Month: June 2022

Broken World Excerpt

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

I have another excerpt from my upcoming novel Broken World to share with you today! Broken World will be release on Friday 8th July!

1652373383Broken World

Copyright © 2022 Shari Sakurai

All Rights Reserved.

Eric felt his shoulders slump as Adam’s pain-filled words once more echoed in his mind. Adam just seemed to be pulling further away and there was nothing that Eric could do. It was more than their relationship. Adam had unintentionally cut right to the heart of the self-doubt that Eric had tried desperately to keep hidden from everyone. Now he found it rising all the way to the surface and there was nothing that he could do to stop it.

“Eric,” Matheson immediately wrapped his arm around his son.

“It’s not just yesterday…” Eric murmured. “It is me. I don’t know who I am anymore. My whole life I have been told what to think, how to act…and suddenly I have all these choices and I don’t know what to do with any of them! I thought I had processed it all, but I haven’t. Events just overtook me and now I’m just left feeling so inadequate and lost. I look in the mirror and I see a stranger staring back at me.”

“Eric,” Matheson tightened his grip on Eric’s shoulders as he spoke. “I’ve always been so proud of you. Watching you growing up in the L.S.A was not easy for me, but what I always admired about you was the strength of your own mind. Despite their best efforts, you were never their political pawn. Your desire to protect people and do so much good in this world is one of your best qualities, and it is yours. It’s not the L.S.A’s or conditioning. It is a part of who you are as is your bravery, compassion and wanting to see the best in people who sometimes do not deserve it. You have taken on so much in these last few months and have not given yourself time to process your own feelings. What you are experiencing now is natural, but you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m not going to let you. I love you, Eric.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

As Eric said these words, he realised that it was the first time he had said them to Matheson. His father’s eyes were slightly red now as he drew Eric into a fierce embrace.

“You don’t have to do anything if you feel that it’s because it is expected of you. Whatever you want to do, I will support you.”

Perfect World Promotions!

~ sharisakurai ~ 1 Comment

1652373383

To celebrate the release of Broken World, I am excited to announce the following promotions that will run on Amazon from Broken World’s release day!

Kindle Countdown Deals

Perfect World (Perfect World 1) – 99c from 8th-15th July 2022!

New Era (Perfect World 2) – 99c from 8th-15th July 2022!

Free!

Adam (a companion novel to the Perfect World series) – from 8th-12th July 2022!

Book Blast: Self-Care Workbook for Non-Binary Teens by Michelle Mann

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BOOK BLAST

Book Title: Self-Care Workbook for Non-Binary Teens

Author and Publisher: Michelle Mann

Release Date: April 1, 2022

Genre: LGBTQ non-fiction, self-help book

Themes: Non-Binary

Length: 89 pages

It is a standalone book.

Goodreads

Buy Links – Hardcover and Paperback

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Blurb

Looking for skills to navigate sexual orientation and gender expression?

Tired of being defined by labels?

It’s no surprise the people on this journey of self-exploration need tender love, care, and a safe container to explore and express themselves.

The good news is – you can have that space to feel accepted, loved, and heard.

It’s only fair to release yourself from the restrictions of gender conformity and, instead, allow yourself to experiment with gender (or a lack thereof), as if you were an artist experimenting with a new medium.

“Self-Care Workbook for Non-Binary Teens” is an interactive workbook that has exactly what teens need to help them work through internalized negative messages, handle stress, build a community of support, and embrace their true self.

It’s time to discover more about who you are and who you might want to become now!

Inside these pages you will find:

  • Exactly what gender identity actually is;
  • Why understanding your gender identity is core to embracing your full being;
  • How to discover and begin living as your authentic self;
  • How to build unshakable confidence and resilience in a world filled with ignorance, inequality, and discrimination;
  • Practical advice with journaling prompts and space for reflection;
  • Mindfulness techniques for coming out, euphoria and dysphoria, building new friendships and navigating relationships with your friends and family;
  • And much more!


Whether you’ve been pondering big feelings and questions about your gender, or you’re just a little curious about it, the “Self Care Workbook for Non Binary Teens” will show you that there are endless ways to express yourself and that there’s no right or wrong way to identify.

You do NOT have to conform to a singular definition or narrative anymore!

You have the power to make changes and become your most authentic self – It’s your birthright!

If you’re ready to shed labels and identities that no longer serve you and your inner world and find the supportive community you’re destined to have…

Then waste no more time, scroll up and grab your copy now!

Continue reading “Book Blast: Self-Care Workbook for Non-Binary Teens by Michelle Mann” →

Shari’s Life: Clear out, squishmallow hunting and fidget toys!

~ sharisakurai ~ 1 Comment

Shari's Life

One weird thing that happened when I had Covid was how differently my mind and body reacted. Usually when I am ill, the two are interlinked and my mind feels as sick as my body. With Covid this didn’t happen and I wanted to get on and do stuff but my body was like ‘absolutely not’. After years of fighting my body on what I think is best, I have taken the decision in later years of listening to it so I did wait until I felt better before letting my brain takeover. One thing I did a lot of was looking around my flat and making a note of everything that I wanted to change. 

The first thing is definitely the carpets. The moth invasion last year has ruined the ones in the lounge and my bedroom and it really winds me up when I see the nibble holes in them!  A carpet fitter came round this week to quote for changing them all to wood effect vinyl. It’s not the cheapest endeavour but it will look so nice when it is done! I also ordered some fabric samples for new curtains in my lounge as the ones I have are the ones that the previous owner left. They don’t really fit the window and have faded over the years. The samples arrived yesterday and I have decided what one I want so I just need to arrange for the company to come out and quote for it. 

I also had a massive clear out. I have four bags of stuff for charity which is great news for them. I also tackled the dreaded electrical drawer and cleaned up my old Wii console. I sold it and the games to CEX as I don’t use it at all and its just taking up space. 

Yesterday I moved the furniture around in my lounge. I had most of it up one end which wasn’t the best use of the space so I moved my sofa and the table back. I also moved a small table nest to under the window and put out my incense burner and some ornaments on it. I’m really enjoying having this sort out as it really makes a difference to my mood so have everything looking so much nicer. I have some other things I want to change around too and hope to be able to start organising them this week.

image3I’ve also been on a squishmallow hunt / shopping trip this weekend. Yesterday I went up to the retail park in Bognor. I checked Tesco, Sainsburys, Aldi and B&M. Aldi and B&M didn’t have anything (B&M just had squishville). Tesco had some of the food squad left and Sainsbury’s had some of Caedia’s squad including Briannika which I was able to grab for my sister! I also checked Claire’s in the town and was able to get Quinn the kangaroo!  Also pictured is the cat squish that Sarah got for me from the Range earlier in the week. She is actually a pet toy and I have undecided whether to give her to Tash or keep her for myself! 


image1Today me, Sarah and Georgie went to Portsmouth via the Ocean Retail Park in Hilsea. They have a massive Smyths there and Sarah was able to grab ZoZo the yeti! I was able to get Kaitlyn the lemur whom I have been after! Georgie picked out a bus (‘busi’), some toy planes (he saw the Red Arrows fly over on Friday for Goodwood this weekend and loved them!) and some plastic boats for his bath. I also got a slime popper fidget toy and one of my most exciting gets was this Top Model dress up book. I remember having some when I was a kid and loving them! They were £1 when I was little and they are now £5 for the one I got or £9 for the A4 one! They had this one that I ended up getting, a mermaid one and a fantasy one. I was tempted by the others but the model one is the one that is closest to what I had when I was a kid to I ended up with that one! I also got Bess the pig squishmallow in B&M, some more poppers and these eggs that ‘hatch’ into a dinosaur and dragon! I can’t wait to see what they look like! I will do a proper review on them I think when I start them off!  

image2In Portsmouth itself we didn’t have much success. Sarah bought Edward the Eagle in Claire’s but when she got home she wasn’t sure about him as he didn’t really fit in with the rest of her collection. She thought about taking him back but her husband liked him so he’s going to stay after all (I probably would have adopted him if not, he’s not on my wish-list but I felt bad for him!). 

 

It was a really successful and fun weekend! I felt like I achieved loads but had time to chill and relax too! I hope everyone had a good one too!

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Shari Reviews Stuff: Chicken Handbag

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

Purchase Link: Search on Ebay

image0I was searching around on Ebay whilst I was ill with Covid and treated myself to a couple of little bits and one of them was this bag. I love things that are kind of wacky and out there, and this chicken handbag certainly is that!

It’s a fun item. It’s not the highest quality, but it’s decent for the price (I paid £10 including shipping). It’s very roomy and can fit your purse, phone, keys and any other essentials inside. They come in different colours, but I chose the classic white chicken. It doesn’t look particularly waterproof so its going to be a summer only bag for me, but it’s a fun piece that I am sure will draw many comments when I am out and about!

 

Disclaimer: These are my own thoughts on the above item, and I have not been asked or paid to provide a review.

Broken World Excerpt

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

Today I have another excerpt to share from my upcoming novel Broken World, which releases on Friday 8th July!

Broken World

Copyright © 2022 Shari Sakurai

All Rights Reserved.

1652373383As soon as Eric dropped down into the corridor all hell broke loose. The guards who were firing at the ventilation shaft now aimed their weapons at him. One yelled for backup as he raised his gun. Eric did not hesitate in rushing them. Drawing his fist back, he slammed it into the first guard’s face with enough force to break his nose and hurl him back into the wall. Eric ripped the gun from the hand of the second and struck him a blow that rendered him unconscious. Eric could hear shouts on the guards’ radios as he broke into a run. Then his actions became almost automatic. Eric landed blows to the guards who confronted him, knocking them unconscious and moving forward. Even the shrill din from the alarm became little more than background noise. The confrontation with Neil had given him back a confidence that Eric had not realised was shaken. He briefly wondered why his half-brother had not retaliated, but the continuous onslaught of guards distracted him from this.


Two more stood between him and the main exit from the prison. One threw down his weapon and would have bolted had Eric given him a chance. The act was almost comical, and Eric felt certain that if Adam had been here then he would have laughed.


Eric slammed into the reinforced steel door. It buckled under the force he applied and within seconds he was outside.


Eric hesitated as he took in the fifty or so men with their weapons all drawn and aimed at him. Behind them was a tank and when Eric looked up, he saw aircraft circling.


Great…Gritting his teeth, Eric started to run. All around him bullets rained down, exploding against the concrete with a force that sent chunks of it up into the air. Dodging around several men and taking out a couple who were directly in his path, Eric vaulted across the tank before the occupants could even register that he was there. As he cleared the miniature army that Williams had sent against him, Eric was aware of the aircraft tracking him as he fled the compound. The guards in the lookout tower fired their guns almost half-heartedly as if they already knew that their efforts to stop him would be futile.


Eric kept up his pace as he ran back towards the river. Even though the aircraft was holding its fire now that he had entered a residential area, Eric knew that this would only put them off for so long. As Eric left the street behind and approached the riverbank, he could see New Vauxhall Bridge looming out of the darkness. Eric dashed out onto it. He heard the laser fire from the bridge defences as the concrete around him lit up in smoke. As Eric pushed on, the engine from the aircraft roared overhead as it flew in lower to cut him off. Eric turned to avoid the additional onslaught and felt a sharp pain across his back. He stumbled as he glanced frantically around him. There was only one option now. Without considering whether it was a good idea, Eric changed direction. His hands gripped the railing of the bridge as he used it to propel himself over the side and into the Thames.

New Release Blitz: The Last God by Gillian St. Kevern

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Title: The Last God

Author: Gillian St. Kevern

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/14/2022

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 41700

Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, action/adventure, gods, clerics, knights, military, religion, reunited, mythology

Add to Goodreads

Description

Kel, a former prince turned gravedigger, serves the Unknown God. Bitter about the gods’ neglect of their people, Kel’s limited patience with the divine is tested when his former lover, now a famous general, shows up in the tiny town of Farport. Done with being the gods’ plaything, Kel quits the priesthood—only to discover that the unknown god has plans for him and his ex.

Iscar’s shocked to discover that the prince who was too good for a lowly soldier now follows the god of outcasts. He’s even more shocked when the unknown god declares himself to be War and claims Kel as his high-priest. Having experienced all war’s horrors, Iscar is determined to free Kel from the god, escorting him to Celestial City in an attempt to win Kel away.

Kel fights his attraction to Iscar and struggles with his duty to his god. Iscar’s belief that the gods are just, and reward those who are deserving, is challenged by their journey. His allegiance is no longer to the gods, but to his love. But Kel, consumed by doubt, cannot see what a man—or a god—would want in him.

Continue reading “New Release Blitz: The Last God by Gillian St. Kevern” →

New Release Blitz: Nova’s Got Nerve by B L Jones

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Title: Novas Got Nerve

Series: Liquid Onyx, Book One

Author: BL Jones

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/14/2022

Heat Level: 1 – No Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 165500

Genre: Science Fiction, LGBTQIA+, family drama, sci-fi, fantasy, superhero, gay, government agents, magic, slow burn

Add to Goodreads

Description

He’s got far too much nerve. He can blow things up with his mind. Yeah. The world should probably brace itself for this one.

When Rex Nova was four years old, he became one of the world’s first superhumans.

When Rex turns twenty, he feels the drive to use his scientifically given abilities to protect the world. He leaves home to become a member of the Secret Superhero Security team, alongside three of his friends and Danger City’s own superhero, Polaris.

Rex fights murderous Mages, evil organisations, criminal mafias, his agency appointed psychiatrist, his own weird brain, and the most frightening of all, his attraction to a certain blue-eyed superhero.

Continue reading “New Release Blitz: Nova’s Got Nerve by B L Jones” →

Broken World Excerpt

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

I’m pleased to share today the second of my excerpts of Broken World for the run-up to its release date on Friday 8th July!

Broken World

Copyright © 2022 Shari Sakurai

All Rights Reserved.

1652373383“We need to go. Now!” Eric said urgently as he took a step towards Adam. As he did so a shot rang out. The bullet struck the ground between them. Immediately Eric drew his weapon and whirled round.

“Eric,” Neil said smugly. “You are as predictable as Dad said you would be, but I’m disappointed in you, Adam. I would have thought you might have guessed about our little set up.”

“How do you know I haven’t?” Adam replied evenly.

Neil sneered at this comment. He kept his gun trained on Eric as he opened the cell door.

“You’re alone?” Eric stated uneasily. “Isn’t that a bit too confident?”

“Not really. I’ve already beaten you to an inch of your life on two occasions now. But I’m not here for another fight. My orders are much simpler this time.”

“You’re going to kill us,” Adam guessed.

“Just Eric actually. Dad wants me to bring you in alive.”

“Why?” Eric asked.

Neil shrugged, “I would say he wants to kill him himself, but Dad’s always had conflicting emotions where Adam is concerned. I don’t agree with it so please do feel free to give me an excuse to shoot both of you.”

“So, this is an execution?” Was he fast enough to get the gun away from Neil before he could shoot? With it still pointed at his head, Eric was not sure. He was still weighing up the odds when Adam started speaking again.

“Doing it this way lets you off easily, don’t you think?”

“What do you mean by that?” Neil demanded suspiciously as he switched his position to point his gun at Adam instead. Eric’s heart began to beat faster in his chest as he realised what Adam was doing. Forcing down his first instinct to rush Neil, he made himself wait. It had to be at exactly the right moment.

Broken World will be released on Friday 8th July 2022.

Pre-Order: Amazon

Goodreads: Broken World (Perfect World 3) By Shari Sakurai

Shari’s Life: More gets and Squishmallow Hunting!

~ sharisakurai ~ 2 Comments

Shari's Life

image2Another couple of the goodies I ordered whilst I was sick with Covid arrived today! I got some more Squishmail! This really cute mouse called Misty! I love her so much and was so happy to get her as she is on my squishlist! I also got these really pretty necklaces from Ebay. I kept the planet one and gave the red star system one to my sister.

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Continue reading “Shari’s Life: More gets and Squishmallow Hunting!” →