The World of Red Rock Pass & Moira Rogers

Sanctuary (Red Rock Pass)
#1 Cry Sanctuary
#2 Sanctuary Lost
Author: Moira Rogers
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Available in Print or e-book

I requested Sanctuary for review to start off the series, so I'll review the two books within that edition first. Cry Sanctuary starts off with a bang as tough werewolf Keith Winston is sent to pick up two werewolves who have escaped a sadistic alpha to ask for sanctuary at Red Rock Pass. He's returned from fighting in a war between werewolves and wizards in Europe and is ready for a break from the mayhem. Abby, and her friend Dylan need more than just sanctuary. Abby was turned into a wolf but has never been taught how to handle the new life she was forced into. Dylan has been living in fear for ten years under the alpha who turned her, but knew he had to get her out no matter what the consequences.

The first book was an introduction for me to the Red Rock Pass world and it's characters. I love were fantasy, and dived right into this first novella. The characters grew on me the farther I got into the book. The wolves are tough, but they are fair and protective of those who need it. Keith goes out of his way to make sure Abby knows what she is getting into and though I loved the gentleman in him, I also wanted to smack him and force him get with the program. I certainly could see she needed him, why couldn't he? Yes, I was a little bit wrapped up in the book.

I wasn't sure if the series would focus more on the romance or if there would be some adventure and action. The authors gave the reader just enough of both. The action was fast paced and exciting. The romance was steamy and fit in with the story. I loved the first book, and read the second one immediately.

Sanctuary Lost is a continuation of the first book, but focused more on Abby's sister Brynn. However, we also get to know Abby and Keith better, and the other characters in the Red Rock Pass world. I don't want to give spoilers to the first book so I can't say too much about the plot, except that I thought this second book really brought the world and the characters alive for me. It sucked me in further to where I couldn't wait to finish because I knew there were more books waiting for me in the series.

I thought I'd take a minute and talk a little bit about the males in the first two books. They are sexy, but a little on the rough side. Intelligent, but men of action, rather than words. They are loyal, passionate, and they talk A LOT during sex. A lot. After I got used to it, I thought it was rather endearing and sexy. I've been married 20 years, and for 15 of those we've had kids. Talking is usually not an option when kids are in the house, at night, when it's quiet, and they are sleeping... if you have kids I know you are picking up my meaning. Ahem...back to the book...I loved the males of Red Rock Pass. Joe, who we get to know in the second book, is former military and likes to blow things up. He's cocky, sarcastic and one of my favorite characters.

I finished Sanctuary, and it left me wanting more. The first thing I did was go to the authors' website and download the two free short stories in the Red Rock Pass series. You can find them here.

Becoming (Red Rock Pass #0) takes place 40 years before the first Sanctuary novella. It's the story of Samantha and Gavin when they first meet. I recommend you read this AFTER the first two books like I did because you get to know the older Sam and Gavin first and can appreciate their back story SO much more. I loved the insight into their characters. Oh, and we also meet a very young Keith, which was so cool.

The Little Things (Red Rock Pass #1.5) is a two part story. The first part takes place 40 years ago as Gavin and Samantha continue to get to know each other with little Keith's help. The second part is a sweet story of the lesson Keith learned so long ago from Gavin as he settles in with Abby.

I loved both of these stories and highly recommend they are read between books 2 and 3 in the series.

Sanctuary's Price
(Red Rock Pass #3)

This weekend I bought Sanctuary's Price, Book 3 in the series, and it was outstanding. I'd gotten to know Dylan, and later Sasha, in the other books. Perhaps I enjoyed this book so much because I felt as if I knew both characters and wanted good things to happen for them. Whatever the reason, I think this is my favorite book in the series.

Dylan has lived from day to day, only thinking of survival for ten years since he was turned into a werewolf. He doesn't consider himself strong or brave like so many people have claimed he is. Sasha watched her mentor die, and has been frightened since that day, never knowing if she would be next. Dylan is one of the only people she feels safe with, but they are both so broken, they may not be able to get past their trauma.

Not everyone in a werewolf pack can be an alpha, or an enforcer, but that doesn't mean they don't have a place or a purpose. I loved that the authors examined this idea through Dylan and Sasha's story. Dylan is smart, loyal and sexy. Sasha is compassionate and much stronger than she realizes. I loved the interaction between them romantically, and as they fought for each other and their friends.

We get to see more of Brynn and Joe in this book, which I really enjoyed. The book also introduces a couple of new characters, including a smart ass vampire who's been hiding out in the woods for a very long time. His story is next, and I already have the book preordered. Sanctuary Unbound, Book 4, comes out June 1st, 2010.

Moira Rogers is actually a pen name for Bree and Donna, two friends and co-writers who live in the Deep South. I think their books reflect a Southern kind of charm, wit and humor. I truly enjoy their style of writing, and will continue to read, not just the Red Rock Pass books, but their other series as well.

If you enjoy Patrica Briggs I think you will enjoy the Sanctuary series. Yes, it has more sex, but it also has alpha wolves, strong female heroines, magic, kick butt fight scenes and characters that keep the reader coming back for more. You can visit the authors at http://www.moirarogers.com.

~Moonsanity

Musical Muse: The Black Parade

My Chemical Romance is one of my favorite bands for so many reasons. First, they are theatrical, creative and passionate. The Black Parade CD was a concept album where the guys WERE a band called The Black Parade, and their live show was built around that theme. The songs are about death, life and sickness. The video below, Welcome to the Black Parade, never gets old. I love the details, the photography and look at those characters...I swear I could write a short story about each one of them!




~Moonsanity

Where I Write, Review & Tweet

Last weekend I grabbed my kids and made them help me transform a corner of the dining room area into a work space. That is my free purple desk with my trusty laptop and my Kindle. On the desk I have the books I'm reading for blog tours, various moons I've collected, a wax melt burner (lavender vanilla is the current scent) and flowers from my husband. I put up a cork board to hold a calendar, assorted swag from cool people, notes and a Mother's Day card from my daughter. I have more things to add to the board this week.

To the right is my To Be Read Bookshelf. That isn't all the books because I have some fantasy and science fiction in my bedroom as well, but let's not go there. The bottom part of the shelf with the doors is where I'm keeping the books for my Summer Reading Give-Away, which has yet to be named. It will start July 1st after our family vacation to Florida in June. I'm excited because I have some really cool books to share with everyone.

Lastly, on the top of the bookshelf is my miniature fairy tea set and a tea for two set from j. willfred. It's one of my favorites. I bought it when my daughter was small and we started having tea parties. I've been collecting tea sets in all sizes and patterns for about ten years now, maybe a little longer. I've written articles on afternoon tea traditions, children's tea parties, herbal tea and Irish tea time over the years.

I thought you all might enjoy a peek at my writing space, especially now that I've revamped it.

~Moonsanity

Action & Romance from Kait Nolan

Forsaken By Shadow

First in the Mirus series
Author: Kait Nolan
Novella, Kindle Edition
Publisher: Smashwords, Inc.
Author's Website

Summary: Banished from their world with his memory wiped, Cade Shepherd doesn’t remember his life as Gage Dempsey, nor the woman he nearly died for. But when Embry Hollister’s father is kidnapped by military scientists, the only one she can turn to is the love from her past. Will Gage remember the Shadow Walker skills he learned from her father? If they survive, will Embry be able to walk away again?

I bought Forsaken by Shadow because I'd been following the author on Twitter, and thought it sounded like an interesting read. I wasn't disappointed in Kait Nolan's urban fantasy novella. It's the first in her Mirus series, which I hope to see more of very soon. I love her writing. Her heroine is strong, compassionate, and has some mad fighting skills. The hero, Gage, is equally as interesting and passionate. The group of paranormal characters we are introduced to in this first book make me want her to finish the second book in record time. Ms. Nolan has given readers an awesome mix of romance, magic and adventure in her first book.

The action scenes in Forsaken by Shadow are gripping and fast paced. They had me holding my breath for the characters as they fought for survival. More importantly, Ms. Nolan had me WANTING them all to live and be safe. She has a talent for involving the reader in the lives of her characters, even though we've just met them. She makes us care about them, and the outcome of their struggles.

Forsaken by Shadow is a paranormal romance but also an urban fantasy. Kait Nolan has created a world that is fascinating, magical and dangerous. If you enjoy Jennifer Rardin, Shannon K. Butcher, or Devon Monk you'll really enjoy Forsaken by Shadow.

You can find the novella at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

~Moonsanity

Romance Review: The Demon in Me

The Demon in Me
Living in Eden, Book #1
Author: Michelle Rowen
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Paperback: 352 pages
Available at: Amazon, Indie Bound, Powell's Books, Barnes & Noble

Summary: After her hunky police detective partner guns down a serial killer in front of her, "psychic consultant" Eden Riley realizes that she's no longer alone. A voice in her head introduces himself as Darrak. He's a demon. But not in a bad way. He was cursed 300 years ago and he wants to find a way to break free. Eden's psychic energy helps him take form during daylight, and she's going to have to learn to live with this sexy demon...like it or not.

I bought The Demon in Me the week it was released because I loved the author's other books, and couldn't wait to read the first book in her new series. I was not disappointed. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud while reading this book. However, it's not all laughs. There is suspense, a little mystery, action, romance and Ms. Rowen even had me thinking philosophically about the nature of good and evil. She rocks like that.

Eden, the main character, is a psychic who doubts her abilities, which are sporadic at best. She simply wants to make a living at something, and takes what comes, even if she doesn't know if or when she'll be able to sense things. I loved Eden. I pictured her as giving off a spunky vibe, but in reality, being sort of doom and gloom, not really expecting good things to happen to her. She's a loner and enjoys her privacy, which makes it all the more hysterical when she ends up with Darrak in her life and sharing her body. On first impression, Darrak reminds me of a frat guy who just got a "Get Out of Jail Free" card after 300 years. He's ready to chat, snack and cop a feel. We find out there is much more to Darrak as the book goes along, but I'll save that for you to discover when you read the book.

The Demon in Me is paranormal romance at it's best. It's an excellent first book in a series that I hope will continue through many books. The author introduces us to some great side characters, and gives us plenty of surprises in this book to keep us guessing and clamouring for the next book. I love paranormal romance that has a good dose of humor without being silly. Michelle Rowen's writing always makes me smile, but at the same time touches my heart.

If you enjoy reading Angie Fox and Jill Myles you'll love The Demon in Me. The second book in the series, Something Wicked will be released in October 2010.

~Moonsanity

Kitties Dance for the Winner of Firefly Rain!

I used the handy random number generator to choose a winner for Firefly Rain by Richard Dansky.

Cheryl was #27 and the winner! Here is what she said about her choice of scariest movie:

When I was in high school I watched Nightmare on Elm street and that was so scary. Me and my friend wouldn't let each other go to sleep.

You can visit Cheryl at her book blog The Books I Read!

~Moonsanity

Terry Goodkind & The Sword of Truth

I was catching up on my emails today and the Tor newsletter came in. It seems Terry Goodkind has returned to the company for a three book deal. This is VERY good news! Here is the scoop from Tor:

New York, NY – Monday, April 19, 2010 – Tor Books is proud to announce the return of New York Times bestselling author Terry Goodkind to their list. The first book in the 3-book deal will be a new Richard and Kahlan novel, due in early 2011. Richard and Kahlan are the principle characters from his previous New York Times bestselling books.

Have you read the Sword of Truth books? I've read and own all 12 books in the series, and it's hands down one of the most awesome fantasy series I've ever read. It's not just a story about Richard and Kahlan, though it is in essence their story, it's a story of hope, loss and victory. Terry Goodkind takes the reader to some very dark places where his characters face death, torture, betrayal and more. I'm not sure how to explain the series because it's so complex, for lack of a better word. Let me try to make a list of the things that stood out to me as a reader:

Love: Richard and Kahlan's love story is heart wrenching, romantic, steamy, and intense. Their love is a power in itself.

Action: The action scenes in the series are kick-ass, take no prisoners fights that involve swords, knives, magical weapons and magic.

The Bad Guys: Darken Rahl is only the beginning, and he is a baby in the evil department compared to the next bad guy. We are talking serious, dark, evil that can never be redeemed.

The Pace: The books are fast paced, especially for an epic fantasy series with so much going on. There will be no skimming of pages in this series. None.

Philosophy:

There are so many thought provoking themes in this series. Should each individual make their own decisions, or are there those who have the wisdom to make them for us? Do we blindly follow those who are in authority, or do we question, and follow our own heart? Are people worth redeeming? Can love conquer evil? The themes actually go much deeper than this, but this gives you an idea.

These are the book in the Sword of Truth Series and they should be read in order. The only exception is the Debt of Bones, which is a prequel featuring Zedd as a young man. To really enjoy this novella you need to get to know Zedd first so you can appreciate him as a young man.

Sword of Truth Series

Debt of Bones (2001)(Zedd prequel)
1. Wizard's First Rule (1994)
2. Stone of Tears (1995)
3. Blood of the Fold (1996)
4. Temple of the Winds (1997)
5. Soul of the Fire (1999)
6. Faith of the Fallen (2000)
7. The Pillars of Creation (2001)
8. Naked Empire (2003)
9. Chainfire (2005)
10. Phantom (2006)
11. Confessor (2007)


The Legend of the Seeker series is currently in the midst of season two, and is slated to be cancelled. The fans have rallied and are attempting to keep it on the air, hoping someone else will pick it up or the network will change their mind. The fan forum and website, Legend of the Seeker.org has a special section with updates, and things fans can do to express their feelings about the show. Visit The Renewal Warwagon to find out more.

I love the television series, but I think of it more as Cliffs Notes for the books. The characters are JUST as I picture them in my mind, except for Zedd, who I thought would be shorter:) To see the book come alive on the screen is exciting, even with the changes made to the story. Mostly the changes seem to be made so the main characters don't have to be separated, other than for short periods of time. In the books, they go long stretches where they are in different locations for various reasons. Still, I would love to see the series continue as long as Hercules or Xena did when they were in syndication.

If you haven't read the books, please grab the first one,Wizard's First Rule, and read the story of Kahlan, Richard and Zedd from the beginning. You won't be sorry.