Review: The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens

Title: The Kingdom
Series: Graveyard Queen, #2
Genres/Themes: dark urban fantasy, gothic/horror ghosts, mystery, romantic elements
Author: Amanda Stevens
Excerpt: on author website

Quick Take:
All in all, The Kingdom has boatloads of lush atmosphere (I’m sure you’ll hear that whenever someone describes this book), with several moments of creepiness and excitement. If you scare easily, I would suggest not reading this book alone in the dead of night. ^_^ But I’d certainly recommend the book and series to any and all fans of UF, especially those looking for something different from the usual.

Book Description (via Goodreads): 
Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town…… 
My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here. Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.


Review (first posted at Book Lovers Inc):
Atmospheric. Intense. Those are two words that keep coming to mind when I think about this book, a combination of quiet horror and lingering suspense. The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens has expanded on the strengths of its predecessor, The Restorer, while focusing on a different set of characters and locations. The beautifully written prose also brings to mind a third word: Creeptastic. ^_^

I’ve said it before, and it bears saying again: Amanda Stevens has a knack for setting up atmosphere. It’s one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading her books, in my opinion. The settings described just come alive with the language she employs. Since many of these settings involve spirits and the paranormal (remote towns and abandoned cemeteries in the deep South), the book takes on a gray, spooky feel…and the author hits the appropriate note with prose that feels effortless.

There’s quite a bit of entanglement as far as how the characters fit together, how bits of information are relevant to later developments. Some may not love that degree of complexity, nor the seemingly random, odd occurrences; heck, at times even I was a bit exasperated at feeling so unsure of what was going on—who was friend or foe, how to process certain events. But since that’s often part of the deal when reading a plot that revolves around a deep mystery, some of that is to be rightfully expected. ^_^

There’s a lot more revealed about protagonist Amelia Gray, which is a welcome direction given that much of the first book focused outwardly to other characters’ situations and backgrounds. Amelia is extremely nuanced, and the mystery surrounding her very existence is juicy enough to fill a whole string of tales. I like that she’s strong and brave, yet not impervious to fear and vulnerability.

As in book one, there was a shade of romantic intrigue, enough to satisfy the readers who love that element, but not so much as to overshadow the main plot thread and mystery. It provided enough zip to keep the story thrilling and full of life.

A bit of truth telling here: I actually enjoyed the first book more than this second one. But considering this installment does not have the benefit of “newness” that The Restorer did, I have to account for the heightened expectations (I can definitely say that The Restorer was one of my favorite books of 2011; top 3, easily. That’s a tough act to follow). Furthermore, this book has even more of an unfinished feel than the last book, insofar as many plot threads from the first and second book will feed directly into the next. Thank goodness for the fact that book three will be released in only a couple more weeks!

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

"I absolutely loved it."

In Anticipation: The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens

Without a doubt, the book The Restorer by Amanda Stevens was one of my favorite books of 2011 (easily top three). The chilling, highly atmospheric debut (yup, this was a freakin debut!) novel was absolutely unexpected, but it turned out to have been just what I needed. So enter the followup one year later, called The Kingdom, which is promising to be just as spooky and mysterious:

Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town...

My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here.

Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.

I like how the book description above is not very spoiler-y. There was a lot that went down in the first book, a lot of unfinished business between certain characters, but it's left alone in the blurb to focus on reintroducing the mysterious unknown that's explored so well by the author. Amelia Gray is sent on another assignment, to complete the seemingly straightforward (though labor-intensive task) of restoring a graveyard. But of course, nothing is as it seems, and even the dead have an active role to play. The elusiveness of the blurb is the stuff great mystery is made of.

The cover of this book (and the other installments) is not the flashiest ever, but that's perfectly appropriate to the tone and focus of the series. It's quiet, unassuming, and mysterious, and it belies something dark and forbidding. I love how all the little visual clues just reinforce what the blurb and previous installment established--that this will be a quietly powerful tale--and a super creepy one, to boot.

If you haven't checked out this series yet, I'd sooo recommend you do, provided you can handle a bit (read: a lot) of creepiness. ^_^ Be sure to read in broad daylight, preferably with someone else present. ^_^ It'll totally be worth it.


Graveyard Queen series:
#0.5 - The Abandoned (published April 1, 2011 by Harlequin Mira)
#1 - The Restorer (published April 19, 2011 by Mira)
#2 - The Kingdom (to be published March 27, 2012 by Mira)
#3 - The Prophet (to be published April 24, 2012 by Mira)

Review: The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters by Sierra Dean

Title: The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters
Series: Secret McQueen, #0.5
Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, one-wild-night, short story, werewolf/vampire hybrid protagonist
Author: Sierra Dean
Excerpt: available at publisher website

Quick Take:
This quick read was a lot of breezy fun. The protagonist, Secret McQueen, is the major draw here, with her wry sense of humor and complex identity issues. It's the perfect lead-in to the series--or a great way to sample the tone of the series before diving into book one.

Book Description (via Goodreads):
     They say it's impossible to find a man in New York City. Secret McQueen needs to find two in one night. Of course, it’ll mean pulling off the impossible—find and kill a displaced rogue vampire without disrupting the first promising date she’s had in ages. As a werewolf hybrid used to walking a fine line of survival in the vampire world, though, Secret eats impossible for breakfast.
     Somewhere between hello and the first round of drinks, Secret makes her move. Her target, Hollywood’s biggest star, shouldn’t be hard to spot. Just look for swarms of fans. Except every time her vampire liaison, Holden, helps keep her mission on track, her date runs further off the rails.
     Either Holden has a hidden agenda, or he knows more than he’s letting on about her quarry. One way or another, Secret is determined to get her man, and meet Mr. Right. Or die trying.


Review:

What a freakin' surprise this little story was! The premise to this story seemed pretty no-nonsense, nice and straightforward. While that's exactly what it ended up being, I was charmed by the characters and quirky style of the protagonist, Secret McQueen.

The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters didn't have a whole lot in the way of exposition and world building, but I think that's the whole point. I hear that it was written (and certainly published) after the first full-length book in the series was released. So more than anything else, this story is something to whet the appetite, to fill in some of the tiny but promising tidbits alluded to in Something Secret this Way Comes. I'd personally recommend reading this before Something Secret, both because the events of Secret Guide chronologically come first, and because the read does not require great commitment and investment to be enjoyed.

As such, the plot moves fast here, but since there's not a whole lot of world building and complex character interactions, it reads like something of a quick procedural. It takes what would've been a straightforward event--Secret's date with a nice, "normal" guy--and throws everything in the path of preventing it occurring in a normal way. 

I really liked Secret's narrative voice, perhaps more than any other aspect of the story. She's witty, sexy, and she's got a bit of a chip on her shoulder. I really liked the element of her being part vampire, part wolf; yes, I know we've heard of that trope before, but it works well here, allowing this feisty, judgemental protagonist to wrestle with not only real baddy monsters, but also the "monsters" within herself. But Secret's everyday observations were amusing, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. Whether she was high or low, she was always magnetic.

I must admit that I had some trouble envisioning some of the action scenes based on the descriptions. Granted, such scenes (along with "action" scenes, if you get my drift ^_^) can be be tricky to stage, especially if the choreography is complicated and the pace is really fast. There was one crucial scene in a subway that felt almost too frenetic to grasp.  It was definitely a lot to untangle and figure out, at least for me.

But overall, this story was a lot of fun. It sets up a very promising world with a highly likable heroine. After finishing this one, I'd immediately followed up with Something Secret This Way Comes. I really think this will be a series for the urban fantasy masses.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."

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!

Interview with author Stephanie Nelson

I love UF series that feature strong, capable female characters, those who can get stuff done but might still be vulnerable and flawed. So I was really excited to be able to check out the work of Stephanie Nelson, who's created the brand new Gwen Sparks series of books, beginning with the first installment, Craved. The titular character of the series spends her days (and nights!) trying to create some sense of order in a cut-throat world of witches, vampires, and weres...even as she herself has skin in the preternatural game. I'm pleased to say that author Stephanie Nelson agreed to let me ply her with some readerly questions about Gwen and her world. So without further ado, here's the word from Ms. Nelson herself!

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MNtR: So, I hear that as a child, you in fact did not enjoy reading. What took up much of your time and interest instead?

SN: I played volleyball from fifth grade all the way up until sophomore year, so that kept me busy. 

MNtR: Craved takes place in the supernatural town of Flora, Missouri. Is the locale based on any real areas or cities that you like?

SN: No, I just wanted somewhere where there’d be enough room/country that could house a supernatural community that was away from the public eye. I’m from Illinois so I’m fairy familiar with Missouri. I picked it on a whim but also wanted it to be close to my state. I did have a woman contact me from Alabama from a town called Florala, who happened to have the same name as me. After a little research, I found out that Florala only has a population of around 1,900 which is about the same as Flora. Kinda a fun bit of information, maybe I should visit Florala to see if Gwen and the gang are there.

MNtR: You've mentioned that you first came up with Gwen and her world several years ago, but that at the time you felt you couldn't properly tell the story. What had changed in the intervening years to bring you back to Gwen successfully?

SN: When I came up with the idea of Gwen’s story, I was just starting out in the writing world, therefore I had no clue how to write a book. I began a book about a witch who tracked down vampires because they were killing witches for their blood but abandoned it because I didn’t like the way I wrote. They say practice makes perfect and believe me it does in the writing world. I started on multiple books and learned something from each one of them. I was almost all the way done with one book but the idea of the witches being poached by vampires was always in the back of my mind. I ended up putting the almost finished book on hold because I couldn’t stop thinking about the other idea. After a few years of trying to write, Gwen’s story came to me a lot easier than it had before. I like to look at it as if Gwen was patiently waiting for me to tell her story while I learned how to do that.

MNtR: Book two in the Gwen Sparks series, Hunted, comes out in December. Do you have a sense of how far you'd like take the series arcs, or will that develop with each new book? In a few words, can we look forward to a lot more Gwen? ^_^

SN: I don’t actually. I already have the plot for book 3 planned out but after that I’m not sure. I’m thinking there will be at least 4 books in the series but there could be more than that also.

MNtR: Do you have other worlds, other stories, that are brewing in the back of your mind? Are there any other genres that you'd be interested in writing about?

SN: Constantly. Although, the only genre I ever plan to write is paranormal romance. I’m addicted to the genre myself so I find that’s where my interest lie. I’m currently working on two other books as I also write Hunted but my head is full of ideas for other books that will have to wait until I have more time, or until I can figure out a way to pack more hours in the day.

MNtR: Just for fun: would you prefer to be a witch, a vampire, or a were in the Craved world (and why)?

SN: Although witches are being targeted by vampires in my books, I’d still want to be a witch. Imagine being able to use magic pick out your clothes, or form objects out of thin air. Very cool.

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Major thanks to Stephanie Nelson for her stop by MNtR today. I, for one, am looking forward to many installments of Gwen Sparks's adventure. Here's a taste of what the first book in Nelson's new Gwen Sparks series is all about:

Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.

Rock on with that blurb, right? To get more info about Stephanie Nelson, visit the following:
www.stephanie-nelson.com 
https://twitter.com/#!/StephNel1 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Nelson/177640978961830

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This has been a Bewitching Book Tours blog visit. To check out the other events happening for Nelson's Craved, click here!

...or hit the image above.

Review: The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. Saare

Title: The Renfield Syndrome
Series: Rhiannon's Law, #2
Genres/Themes: dark urban fantasy, speculative fiction elements, fish out of water
Author: J. A. Saare

Quick Take: Violent, brutal, and gory. But also tender, sweet, and resonant. I loved the ride this book took me on, and cannot--cannot--wait to check out the next book.

Book Description (via Goodreads):
Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she’s about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco, the better.
     Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things; including those most trusted around her. When she’s faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she’ll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.
     After all, when it’s all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.


Review:

First things first. Reading the first book in this series is a must. Upon finishing the book Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Betweeen, I was wrecked--in the best possible way. Yes, there was a cliffhanger. Yes, said cliffhanger was a doozy. And yes, Lucy has a lot o' splainin' to do. ^_^ But the anticipation that the ending engendered within me was caused most by the sheer possibility that was left for the following book. It practically switched genres (or at least broadened the range of classification that was possible for Renfield)! So upon opening this new book, I literally had no clue what to expect. What a fabulous and exhilarating feeling to have, especially with a book that's part of a series--and thus tends to come with a number of expectations.

The world that was created in this book was quite engaging. There was barely anything recognizable about this New York City, but it was definitely fun getting to figure out its new rules and intricacies. The world has got its fair share of violence and gore. But it definitely works and it's not gratuitous for its own sake.

Saare's got some brass ovaries, man. She also doesn't play shit safe--which I respect! The plot of Renfield is unrelenting, and no promises are made for the characters or their situations. The best thing about that fact is that I still trusted that the story would end up just the way it should--which is not to say I thought it would end up how I thought it should. Rather, Saare did a wonderful job of making whatever happened make logical sense. Gonna blow up the universe? Okay, great! Here's why it's gotta be that way.

A note about characters: I love 'em. Rhiannon, for one, is such a pure pleasure to "hear" as a narrator. She's got a measure of sass, but the way she processes the world around her reveals a wide range of emotion and insight. This is the Rhi that I've been waiting for. And even so, she goes through a hell of a lot of growth and change. The Rhi at the end of the book is even more developed and changed from the one of the book's beginning. Aside from Rhiannon, I'd hate to reveal who's in the book (since at the end of book one, we're not mean to know what's befallen the main cast), but will say that I luuurve the guy that takes up most of this book's focus. Sexy? Brooding? Intense? Check, check, check.

Good graciousness, I enjoyed this book. If you want to know deets, just pick the book up and make it happen; anything else would be a spoiler, and believe me when I say you want the story to unfold before you. There's a lot of action, lots of intrigue, and some fabulously juicy romantic development. Put this one up on my "Favorites of 2011" shelf, thank-you-very-much.

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars

"I absolutely loved it!"

"21 Days, 21 Blogs!" This has been a stop on a book journey by KLB tours. To see some of the other awesome activities going on related to The Renfield Syndrome, click here. 

Guest Post: Author Sonya Clark & Giveaway

Today I'd like to welcome author Sonya Clark to the blog for a guest post about her new book, Mojo Queen. I recently read the novel and thought it was fantastico (review to be posted shortly), so I'm pleased that Ms. Clark could make a stop by MNtR. She's even hosting a drool-making contest (seriously, I already envy the GP winner....details at the end of the post, though). So, without further ado...

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A Little Extra Mojo

By Sonya Clark

The main character of Mojo Queen is Roxie Mathis, a paranormal investigator who can see auras and spectral energy. She uses that ability as well as hoodoo folk magic to help people with their supernatural problems. She’s aided in her work by her best friend and cousin Daniel Rambin. Except Daniel’s not really Roxie’s cousin but it’s easier than explaining the truth: Daniel is her ancestor and a vampire.

(Click on image for more info on the book)

     When I first started writing Mojo Queen it took some time to get to know these two characters and to develop a feel for their friendship. I wound up taking a bit of a detour and writing a short story about a completely different case. In Goofer Dust Blues, Roxie is hired to collect dirt from the graves of a famous blues guitarist. This story gave Roxie and Daniel a chance to take a road trip from Nashville to the home of the Delta blues in Mississippi. It also gave me a chance to indulge my love of music, something that Roxie wound up sharing. I had a lot of fun writing the story and it helped me get a better idea of who Roxie and Daniel are, which of course helped in the writing of Mojo Queen.
     At the beginning of Mojo Queen their friendship is already established but there didn’t seem to be a good place to explain how they first met. That idea led to a second short. Mimosas At Dusk is about the beginning of their friendship. Daniel is having a ghost problem at his home so he hires Roxie to evict the pest. Wackiness ensues and Roxie finds out her client is a vampire.
     Writers always want to share their work so I posted the stories as free reads on my blog. As a reader I frequently enjoy these kind of extras about characters I really enjoyed. I also thought it might be a good way to introduce Roxie and Daniel. I still haven’t written the story of how Daniel tells Roxie he is her ancestor, but I know I’ll get around to that eventually. I might also write a short about Roxie’s love interest, sexy sorcerer Blake Harvill. No telling what I might discover in his background!
     Both Mojo shorts are available for free download in three formats – pdf, mobi for Kindle, and epub for Nook and other ereaders – at the free reads page of my blog at this link: http://www.sonyaclark.net/p/free-reads.html. Enjoy!
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Thank you for the virtual visit, Ms. Clark! I'm so glad there's an extra story exploring Roxie's past with Daniel. It was clear in Mojo Queen that they cared about each other and held one another in the very highest of esteem...so it's nice to get the chance to see how that all started.

Want more Sonya Clark? Check her out at the following links:
     Blog/website: http://www.sonyaclark.net/
     Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/sonyabclark
     Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorsonyaclark
     Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3510861.Sonya_Clark

Now, I must say that Sonya Clark is full of awesomeness. That would be because--among many reasons--she's celebrating the Mojo Queen book tour by having a fabulous giveaway. All one must do is fill out the form. The deets (and entry forms are below).

Giveaway Details:

Winners will be chosen from all of those who enter via the form.

Leave comments at tour stops for bonus entries

You can also enter at each tour stop

10 winners will receive signed book plates

2 winners will receive free ebook copies of Mojo Queen

1 grand prize winner will receive the Mojo Prize Pack, which includes:

·         Signed book plate

·         Mojo Queen playlist CD

·         A voodoo doll

·         A protective mojo hand

·         Spirit of Good Luck incense

·         A seven-day spell candle

·         A bag of graveyard dirt

The winners will be announced on Sonya's blog on Friday, August 19. Physical prizes open to US Shipping Only Please.

Ebooks international.

(Contest over--entry form removed)

Click image for info on the other tour stops!

Review: A Tale of Two Goblins by H.P. Mallory

Title: A Tale of Two Goblins

Series: Dulcie O'Neil, #2

Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, fairy protagonist, dream stalking

Author: H.P. Mallory

Excerpt: first chapter (from author site)

Quick Take:

Dulcie does it again! This installment delivered on every promise made by its predecessor; it was above all fun, engaging, and charming.

Book Description (via author site):

     Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy working in law enforcement for the Netherworld. When Knight Vander approaches her with a case regarding comatose victims, she agrees to help him, imagining the most difficult part will be combatting her attraction to him.
     But, what Dulcie isn’t betting on is the fact that the case becomes personal when she learns all the victims are somehow linked to her.
     When her best friend falls victim to the Dreamstalker, Dulcie must do everything in her power to ensure her friend’s survival, including associating with criminals and accepting the fact that desperate times do definitely call for desperate measures.

Review:

I was so excited to pick up and read the second book in the Dulcie O'Neil series by H.P. Mallory, having enjoyed the first one so much. As with book one, the cast is the big draw. Technically, there aren't that many figures to keep track of--which is fine by me. It means more face time for the fab five (Dulcie, Knight, Trey, Sam, and Dia). ^_^ Dulcie in particular is in fine form: she's a magnetic character, with different facets to her personality that provide plausible and engaging expression in scenes both light hearted and somber.

I get the sense that the author is deliberately keeping a steady pace in revealing her fictional world and in progressing the broader story arcs. I like that! I can see the series continuing to thrill with new elements and twists, even several books down the road (and geez, I HOPE there will be a "several books down the road" to speak of!).

This book deals with a creature that stalks and terrorizes people's dreams. As such, there are a few dream sequences, some of which are meant to be ambiguously identified ("Is this someone's dream?") and others which are very clearly nocturnal reveries. In one, the dreamer is even consciously observing her own dream. The devices used for these sequences could've been confusing as flip, but instead worked out wonderfully and intriguingly. 

Honestly, the third book cannot come soon enough ("soon enough" is August 2011, by the way...but still so far off!!!); I simply must know how the cast of characters develop and fare in their respective conundrums. A Tale of Two Goblins more than proved that the Dulcie O'Neil series will be one to look out for in the future. Moreover, it's put Ms. Mallory on my auto-buy list, for sure!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."

Review: Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane

Title: Goddess with a Blade

Series: (only time will tell if it is!)

Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, Celtic goddess, vampires, love/hate-romancin'

Author: Lauren Dane

Excerpt: (here)

Quick Take:

A decent urban fantasy tale. It has a little bit of everything (though for me, no one aspect stood out more than the rest), and sets up a very intriguing world with intrigue and considerable future potential. Protagonist Rowan is a moddy sonovagun, but she's a badass and nice carrier for the complex tale.

Book Description (via Goodreads):      Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. Physical vessel to the Celtic Goddess Brigid and raised by the leader of the Vampire Nation, she's a supercharged hunter with the power to slay any vampire who violates the age-old treaty.
     A recent string of murders has her at odds with Las Vegas's new Scion, the arrogant and powerful Clive Stewart. The killings have the mark of Vampire all over them, and Rowan warns Clive to keep his people in line—or she'll mete out her own brand of justice.
     Though her dealings with Clive are adversarial to say the least, Rowan is intensely aware of her attraction to him. But she can't let it distract her from her duty—to find and battle the killer before more women die.

Review:

Oh, but this book was a tough one to write about; such is often the case with books that I liked but didn't elicit reaction to any extreme. So I'll just jump right in, beginning with the protagonist(s). Rowan Summerwaite is a badass/smartass with an amusing potty mouth. She is certainly unforgiving and uncompromising with her behavior, making her quite memorable, for better or for worse. Clive, the male protag, was quite intriguing, and I wish there were more development of his character. It's through interactions with him that Rowan really shows her emotional struggles; the meaty, interesting stuff.

My take is that the romance is not the first or even second priority in this book (even though it features perspective shifts between Rowan and Clive). But trust, it's there, in all its's sizzling glory. ^_^ The hero and heroine have a lust/hate relationship that's nothing if not fun to watch develop.

I found the last act (read: the ending) to be quite tensionless; the climax of the story was, in fact, fairly anti-climactic. What's more, the writing in the section felt different from what preceded it, with the dialogue a bit overrun with "badassisms" and the visuals lacking a certain flow and vividness.

In general, the book was decent in every way. Decent characters, decent storyline, decent This particular sentiment is the height of subjectivity; I fully expect several others I know to read the book and find it very enjoyable. But for me, it just didn't ring any particular bells.

All told, however, I'm intrigued enough to want to check out the next book. A bit of research has turned up that, while there is no follow-up officially in the works, the author would indeed like to produce a sequel. The book certainly felt like it was intended to be a sequel; certain aspects of world- and character building were not rounded out, suggesting later development. I think Rowan's adventures--and more importantly, her personal development--could be really intriguing in future installments...and so, here's to hoping this book turns out to be the first in a series!

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

"I liked it."

Review: Wild by Naomi Clark

Title: Wild

Series: Vargulf trilogy, #1

Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, drug addiction, werewolves

Author: Naomi Clark

Quick Take:

With a very different and unique sort of approach for its genre, this book breaks up the routine in a fascinating and engaging way. Recommended for those UF fans that can handle a darker subject matter and a touch more realism with their fantasy.

Book Description (via author site): 

Lizzie Creighton ran away from her life a year ago, wanting to escape the pressures of university and just party. And that’s exactly what she did.      But now she's sick of the world she's fallen into – the drink, the drugs, the violence – and she's desperate to start again. The chance to do it comes from the last source she could ever imagine. After her deadbeat boyfriend steals her car and abandons her in the dead of night, Lizzie is bitten by a wolf. And suddenly her next fix is her last problem.     Now, caught between Nick Doyle, the outcast werewolf who claims he can save her, and Seth Weaver, the favourite son of the blue-blood werewolf royalty, Lizzie must decide what kind of werewolf she wants to be.

Review:

So, lemme just get down to it. This book is tough to nail down. ^_^ And I really, really dig that. It's not your typical...well, anything. From the protagonist and the premise to the plot progression and romantic elements, Wild certainly doesn't follow genre formulas. In fact, for a piece of genre fiction, this tale has quite a few elements closer to literary fiction than anything else. The pacing and narrative focus in particular were slower, less action-driven (of the high-octane sort, at least) and more introspective of the main character. The story presents many possible directions: as I was reading, I honestly didn't know what to expect next.

This is not a particularly happy tale...but it's certainly engaging. Protagonist Lizzie Creighton isn't fooling anyone, including herself--she's addicted. To drugs, to a cycle of self-destructive behavior, to poor judgement and no-good relationships. What she goes through is tough, not sugar-coated. It doesn't seem to be written as overtly shocking or cautionary, either, something I appreciated. For much of the book (the first half at the very least), this is really an observation of the very human struggles of a young woman, with supernatural flavoring slowly added in.

Moving through the book, I was never quite sure if things would be okay for Lizzie...even with her best of intentions. How refreshing it was to not have that forgone conclusion of an HEA being served on a silver platter! Now, don't get me wrong...I love m'self an HEA. But this story progresses in such a way that there is no easy fix right around the corner. It really will take the whole trilogy to figure out what's what! :o)

The supernatural elements were intriguing, as well. In this world, there are Kurtadam (born werewolves), and Vargulf (made werewolves). Through the lenses of Lizzie's experience, the reader is brought into a whole new realm of behavior and existence. I rather liked how it was built upon throughout the book. As  mentioned previously, this book doesn't start out an urban fantasy, but does a good job of transitioning into one.

If this first installment is any indication, its sequel (and the book after that) will be awesome. It'll be dark, it will challenge, it will be full of action and excitement. I can't wait to find out what comes next!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I really liked it."

 This has been a tour stop for Book Lovin' Bitches eBook Tours.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

Title: The Restorer

Series: The Graveyard Queen, #1

Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, murder mystery, ghosts, romance-ish

Excerpt: here
Author: Amanda Stevens

Quick Take:

A highly atmospheric, chilling novel. I absolutely loved it! It might give you a fright, but it's well worth the thrill.

Book Description (via author site):
     My name is Amelia Gray.  I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts.  In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father.  But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.     It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore.  The clues to the killer--and to his other victims--like in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret.  Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy.  To warn him would be to invite them into my life.  I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Review:

Freaking A, man. What an awesome book this is!
I must confess that, as a scaredy cat and ghost-story wimp, I was hesitant at first to read Amanda Stevens's trilogy opener. The book description sounded very intriguing, but it was obviously meant to give the potential reader a taste of the eerie setting and chilling theme of the full novel. Boy, am I glad I got past that hesitancy. I was thoroughly creeped out whilst reading this tale, but more importantly, I was exhilarated.

So let's start with that emotion. Yes, this book is creepy; the author is quite skilled at creating atmosphere. Stevens's writing style is resonant, engaging, and very easy to fall into. The language is crisp and easily accessible--not simplistic--and yet descriptions are vivid, crafting a clear visual and understanding of both the characters and the settings. I'd imagine that's precisely what one would want when attempting to scare the pants off of someone. ^_^

It's perhaps good that the mechanics of the language used does not confound, because this is indeed a dense book. There are numerous details that are integral to the storyline, and the main mystery is quite multilayered. In fact, there are elements in play that suggest the author is focused on the bigger, series-wide picture at all times. In that regard, this story's events solve mysteries, but titillate even more. The narrative barely scratches the surface of the main characters' struggles and inner scars. Protagonist Amelia Gray is one complex individual; amiable as far as protagonists go, but clearly haunted (literally and figuratively). That she finds herself drawn to an equally haunted man will provide a lot of arresting emotional material in upcoming installments.

If you can manage a highly atmospheric, spooky and complex book that absolutely must be read as part of a series arc, you need to pick up The Restorer. This will be a standout series, just you wait n see! ^_^

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

"I REALLY liked it!"

Review: Blood of the Maple by Dana Marie Bell

Title: Blood of the Maple
Series: Maggie's Grove, #1
Genres/Themes: urban fantasy, romance, obsession
Author: Dana Marie Bell

Quick Take:
This book features a wonderfully amusing and addictive cast of characters, forming a solid basis for future installments. Despite the second half featuring a few laggy scenes and somewhat uneven dialogue, the story as a whole is solid and worth a visit.

Book Description (via Goodreads):  

     A seduction-gone-wrong leaves vampire Parker Hollis with a new vegetarian lifestyle and on the run from a vengeful witch. Moving to small-town Maggie's Grove, Parker meets a redheaded dryad with green, leafy blood that draws him in a way he hasn't experienced in decades. His new neighbor smells divine, and it isn't long before craving gives in to need.

     In a unique community of supernaturals, tree-loving outcast Amara Schwedler has never quite fit in. She's scarred by a traumatic incident and feared by the local townsfolk. She's convinced Parker will look elsewhere for a mate once he discovers she's not one of the O-positive set, and can't believe it when Parker finds her irresistible.

     When the witch who's been plaguing Parker's life discovers the newfound attraction between Parker and Amara, she takes out her anger on the town. Can the supernaturals of Maggie's Grove accept Amara and band together in time to withstand the assaults of the enraged witch?

Review:
First off, props go to whoever thought up the book’s title. It gives an idea of what the story might involve (namely, blood and plant life), but also perplexes and intrigues—after all, what in tarnation does blood have to do with trees? ^_^

This work by author Dana Marie Bell is fun and entertaining, focusing on the small supernatural community of Maggie’s Grove. It begins with the introduction of cursed vampire Dr. Parker Hollis, who has just moved into town to start a new (undead) life. Following the vamp is engaging, as he possesses a witty yet adorably geeky sense of humor. His interactions with others are the basis for a lot of the laughs and strong moments of the story.

Likewise, the supporting characters populating the town are lively and amusing (as well as deliciously infuriating at times). Unsurprisingly, the author makes as much use of the townspeople as possible, crafting what is essentially a love story and revenge tale into an ensemble piece of sorts. I would suggest keeping notes (either mental or physical) about the characters introduced. There are quite a few of them, many of whom recur in both name and person.

The plotting and pacing of the book was not as endearing, however. I found the first half of the tale to be very easy to engage, compelling through scenes both cheerful and solemn. But the second half seemed a bit uneven at times, punctuated by scenes that dragged and moments of somewhat disparate dialogue.

Even so, the pacing scheme did sometimes work nicely. I found that, in certain situations, the abrupt change in characters’ focus lent a sense of reality. After all, real life isn’t one clear-cut, uninterrupted vignette after another.

Blood of the Maple is intended to be the first in a set of books focusing on Maggie’s Grove. The story set up some clear dilemmas to be solved in future installments, and I’m happy to say that they all seem quite intriguing.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

"I liked it!"

Guest Post: Author Deena Remiel Interviews TRINITY's Michael!

I'm so excited to be able to welcome the fabulous Deena Remiel to MNtR today. The author of Trinity sits down with the book's protagonist, Michael D'Angelo, for a quick interview about his job as an elementary school principal, and its relationship to his other role as protector of humankind. I got to sit in on the session, and I'll say now, Michael is beyond swoon-worthy. ^_^

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Deena Remiel: Good day to everyone! I’d like to thank Alisha for having me over today. With the school year quickly coming to a close in Arizona, I was lucky enough to snag Michael D’Angelo, Prophet’s Point Elementary School principal and Brethren Protector for a few minutes and a few questions.

Michael: Hello Alisha, Deena, everyone… *gives me a big hug*

DR: *I blush* Michael, good to see you! Have a seat. Glad you could spare some time today out of your busy schedule. I was wondering if you could answer a couple of burning questions for us.

MD: I’d be happy to. The students are getting mighty restless, but I’m sure Emma and the rest of my staff are keeping them busy with learning and fun. *winks*

DR: This brings me to my first question. How long have you been principal at Prophet’s Point Elementary School? And what made you choose it?

MD: Well, I’ve been principal there now for 6 years. I didn’t actually choose it. It chose me. I just had a feeling when I got the call to interview that it was going to be my home for a good long while.

DR: Now, we know you’re a Brethren as well, right?

MD: Yes, I’m a Brethren Protector. *leans in close* But please, don’t go spreading it around. I try to keep my two lives as separate as possible.

DR: Don’t worry, this is only being seen by hundreds of humans. *I pat his hand* That leads me to my next question. How do you juggle these two lives- your normal, everyday human job and your immortal, angelic job? I mean, don’t you get confused sometimes or afraid your cover will be blown?

MD: Well, to tell you the truth, sometimes the lines do blur. But it doesn’t happen often. I see these two careers as being very similar. As a Brethren Protector, I’m charged with the responsibility of protecting the human race from Evil. As a school principal, I protect the students and faculty that are in my care. Juggling gets a little hairy when I’m thrust into a situation that needs my attention and I’m in the middle of the school day. It’s a bit tricky to coordinate coverage. But the staff is wonderful and picks up my slack when I can’t be there. *smiles and shifts in his seat* As far as keeping my Brethren identity under wraps, that is difficult. I guess this interview is going to “out” me.

DR: I think people will welcome the knowledge that angels are here on earth. Don’t you?

MD: *chuckles* I honestly don’t know.  I’ll just have to wait and see if the world embraces me. There are plenty of people under the influence of Evil that won’t be too happy. As we Brethren say… Evil better start running!

DR: Ooh…  A bit of a threat there. *I raise an eyebrow* So have you been busy with fighting Evil?

MD: It’s like a never-ending story, Deena, with wars and battles, both sides winning and losing in turn. But in the end, Good has remained sovereign over this world. *frowns*

DR: What’s up, Michael?

MD: I don’t know. I just got a feeling. Something is brewing. I’d better get going. Can’t ignore the senses, you know. Thanks so much for having me here today, Alisha. Deena, I’ll be talking to you real soon. Give my best to your editor, Nicole. I hear she gets emotional over your work. *winks*

DR: Thank you, Michael. And best of luck with those senses. Stay safe! Well, Alisha, I guess it’s time for me to go as well. But knowing that you have a “need to read”, I’ll leave you with a blurb from Trinity, my new paranormal romance novel that’s available wherever eBooks are sold. Thanks again for hosting me here. I’ve had a wonderful time!

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Thank you, Michael (*wink, giggle, blush*), and many thanks to Deena Remiel! It was fab having them stop by. If you'd like to read more about the Brethren Protector as created by Remiel, be sure to check out Trinity. Here's a bit about the story:

Mmm. Yes, please!

One way or another, terror will reign tonight.
     School teacher and single mom, Emma Livingston, has been through hell—and back so she thinks. While dealing with the night terrors and active imagination of her five-year old daughter, Hannah, she attempts to lead a normal life. That is, until the demon from those nightmares pays her a visit, too, and threatens both of their lives. Desperate, she reaches out for help—and finds Michael waiting.
     Michael D’Angelo is known to everyone in Prophet’s Point, Arizona, as their loving elementary school principal. But to The Brethren, he is the most powerful Protector. Immortal and angelic does not mean he’s without doubts or fears, as protecting Emma and Hannah from Evil tests his ability to fight his tortured past.
     As the Trinity is formed, ancient secrets are revealed and faith is tested. When a prophecy is exposed, Hannah becomes the main target and Emma wonders if a normal life will ever be possible again. Hope is like an anchor, but can a mother, her daughter, and an angel overcome the evil determined to annihilate the world?
©Deena Remiel, 2011.

You can find Deena Remiel at:

• www.deenaremiel.com
• http://brethrenbeginnings.wordpress.com
• http://paraposse.blogspot.com
• http://plotmamas.com

You can buy Trinity at:

Decadent Publishing (link); Amazon (link); Barnes & Noble (link)