J.R. Ward's LOVER AT LAST Cover Reveal...At Last!

It's the cover reveal heard round the book world! ^_^ 

For many fans of J.R. Ward's paranormal romance series The Black Dagger Brotherhood, the news of a book focusing on the characters Qhuinn and Blay has been a long time coming. When the Warden announced just that earlier this year, she made a lot of ladies and gents happy.

And now, this morning on her Facebook page, she treats us to another awesome announcement on the 11th installment in the series! Sporting the title Lover At Last (so dang apropos, don't you think?), the book cover features the image of Qhuinn (known for his mismatched eye color), hooded and oozing deadliness.

Because I always have to parse things for meaning when I see new covers, I immediately wondered whether there was any particular significance to Qhuinn's actually weilding the sword, an item that has been portrayed on all previous covers as a floating image superimposed over the main image. ::ponders:: But the silver and gold tones to the cover are fabulous and fitting, putting to mind the opposing yet complementary forces both pulling the two characters apart and drawing them together.

I must admit that I myself am about three books behind in the series (Lover Avenged was the last I'd read)…but I've been soooo hoping for a Qhuay book release for a long time, so I'm going to have to read up (and perhaps reread) in order to prepare for the release, currently scheduled for Spring 2013.

What do you think about the cover and title? Have you been eagerly awaiting this particular installment of the DBD series?

Review: Alien Revealed by Lilly Cain

Title: Alien Revealed
Series: The Confederacy Treaty, #1
Genres/Themes: science fiction romance, aliens, military
Length: novella
Author: Lilly Cain
Excerpt: on author's website

Quick Take:
While not groundbreaking, this is certainly a solid piece of sci-fi romantica. The scope of the novella's plot is intimate, but there are threads that imply greater complexity on a series level, to be explored in future installments.

Book Description (via Goodreads):
     Inarrii agent Alinna Gaerrii was tasked with observing the Starforce base on Earth. Crash landing her observation pod was not part of her mission briefing. Neither was making m'ittar—mind contact—with Major David Brown, the human who found her amongst the wreckage.
     David thinks she's a psychologist sent to evaluate his Special Forces team, and Alinna goes along with his misconception, seizing the opportunity to observe humans up close. But their contact has unexpected side effects, and Alinna soon invades David's dreams. Through their intimate mental connection she allows him to express his forbidden physical desires.
     Alinna delights in the sensory exploration and grows excited by the prospect of a treaty with the humans and a potential life mate in David. But an attack from an unknown ship sends the base into chaos, and Alinna may be forced to reveal her lie, erasing all hope of a successful treaty, and driving David away forever...


Review:


This story is definitely established quickly and, in my opinion, efficiently. At the same time, there was apparent care and detail employed early on, enough to make the quick exposition feel thorough. Within the first few scenes, the reader has a sense of the alien(s) and their dynamic with humankind; the main characters are already engaging; and the groundwork is laid for the romantic dilemma that eventually carries the plot to the end.

The story keeps the scope controlled, manageable and focused. We follow the hero and heroine and learn only as much as is needed to understand their respective dilemmas and appreciate how they attempt to overcome them. Sure, there is a looming threat of the Inarrii's premature discovery by the human race--and thus the potential failure of any future treaties--but it's limited to Alinna's frame of reference.

In my opinion, this book falls somewhere in the erotic romance arena. The romance was nice and well developed…but man, the steam was incendiary. In fact, it just nudges at the boundaries a bit, and might catch some readers unaware (well, depending on one's boundaries). So head's up on that. Still, the development of the romantic aspect of the book was pretty clever, using unexpected methods (i.e., a kind of telepathy) to quickly build a deep connection between Alinna and David.

For the most part, the logic and explanations behind characters' decisions and actions were believable. Further along in the story, though, I did feel like the romantic development lost a bit of its great flow, and certain events were just bursting onto the page with seeming randomness, inexplicably there just to jump the plot from one point to another (a sudden, mysterious attack on a military compound comes to mind). A couple times I'd found some of the later explanations of developments a smidge blatant and unnecessary.

All told, though, this story is indeed solid and tightly written. The romance is developed via some intriguing means, and at times proves to be truly spicy. There's a lot of promise developed by the initial world-building; this book was more romance-focused than sci-fi focused, but I have a feeling the next installments will really draw out the very interesting sci-fi premise of this series. And I absolutely plan to find out first-hand how that goes. ^_^

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."

This has been a Bewitching Book Tours tour stop....for more reviews, guest posts, and interviews, click here.

...or hit the image above!

Featured: Blood of Anteros by Georgia Cates + Giveaway

Title: Blood of Anteros
Series: Vampire Agape, #1
Genres/Themes: paranormal romance, vampires, fated to be mated
Author: Georgia Cates
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/_LbJpi3vEOA

Book Description:
     Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed.
     Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

Excerpt:
Although somewhat involuntary, I was part of this now. My confrontation fanned the flames of Julian’s obsession, making him more determined than ever to have Chansey. Consequences battled within me and my heart spoke against my mind’s better judgement. “Maybe I should drive you back and forth to work for a while, just until he backs off.”

She looked appreciative, but didn’t intend on taking my offer. “I can’t ask you to do that, it’s too much for you to take on.”

I didn’t intend for her to not take my offer. “You didn’t ask. I offered and I insist.”

Relief flooded her face. Then, she surprised me by stepping forward and put her arms around me. She placed her head against my chest, leaving me without an option and I returned the embrace by placing my arms around her. I lowered my face to her hair and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of lavender and vanilla. I dropped my face closer to her shoulder and smelled the lingering fragrance of jasmine, cherry blossom and peach, mixed with a slight release of salty perspiration due to the combination of heat and anxiety.

The monster, deep within me, unexpectedly resurfaced. He no longer laid dormant as he screamed in agony, begging to be set upon this innocent creature. He pleaded with me for one taste. Didn’t he deserve it? It has been so long.

One scent of her blood essence would surely send me over the edge, giving the awakened one the upper hand as he urged me to side with him. I braced myself for the battle against the leech within me and begged him to leave me in peace.

I held my breath and didn’t move a muscle, for fear the beast might interpret any sudden movement as permission to strike. When I could no longer hold my breath, I exhaled, then inhaled slowly and shallowly. I waited for her fragrance to signal my defeat, giving the leech the permission to strike.

I readied myself to charge against this inner beast when her aromatic essence penetrated my line of defense. When her aroma registered in my brain, I waited to see what my level of temptation would be. The beast received the verdict first and my battle was won as he retreated.
I was intrigued by Chansey’s unexpected essence. It wasn’t unappealing, yet not enticing either. It was neutral and I was spellbound.

She lifted her head from my chest and leaned back to see my face. “I don’t know what to say or how to thank you.”

She raised up onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on my cheek before she released her hold of me. I reluctantly released my hold, as well, but I wasn’t finished exploring this. I wanted more, I needed more.

We both knew we had just shared a significant moment, although neither of us voiced it.
“I’m sure you’re exhausted. You should get a good night’s rest,” I said, verbally encouraging her to go to bed, but inside begging her stay.

I regretfully watched her walk up the steps to the backdoor. Before entering, she turned and said, “Thank you again, Curry. You’re a real life saver.”

The paradox of her words brought a smile to my face. She saw a life saver in a skilled killer and I was tantalized by the mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The proximity of her essence didn’t entice him, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrace, her hold on me remained.

I was uncertain what this meant for me, but more importantly, I didn’t know what it meant for Chansey. Of all the puzzling things in my head, there remained one clear circumstance; she needed my protection because, for once, I wasn’t the dangerous one.

I lifted my eyes to Chansey’s bedroom window and watched darkness replace the light. She remained standing at her window, believing she was hidden in the darkness, and briefly watched me before she crawled into bed.

She was lying in her bed, unaware of the strange emotions flooding me. Beings like me didn’t desire romantic relationships with humans, so it was unnatural for me to desire anything other than her blood while all I wanted was to be near her. I remembered the way she leaned forward to kiss me and it left room for no doubt in my mind; I wanted her with all of my heart, body and soul, if there still was one within me.

(Read the first six chapters of the book at Georgia Cates's website: here)

About the Author:

In addition to being an author Georgia is a wife, mother of two daughters and a labor and delivery nurse. 


She recently added Paranormal Romance Writer to her list of things that keep her busy, but she is ecstatic to release her debut novel, Blood of Anteros, the first book in The Vampire Agápe Series. 


Like others that enjoy a great story of paranormal romance, she is easily bored by the tale of an obtainable, ordinary romance and was inspired to create The Vampire Agápe Series. When not tied up with family or delivering babies, she is working feverishly on the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

Giveaway Time!

Author Georgia Cates has graciously offered an e-copy of her book, Blood of Anteros, for one lucky winner! Entering is quick and easy; just fill out the form here. Giveaway ends January 7.

Click for lots more BoA tour stops!

BBT Guest Post: Author Louisa Bacio

Please welcome to MNtR today author Louisa Bacio. She's sharing some of her bookish thoughts on feeding the need to read...something book lovers the world over can relate to--since, unlike in a perfect world, life sometimes gets in the way of the yumy bits. ^_^ Louisa's paranormal romantica series, The Vampire, the Witch, and the Werewolf recently added a second book, Chains of Silver.

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Feeding the Fetish & 5 Fav. Books

by Louisa Bacio

Lately, life gets in the way of my traditional reading time. It used to be that I could pour through an entire book in a single day … easily, or on a flight from Los Angeles to New York. I didn’t have a TBR pile because I simply read the books that I bought. These days, though, the stacks – physical and virtual on my Kindle – keep getting bigger and bigger, and I have to set aside special time to read.

It’s kind of like planning on when to have sex when you’re married. Many people assume that you’re living together, you’re in the same bed … sex happens, right? Well, what happens if your partner is a morning person and you’re a night person? Huh?

OK, bad analogy, but hopefully I got your attention. Sometimes, when I’m on a tight deadline I know I CAN’T start a book because I’ll get wrapped up and will want to finish it … and then what? I won’t have time to write.

And I feel guilty, either way.

Because almost as equal as that need to read is the need to write. And, I’m hoping that I’m writing books that are just as interesting to readers as I’ve enjoyed over the years.

Off the top of my head, here are five novels that have “stayed” with me:

Stephen King – Bag of Bones: Extremely haunting tale, and thrilled it’s coming out as a miniseries.

Kim Harrison – Dead Witch Walking: First in Harrison’s Hallows series, and also supposedly coming to TV soon!

Anne Rice – The Witching Hour: Yes, I read all her Vampire Chronicles, too, but this one … sigh … such a dynamic family tree.

J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter: Come on, when it comes to paranormal (cough: wizards), how can one not fall in love with the YA delight?

P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night series: And you probably thought I was going to mention that other popular teen vampire series, right? Well, yes I read Twilight, too, but something about the realness and internal struggle that fledgling Zoey goes through in the first book Marked really resonates.

So tell me: When do you find time to read, especially around the busy holidays? What books have clung to you, long after you’ve read them? One commenter will be entered to win a box of Sweethearts featuring Twilight Eclipse. Recently came across these goodies, and couldn’t help buy some as giveaways. (U.S. for mailing only. If you’re international, you can choose one electronic book from my backlist.) (Click here to visit giveaway form)

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I toootally get what she's talking about. There's reading for fun, and reading for work/school/etc (or her case, writing). Balancing the two can sometimes be tough! Thank you so much to Louisa Bacio for stopping by and sharing some book thoughts.  Check out a snippet about Chains of Silver below, and stay tuned for reviews of both VWW books!

Adopted at birth, Silver Ashe discovers her blood-brother Trevor Pack is a werewolf, with a vampire and witch for lovers. All her teachings about the evils of the paranormal Others come into question. She runs to a family friend, Nick, for help.

     Nick Stake takes his hobby as a vampire hunter personally. He strives to rid the world of evil bloodsuckers. When his best friend’s “kid” sister comes to him for advice, Nick discovers Silver’s more than grown up. He battles his growing desire for Silver and blindly holds true to his convictions.

     Once Silver reaches her sexual maturity, she’ll inherit her full genetic heritage and turn into a werewolf. When death comes calling, Silver and Nick must face their darkest fears in order to break free from the chains that bind.

Available now via Ravenous Romance

And for more information from (and about) Louisa herself, check out the following. (You might want to check out in particular some of her writing workshops, which look like lots of intriguing, steamy fun ^_^).

• http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio
• http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio
• http://louisabacio.blogspot.com

This has been but one Bewitching Book Tours tour stop for The Vampire, the Witch, and the Werewolf series. For more bookish goodness, check out this link.

Or click the image above!

Kiss and Tell Tour: Interview with Mina Khan

The Kiss and Tell tour makes its way back to MNtR! Today, please welcome author of paranormal romance The Djinn's Dilemma, Mina Khan--who's allowed me to ply her with questions about her life and inspirations. She's got a fascinating background, one that seems to have informed much of her writing today. Check out her interview below, in which she talks about some of her early influences, as well as one of her favorite pastimes: cooking!

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MNtR: In a field of vamps, werewolves, witches, and faeries, djinns are a breath of fresh magical air. ^_^ What drew you to this magical being as the basis of your book?

MK: Writing about djinns (genies) came as easy since I grew up on my grandmother’s spine-tingling stories of djinns and ghosts. However, the djinns of my Bangladeshi childhood are not quite like Hollywood version of genies. My djinn hero, Rukh, is dark and dangerous. He is an assassin who can melt into shadows, read his targets’ minds and control air.

MNtR: The protagonist of The Djinn's Dilemma, Rukh O’Shay, is sexy and ruthless in his line of work, but also honorable in his own way. What kinds of qualities really get you in a romantic hero, both to write about and to read about?

MK: To me, every authentic character –hero, heroine, villain etc. – must believe in something and live by a personal moral code. That’s what makes Rukh an honorable assassin, that’s what leads him to find out more and more about his unsettling target (Sarah, the heroine) until he ends up falling for her. Besides that...a hero should be heroic –be courageous even when he’s afraid, do the right thing even if it hurts, and be loyal to the heroine. Add to that a good sense of humor, smoldering good looks, and smarts...whew!

MNtR: You've previously enjoyed a long career in journalism and media. How does journalistic writing compare to fictional, for you?

MK: Lol, you have definitely done your homework! I think my journalistic career really helped grow me as a writer. For one thing, I don’t believe in writer’s block because when you are on a daily deadline and have a stressed-out editor breathing down your neck...you can’t afford writer’s block. It also got me into the habit of writing daily and my experience came in handy when I created Sarah, who happens to be a journalist. How is it different? News writing is leaner and tighter; with fiction I had to learn to slow down and provide descriptions.

Mmm, Gazpacho! Click for Mina's recipe.

MNtR: I hear that you're quite fond of cooking, and even have a food blog, Hot Curries & Cold Beer. Do you have a favorite dish to make, or perhaps a type of cuisine that you particularly enjoy?

MK: I love cooking...in fact, I cook to relax. What I cook depends on my mood, but I’m usually striving to create dishes that marry Asian flavors of my childhood with new ingredients I have discovered in my American supermarket. My go-to dish – spaghetti with a spicy, smoky tomato-based sauce. Lol, I like my food and my fiction spicy & hot!

MNtR: Can we expect to get any more of your djinn tales in the future? ^_^ What kinds of stories would you like to write about at some point?

MK: I sure hope so! I have already turned in my second djinn story to my editor and started on the third djinn story. Right now, I’m writing novellas and enjoying it, but I’d love to tackle a novel-length story in the near future...and a more heroine-centric story.

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Thank you so much to Mina Khan for a great interview! That was a lot of fun; she's so intriguing and fun to hear about. I'll definitely be watching that food blog (and trying out some of the recipes; like that tasty-looking gazpacho, pictured above!). And her new novella? Hells yeah--I'm all about sexy half-djinn Rukh. Check out what that particular story is all about:

Book Description:


Rukh O'Shay, half-djinn and assassin, is used to taking out the bad guys. But his latest assignment, Texas Journalist Sarah White, is nothing like he expected. A glimpse of her bright aura reveals her gentle spirit, while her beauty makes him long for only one thing—to taste her.
     Sarah shares the raw desire to connect with Rukh. He can turn her on with a glance, and satisfies needs she didn't even know she had.
     But Rukh had been hired to kill her—and the only way to save her is to find out who wants her dead before someone else finishes the job…

Find the book at all major e-book retailers, including Harlequin eBookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Books.



This has been a stop on the Kiss and Tell Tour by Bewitching Book Tours. It's "Nine Days, Nine Authors"...with plenty of book features, author posts, giveaways, and more. Check out more information here.

Or tap dat image, mayng.

Interview: Author Katie Salidas

Ahoy, mateys! Very pleased to welcome author Katie Salidas to MNtR today. She comes bearing insightful information about her writing life, her paranormal Immortalis series. If you haven't checked out the first book in the series, Carpe Noctem, hop to it! It's a lot of fun--and let's not forget, set in Las Vegas, baby! ^_^

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How long have you been writing?  What inspired you to start?

I’ve been writing since I was little. I always loved to make up stories and characters. It’s just a part of who I am. My first official writing project, was a novel I attempted to write when I was 14. I had just finished reading the Vampire Diaries series and wanted to make my own teenage story. I had most of it written and then was told we were moving from Texas to Nevada. Sadly those pages were all lost in the move. Though that accident hurt, it didn’t stop me from writing. I don’t write YA style stuff any longer, but I do still write about vampires and other such creatures of the night. They’re just so much fun to work with!  

What drew you to the paranormal genre?

I love vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. I remember as a kid, watching the old Dracula movies and being interested vs. scared. When I was ten, I read my first vampire book and never looked back. There is an escape there, in the supernatural world, it adds a layer to life that makes the mundane not so dull. To imagine other creatures, other beings living amongst us yet still hidden in the shadows was such an interesting concept.

Do you ever have problems with your characters doing what you wanted them to do?

All the time! LoL. I call that writer’s block. It’s also the reason I am a pantser. When I first started to write “officially” I thought I had to plot out every detail of my story ahead of time. Then my characters revolted! The refused to do what I had set out for them to do. That stalled my story and made me so frustrated at writing, I almost gave up. Then, I got some sage advice. Just relax and “free write.” I took a break and let myself write other things without a pre-planned plot. It was then that I learned I was a pantser. I don’t work well with strict rules and outlines. Now that I know that, my writing has become easier and my characters are more cooperative. 

That’s not to say I never run into writer’s block. I still do from time to time, and there are many days where I have to scrap whole chapters because I have written myself into a corner. But, even with those stumbling blocks I’m still writing and creating. 

What do you do when you’re not writing/editing/promoting or thinking about writing/editing/promoting?

You mean there is something else besides writing/editing/promoting? LoL. 

Actually, all of my non-work time is devoted to family. I work so many hours on the computer doing just that, writing, editing, and promoting that they often feel neglected. Weekends are work-free time (otherwise the family would mutiny). And family dinner, movie night, and game night are a staple in our house. 

What is your muse to help you write and keeps the creative mood flowing? 

Music helps, but not just any music will do. I have to listen to something that can become a sort of white noise. Sounds strange, I know. When I know a song inside and out, I can listen without listening, and just hear the “mood” of it. That’s when I can use it. I often use music to set the mood of my scene. 

If the music is too unfamiliar to me, my ADD kicks in and I end up listening to the words and learning the lyrics rather than just enjoying the feel of it. 

We writers are weird, huh?  

How would you pitch the Immortalis series to someone who has not heard of your books before?

My favorite line is actually the tag line to my first book. “Becoming a vampire is easy. Living with the condition, that’s the hard part.”

You might have read books about vampires, but how many of them took you step by step through the emotional turmoil of what that change actually entails? In Immortalis you’ll see a normal, everyday girl lose everything as she becomes a creature of the night. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Sure, there’s a learning curve there, but if she can overcome it, both she and you, the reader, will find that it can be pretty sweet!

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that the Immortalis series is set in? 

The Immortalis series is set in modern times. Books one and two are set in Las Vegas Nevada, which, by the way, is the best city out there for creatures of the night. Book three, Pandora’s box takes you to Boston. There you will learn even more about the world of unnatural creatures and some of their origins in Ancient Greek Mythology.  What I wanted, was to show you how easy it would be for these creatures of the night to actually exist and oftentimes co-exist within normal society.

What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

Book 4 is in the works right now and I hope to have it out by spring 2012. I can’t give too much away, but suffice to say the cliffhanger of book three will be resolved!

Many super thanks to Katie Salidas for stopping by today. Like I said before, don't sleep on this series...it's a good bit of fun, and will hopefully have many, many more installments to come. ^_^

Here's a bit of info on the latest book in the Immortalis series: Pandora's Box:

After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.

     Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?

       When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.

     Powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?

     And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being? 

Werewolves…

Stay tuned for reviews of Hunters & Prey (book 2) and Pandora's Box (book 3), here at MNtR!

Psst....this blog tour stop for Bewitching Book Tours is just one of many for the Immortalis series. Follow the link here (or hit the image below) to see what other festivities are going on! Yeuh!

Guest Post: Author Tonya Macalino (plus Giveaway!)

I'm very pleased to welcome today Tonya Malacino, author of the paranormal romance Spectre of Intention. She gives a bit of insight on the romantic entanglements at the heart of the book...along with the motivations at the heart of the main character. Intense? Yes'm. 

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The Other Triangle

In SPECTRE OF INTENTION the primary love triangle has the main character, security consultant Kaitlin Osgood, torn between two men: Stephan Chen, the bad boy of her past with whom she shares a deeply intimate mental connection. Will he draw her back into the hell that was once her life of crime? And on the other side, Cam Glaswell, the charismatic white knight who represents all her hopes for the future. But will he discover the secrets of her past and destroy the life she has worked so hard to build? 

Each tasty.
Each a dangerous choice in his own way.
Tough call.

But there is a second trio of loves beneath the first. Slightly less carnal. No less intense. Kaitlin is also caught between her mentor and savior, Jessie Broadbent, and his lieutenant, Gerard O’Connell. Kaitlin worships Jessie and he is utterly devoted to her in the manner of pure courtly romance, neither lips shall touch, nor hands shall meet. 

But at the same time, she will forever stand outside the brotherhood of comrades-in-arms that Jessie shares with Gerard. And Gerard with his bawdy wall of crude insinuations intends to keep it that way. Except it is a little hard for him not to care about the focus of all his own hero’s concerns…the little-girl-lost he keeps glimpsing behind Kaitlin’s boardroom exec exterior. 

So careful not to cross those lines.
Together every day. 
No one standing in the way.

How might things have turned out differently if they’d never won that fateful contract? 

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Rock on. I'm all about the intricate relationships between two (or three) strong characters.  If that doesn't make you want to read Spectre of Intention, I dunno what will. ^_^ A big thanks to Tonya Macalino for visiting MNtR today.

And now, it's time for the giveaway... for the Spectre of Intention tour, two amazing prize packs are up for grabs. The more stops on the tour that you visit (see 'em all here), the more chances to win. Yippee!!

Tonya Macalino - Author Links:

Website: www.tonyamacalino.com

The Story of Place Blog: www.tonyamacalino.com/page10.php

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TonyaMacalino

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Tonya-Macalino/e/B0058U4TJA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Shelfari: www.shelfari.com/tonyamacalino

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonyamacalino

In Anticipation: Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook

I promise not to make a comment
 about the sword placement. Oh, wait...

You know, I am absolutely a series reader; I general like to be able to hang on to characters and written worlds for a period spanning one book. But even so, there isn't a gaggle of books/series over which I lose my mind with anticipation. There were really only two such books for me thus far in 2011 (Rebirth by Sophie Littlefield and The Renfield Syndrome by J. A. Saare), and in November there will be a third. In 2010, author Meljean Brook published what is perhaps my favorite steampunk book, The Iron Duke. The world that was created was original and riveting. Here's the word on the followup

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.
     Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.
      When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…

...man o' man. Both Yasmeen and Archimedes appeared in The Iron Duke, and even then it was clear that sparks will fly when the two are put within close range of each other. Both are really intense as individuals, too--particularly the memorable, fiery, and independent Yasmeen. They ended the last book on the most antagonistic of terms, so it will be a lot of fun getting to see how they make nice and play together. And beyond the couple, it looks like this book will involve an adventure in Horde territory. The Horde up until now have been a largely unseen--though considerable--threat. It's high time to see the opposition up close and personal.

The cover of this book is sufficiently delightful. :o) I think I still prefer the first book's to this one's, but it's definitely worthy of the story that contains it. The In fact, is that the same cover model on both covers?


Meljean Brook's book, Heart of Steel, (The Iron Seas, #2) will be released on November 1 by Berkley Sensation. An excerpt from chapter two can be found here.


Books in the Series (from author website; not including short stories)
Book 1: The Iron Duke, published October 5, 2010
Book 2: Heart of Steel, expected publication November 1, 2011 by Berkley
Book 3: Riveted, expected publication late 2012

BBT Tour Stop: Caressed by Moonlight (review)

Title: Caressed by Moonlight
Series: Rulers of Darkness, #1
Genres/Themes: paranormal historical romance, opposites attract, vamp politics
Author: Amanda J. Greene
Excerpt: found here at AllRomance EBooks

Quick Take:
Despite feeling like the language (mostly the dialogue) was something of an odd fit, I did enjoy this historical romance's main characters and premise.

Book Description (via Goodreads):
Dorian Vlakhos is no ordinary aristocrat. He is a vampire king, who will do anything to save his clan from complete annihilation, before an ancient curse can claim his immortal life. 
     Penniless and orphaned, Victoria Kingston has nothing to bring to a marriage, yet she must shackle an unsuspecting gentleman into marriage by the end of the month or forfeit her rights as guardian of her younger sister. With the help of her dearest friend, Victoria begins her hunt, and vows to stay far away from the dark, mysterious, Prince Vlakhos. 
     After meeting the beautifully innocent Miss Kingston, Dorian had to have her. He would do absolutely anything to make Victoria his. One sweet stolen kiss would bring them together while a force, more powerful than any vampire would bind them for all eternity. But treachery, war, and death rule Dorian’s dark world and Victoria would be fortunate to survive.


Review:
When I first read the premise for this book, I knew I had to read it. It's just the type of romantic dilemma that I find engaging: does one marry for love or for money...and are both possible? The book did not disappoint, as I was kept engaged throughout. But the three paragraphs noted in the book description are only part of the equation; the last sentence (about "treachery, war, and death") is where much of the real fun was.

Let me get my reservations out of the way first. I've read my fair share of historicals; in them there's this linguistic quality that lends itself to the transportation of belief (or suspension of disbelief I suppose, seeing as how none of us have experienced Edwardian/Georgian/Victorian-eras firsthand). The specialized language melts into the background, leaving the story to play effortlessly in the mind's eye. In Caressed by Moonlight, however, there was something that felt slightly off for me, something so minute as to be exceedingly difficult to describe. But whatever it was, the feeling it engendered was akin to watching Kevin Costner or Keanu Reeves in an English historical film; when the vibe is off, it pulls you out of the story. In short, the language did not really transport me in the way that I'd hoped it would.

But enough of that. What I did quite enjoy included the vampire politics and the supernaturals' overall battle for survival. That main character Dorian Vlakhos--one sexy and mysterious mofo, if I may say so--had to address not only vampire hunters but infighting and unrest within the vampire community provided considerable intrigue, keeping me wanting to know more about those dynamics. Such information is provided in smaller doses throughout the first half of the book; during that time, the romantic element is developed quite a bit. With one drastic revelation, the focus then switches to the vamp politics, but there's still a nice combination of the romantic elements and the dramatically heroic.

The characters in this book were engaging. Victoria Kingston is a many-faceted character, stuck between a rock and a hard place but nonetheless determined to do right by her loved ones. Her progression through a relatively mundane situation (well, if being threatened with homelessness can be considered mundane) to a fantastical one is fun to watch. Dorian's own rake-to-hero transformation was  likewise sweet and swoon-worthy.

Overall, I did indeed like this book. The premise pulled me in easily, and the characters' interactions--as well as the broader struggles--kept me there. As it happens, the next book in this series is actually a contemporary paranormal romance; I'd like to check it out, as (of course) my hangups over the language will be moot.

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

"I liked it."

This has been a Bewitching Book Tours tour stop....for more reviews, guest posts, and interviews, click here.

...or hit the image above.

Review: Her Dear & Loving Husband by Meredith Allard (BBT tour stop)

Perfect cover for the story, IMO.

Title: Her Dear & Loving Husband
Series: Loving Husband, #1 (trilogy)
Genres/Themes: paranormal romance; (partial) historical fiction; love lost and found
Author: Meredith Allard

Quick Take:
An intensely sweet romance is tied to a riveting narrative on the Salem witch trials. Clearly, much research went into crafting the descriptions of the setting and related cultural intricacies.

Book Description:
James Wentworth has a secret. He lives quietly in Salem, Massachusetts, making few ties anywhere. One night his private world is turned upside down when he meets Sarah Alexander, a dead ringer for his wife, Elizabeth. Though it has been years since Elizabeth's death, James cannot move on.
     Sarah also has a secret. She is haunted by nightmares about the Salem Witch Trials, and every night she is awakened by visions of hangings, being arrested, and dying in jail. Despite the obstacles of their secrets, James and Sarah fall in love. As James comes to terms with his feelings for Sarah, he must dodge accusations from a reporter desperate to prove that James is not who, or what, he seems to be. With the help of their friends, witches Jennifer and Olivia, James and Sarah piece their stories together and discover a mystery that may bind them in ways they never imagined. Will James make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Sarah and prevent a new hunt from bringing hysteria to Salem again?

Review:
Before reading this book, I'd never heard of Ann Bradstreet nor her poem, "To My Dear and Loving Husband." (I know: nuts, right?) In fact, there was much I didn't know about the general time frame and setting that's highlighted in Meredith Allard's To My Dear and Loving Husband--beyond the basics taught in grade school, that is. Having read the book, however, I'm riveted and want to know more.

A large portion of my newly rekindled interest in Salem, Massachusetts during the seventeenth century is due to the great amount of detail put forth in Allard's book. It's immediately and clearly obvious that the author's done her homework; though this novel is a piece of fiction, it felt almost like a first-person account of the witch trials. The book shifts between present and past through both the recollections of James Wentworth and the vivid dreams of Sarah Alexander. I love that such vividness can be created about real historical events, even when the character recounting the experiences is fictional. Likewise, the fact that the main character that "experienced" this place and time is...other...was seamless and...well, it worked magnificently.

It's hard to think of this book as a typical paranormal romance, really. The fact that the main character qualifies as paranormal (the description doesn't specify what, so neither will I! ^_^) is almost secondary to the love story itself. In this tale, the paranormal aspect used more as a way to magnify the loss and suffering that James was forced to endure. Heck, the romance is actually quite chaste and innocent for the most part, because the emotional struggles of both James and Sarah are the focus. I really dug that; it's nice to sometimes get away from the love-scene fest of many other books.

The paranormal slant is also used as a means of putting the fervor and hypocrisy of the witch trials into a new context and setting: present-day Salem, Massachusetts. I found the parallels well-drawn and relevant; again, even though a paranormal bent is added. James at one point notes the oft-heard quote, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Throughout the first half of this book, I had a hard time figuring out how this story would extent into another book, much less a trilogy. Now, I don't care; I just want more! :o) Her Dear & Loving Husband is paranormal, romantic, historical, and dramatic, but it's more than any of those parts, and excited about delving into more of the characters' struggles in the as-yet unreleased follow-up, Her Loving Husband's Curse.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."


This has been a tour stop by Bewitching Book Tours. To see what other coolness lurks about for Allard's book, click here.

...or click the image.

Giveaway for Blood Fest: Chasing Destiny by Pepper O'Neal

Yesterday, author Pepper O'Neal visited the blog to share a guest post about her adventures in writing under unique circumstances and in a different locale (Mexico!!!). Find Pepper O'Neal's guest post here.

Today, it's all about the yummy, yummy giveaways. Got a good one for you, today!  Ms. O'Neal is graciously offering an e-copy of her latest book, Blood Fest: Chasing Destiny. It's an intriguing paranormal romance full of shifters galore.  Here's a description of the book:

She didn’t know what she was—or that what she was could get her killed…

A struggling private detective in Los Angeles, Chase Alcott has no idea about her unique genetic makeup. So when she takes on a new client—an old man with ulterior motives—Chase is unaware of the danger she will soon face. Traveling to England to solve a mysterious murder at the request of her new client, Chase encounters terrifying creatures she thought only existed in her nightmares—creatures bent on her surrender or destruction—only to find out she’s one of them. Caught in a web of evil and deception after learning some terrifying truths about her long dead parents, Chase doesn’t know who to believe. Does she dare trust the enigmatic Roman, a man with dark secrets of his own, when she can no longer even trust herself?

He knew what she was—he just had no idea what to do about her…

English nobleman, Roman Fernwood, half werewolf shifter and half vampire, doesn’t want a mate, especially not a half human, half tiger shifter with no knowledge of what she is. After all, cats and dogs would hardly be a good match. But there’s something about Chase Roman can’t resist in spite of his determination not to fall in love. Is it her fascinating American spunk and courage, or her stunning cinnamon eyes? Or could it be the passion he senses just beneath her calm, unruffled demeanor? Whatever it is, Roman must keep her safe from those who want to kill her—and a way to show her what she is without driving her into the arms of the other Weres who also want her for a mate.

Like what you see? Then feel free to enter for a chance to win by filling out the form below. Easy peasy, just a contact email (and a random question for kicks, cuz I loves those). I'll pick an entry randomly on Thursday, August 11, and the winner will have their choice of format: ePub, PDF, or Kindle.

Enter giveaway here:


Chasing Destiny is currently making rounds in the book blogosphere. Join Pepper O'Neal and other bloggers on the tour!

8/4 – guest post & giveaway @ Getting Naughty Between The Stacks
8/5 – review @ Bri Clark
8/6 – guest post @ My Need To Read
8/7 – giveaway @ My Need To Read
8/7 – guest post @ The Write to Make A Living
8/8 – excerpt @ Keeping Up With The Rheinlanders
8/8 – guest post & giveaway @ Workaday Reads
8/8 – excerpt @ Reader Girls
8/9 – guest post @ Nightly Cafe
8/9 – guest post @ Sugarbeat’s Books
8/10 – review @ Reader Girls
8/10 – excerpt @ Sugarbeat’s Books
8/10 – giveaway @ My Bookish Ways
8/11 – excerpt @ Book Lover’s Hideaway
8/11 – review @ The Phantom Paragrapher
8/12 – interview @ Bri Clark
8/12 – guest post & giveaway @ Romancing the Darkside
8/13 – guest post @ Reading Romance
8/13 – excerpt @ The Phantom Paragrapher
8/14 – giveaway @ Reading Romance
8/14 – review @ Just Another Book Addict
8/14 – review @ Novel Addiction
8/15 – guest post @ Just Another Book Addict
8/15 – giveaway @ Nightly Cafe
8/15 – excerpt @ Aobibliosphere
8/15 – giveaway @ Novel Addiction
8/15 – review @ Keeping Up With the Rheinlanders