Diane Rapp's Blog: She's a Mystery and Science Fiction Writer! - Posts Tagged "fantasy"

Donovan meets the wolf, Kriegen, for the first time:

It was not a wolf of earthly variety but Donovan’s mind labeled the creature a “wolf” in honor of the animal it most resembled. The lean well-muscled canine body looked similar to its cousin. The head looked long and narrow with alert golden eyes and pricked ears that shifted with each new sound. The eyes displayed an intelligent depth of expression.

He noticed a marked difference between this wolf and its earthly cousin. The creature stood on its hind legs, easily the height of a healthy grizzly bear. Although it was more slender than a bear, its muscled limbs looked formidable. With almost scientific detachment, Donovan noticed elongated front paws as the wolf extracted a deadly blade from a sheath strapped to its rib cage, a challenge on any world.

Donovan met the wolf’s steady gaze, his thoughts racing. An intelligent species, this wolf looked ready to fight. What rotten luck! I wish I could communicate. How can I avoid bloodshed?

“Greetings friend,” he said in a nervous croak.

The sound caused the animal to shift its stance. Donovan thought he saw curiosity in the alert eyes. If any creature on this world had the right to be called king, this regal animal was the one.

We accept acknowledgment of our superiority and spare your life.

The message formed inside Donovan’s head, not in words, but mental impressions that he translated into words.

The wolf sheathed his blade and “spoke” again. We are Kriegen, leader of the Forest Guardians. The wolf lowered his body to all fours.

Donovan sat—a fortunate choice as he later learned—since a standing position offered challenge. To avoid battle a weaker creature observed a subservient posture.

Be sure to visit the following links to read excerpts from other authors in Books-a-Fire. www.booksafire.com

Calinda B http://blog.calindab.com/?p=1421

J. Heather Leigh http://jheatherleigh.blogspot.com/p/b...

Charles Dougherty http://www.clrdougherty.com/p/excerpt...

Tami Kidd http://www.tamikidd.com/?page_id=5

Jennifer Donohoe http://wp.me/p2zxAX-4Q

Reb MacRath www.rebmacrath.blogspot.com

Thread Strands by Leeland Artra

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Epic adventure that will make you want MORE!

If you've read Thread Slivers, then you've already been waiting (impatiently) for the next book in the series. Well, it's FINALLY here, and you won't be disappointed. There's more action, adventure, intrigue, AND more secrets revealed. (No, I won't reveal them in this review!)

If you thought this series was another wimpy fantasy with fairies and elves flitting around, forget that notion. The clever author mixes Science Fiction with Fantasy in this adventure and gives hints of more to come. Duke is gathering forces for an epic battle with the Nhia-Samri, and Ticca is...well, she's a classic example of a feisty female with lots of secrets mixed with deadly skills. You might ask how magic and science can blend? No! I won't reveal more.

Of course the story does not end in this episode, so be prepared to wait for the next edition. I was honored to participate in the early reading of this book and know you'll enjoy this piece of the adventure. If you haven't read the first episode, there are facts revealed early in this book to get you caught up, but go ahead and buy them both. I warn you! Start reading the Golden Threads Trilogy, and you'll be eager to know everything.

The characters are complex and entertaining, but the secrets revealed about the history of their world should intrigue the most ardent science/fantasy fans. Take the plunge and start reading today. Then you can join the rest of us, tapping your toes while waiting for the next one. It is a trilogy so there's only one left for the author to finish. (Unless he's very sneaky.)




View all my reviews

Are you tired of blood, guts, gore, and scenes that might make grandma (or even grandpa) blush?

The authors of Clean Indie Reads have joined together to promote books that you’ll be happy to share without blushing.

We’re running a one-week sale from Sept. 18 to 25. Every book shown on the following website will be on sale at 99 cents or possibly FREE.

No contests to enter or hoops to jump, just click and buy. Worry-free reads at rock bottom prices. Support Indie authors by buying a “clean” read today. Website link: http://bit.ly/16KkZqi

Books-a-Fire group sale

The Books-a-Fire authors are back with more fabulous deals and NEW books to buy from Oct. 23 thru 29. There are no gimmicks or hoops to jump, just incredible prices on every single book. Just point, click, and buy books in every genre for just 99 cents each.

YES! All 46 books on the page are priced at 99 cents to make your shopping easy and affordable. For less than the price of a dinner out, you could buy every single book on the page.

To make it really easy, we've also created categories. Click your favorite category at the top of the page and see all the books that are on sale in that category. Load your Kindle with all 46 books and enjoy a quiet read now that the kids are back in school. You've had a hectic summer so treat yourself to a good book today! Go to www.booksafire.com

Magian High by Lia London

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sharing love makes people stronger

When Kincaid meets Amity on the first day of desegregation in Magian High School, he has no idea what a mess he'd created. Kincaid is a mage, who fought to bring everyone together by desegregating their schools; Amity is a very smart Nomer who resisted coming to Magian High. When they meet, love and magic mix. The young couple must work hard to help their friends accept obvious differences and find common goals to save their school from potential disaster. It doesn't help that a secret group of adults is trying to make the whole plan blow up in their faces!

The author takes us into a world filled with magic and teenage hormones gone wild. Punkers attack without warning, greedy adults sabotage a noble idea, and a bunch of kids must overcome fear and prejudice to save the day. The author weaves an intricate story to demonstrate that sharing love and working together makes people grow stronger. These kids stand on the brink of building a better world for everyone.

Clever and well-written, this book is a plus on anyone's reading list. Harry Potter is so yesterday now that we can all enroll in Magian High.




View all my reviews

BIGFOOT BOY: Lost on Earth by Kenna McKinnon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Proof that Bigfoots do exist!

Do Bigfoots really exist? Do Bigfoot spaceships regularly visit Earth to gather precious minerals needed by their planet? What if Bigfoot children study our planet? Did a few of them get lost and start their own tribes, hiding deep in the forest?

This delightful tale is designed to appeal to middle-grade children, but it captivated my adult imagination, too. Errl, a seven-foot tall Bigfoot youngster, wanders away from his MiddleSchool group while exploring Earth on a field trip. Now he’s lost in the woods, alone and afraid. He meets various crazy humans, some friendly and others out to capture him, but he must stay alive for ten days until the spaceship returns to take him home.

Errl left his tech compass on the ship, he’s really bad with directions, and his eyes are weak. He wishes he’d paid closer attention to Dr. Teach’s lessons, especially when visiting an alien planet. Those lessons might prove crucial for survival on Earth. He’s hungry. What plants are safe to eat? He’s lonely. When he meets a human, he realizes that a few Earth words might help him make friends.

When Errl meets a beautiful golden-haired female, he literally falls head-over-heels in love. Soon he’s convinced he doesn’t want to leave Earth without her, but can he convince this lovely creature to return to Planet X? He can’t stay behind on Earth with his lady love, because humans tracking him have dangerous guns. A few humans seem friendly, but can he really trust them to help?

Life is scary for a young Bigfoot on the run. Every school child gets bored and fails to pay proper attention to lessons. Errl wishes he’d studied in the safety of MiddleSchool, but now he must learn the hard way—while running for his life. Enjoy this fast-paced and entertaining story while you read it to your favorite child. After all, you might meet a real Bigfoot one day.




View all my reviews

Tolomay's World and The Pool of Light by M.E. Lorde

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A surprising glimpse into the future

A young girl is raised with one purpose--to lead her people into a future where they can survive an approaching disaster. Tolomay's courage and fortitude is remarkable as she faces a strange new world filled with danger and loneliness. She steps into the pool of light confidently, after all, her father looked into the future and would send her friends along soon. What kind of future had her father really seen? She finds clues and warnings in the ruins of her old home. Can she survive and build a safe place for her people?

Tolomay's story is filled with danger, courage, sadness, and love. It takes place in the distant future and gives the reader frightening glimpses into the decaying world that Tolomay and her people must escape. How many of us would be willing to step into a pool of light and leave everyone we loved behind? This young girl has more courage than most of us. The series is a refreshing change from books that make people blush or cringe. I'm anxious see how the story unfolds in future books.




View all my reviews

The Corporeal Pull by Sara B. Gauldin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Soul mates join the battle between good and evil.


This book was filled with loads of interesting ideas and situations. When Terra met Liam she didn’t know that her very existence would change in a heartbeat. As a “guide” for corporeal entities, she has linked minds with her charges and helped them fulfill their divine purpose during their lives on Earth. She noticed that soul mates often found their partners again and again, during many lifetimes, but she never thought she’d meet her own soul mate until she touched Liam’s hand. Terra risks everything, including her immortal soul, to protect Liam from the evil that threatens his life. During the process she learns about the terrible Scrouge that might threaten everyone in the Tweens and on Earth. Can she save Liam? Will she survive the ordeal herself?

Whether you believe in a higher authority or the existence of good and evil, this story will tug at your heart. Two souls linked by love must survive against desperate odds and find each other in a dangerous world. Terra is courageous and able to learn how to fight evil although she occupies a weak child’s body. Her determination and heart make us want to see her succeed, but the dangers might be too much for one heavenly entity as she navigates the underbelly of real life to save her soul mate.

This is a clean read without explicit sex or bloody violence, which is remarkable since there are battle scenes again evil entities. The author supplied a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, and I happily recommend it to any reader, young or old.




View all my reviews

Need to load your Kindle for summer reading? The Books-a-Fire authors are offering a Countdown to Summer promotion starting June 23 that will run through June 29.

We have blazing hot deals and NEW books on the page! There are no gimmicks or hoops to jump, just incredible prices on every single book. Point, click, and buy books in every genre for just 99 cents plus you will find other Amazon Countdown Deals for deep price reductions!

Visit the www.booksafire.com website before time runs out for the best deals!