The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich

The Silver Sphere

By

Michael Dadich

BLURB: 

 

Shelby Pardow never imagined she could kill someone. All she wants to do is hide from her troubled father… when she is teleported to awaiting soldiers on the planet Azimuth. Here she is not a child, but Kin to one of the six Aulic Assembly members whom Malefic Cacoethes has drugged and imprisoned. He seeks to become dictator of this world (and then Earth by proxy).

His father, Biskara, is an evil celestial entity, tracked by the Assembly with an armillary device, The Silver Sphere. With the Assembly now deposed, Biskara directs Malefic and the Nightlanders to their strategic targets. Unless….

Can Shelby find the other Kin, and develop courage and combat skills? Can the Kin reassemble in time to release or replace the Assembly, overthrowing Malefic and restraining Biskara?

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

I’ve been writing since first setting pencil to steno pad at age 8. A year later, I began developing the world of my current series-in-progress, and even created its title, The Silver Sphere. Now, with the support of years of experience, those early maps and back stories have progressed into what I hope is a fresh and entertaining take on the classic young adult fantasy adventure.

Despite my frequent escapes into parallel worlds, I root myself firmly in my very real family and community. When not pacing the yard maniacally after every few pages of writing, I spend as much time as possible hanging out with my studly 9-year-old son, and my inspirational wife Jenna. I also coach several local youth sports teams in Beverly Hills, and alternate between yelling at my two crazy Corgis and hiking with my trained German Shepherd.

For more, join me in my favorite fantasy worlds, from Lord of the Rings to the creations of C.S. Lewis, Anne McCaffrey and Terry Brooks. Even more importantly, stop by and say hello on my Facebook page at AuthorMichaelDadich, tweet me at @MichaelDadich, and stalk my website at http://www.thesilversphere.org

Michael will be awarding a $75 Amazon or BN.com gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and his review tour.

GUEST: Lori King

Welcome to the second stop in Lori King’s Book Tour for Reflections of the Wolf (The Gray Pack 2). I’m pleased to have Lori visiting me today to tell us more about her latest.

The second book in The Gray Pack series…

After being rescued from a crazy werewolf with murderous intent, Tina Jameson has a scorching night with Liam Gray, local firefighter and Beta Wolf of the Gray Pack. When he announces that she is predestined to be his mate, she is fast to push him away.

Suddenly she finds herself in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and rioting desires. Having been a victim of a senseless act of violence in her past, Tina has given up on a forever kind of love, even if that man turns her on like no one else has.

Liam didn’t think he wanted a mate, but his wolf wants Tina in his bed and his life for good. In order to have her he must let go of the guilt he has from his daughter’s death and then help Tina to let go of her own tragic past. Can one night determine their destiny, or will fear drive them apart?

Direct Buy Link 

OR you can pick it up on Amazon

Mainstream Excerpt:

“She’s okay, Liam. She’s just exhausted and overwhelmed. Give her some breathing room.” Tina could hear another man’s voice talking to Liam, but she couldn’t seem to make her eyes open to see who it was.

“Why did she pass out then?” Liam’s voice was annoyed, and she thought she heard him growl a bit. Damn that was sexy.

“Who knows why women faint? What were you guys talking about?” A third masculine voice spoke.

“Shit.” Liam muttered. “I told her she was my mate. I didn’t mean to scare her.”

Tina could just imagine the look on Liam’s face right now. She understood that Caroline believed in this whole mating thing, and that was fine for her life, but Tina wasn’t interested in a serious relationship. She had lived through her share of heartache when it came to men, and the pain just wasn’t worth it anymore.

She took a deep breath and forced her eyes open a crack. Instantly Liam and two other men were leaning over her. What the hell did they feed these men? They were enormous and gorgeous!

“Oh my God, I’ve died and gone to single women’s heaven,” she said, moaning and then blushing when the two new men laughed, and Liam frowned. “Who are you guys?”

“Hey, Sweet Tina, nice and easy now. How are you feeling?” Liam’s eyes held compassion, concern, and a glimmer of apprehension. A gentle tug of desire shot through her body at his soft endearment. He helped her sit up, scooting to sit behind her to brace her back against his chest. She was now between his outstretched thighs with her head tucked just under his chin and his arms around her protectively.

“Like a werewolf beat the shit out of me,” she grumbled, and all three men laughed. She felt Liam relax against her a little bit. He rested his hands on her flat tummy, and his thumbs rubbed tiny circle patterns through the T-shirt she wore. She could feel sparks shoot across her skin, and she grimaced in her mind. Her body sure wanted a relationship with him.

“Good. I was afraid you were just going to say fine or something silly like that.” His amusement rippled through her, making her smile.

“Hi, Tina. I’m Rafe Whetstone. This is my brother Ryley.” He indicated the beautiful godlike creature standing next to him. “We were quite impressed with your show of bravery in there, but you better take it easy for a bit. If your back gets worse, Liam will get you to the doctor. You hit that wall really hard when he threw you. And now with you passing out on us like that, it makes me wonder about your head. Is it hurting?” Rafe looked like a Viking warrior with golden-blond hair that was a little shaggy and electric-blue eyes that seemed to assess her in one lazy sweep. She shivered at the look of interest heating his gaze and instinctively pressed backward into Liam. His arms tightened around her possessively.

“Yes, but I took a baseball bat to the back of it a few hours ago, so it’s to be expected. I think my head hurts more now because it’s trying to process all of this…umm…this werewolf love story my best friend is apparently living.” She rubbed her temples trying to ease the ache. Liam’s strong hand moved to the base of her neck and started massaging the tension away. She groaned softly, and Ryley laughed loudly.

“Yeah, well, if Liam has his way, you will be living your own shortly. We have to go talk with Dev and Damon. Take care of your girl, Liam. I wouldn’t want to have to sweep her away from you and make her fall in love with me.” Ryley winked at Tina, and Liam growled a threat.

“Oh, pumpkin, that’s sweet, but I’m just not sure there is a man alive that’s qualified for that job,” she said, smiling sweetly at Ryley as he and the others laughed.

“Oh brother, you’re going to have your hands full with this little spitfire. Good luck!” Ryley teased Liam, and Tina’s eyes narrowed at him.

“He won’t have to worry about me shortly,” she grumbled, but the pressure increased from Liam’s hands, and a low moan escaped her throat. All three men ignored her implied threat, and it grated her nerves.

Ryley really was very sexy. He matched his brother in golden looks, but he kept his hair much longer. It brushed the tops of his shoulders, and his eyes were just a touch lighter than Rafe’s with flecks of green in them. It seemed all of the firemen of Battalion One were flirts with bodies built on Olympus. She would have to see about spending more time with Caroline if this was the company she was keeping.

She watched the two Viking warriors walked away and had to swallow hard at the sight of their tight butts. Wow, maybe I hit my head harder than I thought. She chided herself for drooling over those two men when the one that really scared her was holding her in his arms. Worrying now about what Ryley had said, she fidgeted in Liam’s grip. Liam couldn’t really believe that she was his mate, could he? Goose bumps prickled over her skin when Liam’s kissed the nape of her neck where he had been gently massaging.

“Are they family, too?” she asked Liam curiously.

Liam tensed before replying. “Yes, they are my adopted brothers. You can trust them. Well, you can trust them with your life, but Ryley won’t ever stop trying to get into your pants.”

She laughed out loud and felt a surge of feminine confidence. “I’m sure I will enjoy his attempts.”

Liam growled behind her, and she stilled in his arms. That was definitely a possessive growl if she had ever heard one. Turning to look back over her shoulder with narrowed eyes, she took in his jealous frown and huffed with irritation. After a few moments of glaring at each other in silence, he sighed and relaxed, and she couldn’t help but smile at her victory. She wouldn’t tolerate being told who to spend time with, no matter who it was.

The first book in The Gray Pack series, Fire of the Wolf: http://bookstrand.com/Fire-of-the-wolf is available now, and the third book, Legacy of the Wolf, will release January 8, 2013!

My website where buyers can learn more about me:

www.lorikingbooks.wordpress.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/Lori.King.Author

Or Twitter @LoriKingBooks

Recipes and a look at her book! Welcome Mary Burton!

Today it is my pleasure to host a look at Best-selling author MARY BURTON's newest release, THE SEVENTH VICTIM. As well as sharing an excerpt, Mary's also sharing some of her wonderful recipes for you to enjoy over the Holidays!

We'll also be doing a giveaway for a paperback of Mary's novel, so do leave a comment and your email address for us to contact you!!

Now, a peek at the novel:

EXCERPT FROM MARY BURTON’S THE SEVENTH VICTIM

                 He pushed his cup away from him.  “I’m not sure how much more Texas coffee I can stomach.”

                 “I made this latest batch.  It will be good.”

                 “Good coffee in Texas?  I don’t think so.”

                 She cocked a brow.  “Be right back.”

                 Before he could answer, Danni vanished behind the counter.  She grabbed a new cup and carefully poured coffee into a mug.  She moved toward him with quick, purposeful steps and then set the mug in front of him.  “That’s good coffee.”

                 “Really?”

                 “I can’t write legibly, and I can’t cook a lick, but I can make coffee.”

                 He took a sip and found he was pleasantly surprised.  “Good.”

                 “Puhleez.  It’s the best.”

                 “I’m from Seattle.  We are ground zero for coffee.”

                 “As long as I’m on duty the coffee will be good.”  She took the half-full cup and set it on her tray.  “Enjoy.”

                 “Thanks, Danni.”  As she turned he said, “Hey, didn’t that girl that was killed work here?”

                 Danni’s eyes grew suspicious.  “Yeah.  You a reporter?”

                 Raines shook his head.  “God, no.”

                 “Cop.”

                 “Do I look like a cop?”

                 Danni arched a brow.  “Yeah.”

                 “Nice to see I haven’t lost that.”  At her confusion he added, “I used to be a cop.  Long time ago.  I guess the case caught my eye.  Hard not to ask questions.  Sorry.”

                 His honesty appeared to disarm her.  “No harm.  And for the record, I didn’t like what they said about her in the news today.”

                 “Straightforward enough.”

                 “I guess I just didn’t like the way they boiled her life down to bare facts.  She was so much more than that.”  Anger hardened her face, but there was no hint of tears.  “Her uncle is flying in tomorrow to claim her.”

                 “I feel for them.  I wouldn’t wish losing a child on my worst enemy.”

                 “Yeah, well.”

                 “What can you tell me about her, so I’ll remember more than the basic newscast?”

                 Danni’s voice grew softer.  “She was kind of corny.  Liked pink and singing Lady Gaga in the kitchen.  She was moving to New York.  I was kinda jealous of her.”

“You’ve got nothing to be jealous of, Danni.  You strike me as a sharp kid.”

She snorted a laugh.

“Was there anybody who might have wanted to hurt her?”

“Mack and I were talking about it, and none of us can think of anyone.  Like we told the Rangers, we’re all thinking it was some random guy.”  A customer at another table caught her attention.  “I’ve got to go.”

He watched as she moved toward another table and began to gather up plates.  Danni was a tough nut and no wilting flower.  Just like his daughter.

He could almost hear his wife now.  “That girl of ours is going to be a general one day.”

He sipped his coffee, thought of his wife, Susan, and how much he missed her, their daughter, and home.  Pushing aside a pang of guilt, he redirected his gaze to the patrons.

Within seconds he spotted a slight blond woman enter the café. She wore jeans, a T-shirt, and sandals and had a backpack slung over her shoulder.  She was as slight as a teenager, but she moved with a confidence that only came with maturity.

Lara Church.

Beck had been right.  She wasn’t the meek girl who’d fled Seattle seven years ago.  As a man approached her, Raines noted slight stiffening in her back as she extended her hand.  Her handshake was firm and her gaze direct.

She laughed as the graying gentleman in his fifties spoke.  After what looked to be a question, she pulled out a notebook and made a note.  They chatted another half minute and then she made her way to the diner register, where she ordered a coffee.  Just as quickly as she came, she was gone.

Lara Church, the Seattle Strangler’s last victim, had managed to rebuild her life.      

©Mary Burton

www.maryburton.com ● www.facebook.com/maryburtonfanpage ● www.kensingtonbooks.com

THE SEVENTH VICTIM

Mary Burton

Zebra Books/Mass Market Original/Fiction

February 2013/On Sale 1-29-13/$7.99 ($8.99 Canada)

978-1-4201-2505-4

The tradition continues!  Baker extraordinaire and bestselling author Mary Burton is once again sharing her favorite holiday recipes. This treat honors the protagonist of her next novel, THE SEVENTH VICTIM, with a recipe both delicious and memorable. 

Lara’s Church Lady Maple Cookies

1/2 pound (two sticks) butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup toasted walnuts (optional)

Cream together butter and brown sugar.

Add the egg and mix well.

Add the maple syrup and vanilla.  

In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt and baking soda.

Slowly blend dry ingredients into butter- sugar mixture.

Spoon cookies onto a greased baking sheet, leaving room between them because they will spread.

Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Sit back and enjoy!

It’s true.  I’ve forgotten how many people I’ve killed already but the number keeps rising—least in my novels.  I’m delighted to say that no one has yet expired as a result of my passion for baking.

This one’s a family favorite that the kids expect to see multiple times during the holiday season.

    

I hope your family and friends enjoy Lara’s Church Lady Maple Cookies as much as mine do.

                                         

Dressed In White Chocolate Coconut Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon coconut extract

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2-3/4 cups flour

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup coconut

Confectioner's sugar

Cream together butter and sugar.  

Blend in coconut extract and egg.  

In a separate bowl mix baking powder, baking soda and flour.  

Mix dry ingredients into butter-sugar mixture.

Add white chocolate chips and coconut.

Spoon onto a baking sheet.

Bake at 325 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  

Dust with Confectioner's sugar.

Enjoy!

The romance between coconut and chocolate has made this recipe one that’s asked for time and again by my family and by those on my always growing holiday cookie list.  Even a few friends who say they don’t like coconut have a soft spot for these.

I always set a few dozen aside so we still have some left to enjoy as we ring in the New Year.  We pour the eggnog and champagne, sprinkle (probably too much) Confectioner’s sugar over them, and try to imagine what the next year will hold. 

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

Mary

 www.maryburton.com ● www.facebook.com/maryburtonfanpage ● www.kensingtonbooks.com

THE SEVENTH VICTIM

Mary Burton

Zebra Books/Mass Market Original/Fiction

February 2013/On Sale 1-29-13/$7.99 ($8.99 Canada)

978-1-4201-2505-4

12 Days of Christmas SALE and an Interview With A Vampire!

Interview With A Vampire

First, I’d like to thank my friend April, as well as the ladies at my Facebook group and Talking Two Lips for the suggested questions for Demetri deVerieux from HUNTERS’ GAME:

The interview:

What do you and Cliantha look for in a person when you’re looking for a toy for the evening? Do you go for looks or lack of intelligence to make it easier for you to trap your prey and make them compliant?

Demetri: What do we look for? You mean apart from a warm vein? *raising an eyebrow to emphasize the sarcasm* What I look for, and let’s be clear on this, I select the prey, Clia is the bait. Intelligence makes the game more interesting and more satisfying. Anyone can lure a drunk or some poor bastard who’d jump at the chance to breathe in the same air Cliantha inhabits, to entice an intelligent human into coming to us willing is always a victory. Since we’re looking to indulge in an array of passions and hungers, appealing prey is preferred. Compliancy isn’t an issue, willing or not, I control this game and all the players in it.

Who turned you? How old are you? How did you hook up with Cliantha? Are you into the BDSM lifestyle or is it just with Cliantha that your inner caveman comes out?

Demetri: I was turned by Stavros almost 500 years ago. Cliantha is the reincarnation of the only woman Stavros ever loved. Several hundred years ago, I let her be killed to save my own ass, he was more than a little annoyed about it and we parted company for a couple of centuries. Clia is mine now. After I put Stavros in his crypt for the final time, she was broken. I offered her shelter. She’s entertaining, so I keep her.

Inner caveman? If you call a male who takes what he wants and makes it his, then perhaps I am. She knows better than to fight with me, she loses. And then I have to make her aware of who is the master and who is the slave in this relationship. *smiling* BDSM is not a lifestyle to males of my breed. We are masters, and you are our slaves.

What are you going to do about the glimpse of betrayal you’ve seen in Clia?

Demetri: *laughing* Clia is never going to betray me, she knows how painful my vengeance will be if she dares to attempt it. *shrugs* If she feels the need to test my patience, I’m certain it will be memorable for us both.

How did you and Cliantha meet? Are you satisfied with your existence as a vampire? Is there anything you wish were different? What's on your "bucket list"?

Demetri: Clia was devoted to Stavros when I met her, it was simply my wish that she belong to me not him. It took several hundred years, but I get what I want.

*eyes the interviewer and laughs* Satisfied with my existence? I can’t die, I have no laws to obey, can do anything and no one can stop me. What’s not to love? I have no bucket list, because what I want, I take. What I want to do, I simply do.

What is the relationship between you and Stravos? How did it come about? Is it an amicable relationship or strained?

Demetri: I’d hardly call it a relationship. His daughter wanted me as her pet, so he ripped out my throat, turned me and gave me to her. I gave him her heart while it was still warm once I got tired of her. I’d call our interactions strained for some reason.

Was there a time when having a normal life, growing old, having family, meant something?

Demetri: Yes, it meant growing old, getting sick, and dying. I can’t imagine why I didn’t want all that. *stands and smiles* Thank you so much for this fascinating conversation, stay off the streets later if you’d like to continue breathing.

And with the interview ended by our illustrious vampire, if you’d like to know more about him and his partner, check out their story. At the moment, if you purchase off the PUBLISHER site, you can get in on a great CONTEST!!

New Dawning Bookfair's Huge 50% off, Twelve Days of Christmas Sale & Contest is going on right NOW. All titles are  half priced and will remain so, until Christmas. Everyone who purchases a book will automatically be entered for a chance to win a dozen books of their choice. Those who choose not to purchase books can enter by addressing an email to us saying, "I'M IN!" along with their name and email address. Contest winner will be selected on Wednesday December 26.

HUNTERS’ GAME

From the PUBLISHER

(50% off until Christmas!)

AMAZON

ARe Romance eBooks

Bookstrand

In modern Toronto, two vampires stalk the night, their hunting a game that is seductive and deadly. In a darkly compelling Goth Club, they find the prey they seek for their pleasures, and the night runs crimson with blood and unquenchable thirsts....

Excerpt (non-adult for this blog):

A flicker of reddish blond hair caught her eye and her vampiric sight pierced the murky atmosphere, saw him smile at her from across the room. Already her body hummed with the knowledge that his hands would soon be on her skin, inciting a hunger that no one else could feed.

She brushed past the few who lingered near the top of the stairs, and skirted the metal bars that gave the place such a distinctive look. By the time she reached where he’d been, he’d vanished. Grinding her teeth, she whirled around and studied the crowd. Again, his pale presence drew her. One arched eyebrow rose in amused challenge.

“Your game is intriguing, love,” she whispered. He’d hear her despite the deafening music.

And which role do you prefer to play? Predator or prey? His answer whispered inside her head, and she grinned.

What does it matter? It always ends the same and I have never objected...

From the PUBLISHER

(50% off from now until Christmas!)

GUEST: J.W. Nicklaus

Can We Out-spend Our Discontent?

by J. W. Nicklaus

John Steinbeck's words prophetically float to mind: Now is the winter of our discontent.

As of this writing (which certainly won't coincide with your reading), the media are stepping all over themselves to quote economists who are injecting their mantra of the death-of-the-recession to all within earshot. Obviously there are way too many unemployed Americans who don't see eye-to-eye with their diagnosis. 

And here we go into the busiest capitalist orgy of the year—the holiday shopping season, and everything it entails. We’re conditioned... no... expected, to drop our fiscal wads over gifts for everybody we know. Sometimes, even for people we don't like, say at the office; that's got to be like chewing on sandpaper! Yet with so many out of work, and some even having their unemployment benefits expire, it amazes me even more this year that the retail barons still put on the full-court press of seasonal spending Bacchanalia. As a matter of course, I understand that for many retailers the holiday season is when they make the bulk of their money for the year. But for my money there are a number of things which they have yet to be able to profit upon, simply because they are indeed priceless:

The snow will still fall where it's cold enough to freeze the angels’ tears. 

Meals will be shared and memories created amidst the bare trees of winter and in close proximity to the warmth of a carefully tended fire inside, the frost on the windowpanes flickering from the glow within the fireplace.

Children will laugh as they play in the snow. 

And all of that comes to us regardless of the economic climate. Except for those of us who don’t live in snow country—we spray white stuff on our trees and eat snow cones instead. It’s the best you can hope for at lower elevations. 

But what if we took a decidedly simpler approach to the holidays, like before the over-indulgence of credit cards? 

What if we still hung our stockings by the chimney with care

And actually spent less than ever we’d dare

It’s not always the gift, rather the thought we find nice

Nurturing the human touch has no monetary price

And when trimming the tree keep it simple but complete

Use stringed popcorn, it’s cheap and good eats

And those holiday cards, sure they’re nice to get

But nowadays we text or send them over the ‘net

Many a consumer can say “Of money, we have little”

At times like these we can’t just meet in the middle

We all want the holidays to feel better, to dispel our worst fears

Above all the clatter we hope to be of good cheer

Perhaps the hard times can restore focus to the season

And remind us that to buy gifts really isn’t its reason

It’s more subtle

More soulful

Even quietly profound

It’s the one time of year we should feel better, all around

Though the weather may be chilly

And our wallets wafer thin

Remember that it’s not what you spend that’s important

It’s what bubbles up from within

Respectfully I suggest a return to simplicity,

The seasons trapping should reflect our plight

And God bless us all, every one of us

Trust in yourselves, not your dollars, America . . . and all will be right

About the Author:

J.W. Nicklaus attests to living somewhere between the city closest to the Sun and upon the precipice of Hell—but the winters are mild in Arizona. An avid reader and peerless amateur philosopher, he is “DNA and energy. I am cellular and soulful. I am shadow and light. I am carbon and water . . . and I am stardust. As are we all.” His singular ambition is simple: to leave the world a slightly better place than when he came into it.

J.W.'s latest book is the fiction drama novella, The Apocalypse of Hagren Roose.

You can find out more about J.W. at http://avomnia.com/about.html.

Or, visit him on Facebook 

About the Book:

Once a small-town success and happy family man, Hagren Roose finds his slide backwards at once abrupt and wrenching. His small-town mentality sets him on a journey of his own making, of which he has no control—and only he can atone for.

The Apocalypse ofHagren Roose Tour Page

The Hands of Tarot: SM Blooding

The Hands of Tarot
Series: The Hands of Tarot
by SM Blooding
Format: E-book & Paperback
Genre: YA Steampunk (Mature)
Length: 316 pages in paperback

Blurb:

She killed his father.

She imprisoned and beat him.

And now she thinks he’s her trophy.

Synn El’Asim will do almost anything to prove her wrong. But he’s only proving her right.

Queen Nix awakened his Mark of power and inducted him into the House of Wands. She knew what she was doing. The son of the two most powerful Families standing against her is the ultimate prize.

What she didn’t take into consideration was that maybe he was too strong for her.

Maybe.

The  Families aren’t. They’ve been weakened, and it’ll take a lot more than one young man with a powerful Mark to take on the Hands of Tarot.

EXCERPT: 

Queen Nix turned to me and smiled. “Do you wish to declare war, little boy?”

“Let them go,” I commanded, my voice ragged. “What have they done to you?”

She stalked toward me, her nose nearly touching mine, all semblance of beauty twisted with rage. “They refused to submit to me.”

I stared at her aghast, my hands clenched, my jaw tight. “So because you couldn’t control them, you’re going to destroy them?”

The rage turned cold across her features as she drew away, her shoulders back.

“Are you so weak?” The muscles in my cheek twitched.

Father took a step toward us. “Perhaps we can reach a mutual agreement.”

Someone in the cage screamed, the scream turning to ravaged sobs.

I let out a growl. “You will stop this!”

The queen turned her eagle-eyed stare to me. “I do not take orders from a mere boy.”

“Queen Nix,” my father started, “let us be reasonable.”

She took a step back and assessed him.

“The Umira have never been a harmful Family.” My father’s hands were wide at his side, his expression open. “They have always lived in peace with the Hands.”

Her eyes flared and she advanced on him. “You’ve allied yourself with them.”

Father’s eyes widened as he took a half step back.

I watched in alarm, unsure what to do. My father was the strongest man I knew.

The queen grabbed his coat and pulled his face close to hers. “The Umira have always been a peaceful Family, so imagine my surprise when they assaulted us with cannons and weapons.”

“They have the right to defend themselves, Nix.”

“Not against me.” She pushed him away and turned to her gathering guard. “Take him and his heathen son. Throw them on the pyre.”

My father drew his sword and faced the guard. “Go, Synn, now!”

Our men drew their weapons and stood by his side.

“I’m not leaving you, Father.” My sword was in my hand. I was ready to die an honorable death by my father’s side.

He backhanded me and roared, “You will protect our people, Synn El’Asim.”

I was torn. I wanted so badly to fight beside him, to protect him.

But my father had given me an order. One I could not ignore.

I turned and ran.

About the Author:

SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, their new addition, Mr. Bird, who’s a real bird. She likes to hike the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and is learning to play the piano and guitar. Currently, she’s trying to MURDER them both. Friends call her Frankie.

She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.

She’s also an investigator with a 

local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!

Find out more about her at:

Twitter

Facebook           

Website/blog

Amazon – Kindle   

Amazon – Paperback    

B&N – Paperback   

Autographed copy  

Additional information

Goodreads

 

http://www.smblooding.com/

http://www.smblooding.com/the-hands-of-tarot/

REVIEW:

SM Blooding's new book The Hands of Tarot is a long and intricately plotted book that carries you along and keeps you turning pages. This is a steampunk YA (mature) novel, and the hero of the story is the focal point of this one. His strength and resilience will determine the fate of powerful families, and the Queen who is determined not to be bested by them. From the opening sentences, you get a sense of atmosphere, growth, and ever-deepening understanding of the characters who inhabit this world.

Synn El'Asim possesses the Mark of power, and the Queen has awakened it. She believes him to be hers, despite the fact that she's killed his father and imprisoned him. Nix has inducted him into the House of Wands, and believes him under control. But is he? Nix is the kind of creation that makes you turn pages wondering what she'll do next, seductive evil and powerfully fascinating at the same time.

The writing flows smoothly, is descriptive and engaging, a real plus in this age where everything feels rushed and glossed over. The book is also written in first person, which has a way of pulling readers into a story much quicker than many realize. There are connections to the Tarot Deck throughout, as the mystical cards are in fact key to the crafting of the story, as their symbolism and magic weaves with the tale. As with life, there are people you like, people you don't, and people that keep you guessing. This is the first of a series, so it's not all wrapped up nicely at the end. There is an excerpt for the next novel, The Knight of Wands, and it promises to be as absorbing and exciting as this first book.

All in all, The Hands of Tarot is a book I would recommend to YA readers and Adults, as well. It's rich in detail and attention, thoughtful, well-written, and delivers a satisfying story that will keep you thinking long after you've put the book down. By all means, check this book out and enjoy it!!!