Tide Song, Melody of the Deep: A fantasy coming of age adventure (Tide Song Duology, Part 1) by K.E. Hummel

We're celebrating brand new fantasy Tide Song by K.E. Hummel. Read on for more details!

Tide Song: Melody of the Deep
by K.E. Hummel
Jan 17, 2025
Genre: YA Fantasy/ No Romance
Tropes:
Coming of age, reluctant hero, mythical creatures, found family, epic quest, overcoming prejudice
"Her voice can bridge worlds, but can it save them?"

A shattered nest
Their children dead
While above, invaders sail...

In the peaceful waters of Tirahanko Bay, Kei’s unique voice connects her to the Kopri, wise octopus-folk vital to her people’s survival. But a Kopri Prophet’s desperate plea thrusts Kei into a dangerous mission. She must journey to the outer sea, to help the Kopri communicate with the cruel Koru-Kah, human invaders destroying the Kopri’s underwater realm.

As danger mounts and Kei travels far from home, she must find a strength she never knew she had. Despite paralyzed legs, Kei navigates the perilous waters of captivity and forges unexpected bonds with Jacuti, a young enslaved sailor, and her loyal Kopri friend, OldFish. Together, they must face the inhumanity of the invaders and save the Kopri from destruction.

“Tide Song: Melody of the Deep” can be read as a stand-alone, complete novel. But the story continues in Part Two of the Tide Song Duology: “Children of Tayjaru,” coming to Amazon June 15, 2025. Perfect for young adult and adult readers.
 who believe in the magic within themselves and the strength found in unexpected friendships.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

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Excerpt: Aestrangel the Fallen (The Aestrangel Trinity Part 1) by Maria DeVivo

Aestrangel the Fallen (The Aestrangel Trinity Part 1)
by Maria DeVivo
September 2023
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy
Publisher: 4 Horsemen Publications
ISBN: 1644509261
Number of pages: 240
Word Count: 63K
Hell hath no fury like an angel scorned!

Aestra, favorite teenaged angel of The Lord, has been sent to Earth to ensure that high school senior, Jake Parker, pursues the correct path. He is teetering between two options that may seem innocuous, but only one will lead him to positively impact the lives of millions of humans.

But what happens when the heart chooses love over responsibility? For Aestra, one fateful night will set into motion a chain of events unforeseen by even her infallible Creator.

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Excerpt
From Chapter One: Learning the Ways
They tell me I should be dreaming by now, that the images and scenarios should be well-embedded into my brand-new subconsciousness, but for me, all there has been is color. No. That’s not right. When I close my brand-new eyes, all that consumes me are the shifting shades of grays and blacks, and I’m not sure if this is something I should be worried about or not. I’ve been in this human simulation environment for quite some time now, and I’m guessing that part of my “humanness” hasn’t kicked in yet. But I’ve heard the others talking and describing their dreams, and I’m getting anxious for my first one. Revalia, the closest thing I have to what humans call a “best friend,” has told me the fabulous tales of her dreams. She says sometimes she doesn’t even want to wake up. She says the images and sounds and smells are so overpowering, so overwhelming, that when she wakes up, she desperately longs to go back to that dreamy, lazy place between the conscious and unconscious mind. I wish I knew what she was talking about.

I know my lack of dreams worries Camael. He has told me many times the human experience is multi-pronged and multi-faceted, and in order for me to complete my calling, I must be immersed in the most basic of human functions. There’s no other way for me to complete my mission because there’s no other way for me to be a “believable” Guardian to the human I am assigned. And if I don’t complete my mission successfully, I will never move up the ranks and become a Guardian Angel. Camael is in a higher order of angels than I am—the Dominions. He’s my mentor, and it’s his job to prepare me for the journey that I’m about to embark upon.

Yes, I’m an angel—we all are: Camael, Revalia, the others, and me. But, my rank right now is that of angel—the lowest rung on the ladder. My goal is to move up to Guardian, and hopefully beyond. It’s the natural progression for my kind, and I’m excited to serve the Creator (or God, as the humans refer to Him) and all of His glorious wonders.

There is no time—not the way humans divide time up at least. I’ve always existed, yet there are others and elders who were here in Ilarium before I was created, and since I’ve been given the ability to communicate in human language, it seems hard for me to put into words all the thoughts and feelings that I had before. Before, there was just love and peace and a willingness to serve and please, but now there is an actual lexicon, a vocabulary of tens of thousands of words, that I’m still trying to figure out how to effectively communicate and verbalize what’s in my heart. Never having had a heart before, it takes some getting used to.
We angels who are preparing for our callings have been thrust into a human-like world in order to become accustomed to the actual life of a human. The Powers That Be have replicated the physical world and have created buildings and structures for us, given us languages, infused us with feelings, and given us body shapes all in preparation for our descent to Earth.

While angels are neither male nor female, I have the body of a woman now, and I will be assigned female attributes from here forward. I rather do like the contour of the female form, I always have, and perhaps my partiality towards women is what prompted the Creator to put me in a woman’s body. My wings are more defined too; they are heavy on my shoulders with the feathered tips almost irritating the backs of my arms and legs. As the human notion of time becomes more ingrained into our routine, the weight of my wings becomes more and more cumbersome. Camael has said that the awareness of our wings was important so when we lose them on our descent, the shock wouldn’t be so bad. I don’t know; I’m still trying to understand all my teachings. Like how we’re going to be given a set of human memories specific to us and our assignment, yet have all the knowledge of our angelic lives. The thought of blending the two perplexes me.

This leads me to right now. This time. This place. The unfamiliarity of it all. Camael says this is a school, and the human I am assigned to help goes to one. I know this. I’ve seen them, the humans. I’ve watched them from up high, but actually being in a school—the four white walls and chairs called desks filed in rows with children sitting at them—is quite an adjustment. I sit in the front of a single aisle. We’re in alphabetical order, and I’m Aestra, so that means I’m first in the row. Revalia is a few desks behind me. I turn my head to try to catch her attention, but she’s staring out the window, deep in what Camael calls a “daydream.” I look at her a few seconds longer hoping my gaze can break her trance, but she’s too far gone, mesmerized in her human thoughts. The one disadvantage to being in this human shape is we angels can no longer feel the thoughts and emotions of others without speaking them. If I had been free from this woman body, I would have been able to read Revalia’s mind, but then again, if we weren’t in these human forms, Revalia wouldn’t be having such thoughts as hypnotizing daydreams…

About the Author:
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Maria is the Author of the Amazon bestselling and award-winning series The Coal Elf Chronicles, the YA psychological horror series The Altered Experience, and the NA Urban Fantasy series The Aestrangel Trinity. When not writing about dark fantasy and horror, she teaches Language Arts and Journalism to middle school students in Florida. A lover of all things dark and demented, she takes pleasure in warping the comfort factor in her readers’ minds. Just when you think you’ve reached a safe space in her stories, she snaps you back into her twisted reality.

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What happens when the heart chooses love over responsibility? For angel, Aestra, one fateful night will set into motion a chain of events unforeseen by even her infallible Creator. Check out a new dark urban fantasy from author Maria DeVivo: Aestrangel the Fallen. https://books2read.com/aestrangel01
#aestrangel, #angelsanddemons #fallenangel #darkfantasy #urbanfantasy #mariadevivoscares

 

Book Review: The Epilogues: Part I: Badge of Honor (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 6) by: Hailey Edwards

The Epilogues: Part I: Badge of Honor (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 6)
by: Hailey Edwards

May 20, 2021

Pages: 198

Hadley has worked her butt off to earn her title as Potentate of Atlanta. All that’s left for her is the gauntlet. A show of prowess for the citizens of Atlanta. A taste of what their new POA can do. She’s ready to dazzle them and bring home the prize.

Until an old friend gets kidnapped. The price of his freedom? Her flunking the gauntlet.

Either she gives up on her dream or her friend.

For Hadley, there’s only one choice.

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After two years of being the apprentice Potentate of Atlanta, the time has come for her to have the actual title of Potentate of Atlanta, but first, she must complete the gauntlet to show the skills she has learned. The only catch is she must finish it and not die. Hadley has been training like crazy to be ready for the gauntlet, but true to Hadley fashion, there always has to be a few bumps in the road. When one of her old friends is kidnapped, Hadley has to make some major decisions and either give up on her dreams or risk her friend’s life.

Hadley is one of my favorite characters in the world of Hailey Edward’s books. She has overcome major life mistakes, made new friends, she is mated, and has created a family amongst all of them, and still she feels like she needs to make amends which shows she cares about those around her, making her an excellent heroine.

Book Review: Shadow of Doubt (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 1)

Book Review: Pack of Lies (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 2)

Review: Change of Heart (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 3)

Review: Proof of Life (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 4)

Review: Moment of Truth (The Potentate of Atlanta Book 5)

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.

The Demon of Yodok: A Young Adult Dystopian Survival Saga (Juche - Part 1) by Adria Carmichael + giveaway

The Demon of Yodok: A Young Adult Dystopian Survival Saga (Juche - Part 1)

by Adria Carmichael

August 11, 2020

393 pages
Genre: YA Dystopian
A highly addictive Young Adult Dystopian Survival series that will keep you glued to the pages.

JUCHE [dʒuːtʃe]

Just when Areum, daughter of a privileged family in the totalitarian state of Choson, thought she was free from her personal prison, her world collapses around her as her family are taken away in the middle of the night to a hell-like camp in the mountains where people who have strayed from the righteous path are brutally re-educated through blood, sweat, tears and starvation.

There she has to fight for survival together with the family she hates and is forced to re-evaluate every aspect of her life until then – her deep resentment toward her twin sister; her view of her father in face of the mounting evidence he is a traitor with the blood of millions of fellow countrymen on his hands; and even her love and affection for the Great General – the eternal savior and protector of Choson, whom she had always considered her true father.

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About the Author
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Adria Carmichael is a writer of Young Adult Dystopian fiction with a twist. When she is not devouring dystopian and post-apocalyptic content in any format – books, movies, TV-series and PlayStation games – she is crafting the epic and highly-addictive Juche saga, her 2020 debut novel series that takes place in the brutal, totalitarian nation of Choson. When the limit of doom and gloom is reached, a 10K run on a sunny day or binging a silly sitcom on a rainy day is her go-to way to unwind.

Giveaway: 

For a chance to win a signed hardcover edition of The Demon of Yodok, click the link below!

Giveaway will run from today until April 15th! (International)

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Comic Review: Ghoster (The Gallowing Part 1)

Ghoster (The Gallowing Part 1)

Oct 1, 2019

Writers: Thom Burgess, Toby Meakins

Art: Joe Becci 

45 pages

Genre: horror graphic novella

A young man attempts to survive The Gallowing, the deadly initiation into the secret Guild of Ghosters, five families of  Malevolent hunters that have protected Britain from evil spirits for centuries. To complete his mission and join the ranks of his ancestors he must hunt down a Malevolent in the most haunted house in London or die trying.

Acclaimed comic writer Thom Burgess (Malevolents, The Eyrie) and award-winning filmmaker Toby Meakins (Breathe,  Floor 9.5) have teamed up to create GHOSTER - A dark, supernatural world with a rich hidden history that spans centuries and reaches across continents. A world where the malevolent spirits that feed on the pain, suffering and death of humans are only kept at bay by an almost extinct band of malevolent hunters, who literally become ghosts to hunt ghosts. 

Part 1 The Gallowing is illustrated by Joe Becci, who’s unique style and use of shadow have set the tone for a sinister and exciting ride into the world of Ghoster.

You can also follow the world of Ghoster and its creators on their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages. 

Read for FREE

http://www.ghosterworld.com/

"Once upon a time or so it's said, a Ghoster came to hunt the dead."

I was scrolling through twitter when I ran across the image above and this quote. AND it was going to be released online for free! Yeah, I was all over this.

The comic opens with a scene from a horror movie. Eyeballs, why'd it have to be eyeballs?! *shudder* There are two young men preparing for an initiation into The Guild of Ghosters, a secret society of ghost hunters. They've kept Brittian safe from Malevolents (ghosts) for centuries. Ghosters have the ability to enter the tenebrate--a netherworld between the dead and the living--and kill Malevolents. Things go horribly wrong...of course!

The writers have created an interesting urban fantasy and the Gallowing Part 1 gives us a look into this macabre world. There are a few mysteries shown, and a possible conspiracy--we are talking about a centries old secret organization. 

The artwork is what makes this story shine. When Ghosters go into the tenebrate they essentially become spirits with a steampunk look unique to their family line.

See the guy watching them in the last panel? Yeah, mystery and conspiracy! I loved the way the artist uses color and shadow to differentiate between the tenebrate and the living world. The overall tone is haunting and dark in both worlds.  

This is a great start to ghostly urban fantasy I'm ready to experience. Forty-five pages seem like a lot but the story/action moves quickly and it's over too soon. At the end of the comic, there is a glossary of terms.

I don't know how much of this series will be free, but you can download Part 1 for free on their website.

4.5 "Got something in my eye" Sheep

SharonS 

http://www.ghosterworld.com/

Book Review: Feast of Darkness Part 1 (Four Feasts till Darkness, Book 4) by Christian A. Brown

Feast of Darkness Part 1 (Four Feasts till Darkness, Book 4)

by Christian A. Brown
September 25, 2018
Publisher: Forsythia Press
ASIN: B07HD7KLWB ISBN: 9780994014436
“The end of the world begins at the far end of the world”

Throughout the world of Geadhain, for mortals, Immortals, and Dreamers alike, the tides of war have ebbed and flowed for eons. For Morigan and Caenith and their courageous companions, that tide has become a tsunami as they continue their treacherous journey into the strange shifting land of Pandemonia—where they are near to discovering a mythic relic to use against the Black Queen. Meanwhile, the citizens of Eod and the surviving elements of Menos ready their shaky alliance in a last stand against Death and her ghoulish unliving hordes; while King Magnus, Queen Lila, and Erik abandon humanity’s last bastion and venture north into a hostile world scoured by shrieking blizzards and walls of ice en route to their own confrontation with the enraged spirit of Winter herself and a historic evil embodied by the monstrous Kinlords.

Across sundry fantastical landscapes, familiar heroes are edging toward individual destinies that even the Sisters Three are unable to fully discern, as Fate continues to weave and reweave its murky tapestry. Nothing is certain except that should the Wolf and the Fawn fail in their looming apocalyptic clash with the mad king himself, all will be lost for the people of Geadhain.
In this fourth book in the fantasy series, we continued with Morigan’s story, adding new characters, not in the first three novels. It begins with a recap, to catch you up or remind the reader of events in the past books.

Kinlord sacrifices a captive seeking a bargain with the spirit of Winter. Swears the lives of his first three sons, their blood spilled in the same chamber his ancestors first outwitted the original keepers of the North. From there, the novel goes on to the Sisters of Fate in the middle of the assault on Camp Fury to defeating Amunai in the end. Most of all, we get the thread of Morigan and her mate, Caenith, as they search for a weapon to stop the Black Queen. So many subplots within the pages to get lost in, all that are part of the main story.

Christian A. Brown mixes fantasy with science fiction, steampunk, and even horror, so this book, like the others, is a complex mixture that keeps you on your toes. It is not boring. I do warn, even with the glossary in the beginning and the recap, you should read the other three in order.

If you enjoyed Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and George RR Martin’s fantasy series, along with the science fiction series of Dune, you will enjoy this series. With winter almost here, this series will make for great reading.

Review: Feast of Fates (Four Feasts Till Darkness) (Volume 1)
Review: Feast of Dreams (Four Feasts Till Darkness #2)
Review: Feast of Chaos (Four Feasts Till Darkness) (Volume 3)


I give Feast of Darkness (Part 1) 5 sheep.

Reviewed by Pamela K. Kinney

About the Author:

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Bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Feast of Fates, Christian A. Brown received a Kirkus star in 2014 for the first novel in his genre-changing Four Feasts Till Darkness series. He has appeared on Newstalk 1010, AM640, Daytime Rogers, and Get Bold Today with LeGrande Green. He actively writes a blog about his mother’s journey with cancer and on gender issues in the media. A lover of the weird and wonderful, Brown considers himself an eccentric with a talent for cat-whispering.

Spotlight: Vampire CEO: Part 1 (Vampire CEO Series) by Erin Bedford + Excerpt

Vampire CEO: Part 1 (Vampire CEO Series)
by Erin Bedford
January 16, 2017
179 pages
Wait until he gets a taste of her.

Tossed out by her coven, Abigail has to brave the human world and get a real job. With no skills outside of potions and spells, she magics her way out of unemployment and into the executive suite of Midnight Pharmaceutical.

But something strange is going on at Midnight. While her boss is the very definition of dark and mysterious, he makes her witchy sense tingle with his odd hours and the string of women leaving his office every day...

She'll find out what's happening at Midnight; if her boss doesn't take a bite out of her first.

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Excerpt:
An unladylike oof left Abigail as she began to fall to the floor only to be caught around the waist by a strong pair of arms. Her eyes shot up to her savior and the reason behind her fall, Abigail was instantly beguiled. For the first time in her life, it was she who was bespelled.

Blue eyes as deep and dark as sapphires gleamed down at her in impatience. A strong jaw clenched tight, held kissable lips that frowned at her. If the face wasn't enough to enchant her, the full head of black, silk hair that hinted of blue in the light made her hands itch to see how soft it actually was. It was enough to make anyone fall under his spell.

"Oh, good catch." Mandy watched in amusement, gesturing toward the god-like creature still holding Abigail in his arms. "This is Sebastian Storm, the CEO of Midnight Pharmaceutical and your new boss."

This was her boss? Abigail's eyes turned back to the man holding her in his arms. This glorious specimen of a man was going to be the one she answered to every day for the foreseeable future?

Any other time she would be thrilled to have any kind of attention from someone like him. Not only was he gorgeous but he hadn't even said a word and his presence demanded all of her attention. This was a man that got what he wanted, no questions asked. Thoughts of him commanding her in the bedroom seeped into her mind before she could help it, and she blushed.

“Was there something you needed, Mr. Storm?” Mandy asked the stoic man still holding onto Abigail’s waist.

“Yes, I was wondering how long I would have to wait for a new secretary. Things are beginning to pile up, and Lisa cannot keep doing two jobs, she’s hardly proficient in the one she has.”

If Abigail hadn’t already been on the verge of melting into the floor, the sound of his voice would have done it. It made her think of warm silk covered in the best chocolate; the hint of Hispanic heritage in his accent added a spicy edge to it. It was a voice she wanted to wrap around herself and savor.

"Well, you are in luck. It just so happens that this is Abigail Blanchard, your new night secretary."

At the introduction, Sebastian instantly dropped his hands from around her waist, leaving Abigail cold from where his arms had touched her. He stepped back from her, clearing his throat as he straightened the cuffs of his suit. His eyes went from curious to hard in an instant. All thoughts of this man ever embracing her for real were dashed from her mind.

Saddened by the thought, Abigail pushed it to the back of her mind as she realized what Mandy had just said. "Night secretary?"

Mandy nodded her head, her lips curving down. "Yes, the position you applied for was for Mr. Storm's nighttime secretary. Midnight Pharmaceutical is the only ever twenty-four-hour research and development facility.” Her brow crinkled as she glanced down at the papers in front of her. “I apologize, I thought you knew or I would have gone back over it in the interview."

"No, no." Abigail quickly jumped in, not wanting to look any more foolish in front of her new boss than she already did. "I am the one who should apologize. I remember now. It must have just slipped my mind from all the excitement."

"Well, it can be a little overwhelming at first," Mandy reassured her with a pat of her hand. "Midnight is like no other company you have ever worked for or ever will. We are ferociously loyal and we rarely have to hire new employees. Your position opening up was a surprise to us all. The last secretary went on maternity leave and suddenly decided not to come back to work. Hopefully, you will love it here as much as the rest of us and we won't have to hire someone else for a decade or so."

Abigail nodded her head politely. "Oh, don't worry, I don't plan on having children anytime soon. I think even the prospect of a boyfriend would be required first." Even as the words came out of her mouth, she felt herself freeze up. What the hell was she saying? Way to let them know just how pathetic she really was.

Internally, she was smacking herself over and over again but her inner torture was halted by a kind of choking sound coming from Sebastian. Jerking her attention back to her new boss, her eyes narrowed. From the slight gleam in his eyes, he was laughing at her.

"Welcome to Midnight, Miss Blanchard." The way he said her name in a deep accent pulled things low inside of her, and just like that, her fantasies of being bossed around by the wonderful man with the sinful voice were back in full swing.

About the Author:
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Erin Bedford is a USA Today Bestselling fantasy and paranormal romance author, a computer programmer by day, and a hobby hoarder.Creating fantastical worlds have always been a secret passion of hers and she couldn't imagine writing any story without some kind of lovey-dovey or smexy goodness in it.

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W.I.P. it Real Good: Kelly Meding (Oracle-The Project Files part 1 book tour) + giveaway

Lazarus: The Project Files Part 2

Oracle: The Project Files Part 1 is exactly what it sounds like—part one of a duology. Part two, Lazarus is written and in production stages, so don’t fear that you’ll never know the answers to some dangling questions left at the end of Oracle. And Oracle doesn’t have a cliffhanger ending, I promise!

Lazarus dives deeper in the question of who Jessica really is, what Dean is going to do next, and what exactly is the history between Olivia and Gary Mitchell?

Here’s a sneak peek:

“What do you fight for, Dean?”

He looked away, fixating on a scuff on the cement floor, near the edge of the rug. No reply sprung directly to mind, no witty retort or sarcastic barb. The standard answers of just a few days ago seemed pointless, silly even. Nothing came to end the resounding silence inside of his head.

“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?” he asked. “I thought I was fighting for…I don’t know. Not really. I wanted to stand for something for once, to know my place and hold tight. But I think I still haven’t found my place. It sort of keeps getting yanked out from under me.”

“I think you have,” Nick said.

His entrance into the conversation startled Dean into looking up. Nick’s habit of playing the silent sage was equally grating and comforting. A role that was expected, and when he did include himself in a discussion, his words hit home with force.

“It may not lead you to a Nobel prize for Robotic Engineering,” Nick continued. “But the hours aren’t lousy. Besides, one of the perks, as you experienced, is the occasional chance to impersonate a federal official.”

Dean shook his head. Had he heard correctly? “And you’re doing what? Offering me a job?”

Oracle (The Project Files Part 1)
by Kelly Meding
Genre: Contemporary SF
Publisher: Smedge Press
July 18, 2016
ISBN: 978-0989918848
ASIN: B01HBU1R1W
Number of pages: 297
Word Count: approx. 80,000
Cover Artist: Robin Ludwig Designs, Inc
Dr. Dean Frey is a man of science. His lifelong desire to create a better future for mankind has led him to the prestigious, and highly mysterious, Wilderness Institute of Scientific Research & Technology, as the head of their Robotics Engineering department. Building on the research and designs of others before him, Dean’s own genius culminates in the successful creation of Anthony—the first fully-automated, free-thinking android prototype. And now Wilderness wants to sell Anthony to the military.

Unwilling to allow his achievement to become weaponized, Dean reaches out to a former Wilderness employee with the resources to help him steal Anthony and relocate them both to safety. He’s put into contact with the very secretive Nick and Olivia, who ask for one simple thing in return: trust us, no matter what you see or hear. Blind trust isn’t in Dean’s cautious nature, but he has no other choice.

For telekinetic Olivia, rescuing a fellow Psion from a life of imprisonment and experimentation is one of her favorite things. Being paid is nice, but she’ll do the job for free, if it means giving Wilderness the finger. When Olivia’s reclusive mentor solicits her and her telepathic partner Nick’s help in smuggling a very special Project out of Wilderness, they jump at the chance to infiltrate their former home and do some internal damage to the institute that created them.

With their combined knowledge of the facility, breaking Anthony out of Wilderness should have been easy—but Olivia learned a long time ago to never underestimate her enemies, or the lengths they’ll go to retrieve what’s theirs. And this time, the price for stealing the Project may be more than she’s willing to pay.

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Excerpt: Oracle (The Project Files Part 1)

Brooke remained unconscious for the two-hour drive to the rendezvous spot, a rest stop along I-77, just over the Ohio state line. She showed signs of waking during the last five minutes of the trip, so Olivia kept close watch. She didn’t know if the girl’s powers were dormant or active, and she didn’t want to find out the hard way.

Been there, done that, with no intention of going there again.

Nick steered the SUV toward a wooded area a few hundred feet from the brick restrooms and information building. A blue pickup truck was parked in front of a cluster of picnic tables, and a figure emerged as Nick pulled into a neighboring space.

Olivia climbed out of the passenger side, her stiff back resisting movement after being still for so long. The ungraceful landing on her ass had definitely left its mark, and she wouldn’t be surprised to find some black and blue down there later.

She joined Nick on the other side of the vehicle. Patrick McGreary approached them, hands at his sides, deep-set eyes wide with silent questions. His thick frame and sunburned appearance bore little resemblance to the girl in the back of their vehicle—not surprising given how Wilderness tended to treat their Projects.

“Did you find her?” McGreary asked.

“Yes,” Olivia replied. “She’s still asleep, but we found her. Exactly as you said we would.”

McGreary expelled a deep breath. “Thank you both. You don’t know what this means to me. When they took her, I didn’t think I’d ever see her again.”

Nick opened the rear door. McGreary leaned inside and stroked Brooke’s bald head. His shoulders started to shake, and Olivia looked away. Gave him some privacy with his emotions.

“You’re lucky,” Nick said. “Most of the time, when Wilderness takes something, you don’t get it back. I just hope we weren’t too late to make a difference.”

“Look what they did to her,” McGreary whispered. “My pretty little sister.”

Olivia busied herself watching the small rest stop crowd, his genuine gratitude both overwhelming and embarrassing. This was why she hated meeting clients face to face. It made the jobs personal when she wanted them to remain professional. Getting emotional led to thinking about the past, and she couldn’t do that and remain objective.

Do the job and reap the rewards.

Watching Wilderness occasionally take one up the ass was purely a bonus.

Once McGreary regained his composure, they gently transferred Brooke to his truck and buckled her into the passenger seat. She stirred, but didn’t wake, and thank God for that. Olivia didn’t need to see their joyous reunion.

“I have a doctor friend who’s waiting for us,” McGreary said as he closed the truck door.

“You should get going,” Olivia said. “Disappear before they start hunting for her.”

“If they hunt for her. But even if they try, being a precognitive has its advantages. I never have to ask who’s at the door, and I always know if the train’s running late.”

“Just keep her away from Wilderness. Get out of the country, move to Istanbul, I don’t care. Keep her safe. And yourself, too.”

“I appreciate the concern, but it’s not necessary. You did what I paid you to do, and I thank you for that.”

Olivia shrugged. They would take on any job that insulted or damaged Wilderness. A tenuous truce prevented her and Nick from attacking the scientific research organization outright, and they abided by those unspoken rules. But these sorts of odd jobs were fun. Something she would have done for free if the interested party couldn’t pay. Fortunately for them, McGreary had created his independent wealth betting on football games.

Precognition definitely had its financial advantages.

“Our concern is free,” Nick said. “We’ve been dealing with Wilderness most of our lives. We know what they’re capable of, and we don’t take unnecessary risks when they’re involved.”

McGreary nodded. “I understand. At least let me read you. A sneak peek at your future.”

“I know my future, thanks.”

“How about this week then? What can it hurt?”

Olivia stole a glance Nick, whose gaze had shifted to the ground. She had a good idea of their future, as well, thanks to their biology, but that future was in three to five years. Not the events of the upcoming week. Moreover, McGreary seemed eager to provide them with some sort of parting gift.

“What the hell?” she said. “Give it your best shot.”

McGreary took her right hand in his and held it loosely. She expected him to close his eyes or start to hum or something equally cliché. Like television psychics who only pretend to have the kind of talent that truly existed in people like him. Instead, he stared at her. His dark brown eyes dilated and seemed to look right through her head. She visualized a hamster running on its wheel and couldn’t imagine what he saw in there. Seconds passed. He blinked and released her hand. His eyebrows furrowed into a knot.

“What?” she asked.

He tilted his head to the left, seeming to debate his reply, and that made her kind of nervous. “I saw two strangers coming into your life. I’m not sure who they are, but one is mundane and the other powerful. Unique. They’ll help unlock a secret.”

Olivia bit back a sharp retort. Two strangers had already come into her life this week, and she was staring at one of them. He’d tried, but perhaps his power went on the fritz occasionally.

Then again, he’d said one was mundane, and both McGreary and his sister had talents.

“Well, that was enlightening,” Nick said. “But seriously, you should get going.”

Patrick nodded, seeming distracted.

They waited for him to drive away, hopefully taking Brooke as far from Wilderness and West Virginia as possible, before they climbed back into their borrowed SUV.

Olivia pulled the safety belt across her lap. “Well, whoever this mystery pair is, I hope one of them’s cute.”

“What if they’re both girls?” Nick turned the key and the engine roared to life.

“Still hope one of them’s cute, because Nicolas, my friend, you have no sex life.”

He put the gear into reverse. “And you do?”

“Well, not at this very moment, but I hope to have one tonight. After a hot shower, some ibuprofen, and a long nap.” She settled against the seat, shifting until she found a comfortable position for the long ride home.

About the Author:
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Born and raised in Southern Delaware, Kelly Meding survived five years in the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia, only to retreat back to the peace and sanity of the Eastern Shore. An avid reader and film buff, she discovered Freddy Krueger at a very young age, and has since had a lifelong obsession with horror, science fiction, and fantasy, on which she blames her interest in vampires, psychic powers, superheroes, and all things paranormal.

Three Days to Dead, the first book in her Dreg City urban fantasy series, follows Evangeline Stone, a paranormal hunter who is resurrected into the body of a stranger and has only three days to solve her own murder and stop a war between the city's goblins and vampires. Additional books in the series, As Lie the Dead, Another Kind of Dead, and Wrong Side of Dead, are available in both digital format and mass market paperback from Bantam. Books five and six, Requiem for the Dead and The Night Before Dead, are published in digital and paperback by Smedge Press.

Beginning with Trance, Kelly's MetaWars series tells the story of the grown-up children of the world's slaughtered superheroes who receive their superpowers back after a mysterious fifteen-year absence, and who now face not only a fearful public, but also a vengeful villain who wants all of them dead. Trance and Changeling are available now in both digital format and mass market paperback from Pocket Books. Tempest and Chimera are available in digital format only via Pocket Star. All four books can also be purchased as a digital bundle.

Writing as Kelly Meade, her paranormal romance trilogy with Berkley Intermix features three shifter brothers and the women they come to love, starting with Black Rook, and continuing with Gray Bishop and White Knight.

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Book Review: The Kraken King (Parts 1-3) by Meljean Brook

The Kraken King (Part I) 
By: Meljean Brook
Romance, Steampunk
Pub Date: April 15th, 2014

Plot:
A former smuggler and thief, Ariq—better known as the Kraken King—doesn’t know what to make of the clever, mysterious woman he rescues from an airship besieged by marauders. Unsure if she’s a spy or a pawn in someone else’s game, Ariq isn’t about to let her out of his sight until he finds out…

After escaping her fourth kidnapping attempt in a year, Zenobia Fox has learned to vigilantly guard her identity. While her brother Archimedes is notorious for his exploits, Zenobia has had no adventures to call her own—besides the stories she writes...

...but when she jumps at the chance to escape to the wilds of Australia and acquire research for her next story, Zenobia quickly discovers the voyage will be far more adventurous than any fiction she could put to paper.

I'm the first to admit, I love Steampunk fashion, but for whatever reason…I can't get into the fantasy stories. Until now. Yes, you read that right! Katie is digging some Steampunk Romance!!!

The first book in this series really does a great job of setting the foundation for the next installment to come. Our leading lady starts out the saga with some high-flying action, literally. I loved it. I love her body guards/companions and meeting Ariq (Sounds like Eric) *fans self*, yeah I'm all kinds of into Kraken romance for sure!

Tentacle arms? There's no mention yet, but he is named after the sea monster so…..hey either way, I'm into it!

I only wish the story was longer! All too soon things are cut off and you're left feeling ripped off. MORE STORY!!! I'm needy and I don't care who knows it.

The Kraken King (Part II) 

By: Meljean Brook
Romance, Steampunk
Pub Date: April 22nd, 2014

Plot:
As they continue their expedition across Australia, Ariq is determined to stay close to Zenobia and figure out what kind of game she’s playing—even as his admiration for the enigmatic woman starts to override his suspicion.

For Zenobia, revealing her identity to a man who once made his living outside of the law is out of the question—even though Ariq’s dashing looks and blunt manner are distractingly appealing.

But before anyone’s secrets or desires can be exposed, an unexpected attack threatens to destroy them all…

I thought book one started with a bang, dear Kraken was I wrong. Book two gets even better! There was such a shocking/emotional scene in this edition, I really had no clue who was going to live or die. Nail bitter!

I'm finding myself lost in this Steampunk world, and while it's still hard to really get into the mechanical side of it all, I am loving the drama between our main pair.

Sometimes you're totally wrong with assumptions about people and Zenobia is quick to come to her conclusions. Totally understandable when you've been used and abused for so long. PS: Mean people suck.

This voyage is becoming an epic journey that's sure to change lives! I'm all in. Cash in the chips and call me an addict. I want more, give me more! There's another story arc in the book but I don't care about that. I skip right over it to get to the Kraken!

The Kraken King (Part III) 
By: Meljean Brook
Romance, Steampunk
Pub Date: April 29th, 2014

Plot:
After a harrowing escape, Zenobia, Ariq, and their company take refuge in a gold rush town—but their temporary port is anything but safe. When Zenobia is almost abducted, Ariq comes to her rescue and asks for something in return: he wants to know her secrets.

Zenobia reveals that her aim is to collect information for her next story, but Ariq can’t believe that her motives are so simple. Suspecting that all of Zenobia’s “research” is actually an intelligence-gathering effort for the Horde rebellion, Ariq decides to employ a new tactic to get the truth.

Shocked and overwhelmed by Ariq’s sudden seduction, Zenobia isn’t sure his interest is sincere. But while her head is telling her to keep him at arm’s length, her heart is an entirely different matter…

As I dived into part III, things between our lead pair start out with angst and drama, but then kind of lull in the middle. I did not see this coming. Ariq spends a lot of time with everyone OTHER then Zenobia. My girl gets no love.

I get it, the author is showing other sides to this world, but I am greedy and want more of the main pair. Too much time is spent talking to this vishous lord and that, gah, give me more between the pair!

Just when I'm about to skim read to the end, the action picks back up and Ariq throws himself in the heart of danger to save his lady love! Finally! Meljean, don't tease me with drama and action and get side tracked. I'm an addict who needs a fix. Shoot the next story into my vein and let's get this party started!

I can't wait for fourth story and will gladly cause murder to get it. You can quote me on that. *winks*

Books I - III get 4 'take me to the deep sea Ariq' Sheep

KD