Butterfly-o-Meter Books

Spotlight: Minus One by Norwood Holland + Excerpt

2013-05-22T00:00:00.000+03:00

Minus One (The Drew Smith Series)

By Norwood Holland

Editions: ebook, paperback

Published: February 1st 2013 by Windmill Books2

Genre: Adult Mystery

Minus One the Drew Smith Series prequel takes us back when the attorney launches his legal career. Before the ink is dry on his license to practice law Drew Smith finds himself at the center of a murder mystery. The recent law school graduate works as a hotel concierge and befriends two bellmen an Arab and a Latino, Medhat and Julio. Like the three musketeers they bond in a fraternal friendship put to the test when Medhat is kidnapped after running up a drug tab he can't pay. Rescued by Drew and Julio, Medhat then becomes the prime suspect in a string of murders. Driven by their romantic entanglements the attorney is captivated with a pretty Latina whose father objects to her dating a Black man. Julio and his Filipina love find themselves expecting, and Medhat’s passion for blondes gets him snared in a femme fatale's net. Minus One captures Drew Smith's evolution from youthful indiscretion to a professional burdened with seriousness of purpose.
~ Write Now Literary Virtual BT

Excerpt from Chapter 1:

" Caught Red-Handed
THE OFFICERS WERE dispatched on a possible domestic dispute. They didn’t know what to expect when Mrs. Oliphant met the two at the elevator, one Latino the other African- American, both towering over the blue haired dowager. Nervous and animated, she spoke as rapidly as she stepped, guiding them to the apartment door.
“Are you related?” asked the stocky dark haired Latino. “No. I'm Carol's next door neighbor. There was a fight and I heard the disturbance,” Mrs. Oliphant sighed and shook her head as though shaking off a secret annoyance. “Mind you, I don't eavesdrop but I couldn't help hearing—you know thin walls and vents carry conversations. This is her apartment.”
They stopped in front of the corner apartment at the end of the hall. “I have the key,” she said. Mrs. Oliphant's tiny trembling liver spotted hand offered it up between the thumb and forefinger. With a nod the Latino urged her to open the door. “Hard to make sense of it all,” she continued her prattle fumbling to get the key in the keyhole, “I
could only piece things together. She's so distraught almost hysterical—it had to be something traumatic. I gave her a sedative.” She relaxed with the key finally in.
“Did you go in?” the Latino asked. He reached over her shoulder, turned the knob and pushed the door open. “No, she told me to call the police.” Mrs. Oliphant followed the two in. "

Amazon

About the Author & Links:

Norwood Holland is a freelance writer, lawyer, and author of the Drew Smith legal thriller series based on the capers of an urban trial attorney. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law with a bachelor’s degree in English from Fisk University where he studied under the renowned Harlem Renaissance author Arna Bontemps. Holland favors D.C.'s local color in his fiction and currently writes the blog editorialindependence.com devoted to promoting independent authors among other things.

He has served in several government agencies including the National Labor Relations Board and a number of Washington’s top national law firms. In the mid 90s Holland began freelancing for the local media. Some of his credits include The Writer Magazine, the Examiner, and Black Literature Magazine. Minus One follows up on the success of Sleepless Nights, the first in the Drew Smith Series.
Website | Email | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000+03:00

Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2)

By Katie McGarry

Editions: ebook, hardcover, paperback

Expected publication: May 28th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

Genre: New Adult Contemporary / Romance

Source: NetGalley

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: Effing brilliant!!

That just happened. My second Bomy Award of Excellence for the year just went out to Dare You To by Katie McGarry. I'll say it again, because I feel like I have to: this is effing brilliant. I loved this so much I chose to speak to you about it today, on my birthday. Because I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than doing something I love, in our case talking about effing brilliant novels.

The world of this novel is a contemporary picture of two opposite worlds, much like Pushing the Limits was. In our case, it's the female MC who comes from the bad part of town, or really the trailer-park, drug-dealing, abuse-filled part of town. Beth's world was a stark and hopeless place, it made me fee like I couldn't breathe each time we revisited it even by mention. Ryan, the male MC, comes from this 'perfect' family, wealthy, well-know and respected in their town, church-goers, ball-playing sons, the whole package. Of course, upon closer inspection, you learn to appreciate just how dysfunctional and fake 'perfect' is. Two opposite sides of the world collide when Beth and Ryan meet, and there are sparks flying everywhere and tough, really tough decisions made as a result.

As you most likely remember, I loved Pushing the Limits - in fact, it was one of my Bomy Awards of Excellence of 2012 (see a pattern here? lol!). But I will stand here before you all and say I loved Dare You To even more. Obviously, the writing, worldbuilding and etc were just as fabulous in both novels. But what was even better here were the characters.

While in Pushing the Limits, the 'underdog' in the main couple was Noah, here the 'underdog' is Beth. Screwed-up, cynical, snarky, loyal, genius, exasperating Beth. I could probably sing odes to the greatness of this character, she's that good. With a past that would give us nightmares and all odds stacked up against her, Beth is a work of art. She easily flips off everyone when they get on her bad side, she loves fiercely and yet at the same time she's terrified of getting hurt again. Because she got hurt a lot, to the point of horror if you ask me. She's probably the most unapologetic character I've read, and to me there's simply nothing better out there. Beth is marvelous. I loved her with all my heart, she made me laugh out loud countless times, she made me cry, she made me hope and dream and fervently desire a happy ending for her. Thank God Katie McGarry was of the mind to give her one.
Ryan, the male MC of the novel, was a really interesting character too. From the outside he was the 'perfect' Beth dreaded and actually dreaded, if you ask me. He came from a wealthy (but dysfunctional) family that kept up appearances with a reverence fit for a better cause, he was the star jock high school dude who never lost and wow-ed. Not the type I'd much care about, I'll be honest and admit. The 'popular', 'perfect' and such types bore me out of my mind. Ryan had a drive though that made me really like him; and there was more about him, a lot more then just that veneer of bleh (by my standards). In the end, he finally pulled his head out of his derriere and did the right thing by Beth, by his brother, even by his parents. I liked him and learned to like him more and more as the story went, but had this been a story about his and Gwen's angsty love story I might have rather shoot myself in the toes then read about it. Coupled with Beth, he was awesome. On his own, he was good. Coupled with someone else, well, let's just say I wouldn't have been too keen on finding out what would happen next. Let there be no mistake about the fact he was built really, really well as a character! I'm starting to think Katie McGarry can't build a character anything but brilliant. It's just that some types I'll respond to better on a personal level, and others not so much. Ryan walked a fine line between meh and hmm, if you know what I mean.
But Beth and Ryan together, it was beautiful. Poetry, in a way. I mean, disregarding the fact that they had awesomesauce chemistry and were hot as hell together with banter and tension going on, there were moments - like the beer-in-the-field-barn moment, the rain moment, the ribbon moment - that just took my breath away, they were that good. Seriously, soundly amazing couple, because they were both broken and they didn't just fit together perfectly at first try. It was a process of making room for one another in this delicate balance, and they worked together on making it happen. I loved them together, I just did.
Oh, Isaiah... my heart broke for him. But in my heart of hearts I'd known since Pushing the Limits that him and Beth were that kind of complicated that generally gets solved in the simply but heartbreaking way you'll find out about. I'm really looking forward to reading Crash Into You, Isaiah's story and third for-sure jewel in this series.
Favorite Character: Beth, no doubts or questions about it.

The story was a beautiful version of the opposites-attract scenario, with Beth and Ryan coming from entirely different worlds. I love this scenario a lot by definition, because it's succulent-conflict riddled. But it would be unfair to reduce this jewel of a novel to a sum of elements, because beyond them all it's almost like a living, breathing thing of beauty. It's very alert, and there's a lot going on but more emotional action then per-se action, I'd say. That, to me, is fabulous. Sure, there are many things going on all the time, but the emphasis falls on what's going on emotionally, and boy is this a roller-coaster of a ride.

The first person narrative from Beth and Ryan's POV works gorgeously. Characters have their own voices, very distinct, and they're written beautifully. I think my absolute favorite thing about the writing is how events are focused in these poignant moments, awesomely built scenes that feel incredibly real and stay with you. Ask me what could be done better for my enjoyment about this novel. My answer is nothing. I simply can't think what could have been better.

The cover of the hardcover US edition is genius and would get me to impulse-buy the book upon first sight. But then again, the blurb would do the sam thing, and the author's name is an instant-buy point as well. Everything about this novel screams at you to read it, and I'm here to tell the only right decision is to go ahead and do just that.

All in all, this is a fabulous novel, something I urge you to try for yourself and trust you'll most likely love as much as I did. It has everything you could possibly want from it and then some: authentic and brilliant characters, tension enough to cause the emotional equivalent of nuclear explosions, gripping storytelling and genius writing. I dare say Dare You To has got it all. I dare you to not like it, how about that? :D

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository

Fluttering Thoughts: Portrait of a Crossroads by Kelly Rand + Excerpt

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000+03:00

Portrait of a Crossroads

By Kelly Rand

Editions: ebook

Expected publication: May 20th 2013 by Riptide Publishing

Genre: New Adult FxF Contemporary / Romance

Source: NetGalley

Since finding her father’s body at the bottom of the basement stairs, Annette’s been drifting through her days, watching cars pass down the rural Ontario crossroads beside her house. Her brothers have no great ambitions, but Annette remembers a time when she did. She just can’t remember what they are.

Then she meets her neighbour, Sadie, a tattooed, world-weary, newly single portrait artist. Something about Sadie awakens something in Annette—the essence she captures in her subjects, perhaps, or the way the old familiar crossroads seem so fresh and promising from the view out Sadie’s window.

Annette begins to help Sadie, cleaning brushes and filing invoices between long lazy afternoons of conversations and shared silences. Soon, though, Annette wants more from her enigmatic neighbor, and their slowly heating friendship melts into passionate nights. Somewhere along the way, Annette discovers that her lover has illuminated for her, as with the people Sadie paints, not just her essence but her own endless worlds of possibilities.
~ Riptide

Bomy's Flutter: gripping and touching

Worldbuilding: Contemporary Ontario, small town/rural setting. The crossroads and the whole setting seemed also very symbolic though it was physically placed and described.
Characters: Annette, the MC, is at a point in her life when she's lost, disoriented. Her life could go either way, really, but she's just standing there and contemplating the direction - sort of like standing in a crossroad and wondering about the direction you could start walking into. Hence the symbolic placement of her house, at a crossroads in an isolated crossroads of rural Ontario. She was an interesting character, and she packed quite the punch. This is a short story, really, so getting such a clear sense of who Annette is, or perhaps isn't, was delightful.
Her brothers were interesting, though not overly focused on. Christian was more present than Angel, and his attitude was interesting as the story evolved.
Sadie was also interesting, and their relationship felt to me like more of an exploration than a real bond. But maybe that's just my take on it. She did play an important role in Annette's life, but more as wake-up call than anything else. By becoming involved with Sadie, Annette finally wakes up from this sort of sleepwalking sort of day to day life. Their chemistry was interesting and their one on one was hot. It read a lot like a first time, which it was (for the MC).
Favorite character: Annette
Plot: A considerable amount of the read is setting up Annette's back-story, or the latest and biggest aspects of it. I'm a lot into characters and less so into action for the sake of it, so to me that was cool. I liked reading about her so I rolled with the flashback sort of story-telling where her past was concerned. The present and action it involves is nice, not agitated at all but sort of slow somehow. The whole setting and everything made me feel like for Annette time had been standing still for a while, like she was watching time pass from somewhere outside of herself.
Writing: Considering the short length of this read, it built quite an amazing amount of atmosphere. It actually made me cry, though emotion was understated where it could have been played upon. I loved the way the story was built, in strong scenes, very well written and put together. It's a third persona narrative from Annette's POV, and it's an interesting read for sure.
Curb Appeal: The cover is cool, the blurb is interesting. To be honest, I picked it up for one thing because of the two, but also because it's a FxF and I see precious little of them. I wanna see more of them, you know?

All in all, this was an interesting short read, with a dash of spice and passion, but a lot of interesting atmosphere and emotion without it playing upon it per se. I say give it a shot, I believe it's worth it.

Hello there! I’m Kelly Rand, and thanks for joining me on the virtual book tour for Portrait of a Crossroads, my new release from Riptide Publishing, which also happens to be Riptide’s first standalone F/F story—how exciting! As a writer of trans* fiction, f/f, m/m, and more, I’m thrilled to help Riptide expand their rainbow romance catalog. I invite you to comment on my guest posts all week long to share your thoughts on Portrait of a Crossroads, F/F fiction, the weather, or just to just say hello! One lucky commenter will even win a $5 store credit to Riptide Publishing, so don’t be shy! Comment below before midnight on 5/26 to enter.

To start off the week, here’s an exclusive excerpt from Portrait of a Crossroads. This scene picks up right where the official excerpt leaves off. I hope you enjoy!

* * *

" The next day, Annette sat on the front porch and watched a little plane fly low overhead and disappear over the house. She was in another sundress, her legs even more tan than the day before.
She put her hands on the stack of college brochures in front of her. They were thick and smelled like fresh ink, their covers colourful and happy. On one, three students stood under a tree, their smiles showing rows of perfect white teeth. On another, students hunched over desks, hard at work on exams.
She opened the first one. Sheridan College. One of her friends was going there. The next was Mohawk College, which was the closest to home. But even as she pondered the list of potential majors, she couldn’t decide which one she wanted.
She remembered having hobbies. When she was eight, her dad had started paying for dance classes, and she’d ridden with her friend’s mom once a week with her leotard stuffed in a plastic bag. She’d done that for five years, pirouetting through recitals, curtseying through rounds of applause. She’d felt delicate and limber when she danced, even when her body had started to change and she’d flushed with embarrassment when she’d worn a bra under her sweater, hoping none of the boys at school would notice.
She’d read, too. She used to love to read. She’d be assigned romantic classics—Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice—and devour them in a week. She’d ride her bicycle down the road to a nearby forest and recite “The Lady of Shalott” by a babbling brook like Anne Shirley had done in Anne of Green Gables.
But somehow, in the last year, it had all stopped. She still went out with friends occasionally, the ones with cars that idled in the driveway as she grabbed her coat. But everyone else picked up and ran when the final bell had rung on her high school career, leaving Annette standing in place as streams of cheering students raced past her. She hadn’t been ready to leave high school. She didn’t know where to go now. At some point, she’d known what made her unique, but she didn’t know anymore.
She left the brochures and walked to the edge of the porch, watching the willowy woman trim hedges in front of the house next door. The woman wore her hair in a little ponytail, and a billowing white shirt and jean shorts. Annette inspected the ink on her leg. It appeared to be a vine, maybe, or a thorny collection of roses. The woman snipped another branch and looked up at Annette, and from a distance, Annette felt the eye contact. It was sudden and numbing, and Annette waved. The woman waved back.
Annette had never thought about the women being lesbians. She’d had plenty of friends she could see herself living with. When her dad died, she almost had lived with one of them. Her best friend Marnie’s parents had arrived at their front door asking to meet with Christian, who’d sat at the kitchen table speaking in a low, polite voice with them. In the end, Annette had watched from the top step as they left. “Let us know if you need anything,” Mrs. Williams had said, and when Christian shut the door behind them, he’d sighed. She’d had to ask him three times since then before he’d finally admitted to her what the conversation was about.
Annette tried to recall if she’d ever seen the two women kiss. She’d seen them unload groceries together, a little domestic action that could happen between anyone. Before she realized it, she’d stepped off the porch and headed across the invisible barrier between their houses.
“Hi,” Annette said.
“Hi,” the woman said. She chopped at the bush again, snipping before she stood back and examined it. “I’m having trouble getting this cedar bush even. They told us when we bought it that it needed a special touch.”
The bush did look a little butchered. One side was longer than the other, and there was a big empty spot cut all the way to the bark near the top. “What’s the problem with it?”
“It has to do with the way the branches fall. Or . . . something. I wasn’t paying attention. Otherwise I’d know.” She took off her glove and wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. Annette wasn’t sure how old she was. She guessed late twenties—older than Christian and younger than her old high school science teacher. But Annette suspected her guess was skewed by the mature situations in which she saw her. She was a responsible woman who could direct movers. She was a mature homeowner trimming shrubs. She had a calm presence overall, from the solidity of her hand movements to the sure way she smiled. Annette imagined her chest rising and falling in slow, even movements, as if her heartbeat never quickened.
The woman dropped the other glove on the ground and extended her hand. “Have we ever met? I’m Sadie.”
“Annette.” When they shook hands, Sadie seemed to pump hers harder than necessary, as if anxious to formalize the moment.
Sadie dropped the clippers and sat on the front step, nodding at Annette’s house. “So you live there with your brothers?”
Annette tucked her hair behind her ear and looked back at her house. It seemed funny from over here, with its white clapboard siding and its gravel driveway stained with oil. Gauze curtains hung in the front windows. They were pumpkin-coloured and had been there since Annette was little. “Yeah. Christian and Angel. It sounds religious, I know, but I think my parents just liked the names.”
“I talked to Christian once. I ran out of gas for the lawnmower.”
Annette was still watching her house. “Did he give you any?”
“He did. He looks scary with the motorbike and all, but he was a nice guy.”
The bushes that surrounded Annette’s porch hadn’t been trimmed in years, she noticed. The vinyl seats of the swing were cracking. “We’ve lived there alone since my dad died last year.”
“I know. We’d just moved in. I remember it. I saw the ambulance and . . .” Her voice trailed off, and Annette was grateful. There was nothing left that she wanted to say about it.
A little plane took off and glided over the farm field across from them. A transport truck stopped at the stoplight. Annette knew both of these things without turning to look.
“So what do you do?” Annette asked. She meant as a job rather than how Sadie passed time in general, although she was hungry for either bit of information.
Sadie paused and ran her tongue along her top teeth. She had a tongue piercing—a little piece of metal poked through the powerful muscle to gleam like a beacon. “Come on in,” she said. “I’ll show you.”
Annette followed her through the front door. The thrill pooled in her stomach to finally see the details. Hardwood floor. Freshly painted walls. Thick scarlet curtains that hung over windows that looked out on Annette’s house, which looked small and inconsequential from here. Seeing the high ceilings and the old wooden railing in Sadie’s house, Annette remembered what her father had said. Cracks in the drywall. No foundation. Before the women had moved in, an elderly couple had lived in the home. They’d hobbled to and from their vehicle, or sat in lawn chairs on the front step, watching traffic. They’d cast disapproving glances any time someone left Annette’s house.
The front room smelled of incense and pine needles, a scent that seemed to rest on Annette’s tongue. Crimson furniture adorned the living room—a couch, an overstuffed chair, an area rug. The walls and tables were slate grey. But the furniture and the rows of exotic knickknacks that lined the shelf over the TV were nothing compared to the paintings on the perimeter.
Large portraits sat on easels. In one, an old woman looked winsome, a sweep of white hair dipping over her brow. Her eyes were dark and watery, a weathered hand clutching the front of her dark sweater. In another, a little girl with a cloud of blonde curls and a velvet dress held a bouquet of daisies. In yet another portrait, a stern-looking man with an unfinished shock of grey hair wore a business suit. A paintbrush lay in front of the old woman’s portrait.
“This is me,” Sadie said, making a sweeping gesture at the room. “I paint portraits.”
Annette leaned in and examined the portrait of the old woman. Each crease was a loving stroke. “This is beautiful. How many do you do?”
“Maybe one every month or so. It depends on the complexity. They take hours to do. Hundreds of hours.” Sadie stood next to Annette and looked on with her. Upon closer inspection, Annette saw why Angel called her “the woman with the tattoos.” She had another of a heart on the inside of her wrist. Annette was sure there were more. Maybe one on her back, or on her shoulder, like Christian and Angel. Surely there was one on her chest, maybe a smattering of ink close to her breast.
“It’s like capturing people’s souls,” Annette said, moving to the one of the little girl. “Who orders them?”
“Just people. People who can afford to have a portrait done.” Sadie sat on the arm of the chair. Her hands stayed firmly on her legs. She didn’t twist her hair around her finger the way Annette did, or flinch from eye contact. “What about you? Are you in school?”
“Not anymore. I graduated high school and now I’m just kind of . . . doing this.” Annette shifted to the shelf above the TV and inspected the knickknacks. There was a little wooden carving of a giraffe, its spots a deeper brown. “I’ll go to college one day. I just don’t know what I want to do.”
“Well, what do you like to do?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I used to know. I don’t anymore.” Annette moved down the line to a wooden doll painted with rich reds, greens, and golds. The doll’s eyes were dark and curved, its lips heart-shaped. “I don’t even have a job right now. I’m trying to find one but I don’t have a car and there’s nowhere in walking distance of here.”
Sadie walked to the shelf and opened the doll to show a smaller identical one inside. “I painted those a few years ago. Matryoshka dolls. I’ve always been fascinated by them.” She left the lid off the larger one and set them on the shelf again.
Annette’s hair swayed around her face as she studied them. “They’re beautiful.” She fingered the outline of the largest doll’s face, afraid to touch at first. Then she took its top half and put it back in place.
Sadie stepped back and sat on the couch, crossing her tanned legs. Annette felt the weight of those eyes on her, and she turned on her bare feet to face her audience. Sadie made her confident, she realized. She could stand in her sundress and bear the weight of that calm scrutiny, which in the intimacy of the living room felt like something between desire and camaraderie. "

Riptide

About the Author & Links:

Kelly Rand lives in southern Ontario, Canada. She has worked as a journalist for more than fifteen years, covering court cases and elections and every kind of human interest story imaginable. She published her first erotic romance in 2012.

She has a particular interest in trans fiction, and has published some and wants to write more of it. She also writes male/male, female/female, and male/female stories that range from figure skater love to sexually disgruntled Canadian musicians. In her more highfalutin moments, she likes to think of her stories as a merger between erotic romance conventions and Southern Ontario Gothic.

When she’s not writing, she likes live music, spontaneous road trips, volunteering with street youth, obsessing over various celebrities, and looking at pictures of cats on the internet.
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Fluttering Thoughts: Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward

2013-05-19T00:00:00.000+03:00

Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10)

By J.R. Ward

Editions: audioook, ebook, hardcover, paperback

Published: March 27th 2012 by NAL

Genre: Adult Paranormal / Romance

Source: own copy

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance, unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld—Tohr turns to the angel Lassiter to save his former mate. The only way to rescue her is for Tohr to love another. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vie for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past and a hot, passion-filled future. But can his heart let go and set all of them free?
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: touching & awesome

Worldbuilding: Awesome BDB paranormal world, Caldwell mixed up with vampires, sympaths, angels, afterlife elements...yum!
Characters: Tohr and No'One (later in the book, she's called Autumn) were brilliant. I always liked Tohr and was heartbroken about his shellan's death. I kept liking him and understanding where he came from in this novel too. He had to let go, and everyone who ever loved somebody knows that letting go is the hardest thing. It's torture, no matter if your love has died or simply left you - letting go is brutal. I empathized with his struggles and loved him all the more.
Autumn was a magnificent character. With a tormented past and a difficult present, she intrigued since her first appearance. I was glad to get to know her better, and I liked how she and Xhex interacted. And that ending...man, Autumn just broke my heart. Good thing Lassiter was there to save the day :D
Fav of the novel: Lassiter. He rules :D
Plot: This novel felt a little different because of the stories it told. I felt like there was a lot more emphasis on the emotional goings on between Tohr and Autumn, or between Xhex and John. Even between Quinn and Blay. Yes, there was action, but it felt to me like there was also more emotion, and I'm always going to pick that over fighting - of which there's enough, never fear.
Writing: As usual, third person narrative from more than one POV. I felt more emotion than usual and the writing evoked more emotion than usual, so it seemed to me the writing in Lover Reborn was even better than in previous novels in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
Curb Appeal: Pffft. Kickass cover, hooking blurb, epic author - instant buy material.

All in all, I highly enjoyed this novel and felt a more personal connection with the characters than in previous ones. I also am an official Lassiter fan xD If you like PNR, definitely read it.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository

#RAWBL: We're Reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green~ May 18 - 25

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000+03:00

Hey everyone! This is Beck and Livia's weekend fun, #RAWBL aka Read-Along Weekends with Beck & Livia. That's right, read-along! Fun, right?

The Title: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Next up:

May 25: The Hunt (The Hunt #1) by Andrew Fukuda
June 8: Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor
June 15: XVI (XVI #1) by Julia Karr
June 22: Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2) by Gail Carriger

If you wanna check out all the titles scheduled so far, look in the footer of my blog, on my Google Calendar, they're all written up there.
Since there were some titles I didn't get to last year, I thought I'd re-do them starting now. New titles will be added to help motivate me into keeping up my reading schedule and keep track of authors and series I love. It's so easy to get caught up in the new releases, and I find I'm lagging behind on the ones I've been reading.
So for now, we'll do a sort of catch up RAWBL, lol :D

The How To:
- Join the RAWBL of the week anytime from Saturday 3 PM [GMT] to next Saturday at the same time.
- Read any sort of copy you have of the title (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, ARC/review copy if you have it and didn't get around to it...), we're all reading it at the same time! This is not a competition, so take your time and enjoy it.
- Tweet once during your #RAWBL reading using the hashgtag #RAWBL if you want to make it official, it can be whatever you wanna tweet except a spoiler, lol, we just want to know you're there with us
- Posting a review of the read? Let me know and we'll do a RAWBL Review link-up! Or just post your review's link in the comments section of mine or the weekly post announcing that title :D

Hoppity Hop Galore #31: Summer reading favs...

2013-05-17T05:15:00.000+03:00

Q: School is out! What is your favorite Summer Reading book??

Hmm... I don't like summer. It gets super hot here, like unbearable heat, air feels hot as you breathe. I hate summer, I really do. Spring and fall are my thing. But anyway, due to my hate of summer, I tend to read winter stories or stories that include cool climate. Seriously, don't laugh! I don't mean winter holidays stories (that I rarely if ever read anyway), but just winter/cold climate stories. Those are my summer favs :D

» Click to show the #FF Linky List.. «

What about you guys? Lemme know in the comments or link me to your #FF. And don't forget to hop around and show some love to the bloggers xD

Book-o-Sphere Flutters: Virtual Book Tours - the insider's guide ~ I

2013-05-16T00:00:00.000+03:00

While ~~stalking~~ visiting blogs through the #FF last week, Angela and myself ran into each other. To make a long story short, after some chatting on the topic, she suggested I should write something like a guide on book tours.
I thought about it and realized while some of us have made up our minds about things, some of our bloggy friends might not find enough info on things that easily. And without really knowing what's up with something, it's really difficult and unwise to make up your mind about it, I think.

So I thought I'd share some of what I've learned through time. Take it as tips or ranting glories - whatever works for you.
For a wealth of knowledge on many things blogging-related, I refer you to Parajunkee's Book Blogging 101. I'm not entirely positive, but she might have covered every topic imaginable and she answers questions. So if you have questions about things, chances are she has a cool post on it already.
But just in case you wanna ask me, please do go ahead, here's the form. I'll do my best to share my knowledge on the topic, give my opinion, etc. This is my weekly rant of glory on book blogging things I'm either told or think would be of interest to other book bloggers or readers. Sometimes it might be just titles that are coming out next week, or rants on things, or the random dots gif... okay, it probably won't be the dots gif.

So, today's topic is

Virtual Book Tours

You've surfed around book blogs, you've seen the posts, maybe you've made your mind up about them. I know I have. I love book tours. But what are they?

What are they?

A virtual book tour is an online bookish event that usually consists of a number of book blogs hosting some book-related happening on the topic of the book that's being toured. It can have more fun events attached to it, like a Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest party, giveaways etc. If you've seen some content related to the same book on more then one blog on the same day, or on consecutive days - yep, chances are they're part of a tour for that title. But if you're still wondering, there are often pointers to the fact that this post is part of a book tour.

What are the signs?

Most often you'll see a tour graphic that shows up in all posts that are part of that tour. It will spell out the duration of this particular book tour, the title it's for, maybe who organized that tour.
Depending on what type of content that blog is hosting, you might see disclaimers stating that this is part of a tour, maybe some labels attached to the post that make it obvious it's a book tour appearance. I consider it a good practice to make it obvious that this post is part of a book tour, and to point out somehow who's organizing it: the tour graphic, a link to the schedule of the while thing, labels to indicate the fact. I do all three, for instance.

How to become part of one?

I'd say there are two main ways you can become a host on a tour.
1) You've already signed up -or you sign up- as host for one (or more) tour organizers (like Bewitching Book Tours, Parajunkee Book Tours, Bookish Brunette Book Tours, Xpresso Book Tours, Jitterbug PR, etc). Each time they're organizing a tour, or some short event (release day thing, cover reveal, etc) they send out invites to all of their hosts to join this thing they're scheduling now. You reply to that invitation, state the dates you have free in that interval, the kind of content you're willing to host (see some examples of stops below). They pick the hosts they deem fit out of the ones that signed up for this tour/even they're planning, then they get back to you to let you know that you're part of the tour and on this date you'll have this kind of stop - always from the dates and types of content you offered to do.
2) Some author/publicist emails you with the invite to participate in the event they're planning, book tour or some such, and they give you the info you need and the way to sign up for it. Again, you decide what dates and content you're offering to do. They put together the schedule, let you know when and what you're doing, and that's it.
In both cases, I recommend you keep a blog-schedule somewhere (I use Google Calendar) and make a note of that stop on the date you're doing it. These things can be easy to lose track of, and it's bad manners to get forgetful after offering to do something.

It's my choice?

It's always, always, always your choice. You offer the dates you're willing to do, the content, the terms.

Does it mean the same content?

I've seen some say that book tours look almost spamy, because it's the same content shown over and over again. Most often and regularly it's not. It really depends on you as a host what content you offer to or are willing to host.
Sometimes you're given a boilerplate of the info that you're supposed to put up and that's it, but I for one never do tours like that. I don't call that a tour, it's like a press release of sorts being sprouted out on many blogs ie channels at the same time. It's my blog, if you want to set up an appearance on it, you'll abide by my rules, first of which is original content. I do it, you'll do it if you wanna make an appearance. Frankly, I'd advise you do the same. Is it easy to just copy/paste something and have that date all solved with a cool post? Yeah, I guess. But unless it's the type of content that will always be the same since it's basic info (spotlights, excerpts maybe) then it should always be original.
Guest posts, for instance? It's either original or I'm not posting it on my blog. I can't be sure someone won't use it again in the future, but most people who do these things know that's crap online manners. You're a writer. I trust you to come up with some 500 original words of your own if you wanna do a guest post. It looks bad when you seem to not be able to do that, considering writing is what you do...

This is part I of my (uber-long) insider's guide to book tours. Tune in on May 23 for part II, where we'll talk about what types of tour stops you can do and my take on them. And, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. This might or might not tun into a weekly ranting glory habit, day to be determined.
We shall see.

Have a fab Thursday!

Spotlight: Hold Me Down Hard by Cathryn Fox + Excerpt

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000+03:00

Hold Me Down Hard

By Cathryn Fox

Editions: ebook

Published: May 13th 2013 by Entangled: Flirt

Genre: Adult Contemporary / Romance {Hot}

When Eden Carver, Iowa farm girl turned NY actress, decides to seduce the sexy cop next door, she begins to wonder if she’s bitten off more than she can chew.　

The last thing Officer Jay Bennett wants is to cross a line with the sweet and innocent country girl—no matter how much he’d like to help himself to a nibble. Not only are they in the friendship zone, a naïve girl like Eden doesn’t belong in his dangerous world.　

But when she asks him to help her rehearse lines, and things go from simmer to boil, he finds himself doing the one thing he swore he’d never do.He knows he needs to walk away from temptation, but when sweet little Eden bites back, it tilts his world on its axis.

Because biting back changes everything.
~ Entangled

" Maria frowned. “Are you sure he doesn’t have a girlfriend somewhere?”
“Positive.”
Janie arched an inquisitive brow. “Maybe he just isn’t commitment material.” She rolled her eyes and added, “Typical playboy.”
“You could be right,” Eden said, nodding in dismay.
Maria blinked dark lashes over hopeful eyes. “Maybe you could reform him. Prove to him you’re the one and only girl for him.”
Eden blew an exaggerated breath. While she would love to do just that, she wasn’t sure how to go about it. Nor was she even sure if she could tame him, considering the amount of women she’d seen coming and going from his place over the last three years. Maybe he just wasn’t interested in long-term with anyone.
“Yeah,” Angie said. “Show him just how good you two can be together.”
“How? We’re friends and he just doesn’t seem interested in anything more.”
“Then make him interested,” Janie said.
Eden planted her elbow on the table and rested her forehead in her palm. “Make him? How am I supposed to that?”
“He helps you rehearse your scripts, right?”
“Yeah. What does that have to do with anything?”
Across the table from her, Maria giggled and shared a conspiratory look with Janie. Janie winked at her as Angie reached over and pulled Eden’s palms from her face and handed her a much-needed drink.
“It has everything to do with it,” Maria said.
Wondering what she was missing, Eden took a big sip of her daiquiri and leaned back in her chair. “You two want to enlighten me?”
Janie rolled her big brown eyes and her voice was teasing when she asked, “God, Eden, do I have to spell everything out for you?”
“Apparently.”
“Get your ass over there right now and ask him to help you rehearse.”
Frustrated, Eden threw her arms up in the air. “He runs lines with me all the time and it’s never made him notice me before. What makes you think this time will be any different?”
Janie leaned forward, a mischievous grin curling her painted lips. “Because this time, sweet, naïve Eden, you’re going to write the script.” "

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

About the Author & Links:

Cathryn is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cathryn can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love. Cathryn also writes Young Adult novels under Cat Kalen and co-writes paranormal romance as Taylor Keating.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Guest Post: Michael Knost + Excerpt: Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy by Michael Knost (ed.) + Giveaway

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000+03:00

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy

By Michael Knost (ed.)

Editions: ebook, paperback

Published: May 14th 2013 by Seventh Star Press

Genre: Collection of Essays / Interviews

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.

This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that’s one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.
~ Jitterbug PR

Writers Workshop Excerpt

" “Nothing fills a page faster than dialogue,” the writer said.

There it is, the blank page or screen, the intimidating and recurring challenge every writer must face. The temptation is to fill that page as quickly as possible, to advance the narrative however you can. Often the easiest way to do that, even for writers who are not masters of dialogue, is to get the characters talking. A few A few writers are even bold enough to begin novels or stories with a line of dialogue, something I don’t recommend unless you possess the skills of the early Robert A Heinlein, who began his story “Blowups Happen” with the suspenseful line: “Put down that wrench!” Orson Scott Card also opened his popular novel Ender’s Game with a piece of dialogue that immediately rouses the reader’s curiosity: “‘I’ve watched through his eyes, I’ve listened through his ears, and I tell you he’s the one.” Writing good and convincing dialogue is usually enough of a challenge without relying on it to hook a reader right at the beginning of one’s story. Writing dialogue, whatever the difficulties, is generally easier than, for example, crafting descriptive passages, offering insights into a character’s
psychology, creating vigorous and absorbing action scenes, or presenting necessary exposition in a graceful way.

Writers who harbor dreams of scriptwriting may be especially prone to fill pages with dialogue, but others also succumb, partly because dialogue is a shortcut and a very useful one. Sometimes a few well-chosen words of conversation can accomplish as much in a story as pages of description and exposition. There are also a fair number of readers who are more absorbed by stretches of repartee than by beautifully and poetically rendered descriptions. (Writers meet these people all the time; they’re the ones who tell you they skip all the dull parts, often meaning those carefully wrought passages that cost you so much effort.) Better just to cut to the chase, or in this case, drop in on the conversation.

The strength of dialogue—namely that it can be a useful shortcut—is also its weakness. Writers who rely too much on dialogue risk leaving too much out. The writer may hear the characters clearly and easily envision the scene, but that doesn’t mean that the reader will. (In a review of a novel some years back, Joanna Russ wrote that passages in that book seemed to be largely about names drinking cups of coffee, noticing the designs of ashtrays, or riffing on the furnishings in a room, the characters were so indistinguishable.) The beginning writer is likely to produce dialogue in which the reader will find it hard to tell one character from another. The useful shortcut can produce a story that is sketchy, in which too much has been left out. "

I hated books.

I hated reading. I hated math. I hated English. I hated biology. I hated everything about school. Except time on the playground…and obviously lunch.

Every new year of school I was amazed that my teachers promoted me to the next grade—I always thought I would be held back at every level.

Things were no different when I entered the fifth grade. But after a few weeks, my teacher, Bill Marino, pulled me to the side, handed me a worn paperback, and said, “I’d like you to read this.”

“Come on,” I said, exaggerating ocular disdain. “I don’t want to do a book report or anything.”

Mister Marino shook his head. “You won’t need to turn in a book report. In fact, while reading this you will be totally exempt of all homework—all you have to do is have a short conversation with me about what you read.”

I tried to read his face. “Conversation?”

“Yeah, just tell me what you thought of the book.”

“And I won’t have to do any homework while I’m reading this?” I said.

“That’s right.”

That night I began reading with the full intention of making the experience last as long as I could so I wouldn’t have to worry about homework for a few weeks. However, I quickly found that I couldn’t put the book down. My Theater of the Mind’s Eye was producing images and sounds I never knew existed. I found myself in a whole new world…and I loved it.

The next morning I returned the book to Mister Marino and we talked about the story, the images, the sounds, the smells—It was as though I’d just returned from some exotic vacation.

He told me the book was mine to keep and placed a large box on his desk filled with classic science fiction paperbacks. “Better get started,” he said, sliding box toward me. “Same deal—as long as you are reading one of these, no homework.”

I devoured them all…Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Theodore Sturgeon, and dozens of others. I was hooked.

The name of that first book was Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke. I always laugh about the irony in that title because it became my very own childhood’s end.

When I first had the desire to write, I had nowhere to turn except to fall back to those stories I had read all through the years. Isn’t it funny how we somehow retain structure, grammar, and style via means of literary osmosis from the things we read? We may not understand why we do certain things as we do them, but we know when it sounds or looks right.

But that will only take you so far. At some point you’re going to have to learn how it works. Let’s be honest, you can take a pocketknife and start cutting up a frog on your own to see how biology works, but without guidance (a teacher or instructor) all you will achieve is a bloody mess…and a dead frog. You can expect the same thing in writing.

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction & Fantasy was put together with the person in mind who wants to see how fiction ticks, but can’t find the literary biologist to help them dissect it step-by-step. It gives you the instruction you need without the homework. It doesn’t hamper creativity. It doesn’t give you formula. It doesn’t offer a bunch of rules for you to obey.

But it will teach you how to avoid making a bloody mess by finally breathing life into the dead frog.

by Michael Knost

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository

Featuring essays and interviews with:

Neil Gaiman
Orson Scott Card
Ursula K. Le Guin
Alan Dean Foster
James Gunn
Tim Powers
Harry Turtledove
Larry Niven
Joe Haldeman
Kevin J. Anderson
Elizabeth Bear
Jay Lake
Nancy Kress
George Zebrowski
Pamela Sargent
Mike Resnick
Ellen Datlow
James Patrick Kelly
Jo Fletcher
Stanley Schmidt
Gordon Van Gelder
Lou Anders
Peter Crowther
Ann VanderMeer
John Joseph Adams
Nick Mamatas
Lucy A. Snyder
Alethea Kontis
Nisi Shawl
Jude-Marie Green
Nayad A. Monroe
G. Cameron Fuller
Jackie Gamber
Amanda DeBord
Max Miller
Jason Sizemore

Fluttering Thoughts: How Beauty Loved the Beast by Jax Garren

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000+03:00

How Beauty Loved the Beast (Tales of the Underlight #3)

By Jax Garren

Editions: ebook

Expected publication: May 13th 2013 by Carina Press

Genre: Adult Steampunk / Romance

Source: NetGalley

It’s all been leading to this.

Jolie Benoit has become a skilled agent of the Underlight, relying on her savvy to complete assignments while Sergeant Wesley Haukon was out of commission. But an unexpected clue to the Order of Ananke’s diabolical scheme rattles Jolie, and she turns to Hauk for comfort.

It’s been years since Hauk took comfort from the touch of another person, though his love for Jolie is deep and powerful. Uncomfortable in his skin, scarred by a terrible fire, he is unable to give in to the pleasures that Jolie so desperately wants to grant him.

Meanwhile, the Order is lurking in the shadows—and when they strike, the blow is swift and terrible. Hauk and Jolie scramble to fight for their community, but with the future of the Underlight threatened, no one is safe. And Hauk will never be the same…
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: touching & FINALLY a HEA for Jolie & Hauk!

Worldbuilding: Again we deal with the cool Underlight, the paranormal Ananke, some awesome mythology (and even a Valhalla glimpse! xD). The world of this series is a beautiful mix of elements and it sure keeps you entertained.
Characters: Jolie and Hawk have been shown love by myself in reviews of previous installments in this series. While my frustration levels did run high about this pair - so much seemed to be working against them, even themselves in places - my evil reader side has been constantly thrilled. If you expect easy romance and a mushy happy ending here, well, you'll be left waiting. Jolie and Hawk give us some more of the same side of frustration, their issues have not magically disappeared just because they're in love (which they are!) or because they FINALLY are together. Or because they get their happy end, which they do.
In How Beauty Loved the Beast Jolie becomes an even stronger character, in my mind, while Hawk shows us more of his vulnerable side. Where she's fierce and demanding in her love, he's insecure, even shy in places. I loved them together and I really loved how their relationship evolved. Their one on one was very hot but it also oozed emotional connection and tenderness, an awesome mix.
Favorite Character: Hawk :D {particularly for his choice in the end}
Plot: More of the action we've already grown used to from Jax Garren, the Ananke are still up to no good and need some head-slapping. Preferably in copious amounts and from Hawk, if you ask me. Aside the action that is lively without becoming overwhelming, the romance arc keeps you on your toes throughout the novel. And it will keep you on your toes up until the very end - that I so loved. You'll see why when you read it.
Writing: Third person narrative, his and her POV. I loved it, as I did in previous installments of the series.
Curb Appeal: The cover is gorgeous and the blurb did hook me, but I was already invested in the characters so I would have wanted to read this anyway.

I loved How Beauty Loved the Beast and am very happy I read this series. I wasn't as into the story as I might have expected though everything felt well done and beautifully told, but I blame that partly on my mood. Either way, this was a one-go reading session and I had a lot of fun.
All in all, this is a great end to a fun series. It's a reinterpretation of the Beauty & The Beast theme, and Jax Garren makes it her own beautifully if you ask me. I recommend the series and look forward to reading more from the author.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Fluttering Thoughts: Trinkets And Arrows by C.L. Stegall

2013-05-12T00:00:00.000+03:00

Trinkets And Arrows (The Progeny novelette)

By C.L. Stegall

Editions: ebook

Published: Published June 19th 2011 by Dark Red Press

Genre: YA Paranormal / Mythology

Source: review copy

Life is not simple for Lily Abrams, a seventeen year old thief living in Encino. When her reputation derails her living arrangements, she knows what she has to do. She takes a job to steal a bag of rare coins from a suburban home, unaware of the danger lying within. Secrets as old as Ancient Greece are kept hidden in the middle of Los Angeles. After Lily crosses the wrong man, stealing his prized belongings, she makes a deadly enemy and pays the price. Rescued from death by none other than the actual Greek god, Apollo, Lily is manipulated into making an unbreakable deal with a god. He will teach her everything she needs to know about who she is, and what she is capable of; but, first, she must face a vengeful enemy.
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: alert and kickass

Worldbuilding: The demigods world from The Weight of Night is a fun one, with mythological elements and lots of intrigue.
Characters: I liked Lily - the MC. She was very independent, strong, resourceful and a survivor through and through. She was fun to read about.
Plot: We're talking about a short read, like short story kinna deal, so the story is very compact. There's a lot of action, pretty much all of it is a sequence of fighting scenes and hints at the awesome world of the series. If you're into action, this is for you. I'm less and less for this kind of action, I find, so I wasn't personally too into it.
Writing: First person narrative from Lily's POV with a nice flow. On a personal level, I might have found Lily's voice somewhat too mature as far as language use goes. I don't mean cussing or some such, I mean the way she worded her thoughts and things seen through her eyes. I would have expected a more teenagerish language, you know what I mean?
Curb Appeal: Gorgeous cover and the blurb is hooking. I'd probably go impulsive-buy on it just for the awesomeness of the redhead :D

All in all, this was a fun short read. If you're into action and fighting scenes, this is definitely a good one.

Amazon

#RAWBL: We're Reading Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward ~ May 11 - 18

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000+03:00

Hey everyone! This is Beck and Livia's weekend fun, #RAWBL aka Read-Along Weekends with Beck & Livia. That's right, read-along! Fun, right?

The Title: Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood #10) by J.R. Ward

Next up:

May 18: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
May 25: The Hunt (The Hunt #1) by Andrew Fukuda
June 8: Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor
June 15: XVI (XVI #1) by Julia Karr

If you wanna check out all the titles scheduled so far, look in the footer of my blog, on my Google Calendar, they're all written up there.
Since there were some titles I didn't get to last year, I thought I'd re-do them starting now. New titles will be added to help motivate me into keeping up my reading schedule and keep track of authors and series I love. It's so easy to get caught up in the new releases, and I find I'm lagging behind on the ones I've been reading.
So for now, we'll do a sort of catch up RAWBL, lol :D

The How To:
- Join the RAWBL of the week anytime from Saturday 3 PM [GMT] to next Saturday at the same time.
- Read any sort of copy you have of the title (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, ARC/review copy if you have it and didn't get around to it...), we're all reading it at the same time! This is not a competition, so take your time and enjoy it.
- Tweet once during your #RAWBL reading using the hashgtag #RAWBL if you want to make it official, it can be whatever you wanna tweet except a spoiler, lol, we just want to know you're there with us
- Posting a review of the read? Let me know and we'll do a RAWBL Review link-up! Or just post your review's link in the comments section of mine or the weekly post announcing that title :D

Hoppity Hop Galore #30: Happy Mother's Day! My Fab Fiction Mom is...

2013-05-10T06:50:00.001+03:00

Happy Mother’s Day! Who is your favorite mom from fiction?

God, I missed this!
Hmm... I'd probably have to say my fav ever book mom is Jenna Chamberland from The Milestone Tapes by Ashley Mackler-Paternostro. Many moms rull, but she stuck in my memory and I read the novel last year. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

» Click to show the #FF Linky List.. «

What about you guys? Lemme know in the comments or link me to your #FF. And don't forget to hop around and show some love to the bloggers xD

Fluttering Thoughts: Never a Hero by Marie Sexton

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000+03:00

Never a Hero (Tucker Springs #5)

By Marie Sexton

Editions: ebook

Expected publication: May 13th 2013 by Riptide Publishing

Genre: Adult MxM Contemporary / Romance

Source: NetGalley

Everyone deserves a hero.
Owen Meade is desperately in need of a hero. Raised by a mother who made him ashamed of his stutter, his sexual orientation, and his congenitally amputated arm, Owen lives like a hermit in his Tucker Springs apartment. But then hunky veterinarian Nick Reynolds moves in downstairs.
Nick is sexy and confident, and makes Owen comfortable with himself in a way nobody ever has. He also introduces Owen to his firecracker of a little sister, who was born with a similar congenital amputation but never let it stand in her way. When she signs the two of them up for piano lessons—and insists that they play together in a recital—Owen can’t find a way to say no. Especially since it gives him a good excuse to spend more time with Nick.
Owen knows he’s falling hard for his neighbor, but every time he gets close, Nick inexplicably pulls away. Battling his mother’s scorn and Nick’s secrets, Owen soon realizes that instead of waiting for a hero, it’s time to be one—for himself and for Nick.
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: touching and beautiful

World Building: Contemporary Tucker Springs, Colorado setting.
Characters: The broke my heart, let me tell you. Owen was this sort of delicate soul, near breaking and just hovering there on the very edge. My heart went out to him, and he made me think of something another character from another read said about horrible mothers. He certainly had one, poor man. I thought he was authentic and very easy to get emotionally in tune with, and love. I just felt like hugging him half the time, strangling his mother the whole time and kept wishing he'd get his much deserved happiness.
Nick seemed perfect at first. Just thoughtful, kind, charismatic. I was like, yeah, this is exactly what Owen needs. But Nick had to go and become all breakable too, and I was sighing and getting more heartbreak from each of them as the story progressed. I was at one point ready to slap Nick back to reality, I won't lie to you. But he was emotionally impaired a bit while Owen had a physical disability, no easy thing to get over or mend in both cases. You might have expected Nick to become Owen's hero, but in the end it sort of felt the other way around to me.
They were charming as a pair and I loved them together and the dynamic of their relationship. It was a slow burn romance, with some one on one but mild (meaning vanilla and sweet, imo) and rare. It was a lot about love here, very little about hotness.
Plot: There wasn't a lot going on outside of the romance arc, but that was complicated enough to keep me riveted. Both characters evolved in surprising ways. I both liked and got frustrated by that, because it wasn't an easy process.
Writing: Beautiful first person narrative from Owen's POV. I loved his voice and the way his interactions with the world came through to me.
Curb Appeal: High compulsive buy material, the cover and blurb suggest and emotional roller-coaster story and it delivers.

All in all, I found this read very touching, romantic and beautiful. I highly recommend this if you're into stories about non-perfect characters. None of the two in the main pair are stereotypes or cardboard characters, so if you're brave enough to read about beautifully almost-broken characters who find a happy ending, this is for you.

Riptide

Spotlight: Let Love In by Melissa Collins + Excerpt

2013-05-08T00:00:00.000+03:00

Let Love In (The Love Series #1)

By Melissa Collins

Editions: ebook, paperback

Expected publication: May 10th

Genre: New Adult / Contemporary / Romance

What would happen if you lost everything? If the people who were supposed to love you unconditionally were no longer there for you, how would your world change?

That’s exactly what happened to Madeleine Becker when her parents died when she was ten years old. Ripped from her home and everything that she has ever loved, she is forced to start all over again. The only way for her to move on is to build walls around her heart and keep everyone at a safe distance. Her logic: she can't get hurt if she doesn't fall in love.

That theory is blown to pieces when she meets Reid Connely during her freshman year at college. He is gorgeous and darkly mysterious. He understands Maddy's pain all too well, but sharing his pain would mean breaking down the walls he put up around his own heart. Conflicted between loving Maddy and hiding his dark past, Reid starts to reevaluate his world. Maddy's inner strength, snarky personality and breath taking beauty help Reid to make peace with his past.

Together they find out what happens when they let love in.
~ Author

Snippet of Maddy and Reid’s first encounter:

" There was a group playing quarters on the island and another group lining up shots on the breakfast bar – so not my scene. I just shrugged my shoulders, opened the door, pulled out a bottle of water and, when I turned around to walk back outside, I face-planted into a wall of solid muscle.

“Hand me one?” His voice was smooth and... gruff at the same time. Red-faced, I turned back around and got him his water, glad for the cool respite that the opened refrigerator door offered.

“Here you go.” I could not peel my eyes away from his mouth as he moved the bottle to his lips. They were perfect - beautiful and full in a completely masculine way. I watched, completely fascinated, as his throat moved, downing the water in three or four large gulps. He wiped his mouth with his forearm and I couldn’t help but let my eyes travel up the rest of his arm to his biceps and shoulders – those were the same as his lips – perfect. Amazingly, gorgeously, utterly, divinely perfect. Muscled and tanned, his arms were mouthwatering.

My knees wobbled. My heart thudded. Thousands of butterflies spread their wings in my belly.

“Thanks…” he stared blankly at my face for a minute and I couldn't help but wondering if he liked what he saw. He cleared his throat and roused me from my little daydream where the gorgeous boy is mesmerized by the maybe-a-little-above-average looking girl. That’s when I realized he was asking for my name.

“Maddy. Sorry, my name’s Maddy." I nearly choked on my tongue to get my freaking name out. "

About the Author & Links:

I’ve always been an avid reader. Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer. Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer. I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it. When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity. My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there. I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Guest Post: To the Tune of Vampire by Sky Purington + Giveaway

2013-05-07T00:00:00.000+03:00

Heart of Vesuvius (Forsaken Brethren #2)

By Sky Purington

Editions: ebook

Published: March 29, 2013

Genre: Adult Time Travel / Paranormal

Alexandria has no choice. She must flee to the last place she wants to. Straight into the arms of a vampire she was determined to forget.

Salvator finds this a clever fix to obtaining the one woman he has always desired, Alexandria.

Together, they must find a way to evade her powerful enemy, Salvator's brother Luciano. On the run, they struggle to understand one another. Denied passion ignites. Blood is spilled. Within the heart of Vesuvius, anything is possible.

When ancient Italy pulls them back in time, dark secrets are revealed.

All can be conquered. But will it be? Can wrongs be made right? History is the locked door. Forgiveness is the key. Time will tell if ancient love can once again flourish.
~ Bewitching BT

To the Tune of Vampire

by Sky Purington

There are two things that are 100% necessary when I write. The first? Word flow. If my characters aren’t speaking to me then I’m not writing. The second? Background music. As this is the first official stop on my Bewitching Book Tour I thought to share what was playing in the background while I wrote this story.

Think vamps.

Heart of Vesuvius’s playlist bangs out with ‘movie Blade’ techno to match the opening scene then soon screeches to a somewhat soothing halt with dark hypnotica. It’s all a mad mix of dark groove and sensual rhythm combined with strobe-light flicker. Made to mimic its master, this playlist does ancient vamp well. So sit back, flip the switch up and crawl into the Heart of Vesuvius rhythm style.

HEART OF VESUVIUS Playlist- Click HERE to listen. ( http://tny.gs/1054gh4 )

Blood is Pumpin’ by Voodoo and Serano on Anthems of Ibiza

As the Rush Comes by Motorcyle

I Remember by Kaskade and Deadmau5

I Love my Sex by Benassi Bros.

Fata Morgana by Enigma

Time by Antaeus

Breath by Telepopmusik

Sail (Unlimited Gravity Remix)

Sargasso Sea by Salt Tank

Soul Train by Scooter

Deepak Chopra by Deepak Chopra

The Eternal City by Michele McLaughlin

I Feel You by Schiller

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amazon

About the Author & Links:

Sky is the best-selling author of seven novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases?
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Guest Post: The Fictional Characters I’m inviting to my Ultimate Halloween Party by Paula Millhouse + Giveaway

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000+03:00

Three Wishes

By Paula Millhouse

Editions: ebook

Published: March 13th 2013 by Boroughs Publishing Group

Genre: Adult Fantasy / Romance

Abigail O’Malley wants to find true love…which is about as easy as catching a leprechaun.
Abigail O’Malley’s world turns upside down when a rival Irishman threatens to take her bar, an historic Savannah landmark, mere days before the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
When she captures a leprechaun, her three wishes include his gold, fairy magic, and the mystery of her One True Love.
Will Michael McKnight have time to prove he’s up to the task of granting all her wishes before the bad guys close in and destroy Abby’s dreams forever?
~ Bewitching BT

The Fictional Characters I’m inviting to my Ultimate Halloween Party

by Paula Millhouse

We all have our favorites. Here’s a sneek-peek of who’s on my Halloween Party invitation list this year, and why:

1. Edward Cullen, cuz you know, he just makes vampires look sexy.
2. Andre Maras, the lead vampire from Amber Belldene’s novel Blood Vine. I figure Andre and Zoey Porter would be fun at a party, especially if they were pouring the wine.
3. Beast, from Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, because he’s just so much fun to look at. Besides, we’ll need a bouncer, right?
4. Tony Stark, from Iron Man. Who doesn’t want to attend a party where Tony’s flash and dazzle will light up the venue?
5. OK, ALL the Avengers! Bound to make for interesting party conversation.
6. The current Dr. Who, because I love his English accent and he can stage the Tardis outside for time-travel fun rides.
7. Chewbacca. He can bounce with the Beast just in case the vampires and the Avengers take issue with the party favors.
8. Hiccup and Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon. I’ll have them staged next to Dr. Who and the Tardis for party-goers who want to stay in this realm and take a dragon ride.
9. Jarrid, and The Eternal Order from Tricia Skinner’s novel Angel Bait – you never know when you’re gonna need half-angel assassins to back up the bouncers. This is an eclectic group, and thing might get out of hand!
10. And last but definitely not least, Michael McKnight and Abigail O’Malley from my short story Three Wishes, the guests of honor. Word on the street is they’ve got a fairy dance troupe following them around that’s bound to please the Halloween crowds. Dancing is a must at my outrageous party.

How about you? Any favorite fantasy characters on your list for your Ultimate Halloween party?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amazon | Smashwords | AllRomanceEbooks

About the Author & Links:

Paula Millhouse grew up in Savannah, Georgia where Spanish moss whispers tales in breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Intracoastal Waterway. As a child Paula soaked in the sunshine and heritage of cobblestones, pirate lore, and stories steeped in savory mysteries of the south. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal chapter, the Mystery/Suspense chapter (Kiss of Death), and a member of Savvy Authors.

She lives with her husband at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains with their pack and pride of furry babies.

In the southern tradition of storytellers, she loves sharing the lives of her characters with readers, and following her muse on the quest for happily-ever-afters in thrilling romantic fiction.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Spotlight: The Impaler's Revenge by Ioana Visan

2013-05-04T00:00:00.000+03:00

The Impaler's Revenge (The Impaler Legacy #1)

By Ioana Visan

Editions: ebook

Published: April 14, 2013

Genre: Adult Fantasy / Paranormal

In a world crawling with vampires, Romania is the safest place left on earth. Thanks to the Little Council, there hasn't been a vampire on Romanian ground in over five centuries. But one day, Liana Cantacuzino, also a member of the Little Council and a descendant of one of the old noble families, is ordered to bring one in, covertly. Enter Maximilien Hess, a thousand years old vampire determined to ruin the existing order of things.

Suddenly, Liana finds herself forced to protect Hess, instead of having the pandurs kill him. With the help from her trustful friends, Rodica Ghica and Ştefan Sturdza, and that of an innocent bystander, Dr. Jesse Carver, Liana has to find out what is going on and what the President is hiding from her. When all is revealed, Hess's secret changes everything.

The first novella in The Impaler Legacy series, a vampire saga like no other.
~ Author

Amazon | Smashwords

About the Author & Links:

Award-winning writer Ioana Visan has always dreamed about reaching the stars, but since she can't, she writes about it.

She made her debut in English with a short story published by Every Day Fiction, and also has one included in Evolved Publishing's "Evolution: Vol. 2" short story collection. After fighting the apocalypse aftermath in "Human Instincts", she played with shapeshifters in “Blue Moon Café Series: Where Shifters Meet for Drinks”, and then she dealt with vampires in “The Impaler’s Revenge”, before tackling longer works like a fantasy trilogy and a science fiction series.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review: Ruby by Jeffe Kennedy

2013-05-03T00:00:00.000+03:00

Ruby (Facets of Passion, #3)

By Jeffe Kennedy

Editions: ebook

Expected publication: May 13th 2013 by Carina Press

Genre: Adult Contemporary / BDSM Erotic Romance

Source: review copy

Danielle Sosna has no problem denying herself in order to achieve her goals—after all, that attitude landed her a dream job at Vogue Paris. But in New Orleans for one last assignment before heading overseas, she's faced with the most decadent of temptations. Seductive Cajun chef Bobby Prejean takes Dani's strength of will as a challenge, and offers her a night of wild indulgence—if she will agree to obey his every command…

Dani can't resist Prejean's invitation to join him in a world of carnal desire, complete with fetish costumes and masks. Determined to keep her emotional distance, she gives Prejean everything but her name. A night becomes a week, as she spends Mardi Gras suspended…in the delicious space where pleasure meets pain.

Too late, she realizes the cloak of anonymity has not protected her—and that chasing her dream might come at the expense of her heart.
~ Bewitching BT

Bomy's Flutter: Scorching hot magnificence

Aaaand, Jeffe Kennedy has done right by my evil reader desires yet again. Am I surprised? Not in the slightest. As far as I'm concerned, at this point Jeffe Kennedy is instant-buy OCD-ness. You've heard me mention it before, because I feel that way after I read each of her new releases. Though I get excited about lots of authors, it's actually a very select few of them I read everything by. I'm up to date with Jeffe Kennedy's releases so far and I fully intend to keep the good habit.

This time she takes us to contemporary New Orleans, where Dani is about to get a dose of awesome from Prejean. I loved the feeling I got about New Orleans, that sense of romanticism and old yet ageless beauty that I'm so partial to. I got that awesome sense of untamed beauty from the setting of this story, and loved it lots and lots.

The characters were interesting and super-charismatic, something that I've come to get accustomed to from Jeffe Kennedy. Dani is a very take-charge and beautiful woman who does show some slight OCD-ness on certain topics. She practices a 'healthy' dose of self-flagellation ("Pain is weakness leaving the body") and has a love-hate relationship with control. I really liked her, but more then that, I resonated with her a lot. Dani is an independent woman with a perfectionist mindset and very high expectations when it comes to her achievements. It's the OCD winner mentality, or at least I call it and it gives you a lot of drive and little to no pleasure at all. Because however high you'll climb, there will always be a peak you've not reached yet. Dani suffers and punishes herself for every peak she doesn't reach. And she doesn't take that kind of failure easy, either. I thought she was a striking work of art as far as characters go. Yes, I really liked the female MC's in the series so far, but I will admit Dani is my favorite. She's more broken though very functional, something you all know I totally love. Evil reader and proud of it, I'll never tire of saying so. There's an extra degree of beauty to the broken yet functioning, it's an aestheticism that appeals to me the most.

Prejean came in strong and owned the scene, of course. He was very upfront about his control over things, well to the point of rudeness and slightly beyond it in places (see the restaurant incident in the beginning). Maybe he even came close to jerk-ish in places, but somehow it worked. He pushed Ruby as close to her limits as he could, but was very tender and caring about it. He had a more complex vibe then the stern Dom, an intimate sort of emotional connection that just floored me from the very first time they talked in the rain. Maybe I would have taken out the beard; I mean literally. Do you guys like beards? They creep me out. But then again I tend to run on the peculiar side with these things. Anyway, Prejean was a very intense Dom, but also managed to make the simplest of conversations ooze intimacy. It's tough to be Dom to Dani, or Ruby, she's sort of elusive. If you've met that type of people you know what I mean. They're the type who stay right there beside you yet deny you everything of essence, somehow. It takes a very clever Dom to truly have that kind of person, to have them fully, entirely.
Prejean managed to have Dani. I liked him, but rare as is, I liked her better.
Favorite Character: Dani xD

The story flows really well and has a very alert pace. The romance felt more intense then in the previous stories of the series, somehow more focused on the pair. The one on one is intense, scorching hot, delightful and proper intimate kink if I may say so.

Cover is gorgeous and the blurb is hooking, but to me the author's name is an instant-buy kind of selling point. If you haven't gotten your Jeffe Kennedy fix yet, do it. You'll thank me later, I think :D

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

About the Author & Links:

Jeffe Kennedy took the crooked road to writing, stopping off at neurobiology, religious studies and environmental consulting before her creative writing began appearing in places like Redbook, Puerto del Sol, Wyoming Wildlife, Under the Sun and Aeon. An erotic novella, Petals and Thorns, came out under her pen name of Jennifer Paris in 2010, heralding yet another branch of her path, into erotica and romantic fantasy fiction. Since then, an erotic short, Feeding the Vampire, and another erotic novella, Sapphire, have hit the shelves.

Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and frequently serves as a guinea pig for an acupuncturist-in-training.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Guest Post: In the Mood by R.R. Smythe + Excerpt: Heart Murmurs by R.R. Smythe

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000+03:00

Heart Murmurs

By R.R. Smythe

Editions: ebook

Published: March 21st 2013 by Astraea Press

Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Mia Templeton is dying. Or was dying. After receiving a heart transplant, her world is forever altered. Before her eyes open, she overhears her donor was a murdered girl of the same age. Whispers invade Mia’s head before she’s even left the recovery room. She develops tastes for foods she once hated, and dreams so vivid, she feels they’re someone else’s memories. Her personality is altered—once a quiet doormat, she’s now inexplicably flippant, and confident. And her unexplained longing for the new boy at school is borderline obsessive.

Morgan Kelley is new. Adopted by his aunt, a descendant of Louisa May Alcott (Little Women), he’s thrown into life at a new high school, and as a historical guide for his aunt’s store—a homage to all things Alcott. Conspiracy theories abound about his mangled lower leg—but no-one has been brave enough to ask. Till Mia.

Something is awry with the Underground Railroad tunnels beneath his aunt's home. Mia and Morgan enter the world of a secret Literary Society--and are drafted to help bring a rogue Literary giant to justice, solve the mystery of her heart donor, the real fate of Beth from Little Women.
~ Bewitching BT

In the Mood

by R R Smythe

The lights in the movie theater darken. The credits are over, the lowlights flicker and the story begins. Because at its heart, a movie is just…Story.
Why does story matter? It is the suspension of disbelief. So for those precious two hours, you are transported. Forgotten is the work woes, the family responsibilities—all that remains is THIS person’s life. This person’s troubles.This person’s pain.
You feel, with the main character, the climb of the suspense rollercoaster, clenching your stomach, tighter and tighter as they move toward the pinnacle, their black moment—when all is completely, utterly lost, and you may even shed a tear. But then, the rollercoaster hits a curve in the track, and your emotions dip up and down with your stomach, till it comes to a screeching, satisfying halt.

And you feel so much better. It took you on an emotional journey…but a safe one. Someone elses. You feel Relieved. Exulted, even.
Because (if you write like me) everything came out okay in the end. And maybe, our own problems seem either trivial or at least a bit more manageable.

Writing story, when the author is ‘in the zone’ is exactly like the above. Louisa May Alcott called it a ‘vortex’ and so do I. However, authors also have real lives. Real life often makes it difficult to plummet into the vortex, and the words stall on their way from mind to fingers.

Many come up with touchstones to drive them quickly to the zone. Some use candles, scents. Others use lighting or the place where they write (like a haven) only good things happen ‘in this space’.

For me, the strongest….is music. I do have a soundtrack for every book I write. I recently discovered spotify and it’s a truly dangerous time suck. So for today, I will just share one song.

The song relates to Heart Murmurs, in the lyrics. They deal with time. And how often, perfect moments, which are far and few, wish and beg to be petrified in time. Hardened pieces we could pull out like sea glass, to examine and stregthen us when times are rough.

My main character, Mia, has a few of those perfect moments, where she wishes to halt time—only for her, she does. Her eyes stray to the hour glass beside her bed, and she wills the sands to cease their freefall. Temporarily.

The Bravery - Ours

Whenever I hear the music, I am instantly transported to Story. ;) To Heart Murmurs and my summer on the deck, the sounds of my family in the yard below.

I hope you enjoy Heart Murmurs, and Mia and Morgan’s complex, difficult and oh so satisfying story.

Excerpt Opening Heart Murmurs:

" I don’t remember dying.

“Stand back. Clear!”

Nothing. A feeling of floating, weightlessness.

“Oh, please, please, baby.” My mother’s voice, sounding uncharacteristically hysterical.

“Clear!” A spreading, burning under my ribcage. Followed by a surging river of heat to my heart. It stutters, rumbling like a kettledrum inside my ribs, and up into my skull.

“Come on, Mia.” My father, unglued.

The steady beep-beep-beep of a monitor and the whooshing of a respirator. My chest rises up and down without my permission, a puppet to the machine. A rushing sound, like water filling a vacuum, clogs my ears. My new heart, my new heart, accelerates, beating so fast, it feels as if it will take flight from my newly stapled sternum.

A dull, muted pain aches through my chest; which will, no doubt, intensify when the drugs wear off.

“Too fast.” The monitor is screaming, wailing like a kid’s tantrum.

Two choked sobs. Mom... and Beth.

Beth is here, how wonderful. I try to move my fingers, to tell her I’m okay. Don’t cry.

My brain says lift, but all I got was—“Her fingers twitched. I saw them.” Beth’s voice, relieved and oh-so scared.

My heart thrums, finally steady and even. It feels strange, too far back in my chest. Like an ill-fitting shirt. I raise my hands to try to scratch it, adjust it.

“Mia? Mia, can you hear me? We’re all here, darling. Dad and Beth, and Claire is outside.”

I feel the tube down my throat, choking me. I suck in for air, but my chest rises on its own, interfering with my breathing. I feel like I’m suffocating, despite the oxygen shoved up my nostrils.

“She’s trying to breathe on her own. We need to adjust the respirator. Easy, Mia.” Dr. Starzel, my own personal medical savior.

Two unfamiliar, whispering, conspiratorial voices, “I can’t believe they found a donor, just in time.”

“The report said it was a homeless girl. She was murdered.”

“For heaven’s sake! She may be able to hear you. One more word and I’ll have both of your babbling traps fired.” My father chastises the women, whom I guess to be nurses, by the soft squeaks of their retreating Crocs.

I have a murder victim’s heart? Worry tickles the back of my brain. How did they find a donor? How—I’m struck with pain so blinding, I feel my brain shrivel inward. Like a cowering child. And hear nothing.

The weightless feeling is back.

I feel the burning rush of something shoot into my IV. It’s liquid fire.

I trace its path up my arm, into my brain, addling it. But relief is the trade-off. The pain backs off.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump. It is the only sound I hear, for what seems a very long time... "

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Smashwords

About the Author & Links:

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, R R Smythe is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love--not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger's syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society's downtrodden. In fiction, she's a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.

She also writes under the pseudonym Brynn Chapman .
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Spotlight: Once by Dana Michelle Burnett

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000+03:00

Once (Gypsy Fairy Tale, #1)

By Dana Michelle Burnett

Editions: ebook, papaerback

Published: March 27th 2013

Genre: Adult Paranormal / Romance

Beautiful. Secretive. Magical. You envy their freedom, but you are distrustful of their ways. A strange carnival has come to Corydon, Indiana and the Irish Travellers have captured the small town's attention--but it's Harmony who's attracted theirs.

Harmony sees the Travellers everywhere and just like everyone else in town she's curious. But once she meets the mysterious and captivating Kieran, Harmony's life takes an exciting and chilling turn.

Up until now, Harmony never believed that fairy tales or myths were real, but Kieran and his family belong to an ancient tribe called the Tuatha de Dannan and someone else has discovered their secret.

An ancient battle is about to begin again, and now no one is safe, especially Harmony. Can Kieran resist the urge to be with her or will his feelings put her in the crossfire?
~ Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Spring Fling Giveaway Hop a.k.a. my sort-of Easter giveaway xD

2013-04-30T15:30:00.000+03:00

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Eve’s Fan Garden

Hey guys! Since Easter for me is May 5th this year, I thought I'd do this giveaway as an Easter one, the Eggstravaganza was too early to count, right? Lol. So we'll do this one. The loot is a $10 giftcard for the Book Depository payable by PayPal. And just to make it clear, it doesn't have to be Easter for you this week to enter or anything of the sort.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to hop around and enter all the awesome giveaways! Happy Easter if you're celebrating it May 5th xDD

Guest Post: As told by Tristan… by Kaitlyn Davis + Giveaway

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000+03:00

Scorch (Midnight Fire #4)

By Kaitlyn Davis

Editions: here

Published: April 5th 2013

Genre: YA Paranormal / Romance

“All it did was remind Kira that time was running out. That she needed to choose. Or a lot more than a forest would burn. The whole world would crumble."

Aldrich escaped…again. Tristan forgot…everything. And Luke, well, Luke was getting more than a little impatient. But those were the least of Kira’s concerns, because something else happened in England—something she was trying desperately to forget. A wedge of evil had lodged itself in her heart, a little black hole had nestled into her flames, and it wasn’t going away—not anytime soon…and maybe not ever.

Scorch is the fourth and final book in the thrilling Midnight Fire Series.
~ blurb source

As told by Tristan…

by Kaitlyn Davis

I'm Kaitlyn Davis, the author of the Midnight Fire Series—a whirlwind paranormal adventure with heart-pumping action and heart-stopping romance—and this blog tour is celebrating the release of Scorch, the final book in the series! Thank you for joining me!

One of my favorite aspects of ending this series is that my main character, Kira, finally has to choose between the two leading men—Tristan and Luke! The suspense is killing some of my readers :) And for a while, it was killing me too! So, instead of talking about Scorch, I thought I would take everyone back to the beginning—back to Ignite, the first book in my series (free wherever ebooks are sold!).

This is the fifth of six guest posts that will turn the attention on both Tristan and Luke as they get to tell their side of the story! We'll be revisiting a few important scenes from the first chapters of Ignite, but this time it won’t be Kira who does the talking…

Next up? Kira and Tristan's impromptu acting scene! Kira knows Tristan is keeping secrets—heck, he kissed her and than ran away just so he wouldn’t have to tell her the truth. But this time, Kira has a plan. She sits next to him in class, completely ready to interrogate him, when their teacher assigns paired readings of Romeo & Juliet. Kira thinks it's the perfect moment to find some answers, but Tristan has another idea in mind… Ignorance is bliss, right?

~~~~~~~

As told by Tristan…

He should have known. The second he walked into class, he should have noticed her suspicious absence from Luke's side. But it wasn't until Kira slipped silently into the seat next to his that it hit—she had duped him.
And now they were a pair, reading some of the most romantic words in the English language.
Tristan cursed.
He never should have taken her to the church—really, he never should have kissed her. Even before that, he never should have stuck around to draw her. When he happened upon her at the park, he should have just stopped, turned around, and walked away.
But he just couldn’t.
She made him feel so…alive. He couldn’t walk away. Not from that.
But he had to.
There was nothing for them. Pain he was used to, but he wouldn’t force it on her.
Next to him, Kira coughed.
He turned to her, wincing as his heart started beating stronger, reminding him what he was determined to forget.
"But soft what light through yonder window breaks," he read, removing any and all emotion from his voice. Pretending—it had become second nature by that point. After a century of pretending, it should be easy. But stealing the love from his voice was hard, much harder than any role he'd played before.
Kira laughed.
He forced himself forward, reading as quickly as he could, trying to end the torture.
"You know this is supposed to be a love scene, right?"
Did she have to remind him? Tristan thought, meeting her eyes for a split second, before dropping back to the page. It was too hard to look at her—those fire-filled eyes would burn his resolve away.
"Oh, really? I hadn’t noticed." He added a hard edge to his voice, doing his best the play the character he had created.
"Look, Tristan," Kira pressed on, oblivious to the battle raging inside of him, "there's no point hiding the fact that you like me, from me I mean. I flipped through your notebook—" No, he thought, not listening anymore. He thought he had lost the journal at home. Or at the park. His chest strained. "I saw the drawings you made of me."
Tristan deflated, defeated. Idiot, he thought.
She placed his moleskin journal on the desk, twisting the knife.
He looked away while she continued talking.
"They were really great actually, pretty flattering." She paused. He couldn’t look at her. "Anyway, I think we should talk about what happened, not here obviously, but somewhere we can meet in private."
Private, Tristan thought and looked up—straight into Diana's watchful gaze. How could he have let this go on, they had drawn too much attention already. It wasn't safe. Every second they spoke, the more in danger Kira became.
He had to end this, for good.
But he had to act natural, annoyed, so they would buy it.
"Hey Juliet, it's your turn," he drawled, acting the jerk, trying to play it cool while his insides boiled.
"Oh right," Kira said. She looked down and started reading, copying his monotone style.
A laugh slipped through his lips—lips caught in a half-smile. Why was she so damned amusing? He cursed.
"I get it. I sounded like an idiot," he said, trying to force her to stop. But Kira just continued.
I have to stop this, he thought and took a deep breath.
Leaning in closer, he whispered, "Okay, here's the truth Kira. We can't talk here and we shouldn’t even be talking now… or maybe ever." He said, strengthening his conviction. She had to understand.
Instead she looked up, annoyance brewing behind those eyes. "You told me that already."
"Yet you seem to have trouble understanding it. English is your first language, right?" He tried to joke, to lighten the mood. Kira just rolled her eyes, not easing the pressure.
"Like I said before," Tristan said, bringing the point back around, deepening his voice, "we just can’t ever be."
"I understand what you're saying, but I also know you don’t mean it," she said. A knowing smile danced on her lips.
"I do," Tristan said sternly, while his insides screamed that he didn’t.
"Oh really," Kira pressed, "it didn’t seem that way when you kissed me."
A memory surged. Her soft lips, her sigh, the way her body melted into his, molding together, fitting perfectly…
Stop.
He blinked it away.
"Kira, forget that ever happened, okay?" At least one of us has to, he thought.
"Or what? You don’t scare me."
"I should," Tristan said, pushed to brink. He had to make her understand. She had given him no choice.
The ice flooded back into his veins. The hunger swelled. He let it.
Kira couldn’t look away. Even as panic settled in, she couldn’t break contact. In that moment, he knew he had her. She was trapped, a victim who didn’t realize she was the prey.
He continued staring, let the fangs expand in his mouth. She had to understand—they would never work.
As much as it would haunt him, as much as the memory of that kiss would burn—stronger than the sun itself—he had to scare her away. There were no choices left.
He wasn't strong enough to let her go.
She had to fear him.
It would be better this way, he told himself, even as the hurt settled in.
After another moment, he released his supernatural hold over her.
Kira blinked, then her eyes narrowed on his. "What the hell was that?"
"Me," he told her. Bitter.
Me, he thought, letting the loathing surge.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Smashwords | Sony | iTunes

About the Author & Links:

Kaitlyn Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University with a B.A. in Writing Seminars. She's been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to finally share her work with the world. She currently lives in New York City and dreams of having a cockapoo puppy of her own.
Pinterest | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Fluttering Thourhgts: The Devil's Metal by Karina Halle

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000+03:00

The Devil's Metal (Devils #1)

By Karina Halle

Editions: ebook, paperback

Published: September 21st 2012 by Diversion Books (first published September 19th 2012)

Genre: NA Urban Fantasy / Romance

Source: NetGalley

It’s the summer of 1974 and 21-year old Dawn Emerson has only three things she wants to do: compete one last time in the Ellensburg Rodeo, win back her ex-boyfriend Ryan, and become the best damn music journalist at Central Washington University. But all her plans are left in the dust when she’s contacted by Creem magazine to go on the road with one of her favorite groups, the up-and-coming metal band, Hybrid.

At first the assignment reads like a dream come true. Not only will Dawn land some much-needed credibility as a female music journalist, but she’ll finally get to experience life from the other side of the stage, and maybe crack the drunken, enigmatic code that is guitarist Sage Knightly. Instead, Dawn finds herself on an aging tour bus filled with ego-maniacs, band politics and a whole lot of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. When monsters start showing up in dressing rooms and some of Sage’s groupies become increasingly strange and dangerous, Dawn discovers the band is not only going places – they’re going straight to Hell.

And Dawn has a backstage pass.
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: fun but not riveting for me

World Building: 1974 America blends with paranormal - demonic - elements.
Characters: Dawn and the band were cool, but they didn't really reach me for some reason. Dawn did grip my attention in the beginning but then my emotional investment in her took a slow and steady fall. I didn't respond to the whole band and tour thing, though I like some rock stuff, little metal...I just don't respond to the people doing the magic, I guess. There's this disconnect between art and artist, my admiration for the art doesn't extend to the artist. I can be very much into the artist, but as a person, not an extension of the art. So the whole band and groupies thing was entirely lost on me. The characters had a lot of potential but they didn't pull me in all the way, in the end.
Plot: The story is fun if you're into the roadtour and band thing. The plot is active without getting tiring and there are a few interesting twists in.
Writing: First person narrative from Dawn's POV
Curb Appeal: Awesome, awesome cover. The blurb does a good job at introducing the story and characters.

All in all, this was a cool read but I didn't respond to it all the way. It has great potential for you if you're into bands and band-life with some paranormal twists. Give it a shot, it might be a better fit for you.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository

Review: Wicked as She Wants by Delilah S. Dawson

2013-04-28T00:00:00.000+03:00

Wicked as She Wants (Blud #2)

By Delilah S. Dawson

Editions: ebook, paperback

Expected publication: April 30th 2013 by Pocket Books

Genre: Adult Steampunk / Fantasy / Romance

Source: NetGalley

When Blud princess Ahnastasia wakes up, drained and starving in a suitcase, she’s not sure which calls to her more: the sound of music or the scent of blood. The source of both sensations is a handsome and mysterious man named Casper Sterling. Once the most celebrated musician in London, Sangland, he’s fallen on hard times. Now, much to Ahna’s frustration, the debauched and reckless human is her only ticket back home to the snow-rimmed and magical land of Freesia.

Together with Casper’s prickly charge, a scrappy orphan named Keen, they seek passage to Ahna’s homeland, where a power-hungry sorceress named Ravenna holds the royal family in thrall. Traveling from the back alleys of London to the sparkling minarets of Muscovy, Ahna discovers that Freesia holds new perils and dangerous foes. Back in her country, she is forced to choose between the heart she never knew she had and the land that she was born to rule. But with Casper’s help, Ahna may find a way to have it all…
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: Delilah S. Dawson delivers awesomesauce yet again

I read and talked about Wicked as They Come back in October as part of my steampunk galore RAWBL-ing. When I saw the second book in the Blud series up on NetGalley of course I did my best to snatch the ARC and, thankfully, managed to.

The world of Blud is still as charming in Wicked as She Wants as it was in the first book of the series. Even more so, since this time we're in Blud from start to finish, while Wicked as They Come took us into the Blud world from our own. If you've read the first book, you've already been introduced to Casper, the love interest of Ahnastasia, our main character. In fact, Criminy and Tish make a short appearance in Wicked as She Wants, just enough to say "Hi!" pretty much. I loved that, I love novels that stand on their own just fine but include characters from the previous ones in the series.
The world of Blud is fascinating, with bludmen and bludwomen and pinkies living in something of a delicate balance. Fantastic bludanimals and a parallel world feel dominate the realm of Blud, where history is similar just different enough to make your grin. Or, well, to make me grin. Delilah S. Dawson playfully references authors, places, historical events with the blud spin and I love her worldbuilding, without a doubt. Plus, if the princess Ahnastasia didn't make you wonder, Freesia's capital - Muscovy - sort of made it clear to me what historical character she was referencing. Loved, loved, loved how Delilah S. Dawson built this story, just loved it. In fact, because of the setting and story, I found myself enjoying this novel even more then the first in the series. It has more of a classic beauty air about it, and I'm not going to lie, my first love was and will remain classic literature, names that for instance Delilah S. Dawson mentions in her blud-version of the world.

Ahnastasia was a fantastic main character. She was proud, perky, very able of defending herself and claiming back what was hers. She was a princess in more ways then one, though, and it made her funny, likable. Very well spoken, very proper but self-entitled - something royalty might suffer from, we can guess. She was a very well rounded character, charismatic though not the easy to like type perhaps - that to me makes her even more likable. I like strong and proud and unapologetic and she's all that. Loved her.
Casper was an interesting character in Wicked as They Come and he delivered in Wicked as She Wants as well. Charismatic, a powerful presence but tender and thoughtful, he made an awesome pair with Ahnna. While Casper, like Tish, is a human who landed in the Blud world, there's a duality to his nature that you'll understand better and better as the story unfolds. I loved his transformation and the Casper version from the end of the novel was, in my opinion, the best possible version of Casper. No, I'm not spoiling your read with clarifications. *insert evil chuckle*
The tension between Ahnna and Casper was delicious, just delicious. They made the kind of couple I adore reading about, a spin on the enemies turned lovers with a not-so-hardcore enemies instance in the beginning. Sparks were flying all over the place and their one on one, when it happened, was very hot. Slow burn romance and hot one on one, that's a recipe to make even evil readers such as myself happy.
Another interesting character was Keen, Casper's human sidekick. I felt she helped emphasize Casper's dual nature and she was quite fun on her own.
Favorite character of the novel: Ahnastasia. {And it's not as often as I'd like that I love the MC, but she's just that awesome xD}

The plot was an eventful adventure that took us traveling through the world of Blud and helped us meet all sorts of its inhabitants and explore some of its lovely landscapes. While the pace of events was alert, this wasn't the agitated action flavor. This, coupled with the first person narrative writing's tone make me say the novel has some of that classic charm I so love. The story has a fairytale flair that won me over quickly, the princess fighting to get her kingdom back and falling in love in the process. For a words-geek like myself this novel is a jewel, it's just so beautiful on all accounts.

As far as curb appeal goes, the cover is fabulous, the blurb had me hooked but the real selling point, for me, would be the fact that I believe Delilah S. Dawson can't really do me wrong.

All in all, I loved Wicked as She Wants to bits and would recommend you try it out. It's one of my favorite reads of this year for sure.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository