Lizzy Ford's Blog, page 19

The Mind Café: death’s waiting room and the only refuge for a woman trapped in her body after a tragic accident leaves her unable to do anything but watch the world and think. A fiction, paranormal short story just under 5,000 words, part of a larger collection of stories depicting a day in the life of the unique.

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Book Club Reviews:
Patrick’s Review:

I really liked this book I only wished it were longer. I liked the character Rosie and her courage to live with her condition. I thought the concept of how she was able to retreat into her self to a place called the mind cafe was very interesting. I also liked that people came to visit her as they die. I felt it was really sad that she was stuck there and she could only watch as family and loved ones came and went.

Chelsea’s Review:
3 STARS!!!

When I first started reading I was confused. I think I still am a little bit. It didn’t really resolve anything at the end I think it needed to have a bit more closure. I thought it was an interesting concept behind the main character. I do think it needs a bit more in detail, I know it is inside her head but jumping from one conversation to the next without really grasping who that is, is confusing. I did enjoy it though. It gives you a little bit more insight in what could be happening to someone like that. That being said for being a short story it worked well for it.

Amanda’s Review:
5 Stars!!!!!

I really liked this story and found my self trying to figure it all out. So much happened in such a short story you just want more..

Mind cafe is about Rosie who lost use of all functions other then her mind. She escapes reality by going to the mind cafe where she talks to her friend joey and learns of her sister lilys death. There are many layers to this story and I would love more.

Marilyn’s Review:
5 STARS!!!!!

This is the first book of Lizzy fords, that really made me think, a very sad story, about what once was a young girl full of life, now trapped in her body due to an accident, with years passing her by, she is left with only the ability to think, and talk through a computer. Her life and everyone she loves are passing her by. She travels in and out of the world, of the living, and the in between place before death. Although short it may have been, and I surely wanted more, I found it to be a very interesting, emotional, sad, and compelling. I totally enjoyed it.

Jessica’s Review:
4 STARS!!!!

Although I LOVE Lizzy Ford and most of her books, this one was a bit of a challenge for me. It was well written and the characters flowed. I had to read it twice to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I did want it to be a bit longer, bc I would love to know more, lol.

Rosie was in a bad accident when she was 24 and this is her story many many years later. Everyone important has left her, passed away, only to visit in her mind. They come into a cafe, run by a moody guardian angel. This is a very thought provoking, serious book (although it has it’s humorous parts) that makes you think about our older generations, those unable to communicate.

Linda’s Review:
2.5 STARS!!

I am a huge fan of Lizzy’s and although I see potential for this story, it is so short, that it leaves me with more questions than answers. It is hard for me to ever rate anything this low, but if I’m being honest…well, it was a little depressing since the only thing that Rosie is waiting on is to die so she can rejoin her family. And that is just sad.

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How tragic it is when a caged spirit finally finds its freedom and — entranced in its ecstasy — is invited by that freedom into a cloaked dance with danger.

In Book One of this three-part epic, Kate Simmons — young and alluring, and finally out of her cage of grief — attracts more than attention. Intoxicated by her newfound independence, a blithe Kate is on her way to finding out that around the corners of life, some life-changing eye-openers await. As the story continues in Book Two and she begins to churn a dangerously turbulent trail, it is Kate who now has to snap to, to react, to outrun, or become yet another tortured victim who vanishes down the path of wrong choice.

Having already roiled the risky waters of jealousy, Kate moves in with Neil while Roger — an enamored oddity — visits his son in Germany. Upon his return and finding Kate gone, Roger’s predator mind becomes unhitched, and then unleashed, on the hunt of a lifetime. But whose life?

Step by creeping step, even as Kate’s future closes in on her, she attends — obliviously — to her new life, working through the challenges of fresh relationships, losing family members both to death and to deceit, questioning the depth of love.

Every path offers a choice. Every choice offers a consequence. And every consequence summons its due. As emotions swirl across fateful days and nights, some in Kate’s life will reach out to touch happiness in warm embraces, others to sever ties in bloody traces.

The stains of passion are frequently mistaken. The question here is who will be taken?

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Tammie’s Review:
4 1/2 STARS!!!!

Right from the beginning again we are ‘treated to’ creepy Roger and his insanity. He is more obsessed over Kate than ever. It is so hard to grasp his so called normal side of wanting to be a great father, blended with his crazy side. I was glad that the brief hiccup with Neil and Kate was short, and fairly easily resolved. Going through the story there are more and more moments that make your hair stand on end as Roger’s delusions about Kate push him further and further to hurt more people. I found myself wanting to yell at the characters to “watch out!”. I don’t want to wait even five minutes to read book 3.

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If you believe your life is the sum total of your choices, what do you do when things just don’t add up? You are about to find out. It won’t be pretty. It won’t be dull. And surely, it won’t be safe. In fact, making just one wrong choice could put evil at your bedside watching you sleep.

And so it is with Kate Simmons, a young woman who, by choosing to regain her life, actually puts it at risk by the very choices she makes. After unimaginable heartbreak stops her world on a dime, Kate falls into a three-year blackness of self blame that brings her to the edge of life, itself. As time finally brings light back through tiny cracks of renewed desire, Kate moves out of the prison she made for herself in her mother’s home to find a new reality, rooming with her best girlfriend, Charlie.

Yet, to be free is to be vulnerable, and Kate’s choices more than ever mark a splattered line between being happy and being dead.

Care to choose? Here’s your menu:

A strangely alluring building manager so possessed with wanting you for his own, he’ll bury more than the fact he has a girlfriend; a buff college student for whom you are clearly hot, as are all the other girls on campus; a pushy lawyer who is as handsome as he is intoxicated with conquest, who doesn’t take no for an answer, who gets what he wants — always.

Sometimes, it’s whom you choose. Sometimes, it’s who chooses you. If you’re Kate, it’s both, and it puts you on a perilous road where good looks and humor are the thin masks of jealous delusion and utter violence.

You’re in trouble when the sum total of your choices is written in blood red.

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Tammie’s Review:
4 STARS!!!!

Right from the first chapter you can tell that Roger is creepy and would make you a bit uncomfortable if you met him. As the story continues and you get to know Kate you see that she is a kind person with a big heart. She has been deeply hurt in the past and it has taken her a long time to be ready to learn to love again. I liked that she trusted her heart when Neil came into the picture and proved he was worth giving a chance to see if they could work. I also liked her trusting her gut with Roger. I felt sometimes that the flow of the story kind of stuttered a little, but not enough to keep me from following the story or from enjoying it. Once I got started I didn’t really want to put it down. I am looking forward to reading book 2.

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Liberty Montgomery is many things:

A dutiful daughter.

Perfect wife-in-training.

Easy to manipulate.

Compliant.

But secretly she wants more.

For years, Liberty has dreamed of a life filled with opportunities—a life where she makes the decisions, living by her own rules. Unfortunately, her parents have other plans for her, ones that involve her submission and total obedience. Every attempt to break free from their control is met with threats, leaving her feeling trapped. Just when all seems hopeless, Liberty meets Oliver Nichols. With just two words, be brave, he stirs up her secret longings for more . . . friendship, fun, and independence. He almost has her believing her dreams are possible. However, taking a stand can be terrifying when you’ve spent your entire life pleasing others.

Are some chances worth taking? What would she risk for freedom?

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Chelsea’s review:
4 STARS!!!!

I was getting kind of annoyed while reading this book because all I wanted was for Liberty to shut those people down. Her family the most because of how rude and how much they never listened to her. Part of being a family is being able to communicate your feelings and not be afraid to say what you want but then there are those family who are rich or the parents didn’t get to grow up in the same luxury so the child has to do what their parents never got to do.

After finishing though and reading about Belinda and what this story meant to her I could understand more in depth what this story was saying. I also like the name choice being Liberty. It adds to the freedom at the end.

Liberty and Oliver’s chemistry and the way they interacted with each other I loved. I liked that Oliver never gave up even when Liberty did. I could not help but smile every time Oliver and Liberty were together nor when Liberty meant Oliver’s friends. Molly was a nice addition to the story. She was the strong friend who had to help Liberty see a little more into why she needed to leave her family and that life behind. Oliver and his friends were a group that had fun but they also understood where Liberty was from and how to help her when they could.

Oliver’s passion for Liberty and keeping her safe but not pushing her too far until she was ready I really liked. It showed that even though Oliver really wanted to get her out of there he wasn’t going to be a bully himself by forcing her to do it until she is ready.

Overall it is a good story and shows that even though you think you need to be afraid and don’t think you are strong enough to get out of situation like Liberty that isn’t always the case. You may always have that part inside you that wants to get out but you need the love and support of someone to help you get to that breaking point of escaping. I think Liberty eventually would have gotten out of it but knowing that she had the love and open arms of friends like Molly, James and Oliver she was able to get out of it faster.

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I’m super happy to announce the release of “Cursed,” a new (young adult) series published by Evatopia Press. In celebration, we’re also doing a giveaway that includes a swag pack and $25 Amazon gift card! See rafflecopter below for ways to enter!

Links to “Cursed”: Amazon, Amazon UK. We will add more links as they become available!

Cursed

The Red Man is coming …

Five years after her sister disappeared, seventeen-year-old Adrienne finds the strength to return to her father’s home in New Orleans. But soon after she arrives, the mark of a curse appears on her, leaving her worried. Will she be the next victim of a four-hundred-year old family curse … the next to be claimed by a serial killer roaming the back alleys of the city?

The day before his senior year begins, Jayden is given a skeleton key passed down through his family for generations — a gruesome reminder of how his ancestors betrayed their own people and sold them into slavery. He doesn’t believe in the curse the key allegedly bears and puts it away with the intention of forgetting about its message. Until he meets Adrienne, a girl he’s compelled to for more reasons than her beauty.

He’s not the only one who notices her. A man in a skeleton mask and a voodoo gang member are also drawn to Adrienne. One is determined to protect her. The other intends to mislead her. Haunted by the mythical Red Man, all are connected to the ancient curse.

Can they overcome their misgivings about one another and prevent the dark prophecy looming over them? Or will they be lured away from each other by evil’s siren song?

Links to “Cursed”: Amazon, Amazon UK

******** Giveaway! ********

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All Bree wanted to do was spend her Friday night with the man she loved and adored. Planning to watch a movie together, she never would’ve believed leaving her home would result in her relationship with Quinn being tested beyond its limits.

Unbeknownst to her, the Fae have been organizing to invade Earth, and their devious plans are culminating now, colliding with Bree’s very existence. Using a powerful glamour, the Fae trigger each person’s violent tendencies, turning the streets into a battleground and strangers against each other.

In a crushing blow, Quinn becomes affected and Bree finds herself battling to save her lover from himself as he stalks her relentlessly, taunting her at every turn. In a game of cat and mouse, Quinn can’t decide whether he wants to seduce her or kill her, breaking her heart further with each encounter.

But fighting for her love isn’t her only worry. As the battle ensues, Bree discovers a startling truth about her own heritage that she must come to terms with. Determined to bring balance back, she teams up with others to drive the Fae back across the veil, only to find herself in way over her head. Bree has no other choice but to fight, leading her to a confrontation that will change her world forever – and threaten to leave her with broken promises.

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Chelsea’s Review:
5 STARS!!!!!

This book drew me in the moment I read the first page. The story line and characters were interesting. I liked this version of the fae.

The prologue gave me a little of what this story was going to be about. Dangrous, edgy, and questions of what was going to happen. I’m curious to see who this queen is in Fae and what she has to do with the rest of the series.

Bri and Quinn were fantastic charcters. The way they talk to each other and love each other so much brought a smile to my face. Bri being clumsy and Quinn making fun of her for it but also had a concern quality to him. I also liked that Bri loves books and her whole world gets turned into this book but is her real life. When the danger was brought into the story I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know what was happening. It broke my heart when Bri lost Quinn to the darkness.

The crew that helps Bri I really enjoyed. Liam, Marshall, Lacey, and James all brought a little humor to the story. I enjoyed Liam’s protectiveness over Bri. And the fact that they all protected her without knowing really anything about her.

Bri’s grandmother I would have liked to see more of but the little that you get to see I enjoyed. Noah I liked just as much. Both her grandmother and Noah being a leader for there parts and being there for Bri when they can.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and look forward to seeing what happens next espicially with how it ends. It has love, danger, mystery, and humor.

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The crash was no accident. Fate carried Brady and his airplane to the isolated island where Karis was banished to live alone. She feared the worst as she sifted through the wreckage, sure that no one could survive. But there he was, barely breathing yet still alive.

The closer she got to him, the more her powers awakened. He was like a magnet she was drawn to. Maybe it was the years alone that left her yearning for companionship, or maybe it was the taut muscles in his arms that beckoned her to come closer, either way she had a hard time controlling her thoughts. She knew things about him that he couldn’t remember, things that were blocked from his memory. He wasn’t from earth either, and she needed his help to save both of their worlds. But the closer she gets to Brady the more she knows her world is with him.

Even with a woman as beautiful as Karis, Brady was well trained, but he wasn’t prepared to care as much as he did. Being an underground fighter made him the wrong man for a future Queen of a different world, and he knew it. But that didn’t stop the yearning he felt deep inside. It didn’t stop his heart from racing when she was around. And it didn’t stop him from falling in love.

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Shannon’s Review:
5 STARS!!!!!

This book was amazing within a few minutes of starting this book I was hooked and finished! This book has something for everyone and there are so many different elements in this book and the author blends them seamlessly! I love how this book has something for everyone there is romance, a paranormal aspect, Greek gods and goddesses and so much more. The story starts out with Karis in her own world and the banished to earth. The story then moves to present day with her still on earth and when Brady crashes on her island the story then becomes very fast paced. Karis figures out many secrets on her journey with Brady and she finds that not everyone can be trusted as she thought. In the end there are still questions that are unanswered but there is not a major cliffhanger. This was a well written book and I loved it if you love books with other worlds, romance, or adventure this is a book for you. This was an amazing start to this series and I can not wait for the next one to find out what happens.

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Patients are dying at Washington Memorial Hospital and no one knows why….

Nurse Chloe Bennett’s life is a mess and her job means everything to her. She needs it to support her family. When she finds herself in the middle of yet another Code Blue, she questions the unexplained deaths.

Doctor Brad Markson is a world renowned cardiac surgeon. Brilliant, powerful, rich,and sinfully sexy! He does not tolerate losing patients. When his patient mysteriously dies, he demands answers.

The two work together to unravel the sinister events surrounding the deaths at Washington Memorial Hospital, and soon find themselves falling for each other. When Chloe becomes the center of suspicion, she is surprised to find she has an ally in the gorgeous Dr. Markson.

Shy, sweet Chloe is unable to resist him with his sultry blue eyes and wickedly sexy smile. His passionate kisses ignite her body, and his mere touch induces shivering pleasure. She doesn’t know if she’s ready to give away her heart after her traumatic past, and Brad is battling career demons and his own personal issues.

Can the two learn to trust each other? Will they live long enough to find love and happiness…or will there be two more deaths?

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Jessica Landram’s Review:
4 STARS!!!!

When one of her patients died unexpectedly, it starts of a series of events that will change everything in Chloe’s life. Dr. Brad Markson is a leading cardiac surgeon, the only son of 2 wealthy prominent parents. The pressure to be #1, perfect at everything he does has built to the point where he is “unable to perform” in the bedroom. When a patient he is close to dies, he meets Chloe and sparks fly! Together they try to piece together what is happening at the hospital as well as between them. Together they must learn to trust their hearts as well as find out who is framing Chloe before they kill her!

This is one of my favorite quotes in this book. This is the start of the first intimate contact Chloe & Brad have. They are in his office at the hospital.

“Do you want to know what MY repressed wish is?” he asked softly. She managed a nod, her heart trudging laboriously. “Your skin is like porcelain. It’s beautiful. I want to see more of it.”

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We are pleased to introduce author N.E. David’s new release, “Birds of the Nile.” Welcome to Lizzyland, N.E. David! “Birds of the Nile” is classified under the genre of literary fiction.

Synopsis: When MICHAEL BLAKE takes early retirement from the British Embassy in Cairo, he books a long–awaited birding trip. But half way up the Nile he meets LEE YONG and things begin to change. Their tour guide REDA isn’t all he seems either and when the Egyptian revolution kicks off, BLAKE finds himself embroiled in a tangled web of love and intrigue. Set against the background of the events of January 2011, BIRDS OF THE NILE is a powerful story of loss and self discovery as three disparate characters, each with their own agenda, seek to come to terms with change.

We look forward to reading this enticing story! You can find this book on Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Author Links

Visit my Website at http://www.nedavid.com

Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/NEDavidAuthor

Join me for ‘Writing Life’ at http://www.nedavid.com/writing-life

About the Author: N.E.David is the pen name of York author Nick David. Nick tried his hand at writing at the age of 21 but like so many things in life, it did not work out first time round. Following the death of his father in 2005, he took it up again and has been successful in having a series of short novellas published both in print and online. Nick maintains he has no personal or political message to convey but that his objective is merely to entertain the reader and he hopes this is reflected in his writing. Besides being a regular contributor to Literary Festivals and open mics in the North East Region, Nick is also a founder member of York Authors. His debut novel, Birds of the Nile, is published by Roundfire.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (Novel) 2005

FOUR BY TWO (A collection of Short Stories) 2006

HURRAH FOR CAPTAIN SPALDING! (Short Story) – Published by Park Publications in Scribble magazine, Spring 2007

SWAN LAKE (Short Story) – Highly Commended at The Wolds Words Creative Writing Competition 2008.  Published by Stairwell Books in The Exhibitionists anthology, 2008

BOXED IN (Novel) 2008

CAROL’S CHRISTMAS (Novella) – Published by Stairwell Books, 2009

FERIA (Novella) – Published by Stairwell Books, 2010

A DAY AT THE RACES (Novella) – Published by Stairwell Books, 2011

BIRDS OF THE NILE (Novel) – Published by Roundfire 2013 AS DAD LAY DYING (Novel) – Work in progress MALAREN (Novel) – Work in progress

AS DAD LAY DYING (Novel) – Work in progress

MALAREN (Novel) – Work in progress

 

When Garrett Andrews finds something that catches his eye, he goes after it, letting nothing stand in the way of what he wants to possess. The first woman to arouse his heart could be the one person who helps him to finally open up and feel again.

Laurel Hart was a swimming champion until a frightful event and unknown health issues derailed her career. With a recent degree from MIT in Bio-Medical Engineering and an offer to join one of the leading innovators of medical equipment in the world, she plans on making a new life for herself; letting nightmares from her past stay in the past, or so she thinks.

Neither of them wants to date, but she finds herself drawn to him and Garrett uses every excuse to be near her. Laurel’s afraid to let anyone get close, but finds solace in his arms. Garrett is finally able to be himself around someone. Together, they discover a connection that manages to soothe both their souls and starts opening them up to new possibilities.

Once Garrett finds out about Laurel’s past, all rules in regards to “relationships” are changed, because one false move could drive her away. He attempts to calm her nightmares and gain her trust so he can show her who he really is and the relationship he desires from her.

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Jessica’s Review:
 5 STARS!!!!!

I read this book over a few days. It sucked me in, but I was able to linger over Garrett and Laurel. Laurel is graduating college and looking for a job. She has had some unpleasant experiences over the last year and when Garrett offers her a job in Florida, it sounds too good to be true. Garrett is mouthwatering! He softly takes charge, caring for Laurel during her health difficulties. He takes care of her emotionally and satisfies her sexually in ways Laurel didn’t think were ever possible. Garrett and Laurel have secrets and painful pasts that will take more than love to overcome. Unfortunately, they aren’t even dating!

Although I had several parts of this book that I fell in love with, one of my favorite parts was when Laurel was talking to her roommate, Hannah about Garrett. “For the first time, I felt a strong, burning passion deep inside me. Hannah’s eyes grew big with my disclosure. A moment later she was smiling widely. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you’re really into him Laurel and from what I’ve seen, he’s totally smitten with you.”

About the Author

Cynthia P. O’Neill grew up in Clewiston, Florida and moved to Central Florida to attend college. There, she married her friend, love, and soul mate and still resides with their amazing son, and a feisty, four-legged little boy.

In her books, Cynthia draws on her background in healthcare and business, along with her husband’s engineering knowledge.

Cynthia currently writes on all levels of Romance. The Remembrance Series encompasses Young Adult, with a touch of Paranormal activity and a hint of Historical romance. The Learning Series is for those who like a little more steam with their books, falling into the categories of New Adult, Contemporary and verging on Erotica, with a hint of suspense.

She tries to make her writing very personal and close to her heart. Regular life is the inspiration for her books, but her imagination takes them to new heights, opening up possibilities that would normally not exist.

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