How quick has this year gone?

Is it just me of have I missed the whole of 2018 with a blink of an eye. This year has had it’s ups and downs. As it may for everyone. I’m not going to concentrate on the negatives as they’ve been dealt with. I think 2018 has been a really positive year. I’ve been promoted at work which is great. I’m enjoying work again. As I thought this was the main reason why I was always feeling low. Especially before my shift. Now you can’t keep me away from work.

Also another magical moment. Seeing my second daughter being born. I can’t explain how amazing this feeling is. Not to happen once but twice. I can’t thank my partner enough for giving me two beautiful children. I honestly don’t know how she done it. Yes I did cry my eyes out when they were both born. I couldn’t help it. Just the wave of emotion you have when you see them for the first time is amazing. I’m going to leave it there before I start crying again 😂😂

Every year people keep asking about new year resolutions. I’m not a big fan of them to be honest. I’m just going to be more positive about life and enjoy being with my family.

I hope you all have wonderful Christmas and New year.

What’s your new year resolutions?

I’m looking forward to 2019 and need to get a handle on my books. I’ve got so many that I keep randomly buying that sound interesting but haven’t actually come to reading them. My wardrobe is now starting to look likea library 😂😂

 

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The Sky Woman by JD Moyers

From the offset you are drawn in to this apocalyptic new age world. The start is like a Viking setting where one of the characters is forging weapons. It seems to be the idealistic settings. Without knowing what happened to the Earth. You’d think this was just an iron age Viking setting type book (which would’ve been great). Until the colony orbiting space come into play then all the fun begins.

Everyone on earth is stuck in an iron age. The people on the ring stations (In space) have to continued to make many technological advances. That they send anthropologist down to Earth to observe the local community and see how they’re getting on. Without any interference from outside sources.

She is set to uncover something drastic enough to expose her cover to help the very people she’s been researching.

This book has many individual characters that they could have their own books. The author has done an amazing job in intertwining all the characters into one book. It did feel a bit rushed in some place but the book did flow really well. I’m really looking forward to more books in this serious.

There isn’t many books that I’m aware of that are set on Earth is set in the future. That has also gone back to old times without technology and machines.

I’m definitely going to be looking out for more books by JD Moyers. As someone I never heard of I’m glad I took the plunge and read this book. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride with this book that keeps you wanting to read more. I will be looking forward to his future books.

The Sky Woman by J D Moyer
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: FLAME TREE PRESS; New edition edition (6 Sept. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1787580423
• ISBN-13: 978-1787580428

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Woman-Fiction-Without-Frontiers/dp/1787580423/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540548267&sr=8-1&keywords=the+sky+woman+jd+moyer

BLURB: Car-En, a ringstation anthropologist on her first Earth field assignment, observes a Viking-like village in the Harz mountains. As Car-En secretly observes the Happdal villagers, she begins to see them as more than research subjects (especially Esper, a handsome bow-hunter). When Esper’s sister is taken by an otherwordly sword-wielding white-haired man, she can no longer stand by as a passive witness. Knowing the decision might end her career, she cuts off communication with her advisor and pursues the abductor into the mountains.
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
J.D. Moyer lives in Oakland, California, with his wife, daughter, and mystery-breed dog. He writes science fiction, produces electronic music in two groups (Jondi & Spesh and Momu), runs a record label (Loöq Records), and blogs at jdmoyer.com. His previous occupations include dolphin cognition researcher, martial arts instructor, Renaissance Faire actor, dance music event promoter, and database application developer.

J.D. has been reading and writing science fiction and fantasy since he was a boy, inspired by authors such as Susan Cooper, Piers Anthony, and Lloyd Alexander. As an adult his favorite authors include William Gibson, Octavia Butler, Iain Banks, Kim Stanley Robinson, Margaret Atwood, and David Mitchell.

J.D. went to Berkeley High (other alumni include Philip K. Dick and Ursula K. Le Guin) and the University of California at Davis. After graduating, J.D. embarked on a long career as a music producer, DJ, label runner, and event promoter, culminating in world tours and music placement in film, television, and videogames (including Dance Dance Revolution) as well as the international hit “We Are Connected” made famous by John Digweed. After the birth of his daughter, he quit the DJ hustle and returned to his love of fiction writing.

His short stories have appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Strange Horizons, The InterGalactic Medicine Show, Cosmic Roots And Eldritch Shores, and Compelling Science Fiction. His story “The Icelandic Cure” won the 2016 Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction contest. Recurring themes in his fiction include genetic engineering, the sociological effects of climate change, virtualized consciousness, and evolutionary divergence.

Website : http://www.jdmoyer.com/
Twitter: @johndavidmoyer

 

One last thing aswell. How awesome is the cover? Whoever designed has done a fantastic job. It grabs your attention straight away and gets you thinking about the book. Please grab this book if you can and give it a read.

 

The LifeBlood of the ill fated woman.

I was lucky enough to recieve this book from the author himself (Kevin Breaux) and once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. The book kicks off with a warrior woman Astrid the white (someone who you wouldn’t want to mess with) The picture in my head when I think of Astrid is the main character in Horizon called Aloy anyway onto the review 😂

Astrid has awoke in a strange place that she’s never heard of. Even upon awakening Astrid has to defend herself and let her warrior skills take over.

Astrid walks to a town and is befriended by a warrior called Warren who takes Astrid in and tries to help her find her way back to her family and her homeland.

Astrid doesn’t take to her new surroundings she’s always getting into trouble and arguing with the elders about her homeland and they don’t believe a word she is saying.

For me Astrid was a person I could connect with straight away and enjoyed the character development of Astrid and her companions that she met on her way.

The book does have you gripped straight away. As I’m always thinking ahead to see how it will pan out but it never seems to go the way I think. That’s what I like about Kevin’s books. You’re literally sitting on the edge of your seat looking forward to the next page/paragraph and word to see whats going to happen.

If you haven’t read this or any other of Kevin’s books please go and check them out. Also one last thing the cover looks amazing. I want the actual book just to have in my book shelf 😂

Reading slump.

My reading atm has came to a complete stand still. Every time I pick up my book I fall asleep. The last book I read was the blood of the ill fated woman by Kevin Breaux (review pending) Now I just can’t seem to get back into the swing of things and it’s getting really frustrating. I really do love reading and very passionate about it. I even borrowed a book to my friend who hasn’t read a book for 20+ years that should be motivating enough. I’m hoping this passes over soon and I get back into the swing of reading again.

Stats

My stats have been horrendous while I’ve been away. I’m not saying I get high numbers but I thought I’d have more than I thought. I’m not usually one who follows stats. The only time I get a spike in numbers is when I’ve posted.

I’m not trying to sound like I’m complaining (even though it kind of does 🤣🤣)

One positive I actually gained a few new followers which I was very pleased about.

I’m going to get back into the swing of posting again as I’ve missed doing it. I do need to catch up with my reading as I’m so far behind 🤣🤣

 

I’m back.

Well as the title suggests I’m back after taking a month of. I thought it would be hard but I’ve been so busy that I’ve never had time.

My partner done an amazing job giving birth to our baby daughter called Poppy Mae. She’s amazing and so proud of my eldest daughter. She’s been helping out and looking after her baby sister. I couldn’t have asked for it to be any better.

The only thing that has spoiled my time away was my car getting written off. We had very bad winds and some how we were unfortunate enough that a branch snapped off and landed on the car. luckily no body was harmed just really shook up.

I never realised how much I’d miss a car and how easy it actually is. We did use public transport and the odd taxi to basically pick up my daughter from school. Now we have had skimp and scrape to get a new car.

I’m going back to work on Monday and I’m kind of looking forward to getting back into some sort of structured routine. Being off all I’ve done is goto the gym and sleep 😂

Writing this has made me realise how much I’ve missed blogging. I’ve got so much to say so will hopefully have some more blogs posted.

I will end my post there as I can go on for a while and my daughter is starting to stir so will need to feed her.

I hope you’re all doing well. I’m going to try to read some of your blogs whan I get the chance 😁

 

 

 

Strand of Faith cover reveal.

Strand of Faith
When the choice is between love and life, how can anyone decide?
A girl and a monk, both with extraordinary mental powers, have compelling reasons not to fall in love. But those from whom they expect support are manipulating them both because their choices will have consequences for the rest of the world.
After a stormy youth, Brother Prospero has found comfort and fulfilment in the monastery. That is, until he discovers something that forces him to reconsider his whole vocation. To follow his heart, he’ll have to face his demons again, outside the security of the monastery. Is it worth the risk? Can he beat them this time? Or will they finally destroy him?
Orphaned and mistreated, Leonie has found sanctuary and safety at the abbey. All she wants is to learn how to manage her unusual abilities so that she is not a danger to those around her. When she comes into contact with Prospero everything threatens to spiral out of her control. Whether she leaves or whether she stays, how can she possibly avoid destroying – yet again – those she has come to care about?
Abbot Gabriel is faced with an impossible choice. He can do nothing and watch the world descend into war. Or he can manipulate events and ensure peace – at the cost of two lives that he is responsible for. He knows what he has to do but is he strong enough to sacrifice those he loves?
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strand-Faith-Choices-Consequences-Book-ebook/dp/B07GKZT8LF
http://www.books2read.com/strandoffaith
Author Bio
Rachel J Bonner is the author of the four book Choices and Consequences series, the first of which, Strand of Faith, is due out in November 2018.
Getting a degree in engineering, followed by a career in accountancy is probably not a conventional path to becoming an author, particularly in paranormal romance. Rachel says that, although accountancy isn’t anything like as boring as everyone thinks, writing is a lot more fun. When not writing, she can be found walking in the beautiful countryside near where she lives, which has influenced much of the scenery in her books, or shooting things with her local archery club. Target shooting only, honest. Nothing to worry about.
She also enjoys swimming, eating chocolate chip cookies and growing aromatic herbs, especially thyme and rosemary. It’s no coincidence that her heroine likes the same things.
You can find out more about her books and sign up for Rachel’s newsletters at http://www.racheljbonner.co.uk.

Tweets by RachelJBonner1

Cover Designer’s Social Media
http://www.oliverpengilley.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/pengilleyart
@oliverpengilley
http://www.patreon.com/oliverpengilley
http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/oliverpengilley

 

If you’ve read this far then that means you’re really interested in reading this book. (Who wouldn’t be I might have to grab a copy)

Distortion by Gautam Malkani *Blog Tour*

 

 

“Gautam Malkani, the man behind one of the seminal books on the British Asian experience, does something original and important once again, this time on the crucial issue of young carers. Distortion is essential reading.”
– Sathnam Sanghera, author of The Boy with the Topknot

DISTORTION
Gautam Malkani

6th September 2018 | Hardback £18.99

The new novel from the author of the critically acclaimed Londonstani
“Beguiling, addictive and emotive… Distortion shines a light onto our increasingly fractured lives and in doing so, makes clear the ongoing tensions and contradictions between the care we must give to ourselves and others over our desire for freedom in the digital world.”
– Niven Govinden, author of All the Days and Nights

“A taut and timely return for Gautam Malkani, Distortion is a brilliant exploration of social media,
code-switching and toxic masculinity.” – Nikesh Shukla, editor of The Good Immigrant

Meet Dillon, a high-functioning fuck-up who has been keeping some very big secrets from his girlfriend Ramona.

Also, meet Dhilan, a young carer caught in an endless loop of pre-bereavement bereavement for his dying mother.

And then there’s Dylan. The less said about him the better…

These three identities of the same young man have been growing dangerously more hardcore and hardwired, both online and off, thanks to the self-reinforcing effects of social media and search engines, and the uncanny predictive capabilities of his smartphones.

When two creepy old dudes threaten to expose Dillon/Dhilan/Dylan, he is forced to unravel a gut-wrenching mystery that he would rather leave well alone.

Set in a strange greyscape between the digital world and the messy realm of the body, Distortion asks timely questions about what happens when our online data and search histories are crunched up and fed back to us – when they don’t just filter our view of the world, but also our view of ourselves. How can we navigate the tension between emotional truth and factual accuracy? What can we do to neutralise our own toxicity? And what happens in the world of flesh and blood when the roles of parent and child become tragically reversed?

Praise for Londonstani:

“Gripping” – Guardian
“A bold debut, brimming with energy and authenticity” – Observer
“Sharp, clever and convincing” – Independent
“Artful, thought-provoking and strikingly inventive. An impressive, in some respects brilliant, first novel.”
– Los Angeles Times
About Gautam Malkani:
Gautam Malkani’s first novel Londonstani was published in 2006. He lives in London and is available for interview, features and events.

 

My review will be up as soon as I can. I’ve just been swamped with work and expecting my partner to give birth anytime soon.

Golden Skies by Juan Zapatta *Blog Tour*

GOLDEN SKIES BY JUAN ZAPATTA
Book Blurb: As a boy, Malik watched an army of religious zealots swarm his home town, slaughtering his people and running his beloved grandfather through with a black sword. Nine years later, Malik still believes there’s peace…somewhere. At least that’s what he tells himself as his body is ripped apart by whips at a conversion camp. That’s what his best friend whispers as he frantically creates new force technology and jetpacks to rescue Malik. Yet when war bursts through the skies and the sky troopers, assassins, and heroes fall, when the world comes crashing down, Malik Zzoha stands amidst the sands to lead a band of friends and revolutionaries to face his tyrannical, zealot father, determined to free the people he loves.

Author Bio: Juan Zapata is a senior at Alabama A&M, expected to graduate December 2018. He majors in Criminal Justice and is a member of the AAMU Honors Program. Born in Mexico, Juan came to the United States at four years old. When he is not writing, Juan likes to play For Honor and pretend he’s a knight, laughing with happiness at his victories and nearly having aneurisms when defeated.
Excerpt:
“Let her go!” I shrieked, attempting to leap forward. I doubled over in pain as the guards holding me struck me in the gut. Tears of anguish brimmed at my eyes. “I…won’t serve anyone!” I spat on the ground, screaming. “Safad isn’t a god! He’s nothing!”
The guards holding me suddenly let go, taken aback. Silence rang forth from the crowd and rapidly descended upon the entire square.
Mujadin looked at me, speechless.
“Safad isn’t holy! He’s a man who pisses and shits like everyone else. His laws are hogwash. You kill for nothing! You are nothing! You’re a liar, scum, a deceiver. All your life fighting for some sick charlatan!” I yelled, feeling blood rush to my face, popping out the veins on my throat and forehead.
I didn’t truly know if I believed what I was saying, but Kafed had echoed my own thoughts on the subject countless times; he believed that Safad wasn’t divine—that he’d tricked others with his ‘miracles’ to gain power and keep it. Everything that was happening was because of that narcissistic, deceiving man-god my father worshipped.
No one in the crowd moved or spoke. The soldiers around me leveled their weapons at my head. The penalty for denying Safad’s divinity was death. I tightened my fists. If this was to end in a hail of bullets, at least I’d diverted attention from those about to be executed, my sister, and Kafed.
Mujadin put up a trembling hand, ordering the men to hold their fire. A deadly whisper. “No. No. He will suffer.”
A short, quiet pause rang forth, then suddenly, I lost control of my body and fell to the concrete ground, pain exploding from every nerve. I’d been struck by stun weapons.
My vision blurred, light entering my pupils in bursts. For one second I saw my father’s stony face, the next the feet of guards, the crowd staring at me, the sea-green sky, my sister weeping on the ground, Kafed flanked by guards.
Soldiers grabbed each of my arms and hoisted me to my knees. Time seemed to slow as I got my bearings, blinking at the crowd, then the air was sliced in two, the sound of a whip whistling before it hit its mark.
Tongues of fire lit up my back, pulling a heinous scream from my throat. My muscles tightened like knots, fresh air eating away at my raw flesh. Red engulfed my vision, and the air thundered and rippled. Wapash! My forearms tensed, and I cried out, trembling. The flames returned again and again, one lash after the other, ceaseless. The sky darkened, and the blistering heat disappeared. My flesh shredded apart in lines, pulled off my muscles in crisscrossing patterns, my blood flowing out, dripping onto the stone. The leather gouged deep into me with each lick. I could hardly breathe.
My tear-filled eyes stared blankly to those below the platform and rested upon a man below me, just one of the many among thousands. White skin. Blond hair. A Northeasterner? My eyes widened at the woman beside him—fiery red locks flared out behind a scarlet mask. Piercing blue eyes drank me in. I expected hostility from them but found shock instead. Sympathy. Conflict within these foreigners. And then they were gone, replaced by black. A last shuddering breath, another crack, and darkness took me.

Book Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36055975-golden-skies?from_search=true
Golden Skies
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/golden-skies-juan-zapata/1128862110?ean=9781945654121
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/golden-skies

Author Contact Details:
jzapata1@bulldogs.aamu.edu
https://zapatathe1.weebly.com/
Twitter: @Zapatathe1
Instagram: @Zapatathe1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zapatathe1/?ref=bookmarks

This book was so difficult to put down. Literally it was just chapter after chapter flowing through. I very rarely read a book this quick. It’s not a large book but don’t let that discourage you. As Juan is an excellent writer and packed so much into this book it’s amazing. I’m gushing over this book so please read it. The characters in this book are really well written and diverse that it makes the book that more interesting.

I’d highly recommend this book to amyone who likes sci fi or just getting into this genre then pick up this book find a quiet place to read and be ready to be amazed at how good this book actually is. I can’t really say much more without adding spoilers which isn’t something I like todo.

I need to read more by this author and looking forward to his future work.

Please let me know if you are going to read this book.

Blogger interactions.

0A while ago I asked my fellow bloggers if any of them would like to work together on a post. There was a few that actually responded. I do apologise for the late post 🤣 I also forgot to write down the list of amazing bloggers that wanted todo this. Again I’m sorry about the delay. I hadn’t forgotten about you all.

 

So you awesome people what would you like to collaborate about. It can be about anything within reason 🤣 maybe leave a comment and we can get the ball rolling.