What Book Is That?

AAD Author Spotlight: L.A. Witt!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:29:00 +0000

This week's featured author for Authors After Dark is L.A. Witt! In the spirit of this particular con, this author is totally new to me, but I enjoyed getting to know her for this feature- take it away!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less. "Abnormal romance author with two names and way too many voices in my head."

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.  My latest release is Where There's Smoke, a contemporary M/M erotic romance from Loose Id, LLC. The story is about Jesse Cameron, a closeted and married political candidate who can't resist his surly campaign manager, Anthony Hunter.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?  Of my own, usually Static (Amber Allure, 2011), Damaged Goods (Loose Id, LLC, 2011), Cover Me (Carnal Passions, 2010), or The Closer You Get(Samhain, 2011). Books by others? You can't go wrong with Smoke or Blood and Roses by Aislinn Kerry orPromises by Marie Sexton.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most? --  Meeting some readers and authors, of course! I've spent my entire career overseas, so I haven't been able to meet anyone in person. Even chatting has been challenging because of the time difference between Japan and the States. So it'll be nice to meet people face to face. That, and it'll put to rest all those rumors that I'm a tentacled lizardbeast with green skin and five eyes.

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees? -- Never been there, so if anyone wants to leave advice for ME, I'd be eternally grateful!!

Review: Within the Flames

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:27:00 +0000

Title: Within the Flames
Author: Marjorie M. Liu
Page Count: 376 pages
Publisher: Avon
Genre: paranormal romance
Copy for review provided by the author's publicist in anticipation of an honest review

Synopsis:

Joining the Dirk & Steele Agency turned Eddie’s life around. A pyrokinetic and former car thief, he cannotrefuse an assignment to cross the continent in orderto rescue an extraordinary woman in peril . . . even though he fears losing control of the destructive power offlame at his fingertips.

The last of her shape-shifting kind, Lyssa hides in theabandoned tunnels beneath Manhattan, seeking refugefrom those who murdered her family a decadeago and would now destroy her as well. Like Eddie, fire isher weapon, her destiny . . . and her curse. Yet shewants nothing to do with this mesmerizing stranger whoseeks her trust while enflaming her passion.For beneath Lyssa’s extraordinary beauty are dangerous secrets . . . and even darker, nearly irresistible urges.But she has won the heart of a fearless protector . . .and all the demons in the world will not make him back down.
*****

The Dirk and Steele series is one that I keep meaning to read and it somehow keeps falling through the cracks. Given the chance to pick up the series with this installment, it seemed like a fair enough deal. I admit it took me awhile to get around to reading this book, but I'm glad I did, and it definitely makes me want to go back and read the series in order, from the beginning.

I will lay out right here that my biggest issue/obstacle in this book stems from only having read the first book in the series and therefore not really knowing who any of the characters were or how they know each other or came to be in the story. That was only a small issue, though, as the overall focus of the story is definitely on Lyssa and Eddie and them falling in love and saving her from peril. It's just an element that I wish had been there for me, but I'm sure will be there upon future readings.

Anyway, Eddie and Lyssa are great together as a couple, and not just because they can both incinerate things to crispy little shreds if they aren't being careful, since Lyssa is a dragon shifter and Eddie is pyrokinetic. Both of them are Lonely with a capital L, since being a walking time bomb is no way to go through life, and therefore having friends and stability are kind of nonstarters as well. Each of them realize right from the beginning that finally having someone to trust and confide in is a huge blessing, and it was nice that neither of them ran from that.

The major conflict in this story stems from Lyssa being targeted by creepy witches that eat people to get high off their blood, and while that conflict was gross and creepy, it didn't overwhelm the romance of the story, and I did get that feeling that the whole story was just people running all over the place waiting for things to happen, which I've encountered with other series. It felt that although circumstances were desperate, they weren't chaotic. The tight plotting of the story was a definite plus.

Like I said, the big drawback for me reading this book was that I wasn't terribly familiar with any of the secondary characters. This made it a little difficult to get the references to past books, but made me want to read those books, so the purpose was still served. After doing this little bit of jumping around in the series I can definitely recommend starting from the beginning and reading in order. That's my plan, anyway!

Overall Grade:

Review: Something About Witches

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Title: Something About Witches
Author: Joey W. Hill
Page Count: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Genre: paranormal romance, first in a series
Copy for review was purchased by me
Note: Book counts for the Authors After Dark reading challenge

Synopsis:
Ruby Night Divine is a witch who runs a gun shop. Magic can fail – she knows that first hand, having experienced it with full-blown tragic consequences, far beyond what Dr. Phil can fix. Smith and Wesson is a whole hell of a lot more reliable, and nothing’s as cathartic as the ability to put a few holes in the things that piss you off. Like Derek Stormwind.

A powerful sorcerer, Derek is determined to get to the bottom of why she pushed him away and ran three years before. He also wants her help. A coven needs training to face a demon and his army of minions. Oh sure. It’s amazing what sweet things a guy will offer to get back into a woman’s heart, and into her bed.

Only in this case, she knows he never left her heart, and in her bed is exactly where she wants him to be. Unfortunately, her bed’s already made, and she’s close to losing her soul. And not even Smith and Wesson or Derek Stormwind can fix that.

This book was a dark horse for me, but one I'm certainly glad that I picked up. The author is brand new to me (although I've read great things, especially lately and especially about this book,) the supernatural elements revolve around witches, which is not my usual fare, and I'm kind of touch and go about second chance romances, even though the ones that are done well definitely make my heart go pitter pat.

Those elements come together perfectly in this story, and the emotional turmoil was so strong it kept me riveted for hours. Ruby and Derek individually are incredibly strong and nuanced characters; add in their shared history and the fact that each is crazy about the other and you get a relationship that truly is the star of the show.

What stands apart for me, though, is how the trauma Ruby has endured and the tragedy that she hadn't yet overcome drove the narrative. It's kind of spoilery to say specifically what happened to Ruby but suffice it to say that the author totally went there, and emotions and grief were completely laid bare. Ruby feels betrayed by things that Derek has done (or not done) in the past but they're examples of how grief and loss twist a person. I never got the feeling that Ruby was being unfair to Derek or was choosing to ignore facts to suit her purpose, which is all too common in second chance stories; what happened to Ruby was so outside the realm of the horrific that her reactions were simply that; hers alone.

In contrast, Derek had never stopped loving Ruby, and his biggest mistake was honestly in just misreading the situation. He assumed when Ruby sent him away that she was kind of freaking out because a) he's about a thousand years older than her (literally,) b) she's kind of unnerved by the strong feelings they're experienced, and c) she just needs some space. He had no idea about what had happened to her while he was away for the Fae wars, and she didn't tell him; he assumed the whole thing would blow over and immediately started trying to find her when it became apparent that it hadn't. Derek's character shines in the details of what happens when he realizes the gravity of the situation. He lays it on the line for Ruby; he loves her so much he's willing to do what's necessary, even that means changing his entire existence. He feels the loss and pain as acutely as her, and accepts the facets of her grief that involve him not being there when the trauma happened; he never blames her for her feelings or tries to make her feel dirty or wrong. He simply points out that sometimes we all have to move on, no matter how painful that may be, and that he's here to help her do just that.

I admit that I wasn't terribly interested in the side plot of Ruby and Derek working to train the Florida coven to protect the magical fault line or in the issue of the demons trying to invade except for the facets that involved Ruby's trauma. I was so invested in the romance between Ruby and Derek that I was impatient to read more. I also admit that I didn't spend too much time reading the details of the workings of the witchcraft and the spiritual beliefs held by the coven, although I respect the fact that they were there. When I go to reread this story (which I will defintely do at some point) I can see myself spending more time with those details.

Final verdict on this book- loved it, want more, have to wait until May to get it, when In the Company of Witches comes out. Life is rough.

Overall Grade:

AAD Author Spotlight: Boone Brux!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Friday is AAD Author Spotlight day here at WBiT? and I'm happy to bring you Boone Brux and her Five Question Quiz!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

Fun, demon-loving writer, looking for like-minded readers for fulfilling relationship. Wait, that sounds more like a singles ad than a tweet.

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.

I’ve been working on my Bringer and the Bane series. Book two is due to release soon. Book one, Shield of Fire, came out last December. The Bringers have uber-powers and protect humans from the Demon Bane. Unfortunately, much of the Bringers’ history has been lost over the centuries and they’re left with a lot of questions and very little help when the Demon King declares war on the Bringers.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often? I love to recommend Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series and fellow AAD author Darynda Jones. Love her reaper series.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?

I am looking forward to everything from the hot weather to meeting the people I’ve met online. Plus, I’m really excited about interacting with readers in an intimate atmosphere.

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees? I’ve never been, but I’m going to try and take advantage of every opportunity to mingle and have fun.

www.boonebrux.com
www.boonebrux.blogspot.com
www.entangledpublishing.com/shield-of-fire
Barnes and Noble
Amazon

Please follow me on Twitter or friend me on Facebook. I love to connect with readers.

Thanks so much for having me. I’m so excited about Authors After Dark. It’s sure to be a great time.

Same here, same here! Is anyone else getting SUPER excited yet?! I know I am!

Review: Firelight

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Title: Firelight
Author: Kristen Callihan
Page Count: 610 KB Kindle format, 400 pages
Publisher: Forever
Genre: historical paranormal romance, first in a series
Copy for review was purchased by me

Synopsis:
Once the flames are ignited . . .
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.
*****

Have you ever read a book that you wish you could read for the first time all over again? That totally sums up the experience of reading Firelight. As a debut book it's a fantastic addition to the world of paranormal romance; add in the elements of historical romance and suspense and you get a creation that's super fun to read and enjoy.

I wasn't even aware of this book until I read a bunch of really excellent reviews from blogs that I follow- yay for book bloggers! It was from those reviews collectively that I learned that Firelight is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast- double yay! The familiar elements of the story are certainly there, and the details are reworked in a way that renders the story endearing and fresh.

Miranda Ellis is a kick-ass lady. She's had to deal with an epic amount of crap in her life so far and it doesn't look like the storm is letting up any time soon. Her dad is a douche, and a destitute one at that; when his nemesis, Lord Benjamin Archer, says that he wants to marry her, she figures that the devil you don't know might be the better bet this time around.

Archer would certainly agree with the description of him as a devil; it seems that he's cursed, and the curse is only getting worse. His whole life has been dedicated to trying to find a way to reverse the curse until now; he never planned on honestly falling head over heels in love with Miranda, and doesn't really expect her to ever love him back or even like him.

She does, though! And therein lies the gem of this story- the blossoming love between these two in the face of adversity from all sides. Archer is being blamed for a series of grisly murders among his circle of former friends and acquaintances and all of society thinks he's a beast in every sense; Miranda doesn't believe him to be responsible for the murders and has every vested interest in finding out who is. As she's in possession of her own secrets, she understands wanting to just be left alone- she and Archer are kindred spirits in a variety of ways.

The story cooks along at a good pace, and there's plenty of drama and a sense of the macabre; when Archer and Miranda finally realize that they really and truly are in love, it's a wash of brightness and hope against what seem to be long odds. I also was really intrigued by the explanation of why and how Archer came to be cursed, and those elements are not ones that I recall seeing in any other paranormal book or series.

The next book, Moonglow, is due out in August, and I am beyond excited. This is one series that is going on the automatic pre-order list, right quick.

Review: Changeling Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Title: Changeling Moon
Author: Dani Harper
Page Count: 369 pages
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: paranormal romance
Copy for review was purchased by me

Synopsis: 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.
*****

I picked up this book for Kindle when it was $1.99 back in January (NEWS FLASH- IT IS AGAIN) and I'm happy I did- it had been on my to-read list for awhile and the sale price made buying it a no-brainer. I enjoyed the book as much as I thought I would, but for surprisingly different reasons.

The setting of the book is the small village of Dunvegan in northern Canada, conveniently sharing a name with a famous castle/town in Scotland. Life is quiet and simple for the most part, and Zoey Tyler has moved there for a simpler life as the editor of a small town paper and nothing more. The sparks fly between her and town veterinarian Dr. Connor MacLeod, and it seems like all is right with her world.

At least, all would be right, except Dunvegan is home to a deeply rooted changeling pack, with its own generational conflicts, infighting, drama- everything that goes along with what is essentially a huge extended family. There are elders of sorts whose thoughts and behaviors are more in line with their beast, and their actions and recklessness threaten to expose the pack to the human world. There's a neat side plot involving tabloids and the circus that erupts around sensational stories that adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Dunvegan is removed enough from bigger cities and more populated areas that the changeling pack can run around relatively free from the risk of exposure- when the media juggernaut rolls into town it completely disrupts the lives of everyone in the town on pretty much every level.

Zoey and Connor's attraction has a lot of obstacles to overcome- she gets a crash course in the supernatural community of Dunvegan and as it turns out, she has some supernatural secrets of her own, which thankfully are not the ones you'd expect. As the only non-psychic member of a celebrity psychic family, Zoey completely understands why people would want to stay under the radar and not face constant scrutiny. All too often heroines are in possession of some ability that they had no awareness of until they make the beast with two backs with the hero- in this case, Zoey's abilities were the result of her being attacked by one of the crazier people in the pack, and everyone recognized that it wasn't something Zoey chose for herself. Connor has to get Zoey ready to be a changeling, whether Zoey wants that or note.

The small town setting and vivid details of the story were totally the high points and what set this book apart. Connor isn't a snarly alpha male barking out orders or leading a commando squad or any of the things that seem to pop up a lot in paranormal romance. He has a busy veterinary practice and is a professional bachelor, the likeable guy that lives next door. His relationship with Zoey was fun to read about in the sense that it was a welcoming of Zoey into the community. I was definitely invested in the series by the end of this first installment and am definitely on board to read the rest of the books.

In My Mailbox: Where I Load Up on Audiobooks

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:26:00 +0000

Audible is having one of its $4.95 sales, and this time around the theme is the first book in a series! There were a ton of great options to consider (and since the sale doesn't end until Tuesday there are a couple I may pick up on a second pass) but here is what I picked out for myself yesterday:

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara- this is a new series for me so the Kindle version of this book is $4.85 if that's more you're style.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie- David Suchet ROCKS at narrating Poiroit mysteries so I was super excited to so this one on the list. Plus, the Kindle version is FREE, just so you know.

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones- not only does this one count for my Authors After Dark reading challenge, but it seems like everyone and their brother has loved this book and raved about it so I'm eager to check it out. Point scored for book bloggers!

Storm Front by Jim Butcher- I've read a bunch of books in this series but had been meaning to start at the beginning with the audiobooks for awhile now, and this was the perfect opportunity! Apparently the guy that played Spike on Buffy is the narrator too, which sounds like a good thing to me.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig- One of my go-to recommendations, it's sad that I'm so behind on this series. Starting from the beginning with the audiobooks is a good thing for me because I can multitask and get caught up while I'm at the gym or laying in bed or working on things for work or whatever. Yay!

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill- I love this series! I haven't read the first installment in a long time so this is a great time to get reacquainted. And, uh...I'm behind in this series too. Gah!

Also, this next one wasn't a part of the $4.95 sale but I used my monthly credit instead:

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

What did you all get this week?

Bringing Home Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:58:00 +0000

Bet that got your attention!

No, the baby being brought home is my early Valentine's Day gift- a new Kindle!

This time around I opted for the simple and sweet Kindle Touch- it's small, it's light, it isn't white like my old one, and even though it's the Special Offers version, I don't find the ads intrusive like I thought I would. Shows you what I know!

I had deliberated going for the Kindle Fire, but I've pretty much committed in my mind to buying an iPad before the end of 2012 as it'd be a great resource to use with my students as well as other cool things and two tablets just seemed like too much, you know?

Anyway, I'm super excited about this! New shinies are fun anyway, but new e-readers might be my favorite of them all. Have a great Saturday everyone!

AAD Author Spotlight: Eliza Gayle!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

This Friday's featured author is a new one to me, Eliza Gayle! She's here to share her Authors After Dark wisdom through the Five Question Quiz- yay!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

Do you love dark, erotic romance with alpha males and the stubborn women bound to love them? Then you've come to the right place. ;)

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.

My latest release is Power Play, a hot contemporary novel and the second in my new Pleasure Playground series.

Blurb:

She wants the escape. He wants control. They both need love.

Jennifer Croft is at the peak of her career. As a bondage model at Altered Ego, she’s become the crème de la crème of the fetish world, ensuring herself a top spot in her profession. The world is her oyster. Her personal life on the other hand… It’s not pretty. Only her fascination with pain play keeps the ghosts of her past at bay.

After tragedy sends Daegan McKenna to the South for a much needed change of pace, the last thing he expects to find is a closet submissive hiding in plain sight. She’s hot-tempered and in denial — a heady combination that brings out the dominant looking for a challenge. He’s already loved and lost more than one man should, but the haunted look in her eyes prompts him to make her an offer. He’ll indulge her darkest fantasies, if she’ll agree to give up control. Then he’ll let her go.

Unfortunately, the past never stays in the past and old insecurities cause complications neither of them wanted. Now temporary is not enough.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?

Wow. There are so many that I could never list them all here, but let me try with some highlights. My favorite hero of all time is Roarke from the In Death series by J.D. Robb. The book I enjoy rereading the most when I need a laugh is Welcome To Temptation by Jennifer Crusie. And when I am in the mood for the ultimate alpha male, I almost always turn to the Lora Leigh Breeds series. That is really only the tip of the iceberg for me. I own THOUSANDS of books and love sooo many.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?

Catching up with old friends and making lots of new ones. Really. The small conferences are truly the best for getting to know fun, like minded people who love books as much as you do.

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees?

New Orleans will be my 4th AAD. If this is your first time attending don't be afraid to mingle outside your circle of friends. Everyone is approachable and dying to talk to you. Take lots of pictures. Invariably I get home from a conference only to discover I took less than a dozen pictures. I always regret that. Find a new author. We always go crazy for the authors we love but it never fails that I end up talking to someone who's books I am not familiar with and their passion or friendly attitude have me seeking their books as quick as my iPad will download them. That kind of new friendship and discovery is one of my favorite things.

Learn more about Eliza:

Website: http://elizagayle.net

Twitter: @elizagaylebooks

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

Blog: http://elizagayle.net/blog

Books Available: http://elizagayle.net/books

Happy Friday everyone!

Thinking About: Go-to Recommendations

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:44:00 +0000

The author features for AAD continue to stack up and get scheduled (Fridays are serious fun for the next few months!) and one of the questions I've asked as a part of the Five Question Quiz started to stand out to me- what books do I recommend most often?

A lot of folks in their responses said it depended on who was doing the asking, and for the most part I think we all do that to an extent, but I find that there are some titles that I recommend over and over again. These books are ones I find myself going to when I'm stuck in a slump or just want what, for me, is a sure thing.

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook. I seriously love this book and have it as an audiobook now for my drive times and gym times- who knew the elliptical trainer or sitting in traffic could be that enjoyable? I love the worldbuilding, I love the characters, I love that it's the start of a series (even though I haven't gotten to Heart of Steel yet- eek!)

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig- Even though I'm seriously behind in this series, I love it all the same. It's funny and romantic and enjoyable and just yum. As I plan out how to spend my Audible credits in the coming months I may just have to give in and glom up the whole series.

The entire Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews- it actually took me a long time to read these books but once I started my eyes were glued to the pages. I love Kate and Curran and I'm beyond excited for the spinoff books as well- when I started thinking of what books were releasing in 2012 that really got me excited, Gunmetal Magic beat out the other contenders by a country mile.

The entire Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh- having officially taken the top spot as my favorite PNR series, this is a pretty much guaranteed slump-buster for me if I start at the beginning of the series and read the books in order until I feel motivated to read again. Sure things are a good thing!

What are your go-to recommendations? It's time to sell me on your favorite books!

Redrawn WINNER- signed copy of Dylan!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Well, the original winner of the signed copy of DYLAN didn't get back to me, so a new winner was selected and that winner is The Book Attict! Congratulations!

AAD Author Spotlight: Manda Collins!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Friday is here again! I did a lot of lurking this week and not as much reading as I would have liked/hoped but I definitely am stoked for the debut by this week's featured AAD author, Manda Collins! Take it away!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

Author, librarian who loves books, technology, and talking about books and technology. Total fangirl for Project Runway and Top Chef.

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.
HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE, which comes out January 31, 2012, is the story of a wallflower who must join forces with a dashing duke to clear her father's name and find his missing brother. So far reviewers seem to like it.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often? It depends on what the person likes to read. For historical romance you can't go wrong with anything by Eloisa James. For romantic suspense, I recommend Karen Rose. For category romance, Sarah Mayberry is my favorite.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most? Since it will be my first reader oriented conference I'm really looking forward to interacting with readers. Plus it's in New Orleans. You can't go wrong with that!

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees? This will be my first time at AAD, so I'll be the one looking for advice! Hopefully I'll manage not to embarrass myself too badly!

And that's that! Thanks to Manda for stopping by today- can I just say that the cover of this book is GORGEOUS?! Seriously. Happy Friday everyone!

Dylan Giveaway WINNER!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:22:00 +0000

I hope everyone has had a fabulous weekend! The winner of a copy of Dylan by C.H. Admirand is...Maureen! She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond. Thanks to everyone who entered!

AAD Author Spotlight: Rosalie Lario!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Happy Friday to all, and please join me in welcoming Rosalie Lario as this week's featured Authors After Dark author! Thrill as she tackles the Five Question Quiz:

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

Paranormal romance author of the Demons of Infernum series and The Fallen Warriors series. Lover of all things Supernatural, especially the show!

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.

Touch of the Angel (#3 in the Demons of Infernum series), which released in December 2011, features a half-demon bounty-hunter and his succubus heroine fighting against the evil demon who controls her.

Heart of the Incubus (a novella based in the Demons of Infernum world), which releases in January 2012, features an incubus trying to save his human love interest from a stalker with deadly intent.

Call of the Siren (#4 in the Demons of Infernum series), releases in July 2012.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?

I’m a huge fan of Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series and Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series. Both feature super yummy heroes and interesting worlds.

Love Supernatural (and Dean Winchester) as much as I do? Check out Mark of the Sylph, #2 in my Demons of Infernum series.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?

I’m really looking forward to meeting a bunch of amazing readers. I hear those who attend AAD truly know how to have a good time!

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees?

I’m an AAD virgin, so I’ll be learning right along with the rest of you first-timers. I cannot wait to meet you all there! We’re gonna have some fun. ;-)

About the Author:
Rosalie Lario practiced real estate law for several years before finally admitting to herself negotiating contracts wasn’t nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with
her husband and son in their home state of Florida, as well as searching out things that go bump in the night.

You can visit Rosalie here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Learning more about her Demons of Infernum series here: Entangled Publishing

Thanks to Rosalie for stopping by today!

Audiobook Review: Murder on the Orient Express

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Title: Murder on the Orient Express
Author: Agatha Christie
Narrator: David Suchet
Length: 6 hours, 49 minutes
Publisher: AudioGO
Copy for review was purchased by me

Synopsis:
Savor one of the most clever of Christie's suspenseful classics. An American businessman is stabbed to death aboard a luxury train, the Orient Express, snowbound in the middle of Europe. Nothing escapes the eagle eye and quick intelligence of the great Hercule Poirot, and clues abound. Sorting through a dozen perfectly respectable passengers, all suspects, Poirot is tenacious in his pursuit of the truth.
*****

I think I picked this up during one of the random $4.95 sales that Audible has every now and then, and I'm so glad I did, because I have discovered a new favorite Christie reader- David Suchet did an amazing job! With such a relatively large cast of characters, to have a different voice for each one that was still believable and didn't make anyone sound like the French guy in Monty Python with his outrageous accent is definitely an accomplishment.

Agatha Christie is one of those authors that's tough to review because people really either like her mysteries or they don't, and I know I definitely do. Murder on the Orient Express is one of her works that I would recommend to anyone, especially if you like locked room mysteries where, if you're paying attention, you can see all the clues coming together and solve the mystery yourself.

I've been devoting a lot of time to doing other things lately, trying to finish up projects and set up a new routine in anticipation of Insanity that's due to start in April. Yes, apparently More Grad School is just what the doctor ordered and I'll be pursuing my BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification, working full time as a special education teacher, trying to maintain a gym schedule, and still having time to eat, sleep, and perform other basic life functions. Blogging will be a part of that too, and audiobooks are a good way to fit in reading when things have kind of just gone crazy. I listen to audiobooks while I'm cooking, working on work projects, working out, knitting, or whatever else that makes holding a book or my Kindle not possible. It's a good compromise, and with good books like this one available, there's no way to go wrong!

WINNER of Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:13:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who entered to win a copy of Alpha Instinct by last week's featured AAD author, Katie Reus! According to random.org, the winner of the book is ...Melissa Lamb! She has been emailed and will have 48 hours to respond.

Hey, while you're here, C.H. Admirand is giving away a signed copy of Dylan and you should click the link to go enter!

AAD Author Spotlight: C.H. Admirand + GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Friday is here again, and I think hot cowboys are just what we all need to get the weekend off to a great start! C.H. Admirand has the hot cowboys covered, and she's here to tackle the Five Question Quiz!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

C.H. Admirand writes hot small town cowboys with a heart for Sourcebooks.

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.
DYLAN is the second book in my hot cowboy trilogy for Sourcebooks. He’s the middle brother, the quiet one. Didn’t your momma always warn you about the quiet ones? Well I’m here to tell you it’s true, still waters do run deep. He’s met his match in Ronnie DelVecchio, a spitfire from New Jersey who’s driven just about as far enough to leave her ex and her past behind. Sparks and tempers fly when he tosses his lasso around her.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?
I recommend Nora Roberts and Julie Garwood more than any other author.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?
I’ve never been before, so I’m looking forward to the entire event. I’ve been to Lora Leigh’s RAW and Lori Foster’s Reader Get Together, so at least I’ll have an idea of what to expect…I think. LOL!

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees? I’ll be taking notes since it’s my first time.

Thanks for inviting me, Emily! Readers can find me through:
Twitter at @CHAdmirand, on Facebook, or my website. My website has links to purchase DYLAN and all of my backlist or you can find me on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

*****
Many thanks to C.H. Admirand for stopping by and here's wishing everyone an excellent, cowboy-filled (ha!) Friday! Now, on to the giveaway!

A signed copy of DYLAN is up for grabs here! To enter, just leave a comment with a way to contact you and the name of the last great book you read. No book, no entry! Here are the rules of engagement:

-U.S. only please. Thanks!
-Make sure your email address is valid.
-Contest will run until Friday, January 27th at 11:59 pm EST.

Good luck!

2012 Authors After Dark Reading Challenge- I'M IN!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:43:00 +0000

I've decided to break my no-challenges=in-2012 rule for this one, as it's pretty appropriate considering I'm going to AAD in August!

The rules are simple: read books that were written by the authors that will be appearing at AAD 2012!

Guidelines:
•Although AAD 2012 takes place in August, this challenge will run from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.
•Books must be read and reviewed in 2012.
•You can join at anytime during the year.
•Anyone can join (not just book bloggers).

My personal goal for this challenge is to read 30 books by authors attending AAD 2012. Here is where I'll keep track of my books and my reviews:

1. Something About Witches by Joey W. Hill
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Are you ready to sign up? The challenge is being hosted by Midnyte Reader, so head on over and sign up!

Snowed In Giveaway WINNERS!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:43:00 +0000

First of all, thank you to all the authors and readers who participated in the Snowed In with Indie Authors Review and Giveaway Festival! Although I didn't get to as many books as I would have liked (December did everything in its power to throw obstacles in my path) there were a ton of great prizes offered up by some very generous authors!

With that said, here are the winners from each giveaway, as well as the winner from the giveaway for a title from Stephanie Julian's backlist from her AAD feature:

The winner of the Kindle-compatible copy of My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond is...Elizabeth Case!

The winner of a digital copy of Fruitbasket From Hell by Jason Krumbine is...Vennie Martinisi!

The winner of a digital copy of Faery Merry Christmas by Jacquie Rogers is...Linda Henderson!

The winner of the $15 gift certificate to the vendor of his/her choice sponsored by MJ Fredrick is...Gloria Dornin!

The winner of a digital copy of Silver and Stone by Jennifer Thompson is...Deanna Boocock!

The winner of a digital copy of inkBLOT is...Jessica Lewis!

The winner of digital copies of Medium Dead and An Unsafe Pair of Hands is...Pam S!

The THREE winners of digital copies of Harmless Adjustment are...Brenda Demko, Patricia German, and Alice Priday!

The winner of a set of romance trading cards from author Nina Pierce is...Helen Keeler!

The three winners of digital copies of The Witching Pen are...Ronda Noel, Nicola O'Sullivan, and Wendy Hoffman!

The winner of the $25 Amazon gift certificate from Gordon Kessler is...James Donley!

And finally, the winner of the title from Stephanie Julian's backlist is...JenM!

Whew! Congratulations to all the winners! All other giveaway prizes that were owed by me were mailed out this past Saturday, so keep an eye on your mailbox if you're expecting something! For now, why not enter to win a copy of Alpha Instinct or His Secret Past by Katie Reus?

Review: Never Cry Wolf

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:28:00 +0000

Title: Never Cry Wolf
Author: Cynthia Eden
Page Count: 534 KB Kindle format; 337 pages print length
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: paranormal romance
Copy for review was purchased by me

Synopsis:
Running With A Dangerous Crowd
Lucas Simone is not the kind of guy you mess with. He’s big, he’s strong, and his eyes hint at a wilder side most women can’t handle. Of course, that’s because his predatory instincts are no metaphor-he’s a genuine Grade-A top-quality werewolf, tough enough to fight his way to dominance over the scariest pack on the West Coast. There’s only one chink in his armor. Unlike most alpha dogs, Lucas has a reputation for protecting the weak and innocent.

Sarah King is counting on that protective impulse-it’s the only thing standing between her and certain death. There are only two problems: one, she’s not quite as innocent as she’d like Lucas to believe. And two, if he doesn’t stop stoking Sarah’s animal lust, it’s only a matter of time before her own wild side gets unleashed…
*****

I am a sucker for a good werewolf story, no matter how similar it may be to other stories that are out there. Some people think that this vein of paranormal romance is played out because the market is so saturated- I just say the more the merrier and happily download another one. Once I popped, the fun did not stop.

Never Cry Wolf wasn't a bad book, and it was an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning, but it didn't quite hit the spot for me. I think that was probably because in terms of plotting and story development the book is going in a bunch of different directions. I've read a lot of other books by this author so jumping right into the world of the Others and the rules that are in play for that world didn't really bother me, but it seemed at times that this book couldn't decide what it wanted to be about or what direction it wanted to go in and that was problematic.

Sarah King, our intrepid heroine, is a mess, and she is literally a secret wrapped in a mystery and stuck inside an enigma. She has told so many lies and double crossed so many people that she would not know the truth if it jumped up and bit her on the hinder. True to course, all that drama has come back to bite her in a serious way and she is now looking to Lucas Simone for protection, since apparently everyone wants to kill her.

Lucas, on the other hand, is as snarly and growly as they come, but falls fast and hard for Sarah and is willing to deal with all of her issues. Sarah is a charmer who can talk to animals, and her animal specialty is wolf shifters when they're in wolf form. Awkward! She has some other abilities that she neglects to mention (for good reason from her perspective, don't get me wrong) but her lack of full disclosure poses problem after problem for the happy couple. Admittedly, there is a big difference between not telling someone your whole life story on the first date and inconveniently forgetting to bring up your mind control abilities when begging that person to protect you from evil bad guys.

There are a ton of evil bad guys here, too, although why they happen to be evil or bad doesn't really get disclosed, they just are. They are slavering, crazy, self-serving, and murderous, and that's all there is to it. One of the rules of the world of the Others is that being a shifter sometimes means you're just imbalanced and that's the end of it, and that works for me for the most part, but there were just so many people in the cast of characters here that knowing people's motivation would have added some depth.

The story kind of goes through an identity crisis about half- or two thirds of the way through, with the introduction of voodoo elements and meeting a bunch of characters that definitely have the potential to appear as leading characters in future books. For me as a reader, it was about that point that I was ready to start seeing Lucas and Sarah grow as a couple, instead of jumping through more hoops and dealing with an even wider cast of supporting characters. I believed in their viability as a couple but didn't see a lot of scenes between the two of them that supported that.

Like I said, this wasn't a bad book, and it certainly seems like the launch of a series with other couples that will be interesting to read about. I guess I was wishing for more relationship development and more character details and less of the running around and killing bad guys.

AAD Author Spotlight: Katie Reus with a GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:21:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! I'm bringing you another author that will be appearing at Authors After Dark 2012 in New Orleans, Katie Reus! Not only is she offering some great prizes for the giveaway and tackling the Five Question Quiz, she's also got one of my anticipated reads for the first part of 2012 coming out! Take it away Katie!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

Paranormal romance author who lives in the South, loves red wine, old cemeteries, flip-flops and great romance stories.

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.

Alpha Instinct, the first book in my new Moon Shifter series with NAL/Signet Eclipse will be out in about 3 weeks (2/7/2012). When I started writing this book I’d originally planned for it to just be a short novella but the more I wrote the more these characters exploded inside my head and I knew there was no way I could pack everything into a novella. More characters developed and a series was born. This is the first full length series I’ve written and my first NY sale so I’m very excited about it!

This is the official blurb:

Fear has a scent. So does desire…

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.

The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.

But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…

Alpha Instinct is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, and other major retailers.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?

It totally depends on what someone is looking for. If they’re looking for a great military romance I usually suggest Kaylea Cross. For erotic romantic suspense, it’s always Lisa Marie Rice. For awesome paranormal world building and amazing characterization, Nalini Singh or Karen Marie Moning.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?

I’ve pretty much a conference virgin (though by August 2012 I’ll have gone to another conference before then) so everything seems really exciting to me. Meeting and interacting with readers is the number one thing I’m looking forward to. Cynthia Eden, Manda Collins and I are going to be hosting a pool party (don’t have all the details yet) so I’m very excited about that. Also, the pub crawl sounds pretty awesome!

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees?

Never been so no advice! I’m going to be a total newbie too.

A little about me: I’ve been reading romance since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash at a young age and the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL/Signet Eclipse. To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.
*****

Time for the giveaway! Since it’s not that long after the New Year, tell me if you decided to do a New Year’s resolution or not. What was it? If it’s too personal you don’t have to share details! Answer to win a copy of Alpha Instinct (will be mailed out next month, US only eligible). Since I don’t want to leave out anyone international, another commenter will win a digital copy of His Secret Past, my recent romantic suspense release from Carina Press. The giveaway will run until Friday, January 20th at 11:59 EST.

Thanks again for letting me blog with you today!

FREE Ebook Alerts and Enter to Win One of FOUR Kindle Fires!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:28:00 +0000

Want to win a Kindle Fire? Authors Aiden James, Scott Nicholson, J. R. Rain, and H.T. Night are teaming up Jan. 11-13 to give away $1,000 in prizes, including four Kindle Fires, $200 in Amazon gift cards, and 45 free Kindle books.

There are four ways to enter during Jan. 11-13:
• Share this blog link on social media according to blogger’s directions (post the link on Twitter and include @whatbookemily in the tweet.! I am counting these entries so if I don't see it it, it doesn't count.)
• Follow the authors on Facebook (J.R. Rain, H.T. Night, Aiden James, and Scott Nicholson) and look for "Click to share" posts
• Follow Ereader News Today on Facebook and click to share their free book bundles
• Go to their free books on Amazon, click "like" and then "share" each book on Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtags “free for #kindle” and “#epickindlegiveaway”

TODAY’S FREE KINDLE BOOKS (links will be updated later today hopefully, but all are available on Amazon and in the Amazon UK store so feel free to search if you don't want to wait:)

Scott Nicholson
The Red Church (supernatural thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; As I Die Lying (psychological thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Creative Spirit (haunted house thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Disintegration (suspense thriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Harvest (technothriller) Amazon US Amazon UK; Zombie Bits (zombie stories) Amazon US Amazon UK; Transparent Lovers (paranormal mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK

H.T. Night
A Boy's Life (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Boy Meets Girl (Young Adult) Amazon US Amazon UK; Everlasting Love (Poetry) Amazon US Amazon UK; Getting Yours (Romantic Comedy) Amazon US Amazon UK; Paranormal Love Stories (Vampire/Werewolf Love Story) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Werewolf Whisperer (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Love Story (Vampire Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Back to School (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Winning Sarah’s Heart: Boys Being boys (YA Romance) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampires and Werewolves Beginnings (Vampire Romance) Amazon US

J.R. Rain
ARTHUR - A modern-day spiritual adventure Amazon US Amazon UK; BLACK RAIN: 15 Short Stories Amazon US Amazon UK; CURSED - Supernatural horror thriller Amazon US Amazon UK; DARK QUESTS: Two Adventure Screenplays Amazon US Amazon UK; ELVIS HAS NOT LEFT THE BUILDING - A murder mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; GHOST COLLEGE - A supernatural mystery Amazon US Amazon UK; THE LOST ARK - An adventure novel Amazon US; THE VAMPIRE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO -mystery novella Amazon US Amazon UK

Aiden James
Aiden James Vampires (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cursed Immortals (Supernatural Thriller/Vampires) Amazon US Amazon UK; The Vampires’ Birthright (Vampire adventure) Amazon US Amazon UK; Cades Cove (Horror/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK; Vampire Twist (Vampire adventure/Mystery) Amazon US Amazon UK

If one of the four authors hits #1 on the Kindle Free list, they will give away another Kindle Fire. If at any time during the event, the four authors hold all the Top 10 slots on the Kindle Free list, they will give away a sixth kindle. The bonus Kindle winners will be selected using the #epickindlegiveaway hashtags on Facebook and Twitter.

The Facebook and Twitter hashtags must accompany a link to one of the free books, a participating book blog, or the contest home page at http://epickindlegiveaway.blogspot.com or it won’t count as a valid entry. Thanks, good luck, and enjoy the free books!
###

Going with the flow is going pretty well so far.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

So the first week of 2012 is over, and here's what I have to report:

I am listening to The Iron Duke as an audiobook and LOVING it so far! It was one of my favorite books to read in 2010 (sadly I haven't gotten to Heart of Steel yet- sob!) but listening to it brings a whole different level of detail to the story that I didn't get the first time. Amazing!

I actually don't have a print or Kindle book going right now, I've been dedicating time to some other projects (cooking/baking, going to the gym, work projects, knitting a scarf for my mom, the list goes on) but I'll be sure to let you know when I do!

In other news, I am calling a halt to the festivities for the Snowed In With Indie Authors Giveaway Festival. The giveaways will still close this Friday and winners will be announced Saturday. I'll be contacting the remaining authors to reschedule their reviews, and I will get to everyone in due time. Thank you to everyone who participated!

This is shaping up to be a busy but fun week- what do you all have planned?

AAD Author Spotlight: Stephanie Julian + GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! I hope the first week of 2012 has been kind to everyone. I'm pleased to be featuring Stephanie Julian today here at What Book is That? Not only is Stephanie braving the Five Question Quiz, she's also sponsoring a giveaway at the bottom of the post!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

I’m a paranormal romance writer with a taste for the darkside and a twisted sense of humor.

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.

HOW TO WORSHIP A GODDESS is the second book in the Forgotten Goddesses series. This is Lucy and Brandon’s story. Lucy is the Etruscan Goddess of the Moon, the patron goddess of the Etruscan werewolves and huge hockey fan. Lucy has a major crush on Brandon Stevenson, a local hockey player who is seriously hot…and seriously hot for Lucy. She would so love to indulge herself but she’s got an Underworld God determined to take her remaining power. But Brandon isn’t the kind of guy to take no for an answer. He’s a great man to have in your corner and Lucy can use all the help she can get. But Brandon has problems of his own. He just didn’t realize how big…

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?

I’m a huge fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward. I constantly recommend those to anyone who will listen. Also Lora Leigh’s Breed books are wonderful. I love Virginia Kantra’s Children of the Sea series and Shana Abe’s Drakons and I love Meljean Brook’s The Iron Seas stories. And though I really don’t read historical, I do read Samantha Kane’s Brothers in Arms series. Love them.

Of my own, I do have favorites. I love Kyle from Kiss of Moonlight. He’s one of my favorite men, as are Justin from Seduced by Moonlight and Cam from Seduced & Ensnared.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?

Meeting the readers and talking books. For me, that’s the best part of reader events. I love to hear what readers love about books and I love to discuss books that I love with other readers. And I can’t wait to see New Orleans again! My husband and I were there more than 20 years ago and I’ve been dying to return.

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees?

Don’t be afraid to turn to the person next to you and start up a conversation. We’re all there for the same reason—we love books. Trust me, you will have something in common. And don’t be afraid to talk to the writers. We don’t bite. Unless you ask nicely.

How to get in touch with Stephanie:

www.stephaniejulian.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Julian/52545546702

http://onamoonlitnight.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/StephanieJulian

Buy WHAT A GODDESS WANTS
*****
Thanks Stephanie! Now, on to the giveaway! Stephanie has offered up the choice of one book from her published works to the winner here on the blog. To see the choices, check out Stephanie's website which contains her complete backlist!

To enter, just leave a comment saying a) what book you want to win, and b) a way to contact you. That's it! This giveaway ends on January 13th at 11:59 pm EST. Thanks again to Stephanie for sponsoring the giveaway!

AAD Author Spotlight: PJ Schnyder!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:15:00 +0000

What's this? An AAD feature on a Wednesday! Oh yes, yes indeed, and today's featured author is PJ Schnyder, here to tackle the five question quiz!

1. Introduce yourself, Twitter style! Describe yourself or your books in 140 characters or less.

Author @pjschnyder writes sci-fi & paranormal romance, steampunk and urban fantasy. She's also an otaku, gamer geek and trains in MMA. O.o

2. Tell us a little bit about your latest release, or your upcoming projects if you'd prefer.

My latest release is Drowning Tides, included in the Love's Immortal Pantheon Vol 5 anthology and available individually in ebook format at All Romance eBooks.

It's my first story featuring mermaids and to the PJ Mommy's dismay, these are not your Disney mermaids.

Blurb: Lora loved being a mermaid, reveled in the freedom of the sea. But an ancient danger approaches and her friend, Katherine, needs to live up to her potential or countless lives will end.

In an effort to coax Katherine ashore to spend time immersed in the emotions humans generate so easily, Lora steals the breath of life from unwary divers. For every human life, she has three days and three nights to fill her lungs with air and walk among them.

Seeking the perfect bait for Katherine, Lora goes ashore … but finds love instead.

3. What books (your own or others) do you recommend most often?

Honestly, my recommendations differ based on the person I'm talking to and their likes/dislikes. If we're into historical romance, I love to recommend the Wallfower series by Lisa Kleypas. If the subgenre is paranormal, then Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series is always one I mention. If we're talking dark fantasy, there's Anne Bishop's Black Jewel series and for urban fantasy I always mention Patrcia Briggs. Then there's the more quirky fun, like unusual shapeshifters. I like to recommend Stella and Audra Price for the sexy were snakes or Dana Marie Bell's Halle Shifters for were bears. And if a person is looking for down right quirky, I recommend Robert C Roman Jr's works or Stephanie "Flash" Burke.

If they ask me about mine, I recommend Hunting Kat if the person likes kick-@$$ heroines and a sci-fi setting. If they like shapeshifters then I recommend my Terra's Guardians series including Heart's Sentinel and Red's Wolf. And there's Evie Gift for the holiday taste of steampunk.

4. What part of Authors After Dark 2012 are you looking forward to the most?

Meeting the readers! It is so much fun to meet new readers, catch up with old friends and come face to face with others I've only ever talked to via social media. I love getting book recommendations, meeting authors new to me (because I'm a reader too) and sharing in the overall fun of the convention.

Okay, and confession, I am definitely on a mission to taste fresh made beignets.

5. If you've been to AAD before, do you have any advice for first time attendees?

Stay hydrated.There's an incredible amount of fun and excitement to be had, lots of chatting and maybe some dancing too. In the midst of it all, keep a bottle of water close to hand because NOLA is going to be hot, the authors are hot and the energy is going to be high.

Visit PJ on her blog: http://pjschnyder.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pjschnyder

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

Buy Links for titles mentioned above:

Drowning Tides

Hunting Kat

Heart's Sentinel

Red's Wolf

Evie's Gift