Killarney Sheffield Presents a Romantic Suspense Apocalypse Winner....

Scanning the crowd I move on. Maybe something exciting will happen today, though by the expressionless faces it doesn’t appear likely. This day is different, but the routine is the same, lines of girls like me, boarding the subway to return home from the education centre. It is the same pattern followed every day six since I was called up to the centre on my twelfth birthday, seven years prior. It is the way of things here, we live at the school and return home for one day each week to share with family, all the teens from the hubs have to do it. The routine is so mundane and boring. Just once I would like to scream, just to see something different, to make people smile, look, jump, anything to liven the place up. However it’s been drilled into my head and everyone else’s, don’t cause a commotion, don’t drift from the norm, be invisible... just another face in the numbered crowd. That familiar feeling of resistance rises in me, making my fingers clench at my sides. No, resist temptation; there will be time for free expression when you reach the dorm.

My friend Danika catches my eye with a brief smile before she looks away. Excitement tingles, raising the hair on my arms as we exit the tunnel and head above ground. No, there’s nothing new to see here. Even so I can’t help but examine the concrete passageway. Grey walls as far as the eye can see, flat, smooth and non-descript, guiding me home to my family’s dorm. 

Home is usually only a one day respite from the cold, stale environment of the routine of school, but not this time and that is what is fueling my steps and everyone’s excitement today. This day marks the graduation ceremony and with it all the eighteen year old’s assignments in the city. I look forward to it, as much as anyone can look forward to having the rest of their life assigned to them without a say, I suppose. Still, since very little different ever happens here it is a most welcome breather from the norm.

~~~

The Emperor’s Concubine

Sometimes I wonder if the apocalypse really happened or has the world always been as it is...

By Killarney Sheffield

I've always wondered why the apocalypse has been used for so many books or movies. It's never been something I dwell on for any great time. However, I've read quite a few books. One thing I've found is that, though many have some similar basic concepts, such as "under a dome," there hasn't been one actual story that wasn't different enough to make it a satisfactory story... Note that I'll soon provide a review of the latest one I've read that may just be a lot more accurate than other ideas...

Killarney Sheffield's book is the first I've read in the romance genre, but it was far better than I had imagined from looking at the beautiful young girl on the cover. So don't be fooled by the cover into thinking this is totally chick lit. It is romantic suspense that will keep you totally involved in the story that has minimal actual sexual activity involved... I enjoyed it tremendously...

My parents hold to the belief
 the land is much the same as
 before the destruction of the planet.
 Are they right?
 According to the Emperor and his
officials,
all was decimated except for the
 city of Imram,
where we all live now.
In the city there is only concrete
 and food genetically engineered
 and grown in giant warehouses.
 The possibility of the old world
 is always in the back of my head.
 Thankfully the Emperor hasn’t
figured out how to read citizens
 minds yet, or I’m sure many
 of us would be convicted...
~~~

Ocean is beautiful, but she is also very intelligent, and has dreams of living a different life than that she has lived since very young--almost too long to remember much, but enough to sense what...freedom...is like.

Of course, her parents were once free, but they were included in being taken to a new concrete city after great problems on earth, many calling it the apocalypse... Her parents have shared what they remember and there are always others from whom scraps of information come from.

Ocean is in love with a young man but all that changes...all teenagers reaching their 18th year and graduating from school will receive a job assignment for the future by the Emperor...

But there are terrible secrets hidden from those who are the elites class as opposed to those who live in the hubs, where Ocean and her  family reside. And to resolve the problems the Emperor has decreed that a number of young girls will be selected to become concubines for those men in the elite class. Not only was this devastating for Ocean but her two best friends were taken into the service of the king, which thankfully served to keep them together.

My musing is interrupted by the Emperor’s stiff monotone, “Citizens of Imram, we are facing a crisis of gigantic proportions. As you know many of our elite succumbed to the effects of the disaster that made us rebuild our civilization. We are now faced with dwindling numbers to re-populate those who’s valuable input controls and governs our great city. Within a few short years we will simply cease to be without new blood to infuse into the population. I have therefore issued a degree that when put in place will insure the survival of those most deserving of our people. Every girl who has reached majority age since the beginning of the year, and was never touched with the black sickness, will be re located to a special facility within the week where they will be used to ensure our continued survival. You will receive further instructions tomorrow and be assigned a travel tag. All boys who have reached their majority will be taken to the trade assignment facility as expected. Anyone who tries to avoid their duty will be executed.” The emperor smiles into the camera as if he has just blessed us with a wonderful gift and then it fades to static. Terror renders me silent as I try to digest everything I’ve just heard. I’ve reached my majority as of today. ‘Used to ensure our continued survival’... Used... how? It takes me a moment before I realize I am staring at Sol. The silence stretches between us like a force field until it is broken by a howl of despair issued from my mother’s lips...

~~~

It was during this time that the teens began to realize that all of the different non-white races were being separated out. Only Danica, who was part white, and Ocean's best friend was saved and, through some behind-the-scene actions was named to be personal maid to Ocean.

Yes, behind the scenes, many were fighting to get away from this place, to be out of the tyranny of the Emperor and small things could be arranged occasionally. Even Sol, her boyfriend, was ultimately named as her personal guard...

After she had passed all the tests and been named to become the concubine to the Emperor himself...

And Ocean only knew one thing... she had to be free...

It is in the gritty details of how the people lived that Sheffield's book succeeds. She takes readers first into her and her family's own life where they live in a very small concrete hub, along with many others. They are fed by "type of individual" and apparently just the right amount of food it will take to keep a man, woman, child or teen alive and healthy... which wasn't very much... Then they must wash and return all the vessels to be reused...

For Ocean and the others who were taken into the Emperor's quarters, the luxury, food and drink, etc., was startling and they are all completely, newly dressed in all white garments...at least until it is determined that they didn't deserve wearing white...

Sol and Ocean take the risk of continuing their relationship, meeting on a rooftop as they had done back at the hub and were able to support each other in facing what was happening...

“Being an enforcer gives you perks. Like being able to raid the emperor’s garden without anyone thinking you are doing anything but gathering flowers for the Empress.” 
With a grin he picks up the guitar at his feet and strums a few bars before launching into a soft love song. 

“What’s the sound that you will make forever

 Less or more if all would cry for you 

Underneath the twilight moon in leather 

or in a song with loving eyes on you 

If you told them everything tonight 

If you found the words for sadness

Would it make you anything the better

Is there anything that it would do 

And we’re going to tell your story forever 

And we’re going to sing this song for you 

No one really wants to live forever 

The flowers on the counter are for you 

So you picked the moment to remember 

a thousand eyes and twenty colored lights 

You disappeared into the circle too 

then you stopped and smiled but no one knew 

And we’re going to tell your story forever 

And we’re going to sing your song for you

 No one really wants to live forever 

The flowers all along the wall are for you... 

Forgive me, but my concern for today's teenagers stolen into sex slavery, came often to my mind, as we learn how the girls were to be treated by their new "owners..." I don't know whether this was intended by the author, but she's certainly done a fantastic job in exploring the before and after of what life can be...after the apocalypse... and who knows? Maybe we all go through our own apocalypse some day...

Highly recommended!

GABixlerReviews

Award winning, multi-published Canadian prairie author of 18 titles. Mother, rancher, horse professional. RONE award finalist, Epic award finalist, P&E Award winner, The Great Romance Contest runner up. I don't blog. Why? I'd rather talk WITH my readers than AT them! 

FACEBOOK Group: Killarney's Kozy Book Korner

WEBSITE: http://www.killarneysheffield.com/

EMAIL: killarneysheffield@gmail.com 

TWITTER: @authorkillarney

The Seraph Seal


By Leonard Sweet
      Lori Wagner






Informative, intriguing, exciting, joyful!...






By far, the most impressive apocalyptic novel I've read...






Read the "Alphabet of the Apocalypse: Reading the Signs of the Times" first to begin to "feel" the story...




Ever since I read The Late Great Planet Earth, I've been a believer. But unlike others when his time projection passed, that did not affect my belief. That author, like this one, is attempting to share the wonderful story of the end of our world. Wonderful? You are probably thinking I'm an end-times nut now, well that's ok too. I don't mind. Scientifically, however, I'm willing to accept that dates are never going to be accurate. But then again, who knows--we may never know when the time will be--until it is...

What I will say, though, is that The Seraph Seal is by far the most outstanding in its presentation of historical material, while providing an exciting, thrilling novel with an ending that at first threw me off, but then settled in to ensure an hypothesis that will satisfy even the most avid scifi time traveling fans out there...

Next year, 2012, will mark the beginning...

One interesting twist for me was the assumption that there would actually be eight horsemen. Those of us who constantly watch the battle between good and evil will instantly see the rationale behind this possibility. In December, 2012, on the exact day and at the exact time, 8 children will be born. They will all bear a birthmark, 2 representing earth, 2 representing water, 2 representing fire, and 2 representing air. But another child will also be born at that time; this is his story.

Paul Binder was born in West Virginia. When he was just born, his mother received a message that his name was to be Paul... He had been chosen... A key accompanied that message...

In 2048, Paul was a professor of history and cultural semiotics at the University of Virginia. Although he was very knowledgeable about the religions of the world, he, as well as most USAmericans, no longer practiced Christianity. Those who did were part of an underground society.

Matthew Serafino was then the USAmerica president. He bore a birthmark on his leg...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse

As a lover of futuristic advancements, I must commend the authors on the 2048 world created. The Cloud for many of us had been expanded and the concept of an earring potentially being an automatic access to the Internet and other communications do not seem to be far away in thought--but seeing the actual use within the novel was an exciting addition.

On the other hand, the world of 2048 is told in such a clearly scientific manner that readers will easily follow and see how decisions could bring about the resulted world as presented. For instance, with the need to move away from the need for oil, alternative fuels have been developed using, for instance, corn. It is easy to project the effect on the poor people of the world, still needing food. But in 2048, there is only one God--Power. And feeding the poor really is of minor concern...

USAmerica is no longer a leading, powerful country. For many of us, that also is not surprising. Reading it as it could be, however, is stunningly surreal!

In any event, in 2048, Paul Binder receives a letter, handwritten, letting him know "The Time of Becoming has now reached fruition. Locate the manuscript of the Diatessaron. You have been chosen to unlock the future of your world..." (p. 9)

Imagine, if you would, something happening so that the sun is moving, getting closer and closer to...earth...

And the adventure begins! The difference, readers, is that there has been stories written, studied and shared about this event for thousands of years. This is not just another fiction novel. Or is it? If so, it is an extraordinary novel that I consider a must-read for those looking for mystery, suspense, action and adventure. For those who want to read an up-to-date well researched and documented apocalyptic collection, this book has an excellent and extensive appendix of materials, including graphic references which is an instructional tool like none I've seen in novel form.

Book Received Via
Book Sneeze


GABixlerReviews

Review: Prequel to MPire Trilogy by T. L. James Now Out!

The Mpire: Chronicles of



The Haulm Boys

By T. L. James
PHE Ink
ISBN: 9780982447543


I don’t know how she does it, but I was on page 75 of The Mpire: Chronicles of the Haulm Boys by T. L. James, before I realized it! I had already read The Mpire: In Search of the Lost and had The Mpire: Death Cometh on my Wish List, until yesterday when I proceeded with my order.

Chronicles of the Haulm Boys is a prequel to the Trilogy. My guess is that it was written based upon questions from James’ fans. Essentially, it takes readers into the early lives of the Four Horsemen—yes, that is who the Haulm Boys are—and explains how and when Mallory left the family, presumably dead, and returned. Personally, I didn’t find it hard to move into the first book, but for those who are interested in details of the lives of each of the involved men, then you will definitely want to add this prequel!

All I have to say is—Wow, this is soooome family!

First of all, there is a generation of Haulm men that now rules the family; with Uncle Mal as the head. He is brother to Malcolm, the father of the boys who will become The Four Horsemen. Specifically, Marc represents Pestilence; Marek is War; Marlon represents Famine; while Mallory will find out that he represents Death. The four brothers are responsible for keeping the balance of power between Angels and Humans.

Early in the prequel, there is a telling scene about the family. Malcolm is making breakfast for each of the boys, who each order an entirely different breakfast. Pork chops and oatmeal for one! Mallory has not yet come to the table and Malcolm smilingly indicates that he did not sleep well last night—and if you catch my reference to why, you are probably right.

In the meantime, Uncle Mal is demanding that Mallory come to breakfast, sit down and recite his Psalm prayer! In the midst of total chaos, one brother suddenly hears Mallory whispering in a quivering voice, “The Lord if my shepherd...” And then he looked down at Mallory’s feet and say the thick dark red blood streaming down his leg.”

And soon, as men in black, broke into the home, it was realized that Mallory was gone...

Jealousy, betrayal, threats, and deceit are all normal within this family. Each brother tries to find his own way, only to find out what one of his own family has done...This is a scary family that thinks nothing of execution of another family member, if warranted by those that make the decisions.

I’m still trying to project what might happen in the last two books, but, really, I haven’t a clue! And that’s good right? Because the creativity and unique storyline T. J. James presents in the prequel, TheMPire: Chronicles of the Haulm Boys and the upcoming two books of the Trilogy has just got to be read if you have been hooked! I’m one of those; You too? Then, look for my review of the second book in the Trilogy coming soon!

And if you haven’t read any of these books yet, I’d recommend you start with the prequel, since it has a short excerpt of each of the books in the Mpire Trilogy for you to read!

G. A. Bixler

Review: Must The Bad Guys Win...Sometime?

The Mpire:
In Search of the Lost
By T. L. James
Book4U Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 9780976216407
332 Pages


“. . .the bad guys must win some of the fights so the battle can go on. No one wants the battle to end, especially the good guys. After the battle, there is nothing else.” (p. 298)

I don’t think you will ever read another fascinating book like The Mpire by T. L. James . . . that is, unless she continues with a series! I, for one, would love to see that happen!

This extremely sexy, fantasy drama surrounds the family of Haulm; however, the main character is Mallory Towneson. Mallory is the youngest son of the Haulm family, but he was sent away from his family for fourteen years. During that time, he received an extensive education and started his own business, using the name of Towneson, his mother’s maiden name.

Now Mallory had come back home, somewhat under duress. Even when he moves and establishes a branch of his business, he did not contact his family until his uncle forced it upon him.

Mallory’s mother died as a result of his birth. During Mallory’s childhood, his father physically, mentally and emotionally abused him so badly that, to escape, Mallory forgot much of what he knew during those years, except one thing—he was still very afraid of his father!

With wealth to buy anything he wants, Mallory lives a life of luxury and changes cars as often as his socks. He’s a lover of all women—and women love him in return. Interestingly most of his interactions are one way, as he moves from event to event, providing pleasure to women in every walk of his life. In fact, most of his business includes “negotiations” that results in “satisfaction” to at least one of the parties!

But Mallory is required to take his place in his family’s multi-billion energy company. When reunited with his brothers, he is both hated and admired by his three older brothers, especially by the eldest, who believes he will one day become head of the company. Mallory is startled to also reconnect with his half-brother, Matthew, who has also joined the firm, though not as a major officer. Mallory and Matthew had met in college, not knowing that they were half-brothers, and had become intimately involved. Matthew had been Mallory’s one and only male lover and had been deeply hurt when Matthew had left him. Now Matthew was there, trying to rekindle the relationship.

None of his family believed that he couldn’t remember anything about his past until Marek, one of his brothers does finally realize that he had no idea, and explained to him, that it was now Mallory’s time to convert--to take his role as the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse, Death...

But both Mallory and Matthew had something to say about that! And so did Matthew’s Father!

“His greatest love is his enemy.” (p. 332)

Please readers, this is definitely “R” rated; however, because of the storyline and in light of today’s world, when everything is being sexualized, this is a timely novel, highly recommended!


G. A. Bixler