Review: The Requiem Red by Brynn Chapman + Giveaway

The Requiem Red

Brynn Chapman

YA Historical Mystery

Month9Books

April 5, 2016

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26176476-the-requiem-red  

Purchase Links: 

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

Patient Twenty-nine.

A monster roams the halls of Soothing Hills Asylum. Three girls dead. 29 is endowed with the curse…or gift of perception. She hears messages in music, sees lyrics in paintings. And the corn. A lifetime asylum resident, the orchestral corn music is the only constant in her life.

Mason, a new, kind orderly, sees 29 as a woman, not a lunatic. And as his belief in her grows, so does her self- confidence. That perhaps she might escape, might see the outside world.

But the monster has other plans. The missing girls share one common thread...each was twenty-nine's cell mate.

Will she be next?

Review: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Requiem Red will transport you back in time to a darker time when asylum patients were subjected to the most heinous of treatments. Dark and sinister, Ms. Chapman does a fabulous job creating a rather gothic atmosphere with an air of hopelessness.

My heart went out to Patient 29 immediately-- the moment she was subjected to some sort of horrific torture after her roommate was found dead. Yikes, that asylum was one terrifying place.

Full of mystery, a dash of horror and romance, this novel will keep you reading as the plot is revealed piece by piece. I enjoyed the fast pace, as well as the characters, both main and secondary. The plot was intriguing and kept me guessing. Another good novel from Ms. Chapman.

About the Author

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.

She also writes under the pseudonym R.R. Smythe. 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest |Goodreads

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Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown - Review & Giveaway

Breath of Scandal

Sandra Brown

Suspense/Thriller
Grand Central Publishing
February 26, 2013

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads

On a rainy Southern night, Jade Sperry endured a young woman’s worst nightmare at the hands of three local hell-raisers. Robbed of her youthful ideals and at the center of scandal and tragedy, Jade ran as far and as fast as she could. But she never forgot the sleepy “company town” where every man, woman, and child was dependent on one wealthy family. And she never forgot their spoiled son, who with his two friends changed her life forever. Someday, somehow, she’d return . . . exacting a just revenge, freeing herself from her enemies’ grasp, and, perhaps, fulfilling a lost promise of love.

My Review: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Breath of Scandal is one heck of a gut-wrenching story. Definitely not one you want to take on vacation or to the local pool. Also be sure to have tissues on hand-- if you're anything like me, you'll need them. Thank goodness this story had an uplifting side to it, because after reading about what happened to Jade in Palmetto, it was sorely needed.

Jade was an amazing character. After her rape by three well-to-do local boys, she was shunned, disbelieved, and left pregnant. Yep, basically run out of town. She made a promise to herself that one day, those responsible would pay. After becoming a successful business woman, she decided to hit those responsible financially.

I really liked the characters, both the protags and the villains. Those good-old-boys in Palmetto made my blood boil. The scenes between Jade and romantic interest Dillon were hot and spicy-- I really enjoyed them because Jade was finally finding happiness with a man. Fast-paced and full of intrigue, the novel was really hard to put down.

My only caveat: I wasn't kidding when I said the story was gut-wrenching. I really felt for Jade, which is a testament to great character development. But it made me heart-sick at times, and I could see some readers finding the subject matter disturbing.

About the Author

Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including DEADLINE(2013), LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011), TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006), CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), & HELLO, DARKNESS (2003).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.

A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English. Before embarking on her writing career, she worked as a model at the Dallas Apparel Mart, and in television, including weathercasting for WFAA-TV in Dallas, and feature reporting on the nationally syndicated program “PM Magazine.”

In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Author links:

sandrabrown.net/books/mean-streak/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6218.Sandra_Brown

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSandraBrown

https://twitter.com/sandrabrown_NYT

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Slumber by Christy Sloat - Excerpt & Giveaway

Slumber

Christy Sloat

YA Fantasy

Goodreads

Amazon

Amazon UK- http://amzn.to/1C9ns1W

Amazon CA- http://amzn.to/1HLuw5m

Smashwords- http://bit.ly/1Cauntm

Not all princesses get their happily ever after…

They tell me I killed my boyfriend Phillip in cold blood. I stabbed him twenty one times. I’m only seventeen years old, and I am serving life in Spindle Ridge Asylum for the Criminally Insane.

I don’t remember killing him, so it’s really hard to believe I’m capable of murder. In fact I don’t remember anything before I came to Spindle Ridge, not even my boyfriend.

I can only grasp onto my realistic dreams while the madness of the asylum threatens to pull me under. I dream I’m a beautiful princess and there is an evil faerie named Maleficent who is bent on my destruction. The dreams are the closest thing I have to memories of my life, except they aren’t real.

I’m crazy. I’m not a princess.

They’re the mad illusions of an irrational teenage girl, right?

They’ve assigned me a new doctor, and she says I can trust her, and that she’ll help me see the truth of who I really am.

When she arrived she brought a new patient, Sawyer, who is everything Spindle Ridge isn’t: exciting, mysterious and beautiful. He promises he’s here to rescue me. Trusting either of them frightens me.

Could it be possible that my dreams are more than just the imaginings of a delusional girl? Could they be truth?

About the Author:

Christy Sloat is a SoCal born girl who resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother’s loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her Past Lives Series, The Visitor’s Series, and watch for many more exciting things to come.

Check out her website www.christysloat.com

Instagram http://instagram.com/authorchristysloat_writes

Blog http://christysloat.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Christy Sloat Author www.facebook.com/christysloatauthor

Twitter: @ChristySloat

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Christy-Sloat/e/B0071MMCU6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1/178-8327298-6454517

Read below for an excerpt from the book:

Chapter 2

Dr. Altman

“The patient seems to be developing more symptoms. Her dreams are showing no improvement. May need to look into her medication and alter it slightly—”

“Dr. Altman?”

Dr. Altman hit stop on his recorder as a nurse walked into his office.

“Ah, Nurse Mary, how can I help you?” he asked the nervous nurse standing in his doorway. She bit her lip as she opened the door further.

“I’m just checking on Rory’s progress. I was sent by the director,” she informed him. He swiveled his chair around, looking out onto the grounds below.

He had been working for the Spindle Ridge Asylum for one year now, and he was constantly asked about certain patients by the director. It’s a part of his job he was used to, yet normal routine would be the director waiting until he was done with his reports. He would then hand deliver them to the director and wait for her to schedule a meeting. This director had more say, an annoying approach. After each session with a patient, either Nurse Mary or one of the other many nurses came to his office and interrupted his recording sessions.

“Doctor, did I come at a bad time again?” Mary asked. She knew how impatient he could be. She stood there waiting for his reply.

Finally he turned his chair and stood up. He walked to Mary and patted her on the shoulder. “No. I’ll go to the director myself, Mary. Save you a trip.” Accordingly, he walked out the door and up the flight of stairs leading to the director’s office, leaving a confused Mary in his wake.

He reached the door of the director of the asylum. Her office sat on the top floor overlooking the ocean view that sits just outside the asylum walls. She, by far, had the best view of the place; even better than his view of the gardens. He knew she was unprepared for his arrival, but he knocked anyway.

“Come in, Mary, you idiot—” She stopped short seeing Dr. Altman at the door. “Oh, I am terribly sorry, Dr. Altman. Do come in.”

Dr. Malisa Fenwick, or Dr. M for short, was a tall woman with raven black hair that she kept pulled so tight that he feared for the safety of her eyes. She smiled at him. It was always a disturbing smile, never quite reaching her eyes.

“I came about my session with Rory; you wanted to know about it. So instead of sending nurses to my office, I will come to you,” he said matter-of-factly. “I feel it’s better this way.”

Her smile faded fast, and she nodded her head motioning for him to take a seat. He did but kept his eyes steady with hers. Dr. Altman was not scared of Dr. M, not for a second. The staff may flitter around her like scared little children, but he was a man of science and would not be intimidated by her.

“Well?” she said impatiently.

“Rory’s progress is slow. I can tell you that much right now. I was in the middle of my recordings when I was interrupted by Mary. I was going to give you the full report after lunch,” he explained.

“Peter, let’s be frank, shall we?” she asked even though she really didn’t want an answer. “Just tell me what your suggestion is.”

She sat back into her plush, white leather chair. It matched all the other pure white furniture in her office.

“Okay then, I think you have an unhealthy obsession with my patient,” he blurted. “You can’t wait for my official report, ever. It’s not fair to me as a doctor and it’s unfair to the patient.”

Dr. M stood fast, her chair flying out from behind her. She was mad and that anger had no problem reaching her eyes. They flared with hatred for him as he sat in front of her.

“How dare you come in here and diagnose me! You know what that girl did! I am merely keeping track of her progress. Progress that she is apparently not making, according to you.” Dr. M stopped, took a deep breath and continued. “I’m afraid that if you can’t make some sort of progress with that girl within two weeks’ time, I will be asking you to step down as her doctor. Do you understand?”

She said this as calmly as she could.

Dr. Altman’s face turned red with fury.

“You’d take her away from me after all this time? Do you know what that would do to her? What that would do to me? She trusts me!” he shouted.

“Dr. Altman, I’m not worried about her missing you when you’re no longer her doctor. I am, however, worried about whether or not she starts remembering why she is here in Spindle Ridge. It’s detrimental that the girl gets better and understands what she did to land herself here.”

“This is not a jail, Malisa. This is a hospital for the criminally insane. She doesn’t need to remember the awful things she did. She just needs to understand that what she did was criminal and the difference between right and wrong.”

“And you have two weeks to get her to do so. Now, Peter, leave my office and never come here unannounced again,” she said as she fixed her skirt and recovered her chair.

“I’ll do my best, Malisa.”

Just before he slammed her door he heard her say, “You’ll do your best or you’ll be sorry.”  

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Sleeping Tom by E.V. Fairfall - Review & Giveaway

 Sleeping Tom

E.V. Fairfall

YA Contemporary Romance
February 14, 2015

Amazon | Goodreads

Hitchhiking is a bad idea but Caden is desperate.

When she accepts a ride from the first car to come by she meets Gabriel. He’s her age, hot, and the closest thing she has to a savior. Problem is, he is a total jerk. With nowhere to go, Caden convinces Gabriel to let her stay with him for one night. He reluctantly lends a couch.

That night Caden wakes up to strange noises. Concerned, she rushes into Gabriel’s room, already anticipating his bad temper. Instead, he’s kind, sweet, and suspiciously harmless—nothing like the man who gave her a ride. He seems like a different person altogether, and claims he is. By night he is Tom, and by day he is Gabriel. Caden finds herself drawn to the mysteries hidden in his eyes.

For Gabriel, Caden is an annoying mistake. One night turns into many, and despite all his anger towards her, she stays. She even seems to accept him and his flaws, but he still doesn’t trust her—is she staying for him, or has she already discovered more than he’s willing to share?


My Review: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

Emotionally charged and sometimes draining, Sleeping Tom pairs two psychologically scarred people together in an angst-filled YA romance. Well-written and deeply descriptive, this novel will touch the reader, and make them wonder about the characters long after they finish reading.

It was somewhat ironic-- the night Rebecca's psyche broke from an abusive relationship, and she decided to become Caden (in an effort to become a new, better person), was the night that she met Gabriel/Tom, a person with a true dissociative identity disorder. The fact that Caden wasn't scared away when she discovered the boy, Tom, who only came out at night, made her an impressive character. Confused? Gabriel was himself during the day, but at night the persona Tom, a younger version of Gabriel, took over.

I'm still processing my feelings about this novel. I loved the plot, it was unique and intriguing. The story itself was realistic-- no happy ending at the end of this one-- but not tragic either. I normally hate cliffhangers, but this is a rare instance where it worked. Any other ending would have ruined the story for me. I enjoyed watching Caden become stronger as she spent more time away from her abusive ex. Caden was an aspiring chef, and I adored the cooking scenes where her true personality really shone through.

Ms. Fairfall did a great job marking the sections between day and night (Tom and Gabriel) to avoid confusion. I also enjoyed the shifting POV between Caden and Gabriel. Be warned, this isn't a light read, so be sure to have tissue handy. Oh, and don't plan to read in a doctor's office like I did. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens to Gabriel/Tom in Waking Gabriel.


About the Author

I love to write just as much as I love to read. I try to read a book per week, which doesn’t always work out, but it’s the thought that counts. Aside from all that I am a huge animal person.

Transformed is my first novel, but it isn’t my first publication; I’ve had several short stories published over the last two years. My main goal as a writer is to explore humanity and to give people something fun to read.

Author links:

http://fairfall.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7485494.E_V_Fairfall

https://www.facebook.com/e.v.fairfall

https://twitter.com/EV_Fairfall

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Life, Luck & Dr. Seuss

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own trials and tribulations.

Even the most trivial thing can take on epic proportions.

We forget not to sweat the small stuff,

to stop and smell the flowers on the winding path of life.

For there is wonder in the tiniest things, under the smallest rock.

Today I want you to look at the world through newly opened eyes.

Ignore the bad and embrace the good.

Take your dog for a walk.

Call your parents.

Hug your significant other.

Talk to your child.

Smile at every person you meet.

Remember that every moment is a gift.

We are responsible for our own fate.

Need a kickstart?

One need look no further than Dr. Seuss for inspiration.

So give it a try- plaster a smile to your face.

You may find in time

that smile permanently in place.

Submerged by Cheryl Kaye Tardif - Excerpt & Giveaway

Submerged - Week Blitz

By Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Psychological Paranormal Thriller

Date Published: 2/26/2013

From the international bestselling author that brought you CHILDREN OF THE FOG comes a terrifying new thriller that will leave you breathless…

"SUBMERGED reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl." —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 Seconds

Two strangers submerged in guilt, brought together by fate…

After a tragic car accident claims the lives of his wife, Jane, and son, Ryan, Marcus Taylor is immersed in grief. But his family isn't the only thing he has lost. An addiction to painkillers has taken away his career as a paramedic. Working as a 911 operator is now the closest he gets to redemption—until he gets a call from a woman trapped in a car.

Rebecca Kingston yearns for a quiet weekend getaway, so she can think about her impending divorce from her abusive husband. When a mysterious truck runs her off the road, she is pinned behind the steering wheel, unable to help her two children in the back seat. Her only lifeline is a cell phone with a quickly depleting battery and a stranger's calm voice on the other end telling her everything will be all right.

More reviews:

"From the first page, you know you are in the hands of a seasoned and expert storyteller who is going to keep you up at night turning the pages. Tardif knows her stuff. There's a reason she sells like wildfire—her words burn up the pages. A wonderful, scary, heart-pumping writer." —M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of Seduction

"Tardif once again delivers a suspenseful supernatural masterpiece." —Scott Nicholson, international bestselling author of The Home

"From the first page, Cheryl Kaye Tardif takes you hostage with SUBMERGED—a compelling tale of anguish and redemption." —Rick Mofina, bestselling author of Into the Dark

"Cheryl Kaye Tardif's latest novel SUBMERGED will leave you as haunted as its characters." —Joshua Corin, bestselling author of Before Cain Strikes

"SUBMERGED will leave you breathless—an edge of your seat, supernatural thrill ride." —Jeff Bennington, bestselling author of Twisted Vengeance

EXCERPT

Prologue

Near Cadomin, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 12:36 AM

You never grow accustomed to the stench of death. Marcus Taylor knew that smell intimately. He had inhaled burnt flesh, decayed flesh…diseased flesh. It lingered on him long after he was separated from the body.

The image of his wife and son's gray faces and blue lips assaulted him.

Jane…Ryan.

Mercifully, there were no bodies tonight. The only scent he recognized now was wet prairie and the dank residue left over from a rainstorm and the river.

"So what happened, Marcus?"

The question came from Detective John Zur, a cop Marcus knew from the old days. Back before he traded in his steady income and respected career for something that had poisoned him physically and mentally.

"Come on," Zur prodded. "Start talking. And tell me the truth."

Marcus was an expert at hiding things. Always had been. But there was no way in hell he could hide why he was soaked to the skin and standing at the edge of a river in the middle of nowhere.

He squinted at the river, trying to discern where the car had sunk. He only saw faint ripples on the surface. "You can see what happened, John."

"You left your desk. Not a very rational decision to make, considering your past."

Marcus shook his head, the taste of river water still in his throat. "Just because I do something unexpected doesn't mean I'm back to old habits."

Zur studied him but said nothing.

"I had to do something, John. I had to try to save them."

"That's what EMS is for. You're not a paramedic anymore."

Marcus let his gaze drift to the river. "I know. But you guys were all over the place and someone had to look for them. They were running out of time."

Overhead, lightning forked and thunder reverberated.

"Dammit, Marcus, you went rogue!" Zur said. "You know how dangerous that is. We could've had four bodies."

Marcus scowled. "Instead of merely three, you mean?"

"You know how this works. We work in teams for a reason. We all need backup. Even you."

"All the rescue teams were otherwise engaged. I didn't have a choice."

Zur sighed. "We go back a long way. I know you did what you thought was right. But it could've cost them all their lives. And it'll probably cost you your job. Why would you risk that for a complete stranger?"

"She wasn't a stranger."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Marcus realized how true that statement seemed. He knew more about Rebecca Kingston than he did about any other woman. Besides Jane.

"You know her?" Zur asked, frowning.

"She told me things and I told her things. So, yeah, I know her."

"I still do not get why you didn't stay at the center and let us do our job."

"She called me." Marcus looked into his friend's eyes. "Me. Not you."

"I understand, but that's your job. To listen and relay information."

"You don't understand a thing. Rebecca was terrified. For herself and her children. No one knew where they were for sure, and she was running out of time. If I didn't at least try, what kind of person would I be, John?" He gritted his teeth. "I couldn't live with that. Not again."

Zur exhaled. "Sometimes we're simply too late. It happens."

"Well, I didn't want it to happen this time." Marcus thought of the vision he'd seen of Jane standing in the middle of the road. "I had a…hunch I was close. Then when Rebecca mentioned Colton had seen flying pigs, I remembered this place. Jane and I used to buy ribs and chops from the owner, before it closed down about seven years ago."

"And that led you here to the farm." Zur's voice softened. "Good thing your hunch paid off. This time. Next time, you might not be so lucky."

"There won't be a next time, John."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Zur's mouth. "Uh-huh."

"There won't."

Zur shrugged and headed for the ambulance.

Under a chaotic sky, Marcus stood at the edge of the river as tears cascaded from his eyes. The night's events hit him hard, like a sucker punch to the gut. He was submerged in a wave of memories. The first call, Rebecca's frantic voice, Colton crying in the background. He knew that kind of fear.  He'd felt it before. But last time, it was a different road, different woman, different child.

He shook his head. He couldn't think of Jane right now. Or Ryan. He couldn't reflect on all he'd lost. He needed to focus on what he'd found, what he'd discovered in a faceless voice that had comforted him and expressed that it was okay to let go.

He glanced at his watch. It was after midnight. 12:39, to be exact. He couldn't believe how his life had changed in not much more than two days.

"Marcus!"

He turned...

Cheryl Tardif

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is an award-winning, international bestselling Canadian suspense author. Her novels include Submerged, Divine Justice, Children of the Fog, The River, Divine Intervention, and Whale Song, which New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice calls "a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel."

She is now working on her next thriller.

Cheryl also enjoys writing short stories inspired mainly by her author idol Stephen King, and this has resulted in Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories (collection of shorts) and Remote Control (novelette eBook).

In 2010 Cheryl detoured into the romance genre with her contemporary romantic suspense debut, Lancelot's Lady, written under the pen name of Cherish D'Angelo.

Booklist raves, "Tardif, already a big hit in Canada…a name to reckon with south of the border."

Author Links

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Facebook Page

SUBMERGED Army on Facebook

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | itunes | Kobo Books | Smashwords

GIVEAWAY

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KINDLE FIRE + REsQMe Emergency Tool (featured in the novel and was donated by the company)

*The Kindle Fire HD or Kobo Arc 7 will be awarded IF I make New York Times or USA Today bestsellers lists, so the more people share my event, the better chance I’ll be giving one away. The other prizes will be awarded no matter what happens.

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