Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Blog Tour: STELLAR HEIR by Scott Killiam

 

STELLAR HEIR

Scott Killian

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 


GENRE
:  Science Fiction

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Jael Ked’Korhva hadn’t anticipated becoming the galaxy’s most wanted.

 

He hadn’t planned on picking up a strange alien artifact, either, but once it was clasped around his wrist, Jael was granted extraordinary abilities. His senses were heightened, his reflexes faster, and he could now regenerate from damage that would spell the end for others, which was a boon, considering he was just a derelict scavenger.

 

That was until forces from every corner of the stars wanted Jael’s artifact for themselves, and they’ll stop at nothing to take it back. What initially appears as a boon swiftly transforms into a weighty charge. Yet, it's a charge Jael accepts without hesitation, understanding the catastrophic potential should the relic fall into the wrong hands.

 

Prodded onward by visions of an ancient ally and a mysterious enemy, Jael becomes a pivotal piece in a vast interstellar play of power and dominion.

 

An action-packed space opera, perfect for science fiction fans of Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio or The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Excerpt Two:

 

Silence fell over the derelict ship.

 

An ominous drone vibrated through the ship’s hull that Jael could feel beneath his feet and then the cargo hold was violently breached. A searing streak of plasma sliced through the hull, disintegrating the sturdy alloy walls as though they were made of paper. An Archon corpse floated by Jael, their helmet and head nothing more than a smoldering clump of matter vitrified to their pressure suit.

 

The other Archons unleashed a barrage of gunfire. Emerging from the breach, Mortuum biobots slithered into the cargo hold—serpentine constructs of metal and flesh, each limb a deadly weapon, protecting their central brain encased in layers of plasticrete casing.

 

Jael took a deep breath in and steeled himself for combat.

 

“Shoot the fraxxing things!” Garlial yelled over the comms, firing wildly at the biobots. His shots were haphazard, more out of fear than strategy.

 

A biomechanical tendril whipped over Jael. Garlial dove onto the floor to avoid it, dropping his rifle in the process. Their gazes locked and Garlial sneered, scrambling to grab his weapon.

 

Jael kicked away the rifle just before Garlial got his hands on it. He pushed off the floor, turning his body as he snapped out another kick and it connected with Garlial’s helmet. Jael drew his pistol and fired.

 

Garlial rolled and the beam barely missed him. He lurched forward, grasping the pistol before Jael could fire again and eject the lens cartridge.

 

Pulling free, Jael twisted himself around, positioning himself on Garlial’s back. He brought the pistol up and slammed it into Garlial’s helmet. Jael raised it again but leaped off and rolled as a wayward arc of plasma from a biobot raced toward him.

 

“Fraxxing scav!” Garlial scrambled to his feet and tipped a crate towards Jael.

 

Jael swung his body around and hopped up, avoiding the crate entirely. Garlial drew a combat knife from a panel on his thigh and slashed at Jael. With the palm of his hand on Garlial’s wrist, Jael stopped his attack. He grasped the inside of Garlial’s armored cuff and pulled him in close.

 

Jael dropped his weight on Garlial’s arm, and he felt the limb snap.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Scott Killian grew up in California where he consumed every bit of sci-fi and horror media he could find. Delving deep into the works of Thomas Harris, Stephen King and H. P. Lovecraft to name a few, those dark portals in his mind were opened and his obsession with the macabre began. Story telling, in any form, is his greatest passion.

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scott.E.killian

 

Twitter: https://x.com/authorsekillian

 

Email: saltnsulfurpublishing@gmail.com

 

Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/9f595cbdc394/author-scott-killians-newsletter

 

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DF1RLYLB

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY 

The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Blog Tour: THE GOBLIN KING'S MISCHIEF by D. Lieber

 

THE GOBLIN KING'S MISCHIEF

D. Lieber

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:  Fantasy Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 


BLURB:

 

A promise unkept. A love she can’t forget. This wily human will do anything to reclaim the heart of the Goblin King.

 

Lady Melody Piobaire never lost faith her first love would come for her when she was forced from his side. That is, until she finds out he doesn’t even know who she really is…doesn’t even know she’s human. To make things worse, she’s the promised mistress of the sidhe king. Rather than bear Tir’s heir, she devises a plan to win back her true love in the most goblin of ways.

 

Orphaned elf Aodh never forgot what it was like growing up on the mean streets of Goblintown. And now, as Goblin King, he’s dedicated to being the just and attentive ruler the neglected goblins deserve. So when a spoiled human who knows nothing of what it means to be a goblin tricks him into marriage, he’ll do anything to be rid of her.

 

Melody is certain she can win Aodh’s heart again, so she isn’t prepared for his hot and cold hostility. Aodh is unsettled by the forward human in his home and the way she seems to know just how to get to him.

 

What can Melody do if her only love no longer wants her, or worse, no longer exists?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 


Excerpt Three:

 

The moment Selwyn saw Aodh’s dark eyes on us, he released my arm, and Tadhg stopped growling. But the displeasure in the Goblin King’s expression wasn’t aimed at Selwyn.

 

“Why am I not surprised?” Aodh said flatly. “A commotion at my door could be caused by no one else.”

 

My face flushed at his unfair statement. I wasn’t causing a commotion—Selwyn was. And even though I was using it as an opportunity to speak with him, I did have legitimate business.

 

“Selwyn, wait inside for me.”

 

“Aodh—” Selwyn murmured.

 

Aodh’s gaze didn’t leave mine. “I won’t be a moment.”

 

I clenched my jaw as Selwyn retreated to Aodh’s study. He doesn’t even address the Goblin King properly. Are they that close? Is he that trusted? That doesn’t bode well for me.

 

Aodh crossed his arms. “What is it this time?”

 

I raised my chin. “When I went into town this morning, I heard some concerns from the citizens I thought you ought to know about.”

 

Aodh raised an eyebrow. “Did you go into town this morning?”

 

I snorted. Is that how you want to play this? You know I did. You sent Charlie to protect me. Are you so desperate to appear indifferent toward me? I nodded my answer.

 

“That was very foolish,” he said. “Though I have tried to make Goblintown safer since becoming king, nowhere in Faerie is completely safe for humans.”

 

Normally, the scolding would only annoy me. How had I survived twenty-five years in Faerie without his sage advice? But this time, it didn’t annoy me because I knew where it came from.

 

I couldn’t stop my small smile, so I lowered my face as I dipped in a curtsy. “I appreciate your concern for my well-being, Your Majesty.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 


D. Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.

 

Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.

 

Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox).

 

Links

 

Website: www.dlieber.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/dlieberwriting

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/d-lieber

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF5RBP8M

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY 

D. Lieber will be awarding a $10 Bookshop gift card (so you can support your local bookstore!) to a randomly drawn winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 14, 2024

Blog Tour: HEY! THERE ARE MONSTERS AT MY HOUSE by Marlene Thalman

HEY! THERE ARE MONSTERS AT MY HOUSE

Marlene Thalman

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 


GENRE
:  Children's Picture Book

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Reggie is a young child who is afraid of the dark and worries about monsters. He and his pet cat, Rufus, try to find monsters in various places but they are unsuccessful. Reggie starts to doubt that monsters are real when he begins to find natural explanations for what he mistakenly believed were monsters. Rufus is often mistaken by Reggie as a monster. Reggie continues to face his fears about monsters while protectively caring for Rufus. Reggie is very brave during the day but his fear of the dark makes him less secure at night.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Review: Where do the monsters hide? Reggie and Rufus give us an exploratory overview in this delightful, little book. With fun rhymes and cute imagery, this would be a great read for any child.

A fun game of Hide n’ Seek that’s perfect for Halloween!

Rating: 4 stars



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Marlene Thalman is a former high school art teacher, with many years of experience reading thousands of books to her children and grandchildren; from Berenstain Bears to Dr. Seuss to Where the Wild Things Are. Now happily retired, she hopes that readers will join Reggie and his cat Rufus as they bravely explore their big dark house and the monsters that may be within!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Hey-There-are-MONSTERS-house/dp/B0CR8QQMNL

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY 

The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: SPIRIENCE by V.I. Lakshmanan, Mahāmahopādhyāya Bhadreshdas Swami , Dr. Lakshmanan, S. Kalyansundaram



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science is a unique and comprehensive look at the importance of spirituality and science to guide our day-to-day living at a personal level, and to achieve peace and prosperity at a global. The term 'spirience' is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix "spiri-," and the domain of science in its suffix "-ence".

The importance of such a work lies in the challenges faced by the world today, conflicts between nations and ideologies at the global level and the explosion of mental health issues at a personal level. The book will first set the scene to understand the challenges faced by humanity today and the tools that we have to overcome them. An in-depth look at the treasure trove of texts from India's Vedic past, highlighting the spiritual as well as scientific aspects, will be complemented by a study of the evolution of mankind over the past millennia, changes in the way of life and the current levels of extreme discontinuity brought on by an onrush of technological innovations.

Recommendations for going forward will be presented for the readers to ponder and hopefully incorporate in their personal, professional and social lives. The book will be of great value to anyone interested in or active in personal well-being and global peace and prosperity.

Read an Excerpt

Spirience: A Fusion of Experiences


By knowing a single lump of earth, you know all objects made of earth. All changes are mere those of words . . .
Chāndogya Upaniṣad 6.1.4


Spirience is an experience. It’s my experience, your experience, everyone’s experience. It is an experience that celebrates the solidarity between spirituality and science. Spirituality and science are like flowers and their fragrance; they share an inseparable bond. When it comes to prosperity and achieving inner peace, integrating these two fields proves immensely beneficial. Any discovery or reflection that strays from life proves fruitless. The union of spirituality and science forms a magnificent connection to life’s more profound experiences. While our bodies are crafted from “star stuff,” our souls seek peace and prosperity. We’ve all observed how deeply woven they are into the fabric of our existence, even if only in simple ways.

Today, we live in an era where understanding the interwoven relationship between spirituality and science has become essential. Our connections have extended beyond our families to include those of the larger world. We are even exploring life on other planets, signifying our desire to expand our relationships even further. Our existence now extends from our homes to the cosmos. Today’s human beings see themselves as part of the universe. The ancient Indian scriptures often mention pinḍeṣu brahmāṇḍeṣu—likening the individual self to the cosmos. The microcosm of humankind is reflected in the macrocosm of the universe and vice versa.

The term “spirience” is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix “spiri-,” and the domain of science in its suffix “-ence.” This innovative term goes beyond its grammatical structure to emphasize the sentiments integrated within. It represents a harmonious fusion of life’s two great streams encapsulated in a single word that symbolizes the profound interconnection between these two realms.

My Journey with Spirience

My journey with the title Spirience is deeply intertwined with a few experiences I’ve had. The concept and title of this book took shape last year when I was in America. I had the fortunate opportunity to witness the creation of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Akshardham is a beacon of spirituality and culture. While observing its construction, I was captivated by the seamless blend of spirituality and science that expressed itself. It was as though they were intertwined in dance to co-create a rejuvenating spring of inspiration for all of society. It repeatedly felt as though science had lifted spirituality on its shoulders or spirituality had extended a welcoming invitation to science.

About the Authors:

Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami

An esteemed Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Head of the BAPS Research Institute in New Delhi, Bhadreshdas Swami’s scholarly work Svāminārāyaṇabhāṣya is a profound Sanskrit commentary on the Prasthānatrayī. With a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and multiple honorary degrees, his contributions to the field are widely recognized.

V. I. Lakshmanan, O.C., Ph.D.

Co-founder of Process Research ORTECH and a leader in sustainable technology, Lakshmanan holds numerous patents and has published over 150 scientific works. His accolades include being named an Officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India.

S. Kalyanasundaram

With 25 years of experience in advanced technologies for telecommunication networks and serving as the former Executive Director of the Canada India Foundation, Kalyanasundaram enriches the book’s exploration of the synergy between ancient knowledge and modern science.

Spirience is available through major retailers. Discover how this book’s unique integration of spirituality and science can guide you toward a more peaceful and prosperous life.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirience-Experiencing-Prosperity-through-Spirituality-ebook/dp/B0DG17QF5S/ref=sr_1_1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Review: HALLOWEEN PARTY by R.L. Stine

 


You have been invited to an all-night Halloween party! Location: a haunted mansion on Fear Street. Oooh!

 

The night was definitely filled with tricks at this strange party. Stine certainly plays some tricks on you here. Eventually, we come to the horrible realization that someone at the party was a murderer. The whole night seems to be a night of revenge.

 

A scary good read!

 

Rating: 4 stars