One of Two by S.R. Cronin (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

One of Two

by S.R. Cronin

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GENRE:  Sci-fi Fantasy

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BLURB:

Telepathy creates as many problems as it solves, as everyone in the secret organization x0 would admit. When new member Lola discovers another group of telepaths with a totally different approach, those problems multiply at the speed of thought.

Soon, Lola’s family and friends are in danger. Lucky for her, she’s not your average budding psychic. Each person she is close to has a special gift of their own. That’s good, because it’s going to take every power they possess to stop these others from tearing apart x0.

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EXCERPT

The grey of winter had settled into Toronto, and the monad Dave admitted he wouldn’t have minded another week in New York. The climate wasn’t better, but somehow the lights did a better job of fighting off the gloom.

But Warren Moore had said go home and find evil telepaths, so here he was at the Toronto Zoo late on a Friday afternoon, shivering as he walked through the ten-acre Tundra Trek, featuring polar bear habitat. He was thinking he should have explored the Gorilla Rainforest instead when a young boy who couldn’t have been more than ten walked up to him.

“We are not evil,” the child said.

Dave blinked hard, thinking he must be mistaken.

“That’s right.” The boy answered the thoughts in Dave’s head. “It is unusual for a child my age to have this kind of ability. They let me do this to make a point to you. We are children and old people and pregnant women and men that could be your brothers. You don’t need to fight us. You need to get to know us. Yes, it was hard to find you out here. Any sensible man would have walked around the rainforest exhibit.”

Dave started to probe into the boy's mind, and he felt a sharp, defensive wall rise up to stop him. He sought out its source and sensed the woman on the other side of the bushes before he saw her. She stepped out in plain view. Good lord, she had to be at least eight months pregnant.

“Come here, Dave. Now.” The child ran toward her.

“His name is Dave, too,” she said. “My child and I are among the people of x0. You ought to get to know us better before you sign on with the one who wants to destroy us.”

With that she put her arm around the boy and the two of them walked back toward the warmth of a nearby exhibit.

Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Sherrie Roth grew up in Western Kansas thinking there was no place in the universe more fascinating than outer space. After her mother vetoed astronaut as a career ambition, she went on to study journalism and physics in hopes of becoming a science writer.

She published her first science fiction short story and then waited a lot of tables while she looked for inspiration for the next tale. When it finally came, it declared to her it had to be a whole book, nothing less. One night, while digesting this disturbing piece of news, she drank way too many shots of ouzo with her boyfriend. She woke up thirty-one years later demanding to know what was going on.

The boyfriend, who she had apparently long since married, asked her to calm down. He explained that, in a fit of practicality, she had gone back to school and gotten a degree in geophysics and had spent the last 28 years interpreting seismic data in the oil industry. The good news, according to Mr. Cronin, was she found it at least mildly entertaining and ridiculously well-paying. The bad news was the two of them had still managed to spend almost all of the money.

Apparently she was now Mrs. Cronin, and the further good news was they had produced three wonderful children whom they loved dearly, even though to be honest that is where a lot of the money had gone. Even better news was that Mr. Cronin turned out to be a warm-hearted, encouraging sort who was happy to see her awake and ready to write. "It's about time," were his exact words.

Sherrie Cronin discovered that over the ensuing decades Sally Ride had already managed to become the first woman in space and done a fine job of it. No one, however, had written the book that had been in Sherrie's head for decades. The only problem was the book informed her it had grown into a six book collection. Sherrie decided she better start writing before it got any longer. She's been wide awake ever since, and writing away.

Author Social Media Links

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon author page

Blogs:

46Ascending   

FacePainting for World Peace

FireDancing for Fun and Profit

TreasureHunting for a Good Time

Leavingthe Nest to Touch the Sky

Touchingthe Sky to Save the World  

Email me at lola.zeitman@gmail.com

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GIVEAWAY



a Rafflecopter giveaway



The tour dates can be found here


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My review:

4.25 stars

One of Two by S.R. Cronin is the final book in the ’46. Ascending’ series. This science fiction/fantasy story brings together all of the characters introduced in the various stories and explores the complicated possibilities that result when those who exploit their powers for selfish gain encounter those who have honed their powers but just want to live in harmony.

What a wild ride. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of psychic phenomena since I once heard that humans only use a fraction of their brain power and I wonder what would happen once we learned to harness our potential. Although each of these stories can be read as a stand-alone tale, I think it would be most difficult to read this one without having read the others in the series because there is so much backstory that influences the actions of each of these folks.

This story (and series) explores current events but uses the psychic twist to make one think about the impact of each person’s action or inaction. I love the capabilities that each of the special characters displays and it was fascinating to watch them learn how to work in tandem with each other, once the walls of secrecy fell. The irony was seeing that some were “handicapped” despite their special abilities and I can’t help seeing the allegory with society in general, which seems to be obsessed with “normal” even though it would be not only a boring place to be surrounded by carbon copies, but also a stagnant one.

As always, the book is thought-provoking and I love getting reacquainted with folks from the previous stories. Ironically, I hadn’t remembered reading this WITHOUT having read the other books, so I was startled to discover I had already reviewed it as a stand-alone story but also gratified that I am at least consistent in my evaluation, lol.

 Part of the charm of this series is its diverse group of characters and locations, so that one gets glimpses into different cultures and mores, and it was wonderful to armchair travel from one pole to another and across a multitude of countries.

This is a great series to stimulate “what if” ponderings, and I think everyone could benefit from the creative exploration of our differences as humans and our response to having abilities that set us apart. I think that fans of science fiction and fantasy will enjoy seeing the possibilities while those who are concerned with current events will appreciate watching that just a few determined folks can make a difference, both in the short term and in the future.

A copy of this title was provided for review

 

In His Keeping by Maya Banks (VBT, review, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) Tasty Book Tours (ADULT title)

In His Keeping  is an ADULT title
Slow Burn #2
By: Maya Banks
Releasing January 27th, 2015
Avon Romance






Blurb
#1 bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and steamy Slow Burn trilogy with this second book-a twisting tale featuring a strong yet vulnerable heroine in danger and the sexy alpha hero who must save her.

Abandoned as a baby to a young wealthy couple and raised in a world of privilege, Arial has no hint of her past or who she belonged to. Her only link lies in the one thing that sets her apart from everyone else—telekinetic powers. Protected by her adoptive parents and hidden from the public to keep her gift secret, Ari is raised in the lap of luxury, and isolation. That is, until someone begins threatening her life.

Beau Devereaux is no stranger to the strange. As the head of Deveraux Security, he’s more than familiar with the realities of physic powers. So when a family friend approaches him about protecting his daughter, he’s more than ready to jump on board. What Beau isn’t prepared for is the extent of his attraction to his beautiful and powerful client. What began as a simple assignment, just another job, quickly turns personal as Beau discovers he’ll do anything at all to protect Ari. Even if it costs him his life.

Excerpt:

Gavin had always had an understanding for what money and power could achieve, but it wasn’t until Arial, the name they’d chosen for their precious baby girl, that he fully appreciated or felt there was a purpose for the wealth he’d accumulated his entire adult life. As though he’d always been preparing for something so important. In the moment that innocent baby girl had arrived on their doorstep, he’d known that his wealth would finally serve a greater purpose.

It had all come down to this and to what he had been able to provide his wife—and now his daughter.

Ari was theirs. There was a paper trail he’d meticulously crafted documenting his wife’s pregnancy and the fact that after so many miscarriages he’d taken her away and kept her in com- plete isolation and privacy to give birth to their daughter.

A birth certificate listing date of birth, his and Ginger’s names as the parents, even the small clinic he funded where she’d been “born.”

Now, for the first time, they were returning to the United States with their daughter, assured that Ari’s past was airtight. That all the i’s were dotted and t’s crossed. All they had to do was resume their lives, but even with the confidence that Ari’s past was unshakable, Gavin wasn’t fool enough to ever even think about relaxing his guard. Their lives would be forever al- tered, and he didn’t have a single regret for the changing course of their destinies. He had all a man could ever hope for—wish for. It was all finally his, a fact he gave thanks for every single day since that snowy Christmas night when Ari had entered their lives.

He’d carefully explained to Ginger the changes to their lives that would occur, that they would have to exercise complete caution in every aspect of their day-to-day lives. He’d worried that Ginger would feel imprisoned, that she’d grow tired of liv- ing such an isolated existence, but he should have known that his wife—like him—would do anything at all to protect their daughter.

An unbreakable bond had been formed that night when Ari had been left on their doorstep. It was inexplicable and instantaneous, as if she’d always been meant to be theirs. And that bond had only strengthened until neither of them could remember their lives before Ari was a part of their family.

The very first thing Gavin had done in his preparation to return to the United States was to quietly sell his house in Con- necticut, because he wanted no trace of their past before Ari. No chance of Ari’s mother showing back up at the same place she’d left her baby, asking for her back.

He’d systematically worked during the months they were out of the country to remove them from the public eye. He’d sold off several of his businesses and invested the proceeds so that his family would always be secure.

He’d bought a huge home under a dummy corporation that could never be traced back to him and made sure that the secu- rity was impenetrable. And then he’d worked to turn it into Gin- ger’s dream home. A place she would love and wouldn’t be upset over being confined to so much.

She laughingly told him that she had everything she could possibly ever want. A husband she loved and a daughter she adored. No sacrifice was too great for her if it meant keeping her family.

Seeing Ginger so happy for these last months had given Gavin a sense of purpose he’d never before experienced. After so much sorrow and loss, the woman he loved sparkled with life, love and laughter. Every day she delighted in discovering some- thing new about motherhood and their precious baby girl.

Gavin knew in his heart that there was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect them both. No price was too high to pay. No, he hadn’t done it cleanly or by the book. He should have notified the police and social services. And pursued adoption through the proper channels.

But he only had to look into his wife’s eyes as she stared at that tiny baby girl and he knew he could never risk losing their daughter by doing things the “right” way. He could live with his conscience and even live with his soul forever being damned just as long as Ginger was happy. He’d brave the fires of hell and the devil himself before ever being the cause of her eyes losing their shine.

Link to Follow Tour
Goodreads Link
Goodreads Series Link


Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo 





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Author Info

 Maya Banks is a #1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the KGI novels, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels.
She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a Calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen! She very much enjoys interacting with her readers on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her Yahoo! Group.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



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GIVEAWAY


Rafflecopter Giveaway (Three Print Bundles of KEEP ME SAFE and IN HIS KEEPING)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My review:

4 out of 5 stars

In His Keeping by Maya Banks is part of the ‘Slow Burn’ series that combines exotic paranormal powers and thrilling romantic suspense.  This particular story centers around Arial (Ari) Rochester, who suddenly needs to utilize the remarkable psychic powers that she has had minimal experience developing.  Danger results in her contacting Beau Devereaux, and enlisting the help of his security agency, but has the unexpected result of her discovering ties to the Devereaux family that neither realized existed.  Unfortunately, since threats escalate and threaten both of their respective families, they may not have the time or luxury of exploring the relationship and seeing where it can lead, unless Ari learns to harness her abilities in a hurry and survives long enough to do so.


This imaginative tale combines wondrous concepts of the potential use of extraordinary mental abilities with an exciting suspenseful story that follows the age-old struggle between good and evil.  Although the opening is a little slow and the writing not quite as crisp as I have come to expect due to the exciting ‘KGI’ series , the action eventually begins to intensify and develops into the delicious combination of sizzling intimacy and exciting fight scenes that characterize this author’s works.  The heroine was a bit irksome to me at first, as I prefer proactive and capable females, but she grew nicely during the course of the story.  I was able to read this work as a stand-alone, although I am sure that it would be helpful to learn the story behind the events alluded to that center around a couple of the secondary characters, who have a cameo in this book.  The villains are a little nebulous, but definitely evil, and I suspect that there is an underlying threat that will tie the entire series together.  I am always fascinated by the concept of psychic phenomena, and the differing abilities described add a nice twist to this fun read which celebrates romance and adventure, and I look forward to reading more about the Devereaux family and the mates who change their lives.


A copy of this title was provided to me for an honest review

Joshua's Mistake and Kane's Bounty by A.S. Fenichel

One of the things I am really fascinated by is the idea of psychic phenomena and I always enjoy well-written stories that explore this idea.  I am delighted to feature A.S. Fenichel today.  I already read and enjoyed Kane's Bounty and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series, Joshua's Mistake.  A.S. kindly agreed to do a guest post and has allowed me to spotlight her new release, so without further ado...here's A.S. Fenichel! 

How I Got Hooked on Psychic Powers

by 

A.S. Fenichel

Hello ELF! Thank you so much for inviting me to visit your blog today. 

As you know, the series I’m writing for Ellora’s Cave Publishing is all about Psychic Mates. These books are about a world where organizations of psychic law enforcement and evil psychic mercenaries exist and the battle between good and evil rages on between them.
 
So how did I get hooked on the idea? I guess I’ve always found the notion intriguing. I want to think hard enough to move that penny across the table. So far, nothing has happened. Some people have great intuition while others seem capable of convincing us of almost anything. Are those common abilities a sixth sense? Today’s society says they are not, but I wonder why a person who has no discernable skills can sometimes rise to the top while a technically superior person wades in the muck.
 
I’m a big believer in the power of positive thinking. Negativity breeds more of the same and strong belief can bring about a desired outcome. A group of people praying on the same notion often seems to bring about a change in events. Are these instances of psychic powers at work?
 
I have no idea. LOL… But I like to think we are in control of our destiny and so I created worlds where some people have developed psychic or psi skills that can alter situations.
 
I’ve been writing paranormal for years. My first published book, Mayan Afterglow is about the End of Days and demons who take advantage of man’s vulnerable state. The hero and heroine in that book have an unexplainable link and her intuition about the Lord of the Dead is definitely a sixth sense. In that trilogy most of the psychic abilities belonged to the bad guys and that got me thinking that it would be nice if the good guys had some cool skills to battle with.

When Ellora’s Cave called for books about bounty hunters, I saw my opportunity to write something fun about psychics. What if the bounty hunter could read minds? And that question changed everything. Once I had one psychic and an organization who trained him, I knew there were other facets of the government that would take advantage of psi skills. With each book I write in the Psychic Mates series I find characters with more and different abilities and I couldn’t be having more fun exploring the possibilities.
 
Do you have a sixth sense? What is it and do you use it for good or evil? ;)
 
I hope you’ll take a look at my most recent book, Joshua's Mistake. It’s book two, but you can read these books in any order.
 
Thanks again for having me here today. 

Here’s a bit more about Joshua's Mistake.






Book Description:

Joshua's Mistake

A.S. Fenichel



Blurb:

Accused of treason and the murder of her Psychic Special Forces team, Tessa is in the custody of the FBI. She’s shocked and terrified when the most powerful Psi Agent in the world shows up to probe her mind and discover her guilt or innocence.

Joshua never expected to find a victim of one of his probes attractive, but he can’t seem to leave her behind when all hell breaks loose. Saving the stunning blonde means being drawn into a psychic war that will definitely end his career—and likely both of their lives.

The rhythm of their psychic auras hums to perfection and neither can fight the bond, but it’s all ripped away by a madman with a grudge. Tessa falls into a coma, and Joshua will have to risk his heart and soul to pull her back from the brink.

A Romantica® paranormal erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave


Excerpt

Joshua got up from the farm table. “I’ll be back in a little while. Peggy, can you show Tessa where she can rest?”
 
Peggy smiled warmly. “Of course. You’ll be wanting a shower too. If you give me those clothes, I’ll get them in the washing machine and have them clean when you wake up.”
 
“You’re very kind, Mrs. Flack.”
 
She waved a bony hand in dismissal. “You just call me Peggy. Everyone does.”
 
Tessa had said all the right things to Peggy. She had been polite and controlled her emotions. Inside, she was just short of full on panic. He was leaving her. Who could blame him? Tessa didn’t want to alarm the Flacks so she remained silent, yet practically screamed in her mind, “Where the hell are you going? Are you leaving me here?”
 
Part of her wanted him to hear and another part of her understood why he would want to get as far away from her as possible. Just because she could feel his emotions didn’t mean he would sense hers. He was undoubtedly very practiced at closing off his mind. If he was really a level ten psychic, he would have to just to stay sane.
 
He’d likely get killed if he stayed with her. At least he’d gotten her to a place where she could try to catch a few hours of sleep and then she’d be on the run. Probably for the rest of her life, however long that might be.
 
From the way his head spun around, she might as well have spoken out loud. His eyes widened and then he stalked toward her. He was visceral and terrifying. His body language said he wanted her and he might take her right there in the kitchen.
 
Tessa held her ground in the center of the old linoleum floor. She didn’t know if she wanted to move closer or run away. Everything about Joshua made her at once, curious, aroused and afraid.
 
Bill cleared his throat and walked out the door with his shotgun in his hand.
 
Peggy said, “Well, um…I’ll just wait for you in the next room, Tessa dear.”
 
Joshua didn’t stop until he was standing with only a sliver of light between them. She had to crane her neck to look up at him. His mouth came within a centimeter of hers, but he never touched her.
 
“I’m not leaving you.”
 
Her heart pounded in her chest and her stomach clenched painfully. “I can take care of myself.”
 
One side of his mouth lifted. His right hand came up and calloused fingers slid across her cheekbone. He was powerful. He could kill her. If his psi rating was true, he could likely kill her without touching her, but he could just as easily snap her neck. She could defend herself, but what would be the point. This was Joshua Lakeland. Eventually he would win.
 
Those same fingers continued until they were threaded through her hair and he forced her to look him in the eye. “I know you can, Tessa. I’m not leaving because I don’t want to leave you. I can’t explain why, but we’re in this together. You’re going to have to learn to trust me.”
 
She had to force air into her lungs. “I’ve already taken several leaps of faith. You just said you were leaving. If you want to go, then go.”
He shook his head, but didn’t release her. “I’m going to get rid of the car. I don’t want to get picked up by the local police because we made a rookie mistake and kept a stolen car too long.”
 
“Oh.” She could feel her cheeks flushing.
 
His left hand came up and cupped her other cheek. He ran a thumb along her bottom lip. She wanted to be impervious to his attention, but her body trembled at his touch.
 
His mouth drew closer. His breath mingled with hers as her lips separated partially in shock at what was about to happen and partially in need of his kiss. Those deep blue eyes locked with hers and she couldn’t blink or look away. He scanned her face to her lips, closed his eyes and stepped away.
 
Tessa’s instinct told her she should throw her arms around his neck and take the kiss he’d nearly given. Her cautious nature kept her feet planted in the spot on the linoleum.
 
Only the sound of heavy breathing filled the kitchen for several ticks of the clock.
 
“I’ll be back in a little while. You’d better get some rest.” Joshua walked out the kitchen door into the yard.

Buy links:


Available at Ellora’s Cave,  Amazon, B&N, Kobo and wherever fine eBooks are sold.

Amazon
Ellora's Cave
Barnes & Noble

Kobo

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About the Author:

A.S. Fenichel gave up a successful career in New York City to follow her husband to Texas and pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She’s never looked back.

A.S. adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story.

Multi-published in erotic paranormal, contemporary and historical romance, A.S. is the author of the Mayan Destiny series, Christmas Bliss and many more. With several books currently contracted to multiple publishers, A.S. will be bringing you her brand of romance for many years to come.

Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in the East Texas with her real life hero, her wonderful husband. When not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering in her garden.

Website
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My review for Kane's Bounty:

Kane's Bounty by A.S. Fenichel is the erotic paranormal novella that is the beginning of the ‘Psychic Mates’ series and features bounty hunter Kane Lakeland, who has the intriguing talent of being a Class A Telepath which aids him in his job. The assignment to bring in fugitive Lena Cruz complicates his life when he is uncharacteristically drawn to his mark who possesses her own uncanny ability. Kane must decide whether the sizzling chemistry between them can be set aside so that he does not ruin his reputation but Lena is not only fighting for her life but is fighting her attraction to the sexy Psi hunter. She has to decide whether it is time for her to stop running and learn to trust someone just as he has to figure out whether to finally let somebody into his heart.

This very sensual tale combines both a fascinating world where psychic powers are readily accepted and an exciting suspenseful story. The main characters are sexy and compelling and the author does an excellent job of creating vivid situations as the tension continues to ramp up. There are deliciously creepy villains as well as intriguing secondary characters and I am thrilled to realize that there is already a sequel featuring another one of these amazing telepaths. I enjoy stories that explore the possibilities of psychic phenomena and this particular one did a wonderful job of drawing me in and making me care about the characters although it was disturbing to explore the concept of an invasive form of mental attack. This was a great introduction to a suspenseful and imaginative series and I am anxious to read more.

© Night Owl Reviews 
I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review. 

The Protected by Shiloh Walker blitz

The Protected

RELEASING! Sept. 3 2013


The Protected (Fbi Psychics) on Amazon| B&N | Kobo | Ibooks | Book Depository

AN ASSIGNMENT SHE CAN’T REFUSE

Agent Vaughnne MacMeans would do anything to avoid setting foot in Orlando again. But her new assignment, keeping tabs on a psychic kid who may or may not be in danger, is forcing her right back to the city where her sister was murdered. And the Special Agent in Charge isn’t taking no for an answer.

AN ATTRACTION HE CAN’T DENY

Protecting the boy Alex is a priority for Gus. Gus may not understand the boy’s “gift” but he just knows that some people would kill for it. When a beautiful stranger moves in next door, his impulse is to take the kid and run. But Gus has learned never to flee without a plan, and besides…she doesn’t exactly look like an assassin.

A GAME THEY’LL PLAY FOR KEEPS

When some dangerous people from Gus’s past catch up to him and Alex, it’s too late to run. His cute neighbor is the last person he thought he could turn to, but Vaughnne isn’t just cute. She’s fearless. And she’s the only chance Gus and Alex have left

Read an excerpt HERE

My review is here (and a great giveaway is still going on as well)


A little about Shiloh:

Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more…ah…serious works of fiction. She loves reading and writing just about every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.  She writes romantic suspense and paranormal romance, and urban fantasy under the name J.C. Daniels.

Website
Facebook
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Goodreads

AmazonThe Protected (Fbi Psychics)
B&N
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