Blog News: Electric Gardens gets a publisher and new cover!

Electric Gardens is being published by CREATIVITY and has a new awesome cover! I just love it! 

What do you think?

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 15th

Leave your comment and one lucky winner will receive the PAPERBACK of ELECTRIC GARDENS!  Winners drawn at the end of the month. 

This book series has really been an exciting journey for me. I love robots. As you can tell with every other book I write being about robots and how they could eventually impact our world. They already are and as we become more advanced, they become more advanced...it is all a bit mind-boggling.

So, tell me what do you think about this robot invasion on our world? Do you think it will be roses and candy or the next apocalypse? 

Leave your comment about robots and win the eBook of ELECTRIC GARDENs. One lucky winner will be chosen at the end the month. 

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Inspiration of ANIMAL GRAPH

As many of you know I am a lover of wildlife and nature. I am mostly vegetarian with exception to occasional fish. I am a strong believer in the healing power of natural foods from the Earth, not a factory and also enjoy reading about the latest science technology.

That took me to Animal Graph.

Grafting is something scientists have been doing with plants and animal skin for a while, not long, but a while. Snake grafts are being used on burn victims and certain grafting procedures are used to enhance the growth of plants.

I took this a step further and had a dream. Literally while I was sleeping this came to me.

What if in the future, a dictator name Truss took over North and South America? What if he gifted prisoners to perfect his own Graphed soldiers? What if some of this prisoners escaped? 

In the 6 book series of Animal Graph we explore the Amazon, Savannah, Orinoco River, Highlands, Plateaus. All the beauty of the Amazon forests, as well as some of its splendid flora and wildlife like Toucans, Howler Monkeys and Caiman. We also meet radiated creatures poisoned by the nuclear wars. 

 JIN and ADAN have to run for their lives in the picturesque Amazon, because the are being hunted to train soldiers. But their grafts will aide them and as they learn to use their animal graph, they will turn the tide of this upcoming war.

If you enjoy stories like Dr. Moreau or Hunger Games, or even stories of survival with twists you don't see coming...this is for you! 

SAMPLE/BUY BOOK HERE

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REVIEW of GENDER GAMES

I have read The girl Who Dared to Think and really liked that book. I'm on book four of that series now. 

I however can not say the same for this book. I really tried to like it. The beginning started off strong and I thought, wow, this will be good. And then most of the book happened.

Not only was there very little exploration of genders and inequality, the main characters felt more caricature than anything else the more I read. 

The entire plot was mostly about the main character and her motorcycle, wrestling dude. We flip back and forth from riding motorcycles with them, to the fight scenes in the rink and while that is good sometimes, it just took up so much of the story that it felt like a bunch of filler. I for one was very bored and needed more development of story, plot twists.

The ending had a slight plot twist which made it more plausible to pick up the second book to see what happens, but after reading half of book two I just could not do it anymore. I'm not sure why this story does not appeal to me.

I guess in the end it felt juvenile, like a of filler instead of story, and uninteresting characters that I really never got to know well enough or care enough about. Overall, the idea could have gone in many interesting direction of gender, but none of those issues are really explored well.

I normally would rank this a 3 star for effort and the writing is fine, there are not many mistakes and there is a story there, I just did not like it much. But because there are so many five stars on this book, ridiculous amounts, I have to give it a 2 star to balance the unfairness. 

So 2 1/2 stars is my final decision. I don't think fans of Divergent or Hunger Games will be satisfied with this read. It falls drastically short.  The comparison is insulting frankly. 

But you might want to try her other book The Girl Who Dared To Think. 

CHECK OUT GENDER GAMES here 

Army of Tomorrow Blog News

Welcome to the Army of Tomorrow Blog News. 

Win the paperback set of EXOTIQA WORLD, books 1-3 by commenting on here: WIN Exotiqa!

If you want to check out the book to buy, please click EXOTIQA

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Exciting stuff is happening. The ten minute Animal Graph script for the pilot show on Amazon Prime is done, now Amazon just has to accept it! The writers and I are planning a twelve part season one broken up into ten minute episodes. The short is the new hot thing.

What do you think? Feel free to comment. Would you watch a ten minute episode of Animal Graph?

Animal Graph and the 6 part series is also going to be on tour with RockStar Book Tours from Feb 12th-16th and 19th-23rd. Please stop by and post comments on the stops. I will post the link for you to see all stops in February.

In the meantime feel free to check out the series that readers are calling a "Concept never read before" and a "Hunger Games meets Dr. Moreau" here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072M7BVXR

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In other news, Quantum State, an A.I. Dystopia where the powerful A.I. controls all decisions inside the small town of Cherni, will be on tour with RockStar Book Tours Feb 19th-23rd and Feb 16th-March 2nd. I will post the link to stop by in February. 

Quantum State went free last week and hit the top of the charts #2 Hard Science Fiction, #4 in YA Dystopia and #2 in YA Survival Stories. Read a sample here: Quantum State 

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New Years Recipe for the cold:

I am a fan of veggies and chili! So, I came up with a recipe I love and have been using for years. I wanted to share with you all because I'm that generous!

 As many of you know I am mostly vegetarian, except for occassional fish, so here is an easy peasy veggie four bean chili that you are sure to love!

You can buy beans fresh or canned (I prefer canned because it is faster). 

1 can black beans

1 can of white beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can chickpeas

1 can of roasted corn

1 cut large onion, sauteed

1 large can of roasted tomatoes

2 cut fresh medium tomatoes

1 jar of pasta sauce (I prefer Publix Vodka or herbs)

1 can of coconut milk (add the secret ingredient last)

Optionals: 1 can mushrooms, 1/2 bag of cooked and cut carrots

Put them all into a big pot. Warm and stir.

Flavor:

Add pepper, salt, tumeric, paprika, mexican pepper or hot pepper, chili powder or cayenne, all to taste.

Optional: Tarragon for a more exotic flavor. 

When all cooked for about ten minutes, serve. 

Optional: Add parmesan cheese on top.

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Update: 

This month I will be releasing the 6 book Box Set GRAPH WORLD on the 15th of January, along with ELECTRIC GARDENS on Kindle Scout. I will give you links to both when the time comes, so you can check out Graph World and vote for Electric Gardens. All reads and votes help! 

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                       NEW RELEASE: 

Forever Elf is essentially a YA Elf Romance Action-Adventure Fantasy. Here is the link: FOREVER ELF

Forever Elf 2 will be out next month. Join an adventure of a lifetime with Michael meet Evelyn and she draws him into her mystical world in the forest. Twilight meets Lord of the Rings!  

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MY REVIEW of CREWEL

I loved the beginning and it drew me in, but about 1/4 into the story I wasn't sure if this was for me because of the fantastical premise of weaving space and time. I also was not happy with the lack of descriptions on what this actually entitled, but for paranormal and fantasy fans they will likely be more satisfied. By the middle though I was engrossed and wanted to know what would happen next. About 2/3 of the way done, we are told that they are not living on Earth and so this helped me to better justify this fantastical premise. I did enjoy this story, and I thought the world building and characters were suitable, though not fully done.

I am interested enough to read book two and I think that is the goal of all authors. In that extent, she did succeed!

M.Black

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My book picks for this week:

If you are a fan of paranormal you definitely want to check out this box set!

Find it here: SIGILS and SPELLS

This looks yummy. I'm not typically a fan of paranormal romance, but it does look good. Find out more here: Dracones

For those of you looking for something more on the SFF side, try this top seller: Hell Holes

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That is it for now gang, and I hope you enjoy something and learned something!

Till next time!

M.Black 

Army of Tomorrow news 3

This is the 3rd Army of Tomorrow news and I'm so glad to see participants! As always the news will be posted every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. 



SIMULATION WINNER: 
We have a winner of the ebook of SIMULATION. The winner's name is: NANCY JONES! Thank you to all participants. I think about 8 of you commented to win. Some of you forgot to leave your eMail, so remember to do that! If you want to check the book out on Amazon and read a free sample, or read it on Kindle Unlimited for free, try here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0QLPHH

This is a story about a princess who is living a lie and when she learns the truth slowly, she develops into a kick-ass warrior to defend the weak and subjugated. The characters Ilia and Jez are heart-warming and you will fall in love with them, as well as be surprised about a few of the twists in the storyline. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it. The sequel OUTSIDERS will be out late next year, toward Christmas 2018.

NEW RELEASE/GIVEAWAY: Decayed World 

(Vampire Apocalypse) for $3.99

For those who want their free eCopy for the release party, please comment on this thread about why you want to read this eBook, labelled: DECAYED WORLD CONTEST! You must have a separate comment for this contest from other contests, and include your eMail. All who comment separately will win one!

Paperback Contest: Graph World books 1-6

Win 6 signed paperbacks! Books 1-6 of Graph World to celebrate the release of the box set of books this December 15th!

Winner is announced at end of December. Comment must be separate from other contests about why you want this, labelled: GRAPH WORLD CONTEST and include your eMail. 

(Those who commented on the previous blog posts about this contest are entered!)

 Excerpt of the Week: 

I must have dozed off sometime in the night, the rocking of the canoe and sounds of lapping water like a sweet lullaby. I remember dreaming about my parents, about their stories of ‘before King Truss’. Padre was five and Madre four, when Truss invaded and took over the Americas. They remember the wars and the nuclear period too. Sometimes I envied them, that knew a world before King Truss—like it was some kind of impossibility, because this world—now— is all I’ve ever known. Then, I remember my cell. D47. 

My hands cradle my stomach, in memory of my ordeal. I can never escape the nightmares. I listen to the Amazon, to forget. Birds chirp and soar over treetops. Woodpeckers peck at tree trunks, and hummingbirds flap oddly close to my head. When my grateful eyelids fully open and I rub the sleep out, all I see are Adan’s lips, crusty and cracked. Our bodies are close and even sticky, and my backside feels the bulge of warped wood from the boat. 

       -Check out Animal Graph and find out your Graph! 

                           SPOTLIGHT AUTHORS/BOOKS

IMPULSE 

A Future Where Singing Is A Felony And Music Is Banned. How can you defend yourself from a murder frame-up if you live in a world where noise and loud expression are outlawed? In this post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller, mild-mannered doctor-to-be Eric flees the dark groups that control the quiet society, until he strikes back.

MY REVIEW:  I read this book, so this book will be my review for this week. I was drawn in by the original concept of forbidden sounds. Never heard of such a thing. I was pleased by the character development and mystery embedded in the story. The story does add another element of immortality which has a twist. So, if dystopia, mystery and immortality is your thing, give this a try. It is only .99c. 

Shadow Stalker 

"This is the first time I’ve read a serial and I didn’t know what to expect. I was pulled into the story right away. The pacing was cleverly crafted so that while the action had the pages turning, there was enough back story to keep you rooted in the plot."~ Melissa Barker-Simpson, Author of the Morgan and Fairchild Series

Magic Unleashed 

Just when Abby and her family think things are finally turning around, Delphine has the last laugh—literally. With enemies new and old coming out of the woodwork, it’s hard to know who’s friend or foe. Abby and Liz become trapped in a merry-go-round of illusions while Delphine becomes stronger. Abby, along with her family and friends, must find and secure the talisman before it’s too late. Witches are disappearing and rogue vampires have been possessed like never before. Abby must find the power deep within her soul to fight against this new and dangerous enemy. It’s every man or woman for themselves in this nail-biting, action-packed sequel that will leave you desperate to know what happens next.

CONTEST! 

    Win a Kindle and 6 months of kindle unlimited books! 

Final Thoughts:

Thanksgiving day I worked, but hey on Friday and Saturday I got to go to Coco Beach in Florida. About an hour from where I live. So, that was nice! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving too!Talk to you next week on the Newsletter! Comment to win books! 

Army of Tomorrow Blog News 2

Welcome to the second Blog News of M.Black. I will be posting Blog News every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, and send out my Newsletter every 2nd Sunday of the month.  So, it is that time again.


                                                                   NEW RELEASE

QUANTUM STATE is officially released through CREATIVIA publishing. 

When an A.I. takes over the world in order to control human lives for the 'better', Masha has other plans. Where will you be when MAQS takes over?

Enjoy this original A.I. Dystopian now by M.Black!

Readers are saying:

"What a ride!" "Threw me through twists" "Loved it!" 

"Definitely keeps you in suspense"

"I got sucked in!" "I love surprise endings." 

"If you liked Exotiqa you should not miss this."

"Highly recommended!" "A must read!"

Winner of QUANTUM STATE PAPERBACK is...VERN Congrats!

Winner of the ebook Graph World box set is...Heather Snyder

Congrats!

The 1-3 box set can be found here

The 4-6 box set can be found here

The full box set will be out for December.

I have gotten all new covers for my individual Graph World books 1-6. I wanted something more Amazonian and a feeling of danger. 

Check them out below and COMMENT on this blog by telling me what you think!  Include your eMail!!  I will pick one random winner to win the the full box set in PAPERBACK form with new covers! Open to USA and International participants! Winner announced Dec 3rd.

 EXCERPT of the WEEK from

                                            Simulation

Jez takes my palm into his hand, and he feels soft. Outside the thick marble wall, we can see sparks from the electrical fence still protecting us, and I still feel safe to a degree here, but Jez pulls me forward, where I know the electrical fence will end, and then I really will have no protection from the CR illness. I can’t shake the idea that I might just come back sick, or worse…dead, despite what Jez says.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” Jez assures, and walks with me as we shift forward. The grass progressively grows shorter until we reach the end of it.

I look up a couple inches to glance into Jez’s eyes. “Yes, I do,” I say about the unknown, about what Papa will do if he finds out I’ve been this close to the wall, to a Giver. But I’ve already come this far.

“Are you ready? It will be like nothing you imagined,” Jez says.

WIN a FREE eBook of Simulation. Comment on the cover on this blog, honestly. Include your eMail!!  Should I change it? Is the image too well know? Does it say SciFi romance dystopia in a post-apocalyptic world? What should I do differently? TY!

SPOTLIGHT 1

Check out this awesome, thrilling 4 book series here

Garcia is a friend of mine who loves to write, and I'm so happy to showcase her 4 book series. Check it out!

SPOTLIGHT 2

The Final Enemy is a thrill of a ride. If you enjoy end days and science fiction, check this out here.

Dan has his own view of the world and culture or lack thereof. He is passionate in his belief that people can realize their dreams if they focus and take action and actively encourages people.

SPOTLIGHT 3

REVIEW of the WEEK:

RECOIL

I was involved in a book giveaway with this author and wanted to check out her book. Loved it. Loved it so much, I read books 2 and 3 as well. I have Kindle Unlimited so that is easy for me. I love KU so I can skim, return, or read in depth at my leisure. 

I have to say this kept me on my toes and while I could predict some thing, overall I thought this was a great original concept with some good writing. It was definitely fun! So, if you are looking for something with a bit of thrills, mystery, action, set in a dystopia world that is not all gloom and doom, check this out.

FINAL WORDS

I hope you enjoyed this weeks Blog News. If you ever have comments, please leave them on the post. To win paperbacks you must leave comments on the post.

Enjoy the reads for this week, and I'll talk with you Dec 3rd. 

Ami (M.Black)

Army of Tomorrow Blog Newsletter 1

                    
My Blog Newsletter will always comprise of new releases (if applicable), winners of last weeks giveaway, a new giveaway, an excerpt, author/book spotlights, and a book review. Sometimes I will incorporate a swag contest or book trailers. Have fun! 



                                              NEW RELEASE:

QUANTUM STATE is officially released through CREATIVIA publishing. 

When an A.I. takes over the world in order to control human lives for the 'better', Masha has other plans. Where will you be when MAQS takes over?

Enjoy this original A.I. Dystopian now by M.Black!

Readers are saying:

"What a ride!" "Threw me through twists" "Loved it!" 

"Definitely keeps you in suspense"

"I got sucked in!" "I love surprise endings." 

"If you liked Exotiqa you should not miss this."

"Highly recommended!" "A must read!"

For the release, I am having a GIVEAWAY party! I will send one free paperback of Quantum State to one lucky winner living in the USA. 

Send me an eMail touch-of-grace@hotmail.com 

Subject: QS Giveaway!

Last week's giveaway:

WINNER of EXOTIQA boxset giveaway:  

TRACI ARNETT

EXCERPT of the week from Animal Graph:

Still, a different kind of beast lurks a few meters from Adan to the left. I whisper in a shout. “Over there!” Suddenly, it jumps toward us and backward, just to repeat this pattern again. Startled, Ostir flips around and watches intensely, her eyes squinting in the darkness. My vision zeros in on the miniature, brave creature with tiny pointed teeth and short, sharp claws. The creature reminds me of a howler monkey; the reverberating screech is almost deafening, and makes me tense as if I’m surrounded by the worst kind of foe, something mythical. But this animal has no hair or fur, and its eyes—oh, God, its incredible eyes are too large to miss. Like boulders on clay, the Burned howler stares at me, straight into me, as if it can read my Graph. 

      1.SPOTLIGHT Author/Book for the Week

The Genesis of Evangeline  for just .99c. 

"An intriguing mix of romance, fantasy, and heart-pounding action."

"I love Evie. She's a fighter, but it's her kind heart I adore the most. And the boys ... don't even get me started on them! Too many book boyfriends to choose from here. I can't wait for the next installment in this series! I need to know what happens. Five fantasy stars from me." --Jaymin Eve, USA Today bestselling author of the "Supernatural Prison" series.

"This book is a wild ride of fun, adventure, and magic!"

"It's like nothing I've read before and everything I didn't know I was craving!" --Ashley Gallegos, author of "Last Chance Baby" and "The Houseboat"; founder of Indie Book Connect Subscription Box.

Summary: 

Wolves. Dragon shifters. A fallen kingdom destined to rise again.

Evie Callahan is positive there's something strange going on in Seaton Falls, her new home. The locals are bigger, stronger, and faster than most. That includes Nick, the boy next door who's become her silver lining in this godforsaken town.

She wants to trust her instincts--about Nick, about what she suspects in Seaton Falls--but rumors of wolves and dragon shifters makes it hard to tell what's real. With a history of odd dreams and the nagging sense that she's never belonged, Evie fears she's losing touch with reality. Her concern only grows when someone who's haunted these dreams is suddenly tangible... and claims to hold the key to unlocking her true identity.

AUTHOR: Rachel is a native Michigan with a passion for writing. 

2.SPOTLIGHT Author/Book for the Week

Child of Mars  just .99c

Summary:

She is a Reluctant Hero

Melanie Destin has been many things in her troubled life...a drug dealer, a doctor, a fugitive, and most recently, the saviour of Mars...what she doesn't want to be is a mother.
When circumstances make her responsible for a young orphan, she soon discovers the girl comes with a terrifying past...one that binds them to each other.

Pursued by a ruthless government assassin, Mel must get the girl to safety before they are both captured. If she fails, the secrets hidden within the child's genes will make a dictator unstoppable and forever change the course of human history.

Child of Mars is the third page turning book in the sci fi thriller Mars Ascendant Serieswhich explores the consequences of humanity's exploration and colonization of the solar system in the distant future.

If you like science fiction with a strong female lead character, ruthless villains, mutants, clones, AIs and a page turning plot, you'll love Child of Mars.

AUTHOR: D.M.(Doug) Pruden worked for 35 years in the petroleum industry as a geophysicist. For most of his life he has been plagued with stories banging around inside his head that demanded to be let out into the world. 

REVIEW OF EMERGE by Heather Sunseri

So, I read a lot of books because I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription to Kindle. Many books I end up swimming or lose interest in a quarter of the way through, but I enjoy the service to give me a taste of what's out there.

I came across EMERGE by Heather Sunseri and I thought it would be the typical post-apocalyptic story, about yet another virus. Well, it is about a virus, but the story is good so I actually read it. 

Told from two point of view, the main character Cricket, or Christina, is easy to like and tough which is a relief from the damsel in distress we get even in this genre. She lives on the outside. 

West lives on the inside, and they are connected by a shared past. The story has a touch of romance, but is mostly about the contrast between these two people, their lives and the lives of those from the outside vs the inside. 

(I have this theme in my book Simulation as well) 

The story is written well and the plot adds a bit of a mystery, while also having the element of grit and apocalypse. I do like it and wanted to recommend it to readers who are looking for something else in the post-apocalyptic genre. 

I give it 4 1/2 stars, out of 5. 

FINAL WORDS:

I hope you enjoyed my first Blog Newsletter, and please keep reading as there are always book giveaways, swag, early reviews/reads, beta-reading opportunities and the chance to find new authors and new books!

Next Blog Newsletter will be: Nov. 18th, on Sunday, where I will share two new book trailers with you for Animal Graph and Electric Gardens. 

 See you then! 

Bye!

M.Black