PERSONAL THOUGHTS

The Pain Colony by Shanon Hunt

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Audiobookworm in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Pain Colony by Shanon Hunt was a book that left me wondering what in the hell I had listened to.  Even saying that now I want to go back and listen to it again. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was that it was narrated by 2 people which made following the story and characters easier.  I really enjoyed both of the narrators of this book I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another book they narrate in the future. There was so much about this book that left me totally confused once it was over.  Even saying that I still really enjoyed this book and it did keep me guessing right up until the end. This author did a great job of keeping me guessing just when I thought I had figured out what was going on something would happen that would leave me shocked.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading it and that made me enjoy it even more. This book also left me wondering if things like this could really happen because I could see it really happening in today’s world. If you are looking for something different to read or listen to this winter I would for sure pick up a copy of this book and check it out.

About The Book

Author: Shanon Hunt

Narrator: Noah Michael Levine, Erin deWard

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher: Narrow Ledge Publishing⎮2019

Genre: Thriller

Release date: Oct. 21, 2019

Six dead bodies with one disturbing similarity. An illicit genetic experiment. A secret society of true believers willing to do whatever it takes to become Pure.

And this is only the beginning.

DEA Special Agent Peter Malloy is no stranger to the devastating impact of drugs. So when six bodies turn up with surgical ports implanted in their spines, he’s sure a potent new opioid is the culprit. But when lab tests show zero evidence of any known narcotics, he fears something far more sinister.

Allison Stevens thought she knew everything about her boss. But after he disappears, she’s stunned to discover his secret genetic research in pain tolerance. When she becomes the target of the FBI’s investigation, Allison has only one move. She must expose his illegal experiment. There’s just one problem. Some secrets will be protected at any cost.

As Malloy and Allison get closer to the truth, they begin to realize they’re about to uncover the most chilling medical discovery in human history.

If it doesn’t get them killed.

The Pain Colony is a gripping suspense thriller–you’ll be plunged into terrifying twists of modern science, chilling tension, and shocking revelations that will leave you breathless.

“A nail-biting page-turner you can’t put down!” –BookTrib

“A shocking finale that even jaded readers won’t see coming!” –BookLife

About The Author

Shanon Hunt

As a former pharmaceutical executive of 15 years, Shanon Hunt has firsthand experience with cutting edge medical advances. But it wasn’t until she took an interest in CRISPR and the near future implications of genetic engineering that she became inspired to write a suspense thriller.

When she’s not plotting her next story, she enjoys being tormented by her frisbee-obsessed Australian Shepherd, hiking the wilds of northern New Jersey, and canyoneering in southern Utah with her husband, Steve. She lives in suburban New Jersey with Steve and their two teenage sons, Nick and Ben.

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About the Narrator: Erin deWard

Erin deWard is an Audie Award winning audiobook narrator and a classically trained stage actor. She is a long-time company member of The Strange Bedfellows, a Rockland County, NY based Shakespeare company and can be found directing, assisting another director, or on the lighting board for The Children’s Shakespeare Theatre in Rockland County, NY. She also directs English Language dubbing for IDC in New York. Erin has been working in the field of Audio Description (media accessibility for people who are blind) as a writer, voice talent, advocate, and trainer for over a decade. She is a proud and grateful member of SAG/AFTRA.

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About the Narrator: Noah Michael Levine

Family lore has it that, when I was three years old, my parents took my two older brothers and me on a vacation to Puerto Rico.  At some point during the sojourn, my parents … well … they lost me on the beach. After searching, frantically, (Or not, as the case may be.  I mean, they DID lose me in the first place.) they found me in the hotel bar, sitting on a hooker’s lap, telling a story to a sailor. And THAT is when my life in performance & yarn-spinning began.

The rest of my life has pretty much followed suit.  Telling stories and becoming characters. I have over 40 years experience as a stage, film/TV actor and  singer/songwriter/musician. And now, with over 325 audiobook titles, I’m so passionate about this industry – a medium that allows me to be immersed, for hours and hours, in wonderful characters and their tales.  I’m grateful for the authors, narrators, & productions companies with which I work and so thankful for all the listeners!

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All Lies by Andrew Cunningham

 

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Audiobookworm Promotions in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

All Lies by Andrew Cunningham was a great book once I got over the narrators’ voice.  His voice bugged me for the first couple of chapters but once I was a few chapters his voice had grown on me.  Now that I am a few hours into the second book I can’t really remember why I originally didn’t like this voice.  I loved how this book started which is one of the reasons that I kept listening even when I wasn’t sure about the voice of the narrator.  I am glad that I kept going because I love the plot and the author’s writing. I do have to say that once it was a week or so from when I finished the book I can’t really remember how it ended which means that at least for me this book was super memorable but I do know that I did enjoy it.  Like I said before the first chapter of this book made me smile and that is one of the only things that I remember about this book. I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who is looking for something to listen to this winter.

About The Book

Author: Andrew Cunningham

Narrator: Greg Hernandez

Length: 7 hours 20 minutes

Publisher: Andrew Cunningham⎮2017

Genre: Mystery, Modern Detective

Series: Lies, Book 1

Release date: Dec. 22, 2017

Synopsis: “I come from a long line of idiots.”

Those were the last words his father uttered before dying, and from what he knew of his family tree and the unfortunate end that came to so many of his ancestors, Del Honeycutt couldn’t disagree. What he didn’t know was that his family held dark secrets – secrets that were about to come crashing down upon him.

A seemingly innocent date gone tragically wrong plunges Del into a web of murder, lies, greed, and a hidden fortune dating back to a crime committed 85 years earlier by his great-grandfather. Accompanied by Sabrina, the sister of Del’s brutally murdered date, a violent journey of discovery and fear begins. Pursued by vicious killers intent on eliminating anyone with knowledge of the 85-year-old crime, their only hope of survival is to find the reason behind the original crime and why, decades later, someone is still willing to kill to keep it hidden. But Sabrina is concealing a monstrous lie of her own. Is she who she says she is?

By the author of the Amazon best-selling thriller, Wisdom Spring.

About The Author

Andrew Cunningham

I’m the author of novels in several genres, including, mystery, thriller, and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Under the name A.R. Cunningham, I’ve also written the Arthur MacArthur series of mysteries for children.

I was born in England, but have spent most of my life living in the U.S.—including 25 years on Cape Cod before moving to Florida. A former interpreter for the deaf and long-time independent bookseller, I’ve been a full-time freelance writer and copy editor for many years. A 4th-degree Master Black belt in Tang Soo Do, I finally retired from active training when my body said, “Enough already! Why are you doing this to yourself?” I’m married, with two grown children and two awesome grandsons. My wife and I spend as much time traveling as we can, and are especially fond of cruising the Caribbean.

​I have been gratified by the response to my books. When I published Eden Rising back in the spring of 2013, I had no idea what to expect. When I sold my first few copies, I was excited beyond belief that someone was willing to take a chance on it. Numerous books and thousands of copies later, I am still humbled by the emails I get from readers telling me that my books kept them up late into the night.

In October of 2014, Wisdom Spring made me an official Amazon Bestselling author, a thrill I never thought would happen. But it still comes down to being able to bring a few hours of escape to a reader. That’s what it’s all about for me.

I hope you will try my books. Please feel free to email me with your comments.

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About the Narrator: Greg Hernandez

Author-preferred Narrator of Mysteries & Thrillers

Narrating audiobooks is highly gratifying.  I immerse myself into an author’s story in order to bring it to life for the listener.  I’ve enjoyed working with Andrew Cunningham for several years. His books are filled with rich characters, and the stories keep me turning the pages.

I also work as a background actor in movies and TV shows.

For more than 20 years, I worked as a radio news reporter and news writer.  I spent half of my broadcasting career at ABC News Radio in the Washington, D.C., bureau.  I covered all the federal agencies as well as Congress and the White House. I reported on a wide range of stories during my career, including financial and entertainment industry news.

For nearly 24 years, I worked as a federal government spokesman at three separate agencies—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Mint and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

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Unmasking the Duke by Donna Hatch

Donna Hatch is the author of the
best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series,” and a winner of writing awards such as The
Golden Quill and the International Digital Award. 
 
A hopeless romantic and
adventurer at heart, she discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8
and has been listening to those voices ever since. She has become a
sought-after workshop presenter, and also juggles freelance editing, multiple
volunteer positions, and most of all, her six children (seven, counting her
husband).
 
 A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific
Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there
really is a happily ever after.

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The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to
do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister, the Countess
of Tarrington, throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation. 
 
Taking comfort behind her disguise, she dances with a charming masked
gentleman, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a
kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man
she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of
Suttenberg. 
 
No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful
the kiss, he is the last man she could ever love.

 

 

 

Q & A With the Author:
When did you write your first
novel?
My first pathetic attempt was when I
was in 7th grade. It was basically fan fiction. Around that time, I attempted
screen plays too. I wrote my first novel that later became published (in
incarnation of it, at least) when I was in 9th grade.
What drove you to write/why did you
become an author?
I’ve always loved making up stories
and have been writing them down since 3rd grade. At the time I thought they
were epic but now I look back on them and want to put a sack over my head.
Fortunately, I never attempted to get them published—I just kept writing for
fun. Then one day, I attended a workshop at a local library where an author
spoke of her writing journey and had just published her first book. That really
awoke a dormant desire to see my stories in print.
How do you create your characters?
It’s different with each story.
Sometimes, they come to me fully formed and I just need to listen to them.
Other times, I have to work at it with personality types, backstory
development, and character interviews.
What is one thing you love about
Fall/Autumn?
I love so many things about autumn!
Cooler weather is high on my list which means fuzzy socks, sweaters, jackets,
and spending more time outdoors hiking, walking, or just sitting on the porch
swing. Also, I adore leaves turning all those gorgeous shades of red, gold, and
rust. Autumn means hot apple cider and all of those amazing smells of cinnamon,
nutmeg, apples, candles, and firelight. Plus, Fall means Halloween with all the
fun decorations as well as costumes. Yes, I love dressing up! But one of the
best parts of Fall is gathering with family at Thanksgiving. My grown children
can’t always come home for Christmas, so they often come home for “Thanks-mas”
where we celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, then spend Friday decorating the
house for Christmas so we can celebrate Christmas on Saturday. Usually everyone
leaves on Sunday so they can return for jobs and college. We get in every
family tradition that we can during the time we have.
Who is the person or group of
people that most support you in your writing?
My sisters-in-law were always super
supportive and encouraging. Once I got published and brought home that first
royalty check, my husband got on board and stopped viewing it as a time-consuming
and expensive hobby, and started seeing it as a career—one that pays horribly,
but still offering a monetary payoff. Now, one of my nieces is my one of my
go-to proofreaders as well as one of my staunchest supporters. I also couldn’t
have done it without my local RWA group, my online Regency research group
the Beau Monde, and my local American Night Writers Association
chapters. Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to my awesome,
wonderful, amazing critique partners, beta readers, and proofreaders. They say
it takes a village to raise a child; it also takes a village to raise a book.
What is your favorite Halloween
Memory?
One of my favorites was when my third
child was about a year old. After a dinner of baked potato soup, I put the baby
in a stroller and followed around my older two children from house to house. My
seven-year-old son was a ninja, my six-year-old daughter was a fox with big,
fluffy tail, and the baby was a fuzzy bear complete with little bear pads on
his feet. I guess animals were popular in our family. I enjoyed chatting with
the neighbors, seeing everyone dressed up, and enjoying my neighbors’ reaction
to our costumes. The weather was perfect—cool enough that the costumes weren’t
too hot but not so cold that we needed to wear jackets over them. After
trick-or-treating and gathering enough candy to get a small country high on
sugar, we went home and drank hot apple cider and handed out candy. I’m not
sure why that stands out in my memory except that it epitomized the perfect
Halloween. 

 

 

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The Scarecrow by Cas Peace

Cas lives in the lovely county of Hampshire, southern UK, where she was born. On leaving school she trained for two years before qualifying as horse-riding instructor. During this time she also learned to carriage-drive. She spent thirteen years in the British Civil Service before moving to Rome, Italy, where she and her husband, Dave, lived for three years. They enjoy returning whenever they can. Cas supports many animal charities and owns two rescue dogs. She has a large collection of cacti and loves gardening. She is also a folk singer/songwriter and is currently writing and recording nine folk-style songs to accompany each of her fantasy books. You can listen to and download all the songs from her website: http://www.caspeace.com 
See the video of her performing live at the King’s Envoy book launch here: http://www.caspeace.com/cas-peace/the-wheel-will-turn

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Pure evil rises once again in Albia…
 
Three years have passed since Baron Reen’s trial. A
terrible accident on the island of his exile has transformed him into a
nightmarish scarecrow creature with dark, mysterious powers. Staging his own
suicide, Reen breaks free of his prison and, with the help of the former queen
Sofira, embarks on a ruthless quest for vengeance against his worst enemy, the
woman responsible for the overthrow of his schemes and his own ruination:
Brynne Sullyan.
 
Sullyan is tasked with investigating Reen’s suicide.
The missing body and a series of disasters in Port Loxton—a vicious murder, a
brutal ambush, and a devastating fire—raise suspicions in her mind. She probes
deeper, determined to uncover the truth, unsuspecting of the evil that’s about to
be unleashed…




This book is on special offer for this week on Amazon!!! Check out the discounted price below!
Q & A With the Author:
1.     When did
you write your first novel?
I
have been writing stories and poetry since I was a child, but my first novel
wasn’t written until I was in my late twenties. It was a children’s adventure
novel and its main characters were unicorns and other mythical forest dwellers.
I was very proud of it but, unfortunately, unforeseen events in my life meant
that I never finished it. I do still have it, however, and may revisit it one
day and bring it to a conclusion!
2.     What
drove you to write / why did you become an author?

I was driven to write because I loved creating different worlds to
escape into. I did it to release tension in my life or as a form of escapism.
My writings were never meant for others to see, although I did show some of my
poetry. I never intended or thought I would ever become an author, but one day
when I was bored, I started writing out a little scene I’d had in my head for
years. That simple act seemed to open a floodgate in my mind, and that innocent
little germ of an idea became my triple-trilogy fantasy series, Artesans of
Albia. So – writers beware!
3.     How do
you create your characters?
I
create my “good” characters to be people I’d love to be, or to spend time with.
None of them are based on anyone I actually know, although King Elias from my
Artesans novels is based on English actor Sean Bean’s portrayal of soldier
Richard Sharpe from the Bernard Cornwell “Sharpe” TV series. My “bad”
characters are also drawn mainly from my own imagination, rather than being
based on real people. Some of their names, however, are inspired by people I
don’t like!
4.     What is
one thing you love about Fall / Autumn?

In England, the feeling of the air is often softer and mellower than at
other times of the year. We can get energizing, chilly bright mornings that
soften into warmer sunny days, ending with beautiful sunsets – that is, when we
don’t get the remnants of US coast hurricanes, that is!
5.     Who is
the person or group of people that most support you in your writing?

I really couldn’t pick one person – everyone I know has been supportive
of my writing, even if they don’t read or appreciate the fantasy genre. From my
family to the far-flung friends I have made through being an author, no one has
been less than encouraging and helpful. I guess I’m very lucky – I’ve never had
the bad experiences that I’ve heard some authors complain of.
6.     What is your favorite Halloween Memory?

 

                Halloween in England is not the festival it
is in the US, although we are beginning to adopt some US activities. Guy Fawkes
Night, November 5th, was always more exciting because of having fireworks,
making straw “Guys” to put on the bonfire, and begging “Penny for the Guy”
around the neighbors. Recently, many English villages have begun to have
scarecrow competitions around Halloween, and we have entered these in our
village. Everyone gets very inventive, and they are great fun. My best creation
so far was “Guy Dog”!

 

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King Henry’s Choice by Emily-Jane Hills Orford

There are powers at play that continue to seek amalgamating Scotland to England – powers from the past and powers from the future. 


It’s the late 1800s and Queen Victoria wants more than mere access to the Scottish retreat at Balmoral Castle. But King Henry I of Scotland, direct descendent of Queen Mary Elizabeth I, the time traveling royal daughter of Mary Queen of Scots, is determined to keep Scotland free and independent and a powerful, progressive nation in its own right. 


The struggle to protect what is his by birthright becomes a battle that must be fought in the past, the present and the future and in other parts of the world. And, in the midst of each battle, there are choices to be made. Very difficult choices.



 

 

An avid gardener, artist, musician and writer, Emily-Jane Hills Orford has fond memories and lots of stories that evolved from a childhood growing up in a haunted Victorian mansion. 


Told she had a ‘vivid imagination’, the author used this talent to create stories in her head to pass tedious hours while sick, waiting in a doctor’s office, listening to a teacher drone on about something she already knew, or enduring the long, stuffy family car rides. The author lived her stories in her head, allowing her imagination to lead her into a different world, one of her own making. As the author grew up, these stories, imaginings and fantasies took to the written form and, over the years, she developed a reputation for telling a good story. 


Emily-Jane can now boast that she is an award-winning author of several books, including King Henry’s Choice (Clean Reads 2019), Mrs. Murray’s Ghost (Telltale Publishing 2018), Mrs. Murray’s Hidden Treasure (Telltale Publishing 2019), Queen Mary’s Daughter (Clean Reads 2018), Gerlinda (CFA 2016) which received an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, To Be a Duke (CFA 2014) which was named Finalist and Silver Medalist in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and received an Honorable Mention in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and several other books. 


A retired teacher of music and creative writing, she writes about the extra-ordinary in life and her books, short stories, and articles are receiving considerable attention. For more information on the author, check out her website at: http://emilyjanebooks.ca

 

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Snippet #1:

He paused and breathed deeply. “Grandmother.” It was now or never. He had to tell her. She deserved to know the truth. “I have been to the future – way into the future. I have met them.”

Snippet #2:

Queen Victoria was speaking. He could hear her voice through the closed door as if he were standing before her. “You must stand up to him, Isabel,” she was scolding his wife. “He needs to be made to understand. Scotland and England belong together. This dream the Stuarts have carried with them for so long, since the days of Queen Mary Elizabeth. It’s a dream serving no purpose, other than to bolster Scottish egos. One must move on towards progress. And Scotland would fare much better as England’s ward than it has done on its own.”

 

 

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2019 Margaret Margaret

The Hastag Hunt by Kristina Seek

Kristina Seek’s debut novel, The
Hashtag Hunt, was published in 2018. She is a graduate of Queens College in
Charlotte and a member of Romance Writers of America. In March of 2019, she
quit her day job to focus on a career in writing.
Kristina lives in North Carolina with
her husband and son. She cherishes time with her friends and family, loves
traveling to new destinations, and plans to cross many other items off her
bucket list. 
Visit http://www.KristinaSeek.com and sign
up for her mailing list to receive updates and exclusive offers!
The only reason Lauren entered the
Hashtag Hunt was for the $10,000 grand prize. She needed seed money for her
startup, and it sounded easy enough: twelve hours to text twelve photos to
someone called the Wizard. 
 
For hashtag number five, Lauren needs a
#HottieInTheWild, and with the help of her best friend, Ivy, she finds the
perfect subject. 
 
The only reason Brenner entered Barkley’s Pub was to have
beers with Scott, an Army brother back in town. The reunion is interrupted when
a woman is caught crouched in a dark corner, taking pictures of Brenner. 
 
Lauren
explains, and though embarrassed, she accepts Scott and Brenner’s offer to help
with hashtag number six.While hunting for hashtags, Lauren finds adventure and
romance with her #Hottie, but she must stay focused to beat the clock and win
the cash.

 

Q & A With the Author:
1.     When did you write your first novel? In 2015, I started picking at the
idea for a book and in early 2017, I became determined to finish the story. The
Hashtag Hunt was published in late 2018. 
2.     What drove you to write / why did you become an author? I have been an
avid reader since childhood, and countless hours were spent in fictional places
with memorable characters. I have always been interested in crafting an
entertaining, memorable story of my own. 
3.     How do you create your characters? Almost all of my characters are a
blend of two or three real people. And sometimes I take one real person and
split a few characteristics among two or more characters.  For example,
the personalities, physiques, habits, and stories of six real military Veterans
are shared between my two fictional heroes: Brenner and Scott.   The case
of my character Amy, however, is one hundred percent based on my dear friend
Amy Mohler who passed away at the age of 40. She never had the opportunity to
read my book, but her spirit lives on in its pages. 
4.     What is one thing you love about Fall / Autumn? The glorious weather
combined with so many outdoor events with family, friends, and neighbors. 
5.     Who is the person or group of people that most support you in your
writing? Her name is Courtney Murphy and she’s been in my corner since high
school. I never would have finished the book without her “Team Seek” notecards,
encouraging phone messages, and honest feedback on the drafts that flooded her
email inbox for years. 
6.     What is your favorite Halloween Memory? My first (and only) group
costume was when my coworkers dressed up as the cast of Scooby Doo. It was kind
of our bosses to allow it and it was a lot of fun. I’ve attached a photo of
this also for giggles (I am Velma). 

 

 

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Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2019 Margaret Margaret