Shadow Marked
Author Anna J. Evans
Paranormal romance
NAL trade paperback 308 pgs. Authors website
Book description
Samantha Quinn has been in the dark since age six, when her parents sacrificed her sight in a Satanic ritual. She is trying to get over her demonic past, but horrific lifelike visions haunt her. Her intuition gets stronger and clearer after a wild, adrenaline-fueled sexual encounter with Jace, her brother's childhood friend. And now Samantha is more tormented than ever by what she can "see"-and by what she felt in that forbidden encounter...
Samantha must now prevent the deaths she sees in her premonitions and protect her body from the same demon from her twisted childhood. Her dark curse reveals that Jace will be the next victim, and it is crystal clear that she must destroy the demon to protect her love.
Laurie's reivew
Rating-
Sexual-
I believe this is the first book I really didn’t look forward to write a review on. It wasn’t a bad book, I just couldn’t get into it like I wanted to. It has a really good world that was easily explained. I just more or less fond the story just there, nothing to even really get excited to write about. You know how you read a book and it will still stays in your mind after three days or so, well not this one with me. I’m still getting nothing.
I will have to say I loved the ideal that the heroine is blind. Samantha is a also very strong in other words, she doesn’t let her blindness get in her way and she is ready to take on a demon even though she can’t see them.
Her brother Stephen is really over protective so over protective it will make you mad the lengths he go to keep her with him, but she is to strong for him to win.
Jace, I didn't care for him. He is one that whines about how he cant have the girl (Samantha) just about the whole book, because he is ruff with women or he cant open that door to let it free. But yet he cant stay away form Samantha. I didn’t care for the romance in this book, there was only one good sex scene the other two just didn’t do it for me, the reason is because they don’t have full sex, so out of the whole book you get one good all out sex scene between them.
This book has a great new world and it has lots of fighting and excitement, but it seems to drag out before all the good excitement comes in. The back of the book pretty much sums everything up. I would like to say the last chapter was my favorite it was a really good ending. The is also an excerpt for the next book Demon Marked I am looking forward to reading it.
Book description
In the heat of the desert night, passion rises like a flame...
Raised in a brothel, Allegra Synnford quickly learned that survival meant taking charge of her destiny. Now, as a renowned courtesan skilled in the pleasures of the flesh, she vows she will never be vulnerable to any one man...
Sheikh Shaheen of the Amazigh has been hiding from his past for a long time, but not enough to forget how another courtesan made him abandon his life as the Viscount Newcastle. When Allegra ignites his desire, his need threatens to undermine his cover.
With old enemies circling, experience tells him he must resist her charms at all costs. But Allegra has her own game to play...with a man who can't afford to lose.
Laurie's review
Rating-
Sexual-
I really like this book. It starts out typical boy and girl meets asks her for a night and girl says no then the guy just has to have her. As you keep reading it starts to turn really good and dangerously exacting. The girl (Kismet) gets kidnapped and the guy (Shaheen) saves her by buying her form a evil man. Then things starts heating up between them, but there is still the threat that the same evil man will come back for Kismet. So Shaheen sends her away they don’t part well at this point meaning Shaheen tells her lies to get her to leave for her safety, but is it really? OMG NO! its not for the best!
If you like historic romance with happiness, sadness, sizzling romance, betrayals and enemies. You may like this one too. I have to say I really felt sorry for Kismet, I would not want to be in her shoes what she goes through alone from the evil man is enough to make you use a box of tissues. I would love to tell you more, but this book is to good to spoil to much.
It takes along while before you read sizzling romance between Kismet and Shaheen, I will say for someone like me that likes more of it and earlier in the book, I never really missed it because of all the different emotions going on.
I would like to also add there are times where Kismet and Shaheen are at odds or not with each other, but its not like other books I have read this one has the love between them and I felt it while reading it. So it didn’t upset me or make me mad like the other books did.
My goodreads friend Vanessa joined me here last night, I had lots of fun. Sherrilyn came out and we went right into questions time. I found out I have to read Nicks book just to see how him and Artemis turns out. Then we lined up for our book signing and Sherrilyn staff gave a way loads of prizes. I left after that it was around 9:00 pm I have no ideal what they did until 12:00 am. Here is some pic.
Here is the winner of the child costume contest
Picture of the adult costume contest Sherlock's sponsored the book signing. Here is a picture of the owners wife.
Vanessa and Sherrilyn brother. He had his cd's and tee's there for sale. Click here for more info on his cd's
Poster that was given out at the end of the book signing. You'll see this for a giveaway at a later date.
My book and some free items that was there
I won this and had Sherrilyn signed to giveaway on here.
The Highlanders is taken over our paranormal blog today. So lets show some paranormal *clears throat* I mean Scott love to Author Kimberly Killion.
BIO:
Award-winning author, Kimberly Killion, has been hailed by Romantic Times Magazine as an author who writes “captivating romance with excellent pacing and characters who are honorable, intelligent and full of humanity.” Her debut book, Her One Desire (Kensington 2008), was nominated for the romance-publishing industry's highest award of distinction, the RITA® Award. Her One Desire won the 2009 Booksellers Best Award for both Long Historical and Best First Book. In addition, Kimberly’s writing received an Award of Merit in the 2009 HOLT Medallion. She was recognized in the 2009 National Readers’ Choice Awards, the 2009 Golden Quill Awards, and the 2009 More Than Magic Contest. Romantic Times Magazine awarded Kimberly’s second Scottish-set novel, Highland Dragon (Kensington 2009), with the K.I.S.S. Award and said this is “a tale to cherish.”
A desire that defies all limits…
and a love that was meant to be…
Scotland 1502. Akira Neish has been raised as a peasant, her belly often empty and her family subject to the cruel whims of her clan's laird. To the clan's children, the horned shaped birthmark she bears means she is a witch. But she is neither peasant nor witch—and now the man who knows the truth has returned to claim her for his own.
Calin MacLeod has kept Akira's secrets and to avenge his father, the sensual young laird must marry her. He is more than a match for the fiery nature of the woman he adores. Yet the passion they share—and truths that can no longer remain hidden—could rip all of Scotland apart...
LINK to embed book trailer:
Highlander Dragon Excerpt
Hidden behind a false panel, ten-year-old Calin MacLeod covered his ears with sweaty palms. The screams echoing throughout Brycen Castle were loud enough to loosen his teeth.
Lena Kinnon cried for mercy with every gut-wrenching contraction, but didn’t receive the slightest morsel of compassion from the many men present. Her position held no dignity, sprawled atop the council table like a sacrificial lamb. The wool of her soiled sark draped between her raised knees and provided her little privacy. No one wiped her brow or offered soothing words of comfort.
A woman was supposed to suffer during childbirth to pay for the sins of Eve. Even at his young age, Calin knew the laws of the church. He also knew Lena had already suffered more than any woman in Clan Kinnon. The bruises speckling her pale skin were evidence of the constant torture she endured at the hands of her ruthless husband.
The sliver of space between the wooden planks where Calin hid was no wider than the trunk of a sapling, but provided a view of his da, Laird MacLeod, who stood against a stone pilaster opposite Laird Kinnon. Da’s dark hair had grayed at the temples over the recent months, and his face sagged in weariness, but his rigid stance displayed his contained rage. With his eyes narrowed, Da stroked the golden bull’s head engraved into the signet ring he wore and glared at his enemy.
Two pairs of MacLeod warriors flanked each side of his da, while four Kinnon warriors surrounded Laird Baen Kinnon. All were unarmed as was previously agreed upon by both lairds.
“Ye keep screamin’, wife. It’ll cleanse your black English soul.” Laird Kinnon paced the council chamber, a sneer twisting his pitted face.
Calin hated the chieftain of his neighboring clan as much as his da did. Laird Kinnon was a cold-hearted demon. Anyone who would beat his lady wife during her childbearing time walked upon this earth with the devil’s black blood flowing through his veins.
“Ye bear me another bitch and it will be your last.”
“Please, Baen, have ye no mercy? Send for the midwife, please.” Lena gripped the sides of her belly and arched her back.
Laird Kinnon slapped her across the face with an open palm. Sweat sprayed over the tabletop. “Still your tongue, wife, or I’ll cut it out.” He spread his arms wide, gesturing to the many warriors present. “There be plenty o’ eager hands awaitin’ to catch my male bairn as soon as ye free him from your spoiled womb.”
Calin bit his tongue to avoid cursing the man as venomously as his da always did. Calin had lived his whole life without a mam to kiss his cheek or offer him praise. Over the past few months, Lena had been like a mother to him. She was kind and gentle and Laird Kinnon should burn in the deepest pit of hell for the way he abused his lady wife. Calin didn’t have to be an aged warrior to know this was wrong. Lena’s child was nothing more to Laird Kinnon than a binding contract.
A contract that affected Calin’s future. Which was precisely why he’d disobeyed his da’s direct order not to follow him to the Kinnon keep when word of Lena’s lying-in arrived. If Lena bore a daughter, the babe would become his betrothed.
Calin and his friend, Kendrick Neish of Clan Kinnon, had discovered the secluded compartment just two months past after stumbling into the pitch-black caverns beneath the castle. Since then, they had become privy to every council meeting between their clans. They knew of war and how the English wanted to reign over Scotland. Both had heard the gruesome tales of entire villages being slaughtered. Neither he, nor Kendrick wanted their clans to suffer such a fate. Calin knew they were supposed to be enemies, but they wanted the same thing—an alliance.
For five hours, Calin had hugged his twisted limbs in the narrow space while Lena labored in the corner. His arse tingled, and his toes had gone numb hours before inside his leather brogues. The dank odor of moldy floor rushes drifted into his hiding place. A prayer floated into his ear.
“Fàilte dhut a Mhoire, tha thu lan de na gràsan…” In the Gaelic tongue, Father Harrald prayed to the Blessed Mother while he paced the edge of the chamber. The granite beads of his rosary clattered with his every movement. The young priest had been summoned to perform the baptism or to administer Last Rites in the event this child didn’t survive—as Lena’s previous three babes had not.
Lena pushed and Calin sucked in air.
He exhaled when she did. Her whole body convulsed, his shivered. Wet ropes of black hair clung to her face and neck. Propped on her elbows, her head fell back. Her mouth opened, and she screamed in agony.
One of the warriors caught the babe just as it slid from Lena’s body.
Calin held his breath awaiting the outcome.
“A lass, Laird Kinnon,” the old man announced grimly while he held the babe by the ankles and slapped her rump. He then laid her atop Lena’s quivering abdomen.
Lena pulled the crying child to her breast and stroked her newborn skin. Relief washed over her face and tears spilled over her cheeks when she smiled at Da. All would be well now.
“Seal off the hall and bring me the other child.” The cord still attached his infant daughter to his wife when Laird Kinnon commanded his seneschal. His dark eyes blazed with contempt as he stared directly at Da. “Ye will ne’er hold claim to my land. Nor will ye e’er touch my wife again.”
“I have ne’er wanted your land.” Da stepped closer to Lena.
“But ye dinnae deny touching my wife.”
Da glanced at Lena.
A dozen broad-shouldered men materialized from the darkened recesses of Brycen Castle. Their weapons flickered beneath golden wall torches. A raw-boned nursemaid, escorted by another warrior, entered the chamber, her fear evident in sunken wide eyes. In her arms, she held another babe swaddled in stripped wool, its fists swatted the air. With trembling hands, she placed the babe in the crook of Laird Kinnon’s arm.
Confused, Calin studied the exchange. Laird Kinnon had agreed to unite their clans if Lena bore a daughter.
Laird Kinnon turned to his warriors. “Send their miserable souls to the devil. All of them.” His tone was devoid of mercy. Of compassion. Of any emotion except contempt.
He stepped out of the keep onto the stone rampart. “I have a son!” he shouted.
The villagers of Dalkirth roared their approval while the words echoed in Calin’s ears.
Nay! ’Tis a lie! He gawked in horror as the shadowed knights charged his clansmen. Da’s devoted seneschal used a flaming pitch-pine torch to defend the attack. His efforts were futile. With one swing of a halberd, a Kinnon warrior beheaded him. Another fiend slashed one of the MacLeod warriors from gullet to navel. Fists clutched enemy plaid as he fell to his knees.
Calin’s heart tripped. His hands flattened against the panel. His nose pressed into the crack. Oh saints, help them!
The saints could no more help his kinsmen than the bits of wood they used as shield and sword. The Kinnon warriors buried the steel of their weapons into the MacLeod’s flesh, spreading pools of dark blood over their crossbarred plaids. Slaughtered before his eyes were his Da’s most loyal kinsmen. Calin’s stomach convulsed and saliva grew thick in his mouth. He wanted to run and hide his eyes from the nightmare.
Standing amid the four fallen men, Da was trapped. His hand slid to the empty scabbard at his hip. There was no weapon. No claymore to defend himself against this preplanned attack. Six Kinnons surrounded Da. His father turned to Lena.
Calin froze. Unshed tears scalded his eyes. Run, Da! he screamed in his head, but instead, his da fell upon Lena. He brushed the tears from her cheeks then pressed his lips to hers.
A single warrior cast a shadow over his da like a demon cloaked in black mist. Leather-clad hands gripped the hilt of a battle-axe and raised the lethal weapon over his head. In one thrust, he buried the steel between Da’s shoulders.
Lena screamed as his body slid off her and crumpled to the floor.
Calin choked on the knot in his throat as the bloody massacre branded an image in his mind. His pulse pounded in his neck, making his cries hard to swallow. Terrified they would find him, he splayed his violently shaking fingers over his eyes, all the while chastising himself for cowardice. His world went black, along with his mind, his heart, his soul.
The dying groans of suffering drummed through his ears, but the scream slicing through the air brought sight back to his eyes.
Lena.
Shame flooded Calin as he watched the same warrior unsheathe a black dirk from his stocking. He held Lena’s chin while he slashed the sharp sgian dubh across her throat. With her infant daughter nuzzling at her breast, Lena’s head fell to the side, giving Calin one last look into crystal-blue eyes before the terror in her face vanished along with her spirit.
The warrior’s leathered hand hovered over the nape of the babe. His other hand held the weapon that would end her short life. The coppery taste of blood pooled on Calin’s tongue from where he bit the inside of his cheek.
Father Harrald dropped to his knees at the warrior’s feet. “Save your soul and cease. Please, cease. I beg of ye. The others had been baptized. She must be baptized.”
The Kinnon warrior hoisted the priest up by the hood of his habit and pointed his dirk at one of the other warriors. “Confess.” The clansmen gave their confessions one by one, binding Father Harrald to clerical secrecy. After the last warrior reconciled his sins, he shoved the priest toward Lena. “Ye may proceed with the rites. Someone will return to collect the babe.”
The men vanished into the shadows from whence they came.
The violent turn of events had Calin near to retching. He gripped his churning gut with clenched fingers and stared at the babe still nestled atop her dead mother’s bosom—daughter to the demon who murdered his father, but also his betrothed. He didn’t know whether to hate her or protect her. He had nary a doubt her brief life would tragically end in much the same way as Lena’s first three daughters.
The fire’s reflection flickered off the blade Father Harrald used to sever the cord binding the babe to her mother. The priest washed the remnants of birth from her skin and laid her in a pile of linens next to Lena. His voice quavered with the administration of blessed sacraments. “An tAthair, An Mac, An Spiorad Naomh.” Signing the cross over the babe, he blew breath upon her, and baptized her with holy oils.
Calin crawled from his hiding place, wiping the wetness from his cheeks. He raked the patch of brown hair falling loosely over his brow, while stepping over the blood and carnage. Unable to tear his gaze from his da’s body, he let the sickly sweet stench of death fill his nostrils and revive his spirit with the promise of vengeance. The metallic acid thickened in his throat, but he swallowed his fear. His grief. His newfound hate. He had but one purpose now—avenge his father’s death. And to do so, he needed the babe.
Father Harrald flinched. “Young Calin, ye must not be here.”
Ignoring the priest, Calin knelt at Da’s side. He brushed a lock of graying hair from his da’s damp brow and willed him to stand, but his skin paled as a pool of blood welled beneath him. Calin bent to his ear. “Blood of my blood. I’ll not fail ye, Da. I vow it.”
Father Harrald’s hand rested on Calin’s shoulder. “They’ll murder ye, just as sure as they will the babe. Ye must go.”
“Father Harrald, ye will see that Da and these men are returned to MacLeod soil. Get word to Uncle Kerk. Tell him I am weel, and I’ll be home soon.” Calin wished his voice didn’t falter. He needed to be a man, a warrior. He swallowed hard then pulled the signet ring from Da’s limp hand and set the engraved crest against a glowing ember in the hearth.
Calin couldn’t meet the priest’s eyes. “An eye for an eye. She’s the key to the alliance, and she belongs to me.” He spoke with defiance as he handled the squirming babe. He carried her to the hearth and set her atop a wooden basin. Using a strip of heavy wool to retrieve the signet ring from a hot coal, he rolled her onto her side and branded her bottom with the MacLeod crest. She let out a shrill scream, followed by shuddering sobs. He wrapped the babe in linens, then secured her in Lena’s stripped arisaid, fastening the wool with her family brooch. He held her close and attempted to coo her into submission. One day he would tell her about her mam and how kind Lena had been to him.
So many questions stirred in Calin’s troubled mind, but one in particular needed answering. “I know ye heard Da’s confession last week. I also know ye are bound by the seal o’ the confessional, so I’ll understand if ye cannae answer my question.”
“What’s your question, my son?” Father Harrald scanned the entrance to the chamber.
“Da loved Lena Kinnon.” Calin paused with his gaze fixed on the newborn bundle. “Is this babe of my own blood?”
“Nay. Lena was swollen with her fourth child before she ever met your da. Rest assured, your young bride is not your sister. Now ye must go, quickly.”
Retrieving a torch from a wall bracket, Calin reentered the nook. The babe whimpered against his chest. A tiny hand swatted his chin. She was warm and smelled of innocence. He glanced over his shoulder at Da’s body, his eyes lowered. He should have done something. At least tried to stop them. He was weak, spineless. A coward.
Calin’s eyes found Father Harrald, his skin gray with worry. “What will ye tell them when they return for the babe?”
“I’ll tell them a warrior took her. ’Twill not be a lie.”
Interview with Kimberly
Laurie-Have you always been a writer? Do you have or have you had another career? If so, how did you make the transition/how do you keep your careers separate?
Kimberly-No, I haven’t always been a writer, just very creative. My mind is never at rest. I work part-time as a Graphic Design Instructor at a college in St. Louis. Although an artist by profession, I traded my paintbrush for a pen about ten years ago. After writing and illustrating a mystical world of fairies, I began to explore the realm of romance novels. I discovered a passion for words within the arts and do not feel there is much of a separation between the two. Art comes in various mediums; oils, watercolor, computer graphics. To me, it is the same when authors create ‘word pictures’ through writing.
Laurie-Why have you chosen to specialize in Scottish Historicals?
Kimberly-Ummm…because Scots are HOT. There’s nothing sexier than a braw man in a kilt. In all seriousness, I just like the time period. It is dark, passionate, and shrouded it mystery.
Laurie-You have quite a few wonderful characters in Highland Dragon. Are you a visual writer? Do you see scenes and characters in your head? Or do you hear the characters voices?
Kimberly-First of all, thank you. :grin: I am a very visual writer. I spend a great deal of time with my characters. They sit beside me in my passenger seat as I drive to and from work. They tell me what needs to happen next in my book. Of course, we argue. I am the matchmaker, the antagonist, the mother, sister, friend, but the best part about interacting with my protagonists is I get to be them. As the heroine, I get to fall in love. As the hero, I get to be strong, handsome, flirtatious, witty… As the villain, I get to be sadistic and twisted. And as the author, I get to play with people’s lives, make them cry, make them laugh, make them fall in love. And if I’m lucky, I might just inspire one person—the reader.
Luarie-Can you tell us what your working on next?
Kimberly-I’m very excited to say I’ve just been invited to do a short for The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance which comes out in July. The story will be set in the Highlands on Barra Head in the 15th century. There will be witches and warriors and lots of sexual tension.
I’m also working on several other projects and hope to have more news to share in the future.
In closing, I would like to thank Laurie for inviting me here today. In gratitude, I would like to give away a copy of Highland Dragon to one lucky commenter. My question for you all is:
If you were the heroine in a book, describe the setting and what your hero would be like…
When entering the giveaway please leave your email.
Check out Kimberly website for more historical romance fun.
Enemy Lover- book one in the L.O.S.T series
Author Karin Harlow
Paranormal romance- vampires Authors website
ARC copy release date May 25th 2010
[close] When you have no alternative, then you call in L.O.S.T. Because with the
Book Description
Last Option Special Team, it’s do or die. . . .
It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T.—one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross . . . eliminate him . . . then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator.
Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, Special Ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right-hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice—her death or his.
Laurie's Review
Rating-
Sexual-
This book is totally different from any paranormal vampire book I have read. Harlow works her magic with this book she adds lots of suspense, throws in the paranormal spice then tops it with a political heated battle that will have you spellbound.
I want to add the first hundred pages is getting you familiar with both special Team Operatives and their characters, Jax, the senator and his family. In other words, it takes a bit before you get into the juicy between Jax and Marcus. If this tends to get boring please continue it, will get a lot better.
A Politian’s old seat and his families life hangs on a line between two team operatives. One operative The Solution is the vampire side (Marcus) the Politian has created to take out the bad in the city, but now he wants to terminate the operative. But they won’t shut down that easy. They go after his daughter (I want to add here there is a huge reason they go after his daughter and it surprised me who it was behind it). So the Politian calls another operative L.O.S.T the human side (Jax) to take care of things this is where Jax and Marcus meets. Marcus is ordered to take out the senator’s daughter. Jax is ordered to take out Marcus boss Lazarus. So while the passion increases between these two they both have to be careful to not reveal who they are really are and working for. It gets quite tense while Marcus is trying to find out who Jax is and working for and Jax is trying to get in on Marcus side and not reveal who she is working for. You’ll have to read to find out which Enemy side will cave and who will win and if the Politian will ever get his seat or does something else happen to him.
Jax, I loved reading her. Jax as Angela had something brutal happen to her in the past she takes matters in her own hands and ended up on her way to the big house. This is where the operative L.O.S.T. Team comes in. The leader of this team is Black (The Godfather) brings her in to make her part of the team. Jax has the tuff attitude that will take on any man and with her looks she does just that.
Marcus works with operative called The Solution's Team. His creator Lazarus (Colonel) is the leader. Marcus is of course, a vampire, is a killer in every since but he will not take out an innocent. I liked how Harlow writes her vampires and the powers she gives them. Plus how they can transfer that power to a human just by them drinking blood.
Jax and Marcus together makes for seamy hot romance scenes. One being my favorite on the balcony OMG it was HOT! The other is the first one, Marcus having vampire blood can scents things. So he knows that Jax has been hurt in the past so the first scents he takes her like a man or vampire in this case should, lets just say she forgets everything.
Bred by capricious parents for his innate leopard-shifting abilities, billionaire Jake Bannaconni has spent his life in an emotional vacuum--especially after a tragic twist of fate left him to raise his infant son alone. But when his path crosses that of an enigmatic young woman, Jake's life takes a detour he never fathomed.
There is something irresistible about Emma Reynolds--something Jake can't live without. Hiring her as his son's nanny will keep her close. And warm. And under watch. She's the first human to stir something in Jake, something he's never felt before. But Emma may not be at all what she seems. And what's raging between them is pure animal instinct--out of control, burning wild and as hot as the lick of a flame
Laurie's review
Rating-
sexual-
This story was so good until Emma went to live with Jake. I just cant get into a story where the man in the story can have sex with other women but yet he keeps the woman that he claims his at his house, so she cant go out to be able to have a life or sex life. Jake even tells Emma, yes he has sex with other women that he has needs. Well crap! what about hers? is she dead or something. All I can say is WHATEVER! Then one day Emma does go out on a date and he sees her and takes her away from the man! I don’t think I would fuss so much about this, but this is after two years of them living together and he even lays in the bed with her all this time with a hard on and she knows it and neither one of them does nothing. I just cant see that one. I found Emma to much of a weak heroine for me, she wouldn’t stand up to Jake one bit. There is a difference between dominating and controlling and Jake was to controlling for my taste. I read as much as I could of this mess and skimmed through the rest of the book.
The first of the book takes you through Jake abused life it fast forwards you from two years to thirty years. His life while living with his parents is really bad and sad. He meets Emma when his whatever she called pregnant woman with his baby has a car wreck in front of him he saves Emma, but could not save her husband. With Jake's abusive childhood he doesn’t know how to take care of a baby so he ask Emma to help him. Jake doesn’t play or do much with the kids he just works all the time. Again read bad and good review before buying this book to try to make sure its for you.
Now remember this is my option, a lot of people loves these books. I have tried Feheen Dark series went through 5 books and now this one and I just couldn't get into any of them. Everyone has different taste and Feheen is not mine.
Today is Staceys birthday, I wanted to let her know how much I appreciate her being my firend not only with what we read together but her just being there, if I need her. I know we dont get to see much of each other or get the time to talk like I like to but sometimes its the small things that counts the most. Happy Birthday!! I know you guys dont get to see her much. She works full time, with a husband and three kids. I hoping now that work has let up some, maybe she can get back on here more.
Paranormal and suspense writer Cynthia Eden is here today (WOOHOO!)So, Lets give her a big welcome.
Laurie-Do you have a favorite place you go to write?
Cynthia-I recently transformed a storage room in my house into an office—so now I actually have my own writing space (yay!). The new room has a great picture window that lets me stare out when I need inspiration. It’s a quiet, cozy space, and I love escaping inside to write.
Laurie-What is your favorite type of man you like to write about? My biggest reason for asking this is because most authors like to write about as you call them GQ or fantasy men, but what I really like about your books you don’t, and it makes the book more real at least to me.
Cynthia-I don’t like to write about perfect men. Don’t get me wrong, I like to write about heroes who are strong and sexy, but they’re flawed too (aren’t we all?). My goal is to get the reader to care about the hero in spite of his flaws—or maybe even *because* of them. I enjoy heroes who can kick-ass, romance a heroine, and still have a sense of humor that will peek through even the most dangerous of moments.
Laurie-Have you ever had a character that gave you a lot of trouble to write? If so who and why?
Cynthia-One of the most challenging characters for me was my demon Niol (from MIDNIGHT’S MASTER). In the previous Midnight books, I had set Niol up as a rather bad guy. Okay, he was just bad. But with MIDNIGHT’S MASTER, I needed to transform him into the hero of the book and still keep the edge he’d shown previously. Niol was never going to be a candlelight and flowers kind of guy—his life was more blood and death. So I felt like I needed to keep his darkness but show the emotion he was capable of feeling. Ah, Niol, you were a challenge!
Laurie-Do you have a favorite paranormal character in your Night Watch books? If so who and why?
Cynthia-Sandra “Dee” Daniels may be my favorite heroine (she’s in I’LL BE SLAYING YOU). Dee spends her nights hunting vampires and she spends her days—um, waiting for nightfall so that she can hunt. She’s physically very strong, but emotionally she’s fragile. I enjoyed her character so much because Dee always got to say exactly what she thought (anytime and anyplace). I want to be as bold and brave as Dee!
Laurie-Do you have any idea how many books you’re going to write in your Night Watch series?
Cynthia-I have written three books so far. ETERNAL HUNTER (01/10) Is the first book, I’LL BE SLAYING YOU (07/10) is the second, and the third book is ETERNAL FLAME (12/10) is the third. ETERNAL FLAME focuses on my hybrid demon, Zane, and that story was another very fun one to write!
There is one more couple that I’d like to write about in the Night Watch group. I can’t say anything 100% definite about that, but there was a certain cop in this series that really interested me.
Laurie-You write both suspense and paranormal, do you have a favorite between the two you like to write the best?
Cynthia-I love ‘em both. One of the things I’ve learned is that even when I’m writing my paranormals, I let suspense elements creep into the story. Switching back and forth between paranormals and suspense gives me the chance to refresh my mind a bit, and I feel very lucky to be writing in two genres that I enjoy so much.
Laurie-Cynthia, I seen on your website you have a new suspense trilogy/series coming out, can you give us some insight about this trilogy/series? And can you tell us a little on the characters that we will be reading about?
Cynthia-I’ll be happy to share! Thanks for asking! The first book in my upcoming “Deadly” series is DEADLY FEAR. DEADLY FEAR will introduce readers to the FBI agents in the SSD (the Serial Services Division). These agents track and apprehend serials—serial killers, arsonists, kidnappers, and rapists. The heroine of DEADLY FEAR is Monica Davenport. She’s a top profiler with a very dark past. When she is teamed up with her ex-lover, they are tasked with tracking a killer who turns his victims’ worst nightmares into reality.
I’ve written three Deadly books so far. In February of 2011, DEADLY HEAT will be available, and then in March of 2011, DEADLY LIES will be released. I’m hoping readers enjoy the new series!
Laurie-Do you have anything your working on now, you can share?
Cynthia-Yes! I was hoping you’d ask this question. I recently turned in a new paranormal romance to my editor at Kensington Brava. The hero of this particular book is a Fallen Angel of Death and my heroine is a vampire. A very unlikely pairing. If my hero wants redemption and to rise again, all he has to do…is kill the heroine.
Thanks! Cynthia for taking time to visit us and letting us in on some of your work.
Now time for the giveaway. Cynthia has been so kind as to giveaway one copy of I'll be Slaying You. This is open to US and Internationally.
Please leave comment or question and say you wanted to be entered and add you email. This way I know who wants to be entered. This giveaway will run for one day so please enter by 6:00am on the 21st.
Killing Me Softly book one in Secrets of Shadow Falls trilogy
Author Maggie Shayne
Suspense romance
NetGalley Author website
Release date June 29th
Book description
First you drink, then you die.
The Nightcap Strangler, who terrorized the town of Shadow Falls fifteen years ago, has finally been executed. Case closed. Until Bryan Kendall's lover is murdered in the notorious killer's unique style and the rookie cop stands accused. Has someone committed the perfect copy-cat crime...or was the wrong man put to death?
A continent away, Dawn Jones hears that her first love has been accused of murder and knows that only she can help him. But to do so, she'll have to face the very fears that drove them apart.
Together, they'll work to uncover secrets someone's willing to kill to keep, and renew a love as dangerous as it is inevitable. And their best lead is the girl found dead in Bryan's bed, reeking of the whiskey poured down her throat before her killer squeezed it shut.
A killer who thinks that Dawn, too, could use one last drink...
Laurie's review
Rating-
Sexual-
Wow, I simply loved this book and let me tell you that says something because, I’m one that loves my books with quite a bit of steamy romance in them, but this one didn’t give me that, nope. I know your saying so what kept me reading? Well it was because the story was so freaking amazing I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who was killing these women and why and then the story turned again to where you suspected someone else OMG, it was just an amazing ride one I wont never forget. I am not giving out to much in this review, I hate to spoil a great mystery. If you like a touch of romance and paranormal with your mystery, a killer that makes you shiver all over while you reading how he/she is killing these women, add this to your list. You also get to meet a few men and women that were just wonderful to read, plus you also get to read them again in the next book. I just love reading one character in one book and get to read their story in the next, you just seem to get to really know the character that way.
Very few spoilers
This story is about a serial killer that has been dormant for 16 years for some reason, (that I not telling) he/she comes back and starts killing again but this time the killer is after Dawn that’s all the killer kills is women that looks like Dawn. Dawn left her first love Bryan 5 years ago after she started seeing dead people. She didn’t say a word to Bryan she just left. Well when Bryan, a cop finds a dead woman he has been having a romance with in his bed he finds himself the main suspect. Dawn’s mother calls her to come home and help Bryan but she doesn’t want to she doesn’t want to see the dead or Bryan again because she knows she is still in love with him. This is one wild ride, while they are fighting feelings for each other they are running for their lives while the killer is still killing and making it look like Bryan is doing the murders.
This series includes
Killing Me Softly Release date June 29th 2010
Kill Me Again Release date July 27th
Kiss Me Kill me
On the same day as J.R. Wards book signing, Jacquelyn Frank had her new release Stealing Katheryn book signing at Sherlock's. I was of course, was at Wards. So Cathy was here and she was able to get us a book and pictures (Thanks Cathy)so I can giveaway on the blog. Here is some pictures of the book signing hope you enjoy them.
A picture of Cathy and Jacquelyn.
Now for this weeks giveaway. Cathy not only brought me the book but some other items that was at the book signing, they are 3 book covers and one magnet.
Rules you have to be a follower. This is open for US and Canada. If you are internationally and want to pay for shipping by paypal you can enter also.
Extra entries
1+ post this giveaway one your blog, facebook or twitter. Please provide link
