Bloggers Help with Paws with a Cause with author Laura Hunsaker

So you know how in PNR we always have an alpha male who is the biggest, and the strongest? Well, in my little pack, I have 2 cats and 2 dogs (we recently lost our horse). Our latest addition is a puppy named Conan. Conan just turned 1 and he’s very alpha. He’s been bossing around our female Lily, he thinks he’s the boss of all the dog toys, and he chases everything that moves. And yet, I’ve noticed that our little 8 lb cat seems to rule this pack.

Kellie is a teeny little cat but she doesn’t back down from our 110 lb puppy. It makes me laugh every time he tries to push her around. My daughter’s cat Buzz Lightyear is much bigger, but even he gets to high ground when the dogs are around.

Review: Higlander Reborn, by Laura Hunsaker

Title: Highlander Reborn
Author: Laura Hunsaker
Source: Review request
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Length: novella, 33 pages
Reviewed by: Emi

Highlander Reborn begins in Scotland, many centuries ago, where a blacksmith fights for his life and his people. His life is forever changed when Amalia, one of the Nightkind, makes the choice to save his life. But first, he has to die...

1304…

After Nevin MacLachlan’s wife was killed by a vampire, he made it his mission to hunt them all down. But one late Highland night, in a battle he couldn’t win, one of the Nightkind ripped open his throat. With his blood draining onto the grass, the last thing Nevin sees isn’t a white light; it’s the dark of night closing in on him.

Amalia has been enamored with the blacksmith ever since he first held a stake to her heart. Watching him die was unacceptable. Will he ever forgive her for turning him into what he hates most?

Nevin has lived his life alone for a reason. When Amalia walks back into his life seven centuries later asking for help, he wants nothing more but to turn his back to her. But something about her still calls to him.

Some of the Nightkind in Amalia’s seethe have been killed. It’s up to her to find Nevin and ask for his help. But how can she show Nevin that she isn’t the monster he thinks she is? 

Authors "Take On" reviews Laura Hunsaker Day 6

Note:The event will not end on the 7th it will end on the 8th.

Today we have author Laura Hunsaker!

Is there something specific you look for in a review? If so what?

As a reader, if I look up a review, I like to see what made this book fantastic or awful, and why the reviewer didn’t like or love a certain part.  I like to see a bit of the plot, since sometimes the book blurbs either don’t do the book justice, or just don’t tell you much at all.

If you send your books to a book review blog is there something specific you look for when you’re looking at their blog?

I look to make sure it’s a good target audience for my book.  Like I’m not going to ask a Young Adult blogger to read my steamy Scottish Romace. I also look at how many followers that blog has.

What type of review do you like best: short or long?

I prefer somewhere in the middle.  There doesn’t have to be a summary, but maybe just what the likes were, what wowed the blogger about the book (or didn’t wow-yikes!) But a 2 page review makes me not read the review all the way through.

What do you think about spoilers in reviews?

I don’t mind them as long as they are marked, and as long as the book didn’t just release.  The day Shadowfever released, I avoided the internet like the plague.

Now let’s talk about rating systems. On a scale of 1-5 stars, what would be your opinion of the ratings? Starting with the lowest at one first.

1. I didn’t like it, the writing, the plot, nothing about it was for me

2. It was okay-maybe just not my style, wouldn’t recommend

3. It was good. I enjoyed it but didn’t love it, would recommend it to other readers, but I wouldn’t rave about it.

4. I really liked it, would tell everyone about it, definitely rave about it.

5. Fabulous! Loved it! I would totally re-read it!

What do you think about sexual ratings?  Some reviewers use them.

I like them, it helps especially when looking at erotic romance, or ménage stories, since I’d definitely like to know ahead of time instead of being shocked .

What do reviewers do that irks you the most?

If it was an ARC, or the author gave the reviewer the book, I’d like to see that somewhere. I don’t want it assumed I get my books all for free over at demonlovers. I’d say I purchase 95% of the books I review.

If you get an ARC of a book and it’s like 2 months before release date, I don’t want any big spoilers.

What do you think about awards given to books by a review blogger?

Do you mean like “This book got the steamiest love scene by bbpnr?” Or like those “you have an award on my blog” type things that bloggers give other bloggers?

I like the first-it could be really fun-like Dear Author’s and Smart Bitches’s stuff. I’d love to say something like “I got the 4 howls and Steamiest Love scene by BbPNR”

The second is nice, but has no reflection on the quality of the blog or the books

As readers/reviewers we love book giveaways. How do you feel about them?

I love doing giveaways, because as an author it can get your book out there faster, and to readers who maybe wouldn’t have otherwise read it. I also think that with ebooks being on the rise, they are awesome for blog contests, so it can be open internationally. So many in the UK and Australia miss out since it’s like $20 to mail a mass market paperback.

What would be your best piece of advice for a book blogger/reviewer?

Be honest. Be true to your blog.  If you primarily review sci fi or fantasy, don’t pick up a romance to review it specifically to trash it or call it non-quality literature. Same goes to romance reviewers, don’t grab a chick lit or sci fi just to trash it.  Always stand by your work. Book blogs have more weight in the blogosphere than some realize. 

 What’s the turnaround time expected when you give a reviewer a book to review?

Unless the author and the reviewer have a specific date in mind, I’d like to see within a couple of weeks.  I know we all have real lives, but if you accept a book from an author, that author expects a decent turnaround.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I love book review blogs. I spend waay too much time on my favorite book bloggers sites.  But I love when the reviews are posted on goodreads too. I’m a huge goodreads addict and I think seeing the reviews on goodreads with a link to the blog is always a great way to find new book blogs J

And I’d like to thank BittenbyParanormalRomance for having me on to share my two cents 

Where to find Laura Hunsaker and buy links

www.laurahunsaker.wordpress.com


 NCP and both the ebook and paperback can be bought there
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/laurahunsakerbooks.html

here's fictionwise for the ebook:

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b117678/Highland-Destiny/Laura-Hunsaker/?si=0

and amazon for paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Destiny-Laura-Hunsaker/dp/145652139X/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1301354707&sr=8-10

Here's twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/laurahunsaker


Laura is giving away a eBook copy of Highland Destiny.




Todays swag giveaway from me to one lucky random commenter is Susan Lyons bookmark and 3 excerpt from different books all autographed

Check out all the giveaways for this event by me Laurie  click here.


Make sure you leave your email with your comment or question. All winners will be announced when the event is over. 


I normally don't ask, but if you enjoyed this interview and think other bloggers would enjoy enjoy this event please hit the twitter button, so we can share this with others. Thanks Laurie

Guest author Laura Hunsaker with giveaway of Highlander Destiny

Please welcome Historical author Laura Hunsaker!!


I started writing this as the typical author bio, and how I got into writing...and I then I chucked it.  I wanna talk hunky Alpha Males. Why do you think women want to read about Alphas? My answer is probably totally unrealistic, but I'd love to be looked at by some incredibly hot laird, or werewolf, or vampire, and just be told "Woman, you are mine." Then he'd haul me over his shoulder and take me to his man-cave and we'd spend endless nights exploring each others' bodies and falling asleep sated and in love.

Riiiight.

In real life, if some guy told me that, I'd think "Stalker!"  But in Romancelandia, it works.  Why is that?

I got to thinking that it might be the whole fantasy thing. I read for both escapism, the chance to "be" someone else, if only for a few hours. And I read because it's more fun for me than TV (granted with 2 small kids, my tv programs are usually Spongebob and the Wiggles). But  If you read some of those early bodice rippers (the kind with Fabio on the cover), you get a lot of forced seduction.  And they would fly off the shelves! Why? What's the draw?  And I truly think it's because in our fantasies, we are "safe."  But in my fantasy, maybe I don't want safe...

Well, my fantasy started with me and some hottie Scottie hunky highlander (I'm known as the Highland Hussy after all).  But I still want to be my snarky sarcastic lovely self with this chauvinistic Scottish Alpha male.  Instantly I've time-traveled to Scotland.  But I need him to not only believe me, but believe in me as well.

And that's how I started my book, Highland Destiny.

 I'm not some super kick-ass heroine like Buffy, but I am a strong woman of the 21st century and I wanted my character to reflect that.  I know we suspend belief when we read fiction, but I don't want it to be too "out there." So I made Mackenzie a believable girl from our time.  But something has to tie her to my Alpha male's century. So I gave her a dream.  A recurring nightmare that she's had since she can remember.  And spoiler alert...it's not about our hero Connor.

So how does she get him to believe she's not just a nut job or a witch?  How does she show him that she's not affiliated with his rival clan, as he is led to believe? All these things factor into how my Alpha hero is going to treat her, and how she's going to not only deal with the time-travel, but how will she survive?

Places to find Laura
http://www.laurahunsaker.wordpress.com/
If you check out the site below you'll find you can read the first two chapters.
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/laurahunsakerbooks.html


Highland Destiny blurb:

Mackenzie Stewart’s in Scotland for a much-needed vacation.  During the castle tour, Mackenzie becomes completely enamored with a painting of one of the previous lairds.  Two gentlemen come up behind her and, begging her pardon, they kidnap her, dragging her through time.

The men are sorcerers attempting to end a feud that has plagued their lands for years.  Their patron has begun to dabble in the black arts, and between his irrational thirst for power, and his dark secret, the sorcerers are frightened.  They believe Mackenzie can break the Stewart curse.  They try to convince her to play along with their crazy scheme: marriage to the evil John Campbell.

Before Mackenzie can protest, her carriage is halted and the door thrown open.  For a split-second she is arrested by the same beautiful piercing blue eyes that belonged in an oil painting.

Mackenzie then finds herself the victim of a second kidnapping! 

Her new captor, however, does nothing but tempt her body and her temper.  Believing her to in fact be the betrothed of his mortal enemy the Campbell, Connor originally sets out to capture his enemy’s betrothed.  He never thought he would be so attracted to her that he’d want to keep her.

Giveaway time!! Please leave an email to let us know your entering.Giveaway ENDS Dec. 23 midnight!
So my questions to you are, what's your fantasy?  Do you prefer an Alpha male? Or do you like the beta?  One lucky commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my ebook Highland Destiny.

Review Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker

Title: Highland Destiny
Author: Laura Hunsaker
Source: Requested review
Genre: Historical time travel
Format: eBook Novel
Authors website 

Mackenzie Stewart’s in Scotland for a much-needed vacation. During the castle tour, Mackenzie becomes completely enamored with a painting of one of the previous lairds. Two gentlemen come up behind her and, begging her pardon, they kidnap her, dragging her through time.

The men are sorcerers attempting to end a feud that has plagued their lands for years. Their patron has begun to dabble in the black arts, and between his irrational thirst for power, and his dark secret, the sorcerers are frightened. They believe Mackenzie can break the Stewart curse. They try to convince her to play along with their crazy scheme: marriage to the evil John Campbell.

Before Mackenzie can protest, her carriage is halted and the door thrown open. For a split-second she is arrested by the same beautiful piercing blue eyes that belonged in an oil painting.

Mackenzie then finds herself the victim of a second kidnapping!

Her new captor, however, does nothing but tempt her body and her temper. Believing her to in fact be the betrothed of his mortal enemy the Campbell, Connor originally sets out to capture his enemy’s betrothed. He never thought he would be so attracted to her that he’d want to keep her.

My Review:
Rating:

Sexual:

This is Laura Hunsaker first published book, its very entertaining, a fast pace read. I have to hand it to her she writes a very interesting and fresh adventure. I would suggest this book to anyone that loves historical time travel.

Mackenzie and her friend are visiting an old castle in Scotland. Never in her wildest dreams she’d ever thought that the turn of events to come would change her life forever as she knows it. As she is pulled back into time she embarks on an adventure that has danger and one Scottish hottie that she cant resist. You see Mackenzie has to help stop a curse, so she is the one to save the day so to speak. You just have to read to find out how these turn of events happens and how Mackenzie is to help with this curse.
Conner is going to hijack his enemies new bride, so he cant have her. In the turn of events to come, Conner finds this woman is a little different, she dresses half naked, talks too much and wont mind anything he says, so this tends to get on his last nerve. All he knows is she stirs things in him that hasn’t been stirred in a while.