Lovin' Me Some Romance

Guest Post & Giveaway with Claire Ashgrove!

2012-01-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

IMMORTAL HOPE by Claire Ashgrove

Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance
368 Pages

Centuries ago, Templar knights defied the archangels and unearthed the copper scroll, revealing the gates to hell. Cursed for their forbidden act, they forever roam the earth protecting mankind from evil. But darkness stalks them, and battles they fight bring them ever-closer to eternal damnation. One promise remains to give them salvation – the return of the seraphs.

Embittered by his purpose, Merrick du Loire must honor an ancient pact and bring peace to his cousin’s soul. When he stumbles upon history professor Anne MacPherson, he discovers she possesses a sacred artifact that marks her as a seraph. Duty demands he set aside his personal quest and locate the knight she’s fated to heal. As he struggles with conflicting oaths, Anne arouses buried hope and sparks forbidden desire that challenges everything he’s sworn to uphold.

Anne has six weeks to complete her thesis on the Knights Templar. When Merrick takes her to the Templar stronghold, he presents her with all she needs—and awakens a soul-deep ache, he alone can soothe. Yet loving Merrick comes with a price. If she admits she's destined for him, her gift of foresight predicts his death.

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About the Author: Claire Ashgrove has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed contemporaries, Claire’s paranormal romance series, The Curse of the Templars, debuts with Tor in January 2012. For those who prefer the more erotic side of romance, she also writes for Berkley Heat under the pen name Tori St. Claire.

Claire lives on a small farm in Missouri with her two toddler sons, fifteen horses, four cats, and five dogs. In her “free” time, she enjoys cooking, winning at rummy, studying ancient civilizations, and spending quiet moments with her family, including the critters. She credits her success to her family's constant support and endless patience.

Guest Post:

Meet the Knights -- Lucan of Seacourt

I’m here with Lucan from IMMORTAL HOPE, Claire Ashgrove’s new, dark paranormal romance

Lucan, what a pleasure to meet you. Thanks so much for taking some time to talk with me today about the Templar problems.

Lucan: Milady, the pleasure is mine. Tell me how I may assist your quest for knowledge.

I want to know more about this seraph thing – where do they come from, how do you know if someone is a seraph, how do you know who the seraph belongs to, and what’s the deal with this armband?

Lucan: (Chuckling) Your questions are not for the faint. Very well, let us see what light I can shed on the matter. Where do seraphs come from – we must go back to the beginning of time. When angels crossed with man and the Nephilim were created. As you are aware, the Almighty frowned upon these unions. He eradicated the Nephilim… but what is not known is all were given a choice. Surrender the power of the angels, live as man, and their blood would carry on to fulfill a greater purpose. One day, when the cause most presented, their gifts would come again. Those who refused were destroyed.

And today’s seraphs are the result?

Lucan: Aye. The torq you speak of identifies them. It is attuned to their divine power and possesses a few… shall we say… quirks as well.

So that’s how they are identified, but how do you know if someone’s a seraph. For instance, am I? Could any one of the women reading this be one?

Lucan: ‘Tis hard to say. Indeed, any woman could be a seraph. ‘Twould not be known until Gabriel presents himself to her and offers the torq of serpents.

The Templar don’t know then.

Lucan: Nay. We are mere men, not privy to the machinations of the most high.

I wouldn’t say you’re exactly mere men. Aside from the whole knight thing, let’s not forget about this dose of immortality or the fact at any moment you might lose your soul and turn. But beyond that – how do you know if a seraph belongs to you? What’s to stop me from walking up to… say you… and saying I’m yours. If I’m a seraph that is. I could go for knights, swords, and living in secret temples.

Lucan: (Chuckling once again.) Milady you would not wish for this life, I assure you. But if you were indeed a seraph, you would possess some sort of physical mark that stands out in your own mind. It would match your intended mate’s. If you wish to see if perhaps you are fated for one of my brethren, you should speak to Anne. She keeps a record of the marks now.

Ah, smart thinking! While we’re talking about seraphs, do you know who yours is?

Lucan: Nay, I do not know if I shall be paired.

What would you do if Gabriel introduced you to your seraph tomorrow?

(As I ask the question, Lucan shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and I’d swear a blush crept into his cheeks.)

I’m sorry. Did I embarrass you?

Lucan: Nay. ‘Tis a subject best left to silence, however. ‘Twould be impolite to discuss something so… personal.

Oh. Oh! I didn’t mean… Well, now that you mention it… that could be quite an entertaining conversation! A little wine, a little seduction—I bet you wouldn’t have to work too hard to get a girl to agree to promise forever.

(His blush deepens, and I decide to steer the conversation to more comfortable ground.)

Okay, one last question before we let you get back to keeping the world safe from Azazel’s ascension. What was your immediate thought when the archangels told you about the revelation of the seraphs?

Lucan’s expression sobers. He looks past me as he answers, at something nondescript on the wall just above my left shoulder. His voice quiets by several decibels.

Lucan: That at last, perhaps, I could shed this accursed suspicion. ‘Tis a poison I cannot escape.

There’s hope though, right? If you’re paired…

Lucan: Let us pray I shall live long enough to know such blessed peace.

I certainly hope so, Lucan. Thank you again for taking a few minutes out of your day to talk to us. I don’t want to hold you up from more important things.

He rises and offers me a formal bow.

Lucan: Most assuredly, ‘tis my pleasure to spend a few moments in your lovely company, milady.

Let’s take a peek at IMMORTAL HOPE and Lucan’s commander, Merrick du Loire.

EXCERPT:

Seeing a thin white scar that spanned across the back of his hand, she traced the mark with her nail. “I want to know about you,” she added more quietly. “What caused this?”

Merrick looked down to where she touched him. Using his opposite index finger, he traced the same path her fingernail had taken. Briefly, their fingertips touched. “’Tis a mark from a lance.”

“A lance?” Anne struggled with the urge to twine her finger around his.

“Aye. ’Twas a battle that came to us unexpectedly. I was not given time to don my armor before the riders set upon us. The knight struck me there, and here.” He touched his ribs beneath his right arm.

Anne’s gaze lifted to the vulnerable spot and pictured the battle as it might have occurred: Merrick standing down an armored knight on horse back, the sharp metal spear that punctured his flesh, the way his face might have contorted as he bit back a painful cry. Impulsively, she gathered his hand in both of hers and lifted it, bringing it to her lips to place a gentle kiss over the scar. “I’m sorry.”

Merrick said nothing, and in his silence, she began to question maybe she’d taken one too many liberties. They’d hardly begun to get along—what if her unchecked impulse just crossed some invisible boundary? Slowly, cautiously, she lifted her eyes to his. What she found in his fathomless dark eyes, however, said nothing of anger or annoyance. They gleamed with startling intensity, light bright enough to make her catch her breath.

“Do not be sorry,” he murmured. His eyes canvassed her face, lingered on her mouth. “’Twas a scar borne from duty. An order I was sworn to obey.”

The husky quality of his voice sent shivers coursing up and down her spine. She tried to look away, ordered her eyes to settle anywhere but on the sudden softening of Merrick’s expression. But her body refused, leaving her unable to do anything but choke down a dry swallow. When her thoughts cleared enough to form coherent words, she sought to lighten the moment with a bit of humor. “Orders can do that to you, I guess. Like now, you’re stuck with me.”

“I cannot say I find these orders entirely displeasing.” Merrick lifted his free hand to push a length of her hair away from her shoulder.

The back of his hand grazed the side of her neck and goose bumps scattered down her arms. “No?”

Claire can be found on the web:
http://www.claireashgrove.com/
http://www.toristclaire.com/
TWITTER: @ClaireAshgrove

http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com/p/immortal-hope-blog-tour.html

Giveaway Details:

Claire will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second $25.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to a second randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Click the Blog Tour badge for a complete list of blog stops.

Karyn Gerrard's CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Winner!

2012-01-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...

kimmyl

CONGRATULATIONS!

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CHRISTMAS MEMORIES by Karyn Gerrard

Publisher: Silver Publishing
Release Date: Dec 18th
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Word count: 8700

Jimmy is at the top of his game, but his life is empty. Karin has resigned herself to a Christmas alone in her wilderness lodge. A spur-of-the-moment holiday trip brings Jimmy to her doorstep on Christmas Eve. Will these new Christmas memories be enough to heal a painful past?

Promo & Giveaway CHRISTMAS MEMORIES by Karyn Gerrard!

2011-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES by Karyn Gerrard

Publisher: Silver Publishing
Release Date: Dec 18th
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday
Word count: 8700

Jimmy is at the top of his game, but his life is empty. Karin has resigned herself to a Christmas alone in her wilderness lodge. A spur-of-the-moment holiday trip brings Jimmy to her doorstep on Christmas Eve. Will these new Christmas memories be enough to heal a painful past?

Excerpt:

Jimmy stepped in, and his senses were immediately
assaulted by Christmas. He could hear the television and
recognized Charlie Brown and the gang singing. In the
corner of the small cottage stood a seven-foot pine tree,
completely decorated, or drowned with all manner of
ornaments.

The tree overwhelmed the tiny room and every
branch had an adornment. He took a few steps closer and
looked the decorations over. Older, fragile glass balls were
mixed with an assortment of those card shop ornaments.
Classic movie stars, super heroes, and sports stars
precariously hung from the branches. A fire blazed in the
hearth, and the odour of the pine Christmas tree
intermingled with the wood smoke from the fireplace.
Bayberry candles burned on the mantle, and he noticed the
throw on the couch under which she had obviously been
cuddling. From the surface of the fabric, another stupid
snowman stared up at him vapidly. Christmas
overload. He could smell chocolate and cinnamon and hot
buttered popcorn. He had the overwhelming desire to run
the hell out of there, but his feet wouldn't move.
Karin closed the door. Jimmy finally noticed what
she wore.

Earlier the Arctic Circle parka had obviously
hidden a luscious body. Now, covering her curves were
skin-tight leggings, red slouch socks, and a long T-shirt
with still another snowman on it. Her hair hung loose about
her shoulders, and her face was scrubbed clean, like a little
girl waiting for bedtime because Santa would soon be there.

The little girl image soon shattered when she bent over for
the remote. Oh Jesus, her ass. Her rear was shapely, high,
and gorgeous.

He closed his coat and held it tight
hoping to hide his reaction.

Giveaway Details:

In my Christmas Short, Jimmy, my hero, hears a Christmas album he hadn't heard for years and he is immediately pulled back into Christmas memories of his childhood.

QUESTION: What Christmas music or movie or TV show pulls you back to your childhood?

I have a PDF copy of CHRISTMAS MEMORIES up for grabs! Open internationally

And Happy Holidays~

Here's how to enter:

*Comment with an answer to Karyn's Question as well as a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to ALL**

***Contest Closes Monday, January 2nd at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Tuesday, January 3rd***

Guest Review ALL YOU DESIRE by Kirsten Miller

2011-12-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Review: ALL YOU DESIRE by Kirsten Miller

It’s been over a year since Haven Moore fled to Rome, leaving behind the Ouroboros Society and its diabolical leader, Adam Rosier. But as Haven knows all too well, her past has a habit of repeating itself. When her best friend, Beau Decker, disappears, Haven and her beloved Iain secretly return to New York City. Beau’s life rests in Haven’s hands—but so does Iain’s. If Adam discovers that Iain is still alive, he’ll use his power to ruin the two people Haven loves most.

The Horae, a group of beautiful, mystical sisters, hold the key to Beau’s fate. They want to destroy Adam, and only Haven can expose his vulnerabilities. But giving the Horae what they want could mean handing over her soul.

In order to save Beau, Haven must seduce Adam. And the more she manipulates Adam, the more she realizes that love has always had a funny way of manipulating her…because Adam has never seemed so beguiling.

Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Genre: Young Adult
432 Pages

Single Title/Series: ALL YOU DESIRE is book two in the Eternal Ones series.

Cover Thoughts: Although this cover is very pretty, it embodies the same lack of depth as the main character. Perhaps that was intentional? If so, well done on tying the image together with the substance of the book. This cover does nothing but conflict with the internal image of Haven I developed reading Book #1, and it makes me wonder why a teenager who works with her hands has perfect nails. Never mind that the title is only weakly tied to the plot, reflecting an element of character development that seems completely forced and artificial.

Origin: VampFanGirl received a published release copy of ALL YOU DESIRE from the publisher.

Guest Review by Jennifer Donohue:

The Plot:

**SPOILER ALERT!! ALL YOU DESIRE is book TWO in the Eternal Ones Series and it would be impossible to review this novel without spoiling its predecessor, The Eternal Ones. If you haven’t read the first book yet and you’re planning to, DO NOT read any further!**

Haven Moore and her lover, Iain, spent the last year hiding out in Rome after the rest of the world believed Iain died in a fire. They were even free of Adam Rosier, the leader of the corrupt Ouroboros Society, who has stalked Haven across centuries, imprisoning her in a number of past lives when she wouldn’t willingly stay with him on her own.

When Haven’s best friend goes missing, she and Iain return to New York to find Beau, and are quickly wrapped up in the mystery of the Horae—a small group of women determined to imprison Adam for the rest of eternity. The Horae agree to help Haven find Beau in exchange for her help with Adam. Haven carefully pushes herself into Adam’s arms to win his trust and take advantage of his obsession with her, but as she spends more time with her ancient enemy, she begins to see changes he’s made in himself, and in the Ouroboros Society. Are the changes a reflection of the new and improved Adam? Or has he merely shifted the focus of his evil to the children of the Ouroboros and the school built to train them as tomorrow’s world leaders?

Haven must discover the secrets behind Adam’s transformation, the Horae’s strange behavior, and the mysterious school if she wants to save Beau and prevent haunting visions of the future from becoming reality.

The Heroine:

Haven is amazing at designing and sewing dresses. Beyond that, she isn’t particularly intelligent or likeable. She’s fickle to such a degree that it can’t be written off to teenage angst. Her constant flipping back and forth between Iain and Adam makes her seem weak of character and disloyal. The evolution of her relationship with Adam I can buy, because it’s actually done quite well. What I can’t understand is her often sudden anger and frustration at Iain. Haven doesn’t appear to truly love Iain, and even while they’re still in Europe she seems more interested in everything but her supposed soulmate.

The Heroes:

We’re told that Iain and Haven have this incredibly deep, passionate connection, but at no point in this book do I actually see the connection. Sure, they seem like a couple of teenagers who are into each other, and at times they act like they’ll die without the other, but how is that different from any other teen romance? I know I fell desperately in love at least three times in high school. Teenagers are hormonal, it happens. What I’m not seeing between Iain and Haven is a love that has survived centuries as they lose and find each other again in each incarnation.

Beyond their lackluster connection, Iain isn’t all that interesting on his own. I honestly found myself rooting for Adam who I felt really showed some growth in this book. Can’t say too much about Adam without spoiling the story, but I’ll say that even though we’re supposed to believe he’s evil incarnate, I actually sympathize with him much more than Iain.

Jennifer's Final Thoughts:

The beginning of this novel is just flat out challenging to read. I didn’t care about the characters in this book until around page 100, and I wasn’t interested in the plot until well after page 200. The pace is a lumbering gait that limps through page after page as you hope and pray for the author to introduce even a tiny bit of tension to make it worth reading. Fortunately, somewhere past page 200 there’s finally some action and the story takes off.

What’s so incredibly disappointing about this book is that there is a great story in here and I imagine very few readers will hang in there long enough to enjoy it. The underlying plot is interesting and contains creative elements that are unique and fun. The villain is creepy and mysterious, providing a great source of intrigue, and the dynamic between the characters supplies a lot to work with. Unfortunately, the author doesn’t capitalize on any of this potential and leaves all of these great aspects to linger in the land of unfulfilled promise.

This story shouldn’t have been turned into a series. Book #1 was great and should have been left alone. I suspect someone other than the author decided the story should continue, and the author was left scrambling to continue a story that was expertly concluded in the first book. If you’re looking for something good to read, go read The Eternal Ones and forget there’s a sequel.

2 Stars

The Series:

THE ETERNAL ONES
ALL YOU DESIRE

About Jennifer Donohue: Traversing Corporate America by day, I write young adult paranormal novels by night. What better way to escape than by slipping into an alternate world and playing there for a while? Although for me it’s not just escape--the paranormal is my normal. Whether it’s falling into a ghost hunting group or finding myself living in a haunted house (thankfully past, not present), somehow the mystical world always finds me and lures me back into the fold. I live the paranormal, why not write there? You can friend Jennifer Donohue at Facebook.

Amanda Bonilla's SHAEDES OF GRAY Winner!

2011-12-20T08:18:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...

Barbara E.

Congratulations!

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SHAEDES IF GRAY by Amanda Bonilla

Publisher: Signet
Release Date: December 6th
Genre: Paranormal
336 Pages

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.

When Darian's next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she's taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished...

Guest Post & Giveaway with Amanda Bonilla

2011-12-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

SHAEDES IF GRAY by Amanda Bonilla

Publisher: Signet
Release Date: December 6th
Genre: Paranormal
336 Pages

In the shadows of the night, Darian has lived alone for almost a century. Made and abandoned by her former love, Darian is the last of her kind-an immortal Shaede who can slip into darkness as easily as breathing. With no one else to rely on, she has taught herself how to survive, using her unique skills to become a deadly assassin.

When Darian's next mark turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she's taken on more than her conscience will allow. But a good assassin never leaves a job unfinished...

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About the Author: (from Amazon) Amanda Bonilla lives in rural Idaho with her husband and two kids. She's a part-time pet wrangler, a full-time sun worshipper, and only goes out into the cold when coerced. When she's not writing she's either reading or talking about her favorite books.

Guest Post:

Three’s Company, or Three’s a Crowd?

First of all, I’d like to thank VampFanGirl and Lovin’ Me Some Romance for hosting me today!

I’ve noticed that when it comes to love triangles, readers are very opinionated. They either love them or hate them. Period. There doesn’t seem to be much leeway, not a luke-warm feeling anywhere. I suppose that to those who despise the love triangle, they only see a spoiled, inconstant character who gets off on stringing her love interests along, making them pine after her in agony until she decides she’s finally ready to make a decision. For the lovers, well, they’re drawn to the fantasy of being a woman with multiple suitors. It can be exciting to feel pursued, and the excitement levels only rise when multiple men throw their hats into the ring.

I happen to be on the side of the lovers. That’s not to say that I want to see a love triangle where someone is inevitably hurt, or see characters needlessly strung along. But when a love triangle lends to the character arc, count me in!

What is a love triangle, anyway? Does the heroine have to be involved with both love interests at the same time? Or can a love triangle occur when the heroine has separate relationships with two different men over the course of a few books. Let’s start by breaking it down by the different types of love triangles out there:

The “But I Love You BOTH” Syndrome:

This is the one that I think bothers most readers. Done wrong, the heroine comes across as heartless. There’s some level of relationship, be it physical or emotional or both with the two love interests simultaneously. One of the main plot lines of the book usually centers around the heroine deciding between the two guys. Both love interests are generally good guys, and by choosing, the heroine almost always leaves one of the guys broken hearted.

The “Complication”:

I owe this one to my sister. She pointed out that a love triangle doesn’t always have to involve a romantic entanglement between three characters, but rather, can involve a third wheel who inadvertently thwarts the coming together of the heroine and her love interest. A good example of the third wheel is Garrett in the Charley Davidson series. He hasn’t exactly put the moves on Charley, but there’s tension there. He seems to show up just at just the right moment and Reyes isn’t exactly a card carrying member of the Garrett Swopes fan club. My brilliant sister also pointed out that a character doesn’t necessarily have to be alive to fit into this category. Take Welsie in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Tohr’s memory of his late wife will more than likely throw a monkey wrench or two in his future romantic entanglements.

The Shoulder to Lean On:

This triangle could also be considered a sub-category of the “Complication”. The third wheel in this triangle is usually a close friend, or potential romantic interest, and though there is no romantic entanglement between the MC and her friend, it adds another dimension to the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine, making it difficult for them to truly be happy. A good example of the shoulder to lean on would be the Annika, Devlin, Creed relationship from the Syndey Croft ACRO series. Even though Annika and Devlin aren’t involved romantically, Devlin takes care of Annika’s emotional needs, while Creek takes care of her physical needs. This is a plot point that causes friction in Annika and Creed’s relationship, as he wants to be that emotional outlet for her as well. Another example of this triangle is Rhevenge from J.R. Wards BDB series. Though he’s not necessarily in love with Marissa, their friendship causes tension in Marissa’s blossoming relationship with Butch.

The “This is My Life and I’m Going to Live It”:

Okay, this one is my favorite and in my opinion is more realistic than the “I love you both syndrome”. Over the course of a series, the MC is going through one big character arc. She’s changing, learning, growing as a person, just like people do in real life. And just like in real life, relationships suffer ups and downs. People break up and get back together. And in the course of that character arc, the heroine might form a relationship with a second love interest. The relationships don’t happen simultaneously, the heroine usually becomes romantically entangled with guy #2 after a breakup or separation from guy #1. Like the, “I love you both syndrome,” the heroine must ultimately decide between the two guys, but it happens after growth and reflection, with the heroine coming to the conclusion that one of these guys is the best match for the person she has become.

If it’s written the right way, a love triangle can be more about the heroine growing into who she is rather than being about “choosing a guy”. Romance is about so much more than who’s got the tighter abs or who makes your stomach flip for whatever reason. I admit to being a little turned off when a heroine can’t identify why she’s falling for someone. That’s when a love triangle can become tiresome. It’s possible to have chemistry with more than one person. But readers can get a bit frustrated when the heroine can’t seem to make up her mind.

Whether you love them or hate them, love triangles can add another layer to the storyline. A sometimes steamy sub-plot to entice readers or cause them to add the book to their DNF pile. How do you feel about love triangles? Are you a lover or a hater? Do you have a favorite love triangle?

Thanks again to Lovin’ Me Some Romance for hosting me today!

Giveaway Details:

Amanda Bonilla is giving one copy of SHAEDES OF GRAY to one lucky winner. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with an answer to Amanda's Question: How do you feel about love triangles? Are you a lover or a hater? Do you have a favorite love triangle?*

**Comment a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)**

***Contest Open to US and Canada Only***

****Contest Closes Sunday, December 18th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Monday, December 19th****

Teresa D'Armario's Winner!

2011-11-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...

msmjb65

CONGRATULATIONS!

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BLOOD MOON BETRAYED by Teresa D'Amario

Publisher: Freya's Bower
Release Date: September 12, 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sean left his pack, searching for an inner peace destroyed when his one daughter was shot and the other kidnapped and tortured. Not to mention his mate had left him. He gave up his position as pack leader and headed out to the woods. But when he found a woman being beaten by two humans, he is jolted by the realization she's his True mate.

Caden lives in fear, and at last her terror has caught up with her. Her ex-husband has decided it's time for her to die. Just as she's about to breathe her last, a man tells her everything is going to be okay.

But how can it be, when her ex-husband still wants her dead?

And once Sean brings her back to his home, secrets are revealed, and it seems no one is going to be okay. For as the blood moon rises in the October sky, betrayal is in the wind, and upon it floats the scent of death.

Guest Post & Giveaway with Teresa D'Amario!

2011-11-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

BLOOD MOON BETRAYED by Teresa D'Amario

Publisher: Freya's Bower
Release Date: September 12, 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sean left his pack, searching for an inner peace destroyed when his one daughter was shot and the other kidnapped and tortured. Not to mention his mate had left him. He gave up his position as pack leader and headed out to the woods. But when he found a woman being beaten by two humans, he is jolted by the realization she's his True mate.

Caden lives in fear, and at last her terror has caught up with her. Her ex-husband has decided it's time for her to die. Just as she's about to breathe her last, a man tells her everything is going to be okay.

But how can it be, when her ex-husband still wants her dead?

And once Sean brings her back to his home, secrets are revealed, and it seems no one is going to be okay. For as the blood moon rises in the October sky, betrayal is in the wind, and upon it floats the scent of death.

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About the Author: Teresa D'Amario lives in NC with her husband and 2 dogs who think they're kids. But since they cost as much to feed and keep healthy as a child, that's a pretty good description.

Guest Post:

Hello readers, and welcome to Lovin' Me Some Romance! Because of course we all love romance books or we wouldn't be here, right? I tend to like my romance with a hint of edge. Okay, I actually like a lot of edge to my romance. I need danger. I need to know what I'm about to read (or write) is going to make me want to sit on the edge of my seat. I love to feel my heart race at some point in the book. Or to feel the tender emotions drawn to the surface when I read about true love.

So how do I chose the books I read? Like many of you, I chat with my friends and we have the word of mouth recommendation. But sometimes that doesn't "hit the spot", so I'll preview the books using their book trailers.

I adore book trailers, but they have to be "just right". No, I don't mean the graphics have to be perfect. An author doesn't have to spend a fortune and hire actors to film their story. And I don't even like the voice over very much.

But the music, now that makes a huge difference. Sounds odd, doesn't it? While the visual imagery may be or may not be memorable, the music sets the stage. If the book is what I want, one that makes the heart beat faster, then so does the trailer - and what makes that happen is the tone of the music.

For Blood Moon Betrayed, I chose a very dark rendition of "Pop Goes the Weasel." I don't spend a ton on my videos, though I do have fun creating the morph of my paranormal shifters, but mostly, the music tells you about my book. Feel free to listen to the music and sounds for my video and tell me, what do you think THIS book is about?

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/d0YLR8H-sOA

And, of course, since I love to hear reader feedback, I'll be giving away one e-copy of a book to a reader. That e-copy will be either SheWolf, Dark Succession, or Blood Moon Betrayed - the winner's choice.

Giveaway Details:

Teresa D'Amario is giving one eBook to one lucky winner. The title will be winner's choice as stated above. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to ALL**

***Contest Closes Thursday, November 17th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, November 18th***

Janet Mullany's JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION Winner!

2011-10-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

And the winner is....

msmjb65

CONGRATULATIONS!

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JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION by Janet Mullany

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: Historical Paranormal Fiction
304 Pages

It is 1810, and the Damned are out of favor—banished from polite society. Jane Austen’s old undead friends have become new neighbors, raising hell in her tranquil village just in time to interrupt Jane’s work on what will be her masterpiece. Suddenly Jane’s niece is flirting dangerously with vampires, and a formerly respectable spinster friend has discovered the forbidden joys of intimate congress with the Damned (and is borrowing Jane’s precious silk stockings for her assignations). Writing is simply impossible now, with murderous creatures prowling the village’s once-peaceful lanes. And with the return of her vampire characteristics, a civil war looming between factions of the Damned, and a former lover who intends to spend eternity blaming her for his broken heart, Jane is facing a very busy year indeed.

Guest Post & Giveaway with Janet Mullany!

2011-10-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION by Janet Mullany

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: Historical Paranormal Fiction
304 Pages

It is 1810, and the Damned are out of favor—banished from polite society. Jane Austen’s old undead friends have become new neighbors, raising hell in her tranquil village just in time to interrupt Jane’s work on what will be her masterpiece. Suddenly Jane’s niece is flirting dangerously with vampires, and a formerly respectable spinster friend has discovered the forbidden joys of intimate congress with the Damned (and is borrowing Jane’s precious silk stockings for her assignations). Writing is simply impossible now, with murderous creatures prowling the village’s once-peaceful lanes. And with the return of her vampire characteristics, a civil war looming between factions of the Damned, and a former lover who intends to spend eternity blaming her for his broken heart, Jane is facing a very busy year indeed.

Read an EXCERPT!

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About the Author: (From Amazon.com) The author of JANE AND THE DAMNED, Janet Mullany was reared in England on a diet of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and now lives near Washington, D.C. She has worked as an archaeologist, waitress, draftsperson, radio announcer, performing arts administrator, proof-reader, and bookseller.

Guest Post:

The problem with the HEA

Thanks for having me guest blog today as part of my blog tour for JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION.

This is my second book about Jane Austen in an alternate Georgian England where vampires (the Damned) are out in society. In the first book, JANE AND THE DAMNED (HarperCollins 2010) I evaded the HEA issue. First, it didn’t fit the facts about Jane Austen, who did receive proposals but didn’t marry, and certainly wouldn’t have entered into any sort of illicit liaison (not in her mortal form, at any rate!). Besides, I had a second book coming up and I needed to think of the overall story arc although each book stands alone.

But HEAs, the staple of romantic fiction? Here’s how I’ve handled them.

This is the end of THE RULES OF GENTILITY (HarperCollins 2007) (there was a further short chapter which gave a view of the happy couple’s honeymoon written by the bride’s sister who accompanied them, something which, weirdly to the modern sensibility, did happen):

“Marry me,” he whispers. “You may put your hands in my pockets as much as you like, and you can buy bonnets to your heart’s content.”

What woman alive could refuse such a proposal?
Not I.

Or the end of A MOST LAMENTABLE COMEDY (Little Black Dress, 2009)

… there is nowhere I wish to run, nowhere for me to end up but with him. The cabal of concerned friends who plot and plan our happy ending have done their work. It is up to us, for there is no one else now. We have emerged from the woods and dreams and nightmares and must now tumble headlong into marriage.
I reach out my hand to him.

Another of my Little Black Dress books, IMPROPER RELATIONS (2010) ends with the (married) hero and heroine happily falling asleep together in the marital bed. One reviewer to whom I’d sent a .pdf of the manuscript asked if I’d missed the last few pages so I guess it wasn’t a total success!

I like to think of my hero and heroine embarking upon their next perilous adventure, having a new beginning together, and I like to show them at that one, breathless moment, because nothing will ever be the same again.

Now arguably JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION isn’t a romance. It’s categorized as historical fiction/paranormal/horror and so on but it has romantic elements. To end the book to fit romance conventions, I’d have to have Jane Austen accept someone’s proposal, but even though I had played fast and loose with (some of) the known facts of her life and certainly with English history, I drew the line at giving her a conventional HEA. She died in 1817, leaving us six wonderful books and some amazing fragments and I couldn’t and wouldn’t change that. I didn’t want her to fake her death and enter into some vampire happy-ever-after land because I don’t believe Jane would ever have done that to her sister Cassandra, the person closest to her. It was problematic, to say the least.

I came up with a nifty compromise, but I’m not telling you what it is, because I want you to read the book!

Tell me what sort of HEA you like. Do you like everything to be spelled out with a glimpse of the couple’s future married life and children? Do you like a few loose ends? Or do you like the opportunity to dream about the hero and heroine’s life together?

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Giveaway Details:

Thanks to Janet Mullany, I have one copy of JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION to give away to one lucky commenter. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address AND your Answer to Janet Mullany's Question Above in Bold. (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to USA ONLY**

***Contest Closes Thursday, October 27th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, October 28th***

Guest Review CROSSED by Ally Condie

2011-10-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Guest Review: CROSSED by Ally Condie

The hotly awaited second book in the dystopian Matched trilogy.

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky--taken by the Society to his certain death-only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander-who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart--change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Publisher: Dutton Books, a Member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Review Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
367 Pages

Single Title/Series: CROSSED is book two in the Matched Trilogy.

Cover Thoughts: An evolution of the art from book one of the series, this cover clearly and effectively encompasses the novel’s theme. A girl roughly punches through the solid, yet breakable prison that protects her, yet keeps her trapped within. It isn’t tidy, and success isn’t certain, but her determination is clear. The vibrant colors and clean lines would draw me to this book on a crowded store shelf.

Origin: VampFanGirl received a published release copy of CROSSED from the publisher.

Guest Review by Jennifer Donohue:

The Plot:

Selecting the color of the dress for her Match Banquet was the biggest decision Cassia faced in the first seventeen years of her life. She grew up in the tight embrace of the Society, where choice was eliminated in favor of optimal health and safety. She was content. She considered the regimented control of every last element of her existence a small price to pay for such a beautiful life.

When Cassia fell for Ky, she found more than just a cute boy to dream about. Ky revealed a world beyond the Society, and opened a window into a realm where people lived outside the strict confines of the ever-watchful Officials. The exchange of self-determination for supposed safety suddenly seemed too dear a price to pay.

Now, Ky’s been sent off to the Outer Provinces where the life expectancy is well short of the 80 years guaranteed to Citizens living in the Society. The people of the borderlands are in constant battle with the Society’s enemies, and kids are sent to the front lines younger and younger as casualties grow. But who are they fighting and why?

Cassia schemes her way to the Outer Provinces to search for Ky and discovers the borderlands are worse than she ever imagined. She makes fast friends with a girl named Indie and together they flee from death and continue the quest, pushing their way into the unknown. Cassia is completely unprepared for the physical and emotional strain outside the shielding walls of the life she left behind. In a desperate attempt to survive, she exposes herself to the impossibly long reach of the Society and then must fight against a hidden threat that slowly and persistently drains everything but her endless determination to find Ky.

The terrain isn’t the only harsh part of the landscape, and the lines of friendship aren’t always clear. Everyone has their own motives, and ethics in a land crossed with poisoned rivers aren’t black and white. Cassia has to reconsider her own intentions and, for the first time in her life, decide which path to take.

The Heroine:

Cassia is an intriguing heroine—neither too perfect nor too flawed—she’s easy to sympathize with, but just as easily forgettable. She’s strong enough to survive outside of the Society, but just barely. I can’t quite decide if she’s so blank by accident, or if the author has expertly molded her into the inevitable byproduct of the Society. After all, this isn’t so much her story as the portrayal of a dystopian world. Cassia grew a lot in book one of the series. She seems to stagnate in CROSSED. I’d like to see her evolve more in the next book and face more truly ambiguous decisions.

The Heroes:

This book focuses more on Ky, with half the story told from his perspective. Much of Ky’s allure in book one came from unraveling the mysterious unknown of a boy who was intentionally average on the surface and anything but underneath. Giving a view into his thoughts takes away the opportunity to idealize him from Cassia’s perspective—and the beauty of romance, and young love, is the exceptional degree of idealization.

Riding along with Ky and seeing his story, I like him as a character and I’m interested in his future. I just don’t like him for Cassia and vice versa. I had a difficult time buying their romance in book one, and in CROSSED I just don’t feel it. This seems like a classic example of a couple coming together because everyone said they couldn’t, and if they ever get a little time together they’ll realize they shouldn’t. Still, Cassia and Ky fight hard to be together, and there’s a nobility to their struggle that makes you want them to succeed.

But don’t count Xander out quite yet. He manages to find a clever way to stay in Cassia’s thoughts, doing the seemingly impossible and simultaneously revealing his loyalties aren’t necessarily what they seem.

Jennifer's Final Thoughts:

CROSSED certainly has a story to tell, and if you care about the characters it’s worth reading. As a continuation of the series, there are some interesting reveals and twists you’ll never see coming, but as a standalone book, CROSSED lacks the magic so beautifully infused into MATCHED.

The potential of this series lies primarily in the intricacies of the dystopian world and its ability to subtly offer us the chance to evaluate our lives and our place in society. A secondary offering is the intrigue from the darker side of a seemingly utopian world. There’s endless fun in discovering what the Officials are really up to and watching the Citizens silently shout their independence through small acts of civil disobedience. MATCHED did this so exceptionally well that CROSSED left me wanting.

From the direction at the end of CROSSED, I have every hope that the author is going back to the foundation of this series. I will definitely read the next book.

3 Stars

The Series:

MATCHED
CROSSED

About Jennifer Donohue: Traversing Corporate America by day, I write young adult paranormal novels by night. What better way to escape than by slipping into an alternate world and playing there for a while? Although for me it’s not just escape--the paranormal is my normal. Whether it’s falling into a ghost hunting group or finding myself living in a haunted house (thankfully past, not present), somehow the mystical world always finds me and lures me back into the fold. I live the paranormal, why not write there? You can friend Jennifer Donohue at Facebook.

Guest Review MATCHED by Ally Condie

2011-10-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

Review: MATCHED by Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Publisher: Speak, an Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Release: Re-release September 20, 2011
Review Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
366 Pages

Single Title/Series: MATCHED is book one in the Matched Trilogy.

Cover Thoughts: A simple yet effective representation of the story within—a beautiful girl tentatively pushes against the invisible but very real boundaries that define her existence. A lot of covers try too hard, this one effortlessly entices with vivid color and relevant imagery.

Origin: VampFanGirl received a published release copy of MATCHED from the publisher.

Guest Review by Jennifer Donohue:

The Plot:

Cassia Reyes lives in the world of the future, in a time when everything is orderly and perfect. The structured lives of citizens in the Society are very refined, planned right down to the last detail—including the day they die. They’re told where they will live and what they will do for work. Even their food is selected for them and delivered at predetermined times in small foil packages. Cassia easily accepts the lack of choice as the price for optimal health and a quiet life without the threat of crime.

Now, on her seventeenth birthday, Cassia nervously attends her Match Banquet with the exhilaration of a girl anticipating prom. She’s eager to learn which boy the Society has chosen for her future spouse, and she’s proud to be a part of it all. Cassia is thrilled when her handsome best friend, Xander, is revealed as her match, but her initial excitement is short-lived.

There’s a glitch with Cassia’s match, and instead of the customary one, the Matching screen shows two matches—Xander and Ky. The Matching System is designed to select each person’s perfect Match and the Society never makes mistakes. What could this mean? An Official quickly contacts Cassia to correct the error, but the damage is done. The existence of a flaw in the system opens her mind to the possibility that the Society is not so infallible after all.

Cassia quickly finds herself sliding down a slippery slope as she begins breaking the rules and questioning the intentions of the Society. And although her official Match is Xander, she can’t help but notice Ky, the quiet boy who moved to their neighborhood years ago under unusual circumstances. What if Xander was the mistake and Ky was supposed to be her Match? Each boy represents a different aspect of her world. One holds the promise of everything she’s been taught life should be, while the other pulls her out of her easy view of life to see the darker, hidden elements of the Society. Who will she pick when the choice isn’t even hers to make?

The Heroine:

Young Adult heroines must tread a fine line between accurately hormonal teenage girl and likeable protagonist. Too often, the characters are sent way over the top into emotional mayhem and aggressively defiant independence. Cassia Reyes is a welcome change. She is normal—an intelligent, rational girl who loves her family and tires to follow the rules. The author does an exceptional job depicting Cassia’s struggle as she breaks the accepted standards of the Society to follow her heart. She’s easy to relate to and the evolution of her character is very organic and believable.

The Heroes:

It wouldn’t be YA without a love triangle. Xander and Ky are both perfectly suitable objects of Cassia’s affection. Well, maybe not according to the strict rules of the Society. One of them holds a secret that sets him worlds apart from the others in terms of rights and privileges of citizenship.

Xander is a high-achieving type A. He’s good at everything he does and Cassia’s thrilled he’s her Match. Ky’s lived in the neighborhood for years, but Cassia knows very little about him beyond the fact that she can’t get him out of her head since seeing him flash onto her Match screen. I applaud the author for making both boys appealing in their own way. Cassia’s choice isn’t obvious, and that makes Matched all the more fun.

Jennifer's Final Thoughts:

This book is light on romance and heavy on dystopian concepts. This happens to work well for me because I love reading stories set in extreme civilizations that make people take a closer look at—and question—their own circumstances. How much are we willing to give up for a perceived feeling of security? What if the established system isn’t fair, but we happen to be part of the group that receives the privileges? These are some of the issues Cassia must face.

While the romance is central to the story, I wasn’t swept up by it. In fact, I’ll admit for the longest time I was either unable to see where it was going, or I was stubbornly refusing to see because I wanted the other guy to win. Quite possibly I was just much more interested in the Society, with their rules and restrictions, because the author so masterfully built it from the beginning of the story and kept adding new elements, continuously upping the ante.

With a beautifully rendered dystopian world, Matched engaged me from the first scene through the last. Whispers of sinister underpinnings provide an endless store of intrigue to propel the reader forward. Every Citizen carries three emergency pills at all times, what are they for? Why aren’t they allowed into each other’s homes? And why is everyone so afraid to break the rules? I can’t promise that all of these questions are answered in Matched, but I can say this book is a fun read and once you pick it up, it won’t be long before you’re ready to read Crossed.

5 Stars

The Series:

MATCHED
CROSSED - Releases November 1, 2011

About Jennifer Donohue: Traversing Corporate America by day, I write young adult paranormal novels by night. What better way to escape than by slipping into an alternate world and playing there for a while? Although for me it’s not just escape--the paranormal is my normal. Whether it’s falling into a ghost hunting group or finding myself living in a haunted house (thankfully past, not present), somehow the mystical world always finds me and lures me back into the fold. I live the paranormal, why not write there? You can friend Jennifer Donohue at Facebook.

What's Up Wednesday! (30)

2011-09-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

Well, I've recently discovered two things: One, I love prequels and I'll explain why further down in my movie review section. And two, I've discovered that my maternal grandmother is cruel. She is and I feel in a way that by recognizing this, I've lost an innocence that I didn't even know I had left to loose.

If you met my grandma you'd think her the sweetest woman and in a way, you would be right. She is super sweet and most enjoy her presence. What you wouldn't know is the necessity of guarding your tongue. My grandma is a hound dog for gossip and once she's got something juicy, she'll spread it around like wild fire. Gossip isn't a bad thing. Old biddies love to gossip but my grandma is smart, smarter than I've given her credit for. Or rather, it's not that I didn't think her smart it's that I didn't think her capable of wielding such passive aggressive cruelty against her own family.

Here's what happened: My mom's birthday was last week. She had a good time. A real good time. Give my mom three glasses of wine and she's a hoot and a holler! Thinking nothing of it, I went about my life. A few days later, my grandma calls me all serious like wanting to know if my mom was mad at her and if she had a good time at her birthday dinner. My response was of course, couldn't you tell? Apparently not. My grandma distorted every moment into a vicious act by my mom all of which she believed was directed at her. A bit shocked by my grandma's misguided observations, I told her repeatedly throughout the conversation that she was wrong and that her impressions where hers and hers alone. Knowing that my grandma spreads gossip, I didn't want her telling people that she thought my mom had behaved poorly especially where my grandma was concerned. My efforts were in vain.

It turns out that my grandma told my mom's sister who phoned my mom peeved as hell. Now mind you, her information is totally wrong because it's coming from my grandma. Some further back story: My family is a extremely divided but it's left me wondering if some of the reason is because of my grandma. She intentionally pollutes one or more people with her own misguided perceptions effectively turning that person against another. It doesn't help that no one will confront each other or resolve issues, instead, things are brushed under the rug to fester and rot. In a way, this allows my grandma to have control over each individual. She'll always be overlooked in a group but on an individual scale, she'll appear the one with all the knowledge.

Not so funny ending: My grandma calls my mom making no mention of the fact that she's been bad mouthing her to the entire family but instead acts as though she has no problem whatsoever. As if the whole thing never happened. As if she's just a little old lady minding her own business. Now that's the cruelest act of it all.

Weekend Movie Review!

I've come to the realization that I love prequels. Think "Casino Royale", "Wolverine: Origins" and now "X-Men: First Class". I love learning why characters are the way they are. For instance, I loved learning why Bond wears tailored suits, why he likes his drink shaken not stirred, why he's a womanizer, and most importantly, why he distrusts all but himself. Simply put, I love the rush of discovery.

"X-Men: First Class" featuring James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. First of all, it's official, I've fallen head-over-heels in love with Michael Fassbender and to some extent, James McAvoy. God these boys with their lilting brogues know how to bring me to my knees!! This is the prequel to X-Men. We learn the discovery of mutants and the entire backstory for Charles Xavier (McAvoy) and Eric Lehnsherr a.k.a. Magneto (Fassbender). This was good. So good! Set in the sixties during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the mutants unite to help stop World War III while also unveiling themselves to the world. My only complaint, the movie didn't feel or look like the sixties era except for when it came to the TV's. It was a bit jarring to randomly see old TV sets. Otherwise, loved the film and the actors. Rating: 4.5 Stars

"Thor" featuring Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth. After his arrogance thrusts his world to the brink of war, Thor (Hemsworth) is banished to exile on Earth. He must learn the error of his ways, to think of others and not only himself. Once he's done that, he can reclaim the powers he's been stripped of and return home. In the meantime, he's thumping and fighting his way on Earth with the help of Jane Foster (Portman). On the brink of scientific discovery, Jane wants answers from Thor but she's also finding herself falling in love with the him. When this golden hunk of man starts to gentle and show some manners, he's pretty stirring and definitely not hard to look at. Not much of a plot but featuring some laughs, excellent special effects, and a beautiful lead hero, "Thor" is good one night stand. I doubt I'd give him a second run though. Rating: 3 Stars

What's new in romance!

Want to know how much influence and editor has on an author? Check out a discussion with paranormal romance author Meljean Brook and Berkley editor, Cindy Hwang HERE on GoodReads.

Meljean Brook is giving away some ARC's of her steampunk November release HEART OF STEEL HERE!

Here's some new cover candy:

TANGLE OF NEED by Nalini Singh

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Release Date: May 29, 2012

Series: Psy-Changeling Book 11

So, what's new with you?

Review: DEMON MARKED by Meljean Brook

2011-09-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

Review: DEMON MARKED by Meljean Brook

Nicholas St. Croix is familiar with the evil of demons. After his father’s death, a demon took over his mother’s body and raised him. Six years ago, his “mother” was responsible for the disappearance of the woman he loved, and Nicholas swore he’d find her—even if he had to go to Hell and back. Except she finds him first—and with one tormented kiss, he knows she too is a demon. Now he is determined to take his revenge…

Ash is a half-demon with no memory of her past or how she got to Hell. All she knows is that Nicholas St. Croix holds the key to her identity. And though he’s clearly drawn to her, Nicholas makes no secret of his distrust of her. Yet one kiss at a time, he breaks down her defenses as they battle an array of demons and Guardians. But is Ash’s greatest enemy the man at her side?

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Review Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Paranormal Romance
336 Pages

Single Title/Series: DEMON MARKED is book 7 in the Guardian Series. Intricately detailed and vast in scope, this is a series where one should seriously consider starting at the beginning. While Ash, the heroine, is extremely new to the world and you can experience this journey with her as a new-to-the-series reader, the plot arcs and secondary characters will have much more meaning if you start with book one. Also, seriously this series is kick ass and I promise you're in for a good time. No money wasted here with this author.

Cover Thoughts: Alright, I'll speak the truth. This cover wasn't a favorite of mine. But that was then and this is my reigning thought now: LOVE IT! There's a scene in the book where the hero describes the look, dress and mannerisms of the heroine and the Berkley Art Department nailed it! Honestly I feel like I'm looking at Ash. The only aspect not spot on is her demon markings which I seriously doubt could ever be replicated based on the book's description, so I'm still good.

Origins: I purchased this book for my own reading enjoyment.

My Review:

The Plot:

Awakening in a psychiatric hospital from a three year catatonic haze, Ash has no memory of the past or who she is except for fleeting nightmares of ice and terror. Escaping with what little information she could find in her patient files, Ash heads to London, to Nicholas St. Croix and the possibility of discovering who and what she is for she's decidedly not human but something...other. While this otherness would undoubtedly cause fear in any normal person, little affects Ash. The blistering cold winter weather in London, while uncomfortable, doesn't slow her down. She needs no nourishment and no sleep. And while people and their thoughts fascinate her, Ash can't manage to produce any emotion of her own. That is until something, someone or some action sparks a moment of familiarity, not exactly a memory, but rather a sense of déjà vu. Upon finding Nicholas, Ash doesn't sense the familiarity she seeks until he captures her mouth in a ravenous kiss.

Concluding what must be a demon wearing the guise of his long dead girlfriend, Rachel Boyle, Nicholas St. Croix feels a rushing gush of hatred and malevolent glee as the opportunity to finally slay the demon that ruined his life now stands before him, snared in his trap. Wanting answers and expecting the demon executing Rachel's mannerisms with perfect ease to lie just as easily, Nicholas enters into a bargain that completely benefits his cause. The demon will tell him everything she knows, never lie, and if she's not the one he seeks, then she'll help him find her; her being Madelyn, his mother. In exchange, Nicholas will help the demon discover who she is. Momentarily leaden with disappointment when the demon confirms under the bargain that she's not Madelyn, Nicholas does however discover that his demon is the perfect bait and he'll use her to draw Madelyn in then slay her just as he'll slay Madelyn. Until then, he'll continue to believe that everything the demon says is a lie or some manipulative effort to discover his weaknesses and divert him from his goal of revenge.

Ash can easily discern Nicholas's distrust but that's about it. The first human she's come across that can completely shield their emotions from her, Ash finds herself forced to analyse other aspects of Nicholas's behavior in order to figure out what he's thinking. An amusing game to be sure but it also draws her focus to his body arousing her mentally and physically. She wants him badly and she tells him as much only to meet his vocal refusal but his body says differently. However, sex falls to the back burner when Ash has a telling run-in with another demon. Equipped with no fighting skills and no ability to fly, Ash is tossed around like a rag doll and nearly killed begging the question: what is Ash?

Nicholas, experiencing a rush of unfamiliar protective instincts, re-organizes his priorities. Determined to train Ash to the best of his capable abilities, they hide out at Nicholas's hunting cabin in rural middle America. It's there that Nicholas discovers, and more importantly, that he believes Ash is the exception to the rule. But just when he accepts that he's fallen in love with a demon, the Guardians descend upon their hideaway and flay open the tenuous trust between him and Ash while unveiling a plot that will send her straight back to Hell. For years, Nicholas has derived relentless propulsion from his obsessive need for revenge against the demon that crushed his father, killed his mother, and verbally stripped him of his innocence. Now, having found Ash, having reawakened his heart to life and love, Nicholas will turn all that obsessive, single-minded focus on saving her from a fate he'd sooner die from himself rather than endure.

The Heroine:

Embodying an empty but malleable shell of a soul, Ash, a halfling demon, molds herself from her immediate experiences, her mind like a sponge soaking up everything she comes into contact with. Despite her early inability to convey emotion of her own, there's a gentle caring and hollow sadness to her that quickly and effectively captures your heart. You believe in Ash and you want her to have her Happily Ever After for you know instinctively that she deserves it.

Truthfully, Ash's hollowness is the perfect shield to Nicholas's scathing and unveiled opinion of her. Any other woman would shrink beneath the coldness of his unrelenting gaze and blade of a tongue. But while most are immediately rebuffed, Ash has the patience to look beyond Nicholas's ruthlessly composed exterior, hunting effectively for cracks that lead to his true self. She thinks like the demon she is to unravel the mystery that is Nicholas but she talks and touches him with all her growing humanity. Seriously, the guy stood no chance.

The Hero:

Nearly stone cold to the depths of his marrow, Nicholas St. Croix isn't the easiest hero to fall in love with. His distrust for all but himself shines lethally from his icy blue eyes and coats every word that slips bitterly off his tongue. While Nicholas doesn't think himself damaged, it's clear to the reader that he is and fundamentally so. But when Nicholas falls, he falls exceptionally hard. Suddenly wielding a fierce brand of love, Nicholas becomes an unstoppable, self-sacrificing force that launches him straight to Herodom!

A beguiling character to be sure and one that effectively draws you in like a moth to a flame, Nicholas is a hero I won't be forgetting any time soon. With his entire motivation stemming from revenge, Nicholas eschews life to pursue a demon who couldn't care less if he lives or dies. All that he is and all that he does culminates from this deep-seeded and greedy drive. But this revenge of his defines him in such a unique way. While it could for all intents and purposes, debilitate him in the end, Nicholas has the means and the intelligence to recognize the real meaning in life and that meaning is Ash. But seriously, to meet the guy in reality would be terrifying but oh to be the center of that intense focus. Wow.

My Final Thoughts:

A tight, well plotted, and fantastic addition to the Guardian series, DEMON MARKED ushers fans into the red zone of Michael's long awaited story with a gutsy romance and a most terrifying trip to Hell.

Meljean Brook, fearless as ever, tackles two incredibly difficult characters, breaking them open oh so very slowly, page by page, to unveil an interesting and incredibly unique hero/heroine pairing. An alternate name suggestion for DEMON MARKED is Demon Awakened for both Nicholas and Ash go through an awakening; a rebirth. Nicholas, dead to all but what directly influences his means of revenge, awakens gloriously when he finally accepts his love for Ash. Similarly, Ash is numb, an emotionless being stripped of all that she once was seeking now the answer to her unknown identity. It's Nicholas that awakens her heart. He forces her to re-experience the emotions brutally taken from her and helps her reshape and claim herself as Ash. Standing back and absorbing the novel as a whole, the character growth is fierce and merciless but stunningly beautiful.

In addition, DEMON MARKED offers a new unfettered view of the Guardian world. It offers a new test on what makes a character worthy of this dangerous but rewarding world while also re-examining the Rules that govern it with such cutting brutality. For a steady number of installments, characters have known and understood the land upon which they fight but Ash and Nicholas, theirs is one of new learning. Perhaps a revisit of the building blocks is necessary to go on but whatever its reason, the closer look at the basic elements - basic but no less important - was welcomed by this reader. I had forgotten the power of these simple yet deeply layered rules.

Finally, I must draw attention to the rather excellent pacing of this book. These are no easy reads by any stretch and each one is packed to the brim with important and specific information heralding a clear indication that considerable time is spent on their creation and subsequent choreography. It's clear that Meljean Brook has honed her craft and wields now it with incredible daring. I will always look forward to what she delivers for it will undoubtedly be a new addicting flavor for this particularly ravenous appetite.

Topping a very short list of unparalleled paranormal romance authors, Meljean Brook has built a stunning work of collective art with her Guardian Series and has only managed to strengthen it that much more with DEMON MARKED. A novel forged from the icy numbness of its hero and heroine and ultimately shaped by their inevitable and spectacular melting destiny, DEMON MARKED is an absolute must read. Enjoy!

4.5 Stars

The Series:

DEMON ANGEL
DEMON MOON
DEMON NIGHT
DEMON BOUND
DEMON FORGED
DEMON BLOOD
DEMON MARKED
Untitled Book 8 (Michael's Book) - Releasing Late 2012

DEMON MARKED Release Day Celebration Winner!

2011-09-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

Michelle Bledsoe

CONGRATULATIONS!

*********************************************************

Here's some interesting stats I derived from your answers to my question: Which of Meljean's books had you falling in love with her as an author and why? If you haven't read Meljean Brook say so and why.

32% have never read Meljean Brook. Of those, 33% just recently discovered her.
28% became hooked on Meljean Brook after reading THE IRON DUKE, book 1 in the Iron Seas Series.
19% became hooked on Meljean Brook after reading one of her many novellas.
16% became hooked on Meljean Brook after reading DEMON ANGEL, book 1 in the Guardian Series.
5% - Other

*********************************************************

DEMON MARKED by Meljean Brook

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Release Date: September 7, 2011

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: Guardians Book 7

Nicholas St. Croix is familiar with the evil of demons. After his father’s death, a demon took over his mother’s body and raised him. Six years ago, his “mother” was responsible for the disappearance of the woman he loved, and Nicholas swore he’d find her—even if he had to go to Hell and back. Except she finds him first—and with one tormented kiss, he knows she too is a demon. Now he is determined to take his revenge…
Ash is a half-demon with no memory of her past or how she got to Hell. All she knows is that Nicholas St. Croix holds the key to her identity. And though he’s clearly drawn to her, Nicholas makes no secret of his distrust of her. Yet one kiss at a time, he breaks down her defenses as they battle an array of demons and Guardians. But is Ash’s greatest enemy the man at her side?

Stephanie Chong's WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD Winner!

2011-09-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

donnas

CONGRATULATIONS!!

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WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD by Stephanie Chong

Publisher: Harlequin/MIRA
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Series: Company of Angels Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
368 Pages

Fledgling guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission – to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, Archdemon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager…

After the disastrous way his human life ended, Julian vowed that no woman would get the better of him again. Yet this sexy-sweet angel, smelling of fresh ocean air and happiness, triggers centuries-old feelings. Now, their high-stakes game of seduction, where angels fall from grace and where demons fear to tread, will lead them either to an eternity in hell…or a deliciously hot heaven.

What's Up Wednesday! (29)

2011-09-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

Well, Southern California, Tijuana, Mexico, and western Arizona received a little taste of Armageddon last Thursday after 1.4 million San Diego Gas & Electric customers lost power for 12 to 15 hours. When I say 1.4 million customers, that's just the individual houses and businesses but in truth, nearly 5 million people were affected. 5 MILLION PEOPLE!

I was at work when at 3:40 p.m. the building suddenly went dark. In general, a power outage isn't too cumbersome. Typically occurring in the middle of the night, one doesn't necessarily even realize the temporary set back to the stone age until the sun pops up and you're now running way late because your alarm didn't go off. Nothing too scary. But when the power goes out, doesn't come back on, and your car radio is saying that all of San Diego county is dark, now that's a legitimate excuse to panic.

No sooner had power gone out when the cell phone grid crashed due to 5 million people attempting to contact loved ones, emergency assistance, and of course, San Diego Gas & Electric. People's first thought was terrorist attack. The timing couldn't be more perfect or more worse given the fact that the ten year anniversary of 9/11 was in just two days time. Adding fuel to the fire, it was absolutely impossible to get answers. It took two hours for the SDG&E President to finally come on air and say that this event was not the result of a terrorist attack. Well, if not that than what happened?!

One man.

One man managed to press the big red button saying "Power for Southern California On/Off Switch". Seriously!

And while some women I know found the whole lights out epidemic to be the perfect opportunity for a romantic interlude with their hubby's, mine was on complete red alert. Everywhere we went, he carried his prized home defense shot gun and sling of buck shot. Yes, while some men where giving their women some sexy alone time, mine was running around playing Rambo. And while Mr. VFG was have a grand time of it, the shot gun and intense atmosphere was twisting my gut a bit. And well, to be perfectly honest, I'm terrified of the dark. No joke, when I had to go upstairs to wash my face and get my pj's, I had to ask my husband to come with me.

But you know what was amazing, when all was said and done, there was no violence. Instead, you heard reports of neighborhood block parties happening all over the county. Adults were getting together to BBQ, to drink and to let their children run around playing light sabers with flashlights. Are we not the coolest bunch of humanity? You gotta love San Diego for that.

Weekend Movie Review!

"The Change-Up" featuring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman. A classic switch-a-roo of souls, best friends Mitch Planko (Reynolds) and Dave Lockwood (Bateman) have gone down different paths over the course of their lives. Successful lawyer and married with three children, Dave's burnt out and wishing for Mitch's life which is filled with oodles of sexual escapades and endless hours of play time. Both wanting what the other has, Dave and Mitch find each other suddenly living the other's life after peeing into a fountain together. Having not gone into the movie expecting much, I found it to be extremely enjoyable. Well written and laugh out loud funny, there's some real depth to "The Change-Up". Rating: 4 Stars

What's new in romance?

Here's some fun cover candy for you:

Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden

Publisher: Signet
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Series: Lost Angels Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Four thousand years ago, four archangels were cast down to Earth in human form. God's favourites, they came to find their mates, the other half of their souls made only for them, without whom they will ever be complete.

Uriel, Gabriel, Azrael and Michael, however, were not alone. They were followed by another, determined to find the archesses for himself, and whose power cannot be underestimated. But after centuries of fruitless searching, the archangels - and their enemy - have all but given up hope.

Until one day beautiful and gifted Eleanore Granger crosses paths with Uriel, the Angel of Vengeance. And as a storm rages, outside forces conspire together, initiating an age old battle of good versus evil to win the first archess.

More angels! YAY! While the cover isn't necessarily a winner, I can't wait to see what new twists this author will bring to the genre.

BLOODRIGHT by Karin Tabke

Publisher: Berkley Heat
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Series: Blood Moon Trilogy Book 2
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Their shared blood will destroy them in hatred–or unite them in passion…

After years of waiting, Lycan Alpha Lucien Mondragon is poised to take revenge on his brother, Rafael, by killing Rafael’s life mate, the Lycan/Slayer half-breed Falon—but he cannot complete the kill. Instead of ending her life, Lucien defiantly marks Falon as his own.

Though terrified by the savage Lucien, Falon finds herself drawn to him. Torn between the love she has for Rafael and the hunger she holds for Lucien, the will of Falon’s heart will lead her to her destined life mate–but it may also doom the brothers and the
Lycan race to extinction…

BLOOD LAW ended with one hell of a cliff hanger that left me in dire need for more. I'm also dying to see how Karin redeems Lucien.

So, what are you guys up to?

Guest Post & Giveaway with Stephanie Chong

2011-09-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD by Stephanie Chong

Publisher: Harlequin/MIRA
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Series: Company of Angels Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
368 Pages

Fledgling guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission – to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, Archdemon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager…

After the disastrous way his human life ended, Julian vowed that no woman would get the better of him again. Yet this sexy-sweet angel, smelling of fresh ocean air and happiness, triggers centuries-old feelings. Now, their high-stakes game of seduction, where angels fall from grace and where demons fear to tread, will lead them either to an eternity in hell…or a deliciously hot heaven.

*********************************************************

Hi Everyone! Please join me in welcoming debut paranormal romance author Stephanie Chong to Lovin' Me Some Romance!

About the Author: (From Author's Website) Stephanie worked as a lawyer at a top-tier Canadian firm and completed five university degrees before landing her dream job: romance novelist. Her degrees include a J.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s in Creative Writing from Oxford University. When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys yoga, traveling and outdoor adventures. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and their pug, Dexter.

Guest Post:

Why the sudden clamor for angel-themed paranormals in today's market?

As for the angel trend in paranormal these days, I don’t think anybody can say for sure what drives any trend. My best guess is that there are a lot of writers who want to expand the paranormal genre, who are looking for something other than vampires. There are so many amazing, spectacularly outstanding vampire stories out there.

There’s another element to why I think this trend is catching on.

We live in difficult times.

The world has been sunk in a recession for several years. As I write this, the UK is reeling in the aftermath of mass riots. Drought-stricken East Africa is struggling with a famine. The environment seems to be falling apart. With the incredibly wide range of the Internet, mass tragedies hit with a harder impact than ever before. These days, I believe global events affect us all on a far more personal level than they did in the past.

Ultimately, I think the interest in the angel trend stems from people’s need to escape from the overwhelming nature of modern life, even if only for a little while. And our desire to explore the idea that there really is a reason for everything that happens.

Stories about angels and demons give us a chance to think about big concepts like redemption and forgiveness. And about resistance in the face of the greatest adversity possible: pure evil.

Was this market need taken into consideration when writing WDFTT?

No way. The conventional advice is this: do not write to catch a trend, because trends are impossible to catch.

I started writing Where Demons Fear to Tread in January 2009. At that time, there was such thing as an angel trend. There were a few angel books out there, but nothing you could identify as “a market need.”

What I did take into consideration was, as I mentioned above, the state of the world and what I want to contribute to it. Above all, I wanted to write a story that celebrates the power of love.

By the time I met my editor in October 2009, there were whisperings of an angel trend. I was extremely lucky that everything fell into place for this book. And now, here we are nearly two years later, in the middle of what you call a “clamor.” :)

Giveaway Details:

Thanks to Planned TV Arts, I have one copy of WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD to give away! Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to USA and Canada ONLY**

***Contest Closes Thursday, September 15th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen by Sue Moorcroft and Announced Friday, September 16th***

Review: WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD by Stephanie Chong

2011-09-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

Review: WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD by Stephanie Chong

Fledgling guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares enter Devil’s Paradise nightclub on a mission – to retrieve the wayward Hollywood “It Boy” she’s assigned to protect. But she’s ambushed by the club’s owner, Archdemon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won’t release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager…

After the disastrous way his human life ended, Julian vowed that no woman would get the better of him again. Yet this sexy-sweet angel, smelling of fresh ocean air and happiness, triggers centuries-old feelings. Now, their high-stakes game of seduction, where angels fall from grace and where demons fear to tread, will lead them either to an eternity in hell…or a deliciously hot heaven.

Publisher: Harlequin/MIRA
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Review Format: ARC Edition
Genre: Paranormal Romance
368 Pages

Single Title/Series: WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD is book one in the Company of Angels Series.

Cover Thoughts: Absolutely stunning and a wonderful representation of the genre as well as the novel's contents. Love it!

Origin: I received an Advanced Review Copy from Planned Television Arts in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:

The Plot:

Fledgling Guardian Angel, Serena St. Claire, is deep into her first mission when she finds herself ensnared within the inescapable and notoriously cunning grasp of an Archdemon. Tracking her Assignee - the human she's tasked with protecting - to Devil's Paradise, a night club in the heart of Los Angeles, Serena waltzes in with the naive intention of securing her charge and leaving just as quickly. However, Devil's Paradise isn't just your run-of-the-mill nightclub. Just as its name implies, the club is the ultimate sinning ground for the devil and his minions. More accurately, its the home of an Archdemon - a demon who answers only to the Devil himself - and one who just happens to own this particular nightclub as well as all of Los Angels and Serena has just fallen prey to his unwavering focus.

For two centuries, Julian Ascher has built his demonic empire upon thousands of fallen human souls. Fueled by the rush of corruption, Julian once reveled with sinful glee as human after human fell beneath his subtle but effective whisperings of sin. With his clubs providing the perfect environment to topple even more souls into Hell, Julian has begun to find things a little too easy and perhaps a touch too bland until suddenly an angel walks into Devil's Paradise. Serena St. Claire is beauty in it's purest form. Radiating an innocence that boils his lust, Julian is obsessively determined to keep his beguiling new pet. Corrupting Serena's instinctual self-sacrificing nature, Julian twists and cajoles her into staying one week with him in Las Vegas, the devil's playground, or he'll determinedly harm her beloved brother and corruptible Assignee. While a piquing nag of guilt threatens his previously non-existent subconscious, Julian, disturbed by this strange and sudden fault in his character, finds it all the more urgent to burn out the bright light that is Serena.

Coerced into spending seven interminable days with Julian Ascher, Serena's emotions war between abject hatred and paralyzing fear. There's also a certain amount of intrigue for the Archdemon that irritatingly clouds her thoughts and worse, her judgement. Determined to never forget that a malevolent creature lies beneath Julian's masculine beauty, Serena blocks his every advance. It's not hard in the beginning. Never having been interested in Las Vegas, a frivolous playground to be sure, Serena isn't enamored with the bright lights or tinkling opulence. Nor is she overly impressed with the high end fashion that Julian had the audacity to purchase for her. Material goods never mattered to Serena when she was human and they definitely don't matter now that she's an angel. But the longer she's in Julian's company the more of an effect he has on her. Not a minute of the day or night goes by when he's not by her side, softening her will power and bending her body to his sensual pull.

Striking out again and again when trying to appeal to Serena's womanly greed for material goods, Julian rethinks his strategy with the realization that in order to get to his angel's heart, he'll have to first appeal to her mind. But the more he learns about Serena, the more Julian wishes to cherish her rather than oblige his Liege and topple her into Hell. With this thought also comes unexpected terror. Having selfishly dragged Serena to Las Vegas, Julian has unthinkingly exposed her to true evil, an evil that will think nothing of hunting her down and murdering her for the simple and pure enjoyment of crushing innocence in its truest form. For the first time in two centuries, Julian despises his own inherent evil and the havoc he has and still does cause. Believing that the only way to save Serena is by making her believe in his rejection, Julian brutally tosses her aside while he himself cripples beneath the sheer love that she freely offers while recognizing it as a love he never once earned.

The Heroine:

From the deepest heart of her core and radiating outward, Serena St. Claire is goodness. But having scrupulously toed the line as a human, Serena is even more monkish in her lifestyle as an angel. On closer scrutiny, it could be said that she's never truly lived life even when she had it firmly within her grasp. She's never loved or been even remotely spontaneous and you can just forget about reckless. Now, having died young and reincarnated into her angelic self, Serena has been offered a new shot at life but does she have the courage take it? Only the sheer force of Julian's demonic manipulation empowers Serena to finally stare that question in the face and make a choice.

The Hero:

The dark opposite to Serena's radiating light, Julian Ascher is a demon with a complex rational of sin and justice that's strangely logical. However, he's also incredibly ruthless and thinks nothing of backing Serena into an inescapable corner simply for his own selfish amusement. He's a bad a guy. Period. But thankfully, a redeemable one.

As a human, Julian once couldn't wait to help those around him. A member of the English Aristocracy, Julian endeavored proactively to help and protect his tenants but when a woman manipulated him into committing murder, Julian's angry soul sunk into the bowels of Hell. Tormented by the injustice of his human life, Julian began tormenting other damned souls and found he had a knack for it. Another being noticed this too. Soon his ability propelled him straight to the top as an Archdemon but one who never could forget that he had once sought to be the exact opposite of what he is now. Strangely vulnerable, Julian falls heavily for Serena. For the first time in two centuries, he's once again thinking of someone other than himself. But he may be too late. His wicked ways may have already prevailed but he'll commit every sin in the book if it helps him save Serena from the danger his selfishness has plunged her unwittingly into.

My Final Thoughts:

WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD embodies an interesting plot premise that shows vast promise and appeal. Unfortunately, a disappointing lack of strong worldbuilding and a heroine that exhibits one too many too-stupid-to-live moments downgrades an otherwise good read.

While readers' appetites for worldbuilding vary greatly, whether it be great or small, one always expects a least some clear understanding of the rules. Instead, I found myself trapped within a continuous stream of questions. Not to say that questions can't good but with each question, as a reader, we expect answers eventually - especially with regards to basic worldbuilding. With why and how dominating my thoughts, a strong lack of believability began to settle over my reading experience. Such distractions created a disjointed narrative flow providing more and more opportunities for me to put the book down and do something else.

In addition, the first quarter of the book is incredibly rough. Serena - young, naive and strangely without any power whatsoever - locks lips with a decidedly powerful Archdemon within pages of meeting. This is a demon who quickly twists her natural desire to protect so hatefully that I almost let the book go. I'm sorry, but unlike Serena, if an evil demon was threatening my brother's life, even if it was simply an act of manipulation, no way in Hell would I be warring with my libido over his sexy good looks. Thankfully, the author finds her groove and her scenes smooth out once Julian and Serena reach Las Vegas. In fact, there are numerous instances within the final three quarters where the author gripped me with such incredible strength that the torturous beginning soon became worthwhile.

While not the most amazing paranormal romance to hit the market, WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD shows some good promise. There's undoubtedly talent here and I'm curious to watch as this author develops.

3 Stars

The Series:

WHERE DEMONS FEAR TO TREAD
THE DEMONESS OF WAKING DREAMS - Releasing 2012

Release Day Celebration & Giveaway DEMON MARKED by Meljean Brook!

2011-09-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

DEMON MARKED by Meljean Brook

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: TODAY!!!
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Guardians Book 7

Nicholas St. Croix is familiar with the evil of demons. After his father’s death, a demon took over his mother’s body and raised him. Six years ago, his “mother” was responsible for the disappearance of the woman he loved, and Nicholas swore he’d find her—even if he had to go to Hell and back. Except she finds him first—and with one tormented kiss, he knows she too is a demon. Now he is determined to take his revenge…

Ash is a half-demon with no memory of her past or how she got to Hell. All she knows is that Nicholas St. Croix holds the key to her identity. And though he’s clearly drawn to her, Nicholas makes no secret of his distrust of her. Yet one kiss at a time, he breaks down her defenses as they battle an array of demons and Guardians. But is Ash’s greatest enemy the man at her side?

In case you haven't noticed already, I'm a shameless die-hard fan of Meljean Brook and her Guardians series. And since today is such a happy day in VFG-Landia, I'm throwing a mini release day celebration with one giant prize in honor of the long awaited DEMON MARKED!!

Giveaway Details:

Winner to receive a $50 Gift Card to Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble - PLUS - a copy of DEMON MARKED - AND FINALLY - winner's choice of any book from Meljean Brook's Guardians Series. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with your answer to this question: Which of Meljean books had you falling in love with her as an author and why? If you haven't read Meljean Brook say so and why.*

**Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)**

***BONUS ENTRY: After commenting, should you post and or tweet about this giveaway (and provide the link in an additional comment), you will be entered in the drawing twice.***

****Contest Open to USA Only****

*****Contest Closes Thursday, September 15th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, September 16th*****

September Monthly Giveaway!

2011-09-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys! As a refresher to regulars and for those that haven't participated before or are new to the blog, my monthly giveaways are not just a way to unburden my overflowing book shelves, but more importantly, it's a way to spread some love and thanks to LMSR's followers. You guys rock and your continued patronage of this blog is so very, very much appreciated.

For the month of September, I'm giving away three mini stacks of goodies for three separate winners. As usual, they'll be listed numerically, in this case they'll be Stack One, Stack Two, and Stack Three. Rank your most wanted stack to the least in the comments to enter. Here's our line up:

STACK ONE

QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Dianne Sylvan (Read Once, Good Condition) - MY REVIEW
TOUCH IF YOU DARE by Stephanie Rowe (Read Once, Good Condition) - MY REVIEW

STACK TWO

AMAZON QUEEN by Lori Devoti (NEW)
NECKING by Chris Salvatore (NEW)

STACK THREE

FADE TO BLACK by Leslie Parrish (NEW)
GHOST SHADOW by Heather Graham (NEW)

Giveaway Details:

*Leave a Comment with a List of Your Choices from Most Wanted to Least. First Drawn Winner will get their Top Pick and Second and Third to Follow*

**Must Be a Follower with a Valid Email Address (Entrants who are not followers and/or do not leave an email address will be disqualified) **

***Contest Open to US and Canada Only***

*****Contest Closes September 30th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and Winners will be Chosen Randomly and Announced No Later than October 6th*****

Eve Langlais's BUNNY AND THE BEAR Winner!

2011-09-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

Vivaciousgold

CONGRATULATIONS!

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BUNNY AND THE BEAR by Eve Langlais

Publisher: Eve Langlais
Release Date: August 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance
41,000 Words (Novella)

What’s a poor bear to do when all he wants is some sweet, bunny pie?

Bears and bunnies aren’t supposed to mix, or that’s what Chase keeps telling himself when his bouncy new neighbor won’t stay out of his business—and his mind. However, the more he gets to know his overly perky neighbor, the more he craves her—naked in his grasp—a desire worse than his addiction to honey and pie.

Miranda’s on a mission for the Furry United Coalition, and it involves secretly guarding one grumpy ol’ bear. Staying focused on the job isn’t easy when all she can think about is turning his frown upside down, a task made harder when she gets a glimpse of his passion. When she hears about his theory on woodland creatures and predators not mixing, she thinks all is lost, but she didn’t count on a bear’s curious nature—and possessive need.

When an evil force abducts Chase, Miranda unleashes her bunny in order to save him, but the revelation of her shifter side puts her in danger. Is one ornery bear enough to save her from a mad scientist? And if he does, can a bear forget her woodland creature status long enough to love her and make her his mate?

Warning: Pies were harmed in the making of this story and naughty references were made about honey that might offend some readers.

VFG's August Review Rundown, Upcoming Events & Monthly Giveaway Winners!

2011-09-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 13th edition of VampFanGirl's Monthly Review Rundown!

August Review Rundown:

4.5 Stars - A MIDNIGHT DANCE by Lila DiPasqua

4 Stars - TOUCH IF YOU DARE by Stephanie Rowe

4 Stars - QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Dianne Sylvan

August Event Recap:

While all the contest portions are of course closed, please feel free to check out the post content.

CLOSED - Guest Post with Sue Moorcroft
CLOSED - Interview with Lila DiPasqua
OPEN 'TIL MIDNIGHT, September 1st - Promo & Giveaway with Eve Langais

Upcoming September Events:

A quiet month unfortunately. Here's what I've booked so far:

September 12th - Guest Post with Stephanie Chong

August Monthly Giveaway Winners!

Finally, time for the winner announcement of my August Monthly Giveaway. Here we go:

jfort357 - Winning STACK THREE

alba - Winning STACK ONE

Tracy Smith - Winning STACK TWO

Super big thanks to all the followers who entered. And never fear, if you didn't win this giveaway, stay tuned for my September Monthly Giveaway announcement coming soon.

And that's the August Rundown everyone!

What's Up Wednesday! (28)

2011-08-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

Today's show is a bit different. It's Pimpin' Wednesday!!

OMG! Next Tuesday, September 6th, is a day I've been looking forward to all year! It's the day that my two favorite paranormal romance authors are releasing books!!!

Say hello to the two juicy reading delights that I'll soon be devouring:

YUMMMMMMM!!!!

Having journeyed with both these authors since their debut, they're releases have become special milestones marking the year. It's as though I've always got something to look forward to. Not only that, but I feel like they've both added substantially to my growth as a reader and as a reviewer. It was their books that made me want to get the word out on paranormal romance. In fact, one of my first early reviews was for Meljean's DEMON MOON. Don't go looking for it. It's heinous! And FYI, the one I posted on LMSR was a heavily revised version. Good luck finding the original! :)

Now, just because both these books release well into the depths of their series, don't be discouraged. In the case of DEMON MARKED, Meljean Brook has provided ample tools on her website for readers that haven't yet started the series and want to start with the latest release. In fact, her site in general is simply fantastic. Check it out HERE. And bonus, Ash, the heroine of DEMON MARKED, is very new to the world so really, this is a great place to become addicted. However, I do recommend checking out the whole series. Trust me, the Guardians series is a fantastic and worthwhile investment.

While ARCHANGEL'S BLADE is technically book four in the Guild Hunter series, I think this release is a very easy stand alone read. For one, the first three installments feature the same hero/heroine pairing so it's not like you'll be diving into the unknown. And two, Dimitri is a total mystery. Despite his many appearances, I have no idea who this vampire is beyond the fact that he's an archangel's second in command (that archangel being the luscious and otherworldly Raphael). For more on Dimitri and the Guild Hunter series, check out Nalini Singh's website.

What special reads are you guys waiting for and why?

Promo & Giveaway BUNNY AND THE BEAR by Eve Langlais

2011-08-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

BUNNY AND THE BEAR by Eve Langlais

Publisher: Eve Langlais
Release Date: August 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance
41,000 Words (Novella)

What’s a poor bear to do when all he wants is some sweet, bunny pie?

Bears and bunnies aren’t supposed to mix, or that’s what Chase keeps telling himself when his bouncy new neighbor won’t stay out of his business—and his mind. However, the more he gets to know his overly perky neighbor, the more he craves her—naked in his grasp—a desire worse than his addiction to honey and pie.

Miranda’s on a mission for the Furry United Coalition, and it involves secretly guarding one grumpy ol’ bear. Staying focused on the job isn’t easy when all she can think about is turning his frown upside down, a task made harder when she gets a glimpse of his passion. When she hears about his theory on woodland creatures and predators not mixing, she thinks all is lost, but she didn’t count on a bear’s curious nature—and possessive need.

When an evil force abducts Chase, Miranda unleashes her bunny in order to save him, but the revelation of her shifter side puts her in danger. Is one ornery bear enough to save her from a mad scientist? And if he does, can a bear forget her woodland creature status long enough to love her and make her his mate?

Warning: Pies were harmed in the making of this story and naughty references were made about honey that might offend some readers.

Read an Excerpt HERE!

Giveaway Details:

Eve Langlais is offering one copy of BUNNY AND THE BEAR to one lucky commenter. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to ALL**

***Must be 18 or Older to Enter***

****Contest Closes Thursday, September 1st at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, September 2nd****

Review: A MIDNIGHT DANCE by Lila DiPasqua

2011-08-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Review: A MIDNIGHT DANCE by Lila DiPasqua

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila DiPasqua weaves a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince...and make him pay.

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father's prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming--the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family's fall from grace--a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father's death, she's inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine's eccentric friends--the balance of her father's acting troupe--she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake--and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules's skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince...

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Review Format: ARC Paperback
Genre: Historical Romance
368 Pages

Single Title/Series: A MIDNIGHT DANCE is a stand alone novel.

Cover Thoughts: Absolutely enchanting. I especially love how the image ties back to a moment within the novel.

Origin: I received an Advanced Review Copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

My Review:

The Plot:

Once prosperous beyond their means, Sabine Laurent and her misfit theater troop family find themselves in dire straights. Saddled with a hefty and ever increasing debt payable to the Crown, they all face eviction and life on the streets, if they're lucky, a debtors prison if they're not. Penniless with no available resources to help clear their enormous debt, Sabine is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. After her educated ears pick up on two privateers boasting in Italian about a recent capture of a king's ransom worth of silver coins, Sabine devises a plan to steal the silver from the privateers. She'll offer her innocence to the thieving group's leader as a rouse while her young cousins knock out the remaining men with tainted wine. Once they've all dispatched their charges to a dreamless sleep, they'll swipe the silver and disappear. The plan begins without a hitch until Sabine's Dark Prince emerges looking as devastatingly handsome as ever.

Nothing will stop Jules de Moutier from reclaiming his family's prestigious title as well as the lands that were wrongfully taken from them. Accused of conspiring against the Crown, Jules's father, the Marquis de Blaineville, was dropped from a hangman's noose while his sons were left to rot in prison. Jules and his younger brother Luc were eventually released but while Luc seems content with their fall from grace, Jules is determined to clear his father's name and see himself reinstated to the title befitting his true station. Planning to use the stolen silver as the means to that end, Jules is not about to let his guard down but when a beautiful woman with hair of spun gold enters his camp offering her luscious charms, he can't resist partaking in the carnal delights she promises.

Having blamed the Moutier's not only for the harsh taxes they once levied against her family, but beyond that, Sabine blames them for her twin sister's alleged death. Isabelle was her closest confident, her best friend, and her blood. It tore Sabine's heart out when her father sent her to work as a servant for the Moutier's. Despite the letter from the Marquis de Blaineville stating dispassionately that Isabelle perished in a fire, Sabine doesn't feel that she's dead and with the fortune they'll reap from the silver, she's determined to find her sister and save her family. But at this moment, all of Sabine's anger and despair wars with her acute desire for Jules; her Dark Prince. Having once peered longingly at him from behind the stage curtains of her father's grand theater, Sabine imagined countless times what it would feel like to kiss her Dark Prince. And now she has her chance.

Embarking on a lush and sensual journey, Sabine basks in the momentary bliss Jules provides with each and every explosive sexual encounter. Living vicariously through a made up persona - Elise - Sabine soaks up every touch and emotion that rages across her titillated senses. Loathing herself for the lies she's weaved, Sabine can barely fight off her sickening gut as each moment spent with Jules unveils a caring man within his often arrogant exterior. When her deception is finally discovered by a furious Jules, a much larger and deadly plot is unveiled spelling both Sabine's and Jules's demise. Interwoven betwixt Isabelle's death and the Marquis de Blaineville's hanging lies a dangerous predator waiting to finish the destruction he's started with one grand and deadly finale.

The Heroine:

Sabine Laurent's radiant beauty and innocent demeanor may have many falling into the trap of underestimating her, however, beneath her stunning looks lies a resourceful, cunning and quick-witted woman who will do whatever is necessary to save and protect those she loves.

After years of suffering the tarnish and loss of poverty, Sabine's soul clings wearily but steadfastly to life. Forced to endure the near crippling blow of loosing of her beloved sister, Sabine's heart and mind have hardened to everything but the task at hand. To think beyond would only open herself to the cascade of heartbreak and defeat that already looms with a dire sense of inevitability on the horizon. The lights have burnt out for Sabine until Jules and the gift of his demanding passion opens her eyes and more importantly, her heart. While in his strong arms, Sabine watches the walls of her ever enclosing fate drop away to reveal the light of their combustible and all consuming passion. It is Jules de Moutier that reawakens Sabine to the world and the tempting possibility of hope.

The Hero:

Suffering the vile humiliation of toppling from the aristocracy to the title of outcast and betrayer, Jules de Moutier thinks of nothing but the injustice and wrongful persecution of his beloved father and noble family name. Despising his career as a privateer when he was once a privileged member of the Royal Navy, Jules is within clutching distance of reinstating his family to their former and noble glory.

Distrustful not by nature but by experience, Jules is hardened to any plight outside his own but then fate handed him Sabine. No matter if she's deceiving him as Elise, enraging him as Sabine, or eventually taming him with her loyal and loving heart, Jules was captured completely the moment she stepped foot into his camp and turned his life upside down. Breaking through the barriers wrought by his grudging anger, she floods his heart and soul with much needed light while her cunning perseverance keeps him on his toes and her wild passion enraptures him to a point of no return.

My Final Thoughts:

A MIDNIGHT DANCE is a lush and exotic retelling of its fairy tale inspiration: Cinderella. Enchanting the reader with steamy sexual delights and the titillating breath of danger, Lila DiPasqua weaves her magic much like the Fairy Godmother, gifting her characters with layered depths and a plot that never lacks for momentum.

Jules de Moutier is a wonderful and captivating hero. A man of sin and beauty his arrogance is balanced only by his instinctual kindness. Dark and lethal, he commands loyalty and allegiance from his thieving band of privateers as well as respect and deference befitting his rightful station, outcast or not. Matching wits with the lovely and daring Sabine Laurent is utterly engrossing and pages of fun. Heartbreaking and endearing, Sabine and her plight can and will charm even the most critical of readers.

DiPasqua especially shines with her titillating and explicit love scenes. Marvelously detailed with sinful language sprinkled throughout, DiPasqua takes her characters on a sexual journey that leaves you hot and breathless while never crossing the line into the land of crude or offensive. From the moment you open the pages, passion overflows. Think Lisa Valdez. You got it? Oh yeah.

A MIDNIGHT DANCE is a smooth transition for DiPaqua from anthologies to full length novels. You'd think she's been doing this all her life. Seriously. So why not five stars? Well, there are two moments within the novel that Sabine seemed to act out of character, one which was pivotal but unfortunately necessary within the construct of the plot. Seems tedious, I know, but they were each moments that caused me pause and the distinct thought that Sabine's actions were contrary to her character. Otherwise, loved, loved, loved this novel.

Buy it. Read it. You'll love it.

4.5 Stars

More Reviews:

Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
Smexy Books

Lila DiPasqua's BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE Winners!

2011-08-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

And the winners are...

Mariee

Dalila G

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you everyone for the outstanding participation. You guys are awesome! And a BIG thanks to the wonderful Lila DiPasqua for participating in my interview and for providing the fabulous giveaway!! (((hugs)))

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A MIDNIGHT DANCE by Lila DiPasqua

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Genre: Historical Romance
368 Pages

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila DiPasqua weaves a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince...and make him pay.

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father's prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming--the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family's fall from grace--a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father's death, she's inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine's eccentric friends--the balance of her father's acting troupe--she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake--and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules's skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince...

What's Up Wednesday! (27)

2011-08-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

Well, I'm still dealing with holes in my mouth from my teeth being pulled but every day they look smaller and feel less tender.On my follow-up appointment, my doctor gave me this syringe thingy with a curved nozzle and I'm supposed to flush out the holes every day. I'm telling you, it's the weirdest feeling sticking that nozzle tip into the holes. Ugh, I'm so not liking this whole thing! Hopefully in another week I'll be back to normal and God won't it feel like bliss. I can't wait!

Weekend Movie Review!

"Priest" featuring Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, and Maggie Q, is a post-apocalyptic Sci-fi thriller set in an alternate reality. After centuries of war between humans and vampires, all that remains upon the desert blown landscape are the crumbling skeletons of once and mighty human cities. After the last Vampire War saw the extermination of nearly all vampires with the remaining few living within guarded reservations, humans, having nearly been wiped out as well, reside within the walls and rules of the church beneath coal darkened skies. A warrior Priest (Bettany) lives in obscurity amongst the population having completed his mission for the church. Born with special and otherwordly fighting capabilities, Priest was recruited by the church to join others like him to fight the vampires and fight the vampires they did. With the wars over, the church, fearing the power of the Priest and his brethren, forced the warriors to live not as heroes, but as scourge. When Priest is told that his brother has been murdered and his niece abducted by rogue vampires, he breaks his vow to the church and resumes his warrior ways to search for the last of his family.

I didn't quite know what to expect of Paul Bettany as a super hero. At first glance, he just doesn't seem hero material but every time I see him in these types of roles (think "Legion") the man wins me over. Bettany, upon film, exudes a sexy otherworldliness that is completely unexpected but utterly engrossing. While there's not much in terms of plot with regards to "Priest" and much is easily predictable, Bettany definitely captured and held my attention like a moth to a flame. In fact, I'm adding him to my on-screen boyfriends. Seriously, the man is quite yummy when he's on a deadly mission. Rating: 3.5 Stars

What's new in romance!

Here's some cover candy for you!

LOTHAIRE by Kresley Cole

Releases January 10, 2012

Immortals After Dark Book 12

To be released in Hardcover

I'm so behind on this series but I'm still collecting all the installments for one giant IAD read-athon!!

So what's new with you?

Interview & International Giveaway with Lila DiPasqua

2011-08-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

A MIDNIGHT DANCE by Lila DiPasqua

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Genre: Erotic Historical Romance
368 Pages

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila DiPasqua weaves a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince...and make him pay.

Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father's prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming--the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.

That was before the loss of her sister and her family's fall from grace--a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father's death, she's inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine's eccentric friends--the balance of her father's acting troupe--she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake--and make away with a fortune.

Resisting Jules's skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince...

To read a scandalous excerpt of A MIDNIGHT DANCE click HERE:

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Hi guys! Please welcome Historical Romance author Lila DiPasqua to Lovin' Me Some Romance!

About the Author: Lila DiPasqua writes wicked & witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley. She lives with her real-life hero husband and three children and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. She loves history and enjoys traveling. She has been to four continents so far. To learn more about Lila and her books, visit http://www.liladipasqua.com/.

My Interview:

A MIDNIGHT DANCE features a twist on Cinderella, the timeless classic. How is your novel different and similar to the original tale?

Great question! A MIDNIGHT DANCE is similar in that I have all the elements we love about the classic fairy tale: an impoverished beauty; a “Prince Charming”; a stepmother (or in this case, the heroine’s late father’s long-time mistress and her two spoiled daughters as “stepsisters”). I also have a ball, a glass slipper and a fairy godmother in form of a loveable, yet highly opinionated an apothecary.

What makes mine different: I took those elements and gave my Cinderella retelling a fresh, unique twist. This Cinderella is out for revenge against Prince Charming. She blames her family’s fall from grace and her losses on Jules de Moutier and his powerful family. This book is steamy, fun, romantic; did I mention steamy? *smiles* (There’s serious chemistry between Sabine and Jules). And there’s plenty of intrigue, twists and a surprising villain keep you turning the pages. . . until the romantic climax.

Our cinder-girl, Sabine was once the daughter of a prominent playwright. She’s lost her father, her lovely home, her father’s prestigious theater and worse still, her beloved twin sister, Isabelle. Though it’s been five years, Sabine is the only one who thinks Isabelle is still alive. Sabine is in dire straits and desperate. She, and what’s left of her eclectic family—that includes the balance of her late father’s acting troupe—an eccentric bunch!—face debtor’s prison.

To save them from this fate, she intends to steal a fortune from Jules. All she has to do is pretend to be a harlot named Elise, seduce the rake and feed him the tainted wine. Easy, right?

Ah, no.

What she didn’t count on was her attraction to her old girlhood flame was still very much alive, despite her contempt for Jules. You see, she had a mad crush on him as a fifteen year old girl and would worship him from afar as he, then nineteen, attended her father’s theater. Today, Jules de Moutier is even more devilishly handsome . . . and a lot more carnally talented. *winks*

Why Cinderella? What is about the tale that moves you as an author and as a reader?

It’s my favorite fairy tale. And probably the first romance I ever read. ;) I think I’m drawn to historical romance because of it.

Jules and Sabine, your hero and heroine, have sex within the first few pages. Are these types of scenes easy or more difficult to write when they occur so early in the book?

I don’t plan for a sex scene to land at the beginning, middle or at the end. They happen whenever it feels natural and right in that particular story. In this book, having the hero and heroine have sex at the beginning was right. She is, after all, pretending to be a prostitute in order to get close enough to steal from Jules. Thought she wasn’t supposed to actually sleep with him, given that she was once so attracted to him, and that this is the first time she’s seeing him in eight years, I felt it was the natural thing to happen. And it certainly complicated things right off the bat. ;)

Speaking of sex, girl, you write it well! *fans self* What's your imaginary and writing processes for choreographing such scenes for I imagine that it would be necessary to move through the act frame by frame given that there is so much...ehem...movement? In other words, how do you make it all flow?

First of all, thank you for the compliment! To answer your question: I don’t know what this says about me, but I just *see* it all in my head. LOL. No sex scene in my books is written just so the hero and heroine can have sex. Every love scene is there to up the conflict and advance the romantic plot. Because there’s that complexity to ever sexual encounter, I tend to write the act itself first. Left hand here. Right arm there. That kind of thing. There’s plenty of dialogue during my love scenes, and that really helps to add heat. Once it’s choreographed, I layer in the emotions. With each sexual encounter, I assure you that Sabine and Jules, grow more and more emotionally vulnerable to each other.

Your characters aren't shy when it comes to naughty language. I must say, your novels have a distinct tone whereby the words don't come off as derogatory or offensive but rather seem very appropriate. How do you walk that fine line between appropriate and offensive? Do you think there's a line at all?

I think there’s definitely a line. Anything in excess feels vulgar to me. My heroes are usually a lot more sexually experienced than my heroines, and so, I make sure to show that the heroine is receptive and not offended by the bedroom talk. I think if the reader sees that the characters are comfortable, they feel more comfortable, too.

Also, it’s paramount to create likeable characters. If the reader likes the hero, she won’t mind it if his language is a tad blunt in the heat of the moment. :)

Jules de Moutier is a beautiful yet arrogant hero. He's also smart and distrustful. What was your experience writing his character?

I really enjoyed creating Jules! He may be arrogant at the beginning, but he’s also loyal—and down to his very core, decent and honorable. I wanted to show that even though he’d been born into high society, had wealth and privilege, deep inside, he’s no different than Sabine, who’s of common birth. His temper was fun to play with, too. The sparks between him and Sabine was just such fun to create.

Sabine Laurent is a very beautiful heroine with hair like spun gold. Jules thinks she’s a combination of many different types of women including an innocent, a seductress and all the faces in between. What was your experience writing her character?

I love writing about strong women—a woman who, like many women, has a tremendous amount of responsibility to shoulder, all on her own. Sabine has a tough, strong exterior, but it’s Jules who sees how broken she feels inside without Isabelle. Only when she learns to see herself through his eyes, can she finally feel whole and healed.

This isn’t a story about a damsel in distress who is saved by her Prince Charming. This is a story of two people, thrown together by fate, who defy the odds against them, and, despite their different social class, save each other—and find a lasting love.

I love your character’s names. Do you labor extensively over the perfect name? Which comes first, the character or their name?

I absolutely CAN’T start to write a book, or even write the synopsis until I have a name for the hero and heroine. Only then do they take shape in my mind. It’s very important to me to have a name first.

A MIDNIGHT DANCE is your first full length novel. How was this writing experience different from your novella compilations? Which is easier?

I don’t think one is easier than the other. I think each has its challenges. Every author wants to deliver an entertaining read. If you have only 120 pages to do that in a novella, then you’ve got to come up with compelling characters and storyline that has a resolution that feels satisfying to the reader.

With a full-length book, you’ve got the challenge of coming up with a more complex plot that can be believably sustained for 350 pages or so. To do that you’ve got to keep the conflict rising until the climax (black moment). I shoot for a page-turner each time. :) If you don’t keep upping the conflict, then you have a slow-moving book with a saggy middle. And no one wants that.

And finally, what’s next for Lila DiPasqua?

I can’t give any details yet, but there will be a couple more Fiery Tales . . . and a secret project I’m very excited about. :)

I’m very excited to show you the brand new book trailer for A MIDNIGHT DANCE! Done by Book Candy Studios [ http://www.bookcandystudios.com/ ], it’s so breathtakingly beautiful, hot and romantic….and so perfect for this book!

Giveaway Details:

Thanks to Lila DiPasqua, two random commenters will win their choice of AWAKENED BY A KISS *or* THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED *or* A MIDNIGHT DANCE, AND a glass slipper! Giveaway open WORLDWIDE.

To enter to win: Watch the book trailer for A MIDNIGHT DANCE and tell me one of the review quotes found there. HINT: There are 3, (one from Fresh Fiction, The Romance Dish and NYT Bestselling author, Elizabeth Hoyt). You only need to give me *one* in your comment.

*Comment with your answer to Lila's question:*

**Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)**

***Contest Open to ALL***

****Must be 18 or Older to Enter****

****Contest Closes Thursday, August 25th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, August 26th****

Review: TOUCH IF YOU DARE by Stephanie Rowe

2011-08-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Review: TOUCH IF YOU DARE by Stephanie Rowe

Sexy warrior Jarvis Swain has spent the last 150 years tortured by a deranged witch, but what continues to torture him is the brother he was born to protect has gone MIA, and without his brother, Jarvis can’t control his temper, and will slowly turn into a powerful and deadly threat to humanity. But the only person who can help him save his brother has some issues of her own…

Reina Fleming is the enterprising gal who works for Death himself, and is the only one who can save her sister from a particularly nasty creature. Reina’s terrified, reeling under the pressure of having her sister’s life in her hands. When Death presents an ultimatum to her that’s beyond Reina’s capabilities to accomplish, Reina knows she needs to call in someone who can make it happen for her. Someone so powerful that even she can’t screw them up… Who better than a bad ass warrior on a mission? Jarvis Swain is the ruthless, confident aggressor she needs at her back, and she knows if she can enlist his help, he can make anything happen...

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Review Format: ARC Paperback
Genre: Paranormal Romance
416 Pages

Single Title/Series: TOUCH IF YOU DARE is book two in the Soulfire Series and can very easily be read as a stand alone novel.

Cover Thoughts: I'm really lovin' the consistent feel and tone of the covers for the Soulfire Series. Not only do these titles have a similar flow and font type, but each cover manages to portray the powers of each warrior in a consistently recognizable pattern that would leave little question of what series each subsequent title belongs to. Oh yeah, it all scores major points with VFG. :)

Origin: I received an Advanced Review Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:

The Plot:

Touch Jarvis Swain if you dare. Not only does the giant warrior come part and parcel with one hell of a massive sword that's a seamless extension of his own body, but the man is the Guardian of Hate. Oozing the putrid black slime of all the word's hatred, Jarvis is an infection that'll taint any fool foolish enough to touch his skin. And while all of this dark mojo lends Jarvis one badass reputation, the poor guy has an expiration date that he's managed by sheer force of will to extend by a hundred years. Jarvis isn't ready to explode and yes that's his end game, to explode. With determination to survive not only for survival's sake but to watch the backs of this fellow warriors, Jarvis isn't ready to go down without one last fight to save the world. With mere days separating him from his super nova finale, Jarvis needs to find his brother Cameron, the Guardian of Love, in order to stabilize the Earth from the aftereffects of his demise. There's one tinsy little problem: his brother has been hired to reap by Death in some convoluted bid for world peace.

Reaping souls would be a whole lot easier if Reina Fleming actually had some minuscule desire to kill. Instead, the girl is pure heart but reaping her first soul is the final step towards being promoted to Reaper status and the powers she desperately needs to save her doomed sister. After a nasty Deedub with a sweet fetish bit and tainted her mother and eight sisters, Reina has been forced to watch each and every one of them die. Now, with only one sister left - and she's showing the deadly signs of her impending demise - Reina is determined not to fail her like all the rest. Desperate to achieve the killing edge, Reina agrees to help Jarvis Swain - a warrior with no qualms about killing - retrieve his brother from Death and in return, he'll help her save her sister. There's one tinsy little problem: Reina has sworn to never give her heart to another doomed soul; she just can't take any more loss. With Jarvis scheduled to explode, Reina tries to hold back her heart from falling in love but the warrior is making that endeavor impossible. Honestly, what girl wouldn't fall for a guy willing to kill for her?

For one hundred and fifty years, Jarvis hasn't been able to lay a finger on a single being for fear of tainting them with his hate. Sex, therefore, isn't much of a pleasurable task for no sooner does he get his rocks off before the woman is screaming mad with hatred. Being the Guardian of Hate is an absolute sucker punch on Jarvis's love life. But by some miracle, Jarvis's black touch doesn't infect Reina. In fact, touching her and her reciprocating that touch seems to hold his impending implosion at bay. He's still scheduled to die of course but she gives him a few precious moments more of time. But no matter the hunger Jarvis feels for Reina's touch, he can't ever feel deserving of it. He's hate and she's heart. How in the world can they ever make it work? They can't, at least that's Jarvis's thought and his constant self flagellation isn't making him feel any better.

Reina knows that beneath Jarvis's badass exterior is a man in possession of a heart for she feels and sees his love in all his endeavors. He's a born protector, a man that would lay his life down in a minute not only for her but for his friends and even for his conceited brother. But no matter her arguments that run contrary to Jarvis's own belittling view of himself, her protests that he's a good and kind soul fall upon stubbornly deaf ears. Jarvis is a man that sees the world in black and white with him being the inky black. For Jarvis, hate isn't some monster lurking beneath his skin, Jarvis is hate, he is the monster and the sooner Reina understands that, the better. But he does soon appreciate Reina's determination to convince him otherwise. Having a female fight for him to see the good within himself is a previously unknown concept, one that has him falling head over heels for his little grim reaper. But this Happily Forever After is doomed. With so many out of control happenings, Reina and Jarvis are in for the ultimate fight, one that will test their very souls.

The Heroine:

Incredibly brave and utterly selfless, Reina Fleming takes care of those she deems as hers. Having failed her mother and seven of her sisters, Reina is determined to save the last of her family. There's just the pesky little problem of having to reap her first soul. Simple fact is that she can't do it and she can't do it because she can't stop herself from hopelessly loving others. Reina's heart has become a huge liability.

If there's one person out there that can help Reina become a cold-hearted murderer, it's Jarvis Swain. He's the meanest; most menacing warrior Reina has ever encountered so is it weird that he makes her heart flutter with desire? Maybe, but Reina's willing to be at Jarvis's mercy if it helps save her sister. Funnily enough, Reina feels no fear in the face of Jarvis's hate. While it's likely sensible to be afraid, Reina can't muster that specific emotion. Lust however, well she's feeling that in abundance. The thing is, Reina can sense a deep loyalty beneath Jarvis's frightening exterior. He can't be hate straight through to his soul. He just can't! If only the man didn't have to explode...

The Hero:

Jarvis Swain knows what he is: he's hate. Period. It's not as simple as a monster lurking beneath his skin like Reina believes. But God does it feel good to have her proclaim otherwise. Prior to Reina, females in general were bad news in Jarvis's opinion, having been tortured by them and all for well over a hundred years. Nothing like an insane bitch of a black magic wielding witch to turn you off to the female sex. But there's something so pure and genuine about Reina that's stirring up all of Jarvis's protective and possessive instincts.

Blinded from seeing his true self by the hate that consumes him, Jarvis, like Reina, is utterly selfless and would quickly sacrifice himself if meant that those he's deemed as his are safe. He's natural protector, one that has been protecting since the day he condemned himself to the life long servitude of an evil witch so that his brother, the Guardian of Love, could be safe. He's a good, worthy warrior. Too bad he's a ticking time bomb...

My Final Thoughts:

Superseding its predecessor in both plot and characterization, TOUCH IF YOU DARE is an entertaining and endearing paranormal thrill ride. Achieving a much needed harmony between both the action and the romance, Stephanie Rowe has made a fan out of me with this latest and greatest installment in her Soulfire Series. Here's to second chances!

Jarvis is very much a hero but one that definitely feels undeserving of the title. But let's look at the facts. One, he's a man that literally carries the fate of the world within him as the Guardian of Hate and he values his responsibility. Two, he sacrifices his ever weakening grip on Hate when any one of his band of warriors needs his powerful energy to heal or kill respectively. Three, he's constantly on guard and maintains distance so as not to inadvertently taint those he cares about and strangers alike. And finally, he's willing to do whatever is necessary to help Reina save her sister. I mean this is a man that selflessly gives to those around him without a thought to what he's forsaking in his soul to do so. This, my friends, is a hero.

Reina is the perfect pairing for Jarvis. She's the light to his darkness. Selfless in her own right, Reina gives her heart to everyone, human, immortal, or animal. Within Jarvis, Reina sees him for all the good that he his and she's convinced that he can overcome his battle with Hate by recognizing that very goodness within himself. It's this love, this unwavering ability to believe in people, to believe in hope that makes Jarvis admire Reina and ultimately to love her as well. She's a fun heroine and woman that readers can root for.

TOUCH IF YOU DARE embodies its share of action but the action flows very nicely with the romance, unlike its predecessor. Nothing overwhelms Jarvis and Reina. This is their show. Perhaps Rowe was able to focus more on the romance with TIYD because KISS AT YOUR OWN RISK (book 1) covered so much ground with regards to the world building. Also, I really enjoyed that there were reasons and evidence to substantiate the powers Jarvis and Reina wield. Things were explained to a much higher degree and that lent a more believable feel to the world and its characters.

A rompin' good thrill ride that any paranormal romance lover can appreciate, TOUCH IF YOU DARE is good fun. And I'll definitely be grabbing book three upon its release with every expectation that it'll prove to be even better.

4 Stars

More Reviews:

Paranormal Romance
Dark Divas Reviews
Paranormal Haven
Michelle's Book Blog
Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

The Series Order:

KISS AT YOUR OWN RISK
TOUCH IF YOU DARE
HOLD ME IF YOU CAN - Releases January 1, 2012

Sue Moorcroft's LOVE & FREEDOM Winner!

2011-08-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

Virginia C

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks to all the entrants for participating and a big thank you to Sue Moorcroft for guest posting!!

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LOVE & FREEDOM by Sue Moorcroft

Publisher: Choc Lit
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance
336 Pages

New start, new love. That's what Honor Sontag needs after her life falls apart, leaving her reputation in tatters and her head all over the place. So she flees her native America and heads for Brighton, England. Honor's hoping for a much-deserved break and the chance to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby. What she gets is an entanglement with a mysterious male whose family seems to have a finger in every pot in town.

Martyn Mayfair has sworn off women with strings attached, but is irresistibly drawn to Honor, the American who keeps popping up in his life. All he wants is an uncomplicated relationship built on honesty, but Honor's past threatens to undermine everything. Then secrets about her mother start to spill out ... Honor has to make an agonising choice. Will she live up to her dutiful name and please others? Or will she choose freedom? From the bestselling author of Starting Over, this novel has great charm and a cast of unforgettable characters.

What's Up Wednesday (26)

2011-08-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

I am so FREAKIN' sore!!! Nothing, and I mean nothing prepared me for the pain I was going to experience from having my four wisdom teeth pulled. Seriously, the doctor's description of the pain was grossly underestimated.

So last Thursday was my surgery and everything went great the day of. By the way, nitrous oxide has found a new friend in me. WOW! That stuff is amazing. It was funny, the nurse sets me up on the nitrous while she administered the IV for the anesthesia and we're talkin', well I'm slurring and she's talking, and I keep waiting for the count down. You know count down from ten and you never make it past eight because you're under. Well, there was no countdown so all I remember is babbling along and then pow I'm awake and freezing cold which I'm told is a common reaction when coming out of the anesthesia.

Having never been put under, I'm a little shocked by the lost time. There's roughly an hour of my life where I have no idea what was said or done to me. Even stranger, I woke up in a completely different room so that means at some point, someone had to lift me out of the operating chair. It's a little freaky to think people were touching me and I have no recollection of it ever happening.

Friday morning rolls around and I feel great. I mean I'm thinkin' I have this whole thing nailed. No real pain, no real swelling and at this point, I'm seriously scoffing the pain medication they prescribed to me but then Friday night hits me like a sledge hammer. Those pain pills, the ones I was scoffing at earlier, they became my single source of relief. Basically I was in a percocett haze for all of Saturday and half of Sunday. The pain, I'm telling you, was astronomical and the most horrific that I've ever experienced in my life to date.

Crazy thing about pain medication. At first, I couldn't really tell what the hype was all about. Yes, they relieved me of the pain and made me drowsy but what's the fun in that. Ooooooh let me tell you, I soon figured out why people became addicted to the stuff. I quickly realized that one pill had the ability to get me drunk faster and easier than any actual drink would or could and bonus, I experienced no nausea and no stomach pains. It was brilliant! Even thinking about the pills right now makes me hunger some more for that simple bliss and the comfort of sheer relaxation. Needless to say my husband has locked the remaining pills in the safe for I was and still do scare myself with my desire for more. You'll be happy to know I'm off the percocett and have been since Sunday but now I can totally sympathize with those that become addicted because it is soooooo easy.

So, it's been nearly a week and I'm still suffering from jaw stiffness and pain at the extraction sites but it's been manageable with Advil. Night is the worst most specifically the early morning hours of 3 and 4 a.m. Right now I'm dying for a cheeseburger but with gaping holes in my mouth, I'm sticking with my baby food-esque diet. Sigh...

Weekend Movie Review!

"Rio" featuring the voices of Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenburg. I'm a total sucker for animated films. I won't see them at the theater for obvious reasons but at home, they're pure enjoyment. Bright, colorful, funny and entertaining, "Rio" is a rompin' good time. Blu (Eisenburg) is a rare blue macaw that was hijacked from his Rio de Janiero homeland by poachers but ends up making life long friends with a little girl. For fifteen years he lives happily with Linda in small-town Minnesota but when a bird activist from Brazil with hopes of saving Blu's dwindling species arrives on their doorstep, Blu's life changes forever. Oh, and did I mention that Blu can't fly? That's whole plot really but so skillfully done. Rating: 4/5 Stars

"Your Highness" featuring Danny McBride, James Franco, and Natalie Portman. Thadeous (McBride) has always been jealous of his handsome, can-never-do-wrong, heir apparent to the throne, older brother Fabious (Franco). When Fabious's fiancée is kidnapped by an evil wizard, he enlists the help of the good-for-nothing Thadeous in retrieving her and saving their kingdom. Truth of the matter is, Fabious loves his brother and blindly overlooks Thadeous's faults. While trying to keep his limbs upon his body and his soul alive on their dangerous quest, Thadeous lets Fabious take the brunt of all the danger. He also doesn't know the code of the quest where no man divulges the details of his quest to another. Of course Thadeous spills all when trying to bed Isabel (Portman), a warrior woman way out of his league who of course happens to be on the same quest and steals the magical compass that's been helping Thadeous and Fabious. Surprisingly, the film was good and quite hilarious. I'd see it again and likely enjoy it just as much. Fun, entertaining and littered with low-brow humor (my fave), "Your Highness" really is good fun. Rating: 4/5 Stars

What's new in romance!

Were any of you, like me, recently blindsided by historical romance author Christine Wells launching the new author name Christina Brooke? Well I was. I'm not sure why an announcement wasn't put on the Wells' site but for any of you fans who have been wondering what happened to our fave author, she's back! - and with a new a name...

I'm in LOVE with these covers. These are first two installments of Brooke's Ministry of Marriage series, HEIRESS IN LOVE is already available for purchase with MAD ABOUT THE EARL releasing January 3, 2012. The excerpt for HEIRESS IN LOVE already has me hooked. Can't wait to try out this new series!

So, what's new with you?

Guest Post & Giveaway with Sue Moorcroft

2011-08-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

LOVE & FREEDOM by Sue Moorcroft

Publisher: Choc Lit
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Romance
336 Pages

New start, new love. That's what Honor Sontag needs after her life falls apart, leaving her reputation in tatters and her head all over the place. So she flees her native America and heads for Brighton, England. Honor's hoping for a much-deserved break and the chance to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby. What she gets is an entanglement with a mysterious male whose family seems to have a finger in every pot in town.

Martyn Mayfair has sworn off women with strings attached, but is irresistibly drawn to Honor, the American who keeps popping up in his life. All he wants is an uncomplicated relationship built on honesty, but Honor's past threatens to undermine everything. Then secrets about her mother start to spill out ... Honor has to make an agonising choice. Will she live up to her dutiful name and please others? Or will she choose freedom? From the bestselling author of Starting Over, this novel has great charm and a cast of unforgettable characters.

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Please welcome Contemporary Romance author Sue Moorcroft to Lovin' Me Some Romance!

About the Author: Sue Moorcroft writes romantic novels of dauntless heroines and irresistible heroes for Choc Lit. Combining that success with her experience as a creative writing tutor, she’s written a ‘how to’ book, Love Writing – How to Make Money From Writing Romantic and Erotic Fiction (Accent Press). Sue also writes short stories, serials, articles and courses and is the head judge for Writers’ Forum. She's a Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner.

Check out her website http://www.suemoorcroft.com/ and her blog at http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com/ for news and writing tips. You’re welcome to befriend Sue on Facebook or Follow Sue on Twitter.

All of Sue’s Choc Lit novels and Love Writing are available as paperbacks and ebooks. Her early stuff is available in ebook format.

Guest Post:

Mission Important

When I began Love & Freedom I knew that Honor Sontag was an American who travels to England in search of her English mother. I knew that she’d be looking in the Brighton area. And I knew Martyn Mayfair’s job.

And that, pretty much, was all.

Giving one or more of the characters a mission or quest works well as a story basis. If I can give the other central character a conflicting goal - well that’s a good way to make hero and heroine butt heads! But that didn’t work out, this time. So I set out to make Honor aggravate Martyn whenever possible, to jolt him from his customary über-cool, exasperate him to the point of rudeness. And make him want her like crazy.

Whenever I plot, I’m also looking for ways to deepen conflict and give myself other rolls of the plotting dice, so Honor’s mission isn’t straightforward.

I gave Martyn a stalker, Robina, an aging hippy. Martyn had to treat Robina as the professionals recommend – ignoring her, not engaging, not responding. So wasn’t she the ideal person to send Honor to go and work for? And, whilst she was at it, I made Honor take under her wing 14-year-old Rufus, Robina’s son. I’m so glad I did that because Ru really needed somebody. And it wound Martyn up a little more …

Honor’s my kind of gal, a lion heart in a small body. She takes on the local bully armed only with fish and chips, she slams the door in Martyn’s face when he lets his temper get the better of him, she manages the hard-to-manage Robina as if she’d known her forever.

And all the time, she’s keeping secret what she’s running from in America.

It’s quite a big secret, too.

Giveaway Details:

Sue Moorcroft is offering one copy of LOVE & FREEDOM to one lucky entrant. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with your answer to Sue's question: What makes a good hero/heroine combination?*
**Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)**

***Contest Open to ALL***

****Must be 18 or Older to Enter****

****Contest Closes Thursday, August 18th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen by Sue Moorcroft and Announced Friday, August 19th****

What's Up Wednesday! (25)

2011-08-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

UGH! I'm getting my four wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow and I am TERRIFIED! I know, I know, I'm a wuss. Nearly everyone today gets their wisdom teeth pulled but I've never ever had any type of surgery, I've never been put under and the recovery doesn't sound fun at all.

Here's the deal, my bottom two wisdom teeth are impacted. Here's how badly. When I went in last week to have my x-ray and consultation, three staff members couldn't stifle the "WOW" that escaped their lips when that they saw how badly impacted my right lower wisdom tooth is. Yeah... That certainly didn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. UGH!

But I've got plenty of things to keep me occupied until T-time at 9 am tomorrow. After nine hours of work I'm going to CVS to stock up on ibuprofen and ice packs. Then I'm headed to the grocery store to stock up on soft foods like yogurt, broth, Ensure.... Then the best part. The hubs said we're doing a movie marathon tonight to help keep my mind off the tooth pulling showdown that'll be happening in the A.M. Ain't he the sweetest! It's doubly sweet too because the poor man threw his back out over the weekend and despite consecutive visits to the chiropractor, he's still in an enormous amount of pain. At least he has tomorrow off from work to hang out with my soon to be decrepit ass. :)

Weekend Movie Review!

"Cowboys & Aliens" featuring my on screen boyfriend Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell and Olivia Wilde. I've been dying to see this movie for several reasons. One, it features Daniel Craig and oh my is he delicious in all his blue-eyed, dusty, dirty cowboy hat wearin' glory! Two, this is a mash up of genres that's uber hard for me to resist. I mean, who isn't intrigued by a Sci-fi Western?! And three, "Cowboys and Aliens" is directed by Jon Faverau, a total favorite of mine 'cause the guy doesn't skimp on humor, plot or action. While the movie by no means is the greatest I've ever seen, I don't think that's the film's overall goal. The goal is to provide the audience with one hell of a good time and wow does it deliver!

Set in Arizona Territory 1873, Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig (by the way, I loved the names in this movie. They're so thought out and make perfect sense for each character)), awakens in the desert wearin' one strange contraption on his left wrist and no memory of how he got it or even who he is. The audience soon learns however that he has no qualms about killing which begs the question: is Lonergan a good guy or a bad guy? Stumbling into the rough town of Absolution, Lonergan learns many things quickly. One, the town is cow-toed by cattle rancher Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford (don't you just love the name?!)). Two, Dolarhyde's son is a spoiled brat and three, Lonergan is a wanted man for some pretty bad crimes. But none of these revelations compare to the space ships that zoom in and rope the citizens of Absolution right off their feet! When Lonergan's wristlet starts beeping and reshaping into a mighty weapon, he doesn't hesitate to use it against the strange and deadly newcomers and it doesn't take Absolution long to recognize wanted man Jake Lonergan as its salvation. Rating: 4.5 Stars

"Jane Eyre" featuring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Judi Dench. Having never read the book nor having any inkling about the story, I had no idea what to expect but the preview showcased a gothic historical romance so naturally I was sold on purchasing. Jane Eyre (Wasikowska) is a beguiling character of little words but when given the chance to speak her mind she's immediately recognized as an intelligent creature with strict morals and a strong sense of self-worth. Orphaned and rejected painfully by her aunt, Jane is educated to become a governess. After completing her education, she's installed at Thornfield Hall with her petite French charge. Enjoying her new residence by making friends for the first time in her life, Jane is happy but caged. Fearing that she'll never know the talk or touch of man, her dreams are ironically made true when the master of the house arrives. Lord Edward Rochester (Fassbender) is an austere enigma who soon becomes intrigued with Jane. They share a soul deep connection that both recognize but do not immediately act upon. There's something terribly wrong too with Lord Rochester but Jane ignores her suspicions not only regarding the manor's strange ongoings but the fact that Rochester is willing to go beneath his exalted station and propose marriage. Jane's suspicions are soon realized in the most heartbreaking of ways when Rochester's secrets are revealed. Gloomy but mesmerizing, "Jane Eyre" is a must-see for any gothic historical romance fans or period movie fans. Rating: 4.5 Stars

What's new in romance!

BEAUTY DATES THE BEAST by Jessica Sims (aka Jill Myles)

Midnight Liasons Series Book 1

Releases October 25, 2011

Who knew that shifters due in fact place want ads? Snarky fun here I come!

SOMETHING ABOUT WITCHES by Joey W. Hill

Arcane Shot Series Book 1

Releases February 12, 2012

A new paranormal series from romance mastermind, Joey W. Hill, gun-totting, magic-wielding Ruby Night Divine is running from a ruggedly hot sorcerer that has the power to bring her unruly heart to its knees.

Read an EXCERPT!

NOT WICKED ENOUGH by Carolyn Jewel

Releases March 6, 2012

Jewel's SCANDAL has already made me a life long fan. She can do no wrong.

Read an EXCERPT!

So, what's new with you?

Review: QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Dianne Sylvan

2011-08-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Review: QUEEN OF SHADOWS by Dianne Sylvan

Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires that feeds off the living. In Austin, Texas, one woman’s madness will drive her into a world that few people ever see – or even know exists…

Shortly after she picked up a guitar, Miranda Grey conquered the Austin music scene with a newfound ability to psychically manipulate her audience’s emotions. But as her powers outgrow her control, her mind is increasingly invaded by haunting secrets and overwhelming sadness. Unable to look anyone in the eye, Miranda is fast approaching the edge of insanity – with no one to catch her fall…

When he outlawed killing humans, David Solomon ignited a civil war among Austin’s vampires. As Prime of the South, his sympathy for mortals angered the old guard who refuse to control their violent urges. David has his hands full with the growing insurgency, but he takes in a broken-down woman, a musician in need of supernatural guidance. Little does he know that Miranda Grey has the power to change his world as well…

Publisher: Ace
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Review Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Urban Fantasy
400 Pages

Single Title/Series: QUEEN OF SHADOWS is book one in The Shadow World series.

Cover Thoughts: So, so, so in love! The heroine is pegged spot-on with her jewel-toned red hair, glowing pendant, and gothic-bohemian clothes. The backdrop captures the haunting aura that encapsulates the story and its setting. Having caught my eye from the very moment it made its debut, I'm still drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Way to go Ace Art Department!!

Origin: I purchased this book for my own reading enjoyment.

My Review:

The Plot:

Weighted helplessly by a dark strangling noose of despair, Miranda Grey doesn't even bother to fight the gang rape that drops her soul straight to rock bottom. All her fear, all her failed attempts at a normal life have led her to this moment and while the blissful emptiness of death beckons, she drags forth from the pit of her soul a dark malevolence that promises retribution. Driven within a hair's breath of insanity by the voices and emotions of others, Miranda makes one final bid at harnessing her uncontrollable empathic power to kill those that gloried so much in torturing her. Stripped, clawed, and bloody, Miranda turns all her dark swirling rage into a weapon of death and rains the putrid fire of her emotions onto the men who made her their prey and onto herself for her own pathetic acquiescence to their brutal assault.

David Solomon, Prime of the Southern Vampire Community, has a soft spot for damsels in distress. More to the point, he has a soft spot for Miranda Grey. A local Austin, TX musical talent with an empathic ability beyond what he's ever seen, David is acutely aware of the danger that surrounds Miranda. As a human with no control over her powers, he instantly recognizes the anguished path she walks and the inevitable death at road's end. Finding her in a dark alley nearly broken and surrounded grotesquely by a group of dead men, he protectively shields her mind from the cacophony of voices and emotions that plague her and takes her somewhere forbidden to humans. He takes her to the Haven, the Prime's vampire stronghold, to heal from her psychological and physical wounds. David, however, is completely unprepared for the thrall she will soon weave about his soul. And he will never despise the burden of the Signet, of being Prime, as he does when it threatens his second chance at love.

Clawing forth from the shadowed depths of her fear-choked nightmares, Miranda takes a tenuous hold of her second shot at life. Frightened by the deafening silence that now fills her head, Miranda is left with no choice but to reclaim her own thoughts and find herself amidst the yawning emptiness. Aching and bruised, the simplest tasks quickly tire her body making her a virtual prisoner within the bounds of her plush room in the unknown fortress she now inhabits. Taking the news rather well that her protectors are vampires, David, the Prime and Miranda's temporary shield from all the madness, begins teaching her how to contain her rampant powers in order to live some semblance of a normal life. Strangely, while Miranda is consumed by fear in the presence of any other male, she finds comfort and protection rooted deep within David's shield. With each passing day in his presence, Miranda's connection to David grows stronger and soon rumors burn through the Haven that the Signet, the glowing pendants worn by primes and their queens, may soon chose her as the Queen of the Southern Vampire Community.

The very last thing David can afford to think about is Miranda and the growing force of their connection. As the first vampire Prime to enforce a no kill law of humans, it's been a revolving door of murder and mayhem. But the situation has become even more dire as an extremist group known as Blackthorn resurrects from the shadows and dust they'd once been dispatched to by David himself. Infiltrating the trusted core of David's Elite, the Prime's warriors, Blackthorn is after more than just the right to kill humans, they're after the Signet and they'll find any means to destroy the community David's created including Miranda. Believing that putting distance between himself and Miranda will save her, David severs the tenuous threads that bind them and steers his focus upon what's most important: the protection of the humans and vampires alike in his territory. But he never imagined that Miranda would haunt his every thought. She's become as necessary as blood and her call will not go unheard.

The Heroine:

Upon first meeting Miranda, she's merely a husk of her former normal, sociable, college attendee self. Where a voluptuous redhead once stood she's now rail thin with pale bruised skin stretched frighteningly over sharp bones. Her green eyes which once danced protrude large and glossy like a drug addict in the midst of a high. Once upon a time that's what her gift yielded her, a high. And like drugs, it soon robbed her of everything.

Building a shoddy musical career upon her unique ability to manipulate the emotions of her audience through her voice and guitar, Miranda once loved the spotlight but her powers have grown so out of control that the stage has now become a potent addiction and the only outlet that keeps her sane. Unable to control the rampant emotions constantly cascading through her mind in every other situation except for when she's plucking the strings of her guitar, Miranda looses more of herself every day to the thoughts and feelings of others. Wanting the blissful quiet that only death can grant, Miranda does nothing to stop the brutal attack that nearly brings her to that which she hungers for most.

Saved by the very powers that have wreaked havoc over her life, it's an uphill struggle for Miranda to break free from the vile emptiness that nearly managed to consume her. With the help of David, Miranda learns how to shield herself from her powers while also strengthening them. But it's not until David severs contact that Miranda really starts to rebuild her life from the ground up. Her journey is long and arduous but when it comes time to make David rightfully hers, Miranda does it with flare, confidence, and absolute strength.

The Hero:

Not a reluctant hero but rather a careful one, David Solomon took up the Signet and became Prime of the Southern Vampire Community with acute zeal but the Signet soon wore heavily upon his chest and his soul. Burdened with the well being of thousands of vampires and millions of humans, David can only hope for a Queen, for a partner on this dangerous journey where death is the only release from the responsibilities he dutifully carries. Yet there's something within him that feels undeserving and there's also the fear of condemning a woman he loves to the danger he endures every minute of every hour of every day.

Miranda is the first woman in three hundred years to make David pause and wonder if she could be the other half of his soul. But the timing couldn't be worse. With the Blackthorn vampire faction terrorizing his city and his Elite, David isn't willing to risk Miranda's life. Believing that distance is the only key to Miranda's survival, David deprives himself and her of the love that's already blossoming.

My Final Thoughts:

QUEEN OF SHADOWS, reading more like a paranormal romance than urban fantasy, embarks on a gothic journey of peril and love with a fragile, diamond-in-the-rough heroine and an avenging hero who's a marvelous combination of techno geek and bad ass warrior.

Dark, turbulent, and beyond intriguing, Dianne Sylvan creates a world where death truly does lurk in dark shadows. Instilling a modern, technologically advanced element to her vampire myth, Sylvan mixes old and new to create an original concoction. While much of the vampire history is unexplained or labeled as unknown, this is both a curse and a blessing. Instead of strong world building, it's rather a soft structure but with plenty of room to grow in subsequent installments. QUEEN OF SHADOWS isn't just a vampire story, its decidedly Miranda's story and her character growth is as amazing as it is believable. Sylvan gifts her with the time necessary to change and evolve from a simpering, fear-filled woman to a powerfully capable warrior. Miranda takes control of her life, a process this reader enjoyed immensely.

David, while a complex hero to be sure, lacked the overpowering charisma one expects from a character of his title and bearing. He should be so large a personality that he practically leaps from the pages but it's Miranda that does this, not David. He never failed to appear young and absurdly pale in my mind's eye when my reader heart clamored for a more rugged and dangerous physique. Granted this is entirely a personal issue but for me, his flame just didn't burn nearly as bright as Miranda's. It bears noting though that their one sex scene positively burns your fingers right off the pages. Personally, my feeling is that David is at his best when he's jealous.

In addition to Miranda, Sylvan excels at capturing the musical and hip urban essence that is Austin, Texas. Undoubtedly a resident, she brings alive Sixth Street, the city's beating music heart. You'll feel the passing of the seasons from the lung-sucking humidity of summer to the blistering ice cold of winter (there's really no spring or fall). Having visited the city numerous times myself, it was wonderful entertainment to take a trip to one of my favorite cities via the pages of a romance.

A book that I've been peering at longingly for months from my mountain of must-be-read-for-review books, QUEEN OF SHADOWS didn't let me down when I desperately needed something good to read. For paranormal fans and urban fantasy fans alike, this is a fabulous start to a new addiction. Enjoy!

4 Stars

More Reviews:

Bitten by Books
Lurve A La Mode

The Series:

QUEEN OF SHADOWS
SHADOWFLAME
SHADOW'S FALL - Releases March 27, 2012

What's Up Wednesday! (24)

2011-08-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

This Sunday is me and Mr. VFG's seven year wedding anniversary. I'm a bit stupefied by this. Amazed by it really. Not because I didn't think we'd last but because looking back, I'm in awe by everything we've been through and experienced before making it to this point in time. And despite everything, my love for my husband has only managed to grow and evolve into something grander with each year. In fact, my feelings have changed so drastically that I can't even compare what I feel today with what I felt that very first day I realized I was in love.

One thing that I've noticed about break-ups these days is not a lack of love but the harsh erosion of change and its damaging effects. Let's face it, we all change as we age. I'm nothing like my 21 year old self. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to recognize her if I met her today. And while my husband has changed too, we haven't changed apart but rather we've changed all the more closer. And when I look down the road toward the future, there's no one else I want live these miles with.

Here's to Mr. VFG and I. ;)

What's new in romance?

Meljean Brook posted an excerpt for the highly anticipated Iron Seas release, HEART OF STEEL, on her website. AHHHH! I'm so excited for this release!!!

And here's some cover candy for you:

WINGS OF FIRE by Caris Roane

World of Ascension Book Three

Releases August 30, 2011

BLOOD ETERNAL by Marie Treanor

Awakened by Blood Book Three

Releases October 4, 2011

BORN OF ASHES by Caris Roane

World of Ascension Book Four

Releases January 3, 2012

So what's new with you?

August Monthly Giveaway!

2011-08-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

For the month of August, I'm giving away three mini stacks of goodies for three separate winners. As usual, they'll be listed numerically, in this case they'll be Stack One, Stack Two, and Stack Three. Rank your most wanted stack to the least in the comments to enter. Here's our line up:

STACK ONE

A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS by Amelia Grey (ARC Edition, Excellent Condition) - REVIEW

THE SOLDIER by Grace Burrowes (ARC Edition, Excellent Condition) - REVIEW

STACK TWO

DAWNKEEPERS by Jessica Andersen (NEW Condition)

SKIN GAME by Ava Gray (Good Condition) - REVIEW

STACK THREE

BLOOD OF THE ROSE by Kate Pearce (NEW Condition)

LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS by C.L. Wilson (NEW Condition)

Giveaway Details:

*Leave a Comment with a List of Your Choices from Most Wanted to Least. First Drawn Winner will get their Top Pick and Second and Third to Follow*

**Must Be a Follower with a Valid Email Address (Entrants who are not followers and/or do not leave an email address will be disqualified) **

***Contest Open to US and Canada Only***

****Must be 18 or Older to Enter****

*****Contest Closes August 31st at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and Winners will be Chosen Randomly and Announced No Later than September 6th*****

VFG's June & July Review Rundown, Upcoming Events & Monthly Giveaway Winners!

2011-08-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 12th edition of VampFanGirl's Monthly Review Rundown!

June Review Rundown:

5 Stars - KISS OF SNOW by Nalini Singh

July Review Rundown:

5 Stars - DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison

4.5 Stars - *Guest Review* WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer

4 Stars - *Guest Review* NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

3 Stars - A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS by Amelia Grey

June Event Recap:

June was fun-filled! While all the contest portions are of course closed, please feel free to check out the post content.

CLOSED - Guest Post with Amy Lichtenhan
CLOSED - Guest Post with Grace Burrowes
CLOSED - Guest Post with Cornelia Amiri
CLOSED - Guest Post with Carol Cassada

July Event Recap:

Yikes, slim pickin's for author visits during July. :( Again, while all the contest portions are closed, please feel free to check out the post content.

CLOSED - Interview with Amelia Grey

Upcoming August Events:

August will be a light month. See below for more details on temporary changes that will be implemented at LMSR during the last half of 2011.

August 15th - Guest Post with Sue Moorcroft*
August 22nd - Interview with Lila DiPasqua*

*See sidebar for author sites

Changes Coming to LMSR:

Here's the rundown:

What: LMSR blog readers can expect some minor changes.
Where: At LMSR of course. ;)
When: Commencing August 1st thru December 31st 2011
Why: A heavy work load at ye 'ol day job and a more hectic than usual college semester due to final preparations to transfer to University.
How: While blog readers can continue to expect weekly book reviews, What's Up Wednesday posts, monthly giveaways, and the monthly review rundown, the changes you will notice is a great reduction in author visits and ARC reviews.

So all together not too bad and hopefully I can step up the pace in the spring. ;)

June Monthly Giveaway Winner!

Finally, time for the winner announcement for my June Monthly Giveaway. Here we go:

mbreakfield

CONGRATULATIONS!

Super big thanks to all the followers that entered. And never fear, if you didn't win this giveaway, stay tuned for my August Monthly Giveaway announcement coming soon.

And that's the June & July Rundown everyone!

Cover Alert! ANGELS' FLIGHT by Nalini Singh

2011-07-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

ANGELS' FLIGHT

Releases March 2012

Anthology will feature the complete collection of Guild Hunter novellas: ANGELS' PAWN, ANGELS' JUDGEMENT, ANGELS' DANCE, ANGEL'S WOLF

For more information, visit Nalini Singh's Blog

Thoughts: I'm LOVIN' it!!! Can't STOP staring at it!! What do you guys think?

Review: A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS by Amelia Grey

2011-07-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Review: A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS by Amelia Grey

When a lady is in a predicament...

Beautiful, clever and courageous Lady Gabrielle thwarts the shackles of her arranged betrothal by kissing a stranger in the park. But who is this man? Finding herself stuck in yet another forced engagement Gabrielle needs another strategy that isn’t so dangerous.

A gentleman may find himself in deep trouble...

Viscount Brentwood is walking in the park early one morning when a beautiful, enchanting young lady walks out of the mist and into his arms. Now Brent has no choice but to marry the delightful Lady Gabrielle.

Unfortunately his intended bride has other ideas, and the determined Viscount finds himself plunging into one scandal after another.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Release Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Historical Romance
384 Pages

Single Title/Series: A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS is book 4 in the Rogues' Dynasty Series but can very easily be read as a stand alone novel.

Cover Thoughts: Love it, especially the magical backdrop. Very eye catching and very beautiful.

Origin: I received an Advanced Review Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:

The Plot:

When Viscount Brentwood finds himself in quite the unexpected situation of being caught passionately embracing a beautiful but unchaperoned lady in the park, his choice pick of the marriageable ladies of the ton is forcibly revoked by the lady in question and her powerful duke of a father. Threatened within an inch of his life by the irate duke, Brent accepts his duty as a gentleman and agrees to marry the now unveiled Lady Gabrielle. Funnily enough, Brent isn't too upset with the corner he's been backed into. Obviously he shares a mutual attraction with Lady Gabrielle and her surprising but welcomed actions leave many intriguing questions that he'll no doubt delight in retrieving their answers. What Brent doesn't approve of though is the duke threatening his brothers and their shipping ventures. That he'll put a stop to but everything else, oh everything else is mighty appealing.

Having successfully untangled herself from one unwanted engagement, Gabrielle is exasperated to find herself jumping free from the hot frying pan only to land straight into the fire with yet another unwanted engagement. Always the good girl that followed daddy's orders, Gabrielle agreed to marry the man she was told to marry regardless of the non-existent spark between them. But her puppet-like compliance shredded the moment she caught her fiancé kissing her young impetuous sister with the sincere ardency and desperation of a man dying of thirst. Their love for one another was palpable. Unwilling to doom herself or her sister to a life of misery, Gabrielle takes her fate into her own hands and kisses the handsome and then unknown Lord Brentwood in the park. She never meant however for their kisses to turn so passionate or for the connection between she and her beautiful stranger to solidify so quickly. And now having been caught by her father, Gabrielle is once again being forced to marry when she doesn't want to. Worse, her actions have forced Lord Brentwood into an unwanted marriage as well and that must be remedied.

Brent doesn't quite know what to make of Gabrielle's behavior in the light of their engagement. She seems to be purposefully trying to deter him from his gentleman's duty but acting the fool. Not knowing whether to laugh at her attempts at incompetence or confront her on the reasons, Brent simply decides to roll with her and delight in seeing what scheme she'll attempt next. The point of fact is that Gabrielle is doing her best to seem like the worst sort of wife. If only she knew that her antics have succeed in making her that much more endearing. In fact, Brent can't seem to focus on anything but Gabrielle and the surprises that await him come their next visit. He's not afraid of falling in love, just surprised but after all the interesting twists and turns this courtship has revealed, he shouldn't be surprised at all.

The Heroine:

Gabrielle strives endlessly to please those around her, especially her father. But when faced with the passionate love between her former fiancé and her sister, Gabrielle realizes that all her people pleasing has achieved nothing but the successful drowning of her core self. She's effectively lost all that defines her in the need to be what everyone else expects and it ends now. No matter that the rocky start on the road towards self preservation has only managed to land her in one more predicament, Gabrielle is determined to sabotage Lord Brentwood's opinion of her as a good wifely candidate. However, there's a small problem and that being that her heart seems to race within his presence and when not, he occupies her mind like no one else.

The Hero:

Already in London with the intent to find himself a wife, Brent is a little shocked by fate and the alluring mystery of his new beautiful fiance. Yes, his proposal may not exactly be what he had planned, but he doesn't find any need to shirk his duty. Quite the contrary, he's pleased to be affianced to Lady Gabrielle. She certainly isn't boring and there is the added bonus that their passion for each other flares hot. And while on their way to the aisle, Brent is determined to find out the source of Gabrielle's aversion to their marriage and her sabotage attempts that only leave him panting for more. She's a conundrum that Brent wants nothing more than to solve and who cares if his heart happens to fall in love along the way.

My Final Thoughts:

A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS boasts an intelligent and original start that unfortunately fizzles to a disappointing anticlimactic ending. Tempting plot arcs that could have added rich life to an otherwise bland storyline are left strangely unexplored resulting in a likable hero and heroine pairing but no real conflict or tension to keep this reader invested in their journey.

Decidedly sensual rather than steamy, AGNT is a sweet passing of time that's sadly tainted with unrealized potential. This reader feels that attention could have been given to the forbidden love between Gabrielle's sister and former fiancé. There's also the scintillating plot arc whereby Gabrielle may still be forced to marry her sister's lover and is even threatened by him but nothing comes to heady fruition. Instead, these arcs are strangely forgotten and one is left thinking, "but what about this and what about that?".

It had all the ingredients for an intriguing and gripping story and while still a sweet read and not exactly a waste of time, A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS is still rather a forgettable pastime. Honestly, I'd be hard pressed to recall the contents a month from now.

For readers that don't enjoy cumbersome plot arcs or a hint of danger but rather want two likable characters and a journey to love that reads like a leisurely walk, A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS is the perfect historical romance to wile away your time.

3 Stars

More Reviews:

Historical Novel Review
The Book Girl
Historical Hilarity

The Series:

A DUKE TO DIE FOR
A MARQUIS TO MARRY
AN EARL TO ENCHANT
A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS

What's Up Wednesday! (23)

2011-07-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

Well, now isn't that the million dollar question? I suppose I could say what's not new with me. Obviously for loyal blog readers, you've undoubtedly noticed a change here at LMSR. My lack of posts being the main alarm bell. Honestly, I've been preoccupied.

Preoccupied with my marriage.

Preoccupied with the what hell I'm going to do with my life.

Preoccupied with the fact that I can't find any desire to read!

Is it because age 30 looms large and slightly freakish on the horizon of my life?

It's strange. I've never minded the approach of my thirties before but suddenly I'm feeling vulnerable and defensive and scared. My life today couldn't be more different than I've ever imagined and as I look ahead I can only see more change. More unknowns.

Hmmm...this post is rapidly turning depressing and that wasn't my intent.

I do have a high point to this post, that being my transfer to University to wrap up my studies with a coveted BA degree. Ah! I've never been one to believe that I could ever make it this far with school and out of fear, I've always denied the possibility of transferring from community college to a CSU but I'm going to do it! Staring down this gauntlet has been a revelation and I'm ready to dive in and test my abilities.

While this is great news for me, it's kind of bad news for LMSR. My college studies this fall semester, while not overly intense, will still likely require a lot of my time which is going to cut harshly into my reading schedule. :(

The plan for LMSR: I'm going to keep reviewing,What's Up Wednesday will resume its weekly scheduling, but there will be less author visits.

Wish me luck with my little mid-life crisis!!

Weekend Movie Review:

"Limitless" featuring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro. Given my crush on Bradley Cooper, "Limitless" was a no brainier VFG-must-see and it didn't disappoint. A thriller for all intents and purposes, Eddie Morra (Cooper) is in a major rut from which he can't seem to break free. Added to his long list of failures, we meet Morra as he's being dumped by his girlfriend while also struggling with his inability to produce the pages required to keep his book contract. Not realizing that he's desperate to change until he runs into his ex-brother-in-law and a magical pill that grants him endless ability, Morra soon finds himself clearer and motivated than he's ever been in his life. Suddenly everything he's ever seen, heard, or experienced is organized and readily available at his disposal. He writes his book in four days, learns how to speak a new language in four hours, and that's just the beginning. But when his ex-brother-in-law is murdered, Morra finds out just how wanted this drug is and how far he's willing to go to keep his high and his life. Rating: 5/5

What's new in romance?

Here's some juicy cover candy for you:

HOLD ME IF YOU CAN by Stephanie Rowe

Releases January 1, 2012

FIRELIGHT by Kristen Callihan

Releases February 1, 2012

KISS OF THE VAMPIRE by Cynthia Garner

Releases February 1, 2012

So what's new with you?

Guest Review WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer

2011-07-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Guest Review: WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer

This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Publisher: Philomel, sold by Penguin Publishing
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Review Format: Trade Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
390 Pages

Single Title/Series: WOLFSBANE is book two in the Nightshade series.

Cover Thoughts: The image shown above seems to be the cover the publisher is going with. It’s not hideous, but it wouldn’t make me pick up this book. HOWEVER...check out the alternate version of the cover at http://www.amazon.com/Wolfsbane-Nightshade-NovelBook-2-ebook/dp/B004IYIU10/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1311267285&sr=8-6 I love the shimmery quality of the girl. I’m not entirely sure what the picture has to do with the story of WOLFSBANE—there’s a garden in the book, but this story is more about weaponry and conflict than flowers. It’s a lovely image and would certainly grab my attention, but I’d prefer the cover match the dark tone of the tale inside. Hopefully next time they’ll marry the beauty of the alternate cover with some relevant imagery from the book.

Origin: VampFanGirl received a published release copy of WOLFSBANE from the publisher.

Guest Review by Jennifer Donohue:

**SPOILER ALERT!! For the love of all that is holy, read NIGHTSHADE before you read this review! WOLFSBANE is book TWO in the Nightshade Series and it would be impossible to review this novel without spoiling its predecessor, NIGHSHADE. If you haven’t read the first book yet and you’re planning to, DO NOT read any further!**

The Plot:

Calla Tor abandoned her life, her pack, and the boy she was arranged to marry, Ren Laroche, to save the boy she can’t help but love—Shay Doran. All three are Guardians, shapeshifters who transform from human to wolf, but Calla and Ren were born that way, bred to be a mated pair and lead a pack. Shay entered their world as a human of great interest to the Keepers, but now walks as a wolf because Calla transformed him in a moment of desperation with no other alternative. In doing so, she violated the laws of the Keepers, the powerful users of old magic the Guardians willingly serve—at least on the surface. Calla never questioned her place, her loyalty to her masters, until she started to see the darker side of obedience and the truth behind her origin and that of the Keepers.

After escaping the Keepers, Calla wakes up alone in the Academy of the Searchers—enemies bent on destroying the Keepers and the Guardians who protect them. Calla’s every instinct tells her to run, or to fight, but outnumbered and with no clear path of escape, she must keep the wolf at bay if she hopes to survive.

The Searchers invite Calla to join their fight against the Keepers, an offer that involves rescuing the pack members she left behind, including Ren. Calla agrees to go along with their plan even though she doesn’t entirely trust them. She has no choice—she can’t possibly save the pack on her own, and with their help she stands a chance.

The Searchers gradually transform from faceless adversaries to sympathetic people with their own complicated histories. Among them, a leader named Monroe stands out. He’s fought alongside Guardians in the past and is Calla’s prime supporter in getting back to the mountain, finding her packmates, and bringing them to the safety of the Academy. He’s especially concerned with finding Ren, presumably for the fighting advantage of having two alphas on the side of the Searchers, but as the complexity of their history with the Guardians is revealed, we discover his motivation isn’t quite so simple.

As they prepare for the rescue Mission, Calla and Shay learn at least part of the secret as to why Shay is so important to the Searchers’ fight against the Keepers, but where he came from and how he ended up with the Keepers remains a mystery.

Then the guilt and fear Calla has suffered since deserting her family and closest friends grows exponentially when one of her packmates, found by the Searchers, reveals the horrible retribution inflicted by the Keepers while she’s remained safe at the Academy. The Keepers repeatedly torture her friends with wraiths—the embodiment of soulless evil—and then take their punishment further, making an example of two members of Calla’s pack and proving there are fates much worse than death.

The heightened sense of urgency pushes the team to break protocol and risk their lives with a daring rescue attempt. Success is unlikely, but they’re determined to free those held by the Keepers for far too long already.

The Heroine:

Calla struggles with her separation from Ren. She feels guilty for leaving him behind especially when she and Shay were only able to escape the Keepers because of his help. At times she pushes Shay away, uncomfortable with giving herself to him knowing that the Keepers are likely torturing Ren, if he’s even still alive. Calla is a little bit too hot and cold for my liking. At this point I’m almost hoping there’s a third love interest so she can really fall for someone.

The Hero:

Eternally sweet and devoted to Calla, Shay is cute enough but he’s missing the complexity that could make him a deeper part of the story. He seems much younger than Calla and I have difficulty getting wrapped up in their romance. If anything, he seems more like a prop than part of the evolving interpersonal entanglements that make this series so interesting.

Jennifer's Final Thoughts:

Although the main characters don’t really hold my interest on their own, the supporting cast is a well-developed ensemble and their interaction breathes life into this novel. They’re quirky and fun. It’s easy to imagine becoming one of their number. Their tight connection to each other is beautifully portrayed and the loss of any member of their team feels personal.

The author once again skillfully builds a mystical realm that seduces the imagination. The Searchers’ Academy is a wonderfully unique setting—it’s easy to imagine the bright light of the courtyard and the sparkling seams threaded through the halls. A place for learning, fighting, and magic, what lover of the paranormal wouldn’t want a chance to study at the Academy?

The fast paced story continuously reveals answers we’ve waited for even as the mystery builds. I love that the author provides enough clues so that if you’re paying attention, you can figure out some of the answers on your own, making for a fun read. This novel kept me up way past my bedtime and possibly even made me a little late for work one day because I didn’t want to put it down. If you enjoy YA Paranormal, you don’t want to miss this one!

4.5 Stars

The Series:

NIGHTSHADE
WOLFSBANE - Releases July 26, 2011
BLOODROSE - Releases February 12, 2012

About Jennifer Donohue: Traversing Corporate America by day, I write young adult paranormal novels by night. What better way to escape than by slipping into an alternate world and playing there for a while? Although for me it’s not just escape--the paranormal is my normal. Whether it’s falling into a ghost hunting group or finding myself living in a haunted house (thankfully past, not present), somehow the mystical world always finds me and lures me back into the fold. I live the paranormal, why not write there? You can friend Jennifer Donohue at Facebook.

Guest Review NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

2011-07-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Guest Review: NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’llbe the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling theirpack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters’ laws bysaving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might loseeverything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Publisher: Speak, an Imprint of Penguin (Puffin)
Release Date: June 14, 2011 (Re-issue)
Review Format: Trade Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
452 Pages

Single Title/Series: NIGHTSHADE is book one in the Nightshade series.

Cover Thoughts: This cover wouldn’t entice me to select NIGHTSHADE from a shelf, but it’s an excellent representation of the duality of the main character’s essence. Always both fully human and fully wolf in spirit, Guardians shift their shape without ever leaving the other aspect of their nature behind.

Origin: Vampfangirl received a release copy of NIGHTSHADE from the publisher.

Guest Review by Jennifer Donohue:

The Plot:

Calla Tor of the Nightshades is the alpha female of the young Guardians—fierce warriors who shape shift easily between their human and wolf forms. She firmly supports the strict rules and drastic punishments of her masters, the Keepers who wield the old magic, and considers it a small price to pay for her exceptional strength and the sacred bond forged long ago when a Keeper, fallen in battle, created the first Guardian.

The Nightshades and their rival pack, the Wolfsbanes, protect the enchanted mountain their community is built aside and remain vigilant against the threat of attack by Searchers, a furtive group of guerilla fighters who want to destroy the Keepers and Guardians and take possession of the sacred site. Although the Searchers haven’t attacked in many years, the Guardians conduct regular patrols.

During her assigned patrol one day, Calla rescues an attractive human hiker from an attacking bear, violating the Keepers’ Laws, first by shifting from wolf to human in front of the boy, and then by healing his critical wounds with pack blood—offenses punishable by death. She aches to touch him, to stay...to explore him, but duty and loyalty tamp down her desire. Confused how a simple human boy can be so compelling, she takes him to safety, then leaves him and her fears behind—she has bigger issues to worry about than someone she’ll never see again.

Calla will soon marry Ren Laroche, the alpha male of the young Wolfsbanes. Together they will lead a new pack comprised of their friends, but their friends are hostile rivals from competing packs and were raised as enemies. They must now put aside old animosities and learn to fight as a cohesive unit before assuming their vital role in protecting the sacred site from the Searchers. Calla’s attraction to Ren is undeniable, their chemistry visceral, but their marriage was arranged by the Keepers and she sees their union as her duty—she hasn’t even considered the possibility of loving the charming boy who’s more wolf than prince. Calla doubts whether Ren will give up his playboy habits after their union, but she obediently accepts her future as his mate. That’s just the way of things in her world.

Then everything Calla has accepted from birth tips on its axis when the wayward hiker she saved, Shay Doran, shows up at school. He proves fearless, and instead of shrinking from her and the other Guardians as most humans instinctively do, he approaches her and the pack and draws Ren’s jealous anger. Fearing Shay will reveal the secret of their first encounter, Calla rejects him harshly, reestablishing the clear lines of isolation between the human students and the mystical Guardians and Keepers who rule the Mountain School like gods.

Calla’s resolve to remain distant from Shay proves meaningless when the Keepers instruct her, along with Ren and their friends, to watch over him. The unprecedented command, requiring they spend time with a human, means he’s special, but why? Then two Searchers attack in an attempt to capture Shay. Now Calla must try to understand Shay’s place in her world even as she fights against an overwhelming desire for him that tests her loyalty to Ren and the future of their combined pack.

The Heroine:

With a steel will and fighting skills that make her clearly an alpha, Calla is a force of nature and an object for admiration by any girl wanting to open to her inner fighter. The author does an exceptional job ensuring we respect Calla, but I’m not so sure I like her. I find myself caring much more about the others in her life. But then maybe that’s the author’s intention. Above all else, Calla is the alpha, and that element of her personality rules her behavior and magnifies her guilt when she begins to stray from the bond with her alpha male.

The Heroes:

Calla is torn about her love interests, and so am I. Ren is a seductive, sensual bad boy with that ever enticing underlying sweetness. Shay is the exciting new boy in town with mysterious origins and a love for breaking the rules. The formula leads us to believe Shay is the one, but I find myself rooting for Ren. The author makes us fabulously conflicted and I appreciate a love triangle where neither boy is painted as a clear villain.

Jennifer's Final Thoughts:

The beginning chapters of NIGHTSHADE are a little clunky with an overwhelming dump of data about the intricacies of the society of Guardians and Keepers. I found myself forced to backtrack, and even then sometimes felt lost. The narrative quickly smoothes out and it’s well worth hanging in there as the story expertly plunges you into a beautifully rendered world. The magic of paranormal novels is founded on the ability of an author to construct a mystical realm that could lurk just beneath our everyday reality. NIGHTSHADE is an exceptional example of world-weaving done right. I not only felt emotionally invested in the fate of the characters, I wanted to spend more time in their dangerously enticing world.

A large cast is quickly introduced, and the author does a brilliant job giving each character a distinct and interesting personality. This isn’t just Calla’s story, it’s the story of her pack, and the dynamic of the characters combined feeds the story and gives it depth.

The mystery behind Shay’s importance and the dark secrets of the Keepers will keep you turning pages as you race along with Calla to understand the rapidly transforming dynamics of her world. I can’t wait to read Wolfsbane, the second book in the series, and thankfully I don’t have to because I have it right here and I’m reading it next!

4 Stars

The Series:

NIGHTSHADE
WOLFSBANE - Releases July 26, 2011

About Jennifer Donohue: Traversing Corporate America by day, I write young adult paranormal novels by night. What better way to escape than by slipping into an alternate world and playing there for a while? Although for me it’s not just escape--the paranormal is my normal. Whether it’s falling into a ghost hunting group or finding myself living in a haunted house (thankfully past, not present), somehow the mystical world always finds me and lures me back into the fold. I live the paranormal, why not write there? You can friend Jennifer Donohue at Facebook.

Amelia Grey's A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS Winners!

2011-07-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

And the winners are...

Martha Lawson

Maureen

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you as always to all the entrants. And thank you to Amelia for participating in my interview. Finally, thank you to Sourcebooks for the giveaway!!

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A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS by Amelia Grey

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Release Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Historical Romance
384 Pages

When a lady is in a predicament...

Beautiful, clever and courageous Lady Gabrielle thwarts the shackles of her arranged betrothal by kissing a stranger in the park. But who is this man? Finding herself stuck in yet another forced engagement Gabrielle needs another strategy that isn’t so dangerous.

A gentleman may find himself in deep trouble...

Viscount Brentwood is walking in the park early one morning when a beautiful, enchanting young lady walks out of the mist and into his arms. Now Brent has no choice but to marry the delightful Lady Gabrielle.

Unfortunately his intended bride has other ideas, and the determined Viscount finds himself plunging into one scandal after another.

Review: DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison

2011-07-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Review: DRAGON BOUND by Thea Harrison

A Fiery Temper is Not Easily Extinguished

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.

As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in one another.

Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Release Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Paranormal Romance
336 Pages

Single Title/Series: DRAGON BOUND is book one in the Elder Races Series.

Cover Thoughts: Love it! I particularly love the incorporated details that are specific to the plot like the hero's golden eyes. Very nicely done.

Origin: I purchased this book for my own reading pleasure.

My Review:

The Plot:

In general, most people who value their lives don't steal from a dragon as old as our Solar System but Pia Giovanni is not most people. Blackmailed by her scumbag ex-boyfriend and aided by powerful tracking magic, Pia locates the hoard of wyrkinds' feared leader, Dragos Cuelebre, and steals from him a mere penny that nevertheless ignites the wrath of the most powerful of all Elder Races. On the run from the now very angry Dragos, Pia doesn't get far before she's captured and enthralled by the most sensually dangerous creature on the planet.

As a being who can either command with his voice or apply the force of his might to grant his every wish, Dragos has found little inspiration over the last several revolving centuries. But when he catches the enigmatic scent of his thief, he becomes engulfed by emotions ranging from rage to desperation. With an overwhelming need to possess leading his charge, Dragos tracks his prey and finds the most beautiful of creatures that baffles his all encompassing knowledge of wyrkind. A half-breed, Pia's strange but scintillating scent calls to every one of his protection instincts along with the dominating urge to possess her with a reverberating mantra of mine. Managing to keep her true wyr identity a secret behind a network of powerfully strong protection spells, Dragos is intrigued by both her courage and her vulnerability. From the moment he touches his beautiful Pia, every one of his decisions hence forth revolves around her with a driving compulsion that she manages to both inflame and enrage.

Seized by an emotional turmoil where stark fear wages war with combustible desire, Pia constantly shifts between the instinct to fight or flee. Confused by Dragos and his gruff alien responses that are completely counter to his gentle handling, Pia hungers desperately for the tantalizing safety his strong arms promise while simultaneously repulsed by his overwhelming dominance. But Pia has little time to reconcile her feelings before both she and Dragos are captured by Goblins and the Dark Fae King who would love nothing more than to see Dragos killed. Plagued by inconvenient sexual thoughts where her luscious dragon is concerned, Pia unveils her guarded secrets when the all too often life or death situation arises. But nothing is more frightening than her burgeoning feelings for a dragon who by his own proclamation doesn't know what love is. Will Pia become a mere trinket in Dragos's hoard, something to be kept in a gilded cage, or does he have the emotional capacity to let her soar the vast skies along side him?

The Heroine:

Pia Giovanni has long known that her survival relies solely on her ability to maintain her complete anonymity. Taught since birth how to guard her true self, how to run and disappear, Pia has known nothing except a driving need for secrecy but loneliness can turn even the strongest weak. Unveiling some of her secrets to her ex-boyfriend, Pia is soon paying harshly for the love her misguided heart once felt for a man who's parting gift was betrayal. Now on the run for her life, Pia utilizes all the survival tricks in her arsenal but her skills are rusty after first being suppressed by loneliness and then lured into relaxation by love.

Incredibly strong amidst the most deadly and dire of situations, Pia's emotional crumbling manifests during moments when she's allowed to process the sheer enormity of the life altering changes that have taken place in a relatively small amount of time. Dragos is such an overwhelming presence that Pia is often left scrambling for purchase and trying to assimilate herself with the life her thievery has wrought her. Yet despite her fear and confusion, Pia finds herself gravitating instinctively towards Dragos's strong embrace and his genuine but often misguided approaches to comforting her offer a thrilling peace. While awakening within her a powerfully sensual woman, freedom is still relative for Pia as she continues to fight against her desire to entrust Dragos with all her secrets. She'll not be able to give her heart totally until all the boundaries have been tested and the dragon that demands her soul reciprocates with his own.

The Hero:

An ancient being who's amber eyes reflect the hefty burden of unimaginable time, Dragos Cuelebre is a surly enigma to a select few and a dangerous enemy to all others. Enraged to the killing edge by the first thief to ever succeed in stealing from his hoard, no one is more surprised than Dragos when he finds himself willingly captivated by the mysterious female half-breed wyr that his thief ultimately proves to be.

Faced with Pia's fear of being trapped, Dragos learns with no small amount of mistakes, how to protect Pia without smothering her. This is a new found concept for a dragon who hoards his treasures with the constricting might of his powerful grip. And while Pia is slow to reveal her secrets, Dragos will never stop fighting to win her heart or her trust for there is one thing Dragos is certain of, Pia Giovanni is his to keep and keep her he shall.

My Final Thoughts:

Undoutedly catapulting its heretofore unknown author into the superstar strasophere, DRAGON BOUND is stunningly bold, sharply witty and a blazing hot action packed thrill ride that never forgets its central core of romance. Ultra alpha and ultra hot, Dragos is every bit the hero that romance readers are clamoring to get their grips on. Paired with a fiesty and intelligent heroine, Harrison treats readers with the fully three dimensional characters we deserve.

DRAGON BOUND, dear readers, is why we profess our love for paranormal romance. Enjoy!

5 Stars

The Series:

DRAGON BOUND
STORM'S HEAT - Releases August 2, 2011
SERPENT'S KISS - Releases October 4, 2011

Interview & Giveaway with Amelia Grey

2011-07-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS by Amelia Grey

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Release Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Historical Romance
384 Pages

When a lady is in a predicament...

Beautiful, clever and courageous Lady Gabrielle thwarts the shackles of her arranged betrothal by kissing a stranger in the park. But who is this man? Finding herself stuck in yet another forced engagement Gabrielle needs another strategy that isn’t so dangerous.

A gentleman may find himself in deep trouble...

Viscount Brentwood is walking in the park early one morning when a beautiful, enchanting young lady walks out of the mist and into his arms. Now Brent has no choice but to marry the delightful Lady Gabrielle.

Unfortunately his intended bride has other ideas, and the determined Viscount finds himself plunging into one scandal after another.

*********************************************************

Hi Everyone! Please welcome Historical Romance author Amelia Grey to Lovin' Me Some Romance!

About the Author: (from Sourcebooks) Amelia Grey won the Booksellers Best Award and Aspen Gold Award for 2004. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner she has won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter, the prestigious Maggie Award and the Affaire de Coeur Award. Her books have been sold in many countries in Europe, Russia and China, and they have also been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Amelia Grey grew up in a small town in the Florida Panhandle. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty-five years. She has lived in Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire and now lives in Panama City Beach, Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.ameliagrey.com/.

My Interview:

Hi Amelia! Thank you so much for joining me today at Lovin' Me Some Romance and congratulations on your recent release A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS.

Speaking of gentlemen, Lord Brentwood, the hero of A Gentleman Never Tells, truly is a gentleman. Level-headed, subtly charming and embodying an uncanny ability to read people, Brent is in a class all his own amidst his rowdy brethren. While scandal may surround his newly minted fiance, he's steadfast in his determination to be dutiful and true to his gentleman stature. What was your experience writing such a gentleman?

Good morning! Thank you for having me. I’m delighted to be here. I loved creating Brent and thought of him as the kind of hero any woman would fall in love with. He found himself in a bad situation and decided to make the best of it. And I love it that he never blamed the heroine or anyone else for the trouble he was in. He took responsibility for his actions, and I think that makes for one fine gentleman.

Dogs seem to take as much of the stage as the lead characters. Are you a dog lover?

I’ve never had a dog! I relied on family, friends, and the internet to find out about large dogs, little dog, and old dogs. With Brutus, I wanted to make sure the reader knew he was old and I needed a lot of help with that. I was told that large, old dogs have a lot of trouble with their hips and have trouble getting up and down.

Are any of the dogs in A Gentleman Never Tells modeled after the dogs in your life, past or present?

No. None of the above. For my first scene I saw my hero walking a little dog at daybreak and a beautiful woman walking out of the mist toward him with a huge dog at her side. From there, the book was easy to write. I wanted the biggest dog I could find for my heroine, Lady Gabrielle and I wanted my tall, broad-shouldered hero to have a little, fancy dog, so of course I had to make the dog his mother’s pet.

Lady Gabrielle, the heroine of A Gentleman Never Tells, concocts a wide variety of exit strategies when dealing with her forced betrothal to Lord Brentwood. What's most telling about her schemes is that she's a true innocent in every way. Do you have a favorite amongst her schemes? Mine personally is when she pretends to be a terrible dancer and tramples all over Lord Brentwood's toes.

Yes, I had fun with that scene. I could just see her counting one, two, three, four, one, two, three four and that constant counting irritating the devil out of Brent. And, of course no man likes to step on a lady’s toes! But my favorite was the scene where she found the book on how to be a proper mistress! I had tons of fun with that scene, too.

In addition to being an innocent, Gabrielle is a people-pleaser. This seems to be a common trait amongst women of both historical and modern times. Why do you think so many women both of today and yesterday embody this trait?

Of course the easy answer is God made us that way. But also I believe it’s because women bear the children, that we have that built in need to love, comfort, and protect our young so they will in turn love us. I think that carries over into our adult lives.

Brent's younger twin brothers steal the limelight in every single one of their scenes. Will they each be receiving their own books?

Yes, thank you for asking. Iverson Brentwood’s story is finished and will be out next spring. I created a fabulous heroine for him in this opposite attracts book. I’ve just started working on Matson’s story, and he has his hands full with a feisty heroine, too.

Your website mentions that you grew up in a small town. How has this upbringing influenced your writing?

I think because I always loved feminine things. We never had a place to go to where I could dress up in fancy clothing and I love to dress up in lovely dresses and put on my makeup and style my hair. I love going to balls and fancy dinners. I think that’s why I always have a ballroom scene in all my books.

You've written several novels under more than one pseudonym. Do you have a favorite amongst your entire backlist?

That is like asking do I have a favorite child! I love all my stories, BUT, I am very fond of my book Ransom for this reason; it’s a good sister/bad sister story—a little like Lady Gabrielle’s sister in A Gentleman Never Tells—except much worse. Ransom is a western and the heroine’s sister in that book is living with a notorious outlaw. I like to write about sisters because I have four of them and they are all very different.

In conclusion, what's next for Amelia Grey?

In October Sourcebooks is re-releasing A Dash Of Scandal. They’ve given it a fabulous new cover. And Spring 2012 watch for A Gentleman Says “I Do,” though I’ve just heard the title might be changed! Stayed tuned for that and please keep reading for a short synopsis of A Gentleman Never Tells. Thank you!

Giveaway Details:

Thanks to Sourcebooks, I have 2 copies of A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS to give away to 2 lucky commenters! Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to USA & Canada ONLY**

***Must be 18 or Older to Enter***

****Contest Closes Sunday, July 17th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Monday, July 18th****

Carol Cassada's WESTMORE Winner!

2011-07-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

apple

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks to the all the entrants and a big thanks to Carol Cassada for providing her guest post and the giveaway!

Wishing all my peeps in the States a Happy 4th of July!!

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WESTMORE by Carol Cassada

Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: April 11, 2011
Release Format: Paperback, eBook
Genre: Contemporary Romance
390 Pages

Set in a fictional New England town, follow the lives of three families; The Greens, the Braxtons, and the Reynolds. The Greens: * Widowed matriarch Charlotte never thought she could find love again after the death of her husband Michael, until handsome Detective Bryant comes to her rescue. * Youngest son Peter returns home from college with his new girlfriend, who's ten years older than him, and is a problem for Mama Charlotte. * Scott and Alicia are singing siblings who are on their way to the top, until tragedy strikes one night. The Braxtons: * Andrew Braxton is a ruthless and powerful businessman who runs his household the same way he runs his company, with an iron fist. Upon learning his son Wayne plans on abandoning the family company, he'll do everything in his heart to stop him from leaving. The Reynolds: * After the divorce Laura Reynolds and her daughter Megan move back home with her father, where she plans to start life anew, but little does she know that it's not easy to escape your past.

What's Up Wednesday! (22)

2011-06-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

Ugh, I'm in the biggest reading funk right now. To make matters worse, I'm not in the mood to write reviews. Case in point: I've been "working" on my review for DRAGON BOUND for over two weeks. Damned pathetic... Even more of a disaster, I have books that I MUST read in preparation for author visits and I can't seem to get my lazy bum in gear! Argh I'm so frustrated!!

HELP! When you're in a reading funk, what methods do you use to find that inspiration to read again?

Weekend Movie Review!

"The Adjustment Bureau" featuring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. David Norris (Damon) and Elise Sellas (Blunt) are destined to walk different paths, he a charismatic politician with an eye on the White House and she a dancer who will one day become the world's leading choreographer. They were destined to meet but they were also destined to be parted. However, like the famous turn of phrase love works in mysterious ways and when these two continue to meet by chance the Adjustment Bureau must step in and reset this passionate couple back onto the paths they're destined to walk...alone. I love, love, LOVE Emily Blunt. I think she's just magical and her characters are always so tangible. She's amazing and while "The Adjustment Bureau" wasn't movie gold, she made the viewing a most pleasurable past time. Rating: 3.5/5

"Unknown" featuring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, and January Jones. Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson) awakens from a coma only to find that his wife (Jones) doesn't know who he is nor do the scientists in Berlin where he's scheduled to give a presentation at a biotechnology conference. Even more upsetting, a man Harris has never before seen has stolen his identity and is now posing as him alongside his wife who must be drugged or coerced into playing one hell of a horrific farce. Stuck in a foreign city with no identification to prove who he is, Harris reaches out to Gina (Kruger), a cab driver involved in the accident that led to his coma. With each discovered clue, more questions than answers are revealed and Harris must soon face the possibility that he might not be the man he thinks he is. I'm a huge fan of Neeson's thrillers. They're always creative and entertaining. However, "Unknown" is unnecessarily long and more dramatic that action packed but no less fun. Rating: 3.5/5

What's new in romance!

Here's some cover candy:

Releases December 6, 2011
http://www.amandabonilla.com/

Releases December 6, 2011
http://www.allisonchase.com/

So, what's new with you?

Guest Post & Giveaway with Carol Cassada

2011-06-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

WESTMORE by Carol Cassada

Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: April 11, 2011
Release Format: Paperback, eBook
Genre: Contemporary Romance
390 Pages

Set in a fictional New England town, follow the lives of three families; The Greens, the Braxtons, and the Reynolds. The Greens: * Widowed matriarch Charlotte never thought she could find love again after the death of her husband Michael, until handsome Detective Bryant comes to her rescue. * Youngest son Peter returns home from college with his new girlfriend, who's ten years older than him, and is a problem for Mama Charlotte. * Scott and Alicia are singing siblings who are on their way to the top, until tragedy strikes one night. The Braxtons: * Andrew Braxton is a ruthless and powerful businessman who runs his household the same way he runs his company, with an iron fist. Upon learning his son Wayne plans on abandoning the family company, he'll do everything in his heart to stop him from leaving. The Reynolds: * After the divorce Laura Reynolds and her daughter Megan move back home with her father, where she plans to start life anew, but little does she know that it's not easy to escape your past.

*********************************************************

Hi guys! Please join me in welcoming Contemporary Romance author, Carol Cassada, to Lovin' Me Some Romance!

About the Author: Carol Cassada is a writer from Ringggold, VA. An avid reader throughout life, it wasn’t until she reached her teens that Carol developed a love of writing. She loved it so much she decided to make it her career. After graduating from college in December 2008, Carol started writing her first book Going Home Again, released in February 2010 by Romance Divine. Now Carol has published her second book Westmore, the first volume in the series, and is enjoying living her dream.

When she’s not busy typing away on the computer, Carol loves spending time with her family, playing video games, reading, and playing with her three dogs and two cats.

Guest Post:

Believe it or not, I was never much of a romance novel junkie, even though I now write for the genre. My inspiration for romance came from soap operas; I was and still am a soap opera fanatic. Growing up I dreamed of being a writer for one of those shows, I had a notebook where I’d write characters, plots, and other ideas. But with college and other demands, I didn’t have much time for writing, so I put my notebook away. Then when I was looking for inspiration for my second book, I pulled out my old notebook and decided to turn my soap opera ideas into a book series.

Westmore is set in a fictional New England town and the book revolves around three families, The Greens, The Braxtons, and The Reynolds.

The Greens are a lower class family which consists of matriarch Charlotte and her four children, Jack, Scott, Alicia, and Peter. Charlotte’s been a widow for the past four years, the death of her husband Michael hit her hard and she vowed never to date again. Then one night she’s mugged and a handsome detective by the name of Jim Bryant comes to her rescue. They quickly hit it off and become friends, but over time Charlotte realizes she has feelings for Jim and is ready to take a chance on love again.

Jack, her oldest son loves his job as a bartender, yet longs to do more in his life, and is waiting for the right opportunity to come his way.

Youngest son Peter returns home from college with new girlfriend Zoey, who’s ten years older than him, this is a problem for Charlotte, yet she keeps quiet because she doesn’t want to cause any trouble and she just wants her son to be happy. Zoey learns of Charlotte’s true feelings and gives her the cold shoulder, this leads to a lot of tension between the two and before long the secret is revealed, causing strain in Charlotte and Peter’s relationship.

Scott and Alicia are musicians in a rock band, tired of playing in nightclubs, they’re ready for superstardom. Once it looks like their hard work is about to pay off, something happens that will change the course of their lives.

The Braxtons are a rich, high society family. After the death of patriarch Clayton, his sons Andrew and Jeff take over the publishing company. Andrew is a very controlling and manipulative man, just like his father. After twenty-five years of marriage wife Elizabeth, fed up with his behavior decides it’s time for divorce. Meanwhile son Wayne whose been groomed to take over the family company, decides to jump ship when he gets a better offer. When Andrew learns of this he is displeased and sets a plot in motion to destroy his son’s dream; however his actions will spell consequences for others.

After their daughter Vanessa leaves the nest, cracks begin to appear in Jeff and Marie’s marriage. Marie upset with the fact they never had more children, blames his family for costing her a chance at a second child. Her repressed anger could lead to the dissolution of her marriage.

The Reynolds are another rich, upper class family, consisting of real estate tycoon Stan. His life is turned upside down when his son Jacob begins dating rocker chick Alicia Green, who he disapproves of. Then his daughter Laura and granddaughter Megan return home after Laura’s divorce. Laura doesn’t tell her father the real reason she split with her husband, opting to keep it a secret. Once Laura gets her life back to normal her ex shows up threatening to reveal her secret.

Towards the end of the book, an accident occurs which will affect all three families. The sequel, which I’m currently revising and hope to have out soon, deals with the aftermath of the accident and one character will suffer the consequences of his actions.

I hope readers will enjoy Westmore and the volumes to come. I love hearing feedback; I can be reached at my site http://www.carolcassada.net/
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/dramacjc

Giveaway Details:

Carol Cassada is giving away one eBook copy of WESTMORE to one lucky commenter! Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to ALL**

***Must be 18 or Older to Enter***

****Contest Closes Thursday, June 30th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, July 1st****

Cornelia Amiri's PEACE LOVE MUSIC Winner!

2011-06-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...

Karyn Gerrard

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks to all the entrants for your support and a big thanks to Cornelia Amiri for guest posting and providing the giveaway!

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PEACE LOVE MUSIC by Cornelia Amiri

Publisher: Eternal Press
Release Date: May 7, 2011
Release Format: eBook
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
48 Pages

Jodi's birthday breaks her free of the foster care scene and launches her on a journey of self discovery. She thumbs her way to Woodstock to groove on peace, love, and music. The moment Blue spots Jodi strutting toward him barefoot in the rain, he's overcome with déjà vu. She doesn't share his feeling that they were lovers in a previous life, thinking it's half crazy, still she feels she's meant to be with the irresistible hippie.

As an adult now Jodi's free to be naughty rather than nice and he's the man who can make her wildest dreams, the sensual ones, come true. Is she headed for a love-in at his tepee?

What's Up Wednesday! (21)

2011-06-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

~~So, what's up with me?~~ What's on my mind?

Stubborn heroines: Love 'em or hate 'em?

I've got to admit that lately, the stubborn heroines of Romance Landia have really earned my irritation. Honestly, I can only take so much.

Now, I do think that there is a fine line between strength and stubbornness. Some authors zigzag back and forth across the line and others manage to remain on one side or the other. I love strong heroines, I'm a woman of modern times after all, but I don't like heroines who take strength over the top and cross into stubborn town. It's an irksome town, I tell you.

For me, A heroine qualifies as stubborn in a number of ways. Here's a few:

When she needlessly places herself and/or her hero in a life or death situation simply for the sake of proving that she can still do whatever she wants.
When she clings irritatingly to decisions that are not only wrong for her but wrong for the hero.
When she believes that the hero can do nothing to change her own dire situation.
Etc.

This isn't to say that I don't understand the strengths and the propulsion a stubborn heroine can add to the plot. And this makes me wonder, is there a double standard? A hero who stubbornly resists falling in love is more acceptable then a heroine resisting, don't you think? Is it because we're striving to live vicariously through the heroine that we want her to be just like us? But then again, if I were she, I'd fall head first in love with my hero with nary a hint of hesitation. Some book I'd make.

Weekend Movie Review!

"Red Riding Hood" featuring Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Shiloh Fernandez, and Max Irons. Set in a medieval village that's haunted by a blood hungry werewolf, Valerie (Seyfried) is a woman torn between two men, one of which she loves, Peter (Fernandez), and the other being her family arranged husband to be, Henry (Irons). Planning to run away with Peter, the two are about to leave when Valerie's sister is struck down by the werewolf inadvertently causing a rapidly escalating domino effect of destruction. When famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman) arrives on scene, he brings with him his controversial methods as well as a previously untold truth: the werewolf is undoubtedly within the villagers midst for he must be human during the day. A "who done it" film that has you guessing right up to the very end, "Red Riding Hood" may have a corny feel with its obvious stage settings and lack of gore, but the mystery is fun and the music is rather lovely. Romance fans will also undoubtedly dig the love triangle and Seyfried really is stunning to watch. Rating: 3.5/5

"Jackass 3" featuring Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and Bam Margera. What can I say about this other than if you like slap stick and raunchy comedy that induce gag reactions in viewers, than this is a film for you. Note: I laughed my ass off. Rating: 3/5

What's new in romance?

Debut Fantasy Romance author, Kylie Griffin, released the cover and blurb for new upcoming release, VENGEANCE BORN:

VENGEANCE BORN by Kylie Griffin

Releases February 7, 2012

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born…

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na’Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father’s people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she’s gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy.

With the Na’Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na’Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons—and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father’s dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council—and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war…

So, what's new with you?

Guest Post & Giveaway with Cornelia Amiri

2011-06-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

PEACE LOVE MUSIC by Cornelia Amiri

Publisher: Eternal Press
Release Date: May 7, 2011
Release Format: eBook
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
48 Pages

Jodi's birthday breaks her free of the foster care scene and launches her on a journey of self discovery. She thumbs her way to Woodstock to groove on peace, love, and music. The moment Blue spots Jodi strutting toward him barefoot in the rain, he's overcome with déjà vu. She doesn't share his feeling that they were lovers in a previous life, thinking it's half crazy, still she feels she's meant to be with the irresistible hippie.

As an adult now Jodi's free to be naughty rather than nice and he's the man who can make her wildest dreams, the sensual ones, come true. Is she headed for a love-in at his tepee?

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Hi everyone! Please join me in welcoming Romance author, Cornelia Amiri, to Lovin' Me Some Romance!

About the Author: Cornelia Amiri has been writing professionally for ten years and the publication of Peace Love Music marks her as the author of a dozen books, including her Celtic/Romances with Eternal Press, filled with magic, hot heroes, and warrior women: A Fine Cauldron of Fish, Queen of Kings, Druid Bride, and The Wolf and the Druidess. She and her cat, Severus, live in Houston, TX as does her wonderful son and granddaughter. Cornelia loves hearing from her fans, please visit her on her website http://celticromancequeen.com/, or email Cornelia at coramiri@yahoo.com.

Guest Post:

I wrote my new novella, Peace Love Music, with those three words in mind, a fun, hot summer read full of good vibes. Visit the 1969 Woodstock festival with my barefoot heroine, Jodi and be a part of what’s known as the greatest weekend since creation. Who wouldn’t love to put aside three days of their life for peace, love, and music … to be startdust, to be golden, to get back to the garden.

It’s Firday night and the first performer is on, you’re watching Richie Havens work the strings of an acoustic guitar as he taps his foot to the beat singing, “Freedom, freedom, freedom. Sometimes I feel like I’m almost gone a long long way from my home. “ You clap your hands along with the soulful folk singer as he sings from deep in his soul. You cheer with the rest of the crowd as he dances around the stage masterfully strumming his guitar.

It’s still daylight when Country Joe McDonald, the next act, comes on and launches into “it’s one, two, three what are you fighting for.” His voice rises with “Ain’t no time to wonder why we’re all going to die.” You and the thousands upon thousands of people around you stand and clap to the music. Country Joe goads, “I don’t how you can’t stop the war if you can’t sign louder than that.” You sing louder, “Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn, the next stop is Vietnam.”

Everyone claps loudly as John Sebastian with his round wire rimmed glasses in his tye-dyed shirt takes the stage and sings, “It’s ok to shoot the moon. So darling be home soon.” At the end of the song he calls out, “You’re all beautiful.”

You twirl around and a haze of smoke rises from the hill. Everybody’s puffing on zig zag rolled smokes as they groove to the music.

Then the first band comes on stage, Sweetwater, with the electric flute and their psychedelic rock and classical fusion sound. You start dancing as your spirit leads as Nancy Nevins sings out, “Why oh why?”

You wave your arms as your body sways with the rhythm of the music, dancing from the soul, letting go and moving as the sound pulls you. Incredible String Band takes the stage next and they sing, “When you find out who you are, beautiful beyond your dreams.”

They leave the stage and Bert Sommer performs next. You pull your legs up into the lotus position as you sit on the grass amid a sea of people, listening to the words of his song, Jennifer. “Lying beside her in a magical way melting into her river of love. Lying beside her I'm melted away into her river of love.”

The next act is Tim Hardin, who sings a song he’s written, “If I was a carpenter would you love me anyway would you have my baby.” Your heart melts at the strong, simple lyrics. “Save my love from loneliness, save my love form sorrow, I give you my onlyness, give me your tomorrows.”

You stand up to dance and the sky breaks with a hammering rain as Ravi Shankar comes to the stage. The storm drenches you and the entire crowd during all five of the India Master’s exotic songs, though you keep dancing, the pelting rain is cool, refreshing, and magical.

Melanie sings next. She walkes up to the mike with her guitar. Everyone who had candles with them, lites them and holds up candles in the rain as Melanie sings Beautiful people, “He may be sitting right next to you. He maybe be a beautiful people too. And if you take care of him, maybe he'll take care of you.”

Arlo Guthrie with his bushy brown hair, walks on next. You laugh with everyone else when he looks out into the crowd and said, “Lots of freaks.” The singer-songwriter strums and sings, “Coming into Los Angeles. Don’t check my bags if you please, Mister Custom man.” After the song ends, when the applause dies down, Arlo says, “I don’t know if you can dig how many people are here. New York State freeway is closed.Far out. We’re a force.”

When Arlo leaves the stage and you feel swallowed up by the dark night, someone calls out, “Everyone light a match.”

You scan the crowd, taking in thousands of magic lights flickering across the hillside. “Beautiful,” you say aloud.

There is a thunder of applause as Joan Baez greets the crowd, “Good Morning.”

You know it’s after midnight, already Saturday.

“This festival is really quite extraordinary in every way,” Joan says and she sings a resistance song. “One day at a time, I dream one dream at a time.”

Jeffrey Shurtleff’s low, masculine voice adds to the tune as he sings with Joan Baez. “Yesterday’s dead and tomorrow is blind.” He belts out on his own, “Swallow flying across a cloudy sky, searching for a patch of sun so high.”

A downpour falls from the heavens as Joan Baez sings, “We shall overcome someday.”

The chill down your back isn’t from the rain. When Joan sings out in her crystal clear voice, “We are not afraid, Oh Lord. We are not afraid, Oh Lord, not afraid today,” the words vibrate through you. Even in the cold rain, a warm glow flutters in your chest. And that is the final act of the first day of the Woodstock festival, 1969.

Giveaway Details:

Cornelia Amiri is offering one PDF copy of PEACE LOVE MUSIC to one lucky entrant. Here's how to enter:

*Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to ALL**

***Must be 18 or Older to Enter***

****Contest Closes Thursday, June 23rd at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Friday, June 24th****

Review: KISS OF SNOW by Nalini Singh

2011-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Review: KISS OF SNOW by Nalini Singh

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 31, 2011
Release Format: Hardcover
Genre: Paranormal Romance
432 Pages

Single Title/Series: KISS OF SNOW is book 10 in the Psy-Changeling Series. The romance between this hero and heroine has not only been long awaited but a much cherished emotional development between two beloved characters. For a reader to experience the true evolution of the love between these two characters, I definitely recommend reading the series in order. Why wouldn't you want to any way? Its beyond stellar!

Cover Thoughts: Its certainly eye catching with all that skin showing on a large hardback release but sadly, its not a favorite. What irks me the most is the black wolf. That's not Hawke who's wolf has a white/gold pelt. Thankfully the contents surpass the disappointment of its cover.

Origin: I purchased this novel for my own reading enjoyment.

My Review:

The Plot:

Hawke's wolf has sensed that its quarry has finally reached adulthood and is therefore fair game for the sensual assault its clawing to unleash. Since the moment Sienna Lauren and her Psy family landed uninvited upon SnowDancer territory, both Hawke and his wolf have been intrigued by the then adolescent cardinal X-Psy with her night-sky eyes and flaming disregard for him as alpha. She's wrestled him at every turn, defied him at every moment, and now she's grown up to become an intelligent and adept soldier in Hawke's ranks. But Hawke, despite his body's wild sexual hunger for Sienna, can't bring himself to claim her. Knowing that he would demand everything from Sienna but have nothing to offer in return, Hawke is determined to maintain his cool and indifferent facade. But his cunning X-Psy isn't about to make his decision to stay away easy and honestly, he shouldn't ever expect anything less given their volatile history.

The moment Sienna's eyes clashed with Hawke's piercing predatory gaze, her Silence shattered like so much glass. Faced with the alpha wolf and his alpha demands, Sienna fights continuously to stay in control of her combustible emotions while also striving desperately to hold tight to her psychic shields that safeguard the most deadly of all Psy powers. Hackles constantly raised against her alpha, all Sienna wants is Hawke - just Hawke - instead, she's forced to chafe against the yawning distance that has been pounded relentlessly between them by a wolf who hides behind his rank and the belief that he has nothing to offer. Having withstood Hawke's rejection for too many years, Sienna's done waiting. She wants to live and she's going to start now.

Helpless to fight Sienna's innocent seduction, Hawke can no longer subdue his raging urge to claim Sienna. Threatened by the scent of a leopard that stalks dangerously close to his Psy, Hawke can't stop himself from squashing both Sienna's and her kitty's flirtation for he can only tolerate his scent on her untouched skin. Selfish of him, yes, but he's driven by hot-blooded alpha instincts that he could no more ignore that he could stop himself from breathing. Willing to make progress in their relationship, Hawke tentatively reaches out to Sienna, asking her for answers to the personal questions he's always hungered for but when the interrogation turns to him, he's ruthless in shutting Sienna down. In truth, Hawke's trying to save Sienna from the despair she'll inevitably feel. Wolfs mate only once and having found and lost his would be mate as children, Hawke knows within his heart that he'll never mate with Sienna and no self respecting woman, wolf or not, would want anything less than everything.

While the fact that Hawke's inability to mate is heartbreaking, Sienna won't let him go without a fight. Demanding that they be equals and that he share his heart and secrets that same as she's done with him, than mating be damned for she'll still have her wolf. But just when her happiness seems set, her X designation rears its ugly head. The only cardinal X-Psy to be birthed in the PsyNet, Sienna faces the wild unknown. If she goes critical, if the ugliness within her manges to overpower her ruthless attempts to hold it under shield after shield after shield, than the North American continent is in serious threat of total and complete annihilation.

The Heroine:

Brutally caged both physically and psychically by the ruthless Psy Councilor Ming LeBon, Sienna has lived in a prison of fear from the moment the X maker made its presence known at the tender age five. Trained to be LeBon's protegee, Sienna never learned to play even by Psy standards. Instead, each day of her childhood was a fight to survive. Weapon and combat trained, Sienna bears the burden of knowing with deadly military precision the complete and utter destruction that can be wielded with a flick of her seemingly delicate wrist. The only cardinal X-Psy in existence, Sienna's a ticking time bomb set to explode. The only measure of peace that allows her to live are the fail safes orchestrated by her Uncle Judd and her own ruthless control so at nineteen, she's not going to waste a single precious moment of the gift life has granted her.

Burdened with knowledge and memories beyond her years, when Hawke invites Sienna to play, she pounces. Knowing that she's playing with an alpha who's wolf is closer to the skin than any other Changeling, Sienna takes pride in being one of the few who can sense man from wolf. But it's not all fun and games. Sensing a deep well of pain within the alpha, Sienna digs relentlessly through his dark layers completely undaunted by Hawke's attempts to cauterize any attempt. Wanting this complex man with every fiber of her being, she'll not allow him to claim her without her reciprocating the action. Mating aside, Sienna demands Hawke's heart and she'll accept nothing less.

The Hero:

Enduring a childhood soaked in the blood of heartbreaking loss, Hawke's wolf was forced to take hold of the boy as an adolescent in order to make the hard decisions, decisions that no child should be forced to make. Now, as alpha of SnowDancer - the largest and most influential Changeling pack in North America, most would be hard pressed to discern the wolf from the man for they move as one with synergistic fluidity. Grudgingly resolved with the fact that he can't offer the mating bond, Hawke limits his relationships to the mere assuaging of base needs. But despite feeling the acute pain of never being able to claim a woman fully as his own, Hawke does what he can to maintain distance from Sienna knowing she deserves more.

With a stranglehold on both his wolf and his raging sexual need, Hawke throws his final effort into staying away from Sienna but neither she nor his wolf are willing to back down from the chase. No sooner does Hawke decide to take tentative steps towards Sienna, slowly and sensually acclimating her to his demands, he finds that his quarry has nestled herself firmly under his skin. Sienna's strength and cunning intelligence make him preen with pride while the need to protect surges hotly when he must command her to the front lines. She's everything Hawke has ever wanted and to deny her the bond she deserves tears him apart but he'll never ever let her go. Sienna is his, mating bond or not.

My Final Thoughts:

Verdict: The highly anticipated and long awaited KISS OF SNOW delivers! Oh does it ever! And I'm tempted to leave it at just that...

Nalini Singh has become a permanent fixture on my book shelves and the real estate she's rightfully claimed is not a recent development. Oh no. She claimed her territory in September 2006 with the release of SLAVE TO SENSATION, the first installment of the Psy-Changeling series. Back before I even knew about blogging, the buzz this author generated resounded across the world of romance lovers like the circular momentum thrust of a giant boulder plopping into calm waters. She's created change and set a new standard. And while my wallet may be hurting a bit more, I still couldn't be more thrilled or happy with her transition into hardback. She's more than deserving of that validation.

More than that, there's something utterly comforting about a Singh novel. I've been reading her Psy-Changeling series for five years now and every time I sit down with her latest release, I feel like I'm coming home. Her characters are so recognizable that they're almost like a fantasy family that welcomes me lovingly with open arms. In addition, there's something to be said for the consistent quality Singh produces with each book. A reader can be confident while expecting a high standard of story telling from Singh because she never fails to deliver the goods. And oh was KISS OF SNOW the goods!

It has to be mentioned that for five years I've been reading about Hawke and wanting more. He's protective, strong, alpha, and even beyond that, he's thrillingly wild! With his wolf always just beneath his skin, he exudes a primitive sexuality that practically leaps off the pages, zinging you with the electric force of his personality. He's a hero that has always managed to make me shudder. When reading the true beginnings of Hawke's and Sienna's physical relationship, I was helpless against the giddiness I felt. I'd picture the large masculine body of Hawke pressed sensually with male aggression upon Sienna and I'd be thinking this is Hawke! And with that, I ate up every moment. Hawke is a hero that all authors desperately dream of ripping from their subconscious. He's incredibly rare and a hero that readers don't find often but when we do, there's no denying our eternal fanship.

Well...I suppose I was tempted enough to leave you readers with more than simply the fact that KISS OF SNOW delivers. KISS OF SNOW is action, passion, love, and sex. Its romance. Period.

5 Stars

The Series:

SLAVE TO SENSATION
VISIONS OF HEAT
CARESSED BY ICE
MINE TO POSSESS
HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE
BRANDED BY FIRE
BLAZE OF MEMORY
BONDS OF JUSTICE
PLAY OF PASSION
KISS OF SNOW
Untitled - Releasing 2012

Grace Burrowes's THE SOLDIER Winner!

2011-06-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

And the winners are...

CarlyP

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you to all the entrants. Your enthusiasm and support is very much appreciated. Thank you Grace Burrowes for guest posting and responding to comments. I wish you much future success. And finally, a big thanks to Sourcebooks Casablance for providing the giveaway!!

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THE SOLDIER by Grace Burrowes

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Release Format: Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Historical Romance
448 Pages

This Regency era battle of wits, wills, and the sexes features a wily duke determined to see the succession of his line secured. The duke can’t force his sons to marry, but he can make their lives miserable until they do. Resisting his pressure, each gentleman holds out for true love.

The Soldier features Devlin St. Just, oldest, but illegitimate, son of the duke of Moreland, who arrives at his new estate weary in body and spirit only to find it is in no better shape than he is. Worse, the previous owner’s bastard daughter, five-year-old Winnie Farnum, has become a fixture on the property, and also Devlin’s responsibility. He dragoons Winnie’s cousin, Emmaline Farnum, into serving as a temporary governess, only to discover that she can nurture him too, in ways no other woman ever has before.

Devlin’s battle-worn spirit calls to Emmie, but Emmie is keeping devastating secrets from him. Revealing what Emmie has hidden becomes Devlin’s mission, because he knows that if only he can find out the truth, it will change everything, and they all three might then have their only chance at ever finding love and happiness...

What's Up Wednesday! (20)

2011-06-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

What's Up Wednesday is a little weekly post that I'm hosting. Just something short and sweet about what's new with me, the romance realm and what ever else strikes my fancy.

So, what's up with me?

First, I want to thank everyone who left a comment on last week's What's Up Wednesday. Your kind thoughts, prayers, and support were beyond appreciated.

Over the weekend I experienced a multitude of emotions. Not only did my husband and I attend the funeral services for our friend, but a wedding as well in which Mr. VFG was the best man. Yup, it was crazy with little to no time to process our grief. It was tough but for the moment, I'm done shedding tears. My husband and I both want to move on with our lives and the wedding was the perfect opportunity to create happy memories during what was otherwise a tragic and painful time.

For my part, I started drinking the moment the "I do's" wrapped up and I didn't stop until they kicked us out! Oh yeah, little Mrs. Innocent got shit-faced. I also gave a speech. Me, uber shy Mrs. VFG gave a speech in front of 60 people! I've no idea what I said but I'm reassured after receiving hugs and kisses from the bride and groom that I didn't say anything too bad. Thank God because I have a tendency to get real truthful when I'm drinking....

Observe my transformation from sober to not so sober:

Mr. and Mrs. VFG (Notice that I'm sober)

There's my trademark fangirl smile! And my drink...

Get your hands in the air!
It's the drunk girl flail!

In other stupendous news, Barbara from Happily Forever After is trekking across the country to come visit me! AAHHHHH!!!! You've no idea how happy this makes me. I've something so wonderful to look forward to. Yesterday, for the first time in a week, I began to feel like my old happy self. It's the best gift Barbara or anyone during this time has given me. I embraced my old self with open arms and while sad thoughts of my lost friend still persist, I feel as though a great portion of my sadness has been lifted. Thank you Barbara. And I can't wait to show you my city!!! (((hugs)))

Weekend Movie Review!

"Just Go With It" featuring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. Is it just me or is Adam Sandler becoming less and less of a funny guy? I so miss the days of "Big Daddy", "Billy Madison", and "Happy Gilmore". With typical Sandler style, his character, plastic surgeon Danny Maccabee, prevents himself from meeting heartache by telling girls he's married. Not the best pick-up line but added to his outrageous lies are that his "wife" beats him, or cheats on him, or doesn't speak to him, etc.. And this wins him girls but his lies catch up with him when he has to spin even more lies to keep his dream girl. Manipulating his medical assistant (Aniston), into joining him with her kids in Hawaii to pose as his ex-wife, the tables are turned when he starts seeing her in a new and serious light. Rating: 2.5/5

"True Grit" featuring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Hailee Steinfeld. Fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross (Steinfeld) hires the toughest U.S. Marshal she find when her father is gunned down by hired hand, Tom Chaney (Brolin). Despite his reputation of having "grit", Deputy U.S. Marshal "Rooster" Cogburn (Bridges) drunken ways are soon unveiled on the trail through Indian territory with Mattie in tow after stubbornly demanding she accompany him. She hired him after all. This pair is soon a trio when Texas Ranger LeBoeuf (Damon) joins their party having his own reasons for tracking Chaney. Rife with danger and surprises, "True Grit" brings the stark and deadly circumstances of times gone by in sharp focus. Gripping with intensity but lacking a profound ending, "True Grit" is an interesting and fun romp through U.S. history. Rating: 4/5

What's new in romance?

Meljean Brook released an updated cover for her upcoming Iron Seas release, HEART OF STEEL.

Last week, an interesting debate took place on Nalini Singh's Blog on whether or not Changeling Rat, Teijan, should get his own HEA.

Virna DePaul released a free prequel novella to her hot new release CHOSEN BY BLOOD. Check out WRAITH'S AWAKENING.

So, what's new with you?

Lovin' Me Some Romance

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