didn’t trust her. I just wanted to make sure she would take the news well, so I didn’t have to worry about her killing everyone outside of our immediate sphere.
It wasn’t easy. I wanted to tell her about Ian’s infatuation with me. It was flattering after my father threw me away. I wanted to tell my mother how his smile enchanted me, and now, I was under his spell. I tried to get him out of my head, so the Sea Witch wouldn’t find out, but while I brushed my hair and stared into the broken mirror Napa gave me, I began to imagine that I was staring at myself from his point of view, and I knew I was truly as beautiful as he made me feel. The thought of never seeing him again was crushing my heart and suffocating my insides. There had to be a way to see him again beyond tricks, smokes, and mirrors.
“Luna, what’s wrong?”
I saw Ian’s face too clearly in my mind. She must have known that I was thinking about him, but that wasn’t so strange. I could still hide the truth for a little while. “Why would something be wrong?”
She floated in front of me with a furrowed and curious brow. “Because you never sing.”
I hadn’t even noticed. I was singing the same song I sang to Ian when I first said goodbye. If he had his hooks in me that deeply, was there truly any escaping him? “You’ll think I’m being a fool.”
The Sea Witch surprised me and held me by my shoulders from behind. “Out of the two of us, I’m the one that made a blood oath with your father. You could be foolish for a thousand lifetimes and not end up as foolish as I once was.”
Perhaps I was being unfair to her. If she were trying to be a real mother, she deserved a chance. As my elder, she might have sound advice to put my mind at ease. “Napa told me that humans believe in true love. I know it sounds childish, but I think I’m experiencing it. I’ve found true love.”
I was so embarrassed that I kept my eyes focused on the teeth of the comb in my hands. I was responsible for ruining Ian’s childhood, and I delayed his life afterward. I didn’t deserve to feel such a consuming joy, especially if Ian were the root cause.
“I’ve heard of true love.” The Sea Witch nicked my chin up with her finger to force her eyes into mine. “The humans teach it like a fairytale, but true love is not a myth; it’s mystic. It’s a force in the universe that draws two people together, resulting in incredible power, for either good or chaos.”
“Chaos?” I laughed. Frankly, it was difficult to believe that there was an actual explanation to how I felt. Napa referred to love as “irrational logic”. I wasn’t sure if having a legitimate reason was worse or better. “How can what I feel ever lead to destruction?”
“I’m not saying that it will, but true love is a dangerous magic.” The Sea Witch got uncomfortably close to my face. I tried to back away, but she swam around to observe me fully. Nothing about me had changed physically, but I’m sure she wasn’t seeing with her natural eye. “I can sense it on you. Your magic is stronger.”
I thought of how quickly I defeated my sister, but then, I quickly pushed that out of my mind. “How is that possible? Is it just because I have feelings for Ian?”
“No. That would be ridiculous, but it is possible that you’re drawn to each other for a reason.” She, once again, became agonizingly uncomfortable. I didn’t back away or cower from her glaring and curious eyes. I tried to be firm while I blanketed my mind with thoughts of training battles, meditation, and the past few lonely years of my life. I would not think of Ian, and I certainly wouldn’t think of the kisses we shared!
Except, I completely did.
I don’t know if my sudden memory of Ian’s kiss was vivid enough to burrow into her brain, but she certainly seemed more suspicious after I indulged in it. “You must have seen him again!” I covered my face. I would have hidden in my clam, but she was already inside of it with me. She grew impatient and pulled my hands away from my flustered face. “I did. Napa found Ian, and I went to see him. He gave me the dagger I had been searching for, and we spoke.”
“That’s not the only thing you did.”
I straightened out my body and tried to look a little taller and mature than I had been acting a moment ago. “We did share a kiss, yes.”
Instead of lecturing me, she twirled around the cavern, shrieking in delight. I hadn’t seen her genuinely happy or excited over anything, so I was a little terrified. “Did he have magic?”
“He didn’t seem to have knowledge of having magic.” “Perhaps he’s an amplifier,” she suggested with much intrigue. “What do you mean?”
“They are extremely rare, but an amplifier can increase your magic, even without being able to use it.” She swam to me and clasped onto both my hands and smiled. “If you were to mate, you could create new magic for your offspring and leave your own power intact. If that’s true, you should definitely mate him.”
“Uh…” My mouth opened in shock. The desire to feel and be more of an adult was ripped away from me. “I’m not ready for this conversation.”
“Why? Do you love him?” “It’s preposterous that I love him!” “But you do!” She chuckled. “I see it in your eyes. I feel it through your magic. He’s made you more powerful. If Fate is pulling you to love this man, don’t push back. There’s no sense in fighting what will be.”
Was it truly possible that Ian made me feel stronger? Was he the reason why I could use my magic to fight my sister so effortlessly? Even if it were true, what did it matter? I only wanted to control my magic so it wouldn’t accidentally go dark. I had no desire to be the greatest sorcerous in the world.
It was silly to think that I could take human form and live with Ian. I hardly knew him. But, for some reason, the thought of leaving to discover the world with him began to fill my chest and gut with a ticklish light that turned into a glorious rumbling. I clutched onto my chest as I felt it vibrating. My entire body was radiating heat. I tried to convince myself that I was merely embarrassed, but my hands were tingling.
“The thought of escaping with that human is causing your magic to burst from you,” the Sea Witch said. “You can’t deny what you want or may very well need.”


Author Bio:
As the daughter of sci-fi enthusiasts and a pastor, Christina L. Barr has been taught to believe that anything is possible. She's been a serious composer as far back as twelve-years-old, and has had the opportunity to sing her songs around the world.
In 2007, she graduated from Holly High School number nine in her class and attended College for Creative Studies. She started a pop culture website called The Gorgeous Geeks with her two older sisters, and was even featured on Times Magazine.
Her addiction to writing emerged when she was eighteen and started her first novel. To date, she has nine novels published, fourteen completed, and her goal is to finish thirty books by her thirtieth birthday.
She is currently a Creative Director and spends her days making graphics and videos.

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Monday, September 4, 2017

Book Review: Blood Codex by David Wood and Alan Baxter

Blood Codex is a mystery/adventure that takes the reader from England to Italy and then to Norway.  The mystery begins when our hero, Jake Crowley, meets Rose, a beautiful museum tour guide.  The two of them have a date which ends in a chase from some bad guys.  As the story unfolds, Rose reveals an odd tattoo that appears like the marking of an ancient torture method of Vikings.  Both characters look for clue after clue including stuff from Aleister Crowley and even Thor's hammer.
My Review: This story reminded me so much of Dan Brown and Professor Langley.  I loved the story from the first page.  The characters were interesting, but what really kept me reading was the historical clues found throughout the plot.  I loved the authors' styles of short chapters, occasional funny lines, and spoon-fed history.  This book is a series of the same character, Jake Crowley the history teacher.  I will definitely return to this author when looking for another adventure.  Great stuff.  5/5 stars.

Sunday, September 3, 2017

XPresso Book Tours Presents: Swim by M.E. Rhines


Swim
M.E. Rhines
(Mermaid Royalty #2)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: August 29th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
A mermaid has no fear of the deep…
Angelique is not your typical fairy tale mermaid. She’s edgy, with a quick temper and intense personality that sometimes leave her feeling like an outsider even among her own clan. Reeling from the recent changes in the Mer-world hierarchy, Angelique is struggling to find her place in the ocean. But a chance encounter with a handsome two-legged Fin-man will leave her questioning more than just her place in the underwater order.
Packed with adventure, romance and drama, Swim continues the compelling story of life and love in the magical underwater realm of Atargatis.
EXCERPT:
Would they serve me on a platter, or just toss me in tank and use me as an exhibit? Some of the humans Mother captured spoke of places where even the ocean’s greatest predators were put on display for the amusement of the young and hardened of heart. An aquarium they called it. Manatees, dolphins, sharks. All subject to the degradation of living in a box for the rest of their days.
Oh, Poseidon help me, I’d rather die right now.
Almost as soon as my body contacted the sea floor, the rope connecting me to the human vessel tightened. An illusion of weightlessness befell me as it pulled me up. Despite already feeling drained, I swam against the pull right up until my entire body left the water. Suffocating aridness strangled me. I danged inside the net a good ten feet above the water, swaying along with the howling wind as if it was dancing with me.
I scanned the rough waters below, desperate for a trace that Lennox was around. But the sea was fuming. Furious, whether at me or the fisherman I didn’t know. Already turbulent waters intensified, until waves the size of small squalls slammed into the boat from all sides.
Even if Lennox was down there, and I doubted he was, there would be no way to see him through the chaos on the ocean’s surface. I didn’t waste much time searching. He’d said it himself; he was a warrior, a killer at heart. It wasn’t in his nature to go around saving anyone or anything unless it served his king. He was long gone, left me for dead.
“You see,” I heard the horrible man shout. “Look at that tail.”
“I’ll be damned. You weren’t seeing things after all, Reggie.”
“Yep. Heard stories about mermaids in this area. Didn’t much believe them. Until now, of course. She’s awfully pretty, too. Prettier than I ever imagined a mermaid could be.”
“What should we do with her?”
“Are you kidding? People would pay a fortune to just take a quick look at her. Mortgage their own houses, I bet. We’re gonna be rich!”
The blond man tapped his chin with his index finger, pondering the idea. A small, naïve part of me hoped he might listen to that slight little voice in his head, the one that should tell him I was a living thing. A sentient, conscious, and intelligent living thing and should be treated with common decency. His conscience should’ve told him to put me back in the water and drive his boat far out of here and leave me be.
Then this human, the one who moments ago seemed so kindhearted and eager to help me until my tail was exposed, reminded me of that one ever-important detail I managed to allow myself forget:
Humans have no conscience.



20 Author Facts


1.      I’m the proud mom to a too-cool ten year old boy and a beautiful eight year old girl.
2.      On top of writing, I work full time in my local paper’s advertising department.
3.      Between my mother and father, I have 4 sisters and a brother.  I was second to youngest.
4.      I'm an extreme couponer.  The cashiers at my local supermarket know me...and fear me.
5.      As a child I 100% believed I was Peter Pan.  My brother fed this delusion by convincing me he kept my pixie dust safe.  It was baby powder.
6.      Growing up, I wanted to be a paleontologist. 
7.       My highlight of said career:  to be the first scientist to successfully clone a T-rex.                      
8.      I was adopted by my grandparents, and I will be forever grateful for the love they showed me.
9.      I skipped eighth grade.
10.  My eyes change color based on my mood.  It's a genetic trait shared by at least two of my siblings.
11.  I'm one of the quietest people you will ever meet.  I'm not shy, I just legitimately have nothing to say. 
12.  In other words, I'm severely socially impaired.
13.  I'm terrified of birds.
14.  But even more afraid of frogs. *shivers*
15.  Once Upon A Time is without a doubt my favorite television show ever.
16.  The Star Wars movies are LIFE!
17.  I have a dreadful sweet tooth that rules me. 
18.  Vegetables should go back to Hades where they came from.  They have no place on my plate.
19.  Sweating disgusts me.  So, obviously Florida is the perfect place to live, right?
20.  I love to fish, but I can't remember the last time I caught anything.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        



Author Bio:
ME Rhines a southwest Florida native currently living in North Port with her two beautiful children and a third, much larger child whom she affectionately calls husband.
She writes young adult paranormal romance to feed her belief that fairy tales are real and
nonsense is necessary.
She also writes adult romances under her edgier alter-ego, Mary Bernsen.

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