The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York: A Yarn for the Strange at Heart by Kory Merritt Review

Release Date

October 6, 2015

About the Book

Discover the horrible fate of Jonathan York as he sets out on his journey through a spooky forest with an alarming party of travelmates!



Jonathan York has led a boring life — a pointless degree from the community college, a lackluster job at the General Store, and never any desire for something more exciting. But when fate leaves him stranded in a sinister land, he finds himself seeking an adventure of his own. Along the way he encounters ghoulish thieves, ravenous swamp monsters, a dastardly ice cream conspiracy, and a necromancer bent on human sacrifice.



In this beautifully illustrated, four-color novel, Jonathan York's life takes a decidedly spooky turn!

Buy the Book

AMAZON

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IndieBound

iTunes

Google Books

About the Author

Kory Merritt started cartooning and illustrating while attending SUNY Brockport. His weekly comic strip, Brockport Chronicled, won the John Locher Memorial Award in 2007.

His feature, Lost Side of Suburbia, which appears on GoComics, was largely influenced by folk tales Kory learned as a counselor at Camp Kenan in Barker, New York.

Kory currently teaches K-6 Art in Hammondsport, New York.

REVIEW

The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York: A Yarn for the Strange at Heart by Kory Merritt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading this was a total treat. The wording is super fun, not too bubbly and not too brainy, perfectly entertaining. The art made good use of light and dark and is full of interesting and odd characters.

The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York has just the right amount of creepy without going scary and just the right amount of silly without being goofy. The lead is identifiable, showing mixtures of fear and bravery. I enjoyed the story as an adult, but I recommend it most to preteens. That age is a tough sale, but I think this author hit the mark.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***


toni

FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

View all my reviews

Bane by Amelia C. Gormley Blog Tour Review

Blurb

The weapon that nearly destroyed humanity may be their only salvation.

Rhys Cooper’s unique immunity to all three strains of the virus that nearly annihilated humanity has brought him the unwanted attention of Clean Zone scientists. They’ve summoned him for testing—ostensibly in the hopes of finding a vaccine—but Rhys’s partner, Darius Murrell, has good reason not to trust any government. He and his comrades in Delta Company were unwitting test subjects for Project Juggernaut, the military experiment that gave them superhuman abilities and unleashed the pandemic. Doubting the government’s intentions, Delta Company refuses to let Rhys go alone.

Fear of infection has kept Zach Houtman and his lover Nico Fernández apart for a decade. They meet rarely, just long enough to coordinate their spying on the head of the government’s virus research division. Secretary Littlewood is a vicious predator, and they suspect he’s trying to acquire the strain of the virus that would make him superhuman. To stop him, they need the perfect bait: Rhys.

For Rhys, helping them might cost him his relationship with Darius—or his life. For Zach and Nico, even if their plan succeeds, they still face the ultimate question: can infected and uninfected people ever live together safely?

*****

Hi, and welcome to the Bane blog tour!

I don’t think it’s any secret that a lot of readers, in the wake of reading Strain, wanted more of Darius and Rhys. Already by that point I was brainstorming the pre- and peri-apocalyptic story that would become Juggernaut, but the further along I got on that, the more I realized the situation Zach and Nico were in couldn’t be resolved in the timeframe of Juggernaut. They needed developments that would only make sense to happen after the events of Strain. The plot also required Rhys to have matured a great deal since the end of Strain. Altogether, it gave me a beautiful opportunity to bring closure and an HEA ending (or at least as close to one as you get at the end of the world) for both sets of protagonists.

Thus we have Bane.

Over the course of the Bane blog tour, I’ll be sharing a free post-Bane short story, Refuge. How far post-Bane? Well, you’ll have to read and see. Some developments that happen in Bane are referenced, but not in any great detail, which means the reader should only encounter a few very broad, non-specific spoilers. Obviously, though, it will be best enjoyed if you’ve read Bane already (and Bane, of course, is best enjoyed after Juggernaut and Strain.)

Refuge introduces us to three new characters, Kal, Billie, and perhaps my favorite, Zeus. It’s a completely sex-free story, so you’re safe reading it at work. If my nebulous thoughts on how to continue the Strain universe ever take shape, it’s very possible a lot of material in this short story will be folded into a larger plot with Kal and Billie as the protagonists, and if that happens, you’ll find the smut there.

Each day, at least one stop on the blog tour will contain a section of the story. These segments may end or begin a little abruptly or clumsily at times, as I tried to split them in such a way that no one section would be to long and cumbersome for a single stop on the blog tour. In its linear form, it would simply be a five chapter story. By the end of the tour, all the sections will have been posted. If you need to catch up, you can check out the blog tour page (linked above), or my website, or the “Extras” tab on the Bane product page at Riptide for sequential links to all the posts.

Anyone who follows along on the tour will qualify to win store credit at Riptide. To enter the drawing, leave a comment on this post including a way to contact you (email, Twitter, or Facebook.) Each stop along the blog tour that you visit offers you another chance to enter. Be sure to check the Riptide blog tour schedule for a complete list of other stops. The contest will close 9/26/15. Any entries made without a way to contact the winner will be invalidated, so please don’t forget to provide your email, or your Twitter or Facebook address.

Good luck, and enjoy Refuge!

*****

*Author’s Note: Refuge is completely unedited and un-proofed. What you’re seeing here is essentially a first draft, and like any first draft, it often may be clumsy to read or contain extraneous world-building and info-dumping that would be trimmed and streamlined during the editing process. Actually, I kind of like sharing it with you this way, if for no other reason than to allow readers to see just how much world-building happens behind the scenes and in my head, but doesn’t ever actually make it onto the page.

And of course, there will be typos. Oh so many typos.

*****

CHAPTER THREE

         “Take you back where?”

         Billie would have narrowed her eyes at the stranger if she’d had the energy to move her eyelids. “The Clean Zone. If you have, you ought to know the rations I stole are already gone.”

         Kal’s mouth opened, then understanding lit his eyes and he nodded slowly. “Ahhh. You’re from the Zone.”

         Fear clawed at her chest, and the dog jumped up with a yelp and scrambled out of their cocoon as he picked up on her tension. “Oh, no. Oh, God. You’re not from the Clean Zone. You’re one of the Juggernauts.”

         She tried to throw off the blankets, but her arms were heavy and uncoordinated. One of them swept dangerously close to the fire and Kal leapt to his feet, pushing it back. No part of her body seemed to want to move, at least not in the direction she meant for it to go. Rather than extricating herself, she just became more firmly tangled.

         “Hey, relax!” Kal said, catching hold of her. “I’m not a Jug. I mean, my moms are, but I’m second generation.”

         She tried to kick at him but only succeeded in toppling herself over with him on top of her, pinning her under the blankets. The fight abandoned her in a single breath. It was hopeless. She’d never be able to fight him off.

         He made a disgusted noise. “Guess I don’t need to guess what sort of bullshit people in the Zone are telling themselves about us these days.” His weight disappeared and when she got the blankets off her face, he stood back, his arms spread as though to prove to her he was harmless. “You want to go, honey, feel free, but I wouldn’t lay odds on your chances for survival.”

         “Right,” she muttered resentfully. “That what you tell all your new slaves?”

         “Slaves?” He gave her an incredulous look. “What the fuck? Charlie Company was gone ten years before I was even born.”

         “We know what you did with all the people you managed to convince to leave the Clean Zone!” she spat.

         He rolled his eyes. “I’m pretty sure what you ‘know’ has less in common with reality than I have in common with a fish. Now would you settle down and let me wrap you up again before you die of hypothermia? I’m an anthropologist, not a medic. I can handle basic survival stuff, but if you get badly sick I’m not going to know what to do to help you.”

         Despair thrummed in her chest as she sat mutely and let him bundle her up with the dog again. The dog’s presence felt affectionate, though for all she knew, its function was to sniff out and track down people they could take back to the Clean Zone. Nonetheless, she found herself delving her trembling fingers into its long fur and using its softness to comfort herself.

         “Thank you,” Kal said once he was done, as if she’d done him a favor by sitting still. “I can’t really make you believe me when I tell you I don’t plan to make you do anything you don’t want to do, so I’ll offer you this: when you’re warmer and have gotten some rest, if you want to go on your way, you can. I’ll even let you take most of my supplies since I’ve probably got more experience taking care of myself out here than you do.” He quirked an eyebrow at her, daring her to contest that claim. Which she really couldn’t do, since she hadn’t even known enough to avoid that damned house.

         When she didn’t argue, he continued, “Or, if you want, I’ll help you find shelter, someplace you can hole up until spring since you probably won’t get far before winter sets in. I’ll even help you lay away provisions. Only thing is, if I take time to do that, you’ll probably end up having to share them with me because there’s no way I’ll be able to make it across the mountains. Then my moms and half of Delta Company will kick my ass for worrying them once I do make it back. Really, it’s probably better for both of us if you just come with me.”

*****

About the Author

Amelia C. Gormley published her first short story in the school newspaper in the 4^thgrade, and since then has suffered the persistent delusion that enabling other people to hear the voices in her head might be a worthwhile endeavor. She’s even convinced her hapless spouse that it could be a lucrative one as well, especially when coupled with her real-life interest in angst, kink, social justice issues, and pretty men.

When her husband and son aren’t interacting with the back of her head as she stares at the computer, they rely on her to feed them, maintain their domicile, and keep some semblance of order in their lives (all very, very bad ideas—they really should know better by now.) She can also be found playing video games and ranting on Tumblr, seeing as how she’s one of those horrid social justice warriors out to destroy free speech, gaming, geek culture, and everything else that’s fun everywhere.

You can find her self-published Impulse trilogy almost anywhere ebooks are sold, and check out her catalog of Riptide Publishing releases at their website.

Blog: http://ameliacgormley.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ACGormley

Tumblr: http://ameliacgormley.tumblr.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ameliacgormley

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6445292.Amelia_C_Gormley

REVIEW

Bane by Amelia C. Gormley

4.5 stars

Bane does an excellent job of tying up the Strain series. Separate storylines of characters from both of the previous books merge. The reader has witnessed the beginning and evolution of this pandemic. Now, the goal is to find a solution to combat this plague that would allow coexistence between all surviving members of the human race.

I like how there are different strains of the virus presented. It seems more realistic because diseases do mutate and adapt. Also, a tragedy of this magnitude is sure to bring out the best and worst in people. Nothing ever comes easily. It's a constant fight just to stay afloat.

The action and romance are great. The struggle is real. Elements of chance, karma, fate, luck, destiny, politics, religion, revenge, sacrifice and love are present. The mix of everything together keeps it interesting, and the end is satisfying.

I love this series and will look for more from this author.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***


toni

FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

View all my reviews

The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken Blog Tour Review

The Dark Ones

Release Date: Sept 20, 2015

BLURB

To touch a Dark One is death.

To talk to an immortal is suicide.

Yet, I've been marked by both.

A Vampire.

And the King of the immortals.

My life is no longer my own.

And now I know the truth, my life was never mine to begin with.

It was theirs.

It's always been theirs.

EXCERPT:

I still tasted her blood on my lips, was embarrassed for the first time in a century when Alex glanced up from his spot at the kitchen table to see me licking my lips like I'd just devoured the poor girl.

He shook his head. "Been that long, huh?"

"Alex…" I closed my eyes and prayed for patience. "…remind me why I let you live here?"

"I'm good-looking," he answered simply. "Besides, I'm a hell of a fighter — scrappy, I think is how you define my kind. You need me."

"Stop." I pressed my fingertips to my temples and rubbed. The ache to have her had consumed me so much that I'd run down the stairs moving so fast I'd nearly collided with a wall, and grabbed blood from the fridge.

I didn't need it.

But I craved it.

And if I didn't drink the donated blood, I sure as hell was going to drain her and enjoyed very last drop.

"I wonder…" Alex's voice pierced my thoughts. "What's it like?" He leaned forward. "Having to learn self-control all over again… being as ancient as you are?"

I ignored him.

He kept talking.

"Blood-free for a century and now…" He grinned and licked his lips. "Kind of like falling off the wagon, yeah?"

"You're giving me a headache." I threw the empty bag of blood at his face. He moved to the side and snickered. "And I'm fine. Everything is just—"

Her smell was intoxicating. She was walking down the stairs, so her heart picked up speed, her body giving off a scent of burnt vanilla and oranges with a hint of sugar. My mouth literally watered.

"Fine?" Alex said in a mocking voice. "Was that what you were going to say? Damn, man show a little decorum, you look… starved."

"I am," I whispered and fought the urge to rock back and forth. That was the problem with mating — with bonding. Nothing tasted like her, nothing ever would, and typically, having her as my mate gave me full access.

But the more I took…

The stronger the bond.

And the more I wanted…

It was a vicious overwhelming cycle. It would lead me to become emotionally invested while she, as a human, could simply pretend.

It wasn't fair.

Immortals, in essence, were cursed with a deep desire to be like a human — to possess them, to bond with them forever — while humans only felt the same draw to us if they actually loved us.

Ridiculous.

"Oh, there you are." Stephanie pushed Genesis forward and pulled out a chair.

Slowly, Genesis took a seat and glared at each one of us. "Where's Mason?"

It shouldn't have pissed me off.

But it had.

"He's none of your concern," I spat.

"Easy!" Alex chuckled. "Rule number one, don't ask your mate where the other dude is. Just… don't."

Genesis blinked at Alex then back at me. "Because you guys have the capacity for jealousy."

Alex whistled while Stephanie laughed.

Immortals were the most jealous beings on the planet. Had her school taught her nothing?

Was I to be her tutor as well?

"So…" Alex trained his eyes on her, putting her at as much ease as he could without stopping her poor heart. "Now that the mating is complete, you get to learn all about us and service your man here." He slapped my back.

Really. Really. Poor choice of words.

Genesis paled.

I rolled my eyes. "He's kidding."

Alex laughed. "I think it needs to be said that having a human at the house has already helped my mood immensely."

"That makes one of you," Genesis said under her breath.

Alex leaned forward and whispered, "Ethan, try not to be so grouchy. Keep the fangs in and all."

I extended them just to prove a point.

Genesis recoiled.

I instantly felt guilty.

Damn it.

"You won't…" I licked my lips. "You won't have to service me, as Alex so delicately put it."

"Is that what mates do?" Genesis asked, her eyes searching mine. "They…" She lifted her hands into the air and dropped them.

"If that's what you think they do, we have a very big problem." Alex mimicked her movements and winked.

She blushed.

I hissed at him and returned my attention to her. "It's like a human relationship, only stronger. You'll attend functions with me, be by my side, at my beck and call for as long as you live."

I didn't want to say until one day she just didn't wake up. It sounded too cruel.

"And when I'm bored out of my mind… I do what?" She crossed her arms. "I mean, what could you possibly need from me?"

"Adorable." Alex sighed happily. "I'm so glad we kept her."

"Alex…" I was two seconds away from slamming him into the nearest wall. "Make yourself useful and find our human a snack."

"I'm not a pet!" Genesis yelled. "And I'm not your human!"

"You are," I yelled right back, "mine!"

"Kids." Stephanie stepped between us.

I didn't even realize I'd gotten out of the chair and was towering over her, fangs out, hands raised. She'd turned me into a monster. And still, my eyes found her erratic pulse. One more taste…

"Ethan—" Stephanie pushed against my chest. I didn't move. "Ethan!"

"Friend…" Mason walked into the room. "Sit your ass down before she hands it to you."

"Like she could!" I roared.

"Like I have!" Stephanie pushed me again. "Don't tempt me… again."

I sat, while Mason made his way over to Genesis and offered an easy smile. The man had nothing to smile about, yet he was smiling — at my mate.

I growled.

Mason gave me the finger and kept his attention trained on Genesis. "How do you feel?"

"Better." She returned his smile and squeezed his outstretched hand. "Thanks for not… killing me when I asked."

"Damn…" Alex said from the kitchen.

"You were in pain." Mason shrugged. "And I'm glad you're alright."

"She's fine. We're fine. Everything's fine," I said through clenched teeth. "Now it's probably time to give her answers before she thinks she can run off and actually survive in the real world without being hunted by a Dark One, or worse, found by Cassius."

"He isn't all bad," Stephanie said defensively.

We all glared at her.

"What?" She lifted her hands into the air. "I'm just saying he's been trying as hard as we have. So what if he's gotten a bit possessive over the last few numbers that have been called."

Alex slammed his fist onto the table. "He stole Ethan's—"

"Enough." I held up my hand. The pain in my chest grew until it was hard to breathe. I knew what would take that pain away.

Genesis.

But I was too angry to ask for it. Too ashamed to fall to my knees in front of a mere mortal and beg for her to end the pain by allowing me one solitary drop of her blood.

As if on cue, another bag of blood hit me in the head.

Alex must have sensed my mood.

I bit into it and looked away from Genesis's horrified expression.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24470460-the-dark-ones

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dark-ones-rachel-van-dyken/1122037625

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/546999

iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-dark-ones/id1001782899

ABOUT RACHEL VAN DYKEN:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com .

Links:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4882127.Rachel_Van_Dyken

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Van-Dyken/e/B0054TW5AA/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/8l7hP

REVIEW

The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I started this when I went to bed one night, thinking I would just have a taste. Then, I looked over at the clock, and two hours had passed without me noticing. If you like supernatural attraction which cannot be denied, this is probably a book for you.

The elders are a group of leaders of the main species: vampire, werewolf, siren and Dark One. There's a sexy fantasy man for everyone (most likely you'll want them all). Genesis is a human girl who has been summoned to the council. She thinks she knows, but she has no idea of the world she's entered. Her arrival has been prophesied.

I really like how these leaders are like brothers instead of being pitted against one another. Many times in stories they're natural enemies. There are bad guys and antagonist, but it isn't quite what you would normally expect.

Reading The Dark Ones was a blast. I will continue with the rest of the series.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***


toni

FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

View all my reviews