Leontine's Book Realm

Sunday's Brunch; A hidden treasure on my shelves

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:32:00 +0000

These days I look forward to my Sundays. It means time to read, to watch a movie, to play some World of Warcraft and more time to read. I also have this innate need to keep you guys in the loop of what is going on in my corner of this Realm. This is why I came up with my Sunday’s brunch blogpost. In a laid back way I want to have a moment to catch up with you guys and today I’m kicking off.

One thing that got my panties in a – good – twist was the fact that last week the Midnight Breed series sang its siren song to me and I couldn’t refuse. I left Regin and Lothaire standing in the cold wind of my disregard – for now that is. Yes, I was in shock myself! The IAD series is one that I love to the ninth degree but for some unfathomable reason I had to open up Lara Adrian’s Kiss Of Midnight. I read the first chapter and was hooked, line and sinker. There was no way this story was letting me go but then again; did I want it to? Hell no! :)) My review will be up in the next week or so. I can safely say that I’m glad I still have nine books to go in the Midnight Breed series. If the opening story is any indicator, it will be one fantastic ride. And can I say; Tegan *heart*

I also read the third story of Lyssa and Jacob in Joey W Hill’s Vampire Queen series titled; Bound By The Vampire Queen. Oh men, it floored me again! My guest review will appear on Patti’s; Caught In A Fab Romance blog and is already up on Goodreads. I love this series something fierce and can’t wait to read Gideon, Anwyn and Daegan’s story! From what I got in Bound By The Vampire Queen I’m going to gobble it all up!

This weekend I’m reading Kele Moon’s novella; Packing Heat and boy oh boy, the title does the story justice! I’m also going to start in a book I highly anticipated. Lucian from Laura Wright’s Eternal Captive has been on my radar since Eternal Hunger! He and Bronwyn are a magnetic force that sizzles like no tomorrow *want*

Last week there was also a 50-60% off sale at fictionwise and I was so ready for some retail therapy but again I shocked myself and didn’t buy one single book. I was almost getting frustrated until I found a must pre-order note on my iPad. It contained four titles which I immediately pre-ordered at BookDepo:

Something About Witches
By Joey W. Hill

Lover Reborn
By J R Ward

Fever
By Joan Swan

Wicked as They Come
By Delilah S Dawson

So I have a few books coming in the mail *YAY* and a few more Sunday’s spend reading LOL.
I also tend to read tweets as I have dinner and catch up on what’s going on in blogworld. Sometimes you have the most pleasurable tweets to find and I backtracked a convo which originated from Jaci Burton. Can you guess? She got her fourth cover of her Play By Play series and dang, my not so sekrit cover hussy identity was purring in joy.

As I got the cover enlarged and took a close look instead of ravenously taking the picture in I noticed, and perhaps this is my durty side talking, but where’s the bulge in his pants?! I mean, with such tight pants there must be some form of…bump going on? Right?! Still, the sight of these four covers side by side is one of the most scintillating visuals I ever did see. And what a celebrating of the male form – hot, hot, hot!!

Coming up this week for me is a visit from Pearl, making banana bread with the group of 4-6 year olds at the kiddie daycare and spending some quality time with a 4 month old Buddha baby who charms me with rare smiles. He had me with the first one :) I will take Lucian to bed with me until I’ve finished his story, which I think he won’t mind *wink*

Review: Carol Lynne - All Play And No Work

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:22:00 +0000

Publisher: Total E-Bound
ISBN: 978-1-906328-50-4
Genre: Contemporary/Gay/Ménage à trois
Book Length: Novel
Erotic Rating: Total-e-burning
Book one in the Cattle Valley Series
Read from my personal e-shelves

Cover Summary:

When a three man partnership becomes too much for their small Texas town, Ryan Blackfeather knows it’s time to head for greener pastures. With a new job awaiting him in Cattle Valley, Wyoming, he convinces his men, Nate and Rio to make the move.

A community built on tolerance, Cattle Valley’s one of the few places in the country where the residents won’t bat an eyelash at the threesomes relationship. Nate, Rio and Ryan fit right in. However, with Ryan busy in his new job as town Sheriff, Rio and Nate are left to wonder how they’re supposed to make a living. What use are a highly trained mercenary and a private detective in a peaceful community the size of Cattle Valley?

Review:

I was baffled by the speed of the romance development as I read on page 17:

The threesome landed in a pile of arms, legs, tongues and teeth. Nate couldn't get enough of these men. "Love you," Nate said, looking Ryan in the eyes. He then turned toward Rio, "I love you."
Ryan and Rio wrapped their arms and legs around Nate. "We love you. You're a part of us now," Ryan said.

And that was it. They were a threesome in love. Can I say; huh? How did that happen??!! Only to find out on page eighteen that Rio and Nate were on the road to meet Ryan at their new home in Cattle Valley. This was all moving very fast for me as I’m a reader who wants to witness a certain progress where the attraction develops in to love. The romance between these three men wasn’t very believable but for some reason the entertainment level while reading the pages was very good. It was largely due to the voices of the three men, a bit over the top but still they are very likeable. So I kept on reading.

Rio, Nate and Ryan move in to a house in Cattle Valley and it is a setting that made me smile. Like a utopia for gay people; Just about everyone is gay there and felt very idyllic. The author provided just enough information for me to conjure a picture in my mind how the town looked like and who the people were inhabiting it. I could definitely read the signals for future stories and that this would be a series.

Rio and Nate are very touchy-feely with each other and when they aren’t horny they are pulling pranks like a cherry bomb (blowing up a mailbox). Nate felt very young adult in comparison with Ryan and Rio, who were the established couple at the beginning of this story. When Ryan chastises Nate it feels very much like a grown up setting boundaries for an adventurous teenager. The chemistry and dialogues between the three was effortlessly flowing and while I wasn’t emotionally involved they did appeal to my playful, wicked side.

The eroticism is off the chart hot. The libido of this trio is more than healthy and is set ablaze by the instant attraction they feel. The pages are filled with sexual heat, light-hearted dialogues and a touch of humor and it juices up the story in a good way. Even though there was a certain degree of entertainment to All Play And No Work there was also nothing present for me to sink my teeth in. From early on the relationship was established and there was nothing really challenging that relationship. So the first half of book one in the Cattle Valley series reads like a fluffy erotic romance that gives a slice of life from three likable characters. The author didn’t really add depth, layers or much conflict to the relationship. Halfway through I wondered if anything would happen that would present any form of a challenge when a minor plot came in to play. It provided a bit of much needed intrigue and excitement.

As an erotic story, All Play And No Work is enjoyable but the romance is shallow at best. What worked in the end was the charismatic threesome with their animated dialogues and combustive sexiness as they set up house in a utopian town to satiate their ravenous appetite.

2.5 stars

Quote:

Rio glanced over and winked. "First place I find, I promise we'll stop for a little R and R."
"Rest and relaxation, that's not exactly what I had in mind," Nate said, trying to tuck his hard shaft back into his pants.
Rio chuckled, "Well, I was thinking more along the lines of rimming and riding."
"Oh fuck, I like that idea a lot better."

Carol Lynne on the www:
website | Cattle Valley website | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ Total E-Bound

Review: Sloan Parker - Take Me Home

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:14:00 +0000

Publisher: LooseId
ISBN: 978-1-61118-687-1
Genre: LGBT Suspense
Length: Novel Plus
E-copy provided by Author for review

Cover Summary:
Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since high school, but Kyle doesn’t do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it’s a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner.

Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer’s block. He needs a change. He has three days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he’s staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he’s a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment—and Evan’s ass—to get much done.

The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them, including Evan’s new boss, want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle’s grandfather.

When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train’s windows and must finally face their true desires.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: male/male sexual practices.

Review:

If there is one thing an author can instantly hook me with it’s a family secret in the suspense plot. Add the plot device of a journal everyone is after and I’m rubbing my hands in anticipation! At the center of how the plot would turn out were Kyle Bennett and Evan Walker. They are friends going on lovers and in the early chapters it became evident that they’re battling with their hidden desires and this intrigued me enough to see how it all would play out between them.

At first glance Kyle and Evan are opposites attract. Kyle is a flirt and a one-night-stand kind of guy. He has two bestselling novels on his name and currently working on his third. Evan on the other hand is a firm believer in long-lasting relationships and is more serious than the outgoing Kyle. Evan is also a struggling screenwriter who works in a restaurant and is getting over his ten year relationship. Both guys have realistic flaws and are in a different stage of their lives yet circumstances throws them together again, stirring dormant feelings.

Even though they have their differences it’s an essential magnetism that lures them together. It’s a synergy that speaks loud and clear regarding the depth of their feelings for one another. Still they had this push pull dance where there were moments I wanted to yell at them to get over the trust issues. But that was my frustration because Sloan Parker builds up the sexual tension, lets it crest in some small way and then goes back to the trust issues. I wanted ‘steam up the train cart’ & roaring hot sexing but I had to be patient. Sexual tension is just that without emotions at the foundation of it and it was an interesting, emotion rife process to see Kyle and Evan get to that place of trust.

The mystery and secrets played its own part and gave of a subtle danger. It didn’t have the effect of heart-in-throat dangers but it was more my curiosity that was involved. The journal and the choices of Kyle’s grandfather made me wonder the why of it. Did he have regrets and was there a true treasure. The conclusion of the mystery was no surprise in the whom but was a surprise in how it was all resolved.

Sloan Parker has written an engaging story from start to finish with two flawed and dynamic characters. The sexual energy is, well, let me just say a train ride suddenly looks very adventurous! Kyle and Evan managed to capture my heart and simultaneously fog over my glasses! The characters, dialogues, sexiness and mystery are all deftly blended by Sloan Parker in a story, once started, you’ll want to finish!

4 stars

Sloan Parker on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ LooseId

Review: Lena Diaz - He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:21:00 +0000

Format: ebook, 362 pages
Published August 9th 2011 by HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN 0062114557 (ISBN13: 9780062114556)
Received a copy via NetGalley

Cover Summary:
A Serial Killer’s Lone Surviving Victim Turns the Tables and Becomes the Hunter

Amanda Stockton lost everything in a brutal attack by a fledgling serial killer. Forced to play his twisted game of chance, she watched in horror as he plucked the thorns from a rose, one by one, chanting, “He kills me”, “He kills me not.” Refusing to let a sick game of chance decide her fate, she escaped, but left her friend to die in her place. Haunted by survivor’s guilt and unable to bear the flinches and curious stares when others catch sight of her ravaged face, Amanda withdraws from the world around her.

Years later the discovery of another body signals the return of the killer. Forced to face her past or become the killer’s next victim, Amanda works with Police Chief Logan Richards to stop the killer before he kills again. As Logan begins to close in on a suspect, he’s horrified to discover the killer who attacked Amanda is the same one he once let go because of a rookie mistake. Can Logan forgive himself in time to save Amanda? Or will his guilt destroy her last chance to win the game?

Review:

This was a story where the beginning was full of promise. There was a creepy villain, there were harrowing dangers, a whodunit plot to solve and highly intriguing characters. Everything worked in grabbing my from the first chapter where the fear was protruding from the villains victim. As the plot opened with a bang there was also the introduction of Logan who was a commanding man and Amanda, a courageous woman battling her inner demons. I was hooked and settled for a thrill ride in the romantic suspense from Lena Diaz.

However, after that strong opening the story gradually faded for me in to a blend of niggles, irritation and a weakening presence from the villain. It even lead to a few moments where I had difficulties continuing reading and all in all it took me three weeks to finish this story. I think this was a huge indicator that Logan, Amanda and the plot failed to keep me invested.
Amanda Stockton is a survivor of a serial killer and ever since she’s ruled by her need for safety. She lives almost like a hermit, works at home and barely has a social life. Her personality was a combination of courage and terror. I think the author really did a good job of portraying her as a victim getting her life back after a horrendous ordeal. Amanda is likable in her personality, understandable in her fears and shows backbone in various decisions. I feel her characterization was the strongest in this story.

Then you have Logan; the smart, dependable yet commanding, sexy police chief. He is the blue print of a romance hero whom made me look forward to the electrifying attraction simmering between him and Amanda. He was very focused and charming to begin with but as the story continued he morphed in to this man who wallowed in his guilt and responsibility. I call it the ‘woulda-coulda-shoulda-syndrome’. At the start of the story the situation was explained why there was guilt but gradually the emphasis on this emotion was too much for me to bear. I love a flawed hero but I also want to see the progress and I didn’t really get that with Logan. In this case I wanted to slap Logan across the face telling him to grow a pair.

The romance was one with the ‘forbidden fruit’ theme. Amanda is a victim in Logan’s active case and it became a push-pull between his ethics and his warm-blooded nature. Because it took me so long to read this story I never got that love vibe. Attraction simmering just beneath the surface ready to ignite, definitely! Yet this did not evolve in to a romance, the love was “just there” at a certain point between Logan and Amanda. I must admit, this might be due to the long intervals between continuing this story that I didn’t pick up on it. As the author drives home in plot and romance there was an emotion rife moment which got nipped in the butt again by the wallowing of Logan. He was in a frame of mind that it was best to let her go and then a page later it was; ”Perhaps she really does love me?” That’s when I was so done with him.

In those initial chapters the mystery began with a murder and the villains point of view. I was fascinated and I wanted more. I love the unforgivable villain whom I could love to hate and it had all the signs but then the plot got beaten to death with dialogues, police procedures and more dialogues where they wondered whodunit. Besides the ending there was very little action which could’ve infused the plot with chills and thrills, keeping me more invested in the outcome.

So there you have it; characters who had their good and bad personality traits and shared beautiful or hot moments but just couldn’t completely pull me in to their story. A romance which only sizzled on occasion and a plot that fizzled after an exciting beginning. Add a three week period of picking up this book, reading a few chapters and then still failing to grab me… Well, the sum of all the components told me one thing; I truly struggled with Lena Diaz’s He Kills Me, He Kills me not.

2 stars

Lena Diaz on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ Indiebound

Review: Kele Moon - Defying The Odds

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:24:00 +0000

Publisher: LooseId
ISBN: 978-1-61118-693-2
Genre: Erotic Contemporary
Length: Novel
Series: Battered Hearts series
Received e-copy for review

Cover Summary:
When struggling waitress Melody Dylan gives a handsome, lonely stranger a simple gift she has no clue her life is about to take a drastic turn.

The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on Thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.

Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.

Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: violence.

My Review:

Defying The Odds is a completely different story than anything I read previous of Kele Moon. Instead of dark, complex and tormented, Kele Moon delivered a sweet and heartwarming romance in a small town setting. I let myself be enveloped by the seasons spirit and the warmth which emanated from the familiarity among the group of characters. One simple gesture between two people ignited a whirlwind of feelings and the romance blossoming makes my heart flutter in response. Usually I do the dark, tormented bad-boys but sometimes a genuine good guy, even though he is rough-around-the-edges, woes me into falling for him. Clay is such a character!

Kele Moon hits the bull’s eye again with a charming and personable cast of characters. Clay is a renowned MMA fighter whose physique makes people want to avoid him rather than to confront. He is big, he is gruff but his actions towards Melody speaks volumes of what kind of man he is at the core; caring and charming. Melody is a woman many will emphasize with as the battered ex-wife of a brutal man. She wants to create a new life in Garnet and she works hard at the diner to have sufficient funds for all the things she needs. I rarely grow tired of reading about women who want to take the reins back of their life and find the strength to deal with the emotional healing process. Melody is the epitome of such a character and I just liked her. She is kind, passionate and with enough attitude to show she has backbone. Melody and Clay both also have a certain down-to-earth personality trait which made it so exciting to watch them dream. To see them reach out for what they’ve always wanted; love. Oh, and of course at various moments they have plenty of mad monkey sex.

This is another thing Kele Moon has a knack for. Scorching the pages with heart-pounding, sexy-as-hell, eroticism. There’s a particular window scene that made me squirm in my seat. Which, let’s face it, is what a good erotic romance has the power to do! That the window scene didn’t turn out to fog over the windows is beyond me! Along with the sex play the conflict between Clay and Melody gained momentum towards the end. It may have been somewhat predictable but nevertheless it scored for effectiveness.

The small town setting inhabited enough interesting characters to make Garnet come alive for me. I had a push-pull with Sheriff Wyatt. He annoyed me with his showboat attitude but at the other hand endeared me with his loyalty and friendship. There is more to him, I can feel it, I just have to find out what! Now his sister Jules just rocked my reading world! Right from the bat Jules was an interesting female character with attitude but she knocked it out of the park for me as she hit my 'rare to find' humor button with her 80 dollar steak comment. Chef Hal, waitress Judy and later on, Romeo caught my interest in the best of ways. Kele Moon has more than enough for more stories in this series!

The storyline may not have been complicated or something that hasn’t been done is one form or another but there are three elements that make Defying The Odds so enjoyable to read. The characters; flawed, quirky and packing enough temperament to make them three dimensional. The MMA world also captured my interest and turned out to be such an enthralling yet dangerous world. I love more of that! And the combustible romance…so far, Kele Moon has never failed to affect me with how her characters find love and their significant other. I just inhale the romance this author gives me!!

4 stars

Quote:

Clay was lost.
He fell into the chasm, the pleasure pounding, the throb of it making white spots form in his vision. He fisted the sheets as his cock pulsed, filling Melody with the warm, sticky evidence of his pleasure. He shuddered and moaned in her arms, surrendering completely to the cataclysm of ecstasy.
It destroyed him.
It left him bare, exposed, and humble in the face of it.
He loved this woman.

Kele Moon on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ looseId

Cover Gallery - tha awesomesauce cover of Joey W Hill!

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:12:00 +0000

This weekend I stumbled upon two hot covers again and perhaps you might've seen them already. Lord know I'm not the quickest anymore with posting but I had to have these beauties on my blog as well. Both are very atmosperic with great mancandy and they are a feast for my visual senses!

In the Company of Witches by Joey W Hill
Book II of the Arcane Shot Series
Berkley Sensation
Paranormal Sensual Romance
May 1, 2012
Excerpt

All witch and part succubus, savvy businesswoman Raina has converted a Southern plantation house into an extremely profitable old-fashioned bordello. Because of her abilities as a witch, the demons under Raina’s protection can feed off the sexual energy of their clients without killing them—definitely a good thing for repeat business.

But when a rogue incubus shows up on Raina’s doorstep begging for asylum, the witch’s well-run business is put in jeopardy. The incubus has stolen an object of great power from Lucifer, and Underworld Dark Guardian Mikhael will do anything to get it back—even if it means incinerating the incubus on Raina’s porch to get the answers he seeks.

Not to be trifled with, Raina enters a dangerous match of wits with Mikhael to achieve their mutual goals—only to discover that the reluctant attraction between them is the most hazardous game of all…

The second in the BOUND BY MAGICK series:
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (June 5, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425250822
ISBN-13: 978-0425250822

From the always fabulous Lauren Dane comes her new novel of a treacherous family legacy, a temptation just as dangerous, and an evil so depraved it can only be spoken of in whispers.

The life of Lark Jaansen, hunter in Clan Gennessee, has been shaped by violence and unrest and it defines her future. Well-trained and resilient, she met her militaristic match in Simon Leviathan, a warrior not of this world. Locked in mutual admiration, and a desire so hot it burns, Lark and Simon have something else in common: they love the dark, and as a shadow is cast over their world, they're each coming into their own.

A mysterious war has been waged among the Others. As witches and humans turn against each other, as fae retreat in fear, and as vampires rise, Lark and Simon discover that an unseen force is behind it. A single, hungry entity older than recorded history has returned to gorge on the magick of his victims. He is the Magister, nothing less than the end of time. Finding him is Lark and Simons first hope. Surviving him is their last.

A belated Happy New Year...

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:56:00 +0000

I just wanted to wish everybody a belated fantastic new year! May all your dreams come true, surrounded by your loved ones and in health and hapiness!

I'm starting 2012 with a heavy case of the flu and hope that is my 'sick portion' of this year. I'm going through more tissues than I've seen in the last five years!! But I have my family and friends! I have a challenging job and a TBR pile filled with awesome books. I can't complain much ;)

Let's toast to another awesome year full of fantastic adventures, spellbinding reads and great convo's!!

Giveaway: Kele Moon heats up your cold xmas with...

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:25:00 +0000

Kele Moon is giving us one of the best pressies evah, and that is another hot story to devour in those cold days of Christmas! I for one can't wait to dive in because a UFC fighter as a hero, I need to meet him ASAP. I think Clay will make an excellent friday night date and he can be yours as well. Kele Moon has offered an e-copy to one lucky winner and all you have to do is leave a comment and tell us where you want to be on Christmas day. I'll draw a winner on December 25th 2011 and will notify him/her via e-mail. This giveaway is open internationally!!

Below you will find the cover and blurb but also a delicious hot treat of an excerpt...enjoy!! :D

Kele Moon's Battered Hearts: Defying the Odds
Defying The Odds is book one in the Battered Hearts series.
ISBN: 978-1-61118-693-2
Genre: Erotic Contemporary
Length: Novel

When struggling waitress Melody Dylan gives a handsome, lonely stranger a simple gift she has no clue her life is about to take a drastic turn.

The stranger ends up being Clay Powers, a famous UFC heavyweight fighter. Clay’s large build and dangerous fists have always intimidated. People in his hometown keep their distance and Clay is fine with that. Everything changes when a new waitress at the local diner buys him a piece of pie on Thanksgiving. Touched by the gesture when it’s obvious she can barely afford to survive, her warm smile and lush body churn up powerful feelings that leave Clay wanting more from her than pie.

Melody is running from her past and the small, country town of Garnet is the perfect hiding place. With an ex-husband after her and scars from her abusive marriage etched deep, the last thing she expects is to fall for a man who makes a living with his fists, but she can’t resist Clay or the tender connection they share.

Finding love in the most unlikely of places, the passion is undeniable, but Clay and Melody know their haunted pasts and unpredictable futures leave the odds stacked against them.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: violence.

A scrumptious taste of Defying The Odds:

Melody looked amazing wearing Christmas lights.

Clay stared at her spread out on the bed, skin still dewy from the shower, wet hair hiding full breasts and pink nipples. The blink from the lights shining in through the windows reflected off her pale skin in the near darkness of the room, dancing in colored shadows over her lush body. He was mesmerized by her, so beautiful and open and willing for him.

The cynical side of him was screaming to be careful. Nothing felt this good without repercussions, but Clay made a firm decision to ignore his cynical side, not just for Melody, but for himself too, because he wanted this—wanted her.

“What’re you staring at?” Melody asked, giving him a bemused smile as she looked up at him hovering over her.

The rush of emotion he felt for this woman scared the shit out of him, but he couldn’t seem to stop the fall. Rather than admit he was memorizing everything about her spread out and waiting for him to make love to her, he just shrugged and bent down. He captured one pink nipple with his mouth, lightly tugging on it with his teeth. Melody moaned and arched into him. Her fingers tangled in his hair, holding his mouth to her.

Already turned on despite the bone-melting orgasm he’d just had, Clay laved his tongue over the taut peak. The shower had been fast and frantic, a necessary release from the build of sexual tension that exploded between them. Now he could touch and tease until she was flushed and sweaty and completely mindless. He pushed his hips against the mattress at the thought of her wild and desperate for him. His cock was already hard and straining against the comforter.

Clay moved to the other breast. He sucked on the tip once more, savoring her low hum of pleasure. He liked the sounds she made. She was surprisingly receptive and uninhibited, but then so was Clay when they were together. He felt cracked open and exposed to her, but he craved her so damn much he couldn’t stop to worry about it.

All he could do was give in to the hunger.

Clay moved his lips lower, over the smooth plane of her stomach. He reached down, pushing her thighs apart, forcing her to accommodate the width of his shoulders as he nipped her hip bone.

Kele Moon on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ LooseId

Hubba, hubba, Mr.Santa is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:43:00 +0000

Hey everyone!!

I have to confess that I’ve joined Janna and Kris in their love for the series Queer As Folk. (If you want a sample of the humorous dialogues, here you can find fabulous quotes!) I think I received the five seasons about three weeks ago and I’m working my way through the final fifth season. It has been an addictive ride with very hot smexing, great storylines and can I say I want a shopping day with Emmett and then there’s Brian Kinney…oh Brian Kinney, he gets such a rise out of me. Horny 24/7, bad boy to the core and has his own code of honor. I want him so bad LOL This series has been hogging most of my free time and I’m loving every minute of it!!

Work life has seemed to have claimed me more than I expected and most of the xmas cheer is going by me. I did make xmas decorations, angels and stars with the kiddies but I haven’t shopped yet and soak in the xmas cheer or even decorated my own house or tree *shameface*. So last week I was in desperate need for some xmas spirit and oh boy, did I find it!! I did some cruising on the net and oh, oh, oh, I noticed some very niiiiiice Mr. Santa’s. You will find them scattered throughout this post!! If they don’t get you all hot and tingly nothing much will ;)

Of course now that the year is ending I’m thinking about my New Year’s post and I need to rethink my bloglife. I find it a challenge to juggle work and social life and still find time for all of my hobbies…and there are a few *eek* If one thing became evident over the last few months is that I still love to review but the challenge lies in the time management. So I decided to read for the remaining time this year and I will start posting reviews again from January third 2012. I’ve received some fantastic books to read and I have a few 2-2.5 star reviews I still need to post. I’ve decided my Sundays will become my review/blogpost scheduling day and of course when I’m done some more reading :D

Right now I’m reading Joey W Hill’s Bound By A Vampire Queen for a guest review at Loves Fab Romance. So far it is sexual heat combined with loads of scheming and can I say Jacob is awesome again!! The way he talks and treats his woman gets me tingly every time…

Next to BBAVQ I’ve also got Sloan Parker with Take Me Home for review and Anne Marsh’s Bond With Me & His Dark Bond. I’m also looking forward to Kele Moon’s Defying The Odds…They will warm me on these cold, rainy days/nights as 2011 will change in to 2012.

Have you all been preparing for the holidays? What are you going to do, eat? Where will you be and what will you read? Talk to me guys :)

Three short words...

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Last year on this day my world spun on its axes with the sudden death of Henry. Inevitably people kept asking me how I was in the months thereafter and each time I felt tongue tied. How do you describe the void left by him or the constant screaming of one’s soul? As the sky poured snow I barely had any interest in reading yet in December I did read a duology by Joey W Hill and in Mirror Of My Soul I read a paragraph where recognition of the emotions portrayed struck me with a powerful blow. This author managed to capture exactly how I felt:

Joey W Hill's Mirror Of My Soul: “Tell me what you want.” His mouth whispered it, those lips close to hers. Her own parted, letting out a breath that was a near sob. “I want to be whole. Feel it just once more.” She raised her palms before her face. “I remember lying there with David beneath feeling his heart stop beating. I tried to cup his head in my hands and it was wet…so soft. Softer than a baby’s skull. “And there were these people around. Staring at us. But I felt so alone, because David was gone. His heart was no longer my heart, his voice in my head was gone. And they didn’t know me, didn’t know us. And I wondered, ‘Will anyone ever share my soul again? Get inside me and know my thoughts?’ No. Surely not. And yet, I didn’t die. That’s the most intolerable cruelty, that you can realize that truth and not die.”

I realized I could emotionally bleed from a fatal wound but still live to see the days turn in to weeks and then in to months. A year has already gone by now. The first time I laughed I cried two seconds later. The first time I saw the make, model and color of our car drive by my heart skipped a beat in joy that Henry was coming home early. Only to realize seconds later he wasn’t. Music by Queen, Gary Moore, U2 and others made me see him so clearly yet is was a picture from my heart. I took a fantastic trip. Met new people. Experienced all these new fantastic things but when I arrived home all I wanted was to share it with Henry…and all I could do was stare at his empty place on the couch. If one man was challenging me to accept the new direction our life was heading, it was him. I’ve got a new job and loving it…just like he said I would. Only coming home and not sharing my day with him or enjoying a night out, social obligations or just a lazy weekend together is something that is hard for me to deal with. It all boils down to three short words that encompass so much;

I miss him!

In the good and the bad. In all the ordinary and extraordinary ways.

Today I will crack up the volume and listen to some of Henry's favorite music – including the man he thought had a talent not from this world to play the guitar; Gary Moore.

PS:I also wanted to thank everyone who send me their hugs & love via whatever digi way they chose! I can't express how much it means to me (((huggles))) back.

Column - XL edition: What am I up to & GayRomLit part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:49:00 +0000

Do you guys still remember me?? About two weeks ago I promised you another NOLA vacation update but I’m a working girl now and free time has suddenly become a rare commodity. If I’m at home I want to vege out in front of TV or just read a book. I’ve got four reviews in first draft mode:

* Lena Diaz - He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not 2 stars
* Carol Lynne - All Play No Work (Cattle Valley series bk 1) 2 stars
* L.A Witt - Out of Focus 3.5 stars
* Belinda McBride's - Uncommon Whore 3.5 stars

Full reviews to come one of these days!!

Then the cover discovery folder is getting larger by the day:

Niiice!!

*focus Leontine, for the love of the gods, FOCUS!!!*

Right, I also have blog related e-mails to answer *eek* but for some reason the time and energy to post/reply e-mails is only in my mind but doesn't translate in to action *sad face* I forgot how much energy it takes to take on a group of 20 or so kids. They all have Sinterklaas (Dutch version of Santa Claus) in their vision and it is accompanied with a frantic energy of; What will I find in Sinterklaas’ bag?? By the time I get home after bicycling for 35 minutes I’m exhausted. Can I have a vacay already ;)

Anyhoo…I can’t deny you some more of NOLA so here goes:

At Mr.B’s Janna and I ate their signature dish of BBQ shrimp. I have always said; NO Shrimp for me!!! But I was in NOLA and I was in a culinary adventurous mood, so what can one do but eat some local food ;) The crabcake was simply divine and in combination with the sauce I wanted much more of the stuff than was on the plate.

Then the waitress tied a large bib around our neck so our upper clothes were covered. I had no idea why until the dish was presented to us and Janna boldly tried to peal the first shrimp. Oh yeah, splatter of BBQ sauce for one please! It was hilarious to see but then I had to go in. I held my shrimp between index finger and thumb in a *iiieeeeuuuwwww this is sooooo gross* kinda way. The waitress saw my face and quickly made way to our table asking if she could help. I told her I was a shrimp peeling virgin and she directed me through my first one. Was it painful? No, but it was a very weird experience with all the twisting of limps, peeling of skin and pulling of heads. After 10+ minutes or so various fleshy, white shrimps lay there in the BBQ sauce and the tasting could commence. It was delish, my taste buds were on fire due to the hot flavors of the BBQ sauce but in combination with the shrimp I ate them all! *go me* As a dessert I took brownies with ice cream and was stuffed!

After this sumptuous dinner Janna and I had our first encounter with Bourbon Street. Well, I can tell you all your senses will be engaged. Sight, smell, hearing – there is lots of half nekkid females trying to lure me into various establishments. To my utter frustration there wasn’t much mancandy to be found so I took a picture of what I did find – see the result here:

When I spotted a bright red two-seater I thought; “Who the hell would park a car like that in the middle of party central?” Well, I guess when you’re the devil peeps will steer away from your car. Did I however? No of course not! I had to go wicked and pretend to get into the car. I’m just glad the devil had just the same wicked sense of humor or else I would be partying in purgatory right now ;)

To me my trip to NOLA existed out of inhaling food, culture, history and partying like its 1999! The twelve days flew by and while the GayRomLit was fun I think my next convention will be something like the RT. One of the things I loved most was meeting fellow readers but also some of my favorite authors – here’s a collection of pictures from the GRL:

Sandwiched in between Rowan Speedwell (left) and J.P. Barnaby (right) *cheesy grin*

From left to right: Tracy - Janna - Heidi Cullinan and me at the lobby of the hotel.

from left to right: Janna - Damon Suede and me at a spotlight of some sort.

Picture taken by Kassa.

At the farewell brunch of GRL, standing from left to right: Rachel Haimowitz - Tracy and me. Sitting left is Kassa and right is Janna.

At the lobby of the hotel I practically attacked these authors because I had to have a picture of them and me. From left to right is Clare London whom I can't wait to meet in England again, she is an absolute hoot to be with!! And her accent - I'm guessing she owns wicked and naughtiness LOL Then we have Marie Sexton - she can visit me day or night - love that woman!! Then you have me with a face splitting grin. And then you have Kate McMurray, she is such a sweetie and i still feel like a social Neanderthal for missing my author lunch with her. However, as Janna and I traveled back, Janna let me read over her shoulder with Blind Items. Kate McMurray made me giggle, which only happens on rare ocassion! So yeah, I had to buy Blind items!!

Just talking about this vacation wants me to go back!!! But alas, no free time for me. I just started working 20-30 hours at a kiddie daycare. Between that and my social agenda I suddenly don't have all that much time left. So the sundays become my holy reading grail and downtime.

Have I missed anything in the mean time??

PS: You can click on the pictures for an much larger version. I've got no idea why the hell anyone want a larger version but hey, I thought I should mention that piece of info anyhow ;)

New Orleans and I have met in the most intimate of ways…

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:06:00 +0000

After 12 days of New Orleans my brain still isn’t sufficiently online to give you a detailed account of all that happened…I still will give it a go though.

First of all the trip to NO was uneventful, of course the security officer at Schiphol eyeballed me and Janna because we looked like two women who would cause mayhem in the USA. And he was right…to some degree *wink*

Still, the plane trip was uneventful and that night, local time, we arrived at NO. The first thing NO introduced us to was the smell and the humidity. Oh.My.Lord! The humidity was like a wet, sticky blanket, clinging to your skin *ugh* and the smell *shivers* It was wet fungus smell…there isn’t any other way to describe it.

The next day jetlag didn’t introduce itself so we explored NO. I think I spent more time looking up then looking at the sidewalks because the balconies were awesome with lush vegetation and beautiful wrought iron fences. Of course since I had my eyes up I tripped more than once over the disastrous state of the sidewalk. That I didn’t end up at the hospital is still a miracle!!

We explored the French Market with its local produce, spices and bling bling. We found Jackson Square with its local art and Café Du Monde. Later that week we did sit in the famous Café for some coffee and beignets but – am I going to be scorned for saying it – wasn’t all that eventful. The beignets were nice but it didn’t blow my taste buds out of this stratosphere either.

We also got together with Patti (@lovesfabromance) that Saturday and she took us to Barnes And Nobles. I just love that woman for taking us there!! Not only is Patti a hoot to be with she is just the nicest person and had a lot of local info to give us! After lounging about in B&N Patti’s oldest said we were fun to hang out with…I can tell you I felt utter kewl at that moment!!

Patti also directed us to Port Of Call, a local what, café? Diner? Restaurant? Whatever! They were known for their fab burgers. So we went there on a Saturday night, had to wait forty-five freakin’ minutes but then we got seated and oh yeah, I wanted to do a windjammer cocktail. Well, those peeps who follow me on twitter found out how that ended. I seem to have twittered some durty pics – but I can’t see any problems in that *wink* And apparently I was a whole lot of woooo and weeee. I can tell you I had fun but don’t know much about the tweets :)

Lafitte In Exile (picture from internet)

I’ve done way more with Janna in the week prior to the GayRomLit but I decided to be the chaotic person that I am and tell you everything as it pops up in my head. So GayRomLit, what did it do for me? Well, I got to meet J.P. Barnaby, which was definitely a highlight for me. I got to meet some fantabulous authors and ya know, stumble my way through a conversation. Most of all though I remember the two awesome parties of the Joint-Juke-Junket and the barcrawl. They both ended up at Lafitte’s in Exile and we got to meet bartender Jimmy the very first night at the JJJ. He was this awesome, funloving guy and we had a ball with him. I ended up smooching my goodbye with Jimmy that night! Kris introduced me to Margaritas at JJJ night. Hurrican’s might be the signature drink of NO but I fell in lurv with the Margaritas right then and there. But then, Kris is utter kewl and she would never know anything other than the best cocktails out there *wink*

The biggest pic has Tam - Kassa - Tracy and Chris and below them are Janna, me and Kris.

At the parties was nekkid manflesh, tasty cocktails, lots of likeminded bitches and I had *cue music*

Now I've had the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it's the truth
and I owe it all to you

With that I will leave it for today but there’s loads more to tell so stay tuned for a few more blogposts about my New Orleans adventures - I will tell you all about my first experience with Bourbon St. - eating shrimp and our plantage tours.

PS: I will also be part of Janna's GayRomLit after party where i will talk about what the best moment was for me!!

PPS: Click on the picture for a much larger version!!

Interview: Riptide's Grand Opening Party - Rachel Haimowitz

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:31:00 +0000

Q: First of all I want to congratulate you, Aleksandr Voinov and Chris Hawkins with the opening of Riptide Publishing. Of course everyone wants to know; How was the journey from idea to realizing a brand new publishing house?

Thank you very much! Mostly it came out of contract and craft discussions. Aleks and I had been talking a lot about both of those things as we bounced from publisher to publisher looking for one who could provide the best of all worlds: great covers, great marketing, great editing, and great contracts. We realized we were hunting for a unicorn, basically. Most houses do at least one of those things well, but pretty much none of them—at least none we’d found, anyway—do them all as well as we’d have hoped.

This led to sort of a lightbulb moment one day, when we were like, hey, you know? We could probably do this. We had a lot of the necessary skills between us: I edited in Manhattan houses for years, including major independents and a Big Six house. Aleks had edited for years in the business sector. We were both pretty intimately familiar with the publishing industry in general and the M/M industry in particular. Aleks had a ton of connections. I had a ton of business experience (I owned and operated a business for seven years, managing a double-handful of staff and wearing all the hats at one time or another). We knew all the ins and outs of what makes a contract good or bad. We knew the production process. And god knows we had the drive and the heart.

So I wandered off to draft up a business plan, and realized that, yes, this will work. Our success or failure does hinge entirely on a reader’s willingness to pay for a quality product—depending on length, our books may be $1 to $3 more than most other publishers in our space would sell a book for—but we firmly believe that readers are smart and are hungry for brilliantly crafted, well edited, and beautifully packaged books that don’t make them want to hurl their Kindle across the room in frustration. The reception Riptide’s been getting—from industry professionals, authors, book bloggers, and readers—seems to indicate we were right about that assumption. We seem to have hit a nerve, and it’s amazing and humbling and wonderful to see so many people so excited about what we’re doing here.

Q: Have there been challenges along the way that surprised you?

Interestingly enough, the sailing’s been generally smoother than I ever could have dreamed it would be. Everyone’s been so receptive and so eager to work with us. It’s been amazing.
The biggest challenge for me has been time. Getting fifteen books ready all at once while simultaneously launching the business side of things and also trying to get an under-deadline release of my own out has resulted in a lot of 80-hour workweeks. But it’s all so exciting and I’m so passionate about it, I hardly notice. As Aleks and I like to joke—I can sleep when I’m dead. Or, you know, sometime after October 30 

Q: What is important for you, as one of the founders, to offer readers?

An unfailingly impressive reading experience. No bad plots, no unrelatable characters, no awkward prose, no ugly covers, no bad editing. We’re bringing Manhattan quality to the M/M space.

Q: Do you think pricing affects the buy behavior of a reader and in extension of that, what are the prices going to be of your imprints?

In a way, yes. A reader’s much less likely to take a chance on a new author if their book is $9.99 than if their book is $.99. On the other hand, 99% of the time, you get what you pay for. When you buy a $2.99 novel, it’s a good bet you’re wasting your three bucks on a poorly-edited book you won’t terribly enjoy.

Q: I’m always wondering if publishers and authors notice trends in the M/M subgenres. What readers buy the most and do you anticipate on that?

It doesn’t make much sense to cater to trends, because by the time you see, “Oh, vampires are selling really well,” and you set about acquiring vampire books, and put in the three to six months it takes to edit and produce them, and finally get them out to the reader, the trend is over. Now you’ve got three vampire stories and suddenly everyone’s sick of them.

So what we look for is simply great storytelling. If it happens to have vampires, that’s fine—just make sure you bring something new to it. We actually do have four separate stories with vampires in our initial fifteen releases, but none of them are actually vampire stories, if that makes sense. One’s an action-packed cyberpunk thriller (A Chip in His Shoulder); one’s a hilarious, pun-filled short (Sucks & Blows); one just happens to feature a vampire amidst all kinds of other crazy (and very funny) things popping out of a hell portal in the parking lot of a Quick-Mart (Pretty Monsters: Josh of the Damned #1), and one’s a moody atmospheric piece that bounces through time (Divinity). None of them are vampire stories in the traditional sense—no tragic heroes, no woe-is-me love stories, no sparkles.

Q: I took a sneak peek in to your press kit and came across a cover stating it was ‘A Riptide Wet Dream’. What does this entail?

That’s our line of erotic-focused short stories. We have two lines of shorts (stories under 10,000 words). The Wet Dreams are erotica—quick little bites of burning hotness. The Ripples are everything else; they may have erotic elements, but the erotica isn’t the focus.

Q: What is up and coming with Riptide Publishing?

We’re releasing fifteen stories this year amidst a gigantic three-month-long Grand Opening Celebration. We’re rolling out with some very exciting “First Wave” authors—fan favorites like Lori Witt, Kari Gregg, and Damon Suede; and absolutely stunning new talents like Peter Hansen and Rhianon Etzweiler. We’re hard at work on our lineup for 2012 and 2013—most if not all of our First Wave authors are writing new pieces for us, and you’ll also be seeing some very familiar faces joining in on our Second Wave. All in all, it’s a very exciting time, and I have to admit to doing a little fangirl squeeing at some of the authors who we’re signing on for next year. Keep an eye out!

website | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter |

The Giveaway: From October 1 to December 31, Riptde authors and editors will set sail on a massive Grand Opening blog tour!

We're gearing up for three months of games, prizes, interviews, chats, and scavenger hunts, and we'd love to have you along! At each stop along the tour, we'll be giving away great prizes - tons of books from our authors' backlists, swag by the boatload, gift ceritficates to All Romance Ebooks, and entries into the Grand Prize drawings for a Nook, a Kindle, and an iPad.

Have you got a question to ask Rachel Haimowitz? This is your moment! Ask away in your comments ;)

Interview: Riptide's Grand Opening Party - L.A. Witt

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:25:00 +0000

Q: First of all where are you from?

Born and raised about 30 minutes outside of Seattle.

Q: What do you like to read?

Pretty much anything that sounds interesting. I mostly read science fiction and fantasy, but I’ll read anything.

Q: What do you love about being an author?

Besides having a 15 second commute, working in my pajamas, listening to my own music, having my cat on my desk, taking breaks/vacations whenever I want, and being able to chat while I work? Being an author.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?

Take two (or three) characters, put them in a crappy situation, ~~add water~~ remove clothing, stir vigorously.

Q: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

They’ll usually have a real person’s face, but the characters come from my imagination. Meaning I need a visual of some sort – usually a photo, either of a celebrity or just some random picture I found online – so I can put a face with the name, but the character evolves on his or her own.

Q: What are your current projects?

It changes constantly, but I’m working on a BDSM novel at the moment, plus rewriting a hetero BDSM story that I wrote in 2010. Hoping to have both of those done and submitted by the end of the year, but considering I’m traveling and relocating from October thru December, I don’t expect to be quite as productive as I usually am.

Q: Where do you get the names for your characters?

Sometimes they come to me. Sometimes I have to spend an inordinate amount of time poring over a very tattered baby name book that lives on my desk. There is frequently some brainstorming with my Minion and my writing buddies.

Q: Tell us about your latest release(s)?

Chip in His Shoulder will be out on November 14, at Riptide Publishing.

Here's a blurb:

“Contract killer” is a fitting job for a vampire, and it suits Liam just fine. Cast down from the wealth and status of the Sky for taking a human lover, Liam lurks in the poor and pollution-choked Gutter, killing to survive. Between his natural strengths and his Cybernetix mods, no mark has ever escaped him.

Liam’s ex-lover Daniel is the heir to Cybernetix—and its greatest threat. Horrified by people less man than machine and the exploitation of Gutter factory workers, he’d rather destroy Cybernetix than inherit it . . . if his father doesn’t destroy him first.

Years of anger and a heap of mods have kept Daniel and Liam apart. When Liam is hired to slaughter a man in his glass Sky tower, he walks right into a Daniel-shaped trap. Daniel’s father has betrayed them both, and only by working together can Daniel and Liam survive the coming day. They have no reason to trust each other, but as the dawn looms, a bargain that began with the simple urge to live soon reminds them of the love they once shared. Can they find each other again, or will the Cybernetix assassins find them first?

The pre-order buy link

Q: What are you working on next?

At the moment, I’m working on a contemporary gay BDSM novel called Where There’s Smoke. After that, it’s on to the not-yet-titled second book in the Tooth & Claw series (book #1, The Given & The Taken, is due out in January from Samhain).

Q: What would you advise an aspiring author?

Sit down and write. The book will not write itself, so put your butt in a chair, your fingers on a keyboard, and write until you finish. If it sucks, don’t panic. That’s what editing is for. And for the love of all that’s good and unholy, when you submit your work, be persistent. You will get rejected. Probably a few times (I have about 300 rejections under my belt). Keep at it, be open to criticism, keep improving, and keep writing.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to tell your readers?

No matter what anyone says, argyle socks do not, in fact, go well with strappy stiletto dress shoes.

Q: How can readers connect with you?

Readers are welcome to e-mail me at thethinker42(AT)gmail(DOT)com if they have questions, comments, or Jared Leto’s home phone number.

website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

The Giveaway: From October 1 to December 31, Riptde authors and editors will set sail on a massive Grand Opening blog tour!

We're gearing up for three months of games, prizes, interviews, chats, and scavenger hunts, and we'd love to have you along! At each stop along the tour, we'll be giving away great prizes - tons of books from our authors' backlists, swag by the boatload, gift ceritficates to All Romance Ebooks, and entries into the Grand Prize drawings for a Nook, a Kindle, and an iPad.

Have you got a question to ask L.A. Witt? This is your moment! Ask away in your comments ;)

Interview: Riptide's Grand opening Party - Damon Suede

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:36:00 +0000

Q: What’s the one question you wish people would ask you when you tell them you’re a writer?

“Where can I buy your book?” LOL

No. I’m kidding.  I wish people would ask about the subtler things in a story. I love when readers dig deeper than “this happened and then that happened, and they all went to Guam in a rowboat.” I bury hundreds of Easter eggs in books (more for my own amusement than anything!) and I love it when readers uncover them. My favorite thing is a reader asking, “Hey is that name there because of the Greek meaning or the Finnish?” or “I noticed that you connected the colors of these three props in these five scenes and never commented on it. What’s that about then?”

Q: How do you answer it?

I tell them the truth when I know it, explain the logic when it’s there, show them how the choices got made and the small impacts of those choices over the rest of the book. Most people don’t pay attention to the small accretion of specifics that create an sense or plant a hint. They know they felt “scared” or “sexy” but they don’t need to know why. I love talking about the choices, maybe because I think about them too much… And when a reader has paid close attention to something I wrote, they deserve my undivided attention in kind.  Such readers do us great honor.

If you were doomed to spend the rest of your life on an island with only one book, one person, one food (coconuts and fish aside), and one object from the modern world (computer, deodorant, vibrator, etc.), what would they be?

The one book would probably be The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. I’ve read it a hundred times and it’s never the same twice and always heartbreaking. My one food would be Murgh Tikka Lababdar (sort of like a tikka masala) because Indian food is so nourishing and so comforting at the same time. The modern object (and I’m assuming it can’t be my loaded Kindle, ya bastards!) would be a computer so I could write and thereby stave off madness. If I couldn’t write every day, in under a week I’d be in the corner playing with my eyelids and eating a wig.

The one person would be my boyfriend, who is my rock and my joy. He’s a forensic investigator and very handy besides, so in about 3 days he’d have built a boat out of twigs and squid and we’d be home shortly after.

Q: Do you have a favorite character out of all the ones you’ve written?

Holy Sophie’s Choice! That’s like asking parents to pick their favorite child! Impossible! I’ll say this: I always love the most recent characters a little more ardently because (like infants) they seem to need it more; I’m more protective of the newborns. The older characters can take care of themselves in any dark alley. LOL

Q: What’s your current book list and where can we buy them?

I have a full length contemporary novel from Dreamspinner called Hot Head.
And I have a free online short called Seedy Business, which is a prequel to Grown Men (published in October by Riptide).

Where are your favorite online hangouts? What are your daily must-stop blogs and websites?
Goodreads. Facebook (although my patience is wearing then), Jessewave, Elisa’s Ramblings, Speak Its Name, Huffington Post.

Speaking of online hangouts, where are yours? Where can your readers find you?
Ah hell: I’m like jock itch. :) Any damp, dark place and I’m good to go. But you can try me at:

website | Facebook | FB Fanpage | Goodreads page | Amazon | Google+ | Dreamspinner Press | GLBT Bookshelf | Manic Readers |

The Giveaway: From October 1 to December 31, Riptde authors and editors will set sail on a massive Grand Opening blog tour!

We're gearing up for three months of games, prizes, interviews, chats, and scavenger hunts, and we'd love to have you along! At each stop along the tour, we'll be giving away great prizes - tons of books from our authors' backlists, swag by the boatload, gift ceritficates to All Romance Ebooks, and entries into the Grand Prize drawings for a Nook, a Kindle, and an iPad.

Have you got a question to ask Damon Suede? This is your moment! Ask away in your comments ;)

Interview: Riptide's Grand Opening Party - Aleksandr Voinov

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:03:00 +0000

When I was contacted by Chris from Riptide Publishing if I wanted to join in the festivities surrounding the opening of a new m/m publisher I scoured their website. What I found made me very excited! Next to the fact I found author names I enjoy reading in the m/m genre there was also a lot on background info that hit the excitement button. Over the course of this month the Riptide party will rock blogland and will be the sound off to many wonderful reads! This week I chipped in with interviews by Aleksandr Voinov and Rachel Haimowitz. In between the interviews I have guestblogs by L.A. Witt and Damon Suede.

Join in y'all for great convo's and fantastic prizes!!!

Q&A with Aleksandr Voinov

Q: First of all I want to congratulate you, Rachel Haimowitz and Chris Hawkins with the opening of Riptide Publishing. Of course everyone wants to know; How was the journey from idea to realizing a brand new publishing house?

Thanks, Leontine, for the congrats and for having me over. I think just about every author has briefly toyed with the idea to be a publisher – whether to self-publish or not is a viable question in these times when the technology is cheap and the skills are there. So, yeah, Rachel and I were talking about self-publishing a story or two and basically all stories where the rights are returning to us. Authors need to be savvy about running their backlists, and self-publishing can be a good idea.

Once that idea was in the room, we realized we had all the skills necessary to actually be a publisher – not “just” a self-publisher. We ran the idea past some friends (like Chris Hawkins, our marketing guru) and then Rachel crunched a lot of numbers and wrote a business plan.

I guess we were a bit shocked when we realized, yes, we can do this. We have the perfect team and skill set and we actually managed to sell the idea – the whole mission statement – to author colleagues and friends. It became big pretty quickly, and by now I’m less shocked and more “Hell yeah!” about it all. I really have the feeling that this is exactly what many authors – and readers – have been waiting for: great editing, great talent, great covers.

Q: Have there been challenges along the way that surprised you?

There’s a nice German expression that says “being scared of your own courage”. Yep, I was pretty scared, I have to admit. Starting a business is huge, and we’ve seen many publishers go under or never take off, so Rachel and I (and Chris) did a lot of business analysis and planning.

Learning from other people’s mistakes and failures and successes. Above all, I was nervous about not being able to deliver for our authors – many of our authors are serious names in the industry, so what if we can’t give them a better service than they are used to? You do lie awake at night, going through everything over and over again and building emergency plans and worrying about everything. So, yeah, that was the thing that surprised me. I’m usually a doer – I make stuff happen. Being so nervous and scared of my own courage was new.

Q: What is important for you, as one of the founders, to offer readers?

Quality stories with great editing and great covers. I’m reading a lot myself, and there are so many books out there that are… less than they should be. Or could be. Basically, most of the books and stories out there that I read make me think, “Damn, this could have been good if the author had had some help from a capable editor.” There are many books in the market that are almost good. So we want to offer stories that entertain, stories with plot, attractive covers (as a reader and writer, I’m sick and tired of awful covers) and ideally typo-free reading. I recently read the sentence “he road him hard” in a release from a mid-sized romance publisher. That ruined the sex scene for me, and I know that readers really don’t like reading stories that are teeming with typos and other mistakes. At Riptide, readers can immerse themselves in the story.

Q: Do you think pricing affects the buy behavior of a reader and in extension of that, what are the prices going to be of your imprints?

I do think pricing affects reader behavior, absolutely. Some publishers are selling novels for less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks (or whichever coffee chain store you visit). We’re not one of those publishers. I do think that readers are willing to pay a little more for quality. At the shorter lengths, we are competitively priced with other publishers. Once you get to the novel-length fiction and the longer novellas, that’s where it really costs a lot of money to edit properly.

I think our FAQ says it best: Pricing is based on book length. Rather than featuring only three or four price tiers, we have ten different tiers at Riptide. This ensures that the customer never overpays for a book at the short end of a wide price tier (for instance, some houses sell all books up to 15K words for $2.99, but who wants to pay $2.99 for a 5,000 word short?), and that the author is paid fairly for books at the long end of a wide price tier (for instance, some houses sell all books over 40K words for $5.99, even though it may take the author three or four times as long to write a 100K book as a 40K book).

When deciding how to price our tiers, we took into account the time and expense that goes into producing each book at Riptide. Unlike many other e-publishers in the M/M space, we provide Manhattan-quality developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading for each book we produce. We also provide professional layout, hand-coded file conversions to eliminate irritating artifacts and layout errors in your e-book, and gorgeous cover art. All of these things mean that Riptide’s production process is as much as fifteen times more expensive than at other e-houses, and consequently, our cover prices are a little bit higher (but not fifteen times more!). However, we’ve learned through experience that quality sells, and readers appreciate the respect we show them by not producing a sub-par product.

Our pricing tiers are as follows:
Short stories
Under 5,000 words: $.99
5,000 to 9,999 words: $1.99
Novelettes
10,000 to 14,999 words: $2.99
Novellas
15,000 to 24,999 words: $3.99
25,000 to 34,999 words: $4.99
35,000 to 44,999 words: $5.99
Novels
45,000 to 59,999 words: $6.99
60,000 to 74,999 words: $7.99
75,000 to 89,999 words: $8.99
90,000+ words: $9.99

Q: I’m always wondering if publishers and authors notice trends in the M/M subgenres. What readers buy the most and do you anticipate on that?

It’s received wisdom that contemporaries sell the most copies, so most publishers are looking very much to acquire contemporaries. Sex outsells no sex. M/m outsells mixed ménage, novels outsell novellas, and novellas outsell short stories.

At Riptide, we don’t really care. As writers, we know that people write what they are passionate about. So I’d much rather publish a gay horror story that the writer poured their heartblood into than a lukewarm contemporary. We really only care about the quality, regardless of length or genre.

The problem with trends is that they are unpredictable. Before Harry Potter, would anybody have thought that a book series about kid wizards would sell a gazillion copies? Before Gladiator, the big historical movie was dead. I think you have to do what you’re passionate about, and the readers will follow.

Q: I took a sneak peek in to your press kit and came across a cover stating it was ‘A Riptide Wet Dream’. What does this entail?

Wet Dreams are short stories whose primary focus is erotic content. Other shorts—which may contain erotic content but aren’t erotica—are called Riptide Ripples.

Q: What is up and coming with Riptide Publishing?

Well, we’ll have the big launch with a number of stories in October, then we’re partying for three months and publishing one story per week over that period.
Right now, our launch line-up looks like this (subject to change):

Opening Day: October 30, 2011

Grown Men by Damon Suede
First Watch by Peter Hansen
Master Class by Rachel Haimowitz
Sucks & Blows by Storm Grant
Dark Soul vol. 1 by Aleksandr Voinov
Romeo Club #1: Surprises by Brita Addams
Once a Marine by Cat Grant
Pretty Monsters by Andrea Speed

November 7
Divinity by Bryl Tyne

November 14
A Chip in His Shoulder by Lori Witt

November 21
Dark Soul vol 2 by Aleksandr Voinov

November 28
Collared by Kari Gregg

December 5
Romeo Club #2: Rubbed the Right Way by Brita Addams

December 12
Blacker than Black by Rhianon Etzweiler

December 19
Dark Soul vol 3 by Aleksandr Voinov

After December 19, we take a break for the holidays and begin new releases again on January 2.

If you'd like to follow us, subscribe to our newsletter on the website

website | Facebook | Twitter |

And our very active Goodreads group, with lots of fun activities for both readers and writers:
Goodreads Group

The Giveaway: From October 1 to December 31, Riptde authors and editors will set sail on a massive Grand Opening blog tour!

We're gearing up for three months of games, prizes, interviews, chats, and scavenger hunts, and we'd love to have you along! At each stop along the tour, we'll be giving away great prizes - tons of books from our authors' backlists, swag by the boatload, gift ceritficates to All Romance Ebooks, and entries into the Grand Prize drawings for a Nook, a Kindle, and an iPad.

I would say; Let your curiosity run free and ask Aleksandr Voinov a question that has been burning on your tongue and demands an answer ;)

Watch out New Orleans, here we come!!

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:28:00 +0000

For the last couple of days I’ve been off the grit to prepare for my trip to NOLA. I think I’ve been talking about this trip for the last six months to anyone who was willing to lend an ear. The minute I knew me and Janna were going I made myself a list what I wanted to do.

Pleasuring the taste buds:
I had no problem filling this list.

1: Drink a Hurricane – I do not drink alcohol often because I always have the state of mind I can have just as much fun without alcohol as with. Still, I have never…and I mean NEVER drunk a cocktail. So I decided NOLA is going to change that with me drinking this local cocktail. If, at any time during my stay, you read tweets that do not make sense or fail to form a coherent thought…I warn you now; it is still me but a tad bit drunk!

2: I would like to eat breakfast or lunch at Café Du Monde. I have heard much about this place over the years and I want to eat a bagel/beignet there. If I have guts I’m ordering a chicory coffee with it 0.0

In extension of chicory coffee – I think I will drink twice as much coffee in the US than at home. Why, you might wonder. One answer; Starbucks *grin* Please support Janna any way you can if she has to deal with me in a caffeine rush!!

3: I have heard Pearl talk about sweet potato fries. We don’t have them in the Netherlands and I must find out if they are this finger licking tasty!

4: Gumbo – I really need to wear my ‘I-Iz-Superwoman’ t-shirt to eat this. I’m not that much of a seafood person but I don’t think I can leave NOLA with at least having it tried once.

Culture inhaling:

1: I have bought this delightful little information book on NOLA and found a few bookstores of interest which might be fun to visit: Octavia Books – Garden District Books – Faulkner House Books & Beckham’s Bookshop.

2: Visit a plantation. In my early teenage years I watched North And South which resulted in me having a gurl crush on Patrick Swayze. Not much later after North And South I went to the cinema and saw his hip rockin’ moves in Dirty Dancing and Road house. My girly heart went pitter patter at the sight of him without a shirt. *Focusses on topic again* Ever since watching North And South I wanted to visit a plantation and wander around. I might not have been a history junkie in school but loving it now!

3: There is a big market somewhere in NOLA, I read about it in my little book of travel info but can’t seem to find it again :( Anyway, it sounded like inhaling an essential piece of NOLA so definitely going to find the info again.

Also, with the GayRomLit we are going to do awesome things like A Mississippi cruise – bar crawl – cemetery tour - French Quarter Vampire & Ghost Walking Tour and lots of parties! Next to that the M/M group from Goodreads organized a Scavenger Hunt which means oodles of fun to me and a chance to accumulate a European bracelet.

Things I found out along the way:

1: My sister informed me that on October 10th it will be Columbus day in the US. Does this mean BBQ? And if so, where can we crash one? ;)

2: This trip has once again proven what a control freak I am! *chants* "Know oneself is the road to self-improvement!" As it is my first trip to the US I've asked various friends numerous questions regarding plain trip, luggage, customs etc. The 'What if' syndrome stressed me out and my bro and sis got the brunt of it. *gives them a bear hug*

3: I bought a dress for the parties and my butt is still very butt-luscious curvy and present. I guess I’m owning it as my mum once said: “Hon, you were born with buttocks (she will never say butt LOL) and I think you’ll grow old with one as well.”

4: Last week I googled the weather forecast of New Orleans and came to the shocking discovery the temperature is around 28-30 Celcius there, which is around 80-85 Fahrenheit? That is like freakin' sub-tropical summer in the Netherlands!! I iz a fall/winter type of person y'all and already sweating at the thought of such temperatures. Only light airy tee's, dresses, skirts, capri pants for me to wear and sandals for me to walk on, I can tell ya that!!

5: I contemplated on revealing a picture of my real life self in this blogpost but *insert chicken sounds* I’m a coward. I think each and every one can handle me better in three-D *grin*

Dreaming of things happening in NOLA:

1: Meeting a Were-Hunter, fall madly in love with each other and…oh yeah; have wild *not inserting animals like monkey or bunnies here* sex together ;)

2: Anne Rice bumps in to us, we talk a bit, and then we get invited to her house for dinner.

Whatever happens in NOLA, I know this; I’m happy to share the first part of my adventure with Janna and we are going to join Chris – Kassa – Tracy – Tammy and Kris for the GayRomLit adventure. I know I will have my Bridget Jones/foot-in-mouth and speaking Dutch to a US peep moments. Which afterwards we will all laugh about but at that moment I’ll pray in embarrassment; "Dear lawd, have the earth swallow me whole!" I will also get to meet awesome authors and especially look forward to meeting J.P. Barnaby!

I will return on October 18th in the Netherlands and between then and now I will try to blog but there are no reviews-interviews or giveaways planned in the meantime. I didn’t think to invite fellow bloggers to guestpost *eek* So I will try and blog/tweet as much about my NOLA experience as can :)

On October 17th I have a Q&A week planned with founders and authors of the new M/M Publisher in town; Riptide Publishing. The curios kitten in me wanted to know a lot, plus they have grand prizes in store like; A Nook, iPad or a Kindle.

Of course, if you’ve got tips on places to go for me and Janna, please share them!

Guest Review: Andrew grey - Dutch Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-61372-058-5
Pages: 200
Cover Artist: Anne Cain
Categories: Novels, Contemporary, Andrew Grey
Format: eBook
Received e-copy from Rarely Dusty Books for review

Summary:
When Michael accepts a company assignment overseas, he doesn't count on being dumped by his boyfriend on the way to the airport. The breakup is a bad omen--Michael's time in Europe would be one long misery of loneliness and corporate backbiting if it weren’t for his friendship with his coworker, Stephan.

When he finds out Stephan wants more than friendship, Michael is torn. Even if he chooses to risk his one bright relationship in Europe for a chance at love, when this project is over, isn't his only choice to say goodbye?

Here is the link to my guestreview of Dutch Treat @ Rarely Dusty Books.

Andrew Grey on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ Dreamspinner Press

Cover Gallery:whispers I found a new hawt series!

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:29:00 +0000

Last week when I was scouring the net for a particular cover I found another cover in the suggest section that captured my interest. I added the cover to my cover love folder and thought nothing of it. Until the next day when I wanted to add it to my cover gallery post. That's when I found the authors website and read the blurbs. Can I tell you all bells and whistles went off! As we are nearing the last quarter of 2011 I find more and more new-to-me authors and books I'm excited about. Joan Swan with her Phoenix Rising Series is among them!! Of course I immediately knew I had to give this new series and the, what I consider to be almost a traditional hunk cover, a spotlight of their own!

FEVER (Book 1 of the Phoenix Rising Series)

Coming in April 2012 from Kensington Brava

Firefighter TEAGUE CREEK is not the man he used to be. Six years ago while on a routine call, a warehouse explosion left him with burns over eighty percent of his body. When he awoke in a hospital, his injuries had miraculously healed, leaving him with the burning question: what really happened in that warehouse? Subsequent events added to his suspicions: forced separation from his engine company, interrogation by mysterious military personnel, restricted visitation with his wife and, ultimately, her suicide.

But the bizarre circumstances didn’t end there. Two years after his wife’s death, he has been convicted of murdering the first woman he dated since, incarcerated at San Quentin State Penitentiary and denied an appeal. He’s lost the daughter he lived for, Kat, and the career as a firefighter he loved. Believing the original warehouse fire is somehow linked to everything that’s happened since, Teague gives up on the system. Instead of fighting an invisible enemy, he scrapes together a plan to escape prison, reclaim Kat and flee to South America.

Doctor ALYSSA FOSTER is only two weeks away from attaining her loftiest goal to date: securing an attending radiologist position at one of the finest hospitals in the country. Her success means status, respect and proving her worth to her family. But Alyssa’s future is forever altered when she is abducted by one of her forensic patients, Teague Creek. Early on Alyssa realizes this is no ordinary man. He has a strange ability to create heat within his body, which he uses to both hurt and heal.

It doesn’t take Teague long to figure out he’s grabbed the wrong woman. Instead of a bargaining chip to use in exchange for Kat, he’s saddled with a witness. And she’s picked up on his developing pyrokenetic abilities. As the two reluctantly grow closer and she eventually believes his story, a bond emerges between them. And that bond only strengthens as Alyssa helps Teague both embrace his powers and demystify their origin. During their trek across California to find Kat, they both find themselves attracted to each other in ways neither of them expected. But that attraction may just get them both killed. Because this isn't about a missing little girl anymore. Someone wants Teague gone. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of him.
________________________________________

BLAZE (Book 2 of the Phoenix Rising Series)

Coming in October 2012 from Kensington Brava

Former firefighter turned ATF agent LUKE RANSOM knows how fast a situation can go from bad to worse, and when a simple child custody retrieval turns into a Waco-slash-Jonestown rerun in the remote Nevada desert, worse turns to shit. Paired begrudgingly with his ex, KEIRA O’SHAY, also a former firefighter but now one of the FBIs sharpshooters, Luke and Keira quickly deduce things aren't what they seem. Thrust into the depths of a conspiracy they’d suspected, but couldn't prove, they uncover a deeper, darker force at work, one that is somehow linked to the destruction of their former firefighting team and the development of strange paranormal abilities every team member has struggled with since the mysterious warehouse fire five years before that changed their lives forever.

What neither Luke nor Keira realize, is that their paranormal abilities are enhanced by the power of their relationship. When Luke and Keira come back together in BLAZE, their abilities strengthen, grow and expand. Keira's clairaudience blossoms with empathetic qualities and even a touch of clairvoyance. Luke's gifts come back full force and not only is he immune to burns, his skin is impenetrable, his bones unbreakable. Each utilize their powers toward the success of their mission, but don’t expect the bond their interconnected powers create in their relationship.

And when the shadow agency that has been tracking them decides they’re getting to close to the truth, repressed passions and unspoken regrets won't be the only thing keeping Luke and Keira apart. Now, they’re in a race not only to save a child's life, but to save each other’s as well.
________________________________________

Inferno (Book 3 of the Phoenix Rising Series)

JESSICA FURY once had everything to live for. Now, she lives for one purpose: revenge.
Five years ago, Jessica witnessed the death of her newlywed husband, QUAID LEGEND, when their hazmat firefighting team stumbled upon an illegal chemical stash in a government warehouse set aflame. Since her recovery, Jessica has slowly pieced together a plan to implement payback, and she's just one piece of information away from achieving that satisfaction when she receives the biggest shock of her life: Quaid may still be alive.

Recent events involving other members of her team in BLAZE turn up evidence that Quaid has been held as a prisoner in a secret military laboratory. Jessica utilizes her scrying abilities—using an item to view events at a distance or in the future—to help find and free Quaid from the custody of the shadow government agency, only to discover that all the experimental testing he's undergone over the years has wiped his mind clean, and he has no memory of her.

Utilizing the clustered paranormal abilities they developed within Quaid, the government scientists have created a powerful weapon for the U.S. military. When his former firefighting team rescues him from the secure facility, the government goes on an all-out mission to retrieve what they consider an extremely valuable element to national security.
With their past shadowed and their future threatened, Jessica and Quaid face the ultimate battles of freedom--one for life, one for love.

After reading all these blurbs I developed a serious case of 'me wants'! The blurbs do not only promise fantastic romance but also a plot with chills and thrills. A combination I can not easily resist ;)

Joan Swan on the www:
website | Excerpt Fever | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Pre-order FEVER @ BookDepo

ARC Review: Jennifer Estep - Spider's Revenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:29:00 +0000

Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books (September 27, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439192642
ISBN-13: 978-1439192641h
Title:Spider’s Revenge
Series: Elemental Assassin #5
Characters: Gin Blanco, Owen, Finnegan Lane

Summary:
Old habits die hard. And I plan on murdering someone before the night is through.

Killing used to be my regular gig, after all. Gin Blanco, aka the Spider, assassin-for-hire. And I was very good at it. Now, I’m ready to make the one hit that truly matters: Mab Monroe, the dangerous Fire elemental who murdered my family when I was thirteen.

Oh, I don’t think the mission will be easy, but turns out it’s a bit more problematic than expected. The bitch knows I’m coming for her. So now I’m up against the army of lethal bounty hunters she hired to track me down. She also put a price on my baby sister’s head. Keeping Bria safe is my first priority. Taking Mab out is a close second.

Good thing I’ve got my powerful Stone and Ice magic — and my irresistible lover Owen Grayson — to watch my back. This battle has been years in the making, and there’s a chance I won’t survive. But if I’m going down, then Mab’s coming with me...no matter what I have to do to make that happen.

My Review

!!Warning: If you haven’t read the previous books this review may contain spoilers!!

A long time ago a prophecy changes the course of so many people and now the reader is given the ultimate showdown. With the beginning of Spider’s Revenge, Jennifer Estep immediately sets the tone for the rest of the story. There was no gradually easing in to it with easy banter between characters. No, this time I was thrown smack-dab in the middle of a tension rife scene instantly elevating my blood pressure. I got a taste of the diabolical scheming of Mab Monroe and the singular drive of Gin Blanco for revenge.

One of the things I noticed was that the rekindling of information was kept to a minimum and was much more affective this time around. It didn’t hinder the pace of the actual story and only refreshed the memory. While first time readers might still enjoy the story I would say; why start with Spider’s Revenge? The major and some minor plotlines will have so much more punch to them if you start at the beginning!

The first half of the story I was going back and forth between familiar elements and a gradually increasing tension. I was intrigued by the suspense, got lots of acerbic witty dialogues between the group of characters and action filled scenes. It was something I’ve come to expect from Jennifer Estep. She has kept the Elemental Assassin series on a 4 or higher star rating for me and I was ready to be blown of my feet again in a roller coaster ride of plot, action and romance. Let me say that the first half of the book is only warming up the reader. It’s kind of going up the track in a roller coaster ride. Adrenaline starts to pump in your veins, butterflies grow to the size of bats fluttering in your stomach and you heart is slowly getting to beat a mile-a-minute for that moment you tip over. That’s how I experienced the first half as it prepares you for all the things that are to come in the second half and I got what I wanted; I was blown away!

I will look at Gin Blanco, aka The Spider, and see an assassin with heart. She can be lethal with the flick of a wrist and have no scruples about it. Still, over the course of this series some characters have niggled the way in to a small corner of her heart, making her care deeply about them. Ever since Spider’s Bite, Gin has been on a collision course where her deadly skills would threaten all she holds dear. In Spider’s Revenge the stakes are higher than ever before and it demands all of what Gin has to give.

Gin has a no-nonsense attitude, she has her own moral code and an inner core of steel. The fierceness of her love and loyalty is shown to the reader with the very select group of characters who love her and who have become her family. As always Finnegan ‘flirts-with-everything-that-has-a-skirt’ Lane brings humor to the story. Owen who was sexy from the first moment and surprised me in more than one way with his layered personality. The romance may not be the main course in this series but it struck a chord with me in the depth and beauty of it between Gin and Owen.

There are more supportive characters like sturdy, ‘I’ll have your back’ Sophia, who doesn’t say much but each expression or muffled sounds is quirky but meaningful. Her sister; ‘I’ll take care of you’ Jo-Jo is home, pure and simple. Bria is very much like Gin in love, loyalty and backbone. They all burst of the pages with their bold personalities and the dialogues between them speak of a very strong connection. Over the course of this series I got attached to this core group of characters. In Spider’s Revenge I got to become a part of their small family again and I didn’t want to see any of them hurt, or worse! In doing so it made fighting scenes filled with nail-biting tension. Because who were to say the good side wouldn’t lose a few in the end?

Gin was going to face her nemesis, Mab Monroe in the ultimate showdown which made Spider’s Revenge jam-packed with action and verbal taunting between the two powerful women. Mab Monroe was a worthy adversary and just a character I loved to hate. She reeked of power and evil but it made me root for every plan or fight gone right against her. She elevated the mystery in her scheming and raised the stakes in her raw power to kill. Even with all of the tension going on where lethal action ruled it was the love in all its forms and the family that gave it all meaning. I was tumbling from edge-of-my-seat moments to ones where I was gasping, crying or laughing. It is Jennifer Estep’s writing style that has the ability to let the reader absorb all that is going on and she made me live every moment with Gin & Co.

With each novel in the Elemental Assassin series I feel more invested. Even though major plotlines get resolved in Spider’s Revenge, believe me when I say that by the end you know there is room left for more. The kill or be killed fights and the increasing dangers coupled with the emotion rife interaction between the characters make Spider’s Revenge one whopper of an Urban-Fantasy no one should miss out on! I can’t wait to find out what the next chapter of Gin Blanco’s life entails!

4.5 stars

Quotes for you to sample:

1: In that moment, without a doubt, I knew that I loved owen—loved him with every bent piece and warped shard of my heart, black, brittle, and broken though they might be. The knowledge left me dizzy and breathless, and I had to grip the counter to keep from falling off my stool.

2: Genevieve Snow, Gin Blanco, the Spider; whatever I called myself, one thing remained the same—Fletcher Lane had fiercely loved me, and I’d loved the old man just as much in return. Enough to follow in his footsteps as an assassin. Enough to avenge his murder. And more than enough to take on this final impossible task of killing Mab Monroe.

Jennifer Estep on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ BookDepo

I haz a hawt date with Janna & Lis

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:04:00 +0000

It is that time again where the stars have aligned and me, Lis and Janna have the chance to spend an afternoon together. The moment we are in the vicinity of each other we kind of create a vacuum of our space and talk the hours away. The only one daring to come into that space is a waiter or waitress whom supplies us with food and drinks. Hey, what can I say; the body needs fuel and the vocal cords must remain well-oiled ;) This time we agreed to have a high-tea which I do at least a few times a year. I love high tea with its sweet and savory size one snacks. Shall I give you a visual? I feel I must *grin*

So can you see the three of us in a popular café in Utrecht; sitting at a table, nice fall weather for a change, sipping on tea and taking the taste buds out for a treat. You got that image…let me try to explain what happens in the eight or so hours we spend together:

When we meet up it is kiss, kiss, smooch, smooch and ‘how have you been’? We relay our personal life and since we haven’t seen each other since what…May, June, we have vacay’s to discuss. Which leads us to the upcoming vacay of Janna and me in NOLA & the GayRomLit. We comfort Lis cause she can’t come with us and promise her goodies signed by her favorite authors. A small band aid on the wound but she is a tough cookie, it will do for now.

After that it’s going to be books…

And books…

And *uhm* well, books!

And in between I give the big announcement where I tell them about the fact Kris is going to pop my YAOI hymen. Which is kinda, you know, a big deal *grin* I hope it doesn’t hurt *cringe* So I need insiders info from Lis and Janna about their first times.

Since we’re on the topic of visual delights we will talk mancandy andTumblr. Of course I have my iPad with me so I can show them what I have accumulated over the last three months *naughty grin* Do you want a glimpse as well? Really? I would’ve never guessed *wink*

Here’s something for you:

After that it will probably be more books, blog world adventures and personal stuff. But I can tell you this; those hours go by in the blink of an eye and before I know it I need to go home to take care of my furries.

I hope you all have a fantastic Saturday as well! Lis and Janna are going to make mine!

Review: Amy Lane - The Locker Room

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:28:00 +0000

ISBN-13: 978-1-61372-012-7
Pages: 250 pages
Cover Artist: Dan Skinner/Cerberus Inc.
Categories: Novels, Contemporary, M/M
Format: eBook
Read a copy from my personal library

Summary:
Xander Karcek has only wanted two things in his life: Christian Edwards and basketball—the man he loves and the game that let him escape a childhood he’d rather forget. His two obsessions have served him well. He and Chris beat the odds and stayed together through high school, college, and right on to the NBA.

But life under fame’s microscope isn’t easy, especially when two men are pretending to be frat-buddies so the world doesn’t know they’re the next best thing to married. Their relationship survives the sacrifices they make and the lies they tell to stay together, but when their secret is exposed, the fallout might destroy them when nothing else could.

Chris and basketball are the two things holding Xander together. Now the world is asking Xander to make a choice. Is there an option that includes a future with the man he loves?

My Review

I picked up this book for one reason; I needed to get my reading focus back! I was all over the place in my reading. I was starting books which couldn’t hold my attention and this wasn’t necessarily the stories fault. Experience taught me that a story from Amy Lane has always been able to draw me in and keep me engaged throughout the entirety of it. The Locker Room was no exception. I will not attempt to try and explain what it is about Amy Lane’s characters that affects me some much, just the fact that they do.

Normally I’m a reader who loves a complex multitude of storylines but The Locker Room kind of swallowed me up with its simplicity, intensity and romance! I have no review notes save the names of the main characters and a quote. That’s it! The Locker Room is about falling in love and doing everything for each other. To conquer difficulties and bigotry but also soaring in the love you feel for the other half of your heart and soul. There is also love for the basketball game and making hard choices. It was all revolving around Xander Karchek and Christian Edwards. Their life, their love and the game they played brought enough emotional tension for me to be completely invested.

At the beginning of the story Xander Karchek is a teenager who has to scrape by in life for food, warmth and a place to stay safe. He has one love and that is basketball. It is on a fateful night he plays basketball where he meets Christian Edwards. Chris is coming from a warm nest with loving parents but the moment those two meet on that basketball court the magnetism between them is evident. They come from opposite backgrounds and while Xander struggles with this fact, in the end, it didn't matter! From that first moment they were kibble and bits, red and yellow M&M, Ben and Jerry…you get my drift. At first they became inseparable friends but over time it developed in to true love. The love burned fierce inside Xander and Chris, they never doubted that love, or the connection they felt. They were each other’s first and only love which grew deeper over the years. It was the outside world that caused trouble and then some.

Xander and Chris bring out the best in one another and over the course of the years I saw that connection grow so strong. I think it is a remarkable feat to have almost fifteen years pass by in 250 pages. It never felt rushed and always with a flowing writing style and animated dialogues. Some periods got more attention than others but in every significant moment Amy Lane put focus and detail. At some points I thought it almost went too easy. Xander and Chris are stars in high school and college basketball and then go pro. It is the secrecy about their love for each other that brings a high voltage tension to the story. It brings difficult dilemma’s to the forefront yet it simultaneously showcases the strength of their romance and their bond together. This kind of romance sweeps me off my feet and makes my heart go pitter patter.

The Locker Room resonated with me in the message that real love can conquer it all. It might not be easy, it sure as hell wasn't easy for Xander and Chris. Yet they have a tenacity, a love stronger than oak and a small group of family and friends to opposite the darkness, dangers and bigotry. Both these men are very sympathetic and become a powerful pair. I was just completely engulfed by the maelstrom of feelings portrayed by these two life-like men! There was no secondary storyline or plot, it all revolved around Xander and Chris’ life and it was enough.

Chris and Xander were personable, passionate and sympathetic from the first moment I met them. Gradually the emotions became more complex to deal with and I was nailed to the pages how this couple would come up at the other end. I love it how this author has the ability to keep me focused on just two characters sharing their tumultuous ups and downs with me. Amy Lane excels in complex emotions, fantastic developing relationships and awesome characters.

4 stars

Quotes for you to sample:

Chris’s mouth was on his again, and he let go of Chris’s hand and wrapped his arms around that smaller, more slender body and pulled his friend, his savior, deep into whatever haven he could give. Don’t leave me, Chris. Don’t let me leave you. I need this. I need you. I’ll do anything, move the world, move out of my mom’s place, get an apartment, pass all my classes, anything, just stay here, right here, forever.

Amy Lane on the www:
website | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ Dreamspinner Press

Review request: S.E. Jakes - Bound By Honor

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:52:00 +0000

Format: eBook
Genre: Kink/BDSM, Red Hots!!!, Men In Uniform, Gay Contemporary
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: 03-01-2011
Length: Category
ISBN: 978-1-60928-373-5
Series: Men of Honor
Received eCopy from author for review

Summary:
To escape the past, you have to take a leap of faith.

A promise forces two men to bare themselves…completely.

One year ago on a mission gone wrong, Tanner James failed to save the life of Jesse, his Army Ranger teammate. Before dying in that South American jungle, Jesse extracted a promise that won’t let Tanner rest until it’s fulfilled—no matter what it costs him.

Damon Price loved Jesse, but problems in their relationship had come to a head right before Jesse left on his final mission. Now a reluctant Dom and a man still in mourning, he’s not happy when Tanner appears at his BDSM club. And even less happy with Jesse’s last request—that Tanner sub for him for one night.

After a rough start, Damon realizes that the tough soldier, despite his protests, aches for someone to take control. And Tanner senses a hesitance, an insecurity in Damon that makes him wonder if he’s simply a placeholder for Jesse, or if their tentative connection could grow into something more.

For Jesse’s sake, they agree to try one weekend together. Then duty calls, and a series of attacks that have been happening near the club hit too close to home, making both men wonder if giving their hearts is a maneuver fraught with too much risk…

Warning: Contains rough language, rougher sex and warriors who fall hard for one another.

My Review

Without much fanfare Bound By Honor arrived in my mailbox for review yet I found out it had quite a story to tell! It is a story of strong male characters who have a history which left me with a lump in my throat. It is a story of rich emotions where each male appealed to me in a different way. It is also a story where the supportive character almost took the spotlight…almost. For Damon and Tanner hold their own as they embark on a journey together. It encompasses sensual pleasure and emotional pain, along with strength of the soul and vulnerability of the heart.

It all started with Tanners promise to a dying Jesse he will go to his partner Damon after one year and do a D/s scene with him. It is with that very request that Tanner and Damon face each other for the very first time. As they were standing across from each other in one room, both dealing with a multitude of emotions, I got my first taste of the wonderful dramatic tension S.E. Jakes can deliver. In different ways both men were so deeply affected by Jesse’s death that the moment just made me fall for them. Here you have two commanding men yet their emotional turmoil just screamed off the pages.

Damon Price is ex delta Force with a rough and tough past. He is a co-owner of a BDSM club called CRAVE and a Dom. First and foremost I initially saw a man grieving over the loss of his submissive. A man in such emotional conflict with himself he makes mistakes. Gradually his actions, his personality traits made more sense to me as his backstory unfolds. I really fell for Damon the man but not all that much for Damon the Dom. The thing I love most about D/s is the psychological interaction between a Dom and his submissive which heightens the overall eroticism. I like being in the minds on both sides to get that emotional impact of a scene. What I found in Bound By Honor is definitely a fiery sexual chemistry but not necessarily an intricate D/s one. I felt the D/s was on the lighter side and had a different function, especially for Damon which made sense as his past is slowly revealed.

Both men came with issues and Tanner James has hidden desires to deal with. He always considered him a natural top but one scene going terribly wrong and Tanner gets a fierce wake up call. Damon uncoveres all of Tanner's most deepest and darkest desires for him to understand and acknowledge. The difficulty lies in the fact Tanner never thought to have submissive desires. His mind is struggling but his body knows exactly what it wants. His whole sexual identity is shaken up and brings inner conflict full of doubts, fears and new found pleasure. This welter of feelings is written all over Tanner’s inner dialogues and mannerism. In doing so S.E. Jakes deepens the character development to where I truly get to understand Tanner.

I got the notion the plot was used as a tool to reveal more of Damon and LC’s past. It was very interesting at first with the attacker and it incorporated a theme I don’t encounter much. While the set up captured my interest the plot was quickly abandoned to pop up in the last chapters. So the subtle suspense was quickly lost which could’ve been a great asset to the story. S.E. Jakes really focused the story on the emotional development and in this she sure as hell delivered. Because next to two stunning men, delivering a battle of wills and scorching passion, there was another man who irrevocably drew my attention. This was LC.

It was a good thing LC had enough appearance in the story to be a fantastic supportive character but not enough to draw away the attention from Damon and Tanner. Each time that man opened his mouth I was all focus on what he was saying. When certain aspects of his past came up my heart was bleeding for him. The verbal sparring he had with detective Paulo McMannus set my blood on fire and all I wanted was more. So you can guess my glee when I found out book #2 in this series entails LC’s story!

From the get-go the magnetism between Damon and Tanner hummed with an overload of conflicting raw emotions which I couldn't wait to unravel. The D/s element may not have been completely satisfying to my own preferences. The plot may not have added a nail biting suspense but S.E. Jakes delivered a few fantastic and distinctive characters and an intense romance. I am more than ready for more!

3.5 stars

Quotes for you to sample;

1: LC stared at him, and Tanner, in turn, stared at the floor for a long moment. And then he opened the door and realized he’d been anything but prepared for Damon Price. Tanner was big and broad and strong, stood six foot three and turned heads wherever he went. But Damon—he was well over six foot five, with jet black hair and chiseled features. He stood, hands at his sides in a deceptively casual stance, dressed in full black leather and looking like a fucking badass.

2: “I’m not good for anyone right now,” LC started.
“Yeah, see, that kind of line will only make the boys fall harder for you, trying to prove you wrong.”
“Are you one of those boys?”
“I happen to be, yes. And I’ll try as hard as I need to, because the thought of having you in one of those rooms…that’s part of my nightly jack-off fantasy.” Paulo had the nerve not to blush and LC felt his cheeks heat. Dammit. “You’re getting shy with me now?”
Would Paulo tell him the fantasy if he didn’t tell him to stop? Did LC really want to hear it?

3: Paulo fingered the edge of the gun that stuck out of LC’s side. “Pushing me away as hard as you can because you’re scared.”
LC laughed a little. “You’re wrong about that.”
“You’re trying to forget someone and not succeeding.” Paulo pressed both his words and his body against LC. “No, that’s not true. You’re scared you were succeeding. Because in my apartment, you came more times than I care to count and not once did I hear you calling out anyone else’s name but mine.”
Paulo’s eyes glittered—half anger, half lust and all determination.

S.E. Jakes on the www:
website | Goodreads | Twitter | Buy @ Samhain

Cover Gallery: A new psy/changeling & more testosterone

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:27:00 +0000

Tangle Of Need is all about Riaz and I'm already loving him. Nalini Singh mentions on her blog that this cover model is Riaz *thud* I'm not liking the rest but the cover model has a high-octane rawr factor!! Why do I have a sudden deja-vu feeling regarding the male cover models from the 80's? Something about this model triggers it...must find out why now ;)

I don't have a blurb summary yet so for those who aren't familiar yet with this series *gasps if you are* Here is some series info:

1. Slave to Sensation
1.5 "The Cannibal Princess" - free short story
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed By Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
5.5 "A Gift for Kit" ~ free short story
6. Branded By Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow
11. Tangle Of Need (2012)

Nalini Singh on the www:
website | Psy/Changeling series info | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Pre-order @ BookDepo

Book four in The Bounty Hunter series.
No summary available yet :(

Lorie O'Clare on the www:
website | Facebook | Goodreads

MARCH 27, 2012
THE SAINT
The fifth book in Monica's Highland Guard series

Summary:
Robert the Bruce consolidates lands and loyalty in a bold war for Scotland’s independence, as his elite team of warriors, the Highland Guard, fight for king, country . . . and love.

Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain and to best his enemies. Called “the Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus hides a painful truth. It isn’t virtue or piety that keeps him silent, but a wound of love and loss that cuts so deep he cannot bear to speak of it. But when the woman who refused him is betrothed to his friend and fellow Guardsman, Magnus is tested by love’s battle cry.

A wild and innocent beauty, Helen chose family duty over her desire for Magnus. Now the anger in his eyes mirrors the tormented regret in her heart. But as deadly subterfuge stalks the King and his Guard, Helen vows to right her youthful mistakes with a woman’s determined spirit. Still, Magnus harbors secrets and an iron will not to weaken to temptation—or heartache—again. But as danger looms, it’s the kiss not of a saint, but of a sinner, that can save them.

Monica McCarty on the www:
website | Highland Guard series info | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Pre-order @ BookDepo

How I am loving the cover goodness of Monica McCarty's Highland guard series. I love the premise of this series but can't give you any more details since I actually still need to read book one in this series *shameface* But look at those purty covers *gleaming eyes*

That was all for this weeks cover gallery folks!

ARC Review: Ilona Andrews - Silver Shark

noreply@blogger.com (Leontine) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:22:00 +0000

Format: ebook, 96 pages
Release date: September 16th 2011 (first published September 14th 2011)
Language: English
Series: Kinsmen #2
Characters: Claire Shannon, Ventur
Received eArc from author for review

Summary:
Claire Shannon is a Kinsman, a woman gifted with enhanced mental capabilities. Her skills and her life were taken over by the military to fight in war that has raged on her home planet for decades. But as the war ends, she is forced to hide her abilities in order to make a new life for herself as a civilian. It’s a new persona, a new planet and new job that has her crossing paths with the powerful and alluring Venturo Escana. Is she strong enough to hide her true nature from her perceptive new boss? And as they grow closer, will she even still want to try?

My Review:
From the moment I read the first page Ilona Andrews pulled me into a world which was fascinating to say the least. The prologue introduces you to the society structure and the different humans inhabiting the worlds of Uley and Rada. The first chapter leads me into a war torn Uley where I met Claire Shannon. By the end of the first chapter I followed Claire on a trip to a new planet as she was exiled.

The first chapter gives rapid information as I quickly tumbled from one moment in to the next. I got the notion of a war going on for too long in a bleak and dreary world and as I got in to that setting the war was ended with the flip of a page. I understood that the initial chapter was there to introduce Claire in her world yet I could've used a battle of some form to give me a sense they were defeated. However, from the moment Claire got deported I practically inhaled this story!

Claire Shannon is a skilled warrior, trained to use the bionet as a grade A psycher. She knows how to kill but not how to cook. She is focused, empathetic but also very lonely and the city of New Delphi engages many of her senses that weren't used to such a lascivious world. Sight, smells, emotions. Life is lived different in New Delphi but I loved to see the adaptability of Claire!

The first time Claire meets Venture Escana the air is electric with the zing of attraction. Even though the story focuses on Claire's journey the mannerisms of Venture signaled he wasn't ignoring Claire! He is the kind of intense character who breaths leadership. Potent virility combined with a commanding presence and a fierce intellect made this man instantly on the receiving end of my unwavering attention.

The romance might have a minor role in Silver Shark but the attraction between Venturo and Claire is all the more palpable. Together they have incredible verbal and nonverbal communication which warned me passion could explode of the pages at any time. There were secrets to uncovers, battle skills and prowess to match which made there beginning relationship very combustible.

Even though Silver Shark is a sci-fi romance it wasn't bogged down with unnecessary information but rather flowed with an imaginative writing that appealed to the imagination. It resulted in a swift pace where all the story elements were given in the right dose but it is the writing style of Ilona Adrews that gave all those elements more depth. Settings became more lush, emotions more intense, dialogues more lively. I was trying to read slow and absorb every nuance of the storytelling but somehow I still was going to fast!

Sample of the imaginative writing style

Directly in front of them the ground dropped down. Far, far below silvery waters of an ocean lay placid, tinted light pink and the yellow to the left, where a golden globe of the sun set, cushioned in soft clouds. Above the clouds, the cosmos spread, vast and glorious, with bright stars melting into the glow of nebulas and distant galaxies.
To the right, past the gulf of the ocean, another cliff rose, naked rock wall topped by a lush jungle. Twin rivers spilled from the cliff, wrapped in feathery mist. Between them the massive tree waited. The purple lanterns glowed, beckoning her.

In the span of 96 pdf pages I was given vivacious major and minor characters. The secrecy plot created personal havoc where I got two of the best scenes in this story. One scene was rife with grace, fortitude and strength in combat and the other scene was one of smoldering passion erupting in a fierce need. Both scenes were so vivid, so intense and brimming with the spirit of both main characters I could only want more. This is why the ending felt abrupt. I was so in to Claire and Venturo to a point I was ready to go with them wherever they needed to go. The bluntness of the ending however was lessened by the epilogue and I felt very satisfied. It wasn’t picture perfect but that would not have been believable in the time span of the story, so the author does get kudos from me for doing that!

Ilona Andrews could write many more novella's or even novels set in the Kinsmen universe. The ground work is all there setting up a vastly interesting world with fascinating characters! All that is left to say is: The worlds Ilona Adrews writes are the ones I love walking in to and explore!

4 stars

quotes for you to sample;

1: "Do you like it here?" he asked with genuine interest.
"It's very beautiful," she said. "Very bright." Too bright. Too vivid. Too many smiles. Men that were... that were...
"We try to live life to its fullest," he said.
He didn't intend anything sexual by it, but inside her shields, his words triggered an image of him naked. It flashed before her, stunning in its shamelessness. She wanted to touch him.
I'm losing my mind.

2: She looked at Venturo Escana on the screen. It was as if some vital part of her, the one that was female and craved male contact, sex, and love, had withered. Somehow this man managed to resuscitate it without doing anything at all. And he felt nothing except pity for her. The irony made her laugh.

3: Venturo leaned forward, the fire roaring around him.
If he was fire, she would be ice.
Glacial mist shot from her. Claire charged into the depth of the inferno. His fire licked her ice barrier.
They collided.