Roadkill Release Week Goodness!

Rob Thurman is one of my favorite authors, and this is release week for the fifth book in her Cal & Niko Leandros series. Here is the awesome cover with Cal and his werewolf with benefits, Delilah.


I'm heading out tomorrow or Wednesday to buy my copy of Roadkill in the store so it helps Rob rack up sale goodness to make sure we continue to get more Cal & Niko. It's extremely important to buy the book from Tuesday, March 2 to Saturday, March 6th to make the biggest impact on her sales. If you haven't read Rob's books check out these cool blogs to learn more. You really don't want to miss these awesome books.

(A note: The give-aways are for Rob's other books, so you can STILL go buy Roadkill this week and not be doubling up. Just saying...)

The awesome Larissa has an interview and give-away for FOUR of Rob's books.
Her give-away ends March 11th. Visit Larissa & Rob HERE!

Rob guest blogs about "not blogging" which gives you some insight into her witty personality PLUS she's giving away her books to four winners to be picked at random on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Rob on Deadline Dames: http://www.deadlinedames.com/?p=2842

This is an interview on Cat and Muse with Cal himself, and Goodfellow, a character in all of the Cal & Niko books. I can't explain his personality or his antics- you have to read the interview.

Cat and Muse Interview:
http://jackiekessler.com/catandmuse/2010/03/01/monster-mash/#comment-9546

MARK HENRY HELPS ROB
Twitpic your Roadkill by Rob Thurman receipts (dated 3/2-3/7) for a chance to win original Snark Art! http://bit.ly/95PGYw

"The snark art will apparently be a collage of every embarrassing picture I've had taken (which are quite a few) and he's going to MSTK Nightlife. Now THAT will be brutal. But all for the cause!" ~from Mark's blog.

The Sneak Peak Deal
Now, when you buy your copy of Roadkill you can also get a sneak peak at a chapter from the SIXTH Cal & Niko book. Rob has details here: http://robgoodfella.livejournal.com/96012.html

~Moonsanity

The Devil Inside by Jenna Black

The Devil Inside
(Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist, Book 1)
Author: Jenna Black
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Dell (November 27, 2007)

Summary: Exorcism isn’t a job, it’s a calling—and a curse. Just ask Morgan Kingsley, a woman who has a stronger aura than any Demon... her life is about to be turned upside down…by the Demon that’s gotten inside her.

Morgan’s Demon is leading a war of succession no human has ever imagined. For a woman trying to live a life, and hold on to the almost-perfect man, being possessed by a gorgeous rebel Demon will mean a wild ride of uninhibited thrills, shocking surprises, and pure, unadulterated terror. . . .

I picked up my copy of The Devil Inside because I had heard such good things about Jenna Black. I'm not sure what I expected, but I have mixed feelings after reading the first book in this series. It's a dark urban fantasy with erotic sexual content, action and intrigue. I like the main character, Morgan, though she often gives new meaning to the word bitch. Then again, she has reasons for her anger, none which I can argue with. I find myself wishing someone would give her a break, and possibly a hug. I also thought her demon, who she shares a body with, was scary but honorable and likable. The other characters were complex; some I actually hated, others confused me.

I found the concept of demons sharing bodies with humans because they exist in a dimension/world where they aren't corporal, fascinating. The political struggle, the attitudes of human hosts who worship the demons vs. those who hate them, and the relationship between cooperating hosts and demons were intriguing and unique.

I found myself uncomfortable while reading The Devil Inside for a couple of reasons. First, the erotic sexual content went from playful between Morgan and her boyfriend to the painful and controlling world of S&M where whippings and violence are common place. I've read books before that included this type of lifestyle and didn't feel quite this uncomfortable. I wonder if it's because I didn't know the characters or their reasons behind this type of sex. Later, we get a little hint into why some demons might prefer it, but never as to why Dominic would choose the lifestyle. We are never given a hint as to why he endures it. I felt that this aspect of the plot was overwhelming, to the point of taking away from the struggle that was going on with the demons and their human hosts.

I'm a very eclectic reader in that I love Happily Ever Afters but I also like thought provoking plots that make me examine human nature, love, sacrifice etc. I also don't judge books on their sexual content, as long as it's a part of the plot but not the entire reason for it.

Even though I remain uncomfortable with much of The Devil Inside, I also find myself wanting to know more about Morgan and the struggle between the demons and the humans in her world. I have to say it takes a talented writer to make a reader want to keep reading even though they are taken way out of their comfort zone.

~Moonsanity