My Favorite Reads of 2015

At the year's end, I felt it appropriate to mention my five star reads from this year. It doesn't matter if they released this year, or whenever, I just had to read them this year. I'm surprised by how many books I read this year, considering I had three book releases, which also includes edits and promotion, and having a baby, but, that aside, along with a few beta reads, I read a total of 24 books according to Goodreads. Yeah, not bad, eh?
So, here are my top reads for this year. (You can find their reviews under the review tab above.)

Son of a Pitch Publisher: Elephantine Publishing

About Elephantine Publishing:

Elephantine is a digitally focused publisher. Our goal is to partner with you to turn your love of writing into a successful career for years to come. We work side by side with our authors through every step of the publishing process to create a unique and professional title to share with the world. Using strategic marketing, we provide our authors with industry tools and resources to build readership and grow sales.

Our aim is simple. We seek to provide access to all stories worth telling, whether or not the words fit into a neatly labeled box. Words that resonate in your bones. Stories you’ll never forget.

Find them here: http://www.elephantinepublishing.com/

Participating Editor:

Amanda Aksel realized her passion for publishing in 2011 when she co-produced and ghostwrote a New York Times Bestseller. With more than five years of experience working with entrepreneurs, Amanda enjoys helping others build a successful career with innovative ideas and effective marketing.

She's the author of The Marin Test Series and understands the entire process from inspiration to promotion. Amanda is looking for women's fiction with unique female leads and eco-lit.

Review: Acne, Asthma, and Other Signs You Might Be Half Dragon by Rena Rocford

From Goodreads:
Allyson fights acne, not trolls. As an inhaler-carrying member of the asthma society, she just wants to meet the father who turned her mother into a paranoid, move-across-the-nation freak. Now she’s trying to fit in at yet another school, but for the first time in her life, she has a best friend, Beth. When Allyson accidentally spits fire at kidnappers in the mall, she realizes why her father isn’t in the picture: she’s half dragon. Her acne? Emerging scales. Her asthma? The side effects of her dragon’s fire breath. Instead of freaking out, unflappable Beth reveals her own troll heritage and explains how things work with the supernatural creatures hiding within the modern world of smartphones and skyscrapers.

When trolls kidnap a unicorn, Beth gets blamed. Allyson is determined to prove Beth’s innocence and keep her friend off the unicorn chopping block. When they start looking for the kidnappers, they get a call from the last person they expect: Allyson’s father. He tries to warn them off, but he’s been put under a spell by the kidnappers to keep the victims from escaping. Nothing short of death can stop him. Now Allyson must choose between killing the father she’s always dreamed of, or letting her best friend die for a crime she didn’t commit. 

My Thoughts:
I first saw this in the Pitcharama contest run by Aussie Owned and Read. It intrigued me back then, and so I waited for this release eagerly.
This story didn't disappoint! Action packed, full of adventure, friendship, and a sassy heroine, this novel with an extremely long title that really grabs your attention, has the makings of a fun read for anyone seeking something for pure pleasure. 
Allyson was an absolute delight to follow as she rushed through a steep learning curve. She reacted naturally, and often humorously to the situations thrust upon her, and with a heart full of fierce loyalty.
A clean read I'd definitely recommend!

Blog Tour: Revenge by @SonyaWeiss @LyricalPress

Revenge
by Sonya Weiss
Release Date: December 22nd 2015
Lyrical Press

Summary from Goodreads:

Their love is a ticking time bomb.

Juliet Sawyer was born to save the world. Gifted with incredible powers, she’s the only one standing in the way of The Great Extinction, the prophesied battle between Supernaturals and humans. In order to keep her sister safe and avenge her father’s murder, she’ll have to infiltrate the ranks of the Supernatural leaders who wish to destroy her. But the one thing she didn’t count on was falling in love…with someone who wants her dead.

The gorgeous and dangerous son of one of the Supernatural leaders, Riley West is in charge of training the group for war—now including Juliet, whose father is responsible for killing his family. But the more they train together, the more intensely their passion for each other burns. The deeper Riley is drawn in by Juliet’s beauty, the closer he gets to the secrets she keeps: one that will challenge everything he believes in—and one that could lead to her death. Together, can their forbidden love help stop the war? Or will one of them be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice?

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Excerpt:

Mr. Sands approached us to show us what part to read next, and when he did, I got a weird feeling about him like I was in danger. Something in the teacher’s eyes reminded me of a Ragespawn’s eyes, an ancient enemy of ours, the Tazavorn species. I dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. That had to be impossible. Ragespawn lived only in our galaxy, not the human one. Surely the human authorities would not have granted asylum on Earth to our most vicious enemy.

Riley edged closer to the teacher, putting himself between Mr. Sands and me. “Back off,” he said in a low, commanding voice.

The two locked eyes and Mr. Sand muttered, “Get out of my way.”

A pulsating power as swift and deadly as a laser flew from the center of Riley’s palm. The power zipped past the teacher to a speaker high on the wall.

A low creak sounded above Mr. Sands’s head, and he quickly turned. The mounted speaker flew from the wall and knocked the teacher’s copy of Romeo and Juliet from his hand, pinning it to the floor in a tangle of wires and a cloud of dust. Most of the dust settled on top of his scrub brush hair while some of it coated the white cement walls.

Silence reigned except for the ticking of the clock.

Mr. Sands’s hands shook slightly, and he frowned, first at the yawning hole in the cement and then at me. Suspiciously. Like I’d caused the accident to happen. He took a step closer and pointed a finger at me, clenching and unclenching his jaw as he searched for what to say. Then he grabbed my arm tightly, his fingers biting into my flesh. I winced from the bruising grasp.

“Don’t touch her.” Riley used his shoulder to bump Mr. Sands and released another jolt of his power at the same time, forcing the teacher to take a quick step backward.

My heart stuttered. While the humans knew we had power, they weren’t supposed to see it. Our leaders had sworn to the human authorities that we would not use our power against them. Another lie waiting to blow up in the humans’ faces. The truth was the leaders didn’t want the humans to witness our power. They were afraid it would be photographed and uploaded onto social media sites where the human authorities would analyze it and devise a way to conquer us when the war came.

“Juliet Sawyer!” Mr. Sands pulled the book from beneath the speaker with a grunt and dusted the cover off. He grabbed my arm again more painfully than before. “You’re coming with me to the principal’s office.” It would be easier if I went along with Mr. Sands for now. That way, if I had to use my power to defend myself, no human bystanders would be hurt.

“I’ll kill you,” Mr. Sands said, speaking low so that only Riley and I could hear him. His nasty breath wafted across my face.

Before I could react to the threat, Riley released a stronger jolt of power, and it wrapped around Mr. Sands.

His face paled, and his right arm flailed for the old metal desk, waving madly like it wasn’t part of his body. His torso did a crazy twist and arch.

About the Author

Sonya Weiss is a freelance writer, ghostwriter and author. She's addicted to great books, good movies, and Italian chocolates.
She's passionate about causes that support abused animals and children. Her parents always supported her bringing stray animals home although the Great Dane rescue was a surprise.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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YA Bound Book Tours

Blog Tour: Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One by Norma Hinkens

Title: Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One

Author: Norma Hinkens

Genre: YA post-apocalyptic sci-fi

The earth’s core overheats. The sovereign leader vanishes. A young girl is the survivors’ only hope.

What little land is habitable is patrolled by cutthroat gangs of escaped subversives, but that’s not the greatest threat facing sixteen-year-old Derry Connelly, her brother Owen, and a ragged band of Preppers holed up in a bunker in the Sawtooth Mountains. Mysterious hoverships operated by clones are targeting adolescents for extraction.

Owen, is one of the first to disappear. To save him, Derry must strike a deal with the murderous subversives, and risk a daring raid to infiltrate the heart of the extraction operation.

But will the rookie leader falter when forced to choose between her brother and a clone who ignites something inside her she didn’t know was possible?

Purchase the Book:

Excerpt:

Someone gives a feeble clap. “Magnificent! A most rousing speech to rally the heathens, Mason!”

My feet fuse to the floor at the raspy voice that wafts into the room. Tucker strains at his collar. I yank him back, my heart pounding.

A shrunken man with an unnatural stoop steps into view. My skin crawls with a new level of fear. My gun’s in the Crematauto, along with the rest of the weapons. I fumble around in my pocket and latch onto my switchblade. A trickle of sweat runs down behind my ears. The man standing in the entry looks freakishly old and frail. Tucker could take him down in a heartbeat, but my brain sounds an inner caution. He probably didn’t come alone.

Before I even finish my thought, the doorway darkens and four armed men in black fatigues troop through. Big-shouldered, faces set like flint on necks thick as tree stumps. Schutz Clones! I tighten my grip on Tucker and command him to stay. One false move and he’ll end up another carcass waiting to be incinerated. He minds me, but tension radiates through his collar.

“Welcome to the Craniopolis,” the old man says. “My apologies for the modest welcoming committee, but your timing is most unfortunate. Everyone is at the unveiling of our new Hovermedes prototype.” His body shakes out a shallow breath, as he shuffles toward me. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dr. Lyong.”

I slide my gaze in Mason’s direction. His face registers confusion. Then a flicker of recognition.

“What ... happened to you?” he asks, in a half-whisper.

Dr. Lyong jerks to a stop in front of me and lets out a long, trembling sigh. It’s all I can do not to gag. His breath smells of decaying compost.

“Restructuring DNA proved more complex than I had hoped.” Dr. Lyong runs a finger under his beaked nose and waves it dismissively in Mason’s direction. The skin is stretched so tight over his hand I can see the grape-colored veins forking out beneath it. He barely looks human.

I can’t repress a shudder.

Author Bio

Norma Hinkens is an author who takes a fiendish delight in pushing reluctant characters over cliffs to find out what they're made of. Epic odds, seemingly impossible missions, pasts that haunt, intrigue and misadventure. She’s happiest when wrangling provocative big picture ideas that are never black and white when you turn them inside out. It's all about the tension in the journey.

Norma grew up among rich storytelling traditions in her native Ireland. A Celtic bard at heart, she's happiest wielding her wordsmithing sword with as much wit and eloquence as a bard can muster. She currently resides in California with her husband, three children and Chihuahua extraordinaire. She is the author of the YA Undergrounders Series: Immurement, Embattlement and Adjudgement.

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Son of a Pitch Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

I featured Curiosity Quills earlier this year during my Publisher Feature Months. For more information on them, their staff, and their authors, go check out my January posts.

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a hybrid press founded in 2011 that specializes in fresh, unique fiction of the highest quality.

At CQ, we believe that everyone needs an escape, and we want to be yours. Come grab a book and nerd out with us for a while.

Over the past three years we have successfully tripled our business going from writer-advice blog to full-service publishing press. If you are an author interested in submitting, please visit our submission page: http://curiosityquills.com/submission-guidelines/

Editorial Wish Lists:

Managing Partner Lisa Gus is looking for historical, contemporary romance / women's fiction, unique retellings / steampunk, and alternate history.

VP of Operations, Andrew Buckley, is seeking Adult (all genres), NA (all genres), YA (all genres), and MG (all genres). Specifically he’d like to see some original Sci-Fi and Horror stories and he’s always open to any bizarro fiction with a unique twist. 

Acquisitions Editor Alison Heller is looking for adult and new adult fiction with a twist. The twist could be the POV, the setting, a not-so-happy ending, an unexpected love interest or whatever you decide. She prefers SF/F, magical realism, paranormal and urban fantasy, but will read anything but horror. 

Acquisitions editor Vicki Keire is looking for all sub genres of romance. She would love to see adult and YA contemporary romances with exotic settings, GLBT elements, and non-standard heroes. She'd also love to get her hands on a twisty Sci Fi that's about 40-60% romance. 

Review: The Body Institute by Carol Riggs

From Goodreads:
Meet Morgan Dey, one of the top teen Reducers at The Body Institute.
Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Morgan can temporarily take over another girl's body, get her in shape, and then return to her own body--leaving her client slimmer, more toned, and feeling great. Only there are a few catches...
For one, Morgan won't remember what happens in her "Loaner" body. Once she's done, she won't recall walks with her new friend Matt, conversations with the super-cute Reducer she's been text-flirting with, or the uneasy feeling she has that the director of The Body Institute is hiding something. Still, it's all worth it in the name of science. Until the glitches start...
Suddenly, residual memories from her Loaner are cropping up in Morgan's mind. She's feeling less like herself and more like someone else. And when protests from an anti-Body Institute organization threaten her safety, she'll have to decide if being a Reducer is worth the cost of her body and soul... 


My Thoughts:
I do have a weak spot for Dystopian, and this premise definitely interested me as well. Being someone who has a chronic condition that makes weight loss hard, especially after having babies, I was like "give me one of those!" Ha ha ha! But seriously, the prospect of someone else, one of those gym junkies, doing all the work, intrigued me.
At first, I was kind of disgruntled by the hypocrisy of the system. The divide of socioeconomic groups, enforced health protocols, but mostly the dreaded "fat shaming." But this is a dystopian society, it's supposed to be off at first. But even later on, there were things that bugged me, like when the weight is mentioned and made sound so grossly overweight, when it really wasn't.
The big "turn of events" I will call it so as not to give spoilers, upset me so much I had to set the book aside for several days. That shows how enthralled I was by the story.
The insulting fat implications aside, the plot was interesting and held my interest. I felt for the characters, and their concerns.
All in all, an interesting read, and clean.

A Short Story Prequel to Kiya

This isn't much, or edited, but I wrote it a while back for fun. Enjoy!

The Heretic

Aten, the sun disc, stretched his arms as he sunk down over the mountains, another night’s treacherous journey through the underworld lay ahead of him. Amun-Ra watched in the shadows, wishing his fellow god good riddance. Aten clawed at the mountain, desperate to remain in the land of the living, before his endless cycle took hold of him and he disappeared from view.

Amun-Ra grunted. “Finally.”

He stepped out taking a physical form now Aten could no longer see him. He ran his hands over his lean body, and straightened his ostrich feather crown. He resented Aten more than he knew was even possible. How dare such a lowly and useless god take his place among mortals! The Royal god? Ha!

A dark figure emerged from the graveyard at the edge of the new royal city. He walked steadily up the cliff face and stood beside Amun-Ra. Amun-Ra glanced at the jackal-headed Anubis and said, “What news?”

“The Pharaoh’s body may be frail, but he is determined to live.” Anubis folded his arms and twitched his ears. “I do all I can to force his body to fail, but he is much too stubborn to die.”

Amun-Ra scowled.

A woman’s voice gradually faded in as Horus and Hathor appeared behind them. Hathor was pointing at Horus with her hand on her hip. “All you’re doing is hurting his wives! This is ridiculous.”

“Hathor,” Amun-Ra spoke sternly, causing her to snap her mouth shut and turn to him, bowing her head.

“I’m sorry, your Highness.”

Horus approached Amun-Ra with a bow. “Where are the others?”

“Coming,” Amun-Ra answered. “I can feel Osiris moving through the earth, he was the only other god who agreed to come.”

Horus ruffled his feathers. “Agreed? You should have commanded them. This affects all of us.”

Amun-Ra turned and faced over the city on the plains below. “If I want this done right, the gods who assist me need to comply willingly. Many of the other gods do not feel this heretic issue applies to them as their followers still worship them where they can keep it hidden from the Pharaoh.”

“You cannot blame them,” Anubis said. “Mortals come and go, why should they be concerned with one Pharaoh?”

“One Pharaoh who has done all of this!” Horus waved his hand over the city. “Uprooted the kingdom and forced the people to abandon us, and for what? The Aten of all the gods? It’s disgusting. I am god of the Pharaohs and Amun-Ra is King of the gods, so how could he possibly place that… that poor excuse for a god before us? If he manages to have an heir, who’s to say that heir won’t follow in his footsteps?”

Hathor moaned.

Horus shot his wife a filthy look.

“Ah! Osiris approaches,” Anubis said, changing the direction of their focus.

Osiris sprung from the earth, dressed in his white robes and white crown with a crook in his right hand. “Hello brothers, sister.” He glanced at Horus. “Son.”

“Yes, it’s a lovely family reunion,” Horus snapped. “We’re all here now, so let’s get on with it.”

“Very well.” Amun-Ra touched Horus’ shoulder. “Horus, you and I are the most deeply affected by this so I will hear you first. What have you observed within the palace?”

“Aten worship.” He squawked. “He’s not even a real god!”

“Stay on topic, husband,” Hathor snapped.

He glared at her before continuing.  “My servant within the palace has become prominent, much to my relief. With all this monotheism nonsense it’s hard to find a good, loyal mortal. But I believe this mortal, if guided, will do my bidding well.”

“Very good,” Amun-Ra said with a nod.

“But your dreams are not working,” Hathor muttered, folding her arms.

“They are,” Horus said. “The Pharaoh fears sleeping and that’s because of me.”

“Yes but it’s harming my women isn’t it?” Hathor pointed at him again. “I hate when you do things which harm my women.”

“Horus,” Osiris said is a smooth calm voice. “Harming the mortal women?”

Horus stroked his feathers on his neck. “It’s not me. It’s the Pharaoh.”

“Because of you!” Hathor yelled. “They are mine, like the line of Pharaoh’s is yours!”

“Enough.” Amun-Ra raised his hand and they all fell silent. He scanned each of their faces. “We didn’t gather to blame one another for what is happening. We gathered to come up with a solution. Now, let’s try to think of a constructive way to do to solve this problem.”

No one spoke for several moments, until Horus said, “Father, you should take him with you to the underworld.”

“Ah…” Anunbis raised his hand. “Without a male heir all that will accomplish is place his Great Wife or his younger brother on the throne.”

“His Great Wife?” Hathor smiled. “I see no problem with that. Hatshepsut was a brilliant pharaoh, so it’s about time another woman took the crown.”

Anubis shook his head. “His Great Wife is a fervent supporter of the Aten. It would defeat the purpose of removing the Pharaoh.”

“What of his brother then?” Osiris asked.

Horus scoffed. “No. He’s a horrible little mortal. I refuse to allow him to have my title.”

“Then what do we do?” Hathor asked.

Horus gestured at the horizon where Aten disappeared. “I say we get rid of him.”

The group all protested, saying without the sun disc, nothing in the mortal realm would grow, flourish or even exist. Horus rested his hands on his hips and yelled over the noise, “I don’t see any of you coming up with any suggestions!”

“I have a suggestion.”

They all spun at the sound of the new voice. Bast walked steadily toward them, her black cat fur glistening in the moonlight as her womanly hips swayed from side to side. She stopped beside Anubis and smiled. “Woof.”

“I hate cats.” He turned his nose up at her.

She purred with amusement. “Oh what fun we have. Immortality is a blast, isn’t it? Oh, I forgot, you prefer the dead.”

Anubis opened his mouth to speak, but Amun-Ra cut him off. “Bast, I’m glad you joined us.”

“As am I.” She rested her hand on her hip and smiled. “I don’t often get to spend time with some of my favorite gods and goddesses. Pity it’s under such unfortunate circumstances for you, nephew.”

Horus grumbled under his breath.

“And you, your Highness.” She bowed her head to Amun-Ra.

“Thank you.” Amun-Ra tilted his head, making his ostrich feather crown rock forward. “Now, what is your suggestion?”

“Yes.” She looked Horus over. “Give the Pharaoh an heir. Unbind me from my agreement preventing his Great Wife from having a son. If he has an heir he will stop struggling against you, Anubis, to live. That’s all he wants; to continue his royal line.”

“She cannot have a son,” Anubis growled. “For the same reason she cannot inherit the crown. She will teach the boy to worship Aten. We bound you to this agreement for this purpose.”

“Then one of the other wives.” She shrugged. “Horus, have your servant protect one so she can bear an heir.”

Horus stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“The other women have been trying,” Hathor snapped at her. “It’s not their fault they haven’t succeeded.”

“And the few who have given him sons, the boys are of questionable paternity for the mortals,” Bast said with a smirk.

“That’s not my fault.” Hathor scowled.

Amun-Ra raised his hand to silence the group. He shut his eyes, listening. When he opened his eyes again he smiled. “At least I still receive some prayers. My servants in Thebes remain loyal.”

“Thebes!” Horus threw his hands in the air. “Oh my glorious, wonderful, magnificent Thebes. How could her days of glory have past for this?” He waved his hand over the city below.

“Yes, and now it’s overrun by those Hebrews.” Anubis rolled his eyes. “I don’t like their god He’s…”

All their eyes fell to the ground.

“Powerful,” Hathor whispered.

“We shouldn’t even be talking about Him,” Osiris said evenly. “We will find ourselves in a world of trouble.”

“Yes, let’s move on.” Amun-Ra opened his mouth to speak again when Horus interrupted.

“Hebrews?”

Hathor turned on him. “Yes, husband. Pesky little Hebrews. We should have insisted they leave our kingdom long ago.”

But Horus ignored her. “Bast, do you have power over all mortal women and their fertility?”

“Of course.” She folded her arms. “That is, if their patron god allows it.”

“Hmm, there might be a slight problem there then.” But he smiled and started laughing to himself.

“I don’t like it when you laugh like that,” Hathor scowled. “It means you’re scheming.”

Horus ignored her and turned to Osiris. “Father, you are at least on amicable terms with the Hebrew god aren’t you?”

“If you could call it ‘amicable’. At most it’s…”

“Do you speak to him?”

Osiris straightened. “He doesn’t like it.”

“I’d prefer for all of us to stay away from Him,” Amun-Ra interrupted. “Whatever your scheme, Horus, it will not involve Him.”

Horus scowled and turned away.

Bast stepped forward, her ears twitching. “I am curious, Horus, what was your idea?”

He scratched his feathers on the back of his neck. “It would be risky, and definitely steps out of our normal bounds, but I thought a Hebrew woman could mother the heir.”

A tense silence fell.

“A Hebrew?” Amun-Ra whispered.

“No,” Osiris said in a commanding voice. “I won’t hear it. They do not belong to us. We can manipulate, possess, and do whatever we like to our mortals, but those mortals are off limits.” His eyes narrowed on Horus. “Maybe we should adjourn for a time to ponder a resolution to this issue. We shall gather in three moon cycles to present our ideas so we may arrive at a solution.” He paused, and looked to Amun-Ra. “If you are agreeable, highness?”

Amun-Ra tapped his lip as he raised an eyebrow. “I am. Farewell then all. We are adjourned until three moons hence.”

Osiris bowed his head and sunk into the earth.

Anubis growled. “I guess I’ll keep weakening the Pharaoh’s body. Until we meet again.” He turned and leaped down the cliff, disappearing into the graveyard.

Amun-Ra glanced at Horus, raising an eyebrow. Horus paused, sensing Amun-Ra desired for him to stay. Amun-Ra turned to Bast. “It’s been a while since we spoke. Why don’t you stay with me to catch up?”

She tilted her head, her ears twitching. “Of course.”

Horus turned to Hathor. “I already planted a nightmare in the Pharaoh’s mind, so let us go–”

She rolled her eyes. “Then I must go protect the wife who remains with him tonight. Oh Horus, I long for the time when this is over! You mischief is causing me no end of grief!”

“You have no end of grief?” He squawked. “The title of Pharaoh belongs to me and that man has shunned me, he shuns all of us for that pathetic, lowly god, who is lucky to even be considered a god, the Aten.  That title, the Pharaoh, belongs to me and he mocks me by wearing that crown and calling himself ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt.  My very existence, my purpose has been thrown asunder for what? A sun disc? My grief far outweighs yours as you protect a handful of pathetic mortal women.”

She pressed her hands against her hips as she puffed out her chest. “Oh husband, you’re lucky I’m compassionate to you and know of the pain you suffer or I’d turn you over to Set!” She clicked her fingers and vanished.

Horus, unfazed by his wife’s outburst, turned to Amun-Ra. “You wished to speak to me?”

Amun-Ra glanced toward the moon and motioned for Bast and Horus to follow. They slipped inside a cave, out of view or earshot of any other god. Amun-Ra turned to Horus, stroking his chin. “I am intrigued to hear what your scheme is.”

Horus scowled. “It’s not important. My father made it very clear that–”

“I am King of the Gods,”Amun-Ra said in a firm voice. “Osiris is below me and my voice trumps his. Speak, Horus, and tell me your idea.”

Horus ran his hand down his beak, pondering for a moment. “Well,” he began on a sigh. “I thought, as I said, a Hebrew woman could mother the heir.”

“And why is that?”

Horus tilted his head. “A new wife, uninfluenced by anyone else in the palace or a belief in Aten could provide a son which we can mold as we would have him be.”

“But she would teach him of her own god,” Amun-Ra scowled.

“Ah,” Horus craned his neck and in an odd, bird-like way smiled. “That’s why we select her very carefully. We find one who is cunning, bright and educated in our ways and so understands the importance of the freedom to worship any god. Then, once she’s exposed to palace life and her own faith is forced into submission, she will know for herself why the strict monotheism the Pharaoh has enforced is dangerous, and will unwittingly fight for our cause.”

“But what about the Queen?” Bast interrupted. “She is jealous and definitely won’t agree to a lowly Hebrew baring the heir. Not to mention, how do we sneak this by their god?”

Horus chuckled. “We draw her into one of our temples.  She cannot be protected there. Inside our temples she is free game for us to do what we want.”

Amun-Ra nodded. “It seems like a good plan. But how will we ensure a woman like this is selected? That is, if one even exists.”

Horus’ eyes glistened. “Take us to Thebes so we can see the people.”

Amun-Ra grasped Horus and Bast by the arm and they shot down to Thebes where they stood on the rooftop of his temple. The streets were quiet, which was to be expected at that time of night, until a horn sounded.

“A wedding,” Bast smiled. “Oh how I wish I could join in.”

They watched as several households woke and rushed into the streets to the bride’s house.

“What is happening?” Amun-Ra muttered.

“The guests rush to follow as the groom takes the bride for, if they arrive late the door will be shut and no one will hear them knocking.”

“You know a fair deal about the Hebrews,” Horus said.

“I watch them.” She shrugged. “They are strange and I find myself curious.” She raised an eyebrow and pointed. “Like that family. The father is the chief of his tribe and has four daughters after his son. He loves them each dearly, but his oldest daughter he favors above the rest, even though she’s not near as pretty. She’s clever and might just be what we’re looking for.”

“And why does he favor her?” Amun-Ra asked.

“I’m not sure.” She stretched her hand out, and they each grabbed it as they transported down among the group. Bast leaned forward to look into the face of the eldest daughter, but was shocked and forced away. She grunted and stepped back. “I can’t get close enough to find things like that out.”

“Let us observe,” Amun-Ra gestured for them to follow into the wedding.

They stepped through the door and stared at the feasting and rowdy guests. They moved toward the family and silently watched as they interacted. The four daughters laughed together while the father and son chatted. Then, the father leaned forward and smiled at his oldest daughter as she stood. She tilted her cup at him and spoke in Egyptian. The three gods turned to each other.

Amun-Ra smirked. “Educated in our ways.”

“She’s smart,” Bast purred. “So her father taught her.”

They watched her as she raised her voice in praises to her god, and several young men fell around her laughing as she joked and charmed them.

“She’s what we’re looking for.” Horus gestured for them to leave. They retreated to the Temple of Bast where Horus paced as he stroked his beak. “Where do we go from here?”

Amun-Ra, delighted by the turn of events, grinned from ear to ear. “You, Horus, must arrange for her to be collected. Give the Pharaoh a dream telling him to take a virtuous wife from among the Hebrews, then plant into the mind of her collector what to look for.” He turned to Bast. “And you need to lure her into your temple. Once she’s inside, ensure she will conceive a son first and conceive quickly. What we are about to do must be done swiftly or their god may prevent it and His wrath will fall upon us.”

He turned and looked out upon the city, his face falling. “There will be many negative repercussions from this, I can sense it. But for now, we must ensure future mortals remain loyal to us and that this monotheism idea is crushed. I believe this may be our best solution.”

He nodded to Horus who bowed his head. “I will go now, your highness, and begin the process by planting the dream in the Pharaoh’s mind.” He turned northward and with one step, vanished.

Amun-Ra turned to Bast. “Well then, it seems the heretic King will soon fall. So tell me, what is the name of this Hebrew?”

Bast stroked the fur under her chin. “Naomi. Her name is Naomi.”

Review: The Perilous Journey of the Not-So-Innocuous Girl by Leigh Statham

From Goodreads:
Lady Marguerite lives a life most 17th-century French girls can only dream of: money, designer dresses, suitors, and a secure future. Except she can’t quite commit to a life of dull luxury and she suspects she may be falling for her best friend Claude, a common smithy in the family's steam forge. When Claude leaves for New France in search of a better life, Marguerite decides to follow him and test her suspicions of love—only the trip proves to be more harrowing than she anticipated. Love, adventure, and restitution await her if she can survive the voyage.

Based on the true story of The Daughters of the King, Louis the XIV’s social program to settle the wilds of Canada with women of noble birth, Marguerite’s steampunk adventure follows in the footsteps of nearly one thousand brave women and girls who were rewarded handsomely for trekking across the pirate infested Atlantic to a strange land.

My thoughts:
I had the great privilege of reading this book in its early stages. Perilous Journey is a fun read, detailing the story of Statham's ancestor with an interesting steam punk twist. Marguerite is a spunky, yet spoiled brat, who goes through a transformation throughout the book into a strong, intelligent young woman. 
I loved Jacques throughout, and Claude... well, I wasn't very happy with him at the end.
This is a clean read, and a great adventure for teens and adults alike.

Son of a Pitch Publisher: City Owl Press

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YELENA CASALE, co-founder of City Owl Press, is an award-winning author and editor, who highly prizes quality and professionalism. She earned a Masters of Science in Publishing from New York University and has always been interested in everything literature and publishing. Over the past decade, she has edited numerous fiction and non-fiction, including novels, short stories, articles and business documentation for a variety of organizations, charities, and presses. She’s a highly experienced social media strategist and marketing expert. She is keen to share a wealth of knowledge with authors, bringing her editorial skills, expertise, and great enthusiasm to the mix.  Twitter / Facebook/ Website
Heather McCorkle, Acquisitions EditorHEATHER McCORKLE received an Intermediate Certificate in Criminology at Clackamas Community College and is studying for her BEA at Central Oregon Community College. She was an acquiring editor for Compass Press and has since been a freelance editor under McCorkle Creations. She is also a graphic designer, freelance editor, and author with several books that have landed on the bestseller lists. Heather comes to us with over four years in the publishing industry, and over twenty years of writing and editing experience. Having worked for Compass Press, Promontory Press, and independent authors, she brings a well rounded and fresh outlook tempered with experience. Heather has a deep love of all things fantasy and sci-fi with a heavy dose of romance mixed in. Find her current wish list HERE.Twitter / Blog / Website / Editor Site