Guest Blogger: LW Herndon (giveaway)

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to let LW Herndon take over the blog today… 
Thank you for having me on your blog, Kelly.
One of the things I enjoy most about writing is research. It’s a necessity and temptation all rolled into one. And while a reader might wonder what there is to research about urban fantasy, I can state for a fact, there’s plenty. Almost nothing exists in print, movies or television that doesn’t originate from history or mythology. Star Wars, Star Trek, and the tales of werewolves and vampires can all find their roots in the philosophy and mythologies of China, Greece, and many other countries. The names are slightly changed and the histories mutated, but the ideas come from existing information sources.
So when I decided to use demon clans as the backdrop for the Thaddeus Kane novels, I read about demons across a variety of cultures and religions. The world as Kane knows it holds demons from ancient clans spanning back to the creation of man. Similar to human beings, these demons evolved in many forms, from the mischievous, to the downright evil, to mild-mannered live-and-let-live varieties.
With stories from Christian and Jewish demonology, European, Chinese, Japanese, and even Sumerian mythology, there is wonderful lore and details available. Enough to be a real distraction from actual writing. But with a little bit from here and there, and a twist of something different, it evolved into a framework for the demons who become Kane’s allies and enemies.
Here’s an example of an interesting demonic character that I ran across in my search. Buer: listed as a Great President of Hell. Bearing an auspicious title, he’s charged with ‘teaching Natural and Moral Philosophy, Logic, and the virtues of all herbs and plants.” Not exactly the role I had expected to see from the Commander in Chief of Hell. With the head of a lion and five goat legs he would also be difficult to camouflage. I didn’t pattern any of my demon hierarchy after Buer, but who knows, there are Thaddeus Kane tales left to tell. Perhaps Buer will show up one day. I’m fairly certain he’ll never make a romantic lead, but I could see him as a good side-kick (no pun intended) or turncoat ally.
What demons or creatures of the night do you find most surprising in the stories you read? Which ones stick in your memory long after you’ve read the story?
~LW Herndon
My name is Thaddeus Kane. I exist in Los Angeles, the city known for the hustle of Hollywood, an average 266 days a year of sunshine, and smog.
That’s not my L.A. I operate under the mantle of the city as a troubleshooter for the demon clan who saved my life. Not a bad job if I can stay alive, but I have my limits. I refuse to risk innocents, which causes me problems. That one line I won’t cross for anyone. Loyalties—I have them. I’m pretty sure none of my associates would approve of my particular choices.
Human sorcerers are murdering my clan to harness superpowers and I’m the only one capable of finding the evil. A tough assignment, made harder by my secret alliance with a rival demoness to save prophetic teenagers from the same horrible fate. I’m all they’ve got.
LW Herndon is a pseudonym for the author of the Thaddeus Kane urban fantasy novels and the Declan Other Realm young adult urban fantasy tales. More information on LW Herndon and future books can be found at the website http://www.lwherndon.com and blog http://demonssorcerersandmore.com/lwherndonblog

For the giveaway:A $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour as well as to the host with the most comments. Additionally, two random drawn winners will receive the 2nd Thaddeus Kane ebook, on its release date, Fall 2012.

Readers can follow the dates and locations for the Mark of Kane Sizzling PR Book Tour @ http://sizzlingpr.com/2012/04/02/the-mark-of-kane-by-lw-herndon/

Sterling is on Sale!!!

The Storm that is Sterling is on sale.  
For a short period of time you can get book 2 in Lisa Renee Jones Zodius Series.  Go download!!! 

Order Here:  Amazon

The Storm that is Sterling 
by Lisa Renee Jones

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

November 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402251599 (ISBN13: 9781402251597)
Zodius Series #2

Sterling Jeter, Renegade Super Soldier, is fearless, powerful, and wildly unpredictable. His life-threatening mission is to save the beautiful, brilliant astrobiologist Rebecca Burns from ruthless villain Adam Rain. But their immutable mutual attraction threatens to put them in the path of death… or worse…



Release Day Tuesday 4.17.12

Happy Release Day Tuesday.  
I am sure there are many, many more release today.  
If you have more please share I will add to the list!!! 
♥, Books-n-Kisses

Happy Reading

 

Kelly’s (ARC) Review of Undone by Lila PDiPasqua

TITLE: Undone
#4 in the Fiery Tales series
AUTHOR: Lila DiPasqua

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.


REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly             NUMBER OF STARS: 5 Stars

REVIEW:
In Undone we get to learn more about Simon Boulenger, who we meet in A Midnight Dance (book 3).  Simon’s only goal in life has been to become an aristocrat, by any means possible.  
Simon has battled his way from poverty and certain death to become an officer in the King’s navy.  Oh and Simon is a very, very naughty boy.  Why you ask?  Well you will just have to read the book 🙂  But after so long of doing anything it takes to move up in this unforgiving world, Simon is starting to rethink his goals.  After the death of a good friend he doesn’t know that being an aristocrat is worth it any more.  He starts to question his goals, who he is, where he is going and what he wants.  At that very moment fate steps in and literally knocks him to the ground in the form of a very beautifully plain woman.  Life for Simon will never be the same from this moment on.  

Angelica has been in hiding herself away for many, many years and she has no intention of ever being found.  She is content where she is, it might not be ideal but it is better then ever going back home.  But when Angelica finds herself tangled in a mess of arms and legs with a very large and incredibly handsome man, she has no idea the twist her life just took.

Lila DiPasqua is a wickedly talented author.  I have loved every story of her’s that I have read.  Undone left me totally undone, but in a very, very good way.  Lila does a great job of having two main characters who are stubborn to a fault, beyond a fault really.  Who both are hiding secrets that they are ashamed of.  Each fears the truth will send the other running.  But the journey that these two go on will show them that truth, trust and love can conquer all.  

I will say that Simon & Angelica drove me nuts, they made me laugh, they made me cry on multiple occasions, but in the end like any good fiery tale there was a happy ending.  

I loved Undone and so can’t wait to see what Lila has in store for us next with Three Reckless Wishes (book 5 in the Fiery Tale series), Luc’s book.

HUGE thank you for Lila for the great honor of letting me read your story and for listening to my feedback.  Love you girl!!!

Interview with Casea Major

Book-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome to Casea Major to the blog. 



1.    Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I am a stay-at-home mom with two school-aged children and one preschooler.  I was born and raised in Texas and am a die-hard Cowboys fan. I love reading well-written emotional stories. I enjoy writing them too.
2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
I always enjoyed writing but not until a year ago did I understand I could actually finish a story.
3.    What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I write most of my stories out of order, usually writing the last chapter well before the preceding chapters.
4.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My current release is a sexy 1Night Stand story that I came up with watching football one Sunday afternoon. I wondered what catalyst would make someone venture out into a sexual realm they’d never tried. Voila! Night with a Dom was born.
5.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m writing a sexy short erotic story which will be part of a series of  stories a anti-hero.

6.    Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
The Apostle Paul because he wrote the largest percentage of the greatest book ever written

7.    What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Find a good critique group and critique, read and write as much as you possibly can.

8.    Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I would love to do a river boat cruise down the Danube. That is a dream. 
Thanks for having me, Kelly! It’s been a pleasure.

Spotlight Feature: Truly, Madly, Deeply, You by Cecilia Roberts

Book Title:  Truly, Madly, Deeply, You
Author: Cecilia Robert
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher: InkSpell Publishing
Publication Date: March 21st  2012
Format: eBook, Kindle
Book Synopsis:
Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.
What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?
Book Excerpt
“You all right, Li?”
She nodded as her eyes swept the room, then back at him. “Really, Frey, you didn’t have to do all that. I was going to clean after the four days.”
He  shrugged. “No worries, sweetheart. What are friends for?” He smiled and beckoned her to him with his free hand. She followed the delicious smell of food more than she obeyed him, and stood beside him. He smiled at her, and pulled her into one arm hug and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Feeling better?”
She nodded, peeking inside the pot. “Yes, I am,” she said, hoping her voice came out cheerful. She didn’t want to have him worried. “Smells good. What’s this?”
“Healthy food.” He turned his attention to the pot of whatever delicious concoction he was cooking and continued stirring.
Liese glanced around for something to do while he went about preparing the meal.  She frowned, as her gaze zeroed in on the sofa.
“Er, Frey, what’s that?”
He glanced up from the pot, and followed her pointing finger. “Oh, that. My overnight bag,” he said nonchalantly. “Didn’t I tell you I’m staying here for those four days? No? Well, I am.” He turned, unconcerned, and continued stirring, dipped two fingers inside the array of bottles of spices in front of him, pinched small amounts and sprinkled dashes into the pot. He repeated the action a few more times before he grunted in satisfaction.
She glared at his back, watching the rise and fall of the muscles there. “No, you’re not.” She glanced up, then poked his arm with her finger to make her point. “You can’t do this to me, Frey. Another time, but not these four precious days. I need to be alone.”
Frey tilted his head slightly, his midnight blue eyes gentle and kind as they’d always been. “Sorry, I’m not leaving. Get used to the idea, Li. Besides, I have five votes from your mom and dad. We voted who should come over and stay with you. I won.” He grinned, and turned away to stir what she now saw was red sauce. The scent of mint filled the air, and her stomach grumbled.
She ignored it and twisted out from under his arm. He snatched her back and held her snug and tight against the length of his body. She leaned into his soothing touch, savouring the comfort of his fingers as they caressed up and down her arm. Her body began to relax. “If I needed you, I’d have called you and asked—”
“Eat, and then if you want to talk later, we’ll talk.” Frey pecked her on the forehead once again, then brought his hand to her face and tucked a few strands of her wayward curls behind her ear. He let her go. “Now sit over there like a good girl.”
She grunted in frustration and stalked away, well, as much as her weakened body would allow her to stalk without losing her pride. She plopped down on the sofa. “You’re no better than my parents.”
He chuckled. “You bet I’m not. I’m worse.”
 Author Bio
Cecilia Robert enjoys the play and weave of words that make up a good story. She enjoys creating fantastical worlds and getting lost in them. She often meets a prince, a princess, a pirate, ordinary and badass boy or girl who take her through the wonderful world of dreaming and fantasy.
 She doesn’t have particular leanings to any kind of story as long as it captures her attention She reads and enjoys urban/dark fantasy romance,  paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, mystery or horror as much as her children’s school books.
 Some nights, you can find her reading Puss in Boots for her daughter, or trying to understand how to read Manga comics from her son.
Important Links
Author Website:
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Publisher Website:
Goodreads:
Pre-order:

Kelly’s (ARC) review of Darkness Seduced by Stephanie Rowe

Darkness Seduced
#2 The Order of the Blade Series
AUTHOR: Stephanie Rowe
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/15/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Immortal warrior Gideon Roarke made an oath five hundred years ago to the woman who died for him. The ancient Calydon is ruthless in his quest to honor that promise, even if it means risking everything by teaming up with the one woman who will either destroy him, or finally bring redemption to his blackened, hardened soul.

After escaping from a two-year imprisonment at the hands of a madman, the only thing Lily Davenport wants is to go home and reclaim her life. Unfortunately for Lily, standing between her and that goal is a sensual, demanding protector whose dangerous seduction threatens to claim her life…and her soul.


REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly           

4 1/2 Stars

Stephanie sucked me back into the world of The Order of the Blade.  Amazingly enough I enjoyed book 1 just a little better then book 2.  Although I still really enjoyed Darkness Seduced.  

Gideon is the tough as nails, has no feelings, totally impossible to kill warrior that everyone fears and all the other warriors look up too.  So when Gideon is asked to go save Lily from her prison, he treats this like any other mission.  Get in, save the innocent, kill some rogues, and get out. Gideon has the best plans that is until he see Lily being attached by a rogue Calydon.  In that moment everything about this mission changed.

Lily has been held captive for the last two years by a monster.  He has abused her in everyway possible.  But now days have passed and he has not returned from his latest battle.  Lily hopes that he is dead, but that also means death for her as she is locked in the basement of his house.
All Lily knows is that she needs to find a way out.  She has not survived this long to die now. Plus she know if she stays a greater evil will be coming for her.  What Lily doesn’t know yet is that her savior is waiting for her on the other side of the door to freedom, she just has to get to that door.

I enjoyed Gideon & Lily’s story, they are a great couple.  Both never back down from a challenge. Both are fiercely protective and determined to save the people around them.  But both will have to learn to trust, love and forgive before they can move forward

Darkness Seduced has a great set up for the next installment in The Order of the Blade series Darkness Surrendered coming out May 15.  

Huge thank you to Stephanie Rowe for letting me read Darkness Seduced.  

Kelly’s review of Forbidden Magic by Jennifer Lyon

TITLE: Forbidden Magic
E-novella 4.5 in the Wing Slayer Hunters Series
AUTHOR: Jennifer Lyon
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/15/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Wing Slayer Hunter, Ram Virtos, must find his soul mirror witch and convince her to mate with him before his Thunderbird tattoo kills him. But while that witch might be able to save Ram’s life, it is the mysterious Ginny Stone who inflames his passion.

Ginny has been deeply fascinated by Ram for months, but dared not act on it or she’d be torn from her mortal life on earth and thrust into her dreaded destiny as a half-breed angel. But when her beloved brother’s soul is at stake, she must do the one thing she both fears and desires…

Take Ram to her bed.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly            

5 Stars

REVIEW:
What do you do when the one person who can save you, runs from you?  But the one person you want, the one that is always there, the one willing to do anything and everything for you just might be the only one to really save you?  

This is the very problem the Ram finds himself in, in Forbidden Magic.  His soul mirror witch, has deserted him, left him to deal with the curse and his demons on his own.  Ram feels the pull to the one witch that can save him and his soul, but his heart has other plans. Ram’s heart belongs to someone he can never have.  

Ginny knows that it is just a matter of time before she gives in to her father’s demands.  But she is not in any hurry.  Although being around Ram is very tempting for her to break her own rules.  When Ginny’s father blackmails her and gives her no choice, by threatening the two men she cares about the most on this earth, her brother Eli and the man she is head over heels in love with Ram, Ginny finally realizes that her father has won.

Fate always seems to have a way of knowing what and who is best for you.  But what happens when Fate is wrong?  What happens when your heart won’t let fate win?  What happens when you love the wrong person so much,  it makes it is so very right?

If you want the answers to these questions you need to pick up a copy of Forbidden Magic.  And see who wins, Love or Fate….

Huge thank you to Jennifer Lyon for allowing me to read Forbidden Magic early.  And for totally sucking me back into the world of the Wing Slayer Hunters and reminding me of how very much I love this series.   This novella took me on a wild, tortuous journey with Ram & Ginny and left me dying for more..  

Kimberly’s review of The Iron Heart by Leslie Dicken

TITLE: The Iron Heart
AUTHOR: Leslie Dicken
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/07/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
His greatest creation could be the death of them both.


One woman swears to avenge the savagery of a ruthless killer loose on the streets of Lundun; if only she can stay one step ahead of an inventor who fears that his greatest work, a labor of love, has turned on humanity.

Grieving the loss of her beloved cousin, Ella Wilder is determined to catch the murderer. Infuriated by the fumblings of the constable, she seeks the assistance of a handsome noble who seems to be looking for his own answers, and whose reluctance tells her he has something to hide. Over time, hesitant intimacy grows into fiery passion but brings them no closer to finding the madman.

As the killer reveals darker inventions that blur the boundary between man and machine, Ella fights the fear he may be after her next. Can Ella trust her heart to the man who refuses to share his secrets yet swears to protect her? Will Bennett be able to choose between keeping terrifying family secrets…or losing Ella to the iron-hearted killer who stalks the night?


Warning: This book contains a dirigible, flying machines, automatons, a sexy but secretive hero, a stubborn heroine, and a very determined killer.

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kimberly           NUMBER OF STARS: 3 Stars

REVIEW:
I have never read this author before and I found her writing confusing but interesting.

The book notes: Warning: This book contains a dirigible, flying machines, automatons, a sexy but secretive hero, a stubborn heroine, and a very determined killer.

In all honesty it was hard for me to understand what time from I was reading. It is certainly written as a historical however many people travel by dirigible and are talking about flying machines and automatons. Which is certainly not something that was going on in historical times (or not that I know of) and it made for a confusing time to read. I finally decided to just think of it as a historical and mentally disregard the futuristic moments.

That being said. The story was really interesting. It held my attention and had me wanting to know what was going to happen. And I was surprised by the ending (I won’t ruin it for the next reader). It is not something I would have normally picked up but received it as a free read for a review. But I if you enjoy historical and futuristic novels and would love to read one that combines your loves then by all means PICK UP THIS BOOK!

Flying Frog Fairy’s review of Immersed in Pleasure by Tiffany Reisz

TITLE: Immersed in Pleasure
AUTHOR: Tiffany Reisz
PUBLICATION DATE:   2/28/12
ORDER LINKS:  BN | Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS: The Manhattan Mermaids: Believed to be the most beautiful women in the city, they entertain wealthy, powerful men in an exclusive club called Fathoms….and are all virgins. Derek Prince doesn’t believe they really exist, until he meets the stunningly sensual Xenia. She drives him wild with desire, but giving in to temptation means losing her position at Fathoms. Derek is incredibly turned on by the thought of being Xenia’s first…but will he be willing to wait for her?

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Flying Frog Fairy        
NUMBER OF STARS: 3


This story is a Spice Brief so of course it is short. However, the author managed to pack a lot into the story. It had some hot sex and a sweet love story.  The fact that the hero was willing to stick around just for the chance to get to know his mermaid while knowing he wasn’t going to get sex, tugged at the heart strings.  The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the fact that the story jumped around quite a bit because most of it was being related by the hero to his friends after the fact. So they spent a lot of the story interrupting him.  But I liked the premise of mermaid virgins and loved the HEA the H/H got.

If you are looking for a short and sweet read with a little sex and a HEA then this is the one for you.

Adrian Phoenix’s Hoodoo Series

Black Dust Mambo (Hoodoo #1)

by Adrian Phoenix
“There will be times, girl, when all your magic ain’t going to be enough, times when it will seem to dry up like mud under the noonday sun, or even make matters worse . . .”

Kallie Riviere, a fiery Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a talent for trouble, finds herself smack-dab in the middle of one of those times her mentor warned her about when she visits New Orleans to attend the Hecatean Alliance’s annual carnival: her hard-bodied conjurer hookup ends up dead in her blood-drenched bed. And he was killed by something that Kallie would never dream of touching — the darkest of dark juju, soul-eating juju — a black dust hex that may have been meant to kill her.

Now Kallie has to use every bit of hoodoo knowledge and bayou-bred mojo she possesses to clear her own name and find the killer — even as that dark sorcerer hunts Kallie and her friends. But Kallie’s search for the truth soon leads her in a direction she never anticipated — back home to Bayou Cypres Noir, and to Gabrielle LaRue, Kallie’s aunt, protector, and hoodoo mentor . . . who is looking more and more like she just might be the one who wants Kallie dead.

Black Heart Loa (Hoodoo #2)

by Adrian Phoenix
“An eye for an eye is never enough.”
Kallie Riviere, a Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a bent for trouble, learned the meaning of those ominous words when hoodoo bogeyman Doctor Heron targeted her family for revenge. Now, while searching for her still-missing bayou pirate cousin, Kallie finds out the hard way that someone is undoing powerful gris gris, which means that working magic has become as unpredictable as rolling a handful of dice.
The wards woven to protect the Gulf coast are unraveling, leaving New Orleans and the surrounding bayous vulnerable just as a storm–the deadliest in a century–is born.
As the hurricane powers toward the heart of all she loves, Kallie desperately searches for the cause of the disturbing randomness, only to learn a deeply unsettling truth: the culprit may be herself.
To protect her family and friends, including the sexy nomad Layne Valin, Kallie steps into the jaws of danger . . . and finds a loup-garou designed to steal her heart–literally.

Interview with Rebecca Royce

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Rebecca Royce on the blog today.  


1.    Hi Rebecca, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses can you please share with us a little about yourself
I am the mother of 3 boys (4 if you count my husband) and I write paranormal romance. Sometimes I also delve into science fiction and fantasy. I love movies, reading, and Broadway shows.

2.    Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes! I wrote my first book in fourth grade.  I just love telling stories.
3.    What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I open up my computer, click on Word. The document page opens. I write the chapter heading and then I write constantly until I get to page 13. In my first draft, all of my stories have 13 pages per chapter.
4.    Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Out of Place Mate is the fourth book in a series I write called Shifters and Bikers. It is a subseries of Decadent Publishing’s The Edge.  Basically, all of the stories in the Edge take place in one scene. They are hot and, well, edgy.  My particular group of stories take place in a biker bar called Gunther’s that also happens to be a shifter bar—although most of the humans there don’t know it.
5.    How did you come with the idea for this story?
When I was first approached to write a story for The Edge, I wrote a story called Unwanted Mated.  After I finished Unwanted Mate, the next three stories just kind of appeared in my mind. This is one of them.
6.    Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I am writing the next in my Outsider series. It’s the fifth book in that series.
7.    Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Nalini Singh because I think she’s brilliant.
8.    What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Do you research and write every day.
9.    Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I want to go to St. Lucia.
10. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m always waiting on egg shells for the next Psy-Changeling novel by Nalini Singh.
11. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks so much for having me.