Tori Reviews Bound By Blood
- Paperback:360 pages
- Publisher:Self Published (July 21, 2011)
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:0987749307
- ISBN-13: 978-0987749307
- Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book Description:
“FBI agent and psychic, Brianna Reece, descends from an ancient and powerful bloodline of witches, only she doesn’t know it. But now that legacy has come back to bite her—literally.
In the shadows of night in Denver Colorado, a serial killer is hunting women, and FBI agent Brianna Reece is hunting the killer. Unlike any case she’s worked before, Brianna can’t ignore the prickling at the back of her neck when she glimpses the resemblance she shares with the victims. The investigation begins to touch even closer to home when it is revealed that all of the victims were also psychic.
Complicating matters further, Brianna is captivated by the FBI’s prime suspect Nathan Donovan. Though she senses he is hiding something from her, the attraction she feels for him is compelling, and unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Through a chance twist of fate, Nathan learns of Brianna’s ancestry and is forced to divulge secrets to Brianna that will change her life forever.
When she learns that the killer is an evil vampire, and he’s now set his sights on her, Nathan alone holds the key to awakening her dormant powers. Now he must race to teach her how to control her emergent gifts before she becomes the next victim.”
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading Bound by Blood. I was drawn into the story from the very first page and the book held me throughout the entire tale. Brianna and Morrison are partners who are trying to solve a string of murders where the murderer is draining the victim’s blood and leaving no marks on the victim’s bodies. How are the victims connected? They follow-up on several leads which lead them to Nathan Donovan whose agency was hired to provide them with body guards for protection.
From the moment Brianna and Nathan meet, there is an undeniable connection between them. They feel an emotional pull and connection, but Brianna does not want to get involved with Nathan who is the top suspect in the murder investigation
Brianna later learns that Nathan is a vampire and was trying to protect the women who were murdered. The passion between Brianna and Nathan is amazing! The author has a way of making you feel their passion and bond with each other. It was almost like you were in the story with them. I enjoyed all the characters throughout the story. I felt their connection even Morrison who I did not like at first but who later turns out to be a great friend to Brianna and Nathan.
Morrison has his own horror story for joining the FBI which made me feel very sorry for him. The author has several paranormal creatures in the book such as vampires, witches, etc. The book keeps you guessing until the very end who the murderer is and why these women are being killed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read more of the author’s books!
Find out more about P.A. Lupton and what she’s working on at her Website.
Buy a copy of Bound By Blood at:
Unchained – Spotlight & Review
Unchained by Sharon Ashwood
Book Description:
“Been There. Slain That.
Ashe Carver is one kick-ass monster killer – and she has the scars to prove it. But faced with a custody battle for her ten-year-old daughter, Eden, she’s hung up her stakes and taken a job at the public library, determined to show the courts and her ten-year-old daughter that she’s as good a mother as she is a hunter.
Easier said than done. There are lovelorn vampires haunting the library, a slime demon in the shopping mall, and her new-mom sister needs a hand with her ghostbusting biz. Then, after centuries guarding a supernatural prison, Captain Reynard strides into her world like a hero from the library’s Must Reads. Smokingly gorgeous, passionate and courageous to a fault, he has only weeks to live unless Ashe finds the thief who took his soul.
Ashe picks up her weapons to save the day—but not every problem can be solved with a stake. With so much tragedy in her past, Ashe fears the disaster she sees ahead—and prays she doesn’t fail everyone. Again.
Memories are the hardest monsters to kill.”
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in Sharon Ashwood’s The Dark Forgotten series. Ashe Carver is a wonderfully rich and complex character who steals the show, which is a good thing seeing as how the book is about her. The chemistry between her and Reynard is magnetic and I was flipping pages deep into the night to find out what would happen next!
I loved that Sharon Ashwood created a character who is a single mom, facing all the challenges that come with going through the adjustments of being a single parent and the heartbreak involved in going through a custody battle. Wonderfully written, this book has action, romance, suspense, danger, mystery, complex emotions, loyalty, bravery, and humor mixed in with some totally bad-a$$ paranormal badies and one really sexy, strong, courageous man.
I am so looking forward to more books in this series as Sharon has created a really detailed world in which I love to dwell for a few hours at a time. I highly recommend this book to fans of super sexy, dark in a good way, action packed paranormal romance!
Click HERE to watch the trailer.
Buy UNCHAINED at:
Chapters, Amazon or The Book Depository
Find out more about Sharon Ashwood at her website, blog or in the fun guest blog she wrote here on SVR.
The Gates – I am stoked!
I just wanted to share my excitement about this new show starting this summer on ABC! 🙂 Hurry up June 20th.
Twice Dead – Spotlight & Review
Twice Dead by Kalayna Price
Book Description:
“Newly undead shifter-turned-vampire Kita Nekai is coming to grips with the reality that her cat has not awakened since her change. What she needs is a little time to adjust to her new liquid diet and the increasingly complex attraction to her sire, Nathanial. What she gets is a headless harlequin. With the body count rising, Kita is dragged into a dangerous game of vampire politics.
Her involvement draws the attention of an ancient vampire known as the Collector who has a penchant for acquiring the unusual – like a pure blood shifter-turned vampire. Kita still has unfinished business of her own and finds herself deeper in magical debt. It’s a bad time to be a kitten who can’t slip her skin.
Kalayna Price’s debut novel, ONCE BITTEN, earned rave reviews and reached #1 on Amazon.com’s “Fantasy Bestseller List.” TWICE DEAD returns readers to a dark, seductive world where magic rules and ancient loyalties collide with modern challenges.”
My Thoughts:
I jumped into this series with the second book, Twice Dead, and had no problems following along. I definitely want to read the first book, Once Bitten. Kalayna Price has created an interesting supernatural world filled with rich, intriguing characters. Kita is an interesting mix because she was a shifter that was turned into a vampire. Her progress while adjusting to the change in the face of danger kept me reading long into the night!
Filled with action, suspense, danger, and a fascinating relationship. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy, heroine’s who grow and come into their own, and characters that come alive on the pages of a fast paced story.
Buy Twice Dead at:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Find out more about Kalayna Price and her books at her website.
Lover Mine – Spotlight & Review
Lover Mine by J.R. Ward
Book Description:
“In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. Long divided as a terrifying battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.
Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates.”
My Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Lover Mine. WOW! This is the book I have been waiting for in the series and it totally blew my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood’s series and have been buying them faithfully since the first book came out, but John Mathew’s story? Just AMAZING! J.R. Ward really outdid herself for this book and I am so very grateful and satisfied with the outcome.
Lover Mine can be read as a stand-alone and you will fall in love with the series and rush out to grab the rest of the books, but I personally found it to be that much more satisfying because of the build up and history of the character, John Mathew, from previous books. Kind of like Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Acheron was to her Dark Hunter series.
Lover Mine focuses on John Mathew and Xhex’s relationship, but has so many plot twists and turns along with excellent side stories involving Tohr, Payne, Blay, Qhuinn, some ghost hunters and the Lessers. Great back stories for Xhex, John Mathew and Darius are also skillfully woven into the telling of this tale.
IMO, JR Ward is a master of the weaving of an immensely captivating and fascinating paranormal. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who loves incredible world-building, steamy romance, action, suspense, a rich history and a dangerously sexy twist on the vampire mythos. At times, dark and gritty and at others heartbreakingly beautiful, these characters blaze to life on paper.
Buy Lover Mine at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
The Reading Order Of The Series:
The Black Dagger Brotherhood Insiders Guide
Find out more about J.R. Ward and her books at her website.
Mary Hughes – Interview & Giveaway
Happy Monday! 😀 Ok, I know, I can just hear you all grumbling back at me, “what’s so happy about Mondays?” For one, I have Mary Hughes here to talk about her Biting Love Series! She’s here to celebrate the release of the fourth book in the series, Biting Me Softly, along with a giveaway for not one, but two e-books. There, see, your Monday just got a little bit better didn’t it?
I first discovered Mary Hughes when I saw an add for Biting Nixie in RT Magazine. The blurb hooked me, I ordered a copy for myself and I’ve since bought all of her books because, yes, she’s that good! So without futher delay, on to the interview. The giveaway details will be after the interview.
Sidhe Vicious welcomes paranormal romance author Mary Hughes! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and all about your latest novel Biting Me Softly.
Thanks for having me here today! I’m excited to get started but I was wondering if I could ask you a question first? Is there significance to the name? (Since sidhe is also a word for home of the fae…)
Hmm.. I’m going to be giving away some confidential trade secrets here, but… here goes! LOL I’ve always been fascinated by Fae and it’s my understanding that “Sidhe” is actually another word for Fae, Faerie, Fairie, Wee Ones, Tuatha de Dannan, etc. I”ve also been into punk, goth and industrial techno for years, so anyone who knows some of the history of those genres of music, knows who Sid Vicious or Sid and Nancy are. I was trying to think of a cool name for my blog and came up with the play on Sid Vicious by using Sidhe instead of Sid.
Also, anyone who knows about the Sidhe knows that there are Seely and Unseely Sidhe, meaning the “Light” and “Dark” fae, so seeing as how a lot of people, myself included, are intrigued by the “dark side”, I decided that Sidhe Vicious would or could also be an homage to darker side of the Fae, some of which can be quite vicious. And there you have it! 🙂
Biting Me Softly will be released on April 20th by Samhain Publishing. Can you tell us about it and a bit about the main characters Liese and Logan?
Sure! Liese is the girl next door, blonde, blue-eyed and a little overweight from her hometown diet of bratwurst and beer—oh, and she’s a computer geek. She has what my husband calls ISSSSues, the biggest being her ex-fiancé. He stole her work, stole her job, and married her replacement (yeah, ISSSSues). Enter movie-star gorgeous Logan Steel, blond hair, hazel eyes glinting gold, exuding mystery and magic and raw sex appeal. Well, until he opens his mouth and talks ☺. Logan’s smart, decisive, and falls for Liese pretty much right away but she can’t believe someone like him could love someone like her.
Nothing tells about the story like the blurb:
Blood, sex, violence. Blood, okay, but computer geek Liese Schmetterling had enough S&V when her cheating ex fired her. Now security expert—and lip-smacking gorgeous—Logan Steel saunters into her Blood Center, setting fire to her libido. And threatening her job.
Visions of pink slips dancing in her head, Liese tries to push Logan away without touching his jutting pecs…or ridged abs. Or petting the Vesuvius in his jeans. He’s hiding something, but it doesn’t seem to matter when his smiles stun her, his kisses crank her to broiling and his bites rocket her to heaven. Fangy bites which, if she weren’t grounded in science, would make her think ampire-Vay.
Centuries old and tragedy-scarred, Logan’s mission is to fortify the Blood Center’s electronic defenses against his nemesis, the leader of a rogue vampire gang. He’s ready for battle but not for Liese, who slips under his skin, laughs at his awful puns, charges beside him into dark, scary places—and tastes like his true love.
No matter how often Logan declares his love, Liese can’t bring herself to trust him. But when his archenemy comes after her, not trusting him may cost her life…
Warning: contains explicit vampire sex involving absurdly large male equipment (hey, they’re monsters), unbelievable stamina (just how long can he stay underwater in a hot tub?), hide-your-eyes violence and horrendously bad puns. And, just when you think it can’t get any worse, a computer geekette trying to play Mata Hari.
I wonder why I have a visual of Brad Pitt in Troy stuck in my head right now? *Grins* 😉 What about vampires inspired you to write about them?
I love alpha males, and vampires are the ultimate alpha. Watered-down versions notwithstanding, vampires are faster, stronger, and more resilient than any human, any other monster, and can hold their own against demigods.
On an introspective note, I discovered recently that vampires represent triumph to me, conquering everything I fear: blood, death and things that go bump in the night.
That’s interesting! Also, I love me some alpha males too! (In case anyone who reads my blog was unclear about that before). Will we be seeing more of Logan and Liese in the future? Do you have more books planned for the Biting Love series of books?
Right now I’m working on a full-length Biting Love story tentatively titled Biting the Rainbow where Liese makes a brief appearance. But I’m sure both Liese and Logan will be around for twin brother Luke’s story!
Ooohh… now Luke, he is a bad boy. I can’t wait to see what vixen you will find to tame his player ways! He he. How did you get your start in writing? What, if anything, lit the “spark” to get you started and keep you motivated?
I’ve told myself stories during downtime since forever (what do you do when you wait in lines or can’t get to sleep?). It was a natural step from there to writing them—or trying to! There’s a lot I had to learn, a lot that goes into a story to make it a book other people would want to read.
The basic spark for my writing is that I’m genuinely excited by love, by a growing relationship between two people. I have to keep coming back to that, because there are a lot of aspects to storytelling that get in the way (little things like plot and theme☺). Those aspects are important but as you said, it’s the “spark” that gets a writer started and keeps her going.
What was the path to publication on this, your fourth PR novel like? Highlights? Pitfalls?
Oh, wow, that’s a loaded question, LOL! Biting Me Softly was actually the first story that caught my publisher’s interest (the awesome Samhain Publishing). Don’t get me wrong, I wrote Elena’s story first (Bite My Fire) and then Nixie’s (Biting Nixie), but when I tried to sell Elena…well, there wasn’t a huge market for funny/paranormal/erotic/romance four years ago. Then Samhain issued a call for just those elements! I was heart-in-throat excited-scared, and immediately dashed off a story about a computer geekette and the blond god of a vampire she falls for. It didn’t sell but it did get passed on to another editor who made recommendations for a resubmit. I asked if I could submit Nixie in the meantime (2nd in the series but I hadn’t made my first sale yet, and I wanted to nail it. I thought and still think Nixie just sings). The editor bought Nixie and then bought the first, Elena’s story (with some rather important rewrites that really jump-started the pace). Then I went back to Liese to expand the short story into a novel. In the meantime, an opportunity came for a New Years novella. Since I’d wanted to give Twyla her own vampire (and since the plotfairy granted me a plot), I wrote The Bite of Silence.
And now, finally, the short story I wrote in 2008 is appearing as Biting Me Softly.
Wow, that’s kinda convoluted, but I actually managed to follow it, lol. I am personally ecstatic that it all came together and you were able to publish all four stories as I LOVED the two that I’ve read and have already purchased Bite My Fire and The Bite Of Silence to devour later. Here’s to many more in the series!
Who or what was your inspiration for the characters of Liese & Logan, if any?
All my characters are based on me, LOL! Which is kind of demented, when you think about it. I’m either the worst schizophrenic in the universe or I have real gender issues.
Okay, not the whole character is me, not by a long shot. I base some personality traits on family members and a few people I know. Some is observed or plain imagination. But having at least a seed of myself inside each helps me write authentic characters. Liese uses my computer knowledge, and her fear of rejection and losing her job is mine. Logan has my husband’s love of puns and his saunter, but my doggedness.
I usually ask myself three things when I come up with a couple. -What is her issue? -What’s his? -How do they help each other heal? If solving her problem helps solve his and vice versa, that’s even better.
Did you find it harder or easier to write subsequent novels in this series because of already having created this world?
Oh, both! There’s a non-answer. Easier because I’ve been living in Meiers Corners so long I have maps and lingo and story arcs already started. Harder because I’m trying to balance old-familiar against new-interesting. I know existing readers of the series want to see some of the friends they’ve already met, find out how they’re doing. But I only have 90,000 words! And someone new to the universe might get lost if they meet everyone in their first book.
The book I’m writing now has the first ever meeting of the V-Wives of Meiers Corners and Surrounds, over half a dozen humans at one table. While I’m finding it a hoot to write, the challenge is to make sure new readers are quickly but completely comfortable with who’s who.
Another challenge is coming up with new ways to say things. Not actually thinking up fresh phrases, that’s just hard-but-satisfying work. But knowing if I’ve already phrased an important concept that way, if I’ve made that joke. The more stories I write the more I get slowed down just back-checking against what I’ve already written.
I don’t know how writers of series keep it all straight even with a “bible” of the characters and worlds in which they live. My hat’s off to you all. Do you have any funny writing quirks or habits that you do when you’re in the “zone” writing?
Like people who snore when they sleep, I really don’t know!
What supernatural power or creature would you most like to have or be?
A wizard! I’d love to blow things up with magic. When I’m not earning a living or watching TV/movies with my family I play PC RPGs. Right now it’s Titan’s Quest, but my favourite is Baldur’s Gate II. The game itself is superb, but voice-over talent is the best in the business.
I’ve never played an RPG game, though there is some guy out there using the name sidhe vicious on RPG.net, but I am completely ignorant about which ones are good and what not. I’m a sucker for puzzle games myself.
Who is your favourite paranormal or urban fantasy fictional character and why? (Not counting your own of course)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or Polgara the Sorceress in David Eddings’ Pawn of Prophecy and subsequent books. Women who can lead or follow, who can level the enemy or make tea, women who may be domestic or not, but if they are it’s because they choose it. Multifaceted, talented women for whom saving the world is all in a day’s work.
I saw in your interview on Book-lover that you read Nancy Drew. She’s not paranormal but wouldn’t it be great to have that little roadster, eat luncheons and solve mysteries?
LOL, yep! The Nancy Drew days were a zillion years ago for me. I’ve since “fallen” for characters more in line with Buffy or Selene from Underworld. Who knew that Nancy could lead us young and impressionable girls to kick a$$ paranormal heroines?
Who’s your favourite author? TV show? Movie?
I have so many! Most of my friends have one they really resonate with (you know, the fave your friend not only wants you to see/read but she sits you down, brings out her Special Edition copy, and watches/reads it with you?). I’ve done that with Dorothy Dunnett’s book Checkmate, BBC show Blackadder III, and movie The Princess Bride.
Then there are the comfort reads (reread until they’re falling apart). A few of mine are Sunshine by Robin McKinley, The Black Jewels Trilogy of Anne Bishop, Glen Cook’s Garrett, P.I. novels and the second Black Dagger Brotherhood of JR Ward. And Bambi, heaven help me. We have all 7 seasons of Buffy on DVD. I have tons more but your column’s only so long!
Interestingly, the book that had the biggest impact on me, I’ll never read again. My then middle-school son recommended Bridge to Terabithia. Wanting to be a good mom (he’d never recommended a book to me before) I read it, thinking ah, youthful tale. Well yes. And definitely no. I can’t even write this without choking up.
I know exactly what you mean. How have the books you’ve read influenced the books you write?
I learn something from just about everything I’ve read! Colleen McCullough on handling a large cast of characters; and Dorothy Dunnett for just plain gorgeous writing. Eddings for making word choice count.
What do you do when you’re having writer’s block to “shake” it off?
I’m glad you asked! I recently had some revelations on writer’s block. Here they are, my pearls of wisdom ☺.
I hit Writers Slowdown—because of course we always can write, it just gets incredibly hard sometimes—two ways. Not enough structure, or too much work.
Not enough structure is easy to remedy. Just smack me with a deadline! Nothing like the old red-circled date on the calendar, at least not for increasing quantity and surprisingly, often on quality as well.
Too much work has a two-part solution for me. Take Time to Play. When ideas slow down it’s often because I’m out of juice, because the muse is busy paying bills and cleaning cat boxes. And Throw Away Obstacles. If I’m not playing it’s because my life’s gotten out of control. Issues, clutter, commitments—whatever. Time to simplify. Easy to say, hard to do. But worthwhile.
Here’s the last pearl. If I can’t get started, I Just Write Garbage. LOL! But two lovely things happen out of this. Writing garbage takes off the pressure to be perfect, puts a muzzle on Little Miss Inner Critic. And garbage is easy to edit. There’s so much to improve, I’m bound to find something! That’s a double-boost to the self-esteem. (WARNING: This pearl doesn’t work without the editing step☺)
What can a new reader expect from your book/series?
Alpha male hero vampires. Smart-mouthed heroines. Connection and romance. Hot, explicit sex (but with character development so there’s redeeming value LOL). Dark violence, some silliness. Deep issues but never slopping over into maudlin. There are layers to my stories that you can indulge in or not, depending on how you’re feeling that day. Mostly they’re just fun reads.
My primary aim is to take the reader out of this too-real world for a little while. I want her to be able to read my book in a warm bubble bath or on a train, on a frazzled-schedule day or a beach day, and each time find something of value to her.
Mission accomplished then! With this reader anyways. 🙂 Nevermind the looks I get when I literally laugh out loud while reading one of your books.
You write about vampires, did you do a lot of research or do you prefer to take what you already know and use your imagination for the rest?
I did a lot of research. Not only on various vampire mythologies, but into things like how much blood can a vampire drink before a human dies? How much blood would he need to drink to replenish? I decided early on that blood-as-food wasn’t going to work for me. My vampires drink blood but it goes directly into their veins. There’s a physiological reason for this that I’m trying not to reveal all at once but it’s pretty slick.
Anyway, my stories have to be real to me, so I ground them in what I can find. You wouldn’t believe how long it took me to find info on rooftops in Manhattan for The Bite of Silence. What would they look like, what are they made of…probably no one cares but me LOL. But the short answer is I have an idea first and if it’s not something I know about, I research it.
Trust me, I’ve heard of readers complaining about the minutest details of a book if they aren’t right, the nit-pickers, they are out there! I’m not one of them, thankfully. Are any of your characters particularly fun or easy for you to write? Any that are more difficult?
The most fun was Logan in Biting Me Softly because he’s so multifaceted. He goes from suave guy to burning warrior, from CEO to cute and boyish and more. More difficult are the redshirts. I try to have each face-in-the-crowd somehow identifiable, yet try to avoid stereotypes. One of those hard-but-satisfying-work things.
Do you have any tips for aspiring speculative fiction writers?
Love to make mistakes, and to turn those “mistakes” into something brand-new. Mistakes juxtapose strange things, put together vampires and grannies, people and lions. And while I don’t know any vampire grannies, shapeshifters are huge. Who knows what’s next?
Love to dream. Ask what-if, and then keep going. It’s easy to think, that’ll never work. What’s harder, but more fun and ultimately more rewarding, is finding a way to make your crazy idea not only work but make it believable.
Most importantly, writing isn’t a one-size-fits-all field. Celebrate what works for you!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us at SVR and with your readers?
Just a huge thanks, Judi, for having me here at Sidhe Vicious Reviews today! I look forward to hearing reader comments!
Thanks so much for spending some time with us Mary!
—————————————————————————————–
Giveaway Details:
Mary Hughes has generously offered one winner an e-book copy of Biting Me Softly and to another winner, their choice of an e-book from her back list! Giveaway is open to Everyone. Mary will also be popping by to respond to questions or comments.
Question: If you could be a character in one of Mary’s Biting Love books, what would your “dream vampire” to fall for look like? Are you the Vin Diesel type, the Sam Worthington in Terminator: Salvation type, the Edward in Twilight type or the Brad Pitt in Troy type?
For one entry: Please leave a comment with the answer to the question. (+1 entry) OR a question for Mary (+1 entry)
For extra entries:
- Subscribe to my blog, Sidhe Vicious Reviews, through the links at the top right hand side of the blog, and let me know in your comment. Be sure you verify your subscription through the email you’ll receive or it won’t count. (+1 entry)
- If you’re already subscribed, you’ll receive two extra entries, but be sure to let me know in the comments if you’re an old follower. (+2 entries)
- Post a link to this contest on your Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, GoodReads, LibraryThing, or on your blog and send me the link either in the comments or by email and you’ll get an extra entry for each place you add a link to. ( add 1 entry each for however many links you’ve done)
- Follow me on Twitter, Add me as a friend on FaceBook, GoodReads, MySpace, Chapters Community or LibraryThing. (add 1 entry each for however many places you followed/friended me)
- Contest is open to Everyone and will run through April 28th until 11:59pm. The winners will be posted here on April 29th. Please leave your email addy in your comment for me to contact you if you’ve won. If I haven’t heard back from the winner in 7 days, a new winner will be drawn from the eligible comments. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator. Good Luck everyone!
(I should also mention that if you’re leaving me a bunch of links in your comment, do not panic if it doesn’t show up right away. It just automatically gets held for me to moderate, which I will as soon as I’m online. 
)
Biting Me Softly – Spotlight & Review
Biting Me Softly by Mary Hughes
Book Description:
“He’s a candy box of sex appeal wrapped with a golden bow. She’s on a diet.
Blood, sex, violence. Blood, okay, but computer geek Liese Schmetterling had enough S&V when her cheating ex fired her. Now security expert—and lip-smacking gorgeous—Logan Steel saunters into her Blood Center, setting fire to her libido. And threatening her job.
Visions of pink slips dancing in her head, Liese tries to push Logan away without touching his jutting pecs…or ridged abs. Or petting the Vesuvius in his jeans. He’s hiding something, but it doesn’t seem to matter when his smiles stun her, his kisses crank her to broiling and his bites rocket her to heaven. Fangy bites which, if she weren’t grounded in science, would make her think ampire-Vay.
Centuries old and tragedy-scarred, Logan’s mission is to fortify the Blood Center’s electronic defenses against his nemesis, the leader of a rogue vampire gang. He’s ready for battle but not for Liese, who slips under his skin, laughs at his awful puns, charges beside him into dark, scary places—and tastes like his true love.
No matter how often Logan declares his love, Liese can’t bring herself to trust him. But when his archenemy comes after her, not trusting him may cost her life…
Warning: contains explicit vampire sex involving absurdly large male equipment (hey, they’re monsters), unbelievable stamina (just how long can he stay underwater in a hot tub?), hide-your-eyes violence and horrendously bad puns. And, just when you think it can’t get any worse, a computer geekette trying to play Mata Hari.”
My Thoughts:
This is the fourth book in Mary Hughes’ Biting Love series, and it was a blast to read! I absolutely love Mary’s sense of humor which comes out in the richness of her characters. Liese and Logan made sparks fly while battling inner struggles as well as a bunch of rogue vampires who are out to get control of the blood center that Liese and then Logan work at.
A few characters from past books make appearances during the telling of this tale, which I enjoyed. At times, it’s laugh out loud funny and at others, well between all the action, danger, steamy hot hook ups, it’s also a touching renewal of faith in falling in love. Throw Vampires into the mix, both good and bad, and it makes for a roller coaster of a ride! Mary Hughes is most definitely in my “auto buy” author category.
5/5
Buy Biting Me Softly at:
Find out more about Mary Hughes at her website.
Black Magic Sanction – Spotlight & Review
Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison
Format:Hardcover
Published:February 23, 2010
Publisher:HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS
The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN – 10: 0061138037
ISBN – 13: 9780061138034
Book Description:
“In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle-mind, body, and soul
Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter-and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment-at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.
It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.”
My Thoughts:
I was sucked in to this book of Rachel Morgan’s journey in The Hollows Series like a leaf into a tornado! Mesmerizing. I couldn’t put it down! Really, I carted my book around like it was an extension of my hand for two days until I finished it.
Rachel goes through and grows through a whole heck of a lot of inner turmoil and outer ones as well. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I fell in love with the characters all over again! So many awesome characters: Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, Biz, Al, Pierce, Trent, Lee, and just as many excellent villans: Nick, Brooke, Vivienne, Oliver, and Newt. Ahhh… I wish I had time to read it again right now. Yes, it was that good!
Kim Harrison not only weaves a spectacular tale, she weaves a spell that you never want to end filled with magic, mayhem, rich characters and amazing plots and pacing. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I can’t find any info about the next book, but I see in her FAQ’s that she has 12 to 13 books planned, so I’m stoked about that. 🙂
Buy Black Magic Sanction at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Find out more about Kim Harrison and her books at her website.
Road Trip Of The Living Dead – Spotlight & Review
Road Trip Of The Living Dead by Mark Henry
Book Description:
“Celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is back from the dead, and hungrier than ever for a good time. With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy gay sidekick Gil, this stone cold fox is dressed to kill, on the prowl, and ready to take a big juicy bite out of Seattle’s supernatural nightlife.
But what’s a zombie chick to do when her ‘Mommie Dearest’ gets sick? If you’re Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch – or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it. Amanda’s not thrilled about the idea of crossing three states just to be criticized. But Wendy, who’s always looking for fresh meat, is up for the adventure. And Gil, who just launched his ‘luxury’ resurrection business, needs to disappear because a pissed-off client is out for his blood.
First, they pack their stiletto pumps and plasma into a skeevy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winnebago. Then, with a little help from a Korean-ghost hood ornament, a masochist named Fishhook, and a slew of ‘moderately accurate’ psychics, they hit the highway – their way. Of course, they’ll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop (who could pass for an underwear model) and an unsightly horde of supermarket shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning.”
My Thoughts:
Two words: freakin hilarious! That about sums it up, but you probably want to know some more. Honestly, Zombies are not one of my favourite supernatural creatures, heck, they’re not even in my top ten, but Mark Henry’s Amanda Feral & Wendy are definitely the exception for me. Politically incorrect, snarky, hilariously offensive, fashionista’s to the ninth degree, these characters have me clutching sides from laughing so hard while kinda grossing me out at the same time.
Mark Henry paints characters so colorful that they leap off the page. The situations that they find themselves in are absolutely priceless and keep me flipping the pages to find out what happens next. The title of this book is appropos because travelling with this group would be like being in a night of the living dead but in a great roller coaster that never ends way. Full of thrills, chills and gut-popping laughs.
Buy Road Trip Of The Living Dead at:
Find out more about the author, Mark Henry, at his website.
Hunted By The Others – Spotlight & Review
Hunted By The Others by Jess Haines
Book Description:
To find out more about Jess Haines and her novels, go to her website, or her blog.
Pre-Order Hunted By The Others at:
About Me
I read Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Light Fantasy, Young Adult and Graphic Novels in said genres. I’ve also been known to read the odd historical romance if they involve uber-sexy highlanders, vikings or knights & if they involve some time travel and a lot of humor. Heh! 😀 If any Authors, Publicists or Publishers would like their books reviewed or would like to schedule a Guest Blog or Giveaway please contact me at sidhevicious@gmail.com
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