31 Jan 2014

Once in a Blue Moon by Ken Christopher Ping

Title: Once in a Blue Moon
Author: Ken Christopher Ping
Kindle Edition
Published: May 27th 2013
ASIN: B00D1FELF6
Language: English
Genre: Short stories

Three short stories: Of Sand and Castles, The Mother's Day Gift and the title story, an enchanting fairytale, Once in a Blue Moon.


My Thoughts!!!

I got a free copy from Mr Ping for my honest review. Now I'm not someone that loves Short stories but I'm open to them once in a while. 
I have to say, I thought Mr. Ping had a really well grip on short stories. You can tell he has written them before and that he chooses his words and scenes perfectly.
The first stories follows two twin boys born in a very wealthy family. The father off course want them to become war heroes, etc. The younger of the twins didn't obey, his heart was kind and had a love for music and arts.


The older of the twins, Alex, was everything his father wanted, but was Alex happy at the end?
I have to admit, I didn't get the message of this short story as strongly as I got the other two.
The second story is called: A mother gift.
I actually cried in this one, especially in the end. It's about a little boy Timmy that discovered he was adopted. Not knowing what it meant he asked his mother. It basically ruined mother's day for him, but Mr. Ping once again finished it beautiful. Like I said, I actually cried in this one.

The third and last, Once in a Blue moon is the story behind the saying. It's filled with Greek mythology and the rainbow was actually a goddess in this one too. It has a beautiful message and again I absolutely adored the ending.
I wish Mr. Ping absolutely success and I recommend this to everyone, even if you don't have a love for short stories.
These three are definitely a must read!!!


23 Jan 2014

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22 Jan 2014

The Rose of Cavendish by Lea Cherry


Title: The Rose of Cavendish
Author: Lea Cherry
Series: Cavendish Series
Genre: YA / Fantasy
Publisher: Xlibris
Release Date: Oct 26 2011
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Anna-Belle, the Princess of Fae’s life was put into danger by the Empress' right hand man so she escaped the hold the guards and the palace had on her to save her life. That was when she came across Landon, who helped her escape and taught her a few things. She also met Keira, the shadow that Landon couldn’t get rid of, who had an instant dislike in Anna-Belle but tagged along when they fell off a cliff into the Elven Kingdom.
            In the Elven Kingdom, Anna-Belle met Aranhil, the prince of elves and also her love interest in the story. It was there that she and her friends learned about a prophecy that Anna-Belle is the Chosen One and the only one who could find the Enchantress, who is needed to stop the darkness that is threatening her world. The only way to find the Enchantress was to travel towards the darkness to find an enchanted rose that can grant any wish that is pure of heart.
            On this journey, Anna-Belle learns to harness her powers, finds an unlikely friendship and starts to fall in love. But it is also on this journey that the darkness threatens to unfold everything they have worked for. Anna-Belle gains strength, courage and friends, but loses a lot more when she finds The Rose of Cavendish.


Book Links


Author Information


 Born and raised in South Africa, Lea lived a fantasy life. She studied interior design after school but dreamt that there was more that she could do. After being given an idea and challenged to write, she set off writing her first novel. She continues to write when she has a chance and when she’s not writing or playing wife and mother, she enjoys painting and drawing and dreams up more stories to write. Her first novel is The Rose of Cavendish, book 1 in the Cavendish series, but assures that there are many more to come.



Author Links


Excerpt


The dreams came and they were not pleasant at all. It was our world, consumed by
darkness. Everywhere I looked the fae were fighting. Fires consumed everything, the trees where
the Napaeas called home, the mountains the dwarves inhabited, the castle the Elves lived where
empty and trashed. The sun, which use to be so radiant and bright, was dark and cold. Our realm
has turned into a permanent night full of darkness and evil. This is not the world I knew. Where
did everyone go? What happened? I walked for a while, stepping around the rubble tossed on the
ground when I saw Aranhil having a fist fight with a Napaea.
“Aranhil! What are you doing? This is not who you are? What has gotten into you?” I
moved closer and touched his arm. He immediately turned around and I could see his beautiful
face has turned into a permanent snarl of anger and hate and his gorgeous eyes were no more.
They have been replaced by the dark red eyes I saw on Gadrin. This cannot be happening!
Backing away I saw him following me. Pulling his sword out and walking with it at his side. He
raised it up, ready to attack.
“Aranhil please! Don’t do this!” Begging seemed to be the only option, but it didn’t help.
I backed against someone and as I turned to see who it was, my arms were caught by someone
else’s hands and I was spun around. Landon was on my one side while Keira was on the other
holding me in place so that I couldn’t move. I knew that little bitch didn’t like me but this is way
too surreal even for her.
“Guys, please. Let me go! What’s going on here? HELP! Somebody please help me!” I
yelled but no one seem to hear or if they did, they obviously didn’t care. Aranhil moved closer,
sword ready.
“It’s because of you that this has happened.” Aranhil said as he stopped a few feet away.
“Me? Why me?”
“You didn’t have the courage or the power to do what you were supposed to do and now the
darkness has taken over. It’s all your fault and now you must pay.” his eyes started to glow like
the gems on an evil statue. I tried to break free but Landon and Keira’s grip was too strong. The
closer Aranhil came the more I struggled and screamed. No one cared and I was sure to die at the
hand of the man who claimed to love me. What is this world coming to? He lifted his sword, the
metal from the sword glowed with the reflection of the fire that surrounded us, and with one fast,
elegant movement he brought it down and just as it was about to kill me

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good day,

I'm in search of bloggers to participate in my upcoming tour in April/May for Firebolt, The first part of the Dragonian Series.
I will attach the media kit too for you to see what my novel is about.
I'm mainly looking for Reviews but I'll never pass if you can do only a spotlight or guest post.
If you are interested in participating please send me your URL of your blog, possible dates in April/May you can participate and what type of post you can host. If a review please send me your preferred copy.

I thank you in advance, and please note that I do return favors so if you needed one, let me know and I'll always squeeze you in.

Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Adrienne Woods


Title: Firebolt
Author: Adrienne Woods
Series: The Dragonian Series
Publisher: GMTA Publishing Mythos Press
Release Date: Nov 20 2013

Blurb/Synopsis:
Back blurb:
Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don't believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.
Now Elena is in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a prince wants Elena's heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh and the only way Elena's going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.
Teenage girls don't believe in fairy tales. Now it's time for Elena to believe in...herself.

Synopsis:
For the love of blueberries, Elena Watkins was destined for greatness, even though she didn’t know it. Forced to travel from home to home every three months Elena’s life was a never ending blur of new towns and new faces, that is, until the night her father was killed by a creature she thought only existed in fairy tales – a dragon. With her father’s death leaving her orphaned, Elena is whisked away to her true birthplace, Paegeia.
Arriving at Dragonia Academy, the premier school for young Dragonians, she begins to feel a sense of belonging in this strange world; a school she was never meant to attend because her father was a dragon. Elena is soon swept up in the rigor of her new life and the new set of skills she now needs to survive: Latin, Art of War, and Enchantments.
Entranced by her new reality Elena learns about the dragons and humans who inhabit her new home. There are two classes of dragons that soar through Paegeia distinguished by their instinctual pretense for either good or darkness. The distinction between these two very different species is vital to Elena’s success in her new world because she has been marked as a Dragonian, a human preordained to ride and tame a dragon of her very own.
With the help of her new friends, Elena is able to navigate the complexities of her new home. Her new roommates Becky and Sammy are even more amazing then she could have ever imaged and to top it all off, Sammy was a dragon. Sammy’s is also the devoted sister of Blake, the most attractive boy at school and the Rubicon; the only dragon of his kind with the abilities of all the dragon species with a pretense for evil. Elena soon finds the love she always wanted with Lucian, the Prince of Tith, who actively pursues Elena throughout her time at Dragonia Academy, winning her heart with his absolute adoration and unshaken dedication.
Unbeknownst to Elena danger is lurking behind the enchanted vines concealing the once thriving capital of Paegeia – Etan. Goran, the darkest sorcerer to ever practice his evil arts in the realm, has lain dormant for over a century behind the crumbling city. The first step in his menacing plan is to destroy the only weapon that can kill him – the King of Lion Sword.
When the sword is stolen Elena doesn’t think twice about seeking it; knowing deep down that it is her destiny to save her new home. She travels to the Sacred Cavern, and discovers the nefarious actions of an unknown man lead to the swords destruction as she follows the trail revealed in the prophetic waters of the cavern.
Elena and her friends engage the mysterious man revealing their existence to Goran and fighting for their very lives.

Author Info

I was born and raised in South Africa, where I still live with my husband, and two beautiful little girls. I always knew that I was going to be a writer but it only started to happen about four years ago, now I can’t stop writing.

In my free time, If I get any because Moms don’t really have free time, I love to spend time with friends, if it’s a girls night out, or just a movie, I’m a very chilled person.

My writing career is starting with Firebolt, book one with the Dragonian Series, there will be four books in total and two to three books that is about the stories taking place inside The Dragonian Series.

I do write in different Genres, I have a woman’s fiction called the Pregnancy Diaries, but it would be published under another name. And then I have a paranormal series, called the Watercress series. There are about ten novels in that one.

So, plenty of novels to come out, so little time.

I hope you are going to embrace the Dragonian Series as much as I loved writing them.

Kind Wishes,

Adrienne Woods

Author Links


Excerpt
A girl singing her heart out about a miracle boomed inside my ear. A miracle would get me what I needed: a chance at a semi-normal life.
The bedroom door hitting the wall expelled the thought from my mind. With his hand tangled up in his copper hair and with huge brown eyes, Dad's figure filled the entire doorway. “Pack your bags.” He had that set to his jaw, the one that meant there was no way out of this. He bolted out of the room just as suddenly as he had appeared.
My teeth ground hard against each other, and the sharp pain behind my eyes, I guessed from the lack of sleep, grew stronger. Every fiber of my being wanted to explode.
Ever since I could remember my name, Dad and I had been on the run. From what? Beats me.
For the last two weeks, I'd been pacing up and down through the house, struggling to fall asleep at night, waiting for this day.
For the love of blueberries, no sixteen-year old should live this way!
I climbed off my bed, and the first step I took left my toe tangled in the wide leg of my jeans. I tried to regain my balance as the closet inched closer, but with wildly flailing arms, I came crashing down. The thud reverberated across the wooden floor, and it sounded as if I'd broken something.
Dad darted back into my room. “Are you okay?” He lifted me back onto my feet as if I weighed nothing.
Tears lurked in the corners of my eyes, threatening to burst, as I stared up at him.
“Don't give me that look, Elena. Please, we need to hurry.” He pulled my suitcase from the top shelf and chucked it haphazardly onto my bed. “We need to go. Now.”
“Dad…”
He started to grab my clothes from the shelf and tossed them messily inside my small suitcase. Then he paused, sighed, and looked up with soft eyes. He stroked the side of my cheek with his hand gently. “This wasn't the right place, Bear. Please, you’ve got to trust me.”
His hand reached back to pull everything off my shelf, while my hands curled up into balls of fury. My heart pounded fast as those two words bounced inside my skull. “Trust you, Dad?”
“Elena, we don't have much time,” he yelled. “Pack your bags! You can ask questions later.” He left, and the hollow “doof” sound from his stomping footsteps rang loudly as he made his way into the hall.
Ask questions? Yeah right! I’ll only get answers that don’t reveal why we are on the run for the gazillionth time. “Trust me” and “I'll tell you when the time is right” were the only two answers Dad gave. Guess the time with him will never be right.
It was no use arguing with him anyway. Once, he threw me over his shoulder and carried me out without any of my things.
So I grabbed the stuff I needed: my mp3 player, a photo of Mom that Dad didn't know I had, and my journal from underneath my bed. I tossed them into my backpack. It wasn't much, but it was the stuff that made my miserable life feel less pathetic. I zipped up my suitcase and took a deep breath. Looking around my bedroom for the last time, I said goodbye to my sixtieth-something room.
Dad almost ran me over in the hall with his army bag slung over his shoulder. He grumbled, which I assumed was an apology, took my suitcase, and ran down the stairs. He always rented these huge old houses, pre-furnished and near the countryside, and we always left after three months.
The pickup's horn honked as I shut the front door. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. Just two more years, then I'll be eighteen and free from this freak show. Huge raindrops fell hard onto the ground. The smell of wet dirt filled the air. It was my favorite smell.
The water that pooled on the ground covered all the gaps in the driveway, forcing me to hopscotch around all of them. My shoe got caught in one of the gaps and I smacked down hard in a huge puddle. By the time I reached the truck, my jeans and shoes dripped with water.
Warm heat from the vents inside the truck hit me full blast as I jumped in; a million goose pimples erupted across my skin.  As soon as I shut the rusty door, Dad floored the gas pedal. Tires screeched and the truck spun away as if the Devil was chasing us.  My lower lip quivered softly as he swerved onto the road. The streetlights flew by in a blur, and I plugged in my earphones. The same stupid song about a miracle boomed from my mp3, drowning the sound of the engine and the hard dribbles on the roof, a percussion that became the perpetual soundtrack to my misery.
A feeling of utter loneliness consumed my heart while I stared out the window. Homes with white picket fences and a convenience store whizzed by in a flash. A tear rolled down my cheek. Saying a silent goodbye, releasing my breath created a foggy condensation on the glass. Reaching out with my index finger, I drew a small heart. These were the reasons why Mom had left. She couldn't handle his paranoia, but why she’d left her two year old daughter to deal with it was a mystery. Dad constantly reminded me of the latter; that was the only time he ever spoke of her. If he ever discovered I had that picture, he would kill me. That was how much he hated her for leaving us.
The lights of a vehicle in the upcoming lane shone directly into my face. I shut my eyes, waiting for it to disappear. When I was little, I used to watch Dad as we drove away from yet another house. He would glare into his rearview mirror every five seconds, every muscle in his face clenched, and his knuckles white on the steering wheel. I hadn’t been able to force myself to peek out the window then, as it used to scare the living crap out of me to consider the possible reasons why he was fleeing, or who might be following us. Now, I didn't look at him or care much about what he was going through. He created this problem. With me becoming the luggage. It was a ritual I endured every three months, and nothing over the past sixteen years had ever changed that.
The “Interstate 40” sign flew by in a whirl, and the pickup slowly moved onto the turnoff lane.
My eyes started to burn as I stared at the rain running down my window. Each rivet resembled another town, another place I could never again call home. Exhaustion consumed me and my eyelids felt heavy. I laid my head against the window and struggled to stay awake.
Suddenly, a huge figure flew past me. Dad swerved to the left, which made me crash into his side. My entire body pumped with adrenaline. I jumped straight in my seat and wrenched the seatbelt over my shoulder to buckle myself in. I tore out my earphones as I tried to process what had just happened.
“What was that?” I looked at Dad.
He kept gazing every five seconds in his rearview mirror with huge eyes. Beads of sweat rolled from his hairline down to the side of his temple. He was terrified, something that conflicted with his personality. I’d never seen Dad look that scared in my entire life.
“Dad!”
“Did you see where it went?” he asked, attempting to inject calm into his voice, but I could hear the fear lacing each syllable.
“See where what went? Dad what was that!”
“You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”
“For once in your life, just tell me!” I screamed. Sixteen years of frustration exploded from my lungs. I couldn't take the unknown anymore.
“Fine.” He mumbled something else that I didn't catch. “Do you remember the stories I used to tell you?”
“Stories? What stories?”
“The ones about Paegeia, Elena.” He looked in his rearview mirror again with huge, unblinking eyes.
Vaguely, but I didn't tell him that. “What does that have to do with this?”
“They're real.”
I froze and stared at him.
“All of it, it’s real. The dragons, the magic, the wall, everything is real.”
“Dad, dragons...” I took a deep breath. Dragons didn't exist, but then the image of the huge thing that had flown past me a couple of seconds ago sprang into my head. “You mean that thing was a dragon?”
He nodded, and looked over his shoulder.
A figure with huge paws and talons flew in front of the truck. Tires screeched at the same time I shrieked. The truck spun around on the turf a couple of times and came to a standstill on the dark stretch of road. My heart jumped at a great speed inside my chest. My throat and lips became dry.
Pushing my face against the cool glass of the passenger window, I searched the horizon for any sign of life. Apart from the pickup’s headlights, there wasn’t a single light peeking through the blanketed darkness, and the rain crushing down made me see figures I didn’t know were real or imagined. Dragons don’t exist.
“You okay?” my father yelled.
“I'm fine.” I tore my eyes away from the window.
“Elena, I need to get out─”
“No, no, please don't leave me here!” I could feel the fear beginning to rise up again and my vision became blurry. Why am I afraid? Dragons aren’t real.
He cupped my face and made me look at him, his hands trembling. “Listen to me, Elena. Listen!”
I tried to swallow my tears, but it was no use. They were caught in the back of my throat, silencing me as he said his goodbye.
He hugged me tight and kissed me on my forehead. I could feel the love he had for me behind that kiss.
“You drive like hell, you hear me? Don't slow down for anybody. There's a motel on Interstate 40. Just stay on this road, you can't miss it. Someone named Matt will meet you there.”
“For the love of blueberries Dad, it's pouring dogs and horses outside. I can't leave you here with whatever...” We can rationally sort this out.
Dad cringed and looked down for a minute. When he looked at me again, that set to his jaw was back. I knew my words hadn’t made an impact on him whatsoever. He had already made up his mind for the both of us.
My strength returned as I slowly came to terms with what I had to do.
A man appeared in the middle of the road. The rain made it hard for me to see him, but the headlights of the truck outlined his figure. I squinted to see him clearer. He was tall with long black hair; wet strands clung to his face. He wore a pair of pants, no T-shirt, and it looked like no shoes either. He stared at the pickup for a couple of minutes, and it made my heart pound faster. He began to walk slowly toward us.
“Daaaaad?” I slapped his shoulder, trying to expel the fear from my body.