Review: Edge of Night by Ann Gimpel

Edge of Night

Ann Gimpel

Paranormal/Horror/Sci-Fi/Romance
December 2016
Dream Shadow Press

Click here for info and buy links

Here’s a roadmap to Edge of Night. Welcome to an eclectic collection of nine short stories.

You’ve done time at the edge of night. Nail-biting, stomach-churning time filled with hissing snarls, menacing growls, the whoosh of unnatural wings, and the flash of hellfire. Time that lasts forever, but is over within seconds because time becomes unpredictable in places like that. You don’t want to stay, but it’s too fascinating—in a grisly, macabre, toe-curling kind of way—to turn your back on.

You recognize it, though. The place just at the threshold of darkness where it’s not quite safe anymore. Evil broke its bounds at the edge of night, or maybe it always ran free and we’ve been deluding ourselves all along.

Join me for nine supernatural tales. Monsters, demons, gods—fallen and otherwise—ghosts, aliens. A touch of science fiction. More than a splash of romance. From magical lands to a chilling glance into the past, Edge of Night has something to tempt everyone. Everyone who craves danger, that is. It takes guts to read the stuff woven into nightmares.

It’s a tough job, but you’re up to it.

Welcome to my world. A world where magic holds court and the dude next door just might be a demon. Or a shifter. Or an alien.

Review: I received this book from the author, which had no impact on my honest review.

I love a good short story collection. Maybe it's my short attention span... If you've already read Ann Gimpel, then I guarantee that you'll love this collection. If not, then this is the perfect introduction to her writing. The prose flows with vivid descriptions that leap off the page, pulling the reader into the story. One might think that short story equals poor character development, but that is not the case here. It amazes me how I was pulled into a character's life within a single page as happened with the very first story in the collection. Edge of Night has something for everyone within its pages--whether you like horror or aliens-- complete with a dash of romance. Highly recommended.

About the Author

Ann Gimpel is a USA Today bestselling author. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Her longer books run the gamut from urban fantasy to paranormal romance. Once upon a time, she nurtured clients. Now she nurtures dark, gritty fantasy stories that push hard against reality. When she’s not writing, she’s in the backcountry getting down and dirty with her camera. She’s published over 45 books to date, with several more planned for 2017 and beyond. A husband, grown children, grandchildren, and wolf hybrids round out her family.

Find Ann At:

www.anngimpel.com

http://anngimpel.blogspot.com

http://www.amazon.com/author/anngimpel

http://www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author

@AnnGimpel (for Twitter)

Code Red by Janie Chodosh

Code Red (Faith Flores Science Mystery #2)
by Janie Chodosh

Genre: YA Mystery
Release Date: February 7th 2017
Poisoned Pen Press

Summary from Goodreads:

After nailing the murderer of her addict mom and proving that her detractors are full of it, seventeen-year-old Faith Flores is back for another kick-ass science mystery. She's proud to be chosen for a summer internship at a research lab in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but once she arrives, complications abound. For one thing, Santa Fe is the birthplace of the father she's never met, and for another, she clashes with a local environmentalist trying to pull the plug on the genetically modified chiles her new boss is engineering. She and violin prodigy, Clem, learn of a new teen drug called liquid gold while discreetly researching the family angle. The chip on Faith's shoulder is still there, but so is her determination to uncover the truth when a girl she meets at a party dies from an overdose of liquid gold.

  

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound  

Excerpt

I should join the bevy of arts and academic interns bonding in clumps of polite, socially correct conversation. At least, if I’m going to be antisocial I should be harnessing the power of positive thought and thinking, Wow! Here I am—St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico! Or, wow! 
What an honor, out of all the science geeks around the nation, the Salazar Center for Plant Genomics chose me as their summer student scholar!

Instead, I sit alone in a window seat overlooking a confusion of mountains and arroyos, no idea what to say to any of the other interns who look so at ease and whose off-resume experiences probably don’t include waiting in the backseat of some beater while their mom scored a fix. Not to mention that if I were to actually open my mouth what would come out would likely have a high lab geek element. And then there’s the nagging distraction of The Jerk, also known as The Sperm Donor, sometimes known as my father, who I happen to know was born here and could still be hanging around.

“Faith, cool name,” someone says.

I spin around, absolutely no idea how long I’ve been staring out the window, to gape at a tall guy standing in front of me who might be Hispanic, might be black, and might be in competition with Jesse, my Philly boyfriend, for the cutest boy I’ve ever seen. To make up for the fact that I seem to have forgotten how to speak, I jam my hands on my hips and

demand an explanation for how he knew my name.

“Um. That would be your nametag?” 

Previous book in the series (click on image for Goodreads link):

About the Author

To write for teens, listen to teens.

I have been listening to teens and young-adults for most of my adult life. As a middle school and high school teacher, I am immersed in the voices of young people. Daily, I listen to their irony and wit, their drama and humor. It is these voices that fuel my desire to write for young adults.

Besides being a writer and a teacher, I am a mom, an avid outdoors person, reader, observer of life, and a scientist wannabe. However, since I realized I only liked to muck around in the field in cool places and would never actually be a scientist, I married one.

When not writing, I like to hang out with my family, rock climb, try to grow a garden in the arid southwest, bird watch, travel, and attempt to play Klezmer music on my violin.

Author Links:

   

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Sequence Aligned by Lorraine M.L.M + Giveaway

SeQuence Aligned (The Heart of the Ocean #2)
by Lorraine M.L.M.

Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance
Release Date: February 1st 2017

Summary from Goodreads:

Alessia and Dante’s love has blossomed. Their Sequence of Hearts is sturdier than ever, but the shield that protects Tuscania is weakening and an invasion is imminent. Everyone knows Alessia's new-found power is the key--especially Alessia. Unfortunately, the energy inside her is unstable and expediting her training could have devastating consequences. But that's exactly what must be done.

Whisked away to a secluded training facility, Alessia is forced to put aside all distractions, including Dante, to fully focus on the Sequence of Peace.

But power always comes at a price. When Dante falls deathly ill, Alessia abandons her training to go to him, but she never makes it. Instead, she's kidnapped and dragged outside the shield where she's more helpless than she was back on Earth. As the captive of a vengeful madman, Alessia has only her wits and her will to save herself and the world she's come to cherish.

  

Book One:

SeQuence (The Heart of the Ocean #1)

by Lorraine M.L.M.

Release Date: November 2nd 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Alessia Appleton is desperate. She's desperate to silence the voices inside her head, but being committed to an island asylum has only made them worse. Still, at least there's the ocean. Water is the one thing that blocks Alessia from hearing the thoughts of those around her. Complete submersion is her only relief. So, when she gets the chance to escape her wardens and the voices, Alessia takes it. She dives into the sea and a giant wave drags her under.

When she comes to, one thing is clear--either Alessia's completely lost her mind, or she's not on Earth anymore. 

Instead, she finds herself in a world with two moons, a complex undersea society, a long-lost grandmother, and a drool-worthy young man named Dante Erajion. However, it doesn't take long for Alessia to realise that a new world comes with all kinds of new rules and new problems. In Zeneshia sequence takes precedence over chance, and Alessia's arrival has set off the Foretold Sequence of Hearts, shifting the future to a dire series of choices between Life, Love, and Death.

Shortlisted for the 2015 Love Stories New Talent Award

  

BOOK TRAILER:

About the Author

Lorraine M.L.M writes young adult romantic fiction. Her love for reading prompted her passion for writing. She loves all genres of romance but has a special and inherent interest in Fantasy/Romance in particular uplifting and thought provoking fiction. Her YA Fantasy/Romance debut novel, SeQuence was shortlisted for the 2015 Love Stories New Talent Award.

When she’s not writing, she can be found gazing into the distance thinking about writing.

If you would like to keep up-to-date with news of her forthcoming releases, you can sign up here: http://eepurl.com/b-3fXn

Author Links:

 

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Curse of Stars by Donna Compositor

Curse of Stars
Donna Compositor
(Diamond Crier #1)

Publication date: February 19th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Sabi Perez is the last Diamond Crier, only she doesn’t know it. Not until a crazed ruler from another world comes to collect her priceless tears and won’t take no for an answer.

Living in New York, Sabi’s seen some nasty things, but the lengths to which her captor will go to keep his crown are things found only in the darkest nightmares. Afraid and alone, Sabi finds solace in her cellmate, Anya, and Cabal, a fellow Crier who also has powers, a rare combination that buys his favor from the ruler. Only it’s a favor he doesn’t want.

In a fit of rage, power erupts out of Sabi, the same power Cabal has, and a spark of hope ignites. Together they may have a chance at escape, something no other Crier has done. Except a ruler hellbent on draining them of every last diamond tear isn’t their only hurdle. If they escape they’ll be hunted to the ends of the earth, if they survive the trek to safety. If they stay the ruler will leech them dry. Sabi would rather die trying than lie down and die, even if that means running away into even more danger.

“. . . vividly imagined and deftly plotted dark fantasy . . .” BookLife Prize in Fiction

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

EXCERPT:

“You must be Sabina,” he said.

Her heart felt ready to explode. Ringing in her ears made it hard to hear but she could have sworn he called her Sabina. She didn’t know whether to answer him or not. She went by Sabi but her birth certificate said Sabina. He wasn’t wrong, but she wasn’t about to admit that.

“Sabina Petris.”

The sound of his voice was soft, almost welcoming. But the way he looked at her, how his gaze bored directly into her eyes, it sent goose bumps across her skin. All she wanted to do right then was leave.

“Sorry,” she choked, the word barely making it out. “You have the wrong house.”

The thin smile that sliced across his face like a paper cut cracked open to reveal gleaming teeth underneath. Sabi couldn’t help but think of a wolf and how he would eat her with his big teeth.

“I don’t think so. But maybe it’s Perez now, yes? At least that’s what my sources say.”

Every thought she had smashed together in her head. He had her name. Her name. But who was Sabina Petris? And why did he say Perez like that wasn’t her real name? Crap, she needed to get out.

Now.

“Baby, you okay?”

Sabi jumped and nearly choked on her heart. Keeping her eyes on the man in front of her she called down to Mrs. Wexler in the steadiest voice she could muster, “Fine. I’m fine.”

Nothing about her cracking voice sounded fine.

“Why don’t you come on down? Come sit with me until your Mama gets home?”

Yes! That’s what she’d do. Nothing could happen if she stayed out in the open with Mrs. Wexler. She took a step backward, not daring to turn her back on the man, but she stopped when he spoke.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t. Or your sister, Matti is it? Could feel the effects of that poor decision.”

Bile burned Sabi’s throat and her vision swam. The man took a step closer.

“You are my property, Sabina. Your parents knew this. They knew this would happen. Come with me now and I’ll forgive their indiscretions. I can’t say the same for their people, of course. So many deaths piling up behind your parents. Something like that is hard for people to forgive.”

Everything in Sabi’s head cleared and one thing rang out above it all: Matti. Get to Matti. Whoever this guy was, whatever he was saying, he wasn’t right. In the head, in life, in anything. Except just looking at him Sabi knew he was far from harmless. He was too casual, too confident. He was the wolf and she the prey and she was getting too close to backing into a corner.

With every ounce of air she had in her lungs Sabi screamed Mrs. Wexler’s name and booked back down the stairs. Footsteps thundered up to meet her and Mrs. Wexler mumbled ‘outside’ and nearly pushed Sabi down the rest of the stairs. But she didn’t need any help. And she didn’t stop on the stoop or to see what her neighbor was going to do.

Guilt slowed her down, but the way Matti rolled off the man’s tongue made her pump her legs harder. It was blocks to the school, but Sabi wasn’t about to wait at a subway stop, sitting like a duck with a price on its head. She needed to get to Matti.

Author Bio:

Donna has been writing since she was in the single digits when she first realized she needed to do something about all the thoughts in her head. After a stint with bad poetry she finally found her way to novels, mainly of the young adult fantasy variety. When she’s not cranking out more stories she works a regular 9 to 5, reads anywhere from 2 to 3 books a week, drinks copious amounts of tea, eats way too much, and makes her own beauty products because her skin turns into a sentient hive if she uses anything else. This is mostly because she lives in the desert where the air siphons water clean out of her. She lives with a man named Steve and several quadrupeds: three cats named Renfield, Sam, and Dean; and a MinPin named Malfoy.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Top Ten Writing Must-Haves by Kaitlyn Davis, Author of Frost

Welcome to Kaitlyn Davis, author of Frost with her Top 10 writing must-haves!

Top Ten Writing Must-Haves

I’m sure this list is a little different for every author or aspiring-author out there, but here are mine J

1. Computer

Some writers use a notebook, some dictate into a microphone, some probably do other things, but I couldn’t live without my computer! Give me Microsoft Word, a blank page, and a keyboard, and I’m good to go J

2. Coffee Maker

I’m a bonafide coffee addict! I know I should quit the caffeine, but I just can’t sit down at my desk to write without a steaming cup of coffee. It would feel all sorts of wrong.

3. Bookish Mug

To go with my coffee addiction, of course J I have a whole shelf of mugs and the collection just keeps on growing! But sometimes when I’m stuck on a hard scene, I love reading a quote from a book I love or about reading/writing—it gives me that extra little push I needed to power through!

4. Idea Journal

While I write all my books on the computer, my ideas are stored in a journal! Anytime any interesting thought or idea pops into my head, I jot it down in this notebook to expand upon later—or to forget entirely. Sometimes it might be a character, or a specific scene, or even just a sentence. I write it all down. And the ideas I go back to, the ones that seem to keep repeating in the back of my mind, are the ones I know I need to pursue!

5. Fancy Pen

When I published my first book, my family bought me a very fancy Montblanc pen. I used it to endorse my first ever royalty payment and to sign my first ever autographed copy! And even though I now tend to sign books with a brightly colored permanent marker, I still break out my fancy pen for special occasions…and the memories make me grin like a giddy school girl each time J

6. Candles

I know a lot of writers who use music to set the mood when they’re sitting down for a monster writing session, but for me, it’s candles! I have candles of all different types and all different scents all over my home. For some reason, the fire and the smell soothe me and make the words flow. 

7. Overflowing Bookshelf

My desk is sandwiched between two overflowing bookshelves, but that’s the way I love it! All of my favorite novels and bookish trinkets and photos and quotes are crammed on those wooden shelves. They might not be the prettiest thing, but when I sit down at my desk, having so much great literature around just makes me want to write. And if I’m ever stuck, I can pause, take a moment to look around, and I get inspired all over again.

8. An Accountant

I’m a writer, not a numbers girl J

9. Inspiration Place

I have two—my shower and the beach where my family has a summer home! Obviously, I prefer long walks on the beach when I can just let my mind wander, but I unfortunately don’t have the unlimited funds required to fly to the beach whenever I have writer’s block J Sometimes, the shower is what has to do!

10. Amazing Fans

Whether they’re your parents, your siblings, your best friends, or a whole slew of people you’ve never met, every author and aspiring-author needs wonderful fans. I’m fortunate enough to have more than I ever imagined, and I can’t even put into words how much that means to me! Sometimes when I’m drowning in self-doubt, just knowing there are other people out there who understand my work and love it too is all I need to push through!

Frost
Midnight Ice Book One

Kaitlyn Davis

YA Paranormal Romance
January 26, 2017

Even the hottest love can turn a girl cold-blooded…

Life's tough for a vampire thief on the run—just ask Pandora Scott, she knows. Four years ago she ran away from home after everyone she loved betrayed her. But now her annoyingly grown up (and handsome) ex boyfriend is stalking her, begging her to return. A mysterious vamp with a particularly dangerous (and sexy) stare keeps popping unexpectedly into her life. The extremely powerful head vampire of New York is hunting her down because she may or may not have broken into his highly-secure, highly-secretive personal vault. And the fate she's been trying to outrun? Well, it's about to catch up. Because even a super-speedy vamp with the ability to disappear can't escape her own destiny.

A brand new spinoff to Midnight Fire, a bestselling series with over 200,000 copies sold and over 5000 5-star reviews on Goodreads! Fans will enjoy special appearances from Kira, Luke and Tristan while falling in love with the new characters and new adventure of Midnight Ice.

*Please note, you do not need to read the books of Midnight Fire to enjoy Frost (Midnight Ice Book 1). They are two standalone series with character crossover. 

Available from: 

Amazon – http://hyperurl.co/AmazonFrost 

Apple – http://hyperurl.co/AppleFrost

B&N – http://bit.ly/BNFrost

Google Play – http://bit.ly/FrostGP

Kobo – http://bit.ly/KoboFrost

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/SWFrost

If you haven't read the bestselling Midnight Fire series, you can get the first two books free when you buy the entire series at once!

**Over 200,000 Copies of the Midnight Fire Series Sold!**

**Over 5000 5-Star Reviews on Goodreads!** 

Kira Dawson has the power to burn vampires to a crisp. The problem is, she doesn't know it yet. The even bigger problem is, she's dating one.

When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they're keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan's lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes a paranormal romance perfect for fans of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

Books included in this bundle:

Ignite - Book One

Simmer - Book Two

Blaze - Book Three

Scorch - Book Four

Burn - An Anniversary Novella

Rave Reviews for the Midnight Fire series!

"The writing is effortlessly mind-blowing. I could not put this entire series down." 

- Happy Tales and Tails Blog

"Read the books. Do it." 

- Urban Girl Reader 

"Some of the best action scenes I have come across in a young adult book." 

- Reflections of a Bookworm

"I was riveted throughout … there was drama, danger, action and romance that was wonderfully detailed and described." 

- Obsession With Books 

"You'll make friends with Kira, choose sides with Tristan and Luke, and fall in love with the story at heart about a girl with so bright a future...even shades aren't gonna cut it."

 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers 

Available from: 

Amazon – http://hyperurl.co/AmazonCompleteMF

Apple – http://hyperurl.co/APLCompleteMF

B&N – http://bit.ly/BNCompleteMF

Google Play – http://bit.ly/GPCompleteMF

Kobo – http://bit.ly/KoboCompleteMF

Smashwords - http://bit.ly/SWCompleteMF

About the Author

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie. 

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

To stay up-to-date with all of Kaitlyn's new releases, sign up for her new release newsletter here: TinyLetter.com/KaitlynDavisBooks

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Instagram│Youtube│Tumblr│Wattpad│Pinterest│Amazon

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