After watching her parents serve in British households for her whole life, Priya grew to despise every aspect of British colonialism. After an introduction to a British family in an attempt to secure a servant position of her own ends in disaster, Priya runs away to try and find a better life.
But she doesn’t get far.
Alone on the streets of Bombay, Priya is kidnapped and taken captive aboard a smuggler’s ship bound for the slave markets of the Americas.
And in the cage next to her – is a ferocious mama tiger named Nabhitha!
When Priya and the tiger see a chance for escape, will Priya dare to take it? Or will she end up the tiger’s dinner?
Follow Priya and Nabhitha on a journey of courage and second chances.
A Girl and her Tiger is the third book in the Animal Companion Series, but each book is a stand-alone novel with new characters and adventures.
To celebrate the release of A GIRL AND HER TIGER by Zoey Gong, we’re giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner!
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Red Empress Publishing. Giveaway ends 10/30/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
About Zoey Gong
ZOEY GONG was born and raised in rural Hunan Province, China. She has been studying English and working as a translator since she was sixteen years old. Now in her early twenties, Zoey loves traveling and eating noodles for every meal. She lives in Shenzhen with her cat, Jello, and dreams of one day disappointing her parents by being a Leftover Woman (剩女).
"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spines, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.
Empress of all Seasons by Emiko Jean
Publication Date: November 6th, 2018
Summary-
In a palace of illusions, nothing is what it seems.
Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yōkai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren't hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yōkai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit. As she struggles to keep her true identity hidden, Mari’s fate collides with that of Taro, the prince who has no desire to inherit the imperial throne, and Akira, a half-human, half-yōkai outcast. Torn between duty and love, loyalty and betrayal, vengeance and forgiveness, the choices of Mari, Taro, and Akira will decide the fate of Honoku in this beautifully written, edge-of-your-seat YA fantasy.
Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. (April 4, 2018) Category: Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction Lite, Post Apocalyptic Tour dates: October-November, 2018 ISBN: 978-1641401678 Available in Print and ebook, 157 pages
“Deadly Ground” – a riveting story about the human race under threat, with a rare DNA condition providing a second chance for humanity. A fast-paced novel that reads like an apocalypse movie with a biological viral disease, some romance, and aliens in the mix, centered on the unforgettable human main character AB, who becomes the hope for humanity’s regeneration. By author Thomas W. Starbuck, whose storyline for “Deadly Ground” was adapted and written by Judy Belshe-Toernblom.
Trailer Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom
Excerpt:
Deadly Ground
T.W. Starbuck, Author
Excerpt 3 (Ch. 8) – 614 words
As he
left the room, he passed Clayton’s desk. He saw a picture of Clayton, Colleen,
and their family, including their dog Winnie.
“Winnie
. . . she’s alone. I’ve got to get to her.”
He quickly
pulled the picture out of the frame and tucked the picture into his pocket and
left. Outside, AB loaded scanning devices and the matching equipment into his
H2. He took a long last look at the CDC headquarters and then got into his H2
and drove away.
Once
again, AB was carefully negotiating the streets of Atlanta. It was a silent war
zone. Homes were broken into, doors were open. There were cars up on lawns and
driven into buildings. There were family animals running everywhere, terrified
and trying to find their owners . . . but no humans.
AB
pulled up in front of Clayton’s home and exited his H2. He cautiously walked
around the home and on to the backyard. He did not see Winnie. He calmed his
voice and called to her.
“Winnie,
Winnie it’s AB. Where are you, girl?”
He
whistled. Then he picked up a few of her toys and squeaked them. He stuck a few
dog cookies from her bowl into his pocket. He continued his walk to the garage.
There she was, cowering in the corner of the garage. Winnie could hear him but
did not come to him. Instead, she just watched him. He entered the garage
unhurriedly and steadily to not scare Winnie.
“There
you are, girl—” AB stopped in midsentence.
“Oh,
sweet lord, it’s the children . . .”
Winnie
was lying next to what appeared to be children’s clothing. The arms of the
little boy’s clothing were wrapped around the little girl’s clothing.
He
gasped and began to pant for air. The sight was too much. Then he remembered
his mission. Through his tear-filled eyes AB looked around for a container to
put the children’s dust into. On the shelf was a mason jar. He collected the
dust of the children. As he did, Winnie slowly walked over to him. She was
traumatized. AB held out a biscuit, and Winnie took it. AB petted Winnie and
comforted her.
“That’s
a start, girl, good girl.”
AB
took the container now filled with the children’s dust and left the garage,
Winnie followed. He asked himself, Where was Colleen?
He
walked to the back door of the house. He cautiously opened it and walked in
with Winnie. The door opened into the kitchen. There on the floor was the
clothing and the dust of Colleen. There was a broken plate of sandwiches and
spilled drinks on the floor. The food was covered in flies.
“She
must have been fixing the children a snack, girl.”
AB
petted Winnie again in a consoling way. He continued his ritual of gathering
Colleen’s dust. He poured her dust in with the children’s, and then walked back
outside. He sat on the stoop of the porch and cried as the humid Atlanta sun
beat relentlessly on his back.
He
looked around the yard and down the driveway. It was so quiet. He hated the
quiet. To make matters worse, it was a muggy, sticky scorcher of a day that
only added to the stench now rising from every orifice in the town.
Gathering
his strength, he and Winnie walked to the H2. He opened the door of the H2 and
took the container with Clayton’s dust and poured his family’s dust into the
container. AB wiped the sweat from his face and tears from his eyes.
“I
know you’d all want to be together.” AB and Winnie got into the H2 and left.
About Thomas W. Starbuck
Thomas W. Starbuck, an eternal optimist, finds joy in everything around him – from quality time with his active family to quiet meditation and contemplation about the world around him. Never living life in the status quo, Tom had an idea for a story. This spark of an idea for a screenplay turned into Tom’s first novel, 'Deadly Ground', published in April 2018. To give Deadly Ground the soul it needed, Tom worked with gifted writer, Judy Belshe-Toernblom, on both the screenplay and novel, and they were recognized by the 2018 Capital Fund Screenplay Competition Top 100. Tom is the father of two daughters and a beloved granddaughter, who one of the Deadly Ground characters was named after. He lives with his wife of 45 years in Des Moines, Iowa, where he graduated from Drake University and worked in financial services for 32 years prior to retirement in 2009.
Multi-talented Judy Belshe-Toernblom has spent her career as an award-winning writer/producer/casting director in Hollywood. Having published 5 books, Judy received the Dove Foundation Award for her book, Boonville Redemption: The End of the Beginning, as well as its film, Boonville Redemption, starring Pat Boone, Edward Asner and Diane Ladd. Working with Thomas W. Starbuck on both the screenplay and published novel, Deadly Ground, they were recognized by the 2018 Capital Fund Screenplay Competition Top 100. She also received the Irwin Award for her book, It's A Freeway Out There! Everyone's Guide to the Film and Commercial Industry. She's had the privilege of working with award-winning directors over the years, casting for movies, educational films, industrials and infomercials, such as: McGruff the Crime Dog series, How the West Was Lost (Cable Ace Award), Knotts Berry Farm, Oroweat, Disney educational projects, Boys and Girls Town PSAs, Will Rogers Institute PSAs, and 100s more.
Giveaway Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom
This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. This giveaway ends November 30, 2018, midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.
BOOK SUMMARY: Sparks fly immediately when Rukmani—fierce and assertive in the best and worst possible ways—meets the gentle Ayaan in the magical city Paris. Meanwhile, back in India, her reticent sister, Mrinalini struggles to cope with the void of a loveless marriage and an early pregnancy.
Tides Don’t Cross follows these extremely interesting characters as their lives cross in surprising ways. Mrinalini, Ayaan and Rukmani wade through choppy tides, unaware of their common destiny. Deeply touching, this is an unforgettable story of thwarted desires, of love and its loss, of losing and finding oneself, and of falling and learning to rise.
Young and talented author Simar Malhotra has created yet another piercing and riveting read.
Release date: October 1st 2018
Published by: Rupa Publications
Page numbers: 256
REVIEW:
I haven't read many books by Indian authors this year, so when I picked up Tides Don't Cross, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I first saw the cover and read the summary of the book, I thought it sounded really good and unique. Prior to reading this one, however, I was in a reading slump, so all I wanted was a book that would keep me engaged and entertained. Fortunately, Tides Don't Cross was a very refreshing and wonderful read.
Tides Don't Cross is divided into three parts and follows the story of sisters Mrinalini and Rukmani who have a very strict mother which ends up making one sister very submissive, while the other lives life on her own terms. While there wasn't a lot of interaction between the two sisters, their relationship was beautifully portrayed. From being polar opposites to finding a smooth rhythm and from being far away to being emotionally connected, Mrinalini and Rukmani's relationship survived it all and made for a wonderful story.
The story also revolves around Ayaan who finds himself being a very important part of the lives of both the sisters. Ayaan's was truly the best character in the book. He just naturally brought out the best in people and seeing Mrinalini and Rukmani with him was amazing. It's hard to express how he made an impact on both their lives without giving away any spoilers. It's something that you have to read to find out and devour.
Overall, Tides Don't Cross is a wonderful read that I would highly recommend to lovers of contemporary fiction. Author Simar Malholtra managed to keep me wanting to know more and more and the most awesome fact was that I wasn't able to figure out the ending, which is very rare. A different and fresh story, you do not want to miss this one!
*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Rupa Publications in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.
Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author’s name.
What’s past is prologue.
—WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Violence is as American as cherry pie.
—RAP (HUBERT GEROLD) BROWN
chapter one
She woke in the dark. Through the slats on the window shades, the first murky hint of dawn slipped,
slanting shadowy bars over the bed. It was like waking in a cell.
-Naked in Death by J.D.Robb
Summary-
In hardcover for the first time, here is the novel that started it all-the first book in J. D. Robb's number-one New York Times-bestselling In Death series, featuring New York City homicide detective Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Roarke.
It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing: passion.
When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washington politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome... and the leading suspect in the investigation.
In a dark and broken kingdom, a ruler has to be fearless to control the streets and the ruthless people who run them.
Race Hartman is just bold enough, just smart enough, and just lost enough to wear the crown. Places like the Point will always have bad things and bad people, but the man in control of all that badness can minimize the devastation. Race has a plan, but can he prevent total annihilation without destroying himself?
Brysen Carter has always seen her best friend's brother for what he is--too pretty, too smooth, and way too dangerous to touch. Basking in Race's golden glow is very tempting, but Brysen knows she'd eventually get burned.
When she starts receiving threatening texts and someone tries to take her out in parking lot, the only person interested in keeping her safe is the one man she can't allow herself to have.
Sometimes being bold is the only way to stay alive. But can she let Race save her life . . . if it means losing herself to him?
Release date: February 3rd, 2015
Published by: William Morrow & Company
Page numbers: 400
Review-
Better When He's Bold is the second book in Jay Crownover's Welcome to the Point series. I had liked the first book enough to pick up the next one right away. This is Race's and Brysen's story both of whom we'd met in the previous book. I liked Better When He's Bold but I do think it could have been better. It was an okay read.
After the events which take place in the last book the Point is left with no person to kind of rule over it. This is when Race decided to take over with the help of Nassir and Bax. Race has been a rich guy until his messed up family made him decide to come to the Point and live the hard life. I found Race to be okay. There was nothing special about him for me. Everyone around him kept saying what a genius he was but I just couldn't see it.
Then we have Brysen. Brysen and her family fall right in the middle of the pack. They are not rich enough to be a part of the Hill but not poor enough to be a part of the Point. I really liked Brysen. She was a hard worker trying to keep things as normal as possible for her sister Karsen, while handling a drunk mother and a father who is a gambler. I liked Brysen's determination and her strength.
The best part about Brysen and Race's story was that even though their conversations were slightly prickly in the beginning they never denied being attracted to each other. There was no hiding their chemistry and they very easily accepted each other for who they were. I liked how Race wanted to take care of Brysen and her sister when things got tough. Brysen was the grounding point in Race's life.
The reason I felt this book was lacking as compared to the last one was that the suspense about Brysen's stalker was very weak. I guessed the stalker right at the beginning because he was very easy to spot and I couldn't understand how the apparently most intelligent hero didn't get it. But aside that Better When He's Bold was a good addition to the series.
