Grade A Stupid by A.J. Lape

 

			Grade A Stupid (The Darcy Walker Series) Price: $2.99
Fifteen years ago, Darcy Walker's parents thought it was a good idea to give her a unique name: Darcy, meaning "dark walker." Whether that was a stroke of genius or stroke of stupid, they definitely nailed the irony. She lacks direction, her grades stink despite a high IQ, she's boringly average--although flirting admirers claim otherwise--and God help her, she's infatuated with a bad-boy. A bad-boy that her hottie best friend, Dylan, wishes would get acquainted with his fist. And, oh yeah, there's that tattoo that was a royally stupid idea. With her life spiraling out of control, everything changes when she skips class and finds a dead body...in fact, it gets worse. It jump starts Darcy's inner-verb, and her brain hardwired for action gets caught up in a situation she can’t let go. Set in the fictional Cincinnati town of Valley, Ohio, Darcy falls into a world of threats, violence, and gangland exploits chasing down every clue to finger the murderer. When a fellow misfit is fingered for the crime, Darcy goes from zero-to-sixty trying to clear his name--constructing aliases, breaking the law, everything that makes perfect sense to her but reeks of Grade A Stupid to everyone else. Trouble is...will she live to see 16? 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful  Murder and Mayhem, All the Things A Teenager Looks For! Right?!, November 10, 2012

This review is from: Grade A Stupid (The Darcy Walker Series) (Kindle Edition)

What do you do when you find a dead body in the garbage container?

Do you: A) Call the police; B) Run Far Away; or C) Make sure nothing is touched and wait for help?

Those would be the reasonable things to do right?

Well, what if you have a curious nature?

What if you consider yourself a verb, someone that has to be in action, and cannot stand to be stagnant?

What if you know that no matter what you do you will always be in some kind of trouble?

What do you do?
If you are like Darcy, you do not let anything stop you from figuring out the truth, even if that means breaking the law and dragging others through the mud with you.

Darcy Walker is your typical teenage girl. She has an IQ that is beyond normal and yet, is barely scraping by in her schoolwork. Everyone tells Darcy that she is beautiful but she just assumes they are joking. Then there is her best friend in the whole wide world, Dylan. Dylan Taylor is your typical teenage boy. He is cocky, smart, athletic, and gorgeous.

While Dylan and his family are vacationing in Hawaii for Spring Break, Darcy finds herself entrapped in a web of lies and deceit. Will Dylan find his best friend still alive when he returns or will he find her laid out on the front porch like Darcy's little sister's pet squirrel?

AJ Lape will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page until the last. She is a master storyteller and knows how to reel you in and keep you coming back for more. Grade A Stupid is a book that is right up there with the Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene and the Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon! Excellent from start to finish, I know you won't be disappointed!

› Visit Amazon's A. J. Lape Page

Biography

A. J. lives in Cincinnati with her husband, two feministic daughters, an ADD dog, a spoiled hamster, and an unapologetic and unrepentant addiction to Coca-Cola. She studied English, Journalism, and Political Science at Morehead State University and left the business world when her daughters were born. Her love for suspense and a good story was born from watching Mystery Science Theater with her sister during childhood. That and any B-movie with comedic undertones they could get their hands on.

From a small town in rural Kentucky, her sister and she lived in their imaginations on a regular basis, and A.J.'s love for the bizarre and paranormal still holds true to this day. She loves roller coasters, scary movies, and haunted houses and the weird sense of accomplishment it gives her when she can make it through without keeling over.

From her parents she learned the value of hard work and determination. While her father held down two jobs, he still somehow got his Doctorate Degree in Theology. Conversations in her home revolved around Heaven and Hell, angels and demons, & aliens and the mythological on a regular basis. She was very influenced by the spirit world and the need people have to understand the unexplainable...and the grossly unfair.

If Life has taught her anything, it's the need to acquire a wicked sense of humor, come up swinging, and to never, ever give up...no matter what obstacle is in front of you.

In her spare time, she likes to read, watch too much cable TV, or cheer like a banshee at her daughter's sporting events. She's a huge hometown sports fan and bleeds all things Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Bengals. When she's not riding that razor-thin line between creativity and insanity, she's waiting for her mothership to pick her up, but that's on the down-low, of course...big wink.

She's currently hard at work on the first installment of her urban fantasy series, The Curse of Jude Nichols.

Their Journey Begins by K. Meador

 

 

 

 Their Journey Before is an anthology of short stories incorporating the characters from "Journey to Freedom" and introducing them in this book, before Greggory, Robert, Marrissa, Daniel and Charles and Carmen meet.

There are no spoilers in this book; therefore, it can be read before or after "Journey to Freedom."

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Life, Struggles, and Overcoming Adversity, November 10, 2012

By 

M-NSmith "Mary-Nancy Smith" (Otterville, MO) -

This review is from: Their Journey Begins (Journey to Freedom) (Kindle Edition)

We have all heard stories of slaves and Indians during or before the Civil War era but have you ever read something that makes you feel like you are right there with the characters?

Have you ever read a story that keeps you looking over your shoulder because you are afraid that someone might find out you are sneaking around?

Have you ever experienced the emotions of someone on the run whether from their past, someone evil, or just trying to make a better life for themselves?

If you haven't and you would like to experience it for yourself then this is the anthology for you.

These short stories allow you a glimpse into the lives of five very different people that are all struggling to make it.

They are sad, scary, heartwarming, uplifting, and thought provoking all rolled into one.

K. Meador is an awesome author that takes you to the heart of the story and lets you see and live her characters through their eyes.

I totally recommend this book. I know you will not be disappointed!

An unlikely meeting...
Marrissa is running away, as fast as her feet can carry her. After enduring the abuse at the hands of her employer for years, she has finally found the strength to strike out on her own, and now she has been unceremoniously thrust into an adventure with a man she doesn't know. But things become more serious when she and her companion are taken in by the Cherokee. After enduring attempts on her life at the hands of a jealous wife, Marrissa must once again leave people behind and make her own way. But this time she might be leaving true love behind.

An undying devotion...
Greggory longs to be a free man. Facing the violent prejudices against him as a half breed, and running from the high price set on his head by the owner of the plantation he used to belong to, he never expected to find peace and happiness with the young woman at his side. But the more time he spends with Marrissa, the more he realizes she is the one for him, and when evidence points to her untimely demise, he vows to gain his freedom and love no one else. But fate might not be done with him yet, and Greggory may have a second chance at the life he first glimpsed in Marrissa's eyes.

A timeless love...
Set amid the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, Journey to Freedom, chronicles the harrowing misadventures of two star-crossed lovers through nineteenth century America, battling violence, prejudice, and the inherent struggles of their time. Join author K-Trina Meador for a touching saga of love, faith, and survival.

A Bridge to Treachery by Larry Crane

BLURB:

Former Colonel Lou Christopher is an ex-Army Ranger retired from the military and contentedly working as a New York investment broker. After being assigned a number of lucrative accounts and becoming accustomed to living the good life, he discovers there is a pay back. His former military skills are requested under a threat of losing everything he has.

Handed a group of misfits to assemble into a military strike team, he is coerced into leading the team on a mission of domestic terrorism. At the center of a bridge outside of Manhattan, his strike team is caught in the act and unexpectedly becomes engaged in a deadly firefight. It's then that he learns the mission was a political maneuver from the highest levels of the U.S. Government-and ultimately realizes he has been betrayed by his superiors. Learning his team was considered nothing more than collateral damage and intended to be killed and left as scapegoats, he uses his unique military expertise and engages in a fight for his life.

As the strike team is decimated, he and a female teammate elude the opposition forces to survive and escape, turning the tables on his superiors. Using his distinctive set of military skills, he now becomes the hunter and vows to extract his revenge and bring them all down. 

BIO:

Transplanted to Maine mid-westerner Larry Crane brings an Illinois sensibility to his writing. Larry graduated from West Point and served in the Army before starting 
a business career on Wall Street. His writing includes articles for outdoor magazines, plays, short fiction, and his most recent thriller novel, A Bridge to Treachery. In his spare time, Crane is a hobbyist videographer for his local Public Access Television Station and is a volunteer at his local historical society. Larry and wife Jan live in splendid isolation on the coast of Maine. 

ONLINE LINKS:
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/#!/mainelarrycrane
Webpage:  http://www.mainelarrycrane.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MaineLarryCrane
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3974958.Larry_Crane
Wattpad:   http://wattpad.com/LarryCrane
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/capenewagen?ref=tn_tnmn
Google+:  https://plus.google.com/102138020542253759325
Blog:   http://mainelarrycrane.blogspot.com/
LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/settings/?trk=hb_acc
IAN:  http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/



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Excerpts - A Bridge to Treachery
From Chapter 23 A Bridge to Treachery - Larry Crane
Lou got to his knees and scrambled under the trailer toward Frawley’s body. He reached across
him, for his carbine. Immediately, the police threw another fusillade of fire. Lou was caught in
the middle of the searchlight beam. He scrambled back to safety behind the tire as bullets
screeched around him, careening off the concrete in a shower of sparks, miraculously failing to
ignite the gasoline. By the weight of it, he judged the magazine of the carbine to be almost full.
Back toward the center of the bridge, the police cars were creeping forward. Lou crouched
behind the front tire of Mack West, gathering his strength for a sprint. He got to his feet and
plunged out into the darkness adjacent to the bridge railing. He pumped his legs with all of his
strength. He saw the dark form of his drenched jacket in the roadway ahead.
The headlights of the approaching squad cars created angular shafts of light through the wheels,
undercarriage, and stanchions of Mack East and the three-quarter ton full of napalm drums. He
dove for his jacket, grasping the machine beneath it in both hands. He whirled the handle once;
nothing. Then again, harder. Again. On the third twist, the center of the bridge seemed to heave
up in a ball of yellow and crimson flame. A thunderous roar enveloped the bridge and sent
shocks through the girders and the concrete surface, throwing Lou to his back.
Globs of thickened aviation gasoline arched through the night--clearing the overhead
cables—and then plunged to the inky river below. The massive ball of flame slowly rose off the
surface of the roadway and engulfed the cables and lights above.
Lou got to his feet and turned back toward the western end of the bridge, racing back toward
Mack West. For nearly a full minute, the center of the bridge was aglow with intense seething
light; yet no one fired at him. He went right to the truck, hugging the side of the roadway and the
railing. The air in his lungs seemed to swell in his chest until he couldn’t catch his breath. And
still no one fired.
Back in the shelter of Mack West, Lou sank to his knees behind the front tire. The entire bridge
and the mountains on either side of the Hudson were lit by flaming napalm that now stuck to the
overhead cables and slowly dripped in globs of orange flame to the roadway. He’d stopped them.
He became aware of the pulsing, rug-beating throb of helicopter blades. He looked out to the
north of the bridge and saw a military HU-1B hovering at the level of the roadway, its landing
lights gleaming. Red lights flashed on the tail boom. He was receiving no fire. The cops must
have been holding off to keep from accidently hitting the chopper or firing into their comrades
closing in from the east side.
Slowly the craft moved forward, dipping its nose and gaining altitude. It ascended above the
bridge, swinging back to the eastern side. Thirty seconds later, Lou heard throbbing directly
overhead. The chopper hovered out in front of him, by the traffic circle, and descended to the
ground. There was no firing. It was the perfect time to go.
He reached the end of the railing. Instinctively, he veered to the right, across the narrow strip of
grass. He dove headlong into the underbrush, still holding the carbine. He crawled on all fours
over roots and rocks and under bushes and low hanging branches that grabbed at his weapon and
held him back. He reached the cut.
It was steeper than he thought. He started down the embankment on his rump, warding off
boulders and stumps on his way down with his feet, but soon he began tumbling and sliding in a
cascade of rocks and water. The pool at the bottom was not deep and it was no colder than the
rain.
At first, it was absolutely black in the cut. Gradually his eyes adjusted, but there was no moon
and no reflective surfaces to magnify what little light existed. He was shielded from the open
ground a hundred and forty feet above him at the level of the bridge. He heard no sound except
the splashing of water at his feet and his own deep breathing. The rain still came down steadily,
unrelenting. For that he was thankful. It would mask all of his movements.
There wasn’t much time. He didn’t know if they’d seen him dart off under the cover and
confusion of the helicopter landing. The only thing to do was to strike out west, shielded from
view until he was far from this place.
“Hello...” he heard from the other side of the stream. It was a half
whisper. “Is it you?”
“Come over here,” he said softly. “Over here. I’m holding out my hand.”
He heard her stumble into the water and stifle a screech. Then his hand was holding hers; pulling
her across. She rushed to him, clutched at his shirt, and wrapped her arms around him.
“You don’t look dead,” she said.

 

Warrior Reborn by Melissa Mayhue

BLURB:  Back Cover Copy:

WARRIOR REBORN

Former special ops agent CHASE NOBLE has been searching his whole life for the place where he belongs.  As a descendant of Fae, he senses fate has more in store for him, and he will not rest until he discovers what his true purpose is. When he travels back in time to medieval Scotland, he discovers his mission is to save a beautiful woman—the same woman he is destined to be with.

CHRISTIANA MACDOWYLT possesses the gift of foresight. Prisoner of her evil half-brother, Christiana’s visions show her that only one warrior can rescue her—a man she is mysteriously drawn to.  The only problem is,  he’s in the future.  Now she must rely on the magic of a Faerie to transport him to the past. And when Christiana finally meets Chase, the sparks between them set off a smoldering desire.  But will the magic that brought them together also tear them apart?

BIO:  Melissa Mayhue is the award-winning author of Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband, Highland Guardian, Soul of a Highlander, A Highlander of Her Own, A Highlander's Destiny, A Highlander's Homecoming, Healing the Highlander , A Highlander's Curse and Warrior’s Redemption. She and her family live in Colorado in the shadow of the beautiful Rocky Mountains with two insanely spoiled dogs, one domineering cat, a turtle with an attitude, and way too many fish in their aquarium. Visit her website at MelissaMayhue.com.

ONLINE LINKS:

·        Website – www.MelissaMayhue.com

·        Blog - http://www.melissamayhue.blogspot.com/

·        Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Melissa.Mayhue.Author

·        Twitter – https://twitter.com/MelissaMayhue

·        Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/Melissa_Mayhue

 ***** The Future Comes Back to the Past!
 Do you know how it feels to be lost? Have you ever felt like you were just out of place, like you didn't belong in this time or place? Have you ever tried so many different things just to feel like you have to fit in somewhere? That is how Chase feels! He has tried everything but nothing seems to fit. He feels like he is a fish out of water and doesn't know which way to turn. How will he ever find what he is looking for?

Having the "sight" or sixth sense isn't always what it is cracked up to be. What good is knowing who  you are supposed to be with when you know that they are years in the future and pretty much unattainable? How are you supposed to survive on hopes and dreams when all you want is for someone to rescue you from your life "prison" that has been forced upon you? You know there is someone out there just for you but you have to rely on the Fae to help you and everyone knows how fickle they can be.

Will love conquer all? Even time and place? Or will it become a burden that can never be lifted? Melissa Mayhue is a master storyteller! She draws you in from page one and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last word is read! If you love a good story with heart, soul, and a little bit of challenge built into the plot then this is the book for you. It is a wonderful book and I know you won't be disappointed!

Forward Passes by Jami Davenport

Quarterback Tyler Harris is about to find the woman who can get past his defensive line and reach his heart.

With two championships in as many years, superstar Tyler Harris is the best quarterback in the league. Gorgeous and rich, he’s at the top of his game. But everyone’s looking to take him down. There’s a building media frenzy around an unfortunate accident, and the only safe place seems a rundown mansion deep in the San Juans and owned by his late great uncle. There, Tyler gets sacked by the sassy redhead next door. It’s more alive than he’s felt in years.

Lavender Mead has a good reason to dislike jocks, namely an absentee father who deserted the family to coach college football. Maybe that explains her penchant for bad boys who play ball for a living and break hearts for a hobby. Her new neighbor seems just the type. Yet, something is different about Tyler, and sometimes love requires a Hail Mary. You draw back your arm, pray…and give it all up to fate. And sometimes you win your ring

Quote:

JAMI DAVENPORT
“…is an author not to be missed!”
—USA Today Bestselling Author Lucy Monroe

BIO:

There are two things I've always wanted to do since I was a young child: to write books and to ride horses. The riding I've been doing for years. Until recently, I only dabbled in writing.

I completed my first story at the age of five. I titled it "Wildfire" (about a horse, of course) and illustrated it myself. I still have the book stowed away in the attic somewhere.

I've written stories all of my life. They were my secret garden, my escape from the realities of the world. I never shared them with anyone. I'd hide them away and bring them out when the mood struck me.

I frequented several fan fiction sites on the Internet. As I was reading those stories, I thought I can do that. Four years ago, I posted my first two chapters on a fan fiction site. My hands shook. My stomach lurched. NEVER had I let anyone read my stories before. What if my writing was garbage? What if everyone hated it? It was a soul-baring moment. Fortunately, they loved it. It became quite popular. Several people who'd befriended me on that fan fic site encouraged me to pursue my writing on a more professional level.

Being a devoted reader of romance and an advocate of happy endings, it was only natural to choose romance as my focus. I joined the Romance Writers of America, and the Olympia RWA chapter.

Six months and 105,000 words later, I finished my first manuscript, The Dance. Named after Garth Brooks' popular song, the original ending wasn't happily ever after, but I quickly changed that small detail. I started my second single title on Thanksgiving Day and pushed myself to see how long it would take me to finish it. I finished it the middle of February and was very proud of myself for being so fast.

To date, I've published four novels and two short stories in an anthology.

A few years ago, I married a wonderful man. You can bet my Green Beret turned Plumber will be an inspiration for a future book. In my spare time, I show the above-mentioned Hanoverian mare, in dressage. I'm also a rabid Seattle Seahawks and Mariners fan through thick and thin. Lately, I've developed an interest in gardening.

An avid boater, I've spent countless hours in Washington State's San Juan Islands, the most beautiful place on earth, and the setting for "Who's" and "The Dance." You'll see more books in the future set on these islands. My banner and several other pictures on this site were taken in that area.

Currently, I'm a PAN member of RWA and three RWA chapters: Peninsula, Greater Seattle, and Olympia. I'm co-president of the Olympia chapter with fellow writer Anthea Lawson. I spearhead the annual Elizabeth Kistler Memorial Retreat in Port Townsend at Manresa Castle for the Olympia chapter.
  
ONLINE LINKS:

·        Website  www.jamidavenport.com

·        Blog  jamidavenport.blogspot.com

·        Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/jamidavenport?ref=profile

·        Twitter  https://twitter.com/jamidavenport

·        Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1637218.Jami_Davenport

BUY NOW LINK:

Boroughs Publishing  http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/books/forward-passes

Smash Words  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/242542

All Romance  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-forwardpasses-968834-149.html

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***** Love, Life, and Heartache!
What do you do when things get out of your control? 
Where do you hide so that no one knows your name?
When you are on top of the world how does it feel to be thrown to the bottom of the heap?

Some girls are attracted to the "bad" boys because they are in it for the thrill and some just do not know any other type.
So what do you do when you find yourself attracted to the "bad" boy for all the wrong reasons?
Is he really that bad or is it just an act or has he just been given a bad rap?
Do you let yourself find out by following your heart or do you listen to your head and stay well away?

Jami Davenport creates wonderful characters that are full of life and yet are real enough to let you imagine being friends with them. Forward Passes is an awesome story with wonderful characters and page turning twists. If you need a really good book to get involved in then check out Forward Passes! You will not be disappointed.

Mirror Deep by Joss Landry

“The sign of a good champagne,” Pierce told her, “and it can be lethal if drunk too fast.”He obliged, tipping the bottle to her glass when she nudged him for a second refill. Staring intoher eyes, he whispered, “You wouldn’t want to ruin your new experience, would you?”After taking a sip of this new glass, she nodded. “You’re right—as usual. Hey,”she perked up. “I know what’ll keep me sober.” She rose from her chair and tugged on hissleeve. “Dancing…

Enlightened by Melissa Lummis

Loti Dupree fears that when her husband died, she lost her soul. Harboring a painful secret, she flees her life in a small Appalachian town for the ashram, the spiritual retreat where she trained to be a yogini. But she is running from more than grief. An ominous nightmare the night before she leaves sets her on a dangerous path of self-discovery that challenges everything she believes – and threatens her life.

 While dodging psychic attacks from an unknown assailant, she struggles with her growing attraction to a broody, handsome and completely frustrating vampire. Loti races to understand who and what she is before her anonymous enemy catches up with her. Loti thought she couldn’t survive her husband’s death, but among healers, witches, and vampires, she discovers not only a future, but a family.






 About the athor:


Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker, a peaceful warrior, a paranormal and fantasy writer, an avid reader, a thru-hiker GA ME ’98, a wife, a mother, and a free thinker. She believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer. And if we live our lives as if it is a daring adventure (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us. The author lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute and a myriad of forest creatures. The nature of her mind dictates that she write to stay sane. Otherwise, her fertile imagination takes off on tangents of its own accord, creating scenarios and worlds that confuse the space-time continuum. Namaste, dear friends.

 Blog: http://www.melissalummis.blogspot.com/ 
Twitter: @melissalummis https://twitter.com/melissalummis 
 Email: melissalummis@gmail.com
 Amazon Link:
 http://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Love-Light-Series-ebook/dp/B009XZHSP8/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352151456&sr=1-4&keywords=Enlightened




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