Hello, friends and seekers!

Got some something special 💎 today! 👀 

I've been prepping for this since April! 😁
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You know those multi-author promos I tuck in between my updates? Those free samples and sign-ups to an author's world?

One might wonder: Does she ever choose to sign on and *gasp* read any of those free books herself?

You're damned right I do!  😎
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This summer, I made time to read offerings from two authors unknown to me but I liked their idea enough to snag their ebook for myself as I shared the links around. It's always good to step out of one's comfort zone.

Even better, I had the chance to chat with each author after reading and enjoying their work! It's kind of amazing I could just hit the reply button on their newsletter and talk shop for a bit. Worth! 😁
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Please allow me to present 2 excellent stories from earlier promos which I've actually read and reviewed!

Both also have follow-up stories I desperately want to continue, but dagnabbit, need real life to slow down a bit! 🏃‍♂️💨

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First up!

Rachael's Apocalypse Diary Vol. 1 

by Len M. Ruth

She was a sophomore student studying nuclear physics before the virus hit. She has no survival skills. No special training. No one to help her.

Discover the reality of survival in a post-apocalyptic world through Rachael's eyes. From the pages of her diary, learn the truth behind the end of the world and the struggles of those who  remain.

 Read Rachael's story for free like I did!

I also liked Rachael as a character and found her journey intriguing and immersive, so I picked up Vol. 2,"Going Nuclear" (just 99 cents!). 

I look forward to finding out what happens! 

My Review:

This story is well-crafted. The diary format allows for trim, economic description of the most critical scenes while the narrative flow remains a story in a clear and strong 1st person voice.

As someone who kept a multi-page-per-day travel diary at one point in her life, the pacing makes sense to me, and I appreciated that the earlier events are sort of quiet and numb with a small focus while the later events get much more detailed and tense as Rachel adapts to a larger view and becomes ever more resourceful.

This novella sets up a post-catastrophe world which has a lot more room to explore (there is a full-length book in this same setting which is encouraging!), and by the end we see a clear direction for Rachel in the next volume. Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Next up!

Death Descends
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A Temple of Vengeance Prequel

by Dave Reed

Beware the wrath of a peaceful man.

The demon lords of the underworld took my wife and unborn child far too soon. I will take back what is mine. And whatever else I must to do it.

Read the prequel for free like I did!

🍇My Review🍇

I picked this up because I was in the mood for a potential retelling of the myth of Orpheus. While not wrong as a thought to start with, I ended up somewhere in Dante's Inferno with a different ending. XD 

Short version: I enjoyed that descent into Hell!

Lushly and concisely told, we cover a broad story with a direct journey. It has the right amount of detail, conveying the world mythology, the balance of the gods, and Z'nnek's motivations and struggles clearly within the context of the story's events. There are enough horrors of Hell described to be uncomfortable, but we never lose sight of our protagonist's goal, and the resolution of the story is appropriately world-altering.

I feel I have a strong grasp on this world and a broader view of it which may help prepare me for the rest of the series, which is something I always want out of an epic fantasy prequel like this one.

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I also grabbed Raven Queen, Arise, Book 1 of the Temple of Vengeance because I'd like to see more in this world. 💀

AND!

If you join Mr. Reed's newsletter, you get another story in "Righteous Disobedience"! 💪 

Since I was introduced to this character in the prequel, I'm looking forward to reading more about him! ⚡

(I also understand there is some polyamory in this series...💞)

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Finally, talking about hidden gems! 📚👀 

A gentleman I've worked with at Liminal Fiction reached out to me and asked if I would submit NO DEMONS BUT US in the "TAKE NO PRISONERS" StoryBundle sponsored by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writer's Association!

I was shocked. But I did. And they approved my submission! 🤩
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I'm honored to have been included as the 13th Author in a SFWA StoryBundle! 

WHAT IS A STORY BUNDLE?

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association is a nonprofit that looks for hidden gems to supports independent authors directly!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Buy a Bundle and you support us authors, the SFWA, and other charities
by grabbing some beautiful books.

1) Pay what you want for the first 4 featured books (min. $5)

2) Hit $20+, and get 9 BONUS Books, including mine! TOTAL 13

3) Opt to give part of the proceeds to charity.

NOW THRU AUGUST 17th: https://storybundle.com/sfwa

I received a complementary bundle, so I have MOAR off-the-beaten-path fantasy books to read. 🤠

Click on each book for the blurb and reviews!

I've been highlighting a book a day this week at Facebook and Mastodon, so have been getting familiar with these varied delights. An easy place to follow along get some quick intros to each novel.

If you can, share the link and help me spread the word!