Phoenix Entertainment and Development

Phoenix Entertainment and Development
Showing posts with label The Phoenix Blade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Phoenix Blade. Show all posts

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Update: The Phoenix Blade



Two years ago was the debut of not only my first novel, but also the launch of my dream. At the time, it was an eight and a half year journey reaching what I felt was the pinnacle of my life. There was much I needed to learn and needed to realize I had a long journey ahead. Hell, I still do. Getting the first book out was a great milestone. The Phoenix Blade Series has provided several milestones for me and has helped me connect with some amazing authors as well.



Project Justice
http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Blade-Andrew-Hess/dp/B00J2HG2H2/ref=sr_1_2_twi_2_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1431610169&sr=8-2&keywords=The+Phoenix+Blade


The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice
Author Andrew J. Hess
Cover by: Marilena Sausa
Published by Phoenix Entertainment and Development 2013

Synopsis:

What would you do if everything you said and did was monitored and used to force you into working covertly for the government?
College student Andrew Lancaster has had enough of corrupt politicians and corporate greed, but his anger filled rants may have gone too far. When Lancaster is contacted by a government official calling himself “The Benefactor,” he learns his private communications have been monitored. And there will be consequences.
Lancaster is given a choice; join forces with the government he distrusts, or face a treason indictment. As an added incentive, he’ll receive the answer to a question that has plagued him since childhood-who killed his mother.
It is something Lancaster cannot live without knowing and enlists as an undercover operative in Project Justice. At first the mission seems ideally suited for his do-gooder attitude. But Lancaster soon discovers the tactics he’ll be using are not only dishonest; they’re deadly.
Lancaster learns he will be an assassin; eliminating targets the Benefactor and other high ranking officials deem to be evil.


The Phoenix Blade: Awakening
Author: Andrew J. Hess
Cover by: BK Walker
Published by: Phoenix Entertainment and Development (2014)
Awakening
http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Blade-Awakening-2/dp/B00M8MPZ6M/ref=sr_1_5_twi_2_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1431610169&sr=8-5&keywords=The+Phoenix+Blade
 
 
 
 

(The Phoenix Blade was voted the Best Series of 2014 by Indie Author Books)


 
This has been a blessed journey so far, and I am happy to share the next milestone with everyone. I am extremely happy to announce that the third installment of The Phoenix Blade Series, Pandemonium, will officially launch on June 30th. Please join me along with my incredible hosts Loving the Book Launch Party, and bloggers from all over the world as we debut the cover for Pandemonium on May 21st, our launch party June 29th, and the book tour June 30th-July 6th. You can join us from any of the links below.
 
Cover Reveal May 21st
 
Launch Party June 29th
 
Official Book Tour June 30th-July 6th
 
 
In the meantime, I would like to give you a sneak peak at Pandemonium and encourage you to check out the pre-order link below.




Pre Orders for Pandemonium:

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Book Review: The Olympus Killer


The Olympus Killer: A Greek Island Mysteries Thriller


Synopsis:
 
'EVIL UNDER THE GREEK SUN' 
If this summer you are thinking of travelling to the majestic, sun kissed Greek Islands, think again. A sadistic killer is on the loose. 
THE OLYMPUS KILLER... 
Over the picturesque Greek Islands, bodies are piling up fast. Bodies tortured, mutilated and strangely connected to ancient Greek mythology. Hellenic Police Captain COSTA PAPACOSTA is called in to assist young, top of her year, foul mouth, food loving Cretan, Lieutenant IOLI CARA in solving their most complex case yet, while facing his own demons after the tragic loss of his daughter. 
The OLYMPUS KILLER, as the tabloids refer to him by, is a cunning, sadistic murderer with a haunting past. A past revealed to us through his mother’s story set in Dayton, USA. 
Will the two officers catch the murderer in time or will the Olympus Killer have his revenge? 
A model with arms brutally chopped off... 
Twins decapitated and their heads used to form a sun and a moon... 
Papacosta and Cara are always one step behind the killer all the way to the shocking end! 



Rating: 4 out of 5
Review:
I enjoyed the book quite a bit, but thought it was too easy to figure out who the killer was. However, the book had a lot of description which helped to paint the picture of the story and kept you involved by the use of great characters, learning about Greek culture and mythology as well as the usage of plot twists that kept you wanting more.


About the Author:
 
Luke Christodoulou is an English teacher (MA Applied Linguistics - University of Birmingham), a poet and an e-book author. He is also a coffee-movie-book lover.
His first book, 'The Olympus Killer' (Top 30 BESTSELLER - International Mystery and Crime), was released in April, 2014. The book was voted Book Of The Month for May on Goodreads (Psychological Thrillers). The book continued to be a fan favourite on Goodreads and was voted BOTM for June in the group Nothing Better Than Reading. He is currently working on the second and third book from his planned Greek Island Mysteries book series.
He resides in Limassol, Cyprus with his wife and daughter.
Hobbies include travelling the Greek Islands discovering new food and possible murder sites for his stories

Like what you read here? Then pick up your copy of The Olympus Killer by Luke Christodoulou on Amazon today.
 
Check out my page for upcoming events and books
 
And make sure to leave reviews on Amazon for the authors to read. Remember, you have a voice; use it.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Temporarily Employed Blurb and Excerpt

Blurb:
Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced. The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he makes her heart pound.

Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life.  He evolved from a pocket protector-wearing geek to a handsome police detective.  When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.


Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?
 
Excerpt:
 
 
“Yuck.”
Pretty much covered the whole freakin’ day. 
A blinding red-white, red-white strobe, reflected in my brand new Wrangler’s rearview mirror, seized my attention. The police. I tossed my hands skyward, ready to surrender. I shouldn’t have been too surprised. Like I'd commented this a.m. to my roommate, Jenny, “Today, anything’s possible.”
My Bad Day checklist included:
- Crappy job interview, one which might have provided desperately needed         income.
- Wore gut-busting panty hose on a hot day which had now worked past my         waist         and strangled my diaphragm.
- A barely blowing air conditioner indicated something had malfunctioned in         my new, fun car.
I stole another glance in the mirror, and with great reluctance, flipped the right turn indicator. My vehicle coasted to a stop on the shoulder of Boston Avenue in my hometown of Sommerville, a nice suburb located between two large cities. Four lanes of cars and trucks zipped by as I sat there where every single one of my family, friends, friends’ friends, and their friends—including Rat Fink Suzanne—would see a police vehicle positioned right behind mine. Gleefully, drivers would chant the “Ha-ha, got you, not me” ditty.
How embarrassing.
After killing the engine, I flopped back in the seat. Shooting the morons the finger was an idea. Nah. I'm too exhausted to care.
A litany of:  "No, not hiring." "Just filled the position." "You're over qualified." "You're under qualified…" tornadoed through my head. Coupled with the intense job search through various outlets like the internet and completing numerous online employment applications, no wonder my body had been depleted of all life force.
Not even a breeze blew to take the edge off the unbearable summertime heat. Tangled wild trees and dry scrubby bushes banked the roadside. The grass had taken on a scorched look. Rolling down the driver’s window, I surveyed my surroundings. Nothing great. Nothing new. 
I stole a glance in the side mirror at the policeman who strode purposefully along the shoulder. The gravel crunched under his boots. He looked huge, probably because his uniform, which appeared to be bulked with a bullet-proof vest, made him resemble a buffed-up superhero in size. Exceedingly intimidating.
Sigh. When things went wrong, they were really wrong.
 
 

 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Vicki Batman Interview Part 2

Now a little more about you:
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring (excluding family, laptop, or writing utensils)?
 I’ve watched Naked and Afraid and Survivor and Survivorman. LOL. A container for boiling water, waterproof tarp, and flint.
We find out the world is going to end tomorrow.  How do you live your last day?
 Several years ago, Handsome was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Every day is a blessing. I like this mantra: Go. Do. Live. Life is an adventure. And another good one is: Courage is facing your fears.
If we were to make a movie of your life.  Who would play the part of you?
Myrna Loy! Because I love the witty repartee in The Thin Man.
Tell us 5 random things about yourself.
Once was Miss Oak Lawn Moped (don’t ask)
Adore champagne
Drive a Jeep
Have a twenty-one year old cat.
I have to Jazzercise.
What are the three places you have always wanted to visit but have not yet?
Galapagos Islands
A Rhine River cruise
Maine
Okay, crystal ball time.  Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
 I want to still be writing, doing my needlepoint, and traveling with Handsome.
Do you have any questions for me?
Sure! Do you have any pets?
I have a Maltese named Georgie
Where can our readers find you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman  
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top
Google+: bit.ly/1zUggDF
Plotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Vicki Batman Interview Part 1

Let’s get to know you a little more.  Tell us a about yourself.
 Hi, Andrew, and thank you for having me. I’m Vicki Batman, aka Batman’s girlfriend. Lol. I have been happily writing for ten years and a long time huge reader since I could, cutting my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. Eventually, I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and wow. Later on in adulthood, I discovered the superb mystery writer, Dick Francis.
What inspired you to write?
A friend actually prompted me. But I ignored her for several years until she challenged me to write the opening paragraph of a book using the word window. I didn’t stop until I’d written 8 chapters. She read it and said to keep going. So I did.
Tell me a little about your book. 
Temporarily Employed, a funny cozy mystery.
New Job. New Love. And Murder.
Hattie Cook's dream job is down the toilet and her new SUV violated. Desperate for cash to cover the basic necessities of rent and food, she takes a temporary job at Buy Rite insurance company where she uncovers an embezzling scam tied to the death of a former employee--the very one she replaced. The last thing she wants is to clash with By-the-Book Detective Wellborn, no matter how much he makes her heart pound.

Allan Charles Wellborn has secretly adored Hattie all his life.  He evolved from a pocket protector-wearing geek to a handsome police detective.  When the police determine there's more to the death of a former Buy Rite employee, he steps in to lead the investigation. Overly dedicated, always perfect, he puts his job first, even if doing so ultimately hurts the one he loves.


Can the killer be found before Hattie's time is up?
How did you come up with the story?
See what inspired me (ABOVE) ! I’m a total pantser and just kept regurgitating until one day, was done.
Tell me about your main character.  Who is he/she, what makes them special to you?
 A little FYI: I always wanted to have 3 daughters and name them Holland, Hailey, and Hattie. Hattie Cooks is a newly unemployed junior retail executive and only wants her job back. But jobs like hers are scarce in her hometown of Sommerville; she has to take a temporary job which just happens to be one that replaced a former employee who was murdered.
Who has been your greatest writing inspiration?
 Like I said, I always wanted to write like Dick Francis. But my book and my writing isn’t really like his. I write funny. So my second inspiration is Janet Evanovich.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Vicki Batman Preview









Author bio:

Like some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm--the list is endless.

Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories to TRUE LOVE, TRUE ROMANCE, TRUE CONFESSIONS, NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS, MUSEITUP PUBLISHING, and THE WILD ROSE PRESS. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"


 

Links for Vicki Batman

Find Vicki at:

 



Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman  


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top

Google+: bit.ly/1zUggDF


Plotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com


Saturday, September 27, 2014

Another Review is in

Another review is in for Awakening. Check out what was said about the second book in The Phoenix Blade Series.


Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good political conspiracy thriller. September 5, 2014
By ksmom
Format:Kindle Edition
starting out slow and picking up speed. This thriller draws you along with good dialog and credible characters. A political conspiracy. Who's the good guys and who's the bad? The story keeps you wondering until the end.
 
5.0 out of 5 stars Anticipating Part 3 September 25, 2014
Format:Kindle Edition
Andrew has a fan! I love political stories but his additions are phenomenal! Who, what, when, where and why are 5 questions that keep you wanting more.

The writing style is unique and the character development makes Andrew one of my favorite authors out to date!



Pickup your copy of The Phoenix Blade: Awakening today and leave a review. Remember, let your voice be heard.
http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Blade-Awakening-Andrew-Hess-ebook/dp/B00M8MPZ6M/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1411684827&sr=8-7&keywords=the+phoenix+blade

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Hear What People are Saying.


Check out some of the awesome reviews Project Justice has been getting a lot of attention. Check out some of the reviews from the first book in The Phoenix Blade Series



4.0 out of 5 stars Different, September 22, 2014
This review is from: The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice (Kindle Edition)
The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice by Andrew Hess

4 Stars

After being contacted by someone who calls himself ‘The Benefactor’, Andrew and his friends are left with two choices, Work for him to rid the country of people who do wrong, or go to prison for conspiracy. Feeling they have no choice Andrew and his friends choose to work for the man and become assassins, wouldn’t we all come to that decision?!

Okay so this is a rather strange story and I’m not 100% sure if it’s a dream, written tongue in cheek or a genuine conspiracy theory thriller, either way it was pretty interesting, if a little far fetched and unbelievable! This group of young people were fairly easily swayed into randomly killing people on the say so of the benefactor, sometimes quite gruesomely, just to save themselves from being sent to jail, and surprisingly they were good at it even though they hadn’t been trained.

The ending leaves the reader in no doubt there is a next book, but I was confused and felt a little giddy by this point wondering what on earth I had actually been reading for the last five hours!

Andrew Hess has produced a well written story that gave me lots to ponder on, the plot was intricate and thought out and is a great read for lovers of the genre


5.0 out of 5 stars New Favorite Genre Author, September 9, 2014
This review is from: The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice (Kindle Edition)
Andrew Hess knows how to keep you reading! Every page brought me intrigue and anticipation! The characters relationships are strong and this helps to build the excitement.

I am excited to read more of this story and more from the author. He has proven that he will keep you on the edge of your seat but not leave you hanging!

 
     
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping New Adult Thriller, August 8, 2014
This review is from: The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice (Kindle Edition)
The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice gives the reader a '007' kind of feel. Since I love James Bond, it was easy to connect with Andrew Hess's characters and situations. Conspiracy stories laced with suspense and mystery are my personal favorite. This book kept me turning pages and made me think. There are few books that I cannot guess the ending --- and this was one of them!

Without giving the story away, here is a bullet list of why I liked The Phoenix Blade Project Justice:
---The Prologue hooks the reader immediately
---Characters are genuine and stay true to their beliefs
---Relationships and friendships are believable
---Great feeling of suspense and drama
---Conspiracy/Thriller with a touch of romance---what's not to love!
---Killings can be a bit brutal, yet Mr. Hess gives the story 'Bond-like' justice
---The Epilogue sets the reader up for Book Two!

Can't wait for the next installment to come out!


              
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read!!!, March 21, 2014
      
This review is from: The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice (Kindle Edition)
If a person likes Suspense mixed with a strong love story and friendship this book is for you. The book kept my attention to the very end. This is definitely a Must Read!!!


             
5.0 out of 5 stars Edge-Of-Your-Seat Read!, September 18, 2013
Just goes to show that you never know who may be listening when you're talking, whether in a group or just among friends. You should always be careful what you say.

I absolutely loved The Phoenix Blade, and I have to say that I haven't been on the edge of my seat like this for a long time. From the get-go the thrill begins, and I will tell you it didn't stop until you were at the end. This is one that I felt like I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happens next.

Under surveillance for months, Andrew and his crew are faced with an ultimatum. They literally turn their joking into reality, or they go to jail for conspiracy & treason. The key point that turns them, Andrew's Mom was murdered and not just killed by a random accident. Now he's promised the real killer's name.

Would you do it?

I think Andrew is left with no choice, as his mother's death haunts him. Get the file, study it, find the ones that have wronged the system, and kill them.

One hell of a roller coaster ride, so hang on tight. Like I said, I loved this book. It's well written, the characters are well developed, and the suspense was perfect!

**Clapping**

I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a great read. Well done Mr. Hess! Well done!


             
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, September 9, 2013
By 
This review is from: The Phoenix Blade (Paperback)
What I liked about The Pheonix Blade by Andrew Hess was the intrigue right from the start. There is a camaraderie among friends that is exceptionally well written. It definitely kept me curious as to where the call came from but... there is a feeling that there are no other choices but to deal with the tasks. Honor and sense of pride were definitely present here. I do recommend this story for people who seek adventures and mysterious events. Andrew Hess did a great job at describing every scene and twist of events in a remarkable way.

Adriana LG


             
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, June 25, 2013
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased view of what I read.

The Phoenix Blade is definitely quite a ride!

This book starts out in what appears to be a hospital. Andrew (Drew) is obviously upset and confused, and is given something through IV to "calm" him. Next we are in his nightmare with him. This nightmare is based in fact, though. He is reliving the death of him mother. Was her death really an accident?

The prologue of this book is really quite clever. It took me a second to figure it out. When you read it, you're not sure if it was all a dream or if he was really in a hospital room and given something to put him to sleep. Regardless, it sets an exciting pace that will keep you entertained all the way to the end.

His life changes when he gets a mysterious call from someone that calls himself the Benefactor. Who is he? What does he want? The author leads you into his world with a very well-developed plot.

Andrew is basically left with no choice but to do what the Benefactor wants. He will be given proof of crimes and expected to dispose of the guilty. His first task? Dealing with the one responsible for his mother's death.

To avoid any spoilers, I'm going to leave the plot summary at this point. This book has a lot going on right beneath the surface, and it's definitely one you will want to read for yourself. If you love conspiracy books, you are going to really enjoy this one! It's creative, exciting, and an enjoyable read.



            
5.0 out of 5 stars a must read!!, June 4, 2013
The Phoenix Blade has everything u want in a thriller. You get to know the characters, and you can not help but want to continue their journey. Andrew and his friends become your friends. If you need a good beach read this summer, The Phoenix Blade is the book for you!!


     
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read!, June 3, 2013
This book was really good! I seriously could not put this book down! THe story is original and there are so many twists and turns its hard to put the book down! I highly recommend it!



Grab your copy of The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice today and leave a review. Remember, let your voice be heard.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Phoenix-Blade-Project-Justice-ebook/product-reviews/B00J2HG2H2/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_4?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addFourStar&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Dr. Bonnie Aaron/Living Intentionally Book Tour





Author Bio:
Dr. Bonnie Aaron is a life-long learner with a formal education in educational leadership. Her most recent education was her transformational journey triggered by tragedy. Dr. Aaron’s recent experiences inspired her to share her story of transcending adversity. She hopes to serve others as a transformation and adversity coach, motivational speaker and inspirational author. The purpose of her book Living Intentionally is to empower and inspire others to transform their lives so they can create a life of clarity and purpose. Through the six-step transformation process Dr. Aaron provides the tools, strategies, and mindset needed to let go of self-limiting beliefs, excuses and bad habits. Her goal is to reach out to others who are ready to take their lives to the next level and begin their own journey of personal transformation.




Synopsis:

Living Intentionally is the result of implementing the six step transformation process outlined in this book. Following the steps outlined will motivate readers to take responsibility for their lives, stop blaming others, and stop making excuses for their present circumstances. The goal of this book is to help readers experience the joy of living intentionally. 
 
Transforming your life is an ongoing process and this book is designed to be your companion as you embark on a continual process of transformation and breakthrough. This book is designed to empower you with the tools needed to discover your purpose and live intentionally. The tools are only potential power and will become powerful when action is applied. Each chapter offers practical application steps followed-up with a call to action. The steps outlined in this book will help you establish a foundation for your transformation and breakthrough.  
 
My transformational journey arose from the ashes of personal tragedy and failure to a life of clarity and intention. I hope that as you read my story you will be inspired to implement the steps and transform your life. The steps in this book will challenge you to ask questions that only you have the answers to. By the time you have finished the book, you will appreciate all of the failures in your life that can be used to your advantage. You are about to discover what it means to be unstoppable.
 
 
Excerpt:
Living Intentionally is the result of implementing the six step transformation process outlined in this book. Following the steps outlined will motivate readers to take responsibility for their lives, stop blaming others, and stop making excuses for their present circumstances. The goal of this book is to help readers experience the joy of living intentionally. 
 
Transforming your life is an ongoing process and this book is designed to be your companion as you embark on a continual process of transformation and breakthrough. This book is designed to empower you with the tools needed to discover your purpose and live intentionally. The tools are only potential power and will become powerful when action is applied. Each chapter offers practical application steps followed-up with a call to action. The steps outlined in this book will help you establish a foundation for your transformation and breakthrough.  
 
My transformational journey arose from the ashes of personal tragedy and failure to a life of clarity and intention. I hope that as you read my story you will be inspired to implement the steps and transform your life. The steps in this book will challenge you to ask questions that only you have the answers to. By the time you have finished the book, you will appreciate all of the failures in your life that can be used to your advantage. You are about to discover what it means to be unstoppable.

TOP 10s

1.       Favorite hobby-learning social media

2.       Favorite past time-reading inspirational books

3.       Favorite birthday celebration-sky diving

4.       Favorite place to visit-Colorado

5.       Favorite passion-public speaking

6.       Favorite sport-water skiing

7.       Favorite date night-fishing

8.       Favorite meal-juicing with beats and bok choy

9.       Favorite Saturday activity-bartering at yard sales

10.   Favorite social media-Facebook


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Pick up a copy of Dr. Bonnie Aaron's book, Living Intentionally today

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Intentionally-A-Six-step-Transformation/dp/0990341704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409252150&sr=8-1&keywords=living+intentionally


Check out my page on Amazon for event updates, virtual book tours, upcoming reviews, and of course to purchase your copy of The Phoenix Blade Books: Project Justice, and Awakening
http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Hess/e/B00COCQJ5M/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1409150649&sr=1-2-ent

And remember to rate and review the books on Amazon.com. Everyone has a voice; let it be heard.