C.L. Cannon is pleased to present the official cover for her new series starter Bloodlines: A Forget Me Not Origin Story. ![]() Blurb: Bloodlines follows fraternal twins Anso and Ava at the very start of magic itself. When Anso discovers there’s something different about him, something inhuman, he knows he must keep it a secret. His father, his entire village would disown him, or worse. There’s one person, however, who he cannot hide from, his twin sister, Ava. Ava sees right through Anso’s distress and promises to keep his secret while yearning for a power of her very own. As Anso explores his newfound abilities, he also finds a friend with a similar problem. Could there be more like him? This is the story of how an ordinary boy became a legend, a leader, the sister who stood by him through it all, and the best friend who taught him to embrace his differences. Fans of X-Men, Harry Potter, and The Mortal Instruments will enjoy this series starter. Buying info: You can pre-order Bloodlines for just .99! Add it to your Goodreads TBR list About C.L. Cannon
You can find C.L. Cannon at the following links: http://clcannon.net/ https://www.facebook.com/clcannonauthor/ https://twitter.com/CLCannonAuthor https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-l-cannon https://www.instagram.com/cl_cannon http://amazon.com/author/clcannon https://www.goodreads.com/CLCannon http://youtube.com/c/clcannonauthor
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Today is the cover reveal for Beyond the Moon by R.J. Wood! This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.
![]() Beyond the Moon (The Voyages of Jake Flynn #2) By R.J. Wood Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction/ Sword and Space/ Space Fantasy Age category: Middle Grade/ Young Adult Release Date: 2018
Blurb:
Beyond the Moon picks up after the battle above the ice planet Nystal, where Earth-kid Jake Flynn and crew have recently escaped from the Crimson Cabal. Their voyages continue on the other side of the galaxy where magic has displaced technology and monsters are real. Jake continues to grow in his new abilities to channel energy and fly tall wooden ships in space, but struggles with having been named the Justicar, a prophesied champion of the light. Pushing forward, he sets course for new planets in search of allies who will stand with him and help stop the cabal from resurrecting a long dead queen. To succeed, Jake must learn more about channeling and how to balance his new and unwelcome responsibilities with the continued search for his missing parents and a way home to Earth. Aided and mentored by the young Life Magian, Starla Silvertree, her aged protector, Ottomeyer Riversend, and assisted by veteran sailors Jehnna Marik and Captain Billy Goldbar, Jake must make heavyweight decisions with deadly consequences. Unicorns, ghost ships, pirates, space battles, magi wielding lightning and fire, dinosaurs, and a Valkyrie – Jake must face them all in this epic sword and space adventure. By the end, Jake will take another step toward adulthood, discover truths about his parents’ fate, suffer the death of a comrade, and muster the courage to charge into a final showdown with the terrifying snake-woman, Celia Sable.
Check out Destiny’s Gambit (The Voyages of Jake Flynn #1)!
“A resourceful boy takes a glowing sailboat across the stars to search for his long-missing parents and becomes the target of pirates and an evil cabal with a sinister agenda.” You can buy Destiny’s Gambit here: - Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Destinys-Gambit-Voyages-Jake-Flynn-ebook/dp/B00SP93OAG/ - Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/destinys-gambit-r-j-wood/1122247672?ean=2940154633052 - Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/destiny-s-gambit - Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/755439 About the Author![]()
R. J. Wood has been creating stories and adventures for others since 1979. A bard at heart, he trained in Drama (BA) and History (MA) while at university. He currently lives near Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State with his wife and children. There he does a little fishing, some adventuring, and of course, his writing.
Like everyone of my generation and beyond I have been heavily influenced by film. I like to think of my books as movies in my mind. I developed my creative writing through fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal RPGs. My degree in drama helps me with story, characters, and especially dialogue. Having an advanced history degree is excellent for plots and characters, but it also helps me with world building. You can find and contact R.J. Wood here: - Website: https://www.authorrjwood.com/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorrjwood/ - Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/authorrjwood - Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13270313.R_J_Wood - Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/R.J.-Wood/e/B00TCOXXNQ/ - Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorrjwood
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Beyond the Moon. One winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift card. For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below: SynopsisEveryone in the islands of O'Ceea has a magical ability: whatever they imagine can be brought into existence. Whoever becomes a master over these powers is awarded the title of magician and given fame, power, riches, and glory. Journey with a group of kids as they strive to rise to the top and become members of the Magician's Workshop. Layauna desperately wants to create beautiful things with her magical powers, but all she can seem to do is make horrible, savage monsters. For years she has tried to hide her creations, but when her power is at last discovered by a great magician, she realizes that what she's tried to hide might actually be of tremendous value. Kai just wants to use his powers to have fun and play with his friends. Unfortunately, nearly everyone on his island sees him as a bad influence, so he's forced to meet them in secret. When one of the creatures they create gets out of control and starts flinging fireballs at their town, Kai is tempted to believe that he is as nefarious as people say. However, his prospects change when two mysterious visitors arrive, praising his ability and making extraordinary promises about his future. Follow the adventures of Kai, Layauna, and a boatload of other characters as they struggle to grow up well in this fantastical world. ~ My Review ~I like the idea of having a collection of stories centered on magic and children. I like and appreciate the concept of projections; the act of projecting an item, or element, or voices, to other people. What I didn’t like was the feeling of having an intermission in the middle of watching these “wannabe magicians.” Do they get a Color? What’s going to happen to their morale if they don’t? What will happen to my favorite orphans? What are the magicians’ doing trying to make projections real?? Why didn’t I also ask for Volume 2??? I will point out that I felt like I got lost a bit in this world. I didn’t know who we were meeting next, or what was happening. But I like that as separated these kids were from each other – by societal ranks, or region, or by their own stories – I know that they’ll connect at some point and finally answer these questions. I recommend this to anyone who loves magic, and fantasy, and projected monsters. I don’t know if the authors meant it or not, but I found a few life lessons here, about projecting falsehoods being easily uncovered, and that even if we can’t quite grasp a projection, it’s all very real to the person it’s projected to. I was amused and entertained reading about the Magician’s Workshop but I’d like to definitely get a hold of Volume 2 to finish out the story! ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.*** About the AuthorsChristopher Hansen
The first glimmering Chris Hansen had that there was far more to reality than he had ever imagined occurred six days after his ninth birthday. "Christopher!" cried a wise, old sage. "Life is full of deep magic. Miraculous things happen all around us." Chris looked around him and asked, "Where? I don't see anything spectacular." The man held out a pair of glasses. "Here, put these on." The boy placed them over his eyes and--"Whoa!" He was gobsmacked by the Wonder he saw. But it lasted only a moment. The man vanished in a flash of starlight and the lenses melted and trickled down his cheeks. Then a message was sung into his ear, "Go and seek what you have seen." Full of expectation and childlike optimism, Chris set out. To his great joy, this quest has led him to discover many more glimmerings of this miraculous Wonder, often in the most unexpected of places. J.R. Fehr When J.R. Fehr popped out of the womb, he knew there was more to the world than the four boring hospital walls that he was seeing. "Zango!" his newborn mind exclaimed as he saw people appear and disappear through a mysterious portal in the wall. As a child, he continued to find life whoa-tazzling. But as he grew older, the cold water of reality hit him, and the magic he once knew vanished. After spending some wet and shivering years lost in a joyless marshland, he once again began to see magic in the world. He writes because the Wonder of true life is far grander than anything he ever thought possible.
Today is the cover reveal for Before I Shatter by Mandy Peterson. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The cover MSN Art Studio (Maduranga Sampath): https://www.fiverr.com/mnsartstudionew
This is an exciting rebranding of the original cover as the author prepares to release book 2 in the series.
Before I Shatter (Before I Shatter #1)
By Mandy Peterson Genre: Science Fiction Age category: Young Adult/ New Adult Release Date: July 2016
Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Vita is the next step in human evolution. The daughter of two prominent scientists, Vita is content to live in the spotlight. After all, it affords her a lifestyle most only dream of: living in a Lunar Colony, luxurious gifts, and her unique ability to project her consciousness onto different planes without the aid of injections. Succeeding where others have failed has a price. A growing population of Shells - people whose minds have shattered from the stress of experimentation - shows just how ruthless the Director can be in pursuit of his goal. When Vita makes a startling breakthrough, the ambitious Director takes over her development, and he wants to see just how far she can go. It's up to Vita's young Processor, James, to catch her before she breaks. But he's keeping a dangerous secret. Someone is playing games with her. A game where the loser ends up shattered. Vita must make the choice: Continue risking her life for a cause she doesn't believe in or make an unprecedented escape? You can find Before I Shatter on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31142459 You can buy Before I Shatter on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Before-I-Shatter-Mandy-Peterson-ebook/dp/B01IQJM1QW/ About the Author![]() Mandy Peterson grew up all over Nebraska and eventually settled down there with a family of her own: husband, daughter, and son. When she isn't writing about herself in third person, Mandy the high school librarian can be found digging through young adult and new adult lit. An avid reader of all genres (but she secretly told me she loves sci-fi the most), you will usually see her with her nose in a book or face to her Kindle app, iced or blended coffee drink in hand. A former roller girl and roller derby referee, she can also be found watching roller derby online or dragging her family behind her to cheer on teams in person all over their great state. You can find and contact Mandy here: - Website: http://www.mandypetersonbooks.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandypetersonbooks - Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mandyrpeterson - Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15491545.Mandy_Peterson - Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mandy-Peterson/e/B01IQJMGCG/ - Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cqy2iT
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Before I Shatter. One winner will win a 10$ Amazon Gift Card. SynopsisEveryone has a past they'd like to forget. Inspector Thomas Sullivan has a past that is about to catch up with him.Sent to the developing planet Beta Prime to clean up its corruption and crime, Sullivan is saddled with a wet behind the ears rookie detective for a partner. An already difficult job is made more so by the haunting presences of a mysterious young woman. A crazed serial killer and the theft of life saving drugs are just the start of Sullivan's troubles. Betrayal by his own police force just might finish him off. Faced with solving multiple crimes at once to save himself, who can Sullivan trust in his new home, the eternally cold Capital City? -- an ex-con cabbie -- a priest who knows too much about crime -- the owner of a neighborhood tavern and diner with a shady past -- a mysterious beauty who haunts Sullivan from his past -- his idealistic and naive young partner Desperate for redemption for mistakes in his past, can Sullivan even trust himself? The debut novel from K.C. Sivils, The Predator and The Prey is a crime thriller set in the gritty urban setting of Capital City 200 years in the future. Fans of cross genre storytelling such as Joss Wheadon's space westerns and Alex P. Berg's Urban Fantasy/Crime noir stories should enjoy the adventures of Inspector Thomas Sullivan as he seeks to deliver justice to the innocent citizens of Capital City and the planet Beta Prime. ReviewFor some reason, I pictured Harry Dresden, of the Dresden FIles, as the futuristic Inspector. I know they have nothing in common, but as soon as the action hit the ground, I pictured Dresden doing the running. Obviously, it's just me. I probably still have Jim Butcher's book world residue dancing in my head. But just like Butcher, author K.C. Sivils knows how to start a series! Within the first few pages, someone has died, and there's been some sort of cover-up, throw in a handful of dirty cops, and in the thick of it all is Inspector Thomas Sullivan. The book goes back and forth between his point of view, to that of a serial killer on the loose and his victims, and a mix of power hungry Elitists. This was such a fun read. I thought I knew who the killer was, and knew where the story was headed, but I was surprised at the outcomes. If you're looking for a quick read, this is a page turner. It is set in a futuristic, and distant world but the author won't let you get confused and be bogged down with new jargon. I read this on a kindle app, and at the beginning, there were some words that were underlined, which then took you to a link explaining the makeup of Beta Prime. Treat this as any other crime thriller, with an almost episodic action in each chapter but it works. I got sucked into this world and wanted to see when, and how Sullivan could catch the Predator and save the Prey. *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review. About the AuthorAuthor of over twenty non-fiction books, including an Amazon Best Seller, Sivils has now ventured into the realm of fiction with his Inspector Thomas Sullivan series. Science fiction and classic crime novels have long been favorites of author K.C. Sivils. The combination of film noir and science fiction in director Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s sci-fi classic Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep into the masterful Harrison Ford vehicle Bladerunner encouraged him to consume as much of both genre’s as possible.
A fan of past noir masters such as Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, Sivils also enjoys the current generation of storytellers like Renee Pawlish and Alex P. Berg. Website: http://kcsivils.com/ Follow author K.C. Sivils on his Amazon page here. I read this before I read the other three. I was immediately hooked. I wanted to know the story behind Paul Colt and his dad. I needed to figure out what was happening with Nora Brice. If you've read the other ones first, then you know that this story is how Gemma's parents fall in love. There is just enough mystery to keep you guessing, and turning page after page. I love that Kenechi switches points of views between Nora and Paul. This was sweet. It was short (my only complaint). And it does lead you to understand some actions Paul takes later on in the series. Love is such a powerful motive. But grief, anger, guilt and shame are just as powerful enough to make you forget why you're fighting and who you're fighting for. This is a boy meets girl story in which you already know the sad fate. But this beginning shows you just how powerful Gemma is. If she is anything like her parents, and I'm not talking about her amazing abilities, but the strength and goodness of her mom and the fierce protectiveness and loyalty from her dad. What more could you want in a heroine? * I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The Mentalist SeriesSynopsis "There was nothing unusual about the night everything changed. No flashing lights in the sky, no searing fire in my belly; no sign whatsoever to suggest the shift which was to come…Nora Brice did strange things to me. Strange and awful things…" Paul Colt has a problem, and it is not one most teenage boys face. Yes, he likes a girl; one he’s pretty certain he’ll do foolish things for, given the chance. But he can’t go after her, or any other girl for that matter. That’s what he gets for being an Averter; forced to toe the line for the propagation of the collective. He knows some rules are okay to trifle with, and there are some which should never be broken. The gravest of them all? Don’t fall in love. Ever. This is the story of how Paul breaks that rule. This prequel novella to the Mentalist Series can be read before or after Aversion, Book One of The Mentalist Series. About the AuthorKenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu Twitter: @KenechiUdog The third act of a play is where it all usually comes together. The waiting, the mystery of two forces, and the inevitable meeting and fighting back ends here. Right here in this third and final book of the Mentalist Series. The gang is officially tired of running away. I don't like giving away spoilers, so I won't say a whole lot about this book. I will say that this was written in both Russ and Gemma's point of view. We can hear Russ' running internal dialogue of being galant trying to find a way to protect his lady love, and then the reality that he's still just a teenage boy and he's afraid. And he's not as strong or equipped to protect his love as he wants to think he is. The world he knew as a kid is not the same one he's been running around in. Bad guys do exist. Powers beyond our control can be manifested to hurt us and others. Words and alliances can be twisted. Gemma's internal musings are no different. One the one hand, she has accepted whatever fate lies ahead but she is still just a girl who wants to be home and safe with Russ, and her dad. She does gets braver and takes more risks with each book. More action, foreshadowing, a looming threat, and perhaps, a happy ever after........but one can never be sure what's in store for these twins! Once again, thank you, Kenechi Udogu, for supplying me with this book. I was sweating bullets there for a while but way to end the series! I can't wait to read more of your work! * I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. * For my review on BOOK ONE, click here. * For my review on BOOK TWO, click here. Aversion - Book One Sentient – Book Two Keepers – Book Three Broken Ties – Prequel The dust appears to have settled after the brief descent of the Progressive Empaths on Sandes. But, if there is any truth to Anthony’s story, Gemma and her friends know they might soon have to face the mysterious Keepers. Myth or real threat, one thing is certain; running is no longer an option, for any of them. Can Gemma protect the ones she loves without forming an unlikely alliance? About the AuthorKenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu Twitter: @KenechiUdog Ahh book 2. The second book of a trilogy is usually a little more slower. We get to know more about Gemma, and more about the world of Mentalists. In the previous book, there was enough mystery to keep us interested. In Sentient, we started getting bombshells! So much happens in this one, and I'm not going to spoil anything!! Just trust me when I say that the second book of ANY TRILOGY are usually my favorites (Catching Fire for Hunger Games, and the Scorch Trials for the Maze Runner just to name a couple). Gemma and Russ, we learned at the end of Book One, are Sentient Twins. This would explain why they both are pulled towards each other. She learns more about some secrets her dad kept from her, and a little more about why she's "special." In this one, we meet quite a number of people that pull the story along. There are more actions, but also a lot of waiting around for the other shoe to drop. It's this waiting for the other shoe to drop that drives Gemma. She's more anxious and more on guard. In this book, we also get to know more about Russ. Russ has become my favorite! He stays grounded, stays calm, and is the voice of reason to Gemma's runaway thoughts. Together, they realize the strength they have. Apart, well.....apart, Russ is still the voice of calm, and Gemma is still anxiety filled. Although she's the "special one," and the one with the abilities, you realize it's Russ that grounds her, and allows her to focus on what really matters. Chasing bad guys, fine. Giving bad guys a taste of what you can do when you put them together? Priceless. What more could you want in a Sentient? . * For my review on BOOK ONE, click here. * I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. SynopsisAversion - Book One Sentient – Book Two Keepers – Book Three Broken Ties – Prequel Mastering her Progressive Empath abilities isn’t going as well as Gemma hoped. In fact, months after finding out what she really is, she still has no clue what this truly means. All she can do is wait to see if any new abilities will eventually manifest. Things aren’t going great with Russ either. Unsure of how to handle her Sentient Link with him, she tries to integrate herself in his busy social life but struggles to adjust to her new circumstances. When she is plagued by recurring nightmares, Gemma realises things are changing and knows she has to do something, fast. The arrival of two sets of strangers in town, both offering the much needed assistance she needs to unearth her powers, escalates the situation even further. Gemma attempts to decipher whose intentions are genuine, but does she have enough time to figure out who has her best interest at heart? About the AuthorKenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu Twitter: @KenechiUdog *I received this book from the author in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. In Book 1, Aversion, we are introduced to Gemma Green. She’s your typical teenage outcast. You know the one: beautiful but doesn’t believe she is, smart, and keeps to herself? She has this ability to avert people’s actions by mind control, and comes from a line of Averters. Only, she’s a girl, which is unheard of. Averters are almost always male. She already knows she’s different being what she is, and then to know you’re also an anomaly in a world of “abnormals?” On her first day of becoming an official “Averter,” she feels like she messed it up because the person whose mind she was controlling, was supposed to forget about her. Only he doesn’t. And he’s not just any person, he’s the school’s tennis champ. And he starts to follow her around, and starts asking questions about who she is. This series was so great that I ignored my family that was visiting for Spring Break week! It was quick and fast paced enough for me to keep turning the pages – er swiping the screen – and well written enough that I was mesmerized by Gemma, and whatever she actually is. I’ve read enough YA paranormal to already know how *most of them turn out. But this series? The concepts weren’t anything new – Empath, people with abilities, people with abilities being chased by powerful people, but I like how Kenechi Udogu paced this book, and wrote out Gemma’s 15 year old thoughts without sounding too cliché and too cheesy. Yes, there was some teenage angst about not fitting in, but she was mature enough to understand the whys of their situation. Any 15 year old would have cause to rebel, but Gemma doesn’t. There is loyalty in her father, faith in what she is, and what she’s meant to do, and enough strength to question those loyalties, her abilities, and who she could become. You are some kind of special, Gemma Green, and not just because of all these things that people say you are or aren’t. This was my first foray into your world, and I can say, you are definitely not an aversion! Aversion - Book One Sentient – Book Two Keepers – Book Three Broken Ties – Prequel Aversion Synopsis For Gemma Green’s first time, things should have been straightforward. Find your subject, hold their gaze and push a thought into their head to save them from future disaster – Aversion complete. A pretty simple process given that the subject was to have no recollection of the experience. But Russ Tanner doesn’t seem to want to forget. In fact the more she tries to avoid him, the more he pushes to get to know her. Gemma knows she has a problem but is she facing the side effects of a failed Aversion or has the school’s tennis champ really fallen for her? About the AuthorKenechi lives in London and enjoys writing short stories, paranormal and fantasy fiction (some of which she posts on her blog - http://caeblogs.wordpress.com). She also hates the cold and hopes to one day figure out how to hibernate in winter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu Twitter: @KenechiUdogu This is my stop during the book blitz for Give Me Chaos by Jillian Ashe. This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 28 February till 6 March, you can view the blitz schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-give-me-chaos-by-jillian-ashe ![]() Give Me Chaos (Wolfegang #5) By Jillian Ashe Genre: Science Fiction Adventure Age category: New Adult Release Date: 16 March 2017 Blurb: The fifth book in the Wolfegang series follows Katerina back to the top secret military base, Enzo, where she is Lt. Donnelly’s prisoner. The lieutenant puts her through tests and experiments to find out what makes her so special, and why the genetic enhancements aren’t degrading her brain. He’s looking for his own cure. Katerina might not survive his search for answers until General Ryojin shows up and changes the game completely. You can find Give Me Chaos on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32489391-give-me-chaos You can pre-order Give Me Chaos on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Give-Me-Chaos-Wolfegang-Book-ebook/dp/B01MZ0FF8H/ Earlier books in the series My Delicate Destruction (Wolfegang #1) by Jillian Ashe Blurb: Firefly meets Dark Angel in the YA/NA Sci Fi Adventure series available in Kindle Unlimited. -- Katerina used to be a normal college girl until she wakes up 500 years in the future and finds out her twin Kris, is still alive. Will she be able to survive in the new dark future to find him? You can buy all the books in the Wolfegang series on amazon - My Delicate Destruction (Wolfegang #1): https://www.amazon.com/My-Delicate-Destruction-Wolfegang-Book-ebook/dp/B00KEY4NEG/ - Riding on Whispers (Wolfegang #2): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCLK1GW/ - When Elements Collide (Wolfegang #3): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJH19PK/ - Far From Safe (Wolfegang #4): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A9JOVLU/ All four books are available in Kindle Unlimited ExcerptGeneral Ryojin wasn’t particularly fond of the genetic program on the Enzo base, but on occasion it produced some excellent results. Lieutenant Donnelly was one of the few great accomplishments of the Heishi Project and at present he ran the program. The general had been ordered by his superior to check on Lt. Donnelly’s new pet project. It was a project he’d been promised by the lieutenant would cure some of the less than pleasant side effects of their patented serum. If Lt. Donnelly was correct in his assumptions he would be up for promotion. The general slid his hands in his pockets and walked through every check point without stopping to present identification. Soldiers saluted as he passed by. Every general was given a certain level of security clearance provided by a chip inserted in their arm. Checkpoints automatically registered the serial number and allowed them to pass. He flicked his longer than regulation hair out of his face. There weren’t many people above him in rank and no one brave enough to enforce the policy on hair length. He’d lost count how many checkpoints he’d passed as he made his way deeper into the base, through levels of security, a tiny fraction of the population on the base even knew existed. The Heishi Project was one of the best kept secrets of the Federation. Some of the details leaked to the masses. The enhanced soldiers who came from the project became a type of bogeyman. No one knew the exact extent of the project and so wild tales arose to fill the holes. Ryojin stopped outside the last checkpoint. The soldier stared and fumbled with his ‘sir’ as he tried to salute at the same time. Ryojin knew the effect he had on his soldiers. He was the youngest general in history at thirty-three but it wasn’t always the reason they stared. Ryojin was almost pure Japanese, and one of the few remaining noble families able to keep their bloodlines pure. He was a rarity among the mutts of humanity. Ryojin heard screeching and a crash from the genetic labs. His eyebrow rose at the young soldier. Those were not sounds he wanted to hear. The young man stuttered again and opened the door for him, trying to explain but his words were jumbled. Ryojin sighed. He walked through the door and around the corner. The general stopped in his tracks as he witnessed something he did not usually see in the labs. A young woman with the whitest skin he’d ever seen screamed at three of his soldiers. All of the soldiers were men and all of them were at least three times her weight. She flipped one over her shoulder and hit the second with enough force to drop him like a rock. The general frowned. He got a look at her eyes. No, she wasn’t Japanese. Something was not right. He intended to find out what exactly was going on. Donnelly had some explaining to do. The general walked forward with purpose as she whipped around to face the third soldier. The soldier gritted his teeth but didn’t back down. It amused Ryojin to see him try to take her on though it was clear how outmatched he was. She feinted a punch and then kicked him in the genitals; a low blow. When she turned on the general, neither of them hesitated. Her fist flew at him with impressive speed. He caught it easily enough without breaking stride and spun her around. He held her close, incapacitating both her arms without too much effort. The girl was strong, but not stronger than him. General Ryojin was the shining achievement of the Heishi Project. She growled low and animalistic, bucking against him but he held her tight as he quickly inspected her. The girl was malnourished which angered him. There were marks and bruises all over her body, some were from the mandatory tests, but there were other marks that shouldn’t have been there. He sighed as the realization came to him. Donnelly had been slipping again without reporting it. They couldn’t manage the sickness if it wasn’t reported. The lieutenant would need to be dealt with. A doctor came out casually from her lab with a syringe in hand. He arched an eyebrow at her nonchalance. “Care to explain, Lyn?” Lyn Tallis was a woman he knew from childhood, but they had taken separate paths to reach the point in their lives they were at now and it was mere coincidence she worked for him. The girl in his arms laughed in a manner which concerned him. He frowned down at her and wondered again where she’d come from. Pure Europeans were nearly extinct. At most a few thousand remained in the icy north of Earth and his guess was generous. “Only a test, cousin,” Lyn said. She stepped over one of the fallen soldiers and approached the girl. “She did amazingly well.” Suddenly the weight in his arms doubled as the girl collapsed. He almost stumbled forward before he caught himself against the sudden change in balance. “It’s all right, Lyn,” the girl whispered. “You don’t need to sedate me.” He watched the exchange closely with narrowed eyes. Clearly there was more going on than had been on the report. This girl was a captive subject and not a willing one. That information changed everything. “Where is the lieutenant?” Ryojin demanded. He needed to be debriefed. Immediately. He didn’t let go of the girl. He didn’t trust her. “I didn’t know you had cousins,” the girl said. Lyn grimaced, her version of a smile. “Of course, Katerina. Now you can go back to your cell or finish the test.” “The cell.” Ryojin propped her up and let her go. When he finally looked into her eyes they were dead and lifeless. None of the fire in them he had seen moments before. He needed answers. Her eyes snapped to his and the grey flashed like lightning. The sudden light allowed him to witness the raging storm inside before shuttering once more as she followed Lyn. He was going to like her. About the Author![]() Jillian Ashe lives and works in San Diego, California with her husband and son. While writing the Wolfegang series she attended University in pursuit of a Master’s degree in English and Creative Writing. She has been writing since age twelve and has written for The La Jolla Light Newspaper. She is part of almost every fandom out there and loves makeup, Steampunk, and geeks out on a regular basis. Jillian is working on finishing the Wolfegang series. You can find and contact Jillian here: - Website: http://www.jillianashe.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillianAsheauthor/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianAshe - Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8217410.Jillian_Ashe - Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Ashe/e/B00L2Q2DB0/ - Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillianashe/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianasheauthor/ - Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JillianAshe - Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/T4CCb |
Book Pick:I use Goodread's rating scale1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK 3 stars – liked it 4 stars – really liked it 5 stars – it was so amazing, it's on my reread pile! Categories
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