Submissions

All submissions in these formats please: .pdf , Kindle, or print copy. If in print copy, I would appreciate it if the book was autographed by the author. I am not doing books that have a deadline at this time, unless the author wants to use my review to appear on the book itself. Please send all requests to: norachipleybarteau@att.net . If sending through snail mail, email me for my home address. Thank you!

February 23, 2012

RHA Presents Last Resort by B.J. Robinson

Excerpt

Faith tore out of the jail's parking lot and prayed she wouldn't get a ticket. She turned Old Blue into the flowing traffic. Her heart pumped faster than a race car engine. Dear God, please don't let me be too late. She reached down and punched Matt's number again. Come on, Matt, where are you? Pick up. Still no answer. She snapped the phone shut and focused on the road ahead. Who could possibly have it in for him? He was such a great guy. She gassed the truck as she passed the city limits and left the jail behind. Why wasn't he answering? She'd never had a problem before. This wasn't like him.

Faith whipped into the drive. She jumped from her pickup, strode to the side door, and knocked. No answer. She pulled out her cell and tried again. It rang and rang, then went straight to the voicemail. This time, she hung up without leaving a message.

She yanked the screen door, and it flew open, unlatched. The door knob turned, and she shoved the door open and yelled, "Matt, are you there?"

No response. She briskly marched through the house and called his name. She checked each room. In Matt's office, the swivel chair faced the door. Blood spotted it. Faith's heart lurched. Oh, God, please don't let me be too late. She spotted blood droplets on the carpet and followed them back through the kitchen and to the garage. Matt's truck ran. Dear God, what will I find when I open this door? Please let me be in time. Why didn't Matt use his pistol?

Faith jerked the garage door, but it wouldn't budge. She ran to the kitchen and hit the automatic door opener. The door slowly opened. She raced inside the garage, and the gas fumes nearly knocked her out. She coughed and held her nose with one hand. Her eyes burned, but she yanked open the driver's truck door. Matt tumbled out.

She let go of her nose and turned off the truck. Faith slid her arms under Matt's and locked her hands in front of his chest. She hefted. He didn't budge. She had to get him out of there. Now. No time to waste. She hauled in a breath, grunted, and heaved. He lifted, and she pulled him toward the door. One foot. Two feet. Three more.

"Matt, we're out of the garage." Please, Lord, help me. She couldn't drop him now. The outside air hit her face and tears of relief filled her eyes. She tenderly laid him on the grass by the side of the cement drive and yanked her cell from its holster. She dialed 911.

Assured the ambulance was on its way, Faith closed her phone and felt for his heartbeat. She rubbed her knuckles against his breast bone and stroked his face. So still. She touched his neck and held her breath. No response. She tilted his head and lifted his chin, then put her ear to his mouth and listened. Nothing. She looked for chest movement. Nothing. She listened for air blowing through his mouth or nose, or on her cheek. Nothing. He wasn't going to die if she had anything to do with it.

She ran her tongue over her lip and tasted perspiration. Why did sweat always taste salty, and why would she even think to question that at a time like this? She took a quick, shallow breath and whispered, "Come on, Matt. Breathe! BREATHE!"

It'd been a long time since she'd trained for CPR. Would she remember what to do? A bluish pallor stole over Matt's complexion, and his body became a dead weight. She had no time to lose.

Faith pinched his nose and made a seal over his mouth with her own. She breathed big enough to make his chest rise, let his chest fall, and repeated the rescue breath again. She listened for an intake of breath, an exhale, but the only sound was the pounding of her own heart in her ears.
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Trailer of Last Resort



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About Author




B. J. Robinson is an educator and novelist. She makes her home in Florida with her husband, two dogs, and a cat named Frankie. Barbara says, “There is no one in life as capable of encouraging and motivating one’s soul as the blessed feel of the Holy Spirit, like a hand on my shoulder reassuring me. I have never felt closer to God than when I feel the touch of the Holy Spirit in times of need. That slight touch lets me know that I do not walk through this world alone. I have a heavenly Father who meets my every need. That heavenly touch makes all the difference in my life. I thank Him most of all for the blessed gifts of my children.”

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Visit B, J. Robinson at http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com for book reviews and news of her writing and new releases. Her debut Christian romantic suspense novel Last Resort releases from Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. July 15. http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok and will be available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com as an eBook. It will also be available in all other eBook formats. She recently signed contracts for two others: Southern Superstitions, releases January 11, 2012, and Whispering Cypress, releases August 11, 2012. 

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My Review

 





Last Resort
by 
B.J. Robinson

Faith had given up on love after escaping the abuse of her fiancee. She had given her heart to him, believing in true love, and that he would love her until death do them part. Sadly, all she found was a man who not only cheated on her, but physically, emotionally and mentally abused her. At the time, Faith did all that she could do, run.

Faith loved the Lord and trusted in Him and His word. She prayed daily for guidance and unconditional love that only God could give. She had given up on having a life mate to spend her life with, and who would love her like a man should love a woman in the Lord. Faith had no family to turn to, she had lost her sister to a eating disorder and her mother to cancer. So, Faith left the city to move to the country to do what she and her mother loved to do, raise strawberries.

She had  noticed him church, and in passing coming and going to her home. She had a young man name Matt who lived on one side of her and a very jealous prissy Lily on the other. Faith was attracted to Matt because she felt there was something about him and he always seemed to be around when she needed someone, and she found she needed someone quite a bit when things started crumbling around her. Things that would turn her world upside down, things that would cause Faith to fall to her knees in prayer to a loving God, asking for help. No matter what life threw at her, she never gave up her faith in the Lord.

Take a journey with Faith who couldn't see the true love that had found her for the dark shadow that lurked in the woods watching her every move.  A shadow that was determined to have her at all cost, even to the point of doing something as harsh and only as a 'last resort'.

I can tell through the author's words and characters that she walks with the Lord and writes stories of the trials and tribulations that can only be 'fixed' with prayer and supplication. Each of her characters love the Lord, even if they don't realize it until they hit rock bottom. I found the book very clean, non graphic, non sexual, no foul language, and she still managed to write a very inspiring , uplifting story. I found myself envying Faith for finding a wonderful Christian man who loved the Lord as much as she did. Throughout my life, I have yet to find that, and it is one of my life's regrets. But I know the Lord has plans for me, and instead of deciding how my life should turn out, I need to turn it over to Him, for He knows what is best for His children.

Thank you B.J. for writing a book of hope, and reminding the reader God is in command and all you have to do is turn it all over to Him.

I give Last Resort five stars and many blessings... *****

Reviewed by
Nora Chipley Barteau
Reviewers Helping Authors
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

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February 17, 2012

Reviewers Helping Authors: RHA Presents Phantom Lives Book Two: Power by Eliz...

Reviewers Helping Authors: RHA Presents Phantom Lives Book Two: Power by Eliz...: Phantom Lives Power synopsis. Last year Abigail Black’s life was turned upside down. Her parents were killed, her abusive boyfriend was ch...

RHA Presents Phantom Lives Book Two: Power by Elizabeth Loraine

Phantom Lives Power synopsis.

Last year Abigail Black’s life was turned upside down. Her parents were killed, her abusive boyfriend was chasing her, and she found out that the place she had been dreaming about since she was a small child was real. A Civil War plantation – Collier.  It’s a magical place, guarded by Immortal’s who also haunted her dreams. Now she knows why. She’s a Keeper, those chosen to guard the Gates, portals between time and space.


This year with a brand new family, new Gates and Keepers are being revealed. And treasured artifacts must be saved. There have always been those who wish to control the Gates for their own purposes. This time Abbi is confronted not only by an old enemy, but an unexpected new one. Follow Abbi on another incredible journey, full of magic, intrigue and shocking surprises as she battles evil in order to protect the portals between time and space.

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My Review

Phantom Lives Book Two : Power
By
Elizabeth Loraine


I am proud to announce that Abbi and Bill are back fighting evil in Phantom Lives: Power. Power leaves off where Phantom Lives: Collier took off. In chapter one we find Bill and Abbi with their twins Christian and Christina who have shown they already have a bit of magic of their own.
Elizabeth  Loraine has once again used her wonderful and creative imagination in transporting the reader into the story of Collier and those sworn to protect it. You will discover once again the world with Keepers of the Gate and Sentinels. People with tremendous powers that are used for both good and evil. People doing whatever it takes to protect these gates, and the humans who hold special powers that are not only wanted by demons but by the government themselves!


Phantom Lives Two is filled with adventure, betrayal, heartache, and suspense with each turn of the page. I read this book in a little less than two days! I once again could not put it down because I found myself in the story, walking in the footsteps of her characters. 


Elizabeth did a wonderful job continuing Abbi's and Bill's magical life from Phantom Lives: Collier to Phantom Lives Two: Power without so much as a hiccup. You can tell Elizabeth takes her job as a writer very serious through the words and characters she uses in her books that surprise, anger, sadden, disappoint, amaze and elate the reader. I have become a loyal and tremendous fan of Elizabeth's since book one of the Phantom Lives series.


I highly recommend Phantom Lives Book Two: Power if you love the paranormal and magic or just want a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and wanting more when you are finished with it. If you haven't read book one in the series, Phantom Lives: Collier, I recommend you take time to read it first. Even though, book two can stand on it's own. And that is another plus for the author.
I am not going to give anymore of this book away, you need to find out all the secrets it holds for yourself. You will not be disappointed!!


I have to add a little note here, only because I am so proud of it. I read and reviewed Elizabeth's first book in the series, Phantom Lives: Collier and she was gracious enough to use my review on the back cover of her book. She is not only an awesome author, but an awesome and beautiful person.

I give Phantom Lives Book Two: Power five stars *****


Reviewed by
Nora Chipley Barteau
Reviewers Helping Authors
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

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About Author Elizabeth Loraine *taken from author's site*


Hmmm. I've always been creative, art, music, decorating; all life long passions.  I married my high school sweetheart a talented General Building Contractor and raised a son and a daughter who are very 
  creative in their own rights. I've worked in the business world, became a decorative painter and longed for 
  an outlet for my other artistic talents.

I have been a lifelong fiction fan, and  for  years I knew I was supposed to write a book; I just didn't know about what.  I did, however, envision characters that were strong , independent young women as heroines.

Since I was very young  I have been fascinated by vampires from Dracula to the present day. Although I love all the  books where the settings are high schools and the characters are young,  I always wanted to 
  know more. What had they done in the centuries before? Where had they been? What had they seen
  and lived? I wanted to fill in their time line, their history. From that curiosity, those questions, is where
  these books come from. These long lived vampires have hundreds of years of history and I plan to
  chronicle that. So, start here with Katrina, enjoy the vampire past and look forward to the vampire future.

Fangfully,   

E. Loraine 
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Other Works Elizabeth is Known For:

 

February 12, 2012

RHA Presents The Demon Side by Heaven Liegh Eldeen




When World’s Collide:

Every kid has problems. Every kid has even more problems when they move to a new home. But when a kid with problems moves to a new home that has a Demon living inside it—look out!
Etta’s world is about to spin out of control when she encounters her new roommate—and Rahovart, that ancient trickster, is in for a few surprises too. So don’t mind all the crashing and rumbling; that’s just the normal noise Angels and Demons make when they’re fighting an epic war in the attic.
One thing’s for sure: Etta and Rahovart will have to go through Hell to Heaven and back again before that old Victorian home in Quantico Town finally quiets down…

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About the Author



Heaven started her writing career two years ago after being challenged by a relative to write something different than the barrage of vampire novels on the market. With her ‘Oh, Yes I can!’ attitude, determination and support from her family, she completed her first novel The Demon Side, releasing this October. When she’s not kissing owies, climbing Mount Dishmore, or obsessing over her Facebook book page, you can find her at the computer revising or editing one of her five works in progress. Still clean, sober, unaffiliated, and happily married, eleven years later, Heaven reflects on her past, using her experiences to inspire her writings. Having lived in many states, she has now settled down in California with her husband, her son and a betta fish named Barry.

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My Review

The Demon Side
by
Heaven Liegh Eldeen

What do a teenager, father, drunk step-mother and a demon called Rahovart all have in common? They all live in the same house. Etta had her issues, and her father had her on medications for those issues. He couldn't come to grips that Etta was actually seeing demons, and the step-mother, just thought Etta was crazy. Etta had no one else to turn to, since her mom died and the only mother figure she had in her life was an alcoholic and could have cared less about Etta. That was until Rahovart came into her life. As a demon, the last thing he wanted to do was fall in love with a human! As a fallen angel there was no hope that Rahovart could ever be anything but a demon. Or was there?

I thoroughly enjoyed this short read by Heaven. She takes the reader on a journey from earth to hell and from hell to heaven. She puts you in the shoes of Etta, a teenage girl whose only issues were the people and demons around her. If not for all the drama, she would probably be deemed 'normal'. Heaven used a great deal of imagination and creativity so the reader can visualize and place the themselves in the story. I am very curious to see where part two of the series, The Human Side, takes me.

The Demon Side is written in a way that it can be read by all ages. It's a fun book to read and has a tremendous twist on unconditional love.

I loved The Demon Side by Heaven Liegh Eldeen and give it five stars *****

Reviewed by
Nora Chipley Barteau
Reviewers Helping Authors
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

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February 7, 2012

RHA Presents Angels of the Night: Discovery by Paula Kennedy


Allison Webber is tired of looking over her shoulder. Stalked by shadows her entire life, she embraces the invitation to join a secret society hiding the existence of vampires. Things heat up quickly in this all male cult when she catches the eyes of two sexy vampire twins, Thane and Darcy Wallace. Amid steamy encounters with the identical twins competing for her attention, Allison learns her mission is to aid a select group of vampires, the Angels of the Night, as they hunt and destroy the females of their species. Completely taken with the brothers and her new role, she fails to see that one of the twins has been using her. Allison must delve deep within herself for the courage to save the brother she loves and destroy the one who betrayed her.     

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Angels of the Night: Discovery Trailer:


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About the author Paula Kennedy taken from Champagne Books 



Angels of the Night: Discovery is Paula's debut novel and the first in a series of books for young adults.

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Paula has a B.A. in psychology, a B. Ed. in the primary, junior, intermediate and senior divisions, and a vivid imagination. She spent her early years listening to the stories of her father, a well-loved high school teacher and creating tales of adventure for her two younger sisters.


She is a wife and mother to three beautiful children.


"I am a mother, a wife, a teacher and a writer. Life does not get any better than this!"

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My Review

Angels of the Night: Discovery
by
Paula Kennedy

Bravo, bravo, bravo! It is going to be hard for me to put into words what I think about this book! As soon as I was finished reading it, I emailed Paula right away asking if she had book two done, praying that she did. She said no, but it's in the works. I felt deflated but there was nothing I could do about it.

As most of you know, my favorite character is the Vampire, I am so in love with them! Each time a author sends me one to read, I open it without much expectation of what they did with the Vampire in their book. I like to be surprised. A lot of them are 'typical' of the beautiful creature but once in awhile I come across a few that totally put new twists on them. That is what Paula did, she put an absolutely beautiful, imaginative, spectacular twist on this sometimes misunderstood creature that I adore so much. And when I find an author who takes my creature and really works hard at not making it 'atypical', I am so pleasantly pleased and excited!

Angels of the Night kept me captivated from page one, and with each page thereafter.  I loved walking in Ally's shoes, feeling each emotion, each desire, each disappointment and so on. I have to say, out of all the books I have read on the Vampire, they have never been portrayed in this fashion and I found it refreshing.

I could tell you a bit about the book, but you can read that on the author's web home, and in other reviews. For me, by the time I got to the last chapter of the book, and I saw how it was going, I was so afraid and held my breath because I was praying that what I wanted to happen, happened BEFORE the last page appeared. When it clearly came apparent that it wasn't I actually was talking to myself and I couldn't get to the email fast enough to get a hold of Paula! She told me she would let me review book two, my heart was elated but I was also so disheartened because I felt I had to know where Ally was going next, and what she would have to do in order to follow her heart.

Paula Kennedy has shown wonderful imagination, creativity, and insight in Angels of the Night. I applaud her taking that extra step into making my creature of the night her own by using her own definition of how they should come across to the reader. It is very unique and it breathed life into what sometimes can come across as  a cliche when talking about the Vampire.

I highly recommend this book to all audiences, no matter the genre. I without hesitation give it five stars *****

Reviewed by
Nora Chipley Barteau
Reviewers Helping Authors
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/

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Contact/ Buy The Book


February 1, 2012

RHA Presents Darkness Falls Hunted by Trista Jaszczak


Five years ago, the love of Randi Marshall‘s life disappeared without so much as a phone call or even a letter. Ever since, she’s forced herself to forget the past and move on though moving on means suffering with nightmares night after night, dreams with a torturous vampire who hunts her in her thoughts. Things can’t seem to get much worse until Xavier Brighton walks into her life. As Randi falls head over heels for him, she doesn’t realize her world will be turned upside down again. Could a dark family secret rip them apart? Or could Xavier’s own secret be something Randi can‘t forgive?
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About the author taken from her site

Who exactly am I?

To answer that question, I am Trista Jaszczak. Jazz for short, otherwise, it’s pronounced, Jazz-ick. (Easier said that it looks.) I am 26 years-old, living in North Dakota. I am from Hamilton, Ohio, but I do call home where ever the Air Force sends our family. That said, I am an Air Force wife.

I started writing when I was much younger. I had no idea at the time that my great love for writing would become one of my greatest passions. I had no idea that a simple idea for a high school story would ever be taken this far. My mind had always ran wild with ideas that I love seeing on paper. I’d scribble them anywhere I could; including napkins, post it notes, anywhere I could to store it for later. If you’ve poked around this blog you’ll know that the 6 book Darkness Falls series is not my only writing adventure. I’ve been trying my hand at romance, thrillers, any little thought my mind can come up with.

I also take great care in creating each of my characters. I make them each special. Each different. From Randi and Xavier in the Darkness Falls series. To River and Ally in Deliciously Wicked. You will never see two of the same characters from me. I also take no ideas from anyone. My writing is all my own.

It has been asked before, but I currently do not have a pen name. Anything written by me will have my full name. Either Trista Jaszczak or Trista L. Jaszczak. Though to answer another question, I will probably never write under a pen name.

I am loving the fact that more and more questions are coming in. As I’ve said before, never hesitate to contact me. I’ll make sure you get the answers you want.

Until next time, happy reading!
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My Review


Hunted

By
Trista Jaszezak

Thank you Trista for introducing me to the world of Xavier and Randi.
Randi, who was fifteen, met the love of her life, her soul mate on a beach when he fumbled a frisbee. It was a whirlwind romance that lasted five years. On their five year anniversary, he just disappeared. No note, no phone call, no explanation, no trace. Randi was devastated and spent the next five years forgetting his name, what he looked like, smelled like, and felt like in her arms. She was crushed. She felt she would never find another man like 'whatever his name was'. Oh, she had a date here and there with a guy named Jack, but she just couldn't click with him, because he wasn't 'HIM'. Jack was not so easily dissuaded though.

Just when Randi thought love would never touch her life again, walked in Xavier. He was gorgeous with piercing blue eyes and it was an instant attraction. It just felt right.
Everything felt right again, UNTIL the unthinkable happened. Things that only happen in nightmares, and story books, not in real life. And it wasn't just one thing that jumped out of what should have been in tales and not in reality, it was one horror after another, so much it almost caused her to have a melt down.

Be prepared to take a roller coaster ride in Darkness Falls. You are going to think you have it all figured out, when WHAM, it smacks you down! You are living Randi's life through her eyes and the authors extraordinary imagination. Once started, I could not put this book down and I was not disappointed in it, and can't wait to read the second one. I will let you know you are going to be dealing with the paranormal and some very dark family secrets along with a unbelievable secret from Xavier. All leading up to a almost unbearable decision Xavier will be faced with in order to keep his Randi.

If you choose one book a year or a month to read, I highly recommend Darkness Falls! You will, like me, not wanting it to end and crave more from this wonderful author.

I give Darkness Falls (Hunted) by Trista Jaszczak a five star rating *****

Reviewed by
Nora Chipley Barteau
Reviewers Helping Authors
http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/
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Darkness Falls: Hunted, teaser

I walked in the obscure, deserted alley way. A small flickering beam of light lay ahead, though it didn’t matter how much I could see, I still made my way further down the road. My eyes scanned my surroundings, but I could only see the light ahead as it fluttered. Everything else was blanketed in pitch black. The air was warm as it whipped around my face and through my shoulder-length hair, but my body felt a sudden chill. I rubbed my arms slowly, in hopes the shivers would go away completely. I inched forward, continuing my journey in the darkness. The warm winds continued to whisk around me as I made my way past a flickering street light and straight into the darkness. The humming noise it was creating began to slowly fade behind me as a familiar scent wafted up to my nose. This was a scent I knew but could not identify.

Then it hit me. Uneasiness hit my stomach, butterflies began fluttering madly as I squinted to see past the darkness. My legs refused to move as I stopped dead in my tracks. I waited and closed my eyes tightly. I knew it was coming. The long pause of emptiness made the tension grow thick. I waited and held my breath. Then I felt it, the warm breath on the back of my neck and then the hand that crept around, touching my cheek. My heart began to pound, as my body shook involuntarily. It was him. It was always him. He always found me.

“I could feel you,” He purred into my ear. “I could feel you coming.”

I breathed deeply as I fought tears that made my eyes sting. “What do you want?” I stammered.

“Oh, precious, you know what I want.” He hissed into my ear, his hands sliding to my neck, “You are so precious,” His hands slipped down to my hips, feeling, wandering. “So beautiful.”

“Please,” I paused, as tears made their way down my face. “Please don’t hurt me.” I stammered, afraid to move.

He slowly tilted my head back and exposed my neck. “Oh, you know I would never hurt you,” he muttered. “You are far too precious to me,” he murmured, holding my neck in place.

My body went into a state of sheer panic. Each breath I took came on quicker than the last. My muscles tensed, causing an aching sensation in my legs. I could feel his breath on my neck. Warm, and, above all, unsettling. I shuddered. His sharp white fangs began to drop, shimmering in the complete darkness as he began to near my unprotected neck. I opened my mouth to scream, but to my own horror, no sound came out.

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Mapping the series

Book I Darkness Falls: Hunted – From Randi’s point of view. The first book in the series. (Currently in the publishing process.)

Book II Darkness Falls: The Thirst – From Randi’s point of view. Once another mysterious vampire sets foot into her and Xavier’s happy life, they set out on an adventure that could easily rip them apart.

Book III Darkness Falls: Secrets and Lies – Again from Randi’s point of view. She tries to patch up the mistakes in her life. But, another secret could stand in her way.

Book IV Darkness Falls: (Subtitle undetermined) – Xavier’s point of view. You really meet Xavier, get to know him as he tries to fix the biggest mistake of his life.

Book V Darkness Falls: (Subtitle undetermined) - Xavier’s point of view. Not only fighting for his own survival, but fighting for the protection of Randi. But, could it be, there’s something he hasn’t been completely truthful with?

Book VI Darkness Falls: (Subtitle undetermined) - Again from Xavier’s point of view. See the end of it all from Xavier’s eyes as he and Randi fight the biggest fight of them all.
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The material for Darkness Falls: Hunted is:
Copyright Trista Jaszczak © 2010-2011. All rights reserved.