Excerpt: Poppy by Clarissa Johal with Giveaway

POPPY

by Clarissa Johal

edited by Kathryn Galan

 Faeriemoon Press

 Paranormal

ISBN-13: 978-0692708873

ISBN-10: 0692708871

234 pages

A red-headed, pink-loving mortician who speaks to the dead.
A moody, unsociable funeral director.
Poppy and Dante from Struck are back.

Something is lingering around Skyview Funeral Home—and it's stealing souls of the dead.
With Dante in tow, Poppy is determined to put a stop to it.
Can she protect those who are trying to cross over, or will her soul be next?

 

EXCERPT

The root cellar was a small space with a low ceiling. At one point, it probably smelled of apples and potatoes, but now, there was nothing but the scent of lawn mower gas, dirt, and cold stone. Poppy reached into the darkness, searching for the light bulb string. Her fingers connected, and she pulled it on with a click.

“Gladys?”

Weak light illuminated the usual garden-equipment clutter. Rakes and shovels were piled against a stone wall. Several cans of gasoline sat next to an old lawn mower. Bags of fertilizer and garden fungicide sat beside them. Gladys was nowhere in sight.

A rustle sounded from a darkened corner. Fully expecting to see a rat or trapped bird, she held the bulb in such a way to throw light on it. The door slammed shut behind her.

“Geez!” Poppy lost her grip on the light. The swinging bulb cast rising and falling shadows on the walls. She made a move to push the door open when the lightbulb suddenly shattered, leaving her in darkness.

“Gladys?” Poppy kicked herself for not waiting until morning, when Dante could have accompanied her. The grating sound started up from the corner of the room. It ran slowly along the ground until it stopped in front of her. That’s not Gladys. You walked right into this one.

She clutched the jar to her chest, her heart thumping. “I have the locket, if that’s what you want.”

The answering silence lay across the cellar like a shroud.

“I’ll make you a deal. You leave my dead alone, and I’ll leave the locket right here.” Her voice sounded against the close confines. “Good luck with the sea salt, if that matters.” Poppy inwardly cringed as she felt a trickle of blood from her nose. Dammit. She attempted to put up her barriers, but it was too late.

A heaviness descended upon her shoulders like a mantle. Something lashed out and scratched the skin of her throat.

And here she is. . .

CLARISSA JOHAL!!!

Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, Poppy, The Island, Voices, Struck and Between. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing, taking pictures of gargoyles, or swinging from a trapeze. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters, and every stray animal that darkens their doorstep.

You can find her at. . .

Author Website
Blog
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Pinterest

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Review: Magick It Up by Sheelagh McGrath

MAGICK IT UP

by Sheelagh McGrath

Clink Street Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy

56 pages

Magick It Up is a hubbly Bubbly metaphysical take with beautiful illustrations. It is on the cutting edge of new thought for the younger generation. It promotes empowerment, hope, and a sense of wonder, with a little history and folklore stirred into the bubbling brew. The story is based in everyday reality and departs into other dimensions but always returns safely to the present day. The two main characters Alex, aged 11, and his adventurous Grandmother, Nonni, are whisked unexpectedly and unconventionally through diverse multiple realities; at one time travelling on the backs of bats from crystal caves; experiencing the thrill of closely observing wild animals in Africa: discovering fairies in the midst of an English Forest and participating in the wonders of Australia, natural and man made, altogether proving that wishes really can be manifested. It is alchemy in the mental rather than the metal sense, altering situations by thought and intent. 'Magick It Up' will take you on a journey to places that some might only dream of, inspiring both young and old. Alex and Nonni's loving bond shines through as they share these magickal adventures. This bond between generations and the handing down of wisdom are an important message for today's disenchanted youth living in a troubled World.

MY TIDBITS

The rich fantasy held within this short book is already evident on colorful cover and is just as original as well.

The two main characters are Alex and his grandmother, Nonni. There isn't much time spent on introducing either one but rather this dives right into their adventurous fantasy realms. Each chapter is like a fresh wind of another journey, and it's impossible to guess what wonders the two will experience next.

I'd recommend this as a read aloud more than a book for kids to read on their own (best for a grandmother to her grandchild, simply because it mirrors the relationship of the characters so nicely). Each chapter can be read in segments, making it an easy, nightly read. It's not for the youngest of listeners but would fit kids ages five and up.

There's a lot of love and wisdom in these pages, blending in well with the different adventures. The relationship between Alex and Nonni is heart-warming and the wonders they experience are things dreams are made of.

Excerpt: Legacy by Ellery A. Kane with Giveaway

LEGACY

Ellery A. Kane

(Legacy #1)

Balboa Press

 September 5th 2014

YA Dystopian

258 pages

How do you want to feel today?
In 2041, the choice is yours.
San Francisco is deserted, the Bay Bridge bombed, and the BART subway trains grounded. The Guardians, members of an elite and mysterious government-appointed military police force, are maintaining order at all costs—thanks to emotion-altering drugs like Emovere that suppress fear and anxiety. Lex Knightley, daughter of a prominent forensic psychiatrist, risks entering the devastated city to partner with the Resistance, a group of rebels intent upon exposing the dangers of Emovere. Lex discovers an ally in Quin McAllister, a magnetic Guardian Force recruit with a haunting past that binds them together. As she uncovers the secrets of the Guardian Force and confronts the truth about her family, Lex begins to realize that even those closest to her are not quite who they seem.
Legacy is the first book in the Legacy trilogy but can also be enjoyed as a standalone.

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EXCERPT

Quin shined his flashlight upward, spotlighting Coit Tower, which shot up into the evening sky like the tail of a comet. Not even this once-majestic landmark had escaped destruction. At the base of the tower, I could see graffiti and crumbling rock. Quin pushed his shoulder into the tower’s door several times before it opened with a thud. Inside, the air was stale and bitterly cold.

“This way.” Quin pointed up a spiraling staircase. When we reached the observation deck, Quin extinguished his flashlight. The soft glow from the setting sun barely illuminated the city. From up here, I could almost forget the desolation below. But as I looked toward the Bay Bridge, I gasped. The reports that my mother and I had heard were correct. The highway was split into two distinct pieces with only sky in between them. A portion of the bridge had fallen away and was frozen in a sharp descent toward the water.

I looked over my shoulder expecting to see Quin, eager to ask him about the bridge. But he was kneeling on the opposite end of the deck in a spot where the concrete was broken away.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

Quin didn’t answer, but began moving aside some of the broken pieces of stone. The sky was almost dark now, concealing him in shadow. I saw him slip something into his jacket, then pick up another smaller object before standing to face me.    

“You said that you couldn’t figure me out. That’s because you don’t know anything about me.” Quin took a step toward me, his hand extended. “This is something about me.” He handed me a book of poetry. It was so well-worn that its cover was soft.

“It was my mother’s,” he said. “Just like your book. This is the only part of her I have left. Before I joined the Guardians, I used to come up here a lot to escape from the world. Right after I went AWOL, I hid the book here. I figured it would be safer.”

I knew Quin had hidden something else here—something he had concealed in his jacket. But I bit my tongue, holding my question until the time felt right.  

Just like my book, Quin’s book had a dog-eared page. I flipped to it: Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.”

“Was this her favorite?” I asked.

Quin smiled. “No, it’s mine.”

“I never figured you for a poet,” I joked.

Quin laughed, but only for a moment. Then his face became serious. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Lex. I’m sorry that I haven’t . . . that I couldn’t  . . . that I can’t . . . be more . . . open with you.” His face looked defeated as he stumbled over his words.

I shrugged, giving him a sympathetic smile. “You’re trying, Quin. That counts for something.”  

He gave a half-hearted nod. I handed back his mother’s book, and he pocketed it inside his jacket.

“Have you ever taken Emovere?” he asked.

“Never,” I answered. I was surprised by the directness of his question. “What’s it like?”

He sighed. “At first, it’s exhilarating, freeing. You feel like nothing can stop you, like something heavy was lifted from your shoulders, and you can stand up tall again.”

Quin paused, choosing his words carefully, “With everything that had happened to me, it was a welcome relief. But after a while, you just feel numb, even after you stop taking it. The worst part is that it starts to feel good to be numb.”

And here she is. . .

ELLERY A. KANE!!! 

Forensic psychologist by day, young-adult novelist by night, Ellery Kane has been writing—professionally and creatively—for as long as she can remember. Just like her main character, Lex, Ellery loves to ask why, which is the reason she became a psychologist in the first place. Real life really is stranger than fiction, and Ellery’s writing is often inspired by her day job. Evaluating violent criminals and treating trauma victims, she has gained a unique perspective on the past and its indelible influence on the individual. An avid short story writer as a teenager, Ellery recently began writing for enjoyment again, and the Legacy series was born.
Ellery’s debut novel, Legacy, has received several awards, including winning the Gold Medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards, young adult, e-book category. Ellery was recently selected as one of ten semifinalists in the MasterClass James Patterson Co-Author Competition.

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Review: The Secret of Sinbad's Cave by Brydie Walker Bain

THE SECRET OF SINBAD'S CAVE

The Natnat Adventures, Book 1

by Brydie Walker Bain

Middle Grade Adventure

186 pages

Nat Sheppard’s world is turned upside down on the first day of the school holidays by the discovery of a secret room containing cave maps with clues to an ancient treasure. But Nat and her friends soon discover they’re not the only ones chasing the jewels. Professional treasure hunters are on the trail – and they’re prepared to eliminate anyone in their way.

 on SMASHWORDS here

MY TIDBITS

This is a middle grade adventure with all the elements needed to make kids dive in and read it again and again.

The first wonderful thing about this book is the setting, a farm in New Zealand with caves, treasure and mystery abounding. 14-year-old Nat, her brother and her sister want to save the farm from being sold, and when they discover a secret room with maps and clues, the adventure begins.

There are so many great things about this book. The dialogue lets the characters shine and is not only fitting for the age group but also a lovely amount of life and humor to settle in. There's something going on the entire time, insuring that the reader never grows bored. The mystery is layered with tons of twists and turns, and it's hard to guess where things or going or what will happen next. Of course, there's a antagonist, which fits into the entire thing nicely.

Summed up, this is a great read not only for middle graders, but for all ages. The adventure is a treat to dive into and hooks until the very last page. I can highly recommend this, especially right now, during summer vacation. It's sure to wake kids' desire for exploration and who knows, maybe they'll go on a treasure hunt of their own.

And here she is. . .

BRYDIE WALKER BAIN!!!

Brydie Walker Bain is a playwright, poet and children's author. She studied History and Theatre & Film at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and furthered her studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Brydie's plays have enjoyed readings in London, rave reviews and sell out audiences in Auckland, Hamilton and Waitomo. Her latest project is The Natnat Adventures. This young adult series successfully launched with 'The Secret of Sinbad's Cave,' and continues with 'The Ship of Sight and The Hand of Shadow.'

Excerpt: Such A Daring Endeavor by Cortney Pearson with Giveaway

Such A Daring Endeavor

by Cortney Pearson

(Stolen Tears, #2)

June 23rd 2016

YA Fantasy

325 pages

Hope only fades if you allow it to…
Now that Talon Haraway has been taken captive by the Arcaians, Ambry knows it’s only a matter of time before he is executed. But to make matters worse, she must go against her once-best-friend, Gwynn Hawkes, to free him. Whether Ambry likes it or not, drinking those tears changed Gwynn. Not only is she subjecting her kinsmen’s magic, but with Tyrus preoccupied with his upcoming war, Gwynn is acting more and more in Tyrus’s stead, giving commands and leading skirmishes.
Ambry refuses to believe Gwynn is gone for good, however. Along with juggling with her forbidden feelings for Talon, her desire to free her people’s magic, and the ever-growing need to protect the tears from being drunk, the solution to stopping Gwynn means hoping harder than she ever has before. Hope can’t undo what magic has already done, but paired with action–and her newfound magic–Ambry’s hope in Gwynn might be just what her friend needs to leave the dark path she’s on.

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Sequel to:

Join Ambry Csille in her quest to rescue a stolen vial of tears containing the most powerful magic ever shed. Ambry makes deals with sirens, plunges deep into love with a mysterious warrior before knowing the secrets of his past (including the very reasons she can’t be with him), and fights off soldiers who wield claws that can suck the very magic from her bones.

Get Such a Secret Place for only 99¢ – this week only!

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EXCERPT

“In the vision, I was sitting on a bench,” says Jomeini, her eyes distant. “The sunlight beat warm against the stone I sat on, but the wind that blew was brisk and harsh. A storm rode on that wind, a storm I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. Afterwards, I drew this.”
Jomeini pulls another card from beside the others and hands it to Shasa.
“It’s a coat,” Shasa says, confused. She traces a finger over the handless, headless trenchcoat, drawn as though it’s blowing in the very wind Jomeini claims she felt during its vision.
“I assumed it meant that I wouldn’t be comfortable in my home much longer, that I would need protection from whatever storm was riding on that wind. I assumed it meant that Grandfather was taking me from my refuge, my home in Xavienke, and that I would need to find protection in Valadir. And it did, in a sense. But the drawing was also literal. Whose coat do you see?”
Chills brush across Shasa’s skin. “Color it yellow, and that could be Craven’s.”
Jomeini rubs her arms as if chafing away whatever memory fills her mind at that moment. Shasa wonders if it’s the same one she’s recalling, the sight of the dingy yellow trenchcoat Craven wore the day he snatched Shasa from right in front of the Triad Palace into an abandoned building and stole her magic then and there.
“What does the star mean, then?” Shasa asks. When Jomeini doesn’t answer immediately, Shasa continues thinking aloud. “Stars provide light in the night sky. They’ve held their places for years, giving sailors something to sail by.”
“But this one is a shooting star,” Jomeini says. “This one is setting off on its own course.”
“And you think it pertains to Tyrus?”
Jomeini shakes her head. “I thought so at first. I Saw Tyrus, yes. But I Saw others with him. Among his soldiers was a blonde woman I didn’t recognize.”
“A group of stars,” Shasa says inwardly. “With one straying from all the rest.”
“It means change is coming, and someone is at the center of it. I thought it was Tyrus, but now I’m not so sure. See the other star beside this? See how the bursts on the star go one way, so it looks like the star can be spearing to the left? But if you look at it this way…” Jomeini turns the card until it’s upside down. “Now the star could be shooting to the right.”
“So Tyrus isn’t leaving?”
“Not in so many words. It’s more complicated than I can explain, but something Tyrus is going to do will be as vast as the effort of crossing an ocean with no other guide but the stars. It’s going to change the world as we know it. And depending on what we do, that change is going to veer the races one way or the other. For good.” She holds the star picture one way. “Or for ill.” She turns it the other direction.
Shasa swallows and takes the card, experimenting. The star’s direction turns with each flip, more indecisive than the weather. It’s like the picture of a smiling man with a furrow in his forehead her mother used to draw. She would turn it upside down, and though the picture hadn’t changed at all, the man would look sad and menacing instead. All because of one or two carefully placed lines.
“So how do we get this change to veer in the direction we want it to go?” Shasa asks.
Jomeini doesn’t answer. Instead, she fingers the collar at her throat. The two girls sit in the boat in silence, bathing in the deep wake of their thoughts.




And here she is. . .

CORTNEY PEARSON!!! 

Cortney Pearson is a mother, a musician, and a lover of all things pink and sparkly. She is the author of Phobic, about doors that shouldn't be opened, and the Stolen Tears series, about an enchanted vial of tears and the girl chosen to wield them. Cortney lives with her husband and three sons in a small Idaho farm town. She believes anything can be made better with a good attitude and a book tucked away for those just-in-case times.

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Review: Grey and Shadow by Christi J. Whitney

GREY

The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1

by Christi J. Whitney

Harper Voyager

YA Paranormal

344 pages

Sebastian Grey always thought he was a fairly normal teenager –- good friends, decent grades, and a pretty sweet job in his foster brother’s tattoo shop.

But when Romany gypsies arrive in town, Sebastian discovers that his world is not what it seems. There is an age-old feud between his family and the gypsies — and this isn’t the only secret his brother has been keeping from him. His life is not his own. The girl he’s been dreaming about has just turned up at school, and he feels compelled to protect her at all costs.

Even if that means life might never be normal again.

MY TIDBITS

This book pushes a whole new type of mythical creature onto center stage, opening up an exciting adventure  with unexpected twists and turns until the last page.

Sebastian Grey is a normal high school senior with friends and a loving home. He's spent the last two years of his life living with his older foster brother and has no memory of his life before that point. Not that it matters to him. He's happy with how things are. He's a bit shy and anti-social but gets by just fine, which makes him a pretty easy character to sympathize with. 

Slowly, strange things start to happen, most concerning physical changes. It's clear right away that something's up, but it's unclear what. The author does a terrific job of dropping clues without revealing the true outcome, letting the tension and uncertainty mount. It's not only Sebastian himself who is changing, but the entire world around him. Secrets upon secrets follow his every step, making it hard to guess not only what will happen next, but difficult to figure out who or where the real danger is. 

Friendship is key in this story, and Sebastian is surrounded by a great support group who has his back even if he doesn't always have theirs. He doesn't have to go through anything alone--a great message and one teenagers will understand. The romance is also very sweet, building slowly and uncertainly the entire way through.

This book grabbed me from the first page and I couldn't put it down. The pacing holds the entire way through, never letting up as layers upon layers of secret agendas unfold. The description and phases of Sebastian's change make it easy to feel for him every step of the way. It's hard not to root for him as he plunges into a dark world where nightmares come to life, and yet he tries to not lose hope and fight off the bad guys as best as he can.

SHADOW

The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 2

by Christi J. Whitney

Harper Voyage 

YA Paranormal

400 pages

When stone hearts break they shatter.

Sebastian Grey used to be a normal teenager. Now he’s a creature whose sole purpose is to be a guardian for secretive gypsy clans.

When the Romany gypsies claim him, Sebastian is given a second chance to protect Josephine Romany – the girl he loves. But some clan members would rather see a gargoyle in a cage than have one by their sides.

If Sebastian is to keep Josephine safe from the shadow creatures attacking her people, he might have to embrace his changes. Even if that means choosing between his humanity and becoming the monster everyone believes him to be.

MY TIDBITS

After finishing this book, only one thought filled my head--I want to read the next book, now!

This is by no means a stand alone, but builds on the story of book one.

Sebastian believes he's broken his ties to the Romany gypsies and is sure that letting the girl of his dreams, Josephine, go was the best best way to protect her. So when the head of the Romany clan appears at Sebastian's foster brother's house and requests that Sebastian return to Josephine and carry out his duties as her bonded guardian, his temporary calm is broken.

This book is a great continuation to the first one. Now, that Sebastian knows what he basically is, he wants to discover the details, including his history and purpose. The plot starts to turn from Sebastian trying to figure out himself to him finding his place and dealing with the dark world he's now been sucked into. The questions of his past are a mystery, and even his own abilities still need to be discovered, but all of this is over shadowed by a violent and very present danger. This creates more danger, tension and intrigue than in the first book.

The pacing is quick as Sebastian finds himself in one precarious situation after another. He's not sure who to trust and discovers more secrets at every turn, making for a plot with so many twists and turns that it's hard to know which characters are trust worthy and which are not.

Sebastian has grown as a character, and tries to keep himself calm and at bay. The author does a great job at bringing out the monster within him, a sharp contrast to his calm and often passive own nature. The romance deepens, but still holds enough mystery and uncertainty to keep it interesting.

The only thing which bothered me is the ending. It's a cliff-hanger which leaves the reader on the edge of the seat wondering what happens next.

Review: Shattered Dolls by Tyrolin Puxty

SHATTERED GIRLS

Broken Dolls, Book 2

by Tyrolin Puxty

Curiosity Quills Press

Upper Middle Grade Fantasy

255 pages

Ella’s decision to return to her doll form has caused more trouble than she ever thought possible.

Gabby’s a moody teen. The professor is gone. And people are going missing at alarming rates; including Gabby’s parents.

Robotic dolls – eerily similar to Ella – are popping up across the globe and nobody seems too concerned about it. Nobody except for Ella and Gabby.

With only the crazed Sianne left to help them, the girls must fight to find the truth behind the epidemic and the robotic dolls.

Only Ella doesn’t think they’re robotic at all…

MY TIDBITS

After reading book one in this series, Broken Dolls, I was looking forward to diving into this one and seeing what happens to the wonderful Ella and her friend Gabby next.

Ella is back in doll state and sticks to Gabby like glue. Gabby, who now is back to regular teenage life, totes Ella along in her book bag to school, although no one is to know that Ella is there. Of course, things don't run smoothly and Ella is soon found out. From there, things get complicated as kids disappear and more amazing 'robots' like Ella pop up everywhere.

Where book one had a wonderfully creepy, gothic feel to it, this one takes on more of an adventure/thriller atmosphere without those lovely shivers from before. The book starts off with school scenes, allowing the difficult relationship between Gabby and Ella to take center stage. The problems are understandable enough as Gabby tries (as a preteen) to wiggle back into school's social life. Ella, on the other hand, is her opinionated self, and tends to stumble into trouble.

It takes a bit for the mysterious disappearances to get going, but when they do, the pace of the book picks up and doesn't let go until the last page. There's a delicious amount of intrigue as a whole new level of 'evil' steps in. Gabby and Ella are up against a huge foe, something which makes for super-sized adventure with all sorts of edge-of-the-seat moments. To round it off, there's a couple of important messages woven in, which are well placed for the intended audience.

Summed up, this is an adventurous read with lots of tension, twists and turns. The atmosphere isn't like book one, but this one still hold heaps of action and excitement. Middle grade readers who love strong heroines, world threats, and a fast pace that doesn't let up, will enjoy this one.

Excerpt: From Titans by Mary Ting

FROM TITANS
Descendant Prophecies, Book 4
by Mary Ting
YA Mythology
215 pages

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Everyone is searching for Mason.

Zeus sent Hermes, and the Oracles have used their magic, with no success. A sparkle of hope arises when Eris, the goddess of Chaos, sends an invitation to her wedding engagement party. She’s holding Mason hostage, and Skylar and her friends only need permission to enter Eris’s world to rescue him.

At the party, Eris gives them one condition: In exchange for Mason, they must travel to the Land of Reverse and bring back the bottle of gold water King Midas used to wash himself free of his gift. Further chaos follows when Eris not only sets up a hunt in the Labyrinth of Crete, but makes a bargain with the Titans she rescued.

The Titans possess power more than anyone anticipated, and Cronus is hungry for revenge after his own children locked him up in Tartarus. No one is safe. Not even the humans.

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Author Links:

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Blog: http://www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryting

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Nick sprang from behind and pounded on the invisible wall. “You crazy bitch! Let my brother go.”

Hades held him back. “You’ll have to excuse him. He’s been going a bit crazy looking for his brother. I’m sure you understand.”

Eris glared and hissed, showing her perfect white teeth. “Don’t be a fool, Nick, or you’ll never see your brother. But he’s not really your brother. Isn’t he just a half-brother? Anyway, I can’t wait to call you brother-in-law. We’ll become one happy family.” She showed off her white teeth but didn’t smile.

Nick covered his ears. “Over my dead body.”

“Now, now. Behave, little one,” she scolded, waving her finger. “Or I just might give you what you wish for. Death is permanent, you know…at least for your kind.”

Nick growled, and light shot from his fingertips. Everett held him back. When Zeus gestured with his hand, Nick stilled.

Zeus focused on Eris again. “Where’s Cronus? Tell him to show himself.” His calm tone sounded confident, but I knew he feared his father.

“Cronus isn’t here.”

“Liar!” Zeus sent the lightning from his staff. It flashed into the invisible wall and burst in brightness, blinding us, but it didn’t penetrate the wall.

Eris laughed, like Zeus had told the funniest joke. “I’m the goddess of my domain. You can’t hurt me here. I call the shots, Zeus. Funny how the roles are reversed. I kind of like that. But don’t worry. You’ll see him soon enough—or not. When I say so. So, would you like to come to my party, or are we going to argue all day?” Eris brushed the side of her hair, smirking. “It’s funny how Zeus is begging to come to my party. It was the other way around before.”

“I’m not begging,” Zeus growled, his eyes crackling with electricity. His rage shook the ground. “You’re forcing me to come. Get this over with before I do something I won’t regret. And to clarify: It wasn’t my wedding. I didn’t send out the invitations, but if I had, I wouldn’t have invited you anyway.”

Eris threw a daggered glare at Zeus and waved her hand. As the invisible wall started to disintegrate, a new world materialized.

Sneak Peek: Champagne & Lemonade by John A.D. Hickling

CHAMPAGNE & LEMONADE

A Collection of Short Stories of Mixed Genres for Young, Middle and Old

by John A.D. Hickling

Clink Street Publishing

204 pages

COMING. . .

JULY 5th, 2016!!!

Champagne & Lemonade is a delightful collection of eclectic short stories, taking readers on a journey to different times and places, meeting a sparkling cast of well-drawn characters. 
Nibble the fish is desperate to escape his boring old pond.
A new breed of super hero has been born and his name is Bob Cheesecake.
Dumpton Hospital’s staff have a somewhat unconventional approach to looking after their patients.
Robert Hood is on a mission to save modern England.
And just who is the vampire terrorising the neighbourhood from his home at 113A Greenstone Street?
From the quixotic to the poignant, John A. D. Hickling’s wild and whimsical tales fizz with fun and are sure to entertain almost everyone!

One of the delightful tales for younger readers. . .

3 BERNIE BROOMS BUBBLEBUM BOTTLES

A family named the Broom's were so poor, they had to share the bath water every night, until their Son Bernie had an idea that just might save the day.

A little later, I was doing the pots after tea, which because we are tight for money was fish finger, chips and peas. And I say fish finger because we only had one each. Mum had gone in the bath and in twenty minutes it would be Dad’s turn, then ten minutes after that it would finally be mine. Now, I don’t like bath time because we can only afford to have one bath between us, and tonight it was my turn for the mucky bath water. 

And here he is. . .

John A.D. Hickling!!!

Proud father and grandfather, and jack of all trades John A.D. Hickling currently lives with his family in Nottingham. A lover of music, especially 60’s rock, John has previously recorded two independent albums, appeared in comedy band Space Cadets on Britain’s Got Talent and is an active member of Masque Productions amateur theatre group. His debut book, Champagne & Lemonade (published by Clink Street Publishing June 5th 2016 RRP £6.99 paperback, RRP £3.99 ebook) is available to purchase from online retailers including amazon.co.uk and to order from all good bookstores.

For more information please visit www.johnchewyhickling.com

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