Trailer Tuesday - FIRELIGHT

I am not usually a big fan of YA books, for some reason the characters never feel real to me. However, there are a few YA books that I am eagerly awaiting and have very high hopes for. Those of you dragon fans out there are all counting down the days until the release of FIRELIGHT, and I can't say I blame you. Only one week left to wait!! Check out the trailer here:

Interview with Susan Mallery

Today we have a VERY special guest, one of my absolute favorite contemporary romance authors. As she is always super busy, I am so absolutely floored that she is taking time out of her busy schedule to be here to answer just a few questions for me. Those of you who follow my blog know what a total fan girl I am of hers, and I am so excited and honored to be able to do this interview. With that said, I would like to extend a HUGE welcome to Susan Mallery! *SQUEE*



Susan, Welcome to my blog.
Susan: Thank you. I love your enthusiasm!

Nicole: First off, I completely fell in love with Raoul in Sweet Spot. What inspired you to bring him back?
Susan: I was about halfway through SWEET SPOT when I realized that Raoul would have to have his own book someday. He is such a special character. He pretty much raised himself, and he did a great job of it. He has a finely developed sense of right and wrong. Which is not to say that he never did anything wrong – in fact, SWEET SPOT starts with him breaking the law. I won’t say more than that in case your visitors haven’t read the book.
Raoul grew up to be an amazing man. As FINDING PERFECT starts, he has left the NFL and started a camp for inner city kids in the hills outside Fool’s Gold. He wants to reach out to help teens who don’t have a lot of positive role models in their lives. He wants to inspire them, to show them that they can decide their own fate, just as he decided his own. They are not limited by the circumstances of their birth.

Nicole: Where do you get your ideas for each new series?
Susan: Ideas come from everywhere. In the case of Fool’s Gold, I was reading a story about the census, which was a couple years away at the time. This article was talking about all the things that a city learns about itself when the census numbers come in. Not just the overall population, but the makeup of the population. I started to think about embarrassing things a town might discover. “Ooo,” I thought. “What if there weren’t enough men?” So Fool’s Gold and the man shortage were born.

Nicole: Do you have a favorite character from any of your books, if so whom?
Susan: My favorite changes over time. My current favorite is Pia, the heroine of FINDING PERFECT. Pia was a rich snob in high school, a mean girl who made all the other girls cry. She was very proud of her status, and she lorded it over her classmates. But then that status was ripped away from her very painfully, and she learned some hard lessons in humility. Her father became the town scandal because he was caught embezzling. Pia’s mother ran away.
Pia could have run away, too, but some of the people in Fool’s Gold showed her more kindness than she deserved. That forged in her an unbreakable loyalty to the town. The whole experience also made her think about who she wanted to be. She’s still a fun-loving party girl, but she no longer makes fun of people. She’s kind, unfailingly upbeat, and one of the most generous people you’ll ever meet.

Nicole: Have you thought about writing anything other than contemporary?
Susan: Contemporary stories keep me really busy these days, but I’m always open to the idea. I love reading historical fiction. Especially World War II era stories. Oooh, they always get me going!

Nicole: Can you tell us about your next project?
Susan: I’m working on three more Fool’s Gold books for 2011, stories for the Hendrix triplets. The triplets are slightly disturbed that their mother wants to start dating. Always uncomfortable, which makes it so fun for me!

If you have not had picked up your copy of FINDING PERFECT, you definitely need to. You can find my review of it here.

I met Diana Gabaldon! AGAIN!!!

The city of Tucson definitely has issues with road construction, is frequently over 100 degrees, and has a small town mentality. But let me say, the library and different library related organizations here ROCK!

The Pima County Library Foundation is one, and they regularly sponsor literary events. This past weekend, they featured the ever popular, super hilarious, and incredibly sweet Diana Gabaldon. For those of you who are as in love with Jamie as I am, this was a special treat. Diana came to this event to talk a little about her new graphic novel, which releases September 21st.



The Exile, is basically the story of Outlander, told from Jamie’s point of view. The few pieces of art that I saw were incredible, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Diana talked a little about how she choose the artist, the process of publishing a graphic novel (OMG it took almost 2 years!!), and how incredibly happy she was with the way the characters were depicted.

For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting the incredible Diana, you know just how wonderfully hilarious she is, always cracking jokes, telling hilarious stories, and occasionally showing a crude sense of humor. I can’t count the number of times I saw people in the crowd blushing at her jokes. She is a woman of my own heart!

I’m lucky enough to have met Diana before, and had my books signed in the past. This time around, I didn’t have anything new to be signed, so instead my mom and I signed up to get a copy of the graphic novel next month, and signed up for more information about The Exile release party, and the new Outlander Soundtrack, put together by a Scottish fan.

If anyone ever gets the chance to go and see Diana, I strongly recommend it. She is incredible to hear, and a wonderful author to support!!

At the BookPushers

I am over at the BookPushers today giving my 5 star review of The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks. This is a definitely MUST READ for 2010!!

New Cat & Bones Cover

It's no secret that I am totally in love with book covers. A great cover can sell a book for me, and it can also turn me away. One of my favorite authors, Jeaniene Frost, released her newest cover for This Side of the Grave, book #5 in the Night Huntress Series. I love it!! Cat standing with the gargoyle. AWESOME!



While she was at it, she also released the stepback for the book. Oh Bones...

Finding Perfecy by Susan Mallery

Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: 8/31/10
How I got this book: NetGalley

Pia was your typical popular girl in high school – she made friends easily, cheered on the squad, and had her share of dates with the school jocks. But she’s always had a hard time committing to something, or someone.

So when her best friend Crystal succumbs to cancer, Pia is devastated, but also shocked by the inheritance her friend has left her – her frozen embryos! Pia’s in a quandary. It’s not like she can just throw them away. But is she really capable of being responsible for another human being?

For once, Pia throws caution to the wind and decides to embrace Crystal’s legacy. But as she struggles with her decision, another complication arises that Pia is totally unprepared for. She finally meets the man of her dreams…and her life becomes more confusing than she ever thought possible.
*Blurb taken from Goodreads*

I am absolutely in love with the Fool's Gold Series, and this one is by far my favorite so far!! I feel in love with Raoul when he made his first appearance in Sweet Spot where he was still in HS, living with Nicole for the last part of his senior year so that he did not have to continue living on the streets. He was an incredible character with so much heart and history and character. When I found out he was coming back to be the hero for Pia, I did a little happy dance!

Pia is the town party planner, and when we start her story, she is feeling down and out as her best friend Crystal has recently passed from cancer. She finds out that Crystal has left Pia her frozen embryos. So now Pia is stuck dealing with not only the grief of loosing her best friend, but also struggles with trying to decide what to do about the embryos.

When Raoul comes to her about business and finds her deciding to have the babies, he decides to help he out by becoming her pregnancy buddy. He agrees to go and buy her craving ice cream, help her breathe, and just be a general friend when she needs it. As the two spend more and more time together, they grow closer and closer as friends. When Raoul proposes to a marriage of convenience to Pia, she agrees. Too bad she soon realizes that convenience won't be good enough for her.

Again, I absolutely loved this story. I've loved Pia ever since we first met her. I thought she was a great character. She was the rich snobby girl in high school, and had to deal with loosing everything. After all of that she still changes into this sweet, loving, kind, and incredible woman. I love that she is willing to take on her best friends legacy and have her embryos. Call my crazy, but I could never do that, it speaks volumes about Pia.

While I am usually not a huge fan of books that involve a pregnancy that bring two people together, Mallery blew me away with this one. It was so different, with Pia choosing to have a child on her own, knowing that she won't have someone to lean on. When Raoul walks in and offers himself up as a pillar, Pia is both hesitant and excited to have someone to partner with. It wasn't one of those “oops I knocked you up, now I'm gonna stick around and we'll fall magically in love” kind of book. Of course the two do end up falling in love, but it was inspired by all the time the two spent together, and the strength of each of their characters.

I also enjoyed watching Pia grow to come and think of the embryos as her own. She started with just wondering if she should even have them, then thought of them still as Crystal's kids. By the end of the story, she really grew to think of them as her own, and again just had me falling in love with her all over again.

I can't wait for the remainder of the Fool's Gold books! I am in love with this series and can't wait to read more!! Keep a look out here on the blog, because early next week we are going to have a super special interview with Ms. Mallery herself!

All in all, I give Finding Perfect 4.5 out of 5 embryos!

Waiting on... Afterlife

What is my next big *squee* book?? I am so looking forward to Afterlife by Merrie Destefano! Look at this super pretty cover:



For those of you who haven't seen anything about this book yet, Afterlife is a debut novel, and releases September 28th, 2010. Check out the back of the book blurb here:

WELCOME TO YOUR NEXT CHANCE.

Chaz Domingue works as a professional Babysitter in New Orleans. His job is to integrate and protect the recently deceased into their new and improved lives—a position he reluctantly accepted after his father was murdered. Though Fresh Start has always been the only game in town, resurrection isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Nine lives are all a person can get—and a powerful group of desperate, high-level Nine-Timers will stop at nothing to possess the keys to true immortality. Unfortunately, this places Chaz at the lethal center of a maelstrom.

Now the only hope for Chaz and his family—and the ultimate fate of the human race—is secretly locked away in the mind of Angelique, the beautiful, mysterious Newbie who’s been entrusted to Chaz’s care…

Who else is psyched for this book?!?!

Trailer Tuesday - SIN UNDONE

Here is another series that I am totally addicted to! I read all the Demonica books in one weekend, they were that good. Sin Undone releases today!! *happy dance* Check out the trailer below.

Love Me If You Dare by Carly Phillips

Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: 8/31/10
How I got this book: NetGalley

The perfect catch is about to fall for the one woman he’s always resisted … until now!

When hostage negotiator Rafe Mancuso takes a bullet to save Sara Rios, his ex-partner, his actions make him a bona fide hero—and New York City’s newest most eligible bachelor. Then Rafe admits that Sara is much more than just another woman he’s rescued. Suddenly, a firestorm of gossip turns him into exactly what he doesn’t want to be: the Bachelor Blog’s new hottest topic. His only solution is to leave town and get himself out of the spotlight… and sexy, jaded Sara out of his mind.
*blurb from author’s website*

Love Me If You Dare is the second installment of the Bachelor Blogs Series by Carly Phillips, and starts right where we left off. Rafe and Sara used to be partners together and were asked to help with security at a high profile auction. When Sara gets taken hostage and Rafe saves her life, he finds himself the next feature one the Bachelor Blog. While Rafe has always wanted more from Sara, he holds no illusions that she is looking for anything more than a fling. When the pressure becomes too much, he flees the city to head up to his lake side cabin.

Once Rafe leaves, the blog spotlight turns it eyes onto Sara. Since she is supposed to be laying low waiting to testify in a murder trial, she spooks when treats start showing up every time she turns around. The only place she feels comfortable escaping to is with Rafe, and the two find themselves hiding out together and finally pursuing their feelings for each other.

But when two drug dealers come to town looking for trouble, and the threat to Sara’s life increases the two will have to buckle down and really trust each other in order to stay safe. But trusting each other with their lives has never been Sara or Rafe’s problem, instead it’s trusting their hearts that just might break these two apart forever.

I really enjoy the premise of the Bachelor Blog series, and Rafe and Sara were the perfect follow up. I really enjoy couples who have a history together, and these two definitely had some history to work through! One of the things that I enjoyed about these Bachelor Blog books so far, is that the woman is always the one with the problems with commitment. Sara was raised by a cop father who never had a serious girlfriend after her mother walked out on them. She was raised believing that relationships never worked out, especially when you wear a badge.

Rafe on the other hand comes from a large family where marriage is valued and something to aspire to be great at. I loved the interaction between Rafe and his family, as they were loud and a little crazy and a lot in love with each other. Seeing his parents and brother and sisters struggle to make it work, but know that they want to make it work, is always something I enjoy.

The hilarious situation with Rafe’s uncle and the drug dealers had me in absolute stitches as well! I love that Phillips can always make me laugh with some of the hilarious and outrageous situations her characters find themselves in. This one was no exception!

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the relationship between Rafe’s brother Nick and his estranged wife Angel. I loved watching them both struggle with each other, and find a way to come together even after everything they have been through to make it work.

At the end we do get to find out who the Bachelor blogger is, and I have to say I didn’t really see it coming. But, once it was revealed, it totally made sense! My guess that this is the end of the Bachelor Blogs series, but it wasn’t my favorite Phillips Series (read the Hot Zone Series if you haven’t!!). I have to say I’m somewhat sad to see it go!

All in all, I give Love Me If You Dare 3.5 out of 5 hostage negotiations!

Over at The Book Pushers

I'm over at The Book Pushers today talking about my review of PJ Schnyder's debut novel Heart's Sentinel. Those of you who are fans of the Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh will definitely want to check this one out!!

No One Lives Twice by Julie Moffett

Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: 8/16/10
How I got this book: NetGalley

I'm Lexi Carmichael, geek extraordinaire. I spend my days stopping computer hackers at the National Security Agency. My nights? Those I spend avoiding my mother and eating cereal for dinner. Even though I work for a top-secret agency, I've never been in an exciting car chase, sipped a stirred (not shaken) martini, or shot a poison dart from an umbrella.
Until today, that is, when two gun-toting thugs popped up in my life and my best friend disappeared. So, I've enlisted the help of the Zimmerman twins—the reclusive architects of America's most sensitive electronic networks—to help me navigate a bewildering maze of leads to find her.
Along the way, my path collides with a sexy government agent and a rich, handsome lawyer, both of whom seem to have the hots for me. Hacking, espionage, sexy spy-men—it's a geek girl's dream come true. If it weren't for those gun-toting thugs...
*Blurb from Goodreads*

No One Lives Twice is the first book in the series about Lexi Carmichael, the super geek who leads an extremely boring life until her best friend sends her a package. Lexi lived her whole life wrapped up in numbers and computers, loving her job at the NSA tracking down hackers. Her only friends are her college BFF Basia, and the super smart and somewhat reclusive Zimmerman twins.

What begins as another ordinary day for Lexi, a FedEx package suddenly turns and flips her world upside down. She is accosted by two thugs with guns in one day, forced to go on a horrible blind date, and BFF Basia disappears. With the help of the Zimmerman’s, Lexi is off on a wild goose chase, trying to find out why an oddly written Polish contract is suddenly arousing so much attention.

Lexi’s chase leads her to some interesting characters. Finn the lawyer who originally gave Basia the contracts is not only sexy, but his Irish accent drives Lexi wild. Slash the super hacker, super secret government agent who is doing everything in his power to prove he is trustworthy. Lars the mysterious karate instructor isn’t quite what he seems. They all are working with (or against?) Lexi to try and get their hands on the contracts, find Basia, and figure out what exactly the successful medical company has to do with the whole mess.

I was immediately attracted to this book, because like Lexi I consider myself somewhat of a geek. I’m not super smart and computer savvy, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m a chick who loves reading, playing videos, and was in my high school marching band! While I was hoping to feel a kid of nerdy-girl kinship with Lexi, I was somewhat disappointed by her ability to become a super agent overnight. Her super sleuth skills came somewhat out of nowhere for me, and while I can understand her ability to mentally figure out the mystery, her ability to almost single handedly take out the numerous bad guys was a little too out there for me.

The abundance of sexy men who come out of the woodwork had me constantly guessing as to who could and couldn’t be trusted. While I totally loved each of the secondary characters, some of it seemed a little much to me. It was a little ridiculous to me that practically ALL the men in the story suddenly have fallen head over heels for Lexi. Sure she is smart, beautiful, and able to hold herself together under pressure, but really? It was a little too much for me to find that all the men had fallen for her.

While the secrets were in abundance, the overall story somewhat worked for me. I enjoyed the explanation behind the contracts, and the reasons for the medical company’s involvement. Without trying to give too much away, I love the controversial topic, and was intrigued by that aspect of the plot. Some things did get technical and somewhat scientific, but being the geek that I am, I personally enjoyed that.

All in all, I give No One Lives Twice 2.5 out of 5 computer hackers!

Trailer Tuesday - DEMON FROM THE DARK

Kresley Cole is one of my all time favorites. She is on my automatic buy list, and every one of her Alpha Heroes makes me weak in the knees. Her newest release, Demon from the Dark is the tenth book in the Immportals After Dark Series and releases on August 31st.

Allegra Fairweather by Janni Nell

Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: 6/14/10
How I got this book: NetGalley

Allegra Fairweather here. Paranormal investigator. Got problems with specters? Shapeshifters? I’m the woman to call. Just don’t call me a Ghostbuster. The last guy who did that ended up flat on his back with my boot at his throat.

With my 99.5% success rate, solving the mystery of a bleeding rose that has sprung up on the shores of Loch Furness should have been an easy gig. But already I’ve heard the shriek of the local banshee, discovered two bodies (and then lost two bodies), and had a near-death encounter with a three-hundred-year-old ghost. And perhaps most dangerous of all, the hot pub owner who hired me now wants to show me exactly what’s under his kilt.

Luckily, I’m ably assisted by my very own guardian angel. I’m grateful for his help—but he’s also drop-dead gorgeous. A bit distracting when I’ve got a mystery to solve, and the clock is ticking…
*Blurb from author’s website*

Allegra Fairweather is the first book by debut author Janni Nell. Allegra gets a call to head over to Scotland to help solve the case of the bleeding rose. The rose usually means that some kind of large disaster is coming, and Allegra wants to try to stop whatever that disaster may be.

Fighting against the unknown, she encounters a shrieking banshee that calls out the deaths of two of the town folk. Then, an old ghost looking to take the heart of a warrior so that he and his lover can finally rest in peace attacks her. She loses two dead bodies that are mysteriously bitten to death, and then replaced with fish. She also encounters brownies, a few witches, and the selkies from the loch.

Along for the ride is Allegra’s guardian angel, whom she lovingly nicknamed Casper. Since Allegra is constantly finding herself in a bind, Casper is always there to pull her out of trouble and save her life at the last possible minute. But when Douglas, the pub owner with a huge crush, gets a glimpse at Casper, the two start a pissing match over Allegra’s affections.

When Allegra finally figures out the cause of the bleeding rose, will she be able to help save all those involved, or will this mystery stump even her?

I was not super impressed by this book. I thought that the case itself was somewhat convoluted and it wasn’t able to hold my interest. It just seemed to me that there was almost TOO much going on where the case was concerned. Was it the mysterious being from the loch, was it the coven of witches, the really old ghost trying to steal people’s hearts? There was so much other paranormal activity going on as well, that it seemed to me as if the case didn’t really start until about a quarter of the way into the book.

I did love that Nell pulled in some different mythical creatures though. A lot of the paranormal books out right now tend to feature vampires, mammal shape shifters, demons, witches, and the occasional angel. I was impressed that these more mainstream creatures didn’t get any face time. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had selkie’s in it before, and I loved that. It was something totally different than what is currently out there and popular right now and that alone was a point that impressed me.

I did enjoy the main characters Allegra and Casper. I thought it was great that although Casper was her guardian angel and able to adapt to the times, he still got car sick every time he tried to ride with Allegra. Little details like that can really make a character totally loveable to me, and Casper was definitely a shining star in the book. I enjoyed Allegra as well, she was strong, set in her ways, and seemed to genuinely love her job, despite of what people say to her. The two of them were great interacting together, and if the series continues, I would love to see how Nell progresses their relationship.

I also want to give three cheers to this cover. Carina Press has done an incredible job with their covers so far, and this is one of my favorites. I love the colors and the way that Allegra is kept somewhat mysterious, yet beautifully featured. Bravo for that!


All in all I give Allegra Fairweather: Paranormal Investigator 2 out of 5 bleeding roses!

The Fast Track Series by Erin McCarthy

Publisher: Berkley
How I got these books: Checked out from the library



Book 1: Flat-Out Sexy (pub – 11/1/2008)

Independent single mother Tamara Briggs wanted to find a new, sexy, no-strings-attached man-just not one as young as NASCAR driver Elec Monroe. But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she’s tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you ma’am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how much risk she’s willing to take to experience the power of true love.
*From author’s website*

Book 2: Hard and Fast (pub – 5/5/09)

An experiment in romance!
New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating, and mating, patterns?
That’s testing the limits of passion.
Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity, and make all the risks worthwhile!
*From author’s website*

With the newest release in the Fast Track Series on 8/1/10 Hot Finish, I’ve seen Erin all over the blogosphere promoting the new release. For those of you who follow my blog know that I LOVE sports stories, and although these focused on racing, I was still pretty excited about them! (I’m sorry for all you NASCAR fans out there, but I just don’t consider racing a sport. Driving 100+ miles an hour and turning left just really doesn’t do it for me)

I went over to my local library and snatched up book 1 and 2 and read them within two days! They were so good. Lots of passion, hilarious situations, and sweet loving! I really enjoyed that all the key players continue to show up throughout the series.

Flat-Out Sexy kicks off the series with Tamara, a racing widow with two kids, looking to get back into the dating saddle. When an attempted affair with a fellow professor fizzles into nothing, she ends up falling in total lust with rookie driver Elec. While the two are totally sizzling between the sheets, Tamara is hesitant to start a relationship with another driver, and a young rookie at that. While Elec finally manages to worm his way into Tamara’s heart, the two find out that love really can conquer all.

The second installment, Hard and Fast turns its focus onto Imogen, Tamara’s graduate student and teaching assistant, and Ty, one of the drivers on Elec’s racing team. While Imogen is smart, classy, and incredibly reserved, Ty is the exact opposite with his spunky attitude and happy-go-lucky personality. When Imogen decides to do her thesis on the racing culture and how the women land their driver husbands, she finds that she doesn’t need to do much to attract Ty.

These first two books were so great. The romance was sweet on both ends: I love that Elec was so invested in his courting of Tamara, and that he was willing to do just about anything to get in with both her and her children. Then Ty, with his southern charm was willing to overcome his life long struggle with reading just to impress the uber-smart Imogen. These guys were not only total alpha’s, they could also rock the super sensitive role as well, scoring double points in my book!

Along with the romance was incredible, off-the-charts passion! *fans self* Be careful ladies, reading these books just might cause a sudden desire to head out to the local WalMart and buy yourself a set of racing digs, head out to the track and try to flag down a sexy driver of your own!



The third book Hot Finish features Suzanne, Tamara’s best friend, and her ex-husband (or not!?) Ryder. I am dying to get my hands on this book! I love stories about husbands and wives that realize they were meant to be, even if they strayed off the beaten path for awhile. I can only hope that McCarthy WON’T stop here and will continue on the series (even after the six contracted books), as there are plenty of other drivers to get their HEA.

All in all I give BOTH Flat-Out Sexy and Hard and Fast 4.5 out of 5 sexy stock car drivers!

Eternal Seduction by Jennifer Turner

Publisher: CreateSpace
Publish Date: 10/8/08
How I got this book: Review copy from author

After living on the streets of New York City for over a decade, Logan Ellis admits her perceptions might be a little skewed. But twisted or not, there’s a satisfying irony in watching a well dressed vampire stand in the middle of a ghetto alley, windblown trash scraping small circles near his feet. What she finds even more intriguing, is waiting for him to decide whether or not he’s going to kill her.

Kerestyan Nelek hasn’t quite made up his mind. As the Lord of New York, he can’t allow a homeless drug addict, whose memories are packed with knowledge of vampiric existence, to run free in his city. It’s not the first time he’s been in this situation with a human, it’s just the first time in thousands of years he’s come face to face with one who doesn’t seem to care. And that’s what makes the decision so damn difficult.

What horrors would you have to witness before you went numb? How many years would it take for you to feel that way? What would it take to make you care again?
Logan’s answers are simple: the worst humanity has to offer, almost thirty…and something she never expected.
*Blurb taken from Author’s website*

I was super impressed with this book. Besides the cover being absolutely fabulous; I love the bright red roses on the black and white picture, the book itself was great as well. Logan is a drug addict living on the streets of New York where she realizes that the world might not be exactly as everyone seems to think. She finds herself running into vampires on a semi-regular basis.

One night, she runs into a few vampires, and ends up meeting the New York vampire Lord Kerestyan. Kerestyan finds that he doesn’t really want to kill her because he is somewhat drawn to her, instead he takes her to him home and keeps her there until he can decide what to do with her.

Because Logan knowing about the vampires has broken their cardinal rule known as the Veil, she must be taken before Kerestyan’s vampire father, Lord Nelek to be judged. So Kerestyan cleans Logan of her addiction, and fixes her up to meet dear old dad.

When Logan appears before the head of the family, he decides that Logan would be a good candidate to become a servio, a servant to the vampires. Although Logan is not able to serve Kerestyan, she is allowed to live in New York and serve where she can be close to him. But as she learns more and more about the vampire world, secrets unravel that leaves Logan thinking she might have been chosen in the most peculiar way.

Like I said, I really enjoyed this book. While Logan’s drug addiction seemed somewhat unrealistic to me, it was still done extremely well in my eyes. I don’t like reading too much about drug use, and was grateful that we never were forced to read about Logan shooting up.

The world that Turner built is incredible, between the different vampire families, the different abilities, the convoluted manipulations, the vampire history and legend… it was all incredible. I really enjoyed the different twists on vampire legend, this was totally unique from most other vampire stories I’ve read.

The plot twists and turns constantly kept me guessing, and I loved that. Nothing was predictable from the start, and I really liked that. The secondary characters were also great, well developed and thought out. Odin, Kerestyan’s brother had my constantly cracking up, and we can only hope a sequel is in the works for the super mysterious Drake.

All in all, I give Eternal Seduction 3.5 out of 5 vampire servants!

Trailer Tuesday - PARANORMALCY

Today's Trailer Tuesday feature is a new release coming from Harper Teen - Paranormalcy. The first thing that drew me to this book was the amazing cover. I love the colors and just how chaotic and beautiful it was. This book releases on August 31st, check it out!

Whirlpool by Vivian Arend

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: 8/10/10
How I got this book: ARC from the author

Forces of Nature, Book 2
Braden can’t deny he’s always wanted Chelsea, but getting involved wouldn’t be fair. She has college and big dreams ahead of her—he has no desire to leave Jaffrey’s Cove. Plus, there’s the fact merfolk women often take more than one lover. Share her? Not in this lifetime.

When Chelsea’s plans for the future fall apart, the only bright spot remaining is Sheriff Braden Marley. She’s been angling for a shot at the gentle giant’s heart—and the rest of him—for a long time. Except he not only holds her at a maddening arm’s length, he somehow manages to keep other men away, too.

Enter Jamie Powell, a human marine archeologist who’s in town for a cataloging project. His instant chemistry with Chelsea inspires her to try a sexy new tactic: make Braden jealous enough to stop dragging his feet and start leaving his shoes under her bed.

The ensuing storm generates a boatload of complications none of them saw coming. A forbidden attraction no amount of merfolk magic can erase. And the danger that their secrets could be exposed to the outside world…

Warning: Seductive shimmering lights, a sexy interlude on the strip club floor, mysterious Spanish lovers, and a trio caught in an eddy of intense sexual attraction. Swim at your own risk.
*Blurb taken from authors website*

Vivian Arend continues the Forces of Nature series with the second installment featuring Chelsea, Braden and Jamie. Now, I totally love all things shifters, and Arend does not disappoint with her merfolk shifter series. Ever since watching The Little Mermaid as a kid, I desperately wanted to be Ariel, and if the mermen are anything like Arend’s merfolk, then that desire just increased tenfold!

Chelsea is house-sitting for Alexia, and has been tasked to help go through the old house and catalogue all the antiques with archeologist Jamie. While there is an instant attraction between Jamie and Chelsea, she has her sights set on the local sheriff Braden. When Jamie and Chelsea come up with a plan to make Braden jealous, the sparks start flying all over the place, with all of them.

Like I said before, I absolutely love the premise of mer-shifters, and love Arend’s writing. Her stories are always super sexy, and I am a total sucker for a great happily ever after. While there are times I don’t really like reading about triad relationships because really, I just can’t see how they work in the long term (I can also be an insanely jealous woman!), but this one worked.

I love that Chelsea and Braden had their shifting abilities as a common ground, and that Chelsea and Jamie had their love of history and education as common ground. The three of them just seemed to really work together.

If any of your paranormal fans out there are looking for a steamy read about sexy shifters with a pinch of nerdy historians, then you should definitely pick this one up!

All in all, I give Whirlpool 3 out of 5 ancient merfolk artifacts!

Over at The Book Pushers

I'm over at The Book Pushers today, where I gave my review of the AWESOME new anthology Burning Up featuring Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra, and Meljean Brook.



It was incredible, and a definite must check out! For those of you who are big sci fi and steampunk fans out there, Meljean Brook's story was out of this world!! For more info on the first full length novel in her new series, click on The Iron Duke cover in my sidebar!

Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver

Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: 8/1/10
How I got this book: Contest Win

Half-human, half-god, Dagan Krayl is the Underworld’s most powerful soul reaper. When one of his brothers is murdered, Dagan must use every ounce of his power to hunt down those responsible for his brutal death. But he must move swiftly—and carefully—if he’s to have any chance of resurrecting his brother.

Yet that resurrection could wreak havoc on the mortal world. As an Otherkin, Roxy Tam has sworn to protect the human race and it’s her mission to stop Dagan. But when she sees him face to face, she realizes that she has seen him once before—a meeting that changed her life forever.

Neither Dagan nor Roxy expect to join forces for the sake of mankind. Or have their loyalties tested as they struggle against the potent desire that threatens to consume them both….
*Blurb from author’s website*

Sins of the Heart is the first book in a new trilogy by Eve Silver. The story revolves around the folklore of the underworld. Dagan is the son of one of the underworld gods, as well as a soul reaper. His job is to find those humans who have blackened their soul, rip it from their chests, harvest it, and take it back to the underworld to feed to his father.

We first meet Dagan as he is on the hunt. He comes across Roxy, who is being held captive by a serial rapist and murderer. When Dagan talks to Roxy for a bit, he finds that there is something about her that pulls at him, and he saves her life by killing and harvesting her captors.

Flash forward and we meet up with Roxy as she is now living her life as an Otherkin. She finds herself needing to drink blood to survive, has increased strength and endurance, and is fighting against the underworld topside. When one of Dagan’s brothers is brutally murdered, Roxy and Dagan meet up again to search for the clues to the mystery.

When their passion ignites, the two will realize that someone to call home is suddenly looking a lot more appealing than fighting for the right side.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me awhile to get into it, but once the story really got rolling, it went. The different lore of the underworlds really drew me in, and I can only imagine how much research and twisting Silver went through to create this amazing world.

Both Roxy and Dagan were great characters. I love that Roxy was the tortured soul, and lived with her fears as best she could. Having been alone her whole life, watching her come to grips with wanting to rely on someone else really drew me in. I love when strong female characters can really open themselves up to their man and become even strong in the process.

The mystery surrounding the death of Dagan’s brother is somewhat slow to unravel. Sure by the end of the first book we know who killed him, and who the inside traitor was, but the questions kept coming instead of being answered. Thankfully the rest of the trilogy comes out September 1 and October 1. If you are a reader who doesn’t like a lot of loose ends left in your book, you might want to wait until October, and the buy the trilogy as one, and read the whole way through!

For me, the romance felt somewhat rushed. Sure Roxy and Dagan have known each other for years, since their chance meeting while she was held captive. However, they haven’t seen each other since (unless you count the somewhat erotic dreams they both have about each other). When they do finally meet up again, the instant attraction pulls them both in over their head. Their first day together again is spent fighting, then Dagan nurses Roxy back to health after a near fatal injury. Almost right after that, it seems like they both decide to throw caution to the wind and be together. Great, but it did seem somewhat forced to me.

I really did enjoy this though, and can’t wait to read the next one and find out the answers to so many of the questions that were left open.

All in all, I give Sins of the Heart 3.5 out of 5 harvested souls!

Reading and Social Networking

How has social networking with authors changed your experience as a reader?


This question was posted today by Susan Mallery via Twitter, and it got me thinking about how my reading experiences have changed. Now, I might not be the norm, because I have a tendency to become super obsessive about my passions, and my one true passion in life (besides my husband) is reading. I love getting swept up into the made up worlds of Fantasy novels, the far reaches of space in Science Fiction, and the love between a man and a woman in Romance. Reading allows my imagination to run wild and experience things I might never get the chance to do.

With the boom of the social networking age, there is now so much more information at our fingertips. For me, I began using social media in college; using the popular Facebook site as a way to connect with fellow students in college and keep in touch with old High School Friends who moved away. Nowadays, I’m horribly addicted to Twitter, as it has become for me, the quickest way to disseminate and obtain information.

When I first started my Twitter account, my main goal was to use it to follow authors. So many of my favorite authors are on Twitter; announcing new blog posts, contests, and upcoming releases. Everything I could ever want to know about their writing and their daily lives. Because of that, I feel like I know these authors. Reading their book suddenly becomes more personal, as it feels like I’m reading something a friend wrote.

I can only imagine how busy most authors are, and I know that social networking can take up A LOT of their time, but to me that makes the contact that much more special. Say I took the time to get a book, read it, write an honest review, and post it on my blog.
When I go and post on my social network pages about the new post, I want to do my best to try and get the word out about the book, and help promote sales. When they respond to me, even just to say Thanks or to spread the word, I do a little happy dance each and every time! That small contact and personal experience just reinforces my desires to help promote more of that authors work.

Because of the popularity of these social networking sites, I have had so many more chance to be introduced to new authors. For example, if I’m following Susan, and she is helping her friend promote their new release, it give me the chance to find new authors who write the same genre of what I know I already like. The number of new authors I’ve found through Twitter has increased me TBR pile tenfold. I have more stacks of books than I know what to do with! (NOT that I’m complaining)

As I also have an interest in writing my own stories, the chance to really see how so many different authors spend their time is so helpful and insightful. Many times throughout the day I see authors talking to one another on Twitter about their editing process, their struggles, and celebrating one another’s releases. To me that is inspirational. It helps me strive to be more.

What about you? Anyone else want to share their experience?

Trailer Tuesday - UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

I'm starting a new tradition here. Every Tuesday I will feature an upcoming release's book trailer. I personally love book trailers, I think they are super fun and a great way to do promotion. Without further ado, the first ever Trailer Tuesday!


Today I am featuring the book trailer for Vivian Arend’s new release Under the Northern Lights. This book is the print version of the first two stories in the Granite Lake Wolves Series. Vivian writes super sexy shifters, and you gotta love those wolves! This book is out TODAY! If you haven’t read it, you should definitely go pick up your copy ASAP!

Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: 7/27/10
How I got this book: Purchased

An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness…and now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.

Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she’s only imagined in her worst nightmares.

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master Vampire who thought he’d seen it all. Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful…human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life, yet sending her away is unthinkable.

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose between the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.
*Blurb taken from author’s website*

Eternal Kiss of Darkness is the second book in the Night Huntress World Series, and this go around we get the chance to focus on Mencheres, Bones co-ruler and mysterious Egyptian. I have been anxiously awaiting this book for some time now, as I love getting to know the additional characters in the Night Huntress World. While I’ve heard many Frost fans out there say they really don’t like these books compared to the Bones & Cat books, I personally disagree.

Mencheres has lives a long (and I’m talking really really LONG) life as a vampire, and he has gotten to the point where he is just about ready to give up on this world and move onto the next. One night, while being attacked by ghouls, private investigator Kira hears some suspicious noises, and jumps into Mencheres aid.

When Kira is almost killed and forced to take some of Mencheres blood to survive, he takes her back to his home so he can let her heal, and erase her memories. When that doesn’t work, he keeps her close by in hopes it eventually will. When he realizes it just might not happen, he lets go of Kira so he can continue on with his plan to take down his lifelong enemy, Radjedef.

While the war with Radjedef continues, Kira gets stuck in the middle, and Mencheres must fight for both her life, the future of his people, and his desire to continue on in the world.

I really enjoyed this book. Then again, Frost really can’t do wrong in my eyes. I loved that Mencheres struggled with the loss of his visions, and his disillusions with the living. Although he kinda depressed me at times, I really can’t imagine living all those centuries like he did. Talk about things getting old… But I loved learning more about his history and background. Mencheres has always been a kind of cleaner guy to me. He comes in and cleans up other people’s messes. I loved having to watch him get a little nervous, relying on others for help.

Kira was also absolutely great. I loved the change from Cat a hard-ass fighter to Denise, a weaker fighter female character. Now we are back to another ass kicker, and Kira doesn’t disappoint. I love that she fights so strongly for Mencheres, and that she is constantly sticking up for him when it seems like no one else will.

The extent of the history between Mencheres and Radjedef seemed to kind of take me by surprise. Although they have been fighting for centuries, it seems like this is the first time it has ever been mentioned. Granted it seems like Mencheres did everything in his power to keep his private life from Bones, I was surprised how little we really knew of Mencheres.

While I love seeing little glimpses into what Cat & Bones are up to, they were not in this book as much as they were in First Drop of Crimson. However, I was stoked to see more of Vlad, one of my favorites in the Night Huntress World.

I loved finding out more about the vampire guardians and the laws they abide, and the vast powers Mencheres has. I hope that Kira can fulfill her chance to finally become a cop, just a vampire one. *grin*

All in all, I give Eternal Kiss of Darkness 4 out of 5 Egyptian Pharaohs.