Book Feature: SEEKING REDEMPTION by Madhu Vajpayee

Book Blurb:

Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It's her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay's sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It's also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.

Buy a Copy from Amazon


About the Author:

Dr.Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.  

Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.

When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.

Reviews for the Book:

It was a perfect book and can motivate one. ~ Nidhi Author on Goodreads

Wonder full book.Clearly highlights the current problems faced in India as a result of reservation! ~ Nikhil Dave on Goodreads

It is one of the amazing fiction I have read in the near past. Highly recommended. Cocktail of Corruption, politics and love. ~ Akshay_Tripathi on Amazon

What Madhu does well with this story is to highlight many factors that need change. She brings out facets like reservation. She talks about the more rigid mindset of an Indian family ~ Vinay Leo @ Booworm's Musings

Contact the Author:

Blog * Facebook Page * Twitter * Goodreads 

Check out the Tour Stops:

Thank you Bloggers!

Thank you to all the bloggers and our host B00kr3vi3ws, for not only your support of my book tour, but for your support throughout the year for all indie authors!

Blog Tour: MICHAEL'S MYSTERY by Linzé Brandon

For the duration of the tour, Michael's Mystery has been discounted to $0.99

Linzé

Book Feature: UNCOMMON BODIES by various authors

NEW RELEASE: UnCommon Bodies is a collection of stories curated by Pavarti K. Tyler that span across genres to explore the lives of the odd, the unbelievable, and the impossible

SUMMARY: Step right up to the modern freakshow — We have mermaids, monsters, and more. You won't be disappointed, but you may not get out alive.

UnCommon Bodies presents a collection of 20 beautifully irreverent stories which blend the surreal and the mundane. Imagine a world where magic exists, where the physical form has the power to heal or repulse, where a deal with the devil means losing so much more than your soul.

PRE-ORDER NOW for Release on 11/24.  FREE on Kindle Unlimited. 

INCLUDES STORIES BY: Philip Harris, Sessha Batto, Robb Grindstaff, Brent Meske, Sally Basmajian, Robert Pope, Keira Michelle Telford, Jordanne FullerMichael Harris Cohen, Deanne Charlton, P.K. Tyler ,Bey Deckard , Vasil Tuchkov, Laxmi Hariharan, Samantha Warren, Rebecca Poole, Daniel Arthur Smith, S.M. Johnson, Kim Wells, Christopher Godsoe, and Bob Williams

You can see the full summaries of all the stories on GoodReads: smarturl.it/UCBGoodreads

To Celebrate, the authors are hosting a Facebook Party on 11/24 Join the Fun! https://www.facebook.com/events/495176633996990/

And there's more!  What?  Yep!  The Authors are also giving away a Kindle!  Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Feature: SHANTI AND THE MAGIC MANDALA by FT Camargo

About the Book:

Shanti and the Magic Mandala is an adventure in which fantasy and reality are mingled. The book tells the story of six teenagers, from different religious and cultural origins and different parts of the world, who are mystically recruited to form two groups - one in the Northern Hemisphere, and one in the Southern. They eventually gather in Peru, and through a single alliance, begin a frantic chase for the sacred object that can stop the black magician's final plan.

Buy Links:

Amazon.com I Amazon.in I Amazon.co.uk I Barnes & Noble I Google Play 

Read an Excerpt:

Shanti was the first to smell the smoke. She paused in her frantic packing. “Do you smell something burning?”
“Yes, I do,” Lelê said, worried.
It was getting noticeably hotter in the room. “Look, there’s smoke coming in under the door!” Antônio cried. Black smoke was slowly seeping beneath the door and into the room. Lelê ran to the window.
“The door won’t open,” Shanti said, struggling with the lock.
“Neither will the window.” Lelê was close to tears.
“Let me try, Shanti.” Antônio grasped the doorknob, applying his strength to it. Even as he fought with the lock, the smoke and the heat were rising.”
“They did it. We're stuck in here,” Helena said, coughing.
Antônio hammered on the wall. “Nasir! Itai! Tadao! Help us!”
“They want to kill us,” Lelê cried, shaking with fear.
Looking intently at Helena, her voice ringing with determination, Shanti declared, “But we’re not going to let them succeed!”
“Get away from the door,” Antônio said, kicking at it.
Hearing Antônio's call for help, Nasir and Itai had rushed to the door, only to find it locked. Tadao tried the window. “It won’t open,” he said, fearful. “The window's locked.”
“We can’t get out. What’s happening?” Nasir said, with an edge of panic.
“It’s black magic,” Itai said, trying to help Nasir break down the door.
Just then, an image of the book came into his mind. He ran over to his backpack, still on top of his bed and upended it shaking everything out.
Suddenly there was a loud noise, like an explosion — the door swung open. Flames and gouts of heavy, black smoke poured into the room. The whole hallway was on fire.
Tadao pushed at the window again, but it defied his efforts to open it.
Itai reached for his book. It was illuminated once again. He stood up and held the book with both hands, opening it. A bright light shone forth from the page it had opened on and he saw another name, formed with three Hebrew letters. Seitel, another of the 72 names of God. Itai knew that the Angel Seitel was able to create a protective shield. He closed his eyes, forming an urgent prayer, reaching out to connect with the angel, shutting out the mayhem around him for a few moments. Opening his eyes he gazed at the three letters from right to left for a few more precious seconds. Then he closed the book, replaced everything else in the backpack and hoisted it on his back. He picked up the book, holding it in his right hand. “Grab your backpacks and follow me.”
Nasir stared at him with an expression that clearly showed concern for his sanity “Itai?”
“Follow me,” Itai repeated with certainty.
“What? What do you mean?” Tadao almost shouted.
Nasir took his backpack and positioned himself behind Itai. “May Allah protect us!”
Watching Nasir, Tadao did the same. Itai took the closed book in both hands, pointing it towards the fire, as they approached the door. The book emitted an increasingly intense light. Gradually, a large shield began to form, surrounding the three boys.
“Wow! It's a light vehicle, a merkaba!” Nasir said, reverently, his gaze locked on the intense white light of the forming shield.
“Incredible!” Tadao said, forming his own silent prayer, Thank you, Lord Buddha.
Steadfastly Itai moved towards the door now engulfed by large flames. He advanced out of the room, into the hallway, the light shield in front of him, and as he moved, he created a clear path, the shield pushing away the flames, heat and smoke. He stopped in front of Shanti’s bedroom door. The wood was charred and blackened and the ancient lock had popped free, leaving the door swinging brokenly. Their friends had crowded at the back of the room, near the window, trying to get away from the thick, choking smoke. “Grab your backpacks! Get behind Nasir and Tadao!” Itai shouted.
“We’re coming!” Antônio said, grabbing his backpack and walking swiftly towards the door.
Lord Ganesha, please open those paths, Shanti prayed, putting all of her faith into the prayer.
Within moments, the three were in place. The light shield began to grow sideways, eventually forming a large cube of light, protecting all of them. They crossed the hall, safe from the flames. As they went down the stairs, they heard the roof collapsing behind them. The reception area had been completely destroyed by fire, but again they passed through the devastation completely shielded from the heat and flames. They reached the door leading to the outside. Itai wasted no time in pulling it open and they poured out of the burning building.
As soon as the last one of them stepped onto the street, the old pension began to collapse, turning into a huge bonfire.

About the Author:

F. T. Camargo is an Italian Brazilian living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. An award winning architect and author, he also studied Arts and Media and has a post degree in Economics and MBA in e-commerce. He is a vegetarian because of his love for all animals and has been deeply involved in causes for their protection and freedom. He is a world traveler adventurer, outdoor sports lover, speaks 4 languages and has published a travel book “Rio, Maravilha!”
For many years he has been practicing yoga and meditation and studying the Kabbalah. His exploration of spiritual teachings motivated a commitment to self-development which in turn created a new path and goal in life. Shanti and the Magic Mandala was born from his inner journey.

Contact the Author:

Website I Facebook I Twitter

Awards & Recognition for the Book:

- Winner of 2014 London Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.

- 2014 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards: Bronze Medal at “Young Adult Fiction – Spirituality” category

- 2014 New England Book Festival in Boston:  Honorable Mention in the category “Young Adult”.

- Winner of 2015 Paris Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.

- Winner of 2015 International Book Awards in the category “Fiction / Young Adult”.

- Winner of 2015 New York Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.

- 2015 Los Angeles Book Festival – Runner-up in the category “Young Adult”.

- 2015 San Francisco Book Festival – Runner-up in the category “Young Adult”.

- 2015 DIY Book Festival in Los Angeles: Honorable Mention in the category “Young Adult”.

Check out the Cover Reveal Event

Book Feature: DEAD ENDS AND SHARP BENDS by Angela Meadon

Synopsis:
Dead Ends is an anthology of short stories. These stories chart my career as an author to date. Most of the stories in this volume have been published in anthologies by small press publishing houses, while a few have never been seen outside of my writing group.
All of them explore the themes of grief, loss, and sacrifice.

The first story in the collection, Her Harlequin Baby, won the Inkitt End Game horror competition in August 2015.

Buy link: AMAZON

Here is an excerpt from Tribulation, a story set in a post-apocalytpic survivor's camp. Young Tony discovers that their charismatic leader has been lying to his congregation for years, and when he brings it to the attention of the people living in his camp, he is punished for speaking out in the harshest way.

"A mouse scurried between the rocks at Tony's feet. He watched it for a while then threw a stone at it to chase it off. He sat above the Long Tom pass, the sun barely warming his back, its light struggling to penetrate the haze. Tony put his elbows on his knees and rested his head on his crossed arms. A heavy anguish sat on his heart, leaching all the energy from his body and constricting his throat.
Tony felt the gun at his hip. His fingers traced the cold metal of the grip. The next time George tried to lay a hand on him he would blow the miserable bastard’s brains right out of his skull.
"Screw the consequences," Tony said.
A cold spear of guilt pierced his already aching heart. Tony put his hand into his pocket and pulled out the folded scrap of paper which he'd found slipped under his bedroom door this morning.

I love you Tony
XXX

He lifted his head and stared out across the rolling hills below. A brief flash of light drove all of Tony's worries from his mind.
"Holy shit! What was that?"
Tony stared fixedly at the point in the foliage below where he thought he'd seen that flash. He was beginning to think he'd imagined it when he saw it again, a brief flicker, a glint of light off of a reflective surface, like the sun shining off the tin roofs of his compound. Tony’s heart drummed in his chest, he could hear a strange ringing inside his head. He kept his eyes fixed on the trees and bushes below until it seemed as though the leaves all blurred into one undulating ocean of green.
On the overgrown track below him two old, battered cars finally emerged from the dense foliage. They were making their way slowly and carefully along the long-abandoned road. They were large vehicles, sitting high atop thick tyres which took all but the largest ditches and rocks in their stride.
About three loops up the pass, the two cars came to a halt. There was a large chasm in the track where a section almost as wide as the vehicles had been washed away. The doors of the lead vehicle opened and four figures stepped out, they walked to the edge of the gash in the road. The driver’s door on the second car opened and another person joined the group at the chasm.
They spoke for some time, pointing at the hole, at the valley and up at the pass. The group split up and returned to their respective cars, but they didn't climb back in, they started hauling equipment out of the cars.
Tony could not wait any longer. If he left now he would make it to the compound in time for the evening sermon. The travellers would surely not travel at night and if he could warn the community in time they would be able to prepare for these people. He ran all the way back to the compound."

About the Author:
Angela started writing stories when she was 8 years old. Her first story was about Indiana Jones and she wrote it on pages she tore out of her school books. She has come a long way since those early days. She invents her own heroes now, but she tries to keep the sense of passion and wonder that infused her early forays into the craft.
When she’s not herding her three children through the garden of their Johannesburg home, Angela surrounds herself with words in all their glorious forms. She is the submissions editor for an online magazine, the lead technical writer for a fast-growing software company, a dedicated author and a voracious reader.
She tends to write darker stories, and enjoys experimenting with genre. Horror and fantasy will always be her first loves (yes, she can have two), but she also enjoys science fiction and thrillers.
Her short stories can be found in numerous anthologies and self-published on Amazon.com.
Follow Angela online:  Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads  Her Blog

Book Blitz: TEMPERANCE by Chrissie Parker

About the Book:

Gabriel is weary, hunting for a murderer.

Patience is adrift, her life a complete lie.

Nate is scared, hiding from his worst fears.

Juliet is frantic, her time is running out.


As four fragile lives collide, the truth is finally revealed.


And betrayal and death become inevitable.



Book Links:

Goodreads * Amazon KDP * Amazon Paperback * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes

Read an Excerpt: 
Lake Tranquil was vast.  So much so that Patience couldn’t see where it ended or began.  Despite its size, it was deserted.  She was the only human in sight and she loved the thought of being so alone, immersed in the beauty of nature.  An occasional bird flitted in and out of the trees, or swooped down to land at the water’s edge.  In the distance, a rabbit ran through the trees, its tail bobbed, flashing white as it ran for cover.
Trees lined craggy mountains that surrounded the lake.  They were thick, green and tall, and reached to the shoreline; only a small wavering line of pebble-covered beach sat between the shimmering waters and the forest.  
It was heavenly. 
It wasn’t the first time Patience had been to Lake Tranquil.  Once, as a child, she had visited it with her mother and enjoyed a week of blissful freedom away from the chaos of life.  Now here, fleeting memories flooded back.  Swimming in the lake as her mother sat on the deck and read. 
Running through the trees playing hide and seek, and sitting on the shore as the sun set.  Watching the stars appear overhead as her mother cooked fish over a smoky fire.  It was a time in her life that stuck in her mind, when her mother had been truly happy and content. 
It was why Patience was here. 
For her mother.To try to be closer to her, to try to understand her.To try to find some peace.

About the Author:

Chrissie lives in Devon, UK, with her husband and is a freelance Production Coordinator working in the TV, documentary and film industry.
Chrissie is also an Author.  Her thriller Integrate was released in October 2013 and her historical fiction Among the Olive Groves was released in July 2014.
Other written work includes factual articles for the Bristolian newspaper and guest articles for the charities Epilepsy Awareness Squad and Epilepsy Literary Heritage Foundation.  Chrissie has also written a book of short stories and poems, one of which was performed at the 100 poems by 100 women event at the Bath International Literary Festival in 2013.
Chrissie is passionate about Ancient History, Archaeology and Travel, and has completed two six-month Archaeology and Egyptology courses with Exeter University.   She is learning to play the Ukulele and likes to read, collect books, listen to music. To find out more about Chrissie visit her WEBSITE

Stalk Links:

Blog * Facebook Group * Facebook Page * Twitter * Pinterest * Goodreads