Tuesday, July 31, 2012

RABT Tours: Review, Guest Post and Giveaway:Untamed Fire by Donna Fletcher

Photobucket

Please give a warm welcome to Donna Fletcher, who is guest posting today on BLH:

Spending the Day with Sexy Hot Heroes

Spending the day with sexy, hot heroes can be trying on the nerves not to mention the libido.Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It’s kind of a dream job, and one I thoroughly enjoy.But sexy, hot heroes have issues that have to be dealt with and they can be demanding about it, especially when you’re dealing with more than one.

I deal with three to four sexy, hot heroes in one day, from the hero in my WIP, to the book I’m editing and future heroes that insist on being recognized, and what do they all want to talk about... women and sex. They’re adamant about what they want in their women, so you know I have to mess with them and toss in women that they never thought would suit them. They get annoyed at me and even more annoyed when it comes to sex. Either I’m not getting to the sex scenes fast enough or they’re not getting enough of it.

So how do I handle my sexy, hot heroes when they do that to me? I write sex scenes that surprise the hero and have them hanging over my shoulder smiling. Of course they have to add their own two cents and I do welcome it since they usually provide me with some great love scenes.

What I enjoy the most though is when they start talking about love. They all have different views on it. Some heroes are eager to fall in love, others reluctant, and some feel unworthy, but all of them agree on one thing... they will protect the women they love with their lives. And to love that deeply and so strongly in itself is sexy.

I have to admit that I’ve had some sexy, hot heroes that have failed to make the cut. They were gorgeous in my mind’s eye, hard bodies and stunning looks but as I got to know them they had no depth of character, not a bit of substance, and so they never made it as a hero.

Sex, hot heroes aren’t all about looks. It takes a lot more than that to make a hero sexy and hot. Respect, integrity, thoughtfulness, especially during those times he seems like an overbearing brut, you need to see that love is driving him or he’s no hero at all.

My hero in Untamed Fire, Raphael Cabrillo, can appear a brut at times, but there are reasons for his tyrannical nature. His station in life calls for certain expectations and duties, and then there is the incident in his past that has made him a bit overprotective. But he’s a man that loves deeply and that means everything to him.

I love spending the day with my sexy, hot heroes. It’s the best job ever!



Historical Romance
Title: Untamed Fire
Author: Donna Fletcher

Date Published: May 26, 2012

Synopsis:

Gaby Alvardo borrows the powerful ranchero’s horse to rush and help her injured brother.

Raphael Cabrillo doesn’t see it that way to him... she stole his horse. And so she is to be punished for her crime. She will serve a term of six
months as companion to his ailing mother.

Raphael intends to tame the spirited woman who refuses to wear shoes, dances under the moonlight, takes his ill mother on picnics and stirs
his passion like no other woman.

But when an attempt is made on Gaby’s life there isn’t anything he won’t do to protect her.

Will Raphael tame the willful woman or love the untamed fire that burns within her?

Links to Buy:




Review:
It has been a long while since I read a true pure historical romance without, immortal warriors and such. Let me just say this book reminded me of just why I fell in love with this genre way back when I was a teenager. Though at first, I was a bit confused at the beginning and wondered where that played into this book, it didn't take long to figure it out and enjoy this great read.

Gaby, I loved her. She is a feisty wildcat and from the very start she gives Raphael problems, to say she is more than a handful is a understatement and that is what makes her so much fun.

Raphael, I can see it now some of you might not like him and at first I wasn't so sure, but as I got to know him I knew there was more than just the broody, demanding man he is. And it takes Gaby to find that part of his heart he thought he had sealed off forever.

What I loved about this book, is not only I could feel what the characters were feeling, but the fact you could feel the sparks between this couple from the very start. It was a pretty fast read. Only thing I see wrong with this book is that it ended.

Would I recommend? If you love historical romance in it's truest form then get this book its well worth your time and money. Meanwhile I am going to go check out Donna Fletcher's other books. She definitely has gotten a new fan right here.

Rating:
5 out of 5

About the Author:

Donna Fletcher is a USA Today bestselling author of adventurous historical romances. She is also a past President of New Jersey Romance Writers and Novelists, Inc.

Author's Links:




Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway




*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of
this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading
Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was
no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not
necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Monday, July 30, 2012

New Look! What Do You Think?

I know I just changed this a month or so ago but that was just a background, this is a template. What do you think? Do you like ? How about the font is it okay? Let me have it.

I am hoping to get a custom design at some point (Sept) at the earliest) but for now this is the look.

I hope you like it

Saturday, July 28, 2012

The Book Show 9-22-2012


THE BOOK SHOW

We would like to invite you to join us at the UK’s leading conference for authors and publishers.

With panels and individual speakers who are some of the UK’s leading authors, publishers and agents.

With a loaded all day programme, over three floors of a centrally located venue, there is sure to be a zone which will appeal to everyone.

Speakers include authors such as – Suzy Jane-Tanner, Steve Goodwin, Chris Cowlin, and many more

TV Celebrity authors - George Watts, Pete Cohen, and Jenny Ainslie-Turner

Erotica Authors – Lucy Felthouse, Victoria Blisse, Kay Jaybee, Janine Ashbless, Serena Yates, Nephylim

Literary agents from – Ed Victor, Burkeman and Clarke, Whatson Little

Publishers such as – Apex Publishing, Andrews UK, Silver Moon, MX Publishing and many more.

Other Exhibitors / zones – Web site creation, Social Media and Marketing Experts, Erotica Zone.

Ticket price includes access to all panels, talks and zones, as well as Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea.

Centrally located in Luton, Bedfordshire, one minutes’ walk from the main railway station, two large car parks, and a few minutes from junction 10 of the M1 motorway.

Come and join us at THE conference for authors.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Darkness Rising by Elle Chardou: First Chapter and Giveaway



File Size: 174 KB
Print Length: 106 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Midnight Engel Press; First edition (June 21, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B008DXUZ0G
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Lending: Enabled


Blurb:

A Pureblood...
Julien Gasquet belongs to the notorious Lycan clan, the Gasquet Pack based in New Orleans. After a vicious argument, he storms out of the compound and decides to spend the night with his sister, Jolie, in Baton Rouge.

A Half-breed...
Martina Beauchamp is considered an abomination to the Lycans as she isn't a pureblood and doesn't have a pack to call her own. She meets Julien after a horrifying incident forces her to flee her home and her car breaks down in the parking lot next to his truck.

Destined...
The attraction Julien and Martina experience from the moment they meet isn't about lust or a one night stand. However, when the pack is involved in every decision a werewolf makes, is a happy ending at all possible?

WARNING: This is paranormal romance novella with sexy good times, smokin' hot werewolves, toned bodies and explicit language. Blood, gore and closed door sex scenes? Not this time. (Novella Word Count: 23,000)

Chapter One
“Boy, I don’t care how you feel—you goin’ to fight tonight, come hell or high water. The venue has already been booked and everyone is comin’ out to see you beat Clarence Remington from that bastard mongrel Desreseaux Pack of Shreveport.”

“Roy, just leave him be. If he can’t fight and he says he ain’t well, you ain’t makin’ it no better.”

“Shut the fuck up, Adele. I’m gettin’ tired of you taking his side all the time. Who you married to anyway, him or me? You let his pansy ass get away with murder, woman.”

Adele kissed her son’s cheek before she walked toward the door. “Listen, I have to work tonight and if I am late again, that vamp bastard is gonna fire me.”

“He should. Don’t make no sense you workin’ in one of them kind’s fancy schmancy bar anyway. You
belong with the pack, goddamn it!”

“And I would be if I had a better excuse for a husband.”

Julien “Jules” Gasquet finally got tired of the back and forth between his mother and step-father. Adele always pulled out the same tired old lines why she worked at Le Sang, an upscale gentlemen’s club in the French Quarter, but the truth was she preferred being around vampires rather than her own husband.

He gathered a few clothing items from his bedroom and took off in his Ford F-150. He could imagine his gorgeous mother now telling his no-good step-dad how he’d chased him off yet again. He didn't plan to go far, probably Baton Rouge as leaving Louisiana wasn't such a good idea. He might decide to keep driving and never grace his pack again but he couldn't leave that kind of burden on his mother.

Adele, was not only a beautiful and eternally youthful woman of Creole descent, her lineage remained pureblood Lycan. She’d also been orphaned at a young age and raised in middle-class New Orleans with a family who was not aware their adopted daughter would soon become a werewolf when she entered puberty.

When she became of age, she hunted down her biological mother and though they never became close she at least knew her kin. She’d married his father, Jean Gasquet, a first generation French-American thus he wasn’t considered Cajun, who belonged to the Gasquet Pack and was instantly accepted by them.

His father had been like him, though Alpha of the Gasquet Pack he would always be a fighter, who loved to shift and show how great his lineage as a Lycan was,how strong and tough. He’d died in a bar fight, three wolves against his one when Jules was fifteen and his younger sister, Jolie, was seven.

It had been just the three of them for almost ten years but his mother eventually wanted a lover even if he could never be her true mate. Roy had come along and their life had seemed fucked from the word “go”. His mother was so beautiful and could have any man she wanted but Roy was second cousin to their father and he was just as good looking as he possessed the same crystal blue eyes and blond hair.

Everything seemed okay in the beginning but the moment Roy married Adele, everything went downhill in a hurry. Roy couldn’t wait to prove Julien was tougher and stronger than his father. He enrolled him in the Lycan Fighter’s League where there was serious money to be made. Roy took over his life and when he wasn’t training, he was fighting. After almost eight years of this constant lifestyle, it was starting to wear him down.

He pulled the truck to the side of the road and checked his face. The black eye sustained on the left side of his head from the previous night’s bout had yet to fade completely on his ivory skin and had taken on a bluish purplish tinge around his eye. The bruise didn’t take away from his gorgeous crystal blue eyes, the same color as his father’s though the rest of him resembled his mother. He had her bone structure and dark hair though he was tall, almost 6’4” and two hundred pounds of lean muscle mass.

Julien decided then and there if and when he decided to go back to his parents’ house, his life would have to change. He couldn’t keep getting into these professional fights that lead to bar brawls as he was already hyped up on blood and violence; followed by casual sex with every were-bitch and sundry just because his life sucked and he hated how dead end the situation seemed at the moment.

The only bright spot in his life was his sister, Jolie, who attended LSU in Baton Rouge. He would stay with her as she lived off campus in an apartment he secretly paid for and make sure she was all right as far as money was concerned. University ended almost six weeks previously but she preferred to stay in her apartment year round as she despised Roy more than he did. Halfway to Baton Rouge, he decided to stop at Tommy’s Pizza to get some dinner. Hammond was the perfect in between place and there were some pretty good restaurants situated near enough to the interstate to make it his favorite halfway point stop. He parked
his truck and locked it with the remote as soon as he stepped out. Julien realized if Hammond had a down side, the place was firmly in “shifter” territory.

The Lycan had absolutely zero respect for shape shifters and considered them just a step above regular humans but the fuckers were crafty and usually poor as dirt. They didn’t possess the pack mentality and thatwas the main reason why they always stayed in trouble, especially with law enforcement.

Nothing would hurt his mother more than if he got involved with a shifter—Lycans weren’t crazy about vamps either but even they were better than shifters—and he decided the best defense was to be cognizant of his environment at all times.

He waited until he was safely inside the diner and seated before he pulled out his Samsung Android phone and placed a call to Jolie. She answered after a couple of rings.

“Hello?”

“He y, chère, it’s your big brother. I wanted to see you and I had to get away from Mama and Roy. Is it okay if I stay at your place tonight?”

Jolie sighed on the other end of the phone. “You need to get out of there, Jules. It’s no good for you to stay there with them…I’m gone and you did your part. Who are you staying for because if you tell me it’s Mama, I’m gonna ring your neck. She is capable of taking care of herself and she doesn’t need any help from you.”

“Okay, it is for the sake of Mama. I don’t trust Roy. You know what kind of wolf he is…he isn’t a real alpha though he likes to act the part. I couldn’t take it if he ever put his hands on her—”

“It’s a little late for talk like that, don’t you think? He’s been puttin’ his hands all over Mama for almost eight years. What are you gonna do? Stop ‘em from fuckin’? It’s really none of your business what goes on between them. You need to get out of there and find a place of your own. You can afford it so stop being cheap. By the way, I expect you in about half an hour.”

“Make it an hour or so. I stopped by Tommy’s Pizza in Hammond and you know I always get the sirloin, bloody, and a baked potato. I think I might have two tonight so let me enjoy my dinner in peace.”

She sniggered. “Okay, just don’t make me wait too long. Talk to you later and drive carefully, all right?”
“ Ye s, mademoiselle,” he replied before he ended their call.

The waitress walked over to him; she was a young shifter who looked tired and awaited anxiously for her double shift to end. By the way she kept shifting the weight of her body from one foot to the other and back again, her work day couldn’t be over soon enough.

“What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have two sirloin steaks—bloody—and three eggs over easy with a side of hash browns,” he said without consulting the menu he had memorized.

“It’ll be about ten minutes. You want anything to drink with that?”

“Yeah, I’ll take a Budweiser.”

The waitress walked away and he ran his hands through his ultra short hair. He didn’t have to be
psychic to know it would be a long night.


About The Author

Danielle Blanchard Benson is a world traveler and author of several different series. Ms. Blanchard Benson is the author of Beginnings: Book I (The Plague), Death Wish: Book I, Better off Dead: Book II and Death Lair: A Novella (all from The Vamp Saga), The Catalyst: Book One (The Pop Stars) and The Beautiful People series. She is currently working on Love Voodoo: Book I (DeGeneration), Apocalypse 2012: Book II (The Plague), Hart Attack: Book I (The Hart Family Saga), The Making of a Star: Book Two (The Pop Stars) and Queen of the Undead: Book III (The Vamp Saga). Ms. Blanchard Benson has lived abroad in Stockholm (Sweden), Manchester (England), Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland. She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.



Follow Danielle Blanchard Benson on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/



Like Danielle Blanchard Benson on Facebook:http://





Email Me: mzdanibee007@gmail.com

Ten Things About Danielle

1. Your genre(s)?

My genre will always be romance or some form thereof though I have been known to do contemporary, erotic (not erotica as there is a difference), paranormal, dystopian and even -- grasp! -- horror. I am an artist so I don't limit myself and as a reader you don't have to buy everything I write. I assume most of y'all will cherry-pick anyway.


2. How many books have you completed?

I love serials and series so I have completed one long damn serial, The Beautiful People (which consisted of eight novellas), Death Wish and Better Off Dead in The Vamp Saga (and a novella, Death Lair), Beginnings in The Plague series, Love Voodoo in the DeGeneration series, The Catalyst in my other serial, The Pop Stars,
and Forever 27, a novelette in The 27 Club series.

3. How many books are you working on now?

*Breathe* Okay, I am almost finished writing Queen of the Undead in The Vamp Saga (72k and counting),Hart Attack, the first novel in The Hart Family Saga (another paranormal series), Apocalypse 2012 in The Plague series, The Making of a Star in The Pop Stars serial and Love Game in the DeGeneration series. Plus, I am co-writing a novel with a writer friend of mine, a horror-thriller, Ties That Unbind. I'm tired just thinking about my year...

4. Are you a linear or chunk writer?

I try to work on one project at a time so it makes it easier for me to maintain consistency. That list above, that is the order of the books with the exception of the one I am co-writing. I write that one when I get it back from my co-author, write my part and then send it to him via email and Drop Box.

5. The POV (= Point of View) you’re most partial to?

I'm not. I love first person though it can definitely have its limitations. I usually stick with third person though. The HUGE exception to this rule is The Vamp Saga. The first novel is written in first person but the rest are a mix of first and third person. There are some people out there this irks but what can I say? I love Manon and I *can't* write her in third but I also love some of the other characters and thought they should get a word in too. Hence the bastard project it has become involving both POVs.

6. The themes that keep cropping up in your books?

Female empowerment, strength, change and staying true to one's self. None of these are ever easy but nothing in life worth fighting for ever is so there you have it.

7. How many days a week do you write?

Everyday. There is no such thing as writer's block for me. I began Apocalypse 2012 but my Vamp Saga muse didn't want to let go so I began the third novel. Due to my schedule, I write at least 2k each day and can finish a first draft in anywhere between four and six weeks.

8. What time of day do you get your best writing done?

The evening. I have two children under the age of ten so when they are sleeping or are about to go down, I find myself most creative. Plus, I can have a glass of wine while I write... yes, I sometimes write toasted but I do all my revisions dead sober and I have an editor just to make sure she catches all the mistakes I don't. Plus, I have some great writers who act as beta readers and guinea pigs for those other pesky mistakes neither of us catch. I will upload and re-do a book that isn't perfect countless times. I do it all the time as it is a bit easier with the e-books than print but there is no such thing as "done" for me if mistakes are found.

9. What kind of music do you listen to when you write?

I'm a child of Generation X and I listen to everything but when I write paranormal/horror, I need some hard rocking music. My favorites: Deftones (Diamond Eyes and Best Of albums are classics), Marilyn Manson (Mechanical Animals, and Eat Me, Drink Me are two of my faves but I have every album ever made), Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein...I also listen to a lot of French hip-hop (Sinik, Diam's, MC Solaar) and French music in general (too many artists to count!). And I love some good pop music so Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Britney Spears, and Madonna are never far away...neither is Mylene Farmer for the matter, my favorite French pop star.

10. What the hell is up with your love affair with France?

Yeah, la Belle France gets mentioned a lot in a myriad of my novels. Better Off Dead and Queen of the Undead take place there as does most of Beginnings and Apocalypse 2012 will be a revisit (yet again). TheDeGeneration series takes place almost entirely in France. My other love affair is French influenced even if it is in the States. Hart Attack takes place in New Orleans.

I just love France, French culture, the language and desperately can't wait until I can live there for a couple of years and write. I have lots of French friends and am partial to the Ile-de-France area of the country (though it is often cold, rainy and overcast). Plus, who wouldn't want their children to be bi-lingual? And did I mention the wine and the cheese and the food? Everything is better with a French accent! ;-)



Giveaway










E-book (10) of Darkness Rising and Print book of the double novella collection

Darkness (5 signed by author)

USA and Canada ONLY for Print Book

Darkness Rising and The Dawn of Darkness (5 signed by author)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Bookpushalooza


Welcome

to the FIRST EVER BookPushalooza!








July 26th ONLY





9

Books, only .99.





With

each purchase you get the chance to WIN while Helping Authors reach new
heights

in Amazon’s ranks.





It’s

so easy a CAVEMAN could do it!





Follow

the Instructions on the Rafflecopter Widget and for each book you purchase (or

Borrow through Amazon Prime for Free) you get an entry in to WIN ---





(1) Grand

Prize- $100 Amazon Gift Card





(2) Runners

up of $25 Amazon Gift Cards





That’s

not all! Purchase all NINE (9) books and get an additional 5 entries!





Don’t

delay, this offer is good for JULY 26th ONLY!









Overview of Dark Isle


When evil begets evil, a choice is forced on Quinn, the one person who can see

the danger. Does she save the ones she loves, or does she save the world from

Chaos?

As the realms of Fae and human collide, Quinn's future has never looked so grim, or so damn impossible.
Genre- Urban Fantasy


Overview of Enemy in Blue


The streets aren't safe when your enemy wears a blue uniform and a gold

badge.

What if the good guys weren't good?


What if a cop went

rogue and killed an innocent man?


What if it was all caught on video and the cop would do anything to


cover it up?



Chase this lawless cop through the streets and to a

scintillating series of showdowns with Cruz Marquez, a young attorney trying to

nail down his enemy in blue.

Will justice be served?

Genre- Thriller









Overview of Land of the Noonday Sun

When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams,

they must forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known

as Land of the Noonday Sun.

A man with a

traumatic past is able to turn his life around and is happy with his chosen

career as a whitewater guide. Everything changes though when fate hurls a woman

into his path. His carefree life is in turmoil, and his former weaknesses

threaten to overtake him. Will he be strong enough when tragedy strikes and is

once again in danger of losing everything he loves?

Genre- Contemporary Romance








Overview of This Time Forever


Delaney Brannigan and Blake Morrisson

met at the Cedar Cove annual costume dance, known only to each other as the

leopard and the cowboy--but, as Delaney soon discovers, the cowboy she'd

thought had ridden off into the sunset never to tempt her again, is none other

than the man she came from New York to find and discredit. Against her will,

Delaney is drawn deeper and deeper into an overwhelming attraction to Blake--an

attraction she can't give in to if she wants to keep the one thing she values

more than anything else.
Genre-Contemporary Romance





Overview of Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula

Fourteen-year-old Cassidy Jones wakes up the morning after a minor


accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist to discover that her

body has undergone some bizarre physical changes. Her senses, strength, and speed

have been radically enhanced.


Lives are put at risk when they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous,

action-packed adventure. Soon they are forced to confront a maniacal villain

willing to do anything - including murder - to reach his own ambitious goals.

Genre- YA/MG Superhero








Overview of Gray Justice

Gray Justice is the fast-paced debut


thriller from Alan McDermott. When a killer walks free from court, the victim's

father sees just two options: accept the judge's decision; or take on the

entire British justice system. Tom Gray chooses the latter and his crusade

attracts instant worldwide media coverage. It was just what Tom was hoping for,

but it brought him a lot more than he bargained for.


Gray Justice is much more than a simple tale of revenge: it's a rollercoaster

ride with an ending you'll never forget!

Genre- Thriller






Overview of Gone at Zero
Hundred 00:00


"Their lives are in the hands of two 18-year-olds..."


A Prominent P.I. is

gunned down - killed by a sniper - and it’s broadcasted on live TV.


Now,

her daughter, along with her childhood pal, are thrust into a complex and

riveting thriller forced to take on a secret club whose members call themselves

The Privileged Ones.


Murder. Teen abductions and illegal underground

parties.


They’re chased by men in ski-masks, nearly gunned down by

members of a cartel, and the only way to bring down this criminal enterprise; is

to crash a Mardi Gras bash and stop their private cruise ship from sailing off

into the sunset.











Overview of Allegiance

Who do YOU pledge allegiance to?




After exposing one of the most notorious rings of police corruption in history,

lawyer Cruz Marquez planned on starting a new life south of the border. That

plan unraveled when an extremist group of Minutemen captured and tortured him

and his wife.



Will Cruz pledge allegiance to do right, or will he do anything


to serve up revenge?


Genre- Thriller








Overview of Curbchek Reload



Curbchek-Reload is a dark account of the streets as they were worked by


Zach Fortier, a dangerously deranged cop. Welcome back to the inner city and

the twisted mentality of Zach Fortier. Patrolling the streets, broken and

mentally damaged from years of urban violence, Zach fights a losing battle to

maintain a hold on reality. Join him in the passenger seat of a police cruiser

for more of the darker and meaner side of life: The inner city. In

Curbchek-Reload you get a front row seat to an attempted murder of a cop,

suicide attempts, rapes, and DARK cop humor. Curbchek-Reload - Fasten your

bullet proof vest and buckle your seatbelt, it is gonna be a wild ride!


Genre- Police Procedural 







All winners will be notified via email July 28th 2012. For a list of winners contact
onedaybookpush@yahoo.ca


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Release Day Blitz with Giveaway: Blood Bonds (The Progeny #2) by Ashlynne Laynne




Title: Blood Bonds
Series: The Progeny Series, #2
Author: Ashlynne Laynne
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance,
Erotica,
Publisher: Novel Concept Publishing
Release Date: July 14 2012
Paperback/Ebook
Pages: 320


Book Description:

“Forever. For always. For eternity.”

The ties that bind two hearts are powerful. For Ascher Rousseau and Shauna McCutchin, it’s more than just a blood bond. Their union is that of vampire legend. Their love is a predestined prophecy foretold centuries ago. It’s a week before Ascher and Shauna's sealing and the couple is making final preparations for their eternity, but Ascher's ex has other plans. Ursula is hell-bent on revenge—revenge fueled by lover's scorn and her father's death—and she begins breeding a fresh army of newborn darklings to do her bidding. When Ursula finds a new weapon—an ally with the capability to dismantle the Rousseau clan— Ascher and Shauna's bond is tested and they must stand together against Ursula or lose each other for eternity.

Book Trailer link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vCq1kyxTBc&feature=channel&list=UL

Excerpt:

Shauna wavered dizzily as her sister’s words resounded in her head. She’d endured his ridicule and constant put downs for most of her teenage life. She’d begged her mother to move in with her when she left, but she decided to go back with him. Shauna thought back to the day she left—the last time he’d ever lay a hand on her. Unable to control the rage, she shook violently.

“Shauna!” Katy shouted. “Are you okay? Do I need to call Ascher?”

Shauna said nothing as she stood in silent shock, the repressed memories flooding her. Suddenly, she saw herself lying in the floor, her father standing above her cursing and screaming. “Son-of-a-bitch!”

The window flew open.

“Ascher!” Katy screamed, as she grabbed hold of her sister’s arm in an attempt to comfort her.

The floor shook beneath their feet and the walls vibrated with her ire. The memories washed over her, bringing the fury and wiping her mind clear of everything else.

The picture of Andreas Rousseau fell from the wall as the room continued to quake with her anger. A crystal vase of red roses flew across the room, shattering into glass powder. Shauna released an ear-piercing scream, as a crash of thunder boomed outside.

“Shauna?” Katy gasped as she now cowered in the far corner of the room.

Talking about their childhood really chafed Shauna. She knew that she’d have to bring closure to it for her sanity, but all she could think about when she thought of Gregory McCutchin was blood, destruction and fire. She wanted him to hurt as much as they did and to pay for what he’d done.

Goddesses as her witness, she’d make him suffer. “He will pay for what he’s done.” Her voice was shrill, menacing and multi-layered—like the voice of a demon in a horror movie. “Goddesses be my witness, he will pay with his life!”

Ascher yelled, “Shauna,” as he furiously attempted opening the locked door.

“Katherine, dearest, are you okay? Can you get to the door?”

“No, I’m afraid to move!” Katy replied.

“Stay out of here,” Shauna ranted, her mind hurling the desk at the door.

“She’s raging,” Katy shrieked. “It’s really bad!”

Shauna’s determined mind was insistent on keeping them out. She pointed towards the heavy wooded bureau, sending it flying across the room, wedging it on top of the desk and against the door.

“Gabe!” Katy called out with a freaked out look on her face and fear in her voice. “Oh God, Shauna. No.”

The bed levitated above the ground, hovering and twisting in the air before she made it zip out through the glass balcony doors.

Dizzy and dazed, Shauna’s body slumped, falling to her knees.

“Shauna!” Katy screamed again.

Closing her eyes, her head pounded with pain as Shauna furiously chanted, asking for guidance and strength to control her rage.

Giveaway:

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Guest Post and Giveaway with Giacomo Giammatteo, Author of Murder Takes Time

Please give a warm welcome to Giacomo Giammatteo, Author of Murder Takes Time.

Selecting the Right Agent

If you are a writer, and assuming you’ve sent out enough queries, partials, and full manuscripts, you have, inevitably, gotten rejections. Lots of them.
• ‘Writers need thick skins,’ the sage advice goes.
• ‘Writers must learn to deal with rejection.’
• Writers must do this and that, and yes, the other thing.
No matter what the advice, no matter who says it, or how many times you get rejected—it stings, chafes, burns, even hurts…when someone tears your masterpiece apart.

Rejection

Some people couch their critiques in honey—‘I loved the book, but…’
Okay, that doesn’t sting so much. We’ll categorize that as a honeybee sting.
Others are not so tactful. ‘I thought the story started off good, but…’
Wasp sting.
And others… ‘The characters were one-dimensional.’
Full-blown African killer bee assault.

How to Deal With the Rejection

Back when I was searching for an agent, and I got those wonderful rejection letters, here is how I dealt with it.

I marched to my wife’s bookshelf and randomly selected a book. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that whatever book I picked up I would not like. I’d get a few pages into it, fifteen or twenty at best, before the criticism began. Too much description. Too much emotion. That’s ridiculous, nobody would act that way. My adventure into reading my wife’s books ended the same. I’d close the book, gently place it back on the shelf, and think to myself, I can’t believe someone likes that.

So, why did I do this?

To remind myself that everyone has different tastes.

People don’t like the same foods, drive the same cars, wear the same clothes—or read the same books. My daughter reads only non-fiction. My two sons restrict themselves to magazines on nature or science, or health and fitness. My daughter-in-law has a lot of the same books I do, also a lot I couldn’t conceive of reading.

What’s the Point?

The point is, that agents and editors are no different than other people. They have specific tastes, likes and dislikes. Certain styles they like to read. Voices that appeal to them. Plots that keep them turning the pages.

You cannot write a book that will appeal to all readers. As a writer you know that. It stands to reason you cannot write a book that will appeal to all agents. Just because they are agents doesn’t mean they will recognize your masterpiece.

What’s the Answer?

You can increase your chance of success by customizing your query list. Put more effort into your research on which agents to query.

We will assume you have a solid query. If not, go to the many sites that offer advice and critiques and/or get some critique partners who can help you polish it. Janet Reid at Query Shark has a great site: and Rachelle Gardner always has wonderful advice:

Who to Query

◆ One of the biggest mistakes writers make is assuming that all agents want to see their book. They don’t.
◆ And don’t assume all agents who represent fiction want your particular genre. They don’t.
◆ Don’t assume that if they represent mystery authors they want yours. It might not be the case.
Some agents might love cozy mysteries but be appalled by your hard-core blood-and-guts detective who keeps one foot on the wrong side of the fence. And I’ve always found it odd that science fiction and fantasy are lumped together. I read a lot of fantasy, but seldom read science fiction. And the preferences go even deeper. There are hard-core science fiction people who want the intricate details of how a technology might work, and others who want a love story couched in a make-believe world of fantasy, or a futuristic setting on another world. Or a time traveler, and they don’t care one bit how this person travels in time.

In the mystery genre, there are readers who need the details of what forms a detective fills out when he/she arrives at the scene, what caliber of bullet killed the victim, and who touches what first at the scene. These readers worry about how much blood has pooled at the base of the victim’s spine and how congealed the blood on the floor is…you get my point.

There are other readers who simply need to know the person in the story is dead. Content that the corpse isn’t going to spring up with a ten-inch butcher knife in their hand and strike out at the detective, although that would put it in the horror category, two aisles over.

Researching Your Agents

Invest some time in researching your targets. The internet is a magnificent tool. Look up the agents on any number of query tracking sites, on the agency’s own website, Google them, check out Publisher’s Marketplace, anywhere that will give you a good idea of what this particular agent is representing, and what they are looking for.

I have found that Googling an agent will often turn up results of interviews that someone has done with an agent. Reading these interviews can be invaluable, providing detailed insight into the agent’s likes and dislikes, far more information than is available on the website for that agency. If the agent has a blog, follow it, read the archives, learn about them. The more you know about the agent before you send the query, the better your chances of getting a request.

It takes a long time to write a novel. Sometimes it takes even longer to find an agent. Help yourself out and spend a little extra time researching the agents before you send out that query. You’ll be glad you did.

Buona fortuna,

Giacomo


About the Author:
Giacomo Giammatteo is the author of Murder Takes Time, and A Bullet For Carlos. He lives in Texas where he and his wife have an animal sanctuary with 41 loving “friends.”




Blurb:

(Book I in the Friendship & Honor Series)

A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn't good.

Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable.

Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.

In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.

Book trailer:


Giveaway:
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Teaser Tuesdays # 25



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser comes from Pandora's Box by Katie Salidas


He let our a serene sigh. "You have my word. We will go on a lavish vacation, just you and I, to some place neither of us has been. That way, no bad memories will affect our fun."

"Really?" I said, both shocked and excited. The last time I'd asked Lysander to travel he'd said no, and there was no arguing with him.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Review: The Possibilities of Amy by Jaye Frances


File Size: 252 KB
Print Length: 101 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B007LPVXIA
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled
Source: Given by Author for honest review.

Blurb:
Amy is the ultimate trophy girl—gorgeous face, killer body, and a vivacious personality. But there’s something else about her, something that makes her even more special. Amy is new. A transfer student from out of state, she’s starting her senior year without knowing a soul. And that means she’s up for grabs, available.

Infatuated from the moment he sees her, David is determined to meet Amy, and if the fates are willing, to spend the rest of his life with her. But his shyness prevents him from approaching her—until his friends devise a contest to determine who will be the first to prove their manhood by seducing her.

Review:
What I found very interesting about this book was it was told in a guy's point of view. If you always wanted to know what a teen boy is thinking, well here you go.

David has a crush on the new girl and would give anything to ask her out but the problem is he is too shy too. Then there is his friends who really just want to see if they can get a homerun with her. At this point I felt sorry for both David and Amy.

As for Amy, you don't really find out too much about her until middle towards the end of the book, but I could definitely relate to her. Her story reminded me so much about myself growing up and having to move all the time. It's so hard.

Though this book ended a way that I did not expect, overall it was very entertaining and I did not want it to end. I wanted to know more. The author did a wonderful job in making these characters believable and telling a good tale.

Rating:
4 out 5 stars

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Release Blitz with Giveaway Shamrocked by JoAnne Kenrick

JoAnne Kenrick is super appreciative of support her readers have given SWEET IRISH KISS. That same support managed to get Sweet Irish Kiss onto several different bestseller lists in several different online retailers, Amazon Kindle being one of them. She would love to see Devlin's story garner even more success by getting him in the top 100 bestseller list on Amazon.

So… If you buy Shamrocked from Amazon Kindle, SCROLL DOWN for the rafflecopter and fill it in with your receipt/reference number amazon emails you after you make your purchase FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE OR A NOOK TABLET.



BLURB:
Devlin Kinney is focused on his Irish Rock band, Shamrocked. Between that and tending bar at Bell’s Irish Pub, he’s rushed off his feet. Still, he’s envious of Shaun who found his perfect woman through Madame Eve’s exclusive agency, 1Night Stand. Pushed for time, he follows his friend’s lead and hopes to be matched with a woman ballsy enough to share in his fetish for things that go buzzzz.

At the event of the year for soap stars, Elizabeth Grant meets Devlin and mistakes him for her soon-to-be The EastEnd co-star. Before she has a chance to confess she’s not his 1Night Stand as he seems to think, the silver-tongued smooth dancer proves irresistible. He seems perfect…for one night of pleasure. She’s ready to play the role of her life!

Will his Irish charm and toys be enough to hold onto his leading lady, or will his heart be shamrocked into next week?

Mini Excerpt

Surrounded by bridesmaids—the hottest guy in the place. His thick Irish brogue carried over the chattering wedding crowd and bad party songs.

Swallowing any signs of stage fright, she checked her fake hair in a mirrored wall, plumped her boobs, and plastered on a smile before making a beeline for her drop-dead gorgeous, future co-star.

She waded through the rough sea of pink-chiffoned up women, snapped out her arm, and took his hand like one of those shaking weight things. Thought she’d blown it until his mouth tilted up into a tempting smile. Dimples. Oh, my. He would be popular with the ladies. Might even help get her noticed by movie producers. Dating this hottie would get her on every front page known to the British public.

“Liz.” She fought to keep focused on his face rather than his thick muscles and rhythmic movements. She couldn’t recall ever seeing a man who could make dancing to All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie so goddamned sexy. His jig was infectious—her arm swayed in beat with his, their hands still clasped together.

“As in Elizabeth?”

“Uh-huh.” The swarm of bridesmaids knitted their brows and pursed their lips. One even stamped her foot. Liz couldn’t help but turning on a sweet smile. “Buh-bye, ladies.”

MORE ABOUT 1NS series: http://decadent1nightstand.blogspot.com

About The Author:
JoAnne Kenrick, an ex-Ghost Tour Guide turned Romance Author, is a Welsh lass who has lived in various countries around the world. She now calls North Carolina her home, where she lives with her husband, two children and two cheeky cats. When they aren't demanding her attention, she can most likely be found watching a vampire movie, reading or baking up a British favorite in her N.C. kitchen. That is, when she isn't writing or chatting up a storm on social networking sites. Travel across the pond and faraway…with JoAnne Kenrick

SHAMROCKED, Irish Kisses book 2, is OUT NOW in most major ebook stores.


BUYLINKS:

searchBy=author&qString=JoAnne+Kenrick
WHSmiths:
Kindle USA:
Kindle UK:
Nook:
BookStrand:
Decadent Publishing:

AUTHOR SIGNING:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


YOU SHOULD SEE A RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY widget here. If not, then try waiting a minute. Sometimes it can take a while to load. If that doesn't work, it could be the browser you are using. You can enter using the alternative rafflecopter on my facebook page found here: www.facebook.com/joannekenrick. Quite often, rafflecopters don't show up on mobile devices, either. IF you cannot see the rafflecopter in either instance, msg me your reference/receipt number amazon gives you after a kindle purchase VIA FACEBOOK  joanne.kenrick.50@facebook.com . I will manually enter this on your behalf.

Contest Terms and Conditions
> Kindle Fire and Nook contest is open to USA residents only. Sorry. International for the giftcards, though.


> The Nook/Kindle reader prizes mentioned will only be awarded IF Shamrocked reaches amazon's top 100 bestseller chart SO SPREAD THE WORD to your friends.


> amazon GCs will be awarded regardless.


> By entering this contest, you are signing up to JoAnne Kenrick's Quarterly Newsletter.


>You have 48hrs to respond to the notification if you win, or a new winner will be drawn.
>No Purchase Necessary.


>This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or Blogger/Google. You are providing your information to JoAnne Kenrick and not to Facebook, Twitter, or Blogger/Google. JoAnne Kenrick is the only person who will have access to the information you provide, and it will not be forwarded or sold to any third parties (except the publisher if an ebook is the prize).


> We have the right to refuse any entry.


>If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned we have the right to terminate the contest without picking winners.


> You must be over 18 (or 21 depending on your State/country law legal age for viewing/reading adult material) to enter.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Review of Vampire Sex by Buck Tanner


File Size: 369 KB
Print Length: 28 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: CPA Publishing; 1 edition (April 21, 2012)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B007WKCWFC
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Lending: Enabled


Blurb:
Before you embark on your erotic tour of Transylvania, the Eternal Love Corporation has put together this helpful guide to answer some of the most common questions about vampire sex tourism.

Topics include:

- What if my vampire bites me?

- Shouldn't this tour be in Forks, Washington?

- Why can't my vampire get an erection?

And many more!

Review:
This book was such a fun, quick actually no it was an hilarious read. I hadn't laughed this hard with a book in a long time. The book is formatted in questions and answers, each answer gets funnier as you turn the pages.

Yes it pokes fun at vampire romance lovers such as I, but it didn't bother me at all. I loved it so much. At first I thought I wanted to the erotic tour being talked about in this book, until I read on. I think I will skip this one. I rather have my dream vampire thank you very much.

Now some of it could be taken as offensive, but if you take this book as it's meant to be then you will enjoy it like I did.




Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Feature and Follow #5



Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee and Allison Can Read

Q: Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

A: OH wow! I have such a list it would be hard just two choose 2 but I will give it a shot. One would be Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon

and the second would be Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole

Review: Hunters and Prey(Immortalis #2) by Katie Salidas


File Size: 532 KB
Print Length: 300 pages
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC. (November 23, 2010)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B004DNWEGS
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Lending: Enabled
Source: My own copy


Blurb:
The exciting sequel to Immortalis Carpe Noctem.

Rule number one: humans and vampires don't co-exist. One is the hunter and one is the prey. Simple, right? Not for newly-turned vampire Alyssa. A surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum's most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the human friend she's missed more than anything. Now she has some explaining to do. However, that will have to wait. With the Acta Sanctorum hot on their heels, staying alive is more important than educating a human on the finer points of bloodlust.

Review:
The problem with sequels, they sometimes don't live up to the first books excitement or vice versa they are better than the first. What I found with this book is that, it is just as good if not better. It picks up where we left off in the first book. Alyssa, still adjusting to life as a vampire when Santino, the hunter chases her back to her old world. That is one thing she is still having trouble with letting go.

Again I could feel the confusion this character is experiencing through out this book, and her stubbornness as well as her potential for trouble finding her is what draws me to a character like Alyssa.

What can I say about Lysander, you already know how much I love him. I felt sorry for him a bit in this one with all the trouble Alyssa was getting into. As for all the other characters they are back, I love Drew and Nicholas(though he is a bit rough around the edges),Crystal and Rozaline as well as Alyssa's Best friend and only human, Fallon. I love the whole cast of characters, they mesh so well together.

This book was a fun ride and left me craving for more, I can't wait to read Pandora's Box and then Soulstone. I am just hoping there will be more after that. I just can't get enough of this series. It's definitely feeding my series addiction.

Rating:
5 out 5 stars