The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire by Molly Harper

In the next book in Molly Harper’s beloved Half Moon Hollow paranormal romance series, Gigi starts her first job (at Vampire Headquarters), gets over her first love, and may even fall for her first vampire!

Gigi is no longer an innocent teen. All grown up and looking for love, her family and friends worry she’ll go for the sexy, alluring vampire instead of a nice, safe human. But sexy and alluring, with a penchant for biting, could be just what Gigi wants...

My Review:

If I'm being 100% honest... it's a 4½ (not the full 5 stars/hearts/flowers rating that I show below - why, oh why, did I not make ½ ratings?  *Note to self: make ½ ratings*)

OK, moving on.  The one single thing that made everything worthwhile (and my eagerness to round up my rating to 5): Ophelia getting punched in the face.  *Boom*

*and there was much rejoicing*




 *and there was even more rejoicing*



Seriously, if any character was ever asking for a punch in the face, it's Ophelia.  I've developed a long, slow, burning dislike of this perky 'teen' vampire.  Well, perky is really more of a nice way of saying sociopath, but I'm a Southern lady and would never use such a crass tone.  *smirk*

You want snark?  Yup, this one is strong with the snark.  Looking for a slightly New Adult Paranormal slant?  Why, yes.  Rebound's got ya covered.  Romance?  A strong yes, although it's not so steamy that you'll be embarrassed to read in public.  Vampires?  Indeed.  No sparkles anywhere, just the occasional trashy T-shirt the Dick managed to save.  Want to see characters from other books?  Granted, not the entire team assembled, but it was quite close and lovely to see previous characters I fell in love with.

I feel I should give a bit of a disclaimer here... the combo of Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi (narrator) are one of my feel-good drugs of choice.  Well, specifically the Jane Jameson and Half Moon Hollow series varieties.  They are my happy place, and a near instant auto-buy in audio format.  I'm a fan of Molly Harper's PNR books, but her contemporary romance can be hit or miss for me.  Long story short, my overall love of the series might be coloring my thoughts a bit on this specific installment.  It's not outside the realm of reason.

The reason I'm fighting the full 5 rating on this... while sexual angst and tension ran rampant, it was a hair speedy and I really wanted more background (and just plain MORE in general of) "Mr. Tall Blonde and Bitey".  On one hand, this is a fun, flirty PNR in it's hayday - so one expects a little 'fast forward' and improbable, dangerous situations that create a fast, firm bond between Gigi and the mouthwatering vamp.  But on the other hand, there are moments I wish for a little less flirt and a little more show and tell of the building relationship.  Throw in the fact that this is Gigi we're talking about, and we can throw those hands ALL out the window.  She's like the angsty, young adult/new adult little mascot... for vampires?

In the grand scheme of the series, it's not my favorite but it's most definitely not my least favorite.  I will most definitely put this on my re-read rotation.  If you're looking for some fun and have followed the series*, I'd highly recommend picking this gem up. 

*There are some spoilers unless you read the Jane Jameson series first, then read the Half Moon Hollow series.

While I received a free paperback book from XOXOAfterDark  as part of their XOXOperts street team, I also purchased the audio as well.  I also will happily give Audible my money each and every time there is a Molly Harper/Amanda Ronconi audio available. That should be a BIG NEON SIGN that my thoughts are honest and not just stroking the metaphorical hand that feeds me.  My acceptance of the book in no way guaranteed my review would be favorable.

Author Bio (from website)

When Molly Harper was eight years old, she set up a “writing office” in her parents’ living room, complete with an old manual typewriter and a toy phone. And she (very slowly) pecked out the story of her third-grade class taking a trip around the world and losing a kid in each city. She had a dark sense of humor even then.

 

When Molly was considerably older, she headed for Western Kentucky University, where she majored in print journalism. After graduation, she landed a job with The Paducah Sun and married her high school sweetheart, David, a local police officer. After six years at the newspaper, Molly took a more family-friendly secretarial position at a local church office.

Her husband worked nights and Molly was alone with their small child in the “The Apartment of Lost Souls.” A big fan of vampire movies and TV shows, she decided to write a vampire romance novel. Molly created Jane Jameson, a bit of an accidental loser. Jane is single, almost 30, and a librarian working in Half-Moon Hollow, Ky. She has become a permanent fixture on her Mama’s prayer list. And despite the fact that she’s pretty good at her job, she just got canned so her boss could replace her with someone who occasionally starts workplace fires. Jane drowns her sorrows at the local faux nostalgia-themed sports bar. On her way home, she’s mistaken for a deer and shot by a drunk hunter. And then she wakes up as a vampire. The three-book Jane Jameson series–which includes Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs,Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men and Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever—was released in 2009.  A fourth and final installment, Nice Girls Don’t Bite Their Neighbors, was released in 2012.

Molly continues stories in the Jane Jameson universe through her Half-Moon Hollow series,Driving Mr. Dead, The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires, Undead Sublet, and A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses.  Undead Sublet is a short story in The Undead in My Bed anthology.  A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses will be released in June 2013.  A special free audio holiday novella, I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas, was released in December 2013.
Molly will update her popular Naked Werewolf romance series in 2013. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, was released in February 2011, quickly followed by The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf. A third installment, How to Run With a Naked Werewolf, will be released in December 2013.  Her first-ever “haunted house story,” Better Homes and Hauntings, will be released in June 2014.

Molly will launch her first-ever contemporary romance series with My Bluegrass Baby in December 2012.  Rhythm and Bluegrass was released in October 2013.
Molly’s books are published by Pocket Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. They are available in print, as e-books and audio books at major book stores and on Amazon. Molly is a native of Kentucky. She lives in Paducah with her husband and children.

Molly Harper/Snarky Romance with Bite website

... and did you know there was merchandise at Zazzle?  I feel like Yogurt from Spaceballs, "Merchandizing, Merchandizing!"

This is one of my personal favorites:

Buy it for yourself 

Have fun with her 

'Half-Moon Hollow Vampire Name Generator'

mine is:  Bellatrix Snodgrass

Visit her 'Character Graveyard' 

 ... and as one final fun addition, if you're a fan of this series, you'll get it.

Shirt says, "This is a disguise. I'm a possum."

Hired Gun Rlease Day BLITZ!

Hired Gun 2 by A.J. Bennett

Erotic Paranormal Romance Serial

Assassin Thorne Hollow wants to know two things. Who is the mysterious Kataya Clarke and what the hell kind of mind games is she playing with him? His curiosity causes him to do something he hasn’t done in over two thousand years. He returns to his home realm only to find out that his father, Theseus had a hand in getting him his job with The Sicarii, the secret society of hit men, leaving Thorne even more confused. Pissed off, Throne takes his rage out on a nest of vampires. He ends his night with yet another beautiful woman who is not what she appears to be.

Buy Hired Gun (Book #1) at Amazon

About the Author

A.J. Bennett lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and bulldog. She's addicted to coffee, popcorn and books. Becoming an author has been a lifelong dream, and she's extremely excited about her debut novel Now or Never.

Website / Twitter / Facebook 

A.J. Bennett's Amazon Author Page 

 

Night & Day ~ 'A Suze-sized Short Set after the 19th Year'

Something is wrong with Suze. His memory, his magic, even his muscles have all gone mental. If he's not careful, the underworld's version of the loony bin may be his next stop.

Not ready to give up the goat yet—if he had one he didn’t eat that is—Suze sets out to stop the mystical mayhem. Unfortunately, this isn't a fairy tale, and Suze isn't Snow White felled by an apple waiting for a kiss. Nor is he Prince Charming. 

Nope, he's just Suze. A destroyer demon stuck without the one person who probably kept him sane for the last eighteen years. Mackenzie Thorne. Or, maybe, just maybe, Mac made him insane, and what was once wrong is now right.

The only thing Suze is sure of—maybe—is that he needs to find the cure. However, with boy wonder memory-less and Mac in California, he’s not even sure where to start.

Of course, once he does figure it out, everything will fall into place like a well designed set of dominoes. Where the path leads, though, is a place Suze never would have expected.

The entire series has been a blast thus far ~ so many supernatural critters!  I can't wait to sink my teeth into this little morsel!  And Suze is just fabulous!  How cute is that cover, too!

• This is a novella (<30 k--="">
• This will be available in print and ebook.
• Release date is February 10, 2014 - just in time for Valentine’s Day
• The price will be $.99!

Be sure to check out Emi Gayle's Blog Post!

Add Night and Day to your GoodReads shelves!

Here is the 19th Year series reading order:

Crossroads Blog Tour with Excerpt!

Crossroads

A Demos City Novel
by Jonathan Lister
Release Date: November 4, 2013
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Thriller/Suspense, Werewolf

Book Blurb: Werewolf. Bar bouncer. Dad. Standard traits for any self-respecting, reformed criminal, living under the radar in Demos City. For Leon Gray, normal is what he wants — for himself and his not-yet-changed teenage daughter.

Playing bodyguard to crusading reporter David Hastings would totally ruin Leon’s peace, especially since Hastings has hired killers on his trail, pros who know how he takes his espresso in the morning, and where Leon lives.

The payoff, though, would fill up Shauna’s empty college fund, and in a battle between opportunity and ordinary, money wins. He just has to keep Hastings alive long enough to cash the check.

If only he didn’t have to save his daughter, too.

As a budding wolf, she’s piqued the interest of a local pack Alpha — one Leon knows will steal Shauna right out from under him the first chance he gets.

Leon isn’t about to give up on his daughter or Hastings, and will fight for both longer than it took Demos City to see werewolves as equals to humans.

He can only hope it doesn’t take a thousand years.

(*The original photograph provided didn't 'translate well, so here is his Goodreads Author Profile photo.)

Author Bio: Jonathan Lister is a full-time writer with work appearing in outlets of USA Today, The Houston Chronicle and many others. A graduate of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, he’s waited an unspeakable amount of tables en route to having the career he wants, and the ability to the tell stories he loves. Crossroads: a Demos City Novel is Jonathan’s first book-length work of fiction. He currently lives in the Philadelphia area and continues to drink too much coffee.

Author Social Links:  Welcome-to-Demos on Facebook

Goodreads Author-Jonathan_Lister

Twitter: @realjonlister  Blog: ijonathanlister.wordpress.com

Book Excerpt:

ONE

The Bouncer

‡

Breaking a beer bottle over someone’s head rarely knocks them unconscious. Oh, it’s going to hurt like hell, probably make a good-sized gash in the scalp but hardly ever just a quick dose of shut-eye. What they’ll end up with is a wound that looks a lot worse than it actually is. The best an opponent can hope for is the element of surprise and the moments of disorientation that the hit causes. If the bastard is serious about it, he can use the jagged edges of broken glass to do some real damage. A shame this isn’t a Western. When a beer bottle connects with a cowboy’s head in one of those old movies, he hits the floor in a few seconds.

I’m not a cowboy. I’m something else.

“Gray! Watch out!” Jenny shouts from behind the bar, but I already know Frank is coming. Guy lost his job last week—ten years as a call center supervisor. He’s been in here every night since. Now he’s drunk enough to think I’m the reason his company shipped his job off to the Philippines.

It’s taking him forever to swing that damn bottle at me; I’m getting bored.

He’s harmless on most nights, talks a lot about how he’d like to blow up his old work, but ends up passing out in his car. People in front of me are pointing and shouting over the din of music and bar talk, obviously trying to warn me. It’s the whiskey’s fault Frank is coming after me. That doesn’t mean I can make an exception. Everyone in here knows the rules, knows what’s coming.

The bottle connects with the back of my head and shatters. I don’t move. Broken glass sticks in my hair, even draws some blood. I let the pain run down my back along with the cheap beer and hold my breath until the shouting sting fades to a grumbling throb.

Yep—hurts like hell.

“Fuck you, Leon!” Frank shouts. His breath is acrid and brimming with rye as it washes over my neck. Its scent tells me how much alcohol is in his blood. In all the movies Frank has ever probably seen, it’s only supposed to take one hit, so I know he’s is waiting for me to fall down. In fact, he’s probably praying I fall because no way he’s got a next move planned.

A bar that was roaring with life a moment ago is all spectators, front-row seat types. Most everyone in here knows me, knows what I am. Frank does, too; it’s why he needs to quit the whiskey. The pool tables are quiet. No one’s playing darts, not even bringing glasses to their lips. There are no footsteps on the hardwood floors. The customers are all a mixture of bloodlust and pity, waiting to see what my first move is going to look like. The bell sounds in my head as I turn around.

This is the fun part of my job.

Making Connections Blog Tour ~ Crimson Midnight ~ Not Your Mother's Fairy Tale

 

Crimson Darkness Blurb:

London is in the grip of an unnatural darkness. Rose is in the grasp of an unrelenting power and Raven and Thistle, along with their supernatural allies, are battling to survive and find a way to restore their home city.  

For the fey, the song remains the same. They must return the power to Faerie or die. Unfortunately for them, the task has been superseded by an even more important one - help save Earth or perish along with it! For Rose, the stakes are even higher as she is forced to make a terrible deal that will damn her if she does and damn her if she doesn’t.  

Now enemies must work together as allies if they are to save their worlds from an ancient threat…  

This Book Is Intended for Adult Audiences Only.

 

Review:

This will probably sound weird... but this book both reminds me immensely of the Fever series but at the same time it's a completely unique story.  It's dark, sexual, almost raw and primitive in the utter dark reality that London remains in the grip of.  For the remaining residents, life is unlikely at best and slow torture of being eaten alive at it's worst.  Even on a re-read, knowing what will happen, it still is riveting.

  So rarely when authors use an ensemble of characters do you find such a well-rounded group with such distinct 'voices'.  I love (and sometimes hate) each one of them, even sadistic Faye is enthralling despite her actions causing me to shudder.  And the mythology in this is still unique, and the interesting names assigned to the unknowns are almost fun (that's SO not the right word but I can't think of a better one) to learn.  Like the fever series, not just the supernaturals but the 'other' are so varied and numerous it almost makes my mind spin.  If you are a fae lover like me, you'll get your desire and then some, but you might get a little more than you bargained for.  These are NOT fairy godmothers, NOT some cute barbie doll that will grant wishes, but rather honest and both light and dark (with maybe some more emphasis on the dark).  These are not your fairy tales from your youth.

  While we are discussing characters... it MUST be mentioned.  Roman is a doucecanoe of epic proportions in this book, but there IS method behind this madness.  Have faith, even if I found that task difficult at best.  Damn asshat.  Too sexy for his own good too, and he even uses it as a weapon.  *Shiver*  Not sure yet if it's a good shiver or a bad shiver- maybe both at the same time.  Rune sure does go far as a balm for my shivers, though.  These pages are just teeming with every brand of book boyfriend a paranormal lover could be looking for- of either persuasion!

  This is not a world I want to find myself living in, but in the comfort of my favorite reading nook it's a dark pleasure to slip into.  Might make you feel a hair dirty, make you need to take a cold shower, and leave you vibrating with anticipation on the last pages... but it's worth every. single. second.

 

 

Be sure to also check out my review from Book #1, Crimson Midnight!

(also includes pictures of my 'fantasy cast')

Diva Terri's Review of Crimson Midnight

 

Author Bio:

Amos Cassidy - a team of two. Amos is a 29 year old Diva and Cassidy a 36 year old mum of three. Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles. They have been writing together for four years and are currently working on the third book in their Crimson Series. 

 

Social Media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amos-Cassidy-World/172592816124684 Twitter: https://twitter.com/amoscassidy  

 

Blogs:

http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/ http://crimsonseries.wordpress.com/
 

 

Book buy links:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crimson-Darkness-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00EVA5R7Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1379323033&sr=1-1&keywords=crimson+darkness  

 US: http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Darkness-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00EVA5R7Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1379323078&sr=1-1&keywords=crimson+darkness

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Check out ALL the stops of the tour for more fun things! Interviews, Reviews, and More!

Oct. 29th ~ Bookaholic

Oct. 30th ~ Exaggerated Rants and Strange Musings

Oct. 30th ~ Judith Leger

TODAY ~ Dark Obsession Chronicles

Nov. 1st ~ Novel Worms

Nov. 2nd ~ These Are But Shadows

Nov. 3rd ~ Making Connections Blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sophie's Birthday Week ... It's a Sunshine Day!

18 year old Sophie Jean is pretty good at acting normal. Sure, she’s not exactly happy, but happiness is nothing compared to being like everyone else. She can pretend she’s not allergic to the sun. She can hide what her ex-boyfriend did to her. She can cover up the scars she’s made for herself. Ignore anything. Forget anything. Then Myles enters her life, and he has more than a few secrets of his own. When accident after accident keeps happening to Sophie, she can’t help noticing that he’s everywhere. That he knows too much. That she’s remembering too much.   

It’s one thing covering up her own dark past, but does she really need to worry about people finding out just how much Myles likes her? Or that despite how much she doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes, she kind of likes him back? Not to mention the fact that she now has to conceal that Myles drinks blood-that he says he’s about four hundred years old.  

She almost forgot about that part.

But Sophie has no plans to ruin the normal life she has created for herself. She can deal with this little glitch, no problem. Even if word has gotten around to the wrong vampire about Sophie and Myles, even if she’s putting the few people she loves at risk. Suddenly, those who were monsters before are just people, and the monsters? They’re real. Now being a normal human being is the least of her problems.  Now she has to stay alive.

Sophie’s life has changed. She’s moved to New York, she’s playing music for new people, and she’s making new friends. Then there’s Myles, and the fact that he is now her boyfriend—and everyone knows it. There are a lot of new things to take in, but Sophie has no problem adjusting.

She’s not exactly normal, living in a half-human, half-vampire world, but she’s finally, truly happy. But some parts of Sophie and Myles’ old life still hide in the dark, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

Sophie’s having nightmares again, but they aren’t about her; Myles is hiding something that she’s not sure she wants to know.

And one lie will change everything.

No matter how hard she tries to cover up the marks her monsters have left behind, they never truly go away, and Myles’ monsters are no different.

Once again, Sophie’s caught between life and death, but this time, only she can save herself.


  
Nikki Rae is a student and writer who lives in New Jersey. When she is not writing, thinking, or reading, she is most likely hanging out with her gecko, Neil Gaiman, drawing in a quiet corner, or drinking tea by the gallon. Sunshine is her first book.

Check Out Diva Terri's Review of Sunshine at Passionate Book Divas!

 
 

Lunacy Blog Tour ~ Shift of Reality

 

I couldn't help but get drawn in by just the cover alone...

Lunacy blurb:

 "The glance at the clock on my night stand told me I had half an hour to get ready and be on my way to school. Senior year. The last big hurrah before the veil of childhood was burned away to nothing and the real world could sneak up and bite a huge chunk out of your ass. Unless you grabbed it and got a bloody mouthful of flesh first, that is."

All Kacea Meade wants is to finish her senior year of high school and get out of the little backwoods town of Elm Valley. But she's distracted by the social pariah, Jynxx Davison. Drawn to him in a way that she can't explain, and can't resist.

Jynxx is Ulven, a werewolf, and the last of his pack to discover his heritage. His awakening stirs something in Kacea, a key much sought after by ancient beings faded into legends. Can she
sacrifice everything she holds dear to keep it from them?  Filled with werewolves, vampires, Norse gods, and a touch of romance, the first book in the Ragnarok Legacy is sure to satisfy any lover of the paranormal/urban fantasy genre.

Links to books and Amazon author page

Lunacy

Author page

Bio

Mainly a writer of supernatural/urban fantasy fiction, Randi's been seriously writing since she was 13, honing her craft to have a blade of storytelling as sharp as her rapier wit. Inspired by a childhood full of action and horror films, as well as a more-than-healthy dose of comics (both American and not), her writing style has often been described thus: "It felt like I was watching a movie, not reading a book." With a style heavy on both visuals and plot, she hopes to enrapture many with her prose.  She began what has now become known as The Ragnarok Legacy when she was a junior in high school. The first book "Lunacy" is now available, after being revised and in the works for nearly a decade. She's working on the sequel "Sanguinarium" to be released sometime in the fall/winter of 2013.

Randi (Miss R.A.) currently lives near (but not in) the thriving metropolis of Baltimore, Maryland. She shares her home with her two cats, Chester and Nergal, a dog rescued from Afghanistan who goes by the name Renegade, her son Hunter, and her husband Adam, who proudly serves in the United States Military.

Contact Info

Blog

Website

facebook

twitter

pinterest

goodreads

google+ 

Lunacy by R.A. Sears


I have to admit, I was on the fence. It was a sharp pointy fence, too. The best way I can think of it is 'before' and 'after'. There is a significant event, a climax of sorts, about halfway through the book that is the pivotal moment. I really want to give a spoiler-free review, so I'm trying to not give away anything...

'Before'
I. Loved. This. Adored. I was smitten and happy as a clam. Kacea is snarky and funky and a touch geeky. She was a rebellious teen that chose to blaze her own path; she was SO my kind of gal! I enjoyed hearing her thoughts and really it was almost like watching a movie or TV show in book form (in a good way). Like Friday Night Lights meets Supernatural or maybe even Being Human. There were awkward moments, it was almost cute. But then running amok through all that happiness, the 'Moment'.

*Sigh*

'After'
I have to be honest here... I didn't 'get' it. There was this major reveal of sorts at the end (pretty much cliffhanger city- bring a parachute) and I just don't understand. I got lost somewhere along the way. The 'Moment' went so long unexplained, and I swear it seemed like body snatchers were involved. Like, the movie Inception. Is it a dream within a dream? This book warped my noodle but in a frustrating way. Looking at the reviews from other readers, they must have 'got' it. They had to. Maybe I'm just missing something.

Beyond Kacea, there are several other characters that are an absolute treat. While Jynxx does have the panty-dropping rocker next door skillz, Conner really intrigues me. I almost wondered if the romance was going to swing his was a few times. We seem to get a larger peek into Connor that I wish we saw in Jynxx. My mistrust of actions in the 'After' portion of the book made me question motivations and wonder. Additionally, there were so many side characters (of varying degrees of importance) that it was difficult at times to keep everything straight (well, 'pack' and especially 'clan' doesn't sound small, does it?)

This was a really, really hard book to rate. I had to weigh everything, and I think the tipping point was the vivid, unapologetic descriptions won me over. Chunks were flying, gore got in hair, leather sofas had to be wiped down... it was messy and real. I liked that; so much so, that it can overcome my frustration with 'missing' what the story is trying to tell me. Maybe I can ponder it out, maybe not; either way I am totally down with checking out more in this series. It is rather original, I have to give it props. I would recommend it... but if you read it and 'get' it- PLEASE clue me in!

I received a free eBook in exchange for an unbiased review as part of a Nevermore PR blog tour.

Crimson Darkness ~ Are You Ready for the Reveal?

Crimson Darkness Blurb:

London is in the grip of an unnatural darkness. Rose is in the grasp of an unrelenting power and Raven and Thistle, along with their supernatural allies, are battling to survive and find a way to restore their home city.

For the fey, the song remains the same. They must return the power to Faerie or die.  Unfortunately for them, the task has been superseded by an even more important one - help save Earth or perish along with it!  For Rose, the stakes are even higher as she is forced to make a terrible deal that will damn her if she does and damn her if she doesn’t.

Now enemies must work together as allies if they are to save their worlds from an ancient threat…

Take a job down memory lane to a previous stop here at Dark Obsession for Amos and Cassidy...

Author Bio:

Amos Cassidy - a team of two. Amos is a 29 year old Diva and Cassidy a 36 year old mum of three.

Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles.

They have been writing together for four years and are currently working on the third book in their Crimson Series.

Social Media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amos-Cassidy-World/172592816124684

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amoscassidy

Blogs:

http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/

http://crimsonseries.wordpress.com/ 

Hello, Alana and all you fabulous people! Amos Cassidy here.

Crimson Darkness (Book 2 in the Crimson Series) is on its way – coming August 30, 2013

To celebrate, we’ve come to visit Alana on her awesome blog and share with you the hot cover and an excerpt from the book.

So kick back, relax, pour yourselves a cocktail or two (or a nice cuppa as an alternative) and take a glimpse into the Crimson World…

CRIMSON DARKNESS EXCERPT

Rose lay back in her sun-lounger, dark glasses shielding her eyes from the sun’s bright rays. Her body, clad only in a two-piece bikini and slick with sun block, felt warm and lazy.  She closed her eyes and visualised the beach around her; its sands almost as white as snow, the sea like millions of droplets of aqua crystals.  This was perfect.

“We should have done this a long time ago.” The playful voice pulled her out of her reverie and she sat up pushing her glasses to the top of her head to regard the speaker.
Roman shrugged his broad tanned shoulders and leaned back onto his sun-lounger. 
“Just saying, we shouldn’t have waited so long.”

“Well we’re here now, so let’s just enjoy it.” Her lips curved in a nostalgic smile as she took in his solid lithe form sprawled out beside her.  His hair was bleached blonde by the sun, his eyes hidden behind shades of his own.  He was beautiful and she would never tire of caressing him with her eyes.

“You want to go for a swim?” he asked.
To swim with Roman, to feel his arms around her, his body wet, slick, and hot against her own, she sighed. “Maybe later.”
“Plenty of time.”
“Yep.”

“You look really hot in that bikini by the way.” She felt his breath warm on her cheek and cracked open her lids to find his face intimately close to hers. His smile was playful, sensual, desire darkening his emerald eyes. He leaned closer, his lips brushing the corner of her mouth.  She closed her eyes and allowed herself to revel in the sensation for a moment. Her eyes burnt hot in her head and she blinked against the sting of angry tears.  She pushed him away.

“No.  No touching.  Please.  Let’s just…sit. Okay?”  She looked up into the face she loved, her eyes pleading.
Roman sat back on his hunches, regarding her with an unfathomable look. 
“Whatever you want, Rose.”

Rose closed her eyes.
When Rose opened her eyes the sun was gone, instead she found herself under a blanket of stars twinkling fiercely in a clear night sky.  No smog, no clouds, no obstruction.

“It’s something else isn’t it?” Roman asked from his spot beside her on the picnic blanket. The beach was gone and they were now in a moonlit park. “I’m glad we did this.”
“Me too.” Rose whispered softly.  The night was balmy and warm and the sundress she wore was soft and slinky against her skin. As she lay on the picnic blanket, one arm thrown across her forehead, the other by her side, she realised she may be losing the battle. It was a night for passion; she could feel the heat emanating from Roman. 

All she needed to do was reach out and touch him, to say the word and he could be hers forever. As if hearing her thoughts he shifted closer; a soft rustle of fabric, heat caressing her bare arm, her legs.  She closed her eyes and felt him leaning over her. 
“Look at me, Rose.”
She opened her eyes and stared at perfection, drank him in, allowed herself to believe. 
“Yes, Rose.  I am all that you need.”

She wanted to believe, wanted to forget, wanted to accept.  It would be so easy to give in, to stay, and to be happy.  She must have made some sound, maybe a tilt of her chin, a look, something that screamed acquiesce because his lips were suddenly descending towards hers.  She closed her eyes and opened herself to her fate.

A blinding light split the night sky and Roman stilled above her, his face a mask of fury, every muscle poised to flee or fight.  Pain blossomed in her shoulder, sudden and white hot.  She gasped and struggled to push Roman away, he was, however, unmoveable, impervious to her discomfort.  His eyes were on her but his attention already diverted.

“You are not welcome here.” He spat out through gritted teeth. 
Rose tried to slip from Roman’s grasp but his hands gripped her tightly, his fingers digging painfully into her shoulders.
“Leave now,” he said.

The light pulsed and then dimmed.  Rose craned her head to look over Roman’s shoulder and gasped.
“None of this is real, honey.” A familiar woman smiled at her from the edge of the picnic blanket.  Her gaze raked over Roman.  “Except him of course.” A look of sorrow flitted across her face, but was quickly covered by one of determination. “You have no claim here,” she addressed Roman and suddenly Rose was free and Roman was standing a few yards away in the shade of a maple tree.

The woman held out her hand to Rose. “I think its time we had a chat don’t you? Mother to daughter.”

I give the series a to-date a rating of:

Falling Stars Blog Tour ~ Surah Stormsong Book 2

Shooting Stars:

Surah Stormsong is one of the most powerful Sorceresses in the world. She is a princess who is next in line for the throne. As someone who has lost almost everything to this world, she only wants to pull away from it and live a normal life, but when Highborn ladies start being murdered and the Black Stone-a weapon that is capable of great destruction-goes missing, she is called upon to solve the issues and return her people to a state of safety.
But danger lurks inside the castle walls as well, and when she runs into Charlie Redmine, a common Sorcerer Surah met once as a child, things grow complicated very quickly. He is the main suspect of the murders, but Surah is powerless against the connection she feels to him. Time is ticking, and if she doesn't figure out what's going on things will go from bad to worse, and an entire kingdom will suffer for it.

From the author of the bestselling series, The Alexa Montgomery Saga, comes a tale of star-crossed lovers and magic, of hope and love and loss. The greatest question is, can love overcome all?

Falling Stars

Surah Stormsong's life has fallen down around her in the past week. Her father is in a coma induced by demon poison, two Highborn Sorceresses have been murdered, and a crazed Sorcerer by the name of Black Heart has made it his mission to take the kingdom for his own. As princess, and next in line to the throne, Surah is his primary target. But he's not the only one she has to look out for.

Now, Surah is on the run, having just helped Charlie Redmine escape from the castle dungeons. This makes her a traitor in the eyes of many, as Charlie is not only a common man suspected of murder and treason, but also Black Heart's younger brother.
The stars are crossed against the two lovers, the universe trying to keep them apart. In the end, will the stars align for Surah and Charlie, or will they fall from the heavens, dead and lifeless, like the tears of angels?

Guest Post from H.D. Gordon:

First, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Alana for allowing me to post here today. She has been a huge supporter of me and my work since nearly the beginning, and it has meant the world. So, thank you, Alana Lee Rock. You…uh…rock. J

I struggled a little with what to post about here today, went into it thinking I would just do a post about my upcoming book, Falling Stars. As I sit here writing, though, I find myself compelled to speak to the writers who may be reading this, and not the readers. Wait! Don’t leave just yet, Reader. I think what I have to say may be motivational to anyone who has decided fully what they want out of life, so come now, let me do what I do and share my words, my view of the world translated through those words.

Two years ago, I was a single mother of two, a miserable full-time waitress, a mediocre student at a local college, and a victim of life. Today, I am still a single mother of two, but I am full-time writer, a true wordsmith (excuse the ego, but such is necessary for anyone who truly intends to succeed at what they do) and an all-around happy and fulfilled person. Great for you dickwad, you might be thinking right now, but also allow yourself to think that this can be great for you too. Allow yourself to want all that you want. Dig?

I have always believed the greatest thing any writer needs is encouragement. I still believe this is true, and not just for writers, but for everyone. I now believe that there is also something else writers (and everyone else) needs, and that is utter faith in oneself.

Let me tell you a story. This story does not come from my mind, but is a passage from a book I’ve started reading. I have simply relayed it here in my own way. I think it is one we should all hear. I’ll keep it short.

A white man is standing in his barn one day, speaking with another white man, who is a friend of his. The time in which these men are living is that of the slave days in the United States, when the meager progression of the American mindset had just allowed African Americans to become sharecroppers.

As the white man is standing in his barn, a little black girl who is the daughter of one of the sharecroppers comes in. The white man looks at her and says, “What do you want?”

The little girl answers. “My mama needs fifty cents.”

The white man has fifty cents to spare several times over, but his answer to the little girl is, “I will give no such thing. Now be gone with you.”

The girl responds, “Yas sah,” and the man turns back to the conversation he was having with his friend. He doesn’t notice that the little girl has not left her spot in the doorway of the barn.

When he does notice she is still there, he says, “Didn’t I tell you to get out of here? Now get out before I take a switch to you!”

The girls responds, “Yas sah.” But still she does not leave.

The man gets angry, plucks a board from the corner of the barn, and stalks over to the girl, his face all business. “I will teach you not to disobey me!” he yells. He is nearly on top of her now. He raises the board over his head to strike her. “Now I will beat you—”

“MY MAMA NEEDS THAT FIFTY CENTS!” the girl screams in her shrill little voice, just as the man is about to reach her. The man pauses in his tracks. His jaw falls slightly slack. He studies the little black girl’s face for a moment. Then he reaches into his pocket and removes a half dollar. He hands it to the girl.

The girl takes the money, backs out of the barn slowly, and hightails it home.

The two white men stand there staring after her, not understanding at all what power the little girl had just exhibited that so fully cowed the white man, at a time in history where this was something unheard of.

The power was simple. The little girl went to that barn knowing she was going to leave with the fifty cents for his mother, or she wasn’t going to leave at all. This is the type of conviction that as a writer, as a person, is necessary to get what we want in life. The faith that you will accomplish what you set out to accomplish. The unwavering faith in oneself.

You will face failure, but how you respond to that failure is what matters. The Universe loves to trip people right before the reach success, just to see if they are worthy of that success. So, what I’m saying is, write truly, and forever. Don’t let the opinions of others deter you from your goals. Don’t let them or any temporary shortcomings make you quit what you know you are meant to do. (I’d still be a waitress if I’d listened to most around me.) Don’t let yourself think small, because we have to think, so we may as well think big.

Write on, brothers and sisters. Write on.

Just because this part of the post is inescapable (we want to sell books, yes we do!) I’ll leave you by saying that Falling Stars will be released on Sept. 15^th, and I humbly implore you to mark your calendars, because on release day it will be available for only $.99, then the price will go up. So, get caught up and pick up the first book, Shooting Stars today. I promise you won’t hate it. J

Thanks again, Alana. Ya know I love ya, girl!

I am SO excited about this next book.  *Sigh*  I really hope it all works out, I've gotten so attached to so many of the characters.

Testing Fate Blog Tour ~ I've Given My Allegiance To the Swoon Queen

The Mystic Wolves – Book #1

What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?

Someone is trying to send a deadly message to Mason, arranging the deaths of those he loves and it puts the entire pack and Alpha on high alert. Darcy understands the primal instincts driving her beloved Mason's commands. With the help of those he sets as protectors, she learns about herself and the things she'll need to help support her Alpha and pack. When events turn dire however, one truth offers her strength - once given, oaths are unbreakable ... even if it means risking it all.

Buy Links: FREE

Amazon

B&N

Smashwords

Forget Me Not – Book #2

Only a fool would think they could steal from a werewolf …

Anticipating a quiet night alone with the man she loves, Darcy’s world is sent into a spin with the arrival of someone from the past—Mason’s. She is further shocked by the intruder’s claim she may not even be the true mate of the Mystic Wolves Alpha. Accusations start to fly, leading to her new enemy being granted asylum, and this is just the beginning of trouble.

Relying on the reassurances of Mason and the support of her friends and Pack, Darcy soon falls under attack. Suspicions are raised, and with no other choice, she must flee with Devlin to safety where hopefully they can untangle the lies hidden behind the use of magic. Time is quickly ticking away, leading to a showdown where everything is on the line.

They need to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or once again, Darcy will need to fight to hold onto her dreams.

Buy Links: $2.99

Amazon

B&N

Smashwords

Testing Fate – Book #3

Nothing burns as bright as the flames of the refiner’s fire.

Moments after hearing the Council sentence her enemy to life imprisonment for attempted murder and illegal use of magic, Darcy is whisked away by the Fates—accused of tampering with destiny. The cherished dream she shared with Mason has been called into question, placing doubt about whether they are actually true mates. To resolve it, a price must be paid—the Heart or Death—a grueling series of tests designed to reveal a person’s worth.

The stakes are high and Darcy finds herself facing the unknown in conditions that leave her more vulnerable than she’s ever been. Separated from Mason and her Pack, with Devlin as her only companion, she is pushed to her very limits. She must succeed—or lose everything.

Will she crumble under the pressure or emerge stronger for testing fate?

Buy Links: $2.99

Amazon

B&N

Smashwords

My Review of The Mystic Wolves Series to Date:

First of all, how swoony are those covers?  Sorry, but it needed mentioning.


The Mystic Wolves by Belinda Boring
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really, I'd only go 3½♥'s... but I chose to round up solely because the end left me swearing and opening book #2, Forget Me Not on my Kindle. There is a significant cliffhanger at the end of the book, like the last line practically.

I want to say that The Mystic Wolves had large amounts of world building, but it really didn't. Internal emotional drama, yes. Perfecting the art of sex without any actual sex (really intense kissing, basically), yes. And apparently I missed the memo somewhere about why they had to wait for some mating ceremony thingy (almost the beginning of book #2 has since answered that question.)

I'm keen to continue, but I wasn't bowled over by this first book. I am still looking quite forward to reading more from Belinda Boring, book #1 in a series is rarely a knock out of the park to start with.

Forget Me Not by Belinda Boring
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, this was better than book #1. 4 solid ♥'s. But then again, who doesn't love a good cat fight? Er, well, female werewolves fight?

Amber was someone you could easily love to hate. Poor Darcy and Mason, just trying to reach that mating ritual finish line and they just can't get a break! It was also nice finding out more about some of the other characters, and I have to admit I rather enjoy the vampires we've been introduced to so far. Even Mr. I'm-the-dorkiest-vampire-ever (God helps us all if he even gets his hands on the Night Huntress series and further tries to 'emulate' the literary vamps rather than be himself.)

Belinda... what are you doing to your readers with these endings? It's not just a hook into the next book- you're lucky I've got Testing Fate here on my little defenseless Kindle and ready to read. Had I needed to wait, there could have been some anger issues.

I received a free eBook from Belinda Boring in exchange for a review.
 
Testing Fate by Belinda Boring
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4♥'s, plus a little swoony extra.

This third installment of the series has firmly created a fan of this series, for this reader. I'll admit, after the first Book, The Mystic Wolves, I wasn't sold. Even Forget Me Not, Book #2, it wasn't a done deal. It may have not shined like the gem it is initially, but each book added to the series makes it a diamond in the rough. It may take a little extra effort in the beginning, but it is well worth your reading time if you have a soft spot for swoony shifter romances (that are not pornographic.)

Belinda has finally given me a somewhat cliffy end that hasn't made me cuss. To clairify, previous books are notorious for these hook endings that leave you sending glare daggers at the author (well, had I not read books 1-3 back-to-back, I totally would have been glaring after book #1 and #2) So now, I'm ready for book #4, but won't need to kill anyone for not having it ready right this second.

I received a free eBook from Belinda Boring in exchange for an honest review. I received no monetary gain for my unbiased opinion.

Author Bio:

A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devouring her latest read, you can find her celebrating her passion for book on her blog The Bookish Snob.

With all that excitement, it wasn't long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can't help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn't be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.

Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!

Contact Links:

Official website

Twitter

Facebook

 a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Check out the ENTIRE tour for all kinds of Swoony Extras!
Sorry I don't have all the links... was running late and that task was just too daunting at 4am!

JULY 1st


BEST BOOKS

DARK OBSESSION CHRONICLES (You Are Here!)

FATED PARANORMALS

OH MY SHELVES


JULY 2nd


AUTHOR JAYSON JAMES

READING IS MY TIMEOUT

BEX & BOOKS

ROMANCE BOOKWORM

LITERARY REDEMPTION


JULY 3rd


LAGNIAPPE BOOKS

UNITED BY BOOKS

GIRLS HEART BOOKS

I LOVE INDIE BOOKS

MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME


JULY 4th


INTO THE NIGHT REVIEWS

CRIMSON REVIEWS AND IMMORTAL WORDS

DELPHINA READS TOO MUCH

DON’T FEED THE MIMSEY

KAINA’S BOOK BLOG


JULY 5th


SUPPORTING INDIE AUTHORS

THE SECRET SANCTUARY OF BOOKS

SASSY BOOK LOVERS

THE O’RAVEN CHRONICLES

JEAN BOOKNERD


JULY 6th

A PAGE AWAY

BLACK WORDS/WHITE PAGES

SABRINA’S PARANORMAL PALACE

KRISTINA’S BOOKS AND MORE

A WORLD OF WORDS

NAUGHTY BITS BOOK REVIEWS


JULY 7th

TSK TSK WHAT TO READ

LYNDSAY AND JANES VIEWS AND REVIEWS

PARANORMAL BOOK CLUB

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

BOOKEND 2 BOOKEND

TAM’S TWO CENTS

GIVEAWAY #1

~ EBOOK COPIES OF MYSTIC WOLVES SERIES, QOS SWAG


GIVEAWAY #2

~ SIGNED COPY OF MYSTIC WOLVES, QOS SWAG


GIVEAWAY #3

~EBOOK COPIES OF BROKEN PROMISES & ENCHANTED HEARTS , QOS SWAG


GIVEAWAY #4

~SIGNED COPY OF BROKEN PROMISES, QOS SWAG


GIVEAWAY #5

~ SIGNED COPY OF ENCHANTED HEARTS, QOS SWAG



GIVEAWAY #6

~QOS T-SHIRT, QOS SWAGE


GIVEAWAY #7

~ SIGNED COPIES OF THE MYSTIC WOLVES SERIES

~ EBOOK COPY (WINNERS CHOICE ANY BB TITLE), QOS SWAG

~ NOOK OR KINDLE AND GIFTCARD (EITHER B&N OR AMAZON)