Spotlight: Game On by Gabra Zackman [FYI]

Out of the gates with GAME ON!  

“GAME ON is a thrilling romantic caper filled with double crosses, gadgets, and just the right amount of heat…Zackman’s debut mixes romance, pop culture, and espionage into a page-turner that plays with expectations. Readers will find a fast-paced story that is equal parts action and romance.”

—Library Journal

“GAME ON is delightfully intriguing…Gabra Zackman interweaves the best of comedic romances plus zany adventures to create a constantly entertaining story…This is only the first book in the Bod Squad series, and I am eager to see the types of exploits that await this group of extraordinary individuals. GAME ON is imaginative and appealingly different.”

—Single Titles

Part caper, part romantic comedy, the hilariously entertaining book GAME ON by Gabra Zackman is first in the Bod Squad series, featuring a sassy and sexy undercover operative, Susannah “Legs” Carter, and her Ocean’s Eleven–style team of private investigators. 

GAME ON

Gabra Zackman

Pocket Star Ebooks

April 6, 2015

$4.99

From Washington, DC, to Paris, Legs is tailing Charles Oakley Palmer III, a white-collar criminal she’s determined to bring to justice. But will romance or betrayal blossom along the way? Find out in the first in a sizzling new series about a team of highly skilled investigators who go undercover to catch criminals—while juggling romance, world travel, and danger around every corner.

Debut author and actor Gabra Zackman knows romance.  GAME ON was inspired by the more than one hundred romance and women’s fiction titles that Zackman has narrated for audio. She divides her time between her native New York City and Denver, Colorado. @GabraZackman

Upcoming Bod Squad titles: All In will publish on July 13, 2015 and Double Down will publish on November 2, 2015

Girl from Above: Betrayal by Pippa Dacosta

Name: Girl From Above: Betrayal
Author: Pippa Dacosta
Series: The 1000 Revolution
Publisher: Self Published by Pippa Dacosta
Publication Date: April 21, 2015
Number of Pages: 179
Rating: 5 awesome stars!

"My name is #1001, and I am not ready to die." I’d only just begun to live.

When Captain Caleb Shepperd is released from prison, all he wants to do is keep his head down and earn a living smuggling illegal cargo through the nine systems. So when a synth stows away on his ship, and brings with her a crap-ton of problems, including guilt-ridden secrets he thought he’d escaped, he’d prefer to toss her out the airlock. The problem is, she’s priceless tech, and he’s fresh out of credit. 

#1001 is not meant to exist. Created for a single purpose, she has one simple order: to kill. But not everything is as it seems. Buried deep inside, she remembers... Remembers when she was human. And she remembers what Shepperd did to her. She’s not ready to die, but she is ready to kill. 

From the bestselling author of the Veil Series comes an action packed story of love, redemption, and revenge. 

Pippa DaCosta captures the grit and realism of her urban fantasy stories and injects it, along with some down-and-dirty passion, into the sci-fi genre. 

WARNING: 18+ only. Contains graphic adult content, including sex, drug use, violence, and a plethora of curse words. Not for the easily offended.

Review:

"The storm still raged. And nothing had changed, except

there was one less man in the world. "

This book is made of awesome. Really, I was a little skeptic at the beginning but after a few chapters in I knew this was going to be good. 

So naturally, I became alert- I was waiting for the book to screw up, and I knew excatly how it would happen. You see, #1001 is a synthetich human being- she follows orders. Which is why I was sure I would not grow to like her, also, I was sure I would not grow to like the other characters presented- 

a. Caleb - the criminal, the smuggler, the fixer. Dark past, dark soul and a darker future- I wasn't surprised what he was hiding, but damn it! I still don't know what he really feels! I mean, I think he loved someone and I think he's sorry for his deeds but he played with me so well. He is quite smart. 
At first I was sure he was just a jerky jerk. Then he so he had some human decency (Once in a full moon but still), then he told us something about his past and I said- OK you know what? I don't give a fuck. 
But then he let me into his dreams and memories and told me another thing about himself and I was like: "OK, wait a minute, I think I'm feeling something in my chest- it's warm and it hurts a little"
Then he said another thing and I just went like: OH MY *Kaboom*
But of course then he had to go and shatter me to little pieces almost saying, but not actually saying, he played me. 
And. of course he had to finish it with a killer line that left me wondering- So was he? Wasn't he? 

Gosh!!! What will happen next????

"I used to believe stars were wishes, that if we reached 

them, our dreams would come true. But the stars will 

always be out of reach, and no amount of dreaming will 

capture them."

B. Fran- I really don't like her, but I love to not like her, I feel just a little for her but she might get in my way somewhere in the future so we are keeping her on a low burner. Until my heart is safe and the couple I shiped is togethe I am going to be really careful about this one.
But besides this? She really is fantastic- she's talented, smart and just fun to read about (and she has depth). 

C. Bran- Well, he still needs to do some growing and I wonder what's going on with him but he has so much potential! 


D. Hayley- This girl, we don't see a lot of her but I can tell you this she's the stuff of heroes! she seems smart, and sad, and kind, and brave and just a little stupid but I really can't blame her for that stupidity because it really just was bad luck and not her fault.

E. #1001- So yeah, she was going to be my bigger problem. I was sure I'll have one hard time liking and relating to her, but damn, she got me. I'm the head of her fan club right now. I really can't wait to see her grow even more- I love her voice, I love her actions, I love her cold side and I love her human side. God, Girl I fucking Love You!

"He made me crazy, made me stupid, made me happy. "

All I have to say is that this book is AMAZING, yeah, it made me a fan-girl. I mean, sure it is sci-fi but you know what makes a book really good no matter the genre? The human relationships, the characters and their humanity and the human problems and the human fragility. This book has them all- I know it happens somewhere in a galaxy far far away in some far away future I dare not dream about- but the feelings, the problems at their core, the relationship and the people they are already here, they always were. Since the very beginning of the human race. 

Pippa Dacosta thank you so much for providing me a digital copy through NetGalley. I really enjoyed every minute of it and it wasn't easy writing this review trying to be careful not to expose much of the plot. 

So, who do I have to bribe to get my hands on the second book? really I'll do who ever and what ever it takes. LOL. Seriously though. I mean it. 

Else someone will get hurt, #1001 taught me some really cool moves! 

"You were my wish "

Right! I just rememeber something those action scenes were really good, just yum. 

If I did buy you with that did I mention the raw and really good writing? No? so you know now. Go and read it! Now! 

(especially since it's 0.99$ only right here)

A digital copy was provided in echange for an honest review.

This review is also on: GoodReads

THE MAP OF CHAOS Félix J. Palma

Can the world be saved by Sir Conan Doyle, Lewis Carroll and H.G. Wells? 

....There's only one way to find out! Discover how novelist Felix J. Palma concocts this one-of-a-kind adventure! 

AN EPIC ADVENTURE AWAITS!

THE MAP OF CHAOS

Félix J. Palma

Publishers Weekly raves:

“Palma displays a deft hand with this diverse group of characters and genres, blending them effortlessly into a fantastic yarn”

Kirkus calls it:

“Palma’s newest delightful puzzler”

And Booklist says:

“Palma delivers some of his best work in the third and final installment in the Map trilogy…a sprawling, fantastical adventure, sprinkled with factual events and literary figures. Reads well as a stand alone”

When the person he loves the most dies under tragic circumstances, the protagonist of Map of Chaos turns to the most renowned medium of all times to speak with her one last time. The experience, however, unleashes a terrible force that brings the world to the edge of destruction. The only salvation lies in a lost book called the Map of Chaos. In his desperate search for it, he is given invaluable help by Sir Conan Doyle, Lewis Carroll and H.G. Wells, whose Invisible Man has escaped the pages of his famous novel to sow terror among mankind. Only they can discover the means to save the world and find a way of reuniting the lovers separated by death.

Time travel, Victorian-age spiritualism and the perfect cocktail of facts and fantasy equal a spellbinding adventure! Felix J. Palma proves once again why he has been branded a “master of ingenious plotting” (Kirkus) !

Spotlight: The Six by Mark Alpert

The Six

By Mark Alpert

Sourcebooks Fire

Y

Advance Praise for Mark Alpert

“Adam is an unusual hero—and he faces a frightening question: Computers can’t kill—CAN they? I’m still shaken by the answer. Will the near-future really be this terrifying?” —R.L. Stine, bestselling author of the Goosebumps and Fear Street series

“An exciting action story chock-full of characters you’ll love. The Six is full of big ideas, big questions, real science, and things that will make you think and wonder and lie awake late at night.” —Michael Grant, New York Times bestselling author of the Gone series

“The Six are introduced as terminally-ill teens, but there’s plenty of high-speed action in which they engage. Their physical disabilities and limitations through disease are forgotten as the teens’ hearts, minds, and personalities shine through...questions of principle, power, and possibility keep this look at our modern, hardwired existence fresh and fascinating.” STARRED Booklist

“Alpert's exploration of neuromorphic electronics raises interesting questions about ethics, technology, and human nature…a haunting ending scene will leave readers pondering the line between progress and loss. A thought-provoking clash between humanity and machinery.”- Kirkus Reviews

“A well-researched, hardcore science-fiction joyride, great for fans of first-person shooter video games like Halo and Destiny. Highly recommended” –School Library Journal

“Do not just read The Six; make your friends read it too.” –VOYA Magazine

Goodreads Link:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23354348-the-six?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr

Avatar meets The Terminator in this thrilling cyber-tech adventure…

Book Info:

Adam’s muscular dystrophy has taken his motility, his friends, and in a few short years, it will take his life. He takes solace in playing video games he’s programmed to reflect the life that he used to have. Virtual reality is the one realm where he can be the hero, and it’s where he chooses to spend his time, until an entity called Sigma tries to kill him.

A dangerously advanced artificial intelligence program created by Adam’s computer-genius father, Sigma has escaped its cyber prison and is threatening global destruction and domination. But Adam’s father has a plan. He will stop Sigma by using the technology he developed to digitally preserve the mind of his dying son.

Adam’s consciousness is uploaded into the body of a weaponized robot, along with a group of five other gifted teens who are terminally ill. Together, they must learn how to manipulate their new mechanical forms and prepare for combat before Sigma destroys humanity. Adam can finally play the hero for real, but will his new body be worth the sacrifice of his human existence?

This innovative and thought-provoking young adult debut, from the critically acclaimed author of adult thrillers Final Theory and The Omega Theory, questions what it means to be human and whether we are destined to be defined by our physical bodies or our intellect.  

Amazon | Apple| B&N | BAM | !ndigo |  IndieBound | Kindle |  Nook

Mark Alpert:

Mark Alpert is a former editor at Scientific American, and the author of several adult thrillers. He’s been praised by Douglas Preston as the “heir to Michael Crichton.” Visit Mark online at markalpert.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Excerpt from The Six:

Shannon rears back in her seat as if she’s been slapped. “And where are you going to store the copies of our brains?” Her voice is furious. “In a supercomputer? A big electronic prison?”

Dad doesn’t take offense. He answers her calmly. “The scanning process converts human intelligence to a digital form, allowing it to run on any neuromorphic computer that has enough memory and processing power. But in the initial stage right after the transfer, we believe it’s important to connect the intelligence to a machine that can move around and sense the outside world. A human intelligence is accustomed to controlling a body, so if we want to preserve its sanity, we’d better give it something to control. Here, let me show you.”

He puts the vial of nanoprobes back in his pocket and pulls out something else, a small remote--control device. He points it at the doorway beside the stage, and a moment later I hear a loud clanking. The noise startles the soldiers standing by the doorway. They step backward, flattening themselves against the wall. Then a seven--foot--tall robot emerges from the doorway and brushes past them.

The robot strides across the stage. It has two arms and two legs, but otherwise it isn’t very humanlike. It has no head or neck. Its torso is shaped like a giant bullet, with the rounded end on top. Its legs angle downward from the base of its torso and rest on oval steel--plate footpads that clang against the floor.

The machine marches briskly past the podium and stops in front of my dad, who presses a button on his remote control. This command extends the robot’s arms, which telescope to a full length of six feet. They look like multi--jointed tentacles. The machine’s hands, though, resemble human hands, with dexterous mechanical fingers and thumbs.

Dad presses another button, and the robot’s rounded top starts to turn like a turret. “The cameras and acoustic sensors are up here,” Dad says, pointing at the top end. “But the neuromorphic electronics are deep inside the torso, encased in armor plating. These robots were originally designed for the war in Afghanistan, so they’re pretty sturdy.” He raps his knuckles against the torso. “All in all, it’s an excellent platform for a newly transferred intelligence, but really it’s just the beginning. The whole point of the Pioneer Project is to bridge the gap between man and machine, and that means the human intelligences must explore their new environment. The Pioneers will have to learn how to use their new capabilities, and that includes transferring their intelligences from one machine to another.”

His voice grows louder again, full of enthusiasm. “Once the Pioneers have mastered these tasks, our hope is that they’ll be able to establish a connection with Sigma. If all goes well, they’ll start communicating with the AI before it launches any of the Russian missiles. And then the toughest challenge will begin. At the same time that the humans are learning how to be machines, they’ll have to teach Sigma how to be human.”

Rafflecopter Giveaway Link for Sourcebooks Fire Sci-Fi Book Pack including a copy of The Six by Mark Alpert (Runs June 11-June 23^rd) US and Canada only:

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Spotlight: The Escape by Hannah Jayne

The Escape

Hannah Jayne
 ISBN: 9781492616542

Book Information

Title: The Escape

Author: Hannah Jayne

Release Date: July 7, 2015

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Summary:

Not everyone who goes into the woods comes out…

It was supposed to be a short hike, a way for Fletcher and Adam to kill time one boring afternoon. But when day turns into night and neither boy returns home, their town is thrown into turmoil.

Search teams comb through the forest. Then Avery, the police chief’s daughter, stumbles on a body. It’s Fletcher- disoriented, beaten, and covered in blood. He has no memory of the incident, and worse yet, he has no idea what happened to the still missing Adam…

As danger and suspicion grow, one thing becomes very clear. No one can escape the truth.

Goodreads Link: http://ow.ly/O8nyU

Buy Links:

Amazon- http://ow.ly/O8pfy

Barnes & Noble- http://ow.ly/O8pN4  

Books a Million- http://ow.ly/O8q0m

iBooks- http://ow.ly/O8rdk

!ndigo- http://ow.ly/O8sq4    

IndieBound- http://ow.ly/O8sEg    

About the Author:

Hannah Jayne is possibly the only person living in Silicon Valley who has never worked in high tech. When she’s not writing, she’s obsessively watching HGTV or shopping at Target…also obsessively. Find out more about Hannah’s urban fantasy, young adult thrillers, and latest obsessions at hannah-jayne.com.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://www.hannah-jayne.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHannahJayne?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hannah_Jayne1

Excerpt from THE ESCAPE by Hannah Jayne:

“Hello?” she called out. “This is Avery Templeton with Search Team Five. Hello?”

The silence was complete, except for the steady thump of Avery’s heart. She took a step forward and slid on the loose earth, tumbling forward onto her hands and knees. Rocks tore skin and the knees of her jeans as she slid. When she stopped- eight, ten feet at the most- she was breathing heavily, her mind reeling. She did a quick assessment for damage. Other than the sting on her palms, nothing hurt.

So why was there blood on her hands?

She brought her hands towards her face and grimaced as the streaks of rust-colored blood-congealed, dirt stained-that covered her palms.

She wasn’t bleeding.

This wasn’t her blood.

It was then that she heard the slow gurgle, the sparse intake of breath followed by a low, throaty whisper. “Avery, you have to help me.”

Avery stared at the figure lying in front of her, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim light.

“Please.”

The word came out in a desperate hiss, and he clasped a muddy, blood-caked hand around her wrist, his grip limp, his fingers trembling.

She gasped. “Fletcher?”

Rafflecopter Giveaway: Hannah Jayne Book Pack including all of Hannah’s Backlist from Sourcebooks (Runs July 1-31^st) U.S. and Canada only:

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Spotlight: Wicked White by Michelle A. Valentine

Book Information

Title: Wicked White

Author: Michelle A. Valentine

Release Date: June 23, 2015

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Summary

After his mother dies, rock star Ace White—lead singer of the red-hot band Wicked White—is done with the celebrity game. The phony people, the meaningless one-night stands: he doesn’t want any of it anymore. Quitting in the middle of a sold-out tour, Ace sets out to find some place—any place—where he can be alone.

Aspiring singer Iris Easton’s life has never been easy. First, her mother walked out on her when she was a kid. Now she’s buried in debt, weeks after losing her beloved grandmother. When a mysterious and sexy new guy moves in next door, Iris can’t help but be drawn to his soulful gaze. She can tell there’s something from his past haunting him—something he’s not telling her.

Just as Ace starts falling for Iris, the media go on a worldwide hunt to find the missing rocker. Will true love conquer all, or will the truth be the very thing that tears the couple apart?

Excerpt

“Iris…that was amazing. You’ve got so much talent,” I praise.

Her green eyes light up with excitement like a child’s do on Christmas morning. “You really think so? You’re not just saying that?”

“No. I never bullshit about music. You’ve definitely got the chops for Broadway, it’s just…” I hesitate, not wanting to hurt her feelings, but I know that in order for her to get better, she has to be told what she’s doing wrong.

She lays her hand on my forearm. “Please, tell me. I can take it. Promise.”

I stand beside her, so close that my chest nearly touches her shoulder. I’m itching to touch her, but I won’t do it without permission. “May I touch you?”

She draws in a ragged breath and then nods. “Yes.”

I curl the fingers of my right hand around her right shoulder and pull back a little so that her posture is perpendicular to the floor. At this angle, I can’t help but notice her heaving chest and how her perky tits move in sync with each breath she takes.

I slide my left hand against her toned stomach and my pinkie grazes the warm patch of skin that’s exposed between her T-shirt and the waistband of her jeans.

Our contact is fucking electric, and my own breathing picks up speed as I attempt to fight back the arousal I feel for her boiling beneath my surface.

“Everything about you is magnetic,” I whisper in her ear, and she shivers at the words. “Don’t be afraid to open your eyes and watch your audience enjoy you. Be confident and project. Let go.”

I let go of her shoulder, and move to face her before pressing the repeat button on the machine. As the intro of the song plays, I say, “Do it again, but this time I want you to look at me.”

This time when she opens her mouth to sing, when she begins to tip her head down, I slide my index finger under her chin and angle her head so that she’s forced to peer into my eyes.

Her words are just barely above a whisper, so I slip my hand back on her abdomen and say, “Project--from here. Sing it like you mean it.”

It’s like lightening strikes this beautiful woman in my arms as she sings to me without fear. The words of the song come out effortlessly, and her voice could rival any of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

She’s that damn stunning.

I nod approvingly and smile. “Yes!”

With that little bit of encouragement, she shocks me even more when she pushes herself to hit notes that are above and beyond what she reached the first time.

Only on the last lyric does she close her eyes while she holds the note there until the music stops. She releases a contented sigh as soon as the music ends, and when her beautiful eyes meet mine again, they swirl with emotion.

Completely blown away, I fumble with the words to tell her just how impressed I am. “Iris, that was--”

Without warning, she throws her arms around my neck and crushes her lips against mine. I know kissing her back is wrong, but I’ll be damned if I don’t want her so badly at this point that I can’t stop myself from giving in. I’ve been so good with restraining myself when it comes to Iris, because protecting her from the chaos that I’ll bring her is what’s always been on the forefront of my mind.

Her fingers thrust into my hair, and I reach down and curl my hands around her thighs before hoisting her into the air. Instinctively she wraps her legs around my waist, and I thread one of my hands into her tousled curls while the other is busy cupping that perfect ass of hers.

“I’ve wanted you since you walked into my trailer,” she breathes against my lips.

A thrill shoots through me at her admission of how long she’s wanted me. “You’ve been driving me out of my mind from the moment I first saw you.”

“Then take me.”

***

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23304078-wicked-white

Buy Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-White-Book-ebook/dp/B00STR28PQ

Author Biography

Michelle A. Valentine is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Rock the Heart. Wicked White is the first novel in her Wicked White romance series. She attended college as a drafting and design major, but her love of people soon persuaded her to join the nursing field. It wasn’t until after the birth of her son that she began her love affair with romance novels, and she hasn’t looked back since. When she’s not writing, she feeds her music addiction, dabbles in party planning, and expresses herself by working with arts and crafts. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, son, and two beloved dogs.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://michelleavalentine.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/M_A_Valentine

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6540645.Michelle_A_Valentine

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