Crista McHugh 'A Soul for Trouble' review + giveaway

***Make sure to read the full review and enter for your chance to win a paperback or ebook copy of A Soul for Trouble.***

A Soul for Trouble by Crista McHugh

Expected publication: April 3rd 2012 by Create Space

ISBN13: 978146815874

Synopsis:
When you are a witch named Trouble, Chaos follows. Arden Lesstymine (know to everyone as Trouble) likes attention as much as the next girl, but this is getting ridiculous. When an insane stranger is murdered at the inn where she works, Trouble becomes the next Soulbearer for the disembodied god of chaos. Loku. Yes, it comes with the ability to channel the god’s limitless power, but at the cost of her sanity-literally. Now she has a sexy but cynical knight claiming to be her protector, a prince trying to seduce her to his cause (and his bed), and a snarky chaos god who offers a play-by-play commentary on it all, whether she wants to hear it or not. To make matter worse, a necromancer wants to capture the soul of Loku for his own dark purposes, and the only way he can get it is by killing her first.

When you are the only blonde-haired, blue-eyed person in town you know you are going to draw attention to yourself, not always good attention, but attention none the less. Add the ability to use magic into the mix and you know why you have the nickname Trouble. Arden works for her uncle at his inn, not by choice but by honor to the family, unfortunately Arden gets to serve the riff-raff at the inn that no one else wants to deal with. Who knew helping one old man would change her life forever? Shortly after helping an insane old man he is killed and Arden becomes the new Soulbearer of the chaos god Loku. This information is given to Arden after she woken outside the village by Devarius Tel’brien, Knight of Gravaria (Dev for short). Dev informs Arden that he is the sworn protector of the Soulbearer.

While Dev is trying to get Arden to Gravaria to give her the proper magical training, they have a few run-ins with the Necromancer. Arden chooses to ignore Dev and fight back, which is not a good thing to so, since using magic is punishable by death. Instead Arden ends up saving the Third prince Kell, who wishes to save Arden. Kell tries his hardest to woo Arden into his bed, which doesn’t go exactly as he planned. Arden blows off almost every attempt Kell makes at her. During all of this Dev starts to show signs of jealousy, but he keeps shrugging off his feelings for Arden since he is her sworn protector.

I had a lot of fun reading this book, the characters are likable in their own ways but at times I wanted to reach in and smack Arden around a few times. I’ve wanted to yell at Dev for being such a stubborn jerk and Kell I wanted to give a good swift kick in the rear for just being Kell. Loku if it was possible I’d want to hang out with and talk to for a while, since he reminds me of a certain spirit that lives in a skull that hangs out with a wizard from Chicago. If you are looking for a fantasy book with a little romance, I suggest giving this one a chance and adding it to your library. I’m already looking forward to the next book A Soul for Chaos to come out at the end of the year. It will be interesting to see how life fairs for Arden and Dev once they are in Gravaria.

4.5/5

~DD~

***GIVEAWAY***

Crista was kind enough to offer up one print or ebook copy of her latest hit novel to a lucky commenter below. This giveaway is open to EVERYONE so make sure to list the following in the comments below:

1. Your Email Address

2. A theme for Crista's book is order vs chaos. Do you like the predictable, or a little spontaneity from time to time?

3. Do you follow the blog? If so get double entries!

Make sure to sign up for Crista's newsletter HERE for more chances to win signed books, $50 B&N gift card or a custom hand-stamped bracelet! Contest for our giveaway here ends April 6th at midnight, good luck.

Sheep Interview: author Renee Pawlish + giveaway

Listen to Renee's theme music!

Today the Sheep bring you our latest interview victim, er I mean subject. Wait that sounds bad too. Ok, today the Sheep bring you our latest interview with mystery author Renee Pawlish. Author of spooky stories sure to entertain Nephilim Genesis of Evil and This Doesn't Happen In The Movies. Stay tuned till the very end for your chance to walk away with a copy of Nephilim and other fun prizes! We hope you enjoy.

Colorado. Lone Cabin. 2 Sheep and 1 Spirit meet.

Katie: Thanks for taking the time to sit down and chat with us today Renee, and in this very old VERY creepy cabin no less. *shivers* Can you start by telling folks all about your books?

Renee: Thanks for having me! I’ve written Nephilim Genesis of Evil, a supernatural thriller that is a spooky tale about the Nephilim, who are half man, half fallen angels that are mentioned in Genesis Six. It’s funny that we’re here in this creepy cabin because Nephilim takes place in a small Colorado mountain tourist town that’s full of old cabins.

Another creepy tale is The Sallie House: Exposing the Beast Within, which is a non-fiction account of a haunted house investigation in Kansas. But to lighten things up, I have two Reed Ferguson mysteries (This Doesn’t Happen In The Movies and Reel Estate Rip-off). Reed Ferguson is a wannabe private eye who loves old detective fiction and film noir movies, and he decides he can be a detective in the fashion of his hero, Humphrey Bogart. You’ll have to read the books to find out how successful Reed is. And I have a short story collection called Take Five that also includes a Reed Ferguson mystery.

Sharon: We are always trying to improve our blog for readers and authors. Got any likes/dislikes about review sites in general?

Renee: My only suggestion from an author’s standpoint is that sites with more followers are what we look for because it means we’re reaching more readers who might buy our books. I love your site (giving out a big shout-out, I mean baa-out) to you all. You’ve got great reviews and author interviews and they are a blast to read.

Katie: Nephilim is one spooktastic story! How much fun was that for you as the author to write?

Renee: It was great fun, but also a challenge trying to bring a variety of characters together. This was my first venture outside of a straight mystery, so I was flexing different writing muscles. But I learned more about the horror genre and I’ve discovered some great stories that I hadn’t read before.

Sharon: Where did the idea for this story come from? Can you tell us a little about the journey from idea to publication?

Renee: I was rereading ’Salem’s Lot by Stephen King and I had a dream that became the genesis (punny) of my story. Originally I had a vampire theme in the story, in that the characters think they are dealing with vampires, but that all ended up on the cutting room floor. But it was a great thing because the story is much better. The Nephilim as a bad guy came out of my study of Genesis – they seemed like just a great bad buy for a story.

Sharon: What is your favorite Thanksgiving dinner menu?

Renee: I’m a traditionalist – there has to be turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie. Our family always has a creamed peas and water chestnuts recipe as well. And we have cranberry dressing, but I hate it, so I skip that.

Katie: The book takes places in the Rockies, did you travel there to do any research for the book?

Renee: Yes. I live in Denver and my parents have a cabin outside of Boulder (Boulder is north of Denver), and the setting in Nephilim is based on the cabin property and a ghost town that’s in the mountains nearby. It’s absolutely beautiful up there and a great place for stories.

Sharon: Why this setting?

Renee: The dream I had took place on a lake with a cabin. My parent’s cabin is on a little lake. I’m not sure if my subconscious was using the cabin in that dream, but once I started developing the story, it was natural to use the cabin as the backdrop.

Sharon: You seem to be an Elvis fan. What is it you like about him other than his smexy good looks and voice that can melt butter?

Renee: I fell in love with Elvis when I was in high school. I saw some of his appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show, and I was hooked. I love the sound of his voice, even the cheesy songs from his movies. And he sure was sexy when he was young.

Katie: There needs to be more? Hahaha

Renee: You said it, girl!

Sharon: If you could have theme music play whenever you entered the room, what would it be?

Renee: For Those About to Rock by AC/DC – I hope my books rock my reader’ world.

Katie: What's the funniest thing you've heard back from someone who's read one of your stories? Don't be shy!

Renee: Hmm, that’s a tough question. One person said he finished Nephilim and he wondered what was happening next, since everything is not resolved (I don’t want to give away the ending so this is hard to describe), and then he said to himself, “Wait, this is fiction. I’m going to bed.”

Sharon: You have mentioned children’s books in past interviews. Can you tell us anything about that yet, what age group?

Renee: I have a book called The Emerald Quest that is with my editor right now. It’s a middle-grade novel along the same lines of the Alex Rider spy novels. But my main character, Noah Winter, is a young sea explorer who gets tangled up in an amazing adventure to find a rare gem. I also have another middle-grade story that takes place during World War II that is based on stories my dad and uncle tell about their childhood in Southeast Colorado. I’m not sure when that will be released.

Katie: We like to do a fun Rapid Fire round of questions, so if you're game just sit back relax and answer with the first thing that pops up. Ready? Set…..GO!

Katie: Ghostbusters or Myth Busters

Renee: Ghostbusters

Sharon: Love Me Tender or Jail House Rock

Renee: Jailhouse Rock

Katie: Candy Cane or Cadbury Egg

Renee: Cadbury Egg

Sharon: Bean bag chair or Recliner

Renee: Recliner

Katie: Turkey leg or Beef rib

Renee: Beef rib

Sharon: Mountain trail or Beach stretch

Renee: Mountain trail

Katie: Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone

Renee: Cold Stone

Sharon: Monopoly or Sorry

Renee: Monopoly

Katie: Scary face or Scary hands

Renee: Scary face

Sharon: Evil laugh or Giggles

Renee: Giggles

Katie: No top or No pants

Renne: No pants

Katie: Now we're cookin with gas!

Sharon: Cake or Pie

Renee: Pie

Katie: Criminal or Lawyer

Renee: Criminal

Sharon: Pepsi or Coke

Renee: Coke

Katie: YES! Suck it Sharon and Amber!!! lol

Katie: Dr Who or Star Trek

Renee: Star Trek

Katie: Wicked Witch of the West or Cruella DeVille

Renee: Cruella DeVille

Katie: Thanks again for taking the time to sit down and chat with us Renee, again in this very old very creepy cabin, would you like to add anything before we finish up?

Renee: This was great fun, thanks for having me! I really liked the rapid fire questions, but I wonder who will analyze me now. Oh, I hope everyone reading this will buy one of my books and let me know what you think of it. I love to hear from readers.

Want to win a Kindle for Christmas? Yeah, who doesn't! Check out Renee's website HERE to find out how easy it is!

***GIVEAWAY***

Renee's offering up two chances to win. US followers get a winners choice of Nephilim in either ebook or paperback format (if the winner picks ebook Renee will throw in a copy of This Doesn't Happen In The Movies) PLUS the Sheep are adding some fun swag items just to sweeten the pot!

International followers: get an ebook copy of Nephilim!

Remember DOUBLE entries for followers and if you Tweet or Facebook about the giveaway make sure to leave that in your comments as well. Extra entry for either of those. In the comments below answer these:

1. Your Email Address.

2. Have you ever experienced any ghost/supernatural encounters? If so where and what happened?

3. Mention if you follow us and if you spread the word online.

4. Are you US or International?

Contest ends December 4th at midnight!

Good Luck!

Sheep Review: Nephilim Genesis of Evil by Renee Pawlish

Nephilim Genesis of Evil by author Renee Pawlish is a mystery-suspense novel with a heaping of Paranormal. Well written and all-consuming, Nephilim truly is a spooky party you don't want to pass up.

Plot:

A dark power described in Genesis revisits the small mountain town of Taylor Crossing. After witnessing an evil presence in New York City, Rory Callahan comes out West in search of answers, and finds a town succumbing to supernatural forces. Now, an evil prophesy may be fulfilled by the Nephilim.

To be honest this is a complete "out of the box" read for me, I was a bit hesitant going into the story, but after the second chapter I couldn't put it down to save my life! Or feed the dog for that matter, but fear not he got lots of love after. ;) Ancient spirits are plaguing a small city in the Colorado Rockies, people are starting to go missing or beginning to act very....strange. *Twilight Zone music plays* Could it be the work of a curse or maybe something darker and bloodier than first imagined? Supernatural beings could be afoot OR it could all be a massive hoax to scare a big city journalist following up on some mysterious stories of gold rush days and run-down mining towns. You won't know which it is until the very end and that's what keeps you turning the pages at a hyper-speed pace.

I started reading the book at night, and while I talk a big game about being a vampire I am terrified of the things that go bump in the night! If you get spooked easily then read this thriller during the day, possibly with the doors locked. Renne writes in such a vividly detailed way you are completely sucked into her believable world. Her characters have a solid foundation of truth and a flow you don't come by often. The smex level is low but you don't need much of it with a book this hott!

It's a powerful read with some important points that Renee does a brilliant job of touching on while diving deeper with more meaningful description when needed. The rugged outdoor setting draws you into this small town affair keeping you well entranced. If you love a well written story that will take you to edge of suspense shake you around a bit just for giggles and drag you back then grab this book today!

Follow the Amazon link below to get your Kindle copy for only .99 cents!

Getting 4 and 1/2 Gold Miner Sheep

KD

Dark Swan: Storm Born Issue #3 + Give Away

Regular cov

Storm Born Issue #3

Writer(s): Richelle Mead, Grant Alter

Artist Name(s): Dave Hamann 

Cover Artist(s): Dave Hamann, Jennyson Rosero

Page Count: 32, Full Color

“Eugenie Markham never asked for any of this. Until now, she’s been content with her job as a freelance shaman, battling and banishing Otherworldly creatures.
When a prophecy suddenly makes her the Otherworld’s most popular bachelorette, Eugenie finds herself fighting off unwanted supernatural suitors, as well as the evils that begin emerging from her past…”- Dark Swan: Storm Born

I love this graphic novel because it is funny, sexy and action-packed. In my reviews of Issue #1 & #2 I mentioned all the smexy men, and guess what? We meet yet another one! He is one of the Gentry, did I mention my weakness for Fae? <G>. And as always the artwork colors pop and the facial expressions and body language speak volumes.

Incentive cover

This issue picks up where the last one left off, instead of going into a flashback or skipping forward. Eugenie has summoned up the three quirky spirits she has bound to her. She needs to go into the ‘Otherworld’ in her flesh body and wants their help to find King Aeson, a Gentry King, who has kidnapped a young girl from the mortal world.

The three spirits are a funny bunch; Volusian is a powerful, but evil spirit that often tells Eugenie he is going to kill her as soon as he can break free from her. Nandi is a Zulu woman who was killed for being a witch and Eugenie has promised to give her peace after three years of service. Understandably, Nandi is full of gloom and doom. A real Debbie Downer <G>. And then there is Finn, a pixie-looking man who isn’t bound to Eugenie like the others, he just likes to hang around.

Eugenie and her team head into the ‘Otherworld’ to find King Dorian (here is the smexy man I mentioned earlier). He is King Aeson’s enemy and Eugenie hopes he will help them rescue the mortal girl out of spite, if nothing else. King Dorian is both arrogant and flirty with long red hair and looks smokin' in his Puss in Boots get up. He can’t help Eugenie directly, but gives her a guide to lead her to Aeson’s castle. When Eugenie and her team arrive at Aeson's there is an action packed bloody fight because Eugenie and company have been lured into a trap.

Action-packed, snark, smexy men and evil doers with pictures (did I mention smexy men?). This comic is all that and a bag of chips! Sea Lion Books was kind enough to provide the first 6 pages of Issue #3 for your pleasure! You can see 6 pages of Issue #2 here.

5 “Rock’n the Green Cape” Sheep!

SS (edited by BAK)

Give Away:

Sea Lion Books has offered a copy of Issue #1 and #2

1. Tell me if you read graphic novels. If you do, what is your favorite?

2. leave a way to contact you and if you are a follower (followers get double entry)
Contest ends Sept 10 at Midnight

Sea Lion Books LLC is a newly established publishing house which specializes in all formats-hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market in urban fantasy, paranormal, and young adult genres. Sea Lion Books LLC's recent roster of authors include: International Bestselling author, Paulo Coelho, New York Times Bestselling authors Richelle Mead, Richard A. Knaak and more to be announced.

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