{Blog Tour Review} Dark Lullaby by Mayra Calvani

ASIN #: B005UI7FOG

File Size: 1043 KB

Page Count: 233

Copyright: October 10, 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

At a tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated by her beauty as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. After a while, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her ... especially the way she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.

The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister's baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.

But nothing, not even the stunning beauty of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature ...

In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister's unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul.

Mandy's Review:

I'm actually on the fence about this story; I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. It was a little strange for me. I'm getting ahead of myself ...

Gabriel and his ex-girlfriend, Liz, are at a tavern having a philosophical discussion over some drinks. Kamilah "overhears" them and inserts herself into the conversation. Well, right away, Liz begins to get jealous and treats the woman coldly. Gabriel, man that he is, falls into lust at first sight. It also helps that Kamilah is mostly on Gabriel's side conversation-wise, which is just a boost to his ego. One thing leads to another with the end result being Gabriel and Kamilah having sex. One-night stands are so commonplace nowadays that this isn't even shocking. After their little soiree in the bedroom, Gabriel and Kamilah begin spending the majority of their time together over the next few days. This does not help Liz's jealousy ... even though her and Gabe are now just friends. Eventually, Kamilah invites Gabriel to travel to Turkey with her and spend a week there before he goes off to Brussels to be with his twin sister, Elena, who is about to give birth.

During their stay in Turkey, Gabriel finally begins to notice that Kamilah is acting strangely. He hears stories of otherworldly creatures that are known to exist there, but disregards them with his scientific mind. Unfortunately, it turns out that Kamilah is one of these fabled creatures and he is unknowingly (literally) dying to strengthen her powers. In the process, he puts his twin sister's child in danger as well.

The book is a quick read and I was able to go through it in a day. The story itself was a little creepy, and I liked that, there just seemed to be something "off" about it that I can't quite figure out. I never really got lost in the story and that did disappoint me. Like I said, though, I'm on the fence with this one. If you want something new to read and you've got a few hours to kill, why not check this one out and see if you agree with me.


*A Smashwords coupon code was provided by the author for the purposes of this tour, hosted by Pump Up Your Book, and in exchange for an honest review.

{Blog Tour/Giveaway} The Grace Painter by Mark Romang

ISBN #: 978-1482687057

Page Count: 314

Copyright: March 9, 2013

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Book Summary:

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is the one reflecting back at you from inside a mirror. Matthew London can attest to this difficult truth. Ever since the former NYPD hostage negotiator changed his identity and fled New York City for the backwaters of Louisiana, regret has ruled his life.

For eight years London has lived like a hermit in a declining plantation house. Only his talent for painting Renaissance-style murals and paintings keeps the inner-demons from totally destroying him. Each day the disgraced hostage negotiator longs for a chance at redemption, never expecting it to actually happen. But then a down-on-her-luck FBI agent shows up on his doorstep one evening. It turns out Jean-Paul and Sebastian Boudreaux, two local brothers famous for lawlessness have inadvertently kidnapped a little girl.

London is quickly thrust into the starring role of a daring rescue attempt. But before he can rescue the child from the dangerous Boudreaux brothers, he first must find a way to forgive himself for a past misstep, a blunder that forever altered his once promising life. But in the Atchafalaya Basin swampland, nothing is promised. Grace cannot be purchased or earned. It can only be given.

Author's Bio:

I was born in 1967. Avid reader, suspense novelist, faithful husband, baffled father, factory worker, reformed head-banger, failed musician, contact sports lover, MMA enthusiast, distressed KC sports fan, Lord of the Rings geek, workout fiend, dog owner, nature lover, proud American, disgruntled voter, pistachio addict, caffeine-riddled, screw-up saved by grace, sojourner. This is me in a nutshell.

Mandy's Review:

Cover/Title

I do love all of the green on the cover. It lends a somberness to the man standing in front of the easel which, when you read his story, you realize is an apt tone for Matthew's new life.

The definition of the title is also revealed while reading the story. I appreciated that the author gave a new view to an often disregarded entity.

Plot/Main Characters

Matthew has been dealt a crushing blow to his psyche. He witnessed his best friend commit suicide after murdering his wife and goddaughter. Instead of staying in New York City and dealing with the pain, he purchases a new identity and runs away to south Louisiana to start a new life. Once there, he rents a plantation house from an old lady while dabbling in painting and working as a crawfish and alligator harvester.

Annie is an FBI agent dealing with deep emotional issues from a kidnapping she endured 20 years prior. Her career is dedicated to her own personal vendetta against the Boudreaux family.

Annie and Matt meet under extreme circumstances. He eventually agrees to help her rescue Gabby, the little girl inadvertently kidnapped by Sebastian and Jean-Paul Boudreaux. What then ensues is a lot of action mixed with tension and a race against time.

Overall

This was an enjoyable thrill-ride that packed a lot of emotion. I was pulled in from the beginning and didn't want to stop reading it until the novel was over. Any fan of Christian fiction, who also enjoys action, needs to read The Grace Painter. Mark Romang will become one of your new favorite authors.


*A Smashwords coupon code was provided by the tour host for the purposed of this blog tour and in exchange for an honest review.

Various Links:

Kindle Buy Link

Nook Buy Link

Smashwords Buy Link

Mark Romang's Web Site

Mark Romang's Facebook Page

Mark Romang's Goodreads

The Grace Painter's Goodreads

The Grace Painter's Blog Tour Site

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook Page

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Smashwords Giveaway: In the Dreaming by Terrance Foxxe

From now until March 1st, Terrance Foxxe is providing a free e-copy of his book, In the Dreaming, on Smashwords.

All you have to do is:

• Click here to go to the book's Smashwords page.
• Don't worry when you see there's a cost to receive the book. Go ahead and add it to your cart. 
• During checkout, enter the coupon code JP54R, update your cart and checkout.
• Your book will be free and you will be able to choose the best format for you to download.

Book Summary:

(Taken from Smashwords)

Terrance Foxxe's In the Dreaming is a collection of 20 short stories - 15 previously published in print and online, 5 original to this volume - bridged together by a larger narrative, a mosaic novel unlike any other.

Foxxe's unique novel offers a wide variety of stories to suit any tastes. From Native American legend, urban detective, science fiction, magic and love, alongside vampires, barbarians, presidents, elves, to (walking talking) toys. Horror with hope. A little something for everyone.

Smashwords Giveaway: Editorial by Arthur Graham

For the entire month of May, Arthur Graham is giving away free ecopies of his book, Editorial, through Smashwords to anybody who would like one.

All you have to do is go to the Smashwords website (click here) and use coupon code LC43P when checking out to obtain your free copy.

Book Summary:

Follow the editor and his client into the infinite ring of Ouroboros, the self-devouring, in this episodic novella by Arthur Graham. A story told through concentric circles of narrative, each adding a layer of truth while further smothering all notions of certainty, Editorial will leave readers wondering just how many times the same tale can be swallowed...