Purple Jelly Bean Chair Reviews

Review for: The Last Beginning by Rachel Firasek

2012-03-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes. Or that, when her last incarnation as a phoenix comes to a fiery end, the fire slowly begins to consume her body.

Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up.

Permanently. Terrified he’s going to lose her, he takes her on a hunt for The Book of the Dead, which is the only way he knows he can save her—even if it means she’ll hate him forever

My Thoughts:
The Last Beginning is the last book in this wonderful series, and as happy as I am after reading it I have to say I am sad at the same time. I am sad to see this amazing world and cast of characters Rachel has created has come to an end. I love finding a world and set of characters that you can tell right from get go the author has poured so much love and passion into creating, it wasn't just a series of books, it was her baby, born, nurtured, loved, guided, and lovingly cared for, but like all of our children they grow up and we at some point have to let them go.
I have reviewed and posted of each in this series and I hope you all have had the chance to read them all and enjoyed as much as I have. To re-cap, the first in the series was:

After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns her voodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthy of a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after the tragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a woman who forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keep his personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.

When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the man she loves.

I really am having a hard time choosing a favorite character, Rachel has done such a phenomenal job at creating them you just love them all, Osiris you hate but end up loving and understanding better by the end of the last book, I would have to say Sadie is my favorite but really loved them all. It truly couldn't have ended a better way, I was quite surprised at the curve ball Rachel throws in there, didn't see that one coming at all. This last book takes you for a roller coaster ride like no other that you don't want to miss, it has everything you are looking for in a great book, romance, suspense, mystery, humor, a fantastic plot, and characters you will fall in love with and not want the stories to end. Rachel has masterfully created three books that will be on my shelves forever, Thank you Rachel, well done! Well done! I can't wait to see what Rachel comes up with next I know it will be smashing!!!!

Emergency Funds and Couponing can help you save.

2012-02-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

It's always at this time of the year that we have a hard time, things are slow and getting back on our feet from the holidays is slow going, so I thought I'd take a break from reviews with a guest post from Elsie Brown, she is an author who writes guest posts on the topics of business, marketing, credit cards, and personal finance, I thought this just might be of help to all of us. Welcome Elsie to the Purple Jelly Bean Chair and thank you for being with us today!

Do You Have an Emergency Fund? How Couponing Can Help You Save for Your Future

So many people don’t think about or plan for their financial future until it is too late. The growing popularity of payday loans and using credit cards to get by week to week only proves that people aren’t taking the time to educate themselves about their personal finances. Having an emergency fund is a great way to avoid these financial mistakes.

It has been advised by many financial experts that every household should have at least six months’ worth of expenses saved in an emergency fund. This amount of money would definitely come in handy should you become ill, have an accident, or lose your job. You never know what your future holds, and a decent emergency fund could help you with those unexpected expenses.

There are many ways you can save this significant amount of money, though it may take a while. Maybe you have the luxury of making more than you need to spend now, and you can put away that extra income to save for an emergency fund, retirement, or that long awaited vacation. However, many people don’t have this luxury, and they need to find a way to save for this important financial pillow. If at all possible, you should start saving a specific amount of money each month and budget with the money you have left to cover your other expenses. When this is not possible, you will have to find ways to save money on the things you buy each month.

Couponing

Couponing is a great way to save money, no matter what financial situation you are in. Saving a dollar or two at the grocery store may seem like a little now, but when you add all of your savings up at the end of the year, the total may surprise you. In order to make this savings work for you, you should keep track of your total savings on each shopping trip, and then you can put the amount you saved into your emergency fund.

With couponing, you will find that you get out of it what you put in. If you only have an hour or two to find the coupons you need, that’s fine. However, you will find that you save much more if you spend more time working on your couponing strategy. It isn’t necessary to quit your job or become one of those extreme couponers you see on TV, but more effort on your part will result in more savings for you and your family.

Lowering Household Expenses

Another way you can save money to put into an emergency fund is by lowering your household expenses. There are truly countless ways to do this, but the most effective will be saving on your electric bill. When you make the effort to turn off the lights, wash your cloths in cold water, and switch to low energy light bulbs, you will see the difference in your bill. Some other ways you can save energy are unplugging appliances that aren’t being used (especially your television), filling up your refrigerator and freezer, and setting the thermostat a little lower in the winter and a little higher in the summer.

Eliminating Unnecessary Costs

There are also some expenses that you may not necessarily need. If you are looking at financial trouble in your near future, it may be time to eliminate those unnecessary costs and start saving for a potential emergency. Some of these costs may include your cable bill, Netflix, or expensive extra phone services. You may need to take a hard look at your monthly expenses and see what you can live without for a while until you are back on your feet.

Elise Brown is an author who writes guest posts on the topics of business, marketing, credit cards, and personal finance. Additionally, she works for a website that focuses on educating readers about payday loans.

Changeling Dawn Winner !!!!!!!!

2012-02-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

I just want to say thank you to Dani for taking the time to sit with me and allowing me to review her fabulous book and interview her. Also for providing this amazing giveaway. Now on to see who the winner is.......drum roll please.... Congratulations to Rhiannon Tala, Rhiannon I will be sending you and Dani an email and you will have 72 hours to claim your prize, if you do not email me within the 72 hours I will choose another winner. Thank you again everyone for participating in the giveaway it was so much fun. :)

Nattie

Review and Interview: The Placebo Effect by David Rotenberg

2012-02-06T23:28:00.000-08:00

Decker Roberts has the dangerous gift of detecting the truth (synaesthesia). But when his carefully compartmentalized life starts to fall apart he has to go on the run and figure out why he’s being targeted.

There’s also a government agency hunting him down who seems to know everything about him and other people of “his kind.” How will Decker find out which truth was endangering his life? Who betrayed him and revealed all his secrets?

Decker needs to find answers quickly, before knowing the truth turns from a gift into a deadly curse.

My Thoughts:
I get stuck from time to time when I'm reading. Sometimes I can't seem to get enough romance, then I start reading paranormal and can't seem to get enough of that genre, right now I seem to be stuck with mystery, with each mystery/suspense/thriller novel they seem to keep getting better and better. David Rotenberg has a written a great novel, it captured my interest right away, from the very first chapter and I couldn't seem to put it down until I had closed the back cover.

I was provided by Simon & Schuster an ARC copy of this book and after I read it I was so impressed with it I emailed Simon & Schuster and asked could I do an interview with David Rotenberg which you can read after my review. I really thought it was fantastic as David is a Canadian author and I myself am Canadian living in Nova Scotia, it's so cool when reading a Canadian author and being able to say, "hey I've been there", or I know where that is" and you can picture that particular place in your mind, it puts a whole new perspective on reading that book.

Decker is a Synaesthesia, who is a person who has the ability to see if someone is telling him the truth, imagine if we could actually do that, see who is lying to you or not that would be awesome, but poor Decker has tons of people after him because of him having this ability, they all want to know how, why, who else got it. This is a fantastic novel that takes you on a roller coaster ride with twists and turns you will not see coming and just when you think you have it figured out, oh no you don't lol, it's very fast paced, well written, unique thriller with a cast of characters that fit very well together, and the Canadian jokes and humor was great for me. I liked David's style of writing, I really am looking forward to reading the second book in this new series. Enjoy everyone!!! Now on to my interview, Yay!!

Thank you David for joining me here at the Purple Jelly Bean Chair Reviews and sitting and chatting with me today, please have a seat in the purple jelly bean chair!

How did you get the idea for this novel and what kind of research did you have to do to bring this story to life on the page?

I’ve always written about people with special abilities, the five Zhong Fong novels are about a man with exceptional talent in a world where special talents are not honored. When I directed the first Canadian play in the People’s Republic of China the first thing the Artistic Director of that theatre said to me was, “You must remember that you can always be replace”-a fine hello, how was your flight!

Synesthesia simply gives and access to the ‘other.’ There is a lot of material on synesthesia; some of the most interesting is actually the documentary on Mr. Tammet and his extraordinary abilities. There is also a gentleman called the human camera, you can find YouTube stuff on both, and BBC documentaries. As well Mr. Tammet has an interesting book.

Rainman was based loosely on the man who Mr. Tamnent thought of as his spiritual father-he passed away a few years back.

The cities I write about I have either lived in or worked in. As a professional theatre director I’ve spent time in lots of towns. I lived in New York City for many years and I presently live in the Junction.

What books or authors would you say have influenced you most?

John Le Carre-especially the early ones-references to such in the book. I’m fond of Mr. Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series. James Crumely’s early books especially Dancing Bear. The early Denis Lehane books, especially Prayer for Rain. Annie Proulx’s Close Range. Jack Miles’ God The Biography and Don Delillo’s Underground.

What is next for you?

Book two in The Junction Chronicles is now with Simon & Schuster, and I’m interested in a sub series called Seth’s Dream-probably three novels long-much more in the realm of speculative fiction following Seth’s ability to lucid dream.

If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would it be?

Yslan, I know Decker, I’d like to meet Yslan.

Desert Island time, you can bring one person & one thing, what & who would you bring?

James Joyce and Ulysses. It would take up years for him to explain to me what exactly he was getting at-and what so much of it means-I’m guessing he’s an interesting guy. Wrong guess and I could be in for the most boring eternity imaginable.

Thank you again David for stopping by today and taking the time to chat with me, I enjoyed that and I wish you all the success with your new series and look forward to chatting with you again, please stop by and visit anytime!!

If you would like to know more about David Rotenberg you can find him at any of these links.

The book page on our website: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Placebo-Effect/David-Rotenberg/9781439170069

An excerpt: http://www.scribd.com/doc/73385054/The-Placebo-Effect-by-David-Rotenberg-Excerpt

The Placebo Effect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Placebo-Effect-Book-One-of-The-Junction-Chronicles/260452804000778

Author website: www.davidrotenberg.com

The Last Beginning Trailor Launch and Book Release, it's here Yay!!!!!!!

2012-02-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

Well it's been worth the wait, the last book in this fabulous series is finally here, The Last Beginning is third in the Curse of The Phoenix series and I have been waiting forever for it lol, it's finally here and also the launch of Rachel's new trailer for the book, check out this awesome video and grab your copies of this great series. Enjoy everyone!!!

The Last Beginning

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX - Book Three - by Rachel Firasek

Or that, when her last incarnation as a phoenix comes to a fiery end, the fire slowly begins to consume her body.

Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but he unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up. Permanently. Terrified he’s going to lose her, he takes her on a hunt for The Book of the Dead, which is the only way he knows he can save her—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.

Coming soon!

Title: The Last Beginning (Curse of the Phoenix, #3)

Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Launch Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937044-56-5

Other Books in this fabulous series:

2012-02-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

Hot Reads Sweepstakes by Simon & Schuster Canada!

Hey Everyone you should check this out!

Here is an awesome Sweepstakes hosted by Simon & Schuster Canada.

DETAILS FROM THE SIMON & SCHUSTER PAGE

Enter to win 1 of 5 prize packs of books and scented goodies from .

Click on the titles below to find out more about the books and authors: Lothaireby Kresley Cole, Sleepwalker by Karen Robards, Last Man Standing by Cindy Gerard, A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries, Hunter of Shadows by Nancy Gideon, The Pleasure of Your Kiss by Teresa Medeiros.

For more book and author news, find us on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

The Books:

CONTEST PERIOD:

This contest began on February 1, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time and ends on February 29, 2012 at 11:59 p.m..

ELIGIBILITY:

This contest is open to all legal residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province/territory of residence at the time of entry.

Good Luck to all who enter!

In Leah's Wake

2012-02-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

An Ode to Bloggers

Last May, a month or so after I began marketing my novel, In Leah’s Wake, a former agent told me that I would never sell 500 books. A rookie, I had no idea what to expect. When I published the novel, I’d dreamed of selling a 3,000 – 5,000 books, hoping healthy sales numbers would attract the attention of an agent or traditional publishing house for my next novel.

The agent had left New York, but she’d been in the business for a long time, and her words stung. I hung up the phone, heartbroken, depressed. Had I not been in the midst of my first blog tour, I might have pulled my novel off the market that day.

Determined to see the tour through, I soldiered on. On the tour, I met wonderful, caring people, book bloggers, whose kindness buoyed and sustained me.

Over the next few months, In Leah’s Wake appeared on hundreds of blogs. Bloggers opened their hearts and spread the word about this quiet literary novel. In August, In Leah’s Wake hit the Barnes & Noble and Amazon charts. Now, seven months after my talk with that agent, the book has been in the Amazon top 200 for over five months, and we’ve sold just shy of 80,000 copies.

Book bloggers rock! I don’t know how to say it any better. Book bloggers are the fairy godmothers and godfathers of the literary world. They invest their talent, their energy, and their time into reviewing and promoting books – and keeping dreams alive.

Even today, traditional media refuse to recognize or review indie books. In this very real sense, book bloggers are the heart and soul of the indie revolution. Their vision, their energy, and their determination have enabled this amazing populist movement to take hold.

Today, we have the great good fortune of hearing the funny, poignant, intelligent voices of new authors from around the world - voices that, just a few years ago, might have been silenced by the gatekeepers of the old guard. These voices reach into hearts and minds, forging connections, uniting us in a community of readers and writers, searching for and finding, through words, the better part of ourselves. Because, truly, at heart, this is what reading and writing is all about.

Here’s to you, book bloggers! You are and always will be my heroes!

AUTHOR BIO

Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the award-winning novel In Leah’s Wake. Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah’s Wake is her debut novel.

Website: www.tglong.com

Blog: www.tglong.com/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tglong

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites

This week, Terri and Inspired Quill Press (paperback edition), launch a newly edited edition of In Leah’s Wake. The newly edited novel features a new chapter and several new scenes, adding new connections and insights, and tightens the book, cutting 60 pages – all while maintaining the integrity of the original edition.

For more information, please visit her website: www.tglong.com/blog or any of these retailer sales. (Your local library or bookstore can also order the book through major distribution channels.)

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306533515&sr=8-3

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Leahs-Wake-Terri-Giuliano-Long/dp/1456310542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318690782&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Leahs-Wake/Terri-Giuliano-Long/e/2940011264566?itm=1&USRI=In%2BLeah27s%2BWake

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780975453391

BOOK INFORMATION

IN LEAH’S WAKE

Terri Giuliano Long

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback, Kindle

ISBN: 1456310542

Publisher: CreateSpace/Inspired Quill Press

Website: www.tglong.com

***Newly edited by Sara-Jayne Slack, Inspired Quill Press***

The Tylers have a perfect life—beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine—more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years—just wants her sister’s approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly “together” kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life…until everything goes wrong. Can this family survive in Leah’s wake?

Margot Livesey, award-winning author of Banishing Verona, calls In Leah's Wake "a beautifully written and absorbing novel."

When happens when love just isn't enough?

Recipient of the CTRR Award for excellence

2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick

Book Bundlz 2011 Favorites, First Place

Praise for In Leah’s Wake

"Sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender."

Susan Straight, National Book Award finalist, author Take One Candle Light A Room

"In Leah's Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel."

Margot Livesey, Award-winning author of Banishing Verona

“Pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”

Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blog

“An incredibly strong debut, this book is fantastic on many fronts.”

Naomi Blackburn, Founder Sisterhood of the Traveling Book

TRAILER LINK AND VIDEO EMBED CODE

2012-02-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

I found this awesome challenge on another fantastic blog, I'm joining who else would like to join with me, I have already read most of these wonderful book and I know you will love them too, so come on sign up and lets all have some fun together :) Just go to the Moonlight Gleam blog and add your linky and put the button on your site!!

Calling out all Kelley Armstrong Fans!!!

Seeing as my most favorite series is coming to an end, I thought it would be a great opportunity to gather all Women of the Otherworld lovers to say goodbye and show our appreciation to such a wonderful series!

If you have not yet read Women of the Otherworld and have some of the books on your TBR shelves, this would be a great opportunity to enter Kelley Armstrong's magical world of all things paranormal and join in on this amazing adventure!

The Challenge:

Each month beginning March 1st, 2012, challenge members will read or re-read the title for that month. In addition, challenge members will either post a review, their reading experience, character castings or anything else related to that title. You have freedom to have fun with your monthly post so be creative! Seeing as this series is 13 novels long, this challenge will last 13 months.

PLEASE NOTE: **You do not have to have a blog to enter this challenge. You must, however, have a Goodreads account if you don't, so that you can link to your posts there.**

**You do not have to participate each month if you don't want to. I want this to be a fun experience for everyone so, if there only a few books you want to read, please feel free to join!**

**If you did not find time to read the title of the month, feel free to write a post about it and indicate why. This will allow you to link up to qualify for monthly challenge giveaways as well!**

The Challenge Schedule:

Bitten
(March 1st - 31st, 2012)

Stolen
(April 1st - 30th, 2012)

Dime Store Magic
(May1st - 31st, 2012)

Industrial Magic
(June 1st - 30th, 2012)

Haunted
(July 1st - 31st, 2012)

Broken

(August 1st - 31st, 2012)

No Humans Involved

(September 1st - 30th, 2012)

Personal Demon

(October 1st - 31st, 2012)

Living With The Dead

(November 1st - 30th, 2012)

Frostbitten

(December 1st - 31st, 2012 )

Waking The Witch

(January 1st - 31st, 2013)

Spell Bound

(February 1st - 28th, 2013)

Thirteen

(March 1st - 31st, 2013)

GIVEAWAYS!

What would a challenge be without some prizes to reward challenge members?

On the 1st of each month, beginning March 1st, 2012, there will be a post here on the blog, indicating the title challenge and giveaway prize for that month. This is where you will be able to link up your reviews/reading experience. Challenge members who successfully complete each monthly challenge will automatically entered to win that monthly giveaway!

At the very end of the challenge there will be a MEGA Prize Giveaway. Each time you enter a link throughout the challenge, this will automatically give you an additional entry. Only those who participate in the challenge and have linked to their posts will qualify to enter this giveaway.

A Personal Note:

I would like to thank all of you who enter, whether it be just for one month or for the entire challenge. Women of the Otherworld is, as I have mentioned a countless number of times, my absolute favorite series, and I really just want everyone to have fun and hopefully take away something from this!

So, what do you say.. Will you take the challenge?

Red Means Run by: Brad Smith

2012-01-31T13:01:00.000-08:00

Mickey Dupree is one of the most successful criminal attorneys in upstate New York, having never lost a capital murder case. That is the upside of being Mickey. The downside—Mickey has a lot of enemies and one of them drives the shaft of a golf club through his heart, leaving him dead in a sand trap at his exclusive country club.

The cops, led by a dimwitted detective named Joe Brady, focus their attentions on Virgil Cain. Just two weeks earlier Virgil told a crowded bar that "somebody ought to blow Mickey's head off," after the slippery lawyer earned an acquittal for Alan Comstock, the man accused of murdering Virgil's wife. Comstock, a legendary record producer, gun nut, and certifiable lunatic, has returned to his estate, where he lives with his wife, the long-suffering Jane.

It appears to Virgil that the fix is in when Brady immediately throws him into jail with no questions asked. In order to set things right, Virgil escapes from jail, determined to find Mickey's killer himself. Aside from a smart and sexy detective named Claire Marchand, everybody is convinced that Virgil is the culprit. When Alan Comstock is discovered with six slugs in his body the day after Virgil's escape, his guilt is almost assured. Now it is up to Virgil to convince everyone of his innocence—by finding the killer before he winds up being the next victim.

My Thoughts:

I love it when I find a great new mystery novel, but I love it even more when I also find a great new author. When I agreed to read/review for this book, I thought ok it looks good, the blurb sounds good, ok lets have a read. Well I have to say it didn't take long for me to finish the book it was that good. I think I read it in a day and a half. Brad Smith has written a show stopper that would make a huge blockbuster movie....I think anyway.

Virgil is a quiet guy who has been through hell, his father -in-law died of cancer and then his wife was killed and the Lawyer that defended the killer and got him off for that crime is found dead on the golf course, and because Virgil happened to be in a bar at the same time as the Lawyer Mickey, and voiced is opinion that "Someone should blow that guys head off", the police focus their investigation on Virgil, a case of wrong place, wrong time and said words out of anger.

After being arrested, and nobody willing to believe or help him prove his innocence, he has to take matters into his own hands and prove to everyone that he did not kill Mickey and the other bodies that keep piling up and evidence that is stacking up against him. There seems to be only two people that believe him but that's not enough, so Virgil escapes jail and sets out to prove himself right.

It's a fast pace novel, that will take you on a roller coaster ride you will not want to miss. While rooting for Virgil and praying through the whole book that the only two people that believe him are willing to help him any way they can, without getting themselves into trouble of course. I loved Brad's style of writing, it's smooth, the plot is flawless and the characters fit extremely well together good and bad. Virgil's determination, but sense of humor through out all the crap he has to go through, I'd have to say one of my favorite characters was a sexy detective Claire Marchand, and against her better judgement as a detective she tries to help Virgil the best she can.

I love how this novel waste's no time getting to the story, the twists and turns it takes you on and the big twits at the end of the novel was awesome. Brad has written a huge hit and I can't wait for you all to read it. I hope you all enjoy as much as I did and don't forget to watch the trailer below, if you don't already want to read this fantastic book you will after watching the trailer!! Enjoy everyone!

Here are some links to find Brad Smith:
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/207450.Brad_Smith
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brad-Smith/256466447720722?ref=ts
Website:
http://www.bradsmithbooks.com/index.php

Fangs Rule by Amy Mah

2012-01-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

Fangs Rule: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire

By Amy Mah

FANGS RULE a girl’s guide to being a vampire …. is a young Adult book for anyone between Puberty and Senility as it takes a close up look at life as a female teenage vampire in easy to follow A to Z advice for the reader, the book is also full of manga art which helps show the human world what life is like in a vampire world……….

Giving helpful advice such as how to explain to your Mom that as a teenage blood curdling denizen of the night you would like to paint your cave bedroom black without having a shouting match over why you don’t like the way she painted the stalagmites bright pink to go with the large stuffed pink bats hanging from the ceiling.

Everything is explained from how to polish your fangs to fashion tips and ways of climbing across a ceiling wearing a nightdress without showing your underwear.

Fangs Rule is a must for every teenage vampire and from these pages you will see why Amy says “Vampires Don’t Sparkle! …. They Bite!

Hi! My name is Amy Mah Vampire and here are some helpful hints from my book: Fangs Rule: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire

Going out on a date: Yes we all go thought the same difficulties of what to wear, the wardrobe will not shut but I still do not have anything suitable, so after hours of searching in the end I decide to wear black as it will match my comfy shoes, ok so I have more shoes than a dictators wife but only one comfy pair and they are black, why comfy shoes? Well I have no idea where we are going so what the heck should I wear!

Now comes the date bag, why can’t a girl just go out, and when I say a girl I mean me, why do I have to look like I’m going for a 10 day vacation and not just a night out.

So let’s open the date bag and check if everything is there.

1. Cell phone fully charged.

2. Spare cash and credit card.

3. Packet of mints for after eating smelly food….er…………foreigners

4. Chap stick ….well you may kiss him and …….. it goes with the mints ok?

5. Make up mirror, why take a mirror you ask, ..er …well if I get ship wreaked I can use it to signal for help, look it is just needed ok!

6. Packet of tissues just in case you cannot find a washroom when out.

7. Keys large bunch and no I do not know why luggage keys are on the same ring with my house keys.

8. Sun glasses, hat and 100% sun block just in case you stay out early.

9. A spare pair of panties in case I sleep over ……… er not that I am planning to sleep over … er forget it ok! Look I said stop giggling and forget it!!!!

10. Precautions and protection, nowadays it is not just a boys reasonability for protection and so a girl should also take her own protection if needed, personally I take a can of Mace and a 10 inch kitchen knife and if that fails I sink my teeth into the neck!

Get it: Amazon Kindle Amazon Paperback

My Thoughts:

I have to say the cover is what really drew me to this book, and the synopsis sealed the deal for me. I loved the manga artwork for the book, it was only a little over 100 pages long, an A-Z girls guide to being a Vampire. The pictures are beautiful, I especially like the color pics they are amazing really quite breathtaking. I quite enjoyed reading about Amy, Lady Amelia, Mistress of the Night Mare and Alpha Female from the Family of the Pink Bat is her full Vampire name, isn't that a cool name to have, I love it, hhmm I wonder what mine would be if I was a vampire?

Every thing we have read to date about vampires and the myths surrounding them and what we have all been told to believe is different in Amy's vampire world, which I had a lot of fun reading. It's an easy read and with each letter brings a new myth or explanation of the rules, and world of being a teenage vampire. I loved the letter "F" Fangs, and the pictures and descriptions of all the different fangs and the status you have with each different set of fangs.

Being a teenage girl in any day and age is hard enough as it is, but, if your a teenage girl vampire then it must be even harder and Amy's guide is here to help you out. It's very sassy, funny, sensual but not so sensual that a younger generation couldn't read it, I would say ages 12 and up, she is blunt and to the point but with great humor added to it, it's just an all around light, funny, book anyone from all ages would like to read, it was well laid out, and again the artwork is gorgeous. I highly recommend this book to everyone. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy!!!

About the Author:

The author Amy Mah (Vampire) is a well known blogger, that writes and blogs as a cynical teenage vampire:

Being a vampire sounds like it should be a cool thing to be as a teenage girl, like sleeping during the day and enjoying a night life with friends, huh, no one had warned me that it also meant having to suffer Teenage Hormones for so long! I am stuck as a teenager the years may pass but I am the same age!

And as to the rules, so many rules, and vampire uniforms! Guys have long fancy cloaks that they are always tripping over and as to the Girls uniform, it is a 18th C Nightdress!

The old male vampires expect a girl to walk about wearing just a see through nightdress with no underwear on!! as if that is ever going to happen!, they have seen far too many horror films! Life as a teenager is normally a living hell but even more so when you have fangs. The world is just out to get me, and not just by people trying to stake me because I have better teeth than they do!

http://amymahvampire.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/amymahvampire

http://www.fangsrule.com/

The Real:………… Amy Mah
Ok you want to know about me? Well I am a little older than my Vampire self which you first meet when she is 16, and I am in my 20s.

With my books I have tried to create a different type of vampire series using myself as the main character and so with the help of an excellent cartoonist my true likeness has been changed into a manga cartoon that you will see on the book covers and also inside the books as my book is full to bursting with colour drawings of me and my vampire friends and family.

Once you get to know me and my writing you will discover that I am a little crazy ……heck make that a lot crazy as Amy Mah the vampire character is me!

In creating my vampire world I have added a lot of real stuff which happened in my past and added it into my writings so yes my life has been real crazy in the past to fit into a self help vampire guide!

Fangs Rule (a girls guide to being a vampire) is a funny, cynical and sarcastic look at the problems of life as a teenage vampire, if you think being a teenage human can be problematic you try being a teenage vampire with hormones that mean you may like boys but in a way you would like to know their blood group before you date.

Amelia

Changeling Dawn Review and Giveaway!!! Come join the fun!!

2012-01-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

CHANGELING MOON (Book One)

He roams the moonlit wilderness, his every sense and instinct on high alert. Changeling wolf Connor Macleod and his Pack have never feared anything — until the night human Zoey Tyler barely escapes

a rogue werewolf’s vicious attack.

As the full moon approaches, Zoey has no idea of the changes that are coming, and only Connor can show her what she is, and help her master the wildness inside. With her initiation into the Pack just days away and a terrifying predator on the loose, the tentative bonds of trust and tenderness are their only weapons against a force red in tooth, claw … and ultimate evil.

CHANGELING DREAM (Book Two)

In times of stress Jillian Descharme has always found calm in her dream of a great white wolf with haunting blue eyes. But she is startled when the visions return and this time seem so real. Late at night he comes to her, speaks to her, touches her.

Thirty years ago James Macleod lost his wife and unborn child to a killer bent on destroying the Changelings. Though he longed for death, his animal instinct fought for survival and James has been a

wolf ever since. Yet now a woman has reawakened the man in him, taming wild instincts but arousing still wilder needs. With his ancient enemy hunting the legendary white wolf, James must fight for new life, new hope, new love.

CHANGELING DAWN (Book Three)

Werewolf, monster -- those are the names given her kind by the humans who hate them. Kenzie Macleod has spent her whole life hiding what she is, and she’s not about to open up to any man, even one as powerfully attractive as wildlife expert Josh Talarkoteen.

But legend says that a Changeling cannot escape the call of her true mate, even in the wilderness of backcountry Alaska. An isolated archeological site, a terrified Changeling cub, a secretive research center -- as Kenzie and Josh face the ultimate betrayal, his obsidian eyes promise untold pleasure and hint at

dark secrets of his own.

I also had a chance to sit and talk with Dani, thank you Dani for visiting with us here at the Purple Jelly Bean Chair, welcome and you get the Purple Jelly Bean Chair today :)

How do you come up with your characters’ personalities?

Frankly, they come with them! My characters tend to show up out of the blue and start talking to me, and usually, they’re pretty fully formed. It’s more a case of me observing them and getting to know them as I write down what they’re doing. Sometimes I feel more like an anthropologist than a writer who creates characters!

No matter how many books you write, I’m sure each one has its own challenges. How was this book more challenging to write than others? How was it easier?

You’re right, every book is different. Changeling Dawn is one of the few stories where I actually had some idea of what was going to happen in advance. For some of the book I even got to pretend that I was a plotter instead of a pantster. BTW, I have to plead that it’s not my fault I’m a pantster – I do try to plot first, but my characters always seem to have other ideas. Then we argue, then they run off and do whatever they darn well please and I run after them, typing frantically.

Who’s your favorite character in the book & why? Who was the most fun to write?

Josh Talarkoteen is the hero and 100% human. To my delight, he measured up impressively against the several shapeshifters in the book – including the heroine, Kenzie Macleod. But then he’s an Afghan veteran and accustomed to holding his own.

As for who was the most fun, I think it’s a tie between the Changeling cub and the old werewolf, Stanton.

If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would it be?

I’d have a blast listening to all Stanton’s conspiracy theories. And it would be great to have Birkie Peterson along (readers will remember her from Changeling Dream). She is like your BFF, wise woman and beloved aunt all wrapped into one.

How did you come up with your characters’ names?

Most of the time, they come with them. Honest, my characters don’t let me create much about them. Josh was always Josh, Kenzie was always Kenzie and so forth. I know their names, I know what they look like, I even know what their voices sound like. Sometimes I have to look up a surname to make sure it matches the nationality or ethnic background (and especially how to spell it), but that’s about it.

How did it make you feel when you were published for the very first time?

Omigosh, that was surreal! Ever since I was old enough to hold a book, I wanted to be the person who made up the story that was in it. When I was trying to break into the market, I foolishly thought it wouldn’t be an emotional thing to have a published novel because I’d been in the newspaper business for years, and written for magazines. Instead, I was completely BLOWN AWAY when my book was accepted. My husband threw his arms around me and we danced around the kitchen. It was even more exciting when I received a box of my own paperback books! That was when it was really, really REAL!

But the absolute best part? When readers told me how much they loved and connected with my story. That remains the biggest thrill of all, that special relationship with my readers. They really are my co-creators. I put the words down, but they supply their own imagination too. Synergy!

Desert Island time, you can bring one person & one thing, what & who would you bring?

I’m bringing the love of my life, my husband Ron. Not only is he my BFF and we do everything together, he’s a true Alaskan outdoorsman – he’d know how to survive on the island using nothing but a clam shell and a stick!

If I can only bring one item... Well, I guess the laptop is out, unless there’s an electrical outlet in the nearest palm tree. Although I’d love to read (and I wish my entire TBR pile could come with me), I’d be lost if I couldn’t write. I’d have to go low tech and bring a case of yellow legal pads and a ton of pencils!

This would make a great film, any talk of turning your book into a movie?

Only amongst the members of my family! They think it would be totally cool to see my stories on the big screen. Who knows? It could happen. I think it would be fascinating to see how the characters would be cast, and the actors’ interpretation of them. I would probably worry more that the wolves and Changelings were done right!

My Thoughts:

Dani Harper is a new author for me, and I am so very glad I found her.

The covers for her books really drew me to them and once I read the blurbs I was drawn in even farther. So I tried winning one of her books and when that didn't pan out I decided to email Dani, I wanted to read and review her books so bad. Talking to Dani is such a pleasure and right away she agreed to let me review for her. I received in the mail an autographed copy of Changeling Dawn, along with all the covers for the three books and postcards for her books as well. Oh what a happy day that was, they are even more beautiful up close. I started reading and just could not put this book down, it only took me 2 days to read it.

I am so happy I found Dani Harper, not only are her books amazing, but so is she. Dani is such a lovely lady to speak with, so nice, so kind and I just really enjoyed talking with her and once I found out that her love of Paranormal Romance started with one of my favorite Authors Christine Feehan I was just amazed, I don't often hear people talking about her so that was just awesome to share that common favorite author.

This is a series but it doesn't matter which book you start with they can be read as stand alone's, I started with Changeling Dawn. As the MacLeod family is introduced, Kenzie is the youngest, an Archaeologist and Anthropologist and Kenzie is used to working alone, she likes to work alone, but her family starts giving her a hard time about her love life and being alone so much. While on her way to her new dig site, Kenzie stops to help a guy with a blown tire on the side of the road. Josh, oh I like Josh, doesn't take no for an answer, strong, handsome...nope just pure sexy, now Josh is not a Changeling but he can tell who is one, Josh gets that talent from his own Native people, his spark with Kenzie is one he just can't seem to resist. Neither Josh nor Kenzie were looking for love and it was such a wonderful love story to watch bloom, to watch them both fight it.

Kenzie comes to find a Changeling cub and calls in Josh to help her find and keep the little cub safe. Something terrible happened to the little cub and she refused to trust either one of them. This was such an amazing story to read, it was a different perspective of the werewolf I normally read, this story is pack full of action, a love story, family sticking together and against all odds putting themselves in the worst danger possible to say the family and others who needed rescuing. I love Dani's writing style, the story flows seamlessly, the characters built into this family you just don't want to stop reading about, their friends that are so true to the MacLeod. I had so many favorite characters in this book it's hard for me to pick just one, Anya the little cub is just a little darling you just want to cuddle her, Birkie, she is so funny but I am interested to see what exactally Birkie is, she is not a werewolf but has special gifts and talents but does not reveal what she is just yet. Josh and Kenzie, her sister and brothers, its just a cast that fits so perfect together. You just fall in love with these characters, well except the bad guys, but even the one bad girl you will like her, read the book you will see what I mean, I can't tell you or I'll ruin it.

If you want a great book to read with action, a beautiful love story, a fantastic set of characters you will fall in love with, then this is the book for you to pick up. I can't thank Dani enough for allowing me to read and review for her, I can't wait until I get the other two books so I can continue my journey with this wonderful family. Thank you again Dani for doing this with me I have had so much fun and I look forward to working with you again!! I hope you all will grab your copy and enjoy it as much as I did!!!! Enjoy everyone!!!

Now on to the giveaway, Yay!!! I love giveaways. Dani has graciously allowed me to give you all the chance to win, here's the prize:

A signed copy of Changeling Dawn and a tote bag to put it in, how awesome is that. Thank you Dani so much. So here are the rules, you must be a follower of me, and also of Dani and leave a comment with your email address so I can forward it to Dani so she can mail out your prize, closing date is Feb 7th and I will announce Feb 8th. That's it, easy peasy right!!! Good Luck to you all and have fun!

About Dani Harper:

Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn't anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural – unless it's writing sizzling and suspenseful romance. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld.

A Canadian who spent many years in northern Alberta, Dani now lives on an island in southeast Alaska! She and her husband operate a commercial fishing boat and her stories are written on land or at sea, with the help of her executive secretary, Fiona the Pug.

Website - http://www.daniharper.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dani-Harper-Fan-Page/174878995877026

Twitter - @Dani_Harper or go to https://twitter.com/#!/Dani_Harper

Blog – “Way Past Normal” http://waypastnormal.blogspot.com/

Compulsion Review by: Kymberlee Burks-Miller

2012-01-26T12:51:00.000-08:00

After Lilyann Moon's grandmother dies under suspicious circumstance,she and her eleven young family members are thrown into the world of witchcraft and the paranormal. A world they know nothing about, and need to learn fast! Lily's the most powerful witch in over five centuries, but she's untrained and uninitiated.

Now the vampires have found out that the Moon line didn't end with her grandmother and they're coming to claim their prize, Her Blood! The only bright spot in this nightmare was meeting Mason, but is she in love with the enemy. She's in a race against time to save her coven! Will Lily survive with her heart and neck intact?

My Thoughts:
Well I have to start by saying this year has started off with a huge bang for me with the books I have been reading as of late. They just seem to get better and better, every book I pick up to read are fantastic, and this book is right there with the rest. I was on facebook one night and one of the other bloggers had a post to show this fan page some love, so I went over to check it out and the cover for this book caught my eye. I liked the page and read the blurb for the book which drew me in some more. Now I love anything to do with witches and anything paranormal so this was right up my alley. I emailed the author and asked if she could use another review and she said yes and emailed me a copy of her book and we were off to the races.
I had a feeling it was going to be a good book, but, what I didn't realize was it was a GREAT book with a great story waiting to unfold for me. When I started I thought ok a nice easy read with a good plot, it completely took me off guard and became an awesome read with a fantastic plot, awesome characters and a book I just could not put down. It starts with Lily, just your average everyday ordinary young lady going to college, she has a huge family, an awesome bestie and a Grandmother she loves greatly who lives on a farm. All is well in her life going along with her day to day routine until she gets a phone call from her dad telling her her Grandmother has passed away. From that moment on, absolutely everything in Lily's life changes, including meeting a handsome man, Mason, in a line up for coffee after almost running him over with her Jeep, she didn't kill him don't worry, good thing too cause from his description Mason sounds very dreamy.

At the reading of her Gran's will from that point on everyone in her family, their lives all change, they find out that they are all witch's and they only have so much time to figure out their powers, grow them and learn how to use them as the wards their Gran has set are coming down and need to be built back up, if they aren't built back up the evil vampires are waiting to kill them all, all except Lily, they want her and her powers.

It will take all the family's searching for the answers they need to figure out their powers, how to use them and to solve the family's past in order to defend themselves against the evil vampires now threatening their lives. Gran leaves Lily notes along the way to help them, but the rest is up to them. This is an amazing book, filled with action, it will have you thinking along the way with the Moon family in their search for the answers they need to keep them alive, and a very sweet love story mixed into the book. I love how family orientated this book is, to me family is always most important. Kymberlee has written a wonderful novel with an amazing plot that keeps you guessing, cheers the whole family on and keeps you turning the pages and won't let you put the book down until your done. If you are looking for a book just like this, this should be the one you pick, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy everyone!!!!

About the Author:

Kymberlee Burks-Miller is a wife, and mother. She lives in PA now where she and her husband have an interdivisional NFL rivalry. She is a die-hard Ravens fan, and her husband and son are Steelers fans. If you can't find her on the sidelines of her sons' football games, baseball games, online, cooking, cleaning, shopping, or on the phone wandering through her house, than she's probably tucked herself away in her cave. Kymberlee's positive attitude, and absolute fun-loving approach to life makes it easy for the voices in her head to take over on a regular basis.

You can find Kymberlee on her website:
http://www.kymberleeburks-miller.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/CompulsionSeries
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5029571.Kymberlee_Burks_Miller

Book of Mercy Review by Sherry Roberts and Blog Tour de Force, The Get Loaded Tour!!

2012-01-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

Antigone Brown has trouble reading road signs, keeps a stone in her pocket to help her remember right from left, and despairs of ever being a good mother to her unborn child. As she is quick to tell you, she is not hero material. She runs a deer farm and vegetarian cafe in Mercy, North Carolina, where textiles—not tourism—is king and where Irene Crump and the Mercy Study Club run the show.

But then Antigone takes in a homeless boy against her husband’s wishes and the Study Club forces her best friend, the school librarian, to remove “undesirable” books from the school’s collection. And soon Antigone finds herself challenging the controlling Irene and fighting for the very things that have made her life a misery—books. The dyslexic Antigone starts her own library and sets in motion a series of events destined to change Mercy forever.

Book of Mercy is a fun novel about a serious subject (book banning). Without losing a healthy sense of humor, it touches on issues close to the hearts of parents, librarians, people who love reading, and people who hate it.

If you like to read about relationships, the kind that last forever and the kind that make you crazy, you'll want to read Book of Mercy.
If you just love books—the whole idea of them, the smell of them, the feel of them (either in paper or encased in plastic)—you'll enjoy Book of Mercy.

My Thoughts:

I knew from the blurb of the book I was going to like it, I just didn't realize how much I was going to like this amazing book. As a passionate reader like myself and we all are, this is absolutely a book you will want to read. Warning though, once you start you will not be able to put it down until you have read the very last word. It's a book that will stay with you long after you have finished it. It's a very heart-warming, beautiful, touch your heart novel. It is about censorship, power and control, but also love, friendship and motherhood.

Antigone Brown a dyslexia lady who runs a deer farm and a cafe for vegetarians, she can't remember left from right and keeps a rock in her hand to remember the difference and amazingly never gets lost on her long drives. Out for one of her drives she picks up Ryder and brings home. Antigone will be the one to start everything in motion that will change Mercy forever. I love all the characters, they compliment this novel so well I couldn't imagine different one's, they are lovable, strong, funny, loving characters even with all their quarks.

I loved reading this book, and am so glad I did, for all of us book lovers, avid readers, story tellers, bloggers, you will all love reading this novel, it is a must read, I really can't say to much more or I'll ruin the story for you, but I will say if you don't read this book you are missing out on a spectacular novel. Enjoy everyone!!!!

Hey everyone, check out this awesome Tour and get your self some fabulous free books, just follow the link below, everyday you will find clues to win more prizes, and you will also find the links to each author participating, go check out their sites to leave a comment, if you leave a comment on each site you will get a free book, so go on and have some fun finding the clues and don't forget to leave your comments. Good Luck everyone!!!

http://indiebookcollective.wordpress.com/

Jan 23-Chelsea Fine - ANEW - http://www.chelseafine.com
Jan 24- AK Taylor - Neiko's Five Land Adventure - http://www.backwoodsauthor.wordpress.com
Jan 25- Jackie Chanel - A Hustler's Promise - http://www.jackie-chanel.com
Jan 26- Sherry Roberts - Book of Mercy - http://www.sherryroberts.com
Jan 27 - Liz Schulte - Secrets (Guardian Trilogy: Book 1) - http://LizSchulte.com

LEAP INTO REBECCA'S WORLD DIGITAL CHOICE CONTEST

2012-01-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

RULES OF THE CONTEST ARE

AS FOLLOWS

Post review(s) or buy a copy of Perfect Strangers, Montana Wildfire, and/or California Caress by 2/29/12.

1st Place Winner gets their digital back-list of Rebecca Sinclair books completed* PLUS s/he gets to help Rebecca decide which one back-list book will be digitally published next. As a Bonus Prize, you will also receive a review acknowledgment in said book when it is published, (This is great exposure for your or your blog/website/whatever!) and you will also receive a $50 Amazon or Book Depository gift card . Open internationally.

2nd Place Winner gets their choice of whichever digital titles of Rebecca's they haven't purchased yet.* and as a Bonus Prize you will also receive a $25 Amazon or Book Depository gift card . Open internationally.

Please email contest@rebeccasinclair.com with the purchase information and/or review information to be eligible to win one of the above prizes.
If you need a review copy, please email heather@rebeccasinclair.com with your request and website information.

Winners will be chosen by Random.org on 3/1/12.

*Perfect Strangers, Montana Wildfire, and California Caress only. Murphy's Law optional.

REVIEW CRITERIA

First of all, thanks for taking the time to review one of Rebecca's books and for entering this great contest.

To avoid people abusing the privilege of review copies, here are the review guidelines for our book reviewers specifically for the Rebecca Sinclair Digital Choice contest.

1. Must be a Book blogger with at least 100 followers and frequent traffic to their site. If you have under 100 followers, please email to contest@rebeccasinclair.com and we will see if we can work something out.

2. You have your choice to review Perfect Strangers, Montana Wildfire, and California Caress. One entry per book reviewed during the contest.

3. Be willing to post our contest spiff on your blog and post your review at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble or any other site you wish. Just email us the information.

Below is the book information for the above contest.

Amazon Links:

California Caress: (http://amzn.to/o2jgl5)

Montana Wildfire:(http://amzn.to/qaTagY)

Perfect Strangers:(http://amzn.to/oIRMWd)

Barnes & Noble Links:

California Caress:(http://bit.ly/nv3rxR)

Montana Wildfire:(http://bit.ly/mXMXXK)

Perfect Strangers:(http://bit.ly/oIKVuJ)

PURCHASE INFORMATION

Please email receipt information for entry into contest to contest@rebeccasinclair.com . One entry per book purchased.

The Paradox Series Review Book 2 Progeny of Innocence by Patti Roberts with Giveaway

2012-01-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

Nine hundred years ago, I died...

A little girl's world is turned upside down by a visitor,the Angel of Death. She finds herself trapped in a nightmare, consumed by her paralyzing loss and overwhelming grief. The haunting visions and untimely deaths of others are a constant reminder that life and death are only a heartbeat away.

A journey crossing Two Worlds. One Ancient - One New.

How do the heartbreaking visions experienced by a little girl fit into this Ancient World of Angels, Myth & Legend?

Where lives are bound by blood - and nothing is as it seems. In a World where there are more questions than answers. This journey will leave you wanting and have you asking... Who, When, Where?

Is your Guardian Angel From Heaven or Hell...?

You can see my review of the first book HERE

Two Worlds. One Ancient... still reeling from the ravages of War. A World where powerful Beings from Ancient Civilizations still rule. A Realm Where Gods, Angels, Myths and Magic still exists. And a New World...

And somewhere trapped in between these two worlds, is Grace. A young girl searching for answers, happiness, love....

So when the charismatic Damon Draco begins to take an interest in her, it doesn’t take long before Grace falls for his alluring charm. A charm she doesn't quite understand.

However, when Riley Rivers turns up in Grace's class one day, she starts to question the feelings she has for Damon.

Then death comes knocking... again... and when three of Grace’s school friends are found burned to death, and their parents die in a fatal car accident that same weekend, some start to wonder if it really was just a coincidence, or a contrived plan to wipe out an entire family?

And if so, why, and by whom? And more importantly, will evil strike again?

You can bet your soul on it!

My Thoughts:

I am absolutely over the moon excited to be sharing my review for this new book in Patti's series Paradox The Angels Are Here. Paradox: Progeny of Innocence is probably the best book to start off your New Year with I kid you not. If you read my review for the first book you will know how much I loved it, but, I love the second book even more and I know you will too.

As the book opens we get a much more detailed and in depth feel for the evil Grigorians, the characters she has created are like nothing I have seen so far, for "The Bad Guys" characters even though they are evil, you just want to like them sometimes, Abandon is my favorite of them so far, I mean come on now who doesn't love a bad guy now and again and with his yellow eyes oh yummy yummy, he can look at me any day *blushing* and his brother Lord Cerberus who reins is very much oblivious to the fact that his own wife Pandora and his flesh and blood brother Abandon are in a scheme of their own together to get rid of Cerberus. The fallen angels (Grigorians) are fighting at any cost against any that get in the way, against the Burgardians.

Every time I read another book from Patti her imagination amazes me and the worlds and characters she has created are one of the most original stories I have had the privilege to read, as she introduces new characters the story evolves, Temulun, a servant and Bakari, a guard in the royal house are trying to help Keyla a newcomer, to discover the heritage, an ancient race of people called the Bakhna Rakhna, and abilities she has in hopes they can finally put an end to the Grigorians.

As the story continues to the present time, we catch up with Grace, Angela, Wade *sighs* oh Wade, ahem excuse me all for drooling over Wade :) Kate (Grace's Mom) and a few new friends have been introduced Joshua and Zach, and Damon. So I have to stop there and tell you all, *giggles* Patti has honored me with being a character in her book, I am none other than Wade's *sigh* wife, yup I am the big handsome hunky yummy Aussie's wife, now if you go onto Patti's website she has pics there of possible actors if her books ever get turned into a movie, O...M...G I am one lucky wife if that's who she gets to play Wade *sighs while drooling* thank you Patti :) that was my birthday present, how rockin a birthday present was that to be named a character in such an awesome series of books. Yay Me!!!

Ok back to reality now, so we catch up with Grace who is now sixteen and in high school and just as I loved Grace in the first book, I love her even more now, Patti has left no question from book one left unanswered and if anything expanded with sheer brilliance and ability to bring us right into not only Grace's world and her life but that of the Grigorians and the Burgardians. This book has left me breathless, really breathless, I waited so long to read this one, she has exceeded every expectation I had. I felt like I was right there in the story, few books are able to do that to me, but this one did, I could smell, hear, feel what everyone was doing, the book drew me right into it, I felt like I was able to be with Grace while she was growing up, and watching her bond with Wade grow, and her friendship with Angela get stronger as well, it was nice to see her mom getting back on her feet, I know how that is, it was hard watching my mom get back to herself when my dad had passed away.

Angela as always is another one of my favorite characters, she is ultimately there to protect and watch over Grace but also has become Grace's best friend, Angela has no sense of humor, everything she does and says is very matter a fact, but the way she comes out with things she just cracks me up, and poor Joshua has such a MAJOR HUGE crush on Angela, I hope in the next book Angela will see how much he likes her. Now Damon, oh Damon I haven't still even after finished reading made up my mind about him yet, I like him but yet very suspicious of him still, he makes you want to like him though, so I think I'll stay on the fence with him for now, but I also liked Riley, oh Riley I almost forgot about him, a new character as well, comes in as the pizza delivery guy, Riley he's a cutie and also likes Grace, wow Grace is having lots of boy issues in this one ;), but I would have to say one more character that I really did like a lot and one I hope I will see more of in the next book is Abe, Grace is babysitting one night and Abe is a little eight year-old dynamo, man he's got her back and then some he's just a little firecracker I just loved that kid, I can't say anymore than that or I'll give some stuff away. I had everything around me in my own surroundings tuned out and all I could hear was what the book was describing. Patti's talent how she describes everyone and everything is nothing short of amazing.

Now I can't go on too much more else I spoil this long awaited book for you, and I hate spoilers so I'm not going to go on too much more. I will only say this much more, this is a MUST READ and it's a huge honor for me to be able to review this amazing book for Patti. Patti and I met almost one year ago when she asked me not long after I started my blog to read and review her first book of the series, from that our friendship was born and has grown over this year, I not only recommend this book because she is a dear and wonderful friend, but I recommend this book because she is a talented Author who has done an incredible job creating a world and Beings I have come to love reading about and I can't wait for the next book to come out, I really hope she is writing very fast so I don't go into withdrawals lol. I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did!!! Enjoy everyone!! There will be a giveaway to follow in the next day or so.....stay tuned!

Versatile Blogger Award

2012-01-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Rules :

Thank and link to the blogger who bestowed the award
Share seven random facts about yourself.
Spread the love by passing the award to five other bloggers--and be sure to let them know

Thank you to my friend and fellow blogger Natasha who has a most awesome blog you just have to check out http://dreamlandteenfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/01/versatile-blogger-award.html, Natasha and I met almost 1 year ago and we hit it off right away and fast friends we became. Now even though she is so far away we always find time to chat have a bit of fun together and of course talk about the books we both love. Thank you Natasha, you honor me with this award and congrats yourself for you receiving as well you really deserve it. Thank you my sweet friend!!

7 Random Facts about myself:

My favorite T.V. show is The Big Bang Theory and if I don't see it at least once a day I go into withdrawls lol.
I can't fall a sleep without the T.V on.
I hate snakes like hate them, I almost went into labor with my oldest son once when a long piece of rope was thrown at me lol.
I am a total nighthawk, I do my best work at night, muahhh haaaaaaa :)
I have 2 black cats and a huge yellow dog.
I have a purple teddy bear my mom gave me.....last year hehe!!
And if nobody has figured this out yet.....I'am obsessed about the color purple lol, but I think you've all figured that one out. :)

Passing the Award to these marvelous bloggers:

1. Ao Bibliophile from Ao Bibliophile
2. Jenn from The Blog Starts Here
3. Carolyn from Gingertwistsandfairytales
4. Darlene from Darlene's Book Nook
5. Babs from Babs Book Bistro

Review: Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro

2011-12-30T18:24:00.000-08:00

Title: Hellsbane (Hellsbane, #1)

Author: Paige Cuccaro

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Length: Novel

Release Date: December 2011

ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-64-0

Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-65-7

Books 2 and 3 coming May 2012 and January 2013!

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/hellsbane/

A HELLSBANE BOOK - Book One - by Paige Cuccaro

Emma Jane Hellsbane just found out she’s not human—or, at least, not only human. She’s half angel, too, and now Heaven’s got a job for her: round up all the Fallen angels and their red-skinned, horned devil-demon minions and boot their butts back into the abyss. Only problem? The demons and their Fallen masters fight back…and they don’t fight fair.

Luckily for Emma, she can put a stop to the constant threat of having her head hacked off if she figures out which Fallen angel is her father—and then kill him before he kills her. Of course, in the meantime, she’ll have to avoid accidentally seducing her angelic mentor, help an old friend conquer his own Fallen sperm donor, and basically save the world from a cataclysmic divine smack down.

No one said being Heaven’s bounty hunter would be easy. But with a name like Hellsbane, Emma Jane was born for the job.

My Thoughts:

I wasn't too sure what to expect going into a novel that was about a half angel demon fighter who has the ability to feel others emotions a psychic if you will, who has made a living with this ability, but I am so glad I read this book, wow, Right from the very first chapter this book caught my attention right to the very last page. Paige Cuccaro created a cast of characters I really enjoyed and felt connected with. Tommy the ever high school dreamy guy everyone wishes to have as a boyfriend, I really liked Tommy. Eli, the hottest Angel I've seen yet, Emma just doesn't know what to feel around him, but yet he is also her trainer. Emma, she is hot in her own right and has guys falling for her all over the place. Emma is having a hard time adjusting to her new life, one day she is just an ordinary psychic living her life day to day in her Grandmothers house, until the day when Tommy bursts through the door and brings with him a mailman demon, talk about going postal lol. So when Emma picks up Tommy's sword to help him cause the demon's kicking his butt, she has now been branded and can only be released when she kills her real father a Fallen Angel. Liam is introduced at the start of the book, I really liked his character, he was very funny.

The story is well played out, it was action packed all the way through the book, I was so sad when Eli was telling the story of his past love to Emma Jane, it makes you wish it had of turned out a different way. I love it when a book takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride, which is exactally what Hellsbane did to me. I was absolutely crushed when something happened that I can't reveal, NO Spoilers, you must read this one for yourself. Emma Jane's character is awesome, I loved her character, I can't wait to read more in the next book of this incredible series.

I recommend this most awesome book to all and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!!! Enjoy!!!

The Heven and Hell Tour for Masquerade by Cambria Hebert

2011-12-23T20:17:00.000-08:00

Masquerade (Heven and Hell 1)

By: Cambria Hebert

ISBN: 9781936593255

Published December 16, 2011 by Otherworld Publications

Available Format: Hardcover, Paperback, ebook

Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.

Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.

My Thoughts:

I am so excited right now I am just squealing all over the house lol, today, in the mail I received my signed copy of Masquerade and, I get to bring to all of you my review of not only this amazing book with its oh so gorgeous cover as well as its amazing author. You see the reason I am so excited about not only this book, as well as the author, Cambria Hebert, a very great friend of mine and I am so proud of her with the release of her new book, or should I say 3 books, yup that's right 3 books, I will tell you about the others shortly.

Cambria and I met last March not long after I had found the Goodreads website and we became fast friends, she was one of my very first few that had started to follow my new blog and gave me so much support and encouragement to keep going, even though I had no idea what I was doing lol. We had none the less became fast friends, Cambria has a huge heart, and one of the nicest ladies I have been blessed to call friend, so when it was her time to get her blog up and running, I returned the favor and helped her the best I could, we had so much fun making and fixing our blogs together and over time I learned she was in the process of writing a book. I couldn't wait for when it would be released as I knew it would be the most amazing book, Cambria emailed me from time to time and ask my opinion on what I thought of the blurb or the unfinished pic for the cover or the look for her new website. Cambria, you will never know how much that meant to me that you wanted my opinion. Thank You for including me in one of the most important events in your life!

On to my review, after reading the blurb for this book, I knew it was going to be a great one, I just didn't realize HOW good until I started reading. BEFORE, Heven was a very happy, popular, normal teenage girl who had every reason to believe that life was going to be good, until one event in her life changed everything, after coming home from the library one night she was attacked and woke up in the hospital, the biggest problem.......Heven can't remember how or what attacked her, and how she got the scars on her face she now works so hard to hide from everyone. Was it an animal that attacked her, she doesn't remember anything. Then Sam shows up, the new kid at school, who doesn't seem to notice her scars, but what Heven doesn't know is Sam has his own secrets that could destroy Heven and how she feels for Sam.

Cambria's storytelling takes you right into the story, I love when a great book can do this to me, it makes me feel like I'm right there with the characters, her way of setting up the scenes, describing how Heven feels, what she has been through, the pain, sadness, helplessness, her anxiety, you can feel it right along with her, so much emotion has been put into this story. Usually I find a story that is told from different POV's sometimes hard to follow, but the way Cambria has done this is fantastic I had no problem following. At first when reading Heven seems like a weak character but as you keep reading you come to understand why but as the book goes on and Heven comes to terms with who she is you just cant help but to love her. I love Sam, he's so sweet and oh so gorgeous :) who makes Heven feel beautiful now like she did BEFORE when life was normal.

If your looking for a book that takes you on a wild ride, this is the book to pick up, twists and turns you will absolutely not see coming and make you gasp out loud, the fighting scenes are freakin amazing, a slow to start novel which is not a bad thing as it sets you up with a smashing huge finish with passion and steamy scenes, you will not want to miss out on this book, I loved everything about it, such originality and left me wanting the next in the series RIGHT NOW LOL. I hope you will all run to get your copy of this amazing book, and enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy everyone!!!!

Want more from Cambria while waiting patiently for the next in the series, here is how to get BEFORE and WHITEOUT.

"Before":

Smashwords (FREE for a limited time)

Amazon

B&N

(FREE for a limited time)

"Whiteout":

Christmas Lites:

You can find Cambria at any one of these sites:

Cambria Hebert

Author of Masquerade and Beforehttp://www.cambriahebert.com

cambriahebert@rocketmail.com

@cambriahebert

Didn't get enough? Check me out on Tuesday nights at 9pm (EST)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/journaljabber

King of Paine Review/Interview: by Larry Kahn

2011-12-22T06:32:00.000-08:00

King of Paine Blog Tour

A desperate patient. A rumored cure. How far would you go to find the fountain of youth?
Frank Paine is not your prototypical FBI agent. He’s an ex-Hollywood stud with a kinky past, an irreverent wise ass who craves forgiveness from the woman he loves. When a ruthless stalker uses Frank’s indiscretions to ensnare him in a sultry cat-and-mouse death match, his investigation points toward a missing biochemist. His hunt for her secret haven takes one tragic turn after another, until he finds himself facing an impossible dilemma. Someone will die as a result of his decisions, and it may be his soulmate. Or him.

This intricately-plotted whodunit will keep readers turning pages into the wee hours. More than just a mesmerizing story, King of Paine offers fully-rendered characters who grapple with a range of intriguing end-of-life issues while everything they care about is at stake.

Readers who liked The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo or the novels of Greg Iles will enjoy settling in with King of Paine for a sexy, thought-provoking ride.

My Thoughts:

I went into this book with an open mind, having read the description and it comparing it to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, I wondered if it in fact would be as good as Steig Larson's book, which I absolutely loved. So with an open mind off I started to read Larry's new book. Now all who know me, know I don't usually read FBI type books, but, that said I do from time to time love a good mystery/suspense novel. Larry has created a great book with a story line and a main character that makes you want to keep reading this book. Frank, was not always a FBI agent, he was an actor/sexy symbol who put all that behind him to train and pick up a badge and gun and went to work putting the bad guys away, only with this particular case, a case where the reader is taken to a behind the scenes look at a internet chatting to catch a killer, who by the way happens to know more about Frank and his sordid past. Frank finds himself having to deal with his own skeletons/past erotic indiscretions head on.

Jolynn, the only woman Frank has ever loved, winds up being a suspect and Frank trying to prove her not guilty, but Jolynn seems to get dragged into this further and further, after finally trusting one of the other agents, he winds up dead in Franks apartment no less. Ok that's all I'm telling you so no spoilers :) You must read this book for yourself, it is a nail bitter for sure, will keep you turning the pages, will keep you in total suspense, the twists and turns are ones you will not figure out and when they happen you will say, "OMG, I did not see that one coming" Larry did an amazing job with the story, plot, and characters. I loved every minute of this book and you will not regret picking up your copy, sit down, buckle up and hang on for the ride you won't soon forget!!! Enjoy!!!!

I had the pleasure of being able to interview Larry, Larry thank you so much for being here today, please have a seat in the Purple Jelly Bean Chair.

What is your name and where do you call home?
I'm Larry Kahn from Dunwoody, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta, where I live with my wife, Ellie, and two sons. We moved to Atlanta from New York City in 1992.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
King of Paine: a sexy, thought-provoking whodunit with characters who grapple with intriguing end-of-life issues while everything they care about is at stake.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
Funny you should ask that, because I did an interview with Frank Paine as one of the events on my blog tour. He had some choice words for me about revealing his kinky secrets in the book, as well as some insights into the ruthless stalker who hounded him. Needless to say, the interview is heavily redacted.
The other main characters--Roger Martin, Jolynn Decker, Jeronimo Reyes, Angela del Rio, and Simone Perlow--are all pretty comfortable with their portrayals in King of Paine. Rumor has it, though, that one of the peripheral characters, the Assistant Special-Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Atlanta Field Office, Davis "Ass" Holbrook, has threatened to punch out my lights if I ever show up at the Field Office again to do more research. I can't imagine why.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
My original intent was for King of Paine to be the second book in a series, but my protagonist in The Jinx, a young lawyer, fell flat as an FBI agent. Paine finally came together when I went for the Hollywood upgrade, bringing in a former action star with a kinky past to replace my heroic, ordinary guy lawyer. Frank Paine's history made the character motivations more authentic and freed me to explore more interesting (kinkier?) plot developments.
While I like Frank, he doesn't fit well with my next story idea. I want to write about a character who unwittingly discovers that foreign powers are taking steps to take over vital U.S. economic interests through manipulation of the financial markets and the political process. I struggled to think of a way for an FBI agent to become an isolated rebel against these forces of evil, so I said "screw it." I'm still casting the part.

At what age did you know you wanted to become a writer?
I'm going to go with seven.

What or who inspired you to write?
I loved to read adult suspense novels from an early age (but older than seven)--Frederick Forsyth, Ira Levin, Irving Wallace, Robert Ludlum--and when John Grisham and Scott Turow birthed the legal thriller genre just as I was training as a young lawyer, I began to dream of writing my own novels. But my true inspiration as a storyteller was my Uncle Sol. He entertained me and my brothers and cousins with his oral "Tales of Rogovin," the adventures of a young boy who encountered monsters and other terrifying creatures in exotic locales. I must have been about seven when he hooked me. That's why I answered the prior question as I did.

When you start to write a new novel, what is the process for you, do you start with a small idea and when you sit to write is that when the story starts to flow, or, before you start to write do you already have the whole story worked out?
I like intricate plots, and they cannot be crafted on the fly. I brainstorm several main plot and character ideas and think through how they might fit together. I do a lot of my best plotting while I'm laying in bed, mind spinning wildly at 3am, 4am, 5am. It drives my wife crazy because I'm constantly running downstairs to write something in my notebook so I can get it off my mind and sleep. Then, when I'm on a roll, I use a mapping software program called Mind Manager to build characters and their motivations, plots and subplots, and imagine how they might intersect. Because I don't want to be trite or irrelevant, I intentionally try out a few crazy ideas and see where they take me. I want my characters to dream big. I throw a lot in the trash, but some of the crazy stuff sticks and, I think, works in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. When your followers read about "The Pit" in King of Paine, they will remember this question and chuckle.

When you write, do you write from start to finish, or in the middle, or at the end first?
After I've built a good working draft of an outline, I highlight three to five major plot twists. I start writing at the beginning but occasionally jump to a chapter with a major twist because those characters and those moments are running wild in my mind. I generally write in a linear manner, but I'm not rigid about it. While I'm writing I allocate time to three tasks, depending upon my creativity, sharpness and mood. Writing requires the most creative energy. If I'm sharp but not creative I'll spend my day researching. If I wake up feeling dopey, I edit. I do a lot of editing.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?
All the time. Sometimes it's just a similar name as a little tip of the cap; other times I'll borrow a physical description and a few speech markers. My favorite is an angelic woman in King of Paine who spreads joy among everyone she meets like a contagion--that's my wife to a tee.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?
The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth, because I read it at an impressionable age and loved the way the author hid the critical clue in plain sight. When the protagonist revealed whodunit, I felt awe and not at all cheated. That's a lesson I hope I apply in my writing--I want the reader to feel the suspense, struggling to solve critical puzzles along with the protagonist but then doing a classic palm slap to the forehead when the twist is revealed. "Damn, I should have seen that!"
The Firm by John Grisham, because the author showed that lawyers and the issues they address can thrill.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, because the author demonstrated that intelligence can be sexy, that suspense can be created with words as well as actions, and that fiction can be a medium for political philosophy. I think her philosophy is flawed, but that's a topic I could write an entire essay about.
On Writing by Sol Stein (not my uncle), because this is my bible for novel mechanics. I re-read sections of it before I start each major draft.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
No. As a lawyer I could go into "shark mode" from time to time, but I'm really quite shy. One of the reasons I love writing is because that's how I communicate best. E-mail has probably saved me from ulcers.

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
I was a late convert, but I like ebooks now. I still prefer a paperback for the beach.

Are you a self published (Indie) Author?
I was self-published before self-published was cool. Okay, maybe that's overstating the case for the current state of the ebook revolution, but my wife and I published The Jinx as a hardcover under the Redfield Publishers imprint in 2000, before facebook and twitter and on-demand publishing. I'm planning to do a guest blog on these two very different publishing experiences when I schedule my blog tour. Stay tuned!

Have you ever read a book more than once?
I've proofread my own books a mindboggling number of times, but I know what you meant. I've read Atlas Shrugged twice. When I was a teen I reread my books frequently, but I can't remember titles.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?
What book are you currently reading and in what format (electronic/paperback/hardcover)?
Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?
I'd rather not say at this time. I'm scouting for indie suspense authors who might make interesting promotional partners. With thousands of novelists tweeting to the same choir, the strongest authors who haven't broken out yet need to devise ways to stand out, maybe co-brand. But I'm waiting to see if early readers think I'm one of the standouts before approaching others. Every writer has some ego, but I understand that I don't get to to decide whether my book is good. You guys get to do that. Can I get you another piece of chocolate cake?

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?
I went through many drafts over a few years and have workshopped King of Paine until my critique partners begged me to publish it. I've made some hard calls, but I stand by them. The most difficult was the decision to reveal Frank Paine's history of womanizing and dabbling in BDSM. He's a flawed protagonist, and I hope his other appealing qualities--remorse, integrity, courage, love of a strong woman--will ultimately win the hearts of readers. My beta readers think I pulled it off. If a lot of others disagree, then I will naturally regret not making him Clark Kent or some other cookie-cutter hero. Nah, maybe not so much.

Who designed the cover of your book?
Michael Mollick of Drew Studios, a very creative guy and a pleasure to work with.

Do you have a book trailer? What are your thoughts on book trailers?
I don't have one and hadn't ever viewed one until you asked about it. But now that you've sparked my interest, I think they're pretty cool.

What is the best advice that you can give to aspiring writers?
A cynic would say, "Don't quit your day job," but I'm going with "Write, workshop, and rewrite as much as you can." Skills sharpen with experience, often by incorporating criticism into your style. But whether you end up self-publishing or signing a contract with a traditional publisher, these are revolutionary times for writers. You will end up competing against tens of thousands of others for the attention of readers, and not every good novel will experience commercial success. At this moment in history, the supply of novels far exceeds demand. Readers are relying on dedicated book bloggers like you to help them choose the winners, but it seems like even bloggers are starting to get overwhelmed. Can I still change my answer to "Don't quit your day job"?

Do you or have you written/write under a pen name?
No. I considered "Stieg Larsson" but found out it was already taken by some Swedish guy.

Cats or dogs?
If I answer that question at least 50% of your readers will hate me, possibly 100% since it would be hard for me to avoid sarcasm and/or snark, two unattractive qualities that mysteriously appear when I'm writing at 2am.

Where can your readers follow you?
My blog: http://www.larrykahn.com
My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Larry-Kahn/135241939892196
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/743265.Larry_Kahn

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LarryKahnWriter
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/King-of-Paine-ebook/dp/B005E1K0QO
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/72217
Other: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/king-of-paine-larry-kahn/1032042906
Print, ebook or both? Both.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world. I hope you share this interview with your friends. Nattie
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with your followers in the medium I love most. They can post questions or comments here, and I'll respond.

Website and blog: http://www.larrykahn.com
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Larry-Kahn/135241939892196
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/743265.Larry_Kahn
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LarryKahnWriter

Immortalis Series review by Katie Salidas

2011-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

Immortalis Carpe Noctem
Immortalis Series, Book 1
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 323
Word Count: 85,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: March 2, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity.

As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her “turning”, did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander.

Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

Available in print and/or ebook at:

Amazon.com USA

Amazon.co.UK UK

Amazon.co.DE Germany

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Hunters & Prey
Immortalis Series, Book 2
Primary Genre: Urban Fantasy
Secondary Genre: Paranormal Romance
Adult Content: Some strong language. No sexual content.
Page Count: 263
Word Count: 75,000
Publisher: Rising Sign Books, LLC.
Print Publishing Date: December 10, 2010
Author: Katie Salidas

Synopsis:

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.

Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.

Only by accepting her newfound immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

My Thoughts:

I am going to review this as a series instead of three separate books. Sometimes a vampire book can seem the same after reading so many, and lately I have had the pleasure of reading some wonderful vampire stories that have put an original twist to them. As with this series I am happy to say this series has that something different that I am always looking for in a great book.

Alyssa did not want to turn vampire, but, Lysander, a loner vamp turns Alyssa into a vampire in order to say her life, she was being attacked by a couple of guys who were trying to rape and kill her. Lysander turned Alyssa instead of letting her die. The first book in the series is mainly focused on Alyssa and her coming to terms with this life altering change to from human to vampire, she has an extremely hard time dealing with this and also with the fact they must drink straight from humans in order to stay alive, no animals or bag blood. Now she's whiny about the whole situation, but, you would be too if you were turned into a vampire against your will, and if you want an action packed book, this is the one to read. So book #1 off to a great start and on to book #2.

At the start of book 2 Alyssa is still having somewhat of a hard time with her change, but I think what impressed me most of all with this author, who by the way is a new author for me, is her writing style, at the start of book 2 Katie Salidas is able to recap book 1 so that you understand book 2 without confusing you totally, and with saying that if you hadn't started with the first book you can easily start reading the second book and understand it with no problems which I might add is a hard thing to do, bravo Ms. Salidas, I really like that in an author that impresses me a lot.

After having recurring nightmares about Santino, a evil vampire hunter. Lysander is adamant that he is not alive and hunting them, Alyssa knows he is, so when she comes face to face with him, Alyssa runs back to the only place that made her feel safe.....her old hang out when she was a mortal and runs into her best friend she had to leave behind when she was turned.....Fallon. So I really don't want to give away everything, we all know I hate spoilers but I will tell you a few things to keep you in suspense lol, Fallon gets kidnapped to try and have Alyssa fall right into Santino's trap he's set for her, and soon enough Alyssa figures out that worse things lay ahead, worse than Santino. I love this line from the book, "The enemy of your enemy is your friend.....Right?" Santino What a perfect line. Again another action packed book of this series, starts out great, love all the characters and I loved that Lysander and Alyssa's relationship has vamp up (no pun intended) lol you can just feel his love for her, and I love the addition of Fallon and Nicholas characters, no spoilers you gotta read it to . So book 2 awesome and now on the book #3.

The third book in this series was nothing short of amazing, such originality, more than the first and second , she has introduced more new characters, werewolves....Aiden to be specific *sigh* that's one hot werewolf. All three books are packed with action, wonderful characters, a fantastic plot and story line, and takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride which leaves you wanting more. If you haven't read any of these books yet I suggest you go right now and grab your copies of this awesome series. You will not be disappointed you did, and hang on to your seat for a great ride. I hope you all enjoy this series as much as I did!!! Enjoy!!!!!!

About the Author

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.

And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

http://www.katiesalidas.com/
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Holly Zombie Giveaway!!!!

2011-12-09T08:38:00.001-08:00

Come one come all and enter to win in this fantastic Holly Zombie Giveaway by Author E. Van Lowe.

Come one come all and enter to win in this fantastic Holly Zombie Giveaway by Author E. Van Lowe who is the most awesome guy, if you haven't read his books yet, your in for a real big treat. I have and am so glad I did it would have been my loss, E's books are so fantastic, I have read "The Boyfriend From Hell" and couldn't wait for the next book "Earth Angel" which, I just received in the mail today AND it was autographed, thank you E' : New covers have also been made for both books and you tell me just how beautiful these covers are. I think they are absolutely beautiful, tell me what you think!! I am so happy to participate with E' in his Holly Zombie Giveaway, it's so exciting! and here is E' in this video to explain, nice Santa hat E' :)

Here is what you have the chance of winning!
E' is celebrating is first ever Holly Zombie Giveaway with a Swag Bag full of zombirific goodies all serious zombie fans will love, so come join the fun for your chance and help E' celebrate!
The goodies include:

My Uncle Enoch's 1964 Zombie High, High School Year Book: This is an authentic yearbook with blood spattered pages filled with photos of the graduating class, the faculty, and of course all the teams--including the track team who had the distinction of not completing one meet the entire season. If you have any friends or family members who attended Zombie High, this is for you.
That's Not Your Mommy Anymore: Matt Mogk's illustrated children's book is a favorite at bedtime in my house because it explains to the little ones--in colored illustrations and verse--what to do when mommy starts acting strange.
Zombie Water or Juice Bottle: You can work up a tremendous thirst battling zombies. This zombie green water bottle is perfect for the zombie fighter who wants to quench his thirst and look the part while doing it.

Autographed copy of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie--this special edition autographed copy comes with a hand written Christmas greeting from the author. Any true zombie lover will want to add this to their collection of zombie paraphernalia.

Three Never Slow Dance With A Zombie Bookmarks-- Why three? Because when you're reading while fighting zombies it's easy to lose your place. Duh!

Zombie Love Button-- If you can't beat em join em. Sport this zombie pin while roaming among the zombie hordes to let them know you're not looking for a fight and would love to hang onto your braiins.

Zombie Love men's large TeeShirt--A zombie attack can come at any time--even while you're sleeping. Wear this tee shirt to bed so if you are ever dragged from your sleep by a band of marauding zombies, they will know you are a lover not a fighter.

Never Slow Dance With A Zombie Tote—Tired of carrying around all your zombie fighting gear in your hands? This stylish tote is perfect for carrying around all your gear and at the same time letting everyone know that you would Never Slow Dance With A Zombie.

This giveaway is available internationally

The rules to enter are simple:

Everyone can have up to five entries. here's how.

you must sign up for my newsletter at http://evanlowe.com/ The sign up link is in the left hand column on the home page.

bonus entry if you also sing up for my blog (1 entry)

bonus II follow me on twitter (1 entry)

bonus III Like my Facebook Fan Page (1 entry)

bonus iV leave a comment on my blog telling me on whose blog you discovered the contest. (1 entry)

For those of my fans who have already done these, leave a comment on my blog and you will automatically have 5 entries.

NO ENTRIES ACCEPTED BEFORE DECEMBER 9TH

Review Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman

2011-12-06T16:47:00.001-08:00

Bickering frenemies Meg and Shar are doing some serious damage at a midnight sample sale when the fashionistas find themselves arguing over a pair of shoes-with fatal consequences. One innocent bystander later, the girls are suddenly at the mercy of Hades, Lord of the Underworld himself. To make them atone for what they've done, Hades forces the teens to become special-assignment Sirens, luring to the Underworld an individual whose unholy contract is up.

Finding that delicate balance between their fashion addiction and their new part-time job in the eternal hellfire biz turns out to be harder than Meg and Shar expected, especially when an entire pantheon of Greek deities decides to get involved. Then there's the matter of the fine print in their own contracts...

My Thoughts:

I was asked by one of the Authors Charlotte Bennardo if I would read and review their new book Sirenz, I was so thrilled as I had been wanting to read this for some time now. When my package arrived I was only expecting the book, I received so much more. Inside my package I received a beautiful blue bag with more than the book, it had black feathers like on the cover and 2 chocolates made in the shape of the red shoe on the cover of the book as well as the book. It was the nicest package I had received so far, thank you to both Charlotte and Natalie for sending me such a lovely gift.

From the cover of the book and the blurb on the back I wasn't sure what to expect, but as I started reading I was impressed right away. It started off full of action right from the very first two chapters and reeled me in and didn't let go until I was finished. Meg and Shar are roommates and total opposites, who would have thought the two of them would be good roommates, Meg, black hair, black clothes, old clothes not to mention voodoo, hoodoo, or whatever she was into, (pg 2), and Shar, who is all about shopping, beauty, looking good and has the best of everything girlie.

As a way of trying to get to know or bond if you will, with Meg, Shar invites her out for a girl day of shopping, only for what is supposed to be just a run of the mill kinda day, turns out to be something neither one of them could have EVER imagined would happen to them, all while fighting over a pair of red shoes, and who do you suppose comes to their rescue....... Hades-the Lord of the Underworld, and offers them a deal they really cannot refuse if they want to get out of this very huge mess they have gotten themselves into. Now part of the deal is if they don't get their task complete by the date Hades has given them, they will become his Sirenz and live with him in the Underworld forever. He has given the girls both powers that they can use to help them in their task, but, with each time they use their powers they will start to grow certain extra items.....feathers, talons, beaks and even will start to sound like birds, I know right birds lol.

I have to tell you this is such a great book, it takes you on a roller coaster ride right along with the girls as they try so hard to get their task finished and get ride of Hades as fast as they can, but I'll tell you those poor girls run into obstacle after obstacle, and with each obstacle they run into a new item grows on them, this book is so funny I was laughing out loud throughout it, lots of mythological characters pop up from time to time which I really liked as I am very into Greek mythology oh and did I mention Hades is a hottie, yup he is *sizzle*, there is another hottie in this book too, but I'll let you find that surprise.

You really have to get a copy of this book, I really can't get into much more detail or I'll ruin it, it's such a fun, easy read, lots of twists and surprises as the book goes on that you will not expect at all. I was so happy to have had the chance to read and review this book and I really hope I will get to for the second in the series, the girls have captivated me and I cannot wait to read more of their adventures together. If you want an incredible read with a fantastic story that will keep you turning the pages, then this is your next book you need to pick up, you won't be sorry, I promise!!! Enjoy!!!!!

My Dearest Rose, by Jessie McClain

2011-12-01T20:32:00.001-08:00

During the entire hour, my attention never left the attractive guy. No matter how hard I tried to concentrate on something or someone else. Anyone else. My eyes always found their way back to his. There was something so familiar about him though I know I've never seen him before. I would have remembered. I realized that this is the first time I actually paid any attention to any other male since Charlie died. It made me feel kind of uncomfortable and a little guilty. I couldn't help it though. Should I feel this way? It was very hard to do what I've been doing the past four years. Trying to remember, trying to forget. Balancing myself so I don't fall to far off of one side or the other.

Living with the memory of her lost love, her alcoholic and abusive mother, and neurotic dad has left Iris with no more dreams, peace, or faith. Her only sense of joy comes from her younger brother whom she raises. Then she finds a spark of hope that maybe things can change when she meets the mysterious, yet familiar looking roamer, Jason. Can she deal with her past so she can embrace the present?

My Thoughts:

When reading the blurb for this book, first thing that comes to mind is it's going to be a nice love story with a little bit of drama from her family and a happy ending, a typical romance book. Well I am here tonight to tell you, this is not your typical romance novel, this book is pack right from the very first chapter and keeps you turning the pages until you close the back cover. I enjoyed this book so so so much, Jessie wove a tail that is romantic, suspenseful, heartbreaking at times, funny, endearing, and warm.

Iris has not had a normal life, you want to say her parents are dead beats but I really came to like Iris's dad quite a bit, I don't think he was a dead beat as much as he felt defeated as his wife is an alcoholic. Now Iris's mom, nope didn't like her at all, in fact she made me quite mad throughout the story, but at the end of the book, she made an attempt at trying to redeem herself for the things she did to Iris. Iris tragically lost the one person who truly loved her, Charlie, and even years after his death Iris can not seem to put her life back together, until she is at the coffeehouse one night singing and meets a mysterious man she cannot seem to stop staring at. At this chance meeting with this man, this starts the story of a true love at first sight.

I liked Iris's character, she is strong, hard working, stops at nothing to take care of her brother Danny who has called her Mommy since he could talk, because his own mother wanted nothing to do with him, Iris is sweet and caring and would do anything for those she loves, even her mother who doesn't want to seem to love her. As you follow Iris and Jason, twists and turns will come up and make you just gasp and say to yourself, "OMG, I don't believe that just happened" Its a novel you just can't put down until the last page is read. The story flows extremely well and the characters Jessie has created are amazing, I really fell in love with them all, (well not her mom).

My Dearest Rose is really a must read, it's not your average romance novel and you will be very glad you decided to read it. I can't wait to read the second and third in this series. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful book as much as I did!!! Enjoy everyone!!!!

Diamonds and Toads A Modern Fairy Tale by K.E. Saxon

2011-11-30T17:14:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time, there were two sisters, one blessed,and one cursed by fairy magic....

So each sister's story begins.
Delilah Perrault is blessed with riches beyond her wildest dreams and the man she's had her eye on for ages--even though he secretly has designs on her newfound wealth instead. Delilah's half-sister, Isadora, is cursed with having her every utterance come out as an obscene and humiliating quip, just when the gorgeous hunk she dumped years before under pressure from mama swaggers back into her life.

If you like Bewitched, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, try out this modern girl's fairy tale.

My Thoughts:

If you haven't read a fairy tale lately, you are going to want to pick up this book. It will have you wanting more to read more and renew your belief in a great fairy tale. This is a more modern, today kind of fairy tale about two sisters Delilah and her half sister Isadora.

This really is a great story, it pulled me in from the very first page and kept me turning the pages pretty fast right to the very end of the story. The fairy godmother such a fun character, very quirky I loved that about her. Now the two sisters stories are told separately but in one story. To look at the cover you would never guess how this story unfolds, it will make you laugh out loud, I know I did, and when you read sitting on the bus, you get some very weird looks lol, it had some great steamy scenes in it, and just when you think you have Isadora's character all figured out, you find how wrong you really are. I like Delilah's character as well, you would think you wouldn't like her, but you really do, and the villain couldn't have been more perfect for this book, very well done!!

You really have to go and get your copy of this book, you will not be dissapointed at and like I said at the beginning and leave you wanting more. This was a great new spin on an old classic tale, so if you like a story with the good and bad sister and the wicked stepmother and the fairy godmother, this will book will not let you down. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!!! Enjoy everyone. :)

Two Moons of Sera by Pavarti K Tyler

2011-11-30T13:44:00.001-08:00

In a world where water and earth teem with life, Serafay is an anomaly. The result of genetic experiments on her mother's water-borne line Serafay will have to face the very people responsible to discover who she really is. But is she the only one?

My Thoughts:

Well I have to say Fantasy is not my usual genre, but the more Fantasy I read the more I'm finding I like it. It's out of my comfort zone, but, I am very glad I went outside of my zone for this one.
Length of the book is only 41-pages, and for a short book it really grabs your attention and pulls you in to keep reading right until the very end. I'm also starting to really like the smaller books more and more each one I pick up, it's nice to have a 300++ page book as you get all of the story all at once, but with the smaller books they leave you wanting more, as is the case with this small book.
I love the world and characters Pavarti K. Tyler has created, such a different set of beings so different than most. Serafev the main character is in exile, she is a half and half, not a full Sualwav or a full Erdlander. The book is so descriptive and I love that in a book, it really allows you to put yourself right into the story. You really have to read the book slowly, even though its small you must read slowly so that you don't miss out on anything, the twists and turns are absolutely amazing and the cliffhanger at the end has left me wanting more......right now lol. I can't go into to many details for a small book as I will ruin it for you, and nothing I hate more than spoilers. :)
I really recommend this book to all, you will all enjoy it very much. I hope you all pick up your copy and enjoy it as much as I did!!!! Enjoy everyone!