Hym and Hur Book Review (Tomoson)

I read Hym and Hur, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The book was written by Phillip Frey. I received a free code on smashwords to obtain the book.

About the book:

The book is about Hym and Hur, a young couple, who never ages, and who have been together for more than 100 years. They have magical abilities. The couple loves to play tricks on others or do good deeds. You also have Death, who helps Hym and Hur do their dastardly deeds. All pranks have to be approved by Death, which is the plot of the book. Death approved a plan, with major consequences for humans. Hym and Hur, try to make things right, which may or may not get them in trouble.

My Review:

I loved reading the book. The beginning was hilarious, where Hym and Hur was discussing pranks to pull on humankind. Some ideas was no one dies for a day or for a day, every human gets bad luck. Of course, Death has to approve the request. Death tells them to pick one person, who will be blessed with the ability to save people from dying, via touch. Hym and Hur can cancel the deal anytime. That is the beginning of the book. Hym and Hur have to select one person to accomplish this task. Do a good deed. You know what they say, If the deal is too good to be true, leave it alone.

The chosen person is Archie, who is a painter. Archie is also in a relationship with Sarah. Sarah is not happy with Archie's line of work. Sarah wants Archie to get a real job, making more money. She is supporting him, such as paying his rent for his apartment.

Of course, Death has other plans to allow Archie to not only, save the dead, but raise the dead, which Hym and Hur did not consider part of the original deal. Should have read the fine print. LOL

This was a good, quick read. I enjoyed reading the book. The smash words version was under 25 pages. I wanted more. I wanted a part 2. I wanted a series. As soon as the book got good, it had ended. One of the last scenes, were Death was present, I wanted Archie to be apart of it, but he was not. I wanted Archie to have a knock out battle with Death over something. or the realization, he can save lives. Maybe he could solve the mystery of how he got his new "powers". I don't know but the book was excellent.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Reading Addiction Blog Tours: The Pact Book Review and Tour

I read The Pact by Graeme Brown, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

About the Book:

Will Lesterall grew up in his father's castle, safe from the outside world, full of Goblins, Ogres, Trolls, Knights, and Kings. The pact has kept the kingdom safe. Will is drawn into a conflict of Gods and a woman. The conflict requires blood and loyalty, in addition to changing Will for good. 

Buy Links

Kobo 

Kindle (Canada)

Kindle (America)

Publisher

My Review:
The book was a good, quick read, full of mystical creatures and kingdom battles. Next, The book did contain a lot of characters, which was a little confusing in the beginning though. The book is meant to be read slow or you will get lost easily. 

The beginning had many kingdoms gathering together at Fort Lesterall for food and fun, in addition to celebrating the Pact. Fort Lesterall is flourishing and thriving for over 200 years. The Pact has kept the kingdom protected from harm. Will has been sheltered at the Fort for most of his life, because of the Pact. He has little real-life experience, except for the life behind the fort. Will has always been intrigued by his Uncle's stories of Goblins, Knights, and Trolls. The Pact will soon be challenged by the Unborns (Goblins), which means war. Will wants to protect the Fort and willing to fight for his kingdom. 

Author Bio: (copied from website)

Graeme Brown is has been enchanted by the epic fantasy genre since he was a child, and consequently he started creating his own world with its stories at the age of thirteen. Influenced by writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and George R. R. Martin, he has finally brought the first of those stories to life with his debut title, a short story called The Pact—48 pages that will whisk you away to a dark, medieval fantasy world with gritty realism. When he’s not
writing, he can be found exploring number theory problems or writing computer programs, training for a marathon, or unwinding in a yoga hot room. He has also explored other facets of art, both as a hobby and a profession, including vector graphics, pen and ink, classical piano, and web design. Despite being a full time student and a junior editor for Champagne Books, he makes sure to do a little writing every day. He is presently busy with the first of many sequels to The Pact, A Thousand Roads. For more about Graeme, visit his blog, Blog or on Twitter



Excerpt: (from media kit)

The Stablehouse climbed three stories, a narrow building just twenty feet shy from touching the top of the double outer wall that surrounded the castle’s north flank. Lights shone in the top floor windows and a few others at ground level, where the horses were kept. Will hurried across the dark stones. The soft tap of his shoes against the cobbles echoed in the empty Square. In the middle, where the ground sloped down toward the sewer drains, the statue of Amarr the Barbarian cast a long shadow. Will passed into it and stopped. He heard voices. Two men spoke in hushed tones, but their words carried when the wind wasn’t gusting. “It’s that hag, I tell ya,” came one voice. “She’s roundin’ them up, preparing one of her big spells, she is. I heards there’s a sacrifice comin’, and she means to raise the dead.”

“Don’t be stupid, Roth.” Will recognized the raspy tone at once. It belonged to Mern, the whitesmith, whose half-slashed throat had never fully healed. Will squinted, but couldn’t see where the voices came from, other than realizing they drifted over from the dark, walled yard outside Hellistead’s Tavern. “I’ll not have ya callin’ me stupid. Oh no. I know what this is about an’hoo. You’re just afraids, justs protectin’ yurself. Ya know whatcha got in it, ands I don’t blame you for bitin’ your tongue.” “Quiet, you hay-brained crofter,” Mern spat. “Tonight’s not a night to whisper about such treacheries. The Lord Ham will cut your tongue out, and the world’ll be a better place for it if he does.” “Old Cren will put it back, if he do, but I says he’d best act quick, or he’ll be lacking for the parts as fits him proper. The night’s black, Mern, and it’s gettin’ blacker yet.”

There was a hollow clatter, then sharp hisses. The man who spoke improperly cursed in words that would have made Grandma Mae gasp then Will heard quick footsteps and a series of clunks. He looked back to the castle, to where father gathered his fighters, then the other way, to the Stablehouse. If father’s in trouble, I have to warn him. Will knew his words wouldn’t be taken seriously, though. He began to run across the stone expanse. Fort Lesterall won’t fall. Mern’s a wicked man, and whoever that other one is, he’s got no wits. Cren’s just an old woman who lives in the woods. She probably doesn’t even exist. The side door to the Stablehouse opened as Will arrived, revealing a long labyrinth of stalls lit by rows of hanging lanterns. Jak peeked from behind the door, and Will slipped inside. When the older boy closed it, the dangerous night seemed far away. They were alone, Jak peering at Will, a curry comb still clasped in his hand.

He was broad-limbed and of average height, with tousled hair the color of wet earth and eyes like onyx. As usual, he smelled of straw and horse manure, but that only made him all the more inviting. Jak grinned. “I thought you’d hurry over after the feast proper. Too many clouds tonight, though. I’m afraid we won’t be spying Hell’s Cap, but I’ve another surprise for you. Found it myself, last night.”“We won’t be going to the groves, Jak.” Will lowered his voice. “The Unborns are going to attack. Alter Dun showed the Red Token. That means the Unborns have challenged us. The Pact is broken. Even as we speak, my father’s gathering an army.” “Of course he is.” Will turned toward the metal spiral stair. Barrik, a wiry man with saltand-pepper hair and a bushy moustache, bent his impressive height as he descended from the second floor serving quarters. “I’ve a hundred retainers to see to and that’s lots of horseshit, my little prince.

A good thing they’ve taken to the barracks. I’m full, and there’s a thousand more coming, twenty companies marching under you uncle’s banner knight, Telliken. If we hold the night, then there will be others, and we’ll feed the Unborns hell like they haven’t seen in centuries. But if what I’ve heard’s true, then they have hell to feed us first, before we can draw breath.” Will gaped at the Master of Stables then shook his head fiercely. “Fort Lesterall cannot fall.” Barrik grunted, though it sounded like a laugh. He picked up a pail and carried it to a nearby stall. “I wish I believed that, lad, but this world’s not run on luck, I’m afraid. A man forges his own blade then learns to use it, or he gets cut by everyone around him. This world’s a fierce battlefield, a bitch with a thousand teeth.” “We can fight with them,” Jak insisted. “I’ve practiced with the sword you gave me lots of times in the groves. I’m not bad.” “You would be with armor on.” Barrik came out of the stall with a pail full of black dung. He looked at Will, at Jak, his expression grave. “No, you boys have another errand...

Writers of the Future Book Review

I read Writers of the Future, in exchange for honest review from Business 2 Blogger. I received a paperback book. The book was also published by Galaxy Press, LLC



About Writers of the Future:
Writers of the Future Volume XXIX (I think that is 29) is a collection of prose from candidates from the Writers of the future contest, held quarterly. The contest was founded by L.Ron Hubbard to recognized new and upcoming authors. There is no entry fee to enter the contest. The series of books focuses on science and fantasy. Winners get their manuscript published, in addition to a cash prize. The foundation also sponsors an Illustrators of the Future contest. You can find out about both the Writers and the Illustrators Here:

About L. Ron Hubbard

• Writing career lasted half a century
• Hubbard also had experienced as an explorer, ethnologist, mariner, pilot, film maker, photographer, educator, composer, and musician
• He wrote articles, stories, and plays for George Washington University in Washington, DC's 
• newspaper. 
• He was an national correspondent and photographer for the Sportsman Pilot magazine
• He also served with distinction as a U.S. naval officer during the Second World War.
• Hubbard wrote action, adventure, western, mystery and suspense, using his experiences to help shape his writing. 
• Hubbard worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood.
• Hubbard wrote Battlefield Earth and Mission Earth. Battlefield Earth has been translated into 26 languages, in addition to winning numerous awards. Mission Earth also has won numerous awards. The 10 volume-series all became New York Times Best Sellers. 
• Hubbard died in 1986

Trailer:




My review: 

The book provides 13 stories from the Writer's of the Future International Writers' Program, in addition to three essays on writing and illustration. Before each story, there is a bio of both the author and illustrator. The first story was War Hero by Brian Trent and illustrated by Jon Eno. Wow, the story was amazing. It was a science-fiction story about a man, who has to kill a leader over again. Both men have been given new bodies. The War Hero has been given the body of the leader's son. The story is taking place on Mars. The story was a little confusing at first, but after reading further, I was hooked. This is one of the best science-fiction books I have read in a long time. I have not read any L.Ron Hubbard books yet, but I plan to. The books provide a great collection of upcoming authors.

At the end of the book, you have information about Writers of the Future and Illustrators of the Future and how to enter each contest.

Buy Links: 

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Social Media:

facebook.com/GalaxyPress?ref=ts&fref=ts

facebook.com/GoldenAgeTheater?ref=ts&fref=ts

facebook.com/WritersAndIllustratorsOfTheFuture?ref=ts&fref=ts

facebook.com/GoldenAgeStories?ref=ts&fref=ts

youtube.com/user/GoldenAgeStories

The Fantasy Fallacy by Shannon Etheridge

I read the Fantasy Fallacy: Exposing the deeper meaning behind sexual struggle, in exchange for review from Booksneeze.com. The book was written by Shannon Etheridge and Steven Arteburn. I chose this book because I have been celibate for almost two years. I had a serious sexual addiction, porn addiction, and masturbation addiction. I still struggle with issues, but not as bad as I used to be.This book is written from a Christian perspective.


The book talked about how fantasies can make you want more sex. Fantasies also can cause unwanted expectations in relationships. Fantasies also can depersonalize sex and may ruin potential relationships.

Not all fantasies are bad, a fantasy can help heal pain, motivate towards a goal, or help you through a life transition.

The book also discusses types of fantasies (autoerotic, erotic, and illicit). It also discusses the repression of fantasies and sublimation (redirecting sexual energy elsewhere). The book also discusses how porn and voyeurism affects individuals.

Finally, the book discusses new ways to look at fantasies. Maybe the fantasy fulfills a psychological need.