Giveaway and Book Review of Shattered Silence By Ron C. Nieto

Giveaway and Book Review of Shattered Silence By Ron C. Nieto

Sponsored by Paranormal Cravings

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.

Genre: Young Adult Romance Ghost Story

Pages: 290

Blurb: 

Keith never believed in Happily Ever After, at least not for someone like him. However, that’s exactly what it feels like when he has the love of his life by his side.

Alice fought everything she was, everything she thought she wanted to be, just to save him. When the nightmare blew over and the both of them were left standing, she thought she’d get her shot at happiness.

But how long can bliss last when everything they hold dear starts to crumble around them? Can they truly be free of a hatred that’s been alive for centuries?

The song has been played and, in its wake, the silence shatters…

Author Information: 

Ron C. Nieto is a fantasy and romance author who has been writing in her secluded fortress for the longest time. Recently, she had a talk with her cat and decided that she should share her creations, because it was selfish to hoard them all for herself.

If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.

Contacts:

Website: http://www.roncnieto.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roncnietoauthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RonCNieto

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5808445.Ron_C_Nieto

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Silence-Ghostly-Rhapsody-ebook/dp/B00E7HN9WS

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Excerpt/Other: 

I don't know what made me look up, away from the inviting smile. It was just a fraction of a second before the brakes screeched, and then the whole of the student body was watching as the old mustang careened off the road and into the lot without slowing down.

Straight at us.

Every instinct I had kicked in and I grabbed Alice, jerking hard back and to the side. There wasn't time, the car was too fast, but at the last moment, I saw it swerve, the driver-side passing us a couple of feet away.

The driver got out and slammed the door shut hard enough for the alarm to go off. The screech was cut short by a well-placed kick from the crazy kid, but it seemed to awaken people from their stupor and a cacophony exploded all around us.

"Man! What the hell?"

"Oh my God, is someone hurt?"

"What happened?"

I tuned them out when I heard Alice's shaky voice, so unlike herself. "Keith? Are you... are you okay?"

I nodded and relaxed the steel grip I still maintained on her. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"What’s wrong with that idiot?" she asked, letting out a laugh that was half hysterics, half stunned amazement. "He could’ve killed us."

For a moment, I wondered if that hadn’t been his intent. There are some subpar drivers out there, but no one had ever pulled such an entrance in the school’s lot. Wrenching my eyes away from Alice, I sought out the boy who’d been behind the wheel. I found his stare focused on me—on us. There was a vacant smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth and his eyes glinted with a resentment that wasn’t normal, especially from someone I didn’t even know. It took a personal investment to muster that much contempt, such a deep dislike of another being, and I wasn’t aware I had done anything to deserve his.

More weirdness. I felt the cold fingers of paranoia dancing up my spine in a sinister caress.

Review: 

While this book can be read on its own, I would recommend reading the first book “Silent Song” first as it provides the background that helps with understanding.  However, you can read this book without doing so.

This book picks up with Alice and Keith after they have defeated an evil ghost and their lives have returned to normal…right?  Then weird stuff starts happening again.  First it can all be explained away, but when more and more things happen Keith and Alice begin to wonder if they are cursed to have an unhappily ever after.

The author builds great suspense through the story so that you are never sure who or what is behind things until the end. The side story is Keith meeting Alice’s family and telling them that he plans to be an accountant not a musician.  Alice’s mother arranges for Keith to audition for a record exec who unexpectedly likes Keith’s instrumental style enough to have him cut a demo record and have a mini-tour.

I give this story a 4.5 out of 5.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

Book Promo for Venice in Moonlight

Book Promo for Venice in Moonlight

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.

   
Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN-13: 978-1492720195

Blurb

A story of vengeance, forgiveness and love...

After her husband’s untimely demise, Marietta Gatti is banished from the family’s villa by her spiteful mother-in-law. She returns to her hometown of Venice and her only kin—a father she hasn’t spoken to since her forced marriage. Her hope of making amends is crushed when she learns she is too late, for he recently died under suspicious circumstances. Grief-stricken, Marietta retraces her father’s last night only to discover someone may have wanted him dead—and she may be next. When the prime suspect turns out to be the father of the man she is falling in love with, Marietta risks her future happiness and her life to avenge the death of a man she once hated.

Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel takes you back to the days of Carnival and Casanova, where lovers meet discreetly, and masks make everyone equal.

Buy Links:

Createspace I Amazon I Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

Nico shrugged in the French wingback chair they had placed by the fireplace for his portrait. He looked regal in a black silk suit trimmed in gold and a waistcoat of burgundy and gold leaf-patterned brocade. It seemed Raul had excellent taste in men’s fashions.

Marietta rolled her eyes before she settled in a chair behind the easel. “Please keep still while I draw.”

“May I talk?”

“I’d rather you didn’t.” Looking at him was going to be enough distraction. She didn’t need to listen to him also.

He ignored her request. “I have to ask—why Palladino?”

Marietta blew out an exasperated breath. “I can’t sketch you properly if you talk.”

“You could have chosen any man at the Consul’s villa. Casanova himself expressed interest in you, yet you leave with that pig.”

“It’s not what you think.” She compared her drawing to Nico and frowned. His shoulders were no longer in the same position.

“You didn’t have to suffer the man’s dismal lovemaking. What were you thinking?”

“We did not make love,” she replied through clenched teeth.

He continued as if not hearing her. “You’re the first woman in years that he didn’t have to pay, though he would never admit to his need for courtesans. I just don’t understand how you could find him appealing.”

“We did not make love.” She practically shouted it this time. “I’m not attracted to Palladino or any other man for that matter.”

This silenced him, gratefully, but only for a few moments. “Well, in that case, I know of a few courtesans that can accommodate you. I am told they are quite beautiful and skilled.”

Marietta threw down her charcoal and marched over to him. She grabbed his shoulders and repositioned him. “That is not what I meant and you know it.”

He smiled up at her innocently. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but you have refused my charms, so what should I think?”

She glared at him for her own benefit, knowing it would have no effect on the man. “You need to stop talking and moving.”

When he didn’t respond, she said, “That’s better.”

He lasted almost fifteen minutes. “So, what kind of man are you attracted to? Perhaps, I could suggest a few potential lovers.”

“How about one who has fewer conquests than fingers and toes? Or one that values honesty and fidelity over all else? Do you know any like that?”

From the thoughtful look on his face, he took this as an earnest question. “I’m afraid, Kitty, a man like that will be hard to find in Venice, especially this time of year.”

“Well, then, I guess I’ll have to go without.”

“How depressing. What will you do for amusement if you don’t take a lover?”

Marietta rubbed at her temples and decided she deserved more than the coins she’d already been paid. “There’s more to life than pleasuring oneself.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Signore, really.” She placed her stub of charcoal on the easel’s tray and rolled the stiffness from her neck and shoulders. “That is all for today. I have another appointment.” It was a lie, but she felt the need to rest and the bed in the corner was tempting her tired body.

About the Author:

Elizabeth McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She had always wanted to write fiction, so when a psychic told her she would write a book, she felt obligated to give it a try. She combined her love of history, romance and a happy ending to write her debut novel Cera's Place. Her short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, is available for free on her website http://elizabethmckenna.com/. She hopes you will enjoy her latest novel, Venice in the Moonlight, as much as others have enjoyed her previous works.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and sassy Labrador. When she isn't writing, working, or being a mom, she's sleeping.

Connect With the Author

Website I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads

Giveaway

1 Winner will get a $10 Amazon Gift Card
3 Winners will get to choose between Paperback or Digital Copy of Venice in the Moonlight
(International Giveaway)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review of Legend of the Firewalker

Book Review of Legend of the Firewalker

Sponsored by Enchanted Book Tours

      

Welcome to Books, Books, and More Books.  I am pleased to share this book with you.  Thank you for visiting and please come again.

Title: The Legend of the Firewalker

Author: Steve Bevil

Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy / Action Adventure

Blurb: 

A black hooded figure suddenly appeared behind her. She gasped and her brown eyes grew wide. Nathan watched helplessly as a small trickle of blood fell from her mouth. 

Other hooded figures appeared; their silver swords clutched upright against their chests. Nathan held tight to her lifeless body while trying to fight back the tears that swelled in his eyes. “No,” he cried. “No!”

Nineteen-year-old Nathan Urye is supposed to be having a relaxing summer as a camp counselor but ever since he started having nightmares about a beautiful girl being hunted by flesh-clawing monsters, his life has been anything but normal. 

Soon, Nathan discovers that the sleepy college town of Cahokia Falls is far from ordinary when two unexplained deaths rock the town and campus. Who or what is behind the murders? Does it have anything to do with the newly-discovered cave symbol? And what about the spine-chilling campfire stories about ancient tribal beliefs and mystical legends? 

For Nathan Urye, things just keep getting creepier and creepier, and now it appears that everyone at camp is in danger…

What the reviewers are saying…

"Starting with chapter one this book held my attention. The legends in the book told around the campfire gave me goose bumps and the supernatural creatures; Necrocritters, dark hooded guards with swords and red hooded priests added a lot of layers to this story. Not to mention the Fallen Ones!

At times I wasn’t sure how things would play out because there were so many challenges facing Nathan and his friends. I really enjoyed the climax of the book and could easily see this book adapted as a movie. I can’t wait to see what's in store for Nathan and his friends...but you have to read the book to see if they all make it out" ~Reviewer

"It’s terrific! I love your wise-cracking hero, who finds himself thrust into these bizarre circumstances with no real guide. And I love the set up of the supernatural world and these well-defined characters. The supernatural conflict and the relationships that took root here will be able to take you through book after book. That eerie, spirit realm where everything is gray except for the people – sound doesn't behave as it should – and objects are frozen in place, is really imaginative and creepy. It’s got a strong cinematic feel and it creates tremendous atmosphere. In short, you’ve done some terrific world building here that’s highly imaginative and peopled with appealing, interesting characters we can care about." ~Reviewer

Author Bio

Steve Bevil, the author of The Legend of the Firewalker series, recalls vividly as a child running to the library to check-out and read the latest The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books. He started writing short stories at a young age, but never took writing seriously, and as an adult, would only write to jot down the many storylines and mystical characters he would often fantasize in his head.

It wasn't until he was inspired by the story of author Stephanie Meyer, a stay-at-home mother of three and Christopher Paolini, the author of the Inheritance Cycle, that he entertained the idea of writing a book. Steve recalls sitting at his computer one day, after reading promotional emails announcing the latest books, daydreaming a dialogue between two people.

"It was just so Harry Potter-esque as far as the classic story of good versus evil. I just kept getting more and more detail; it was like the story wanted to be written, there were so many layers to it. I had first and last names, character back history, and everything. Immediately, I started writing."

After months and months of developing the plot and writing, the end result was his first book in the series, The Legend of the Firewalker. The daydream, a dialogue between two of the main characters; Nathan Urye and Stephen Malick, ended up appearing in Chapters 11 and 16.

Steve Bevil graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master's degree in Communication. He is a native of Chicago, Illinois and when he isn't writing, enjoys music, watching movies, fitness, and walks with his little Westie, Wyatt.

Links: 

To learn more you can follow him on Twitter - http://twitter.com/steve_bevil
or visit his blog - http://stevebevil.blogspot.com/
or find out news at his Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/stevebevilwriting

Book Excerpt

Chapter Eight – The Fallen Ones

Nathan raised his eyebrows and shrugged. He wasn’t even sure if he knew the story let alone anyone else. “Probably,” he replied, slowly.

Suddenly, Jonathan perked up; his tired blue eyes getting some life to them. “Nathan here has Cahokia ancestry,” he smiled and with a nod. “His mother’s tribe was a descendant of the Cahokia American Indians.”

Jonathan paused as if he was waiting for Nathan to say something. Nathan looked embarrassed as Samantha, Christina, and Eva Marie stared at him. Over the flames of the fire Nathan could see that Malick was looking at him too but Nathan wasn’t sure if he had heard what Jonathan had said. Most of the people around the fire, including Lafonda, were still having their own separate conversations.

Christina threw back her long brown hair and leaned in towards Nathan. “Is it true?” she asked.

Nathan answered slowly. He wasn’t too thrilled about the sudden attention. “Yes,” he said.

Both Christina and Eva Marie grinned at each other and then beamed at him. “That’s awesome,” they giggled in unison. 

“Indeed, it is awesome,” added Jonathan, excitedly. “See, years ago, when they started excavating the caves and mounds in this area they found that almost every wall had the same symbols written on them. When the symbols were finally deciphered and the walls translated, they all included some aspect of the story about The Fallen Ones.”

He paused to reposition his glasses again. “Most scholars agree that the Legend of the Fallen Ones is a part of Cahokia mythology on how the world began; you know – their creation story.”

“This is exciting!” shrieked Eva Marie. “Tell us the story – or legend.”

“Does it involve any cute guys?” asked Christina enthusiastically.

Samantha, Christina, and Eva Marie looked at each other and laughed.

“Cute guys?” shouted Angela over the fire. “I have to hear this story. I’m in.”

Jonathan smiled as everyone around the fire including Lafonda, Erin, Alan, and Malick listened closely. “There really isn’t a Cahokia symbol for cute,” said Jonathan. “But the symbols tell a story about five angels that were created out of the heavens in the beginning and shared in the power with the creator of the heavens as givers of light.”

“Cute male angels,” said Angela. “I love it!”

He laughed. “Well, I don’t know how cute you will find them by the end of the story,” he grinned. “See, according to legend and the hieroglyphs found in the mounds and on cave walls, one of the five Angels of Light, as they are sometimes referred to, had a thirst for power and wanted dominance over all of the heavens.” He held up a page in his black and green spiral notebook. “The Cahokia Indians used this symbol quite frequently when talking about this angel.”

Nathan squinted and cocked his head a little. He was trying to make out the sketch in Jonathan’s notebook. After a few moments, he could see that he was staring at a drawing of a broken wing that was engulfed in flames and constricted by a serpent…

Review: 

Ever feel like you are going crazy?  Hear voices, see things that aren’t there (and no not schizophrenia), well the characters in this book do.  But maybe they aren’t the crazy ones. 

This story is told from the point of view of two characters, jumping from one story to another until they crash into one another in style.  Imagine dreaming of someone and then finding out it was all real. 

This is a great story about magic, Indian folklore, and power.  I give this story 3.5 out of 5 clouds.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.