Happy New Year!

May your 2011 be creative, productive, blessed and happy:)

~Brenda (Moonsanity)

Release Day for Jill Myles and Jackie!

My Fair Succubi
The Succubus Diaries 3
Author: Jill Myles
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: 12/28/10
Available in paperback and digital format

Summary: Jackie’s past mistakes catch up with her, spinning her life out of control once more. Just as her friend Remy’s inner demon comes out to play, Noah and Jackie are arrested by the angelic Serim Council. When Jackie seizes the chance to escape, she falls right into Zane’s waiting arms. As she’s pulled into a game of cat and mouse between vampires and angels, she finds she must also choose between the two men in her life. Can she decide between Noah and Zane, or will she lose everything she’s ever wanted? Because there’s more at stake than just her heart. . . .

I was sent a copy of My Fair Succubi for review, which tickled me pink, since I'd been reading each book in the series as soon as they were released. I love the author's sense of humor, as well as her quirky characters, and her steamy scenes. It's interesting because I've given a lot of thought to sex scenes recently (as a writer, of course!), and I've come to appreciate the talent some authors have of writing steamy encounters that make the reader oooh and ahhhh, and wipe the sweat from their brow without being crude or over the top. Jill Myles does her sex scenes up just right.

My Fair Succubi is, in many ways, the best of the series for me because Jackie figures out some important things about herself, and her feelings for Noah and Zane. After reading her adventures, romantic woes and struggles with being immortal, I felt like I was a friend, pumping my fist in the air as she gained confidence. We also meet a couple of new characters that really shake things up in this book. Ethan is a wonderful character; very naive and innocent, yet a fierce protector and warrior. I will let the reader meet Caleb and make their own decision about him.

I highly recommend the entire series and reading them in the order they were released. Jill also has two short stories I've linked to below. If you love humor with your paranormal romance, and heroines that don't fit the "mold", you'll love My Fair Succubi and The Succubus Diaries series.

TEASER WORDS
Pop-Tarts
Oil painting
deals
bo staff
Vampire Ball
necklaces
choices
possessed cat
Bite Me

Below is the order of the books in the series, plus links to the two free shorts. I've numbered them in order of the events in the stories. If you click on 2 and 3 it will take you to my reviews of those books. Again, I recommend reading them in order if possible.

The Succubi Diaries
1. Foreplay (free short)
2. Gentlemen Prefer Succubi
3. Succubi Like It Hot
4 .Zane's Tale (free short)
5. My Fair Succubi

You can find out more about Jill and her books by visit here website:
http://jillmyles.com/

~Brenda

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Thank you all for your support and encouragement this during 2010. It has made all the difference to me as I've transferred my ideas from my head to words on a page.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and holiday celebration:)

~Brenda

Just Another ParaNormal Christmas

Today I have a special blog with K.A. M' Lady who's sharing her special message on the anthology Just Another Paranormal Christmas, and she's also graciously giving two of my reader's a digital copy of this special book. I've found that the writers I've met online the last year and a half are some of the most giving and caring people I've had the pleasure to meet. Here is K.A. with her message:

I believe, especially at Christmas, that each of us has the power make a small difference in the world. I have always thought that books hold the power to create genius. That myth and magic build dreams and inspirations – and, in an insane world, it is our dreams that spark the revolution of change. No matter which world is being conquered. Within our dreams – all things are possible.

Designated to be a PG-13 anthology by some of the brightest, most talented and award winning authors in the industry, Just Another ParaNormal Christmas Anthology offers a wide variety of paranormal stories for everyone’s tastes. From vampires to fairies, to dragons and werewolves – Christmas is in everyone’s heart, no matter their differences.

All proceeds from the anthology will go to benefit The Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund. Plus, though the eBook of the anthology will be for sale, it will also be available for FREE download to all members of the armed services through Operation eBook Drop, of which I and my entire house of authors at Mojocastle Press are contributors of.

In choosing a charity I wanted something that would makes difference in someone’s life. A charity that is a non-profit and provides something in a child’s future. A charity that is a stepping stone with which the foundation dreams are built on. Then I thought, ‘What better thing to invest in than a child’s education? What better way to give back than to the ones who have sacrificed everything for many with so little and paid the price with so much? I found the right charity in The Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund. The following is the note I sent out to the members of Just Another Paranormal Monday with the request for submissions.

“Regardless of our stance on war or our political opinions and views I feel that we, as authors, have something special that we can offer these surviving children. We are more than just mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Through our writing we build dreams, inspire hope and create worlds where all of life’s possibilities are within our readers grasp – they just need to turn the page. We are the teachers and dream-makers of tomorrow. What better way to give back than to give a future of learning – a future of becoming everything they could ever hope to be; become everything their parents would have wanted them to be, despite the difficult paths they have walked.”

I am grateful for the opportunity to share this bit of Christmas with all of you and hope that you will enjoy it as well. Thanks, Brenda!

Blessings ~ K.

K.A. M’Lady
Fantasy Romance Kissed With Dark Sensuality
http://www.kamlady.net/

You can learn more about The Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund here:
http://www.afcef.org/

Operation eBook Drop
http://operationebookdrop.com/
It is estimated that currently, 440,000 eBooks Coupons have been Dropped since September 2009 by OED authors.

Just Another ParaNormal Christmas
A Mojocastle Press Publication

Includes the following stories:

A Cornwall Christmas
Kayden McLeod
A Christmas the Vancouver vampires will never forget

A Future Holiday
Candace Sams
Two war-weary galactic defenders rekindle their romance when Armistice corresponds with the holiday season.

The Unexpected Guests
Heather Kuehl
Damian’s Christmas party is the last place Sarah ever thought she’d find trouble…

Once Upon A Dragon
K.A. M’Lady
Jeremy Owens and his older siblings want to believe in magic, but hope and belief are difficult things to hold onto even when you’re a child.

A Christmas to Remember
Brigit Aine
Pixie and Wolf politics still abound, but nothing will stop Kira from enjoying her first Christmas as a married woman.

Reflections of a Lily in Winter
Susan Gabriel
A single light shines brightest in the darkest hour of the longest night.

You can read an excerpt from the anthology HERE.

GIVEAWAY
K.A. is giving away two digital copies of Just Another ParaNormal Christmas.

Please leave a comment here with a question for K.A. or just a thought on what types of things your family likes to do for others at the holidays.

I'll randomly chose two winners next Tuesday, December 21st. Please leave your email if it's not associated with a Google profile.

~Brenda

Christmas Reads: Santa is a Lady

Santa is a Lady
Author: L.J. Holmes
Publisher: Muse Publishing
Sweet Holiday Romance
Digital Novella
Available HERE

Summary: Angie is someone who has had to walk through the fires of hell and battle with death itself to regain the use of her nearly shattered body. It’s Christmas, the time of wonder and magic for Angie, Cam a man who has spent the past nearly two years trying to pry his precious daughter from the unscrupulous hands of his late wife’s greedy Iraqi brother’s, and Jo, the precious daughter, who is finally free and in her father’s awed hands. Three people and one Christmas with so much magic swirling at last in their direction.

Christmas stories are hit or miss for me. They are either sappy or forced much of the time, and then there are the ones that capture the spirit of the holidays just right and become a keeper story to read each Christmas. Santa is a Lady is one of those "keeper" stories that caught me by surprise. I won a digital copy during the launch of the Muse Publishing Reader's Group.

Where to start? Santa is a Lady is a novella, a light romance, and a holiday story about love, friendship, family and community. The main character, Angie, has been in a car accident that has changed her life. She's a survivor, and despite the doctors' predictions, now walks with a cane, but she's still in pain much of the time, and has given up on many aspects of her life, including romance. When she first meets Cam and his daughter it's a mess of misunderstandings, and everyone involved ends up hurt and angry. I love this story because the characters are not perfect, nor are they sappy. They are all dealing with their individual issues, but in the end it takes everyone opening their eyes and hearts to understand where each person is coming from. I think all of us have had misunderstandings that have gotten out of control because on the surface it appears as one thing, but is actually something else. People are flawed and complex, but that's what makes life so interesting. This story has elements of sacrifice, friendship, kindness, community and love.

Santa is a Lady is a wonderful holiday romance that I'll be reading each year. It's a lovely light read with a little bit of steam and a lot of charm.

Visit the author at her blog here: http://linsownblog.blogspot.com/

~Brenda

Steampunk! Like Clockwork Review

Like Clockwork
Author: Bonnie Dee
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 243 KB
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: 12/13/2010

Summary: Victoria's work with automatons has gained her renown and changed the face of London. But her concern that the clockworks are taking too many jobs away from humans, creating social unrest, is ignored. Given the ugly mood of the underclass, she fears more outbreaks of violence similar to the murder spree of the notorious Southwark Slasher. Dash, unemployed thanks to the clockworks, has pledged fealty to The Brotherhood, a group determined to bring about the downfall of the automatons by any means necessary. His plan to kidnap Victoria goes awry when the unorthodox scientist pledges her assistance to their cause.

I'm a big fan of steampunk stories for so many reasons. They combine the gentleness of the Victorian era with science, adventure, and whimsy, plus often romance. Like Clockwork includes a murder mystery, which adds another element to this fast paced light story. The novella length makes it a great read for those readers new to steampunk.

Victoria is smart, spunky, naive and compassionate. She suspects a mistake has been made giving automatons (robots) a human appearance, which in turn made people feel comfortable giving them jobs as nannies, housekeepers, butlers and other jobs where they interact with families on a daily basis. Victoria helped give them their human appearance but she wanted to have them only take on jobs that were dangerous for humans. She wanted to save lives, not create an invention that would replace people.

Dash is dangerous, passionate, at times rash, and extreme. After kidnapping Victoria he can't seem to stay away from her, even when it's dangerous for her. Together they try to help the poor, and solve a dangerous mystery, while trying not to give in to their desires.

I loved Like Clockwork for it's sweet humor, romance and thought provoking theme. It's fast paced, and the characters are fascinating. Later in the book there are some very steamy scenes between Victoria and Dash. It's truly a smart, lovely read. If you enjoy historical romances, steampunk or light science fiction you'll really like Bonnie Dee's steampunk read.

Teaser Words
gaslights
tea
dirigible
daguerreotype
underground
cockney
bombs
spies

To learn more about the author and Like Clockwork visit:
http://bonniedee.com/LikeClockwork.htm

~Brenda

Soul Screamers: My Soul to Keep

My Soul to Keep
Soul Screamers, #3
Author: Rachel Vincent
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin
Released: 6/1/10

Summary: Soul Screamers is a young adult urban fantasy series narrated by teenage bean sidhe (banshee) Kaylee Cavanaugh. Join Kaylee as she tries to balance a normal high school experience with the threat of the Netherworld, a terrifying, hidden world full of reapers, hellions, and countless other mythical monsters out to possess her, body and soul.

My Soul to Keep is a book every teenager should read, especially if they are in a relationship, or considering one. I remember the hormone induced urges as I became aware of my sexuality. When you combine that with wanting someone to love that will love you back, things become intense and confusing. It's no wonder that our teenage years are some of our toughest.

I loved the character of Kaylee as she struggled with school life, her friends, her boyfriend, her father and her supernatural issues. Things are tough enough but when a supernatural drug starts ruining her classmates lives she knows she has to do something about it. She's compassionate, tough, and she's willing to face her fears to do what is right. I love that she holds on to her virginity, even though a part of her wants to give in to her feelings for Nash. Every teenage girl should view her virginity as Kaylee does, as something precious that should only be shared when it's right, not because of peer pressure, or a need to keep a boyfriend happy. Once you lose it, you can't get it back. That message alone is so important. My Soul to Keep has many important underlying themes in a face paced, action filled plot that literally keeps the reader in suspense through most of the story.

Addiction is something so many teenagers and adults struggle with at some point in their life. Some are lucky, and stop themselves before hitting rock bottom. Others can't stop, and hurt themselves and the people they care about before they ask for help. Whether it's drinking or drugs, addiction ruins lives. For those who are watching someone they care about go through an addiction it can be agony. We can't make them stop, but we can refuse to aide them in their addiction. All of this is weaved into the story of Kaylee and her friends in a fast paced, suspenseful and emotional manner.

Don't get me wrong, My Soul to Keep is a well written, paranormal romance with rich, complex characters. The author has weaved the life lessons among the story so there are no lectures or public service announcements. Rachel Vincent has instead given us a story about love, trust, loyalty and friendship that we won't soon forget. Whether you are 15 or 50, you will love her storytelling and the characters she has created.

Reading the Series
I emailed Rachel to make sure I was getting the order of the stories and the books correct. My Soul to Lose and Reaper happen right around the same time and are perfect reads to start the series if you haven't already. I loved both of them, but Reaper is especially good.

Soul Screamers Stories
1. My Soul to Take (2009)
2. My Soul to Save (2009)
3. My Soul to Keep (2010)
4. Neiderwald: Enthralled anthology (2011)
5. My Soul to Steal (January 2011)
6. If I Die (Fall 2011)

Novellas & Shorts
1.Fearless: Kiss Me Deadly Anthology (2010)
2.Free Prequel: My Soul to Lose (2010)
3.Free Short: Reaper: Tod's Story (2010)

Once you read anything in the Soul Screamers series, you'll want to read everything you can get your hands on. This is a Young Adult series, but I loved it as much as any paranormal adult read.

~Brenda

Warming Up With Winter Wishes

Winter Wishes
Format: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Carina Press
Released: 12/6/2010

Authors:
Moira Rogers
Vivi Andrews
Vivi Andrews

Summary: A woman has the Christmas Eve from Hell. Two cat shifters play naughty games. And a witch brings out the beast inside the man. The magic of the season takes on a whole new meaning in these three fantastic—and festive—novellas from some of the best voices in paranormal romance.

I asked to review Winter Wishes because all three authors are favorites of mine and it sounded as if the stories were all unique, and not your usual holiday fare. I was certainly correct in that assumption. All three stories were fast paced, steamy and the settings were imaginative and unique. The three novellas are available individually as well, so I'm going to do mini reviews of each one.

Tangled Tinsel by Vivian Arend: Viv has once again steamed up my Kindle with this awesome shifter story. El is a cop who prefers to deny her shifter side, but uses it to take Kyle Branegan into protective custody. Turns out Kyle is also a Cougar, but he embraces his shifter side and is a member of a shifter law enforcement organization. He makes it his mission to teach El how to embrace who she is, while she "protects" him until a trial where he's going to testify. This story has very steamy sex, plot twists galore, and witty banter. I loved it.

No Angel by Vivi Andrews: I love the author's writing style, full of humor, action and romance, but this story was not what I expected. It's a very cool plot involving demons straight from hell, and angels, who aren't as holy as they appear to be. Sasha is a kick ass stunt women who loves tough guys, but falls for Jay, who appears to be a generous, sensitive soul. She loves him even though he didn't exactly set her world on fire until he gets sucked back to hell where his new step dad rules, and the angels decide Sasha needs to rescue him. I loved this story for the humor, and the interaction between the demons and the angels, which ended up being complex with humans right in the middle. The two main characters are great- as is their banter.

Freeze Line by Moira Rogers: I've been waiting for this story from Moira Rogers since they announced it was coming. The world is in an ice age and humans know about werewolves and witches, but many of them would rather torture and test them than live among them. Shane is a werewolf who will do anything he can to not give into his instincts and Nadia is a witch who's escaped from a lab where she was tortured. He needs to protect her, and she needs help, but things aren't that simple in this wild and complex world where everyone is simply trying to survive. This story is different than the authors' other shifter stories because it's darker, the characters are brooding yet passionate, and the world they've created is stark and harsh. I loved the interaction between the two characters as they got to know one another. The story was emotional in so many ways, and by the end I was holding my breath in suspense of what would happen. I would love to see more stories set in this world.

For more information on the authors visit their websites below:

Vivi Andrews: http://viviandrews.blogspot.com/
Vivian Arend: http://vivianarend.com/
Moira Rogers: http://moirarogers.com/blog

~Brenda

Review: The Dark Divine

The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Released: December 2009
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Format: Digital and Print
Available at: Indie Bound, Powell's Books, Barnes & Noble

Summary: Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held. The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

I bought The Dark Divine because I had heard so many good things about it. I was glad I had avoided spoilers because it really increases the suspense in the book as the secrets unfold. I enjoyed this book for many reasons. First, the main character, Grace Divine, is wonderful. She's a pastor's daughter, but yet she doesn't blindly follow the church. She asks hard questions, and her faith is her own, not something she has because others have forced it on her. She's strong, compassionate, loyal and she's not afraid to speak her mind.

I also love that the author gave Grace loving, supportive parents who aren't perfect, but they are approachable, and listen to what their children say. One of my big pet peeves about many YA novels is the lack of supportive adults. Yes, there are bad parents out there, but there are more good parents who try to listen and understand their teenagers.

There are elements of romance, suspense and action in The Dark Divine that keep the reader glued to the pages, but it also has some lessons that are crucial to everyone, not just teenagers. Do we have to earn love? If we make mistakes are we no longer worthy of being loved? The romance is touching, and the relationship between Grace and her brother is fascinating. She adores him to the point of thinking he can do no wrong, but as the story goes on she must admit he isn't perfect and may have faults.

Other themes running through the book include forgiveness, sacrifice, and jealousy. I would recommend The Dark Divine for teens 14 and older. Fans of Twilight will love this book without fail, but also those who enjoy Maggie Stiefvater and Claudia Gray will like it as well. This story entertains, but also causes the reader to think about what they might do in Grace's situation. I love books that stir up things up and make me think about things.

The next book in the series, The Lost Saint will be released on December 28th, 2010. I'm not posting the blurb from it because it has a huge spoiler for the first book. The cover is just as stunning as The Dark Divine, and should be another great read.

You can visit Bree at http://www.breedespain.com/index.html for more information and to sign up for her free newsletter and her blog.

NaNo: What I Learned & What I Wrote

I finished NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) and I went over 50,000 words written for the month of November with my story A Twist of Destiny. The story isn't finished quite yet, but it will be by next week or sooner. I learned some valuable things in November:

1. I'm a Fly By the Seat of My Pants Writer: I started out with a story idea I had for over a year and within a 1000 words or so it had changed from what I thought it would be. At that point I let it flow and went with my gut.

2. I'm good with sexual tension, but need to work on anything past that point because I find myself screaming "Oh, man I CANNOT write that thought down!"

3. Sarcasm comes natural to me in real life, but putting it on paper doesn't flow as easy.

4. I love writing fiction. Even after a marathon month of writing I still love my story and my characters.

5. I need to find other writers/readers to bounce ideas off of because my teens offered the following advice to me:

-Blow something up.
-Kill off your heroine...come on, you can do it!
-At any mention of romance: rolled eyes & gagging noises
-Blow more things up.

6. Time lines are VERY helpful. I resisted until I couldn't keep track of how many days had went by, and I was going to have two full moons about a week apart.

I'm sure there were other things I learned along the way, but it's all a blur right now. I do however have a title, a description of my story, and an excerpt. I have rewriting and edits to do, but I feel good about submitting this to publishers when it's finished.

A Twist in Destiny

Summary: Two Irish clans take their blood feud to an extreme level, and the last son in each clan is cursed to live until they meet their destined mate, who must choose between them before either of them can move on. It's been over 400 years for Mac and Shawn, but at 20 years old, Maggie FitzGerald has become a pawn in a game that will change her life forever no matter which Irishman she chooses.

Excerpt:
Maggie moved against him, and laid her head on his chest. She could stay like this all day. Mac was her rock. He made her feel safe and loved. Wasn’t that what marriages should be based on? He was also a survivor. After she was gone, he would pick up the pieces and move on. She would always have a special place in his heart, but he would survive.

“You aren’t thinking too hard again are you? That’s never a good thing with you, “ he said.

She looked up, ready to snap at him, and then saw that smile. How could any woman resist that Irish bad boy smile? “

“I think a kiss would go a long way towards stopping me from thinking too hard, “ she said.

Mac leaned down and kissed her gently, ready to pull back, but Maggie reached up and traced his lower lip with her finger. She carefully put the fudge back in the bag, set it aside on the bench, and moved into Mac’s lap, putting her arms around his neck. She whispered in his ear.

“I don’t think that was a long enough kiss to stop me from thinking. Nope, not enough by a long shot.”

Before he could respond, she kissed him again, this time leaving gentle behind, and putting all of her passion into the moment. She pulled back slowly, and sat back on the bench.

“Yes, I do believe that wiped all thoughts from my head. Every stinkin’ one, “ she said breathlessly.

Mac still hadn’t spoke, but he cleared his throat and seemed to be searching for words. Finally, he gave up and pulled her against his chest, laughing softly. They sat there in comfortable silence for ten minutes or so until Maggie’s stomach growled. They both laughed as it growled again.

“I guess fudge and kisses are not enough to fill my need for food, do you have a place in mind to eat dinner? “ she asked.

“I certainly do, it’s part of my grand plan to distract you, “ he said.

He stood up, and they walked down main street. Mac stopped in front of Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub and opened the door for her. Maggie reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and went inside. The waitress showed them to a booth and Maggie sat on the same side as Mac. He raised his eyebrows.

“Are you going to behave yourself? “ asked Mac.

“Whatever do you mean? I’ve been a perfect lady since we’ve gotten to the island, “ she said with a giggle. “By the way, did I mention how nice you smell? “

“Lass, I swear you are going to be the death of me, and that’s damn hard to do since I can’t die. Let’s order before I get too distracted to appreciate the food, “ he said.

~Brenda

Winners and How I Wish...

I wish I had multiples of myself this month so I could write my NaNo Novel AND write the reviews and my nonfiction, handle the teen drama at our house, cook, clean and do laundry. It would be wonderful to assign each of the "me" clones to a different task. Alas, there is only me, so that's why I'm late on announcing winners. I did email all of the winners but the last one, which I'll do today, and forwarded their names to the publishing company. I also have three packages to mail out from October, and promise to do that soon if the planets all align and my bank account doesn't empty out:)

The good news is I'm over 30,000 words on A Twist of Destiny, my NaNo novel. I have 20,000 words to write in ten days, and it's in my head:) Thanks for the patience everyone.

Ecstasy in Darkness
My 5 Monkeys(Julie) said...
I love snarky banter between characters. It makes book fun. Haven't read this series yet.

Rise Again
Stephmartin71 said...
Since I work in a lab and my specialty just happens to be in firearms ;) I would have to choose Dillingers-Tommy gun. It's a Colt Thompson submachine gun. It fires 45 ACP ammunition w/a 100 round drum magazine, I would have to have alot of these in a bag filled to capacity though;) & it can effectivly shoot a target @ around 160 feet. It weighs approx 10-11 lbs fully loaded. (close to the weight of a gallon of milk) It is also a fully automatic rifle that doesn't need you to continually pull the trigger to shoot ;D

(By the way, my teens are now in love with Stephanie after reading her awesome comment! I think they just want to be around her in case of a Zombie Uprising!)

Afterlife
*yadkny* said...
Hi Merrie! I think I would like an extra shot at life, but then I guess it depends on if I have any regrets or if I was happy with how I lived. If I have any regrets I would hope to remember them so I don't make my second chance a waste. Great review!

Blood Trinity:
Timothy said...
Old Dan and Little Ann, they Redbone Coonhounds from the book "Where the Red Fern Grows" they story always brought a tear to my eyes every time I've read it.

WOW: The Shattered
Tore said...
Do you play World of Warcraft, or any other online games? I like playing Bejeweled. What do you enjoy about online with other players? I mostly play online games myself ocassionally I Play with other people. Please enter me in contest.

~Brenda

Release Week Review: Tyger Tyger

Tyger Tyger
A Goblin Wars Book
Author: Kersten Hamilton
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: 11/15/10
Available at: Indie Bound, Powell's Books, Barnes & Noble

Summary: Teagan Wylltson is on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side, with a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Teagan's friend Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

I asked to review Tyger Tyger because I thought it sounded like a fascinating read that sounded like there wasn't a vampire or werewolf in sight, which intriqued me. Don't get me wrong, I love all things supernatural, but it's nice to read a story that uses lore other than the two most popular myths.

Tyger Tyger is loosely based on the Fenian Cycle, which is prose written about the mythical Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna of Ireland. It's not necessary for the reader to know what the story is based on, but I found it fascinating to look up the Irish hero and his exploits. The character, Finn is the hero in the story. I fell in love with him while reading this book, and I can't imagine other readers won't do the same. He's brave, selfless, amazing and protective, not just of Teagan, our heroine, but of everyone in his life.

Tyger Tyger has themes of love, loss, acceptance, faith, friendship and doing the right thing. It's a fast paced, action filled story full of magical beings, both good and evil. The characters come alive on the page, and I found myself totally immerged in the author's world. The story doesn't just include our hero and heroine in the battle agaist evil. Aiden, Teagan's brother, is an amazing child with odd quirks such as hating Elvis impersonators and being able to find his way home at all times. Their father is a singing librarian, their mother was raised by Irish Travelers, and Teagan's bestfriend, Abby has dreams about the future and her family is in the Mob. Every character, good or evil, is fascinating.

I believe a person could read Tyger Tyger many times over and still find a new treasure they missed the first time they read it. It's a magical story that I hope will become a classic for kids and adults to read over and over throughout the years.

If you enjoy Terry Brooks or Terry Pratchett you'll love Tyger Tyger.

Blog Tour: Author Rie McGaha

Today I have an interview with Rie McGaha, the author of Closure. I'm participating in the blog tour for Rie today. You can read my review below the interview.

Rie, I just finished Closure, and have a few questions for you. I enjoyed the story, especially the main characters. Thanks for letting me pick your brain:)

Brenda: How do you research a crime novel like this one? I could tell you knew what you were talking about when it came to the procedures and details.

Rie: Funny you should ask. I watch the true crime channels at least eight hours a day. I also used to work in drug court, in community corrections, and I was the only woman on a unit with 120 male inmates. I've studied criminology and have been very involved with the justice system.
Brenda: I liked your explanation of why women who are abused don't leave their partners. Did you feel it was important to make that clear in the book for those that didn't understand?

Rie: I think there are a lot of people who have the attitude, well, if you don't leave him, you deserve to get beat, and they don't understand the dynamics between an abuser and the abused. An abuser doesn't just start beating his SO the first time they meet. There's a psychological aspect most people are unaware of.

Brenda: I noticed in one of your interviews that you have 12 children and 26 grandchildren:) Has your writing changed over the years as your kids have grown and you've experienced more of life?

Rie: You must've read an old interview because I now have 33 grandkids and counting! :) Of course my writing has changed. I wrote my first novel in the 8th grade and I'm quite sure it is very different from what I write now, at least I hope so! lol I've changed over the years, have gained knowledge and a great deal of wisdom and experience. I think some of my writing reflects who I wish I could be, or maybe the life I wished I had lived instead of the one I did live. Some of what I write is based on the lives of others, or on fantasies, but I tend to put at least one older person in every story that is the fount of wisdom, or an older loving couple with a rich sex life. I didn't receive a manual on being middle aged, and really have no clear idea what it means to be in my forties, and now in my fifties. But I hope to put just a little insight into middle age into each story. Being old ain't for
sissies!

Brenda: You've written many books, do you have a favorite; one that you'd love everyone to read first if you had a choice?

Rie: Oh yes. CROSS THE LINE will be released Dec. 1 from Solstice Publishing and it is my personal favorite, followed closely by DEEP WITHIN MY HEART and WRITTEN IN STONE from Silver Publishing. Cross The Line was 5 years in the making and is about former southern belle, Carrie Robertson, who, after the Civil War destroyed the plantation, finds herself living in a cabin in Indian Territory. The hero in this story is Noah Mosely, a runaway slave who was adopted into an Indian tribe. The pair meet when Noah is hunting and his horse is spooked by a mountain lion and throws him. His leg is broken and his horse is gone so he has to drag himself to safety before infection sets in. He finds himself at Carrie's cabin, and finds Carrie greeting him with a gun to his head.

I have used actual historical events and inserted my characters into the action, which I have done in Deep Within My Heart as well. Both of these are family sagas that take the reader through the lives of the characters. In Cross The Line, however, the family line comes all the way to current times.

In books I've read the reader is taken from the time the H/H meet and the trials that befall them until they overcome and wind up a couple with a happily ever after. But I always wondered what happened next, so in these stories, I've answered those questions.

Brenda: Thanks Rie. I can't wait to read Cross the Line in December.

You can find out about Rie's book on her website at http://www.riemcgaha.com/. (She's having a cool contest where someone will win her ENTIRE backlist. Details are on her website.)

CLOSURE REVIEW
Closure
Author: Rie McGaha
Publisher: Champagne Books
Released Aug 02, 2010

Summary: High in the hills above Albuquerque, New Mexico Detective Zachariah Ellison arrives at the scene of a murder, and not just any murder, but one that definitely falls into the “gruesome” category even for a seasoned cop like Zach. When another body is found murdered in much the same fashion, Zach knows he’s got a serial killer on his hands, and to top it off he’s got an assistant district attorney hounding him about the case. As Zach tries to investigate the crimes while sidestepping nosey Amy Logan, a third body is found and Zach hasn’t a clue as to whom the perpetrator might be.

Amy Logan has worked hard to put herself through school and pay for law school on her own and now that she’s secured a position as assistant district attorney in Albuquerque, she’s determined to do everything she can to be the best prosecutor this office has ever seen. And as if luck was following her, she’s been assigned to the biggest homicide case the city has ever seen. The only problem she’s having is the homicide detective who’s leading the investigation—Zach Ellison.

I was asked to review Closure and agreed since I really like suspense, and hadn't read that much of the genre lately. The author has combined steamy HEA romance with a gritty suspenseful plot. It's fast paced, and moves easily between the romance and the investigation of a serial killer case.

I thought the contrast between Amy and Zach's relationship and the killer's experience with abusive men a nice touch to the story. Zach is protective and stubborn, but he treats Amy with respect and love. She finds herself explaining to him why a woman would stay with an abusive man because for him it's black and white-why wouldn't they simply leave? I've had this same conversation with my husband, and it rings true. Good men can't imagine abusing a woman, so they have trouble comprehending the horrible toll it takes on someone that is being abused.

Closure is a great read for those who love romance and suspense. It does have detailed crime scenes and autopsy details which may be disturbing to some readers. The romance is sweet, but the sex is steamy and erotic. So be prepared to say "Ewwww" and then "Oh, my...".

About Rie
Rie McGaha was born and raised in northern California along the shores of Humboldt County where her grandmother often took her to dig for clams and watch the whales migrate. Being raised with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, gave Rie a deep love for nature. She has resided in the Kiamichi Mountains of SE Oklahoma for more than ten years with her husband, Nathan, where they rescue animals, nurses them back to health and tries to find homes for them. She is the mother of 12 and Nana of 33.

My Afterlife Celebration with Merrie

After I read Afterlife I emailed the author, Merrie Destefano, to tell her how much I loved it, and to ask her if I could interview her about the book and her writing. I've known her online for almost a year now, and I am thrilled that her book is getting such a wonderful response. She certainly deserves the praise and I'm pleased to celebrate it's release with her. Be sure to enter the contest at the end of the post!

Brenda: Afterlife, to me, seems to be part science fiction mixed with a dystopian tale. It reminds me of good, classic sci fi when the authors made us question and think about our future. Did you mean for it to be that way? I ask because though I love Sci Fi and have since I was 16 or so, it seems intimidating as far as the writing, and the writers involved in the genre. How does it feel knowing your book might end up a classic like Fahrenheit 451?

Merrie: First, Brenda, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of your blog! I’m excited to be here! Now on to my answers: I’ve always loved science fiction too. The interesting thing to me is that I could never write what’s called hard sci-fi, the kind with real, technical science behind every gizmo and gadget that appears. But I’ve always loved social science fiction, like the stuff written by Ray Bradbury or Philip K. Dick. It’s basically where we have the science already and we’re looking at how that science has affected society. For me, this was much easier to write than hard sci-fi. I really enjoy creating characters and figuring out how they feel about the situations I throw them into, so a social science fiction tale seemed like a good fit. Of course, Afterlife has fantasy and mystery and dystopian elements tossed in as well, mainly because I love those genres too. Will Afterlife become a classic? Wow, that’s a great question. I think every writer would be thrilled if one of their books became a classic. I know I would. I always (jokingly) say that my goal all along was to write a book that would become required reading for high school students. Honestly, I loved high school English, so I would be delighted if any of my books were used to help a young person fall in love with reading.

Brenda: I loved Omega, but had a question-- I just have to word it correctly so as not to give spoilers. Omega, who is a dog, seems very smart to me. Was he simply a smart breed of dog, or did the things done to him in the lab make him more intelligent? I also noticed he could be a twin of your dog in the picture on your website:)

Merrie: Interestingly, when I first wrote the book, Omega had actual thoughts and they were very primitive. But in the process of editing, those were all taken out. What I was really trying to communicate in Omega’s scenes, besides his character, was his intuitive nature, the ability that dogs have to “read” a situation and instinctively know what needs to be done. One of my dogs—the one in my author photo—is super smart when it comes to any social behavior situation. He can stop a dog fight by just walking in between two dogs. He’s very gentle with children and our cat, but he knows when he needs to stand up for himself with our other German Shepherd. So I was trying to create a dog who was extremely loyal and had “street smarts” which would eventually put him in charge of a wild dog pack. By the way, I never mention it in the book, but in my mind the dog pack was descended from Katrina dogs: dogs who had survived Hurricane Katrina and then banded together when they couldn’t find their people. And yes, Omega could easily be a twin of my Joshua!

Brenda: Though Afterlife has romance, it's on a deeper level, more subtle. I actually liked that you didn't take a detour to have your characters getting all hot and steamy in the middle of a crisis. Did you make a decision to keep things toned down, or did it just end up that way as you were writing?

Merrie: [There might be some spoilers in my answer] From the beginning, I saw Afterlife as a book that contained elements of science fiction, mystery, fantasy and romance, but I never wanted any one of those elements to overwhelm the others. Also, Chaz was forbidden by his Babysitter code from having a sexual relationship with his Newbie during her first week after resurrection—this was one of codes that could have had serious repercussions if he broke it. I thought it was important to show that there were some rules Chaz was willing to break, but that he would never break any that might harm his Newbie. There even comes a point in the story when he has to decide whether his loyalties lie with someone in his family or with his Newbie. To me, the fact that he chose to follow his Babysitter code at that time helped to prove what an honorable man he was.

Brenda: I saw in an interview that your next book isn't a sequel to Afterlife. Will there be one? Or is it too soon to know? I would love to read as many books as you could write in this world.

Merrie: Thank you so much for wanting more books in this series! Yay! I do plan to write a sequel to Afterlife. My second novel, Feast: Harvest of Dreams, was written after I finished Afterlife and before either book sold to HarperCollins. At that point in time, I had no idea whether anyone would be interested in Afterlife, so I just started writing a different stand-along book. If I had known that Afterlife would be a popular book (something no writer can predict), I would have written a sequel immediately. As it is, I would love to write a sequel, and I can already see several potential books in the series. But right now, I think it all really comes down to how well Afterlife does in sales. Brenda, thanks again for having me here today and for all of your kind comments about Afterlife!

Brenda: Thank you for taking the time to let me pick your brain. Afterlife is a very special book that I think will become a classic. You are an amazing writer and I'm thrilled that your book is doing so well.

THE REVIEW
Afterlife
The Resurrection Chronicles
Author: Merrie Destefano
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Eos
Release Date: 9/28/10
Available from Amazon in Paperback

SUMMARY: Chaz Dominguez is a professional Babysitter in New Orleans, helping to integrate the recently deceased into their new and improved lives. Though Fresh Start has always been the only game in town, resurrection isn't all it's cracked up to be. Nine lives are all a person can get—and a powerful group of desperate, high-level Nine-Timers will stop at nothing to possess the keys to true immortality. Now the only hope for Chaz and his family—and the human race—lies in the secrets locked away in the mind of Angelique, the beautiful, mysterious Newbie he must protect .

Everyone who's ever thought about life and death should read Merrie Destefano's Afterlife. It will give you many things to ponder about what may come to pass in the future. Cloning is something we know the scientists will continue to work on until humans can be "created" in a lab. What happens when people are given the choice of not just one life, but possibly NINE chances to live again? The author of Afterlife has written a novel that explores this very concept. I was reminded of the saying "Just because we CAN, doesn't mean we SHOULD." Advancements in medicine and science are important to the world, to the human condition. We all hope for a cure to cancer, diabetes, heart failure, AIDS and so many other diseases. Who wouldn't want cures for diseases that kill so many? What if the person could get rid of their diseased body for a new one? Would research stop on cures for disease? The questions are endless.

Afterlife is a fascinating, fast paced read with rich characters, action, suspense and emotion. It has elements of science fiction and dystopian fiction, but I know for some people that brings to mind complicated plots that take intense concentration to sift through the details of the society and it's political and technical advancements. Afterlife is written by someone who is warm and generous in her dealings with fans, friends and fellow writers. If you have followed Merrie on Twitter and Facebook for any length of time, you'd know how true this is. She has taken a plot and concept that could have been overwhelming at times, and written it in a style that isn't complicated or overwhelming. The story will reach the reader on many different levels. Her writing is almost poetic at times; filled with strong emotion that brings the reader inside the heads of the characters, rather than just observing them from afar. I will be reading it again and again throughout the years, and hope that many others will do so as well.

If you are a fan of Vicki Peterssen, Dakota Banks, or Stacia Kane I think you'll really enjoy Afterlife. Even if you haven't read these authors but you love old fashioned science fiction that makes you think about society and our future, you should give Afterlife a read. You won't regret it.

THE AFTERLIFE CONTEST
Merrie is graciously giving away a signed copy of Afterlife to one of the visitors. Ask her a question or tell us if you would take another shot at life if it was offered to you.

I will randomly choose one winner from the comments on Sunday evening and announce it on Monday, November 8th, 2010.

Read an Afterlife excerpt here.

The Afterlife book trailer is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-61--ZpdLg

Merrie's website:
http://www.merriedestefano.com/

Merrie's blog:
http://merrie-destefano.blogspot.com/

Follow Merrie on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/MerrieDestefano

Follow Merrie on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1205132688

~Brenda

Blog Tour & Contest: Rise Again

Rise Again:
A Zombie Thriller
Author: Ben Tripp
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Gallery
Released 10/26/10
Available in Softcover from Amazon

A MYSTERIOUS CONTAGION.
MASS HYSTERIA. SUDDEN DEATH.
And a warning that would come all too late . . .

Forest Peak, California. Fourth of July. Sheriff Danielle Adelman, a troubled war veteran, thinks she has all the problems she can handle in this all-American town after her kid sister runs away from home. But when a disease-stricken horde of panicked refugees fleeing the fall of Los Angeles swarms her small mountain community, Danny realizes her problems have only just begun—starting with what might very well be the end of the world. Danny thought she had seen humanity at its worst in war-torn Iraq, but nothing could prepare her for the remorseless struggle to survive in a dying world being overrun by the reanimated dead and men turned monster. Obsessed with finding her missing sister against all odds, Danny’s epic and dangerous journey across the California desert will challenge her spirit . . . and bring her to the precipice of sanity itself. . . .

I asked to review Rise Again because I am a sucker for zombie novels, and so are my teens. Rise Again is more character driven than some of the other zombie novels I've read this year, and the main character is a female war veteran who is also the sheriff of a small town in California. Don't worry, it still has plenty of gore, violence and pus. If there are zombies, then you will have rot and body fluids. No way around that. Rise Again is gritty, dark and thought provoking. Zombie fans will love it, and those who like Apocalyptic tales will also appreciate it. I liked that it was character driven and had a bit of humor to offset the horror.

Rise Again is a cool addition to the zombie club, and a great read for horror fans.

Cool Extras
Printable Zombie Eye Glasses, Eye patch mask, bookmarks, wound stickers, Zomb-aid bandages, and alternative book dust jackets are all available free as pdf files.

If you have an iPhone or iPodtouch you can download one of two cool wallpapers. This page has all of the freebies: http://www.riseagainthenovel.com/downloads.htm

To find out more about Rise Again, Ben Tripp and more visit here:
http://www.riseagainthenovel.com/about-book-rise-again.htm

THE CONTEST FOR RISE AGAIN
The publisher is allowing me to give away one softcover copy of Rise Again. As always, answer my question for a chance to win.

If your town was infiltrated by zombies and you would have only ONE weapon, what would you choose?

I will randomly choose a winner on November 12th, 2001.

~Brenda

Blog Tour & Contest: Ecstasy in Darkness

Ecstasy in Darkness
Alien Huntress, #5
Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: 10/26/10
Available for the Kindle & in Paperback

SUMMARY:Growing up poor on New Chicago’s meanest streets, Ava Sans had two options: be the predator, or be the prey. No contest. Now, working for Alien Investigation and Removal, she’s been ordered to capture the biggest, baddest warrior of all—a vampire too beautiful to be real, with the ability to manipulate time. Once the leader of the entire vampire army, McKell has been deemed savage and unstable, spurned even by his own kind.To McKell, humans should be nothing more than sustenance. Yet the petite, golden-skinned Ava is a fascinating contradiction—vicious yet witty, strong yet vulnerable, lethal but fiercely loyal. Against his better judgment, McKell craves that loyalty, and much more. When the chase leads to seduction, McKell and Ava will race to discover the truth about his past. But the answers will come at a price, even for a woman who thought she had nothing left to lose. . . .

I asked to join the blog tour for Ecstasy in Darkness because I had heard good things about the series, but hadn't read it yet. I love her Lords of the Underworld series, and wondered if this one would be just as good. I wasn't disappointed, even skipping ahead to the fifth book. Gena Showalter does a great job writing the book so it can stand alone, filling in a few gaps from the other stories along the way.

Ecstasy in Darkness is a paranormal romance with gritty undertones, mostly due to a disease ridden enemy stalking the characters throughout the book. It's also primarily a paranormal romance focusing on Ava and McKell, the fated mates. The snark and humor is edgy, and the banter between Ava and her best friend, Noelle, is constant which would probably be annoying for readers that don't like that type of thing. I chuckled throughout the entire book, and really enjoyed their banter.

McKell is a fascinating character. He's an uber alpha vampire who was an enforcer for the underground vampire world until he disobeyed the king's order and was banished to the surface to live among humans. He's a fish out of water when it comes to social skills and the human civilization. Vampire women apparently are treated with kid gloves and are insulted easily. He is fascinated, horrified and confused at the interaction between Ava and Noelle when they are sent to capture him. I love his character with his dry humor, and the thoughts he has as he deals with his attraction to Ava.

The sexual tension builds, and when our couple finally give in, it's passionate and extremely sensual. This serves as a warning to those that may like their books a little less steamy.

I loved this world, and will be going back to read the other four books as soon as I can. I enjoyed the witty dialog, the suspense, action and romance in Ecstasy in Darkness. If you love Gena Showalter's other books, or if you are a fan of Kresley Cole, Lara Adrian, J.R. Ward or Sherrilyn Kenyon you will enjoy Ecstasy in Darkness.

Alien Huntress Series
1. Awaken Me Darkly (2005)
2. Enslave Me Sweetly (2006)
3. Savor Me Slowly (2007)
4. Seduce the Darkness (2009)
5. Ecstasy in Darkness (2010)

To learn more about Gena's books visit her blog at:
http://genashowalter.blogspot.com/

THE CONTEST: WIN ECSTASY IN DARKNESS
The publisher has graciously allowed me to give away one copy of Ecstasy in Darkness to a visitor. As usual, please leave a comment answering my question to enter the contest.

Do you like snarky banter between characters in stories? Or do you prefer things to be slightly more serious?

I will choose a random winner on November 12th, 2010.

~Brenda

Granite Lake Wolves New Release

Wolf Tracks
Granite Lake Wolves, #4
Author:Vivian Arend
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 424 KB
Publisher: Samhain
Release Date: 10/26/10
Available for the Kindle at Amazon

Warning: By popular demand: Clumsy sidekick wolf grows up, sarcasm reigns, and the wilderness gets wilder. Includes hot nookie in places you expect—like a remote cabin—and places you don’t.

Some authors and their books sneak up on readers. You pick up one of their books on your Kindle, but it becomes buried beneath the other 100 books you've downloaded. One day you click on the book, and you start reading it, then you can't stop. Next thing you know you're on the Amazon site looking for the rest of the books in the series. You find them, and giggle with relief. That was a close one...until you get to the third book in the series and realize you have to wait for the fourth book. You start sweating....and have to distract yourself with other books. You wait, and wait...finally it's release day. You celebrate with a read-a-thon.

This is exactly what happened to me with Vivian Arend's Granite Lake Wolves series. Each story is a novella that revolves around one of the wolves and their future mate. We also get to visit with the other members of the pack to learn what they are up to since their story was told. The stories are passionate, steamy and full of witty banter and heartwarming humor. They take place in the North where there are forests, lakes, wildlife, cabins and hunky werewolves.

Wolf Tracks is the newest novella in the series and was released this week. Yes, I preordered it and read it on and off all day when it came out. I was suppose to be blogging and writing, so don't tell anyone. It was worth the wait. However, I read it too fast, and now I'm back to waiting. Sigh. This winter I'm going to read all four of the stories again in order, one right after the other, while I wait for my next fix the next book. Below are teaser words I chose in honor of T.J. and Pam.

TEASER WORDS
stairs
BFF
song
crash
wolfie
hiking
helicopter
bear
roof

There are four novellas in the Granite Lake Wolves series, plus two free reads, which I've linked to in the list. I loved reading the books in order because it introduces the reader to the characters a little bit in each story, which makes them a better read. The author has plans for a fifth book in the not too distant future and possibly two more free reads. Rest assured, I will let you know when the release is announced.

Digital:
1.Wolf Signs
First Howl/Free here
2.Wolf Flight
Second Howl/Free here
3.Wolf Games
4.Wolf Tracks

Print:
Under the Northern Lights
(Includes #1 and #2)

Under the Midnight Sun
(Will be #3 and#4)
Release Date: 10/2011

If you are a fan of Moira Rogers, you will love Vivian Arend. If you haven't read either of them, but love werewolves, happily-ever-afters, and witty banter, you will love their books.

~Brenda

New Release: His Darkest Embrace

I've been dying to post this interview with Juliana Stone since I read His Darkest Embrace in September, but I wanted to wait until it was closer to the release date. It's finally here, and you can buy His Darkest Embrace tomorrow, October 26th, 2010! Below is our interview:

Brenda: What type of research did you do for Jaguar Warriors series? There is so much detail in the location of His Darkest Embrace, plus the military aspect of the guys. Did you start out knowing where you wanted it to take place or did that develop as you were writing?

Juliana: I knew I wanted to write about shifters with vampires and sorcerers thrown in for good measure! I’d been to Belize on vacation and while researching jaguars came across mention of Jaguar Warriors. So it was a perfect scenario. Jaguars were an important part of the Mayan and Aztec cultures and I was able to take that and weave it into a story that encompassed North America and Belize!

Brenda: I have to tell you that I'm an Alpha fan all the way, and I think you took Jagger's alpha male personality to a new level. He's pretty dang intense and sexy. Do you ever stop and think to yourself, "Okay, that's a little over the top." or do you just go with it? Not that I'm complaining, because I loved Jagger.

Juliana: I’m a total pantser when I write and just go for it. I love alpha men, strong men who aren’t afraid to please their women or show a tender side. The kind of guy who will do whatever it takes to save the day. I’ve never deleted a scene or rewrote something because I thought it was way out there. My mind just goes and I follow!

Brenda: Has the last year been a whirlwind for you with two books going to print, plus two more digital releases? (I'll list them all with links at the end of the interview.) FOUR releases in one year is amazing. What was your time frame on the writing?

Juliana: Publishing is a slow ride but once the ride starts, it usually goes full steam ahead. Example, His Darkest Hunger was written in 2008. His Darkest Embrace was written in 2009. They were both released this year, BUT I wrote books 3 & 4 between mid February of this year and the end of August. That was tough, writing 2 full length books in six months, with revisions and copy edits thrown in…but you do whatever it takes!

Brenda: I noticed that you are a mom too ( I have a 17, 16 and 10 year old.). How has your writing changed since become a mother? Do you learn things from your kids as they get older?

Juliana: My kids are 14 and 11 respectively and as I’ve only been writing for 3 years nothing has changed really. I do have a goal of writing a YA that my kids can read, so that’s something I work on in my spare time.

Brenda: Do you think you'll stick to paranormal stories, or do you have an itch to write another type of book?

Juliana: The cool thing about writing is your only limited by where you mind can go. I love paranormal and my voice does tend to go dark, but I’d love to write a sexy, funny contemporary as well as mentioned earlier, a young adult.

Brenda: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I truly loved His Darkest Embrace, and can't wait to read your other books.


THE REVIEW
His Darkest Embrace
Jaguar Warriors #2
Author: Juliana Stone
Publisher: Harper Collins, Inc
File Size: 588 KB
Print Length: 384 pages
Release: 10/26/10
Available in Paperback & for Kindle at Amazon

SUMMARY: Jagger is a creature of the night-Skye Knightly soars in the sun. Natural adversaries, they have been joined by destiny in a mission entrusted to Skye's family centuries ago: Nothing less than the salvation of the Earth. Wounded and bitter, Jagger sought escape in the solitude of the jungle, driven by a need to disappear forever. until a mysterious shifter who calls to his soul and feeds a yearning long forgotten, pulls him from his dark path. A courageous warrior, Skye's passion is equal to Jagger's own-but can she trust a man on the edge? A man whose secrets are as devastating as her own?

Skye Knightly, the heroine of His Darkest Embrace is on a mission, one that could save the world, but end her life. When she's rescued by Jagger, an ex-soldier trying to escape his past, they both find something they didn't expect. Saving the world almost seems easy compared to figuring out life and love. The author writes with passion and excitement, keeping the book fast paced and compelling. She takes the alpha male concept to a new level with Jagger. Skye is focused, intelligent, and cynical. Trust is not something she gives easily because she's been burned before. They both are suspicious of each other, yet it's impossible to deny the attraction between them.

The sexual tension, and passion between Skye and Jagger is intense right from the start. Don't expect a fast romp in the jungle with these two though. Jagger isn't a love and leave 'em type of guy. He's a stubborn shifter, who is tired of doing things he doesn't believe in, so he wants Skye body, heart and soul. We meet more of his family later in the story, and slowly learn why he is in the jungle. Plenty of action and suspense are mixed in with the romance which makes this His Darkest Embrace a great read.

If you enjoyed the Darkness Chosen series by Christina Dodd, or books by Lara Adrian you'll love His Darkest Embrace, and the other books in the series.

TEASER WORDS
waterfalls
caves
fire
flying
passion
brothers

Jaguar Warriors
1. His Darkest Hunger
2. His Darkest Embrace
3. His Darkest Salvation (7/2011)

Black Opals
1. Black Legacy
2. Black Destiny

You find out more about Juliana's book on her website:
http://julianastone.com/

She also blogs at one of my favorite places:
http://supernaturalunderground.blogspot.com/

~Brenda

Review: Tarnished Knight

Tarnished Knight
Grimm's Circle #4
Author: Shiloh Walker
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 569 KB
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Released: 10/26/10
Available for the Kindle from Amazon.

SUMMARY: One look at Jack Wallace and Perci knows he’s going to be trouble. Even surrounded by soul stealers, he’s a one-man wrecking crew. What does he need Grimm training for? He’s already hell on earth, a warrior bent on destruction. And something…more.

When they come together, it isn’t careful or cautious. It’s heaven and hell, exposing all their raw and wounded places to healing heat, resurrecting memories of a destined love from the distant past. But the evil that destroyed them once before has tracked them here, threatening their second and last chance at forever. Demanding a sacrifice no one—Grimm or human—should ever be asked to make…

Warning: Dark, sexy, a little bit scary—this fairy tale is only for grownups and is best saved for bedtime.

I asked to review Tarnished Knight because I had read the first book in the series, and I wondered where the author had taken her twisted fairy tales next. Shiloh Walker is an author who can take her readers to very dark places. I always imagine her saying to me "Listen, I'm taking these characters to a dark place, but trust me and I'll get them through it." Yes, I have a vivid imagination. Seriously though, Tarnished Knight is a story of broken, abused hearts, bodies and souls. Life is not always easy, and it's rare that someone looks across a crowded room, finds out soul mate with a glance, and lives happily ever after. Sometimes we have to go through the fire before we find love.

Tarnished Knight is a heart wrenching tale, but there is always a glimmer of hope, as we read of Luc, Perci, and Jack. Perci is a broken woman, and has been for 300 years. She probably would have remained so, if not for the interference of Will, her Grimm leader. He sets events in motion, and hopes things will turn out for the better. I love the message of this book, or at least what I perceived as the overall message. Sometimes we hang on to relationships when we shouldn't, causing pain to both individuals. Forgiveness doesn't always mean things go back to the way they were...it may mean moving on without that person to find happiness.

Tarnished Knight is a passionate, emotional story with scorching, healing sex scenes, and a mystery that must be solved and acknowledged by those involved. If you are already a fan of Shiloh Walker you will want to preorder Tarnished Knight so it's delivered the day it's released. If you haven't read her books, but you love Stacia Kane, Jacquelyn Frank, or Eve Silver, you should read Shiloh Walker, and Tarnished Knights.

TEASER WORDS
scissors
battle
princess
broken
demon
cue stick
bruises
goodbyes
living

You can find out more about Shiloh and the Grimm's Circle books on her website:
http://www.shilohwalker.com/

~Brenda