Unforgivable II by James Fuller

Unforgivable II  by James Fuller

Description

Half a lifetime of running comes to a dead stop when Sofia stands as the last of her line. Her father and her innocence lie cold in the ground as she embarks on a crusade of treason, blood and justice.
Haunted by her dreams, Sofia inherits more than her father's thirst for vengeance with the discovery of a miraculous herb among his possessions. However, she finds the peace offered by the infamous root comes at a crippling cost: an addiction that leaves her owing more than life is worth in the kingdom of Faer-Tri.
Indebted to gypsies, she enters a war in the capital city of Delmar where every shadow promises death by friend or foe alike. In the chaos, Sofia fights to separate reality form fantasy while only one thing remains certain...she will not rest until the king lies dead at her feet...

My Review

Unforgivable II is a powerful story soaked with the blood only a trail of merciless revenge could leave behind. It's written in a manner where it can be read in order and fill the wake of its predecessor, Unforgivable, or stand alone making waves of its own. With that said, I enjoyed the first book and recommend you do read them in the order they were meant to be read. 
There were times in this book when I caught myself saying, "Just one more chapter, just give me a little bit more." There was so much going on that I found myself wanting to stem away from Sophia's revenge story and learn more about her past, the war or the gypsies. However, I understand why Fuller chose to write Sopia's tale fast and lean just like her fathers story. 
Once again, Fuller did a magnificent job in depicting the beast that is revenge. He shows how it can consume and twist and fog the mind. 
I wanted so badly wanted to fully venture down the rabbit hole with Sophia but even though that journey was not in the forefront of the book, the surprises Fuller gave were still elaborate and fantastically gruesome. 
One thing I absolutely love about this sequel, Fuller never lets Sophia slip out of character. Not for anything or anyone. She uses her surroundings to reach her goal and in the end she and we, the reader realize what she has become.

Interview with the author

Lost in thought: I was really excited going into book 2 because the first one was amazing and this time it's a woman out for revenge. I was eager to see how you would portray her. What I found so amazing is that Sophia's killing style is like her father's; brutal, quick and calculated. Yet it's also essentially a style of her own, fresh, fast and focused. I don't believe that between the two characters you killed anyone the same way twice!  You managed to do it again! 

James Fuller: And I hope to do it a third time. The thing you have to remember about Sophia is that she grew up on the run with her father, watching him, learning from him, seeing that hesitation meant failure and death. Jamus acted on a primal instinct of focus to keep them alive. It's only natural that that would be passed down, except with slight differences.

LIT: A third time, I heard about that but I wasn't sure if it was just a thought or a plan. That's pretty awesome! 

JF: As a few months ago I released knowledge that there will be an Unforgivable 3.

LIT: I'm excited but who will be exacting revenge this time? Any crumbs for a teaser or must I/we wait?

JF: Unforgivable 3 will actually take place in the 10 years between Chapters 13 and 14 of book 1. The years they spent on the run.  I will gladly give you the first chapter to post if you'd like.

LIT: Sounds sweet and I would gladly add a teaser! And might I add a "YEY!"? Interestingly enough I was missing that! When I started book two and Sophia was already a deadly assassin  I have to admit a little part of me was sad. I wanted to know how she got there. I am glad to see you working hard. If I recall correctly, you have started to write some erotica as well?

JF: Yes I have. I have written 2 so far and have a 3rd in the works, but they aren't your typical erotica's, they are darker (much like Unforgivable) the plots are deep and entrenched with action, desire and heart wrenching moments that will leave you breathless and eager.

LIT: Watch out! Hahaha Ok! 

JF: Until Death Do Us Part hit #1 in erotica's on Amazon for a short time this summer and was said to be one of the best paranormal erotica's of the summer!

LIT: WHAT!? That's awesome! Congratulations! You should have led with that! 

JF: Thanks

LIT: Well, sir, it was good chatting with you once again. See you back here for Unforgivable three?

JF: Gladly! Thanks

LIT: Thank you!

Last thoughts 

Again, Fuller would have went deeper into the war and the Kingdom, but then it wouldn't be a sequel but a completely different novel. I deeply appreciate that Fuller does manage to keep it about Sophia.  He keeps the people and emotions believable   She acts exactly like a person driven by revenge would act. No time for anything else. 

Other Publications

Fall of a King: The False Prince

Fall of a King: Brothers of Blood

Unforgivable 

Unforgivable II

Broken Shards of a Masterpiece

Luxuria (erotica)

and 

Until Death Do Us Part -(erotica) Hit #1 on this summers Amazon charts

Congrats again! 

You can find these works at Amazon available for kindle and paperback 

As promised Sneak Peek of Unforgivable III

Unforgivable III

The Lost Years

Chapter 1

Sins of Necessity

                The night was cold and bitter, the sting of winters breath unforgiving to those ill prepared to venture out into it. Gusts of angry biting wind threw the thick falling snow around in a bizarre dance of utter confusion. Most were snug in their beds, blanketed by the embrace of a burning hearth and thick down filled quilts, but a few were forced to endure the frozen wasteland having no place to call home anymore.

                Jamus tightened his grip, his fingers entrenching deeper within the thick, curly mats of hair. He lent more of his weight down harder, fighting against the desperate struggling beneath him. His exhausted muscles screamed at him to stop but he knew if he relented even for a moment his resolve would break.

                He looked over at the shivering rag bundled figure standing at the entrance of the alleyway. “Close your eyes honey,” he said through gritted teeth his voice full of raw affliction, “just look away.” He could see the whites of her eyes disappear as she squeezed them shut.

                Jamus pushed his victims face deeper into the freezing snow cutting off all chance of him finding another breath or releasing another muffled cry for help. Suffocating him until finally his movements slowed and stopped his body finally going limp. He held sure long after the man had cease to move not willing to risk any chance that the deed was unfinished.

                He stared down at the body a silent guilt riddled war waging deep within him before he rolled him over as looked upon the dead man’s face, something he forced himself to always do. He glared down at the man’s rough features, how many women had he beaten? How many had he raped? How many lives had he ruined with his wickedness? He couldn't anymore.

                Jamus’ guilt subsided as he began to search the man’s pockets and retrieved a small coin purse with a silver and four copper within. It wasn't much but it would buy them enough food to go on awhile longer. He pulled a silver ring from the man’s finger and pocketed it as well.

                “Papa, I hear someone.” Sofia shivered through the gusts of wind.

Hypnos by Alexis Lewis

Hypnos by Alexis Lewis

Book Description

When college student Madison Tyler goes to sleep at night she doesn’t just dream, she unknowingly struggles with an unwanted talent…the ability to affect the minds of other sleepers. Slowly losing the normalcy of life at the expense of this gift she meets two brothers with their own dark secrets who could influence her fate.

Since they have experience in the strange new awareness she has fallen prey to, the attractive twins just might be the solution she needs. Identical in feature but not in form the brothers wage their own internal battles against things even more powerful than Madison’s talents which grow stronger and pull them closer everyday.

Troubled and dark, Chris must decide whether or not to help her despite a personal history that demands avoidance. Strong and kind, Keenan is determined to save them all from self-destruction before he loses both the brother he loves and this odd yet beautiful girl he feels driven to aid.

Hypnos is the tale of three people vying to find answers to the oldest of questions...What is the definition of good and evil, and how do we act upon our understanding in a world clouded by human relationships, emotion, and the necessity of self preservation? How often do our conscious endeavors reflect our unconscious will?

My Review

Let’s begin at the beginning, best authors forward ever! If there were an award for it Alexis Lewis would win hands down.  If you can read it and still put the book down, then you don't deserve to be a part of this ridiculously amazing adventure that emerges in the pages to follow! After reaching the 30% mark I simply couldn't put the book down anymore.

The idea of lucid dreaming is such an intriguing basis for writing a novel. I personally am a dreamer (and a have experienced lucid dreaming and hags) perhaps that helped me relate more to the story.  I do believe that even if someone doesn’t dream they would still find this book mysterious and captivating. The author takes it to so many different levels.  At times the book gets dark or hard but the author understands this and throws the reader a bone, by inserting some comic relief, giving the reader time to recuperate from the intense ideas and story line.

She seems to have perfect timing, the way all the scenes pan out, just seamless, effortless. This book and its author deserve every bit of the 5 stars.

If I had to say something critical, I think the vocabulary was over the top. That is the only fault I could find.  It’s one thing for the author to have this immense and beautifully variant vocabulary, but it is unrealistic that all of the characters have this impeccable vocabulary.  (I can understand that Madi and Chris might speak like that, but everyone…hard to believe)  But the book still gets every bit of the five stars, because the author manages to keep everyone in character regardless of their immaculate vernacular.

After reading this book I began to do some research and found some interesting blogs about lucid dreaming and the such. That’s how powerful Hypnos is, it makes you want to research more, learn more and that is a rare quality for a single book to have.

I think for me on a personal note this book was not just a pleasure to read but I became part of it. 

Interview with the author

Lost in Thought- Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me, I know you're busy writing book 2, which I am anxiously awaiting!

Alexis Lewis- Thank you for doing a blog on me! I'm thrilled!

LIT- So, what inspired you to write about lucid dreaming? I am a huge dreamer and often know when I am dreaming. Do you dream too?

AL- I do. Lucid dream-luv it. I find it amazing that there isn't more info on dreaming from a researchable scientific point of view. It's an incredible psychological frontier that we've only begun to explore...

LIT- Yes, I agree. People are always saying,  “what did my dream mean?” and I look at it more like, “how much fun can I have!” I believe the brain itself is still a huge mystery. Did you have to do tons of research when you wrote this or are you writing more from experience?

AL- Many of my scenes are derived from experience, but I did have to do a lot of research when it came to terminology especially. My background with philosophy and psych 101 courses didn't hurt either. I tried to have fun with the story rather than let it be dominated by the context which is an easy trap to fall into.

The mystery of the human mind as you said, was my ally. It gave me room for poetic license. Lol

LIT- As you already know, I love-love your book! You did a great job, and I am under the impression that you balanced the theories and the story well. Seriously, great job! So, the 'hag', is that a technical term? I have experienced this on several occasions....and just for the readers can you explain the term in a sentence or two? And should I be worried? LOL..but seriously.

AL- First off-thank you so much. Thank you for reading it! It's what we authors live for-pleased fans. It was written for you and everyone like you.

'Hag' is a pseudo-technical term. It is the old moniker for what physicians call sleep-paralysis today. It connotes waking up with the inability to move one's body and is usually accompanied by a feeling of apprehension or weight on the upper torso. Scary stuff, I know. As for being worried...

LIT- I knew it! I'm doomed!  So, there is a book two underway. Can you tell us a little about it? Does it pick up right where book one left off?

AL- You're not doomed! Just one of the many who experience the inexplicable. Book 2 in the series, 'Syphon', is in the works, and it will begin right where Hypnos left off. I wasn't sure I was going to write another book to be quite honest, but my first try did well, and some of my friends complained that I definitely left the plot hanging. Can't be unfair to the readers!

LIT- Yea, well I think it could have went either way! I am glad, however, that the adventures will continue.

AL- Also, I want to explore the lighter side of things in the second novel, show the beauty of lucid dreaming rather than just its horrors. Happy, hopeful stuff you know?

LIT- Oh, yes, I think that would be cool to explore another side.

So, Madi is going to marry, who did you say?

LOL!

AL- Hahaha-ahhh not sure I'll include a Meyer's -esque wedding. Who knows? Chris might actually sacrifice Mad's. Maybe her death will be the light at the end of the tunnel? Not sure yet really. Lol

LIT- AHHHH! Ok.... I vote no on the sacrifice! Hahaha... No worries... I'm sure whatever comes next will be absolutely amazing. Seriously, your book is one my all-time favs. A breath of fresh air! And if you have to sacrifice someone, that is just simply our duty as authors. I’m sure I will get over it!

Thanks, so much for taking the time to talk with me. Now get back to work!!

AL- Thank you!  Will do, and I'll try not to off anyone for your sake! Can't wait to read the blog! TY, TY, TY Jess!

LIT- No worries, my pleasure! Ciao and thanks again for your time!

Where to find Hypnos

Amazon Kindle-  http://www.amazon.com/HYPNOS-ebook/dp/B009BKJ4MK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361214728&sr=8-1&keywords=Hypnos+Alexis

Kobo- http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Hypnos/book-F0jSCd2sOk-Am3KRSxGdbQ/page1.html?s=xkHWBCu5YEWCgbfFT0wUrw&r=1

Nook (Barnes and Nobles)-  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/h-y-p-n-o-s-alexis-lewis/1114225161?ean=2940016029238

Wanna follow Alexis Lewis

Book website- hypnosbyalexislewis.webs.com/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/Hypnos_Alexis

Blog- http://hypnosbyalexislewis.blogspot.com/2012_11_01_archive.html

Last Words

Alexis Lewis, deserves a freaking super-genius prize for crafting this amazing story. I think for me on a personal note, this book was not just a pleasure to read but I became part of it.  Hypnos is so intense that I began lucidly dreaming about lucid dreaming! True story!

Legacy of Daddy

The Legacy of Daddy  by Angus H. Day

Book Description

What happens when a Graduate student competes for a PhD in a dystopian society by experimenting with dangerous alien technology? Does humankind need technological help to leave Earth? These and other questions are awkwardly dealt with in The Legacy of Daddy.

My Review

Legacy of Daddy is a true science fiction book. The first real sci-fi I have read since Ender’s Game. Angus Day is a master engineer who makes science and literature merge seamlessly, and apparently with an ease I envy.  Legacy of Daddy is an amazing journey, at times witty, heart breaking, at times heated and sexy, it was simply true to emotions we as humans feel throughout our tiny lifetimes.  You can discuss this book on so many levels, you can debate over ideas and ideals, or just simply kick back and enjoy the ride.  Angus Day challenges you, demands that you think outside of your magnificent brain and get your hands dirty. Politics, hierarchy, scheming, conspiracies, love, hate, revenge, secrets, it’s all here!

I usually don’t like books that span over years. One chapter ends and then the next starts five to ten years later. I feel like the authors that do this are just being lazy. I think that is because until now I have never really read any works that have mastered this art. However, when Angus Day does it, it’s a natural necessity. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day. The time jumps are very necessary and very well planned.  One thing I felt could have made it easier on the reader is perhaps a labeling on the chapters. Chapter names, for example;  Chapter 13- Sol 3022 or something like that. Not that it is needed but in the beginning there were a few moments where I was thrown off for a second before I realized that we were in the future. Once I realized that was the style of the author I didn't have that problem again.  That is the only negative point I have to make.

To bring an end to my review before it gets too long, I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a true scientific adventure to a world vastly different from ours, yet eerily similar.

Interview with the Author

Angus Day: Good morning Jessica.

Lost in Thought: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me.

AD: Glad to.

LIT: So, first off I wanted to congratulate you on writing a real Sci-Fi! It was an awesome and refreshing read. Was this your first book?

AD: Legacy of Daddy was my first novel. I have published three more in the Next You Universe and am working with a collaborator for the first time on book 5. I have at least 10 synopses for the Next You Universe so far.

LIT: Wow! That is exciting, it really will be a legacy! I love Legacy of Daddy, and I will surely be reading the other books pertaining to it.

The idea of Nanites fixing all of our problems isn't that far- fetched, I really liked how you developed the science over time. I usually don't like to read books with time jumps, but with yours it was spot on! It gave the science time to develop.

What made you think of writing about Nanites? You really seem to know what you’re talking about when it comes to the nano-tech.

AD: I did some work with nanoscale batteries and I make DNA/RNA based pharmaceutical ingredients for my paying job. I kind of fell in love with the Sci-Fi theme of nanotech by reading Ben Bova’s books.

LIT: What interests you most about this type of science?

AD: Where it is now and where it could possibly go. I really do not like to read or write near-term Sci-Fi. People start looking at you like some kind of seer or someone with insider knowledge. I do have another motivation for writing a future with Nano playing a large role.

LIT: That's yet another reason I like the book! I wasn't reading it going, 'nahhh, doesn't sound right!’

So, I can't honestly tell you who my favorite character is.  Horace is an interesting character. Is Horace a good guy or a bad guy? With all the conspiracy and him hijacking half the world, I couldn't figure it out!

AD: Horace is a good guy with some psychological issues. Everyone seems to glorify the idea of living for a really long time but I've not seen anyone address the potential for mental disease developing because of longevity. I think as we extend lifespans we will begin to experience new ailments.

LIT: That is an interesting discussion point. (One that I will have to save for a later date.) I sometimes couldn't tell if Horace was only trying to protect his own backside or if he cared about humans too and where the race was going.

I really liked that you kept humans human. We are a young race and very trigger happy.

AD: Horace started out caring about Horace. Humans were an opportunity. When or if you read Having Nice Things, you will find out more about why Horace was ready to shit himself when the Brimmers arrived.

LIT: Oh, I already understood that from Legacy of Daddy, the Brimmers were nobody to mess with! The way you wrote the book, if Horace was afraid of something, you knew it had to be a badass banana!  

Your work suggests that nanos will be playing a humongous role in our future. What are your thoughts on that?

AD: My other motivation for including nano is to guide the concept of resource usage. You can only build big so long before you run out of stuff or it becomes too expensive.

LIT: Which brings us to money, is nano-tech really that expensive? Aren't they supposed to someday be able to create themselves?

AD: Any ground breaking research is immensely expensive from the aspect that you have to have proof of concept then determine the most efficient manner to bring the concept to reality creating a lot of ways how not to do it in the process. Couple that with things that will be introduced into living beings and you can hit the expense with a factor of ten to come out at the bottom of the range. People get real picky about what they will consider ingesting or...having inserted...somewhere.

Self-assemblers are a sub area of nano tech. We have to get past proof of concept first.

LIT: Oh, very good point! I'm just like 'eh, they will make one and it will automatically work out!' Gesch, I have too much faith in scientists! That's why I'm an author! Haha

One more thing I loved about reading your work, it wasn't over descriptive, which is good in some books, but sometimes especially when it comes to future technology it's best to keep it simple and let the reader piece it together. You really did an amazing job, giving us exactly what we needed, no more no less, so thanks for that! Out of curiosity who was your favorite character, if you have one?

AD: In that book it's a tie with Horace, Basil and Robert.

LIT: I had a feeling you were going to say that! So, it sounds like you have an amazing job, well two, scientist and author. Just a bounos question, if you had to choose which profession would you devote yourself to.

AD: Really, I have to choose, scientist or author?

LIT: Yes, if you had to choose, which one would you choose?

AD: I would choose scientist and keep writing as the therapy it is for me. This is my creative outlet. Everyone needs one for their balance.

LIT: Hmmmmmm, ok that's a solid answer... But I am going to press on, if you really had to choose, would it be mad scientist or uninspired author. Hahahaha!

AD:(I see your bullshit and raise another) I would skew your view and go with insane scientist with a happy disposition. Mildly creepy. (Always clawing to get out of the box)

LIT:  Hahahahaha! Seriously laughing out loud! What a great start to my morning!  It has been my pleasure chatting with you. I hope to do this again sometime. So for the readers the next book in the series is....?

AD: Next You Interstellar LLC

 

LIT: Next You Interstellar LLC is already on my reading list, well somewhere closer to the bottom though.  But who knows, I sometimes cheat and move books up, so we might be hearing from one another soon enough! Well, it is now time to officially end this interview. Thank you so very much for taking the time to work with me, I am looking forward to doing this all again once I read your next work. Till then, stay cool! Ciao!

Where to find Legacy of Daddy

Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/The-Legacy-of-Daddy-ebook/dp/B009954ZRQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_1

Smashwords- http://www.amazon.com/The-Legacy-of-Daddy-ebook/dp/B009954ZRQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_1 

Other Works by Angus Day 

They can all be found on Amazon or Smashwords

Next You Interstellar LLC

Having Nice Things

Utopian Estates 

Last Words 

I loved the conspiracy, Big Brother, aspect to the book. Often times I was reminded of 1984 by George Orwell. I see people looking back on this book in 60 years asking, “How did he know?”

I am looking forward to reading the other works in this series. 

Last Last Words 

This would make a great graphic novel or even television series!  Watch out for Angus Day, I see him and his vision taking over the world sometime in the near future, and I am glad to be part of something so special from the start!