The Nexus Games (Nexus Games #1) by Shami Stovall | $25 Giveaway, Review, Excerpt | litRPG Thrilling Adventure
Welcome readers,
I hope you enjoy today’s review of The Nexus Games by Shami Stovall. I’ve reviewed her books before. I’ll add those links later in the post.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Now on to the good stuff!
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Book Details
The Nexus Games by Shami Stovall Series: Nexus Games #1
Published by Capital Station Books on 02/22/2022
Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 598
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsSpecial Forces Soldier Alex Kellan has three problems. He’s on forced medical leave, he’s alone on Christmas, and two men are actively stalking his every step.
Things get worse when Kellan wakes up in a twisted world where people have magical abilities and high-tech weaponry. It turns out, Kellan’s stalkers want him to participate in a deadly competition—whether or not Kellan agrees.
Forced to compete in the infamous Nexus Games, Kellan must risk everything to survive the competition and save the other members of his ragtag team. Their new motto quickly becomes: Situation Normal: All Fouled Up.
A litRPG thriller with high-tech magic, set in a game for the ultimate prize.
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Excerpt from The Nexus Games
Alex Kellan wasn’t the type of person who stalkers typically targeted. He carried a loaded .45 handgun in his shoulder holster and regularly bench-pressed two hundred pounds. Most thugs could do the math—he wasn’t worth the inevitable hospital bill.
Yet, for some unknown reason, a pair of men had been following Kellan wherever he went. For the last four days, his stalkers had watched his every movement from the safety of distant shadows. But each day they grew a little bolder. Each day they moved a little closer.
Curiosity was getting the better of Kellan. He had called in the suspicious behavior, and his contacts were investigating, but there wasn’t much to go on.
Kellan took a swig of beer, content, for the moment, with the seedy bar atmosphere. Nino’s Place was a rinky-dink location stuck between a Japanese restaurant and a UPS store, both of which had been closed for years.
Despite the grit and grime, there were four others seated around the establishment. One man, heavy set and bearded, sat with a trucker’s posture. Another man, his hair silver and his naked ring finger permanently indented, likely drank to escape the memories that lingered.
Two others sat in the corner booth, hidden by the shadows of a burnt-out light, as silent as the broken jukebox.
There they were. Kellan’s stalkers.
He decided he’d wait them out. Perhaps once he stepped outside, he could get a word with them.
A bartender walked over and offered Kellan a quizzical lift of her eyebrow. All the hair on her head had been dyed dark purple—a flashy statement that didn’t match the woman’s plain black shirt and unassuming jeans.
“It’s Christmas Eve, ya know,” she said.
“Seriously?” Kellan replied. He finished his beer with one last swig. “Huh. That explains the holiday music on the radio.”
Obviously unimpressed by the sarcasm, the bartender frowned. “Don’t get cute. Shouldn’t you be with family? What’s someone like you doing in Nino’s Place?”
“Clearly, I’m here for the company,” Kellan quipped.
The trucker belched.
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Purchase Links for The Nexus Games
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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My thoughts on The Nexus Games
The Nexus Games by Shami Stovall is my first official foray into the RPG literary field. While I had concerns that it might not be a good fit for me, I enjoyed it.
Let’s start with the cover. It’s eye-catching, bright, and invites you to open the book and learn more.
In typical Stovall fashion, the world-building is detailed, vivid, multilayered, and extremely real. Characters from both worlds are fascinating players in this intense story.
Intrigue is the name of the game in this book. Magic, mystery, and suspense compel you to keep reading. You just have to know what happens next.
Since The Nexus Games is in the role-playing literature genre, it does portray a lot of violence, blood, dismemberment, etc in telling the story. If you aren’t comfortable with a high level of graphic descriptions, this might not be the story for you.
I was able to lose myself in the adventure and mystery of the game, while skimming the parts I was uncomfortable with. This is a technique I’ve developed when reading books out of my comfort zone. Occasionally, a story demands to be read even if I get a bit squeamish.
The Nexus Games is the first book in the series so don’t expect all the ends to be tied up to your satisfaction. But take heart, dear reader, because book two, The Nexus Knight releases in June 2022.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Shami Stovall
Shami Stovall grew up in California’s central valley with a single mother and little brother. Despite no one in her family having a degree higher than a GED, she put herself through college (earning a BA in History), and then continued on to law school where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. As a child,
Stovall enjoyed every portal fantasy, space opera, and magic series she could get her hands on, but the first novel to spark her imagination was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. The adventure on a deserted island opened her mind to ideas and realities she had never given thought before—and it was the moment Stovall realized that story telling (specifically fiction) became her passion. Anything that told a story, especially fantasy series and military science fiction, be it a movie, book, video game or comic, she had to experience.
Now, as a professor and author, Stovall wants to add her voice to the myriad of stories in the world. Everything from sorcerers, to robots, to fantasy wars--she just hopes you enjoy.
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Easy Amazon Links
The Nexus Games: A Fantasy ...Shop on Amazon 
The Nexus Games: A litRPG T...Shop on Amazon
The Nexus GamesShop on Amazon
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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Giveaway!
Shami Stovall will be awarding a $25 Amazon or BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Full Tour Schedule:
May 3: Gina Rae Mitchell
May 10: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
May 10: Fabulous and Brunette
May 17: Kit ‘N Kabookle
May 17: Westveil Publishing
May 24: Our Town Book Reviews
May 24: The Avid Reader
May 24: Gimme The Scoop Reviews
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Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
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Sounds like a good book. I like the cover and excerpt.
looks cool
Great excerpt and giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Cali. Good luck with the raffle!
Congratulations on your release of The Nexus Games, Shami, I enjoyed the excerpt and your book sounds like an exciting read and I love the cover! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Gina, for sharing your thoughts! Have a splendid day!
Many thanks, Eva!
Looks like a very interesting book. Great cover!
Great review
Thanks! I hope you get a chance to read it.
I liked the excerpt. Sounds like as good book.
Thanks, Rita!
I like the cover art, synopsis and excerpt, The Nexus Games sounds like a thrilling read and I am looking forward to it. Thank you, Shami for sharing your bio and book details and for offering a giveaway and thank you, Gina for sharing your awesome review of the book.
Thanks, Bea. I hope you get a chance to read it.
Thank s for hosting!