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Interview & Giveaway with Andrew Weston

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome new author Andrew Weston to the blog today.  We are chatting about his new book Fairy Tail.

 

Can you please share with us a little about yourself

I was born in the city of Birmingham, UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston. I always loved sport and was actively involved in a variety of teams throughout the city & metropolitan area.

On graduation, I joined the Royal Marines and served in a number of roles both in the UK and abroad. And then in 1985 I joined the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, serving as a police officer in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until my retirement in 2008.

Over those years, I wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for my children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers”, gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.

An unfortunate accident received on duty meant I had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up my recuperation, I was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” – my original idea – developed over my years in the military and police.

When not writing, I enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by my wife, Annette and hunting shadows in the dark. I have not managed to catch any yet, but I’m sure I came close on 2 occasions. (But to be honest, I was too scared to look!)

I am now contracted to Ruby Lioness Press for a number of books & short stories.

“Guardian Angels” is the first of those books and is due for release August 2012. It is the introductory book to the “Guardian Series”, a sci-fi/fantasy epic set in the near future.

The sequel to that story, “Guardians” is currently under assessment, also with Ruby Lioness Press.

The third work, however, is now my debut story. “Fairy Tail”, an erotic thriller with an unusual twist, is a short story I completed as an experiment to broaden my experience and is now available to read from Amazon.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

To be honest, I always wanted to write but, because of my busy background – 6th generation military and police – never found the time, apart from the stories I used to write for my children. It wasn’t until my medical retirement I at last had the time to put all the ideas I had onto paper. (And look where I am now!) ha ha.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Some of my favorite writers are, Julian May, Stephen R Donaldson, Raymond E Feist, Trudy Canavan – and I’m really taking to Suzanne Collins. I think the author who has inspired me the most is Raymond E Feist.   His  idkemia saga, incorporating so many series and trilogies and separate stories covering the history of one world and the dangers it faces from a hidden enemy have been a constant source of inspiration. How he keeps it so fresh, so gripping over what? Nearly thirty books? Is something I can only aspire to.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

I could read before I went to school, being raised on ‘Dr Who’; ‘Fireball XL 5’; ‘Space Patrol’; ‘Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea’; ‘Lost in Space’ ; ‘Planet of the Giants’ etc etc – Sci-fi classics of the sixties, so loved Science Fiction from an early age. I read literally every sci-fi book in my local library. As fantasy came to the fore, I gradually became attracted to that. (Mind you, I made sure to stick to the ‘quality’ writers). So it was only natural I favored this genre. However, ‘Life experience’ also played a part. Thirty years in the military and police force meant I witnessed a lot of heartache and tragedy, and over those years I often wondered what it would be like if we had an emergency service organization that had the power, training and resources to handle disasters more efficiently. Perhaps even preventing such things occurring in the first place. (Like Thunderbirds meets the X men). So, over those years, I devised the concept of “The Guardians” – and of course – they fit the Sci-fi/Fantasy genre nicely!

Fortunately, I have some great publishers who instill a ‘family’ atmosphere among   the authors. They have encouraged me to try other things to broaden/deepen my experience. As such, I have submitted work in genres such as ‘paranormal’, ‘erotic thriller’, ‘spicy – very spicy – love stories’ etc…(I have discovered erotica is a very difficult genre to get right, so I’m very thankful for the opportunity to improve my overall standards).

What are some of your writing rituals?

My normal writing ritual involves a morning of actual writing – usually between 10.00 am – 2.00 pm while my wife is out. Then I take a break so she doesn’t kill me. (really!) ha ha. And in the evenings, I research the fields I need for the story, future projects etc. That way, I don’t have to concentrate and Annette, my wife, doesn’t feel like she’s lost her husband.

However, at the moment – I’m keeping a promise to fulfill a final summer season of employment, so work shifts everyday without a day off. Fortunately, one of my functions involves sitting in a control booth. I can make notes there quite easily, so when I come home, I complete at least a few thousand words quite quickly (My target)…And then my wife gets her husband back!

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

My “latest” book is in fact my first published work! In reality, it was my third project. I wrote and submitted a main novel to the publishers, and by that time, was close to completion of the second book of the series. When I was accepted by Ruby Lioness Press, they encouraged me to try other genres to broaden my experience. I did, and “Fairy Tail” (my third project) was the result – a paranormal erotic thriller – with a sexy and “in your face” twist. It’s a gritty story about a cop who leads the investigation of a serial killer who strikes every year in the week leading up to Halloween. 1 victim a day, every day, until a quotient of 7 has been reached. Then he disappears. Butchery just doesn’t describe what the killer does to those unfortunate enough to fall into his evil clutches. But then, the cop leading the case gets a break…but it’s not one any of us would relish!

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I came up with the idea after watching a film on TV about revenge. Someone was convicted of a murder they didn’t commit. After years in prison, they get out and try to hunt down the true offender, but never manage to discover who it is as they are very elusive. And life IS like that.

Having been a cop involved in a number of murder investigations, I though…What would happen if I was the lead detective on a case where the true offender for murder always managed to elude me? No matter how good I am, how thorough, how dogged, the killer always seems to be one step ahead. What would happen if the reason for their success was “outside” the realms of normal probability. How would I handle it? Would I believe it? Would anyone else believe it if I tried to explain it?

Basically, that’s how I came up with the concept for Fairy Tail. I can’t explain more – it would give the story away, and perhaps give you a clue as to the twist that occurs.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I have a number of current works in progress. The first is book 3 of the Guardian Series, entitled, “Fallen Angels”. However, as I have time on my side (“Guardian Angels” is due to be published August 2012 – and “Guardians” is still under assessment – If successful, this obviously means it wouldn’t be due for publication until 2013.) So I can devote my time to other, more immediate projects.

I have submitted a couple of short stories to Ruby Lioness Press for inclusion in Anthologies. One, I know, has been accepted – “Lovebite” a paranormal thriller, while my first attempt at a love story/romance, “A fresh Start” is under consideration and I’m very excited to see what happens there.

I am also working on a sequel to a previous short story…But you’ll have to wait and see what that is. Its great fun and I want to ensure I get it right.

AND – believe it or not – I’m completing research on a future short story. It will combine a current world wide historical mystery with time travelling combat veterans! Should be fun!

However, my main focus is on developing a new concept Ruby Lioness Press is keen to see, a paranormal erotic thriller series, “The Cambion Journals”. Book 1, “The Rage of Augustus” is about 1/3 through its 1st draft. Its current, it’s fresh and should hopefully prove very popular as I’m developing it in a way that you can’t help but get caught up in Augustus’ feelings.

What would you be if you were not an author?

If I wasn’t an author I would be very bored. Now I’m retired I need something constructive to fill my time. Trying to constantly improve & bringing pleasure to others is a full time occupation.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Definitely the entire trilogy of “The Hunger Games”. I don’t know how I missed this story when it came out! Because I’m in Greece, I haven’t seen the film yet, and have just finished the first book. Book 2 is underway, and book 3 is on the shelf, crying, “Daddy, read me, read me”! After that, I’m looking forward to the next releases from Raymond E Feist, Stephen Donaldson and Trudy Canavan. Quality writers, all with unique styles. (IF ONLY I could be half as good as them, I’d have a future in writing…)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just to say, thank you for asking me these questions. I hope to work with you again in the future.

I’d like to have a giveaway (Once I find out how to ‘give’ an e-book to a winner).

In Fairy Tail – the cop does have a name. You won’t see it in the story, but you may well do in the future.

Can you guess what it is? The first to guess gets a free e-copy of Fairy Tail, sent as a gift!

 

Amazon.co.uk |  Amazon.com

Website | Blog 

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Guest bloggers Elisabeth Staab & Tes Hilaire are talking Vampires

Loving the Vampire Hero

by Tes Hilaire and Elisabeth Staab

What is our generation’s obsession with the creatures of the night. Is it simply the night and the pulse of life energy? The spilling of life-giving fluid? Or maybe the intrigue goes further than that, balancing on that fine line of forbidden seduction and the murky line of death. Whatever the reason, there is no denying that there is a widespread love of vampires out there. I have it, you have it, and we know Elisabeth has it too. The thing is, all of us have our different reasons for loving them, and no two are exactly alike.  So what is Elisabeth’s? What’s mine? And what is yours? Let us introduce you today to the vampire heroes that we love so much…

Elisabeth: For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the tortured bad boy.That kiss between Michael and Star in The Lost Boys movie brought me around to the idea that vampires could be sensual and romantic, not just pasty coffin-dwellers who killed for fun and games. How…different. How hawt! Fast-forward to my discovery of over a decade later of the gritty intensity of vampire romance with fangs and alpha males who needed not just love but a physical blood tie to their mates to survive. I was hooked. I also became a documentary addict, taking in tales about the pressures those who have to lead, and what the strain can do to them. Enter Thad, the king in KingofDarkness. I took a vampire leader and handed him crisis after crisis on the heels of a tragedy, and he had pull himself together for the good of his race. Oh yeah, and there’s this prophecy that says he won’t be able to lead properly until he finds just the right mate…

Excerpt from King of Darkness:

…Thad leaned in more, legs apart, elbows on his thighs. “Look,” he said. “I get that this sounds pretty insane, but believe me when I say I’ve got better things to do with my time than make up stuff like this. If I didn’t think there was something to it, I wouldn’t have been combing half the country looking for you.

“I thought it was all a crock of shit too, ya know?” He sat back up and studied her face for a second. Her expression was blank and her mouth was slack again, like she couldn’t quite process what he was saying. But his jaw was tight and his blood pounded in his ears with the urgency of what still remained to be said. So he kept going.

“The Oracle you asked about is long dead. My parents—both of them—are also dead. I am close to a century old, and I have no power whatsoever. When word gets out about that factoid, it’s gonna put a crack in the ice. My experience and training up to this point have been completely theoretical. I’m running out of time to officially announce my ascension, and our race needs to have faith in its leader.

“We are down to tens of thousands, Isabel. Thousands. On a planet of billions of humans. We work damn hard to keep the communities protected from wizard attacks, but if the folks get scared, they might scatter. And if they scatter…” He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly…

 

Tes: My love of vampires can be stripped down to one aspect: volatile passion. Or maybe I should say the control of it. Like Elisabeth, I’m a big sucker for the tortured hero. And the vampires who hold a special place in my heart are the ones who suffer all the violence and passion inherent to their species, the need and obsession with blood and sex…and then they control it. InDeliverMefromDarkness my hero, Roland, is such a hero. Once a Paladin warrior, he fell from grace on the night he was turned, and has been struggling ever since to rise above his volatile nature and reclaim his humanity.

Excerpt from Deliver Me from Darkness…

…Roland tossed back the last of his scotch, then glared at the bottle sitting on the coffee table. Empty. There wasn’t enough liquor to burn away the taste of the blood he’d spilled.

Ninety-four years of bloodlust. Ninety-four years of trying to hold onto his humanity. The first few had been a lesson in abject failure, the bloodlust overriding everything else. Possibly if he’d been turned by a master who cared, one who would help him past the cravings and teach him how to temper his needs…but Christos was not that sort of master. He’d encouraged the mindless violence, egged Roland on, and Roland had been more than pleased to oblige.

Until Logan. Logan had brought him back and helped Roland to sever the master-slave bond that Christos had had over him. It had been eighty-nine years since Roland had killed. Yet he’d almost killed a man tonight. The blond had looked like Angeline. And in his mind it was Angeline, his sister, that Don Juan Tom had been planning to rape. Roland’s rage had been so great he’d kept drinking. Wanting to punish. Wanting to lose himself to his nature. When the bloodlust was over him there was no pain, no emotion. Empty. Void. Thoughtless creature of the night. God, the blood had tasted so good.

The phone rang.

Teeth sinking into flesh.

Another chiming burr.

Warm sweet liquid pooling on his tongue.

Brrrriiinnnggg.

Coopery taste sliding across the back of his mouth and down his throat.

With an inhuman growl, Roland grabbed up the phone, punching the talk button. “What do you want?”

“It’s Karissa. She’s run away.”

Roland’s hand tightened around the tumbler, the cut glass leaving grooves in his palm. “Are you telling me she’s outside? Alone? Before dawn?”

There was an audible swallow on the other end. “They’ve sent Valin after her.”

Roland stood, carefully clicking the off button on the phone and he dropped it in the chair. He raised the tumbler—no scotch left. He started to lower it, then with an enraged roar, he threw the tumbler across the room where it smashed against the mantel.

 

About the Authors

 
Elisabeth Staab still lives with her nose in a book and at least one foot in a fantasy world. Her bestselling paranormal romance novel,KingofDarkness, is available now. Her second book,PrinceofPower, releases in January. Find out more at ElisabethStaab.com

 

Tes Hilaire’s idea of a perfect vacation would include her porch on a sultry summer night, a good glass of rich, red wine, and a book about darkness, passion, torture and love. Her first novel in the Paladin warriors series DeliverMefromDarkness is available now. The next, DeliverMefromTemptation, releases in December. For more, visit TesHilaire.com.

Giveaway!

Tells us about your obsession with the most seductive creatures of the night. Why do you love them? Who is your favorite? And, gulp, would you actually want to meet one in real life?  One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of Tes Hilaire’s Deliver Me from Darkness, and another will win Elisabeth Staab’s King of Darkness. Thank you for joining us today!

Want more chances to win some great prizes?
Check out the rest of Tes & Elisabeth’s tour stops.

June 5 – Books n Kisses

June 7 – Grave Tells
June 11 – The Qwillery
June 13 – Pimpin Reads
June 22 – I Smell Sheep
June 23 – Book Monster and Literal Addiction – LIVE CHAT FROM 2-3pm EST
June 28 – Darhk Portal

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Interview with Samantha Grace

Book-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Samatha Grace to the blog.  

1.  Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

Samantha:  I’m married to a child psychologist. We have two kids, a dog, and a cat. I think we’ve done a fairly good job of raising our kids so far, but the dog and cat are definitely going to need therapy. I would love to be a health food nut and marathon runner, but I’ll settle for eating mostly healthy and maybe running a 5K this coming November. That would involve me actually putting on my running shoes and heading out the door, however, and I just haven’t gotten that far yet.

 

 

2. Have you always wanted to be an author?

Samantha: I’ve dreamed of becoming an author since fourth grade, and I took creative writing classes all through high school. Yet, when it came time to go to college, I felt steered toward majoring in something “practical”. I needed to make a living to support myself, so I tried journalism. I quickly found out this wasn’t the type of writing I wanted to do. I switched my major to psychology with the thought it would help me with character development. Later I went back for my master’s degree and studied social work. I don’t regret the path I followed even though it feels like I took a big detour. I’ve learned a lot about life over the years, and it’s nice to have a steady income while I wait for my writing career to take off.  

3. Who are some of your favorite writers?

Samantha:  I enjoy Amanda Quick, Lauren Willig, Jodi Picoult, Sherry Thomas, Wally Lamb… The list could go on and on. There are so many talented writers. I just wish I had more time to read.

4. Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Samantha:  The ladies in my critique group have had the most direct influence on my writing. Aside from these marvelous women, I would add Larry Brooks for his book Story Engineering and Donald Maas for Fire In Fiction, particularly the chapter on using description. Dr. Irvin Yalom also deserves a shout out for his book Love’s Executioner. He wrote about his experiences in providing therapy to patients, but their stories are told with such heart and humility. It changed the way I think about others. I love that book.

5. How did you get into writing in this specific genre?

Samantha:  It was accidental in a way. I hadn’t read romance in probably fifteen years when I rediscovered Johanna Lindsey at the library. I recalled liking her stories a lot in my younger years and picked up a book I hadn’t ever read. After I devoured the rest of her stories, I wanted more, but instead of looking for other authors who wrote historical romance, I thought, “Hey! I can write a romance, too.”

6. Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

Samantha:  I thought about it when I first began writing romance, but for now, I’m content. I’ve always been drawn to the developing romantic relationships in stories, but other genres don’t usually explore this element in enough depth for me. If I did write in another genre, it would probably be mystery.

7. What are some of your writing rituals?

Samantha:  I need my hair up, quiet, and my glasses. Make that clean glasses. It drives me insane to have even the hint of a fingerprint on my lenses, so I always need a microfiber cloth at hand. Quiet isn’t always possible, so I like to listen to Pandora radio with my headphones, but it has to either be instrumental or in another language besides English. I love the exotic sounds of the Karsh Kale station. It’s very sensual music.

8. Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Samantha: Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half is the second book in my Regency historical series. It’s basically a “second chance at love” story about two people who should have been together a long time ago, but there were too many obstacles that stood in their way. Now they have another chance to get it right. It’s also a story about longing for someone out of reach and the lasting power of true love. I tend to write a little humorous, and I think there are some funny moments in this book, but this book is from my heart. I hope others find it touching and romantic as well. Here is the summary from the back of the book:

Jake broke her heart by leaving for the country after sharing a passionate kiss.

Lady Amelia broke his by marrying his best friend.

When she returns to town a widow – pursued by an infamous rake, Jake’s debauched brother, and just maybe by Jake himself – Lady Amelia will have a mess and a half on her hands.

A sparkling romp through the ton, Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half delivers a witty Regency romance in which misunderstandings abound, reputations are put on the line, and the only thing more exciting than scandal is true love.

9. How did you come up with the idea for this story?

Samantha:  This is a difficult question to answer. Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half basically evolved from two characters that appeared in my first book Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. From the start, Jake was hostile toward Lord Andrew and I didn’t know the reason. It wasn’t until close to the end of writing the first draft of my first book that I realized he was heartbroken over losing his one true love, Amelia. Amelia was a big surprise to me when she first appeared. I thought she was “the other woman”, but she didn’t fit any of the clichés. She was kindhearted, sensitive, and genuinely concerned about Lana Hillary’s welfare. By the time I started revisions on my first book, I knew Jake and Amelia had a story to tell, so I let them tell it.

10. Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Samantha:  I’m reviewing the galleys for book three Miss Lavigne’s Little White Lie to be released in October. The story is about a ship’s captain, Daniel Hillary, who agrees to carry a lovely Creole lady, her cousin, and her peculiar younger brother to England after she approaches him in a tavern. His rule has always been no women on ship, but Lisette Lavigne’s devotion to her family convinces him to change his mind. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful and could be good company for him during the long voyage. What Lisette doesn’t tell Daniel is they are fleeing from her criminal fiancé, because he wants to place her brother in an insane asylum to gain full control of his fortune. Unfortunately, her fiancé has much more at stake than losing access to the Lavigne family fortune, and he begins pursuing her across the sea, eventually placing everyone Lisette loves in danger, including Daniel.

I’m currently writing the fourth book in my series, which is yet to be titled. It’s about the oldest Forest brother, Luke, who has inherited a dukedom and a surprise marital agreement his father had negotiated on his behalf days before his death. At first Luke tries to talk Lady Vivian into speaking with her brother about dissolving the agreement, because Luke has a lot of stuff going on internally, not to mention a dangerous voyage planned in a few months. Lady Vivian is a big surprise to Luke, and he soon learns she is too stubborn for her own good. She refuses to talk to her brother, but she has several good reasons for not cooperating with Luke. One of those being she’ll be sent to a convent in Scotland if she messes up her betrothal. Luke actually grows fond of Vivian in a short time and proposes an alternate plan he thinks she can’t refuse. He’ll take her to his mother’s house party and help her find a replacement husband. She pretends to agree to his scheme, but all along she plans to win his heart before they reach the house party. It has been a fun book to write.

11. What would you be if you were not an author?

Samantha:  Well, if I could go back and do everything over again, I’d become the bad girl of ballroom dancing. Why not? I already went the practical route by becoming a social worker. J

12. What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Samantha:  I really can’t wait to get my copy of Erin Knightely’s debut book More Than a Stranger. That’s the one I’m most looking forward to reading.

BnK: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Samantha: It has been my pleasure. Thanks so much for having me as a guest at Books-n-Kisses. May I ask your readers the same question you asked me? What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? No extra points given for saying my book. <wink>

Want to learn more about Samantha?   You can find her here:

Website |  Blog  | Twitter  | Facebook

 

Oh Paul is looking good on this cover…. Don’t you think SG?

Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half
by Samantha Grace
Release day June 1, 2012
Amazon| B&N

Lady Amelia Audley and Jake Hillary have been in love with each other for years; unfortunately, a cruel set of circumstances and misunderstandings tore them apart.  When Amelia marries Jake’s best friend, he vows to forget his love for her.  But when she returns to town newly widowed, Jake must decide whether or not to let the beautiful lady back into his heart before fate intervenes and tears them apart forever.

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Kelly’s ARC review of Mine to Hold by Shayla Black

Mine To Hold
Wicked Lovers #6
AUTHOR: Shayla Black
PUBLICATION DATE:  06/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A friend’s duty.

Tyler Murphy was an LAPD detective, single and happy—until a near-fatal tragedy crippled his friend, fellow detective Eric Catalano. While he supported Eric, he also became a shoulder for Eric’s wife, Delaney, to cry on. But with one naughty suggestion from Eric, a drunken night with Delaney spilled into erotic abandon. Before it was over Tyler saw his best friend’s wife as a woman and yearned for more. When Eric struggled to deal with the aftermath, Delaney begged Tyler to leave. Crushed, he fled to Louisiana, hoping to escape his longing for the one woman he could never have again…and unaware of what he’d left behind.

A lover’s desire.

After two years of living with regret, Tyler finds Delaney on his doorstep, her husband having abandoned her long ago. She’s protecting a shocking secret and desperately needs refuge from a killer determined to see her dead. As they fight to stay alive and catch the stalker, they struggle to resolve the guilt of their past pleasures. But they can’t deny that what was once a spark is now a flame burning out of control. To possess Delaney — body and soul — Tyler must heal her pain and thwart the evil that’s a mere breath behind her

REVIEWED BY: Kelly
4 ½ Stars
REVIEW:

Opening Line:
“Tyler, are you aware that all the girls at Sexy Sirens have nick named you Cockzilla?”

Oh what can I say about the very naughty Tyler Murphy.  Tyler is every girls dreams and their worst nightmare all rolled into one.  Tyler, is a sex god but not  willing to comment to any one. So he spends countless nights on random hook ups, that mean nothing but a good time.  But he has never really got to the root of his problems, that is until an unexpected visitor shows up at his door and everything in Tyler’s life changes.

Delaney, is one tough cookie, but not tough enough to keep survive all these death threat.  Delaney has finally reached the end of her rope and has to seek out the help of the one person she never thought she would have to ask help from.  The one person that will turn her life upside down again.  The one person that can break her heart, but it will be worth it just to keep her son safe.  Even if that means losing her heart again.

I LOVED!!!!  LOVED!!!!! LOVED!!!!! this story.  I have to say a HUGE thank you to Shayla & her assistant Christie for allowing me to read this story.  I loved everything about it.  Tyler is such a tough guy.  He acts like he has no feeling, no emotions, nothing fazes him.  But in reality he is a very sensitive, loving, caring and would die for the ones he hold close.  Oh and Tyler is wicked talented in bed, he didn’t get the name Cockzilla for nothing.  *wiggles eyebrows*

Delaney, I really liked her character.  She is not overly tough or a pushover.  She has a great balance of both.  She really makes Tyler work hard for her and he does. These two are such a fun couple to watch.  Now while their story may have started a little unconventionality the love that these two share is unbreakable.

Shayla has written another WONDERFUL story.  If you have read any of Shayla’s other Wicked Lovers book you know just how wicked her writing is.  Well Tyler has some tricks up his sleeves.  Hint: It has to do with a wall.

I would highly, highly recommend this series to anyone (unless you are fate at heart).   If you have not started this series you really need too. Each book can be read as a stand alone.  But reading from the beginning will give you a better understand of all the characters.  Which Shayla does a great job of bring back in each book.

Again HUGE thank you to Shayla & Christie for letting me read and review.  And now I am dying for Xander’s book…This boy is going to be great fun to read.

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Kimberly’s review of Falling in Danger by Kaylie Newell

Falling In Danger
AUTHOR: Kaylie Newell
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/20/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A journalist stumbles onto the story of a lifetime. And finds herself falling in danger…

When young, naïve reporter Jessica Brady is kidnapped and held for ransom by the head of an illegal dog fighting organization, undercover police officer Ian Cole realizes he’s got his hands full. He’s on the verge of busting the ring when he’s assigned to babysit her, which isn’t an easy feat. She’s neurotic, feisty, and also happens to be scared to death of dogs. Now he has to figure out a way to get them both out alive.

Jessica has no idea the thug she’s becoming attracted to is actually a cop, but it’s clear he’s not like the rest of the men in the organization. Particularly Albert Mancini, the disturbed only son of the ring boss, who has an appetite for alcohol and women. Especially Jessica.

When Ian’s cover is blown, he’s forced to bust the ring early. Weeks later, Jessica can’t stop thinking about the experience that has changed her forever. She wonders about the tall, sexy detective who saved her life. And the mobster’s prize-winning pit bull, Bruta.

An idea for a story is born. What if these dogs were given a second chance at life?

As Jessica digs deeper into their troubled world, she ends up falling for the police officer who rescued them. And discovers layers of her heart she never knew existed.

But when Albert escapes from jail, her happiness turns to terror. He hasn’t forgotten about the detective who put him behind bars. Or the beautiful young woman whose every move has become his obsession.

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly
4 Stars
REVIEW:
The synopsis gives you a very clear explanation about the book so I will not reiterate that but I will tell you I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The book is very well written especially since it looks like this is only the second book by this author.

I love the male character, Ian, he has a strength about him that is written so clearly into the character it is hard not to fall for him. Jessica is great too, except I would have been happier to not have her on the verge of tears so often. I also enjoyed Bruta, the pit bull. The book is about dogfighting and the rescue of fighting dogs and Bruta is a poster child for these innocent victims. It breaks your heart to know that these dogs are out there forced into a life they do not want and yet the books celebrates the “parents” who rescue these dogs and rehabilitate them.  The only thing is I wished the author had given us a little more of an epilogue/chapter 15. It felt a little abrupt of an ending when it comes to the couple and the dog even though, yes, it is a happy ending a little more detail would have been nice. But other than that this book is great and is not a story to be missed.

**NOTE: 40% of the publisher’s proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to The Pixie Project, a non-profit organization that provides adoption services for animals.

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Kelly’s review of Savage Awakening by JD Tyler

Savage Awakening
Alpha Pack #2
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/03/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After one of their own is captured, the Alpha Pack must save him. With them is Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase. Her priority is her brother’s rescue. What she doesn’t bargain for is a scorching affair with a rugged wolf shifter. When his life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love.

REVIEWED BY: Kelly
5 Stars

REVIEW:
JD did it again!!!  She has sucked me back into the world of the Alpha Pack.  I started to read this book Sunday morning and needless to say I got nothing done.  I could not put this book down.  And when I finished I wanted to start all over again. I was not ready to leave the world of the Alpha Pack.  There is so much going on with the Alpha pack.  I can’t wait for the next book in this wonderful series!!!

Savage Awakening picks up a few weeks after Primal Law ends with Aric still in captivity and not being treated well at all.  This was the hardest part of the book for me.  I didn’t want to know what happened to Aric, I wanted to reach in the book and drop kick the people that were hurting him.  But I had to remember that Aric is a trooper, he presses on no matter what has happened to him or will happen to him.  But it takes one very feisty cop to show this big tough wolf that sometimes you need to let those walls down and just learn to love.

Rowan, has been devastated by the loss of her brother.  Deep down she believes he is alive and out there somewhere. When Rowan gets a tip about where her brother was or could be she races off to get answers.  What Rowan never expected was to be welcomed by a wolf shifters and a panther?   What Rowan learns from these men changes everything.

Like I said at the beginning… LOVED this book.  Aric is stubborn to a fault.  He might be this big tough warrior wolf, but deep down his is gentle, kind and loves with all his heart even if he can’t admit it.  Rowan is fun, witty and can hold her own against some pretty tough guys.  These two were great to read about.  And OH the dream walking… Vegas anyone…. hehehehe.   I am so looking forward to where JD is going to take us next.  I know that Kalen’s book Black Moon will be released in December and I can’t wait.  I have a feeling that Black Moon will be a very emotional book.  I can’t wait to see what JD has in store for Micah too, man he needs a HEA more than anyone right now.
JD, Thank you so very much for writing a wonderful book!!!!

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Kimberly’s review of Trinity Bound by Carrie Ann Ryan

Trinity Bound
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE:   03/28/12
ORDER LINKS:

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Hannah Lewis, a rare earth witch, is taken from the only life she’s ever known. Held at her will by a sadistic wolf, she almost gives up hope that she’d ever see her real life again. But as her fellow captive, a werewolf named Reed, tries to calm her fears, she begins to feel a spark of something she never thought she’d feel – love. But is Reed, alone, enough to get her out of this dark basement so she can move on with her life?

Reed Jamenson, the artist of a werewolf Pack of Alpha males, knows instinctually that Hannah is his mate. Thus, despite their imprisonment, he will do all to protect her and then worry about their hearts. But is he strong enough to find a way for both of them to escape? And why does he feel as though something else is missing?

Josh Kolb, an ex-military human, stumbles upon Reed and Hannah and finds he must trust this new world of supernatural beings to survive. But that desire will lead the three to a triangle of attraction that will test the boundaries they all possess and its consequences in defeating the enemy. Can they all trust one another to save themselves and life as they know it? Even at the cost of their own hearts?

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly

NUMBER OF STARS: 4 Stars

REVIEW:
This is the third in the Redwood Pack series. Having just finished the first and second I would have to say this falls right in between my favorites (the second tops my favorite so far). But that says a lot because both of the first two books received 4 stars and this one does as well.

The difference in this book is Reed is not the Alpha, Beta or even the Omega. Reed feels like he is nothing important in his pack since he claims to “just be an artist”. He does not have the attitude that most werewolves have in books. That does not make him any less desirable just different then what paranormal readers are used to. Hannah is too sweet for words. She wants to love and when two men come to her offering their love how can she choose? Or does she need to?  Now Josh is an interesting character. He is ex-military, strong and independent but then you realize he doesn’t want to get to close because everybody ends up leaving him eventually.  These three have something special… The trinity bond.

As with the other two books from Ryan this is a really good book. A lot happens in this book that keeps the attention of the reader. If you enjoy paranormal/shape-shifter books you will enjoy this one. And while it could be read on its own I would definitely read the first two first to know the family. The Jamesons’ are a big part of this series. I can not wait for Adam’s story next!

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Kelly’s ARC review of Seduced by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye

Seduced by the Vampire King
Vampire Warrior Series #2
AUTHOR: Laura Kaye
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
American exchange student Kate Bordessa has fled to Russia to escape her family’s hopes that she’ll become one of the Proffered, human women who feed and mate with elite vampire warriors. But when she stumbles upon a wounded vampire in the streets of Moscow, she’s instinctively driven to protect him–and feels an undeniable spark of desire.

Grieving over the deaths of his brothers, Vampire Warrior King Nikolai Vasilyev has thrown himself into battling his enemies, focused only on vengeance. Until the attack that brought him to Kate. Their sexual attraction explodes into a night of uncontrolled passion–a night that marks them as mates. Is their connection strong enough to convince them to embrace a destiny neither of them was expecting?

REVIEWED BY: Kelly
3 ¾ Stars

REVIEW:
Seduced by the Vampire King is Laura Kaye’s second book in her Vampire Warriors series.   This was a quick 90 page read.  So because the book was short I won’t give too much away.
I will say that Nikolai is stubborn, damaged and is way too hard on himself.  Kate is just the breath of fresh air that Nikolai needs in this life.

I enjoy Nikolai and Kate’s story better than book one In the Service of the Vampire King.  I was able to connect with the characters more in this second book.  That being said I hope that Laura will write follow up stories about these characters.  I want to know how they are doing, how these big tough Warrior Vampires handle having feisty women in their lives   If they finally win the war, what will happen after they do.

Huge thank you to Laura for allowing me to read your story and I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the Vampire Warrior series.

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Kimberly’s review of Stuck with you by Trish Jensen

Stuck with You
AUTHOR: Trish Jensen
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/01/01
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As lawyers on opposing sides of a messy divorce case, Paige Hart and Ross Bennett ought to have kept matters purely professional, yet Paige and Ross came to loathe each other with an intensity that was strictly
personal. The bad blood between them takes on an unexpected new dimension when the infuriated pair is forced to share a hospital room, when they’re quarantined after being exposed to the rare and highly contagious Tibetan Concupiscence Virus that’s reputed to shift sensual desire into high gear. When symptoms (which a nonmedical person might mistake for pure and simple lust) start showing up way ahead of schedule, the lawyers’ objections to each other are overruled — and they enjoy every minute of it. But, after the doctors declare that the disease has run its course, Paige and Ross are still feverish with a longing for one another that they hope will never be cured. When the verdict comes in, will they be sentenced to life — in love? The trend toward funny, sexy contemporary romance has been around for a while, but Trish Jensen offers readers a fresh (in both senses of the word) take on this popular genre.

 

REVIEWED BY: Kimberly
4 Stars

REVIEW:
As with all of Trish Jensen’s books this book is hard to put down. It is not long into this book when you fall for these characters. Ross has a sense of humor no woman could deny was her undoing and Paige is just adorable and while brilliant in life not so much in love (the sports analogies are so cute). These characters jump off the page and make you smile and laugh. (And the Scrabble scene is not to be missed!) * The secondary story of Rachel and Nick should have been a book all on its own.* Pick up this book if you didn’t in 2001 and enjoy it!
Paige and Ross are both lawyers. And while he is a divorce lawyer Paige is usually in tax law, that is until a family member asks Paige to help with her divorce (or any other law a family member needs handled). So now Paige and Ross are on opposites sides of the table. At least until the explosion at the court house. Then they are stuck with each other in a quarantined room at the hospital with a possible virus that causes an over-stimulated sex drive. How can you be in a room with a person you find attractive when your sex drive has been spiked? Turn the page and find out.

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Zoe Winter’s Preternaturals Series

Blood Lust (Preternaturals #1)

First Book of the Preternaturals series.It’s all about the blood…Comprised of three novellas, Blood Lust gives readers a snapshot look at the world of the Preternaturals Series. KEPT: 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: 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: 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

 

Cat Fight (Blood Lust #1.5)

Cat Fight takes place in Zoe Winters’ “PretVerse”. Greta is a cat therian (shifter). She’s been involved with Dayne, a local sorcerer since she sought his protection from her murderous tribe. After a fight, Greta shifts into cat form and refuses to come back out. The events of this story happen after the first novella in Blood Lust (Kept), but the story also works as a stand-alone.

 

Save My Soul (Preternaturals #2)

All he’s asking for is her soul.After buying the antebellum home she’s fantasized about since childhood, Anna Worthington discovers Luc, a dangerously seductive incubus who has been trapped in the house by a fifty-year-old curse. To rid herself of her problem house guest she’ll call on a priest, gypsies, ghost hunters, and the coven of witches from lust bunny hell. All she has to do is resist him long enough to break the spell so they can go their separate ways. If she doesn’t, she could die. And that would be the best case scenario.HEAT LEVEL: Some sexually explicit content. 3 out of 5 flames

 

Dark Mercy (Preternaturals #2.5)

1955, Las Vegas, Nevada

Angeline has been on the run from her sire, Linus, for centuries. She’s tired, and she’s lonely. High from mescaline-induced blood, she sees a sign—a church that seems to glow in the distance—and she knows. Her future mate is in that building.

Important Author’s Note:

Dark Mercy is the beginning of Hadrian and Angeline’s story, not the end. Their HEA will happen later in their own full-length novel. This story is important both for the overall series and for this couple, but it’s not their HEA. Just a mild disclaimer so no one goes in with false expectations for this story.

 

The Catalyst (Preternaturals #3)

It started with one lost, shivering pup; it may end in a war…

Panthers don’t do responsibility. They don’t do long-term relationships. They definitely don’t raise kids. But when Z discovers a young wolf in the forest, he takes him in, unaware of the powerful beings hunting the pup.

Fiona is a witch who can’t leave her house; the birds have told her something bad will happen. The mailbox is as far as she’ll go, but even that may provide more danger than she’s bargained for. When a wolf pup stumbles into her garden, her safe, wrapped-up world heads for a free fall.

But along with danger, the pup brings a chance at love—a chance an agoraphobic witch and a bachelor panther shifter aren’t likely to find on their own.

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Guest Blog & Giveaway with Jamie Rush

Darkness Becomes Her
By Jaime Rush
Book Six of the Offspring Series
Avon Books, June 2012 (ISBN 978-0062018922)

Amazon | B&N

A man beyond redemption. A woman beyond hope. And a battle that will either kill them…or bring them back from the edge.

Lachlan McLeod has a mission: find the beast who put his brother into a coma. He’ll start with Jessie Bellandre, his brother’s girlfriend, who’s harboring a dark, dangerous secret that could get them all killed. But as they plumb the depths of Darkness, and the light he didn’t know existed in the shadows of his heart, not falling in love with her will be as hard as staying alive.

SURPRISE CHARACTERS           

One of the fun things about writing a series is when a character you envision being in the background jumps to the foreground. Or in the case of Cheveyo, jumps into the story unexpectedly. Lachlan McLeod was one of those characters, too.  Poor chap’s been through a lot. But I’ll let him explain that in an excerpt from the book:

“My father was fascinated by slime molds, unclassified blobs of biological material. He especially loved when he found powdre ser where a meteor had landed. One day, he tracked what he thought was a meteor, collected the powdre ser, and brought it back to his lab, where he accidentally ingested a bit of it.

“My dad wasn’t only strange because of his affection for slime. He could astral project—send his soul to other places. The slime mold amplified his powers. Eventually, it fell into the wrong hands and was given to a group of people in a top secret government project. The offspring of those people inherited their parents’ enhanced psychic abilities. We all have psychic powers beyond the norm. The man behind the project, he was the one hunting my father. He hunted the Offspring down, too, but now he’s dead.”

“The reason your father kept you in hiding through your growing up years,” Jessie said. “The thing he thought was a meteor, I’m guessing that has something to do with this parallel dimension you mentioned.”

“Aye. One of those dimensions is called Surfacia. Sometimes a being from there slips through a crack between the dimensions. What my father saw wasn’t a meteor; it was an aircraft that crashed here. What he found that day wasn’t powdre ser; it was the pilot’s Essence. His life force. That is in us. And maybe you.”

While Lachlan had to grow up on the run, he made the best of his abilities … until he overused them and accidently caused the death of someone he loved. And now he lives a life of seclusion and self-punishment, a man without hope of redemption.

We writers do love to torture our characters; they have to earn their happy ending, after all. So he gets a chance to redeem himself: he sees a vision of his brother Magnus lying dead on the ground, a woman standing over him. When Lachlan discovers that the woman he saw is Magnus’s love interest, Jessie, he’s intent on saving Magnus from his own lust. Alas, he comes on scene seconds too late to prevent the attack. Jessie, however, is not his attacker, who turns out to be the man with supernatural powers who’s hunting her. Jessie uses her own ability, called Darkness, to save Magnus, putting him in a healing coma.

Foiled again, Lachlan vows to kill the man who can turn to Darkness before he can hurt Magnus or Jessie again. For the first time, he has a chance to regain his honor. Kill the bad guy, save the girl … and not fall in love with her. Because, as the two work together, they are drawn together in a way neither has ever felt.

Yes, the one woman who touches his soul and fires his body is forbidden to him, even though she has never even kissed his brother. Lachlan will have to make a tough choice. Will he risk honor to find love?

All of that from a character I thought would be a second-fiddle to Magnus’s story down the road. And his Scottish accent didn’t hurt!

I’m celebrating the release of DARKNESS BECOMES HER with my Kick Butt First Line contest.  Shocking, suspenseful…make us want more!  Cash prizes! Contest runs until July 1, 2012. For aspiring authors, it’s a chance to get your name out there and add a “win” to your bio.  For readers, it’s a chance to play at being a writer.  Even if you’re not inclined to write a line, check out the entries—they’re a lot of fun!  For details, go to www.JaimeRush.com and click on the Contest link.

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GIVEAWAY TIME:

What kind of unexpected things have happened in your life that turned out to be a good thing? Or name a character that surprised you in a book you’ve read. Comment to win a copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

 
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