Let's Play Catch-Up

Hello, all.
No, I didn't die, though I have been absent for quite a bit. Various things going on in my personal life have kept me busy and I honestly haven't been reading as much of late. So in this post, I will share the few indie books I have read since April. 
Before I get to that, let me plug my newest release that hit the market in July. Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic is a collection of short stories that span various genres.

Here is the blurb and buy links:
Sink your teeth into this book of fantastical short stories that will leave you wanting more. This collection mixes fantasy, science fiction, horror, and more into one big boiling pot of tastiness. Stories may include princesses, talking birds, alien species, magical items, terrifying creatures, cyborgs, or assassins. You’ll get your fill of thrills and chills.
BUY LINKS: Universal link - Amazon - Goodreads - Books2Read


Now on to the indie books!

Valkyrie on Planet Fury
by Lynne Murray

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
Lynne Murray knocks it out of the park again!
It had been a while since I read the first book Gravitas: Valkyrie in the Forbidden Zone. I had almost forgotten what an amazing storyteller this author is but two pages in and it all came rushing back. Her memorable characters. Her own sci-fi take on various mythologies. Her amazing building of complex societies. Everything about this book makes it such a pleasure to read.
Though there are some editing issues, the storytelling shines through as we are whisked away on another edge-of-your-seat adventure with Sybil, our favorite oddball from Planet Valkyrie. Tension, romance, devious plots, and sexy fun are in store. We even meet Medusa!
I highly recommend this one.

American Darkness
by Garrison Kelly

Rating: 3 Stars

Review:
If you're looking for a collection of short stories where everyone is pissed off all the time, look no further. Each story certainly delves into the darkness of humankind, showing how unreasonable and crazy some people can be. Though most of the characters are over-the-top and violence is the word of the day, there is usually a happy-ish ending in store. Be sure to listen to some angry screamo while reading this one!

Once Upon a Fabulous Time
Various Authors

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
Here are a bunch of random fairy tale stories from various authors put together nicely in one anthology. Though I still didn't see how each story tied into the main story throughout, I enjoyed this book more than expected. I have to say that both Aliya DalRae stories were my favorite of the bunch. "Where Darkness Lies" by Joanna Van Leerdam was my next favorite. Their stories were the strongest and best written.
Though some of the other stories were okay, my least favorite was Mr. Wizardo. There was confusing head-hopping as well as scene jumping that would jolt me out of the story. To be honest, I skipped the rest of the story after Chapter Two. The author's need to slap the reader in the face with a Wizard of Oz reference in every single paragraph got really old really fast, especially when most references didn't come across as making any sense.
Overall, a nice collection with a few tales I wouldn't mind seeing fleshed out into novel length stories.

Ghostly Writes 2017
by Various Authors

Rating: 3 Stars 

Review:
An entertaining collection of short stories. Only a few of the stories were scary, though all contained some aspect of the supernatural. My favorite stories were "A Grave Business" by Michael Lynes and "The Big Escape" by Marjorie Hembroff.

 Happy reading, all!

Exciting Things are Coming!

That's right, my friends! Now that Hollow Hills is up and running, I have gotten back to writing again and I am bringing the goods. Next month, I have a collection of short stories coming out that is sure to please. Let me give you the low-down on Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic. 

I'm pretty pumped about my first book to be published through Hollows Hills. So what is it about? Horror, fantasy, paranormal, science fiction, and more come together in a mesmerizing collection hitting your favorite online book sellers on July 27th, 2018. 

Here is the synopsis:

Sink your teeth into this book of fantastical short stories that will leave you wanting more. This collection mixes fantasy, science fiction, horror, and more into one big boiling pot of tastiness. Stories may include princesses, talking birds, alien species, magical items, terrifying creatures, cyborgs, or assassins. You’ll get your fill of thrills and chills.

As if that isn't exciting enough, you are all invited to a party. That's right, you! Come join us on release day for our Facebook event Madness, Magic, and Mayhem. Games, teasers, and giveaways galore! Whew, I haven't done a FB event in quite some time and I fully intend to let loose and have a blast. I hope you stop by for some fun.

Meanwhile, drop by your favorite store and pre-order Tantalizing Tales of the Horrific and Fantastic. It has a bit of something for everyone. The universal link is here. Have a great weekend, readers.

Stay tuned for news on another upcoming release from Hollow Hills that features another brand new short story from yours truly.

I'm Not Dead. Yet.

Hello everyone.
No, I haven't died, though it does kind of feel like it. You haven't seen a book review post from me in some time because I took a long break from reading. I haven't read any new indie books in months, in fact.
Until now. This month I am trying to play catch-up and get through books that have been on my actual shelves or in my Kindle library for far too long. I have read two indie books so far, and hope to get through at least three more before the month is up. 
I can do this!

Meanwhile, holidays are coming and if you need a warm read on a cold night, I have a few suggestions. 
If you are looking for something a little dirty, try A Naughty New Year's Eve by yours truly. Hot sex between two vampires will be sure to melt the ice outside your window. Purchase links are in the sidebar.

If you are looking for something more wholesome for your holiday season, try Winter Wishes of the Heart by my alter ego, Ashley Uzzell. These four short stories are all kinds of sweet. Available November 30th, here are the pre-order links:
Amazon, Books2Read (includes B&N, iTunes, Kobo, etc.), and don't forget Goodreads.

Both books are only 99¢. Okay, now that I am done with my shameless self-promotions (If I don't do it, who will?) I can say Happy Thanksgiving, friends.
And as always, happy reading!

New Release!

Hello everyone.
I wanted to pop in and tell you about my newest dystopian novel. The Benevolent Slayers is a bit of a western style fantasy that brings you to a future that is bleak for humankind. After a nuclear war that crippled our numbers and obliterated modern civilization, monsters and magical creatures run rampant. Here is the summary:

They are called Benevolent Slayers, though the name no longer holds the honor it once did. Those that take up the mantle travel the lands, defeating monsters and bandits that prey on the few surviving humans left after an ancient war destroyed their world.

Saber is a swordsman with powerful majiks. This sorceress may be tough, but her inner demons make her powers hard to control. She finds herself in debt to another Slayer, Brock the Rock, a man famous for his heroic deeds.

Terrifying and cold, Brock is a loner who has seen too much death to care about humanity anymore. He does the job because killing is all he knows. Though neither is thrilled by the arrangement, they decide to travel together and embark on an adventure that proves both tragic and enlightening.

Can Saber learn to let go of her past before it destroys her? Will she be able to harness the true power she holds within?

Will the mysterious Brock ever let his guard down enough to regain his humanity?

This story has a bit of everything I love in a good fantasy: swordplay, majik, fantastical creatures, a touch of romance, archery, detailed fight scenes, and characters that deal with their own inner struggles. The Benevolent Slayers is the first book in a new series I'm working on titled The Immortal Legacy. 
Check it out for some dark fantasy fun!

Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble and others

Amazing Things to Come!

Magical things are coming your way! Well, magical and science fiction-y. I will soon be publishing another book of short stories. These stories will contain fantasy or sci-fi elements, or sometimes both blended together. This will be my tenth published work and I am excited to bring these tales to life in the pages of a new book. Here is a teaser with a little sneak peek into "Four Items," a tale in Cyborgs and Sorcery:

Also coming your way early this year is an erotic thriller set in the 1930s. The Blood Files: The Case of Arnus Mortem is the first of a trilogy of horrific short stories co-written by myself and the wonderful B.J. Taylor. 

Vampires running loose in San Francisco? Who better to investigate than a pair of P.I.'s? When Randall and Penny are given a missing person's case, they don't realize the true monsters behind what's going on are no mere mortals. Soon, they find out just how far the vampires and their minions will go to wreak havoc and destruction on the city. Can two humans save the day or will America be overrun with the undead?

I hope you are ready for some thrills and chills this year, friends. More amazing things to come!

Have Some Chocolates

Guess what? 
Because I really wanted to get this book of short stories out before Halloween, it comes out this Sunday! Yay!
Julie Nicholls took time out of her busy schedule and made me a lovely cover for Box of Chocolates, a collection of short stories. These stories range from horror to science fiction with some fantasy and drama in between. I'm pretty excited to have a new book under the Marie Krepps pen name that branches out to a different genre than romance. And what better way to do it than to have a genre spanning book?

Here is the blurb:
What flavors do the chocolates in your box contain?
Ten short stories of fantasy, science fiction or horror are in each chocolate. Two princesses lose their father. A little boy is left home alone at night. A fantastical creature is curious about human customs. A CEO calls his underling in for a chat. A man decides to hit on his beautiful neighbor.
What other adventures await you?
Go on, take a bite.

This book is now available for pre-order on Amazon! You can order now and it will be automatically delivered to your Kindle on the release date, October 18th, 2015. Looking for a paperback version? It is already available for purchase here!

Once again, I'm throwing an awesome Facebook party on Sunday night with open invitations to everyone! Come have some fun, play some games and maybe win some prizes.

New Release!

   It is finally here! The hot vampire romance LOVE ME TODAY, KILL ME TOMORROW is available at Amazon!
I'm so fricking excited!

   Here is the blurb if you need a juicy tidbit:

Alexus's depression is eating her alive. She longs for an escape from the prison of her life. One day she accidentally witnesses a mass murder and she soon finds that she might get exactly what she wished for.

Devastatingly handsome, Artus is a vampire that relishes a good kill. His newest victim is a girl that saw what no human was meant to. To his surprise, she's receptive to the idea of him draining her dry.
Even more surprising is the dawning realization that he doesn't want to. 

    Though this book is full of spicy sex scenes and a naughty bad boy, one of the main themes is mental illness. The main character suffers from depression and has no help dealing with it: no therapy, no medication, not even a friend to confide in. She becomes anxious in social situations because she doesn't know how to handle people.
   I'm hoping this can help those that don't understand mental illnesses, people who are on the outside looking in, by giving them a glimpse of what it is like to deal with this on a daily basis. The highs and lows. The zoning in and out. The struggle of just getting out of bed everyday. These are real issues that sufferers deal with that a lot of people just don't get. 

   Tonight I am throwing another party on Facebook! If you love vampires and want to come, it is open to the public and everyone is invited. Some great authors are hosting and there will be plenty of fun games, discussions and lots of sexy vampires. Come party with us!


   Please take a minute and visit my website for more information on my novels. To purchase LOVE ME TODAY, KILL ME TOMORROW on Kindle, click here. 
   Don't forget to check out the cover artist, Julie Nicholls's website for more information on her own published works and cover art. She is just amazing!

New Release This Friday!

Well, it isn't brand new. It's a re-release, actually, but it's the first time I'm releasing it all on my own. Here's the deal:

In 2012, my erotic short story The Life She Didn't Take was published through a small publishing company under my pen name Marie Krepps. Then the rights reverted back to me. Now it's back and better than ever with a new cover and an extended story. Another exciting new feature: for the first time, it's available in paperback!

Here's the blurb: Serahfine has walked these streets time and time again. Endless centuries alone have her longing for death's release. But on this night when she means to end it all, she meets someone who intrigues her.
Is this a chance encounter or destiny?
Can an ageless vampire truly find happiness with a mere human?

The release date for The Life She Didn't Take is set for July, 31st, 2015. I'm super excited to get this one back out there and to actually be able to purchase my own physical copy! 
This story is a part of a series of vampire shorts and novels called Some By Day, Some By Night. At this time, I have one novel and a few more shorts planned for the series but who knows how long it could end up being? 
This is a very complex vampire world that will end up spanning a few different genres, especially it's sister series Lord Gerard's Coven. I can promise you, you've never seen vampires exactly like these. That's right, prepare yourselves for much more to come from Marie Krepps!

So this Friday, visit my Facebook author page or my website for more info on how to get your copy of The Life She Didn't Take. 

Oh yes, we're also having a Facebook release party on Friday and everyone is invited! Some wonderful authors are hosting and it's going to be an evening of fun games, naughty discussions, and prizes! Stop on by and you might even get a sneak peek of the story straight from the pages of The Life She Didn't Take!