Feed 4 by Nicole Grotepas Blitz & Giveaway

Feed 4: The Corporation

Nicole Grotepas

Publication date: June 20th 2019

Genres: Adult, Dystopian

Sometimes a hero has to lose everything to discover what matters most.

Still trapped in the dangerous heart of the Kirkwood Broadcasting empire, Ramone works to meet his captor’s demands: create a device to block the feeds.

But . . . aren’t they in control of the feeds? And how will they use such a tool?

Though it’s against everything he believes in, Ramone is prepared to give Kirkwood the tool they want in exchange for what he wants—a guarantee that his family will be safe.

But the way forward isn’t easy.

Allegiances will be questioned. Traitors will continue to rise and fall. Maybe there’s a way out without compromising the ideals he sacrificed once, years ago. He only has to trust the turncoat who offers him an alternative.

But as the corporation prepares to covertly unleash its massive army of surveillance cameras upon the rest of the world, Ramone can see that there really is only one option: do not give them what they want.

He only has everything to lose if he screws up.

For fans of surveillance dystopian works such as 1984, We, and revolutionary TV series like The Prisoner and Black Mirror. Can you survive the feeds?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

The previous books in the series are only 99¢ for a limited time!

—

EXCERPT:

Isaac

Tasha pulled away, a grin spreading across her face. “You kiss like a devil.”

Isaac stayed in his role. “The only way I know how.”

“Well, your mama didn’t teach you to kiss like that.”

“No, obviously,” Isaac said, lapsing into his casual, real nature. Tasha walked to where she’d been standing in the gazebo, and gazed out at the valley.

“It’s beautiful up here,” she said with a sigh. “I could get used to this.”

“It wouldn’t be hard, though. Would it?” Isaac asked, raising an eyebrow. Having amazing things—the shit you wanted, beauty, wealth, posh possessions—of course that was easy. Being stuck in the gutter for the duration of what some might call ‘a life,’ now that was hard.

She looked at him, half her face in shadows, the other half looking at him intently beneath the soft light of the strand bulbs. “You’re right. I can see why you’re here.”

“Especially considering,” he said, still leaning on one arm balanced against the top of the banister.

“Considering what?”

He shrugged.

She looked thoughtful before asking, “Where would you be if you could be anywhere, no boundaries, no exclusions, money is not an issue?”

“Paris. Or the west coast like San Francisco or Santa Monica.” He looked away from her and thought about what he’d said. That was the goal. Getting to the top of Sweet Life. Being showered with gifts, treated like a celebrity, offered advertising deals, recognized as a creative genius whose presence brought in viewers. He thought of his fans and wondered what they’d be saying right now about what he was doing. “Isaac! You’re selling out!” “Isaac, stay true to yourself!” “Isaac, no!” Of course, there’d be some who’d say, “You got this!”

“Paris is nice. There’s a vibrancy in the air and a sense of timelessness. The past and present colliding in this indescribable connection like all things are one. You know?”

He nodded, wondering if she sincerely believed that he had been to Paris. Or anywhere like that. Did she know him? Know of his limited background and what he was trying to achieve? Or was he nameless for her? A placeholder? An object to be exploited?

He was obviously that, something to exploit. Otherwise how could she . . . how would anyone be OK with that?

Dwelling on it was pointless. He knew what he had to do and he was doing it. And if she thought she’d pull him deeper into some kind of weird relationship, she was wrong.

Author Bio:

Nicole writes stories about surveillance and how it affects human behavior, colonization, AI, robots, and a bunch of other impossible but cool scenarios. She studied folklore in college and believes that the best parts of any story touch on these living, changing elements of culture.

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Heart of the Colossus by Nicole Grotepas Blitz & Giveaway

Heart of the Colossus

Nicole Grotepas

(A Holly Drake Job Book, #3)

Publication date: July 12th 2018

Genres: Adult, Science Fiction, Steampunk

Save them all or die trying.

Holly Drake and her team have seen the evil lurking behind everything the Shadow Coalition does. The last time they plunged into the heart of the shadow empire, they could only rescue one. Now they’re going back for the rest. The crew is ready and willing to put everything on the line. They have a plan, they have the means, this is the job they were born to do.

But time and space are stacked against them.

The mission is a logistical nightmare. How can Holly and her crew save an entire fleet of children? The answer: whatever it takes. Co-opting fuel tankers, recruiting explosives experts, hiring pilots, and revisiting mysterious specters from the past. Some things are too painful, even for Holly Drake, but when it comes to freeing the innocent, not even the ugliest mistakes from her past will hold her back.

Is this the mission that will unveil the true nature of the Heart at the center of the Shadow Coalition? She’s seen the hands, just who is the heart?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“I don’t know how you guys talked me into this, again,” Charly Stout said, her voice coming over the comms into Holly’s earpiece. “Last time was a bust. Nearly died. And yet, here I am, again, floating outside the ship in space, my life balanced on the brink.”

“You love danger, that’s why,” Holly Drake said from inside the ship. She was safe and snug, seated next to Trip Taurus, a Centau and the pilot of the Space Cruiser Olavia Apollo. Charly Stout, a human, and Odeon Starlight, a Druiviin, waited outside the ship, clipped in on the underside, out of sight of the Fuel Depot security cameras. There they waited for Shiro Oahu’s distraction to work.

“At least this time I am with you, Charly. You’re not alone.” Odeon said.

“Aw man, Odeon. You know you always pull through, for everyone, always,” Charly laughed. “Thanks bro.”

“If we weren’t parked for the fill, you’d be in here, Odeon,” Holly joked. “I’m barely getting through this without my fix.” The panic attacks about being in space still afflicted her. She could feel the darkness of fear creeping at the edge of her mind, clawing at her sanity. She glanced at Trip who sat silently beside her, watching the instruments on her control panels. The Centau’s head was tilted to the side, the pilot goggles balanced on her forehead, her beautiful pale brown skin contrasting with the white, blue, and orange of her pilot jumpsuit.

“He’s mine this time, Holly. Sorry girl!”

Trip interrupted their banter. “The tank is half full. I hope Shiro is almost ready.”

“Shiro, you in position?” Holly asked, touching her earpiece. The fueling station filled the viewsceen in front of them. Most of what they saw was the giant mechanical arm that pulled in Trip’s ship and kept it secure as the fueling umbilical connected with the ship and filled it with aether. But beyond that there was the central portion of the station where the workers stayed. Inside the station there were a bar, a restaurant, and the people to man those and a few other amenities for commercial ships like Trip’s.

“Nearly there, Ms. Drake,” Shiro said quietly over the comms.

“This is going to cost you, you know?” Trip said, turning to glance at Holly before looking back at the instrument panel.

“We’re going to pay for this fill up, yes,” Holly said. “Don’t worry about it, Trip. You’re practically on the crew at this point.”

“Am I?” Trip asked, leaning back and studying Holly with her bright eyes.

“Don’t get too excited about it. You’re mostly in, maybe still enjoying your trial period.” Holly gave her a measuring glance.

Trip pulled her gaze away from Holly, a smirk touching the edge of her lips like she was disgusted with Holly’s antics. “Just a few minutes more, then she’s full.”

“Everyone be ready,” Holly said.

“In position,” Shiro whispered.

“Ready,” Charly said, followed by Odeon’s affirmation that he too was ready.

There was silence on the comms and in the bridge of the SC Olavia Apollo. Holly could hear the stifled breathing of her crew as everyone waited for the fueling to finish. There was a sound through the ship as the fuel delivery system finished and the umbilical disengaged.

“She’s done,” Trip said.

“Go.”

Author Bio:

I'm passionate about human rights, animal rights, and living life with no regrets. I love how becoming a parent has deepened my devotion to making the world a better place. I do that best by crafting stories that attempt to answer hard questions--the ones I think about most--while also being entertaining and fun. I live in a landscape that reminds me of my place in the universe, under an endless sky and towering mountains that are older than human memory, and I love it here.

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Heart of the Colossus by Nicole Grotepas Reveal

Heart of the Colossus: A Steampunk Space Opera Adventure 

Nicole Grotepas 

(A Holly Drake Job Book, #3)

Publication date: July 12th 2018

Genres: Adult, Science Fiction, Steampunk

Holly Drake and her crew have seen just a fraction of the Shadow Coalition. Can they penetrate deeper into the organization and successfully defeat the Heart and the remaining Hands?

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Previous books in the series:

Author Bio:

I'm passionate about human rights, animal rights, and living life with no regrets. I love how becoming a parent has deepened my devotion to making the world a better place. I do that best by crafting stories that attempt to answer hard questions--the ones I think about most--while also being entertaining and fun. I live in a landscape that reminds me of my place in the universe, under an endless sky and towering mountains that are older than human memory, and I love it here.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Hands of the Colossus by Nicole Grotepas Blitz & Giveaway

Hands of the Colossus: A Steampunk Space Opera Adventure

Nicole Grotepas

(A Holly Drake Job, #2)

Publication date: May 31st 2018

Genres: Adult, Science Fiction, Steampunk

One massive shadow organization. One bad ass heroine.

Holly Drake just wants a simple thing–to destroy the Shadow Coalition and the evil at the heart of their business. Using tip-offs from the secretive government official pulling her strings, Holly and her crew swoop in, break up the cash drops and steal the money. If one or two baddies die on accident, no big loss. Right? Holly could do this forever, picking the Coalition apart till not even bones remain.

Until someone goes missing. In that moment, everything changes.

To save the victim, Holly and her team will put everything on the line to penetrate the mysterious Shadow Coalition and stab at their enigmatic leadership: the Hands who protect the Heart. Treacherous journeys across the 6-moon system in space-zeppelins, dangerous infiltrations of the Coalition, bartering with thieves, and relying on the seedy underbelly of the 6-moons. Anything it takes.

But … is the whole set up a trap? How many snares will Holly and her crew have to spring to the save just one victim?

This is Holly Drake and her crew of thieves. If they have to, they’ll go into the hornet’s nest to get the job done. But will it be their final job?

The Hands of the Colossus features a snarky, strong, bad ass heroine fighting against the odds to save the helpless.

If you don’t like seeing a woman experience self-doubt, overcome obstacles, and then dominate, this book is not for you.

Love strong female leads, an entertaining cast of characters, and adventure? Then grab your copy today!

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“What do you think, Trip?” Holly Drake asked. She glanced at the pilot of the ship the SC Olavia Apollo. The female was a Centau, which Holly would have never imagined using in her life. However, tech genius crew-member Darius had sworn that she wouldn’t compromise the operation and turn over their illegal activities to the Centau leadership. Despite his scoundrel ways, Darius had proven himself enough that Holly trusted him. “Can you do it?”

The Centau turned to the stare at Holly, where she sat in the co-pilot seat, and smirked. “‘Think I can do it?’ What sort of question do you ask me, Drake?”

“A nervous question. I hate space-flight.”

“Yes. So you’ve said. Repeatedly.” Trip’s dark gaze flickered over Holly’s face, then went back to the monitor.

Charly was already suited up in the air-lock and waiting, while Odeon was strapped in behind Holly, humming. This mission wasn’t the sort that lent itself to drinking for nerves. Was it a terrible thing to ask her Druiviin friend that he hum to help her through the ordeal?

Probably. But there weren’t a lot of options at the moment.

“You needn’t worry the least. Centau ships are the most advanced in the known galaxies. He’s mapping the gravity of this misshapen moon as we approach for landing. It won’t even be rough. And I will have very little to do with the actual landing. It is in the hands of the Olavia Apollo’s AI.” Trip gestured at the video image of the moon on the monitor as they approached.

It was a small one, indeed. Around seven and a half miles at its longest and as lumpy as a potato-tuber hybrid. Darkness and unfiltered sunlight gave the moon’s surface relief, revealing its pockmarks, scars, and vast gouges. There were several transponders attached to the surface. These transponders were what had brought Holly and her team to the small moon in the first place.

Holly held her breath as their ship, in some mysterious advanced physics and engineering, slowed upon nearing the touchdown. A low noise began suddenly, whining through the background sounds of the ship’s systems. Holly looked around, panic rising as the danger seemed to grow.

“What is that?” she whispered, clutching the hard cushion of the edge of her seat.

A calming violet hand appeared on her shoulder. She could see it in her peripheral vision.

“It is you, Holly Drake,” Odeon said. There was a song in his voice, and a slight tone of humor. “Peace. You are nervous. All will be fine.”

Trip’s gaze was also on Holly.

“Shouldn’t you be watching this landing?” There was a definite edge in Holly’s tone. No peace at all.

“The AI. If I interfere, I could ruin the landing. Olavia Apollo has it.” Trip nodded at the sleek control board. “Don’t worry.”

The first time they’d ridden with Trip, Holly had expected wood, brass, and a large steering wheel—like the space zeppelins. Not at all what she found. Instead the small space cruiser was something right out of the future. Trip barely even piloted it.

That didn’t stop the Centau from wearing a white jumpsuit with patches on the upper arms and a pair of goggles with amber tinted lenses. Right now the eye-pieces were on top of Trip’s ivory stubble-covered head as she watched the surface of the moon float toward their ship on the video image on the screen.

“What is it you want to do with the transponders?” Trip asked. She watched the video footage onscreen as they moved closer to the surface.

A knot tightened in Holly’s gut. Her stomach stretched taut. Her shoulders arched back against her seat slightly. Odeon’s hand burned through her jacket, seeming to heat up as the tension tore through her body. She wasn’t sure what she feared—crashing too hard into the unforgiving surface of the moon or their ship ripping apart and sending them all careening into the void of space, like flecks of ice off one of the un-terraformed ice moons of Ixion. The one they were about to land on was one of the few asteroid-like moons, and therefore peppered with transponders on all sides, repeating audio and video signal through the 6-moon system.

If Odeon’s hand hadn’t been there, if Odeon’s low song hadn’t been worming its way into her ears, digging deep into her brain, pirouetting across her neurons like an ancient earth-ballet dancer, soothing her like a pied-piper of lore, Holly knew that she would have been nothing more than a puddle of adrenalin, dispersed through the low-G-interior of the ship, floating around like rain drops.

She did not like space-flight.

The ship balanced, thrusters fired, a harpoon-like anchor ejected and tethered their ship to the rock and they connected with the moon in a light thud, touching down.

Author Bio:

I'm passionate about human rights, animal rights, and living life with no regrets. I love how becoming a parent has deepened my devotion to making the world a better place. I do that best by crafting stories that attempt to answer hard questions--the ones I think about most--while also being entertaining and fun. I live in a landscape that reminds me of my place in the universe, under an endless sky and towering mountains that are older than human memory, and I love it here.

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Eye of the Colossus by Nicole Grotepas Blitz & Giveaway

Eye of the Colossus 

Nicole Grotepas

Publication date: April 19th 2018

Genres: Adult, Science Fiction, Steampunk

The City of Jade Spires, the biggest in the 6-moons, is a breathtaking symbol of hope and unity for the four races. But it’s also a hub of corruption. Holly Drake is proof of that. Fresh out of prison for a mistake framed to look like cold murder, she’s broke, jobless, and branded with a prison record.

When she lands a gig stealing back the Eye of the Colossus jewels, the chance for a big payout means she won’t have to depend on anyone else. She’s never had that kind of freedom. She’ll do it. Even if the work is only a shade lighter than outright crime.

But soon she finds herself pursued by thugs from the Shadow Coalition, an underworld government that wants her dead. Pulling off the heist without getting killed means putting trust in recruits she hardly knows. The clock is ticking to get the jewels, but a mistake now could be fatal. Chasing across the 6-moons to complete the job will test her grit and determination to succeed when everything is stacked against her. More than that, finding out just what secrets the 6-moons hold will either turn her into the hero the moon system needs, or destroy her…

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“So, Xadrian. What is it that you need?” Holly waited for something about blackmail or a request for her to tail and photograph some wealthy man in a seat of power who was potentially cheating.

“Ah, to business then,” he muttered and stretched his back and neck, and then cracked his knuckles. “Very well. This face you see before you? It isn’t the face of the one who requires your services. I’m here on behalf of someone else. Someone with money and power.”

Holly attempted to keep her face passive. “Obviously,” she said. Obviously. Obviously I wouldn’t be introduced to the actual client. Duh. It was probably like this a lot, in this business. Whatever this business was.

“Yes, I’m sure you knew that,” Xadrian said, a grin touching the corners of his lips. “My employer has had a valuable, priceless possession stolen:

the Eye of the Colossus. And my employer needs it back.”

“Oh great,” Holly said. “It’s not a simple job.”

“It was stolen, my employer needs it back. Ms. HD, what do you know about the Eye of the Colossus?”

She shrugged. “Nothing, really. I don’t move in those circles. It’s not really my thing.”

“The Eye is a golden amulet with eleven priceless gems embedded within it—it was created by the famous Druiviin artisan, Ko Lapsong to represent the unity of the four races on the six moons, bestowed by the life-giving hydrantium found on Muibaus—aka the Eye,” he paused. “Sorry. You’ve really never heard of this?”

Holly shook her head. “I don’t dig jewelry. But I get it, Ixion is the Eye. So one gem for each race, each inhabited moon, and then the biggest is Ixion?”

“Muibaus,” he nodded. “Ixion is the pedestrian term for the planet.”

That fit. The rings, the attention to appearance, the expensive wines. Xadrian was kind of a snob.

“Moving on. Eleven gems. The biggest is the Eye, exactly. The problem for us and therefore you, is that in less than two weeks it will be moved.” Xadrian studied Holly’s face as though to see if his words were having the right impact. She nodded once to give him feedback. “Once it’s moved, we won’t know where it is and will be unable to recover it.”

“An item, stolen, you need it back before it gets moved and you can’t track it. Great.”

“It’s slightly more complicated than that, however, some of the details that you will need, we’ve got.” He tapped a dark green folder sitting on the table beside his goblet of wine. He paused and swirled the drink around in the glass. He sniffed it and then took a sip. “This folder contains an image of the jewels and the location. We can provide some other tiny bits of intel. For the rest, you will need to scout it out, sneak in, and try to get it back without it being damaged in any way. Or, without your being arrested.”

Holly pursed her lips. “Makes total sense. But before you go on, we should address the elephant in the room. Payment. So far I’m not feeling inclined to do such a dangerous-sounding job.”

Xadrian dipped his head in satisfaction. “You’ll be paid, rather handsomely if I do say so myself.

Author Bio:

I'm passionate about human rights, animal rights, and living life with no regrets. I love how becoming a parent has deepened my devotion to making the world a better place. I do that best by crafting stories that attempt to answer hard questions--the ones I think about most--while also being entertaining and fun. I live in a landscape that reminds me of my place in the universe, under an endless sky and towering mountains that are older than human memory, and I love it here.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
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Eye of the Colossus by Nicole Grotepas Reveal

Eye of the Colossus 

Nicole Grotepas

Publication date: April 19th 2018

Genres: Adult, Science Fiction, Steampunk

The City of Jade Spires, the biggest in the 6-moons, is a breathtaking symbol of hope and unity for the four races. But it’s also a hub of corruption. Holly Drake is proof of that. Fresh out of prison for a mistake framed to look like cold murder, she’s broke, jobless, and branded with a prison record.

When she lands a gig stealing back the Eye of the Colossus jewels, the chance for a big payout means she won’t have to depend on anyone else. She’s never had that kind of freedom. She’ll do it. Even if the work is only a shade lighter than outright crime.

But soon she finds herself pursued by thugs from the Shadow Coalition, an underworld government that wants her dead. Pulling off the heist without getting killed means putting trust in recruits she hardly knows. The clock is ticking to get the jewels, but a mistake now could be fatal. Chasing across the 6-moons to complete the job will test her grit and determination to succeed when everything is stacked against her. More than that, finding out just what secrets the 6-moons hold will either turn her into the hero the moon system needs, or destroy her…

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BSXR15C

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

I'm passionate about human rights, animal rights, and living life with no regrets. I love how becoming a parent has deepened my devotion to making the world a better place. I do that best by crafting stories that attempt to answer hard questions--the ones I think about most--while also being entertaining and fun. I live in a landscape that reminds me of my place in the universe, under an endless sky and towering mountains that are older than human memory, and I love it here.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter