The Open Portal: Review and Giveaway

THE OPEN PORTAL

Conquest of the Veil #1

by

MICHAEL SCOTT CLIFTON

Genre: Fantasy / Paranormal / Magical Realism Publisher: Book Liftoff Publication Date: May 1, 2019

Number of Pages: 337 pages SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

But with dreams, there can also be nightmares Lonely and plain-featured, Mona Parker is just another faceless teenager at Spring Hill High School. One day she runs afoul of Lady Anne Golightly, a beautiful and arrogant classmate who turns Mona’s colorless life into a hellish existence. Bullied relentlessly and with nowhere to turn, Mona considers suicide. One night, Thaddeus Finkle, her guardian angel, appears. He offers her a way out—swap lives with another.

The choice seems easy, and Mona takes the angel up on his offer. She awakens on Meredith, a parallel world of Earth where magic has replaced technology. Mona discovers she is Alexandria, a woman of breathtaking beauty, and the daughter of a Duke complete with servants and riches. Then she discovers the price of her bargain. Trapped behind the Veil, an impenetrable curtain of magic, the Duchy of Wheel is the last major province still unconquered by Marlinda, the creator of the enchanted barrier. Known as the Dark Queen, Marlinda’s cruelty includes a singular fondness for melding men, women, and children, with animals…and she has special plans for Alexandria. Tal, the Prince and Heir of the Empire of Meredith, burns with an intense hatred for Marlinda and her minions. The Dark Queen’s raiders regularly cross the Veil to prey upon the helpless citizens living near the magical boundary. Despite an elaborate system of Watch Towers along the enchanted barrier, it is impossible for the Empire to stop all the raids. Desperate to protect his people, Tal takes dangerous risks to prevent these attacks. Banished to a remote garrison for his reckless behavior, while on a routine patrol, Tal leads an elite unit that happens upon a group of raiders—one whose leader possesses the means for opening a way through the Veil. Thus begins the conquest of the Veil.

"The Open Portal is packed full of action from the time it begins in our mundane world, to when it jumps to another. It has all the elements of a good fantasy: a cruel queen; a frustrated prince; and beautiful girl with a pure heart. There are brave boys, werewolves, white priests, and watchtowers. I can't wait for the saga to continue." -- Abookanight

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The Open Portal is a fantasy that definitely takes you by surprise! It's set in modern day, but also has a parallel dimension that is set in another time with ogres and magical creatures, and a world filled with magic. A world that any ordinary girl would wish to be a part of. 

I enjoyed how complex The Open Portal was. It's definitely a story you need to pay attention to as it follows a few different POV's and each of them has very important parts to play and stories to tell. The characters are intriguing and each fundamentally different from each other. I adored Mona, she begins the story as a little shy and insecure and blossoms into something more confident and bold. 

When I finished The Open Portal all I wanted was to read more. I feel like Clifton has cleverly crafted such an extraordinary world and is building up to something truly spectacular. I can't wait to see where Clifton takes this story next, and to see what becomes of Mona/Alexandria and to discover more of what her purpose is in this alternate world.

The Open Portal reminds me a lot like The Chronicles of Narnia, only in the sense that Mona literally walks through a veil and enters a magical world, but unique as well, as the story is unlike anything I have read before. I know that Clifton has something huge in mind for this story and I can't wait to see the revelation. 

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed about the book was the art work. It surprised me at first as I don't often see drawings in YA or fantasy novels. But it was also quite refreshing. It was nice to read something and see the picture that corresponded with the scene. 

I definitely recommend this book for any fantasy and alternate dimension fans out there! 

My rating; 4/5

Michael Scott Clifton, a public educator for over thirty-eight years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie and family cat, Sadie. An avid gardener, reader, and movie junkie, he enjoys all kinds of book and movie genres. His books contain aspects of all the genres he enjoys...action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novel, The Janus Witch, received a 5-Star review from the prestigious Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, and he has been a finalist in a number of short story contests with Edges of Gray winning first place in the Texas Authors Contest. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary Education Magazine. Clifton’s latest book, The Open Portal, launches the fantasy book series, Conquest of the Veil. In addition, look for the YA novel, Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator, to be released soon. He is available public speaking.

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MAY 14-24, 2019

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The Shadow Writer Review

THE SHADOW WRITER

by

ELIZA MAXWELL

Genre:  Psychological Suspense / Domestic Thriller Publisher: Lake Union Press

Date of Publication: May 1, 2019

Number of Pages: 348

Every writer has a story. Some are deadlier than others. 

Aspiring author Graye Templeton will do anything to escape the horrific childhood crime that haunts her. After a life lived in shadows, she’s accepted a new job as protégé to Laura West, influential book blogger and wife of an acclaimed novelist. Laura’s connections could make Graye’s publishing dreams a reality. But there’s more to Laura than meets the eye. 

Behind the veneer of a charmed life, Laura’s marriage is collapsing. Her once-lauded husband is descending into alcoholism and ruin and bringing Laura nearer to the edge. 

As the two women form a bond that seems meant to be, long-buried secrets claw their way into the present, and the line between friendship and obsession begins to blur, forcing each to decide where her loyalties lie. Running from the past is a dangerous game, and the loser could end up dead.

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Eliza Maxwell has done it again! Author of the incredible, dark, and thought provoking The Unremembered Girl, now she brings us an inky tale so shocking, it will keep you up at night thinking about it.

The Shadow Writer is an extraordinary, fast pace, whirlwind of a story! It will take you by storm and set you leaping through the pages. What is more exciting than murder, mystery, suspense, and the kind of dark, gut wrenching story that The Shadow Writer delivers. 

The story follows Graye Templeton, an aspiring author that is the TA to a professor that has written a book, and Laura West, the wife of the professor. Graye Templeton becomes fast friends with Laura. Graye is trying hard to keep the past in the past, even though it's trying it's hardest to find her, and to reveal all it's grim secrets. 

This story is about so much more than a tragic past, and horrific truths. It's about a friendship that runs deeper than blood. It's about realizing all the truths about oneself, the good and the bad. And above all, it's about fulfilling your dreams, no matter the costs. 

Maxwell delivers us such astounding characters. The kind that despite their darkness, despite their drive, they intrigue and fascinate you. They will pull you right in with their cleverness! 

I simply could not put The Shadow Writer down. And to top it all off, who doesn't love a good story that leaves you asking "What was that?" And you answer... "well, that was... AWESOME!"

My rating: 5/5 

Eliza Maxwell lives in Texas with her ever-patient husband and two kids. She's an artist and writer, an introvert, and a British cop drama addict. She loves nothing more than to hear from readers.

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Panic Point Reivew

 PANIC POINT Pepperman Mystery Series Book Two

by

BILL BRISCOE

  Genre: Mystery / Crime Fiction / Stand-Alone

Publisher: self-published

Date of Publication: March 26, 2019

Number of Pages: 248

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When Earl's bride Morgan vanishes in the Smoky Mountains on their honeymoon, the former Navy SEAL is certain she's been abducted. The park rangers disagree, and after a storm washes away any potential evidence, they call off the official search. Then another man loses his daughter in the same area. Can one last lead help Earl find Morgan before he loses her forever?

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Panic Point is definitely a read that puts you on the edge of your seat! Starting from the very first chapter when Earl finds his new wife, Morgan, missing from their campsite. Even with the flashbacks that show the sweet and tender moments of how Earl and Morgan met and their enchanting courtship, Panic point will leave your knuckles turning white as you flip through the pages to uncover what happened to Morgan. 

I love Early. He is as hard headed as they come and finds it difficult to sit and wait while the search team tries to find his missing bride. He's strong, brave, and determined. He doesn't think twice when it comes to uncovering what happened to Morgan, and his willingness to do anything to find her just proves how loyal of a guy he is. 

I was definitely expecting Panic Point to turn into some sort of secret, special ops mission. But the ending certainly packs a punch when the big reveal happens as to who took Morgan. There were definitely elements to this book that I wasn't anticipating, and for that I quite thoroughly enjoyed being surprised. I thought the plot itself was so well developed. Panic Point could have easily been a movie with how well the scenes were written. 

Panic Point is perfect for those that love thrillers and action. Grab a bucket of popcorn and sit back! You're in for quite a ride! 

My Rating: 5/5

Bill grew up in the oil and gas refinery town of Phillips in the Texas Panhandle. After graduating from college with a master’s degree, he spent most of his career working for a major insurance company as an agency manager and consultant.

As his retirement was on the horizon, he had an idea about a book. That story, Pepperman’s Promise, became the prequel to The Pepperman Mystery Series, and Perplexity and Panic Point, the next two books in the series, are now available.

Bill and his wife of fifty years live in West Texas.

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Grand Prize: Autographed Copies of the Full Pepperman Mystery Series Two Winners: Autographed Copies of Panic Point

April 16-26, 2019

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