today & everyday

Yeti Giveaway Find!

2012-01-20T15:09:00.001-08:00

Alexz at Spooky Pooky Creations is having a January Yeti Giveaway! She is an amazing crafter who makes a variety of cute and whimsical things from yeti plushes to Harry Potter wands! Check out her giveaway and her etsy store filled with wonderful goodies to buy!

Giveaway Finds!

2011-12-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

I've been MIA because of school and the holidays but I found some great giveaways everyone should enter!

Kristy at her Rants of an Unemployed College Graduate is having some great Holiday Giveaways!

Holiday Giveaway 1:

The Master by Jean Johnson

Holiday Giveaway 2:

Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill

Holiday Giveaway 3:

Vampire Academy books 1-3 by Richelle Mead

All 3 giveaways end 12/31!

18 and Over Book Blogger Giveaway Hop Winner!

2011-09-19T10:36:00.001-07:00

This has been a fun blog hop to host and I want to thank Bitten by Paranormal Romance and Reading Between the Wines Book Club for hosting it! I would also like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway and some new followers I gained! I realized I didn’t clarify this but my giveaway is for ONE winner to receive all the books and swag, so if people didn’t realize this I am soooo sorry! If you don’t win today don’t worry, I have plenty of books to give away in the future!

Now, the winner of my stop is through random.org:

MARY

Congrats Mary! I will be contacting you shortly and you will have 48 hours to respond till I choose a new winner.

18 and Over Book Blogger Giveaway Hop! (CLOSED)

2011-09-14T22:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 18 and Over Book Blogger Giveaway Hop! I’m stop #22 and I have some great paranormal and historical books and swag to give away! Since Borders is closing down sales I kind of overdid it with the book buying…I think I bought too many books hahaha I told myself I was going to read them all before school started but that is soooo not happening so I’ve decided to give away some of the books I bought and some swag too!

Delicious by Shayla Black

On The Hunt by Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen and Deidre Knight

The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy

Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke

An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes

Rules:

Do NOT have to be GFC follower but following is appreciated!
Leave a comment, it can be about anything (what book you’re reading, how you’re feeling, etc.)
US & Canada only (sorry, lost $$ to school textbooks and tuition)
Leave email address in comment for contact
Ends Sep. 18

Review: Never Enough by Lauren Dane

2011-09-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Author: Lauren Dane

Title: Never Enough (Brown Siblings series #4)

Publisher: Berkley Heat

Release Date: Sep. 6, 2011

Paperback: 312 pages

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES...

Gillian Forrester spent most of her life running from who and what she came from. Until Miles came along. From the moment she held the tiny newborn her older sister didn't want, Gillian stopped running and began to build a life for herself and her adopted son. Now, thirteen years later, as Gillian's sister lay dying, she reveals the father's identity and makes Gillian promise to find him.

Adrian Brown is the epitome of the successful rock star. He's seen and done it all, with few regrets. It takes a lot to shock him--but the bombshell that he has a thirteen-year-old son rocks his world. And Adrian is even more surprised when the buttoned-up, elegant woman who's raising Miles snags his erotic and romantic attention.

The last thing Gillian expected was to find herself getting hot and heavy with a person like Adrian. But as much as she wants to open up and give herself fully to this amazing man, she's afraid the secrets of her past and Adrian's problems with trusting people may keep them apart for good. If love isn't enough can they find the trust they need?

Never Enough is definitely one of my most anticipated reads this year and it doesn’t disappoint! Never Enough is Adrian’s story and we finally get to see his HEA with the new introduced character Gillian. The whole book is about Gillian revealing to Adrian that he has a son Miles and the progression of a relationship formed between Adrian and Gillian and Miles. Adrian learns and falls in love with being a dad to Miles while at the same time falling in love with Gillian and learning how to open up and trust a complete stranger. There are definite bumps in the road but it makes their relationship so much stronger.

One of my favorite parts was seeing all the past couples like Brody and Elise since they’re all an integral part of Adrian’s life and they help him when he struggles with how to fix a problem with Gillian. We also get to see more of the kids Rennie, Marti and Alexander, making the story so much more fun with their unique personalities and interactions with the adults.

The only thing I wanted more from Never Enough was an epilogue but I’m hoping the lack of one means Lauren Dane is thinking about continuing the series with Raven and Gillian’s friends. If you’re looking for a great family themed contemporary with some sexy tattoos and artistic talent then the Brown Siblings series is a must read! I give Never Enough a 5/5!

Beauty Giveaway Find!

2011-09-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

So I don't usually post makeup giveaways on my blog but I found this amazing E.L.F. Collection Giveaway (Ends Sep. 23) hosted by Heart Kristel. Even if you don't want to enter the giveaway she still has great beauty product review posts!

ARC Review: The Dragon Who Loved Me by G.A. Aiken

2011-08-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Author: G.A. Aiken

Titel: The Dragon Who Loved Me (Dragon Kin series #5)

Publisher: Zebra

Release Date: Sep. 6, 2011

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I've earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it's the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best - destroying the enemies of my kind.

So the smartest thing wily barbarian Vigholf the Abhorrent can do for me is stay out of my way as we risk all on a deadly mission in enemy territory. I don't care if he's fascinated by me, even though he is as attractive as he is resourceful. He's having far too much fun putting me in difficult situations and testing my sense of duty to the limit. And I'm going to enjoy challenging his insufferable confidence, outwitting his schemes, and making him surrender in the wildest ways...

G.A. Aiken’s books are an auto read for me because her Dragon Kin series is always filled with laugh out loud scenarios and comments made by outrageously funny characters. When I first found out book #5 would be about Rhona and Vigholf I was a bit worried about how the story would turn out but my fears were quickly laid to rest once I read the excerpt provided by Aiken on her website. I became doubly excited for the book and I LOVED it! One of my best reads this year!

I enjoyed reading about more characters in the Cadwaladr Clan related to Rhona the Fearless and I love how Aiken always brings back previous characters. It is always fun to read more about Annwyl, Izzy and the others knowing that they will always keep you entertained with their crazy schemes and outrageous comments. There are also the mischievous children of Annwyl and Fearghus and Talaith and Briec who add to the story with their wild and unique personalities (especially with parents who are already crazy enough).

Rhona and Vigholf’s romance has become one of my favorites and I enjoyed reading about their journey to fight against evil and the trials Vigholf goes through to seduce Rhona. Their story is another great addition to the Dragon Kin series and I applaud Aiken her ability to create such lovable and rolling on the floor laughing characters. I give The Dragon Who Loved Me 5/5!

*ARC provided by author & also check out her Pride series under Shelly Laurenston!

Follow Friday!

2011-08-19T00:15:00.000-07:00

I is alive! I recently just got back from my vacation but immediately started my internship which has left me with little time to do much of anything, especially reading and blogging, but hopefully everyone else has gotten tons of reading done this summer!

It's another weekly (sporadic for me) Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read!

Q. If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?

I would totally write myself into Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston because I'm usually the mediator and confidante to friends when they are arguing since I always stay on the sidelines watching peoples' actions and seeing how a fight progresses. I'm the silent, quiet character in books that people hardly ever notice but is always there watching and seeing everything. So in Big Bad Beast I would probably try to stop Blayne from annoying the crap out of Dee-Ann and all the other fights that always happen between everyone or silently watch them pummel each other if it gets too violent for me to stop.

Giveaway Finds!

2011-07-29T19:20:00.001-07:00

I have finally achieved my freedom from the hell that is summer school but now I'm rushing to pack and get ready for my European adventure! This means I will be MIA for a while but while I'm away go enter some great giveaways I found!

Rants of an Unemplyed College Student:

The Fire Lord's Lover by Kathryne Kennedy (8/5)

The Wolf by Jean Johnson (8/5)

Lila DiPasqua's A Midnight Dance Blog Party!

I also have more blog giveaways that I found listed on my right blog sidebar! Go check them out!

New Upcoming August Releases!

2011-07-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

I am sooo ready for August because it means my freedom from summer school and tons of new releases! My bank account may kind of cry after all the book purchases by my bookaholic self will be ecstatic with joy!

August 2:

August 23:

August 30:

These are the only releases I know so far but I'm sure I'm missing a lot since so many are coming out!

Gail Carriger's Soulless Manga!

2011-07-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Gail Carriger and was so excited when I saw on her blog that her first book Soulless in her Parasol Protectorate series is going to be made into a manga. It will be serialized in Yen Press, a monthly anthology starting July 11, while the full book will be out sometime next spring.

Gail has the first 11 pages posted up on her Facebook Parasol Protectorate Fan Page! I saw it and am already in love with it, can't wait for it to release!

For more info and updates check out Gail Carriger's blog!

$15 Your Choice GC Giveaway Winner!

2011-07-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all my old and new followers who entered my giveaway! Without further ado the winner is...

xlacrimax

Congrats! I will be emailing you shortly and you will have 48 hrs to reply or a new winner will be chosen.

Follow Friday!

2011-07-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

It's another edition of Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee! If you haven't already, enter my $15 Your Choice GC Giveaway that ends midnight July 15 (link at top!)

Q. What do I do when I are not reading?

When I'm not reading I usually watch TV shows or movies on my laptop like How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory. I'm always catching up on shows since I don't have that much time during the school year, which means I'm studying a lot too while not reading.

Review: Finding Forgiveness by Dana Marie Bell

2011-07-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

Author: Dana Marie Bell
Title: Finding Forgiveness (Poconos Pack #1)
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: July 5, 2011
Ebook

To forgive is divine…if he can pin his lover down long enough to beg for it.

Poconos Pack, Book 1

Ben Malone’s role as Marshall attunes him to every nuance of the pack’s wellbeing—which means he’s forced to feel every one of his mate’s hangovers. It’s the one reason Ben will never claim Dave Maldonado. Being alone is better than being with someone who lives in a bottle.

Dave was destined to be a pack Alpha until his first migraine hit at age fifteen, the day he caught his future mate holding hands with another boy. In the nine agonizing years since, he’s contented himself as Beta, but never learned to live with the pain and confusion of Ben’s rejection.

Dave’s worst attack yet sends him to the hospital—and brings them both face to face with the misunderstanding that’s kept them apart all these years. It’s too late, though. Dave is headed for Gay Pride Week at Disney World with one goal in mind. Forget Ben Malone.

Ben’s got a problem with that. Only one man is destined to hold his David. And he’ll give anything, even his last shred of pride, to win forgiveness—and the right to finally claim his mate.

Warning: This book contains explicit sex, graphic language, and male/male love scenes between two top dogs. Who knew Rock Paper Scissors could be such fun?

Finding Forgiveness was one of my most anticipated reads this year because I love all of Dana Marie Bell’s works and it’s Ben and Dave! I’ve been desperately waiting for their story but I’m sad to say that I’m a bit disappointed. It isn’t the characters because I still love Ben, Dave and all of her other zany characters who provide me with much laughs and entertainment. I had problems with the pace of the story because it seemed as if everything just happened too quickly for my tastes. Ben and Dave’s problems were resolved so quickly that the writing appeared forced and stilted. In my opinion the story would have been a lot better if it was longer and the characters were given more time to mend their relationship and become mates. Even though I thought the pace sucked eggs, Finding Forgiveness was still an enjoyable short read and I was glad to finally see Ben and Dave’s HEA. I give it a 3/5.

Review: Heartless by Gail Carriger

2011-07-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

Author: Gail Carriger

Title: Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)

Publisher: Orbit

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages

Release Date: June 28, 2011

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

I LOVE Gail Carriger and her Parasol Protectorate books are an auto buy for me! From beginning to end Heartless was an amazing read because there was always something to keep you entertained and the story flowed smoothly. In Heartless we see Alexia 8 months into her pregnancy and her “infant inconvenience” definitely brings more action and problems to her already interesting life. The constant stream of action keeps you riveted and the ending is definitely satisfying even though as a reader you know more problems and adventures are to come in Alexia’s life.

I love how we got to see Lord Akeldama so much since he is one of my absolute favorite characters who always makes me laugh with his crazy clothing choices and pet names. I also enjoyed seeing more of the Alexia and Conall relationship since they’re definitely a unique and quirky couple.

Heartless is one of the best urban fantasy books I’ve read this year and I highly recommend this series to everyone, I give it a 5/5!

Follow Friday!

2011-06-30T17:10:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers! I'm finally getting back on the Follow Friday Hop hosted by Parajunkee! It has literally been months since I've done this and being active on my blog since school is my bloody, unmerciful master at the moment :( But I'm glad to be back (sporadically)! Be sure to enter my current giveaway linked above!

Q. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

My favorite movie character at the moment is Allen from Hangover 2! He's such a hilarious character and my first reaction would be to to shout, "Allen! Let's party!" since he's such a unique character in that he's like a child in a grown man's body. I would love to experience a party night with Allen, except for the whole drugging part :p

$15 Your Choice GC Giveaway! [CLOSED]

2011-06-17T12:59:00.001-07:00

Hello blogging world! I've come out of my reading cave to host this giveaway in honor of it being summer and the slight freedom I've had from school. But sadly I must return to the Hell I call school for summer session and I believe my name for it is appropriate considering how the boiling temperatures will make me feel like I'm in the Underworld. But enough of my ranting let's get on with the giveaway!

You can win a $15 GC from Amazon, Borders OR the Book Depository (your choice!) but not from B&N because I'm still a bitter b*#%@ about them (see Nalini Singh post)

Simple Rules:

-Leave a comment with email addy (Can be about your summer, books, anything!)

-Must be a GFC follower (this is thanks to all those who still follow my spastic blog)

-Ends July 15!

Nalini Singh Signing & Future Giveaway

2011-06-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hello people of the blogging world! I am alive! I survived the treacherous and evil that is finals and am glad to have this short break before summer school starts :(

First off I must say I'm definitely not a consistent blogger which sucks eggs but school is a hard slave master and I am its b*#$@ (trying to keep it PG), but I will try my best to post more now that it is summer (kind of).

On to some happy happy news! I got to attend Nalini Singh's Roseville, CA signing at B&N on May 31 and I was so excited! I'm such a huge fan of her work and also got m

y cousin addicted too! :) It was also thanks to my lovely cousin Kristy that I was able to attend *waving spastically to Kristy* I only really managed to attend her signing because during her Q&A part I was frantically trying to get my hands on a copy of Kiss of Snow. This is where the drama ensues...

B&N totally lost my customership (is that a word?) that day because when I went to purchase my copy of Kiss of Snow I got charged the full $28 something for a hardcover copy! WTH! The online copies of the book were cheaper but workers said that store prices aren't always the same as online prices, but I think they were just trying to milk more moolah out of people since Nalini Singh was there. Okay, I totally understand that they're trying to make more money but even 10% off would've been better than the full price. So I returned the book and my cousin helped me get a DISCOUNTED copy from a nearby Borders (I heart you Borders).

Overall, I'm just grateful to have met the amazing Nalini Singh!

Left to right: Me, Nalini & Kristy (check out her highly entertaining blog: Rants of an Unemployed College Graduate)

Since it's finally summer and my partial freedom (curses you ochem!) I'm planning on having a giveaway soon and I'm wavering between a book giveaway or Amazon GC giveaway. What do you, my fellow bloggers, want to see as my next giveaway?

Cover Find!

2011-05-03T11:59:00.001-07:00

I LOVE Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series and just saw on her blog the cover for Timeless! It's the same model from her upcoming release Heartless and I have to say again I don't think she works at all for this series. I like the background, but that's pretty much it sadly. Hopefully they will change the cover model for future releases.

ARC Review: Sabine by Moira Rogers

2011-04-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

Author: Moira Rogers
Title: Sabine (And the Beast #1)
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
ebook
Release Date: May 3, 2011

After three years at war, the High Lord of the Forest returns to his lands, a victorious wolf leader intent on claiming his mate. Instead Ciar finds an empty bed and a court with no recollection of the woman he loved. Following her long-cold trail proves far easier than facing what awaits him at the end.

Sabine's first instinct is to beg her beloved to leave. The High Lord's mother hired a witch to curse Sabine, desperate to wipe the lowborn wolf from her son's mind. But the spell worked too well, and Sabine has vanished from the thoughts of everyone who sees her. Including her own family.

The edges of his memory already blurring, Ciar and Sabine must race to find a way to reverse the spell. Yet every searing moment together is not enough to stop the curse's inexorable progress. His only chance is to bind Sabine to him too tightly to be forgotten, before she disappears once and for all.

Warning: This story contains cruel betrayal, destined love, vile curses, smoldering reunions, wicked deeds between wanton shapeshifters and a happily-ever-after worthy of any fairy tale.

Moira Rogers is another great paranormal author that I adore and love, so the moment this amazing writing duo offered review copies of Sabine on their blog I signed up right away. The moment I saw the cover and synopsis I was hooked and the excerpt made me want to read this even more.

The synopsis pretty much explains what is happening in Sabine and it is definitely a really fast read. Even though it was a short story I enjoyed every moment of it and it even made me tear up! That is when you definitely know a book is good.

Within a short time the amazing Moira Rogers made me fall in love with Sabine and root for her and Ciar’s journey to end the curse and save their relationship. This wonderful short read gets a 4/5 from me!

Review: Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

2011-04-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Author: Shelly Laurenston
Title: Big Bad Beast (Pride #6)
Publisher: Brava
Paperback: 320 pages
Release Date: April 26, 2011

When it comes to following her instincts, former Marine Dee-Ann Smith never holds back. And this deadly member of a shifter protection group will do anything to prove one of her own kind is having hybrids captured for dogfights. Trouble is, her too-cute rich-boy boss Ric Van Holtz insists on helping out. And his crazy-like-a-fox smarts and charming persistence are making it real hard for Dee to keep her heart safe...

Ric can't believe his luck. He's wanted this fiercely-independent she-wolf from day one, but he never expected teamwork as explosive as this. And now is his last chance to show Dee what she needs isn't some in-your-face Alpha male-but a wily, resourceful wolf who'll always have her back in a fight…and between the sheets.

I bow down to the awesomeness that is paranormal author Shelly Laurenston! I have desperately waiting for Big Bad Beast to release since her last Pride book Beast Behaving Badly released last summer and I am so deliriously in love with this book because she does not disappoint!

Big Bad Beast is the 6^th book in Laurenston’s Pride series and we finally get Ric and Dee-Ann’s story, which I was a bit skeptical about since they’re such contrasting characters.

Dee-Ann is a born killer whose life revolves around protecting her family, those she cares about and the shifter community by ruthlessly killing all threats and enemies. She is a hardass wolf shifter who everyone is afraid of but amazingly she is paired up with Ric! Ric is a sexy wolf shifter who is an amazing chef that is inhumanly arrogant, polite, and good-natured. They seem to be complete opposites but as the saying goes, “opposites attract,” and they definitely heat up the pages!

Big Bad Beast continues where the last book left off where Dee-Ann, Ric and the other previous main characters are trying to stop the hybrid kidnappings that result in brutal deaths due to cage fighting. I love how the plot revolving around the hunt for the mystery funder of the hybrid cage fights does not fall into background action but is expertly incorporated with the romance and other elements of the story. The hunt for the mystery funder is definitely one of the factors that kept me reading this book because I was sucked deeply into the story and wanted to know who the bad guy was!

I LOVE everything about this book and I am deeply grateful and impressed with how Laurenston incorporates all the past characters into each book and make them seamlessly fit while not detracting from Dee-Ann and Ric’s spotlight. It was great seeing all the couples and how their lives are progressing, and I must say that there will be an endless number of times where you giggle or laugh out loud to yourself while reading this book. The amazingly created humor definitely keeps you speeding through the book by making it so much more fun to read!

Big Bad Beast is so far my favorite of the Pride series and I can’t express how much I LOVE this series and author! Her works are always humorous and entertaining with great storylines and I recommend her books to any paranormal romance lover who wants a great laugh. I give Big Bad Beast a 5/5!

ARC Review: Ordinary Angels by India Drummond

2011-03-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Author: India Drummond
Title: Ordinary Angels
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc.
Release Date: April 4, 2011

An urban fantasy / paranormal novel in which Zoë Pendergraft falls in love with an angel, frees a soul from necromancers, releases a ghost trapped in the Void, and saves his living grandson from demons.

An angel is about to fall…

Although most of Zoe Pendergraft's friends are dead, that means nothing to her. After all, they died long before she meet them. What does matter is the angel who took her dancing and turned her world upside down. But grim reality intrudes when she finds a body, and the Higher Angels accuse her friend of the murder.

Knowing she's the only one who can stand against the Higher Angels, Zoe uses any means necessary to save her friend…all the while, wondering if the tempestuous love she's feeling is real. The blood on her hands forces Zoe to question herself, and her angel to question her.

Contains strong language and supernatural sizzle.

I'm a huge fan of paranormal/fantasy romances so I was definitely intrigued when India asked if I could review this book because I haven't read material from new authors in a while. The focus of angels in the paranormal world has increased and is starting to become one of the main focuses of interest in paranormal novels, and who could resist a sexy angel?

Ordinary Angels starts off with Zoe visiting her ghost friend during her lunch break and we see Zoe's kind nature in how she purchases trinkets like old keys that she thinks Henry will like. After visiting Henry Zoe meets Alexander, who she is instantly attracted to and later goes on a date with. Zoe is able to tell that Alexander isn't human when she first sees him because she is able to see a radiance glowing from him, and Alexander reveals that he is an angel.

When beginning Ordinary Angels I feel a bit lost because there is no prelude or background information about the angels or what is supposed to happen in the story. I was also a bit unsure about how I felt about Zoe and Alexander's relationship since it started so abruptly and I felt that there was no real growth of love and romance. Alexander seems like a good hero but I felt nothing for him, I was neutral about him through the whole story because I felt like there was no huge change in his formal character.

The story picks up later in the book and we find out that Alexander and his kind just take on the label of "angel" because that is what humans refer to them as, but they are actually quite different from the angelic, winged cherubs we imagine. This mystery and the urge to find out more about these "angels" pushed me to continue reading this book, so I'm not going to ruin the surprise and discovery. I will just say that India definitely has created a new, interesting version of angels that sets her apart from many paranormal angels in the romance world.

The mystery of who murdered the man that Zoe found also pushed me to finish Ordinary Angels since it also meant I could find out more about the angels and Zoe. Another intriguing part of Ordinary Angels was the history and past of Zoe's ghost friend Henry. It added mystery to Zoe's hunt for the killer and on this journey Zoe uncovers more secrets about herself that begin to appear.

There were specific elements that I enjoyed in Ordinary Angels, such as the angels, the hunt for the killer, and Zoe's beginning discovery of who and what she is. Overall this was a nice paranormal read that didn't capture my full attention and the romance was a dud for me so I give it a 3/5.

I recommend this to paranormal readers who want to read about a mystery with "angels" and ghosts.

India Drummond

Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Fiction Author

India knew from age nine that writing would be her passion. Since then she's discovered many more, but none quite so fulfilling as creating a world, a character, or a moment and watching them evolve into something complex and compelling. She has lived in three countries and four American states, is a dual British and American citizen, and currently lives at the base of the Scottish Highlands in a village so small its main attraction is a red phone box. In other words: paradise.

The supernatural and paranormal have always fascinated India. In addition to being an avid sci-fi and fantasy reader, she also enjoys mysteries, thrillers, and romance. This probably explains why her novels have elements of adventure, ghosts (or elves, fairies, angels, aliens, and whatever else she can dream up), and spicy love stories.

Author website and blog:

http://www.indiadrummond.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/india.drummond.author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/IndiaDrummond

To arrange an interview or contact the author, please email:

author@indiadrummond.com

ARC Review: The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

2011-03-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

I'm finally getting another review in but it will probably be the one of the last ones till my summer vacation since school is kicking my ass right now. But away from the gloom and back to the delicious goodness of Gena's Lords!

Author: Gena Showalter
Title: The Darkest Secret (#7 in LOTU series)
Publisher: HQN Books
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Release Date: April 1, 2011

Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty….

Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.

First off I must give a huge shout out to the amazing Gena Showalter for the chance to win this ARC through a spread the word contest she hosted on her blog months ago! I've loved every single book in this series and knew I would love this one too, even though I was never a huge fan of Amun but now I am!

Amun in the keeper of the demon on Secrets and does not speak because if he does all the secrets he has accumulated over the years will spill out that may hurt his friends. From the last book Amun went to hell with Aeron and William to save Legion but had to absorb the secrets of demons in order to help find Legion. He is now plagued with the demons and his mind can't take anymore. Can't reveal more or will spoil the book but Haidee, through some odd quirks and mysteries, helps save Amun from the demons.

Haidee is a demon-assassin and I wasn't sure if I would come to like her but Gena has done it again! She definitely made me fall in love with Haidee and cheer for her growing relationship with Amun, even with all the twists and turns.

One of my favorite parts of this book was William and learning a bit more about him and I can't wait for his own book to release. William brings some light and humor to the book and can always put a smile on your face. I also loved the small side story of Strider and Kaia that helps build up to his book that is releasing next in the series.

This is not a full detailed review but I definitely recommend this series to people who have never read it and know that all LOTU fans will enjoy this book.

I LOVE this book and give it a 4.5/5!

New Jane Eyre Movie!

2011-03-09T15:55:00.001-08:00

I just found out that a new Jane Eyre movie is releasing this month! Ahhhhhhhhhh! I LOVE Jane Eyre so I am definitely watching it and it looks like a great adaptation! For anyone who is a lover of romance, I recommend watching this!

EREADER/GC Giveaway by The Bibliophilic Book Blog

2011-03-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

So I just saw this amazing giveaway being hosted by The Bibliophilic Book Blog:

I am going to start March, and hopefully my more frequent return to the blogging world (work permitting) by having another epic giveaway!

The usual in honor of bookmark day will run until April 5th. Anyone can enter (who is over the age of 13) Please follow when you enter if you don't already...but it is NOT a requirement, I would just love you to return.

So what can you win...let's see....AN EREADER or GC of your choice from the bookstore of your choice....ereader type can not be more than $200 and GC is the same. All you have to do it fill out the form, follow(hopefully) and sit back and wait for the results...there will be extra entries given on Bookmark Day on the 15th of March!

Now go forth and enter and if possible, say jeanette8042 referred you and you can receive some extra entries and so will I!

Review: Bear Necessities by Dana Marie Bell

2011-03-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

This is a reallllllllllly late review of Bear Necessities considering how I read this last year when it released but I never got to writing a review for it till now. Right now is a small lull in between the end of my midterms and the dreaded finals, so I will be posting a few reviews this weekend but be warned that I will be MIA till spring break!

When I'm feeling down and need a good laugh I turn to Dana Marie Bell's books, they're freaking hilarious and short enough that I don't feel horrendously guilty reading it while I know I have other work and studying to do. I reread Bear Necessities yesterday and I still love it as much as the first time I read it!

Author: Dana Marie Bell
Title: Bear Necessities (Halle Shifters Book 1)
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
E-book
Release Date: July 27, 2010

To hold onto his love, he must release his beast…

Once a Bear sets his mind on a mission, it’s best to stay out of his way. Alexander “Bunny” Bunsun is that Bear. Something’s not right with his cousin Chloe, and he’s come to Halle, PA, to sort it out, turn his Harley around and head home to Oregon. Until an enticing scent lures him into the local tattoo shop.

There she is. An inked, Southern-drawled she-Wolf with lime-green hair. His perfect mate.

Tabitha Garwood’s rotten day just got worse. Her Outcast status makes her a target for harassment with alarming regularity. And now, in the middle of a root touch-up, looking like a half-melted Skittle, she’s met her destined mate. The only upside? She finally has a protector in the form of a huge, tattooed, shaved-head Bear who vibrates with carefully
restrained power.

When Chloe is left for dead and Tabby is threatened, only Alex can keep his growing family safe. Giving Tabby the loving home she needs, though, could come at a price—Alex must give up the control he’s worked a lifetime to attain.

Which means someone could die at the hands—and claws—of his beast.

Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, graphic language, a hunky Bear named Bunny and… Yes. I said a Bear named Bunny. I don’t know about you but I’m not brave enough to make fun of it.

Dana Marie Bell is another instant author buy for me because her stories always crack me up and are filled with hot shifters!

The blurb pretty much sums up some of the main events in the story, where Alex ends up in Halle to check up on his cousin Chloe. At the same time he finds his mate in a tattoo parlor and they have an instant connection. There’s also a lot of action involved where some wolves are after Tabitha because she’s Outcast and has no real protection, until Alex shows up to protect his mate.

Alex is a hardworking and hot grizzly bear shifter who was sadly nicknamed “Bunny” at a young age. Peoples’ first reactions to hearing his nickname when meeting him is hilarious because Alex is no small/weak bunny. Another interesting aspect about Alex is that he does yoga. Yup, a big tough bear shifter does yoga in order to learn to remain calm because he has anger management issues. Alex is a wonderful hero because he’s protective of those he care about and can be a complete badass, but at the same time he has vulnerable parts that make him more real.

Tabitha is a wolf shifter who was Outcast from her old pack at a young age and was stuck living in wolf form for years until she ended up in Halle. Even though Tabitha doesn’t have a pack she is still able to defend herself from wolf creeps like Gary. She is a powerful heroine because she survived through the years and has made a life for herself in Halle at the tattoo shop with her sassy friends Glory and Cyn. Even though she is independent, Tabitha is still vulnerable and wants a place in a real pack to feel whole. She makes the perfect mate for Alex because she fully accepts him for who he is and is not turned off by his vicious bear form. They provide each other with a deep love and companionship that is wonderful to read about.

I always love the side characters in stories by Dana Marie Bell because they provide some funny entertainment. We get to see Emma and the other couples from her Puma series, which is fun to read about because the couple interactions are hilarious and it’s great to see their continuing relationships. Then we have the new side characters like Glory and Cyn, who are independent and sassy women. Their mates are revealed in this story and they are absolutely resistant to becoming mates and being claimed, making me anticipate their stories next!

Overall Bear Necessities was a hilarious and delightful read! I give it a 4.5/5!

Winner & Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope everyone has had a wonderful or decent 2010 and am celebrating gaily for 2011. I recently just got back from China and school already starts Monday, yikes! This means that I will be MIA and inactive on my blog probably till spring break, which sucks but is reality. I'm hoping 2011 will be a fresher and better year for me and everyone else, but one thing I'm sure of are some amazing books that will be releasing this new year! Like Nalini Singh's Angel's Consort that comes out late this month, woot woot!

Now on to the winner of my holiday giveaway:

sable lexi

Congrats girl! I'll email you immediately after this and you have 48 hours to reply in order to get your books and Amazon GC!

Have a wonderful New Year and weekend everyone!

GIVEAWAY (PNR books & Amazon GC)! [CLOSED]

2010-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

I’m finally FREE!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! To celebrate my wonderful freedom, Christmas, my birthday this week, and all my followers I’m hosting a giveaway! This giveaway is going to last till the end of December since I’ll be MIA in China for winter break, so I will have to choose a winner when I come back.

Here is what you can win:

The Vampire and the Virgin by Kerrelyn Sparks

Rogue Angel by Alex Archer *signed*

Lion’s Heat by Lora Leigh

Sin Undone by Larissa Ione

AND

A $10 Amazon Giftcard!

Rules:

Must be a GFC follower AND leave a comment with a 2011 book release you’re looking forward to! (all in one comment please!)
Please leave email so I can contact winner
Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!!!!
Ends December 31, 2010

Happy Holidays!

Slight Freedom & Spooky Pooky Creations

2010-11-26T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hello all and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I finally have a bit of freedom now because of Thanksgiving but sadly the studying/homework does not stop because finals are coming. Boooo…And sadly I must say that once my break starts I won’t be blogging much at all because I will be in China for most of my break L No worries, I plan to have a giveaway up while I’m away for Christmas, because I love Christmas!

I’m just grateful that I can finally do a blog post after so long and I would like to share a wonderful blog/person with you all today.

SPOOKY POOKY CREATIONS

Spooky Pooky Creations is a unique and cute blog that I found recently this year and have fallen in love with the blog and creator Alexz. Alexz creates adorable plush yetis and also makes a bunch of other crafty things, like paintings and small curio cabinets. Her crafts are amazing and I’m sure that once you look through it all you’ll want to purchase one. I know I did!

Here’s a pic of her and some of her plushes that she sells on her Etsy site:

Aren’t they super adorable?! And now that it’s Christmas shopping time I urge everyone to consider these adorable plushes as Christmas gifts for people you think will enjoy and love them! She can also do custom orders but I think people should place orders ahead of time because these are handcrafted items, which take a lot of time to create.

During Halloween Alexz hosted a giveaway that I recently won and this is what I won:

I dubbed him Harry (no, not referencing Harry Potter) and I LOVE him.

Now go visit this wonderful blog and I hope you fall in love with her creations like I did. And who knows, maybe I’ll host a yeti giveaway in the future!

Giveaway Winner!

2010-11-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Whew, it's finally November and I am so happy that it's closer and closer to Thanksgiving and winter break. Halloween was an amazing night and a great stress reliever, but the exams start once again booooooo! Therefore I will be MIA once again till I get some actual vacation freedom, which will probably be Thanksgiving and late December.

I want to thank all my followers who participated in my $5 Amazon GC Giveaway and you're all fabulous! Thanks for all the supportive comments and I will be back with more giveaways soon...hopefully haha. I'm planning to give another GC away soon and some books too so I hope you all stick around.

And now my ramblings end and the winner is...

Novel Reaction

Congrats! I've already sent you the GC and I hope you enjoy!

Hot Cover & Giveaway Reminder!

2010-10-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

It's another busy week but I want to quickly share Jaci Burton's hot new cover for Changing the Game she revealed this morning!

Most people play by the rules. Gavin and Liz aren’t most people…

Win at any cost. That’s always been the mantra of sports agent Liz Darnell. When she carries things too far and risks losing her number-one client, baseball pro Gavin Riley, Liz realizes that she’ll have to work extra innings to win him back. It might not be too much of a stretch. She’s had a thing for this player’s moves since she first laid on eyes on him, and by the looks of it, he wants her just as bad.
Gavin’s more than ready—especially when Liz is offering herself as part of the bargain. And as much of her as Gavin wants. For added thrills, he decides to throw a little curve ball Liz’s way to see just how far she’s truly willing to go to keep him as a client. But when love unexpectedly enters the playing field, neither Liz nor Gavin are ready for the biggest game-changer of them all.
This hot book releases next September!
I also want to remind people that I have a $5 Amazon GC Giveaway happening right now till Oct 31!

ARC Review: Play of Passion by Nalini SIngh

2010-10-03T10:52:00.001-07:00

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Play of Passion (#9 in Psy/Changeling series)

Publisher: Berkley

Paperback: 352 pages

Release Date: Nov. 2, 2010

Passion and reason collide with explosive force in the newest installment of Nalini Singh’s “mesmerizing”* Psy/Changeling series. As a conflict with Pure Psy looms on the horizon, two powerful wolves fight a far more intimate war of their own…

In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it’s up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves—even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn’t easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind—and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash…but she hasn’t counted on Drew’s will.

Now, two of SnowDancer’s most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home…

I am very excited to be reviewing Play of Passion because I LOVE Nalini Singh! Her writing is always amazing and grips the reader's attention from the first page. Her books are an instant buy and I recommend her to anyone who loves reading paranormal romance books! I'm also loving the cover for Play of Passion, definitely one of the bests in this series.

Play of Passion is Indigo and Drew's story and is now centered in the SnowDancer pack. Drew is a dominant wolf whose position in the hierarchy is uncertain because he does not have a defined position as a tracker for Hawke. He has an easygoing and playful demeanor that hides the deadly and serious part of himself. Drew is seriously intent on making Indigo his mate but Indigo doesn't take him seriously at first. Their courtship starts out very bumpy because Indigo is a dominant female and believes that her mate must be someone older and at the same dominance level, making her rebuff Drew. However, Drew doesn't let her ideas faze him and carefully plans his courtship.

During this bumpy courtship Indigo and Drew both make mistakes that hurt and anger each other, but they make it through each one, making them even closer together. Indigo takes it slowly and gives a relationship with Drew a chance, making readers cheer them on and anticipating the end of the book.

In the Psy part of the world, Councilors Henry and Shosanna plot to assassinate Councilors Nikita and Anthony because they oppose their plans for complete Silence in the Net. They attempt a takeover of the San Francisco territory by planning to take out the alphas of SnowDancer and DarkRiver, leaving the packs in chaos and opening an opportunity for takeover.

Play of Passion is a wonderful chance to see more of the SnowDancer pack because the previous books in the series has been mainly focused on the DarkRiver pack. It is fun to see and become introduced to pack members such as Riaz and little Ben, who is an adorable pup! I enjoyed reading about the other pack members and their daily lives, especially when you get hints of future mates to come! I always love reading about the cubs and pups in Nalini's books and one of my favorite scenes is when Drew visits the nursery in the den and plays with the pups. These types of scenes always make me smile. There are also the small scenes between Sienna and Hawke, making readers anticipate their story, which will be coming out next in the Psy/Chhangeling series.

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone so i'm just going to say that there is some huge action towards the end of the book and a wonderful HEA taht leaves you satisfied but also ready to read to the next one!

Overall Play of Passion was another fantabulous book and I absolutely love Indigo and Drew! I give them a 5/5!

$5 Amazon GC Giveaway! (CLOSED)

2010-10-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

So I've been really MIA and it will continue probably till winter break because that's when finals are! I'm super busy at the moment with school work that seems to never end and I wanted to do something for October to make up for not posting a lot. I am grateful to everyone for understanding my crappy situation right now and I also want to celebrate all my followers too with a $5 Amazon GC (I wish the amount was higher but my bank account is crying at moment b/c of other school/life fees).

Rules:

-Must be a GFC follower (that's it, I don't want to deal with extras)

-Comment (I don't care what you say, as long as it's not rude or mean)

-International!

-Please leave email address so I can contact the winner

-Giveaway ends Oct 31

I hope everyone has a fantastic October and I will be doing another Amazon GC giveaway in December!

Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway Reminder & Cover Love

2010-09-28T16:45:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to remind people about the Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway that ends at 9/30! Five people from my post will be drawn from my blog to be entered in the massive grand giveaway! To see the post click the link at the top of my blog page!

Still suuuuper busy with school which is really sad because i want to do more reviews and actual book reading! But I will find some time during the quarter!

I came upon this lovely cover for Etched in Bone by Adrian Phoenix, the 4th book in The Maker's Song series! If you haven't read this series yet, you should start! It's great!

Review: Velvet Haven by Sophie Renwick

2010-09-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Author: Sophie Renwick

Title: Velvet Haven

Publisher: NAL Trade

Paperback: 336 pages

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Hidden from mortals for all eternity, Annwyn, the Otherworld, is home to shapeshifters, wraiths and dragons. But in a nightclub called Velvet Haven, desire brings humans and immortals together…

Built atop the mystic passageway to Annwyn, the gothic nightclub Velvet Haven has seen its share of lost souls—both mortal and immortal. It is here that Bran, the shapeshifter king of the Sidhe, searches for his brother, who is ensnared by a centuries-old curse. When a vision foretells his own death, he knows his time to find Carden is running out.

For help he must turn to Mairi, a mortal woman with an unusual aura. Bran has never liked humans, other than using their sexual pleasure to restore his magic energy. But with Mairi everything is different. Her lush curves and teasing caresses enflame him like no Sidhe has ever done. He has no idea that the woman he’s falling for holds the key to his destruction – or his salvation.

I finally picked up a copy of Velvet Haven after seeing all the amazing reviews it got and I’m glad I did! This was an awesome paranormal read that captured my attention from beginning to end. I can’t wait till the next one releases!

The story begins with Bran, the Sidhe king, in Annwyn attempting to divine more information about his killer. Bran can see the future but the snippet of his death always ends before he is able to see his murderer’s face. We find out that Bran reluctantly became co-ruler of Annwyn when his uncle gave it up to be with his human love. Bran is also cursed to gain energy through sex with humans, making his hate for them even deeper. When Bran enters Velvet Haven, the club that contains the doorway to Annwyn and where humans and paranormal creatures mingle, he is searching for his next power boost. The instant he sees Mairi he is ensnared and wants her for himself.

Mairi is a mortal who has a magic ability that she is unaware of, but has unknowingly helped the people around her. She is a strong and loving heroine who captures the love of Bran and is protective of the ones she cares for. Mairi has had a difficult past but she makes it through each day with her head held high. It was fun reading about Mairi discovering secrets and uncovering mysteries, her being a kick ass and sselfless heroine!

The mysteries of the murders and the hunt for the murderer keeps the story at a fast pace, making this a pretty fast read for me. I had trouble putting the book down and I really wanted to find out what happened at the end! It was definitely fun going through the twists and turns of the story with the characters and always a nice surprise when a mystery is uncovered.

There’s also a nice mixture of side characters that helps to draw you into the book and wanting to find out more about them. We have Suriel the fallen angel, Keir the shadow wraith, Sayer the selkie, and a bunch of others. Now that’s a mixture of paranormal! I hope each of them gets their own story and HEA, something they all seem to deserve.

Overall this book was a fast-paced and interesting read and I give it a 4.5/5!

Sudden MIA!

2010-09-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

So my blog was neglected for a few days because I was moving in to my apartment in preparation of school starting this week and I did not have internet. :( I was so sad because I wasn't able to check my emails or blog, which has become a daily habit of mine. But I now have internet again!

I'm also giving a heads up notice about my sporadic and maybe frequent MIA status while school is in session because I'm a science major who gets no break from classes filled with a ton of studying and work. I will still try my best to blog as much as possible, but there may be times when I'm gone for days because of midterms or finals. Sorry for the inconvenience but I'll try to hold some long giveaways while I'm away.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Gail Carriger Signing!

2010-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

Months ago I saw Gail Carriger's appearances notice on Facebook and one of the places she was going to be at was San Diego on Sep. 11 and I was so excited because I have the chance to go! I totally convinced my parents into going to San Diego for a mini-vacation but the main purpose? To attend Gail Carriger's signing and appearance at Mysterious Galaxy! This was my FIRST ever author signing and I was giddy with joy and doing the Snoopy dance in my head!

Of course there were some people who dressed up and looked amazing!

Mysterious Galaxy is a great independent bookstore that hosts a ton of author signings so I recommend people check them out and look out for your favorite authors! I just recently found out that Ilona Andrews will be signing there on Sep 28!!! So people in the neighborhood should definitely go! People there are just so nice and welcoming, they even had tea and cookies set up for people attending Gail's signing!

It was so amazing seeing Gail Carriger in person and I love her! She is such a down to earth and lovely person! Gail answered some of our questions and read a passage from Soulless for us.

Gail Carriger is such an awesome person because at the signing she actually chats with you and agrees to pose for pics, making the event so much more special and personal for fans. I felt so shy when I met and talked to her because it was my first ever book signing and I was also in awe of her like a giddy fan!

Meeting Gail Carriger was definitely one of the best things that ever happened to me and will always be a great memory!

Review: Dane by Elizabeth Amber

2010-09-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

Author: Elizabeth Amber

Title: Dane

Publisher: Aphrodisia

Paperback: 256 pages

Release Date: June 1, 2009

The dark sensuality of the Lords of Satyr returns to 1880s Italy, where these powerful men indulge their lust without inhibition...

An Appetite For Pleasure

When Dane Satyr approaches Eva for her services as a matchmaker, she offers him more than just introductions. Dane has discovered that Eva is a Satyr like himself, full of insatiable passion and dark desires. Their attraction combusts instantaneously, unlocking pleasures that neither can resist repeating...even as Eva seeks out a mortal bride for Dane...

A Demand That Can't Be Denied

Dane knows that the anonymous enemies of his past are now smiling in his face, but unmasking them is no easy task. A ring of sex slavers is at work amidst the high society he courts, and revealing his sensual powers could expose his greatest vulnerability. But having sampled the delights of a satyr mistress, Dane finds his own desires rising against him as well...

Warning! This is a REALLY HOT book. (Sexually Explicit)

I fell in love with Elizabeth’s writing through her first The Lords of Satyr book NICHOLAS. Its hot cover led me to picking up the book to read the blurb and I instantly became interested in the story. From then on I became a lover of The Lords of Satyr and DANE does not disappoint. Dane’s book is the start of a new trilogy that takes place 50 years later in Rome during the forum excavations of 1880.

The story begins with Dane in the olive grove during a full moon and the Change that happens to him and his brothers once a month. He comes across Eva, who is lost in the grove while searching for specific olives. Dane confronts her and attempts to seduce her but she fights against him because she fears revealing her hidden nature. Eva is a rare female satyr and Dane discovers this while his sexual side Dante takes over his body. Strange, right?

Apparently Dane’s sexual side named Dante takes over his body whenever he begins to have sex with someone and he doesn’t remember anything that happens. This split is a result of a traumatic childhood where he was kidnapped for a year with his younger brother Luc, who is presently still missing. This is a huge mystery that pulls readers into the Dane’s story and his quest to find Luc.

Dane is forced to get married in order to stay in the Earth World so he turns to the matchmaker Eva for help. But during the process of finding Dane a bride, Eva and Dane begin to fall for one another and can’t resist having sex. Those are super hot scenes, especially since Eva attempts to be conservative and proper to hide her satyr nature. It’s definitely fun seeing Dane shake her up and open her personality for readers to see.

And then there’s the crazy, evil Bona Dea worshippers who kidnap and sexually use ElseWorld people in their rituals. The women continue this tradition in order to retain their youth while the men just want to have sex and think they are better than those of ElseWorld. These people are seriously crazy, greedy and evil, making me want to throttle them throughout the book. It’s definitely wonderful when reading of their downfall at the end of the book.

Overall this is a very interesting and hot read filled with secrets and mysteries to uncover! I give this hot book 4.5/5!

Lauren Dane's Hot Cover!

2010-09-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

I always drool over her covers and Mesmerized is another drool worthy one!

Pamela Palmer Cover Love!

2010-09-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

I just found the cover and blurb for Pamela Palmer's Hunger Untamed, Book 5 in the Feral Warriors Series. It releases in February 2011 and I'm already excited about it! The first few covers in this series weren't that great in my opinion until I got to Rapture Untamed, where I fell in love! I think the covers for the newest books are now fantabulous and hot, I love them!

For a thousand years she has haunted him—Ariana, queen of the Ilinas, a beauty of mist and light. His love, his life mate... Kougar believed her lost to him forever until the truth of her stunning betrayal left him bitter and hungry for revenge. Now she alone holds the power to save two trapped and desperate Feral Warriors.

Ariana, caught in a deadly battle of her own, is neither the soulless creature Kougar believes her to be, nor the savior he seeks. And when darkness threatens to annihilate both races, the greatest danger of all becomes the glorious love Kougar and Ariana once shared. A love that must never rise again. A love that has never died.

Head over to Pamela Palmer's website to read an Exclusive Sneak Peek Excerpt of Hunger Untamed, which will be posted up for a limited time!

BlogFest Winners!!!!

2010-09-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

Wow! BlogFest was pretty crazy and fun at the same time and I want to thank everyone who stopped by my blog and became new followers! I now have 327 follower!!! Holy crapola, that totally exceeded my expectations! Once again, thank you everyone who participated and I hope you had fun! Now for the winners!

Through random.org...

Prize #1 Winner is...

Missy

Prize #2 Winner...

Stephanie (stephanie@...)

Prize #3 Winner...

latishajean

Congrats ladies! I will be emailing each one of you shortly for your mailing addys! You will have 72 hours to respond or I will choose new winners! I will try to mailing the prizes out this week, the latest being the weekend! Enjoy your week! :)

BlogFest 2010! (CLOSED)

2010-09-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

It is finally BlogFest, which means a chance for all you bloggers out there to enter some great giveaways and contests! This is my first time participating and am very excited!

I am blog #121!

To see the full list of participants head over to A Journey of Books! Don't forget about the massive BlogFest 2010 grand giveaway! Head on over to http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net and click on the Tracking Site link to head to our own exclusive tracking site. Once there you can register with a valid email address (to be used solely for the purpose of contacting the winner). This site will allow you to track your progress through BlogFest 2010! You can log on from anywhere at any time and continue where you left off. The best part is that every blog that you visit and mark off through this tracking site will give you one entry into the massive giveaway! We have a great collection of books, goodies and other swag that is looking for a new home!

For my BlogFest Giveaway there will be three winners!

Prize #1: Box of Books & Swag (US/Canada)

Books:

Murder and Magick by Isabel Roman (signed)

The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourke (signed)

truly madly by Heather Webber

Scorched by Sharon Ashwood

Love You To Death by Shannon K. Butcher

Demon's Kiss by Eve Silver

Naked Dragon by Annette Blair

Swag: (few listed but pic has all)

-Modcloth headband

-2 bottles of PS shower gel

-Nene Thomas "Memento" mini lithograph

-signed Devyn Quinn bookplate & bunch of swag

-Megan Hart "Switch" magnet

-signed Jennifer Ashley "Pride Mates" bookmark

-signed Meljean Brook bookplate

-signed Elizabeth Hoyt bookmark

-Devyn Quinn "Possession" coverflat

Prize #2: Swag Pack (International)

(Not all swag listed but pic shows full package)

-small ecojot notebook

-Nene Thomas "Blue Dream" mini lithograph

-signed Meljean Brook bookplate

-signed Susan Lyons bookmark

-signed Julia Harper bookmark

-signed Elizabeth Hoyt bookmark

-signed Allyson James bookmark

-signed Elisabeth Naughton bookmark

-large "Siren's Call" by Devyn Quinn card

Prize #3: Swag Pack (International)

(Not all swag listed but pic shows full package)

-Nene Thomas "Day Break" mini lithograph

-Moira Rogers' "Cry Sanctuary" magnet

-signed Meljean Brook bookplate

-Kate Douglas' "Demonfire" postcard

-signed Jennifer Ashley bookmark

-signed Joely Sue Burkhart bookmark

-signed Elisabeth Naughton bookmark

-signed Elizabeth Hoyt bookmark

-large "Siren's Call" by Devyn Quinn card

Rules:

-Must be a follower!

-Leave in comments which prizes you want/qualify for (sorry not all International!)

-Leave email in comment so I can contact you if you win!

-Contest closes 11:59 pm Pacific

Now head on over to the next blog and have fun!

http://writingisablessing.blogspot.com">Writing is a Blessing

Review: No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2010-09-09T23:02:00.000-07:00

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: No Mercy (#19 Dark Hunter novel)

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Hardcover: 352 pages

Release Date: Sep. 7, 2010

Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he’s seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.

The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it.

I LOVE Sherrilyn Kenyon and her Dark Hunter series! Her books in the series are an instant buy for me and I am proud to say that her Dark Hunter series is what introduced me to paranormal romance. Her stories always grab my attention and the paranormal world she created is intriguing and a wonderful treat for paranormal lovers.

No Mercy is the story of Dev Peltier and Sam Savage and the continuing fight against evil. This is the first ever pairing of a Werehunter and a Dark Hunter and I was hooked the instant I found out it was about Dev. Dev has made appearances in previous books and he's always cracking me up with his snarky comments and mockery of the Dark Hunters. Dev has the Dark Hunters' bow and arrow mark tattooed on his arm as a way to mess with the other hunters and he enjoys getting a ton of laughs out of it. He's always been a fun character to read about and he definitely keeps you entertained in No Mercy. The sarcasm never stops! And then we have the feisty and sexy Sam who is an Amazonian Dark Hunter that is part of the Dogs of War. She is definitely one tough cookie and a perfect match for Dev, especially when their painful pasts are revealed and we see how they are able to support each other. They are also perfect in that Sam can touch Dev skin to skin without seeing into his past and thoughts through her psychometry, which causes immense pain and super overload to her mind whenever she touches others or things people have ever touched like even a spoon used by some biker years ago. And considering how Sam hasn't had sex in hundreds of years because of her abilities, she and Dev have some hot scenes going on.

In No Mercy the Daimon's achieved ability to walk in the sun is finally discovered by the Dark Hunters, meaning Stryker needs to get a bit more crafty with his goal to take down Apollo and Acheron, then take over the world. When Stryker learns of Sam's abilities he is determined to kidnap her in order to make her tell him Apollo's weakness, allowing Stryker the chance to learn if the Daimon's curse can be reversed and how to finally kill Apollo.

We also get to see more of the Dogs of War, a badass group of Dark Hunters who are the strongest of all Dark Hunters. In a previous book they were called in by Acheron to guard Nick and their arrival means something big and evil is looming in the future.

Characters from previous books also pop up like Fang, Cael, Amaranda, Savitar, Acheron and many others. It's always great reading about these other characters to see how they are doing, especially after they found their true love and HEA like Acheron and Soteria. Seeing other characters also gives readers the chance to find out more about them and anticipate their story in the future, like Nick and Dev's brother Remi. I'm especially anxious to see who Nick is paired up with and how his story will go, especially with everything happening with him right now like the discovery of him being a Malachai and his relationship with Artemis (hate her!).

Overall No Mercy was a good read and addition to the Dark Hunter series. I give it a 4/5!

Alpha Trailer & Contest!

2010-09-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Rachel Vincent posted up a trailer for her upcoming release Alpha! She also has details on her blog about a contest for a signed copy of Alpha too!

Sites to Win Free GCs & Other Goodies!

2010-09-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves winning or receiving free GCs and goodies right?! So I decided to share with other bloggers out there where you can get your hands on some free Amazon GCs or other free goodies offered!

First one up is myCARDZ, which is a great site where you can try to win on their GC giveaways by commenting just like the giveaways that occur in the blogosphere. Just comment, that's all you need to do! They have various giveaways posted all the time to win various prizes like the lovely Amazon GC or iTunes GC. I just recently found out about this wonderful site and already love it for its simplicity. So go check it out!

Another great site is Swagbucks! I'm pretty sure a lot of people have already heard and joined this site, but I'm blogging about it again to make more people aware. On Swagbucks you earn points through various offerings like the daily polls or shopping through their site, accumulating enough for you to snag some of the goodies they have offered up. They have games, jewelry, electronics, tons of other prizes, and my favorite, Amazon GCs! I joined a few months ago and have already gotten about $50 worth of Amazon GCs that I've used to purchase more books, saving me a ton of money! There is some work to earn enough swag bucks but it's totally worth it!

The last great site I'll talk about is surveyhead.com. At Surveyhead you take a bunch of surveys to earn money. Yes people, money! The money that you accumulate can be used to gain rewards like Amazon GCs or make a donation to a charity listed. When you accumulate $25 or more you can cash out through a Paypal account, meaning you received money just for taking surveys! I'll tell you now that taking surveys may get a bit tedious but you're earning real cash here. If you hate taking surveys go for the first two sites I talked about above!

I hope this was helpful to some people and these sites are great ways to save money!

Review: Renegade by Lora Leigh

2010-09-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Author: Lora Leigh

Title: Renegade

Publisher: St. Martins

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages

Release Date: Aug. 31, 2010

As a bridal shop owner, Mikayla Martin helps make women’s wedding dreams come true. Her own life, however, has become a nightmare since she witnessed a murder—and got an up-close-and-personal look at the killer. What’s worse: She knows she knows him. But the police, after doing an alibi check, don’t believe her. It’s up to Mikayla to prove them wrong…and do whatever it takes to solve the murder by herself.

Elite Ops agent Nikolai Steele, code name Renegade, is asked to pay an old comrade a favor. This friend swears he’s no killer—and Nik believes him—even though he’s been mistaken as one by Mikayla. So Nik goes to set her straight…but the moment he lays eyes on the fiery and determined beauty, he knows he’s in too deep. A woman this irresistible can only mean trouble and, sure enough, after sticking her nose in one too many places, someone wants Mikayla dead. Now Nik must find a way to keep her safe, clear his friend’s name, andfind the real killer, who remains on the loose…

Lora Leigh is another of my all time favorite authors and her books are instant buys for me, especially her current Elite Ops and Breed series. She’s an amazing writer whose characters who make you fall in love with them. Each of her stories are filled with intense and deep emotions, ensuring you either shed some tears or bawl like a baby when you read them.

Renegade is the 5^th book in the Elite Ops series and it doesn’t disappoint. Nik is called in by Maddix Nelson to return a favor after helping him on previous missions. Maddix wants Nik to find out why Mikayla is blaming him for a man’s murder that happened while he was in a meeting that his neighbors witnessed happen. However, Nik is reluctant to do the job since he would rather be on a real mission with his team and he’s used to being an assassin, not finding out why someone is lying. But Nik ends up taking the job after seeing a photo of Mikayla, who looks like an innocent fairy, thus beginning Nik’s journey of love. As an Elite Ops agent Nik is going to be like his fellow comrades and attempts to resist Mikayla with all his might to prevent falling in love with her but as usual he falls for her! Their relationship was definitely an enjoyable read.

One of my favorite aspects of Lora Leigh’s books is the mystery that keeps you guessing all the way till the end. Renegade was definitely one of those books because readers were left questioning whether Maddix was lying to Nik or did Mikayla mistake the killer for Maddix or whether someone out there is impersonating Maddix. I was anxiously flipping the pages, ready to see who the killer was and how the story would end.

Another great aspect about Lora’s books is how characters from previous books make an appearance. I always love seeing past characters and how their relationship is progressing, especially if they have children That’s definitely always exciting to read about. In Renegade we get to see past characters like Ian and Kira from Lora’s Tempting Seals series, but we sadly don’t get to see the other couples from the previous Elite Ops books. Since Nik is the last of the men in the Elite Ops group it means the next book is most likely going to be Jordan Malone’s book. I’ve been highly anticipating his story and can’t wait for it to release!

Overall, Renegade is another fantabulous book in the Elite Ops series and I give it a 4/5!

Happy Labor Day! & some lovely covers too

2010-09-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

It's a Monday but it being Labor Day makes up for it usually being the worst day of the week because the weekend is extended! YAY!!!

While prowling the Internet I found some great covers of books I can't wait to get my hands on!

This first cover is Live Wire by Lora Leigh and is the 6th book in the Elite Ops series. It's supposed to be Jordan Malone's story and I can't wait to read it! Sadly it doesn't release till March 1, 2011 but there is the TBR pile to get through! And isn't the cover delicious?!

This second lovely cover is of Maya Banks' 2nd KGI book that is supposed to release on Dec 7, 2010! The first book in the series The Darkest Hour officially releases tomorrow and I'm already planning ahead to get No Place To Run!

Have a great Monday everyone!

Classic Pooh's Weekly Mail

2010-09-04T19:13:00.001-07:00

It is finally September and almost time for me to go back to school, which means I will be attempting to cram even more books to read every week while I still have a lot of free time! Summer flew by really quick but new fall releases are here!

This week I bought:

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Renegade by Lora Leigh

I am definitely grateful to fellow bloggers out there who host giveaways too because it's a chance for me to receive some free books and discover some new authors too! Much love to all the bloggers out there!

Here are the books I received presented by Classic Pooh:

Falcon's Captive by Vonna Harper

Rogue Angel: The Bone Conjurer by Alex Archer

I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Follow Friday!

2010-09-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://candacesreadingblog.blogspot.com

3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

Happy Friday!! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Also, everyone should go check out the Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway & Zoe Winters' Blood Lust Blitz

Review: Blameless by Gail Carriger

2010-09-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Author: Gail Carriger

Title: Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate #3)

Publisher: Orbit

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Release Date: Sep. 1, 2010

Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.

Gail Carriger is one of my most favorite authors and her Parasol Protectorate series is an instant buy for me. This series is one of the first books I ever picked up in the Sci-Fi section of the bookstore, introducing me to other amazing authors such as Patricia Briggs and S.J. Day.

Blameless is the highly anticipated third book in the Parasol Protectorate series after the huge cliffhanger in Changeless and Lord Maccon's horrible reaction and attitude towards Alexia's pregnancy discovery. After Conall's crazy tirade about the baby Alexia is forced to move back in with her insufferable mother, idiotic half-sisters and stepfather. They constantly whine that Alexia is shaming the family and ruining the chances of the Loontwill sisters finding good husbands, especially after Alexia's delicate state and supposed infidelity are published in the papers. I definitely wanted to bash all the Loontwills' faces into the table during this chapter! After that crazy morning Alexia heads to Lord Akeldama's residence after being kicked out of the house but finds that he has disappeared with all of his drones. This leads to Alexia headed towards Madame Lefoux's but on the way she is attacked by deadly ladybugs sent by vampires. In order to escape the murderous vampires and to prove that the baby is Conall's, Alexia heads to Italy with Madame Lefoux and Floote. On their journey to Italy they go through more crazy obstacles and adventures, ending with the mysterious Templars who believe Alexia is a daemon. There is definitely no shortage of adventure for Alexia. And during most of this craziness Conall, Lord Laccon, is constantly inebriated not from alcohol but formaldehyde. Yes, dear readers, formaldehyde. *shudder*

Alexia is definitely an amazing heroine who gets through the craziness with her humor and trusty parasol. I most enjoyed the scenes where she fights against accusations and derogatory comments with her own brand of wit and logical humor. I find it hilarious that Alexia refers to her unborn baby as the infant-inconvenience! But later on in the story she realizes that she can come to tolerate the infant and may have some affection for it.

Another fun aspect of the book are the chapter titles that give an adequate idea of what the chapter is about while humorous at the same time, "In Which Lord Maccon Is Likened to a Small Cucumber." That is definitely one of my favorite chapter titles and it keeps me, as a reader, excited to read the next passage. Carriger's books are a true success because they capture my absolute attention even though it does not focus on the romance aspect too much. And the romance that she actually incorporates leaves you feeling very satisfied and happy for Alexia. Blameless was an amazing read and Gail Carriger is a writing genius in my opinion.

I give this fantabulous book a 5/5!

Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway

2010-09-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway

Sept 1 ~ Sept. 30

Cynthia Roberts, author of her debut historical romance, Wind Warrior has something pretty darn dynamic for all of (name of blog) visitors, friends and subscribers ... one of the largest blog tour promotional giveaways ever attempted.

Breaking into the world of romance fiction is a challenge unto itself but more so, when you’re a newly published author. (name of blog) is excited to participate in this venture with Cynthia and help introduce Wind Warrior to the world of romance readers. The bonus … every one has the chance to compete for not one, but five pretty extraordinary prizes which will include:

Romantic Two-lid willow picnic basket with deluxe service for two ~ $125.00 value
Succulent Godiva Chocolate Tier ~ $75.00 value
Exquisite Pearl & Crystal Necklace ~ $50.00 value
Amazon Gift Certificate ~ $25 value
Amazon Gift Certificate ~ $25 value

To view the gifts & read further descriptions visit her websit

e at http://www.romanceauthorcynthiaroberts.com.

Contest Rules Are As Follows

1. Leave a comment at the end of this post

2. Tweet the following text: Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts. A story of longing, of a wanton need to survive all odds & a love so strong it conquers human evil. On sale now at Amazon, Borders & Barnes and Nobel.

3. Post the same tag on your Facebook and/or Myspace Profile

4. Become a fan/follower/subscriber of the blog you visit

5. The list of participating blogs are registered on Cynthia’s website and you may enter to win on every one, however, only one family member may do so in a household.

6. Open to ALL not just the US & Canada

7. Each participating blog will randomly choose five entrants to compete for the grand prize pool where the final 5 winners will be randomly selected

8. Winners will be chosen on Sept. 30^th and notified via email by Cynthia

9. All finalists must provide their email, name and official delivery address at the time of finalist selection to (name of blog)

10. All prizes will be shipped no later than Oct. 30^th directly from the distributor

11. The steps above will be checked to determine your eligibility.

Wind Warrior ~ The Iroquois Series ~ Book One

Leslie Michaels is a visionary, and only those close to her know of her special gift and the visions that come when her mind and body surrender to sleep. Fate has a way of righting many wrongs, and for Leslie it is a destiny that changes her life dramatically. But not before she is forced to flee into the wilderness to escape a murderous trapper bent on claiming her for his very own. Faith and a strong will to survive are her only companions, until she encounters Winnokin, the handsome Seneca war chief who first came to her in her dreams. Not only does he prove to be her rescuer and protector, he teaches her that tragedy can breed happiness and the passion to live and love deeply once again.

Wind Warrior plunges readers into the intimate depths of a relationship that unfolds like a live drama before their eyes while painting an insightful and intriguing portrait of Native Indian life in the 1800s. It is a story of longing, of a wanton need to survive all odds, and a love so strong it conquers human evil. Wind Warrior expresses with cunning words the simple, raw human emotions that hold readers spellbound and captivates their hearts.

On Sale Now at Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Nobel ISBN# 978-1-61663-162-8. Read more than a dozen reviews on her website at http://www.romanceauthorcynthiaroberts.com.

Blood Lust Blitz! And Chance To Win A Kindle!

2010-08-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

Zoe Winters is celebrating her release of Blood Lust by giving away an Amazon Kindle to people who help spread the word and/or purchase Blood Lust. You can find the full details and ways to win at HERE! This contest will run from now until Saturday September 4th at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Also from Zoe's post: All this week I’ll be visiting several blogs (two a

day!), promoting Blood Lust. I’ll Tweet and Facebook and

blog each day to tell you where

I’m at, because I’ll be giving away a free signed print copy to one commenter in each guest blog thread.

Even if you already have a Kindle you should still check out Blood Lust!

Blood Lust is the omnibus edition of Kept, Claimed, and Mated and considered the first book of the larger “Preternaturals Series”.

Kept (Novella 1 in the Blood Lust Trilogy)

As a cat therian (shifter), Greta’s blood is already sought after to enhance spells and potions, but due to a quirk of her birth, her blood is potent enough to kill for. When her tribe plans to sacrifice her, Greta must ally herself with Dayne, the dangerous local sorcerer, and the only person strong enough to protect her.

Claimed (Novella 2 in the Blood Lust Trilogy)

For a vampire, Anthony isn’t a picky eater, but he’s drawn to Charlee’s blood more than any other. Like a fine wine saved for a special occasion, he’s denied himself this pleasure. But one night, high from the potent magical blood of another, he claims his prize and loses control. Ashamed of almost killing the one woman who means anything to him, he wipes her memory of the event. When Charlee awakens with complete amnesia, Anthony is the only one who can clean up the mess he’s made.

Mated (Novella 3 in the Blood Lust Trilogy)

Because of the vampiric blood that has run through her veins since birth, Jane has been a target for vampires who resent a human being “kindred.” She’s forced to disguise herself as a vampire groupie to appease them and safeguard her life. When she’s abruptly given to Cole, the leader of the werewolf pack, to satisfy a gambling debt, she discovers the blood running through her veins has a far greater impact on her destiny than she ever imagined.

Review: A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix (Book 1 of the The Maker’s Song series)

2010-08-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Adrian Phoenix

Title: A Rush of Wings

Publisher: Pocket

Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages

Release Date: Feb. 24, 2009

HIS NAME IS DANTE.

Dark. Talented. Beautiful. Star of the rock band
Inferno. Rumored owner of the hot New
Orleans nightspot called Club Hell. Born of the
Blood, then broken by an evil beyond
imagination.

HIS PAST IS A MYSTERY.

FBI Special Agent Heather Wallace has been
tracking a sadistic serial murderer known as
the Cross Country Killer...and the trail has led
her to New Orleans, Club Hell, and Dante. But
the dangerously attractive musician not only
resists her investigation, he claims to be
nightkind: in other words, a vampire. Digging
into his past for answers reveals little. A
juvenile record a mile long. No social security
number. No known birth date. In and out of
foster homes for most of his life before being
taken in by a man named Lucien De Noir, who
appears to guard mysteries of his own.

HIS FUTURE IS CHAOS.

What Heather does know about Dante is that
something links him to the killer -- and she's
pretty sure that link makes him the CCK's next
target. Heather must unravel the truth behind
this sensual, complicated, vulnerable young
man -- who, she begins to believe, may indeed
be a vampire -- in order to bring a killer to
justice. But what Heather doesn't know is that
Dante's past holds a shocking secret, and once
it is revealed not even Heather will be able to
protect him from his destiny...

A Rush of Wings was an extremely fast read for me because it was fast-paced and the story lured you in and gripped you with claws until you reached the ending. It took me a while to get to this series because it was hiding out in my TBR pile that I am attempting to get through. There was also all the fantabulous reviews of this series that I read, making me want to read it even more!

The blurb is pretty much the Sparknotes version of the book without all the juicy details and secrets hidden within this wonderful book. The vivid details and descriptions of the characters and events such as Heather’s first visit to Club Hell keeps your attention and allows readers to picture scenes throughout the book in their minds. The Maker’s Song world created by Phoenix is also unique among all the other vampire stories. The amazing abilities Dante possesses, the creatures that inhabit the world, the impending war between Heaven and Hell. These various aspects of the book demonstrate a gripping paranormal tale of love and mystery.

Heather is an honest and amazing FBI agent who catches killers in order to give voice to the dead. She doesn’t work for the money or even to rid the world of evil. She does it for the helpless victims who have lost their voice and ability to stop the killer. As an FBI agent Heather is a kick ass heroine who does everything in her power to capture a killer and she doesn’t let any crap pass by her. It was definitely interesting watching Heather navigate Dante’s dark world and realizing that there are such things as vampires in the world. She didn’t freak out or faint, but slowly realized after seeing concrete proof that vampires are real. Heather survived the journey to capture the CCK and she stayed by Dante’s side even through the difficult times, showing that she is one tough chick.

Dante is nightkind and his presence brings awe and attention to him wherever he goes. People are in awe of his beauty and some were drawn to him because they believed he was a vampire, and he was. Dante’s past is a complete mystery and he only remembers a few years of his past and nothing else. Whenever glimpses and pieces of his memory appear he has debilitating migraines and a bloody nose. His dark and somber character drew me into him and throughout the book I was excitedly waiting to discover his past. And it is a gruesome and horrible past that no one should suffer through, especially Dante, who was born with incredible powers and abilities. (You have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about because I don’t want to spoil anything!)

At first I didn’t really know how Dante and Heather would work together as a couple but when it happened it just worked. They are definitely a perfect match, even though he’s a young, tortured vampire and she’s a kick ass human FBI agent. Their interactions and growing relationship kept me turning the pages.

Other characters like Lucien and the CCK help bring mystery and suspense to the book because Lucien has a lot of secrets locked up inside of him while the CCK is a crazy ass who seriously needs to be put down ASAP. The side characters are important in every story and in A Rush of Wings they help make the book breathe and tell a story.

This is a dark and sometimes gruesome paranormal story with a romance that doesn’t take over the whole book, making it a thrilling read that keeps you flipping again and again till you’ve reached the end. I give this fantabulous paranormal a 4.5/5!

Review: NoHeart by Ronnell D. Porter

2010-08-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

Author: Ronnell D. Porter

Title: NoHeart: A Hoodoo Novel

Self-Published

E-book

Think you know Voodoo?

Charlotte Roote is a twenty-four year-old convenience store clerk and upstanding citizen of the small Terrebonne Parish town of Coeur, LA.

But by night, she's a Mambo's apprentice; a hoodoo practitioner who conjures and fixes with the blink of an eye.

The only problem is that Charlotte isn't very good. In fact, on her first test she accidentally created a vampire when she was supposed to conjure a hoodoo zombie. Things only go downhill from there for Charlotte as she tries to tame her unpredictable vampire puppet.

But when a string of murders spring up Charlotte is obligated to find out who's been skinning the people of Coeur when her Mambo, The Widow, goes missing.

Magic, murder, mystery and mayhem take the lead in this romantic, sexy and enchanting tale of southern rituals that weave together an unpredictable ending and leave you craving for more.

I was intrigued with NoHeart when I first heard about it personally from the author and the offer for me to review it. I haven't read many books involving Hoodoo but I love reading paranormal stories, especially if there's a romance in it. The title is unique itself and when you read the story it makes sense.

The blurb pretty much sums up what happens in the story but once you start reading, you're captured into the mystical and creepy world of Hoodoo in Coeur. The story begins with Charlotte in a cemetary with The Widow, a Mambo who is teaching her the magics of Hoodoo. Charlotte is supposed to be raising a zombie but she screws up and instead creates a vampire, Zachary. This is the beginning of all the madness that happens in NoHeart. Someone is skinning people for Coeur and The Widow goes missing, leaving Charlotte to try to figure out the mess that is Coeur. There are also some evil vampires lurking around and fierce werewolves that pop up in the story.

While all this is happening Zachary the vampire shows up at times and his relationship with Charlotte grows steadily. I enjoyed how they got to know one another and didn't rush into a sexual relationship like so many other books. I also loved how their relationship was just one part of the NoHeart and didn't consume the whole book, giving a more substantial and satisfying read.

Porter's paranormal and Hoodoo world is a fascinating place to read about and it sucks you in through a dark and mystical feel/atmosphere. Some parts are extra creepy, like the scene where Charlotte discovers the human skin and heart *shudders* It definitely gave me the chills and creeped me out, especially since I was reading it in the middle of the night but that's what I loved about it. It drew me deeply into the Charlotte's story. What stood out the most was the Hoodoo aspect and I enjoyed learning more about the Hoodoo culture, which is more serious and different to voodoo.

In my opinion NoHeart has a similar style and feel like the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris where there's a love story embedded within a mysterious tale and world of paranormal creatures. So I think people who love the Sookie Stackhouse series and anything related to the paranormal will enjoy this book.

Overall this was an excellent read and i can't wait to see what happens to Charlotte next! I give NoHeart a 4/5!

18 & Over Tag Along Friday!

2010-08-27T00:54:00.000-07:00

I just found this new Friday Follow hosted by Bitten by Paranormal Romance which is aimed specifically to blogs with adult content in them. So if you have an adult blog or just a blog that also reviews any type of 18 & over books you can join in!

I mainly read and review adult romances and UF. I love all types of romances and I believe the steamier the book the better ;) I don't have any really smutty/explicit pics on my blog and I keep most of my reviews pretty clean, but pretty much all the books I review and list are for those 18+

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday and join in with this new follow friday event!

Follow Friday and Hop!

2010-08-27T00:19:00.000-07:00

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host {Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://bookge3k.blogspot.com/

3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOKPARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So go join over atCrazy for Books!

This weeks question is: Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?

I use a number rating system from 1 to 5 for my reviews because I think it's easier to see how well a book is viewed and rated by a reviewer if there's a number/rating system. I think they also help other readers out there to decide whether to read the book or not.

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday!

Review: Silver Dragons series by Katie MacAlister

2010-08-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've finally read the Silver Dragons series by Katie MacAlister and I loved it! Her amazing writing and laugh out loud characters always make her books a fast and entertaining read. This series follows after the Aisling Grey series and tells the story and HEA of silver wyvern Gabriel Tauhou.

Playing with Fire (Book 1)

Fire and water don’t mix—or do they?

Gabriel Tauhou, the leader of the silver dragons, can’t take his eyes off May Northcott. Not even when May, who has the unique talent of being able to hide in the shadows, has slipped from everyone else’s sight.

May, however, has little time for Gabriel—not when she’s hiding from the Otherworld law, hunting down a blackmailer, and trying to avoid a demon lord’s demands. But her ability to withstand Gabriel’s fire marks her as his mate, and he has no intention of letting her disappear into the darkness she seems to prefer.

Then May is ordered to steal one of Gabriel’s treasures—an immensely important relic of all dragonkin—and he must decide which to protect: his love or his dragons…

Up in Smoke (Book 2)

Though May Northcott’s heart belongs to Gabriel Tauhou, leader of the silver dragons, being stuck in Abaddon has significantly cooled down her love life—especially since a demon lord is trying to woo her. So far, May has resisted his efforts, but it’s getting increasingly harder to thwart disaster.

So May is shocked when Gabriel encourages her to give in to the demon prince. But her fire-breathing boyfriend has an ulterior motive. Since May was created in the mortal world, her surrender would give her master access to that world, where he would lose most of his powers.

It looks as though May will have to barter to gain her freedom and fulfill her destiny by Gabriel’s side. But will a deal with the devil make life heaven or hell?

Me and My Shadow (Book 3)

May Northcott is a woman at the end of her rope. She’d almost gotten used to her employer, the ex-demon lord Magoth, spending his days hanging around her home and interrupting her private moments with her dragon lover Gabriel. Then trouble appears in the form of a nearly dead man on her doorstep.

With May fighting to control the dragon shard, Magoth wrangling to regain his position and powers, and a mysterious and deadly dragon bent on their destruction, Gabriel has his work cut out for him. Now, he’ll have to claw his way through all the distractions and convince May that their love is strong enough to conquer all of their enemies.

This another great continuation of Katie MacAlister's books that focus on the dragon wyverns and the women who are able to tame them. The Silver Dragons series focuses on May, a doppelganger, and Gabriel, the Silver Dragon wyvern. They accidentally meet when May is attempting to return something that she accidentally stole from an archimage and gets caught trespassing on Drake's property. However their relatinship isn't so simple because May is caught up in the demon world like Aisling and is bound to Magoth, an idiotic and sex-obsessed demon lord. Then there's the dragon politics and the presence of Baltic, the once black dragon wyvern but now white dragon, who wants to steal May from Gabriel. And in between is a whole buttload of other problems that seem to stalk May and Gabriel wherever they are! I love how we get to see Aisling and Drake again in this series, especially since Aisling is preggers! Then there's Jim, Aisling's demon who takes the shape of a dog and always has some crass but humorous comment to make no matter how dire a situation. Overall this was such a wonderful series and I can't wait to get started on the Light Dragons series!

Fabulous Covers!

2010-08-25T17:50:00.001-07:00

Here are some fabulous covers that Nalini Singh and Jeaniene Frost have recently unveiled! I LOVE them and can't wait for them to release!

Fall Releases Giveaway Winner!

2010-08-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank everyone for participating in another of my giveaways! I love giving people the choice to choose their own books and I know I'm going to get my hands on all of those upcoming releases, I hope my TBR pile doesn't tip over! I also hope everyone else goes out and purchase their own copies of the upcoming releases since they're fabulous authors and books!

Now on to the winner!

Through random.org the winner is...

Beleth

Congrats and I will be emailing you shortly. Please reply back within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen!

Classic Pooh's Weekly Mail

2010-08-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

It's been another week and I received some awesome books I've been wanting! I personally didn't buy any books for myself, which is a good thing because I'm staying within my goal for this month's Book Ban and I'm also saving some money!

Books I received:

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley

Rapture Untamed by Pamela Palmer

Red Hot Fury by Kasey Mackenzie

And One Last Thing by Molly Harper

My Way To Hell by Dakota Cassidy

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend and also received/bought some great books this week!

Follow Friday and Hop!

2010-08-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list

2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://edgyinspirational.blogspot.com/

3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.

4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments

5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can

6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So go join over at Crazy for Books!

This weeks question is: How many blogs do you follow?

At this moment I follow 294 blogs!

Hope everyone has a Happy Friday!

Review: Unbridled by Beth Williamson

2010-08-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

Author: Beth Williamson

Title: Unbridled

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Paperback: 304 pages

Release Date: July 6, 2010

Hell hath no fury like Alex Finley…

For as long as Alex could remember, life had taken everything from her. Her father had abandoned her and her dying mother, only to return upon her death to reclaim the family’s Wyoming ranch—with a new wife. Alex’s rage drove her away to Los Angeles to live with a man who could never satisfy her.

Only after ten years does she come home—and she hits the town with a vengeance, unleashing her pent-up lust on willing cowpoke Connor Matthews. But she’s in for several shocks. It turns out that the ranch is now a resort, that her late father split the estate between Alex and her young step-brother, and that Connor—the bucking bronco she wants in her bed—is running the place.

Now, Alex is torn between accepting a new family, and a lover who can give her everything she needs—or selling out to a smooth-talking neighbor and leaving the past behind her. But only when her life is on the line does she realize what she desires most of all…

This is my first time reading one of Beth's books and I was intrigued the moment I read the blurb and saw the hot cover, yum! I also haven't read a book with cowboys in a while so this was my opportunity to start again. And the results? I LOVE it!

Unbridled is a fantabulous contemporary cowboy book filled with heart-wrenching scenes that literally made me cry and an explosive passion between Alex and Connor that makes you flip the pages again and again. It was an all nighter book that resulted in a few hours of sleep but left a deep satisfaction and a never ending love for Unbridled.

Alex is a vulnerable but tough ass heroine who has suffered emotionally for years. When she was sixteen her mother had breast cancer and her father suddenly left, only coming back with another woman when her mom dies. Alex runs away from it all to California to seek refuge but later on ends up back in Wyoming with no other place to go. She's filled with a vicious anger aimed at her father and holds a deep sadness that never seems to go away, resulting in a strong woman who just needs love and solace. When reading about her roiling emotions and difficult trials, I cried for and along with her. Even though Alex has been emotionally battered, she still has an explosive sensual side to her that heats up the sheets. The instant she meets Connor passion ignites in them both and they have a hard time resisting one another.

Connor is a real life cowboy who is chivalrous and always tries to do the right thing in life. He had a rough childhood and as a teenager, he was saved by Alex's dad and given a second chance at a new life. Connor takes his responsibilities very seriously and works hard to keep the ranch functioning with the hopes of owning half of it one day. His passionate side explodes the instant he meets Alex and he can't get her out of his mind, drawing him closer and closer to Alex. Connor is an amazing hero who made it through some rough years and lived through it to continue living a reformed life. Even though he's a tough cowboy, Connor is still able to fall in love with Alex.

Unbridled is an amazing story filled with heart-wrenching scenes, an explosion of passion, a villain cowboy, and a happily-ever-after that leaves a smile on your face. I give this fantabulous book a 5/5!

Review: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

2010-08-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Title: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

Publisher: Leisure Books

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

Release Date: April 28, 2009

It was whispered all through London Society that he was a murderer, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum and was not to be trusted─especially with a lady. Any woman caught in his presence was immediately ruined. Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy. Despite his decadence and intimidating intelligence, she could see he needed help. Her help. Because suddenly the only thing that made sense to her was

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

The title of this book immediately drew my attention the minute I saw it. I was instantly intrigued and wanted to find out why this Ian was crazy and mad. Plus I loved the fact that Scottish men are in the story and I’ve heard many wonderful things about this series by Jennifer Ashley.

The instant I started reading about Ian I was captured because his strange quirks and behavior are left in your memory, making me wonder as to why/how his behavior is this way. I mean, the man licks a Ming bowl when he’s checking its authenticity and worth! That’s pretty weird and outrageous but I love how Beth finds him fascinating and isn’t turned off by his quirks.

There are several mysteries surrounding the Mackenzie family and one of them is who really murdered Lily and Sally Tate, especially when some people believe it was the mad and crazy Ian Mackenzie. These mysteries kept me speedily flipping the pages because they draw you into the story and make you want to know all the secrets and revelations that are waiting at the end. There are a lot of twists and turns but it adds depth and makes the story a very interesting read.

I didn’t really know what to think of Ian when I first read about him but as the story progresses and the things he suffered through are revealed I began to understand his weird quirks and teared up with his struggles. I definitely sympathized with Ian but at times I wanted to bash him in the head for not realizing all the love Beth had for him. This shows how Beth is a strong heroine in that she doesn’t listen to society’s rumors of Ian and she stands by and loves him even though she knows there’s a chance he will never really love her. Beth is also different from society in that she didn’t grow up in wealth and inherited it from Mrs. Barrington, the old woman she became a companion to. Ian and Beth are the antithesis of one another but they make a fabulous match and I was cheering them on through the whole book!

We also meet some other interesting characters like the annoying Detective Fellows who is intent on ruining the Mackenzie family. There is the oldest Mackenzie brother Hart whose arrogance and cold exterior made me hate him at the beginning but towards the end we see a deeper side of him. He’s also a duke who is obsessed with politics and money. Another Mackenzie brother is the artist Mac who has a disastrous relationship with his wife Isabella in that she left him three years ago and can’t stand to be in the same room together. We get hints that Mac did something to ruin their relationship, leading to the next book in the series. Cameron is the Mackenzie brother who is skilled with horses and has a son Daniel. His past is also not very pretty in that his deceased wife tried to murder Daniel when he was a baby and then killed herself. Now that’s a crazy family with dark pasts.

Overall this was a fabulous historical and one of the bests I’ve read in a while, which is why I give it a 5/5!