The Hands We’re Given by O.E. Tearmann

Title: The Hands We’re given

Series: Aces High, Jokers Wild 01

Author: O.E. Tearmann

Genre: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk, Futuristic, Dystopian, Transgender

Length: Novel (350pgs)

ISBN: 9781724835499

Publisher: O.E. Tearmann (3rd September 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Aidan Headly never wanted to be the man giving orders. That’s fine with the Democratic State Force base he’s been assigned to command: they don’t like to take orders. Nicknamed the Wildcards, they used to be the most effective base against the seven Corporations owning the former United States in a war that has lasted over half a century.

Now the Wildcards are known for creative insubordination, chaos, and commanders begging to be reassigned. Aidan is their last chance. If he can pull off his assignment as Commander and yank his ragtag crew of dreamers and fighters together, maybe they can get back to doing what they came to do: fighting for a country worth living in. Life’s a bitch. She deals off the bottom of the deck. But you play the hands you’re given.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Aidan is about to embark on his first command and he’s nervous as hell. The Wildcards were the most famous base in the Democratic States Force but since the death of their last Commander they’ve become an unruly force and it’s Aidan’s job to turn them around and make them efficient again or the base will be disbanded.

This is a great story for those who love futuristic/dystopian settings. America’s Government has fallen and seven corporations have taken over, these corporations have their own rules for their territories. Citizens are rated and if you displease those above you then you are dropped down the ranks. Depending on which corporation territory you live in then just being yourself could get you dead.

Democratic States Forces (Dusters) are fighting back the best way they can, but it’s a tough fight that’s lasted for over sixty years. Wildcards are a team who has always succeeded but when their long term Commander dies of cancer the team grieves hard affecting their performance and attitude. Aidan is brought in to repair the team but it’s a tough challenge especially when he’s dealing with his own problems and depression.

We meet the Wildcards and can see the fracturing in their team straight away, Wildcards is a family unit who are grieving for the man who brought them all together, and while they try to keep it together they resent outsiders coming in and ordering them about.  

Aidan finds a home at Wildcards; he’s been rejected at his home base and knows that his life is forfeit if some of the Corporations get their hands on him. Aidan is scared to death of how people will react if they discover his secret, and although he knows it could be dangerous he finds himself falling for Kevin, the logistics officer, and Kevin has his own secrets he’s keeping.

This is a really great story, we see a group heavily affected by the death of someone who was important to them, we see a young man struggling to find a place for himself while whipping them back into shape, we see a romance beginning to blossom, and we see people fighting back against the cruel grip of selfish leaders.

I enjoyed this story, I liked the way that there was a good mix of personal interaction between the characters and the missions they took part in, meaning that neither was overlooked so we become invested in both the characters and their mission to fight against the corporations.

The romance between Aidan and Kevin is perfectly woven, both men accepting the other and their secrets but not making it too easy on either of them. The romance is just a tiny part of the story, because at the end of the day they have much more important things to focus on.

I really liked all the characters and enjoyed seeing them all together; it truly is like a large extended family and with any large family when new people come into it they have to find their own place without upsetting the status quo.

There is danger as they guy’s head out on missions; we also see personal struggles, fears, and anger. 

Just don’t expect to see hands on fighting because these guys are an invisible force, they make raids, help refugees to escape the corporations, and come up with ways to help their forces while disrupting the Corporations as much as they can.

I’d recommend this to those who love futuristic dystopian stories where the oppressed fight back the best way they can, where love is discovered, where a family is rebuilt, and where something precious can be built in a desolate Country.

All the Dogs are Dancing by J.M. Goguen Release Blast, Excerpt & Giveaway!

J.M. Goguen - All the Dogs are Dancing RB Banner

Hi guys, we have J.M. Goguen stopping by today with her new release All The Dogs Are Dancing, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway, so check out the post and enter the giveaway!❤ ~Pixie~

All The Dogs Are Dancing

by

J.M. Goguen

Burner’s world revolved around three things: protecting the wolf pack of Maine, keeping an eye on his best friend Aaron, and helping prepare enough summer food to take on the long road to Quebec for the winter months. But in the ruins of an old shopping mall on a hot summer night, his world crashes.

Now Burner has to face monsters he thought were just stories told to scare pups, and he must traverse a world he’s only seen in old magazines. Meanwhile, his best friend Aaron is dealing with monsters of his own and Burner will do whatever it takes to keep them both safe, even if it means finally admitting how he really feels.

.•.•.**❣️ NineStar Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo ❣️**.•.•.

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Wireless by L.A. Witt Retro Tour, Review & Giveaway!

L.A. Witt - Wireless RRTBanner

Hi guys! We have L.A. Witt popping in today with Wireless, we have a brilliant giveaway and Tams review so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~

Wireless

by

L.A. Witt

Skin to skin contact is illegal. Sex? A felony. Insulated suits and gloves keep people from even the most platonic touches. Citizens line up in droves at simhouses for their rationed, prescribed orgasms in virtual reality machines.

Keith Borden has worked in a simhouse for years, and he’s never been tempted to break the strict no-contact laws… until Aiden Maxwell comes along. The attractive and dangerously flirtatious patient invites him into the seedy underground where people engage in real, wireless sex. Though Keith stands to lose his career and his freedom, he’s curious and Aiden is irresistible.

From the moment he sets foot in the wireless lounge, Keith is in a world of flesh and fantasy. He’s hooked. On the sex, on the atmosphere, and most of all, on Aiden. Years of keeping everyone in his world at arm’s length have left Keith craving a human touch, and Aiden offers all the contact—scorching sex, gentle affection, and everything in between—Keith can handle.

That is, until an unexpected act of betrayal throws Keith’s world into chaos, and he finds himself more alone than he ever imagined possible…

This 55,000-word novel was previously published, and has been extensively revised and rewritten from its first edition.

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The Gaia Protocol by Alec Nortan

Title: The Gaia Protocol

Author: Alec Nortan

Genre: Science Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy, Dystopia

Length: Novella (174 Pages)

Publisher: NineStar Press (February 6, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Long ago, the Gods came back to earth and banished all science from Earth. When Prome finds an amulet in the ruins of an ancient city, he doesn’t expect it to take him and his friend Malia on a quest to discover the long forgotten secret of the Technologists, to meet someone who awakens feelings of love in him, nor to defy the Gods themselves.

ISBN: 978-1-94595-256-2

Product Link: NineStar Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: I have never read any stories by this author and I will admit that when I first started reading it, I had my misgivings about it. However the further I got into the story, lets just say I was quite shocked and very pleased.

Many years ago technology was something well known and used. That is until the gods destroyed it and killed most of those who used it. Prome finds an amulet in some ruins of old and ancient city. He just thought it was a cute trinket, but it leads him and his friends on a mighty chase.

I had trouble with the first parts of the story and the characters and was about to give up reading it. It wasn’t until I got into the middle of the book that things to a turn. I will also admit that I was thinking it was going to be Prome and Malia, which doesn’t sit with me. So when our sexy little Garbos comes into the picture, you can see the heat flowing. It takes Prome time to decided that he likes Garbos more then he did Malia, well for love anyway. His attitude towards Garbos though, had me wishing Prome would get dumped on his head. It took me some time to figure it out though. Although for a moment there, I was wondering about Pyrias. Could have made a sweet third, but the author made this story just work.

Like I said above it did take some time to get into the story but I was pleased with the ending. It also seemed like the author hinted at maybe a second book would be possible. In that case I am ready to read it. I had a lot of fun with this story and might be checking this author out a bit more in the future.

Shadow Fray by Bradley Lloyd

Bradley Lloyd - Shadow Fray CoverTitle: Shadow Fray

Series:  Shadow Fray Round # 1

Author: Bradley Lloyd

Genre: Science Fiction

Length: Novel (284 pages)

Publisher: DSP Publications (May 30, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Family is worth fighting for—and family doesn’t always mean blood.

No one knows what calamity poisoned the earth and decimated the human population, but living close to the toxic ground means illness and death. Justin is determined to keep his twin sister and younger brother from that fate—no matter what he has to do. To earn enough to keep his family safe in a high-rise, Justin enlists in a deadly sport called Shadow Fray. He quickly finds himself in over his head, especially when he is scheduled to face the most dangerous player.

Hale—who competes as Black Jim—knows he won’t be on top forever, despite his skills. He fights for a better life for his daughter, but his time is running out as Shadow Fray becomes increasingly lethal. Something about the newest fighter intrigues him, but does he dare defy his masters to investigate? Justin and Hale will clash in the ring, while beyond it the powerful elite and the crumbling world seem determined to keep them apart. If they can find common ground, they might have a chance to fight for their futures.

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-360-2

Product Link: https://www.dsppublications.com/books/shadow-fray-by-bradley-lloyd-379-b

Reviewer: Shorty 

Review: This book was intense. It has fighting to the extreme in it. So be advised of that. It’s brutal and gory. 

Shadow Fray is a no holds bar fight ring that never stays in one place. Fighters are anonymous when they fight. The bosses do not care if they die in the ring either. I found that even though this story is no so much a romance as it is a survival in a time when things are not so great.

The main character’s, Hale, who fights as Black Jim and is known in the fighting world for his impressive winning streak fights for his daughters wellbeing. Justin, a beginner to the scene, has aligned himself with the wrong handler who really does not care anything about him except the money he brings in. But Justin is fighting for his family to have a better life.

I really liked the explanation of the epidemic that tore the wold apart and found it intriguing that no one could actually walk on the ground due to the contamination. As a result all the population that is left has to live in high rises. 

I don’t want to give away too much but I will say I loved the plot as it was more than fights. The rules to this new earth are downright scary. At times it seemed that civilization went backwards instead of forward. The mystery surrounding the bosses was intriguing. It’s truly a well written story about two men trying to survive any and all dangers. 

Fantastic read.

Shadow Fray by Bradley Lloyd Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Bradley Lloyd - Shadow Fray Banner

Hi peeps! We have Bradley Lloyd visiting today on the first day of the tour for his upcoming debut novel Shadow Fray, we have an awesome guest post, a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so guys, check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~

Bradley Lloyd - Shadow Fray Cover

Shadow Fray

(Shadow Fray: Round One)
by

Bradley Lloyd

Family is worth fighting for—and family doesn’t always mean blood.

No one knows what calamity poisoned the earth and decimated the human population, but living close to the toxic ground means illness and death. Justin is determined to keep his twin sister and younger brother from that fate—no matter what he has to do. To earn enough to keep his family safe in a high-rise, Justin enlists in a deadly sport called Shadow Fray. He quickly finds himself in over his head, especially when he is scheduled to face the most dangerous player.

Hale—who competes as Black Jim—knows he won’t be on top forever, despite his skills. He fights for a better life for his daughter, but his time is running out as Shadow Fray becomes increasingly lethal. Something about the newest fighter intrigues him, but does he dare defy his masters to investigate? Justin and Hale will clash in the ring, while beyond it the powerful elite and the crumbling world seem determined to keep them apart. If they can find common ground, they might have a chance to fight for their futures.

Release date: 30th May 2017

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The Gaia Protocol by Alec Nortan Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Alec Nortan - The Gaia Protocol BT Banner

Hi guys, we have Alec Nortan stopping by today with the tour for his new release The Gaia Protocol, we have brilliant Q&A with Alec, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~

Alec Nortan - The Gaia Protocol Cover

The Gaia Protocol

by

Alec Nortan

Long ago, the Gods came back to earth and banished all science from Earth. When Prome finds an amulet in the ruins of an ancient city, he doesn’t expect it to take him and his friend Malia on a quest to discover the long forgotten secret of the Technologists, to meet someone who awakens feelings of love in him, nor to defy the Gods themselves.

Continue reading “The Gaia Protocol by Alec Nortan Blog Tour, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway!”

Surfacing by A.L. Bates Cover Reveal & Excerpt!

A.L. Bates - Surfacing Banner

Hi guys, we have A.L. Bates stopping by today with the cover to their new release Surfacing, we have a great excerpt as well as the stunning cover so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

A.L. Bates - Surfacing Cover s

Surfacing

(The Ariel 02)
by

A.L Bates

A few weeks following the events that concluded DEEP, Book One: The Ariel Series, Captain Joel Riley is struggling to adjust to his new relationship with his medic, Sean, and when a face from Sean’s past sets out to destroy Joel and his ship, Joel faces an impossible decision: Sean or Ariel.

Sensing Joel’s dilemma, Sean makes the decision to leave. He does so knowing he must confront his past and the abuse he suffered. Subjected to the same trauma again, this time at the hands of his brother, he uses the strength Joel taught him to take his future into his own hands.

For Joel, life without Sean proves unbearable and he comes to the realization that he needs more than just his ship. He sets out to bring Sean back… whatever the cost.

Release date: 19th August 2016

Don’t miss the discounted pre-release prices on all retailer sites!

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