BOOK SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW: A Matter of Time By Michael J. Bowler

A Matter of Time

By Michael J. Bowler

Genre: Romance, Thriller

The world’s greatest evil stalks the world’s greatest ship, and the only one who can stop him hasn’t been born yet.

Jamie Collins is a junior at Santa Clara University in 1986. He has friends, a professor who mentors him, and a promising future as a writer.

Then the dreams begin - nightmarish memories that transport him back to a time and place fifty years before he was born: Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912.

When Jamie discovers a foreign cell in his blood that links him to the famous vessel, the two timelines begin to overlap and he realizes an unimaginable truth - something supernatural stalks the ill-fated ship, something that will kill him if he can’t stop it first. And the only way to stop it may be to prevent Titanic from sinking.

But even if he can figure out a way to do that, should he? What will be the effect on history if he succeeds? And what about the lady he wasn’t supposed to fall in love with? As her destiny becomes entwined with his, Jamie discovers the value of friendship, the power of love, the impact of evil, and the vagaries of Fate.

My Review:

A Matter of Time is a supernatural twist on a famous historical accident in our history, the sinking of the Titanic.  Michael J. Bowler has eloquently balanced the early 1900s and the mid-1980s. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is just another tale about the Titanic. It’s far from. Bowler’s imagination went for an exhausting ride when it spun this story. Young adult, Jamie, who is risking everything to save the ship. He falls in love, faces death, and questions the action of fate in just four days. this is an action-packed ride from cover to cover and I loved it! Five Stars.

Author Bio

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. He majored in English/Theatre at Santa Clara University, earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and a master's in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Michael taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities. When Michael is not writing you can find him volunteering as a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles. He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, and hopes his books can show young people they are not alone in their struggles.

Links:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradleyWallaceM

Website: http://www.michaeljbowler.com/

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PLH0SJ

BOOK BLITZ: Full of Wonderment: a novel By Josh Greenfield

Full of Wonderment: a novel

By Josh Greenfield

Genre: Young Adult

Full of Wonderment: a novel, is a story of romance and adventure. Jordan Fineman has completed his sophomore year at Cornell University, and resolves to set off for Alaska. By the time he returns, in time for the fall semester, he is an experienced cannery worker, who has met travelers from around the world. He has hiked through Denali Park and visited his girlfriend in Berkeley, California. All the while mental illness is setting in. It was a summer to remember.

Author Bio

Josh Greenfield is a graduate of both Phillips Andover Academy and Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. He holds two masters degrees from the City University of New York, one in History and one in English Literature. He also completed the better part of a doctorate in English at Fordham University. His desire in writing is to tell an entertaining and engaging story, to look for laughs in dark places.

Links:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullofwonderment/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ZMMpcM
On B&N: http://bit.ly/1OmCYA1
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1S3gy1n

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Kale's Paroxysm By Nina Schluntz

Kale's Paroxysm

By Nina Schluntz

Genre: M/M Romance

Kale has spent years in a volatile relationship with his ex, Martin. Convinced he will come back, even after a conflict that results in Kale being incarcerated and suspended from his law firm, Kale begins a no-strings-attached relationship with the man he meets in jail.

Eli has always kept his romances with men temporary. He hasn’t always been honest about being gay and he prefers to keep the secrets of his past hidden. Kale’s obsessive nature makes it difficult though, and soon their relationship is edging toward something more. Kale’s possessiveness appears to have no limits, nor do his fits of rage, and Eli worries, as Kale’s affection shifts from Martin to Eli, that he may become Kale’s next victim rather than his lover.

About the Author

Nina Schluntz is a native to rural Nebraska. In her youth, she often wrote short stories to entertain her friends. Those ideas evolved into the novels she creates today.

Her husband continues to ensure her stories maintain a touch of realism as she delves into the science fiction and fantasy realm. And their kitty, a rescued Abyssinian, is always willing to stay up late to provide inspiration.

“Kale’s Paroxysm” is Nina’s first contemporary novel, but will not be her last. Visit her blog, mizner13.wordpress.com, for information regarding previous and upcoming publications. She also posts book and movie reviews for a wide variety of genres.

Links:

On Twitter: @mizner13

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaranthine.mizner/

Website: https://mizner13.wordpress.com/

Publisher: http://bit.ly/23SXXRQ

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1qJCuJ4

On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1WPIlsW

The author is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card during her tour!

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT: A Matter of Time By Michael J. Bowler

A Matter of Time

By Michael J. Bowler

Genre: Romance, Thriller

The world’s greatest evil stalks the world’s greatest ship, and the only one who can stop him hasn’t been born yet.

Jamie Collins is a junior at Santa Clara University in 1986. He has friends, a professor who mentors him, and a promising future as a writer.

Then the dreams begin - nightmarish memories that transport him back to a time and place fifty years before he was born: Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912.

When Jamie discovers a foreign cell in his blood that links him to the famous vessel, the two timelines begin to overlap and he realizes an unimaginable truth - something supernatural stalks the ill-fated ship, something that will kill him if he can’t stop it first. And the only way to stop it may be to prevent Titanic from sinking.

But even if he can figure out a way to do that, should he? What will be the effect on history if he succeeds? And what about the lady he wasn’t supposed to fall in love with? As her destiny becomes entwined with his, Jamie discovers the value of friendship, the power of love, the impact of evil, and the vagaries of Fate.

Author Bio

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author who grew up in Northern California. He majored in English/Theatre at Santa Clara University, earned a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and a master's in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Michael taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities. When Michael is not writing you can find him volunteering as a youth mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles. He is a passionate advocate for the fair treatment of children and teens in California, and hopes his books can show young people they are not alone in their struggles. 

Links:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradleyWallaceM

Website: http://www.michaeljbowler.com/

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PLH0SJ

BOOK SPOTLIGHT & REVIEW: How two: Have a Successful Relationship By Phil and Maude Mayes

How two: Have a Successful Relationship

By Phil and Maude Mayes

Genre: non-fiction, self-help, relationships - adult romance

Publisher: Olive Branch communications, Inc.

In “How Two: Have a Successful Relationship” Phil and Maude describe a simple step by step understanding that is easily accessible to everyone. They share their personal experience of how it's possible to have a loving passionate relationship without conflict and alienating arguments, one based on shared core values and a complete acceptance of each other's individuality. They have outlined an effective process for creating mutual solutions and a method of practice that they hope will help spread peace in the world, one relationship at a time. Their strong desire to make their direct experience available to all couples shines through their writing and will renew your faith in what is possible and attainable.

In this book you will learn:

* How to find mutual solutions to decision making and problem solving

* How to remain an individual within the relationship
* How to break the vicious cycle of anger and recrimination
* How to avoid the pitfalls that create separation and estrangement
* How to keep that original loving connection to your partner

This book is a gem. It's short, it's practical, it's based on real life experience. If you want to improve your relationship, this is the book for you.

My Review:

How Two: Have a Successful Relationship is a no fluff resource for people looking to communicate in a healthier way. It’s a quick read for those who need sensible guidance on how to be more relatable and respectful to your partner. Phil and Maude simplify what should be the foundation for couples to have a fruitful relationship.

Author Bios

Maude and Phil Mayes live in Santa Barbara, California, having started in New York City and London, England respectively. They have been writing and speaking about spreading peace one relationship at a time for many years. 

They wrote the book Secrets of a Successful Relationship Revealed, and write a weekly relationship newsletter, as well as a weekly blog available on their website http://PhilandMaude.com. 

Phil and Maude are the producers of a number of relationship videos, as well as the series Kit and Kat Relationship Experts, all of which are to be found on their YouTube channel The Couples Project. They have been featured in a number of live interviews and write articles, both online and in print.

Links:

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1RKOAHp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilAndMaude
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilAndMaude

Website: http://www.PhilandMaude.com

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1O1yklg

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Mother Gaia By R.L. Baxter

Mother Gaia

By R.L. Baxter

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Book Description

4.54 billion years the earth has existed – forming life that has continued to grow and adapt. Of all the species that have evolved, mankind has exceeded the most, from the discovery of fire, to the Internet and advanced machinery. Unfortunately, the hearts of men have changed for the worse, due to greed, corruption and manipulative warfare. As such, the wrath of the earth has been stirred, and its creator Mother Gaia takes it upon herself to end the human race. Bearing the appearance of a beautiful young woman, Mother Gaia will experience the darkest hearts of mankind, with no light in sight. Political – full of scientific and religious contradictions that will leave you questioning your own morality, Mother Gaia is a reminder that nature is a force not to be reckoned with. 

My review:

This is one of the most awesome tales I have EVER read! R.L. Baxter has spun a story that transcends time and space, and I predict it will live on for as long as the human race exists. Which brings me back to the story foretold in Mother Gaia. In a world much like our own, the all of humanity has raped the land of every natural resource, plant and animal, and have consistently through millenia done their very utmost best to destroy themselves, as well. The reaction inevitably is that our earthmother can not stand the cries of the planet any longer and sets out to reset the earth itself. This is a very short (too short in my opinion) story so for me to tell any more would be ruining it for you, the dear reader. Let me wrap this up by saying this is an allegory on Love, and the tragedy of our own selfishness. I will cherish and reread this for the rest of my life. Thank you so much, Mr. Baxter, for having the universal incite to pen such a powerful and beautiful saga. Much needed at this time in our history. Five Stars.

Author Bio

Ricky Baxter is the author of Gideon and the Crimson Samurai, Mother Gaia, A Sinless Horizon and The Worst Death. He is an avid blogger and speaker, giving advice and thoughts to fellow creators from all walks of life. His other works include Colours of Destiny, a Youtube visual novel.           
Currently Ricky lives in London, England, where he writes and blogs. Starting out as a composer since graduating with a Ba(Hons) in music and multimedia, Ricky worked for many independent short film directors, gaining notable IMDB credits . Since then, he has embraced his earlier passion of writing fictional stories. 



Brief Excerpt:

A single red flower sprouted from the ground, and within seconds the flower grew – as wide as the trunk of the largest trees that exist. Within its centre I am born, bearing the image of an adult human woman. 

The flower blooms, and using these eyes of mine I slowly observe my surroundings, the way a human would. I am within a small forest, kept company by my children that have lived for many hundreds of years. Their branches are long and strong, and their leaves magnificent – housing an abundance of life within and around their steadfast bodies. 

However, their voices tell me how afraid they have become. It’s hard to hear them all at once, but it’s obvious to me what their cries are about. 

“Mother, please save us, save us all. They come with their steel devices to mow us down!” 

My children tremble, and they look to me as their saviour against their worst fears. They couldn’t be more correct, for I am their saviour, and I have come at their darkest hour – to save everything. 

My arrival has been long overdue, because I have waited patiently for nearly every last one of my children to turn to me. From the fowls of the air and beasts of the ground, to the very wind, water and earth. All of my beautiful offspring have prayed for so long for me to protect them, protect them against my worst creations – the humans.

Part of a larger family of species that once were, mankind have evolved to become my own enemy. Although they too are my children, humanity has proven itself to be a parasite, and I have no choice but to cleanse my body of their existence.




Links:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickyleebaxter/
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriterRLBaxter
Website: https://rickybaxter.wordpress.com/
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1S1q74n
On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/22hXjHm

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Last Resort By Matt Drabble

The Last Resort

By Matt Drabble

Genre: Horror, Thriller

The Paradise Resort is the ultimate in exclusive luxury island resorts, a private haven for only those deemed worthy enough to attend.

Landon Verger is a titan of industry and the founder of Paradise. The resort’s opening weekend should have been a celebration of wealth and excess, but without warning, it has gone silent.

Sam Verger knows his father only too well; the great man casts a long and dark shadow. He also knows that Landon Verger’s enemy list is long and varied, any one of which would love to see his father dead. Sam seeks to employ a professional to investigate the island, and Mac is one such woman.

An ex-military officer, she works dirty jobs and doesn't ask questions if the money's right. With her like-minded team, they travel to Paradise. Mac thought she’d seen everything that death had to offer, but she was wrong. What started out as a simple mission will quickly become the most desperate fight for survival she’s ever faced. There’s only one thing that she’s sure of: not everyone is getting out alive.

Author Bio

Born in Bath, England in 1974, a self-professed "funny onion", equal parts sport loving jock and comic book geek. I am a lover of horror and character driven stories. I am also an A.S sufferer who took to writing full time two years ago after being forced to give up the day job.

I have a career high position of 5th on Amazon's Horror Author Rank of which I am immensely proud. I was also been accepted as a full member of the Horror Writers Association.

"GATED" is the 2015 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner. It is also a UK & US Horror Chart Top Ten Best Seller & winner of the Full Moon Awards 2014 Horror Book of the Year.

"ASYLUM - 13 TALES OF TERROR" is a US Horror Chart #5 It was also voted #5 on The Horror Novel Review's Top 10 Books of 2013 & is a Readers Favorite 2014 Gold Medal Winner.

Both "THE TRAVELLING MAN" and "ABRA-CADAVER" won Indie Book of the Day awards while "ABRA-CADAVER" is also a 2015 Kindle Book Review Finalist.

Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattDrabble01

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.drabble.3

Website: http://www.mattdrabble.com/

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SKlMnE

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Z Tailgate By Clive Riddle

The Z Tailgate

By Clive Riddle

Genre: Horror, Sci Fi

This sequel to The Burning Z offers a stand-alone story that follows the zombie trail, beginning back in the Black Rock Desert - where the site of the Burning Man festival is now an internment camp for z’s -before leading us to a cruise ship off the Pacific coast, and culminating in a climactic battle during a football tailgate at the Oakland Coliseum. Along the way, The Z Tailgate takes us through international espionage, zombie kidnappings, a struggling romance, a cruise ship company cursed with bad publicity, fanatical costumed Raider football fans, and unseen aliens using zombies as a means of germ warfare.

Author Bio

Clive Riddle is a life-long Californian, married and father of three. At age 26 Riddle became CEO of a regional HMO. After a decade, he went on to found MCOL, a leading health care business information company. Riddle has authored a variety of health care reference books and business articles. He is a noted speaker at national events regarding key health care business issues. The Z Tailgate is his third novel, preceded by The Burning Z released in 2013, and Dorris Bridge in 2010.

Links: 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cliveriddle

Website: www.cliveriddle.com

On Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SBk9nT
On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1qquDA3

The author is hosting a book giveaway: 

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BOOK BLITZ: The Drago Tree By Isobel Blackthorn

The Drago Tree
By Isobel Blackthorn
Genre: Contemporary, Literary, Romance

Synopsis

"Haunted by demons past and present, geologist Ann Salter seeks sanctuary on the exotic island of Lanzarote. There she meets charismatic author Richard Parry and indigenous potter Domingo, and together they explore the island. 

Ann's encounters with the island's hidden treasures becomes a journey deep inside herself as she struggles to understand who she was, who she is, and who she wants to be. 

Set against a panoramic backdrop of dramatic island landscapes and Spanish colonial history, The Drago Tree is an intriguing tale of betrayal, conquest and love in all its forms."

Author of The Honey Thief, Robert Hillman says, “This beautifully constructed novel reveals the complexity we invite into our lives when we open our hearts to passion.” 

Author Bio 

Born in London, Isobel Blackthorn has lived in England, Australia, the Canary Islands and Spain. She has a PhD in the occult. She's been a teacher and market trader, and she now works as a publicist. She lives in rural New South Wales, Australia, where she follows her passions for social justice, books and art. Her highly praised first novel, Asylum, was released by Odyssey Books in May 2015. Her next work A Perfect Square will be released by Odyssey Books in August 2016.  

Links:

Website: http://isobelblackthorn.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lovesick.Isobel.Blackthorn/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768657.Isobel_Blackthorn

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Isobel-Blackthorn/e/B005JGLS7