Dancing With Our Contest Winners!

I have randomly chosen the winners of Amazon Queen and The Cassandra Prophecy, plus I've drawn a new winner for the signed copy of Immortalis Carpe Noctem!

First, the winner of Amazon Queen by Lori Devoti is:
Robin K who said...

I do enjoy when when authors use legends and myths in books. They are fascinating and add a whole world of possibilities to books. I also always wonder if parts are real or not.

I prefer historical just slightly more. But it really depends on the book. Some books are made for urban settings.

Robin is a blogger and talented graphic designer. You can visit her at http://intensewhisper.blogspot.com/ and follow her on Twitter here.

The winner The Cassandra Prophecy is:

April Ash who commented:

Depends on what you consider SciFi...if you go by the Syfy channel, all paranormal seems to be there. I guess The Time Machine by H.G. Wells has to be my all time favorite...and both movie versions I've seen were good. I like the idea of time travel, so enjoyed reading this years ago.

April is a wonderful author and blogger. You can visit her at http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com/ or http://sevensexyscribes.blogspot.com/

The NEW winner of Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas is heatwave16!

Thanks again for entering the contests. You guys are great:)
~Moonsanity

Magic Bleeds: The Best in the Series?

Magic Bleeds
Kate Daniels, Book 4
Author: Ilona Andrews
Mass Market Paperback 384 pages
Publisher: Ace (May 25, 2010)
Available at Indie Bound, Powell's Books, Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Summary: Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community. And now there's a new player in town-a foe that may be too much for even Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.

While waiting for my copy of Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews I stayed away from blogs and forums that would give spoilers, but I noticed many readers and reviewers praising the book as "the best one yet." I thought a lot about this, especially as I read the first three books again while waiting for my copy to arrive. Some books have a kind of instant gratification. Many series feature a couple per book and their struggle to find that elusive Happily Ever After. The reader knows they will get together before the book ends, and that can be a good thing. Other series, like the Kate Daniels novels, take the reader on a journey with the main character through their struggles with love, friendship, and finding their place in the world that doesn't always take the easiest path. I think Magic Bleeds gives the impression of being "the best book yet" because the reader is so involved in Kate's struggles at this point that they feel like they are there with her as she kicks evils butt, and starts to find her place in the world. For me, all four books are equally as well written and gripping.

Looking back over all of the books in the series, I think the writing has always reached out and grabbed the reader with the fast paced action, emotion, and humor. The authors have the ability to make the reader feel Kate's emotions with her, whether it's fear, anger, love, compassion or frustration. After finishing Magic Bleeds I had to go back to a few of my favorite scenes and read them again. I realized that they would not have had the same impact if they had come any sooner then they did. THAT to me is a sign of a talented writer. A good book, or series, doesn't always give you instant gratification. It makes you invest time and emotion in the characters and the world so when the good things happen you feel like you somehow had a part in it.

Magic Bleeds is everything readers have come to love about Ilona Andrews. I want you to read it, but I also want you to read the first three books beforehand so instead of peaking at the gift ahead of time, you wait and feel the full effect of the surprise when it happens. No peaking. Trust me, it will be worth it.

The books in the Kate Daniels series are:

Kate Daniels Novels
1. Magic Bites (2007)
2. Magic Burns (2008)
3. Magic Strikes (2009)
4. Magic Bleeds (2010)

Go. Buy. Read.

~Moonsanity

Trina Lee Packs a Punch with Once Bitten

Once Bitten
Author: Trina M. Lee
Kindle Edition, 258 pages
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Available at Amazon

Summary: When her former lover and Alpha pack member Raoul is framed for murder, he comes to her for help and Alexa is forced to face past emotions and betrayals that were never laid to rest. As the murders continue she is torn between past hurts and present loves. Amidst the rush of power and the struggle for control, Alexa must dig deep within herself to discover where her heart truly belongs. As secrets are revealed and lies exposed, she comes to discover that not everyone is who you think they are and the greatest loves are undying.

I won a copy of Once Bitten on the author's blog after getting to know her on Twitter. I started reading it this last weekend and couldn't put it down. Don't let the cover fool you, this isn't just another erotic romance. It's a mix of urban fantasy and paranormal romance with some mystery thrown in for good measure. Yes, there are steamy scenes, but the author works them in with the plot, not as the focus of story. The main character, Alexa, is strong but not bitchy, and she kicks supernatural butt with the best of them. She's drawn to Shaz, a werewolf and a friend who can comfort her own wolf and offer support in her chaotic life. Too bad she can't shake an attraction and the lure of power from Arys, a vampire who reaches out to her vampire nature. Once Bitten gives us the background we need on the characters while moving the story along at a fast, exciting pace. Alexa's friends and co-workers are fascinating, snarky and don't hesitate to be there for her when she needs them.

This exchange between Alexa and Jaz, her friend and co-worker gives a good feel of the book's characters:

“Too bad we couldn’t go in during the day.” Jez stirred more sugar into her already sweetened caramel coffee, and I shuddered. “But, I guess I’d rather have the bastard awake while we gut him.”

“We’re gutting him now?” I asked as I pulled a strand of gold-streaked ash blonde hair from the corner of my mouth.

“Why not? If we’re lucky, he’ll live through most of it.” She smiled then and narrowed her eyes on the hotel door.

I shook my head and laughed. “You can do whatever your little heart desires, Jez. Just let me know when to stake him.”

If you are fans of Keri Arthur, Devon Monk or Cynthia Eden you'll enjoy Trina Lee. She's told me that the second book in the series, The Wicked Kiss, is a bit steamer, so I'm loading up my Kindle to take on vacation!

Learn more about the author's books on her website, including a free read.

~Moonsanity

The Winners Are...

I consulted my oracles today and they randomly chose the winners of Play Dead by Ryan Brown and Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas.

The winner of Play Dead is:

Misusedinnocence who said...
I've never read a Zombie Book before but I really liked the movie Sean of the Dead. :)


The winner of Immortalis Carpe Noctem is:

tetewa, who said...
I can't pick just one but I'm enjoying The Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon!


Thanks for entering everyone and congrats to the winners!

~Moonsanity

Unholy Ghosts Delivers Action & Suspense

Unholy Ghosts
Downside Ghosts, Book 1
Author: Stacia Kane
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Del Rey

SUMMARY: The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen and constantly attack the living. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Consequently, there are many false claims of hauntings from those hoping to profit. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully-tattooed witch and freewheeling Debunker and ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for nailing the human liars or banishing the wicked dead. But she’s keeping a dark secret from the Church: a little drug problem that’s landed her in hot and dangerous water.

I bought a copy of Unholy Ghosts because I love Stacia Kane's writing. I didn't know what to expect of her new book because there has been much made of the main character having an addiction to drugs. I personally think it's a case of "much ado about nothing". Stacia's new book is a gritty, original urban fantasy with characters that live in a world turned upside down when the spirits of the undead rise with a vengeance, killing and wreaking havoc until the Church of the Real Truth makes it all "right" again for the citizens who have lost friends, family, their government and their way of life.

Chess, the main character, is a witch working for the church debunking those who claim to be harassed by ghosts, which if true, will gain them some righteous bucks since the church has guaranteed a ghost free world. Is it no wonder that Chess is addicted to pills, smoke and powder? The author doesn't glorify drug use. This isn't a case of drugs, sex and rock roll for entertainment. It's Chess trying to cope with her past and her present in the only way she knows how. I've never been addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I want through a period in my life where getting up in the morning was no easy task. I look back at that time and realize it's rather fuzzy to me because I was moving from day to day but not really living. I think the author portrays Chess and her additions with uncanny realism.

The characters in Unholy Ghost are vivid and fascinating. First impressions are at times correct and at other times dead wrong. Terrible is an enforcer for one of the local drug lords. When we first meet him in the book he gives the impression of a typical mafia goon with more muscle than brains. As I got farther in the book he became one of my favorite characters. His outer shell serves a purpose in the world he lives in, but he's so much more. Lex is another local drug lord that wants something from Chess. He's a mystery in some ways, but doesn't pretend to be something other than he is. He's sexy and badass. I found myself fascinated with him, but at the same time wanting to yell at Chess to run fast and far.

Unholy Ghost has mystery, fast paced action, magic gone wrong and it takes a look at all sides of human nature. There is evil and then there is what appears to be good, but may be something else entirely. The book has more than a little horror thrown in the mix, along with suspense. I loved it, and can't wait to read the next two books in the series, which will be coming out July 6 and July 27th, 2010.

You can read the first five chapters of Unholy Ghosts here.

~Moonsanity

Blog Tour & Contest: Captain Bonny Morgan

Captain Bonny Morgan:
The Cassandra Prophesy
by Robert “Doc” Gowdy
ISBN: 978-1-60047-397-5
Paperback (6x9): 480 pgs.

Called to action by a mysterious ancient Order—an ancient Order in cahoots with the Empress Flaccilla of the First Galactic Empire of Emperor Tulla—to help bring about the fulfillment of a long forgotten prophesy, the beautiful galactic pirate, Captain Bonny Morgan, sets out on her mission to successfully bring the prophesy to reality. By kidnapping the Empress’s daughter, Princess Cosette, Captain Morgan sets into motion an adventure awash in political intrigues, hidden agendas, unexpected revelations, and bold, daring gambits by those involved at every level of the conspiracy. Setting out to find her kidnapped sister, Princess Lysette, joined by her beautiful, mischievous, and extraordinary slavegirl, Tink, crisscrosses the galaxy in a bawdy, erotic, and often hilarious attempt to find Cosette. Along the way, Lysette and Tink fall in with a variety of extraordinary allies in their attempt to find Cosette, meeting the Lady Brit, Jon Black, Pirate Queen Colleen O’Malley, Gunns Mannigan, Buster O’Malley, the beautiful pirates Kana and Blaze, and Bully, the roguish owner of the pirate tavern, the Pretty Red.


CAPTAIN BONNY MORGAN CONTEST
I am giving away my copy of The Cassandra Prophesy to one lucky winner:) Leave a comment answering this question:

Do you read Science Fiction on a regular basis? If you do what book really sticks in your head as a "Hey, that could happen?". If you don't read Sci Fi, is there a reason?

The contest will end on June 6, 2010. Leave your email if it's not associated with your profile. The Contest is open to U.S. only.

~Moonsanity

Kate & Curran Release Day

Kate Daniels Novels
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Ace

Series Order:
1. Magic Bites (2007)
2. Magic Burns (2008)
3. Magic Strikes (2009)
4. Magic Mourns(novella in Must Love Hellhounds)
5. Magic Bleeds. (2010)

Summary: Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.

I'm sitting at my desk thumbing through the Kate Daniels Novels I have on my shelf. I've read them twice now, and today is the release of the fourth novel Magic Bleeds. When I picked up the first book in the series, Magic Bites, I didn't know anything about the author, the characters or the world. I was new to the Urban Fantasy genre and thought the book sounded interesting. Four books later and I'm a die hard fan of Ilona and Gordon, the couple who writes the Kate Daniels books. They inspire me as a writer and entertain me as a reader with the dark world of magic they've created.

To be truthful I knew I was going to love Kate Daniels after the first page of Magic Bites when she raises her eyebrow and bets a bottle of Boone's Farm Hard Lemonade that another bulletin was about to be announced on the radio, then she sarcastically cussed. I smiled and knew I'd love her. Later, the authors introduce Curran, the Beast Lord:

A single enormous paw moved into the moonlight, disturbing the dust on the filthy floor. Wicked claws shot forth and withdrew. A massive shoulder followed, its gray fur marked by faint smoky stripes.

Wow, as if that wasn't enough, The Beast Lord turns into an alpha male that makes the reader hold their breath. Don't get me wrong though, this is not a romance. Curran and Kate don't fall into each others arms, but the battle of wills between them is so gripping and intense that I couldn't put the book down when they were together.

I ordered the second book in the series, Magic Burns, as soon as I finished reading the first book. I read the third book, Magic Strikes, when it was released. This was all before I began blogging about books, and I'd never been to the authors' blog or website. Getting to know them has been so interesting as I read about the progress on the next book. Today is the release day of Magic Bleeds:

If you enjoy fast paced urban fantasy with a bit of sarcasm, kick ass heroines, action, and some romance thrown in, then you need to read the Kate Daniels books. They keep getting better with each one, and there are a total of seven contracted currently. Don't wait, pick up the series this week and catch up on the action. You won't be sorry.

~Moonsanity