#Review ~ Blog Tour ~ The 13th Descent by Ky Lehman (Rosefire Trilogy #1) ~ Character Cast

The 13th Descent by Ky Lehman
(Rosefire Trilogy #1)
Publication date: August 30th 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:
ONE CHOICE CAN MAKE AN IMMORTAL HUMAN. BUT WHAT CHOICES NEED TO BE MADE TO GO BACK AGAIN?

The revolutionary year following Serenay “Ren” Avalon’s eighteenth birthday could rival Clark Kent’s entire adolescence. After her mother and her grandmother were killed in a car bomb explosion at the heart of their sleepy hillside town where nothing extraordinary usually happens, she discovers that her mother is actually alive and in hiding, her long lost father is a Father, and her best friend, who turns out was once an Archangel, has taken a gargantuan step back in his evolution to live on Earth with her for the past thirteen lifetimes. And besides being the only one in her immediate circle with a serious case of past life dementia, she learns that during her first lifetime, she was married to one of the greatest teachers history has ever known who is now the gorgeous lead singer of a hot new rock band taking the world by storm, and who is keen to meet up with her again in the twenty first century.

As Ren realizes that the powerful family name she bears also brings with it the promise of an unnatural death, she is reminded that it has always brought hope to people on both sides of the veil, human and Tor. As the world draws closer to being completely shrouded by the dark cloaks of her age-old enemies, the Bloodstones, she now, more than ever before, has to draw strength from her origins to protect her family and their ancient truth from this global force responsible for torturing and killing centuries of her ancestors. As she struggles to unearth who she was, who she is, and who she chooses to be, as well as the expectations of her first mortal love and the heavenly love she has always guiltily denied, she has until midnight on the Solstice find a way to bring light to a compromised heart and to a world on the brink of perpetual darkness.

This first book in The Rosefire Trilogy is a reminder of how the choices we make in the throes of love, loss, hope, and adversity are what makes the divine human, and the human divine.

Purchase:

Amazon 

AUTHOR BIO:

KY LEHMAN is a novelist, a children's author, a teacher of swimming and water safety, wife to her high school sweetheart and the proud mother of their three very tall sons. She lives in the Yarra Ranges, Victoria, Australia with her husband and their children where she is currently writing the second book in The Rosefire Trilogy, The 13th Rising.

Author links:

Twitter / Facebook / Amazon / Goodreads

I have to say first is that I did enjoy this book, alot, liked the characters and all that. But had one issue, and this could be my fault, but I had trouble catching on to what was going on. I got confused often, and just had trouble grasping it all. I wonder if it's just me, or will others also have this issue.

The prologue was great, but then the confusion hit when I started into the rest of the book. Took me awhile to figure out that we were reading more about the child (i think) from Prologue. If   I am right, then thats cool, but maybe that could have been a bit clearer for us.

I usually can grasp books storylines better than  I did this one. I guess its the remembering past lives she has to do that got me confused. I was not always sure when I was reading about her. Also there is so many questions, many that I feel should have been addressed in this book, but maybe they will be told in the next book. I did get pulled into this world the author created, and still really enjoyed it. I wasn't pleased at the end, as I really do not like to be left hanging, so hope the next book wont be too long of a wait.

I still recommend this book, because even though I was a bit confused, doesn't mean everyone would be.

I give this book 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

This review is also at Amazon, and Goodreads

Some of you have asked what Ren, Mike, and Josh look like, so I have attached the pics I have on up my study wall: the ones I gazed at back when I was writing THE 13TH DESCENT, and now as I am in the process of writing the sequel! These pics are frighteningly close to the Ren, Mike, and Josh I have always seen in my head, and my interpretation of their public personas together with where they hail from has a little something to do with it too...

Our feisty protagonist and trail blazer, REN - the naturally beautiful and talented Aussie girl, Isabel Lucas 

Resident Archangel Royal who has loved and fought alongside Ren for 13 lifetimes, MIKE - the new world boy with an old world heart whose physical strength is only a precursor to the strength he holds within, Henry Cavill

Once a great leader history has written countless stories about, who, these days, is the front man of a popular local rock band quickly going global, JOSH - a straight talking, innovative, warm hearted, hot Scot with a smile that'll make you stutter, Sam Heughan 

Some of you have asked about what Benni Dhoo looks like...where to begin...he's a unique one...I think I'll have to get someone to draw him for me! Will keep you posted :-)

Love and best wishes to you and yours, Ky xx

The rest of the blogs on this tour can be found, here.

#Giveaway ~ Resistance (The Variant Series #2) by Jena Leigh ~ Blitz ~ Excerpt ~ Guest Post

Resistance by Jena Leigh
(The Variant Series #2)
Publication date: February 11th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

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Synopsis:

Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.

Buy Links

Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes and Noble

AUTHOR BIO

Jena Leigh is the author of the Variant Series novels REVIVAL and RESISTANCE. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, she spent ten years in the mountains of North Carolina before returning home to the lightning capital of North America. A shameless geek, she loves coffee, loud music, bad sci-fi movies, Skittles, and shenanigan-filled road trips to faraway concerts.

Author Links

Goodreads | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Resistance Excerpt

Kenzie drummed her fingers idly on the top of her desk. Slouched in her seat, she stared unblinking at the black hands of the clock mounted to the wall above the whiteboard. All around the room, students waited in small groups for the bell to release them and their weekend to begin.

Three minutes until the final bell.

Three minutes, and she’d be free.

Three minutes, thought Kenzie, and I’ll be on my way toward my next coffee fix.

That bell really needed to hurry itself up.

She had places to be.

Kenzie sighed. The longer she went without a fix, the harder it was to silence the thoughts emanating from the sea of humanity around her.

Caffeine meant focus.

Focus meant an easier time of keeping the walls up and the voices out.

She wondered, briefly, what telepaths did before the discovery of caffeinated beverages. The thought made her shudder. Control without stimulants in the bloodstream was possible, of course. But it was far from a pleasant way to go. Especially in populated areas.

Wham!

Kenzie jolted upright, the sudden movement causing her desk to bang into the back of the seat in front of her.

Something had just slammed into her mental walls with enough force to send a stab of pain through her temple.

What the crap was that?

Around the room, the steady flow of conversation dried up.

It wasn’t just Kenzie. That pulse had hit everyone.

Even the norms.

Kenzie got slowly to her feet.

A funny thing happens when norms experience Variant abilities firsthand. Instead of seeing the supernatural for what it is, nine times out of ten, they will translate their experience into something that better fits the rules of their reality.

The brilliant light of a jumper’s teleport becomes a camera flash, the telekinetic movement of objects through the air gets blamed on a strong gust of wind, and mental assaults are automatically translated into something external.

“Did you hear that?” asked a freckle-faced blonde from across the aisle. “Sounded like a sonic boom, or something.”

“Yeah! I heard it, too!” said another. “Wonder what it was?”

She supposed the better question was not what was it, but who was it?

The wave came again, this time with twice the strength behind it. Kenzie grabbed for the back of her seat to keep from losing her balance.

Fear.

The wave wasn’t a thought, it was a distilled emotion. Someone, somewhere, was absolutely terrified.

Judging from the nervous expressions on the faces of the students around her, that fear was not only being broadcast to the rest of the school, it was also creeping its way into their subconscious.

Kenzie sifted through the residue of the psychic onslaught in an attempt to identify the source.

The second she caught a glimpse of that all too familiar thought signature, she cursed—loudly, to the surprise of the students standing stock-still beside her—before sprinting toward the door.

Halfway down the locker-lined hall the ground began to shudder, the floor practically roiling beneath her feet.

Earthquake? she wondered.

But this was Florida. Florida didn’t have earthquakes.

Declan appeared at the other end of the hall, running in her direction.

“Where is she?” called Kenzie.

Her brother ducked through a swinging door just ahead of her.

The girl’s bathroom?

Kenzie followed him in.

“Oh my god.”

Alex was on her knees in a shallow sea of water, dripping wet, her hands clutching the sides of her head.

Water flooded the room. The porcelain sinks lining the wall lay shattered and in pieces on the ground. A large, spherical indentation was blasted into the wall behind Alex and what could only be burn marks scorched onto the ceiling above.

As Kenzie watched in amazement, strands of water began swirling around her friend, encasing her in a glittering sphere of liquid before losing form and crashing back down around her.

A shimmer of light rippled across Alex’s body, distorting her appearance like a mirage on desert sand.

“I can’t…” Alex was sobbing. “There are too many, Declan. I can’t make them stop!”

Declan edged as close to Alex as he dared, his expression grim.

Alex finally lifted her head to look at them.

Kenzie took an involuntary step backward. She had seen the way a jumper’s eyes changed color, the brilliant violet light causing their eyes to glow brightly in the moments before and after they teleported, but Alex’s normally gray eyes were now shifting colors with every beat of her heart.

Jade.

Violet.

Ruby.

Azure.

Black.

Alex collapsed.

The rumbling in the floor intensified, sending Declan into action. He sloshed through the water, reaching down to grip Alex under her arms. 

“Get the door,” he called over his shoulder.

Kenzie held the door for Declan as he dragged Alex into the deserted hallway.

“Take my arm,” he ordered, maintaining his hold on Alex. “Let’s go, Kenzie.”

Terrified of being this close to Alex during a meltdown, but knowing her brother would leave her behind if she didn’t act fast, Kenzie lurched forward and grabbed Declan’s upper arm.

They jumped with the sound of the final bell ringing in their ears.

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Guest Post

On Creating Characters for the Variant Series

When I sat down to write the story of Alexandra Parker and her strange, Variant-filled world, I realized fairly quickly that the novel would be just as much about Alex, as it would be about her newfound friends.

At first, Revival (the first novel in the series) had no plot. Not even a rough outline. There was no destination for the story and there were no real characters to speak of. All I knew about the book that Revival would eventually become was a single moment, pulled from a scene that takes place a few chapters into the tale—an image of a young girl running through a burning bookstore, a wall of flames licking at her back as she fled down the aisle with no way out.

I didn’t know who Alex was, back then… but I knew a lot about the guy she’d find waiting for her at the top of that black spiral staircase in the far corner of the store.

Declan O’Connell—the blonde-haired, blue-eyed jumper who was equal parts bad boy and smartass—was a character I’d been forming in my mind for a long, long time, but had yet to find a home for. Going into the project, Declan was the only character that I knew inside and out. Or at least, the only one I thought I knew.

As the story progressed, Declan’s character grew and matured in my mind, pieces of his backstory falling into place and revealing the source of his bad attitude and surly disposition. By the time I wrote the last page of Revival, I understood Declan in a way I never could have imagined during those opening chapters.

The truth is, I don’t create my characters so much as discover them as I work their stories onto the page.

All of the characters in the Variant series came to me in varying forms of completeness. A name here, a face there, a quirk or two to distinguish them, an important bit of backstory that forever changed their life or altered their personality… And often, I didn’t know what a characters would do or say in a situation until I’d put them in that situation and let the character speak for herself.

In the case of Declan’s younger sister Kenzie, I had a crystal clear image of her physical appearance before I even decided on her name. In fact, her name was chosen because it was the only name I could think of that fit the picture in my head.

But Kenzie’s personality?

Well, I think it’s fair to say that I was not expecting the girl who eventually showed up on the page. Kenzie was a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. My early thoughts about the girl she might turn out to be ended up completely different from the caffeine-addicted teen that eventually worked her way into the story.

For me, that journey of discovery—of learning to understand my characters better as the

story progresses—is one of my favorite things about writing. By allowing the characters to develop naturally, I’m just as surprised as the reader is by who and what they eventually turn out to be. It’s an enjoyable process and something I honestly can’t get enough of. The further into the Variant series I get, the better I get to know these characters—and the more I grow to love them.

#Giveaway ~ Colour Wielders by Dawna Raver Book Tour ~ Guest Post

Colour Wielders         
Heirs of the Magykal Realm Series Book One

Dawna Raver

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy Romance

 Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

 Word Count: 133k

 Cover Artist: Ricky Gunawan

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Book Description:

Behind the Mysts, hidden from Mortal eyes, is a land where Gods and creatures of myth and legend dwell. And in the Mortal Realm, their Princess lives.

 Quinn Sinclair is clueless to who she is. She thinks she's an ordinary young woman—well, mostly ordinary—living an ordinary life with her less than loving mother in Conifer, Colorado. On the night of her birthday, Quinn finds herself betrayed by a man who sends her life spinning out-of-control.

 As she struggles to pick up the pieces, a vision of a man with haunting tourmaline-blue eyes begs her for help, and she finds herself transported into a Magykal battle forever changing her life.

 Arik Morgaine—demi-god bad boy and outcast of the Magykal Realm—tried to avoid contact with Princess Quinn Sinclair for eighteen years, not wanting to make good on an old threat. But the fates have other plans. Arik can no longer deny his growing desire for Quinn, or the need to protect her from those wanting to control her burgeoning powers. Can the two of them come together and save the Magykal Realm from being destroyed by the Darkest of Magyks, or will powers beyond their control destroy them and their world forever?

About the Author:

Dawna Raver is an the author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Colour Wielders, book one of the Heirs of the Magykal Realm series, is her first novel. When she's not spending time in her fantasy world, Dawna loves football, reading, and pretending she's a top chef in the kitchen. Oh, and worshiping her dogs and husband.

Author Links

Facebook | Twitter | Website

The Magykal World of Colours

Thank you for having me on your blog, Michelle. I really appreciate. I'd like to talk a little about the Colour Wielder world. While it takes place mostly in Conifer, Colorado, there is also the land of Magyk, or the Magykal Realm know as Flaitheas Draíochta.

When creating this story, I thought long and hard about what my ultimate, magical world would look like. Most of my literary life, I've adored Arthurian legends and Celtic deities. I thought, what if there was a realm where characters from these myths and legends lived together? What would that look like? What if it was open to any and all gods no matter their pantheon? How cool would that be?

So I did a ton of research, and pulled out characters that interested me. Then, I jumped off from there. I don't hold strictly to what myth says. I figure since it's myth, I can twisted these characters to fit my own purposes, though I do try to keep their basic essence. You'll meet characters you may have heard of,  though they may not act exactly the way you've seen them act before. In this series, two infamous characters from Arthurian legend play a major role. Writing them has been a challenge but a lot fun as well.

Once I had the characters, I needed a setting for them. The fun part was coming up with this land. Flaitheas Draíochta territory encompasses all of Europe, but it is separated from Mortal eyes by the Faerying Mysts. When you're behind the Mysts, you're in a natural world where the people and the land are intimately connected—neither can exist without the other. This is why Magyk reigns here and why it's expressed in vivid Colours. Life here is more vibrant and alive and so are the inhabitants. Because there is Magyk, there is no need for modern conveniences or modern ideals. The law of the land is harsh. But when you live in a place where monsters and mystical creatures dwell, it's not surprising that you live and die by the sword.

I will admit this is a place I'd like to visit. So how about you come with me? Spend a day with me in a world of Colours, Magyk, and romance. A place where anything and everything is possible. Where things and people you thought only existed in myths and legends are real. I promise you'll you won't be disappointed.

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I will have a review out for this book soon, i only just had gotten it, so am reading it now. I will say, what I have read so far I love. It hooked me from the first few chapters. It seems to be a great fantasy to me. I can't wait to finish and see what all happens. 

Check out the rest of the tour Here

#Giveaway ~ Element Book Tour, By CM Doporto ~ Guest Post ~ Excerpt and Review

Element, Part 1
CM Doporto

Genre: New Adult Sci-Fi/Romance (ages 14 and up)

ISBN: 978-0-9888299-2-3

Number of pages: 169

Word Count: 45,807

Cover Artist: Amygdala Design

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Book Description:

College freshman, Natalie Vega, offers to be a test patient for several vitamins and supplements created by Kronberg Laboratories, a large pharmaceutical company where she interns. Immediately her body starts going through physical changes but when she runs into her former high school crush, Ryan Garrett, she is unaware of the life altering affects he will have on her.

Buy Links

Amazon | Smashwords | Barns and Noble

Who could play the characters in Element? By CM Doporto

When I started developing the character’s profile and personality type for Element, I needed a visual. I had to visualize in my head what they would look like so I could describe them. I immediately came up with a few actors based on movies I’ve seen or shows I watched in the past. For others, I had to scour the internet, looking for that perfect person that showcased the features of the characters from the book. If Element was turned into a motion picture here are the actors that could play the part.

Jessica Lowndes, from 90210 would make a perfect Natalie Vega. Her dark hair and striking blue eyes are a perfect match of how I envisioned Natalie. I also found a few clip of Jessica in a more natural look, which is exactly how Natalie starts out in the book.

I think Liam Hemsworth, from the Hunger Games would make an awesome Ryan Garrett. All he needs is brown eyes, which can be done with contacts and a little basking in the sun for that perfect half Hispanic, half Anglo look. Not to mention, he’s darn cute!

Spencer Boldman, from the Disney Channel, could play the part of Natalie’s ex-boyfriend, Toni Rossi. There’s something about Spencer’s dark hair and eyes that would allow him to pass for an Italian. Can you picture him talking with a debonair accent?

Natalie’s roommate and good friend, Lise

Conner, could be played perfectly by Debbie Ryan. I know, I watch too much Disney Channel. What can I say? I have a six year old son. All Debbie would need is blond hair to match the outgoing and ditzy character she plays on Jessie.

When it came to plotting Sal Rodriguez, Ryan Garret’s cousin and good

friend, I have to admit that I couldn’t get Taylor Launter out of my mind. So, I did what any writer would do, I describe him as the shirtless hunk we came to know thanks to Stephenie Meyer.

When I started forming the character, Dr. Kronberg, I instantly thought of Ian Holm. The

role he played as a scientific professor in the Day After Tomorrow stuck in my head and I knew that was exactly how he would look and talk with his witty British accent. Obviously, he would have to talk with a Swedish accent since Dr. Kronberg is from Sweden.

Finally, for the antagonist, Russ Hayle, the infamous Dylan McDermott would fit in perfectly. Picture him with salt and pepper hair and poof: you get the sleazy, no good villain that is too good looking to hate.

There you have it, my list of famous actors who could cast the role of Element should it ever make it to the big screen. I know, hopeful wishing but at least you have the picture perfect image when you read the story.

CHAPTER 1 — NEW BEGINNINGS

“Ladies and gentlemen we are approaching a storm and it’s going to be a little rough until we clear it.”  The captain announced and then paused before continuing. “Please stay seated and turn off all electrical devices immediately. Thank you.”

Natalie looked out the small oval window. Raindrops smeared across it, dancing their way to the side. Lightening flashed and she shuddered. She didn’t mind flying but she could do without the terrible storm. For a moment, she wished she would have taken the later flight, but she wanted to get back early since classes resumed tomorrow. She reminded herself that she had a great Spring Break in Chicago with her family and ending it with her cousin’s fairytale wedding made it all worth it.

A sudden jolt called her attention back to the situation at hand. She looked out the window again. The plane shook and rattled as it flew on the edge of thick, dark clouds. Within seconds, darkness consumed the plane and the day turned into night. Out in the blackness of the sky she could see powerful flashes of light stretching out like tentacles waiting for the plane to enter. She pulled the blanket closer to her, clutching it up against her chest, somehow hoping it would calm the drumming of her heart.

“What the —” she blurted out when the plane hit another patch of rough turbulence.  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

A horrible rumble echoed through the plane, and it wavered from side to side. Gasps and sighs along with people begging and pleading to God were heard throughout the plane. She swallowed hard, feeling the vitamins she took ten minutes ago ease their way up. Without warning, the plane dropped several feet. Her heart hit the bottom of her stomach. Gasping for air, she struggled to catch her breath. An alarm sounded and emergency instructions echoed through the overhead speakers. She grabbed the arm rests and her body stiffened. Her eyes stayed fixed on the flashing red and white lights above her head. Please God, don’t let me die! Please.

“Natalie… Natalie, wake up. You’re having another nightmare.” Lise shook her several times before she finally awoke.

“What?” She sprung up from her bed. Sweat trickled down the sides of her forehead and she breathed heavily.

“You’re okay. It was just a nightmare.” Lise sat down next to her.

It took a few seconds for her to realize that she had been dreaming. She wiped the sweat away and the pounding of her heart turned into slow thud.  She lay back on to her pillow and took a few deep breaths. “I don’t know why I keep having these darn nightmares.”

“Well I do.” Lise replied.

Natalie looked at her. “You do?”

“Uh, yea… because you said you nearly died on that plane. It’s post trauma you’re experiencing.”

Natalie swallowed hard. She couldn’t be experiencing post-traumatic stress because only soldiers suffer from things like that, right? “No, I don’t think so. I mean, it was horrible and scary but—,”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lise’s eyes softened.

“What is there to talk about?” Natalie sat back up. She hadn’t told anyone the full details about what she experienced, including her parents. She wasn’t about to tell Lise either.

“Sometimes it’s good to talk about horrible events. It can help you get over them.” Lise played with the edge of her t-shirt, rolling it up.

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” She glanced over at the clock on the window seal. “I guess we should start getting dressed.”

Lise turned and looked at the clock. “Crap, I don’t want to be late.”

Natalie threw back the covers. “Neither do I. First impressions are everything.”

About the Author:

CM Doporto lives in the great state of Texas with her husband and son enjoying life with their extensive family along with their Chihuahua, Mexican Redhead Parrot and several fish. She writes Young Adult and New Adult Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy stories about ordinary women who do extraordinary things, become a heroine, and find love along the way.

Author Links

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Element Part One, Review

Loved this unique sci-fi romance. It felt a little like a paranormal sci -fi, but think it is supposed to just be sci-fi.

I loved Ryan, a lot, he is like the perfect guy, and unrealistic as I do not think you will find anyone, ever like him. He is too perfect, lol, but it’s ok, I still loved him, great one to have a fantasy about. Lol.

I liked Natalie too, she was really down to earth, and easy to like. She handled her changes pretty well too. Won’t get into that much, trying to keep this spoiler free.

Lise on the other hand, Natalie’s best friend and roommate I didn’t care for too much, she was pretty shallow, and to me seemed immature to an extent, wanting to only party, and a bit promiscuous from what was said of her past anyway.

Sal seemed like a great guy too, he is Ryan’s cousin, and I liked what I seen of him, he and Lise were not a huge part of the story, at least not in this part one.

Overall, I enjoyed the mystery of what was going on, and really loved the slow going romance of Ryan and Natalie. I found it admirable that they took the time to get to know each other, and didn’t just jump into bed. Their chemistry was hot though, whew, not sure how they were able to control themselves, as they have a bit of a supernatural chemistry going on.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the mystery types with some sci-fi in it. I sure hope part two is out soon, as it does end on a major cliffhanger, which I hate, I despise cliffhangers like that, and try to avoid reading those kinds of books until I have the next one in hand, when I can. If I read a review or something of a book, and they say it has one, I won’t read right away, lol, I will buy and wait, lol. (unless its for a book tour or something of course)

5 out of 5 stars, would give more if I could. Lots of promise with this series.

I was provided a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

If you like my review, would love some support at Amazon, and mark it as Helpful, Here.
Or even like it at Goodreads, I appreciate it. Link Here.

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Read a free short book below, or go to the site to download it.

THE ESLITES By CM Doportoites

See the rest of the book tour Here.