The Book:

When the apocalyptic downfall of the world came, it was a terrifying tsunami of tooth and claw.

Two years on, and the plague of all plagues has given the United States a new majority. Democrats and Republicans are no more and humanity is on the endangered list now the dead walk the earth.

After hearing a radio transmission—promising salvation—five friends and an ex-Marine set out on a road trip across the deserts of Utah to a safe zone in Portland. Battling their way across the zombie-infested American wasteland can be treacherous and devastating to the bonds of friendships, and soon, each realizes how easy it is to screw-up at every gruesome corner.

To survive the apocalypse, they must pull together as a family. If not, they will be just another meal for the ravenous dead.

The Author:

Matt P. Norman is a horror novelist by night, and a cuddly-family man all other times. While his debut novel is zombie/post-apocalyptic, he hopes to deviate into other areas in the sci-fi and fantasy realms. Matt is currently writing other novels: a dark urban YA fiction and an edgy, even grittier adult novel with vampires and illegal organ transplants, and the follow-up to Road Trip Z. You can find him on Twitter, Goodreads and his website:

Culturedemandsgeeks.wordpress.com

reviewing movies, TV shows and writing geeky fandom news, too. It is the beginning of an exciting chapter in Matt’s new career. He doesn’t want to stop writing, and if you find him writing, then give him a wide berth (but at the same time, say ‘hello’), he won’t bite (he promises), unlike the Zs in his first novel, Road Trip Z. Matt would love to be nominated for the Bram Stoker AWARDS! Yip, the highest award in horror. Originally from Suffolk, England, he currently lives in Christchurch on the shores of the South Island of New Zealand with a wonderful family and two very stupid cats. He is currently not represented by a literary agency.

Wow! I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down. It was fast paced, but also had some fun calm factors of a road trip.

The characters were all perfect! At first I was a little unsure about Mr Midwesterner but as the characters of the book keep saying, he grows on you! By the time the book finished I fell in love with everyone in this book. I think my favorite was Deckard, as he gave me Dorie vibes from Fear The Walking Dead, and I love John Dorie.

The trip was a crazy ride! I loved how this book had just the right amount of action, but all in all it’s a road trip. It’s about people getting to know each other, stories and beer being passed around, and the growing love between a newly formed family during an apocalypse.

The Author uses a lot of crude language through out the book, so if that is bothersome for you I wouldn’t read. But I found the crude humor amazingly well placed, I mean who honestly has the time to be polite during a Z apocalypse? Get with it or get out haha

Another factor I enjoyed about this book is it’s use of popular pop culture throughout. Most zombie books and movies stray away from using the Z word, they are in worlds where that word is not known. Not this book! He talks about The Walking Dead, and George A Romero a couple times. There are also tons of funny movie references, and even some interesting facts thrown in.

You can tell the Author is very knowledgeable in pop culture, and weird facts. All in all a perfect read!

—Pixie

The Book:

In the spirit of seasonal ghost stories, this wintry collection will send a tingle down your spine, but may also warm your heart. 

Six short stories range from waiting for a mysterious midnight train, attending a party with an unexpected guest, a life-changing reunion for a miserable family, receiving a holiday greeting unlike any other, a visit from an unusual group of carolers, and a journey through a blizzard with a twist. 

Grab a blanket, your favorite hot drink, and settle in for some Winter Chills.

Authors & Stories:

By D.B. Carter: Departures and Arrivals
The Christmas Card

By Derek R. King: Defying Convention

By S.J. Lomas: The Holiday Party
The Carolers

By Natalie Reeves-Billing: Go With the Wind

This book is an anthology of chilling Winter tales. It is the perfect night time, hot cocoa, fire place read. OR! Bonfire, S’mores, chilly night read! Either way these stories were all wonderful.

I love the different writing styles and different ideas from each author. Some of these stories just blew my mind with their twists and turns and out there endings. Some of them had me on the edge of my seat. But all of them were amazing.

It is a quick, fun read by some amazing Authors, and that’s why it is number 3 on my all times favorites list. You really can’t go wrong with this one, I promise.

—Pixie

The Book:

When the human race is battling for survival and leans on the military… humanity’s “evolved” cell phones into mental chips provide great strength but can also lead to their demise when a central authority is controlling push notifications… molding the new world.

Chaos is sure to ensue!

A soldier’s life is saved by his mental chip and precious Bear Serum, we follow his journey as the world around him evolves and changes. Politics, power and greed shape his journey in the 4-level planet, Earth 2.

A dystopian, stylistic and action-packed sci-fi graphic novel.

DIGITALLY INTERACTIVE!

The Author:

I have lived in and around the inspiring city of Detroit my whole life. I graduated with a degree in Industrial Design launching my design career at a packaging manufacturer. My career evolved over the course of a decade from a designer to developing an internal studio, guiding big brands through the creation process for their next awe-inspiring package. Color, graphics and form play in constant motion within packaging and I craft those elements together for an enjoyable customer experience. As an artist, I find many ways to express my creativity. Through drawing, painting and writing I enjoy discovering the path of turning my stories into a tangible art form. My YouTube channel is loaded with sketch & 3D print videos!

Check it out: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLODW08zZcmTVWngZbis6zq7PnEPmoirD8

This book was amazing! With the art, the QR code’s, and the messages within the texts, I honestly can’t pick what my favorite aspect is!

The art is great, even in the black and white pages I read. I found myself searching the pages for hidden words and pictures. It was a style I am not used to in my Graphic Novels, and I loved following it across the story.

The writing style is unique, but not in a bad way. Sometimes the thoughts read more as a list, or poem even, broken up in odd ways as if they were not finished thoughts. I feel like it fit the characters and the story so well though.

I enjoyed all the characters, it’s hard to pick who to root for in this story haha!! I think I was rooting for the last bear soldier the entire time.

I feel like you could read into the texts as many different warnings and messages for future use with technology. It also shows that even the end of the world won’t stop the evil of politics and greed.

All in all a wonderful read! 5 stars!

The Book:

The Realms of Arrika had endured the deadly consequences of the Deathless invasion for years. Now it was our turn to suffer.

While the developers of Second Skin sought to regain control of their ‘creation,’ the victims of their overreach struck back at their oppressors. The Gods’ effort to free their people unintentionally released a wave of mystical energy that would lead to the total destruction of our world. When Alex learns of the impending doom, he rushes to join his friends in the one place he believes might be safe from the coming cataclysm. 

Yet the destruction of everything he’d ever known was only the beginning of the challenges Alex will be forced to deal with. Even before the dust settles, new threats rise up to confront him. With his old world in ruins, a completely different one begins to rise from its ashes. Can his small group of companions survive when the hazards of Second Skin come hunting for them?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of graphic violence and deals with mature/adult themes. 

Continue the Second Skin Adventure With:
Echoes: A Second Skin Novel (Second Skin Book 6)

Second Skin: Wayward (Second Skin Book 7)

Second Skin: Reckoning (Second Skin Book 8)

The Author:

M Damon Baker lives in sunny Florida with his family, dog, and 8.5 million alligators. M Damon was inspired to write his first novel after discovering the LitRPG genre, but has since moved on to explore other categories. Keep up with him and be the first to discover his new releases by following M Damon on Amazon and his social media sites: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damon.grey.1401 Twitter: @MDamonBaker1

This is the fifth book of the Second Skin series as a whole, BUT this book starts a completely new Arc. I was unsure how I felt about leaving our characters for a group of Noobs, but it was done very well. I have loved Second Skin and the world and characters that came along with it, so I was nervous to leave our beloved Arrika for the “real world”. M Damon Baker kills it with the transition, it’s not far fetched, or completely otherworldly and I love it.

The new characters are just as great as the previous ones and I fell in love immediately. You always have a feeling that no one is safe, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Alex and Jen are quickly making their way to the top of my favorite literary characters in LitRPG.

The world is our world, just in the future and I enjoy how technology plays its roll in the newly formed ways of the story. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but it is cleverly done.

As a gamer there is nothing more exciting then starting a new character, or a new world. I feel like Backlash grabs every emotion that comes along with those feelings and turns them into a reality of sorts. I love this series so much, and I am so excited to see what comes next and how it all inter mingles with previous books.

If you have never tried a litrpg novel before, I would highly suggest this series. It’s is done perfectly, but not overly complicated.

Can’t wait to see where we head off next in Echoes! 5 Stars for this book of course, I can never put them down once I start!

Wonderful Job MD – Keep killing it!

—Pixie

The Book:

Journey back to the city of Amaford through the eyes of someone new.

Roland, a Halfling from the small town of Berstead, journeys into the depths of the infamous city looking to escape his past. Employed as an apprentice to a master scribe, he finds himself within the city’s Tin District. Discover how despite his calculative, tentative nature, and social awkwardness Roland finds everything he previously lacked. Until the presence of a mysterious voice sends his world spiraling into the chaos that is Amaford.

The Author:

Zack brooks is a new writer who likes to dabble in the fantasy world. He deals in the generic fantasy realm, but also dips his toes in the world of urban fantasy. With his main series being the Trials of Amaford, it becomes clear that sarcasm could be considered his first language. Outside of writing, Zack is a husband and a father of three. All whom he lives to embarrass at every opportunity. Being a nerd and a homebody in New Hampshire it’s no wonder he has chosen to spend what little free time he has clicking away and filling in those blank pages that scream to be filled. You can connect with him at: Facebook – Facebook.com/zackbrooksauthor Twitter – Twitter.com/zackbrooksauthor Website – Www.zackbrooksauthor.com Or shoot him an email at: zack.brooksauthor@gmail.com

Okay, so this book and number 3 are extremely close to each other. I wanna say maybe even tied haha. (You will find out number 3 next week.)

I loved everything about this Novella! The world is beautifully written. The characters are lovable and relatable. I couldn’t put it down.

This is actually the second Novella in the series, so if you’re looking to to read them maybe start with How Not to be a Rogue. They are both equally amazing, I promise. I just remember I enjoyed this one just a smudge more haha. (No number 3 isn’t How not to be a rogue.)

With a wonderful setting and amazing characters, the story and plot are also really fun. It’s a fast paced adventure that I can guarantee you won’t want to put down.

Hey everyone! I know it’s a little late, but with everything going on and now homeschooling all three of my kids, the days have kind of melded together haha. I’m sure most of you can understand! Today I am going to release the first of my top 5 Indie books of all time! I am so excited to finally get this out there. There are SO many amazing Indie Authors that deserve all the recognition in the world!! We will be starting with number 5, and making my way to my absolute favorite Indie book to this day! Hope you Enjoy!

5.

The Book:

Surviving in a school of magic and murder is not easy!

Jacob Titus is a forgotten boy from Eslor Island. With an absent father and a mother who battles Alzheimer’s disease, Jacob has long learned to care for himself. When he is discovered by a magical talent hunter, Jacob makes the difficult choice to leave his home and enter the Valcrest School for the Promised.

As his school years go by, Jacob has to spend as much time trying to stay alive as he does finding a cure for his mother. As violence and blood lust at the school escalate, Jacob must learn to figure out who he can trust. All he wanted was to save his mother. Now he must save himself.

The Author:

Jimi Rodriguez is an author from Houston, TX. After graduating from The Ohio State University, he became a teacher in his hometown. He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree from Ohio University. He lives in Houston with his wife and two children. For years, he told his students stories of the characters in From Chaos Comes Order. The characters were a work of friendship, as many major roles in the story were conceived by his friends in writing and life. Finally, he created the series From Chaos Comes Order. Book One: Chaos is his debut novel. From Chaos Comes Order is planned to have four books in total. Book Three: Savior is coming soon!

The first thing that drew me to Chaos was the cover, it is absolutely amazing! The second is the synopsis, Magic school? Blood lust? Um…. Sold!!

Anyway, I was really excited to pick up this book and read it and it obviously did not disappoint! The characters are all perfectly made for the story. I enjoyed the development each character had throughout and it was very well written! Even some of the more frustrating characters stood out to me, all they need is a hug right? I love them all!!

The setting was perfect! Not to out there crazy, but beautiful for the Magical world that it creates. The descriptions throughout are very well done and believable.

The plot is amazing. I finished this book in one day! I just couldn’t put it down. Each chapter just leaves you craving more! I laughed, cried, and loved every minute of it!!

Check back next week for Book 4!! ❤️📚