Sinners & Saints: A Patriot's Manifest Book Blast

Blurb:

My name is Zoey Major and I live in Fort Star, New Jersey. I am also a survivor in the zombie apocalypse. Seems very cut and dry but I have been hiding something- like really huge. My secret is game changing. I am not like the others... I know, what a surprise twist! Unfortunately, I can’t tell you why I am different. If you really want to know, you have to figure it out. Hey, even in these dark times, a girl needs her secrets.

Excerpt:

United we... united we... we were supposed to stand together as a society but it did not work out like that. The United States and much of the world, actually went to sh*t for a little bit when the zombies came. Perhaps the only saving grace was the fact that man learns to adapt. We always do. A prime example would be the invention of the wheel, the television or even a toaster pastry because why the f*ck not eat something bad for you?

For you see, if man has a want or desire, it may take years, but he'll invent it. One thing I am still waiting on is that damn time machine. I am looking at you, Doc Brown. Ha! However, not all inventions should ever leave the paper. Sometimes an idea is just an idea as biological weapons rarely ever make anything better. Yeah, perhaps not every weapon should be tested or even used, as the results can't always be contained. United we... united we... we were supposed to stand together.

Present Day, June 30, 10:25 pm

Catey: "So is it cool that I sign you up for speed dating?"

Zoey: "What? No, f*ck no."

Catey: "Why not?"

Zoey: "There should be no speed dating in the zombie apocalypse."

Catey: "It's post apocalypse so get it right."

Zoey: "For now."

Catey: "And this is why you are single. You are so negative."

Zoey: "Huh, I didn't know that was the reason. I just thought it was because every eligible bachelor who isn't a toad has been either taken or eaten but hey, maybe I am wrong."

Catey: "I think it's because you put up a wall."

Zoey: "Stop analyzing me, or at the very least give me a Rorschach test or at the very least a crossword puzzle to pass the time then."

My Review:

3 stars

I had a hard time reviewing this book. On the one hand, it is very unique and an interesting storyline. On the other, there were some serious flaws that kept me from enjoying the story as much. To start with, this is unique in that the book is written as a mix of a play and a diary entry. This made for some interesting reading, and definitely kept me on my toes. I don’t mind reading a play/diary entry as long as it works, and the author does make it work. However, this format also hurts the story. Even though Zoey is the narrator and it’s her diary, I didn’t really get a great feel for her as a character and had difficulty connecting with her, something I thought would have been easier to do since these are her diary entries. Plus, the format did take a bit to get used to. I adjusted fairly quickly first because I’ve participated in several plays and because I read the most recent Harry Potter book, so it wasn’t too bad for me, but this could definitely throw some people off.

As for the plot, it was definitely a different take on the typical zombie novel, which I appreciated. Plus I loved the quirky writing style. It worked well with the story and helped keep the story moving and keeping me captivated. However, even on the writing I felt conflicted. Because while there were quirky and fun moments, there were also moments where the writing was awkward or there were grammar mistakes that took me out of the story. So again, I feel conflicted by this. All in all though, I enjoyed this book, even with its flaws. I could definitely see how this is a YA novel, and I think I might have appreciated it more if I had first read this in middle school, since I would probably have had an easier time of connecting with Zoey. If you can get past the format, I do recommend trying this book because it is unique and fun and I would love to see more stories like this.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click to visit the other stops on the tour.

Author Bio and Links:

Kristina Garlick lives in Warren County, New Jersey. She holds a Masters in Parks & Resource Management from Slippery Rock University. While she loves the outdoors and has many hobbies such as soap making, writing has always been her passion. Kristina wrote her first full length fantasy story at ten and had her first book published when she was fourteen. She has a unique style of writing, which she calls Diary-Play format. Kristina is also available for book signings, panels, discussion groups and other special functions.

Website where you can buy Kristina’s books

Email: authorkristinagarlick@yahoo.com                                              

Twitter     |     Amazon Author Page

Amazon Buy Link

My Zombie Cat Book Blitz

Synopsis:

Edward Grey has hardly spent a night away from his cat, Boo, since before he was in preschool. Not even death could separate them, as Edward resurrected Boo as a zombie when he was five. Now, Boo has gone missing, and the cat isn’t in any of his usual haunts.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt:

Kit was at work, and I was —miraculously—caught up on my coursework. I was full of restless energy after spending the previous day sitting on the couch watching TV with Kit, so I decided to give Boo a bath. He doesn’t groom himself very often, and when he does, he usually just makes his fur worse. He was definitely getting a little…ripe.

Unfortunately, Kit came home from work partway through the bath, and I don’t even want to imagine what he thought was happening when he walked in and heard Boo’s unearthly howls and me pleading with him—loudly, to be heard over him—to hold still so I could rinse him off and it would all be over.

I heard Kit shout for Winston, so he could be heard over Boo’s yowling, and then he burst into the master bathroom, holding a purring, contented bundle of blue-grey fur.

Boo and I were frozen in an epic tableau of wet, reeking cat and equally wet—and, probably, reeking—medical student.

Kit paused in the doorway, then started laughing. “Oh. God, I thought something was really wrong. You shouldn’t scare me like that.”

“You could help,” I grumbled, as Boo got his head free of my hand, which he proceeded to bite. Hard. And not let go of.

Kit looked at the…less than clear, decidedly murky…water and shook his head. “Ew. I don’t think so. Doesn’t that hurt?”

“Yes, of course it hurts! Being undead doesn’t turn his teeth into…candy corn!” With a sadly practiced motion, as Boo bites me on a regular basis, I wedged my free thumb into the corner of the cat’s mouth and pried his jaws apart. My hand was white where he’d bitten me, and then each depression slowly filled with blood.

“You’re not going to turn into a zombie, are you?” He’d gotten a little more relaxed about the ‘Z’ word, though last week he left his browser open to a site called the Zombie Rights Campaign. I wasn’t sure if it was a joke, or something he’d made himself. I try not to snoop on his computer.

I also hadn’t asked him about it. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“Kit, if I turned into a zombie every time Boo bit me, I’d be…”

“It only takes one time, Edward.”

Torquere Press Buy Link

Author Bio:

Strange didn't want to learn how to read, but literacy prevailed and she hasn't stopped reading—or writing—since. She's been published with Torquere Press since 2013, and she writes M/M romance in multiple genres, including paranormal and BDSM. T.'s other interests include cross stitching, gardening, watching terrible horror movies, playing video games, and finding injured pigeons to rescue. Originally from White Rock, BC, she lives on the Canadian prairies, where she shares her home with her wife, cats, guinea pigs and other creatures of all shapes and sizes. She's very easy to bribe with free food and drinks—especially wine.

Facebook     |     Facebook Author Page     |     Twitter

Pinterest     |     Blog     |     Tumblr

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lockdown BBT

Blurb:

Leah's practical joke has spiraled way out of control. Now everyone seems convinced that the apocalypse is coming - in the form of zombies. The government is calling the virus AM13, and is advising – or more like forcing - everyone to stay indoors while they 'clean up the mess'.

Leah tries to persuade everyone that it was all just a horrible mistake, however she starts to see there may be more truth to it all than she first thought.

Excerpt:

Ok, it's official. I'm dead. I'm actually going to be killed.

Then I'll lose my job, my important position complete with my beautiful nameplate, with Leah Watton in shiny silver print. Of course, this will lead me to get kicked out of my flat and I'll end up living in some cardboard box on a skanky street corner, drinking cider and trading war stories around a bin fire.

Or the much worse option, I'll be forced to move back to my parents’ house.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

All for one idiotic joke. I can't believe it, I've nearly wrecked my career already, and it was only just beginning. I can really feel the panic welling up in my stomach now. After those three long years at university studying journalism, the thing I was so sure I was destined to do with my life, which in the end turned out I actually hated. Those long depressing months of sending out CV's to every stupid newspaper, magazine and supplement going—my parents had always made it very clear that they expected me to use my degree sensibly, especially as they may have helped me now and again, financially, after I got into a bit of credit card debt. I got rejected time and time again, even by a cheese periodical. Seriously, they said at the interview my lack of passion for the subject was apparent. I mean, what sort of person is passionate about cheese?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

June 23: Pink Fluffy Hearts: Diary of a Coffee Addict
June 23: Long and Short Reviews
June 24: Booker Like a Hooker
June 25: Andi's Book Reviews
June 26: Blood Moons and Nightscapes
June 26: Our Wolves Den
June 27: Booklover Sue
June 27: The blog of C.R. Moss
July 7: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
July 8: Rogue's Angels
July 9: Happily Ever After
July 10: The Bookie Monster
July 11: Sharing Links and Wisdom

Author Bio and Links:

Samie Sands is a 28-year-old Graphic Designer who has recently decided to follow her lifelong dream and use her creativity in a different way. Lockdown is her debut published novel, but she's also had a number of short stories included in successful anthologies.

She lives in a small seaside town in the UK, but loves to travel to gain inspiration from different cultures. To keep up to date with Samie, please check out her website www.samiesands.com.

Author Website     |     Lockdown Website     |     Facebook

Twitter     |     Tumblr     |    Wattpad