Michael Phillip Cash - Pokergeist

14. Pokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash (2015)
Length: 242 pages
Genre: Horror
Started: 24 August 2016

Finished: 30 August 2016
Where did it come from? I originally downloaded a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, although many thanks to Michael Phillip Cash and to Red Feather Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read. I also downloaded another copy of this book from Amazon.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 July 2015 from Netgalley; Since 14 August 2015 as a physical book; Since 10 July 2016 from Amazon.
Why do I have it? I like horror and have read and enjoyed Schism: The Battle For Darracia by the same author in the past.

Sometimes life - as well as death - is all about second chances. During his lifetime, Oliver 'Clutch' Henderson was considered by many to be one of the best poker players in the world. As a matter of fact, he had even written several books on the subject and gained quite the following for himself along the poker circuit. Clutch had always viewed the game of poker as intrinsic to living the best lifestyle possible; and while his legions of fans unanimously agreed that he went exactly the way he would have wanted - playing poker in a tournament - they nevertheless deeply mourned the passing of the legendary Clutch Henderson.

Telly Martin has absolutely no clue what to do next in his life. After losing his job as an IT computer specialist for a casino - for the first time ever - Telly finds himself at a complete loss. Determined to find a way to become a professional poker player - even though he is turning out to be supremely unlucky as a gambler - Telly makes an impossible wish over a casino fountain in Las Vegas: and suddenly finds himself being mentored by a world-famous poker champion. The only catch...Telly's mentor is none other than the late and very-much-lamented Clutch Henderson.

Together, this unlikely pair of card-sharps must now navigate their way through the seedy gambling underbelly of Las Vegas. However Telly, the hapless poker protégé - and Clutch, the vaunted 'King of Poker' - will first have to learn to trust each other if they are to have any chance at all of winning an elusive spot in the 'International Series of Poker'. Meanwhile, they must find a way to repair their shattered personal relationships and find redemption - both in this life as well as in the hereafter.

First of all, let me say that although I may have classified this book as horror - the horror is more comedic rather than thrilling. I actually had the pleasure of reading another of Michael Phillip Cash's books - Schism: The Battle For Darracia back in June of 2014. This book was just as pleasurable for me to read; in my opinion, the author has created engaging and believable characters and an intriguingly well-developed plot. I'm also delighted to say that Mr. Cash has somehow managed to achieve a near impossibility with me: I'm actually beginning to appreciate poker!

To be perfectly honest, I've never paid that much attention to poker. Having never actually played the game myself, I guess that I just couldn't really understand the draw of it as a profession. Having said that, I would certainly give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Here Are Some Books That I'm Hoping to Read!

Back in January of 2015, I posted about eight books that I wanted to read to celebrate National Readathon Day on January 24th! Granted, I didn't get to finish reading that many books back on the actual day, yet that post did inspire me to post more about the books that I'm currently reading or planning to read very soon. Since I last posted about the books I was hoping to read back in April of 2016, I have read one of the eight books that I highlighted in that post.

I'm hoping to do this type of post approximately every four months or so, and plan to read between two to three books that I mention in the post, before the next post. Wish me luck! Here's my potential reading list for the next few months:

Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua (2010)

Length: 357 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Awakened by a Kiss Blurb:

Three classic fairytales - Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, and Little Red Riding Hood - cleverly retold with enough sensual twists to prove wickedly ever after does exist....

Sleeping Beau: Five years ago, the notorious rake, Adrien d'Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss - and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory. Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress - and this time, he has no intention of letting her go...

Little Red Writing: Nicolas de Savignac, Comte de Lambelle, has been assigned by the King to uncover the secret identity of the author writing scandalous stories about powerful courtiers. He never expected his investigation would lead to his grandmother's house, or to a ravishing woman who would stir his deepest hunger...

Bewitching in Boots: Elisabeth de Roussel, daughter of the King, is accustomed to getting what she wants - and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, Comte de Saint-Marcel, an ex-commander of the King's private Guard. A recent injury has forced Tristan to leave his distinguished position, but Elisabeth is determined to make him see he's every bit the man he once was - and more than man enough for her...

So, this book has been on my TBR pile since December of 2014 and as I'm a lover of any type of fairytale retellings, this seemed like the kind of book that I'd like. I've just dipped into the first couple of chapters of Sleeping Beau on January 18, 2015, and I think that it's going to be good.

Autumn in Carthage by Christopher Zenos (2014)

Length: 332 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Autumn in Carthage Blurb:

The nether side of passion is madness.

Nathan Price is a college professor with crippling impairments, seeking escape from his prison of necessity. One day, in a package of seventeenth-century documents from Salem Village, he stumbles across a letter by his best friend, Jamie, who had disappeared six months before. The document is dated 1692 - the height of the Witch Trials. The only potential lead: a single mention of Carthage, a tiny town in the Wisconsin northern highland.

The mystery catapults Nathan from Chicago to the Wisconsin wilderness. There, he meets Alanna, heir to an astonishing Mittel-European legacy of power and sacrifice. In her, and in the gentle townsfolk of Carthage, Nathan finds the refuge for which he has long yearned. But Simon, the town elder, is driven by demons of his own, and may well be entangled in Jamie's disappearance and that of several Carthaginians. As darkness stretches toward Alanna, Nathan may have no choice but to risk it all...

Moving from the grimness of Chicago's South Side to the Wisconsin hinterlands to seventeenth-century Salem, this is a story of love, of sacrifice, of terrible passions - and of two wounded souls quietly reaching for the deep peace of sanctuary.

This book has been on my TBR pile since March of 2014, and after starting to read it on May 16, 2014, I had to unfortunately set it aside for a while. I hope that I can start reading this book again sometime.

Fields of Elysium: A Romantic Fantasy by A. B. Whelan (2013)
Length: 424 pages
Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Fields of Elysium: A Romantic Fantasy Blurb:

CAN LOVE MEND A HEART FULL OF HATE?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens.

On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying in vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers. While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. 

He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding.

Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly’s life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where 
there is no return and multiple endings.

Would you fight to be with the one you truly love? What cost would you be willing to sacrifice for that love?

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.

I downloaded this ebook for free from Amazon in March of 2015, but haven't had a chance to start reading it yet.

Money Makes it Deadlier by Julie C. Gilbert (2015)

Length: 101 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Money Makes it Deadlier Blurb:

Money can buy many things, but can it purchase a permanent solution to divorce? 

Martin Cantrell would like to know the answer to that question. He has money, respect, and power, but he also has a monthly alimony payment that’s making him miserable. When a friend offers to deal with the “ex” problem for a fee, he can hardly say no. Time is of the essence. The life insurance policy on his ex-wife expires in less than two months.

Unaware of the plans set in motion, Special Agent Marcella Scott goes about her business as usual, only now, she finally has an excuse to dress up on the job. She’s been asked to go undercover to check out some banks. One of the branches just happens to be managed by Martin Cantrell’s ex-wife.

What’s an agent to do when a perfectly peaceful morning turns into a hostage-taking standoff?

Find out in Money Makes it Deadlier. This story takes place several months before the events of Black Jasmine, book 3 of the Lei Crime Series. 

Princess Eyes by Lucas Kana (2015)
Length: 166 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Princess Eyes Blurb:

Geeky Honolulu Lieutenant, Michael Stevens, teams up to investigate a series of homicides with Jenna Brooke, a streetwise psychologist for the FBI, which leads to the mysterious disappearance of a local beauty queen known as ‘Princess Eyes'.

Timeline: 10 years before Blood Orchids in a semi-alternate universe where Stevens starts out as a nerd.

The three above novellas came on to my TBR pile from August to October of 2015 as ebooks sent to me by the authors for review. I have recently begun reading Torn Roots by Scott Bury a couple of days ago.

Sworn to Raise by Terah Edun (2013)

Length: 275 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Sworn to Raise Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire's seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder - intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companions Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she'd never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn to Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.

Sworn to Transfer by Terah Edun (2013)

Length: 275 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Sworn to Transfer Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and it's inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns. With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city's nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she's given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.

To keep the Companions' Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she's faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

These two books are the beginning novels of a high fantasy series that have been on my TBR pile for several years. I hope to start reading them fairly soon.

Pokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash (2015)

Length: 266 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Pokergeist Blurb:

Sometimes life, as well as death, is about second chances. Luckless Telly Martin doesn't have a clue. An awful gambler trying to scrape by as a professional poker player, he becomes the protégé of world famous poker champion Clutch Henderson. The only catch…Clutch is a ghost.

Telly and Clutch must navigate the seedy gambling underbelly of Las Vegas learning to trust each other in order to win the elusive International Series of Poker, repair their shattered personal relationships and find redemption in this life and the hereafter.

May you read well and often

Reading Wrap-up For July at Emeraldfire's Bookmark

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Emeraldfire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog.

Anyway, I started out July with about two hundred unread books lying around the house and ended the month with...umm...uncountable amounts of books unread. All of the books that I acquired this month came from authors, Bookmooch and Amazon.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- Kaitlin's Tale by Christine Amsden

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! :))
- Pokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash
- Spell Breaker by Joni Parker
- Emma by Jane Austen

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))

- Garden of Shadows by V. C. Andrews
- Stranger in the Looking Glass by Jan Fields

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me, considering. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 1
Pages Read: 270
Grade Range: A!

So, there you go! The reading month that was July. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

May you read well and often