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Giveaway and Spotlight: Tristen’s Lyceum Wolves by Kym Grosso

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Whoo! It has been a week full of hawt shifter awesomeness here on Booked & Loaded this week! I promise it is going to continue! Today’s spotlight is Tristen’s Lyceum Wolves by Kym Grosso. In case you have not noticed…I have a SERIOUS obsession with wolves in Louisiana.

Tristen’s Lyceum Wolves is an Erotic Paranormal Romance released in March and is the third book in this series. I hope you enjoy the trailer and info! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to win a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and an autographed copy of Kades Dark Embrace (Book #1) and one runner up with receive signed paperback of KADES DARK EMBRACE (Book 1), a Mug, signed bookmarks and a Harley Davidson (Men’s Large) Wolf Shirt. *for international winners – see details below!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~About Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves, Book #3~

Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves

(Immortals of New Orleans, Book 3)

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Independent

Date of Publication: March 28, 2013

Blurb:

An erotic paranormal romance…

Charismatic and powerful Lyceum Wolves’ Alpha, Tristan Livingston, is out for revenge after a devastating attack on his pack. Not only did he survive a building collapse, he orchestrated the rebuild of his chic, state-of-the-art nightclub within a week. Determined to mete out justice, he rescues a beautiful witness who may be the key to helping him find the perpetrators.

Dr. Kalli Williams, dedicated veterinarian, is hiding a secret that endangers not only her own life but the lives of wolves across the country. After being tortured by a savage vampire, she’s reluctantly agrees to help the sexy Alpha in his quest to identify suspects; ones who’d kill her on the spot if they knew she existed. As Kalli places herself in the hands of the dominant wolf, she soon finds she wants nothing more than to submit.

Tristan, committed to ruling his pack as a lone wolf, is inexplicably drawn to the mysterious and enticing woman, who seems more than human, but not quite supernatural. As he discovers her secret, he teaches her the meaning of trust, helping her learn how to be true to her nature. After living a lifetime alone, will he succumb to the visceral need to claim her, acknowledging the soul binding connection between an Alpha and his mate? And will he prevail against the menacing enemy who threatens to destroy Lyceum Wolves?

Warning: This book contains several erotic love scenes, including m/f/m menage, and is intended for adult readers only.

AMAZON US ∫ AMAZON UK ∫ AMAZON CA

Check out the trailor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk_NQu6h5pY

~Excerpt~

Stunned by her beauty, he could barely breathe. Goddess, the woman was spectacular. The fiery red gown clung to her in all the right places, and he noticed a small smile grow on her angelic face, presumably pleased that she had castigated Alexandra. He needed to get to her, hold her. As he rushed across the room, Mira stopped him with a hand to his arm. She gestured toward an elusive client standing to her left.

Logan laughed, seeing Kalli triumph over the demon spawn who ran the vampires. “Hey girl, I hate to point it out, but man you laid her out…and that growl. What was that?”

“Dance with me, Logan,” Kalli declared, needing to move.

“Your wish is my command.”

They crossed the floor, and Logan swept her into his arms. As amazing as Logan looked, she yearned for Tristan. She could feel he was close. As the music grew louder in her ears, she swayed along to the classical beats, hyper-aware of his presence. Leaning her head on Logan’s shoulder, she finally spied Tristan near the buffet, surrounded by Mira and a short bald man.

His eyes caught hers, and her heart started to race. She wasn’t sure whether it was his pensive expression or aggressive stance, but she could clearly sense he was agitated. Logan spun her, and she lost his eyes only momentarily, then caught them once again. His predatory gaze electrified the room, sending goose bumps over her skin. As he stalked toward them, her breathing hitched. Like a rabbit alert to the wolf, she froze save for the mindless dance steps she made while blindly following Logan. As Tristan came upon them, she forced herself to face him directly. Larger than life, Tristan was sophistication etched in dripping sexuality. His dominance was apparent to every man, woman and supernatural in the room; there’d be no denying him.

Even Logan stopped dancing to respect his Alpha. Lowering his eyes in submission, he bowed slightly. “Thank you for the dance,” he whispered, releasing her.

Before she had a chance to say a word, Tristan wrapped a hand around her waist, pulling her tightly to him so they pressed together. She could feel his barely restrained erection nudging her belly. Suppressing a moan, she felt herself grow wet. She clenched her thighs hoping to hide her arousal; every supernatural within fifty feet would know of her excitement.

“Don’t,” Tristan ordered.

“Don’t what?” she managed to ask.

“Don’t try to hide it. Your delicious scent.”

“But they’ll know I …” Kalli’s words trailed off as she lost her train of thought. God, he felt incredible.

“I want them to know. I want them all to know you’re mine.”

“But I thought…I mean you came with her.” Her eyes darted to Mira.

“Business only, nothing more. Still, I’m very sorry I didn’t bring you with me. Clearly I was an idiot to leave you alone with my beta. Every man in this room is looking at you, Kalli.”

“No,” she denied, shaking her head.

“Yes. And they should. Because you’re magnificent. Everything about you from that alluring dress I bought you to your sexy growl. My Goddess, do you know what you do to me? Feel it,” he whispered, grinding his groin against her.

“Tristan,” she breathed. She was on the verge of orgasm from just dancing with the man. She couldn’t imagine what would happen if they made love.

“Did you enjoy dancing with Logan?

“What? Logan?”

“Yes, Logan. Did you enjoy having your sweet body pressed to his?”

“Oh God, Tristan.”

“It’s all right, Kalli. Did you find it arousing? Tell me the truth.”

“Another test?” she sighed.

“Truth?”

“Okay yes, but he’s not…he’s not you. No one I’ve ever met in my life is like you,” she admitted.

“Ah, see how easy it is to tell the truth, ma chérie? Perhaps you’d like to explore two men at once?” he teased with a sexy smile as if he’d thoroughly enjoy it.

She blushed, not denying it.

“Someday we’ll explore that little kink of yours, but tonight you are mine. In fact, I think you’ll be mine for quite a long time.”

“Confident, huh, wolf?”

“Would you ever expect anything less?”

He spun her around, continuing to brush against her. Tightening the grip around her waist, he ran his palm up her arm to her neck, until he reached her face. Caressing her cheek, he ran his thumb across her lower lip. “I want you so much, Kalli. I’m so sorry for everything. I shouldn’t have sent you to Logan’s. I was angry, but damn, I need you.”

She groaned and threw her head back, publicly baring her neck to him. Submission, truth, she’d give it to him all right. But what he needed to learn was that he was hers as well, and after tonight she had no intention of letting him go.

~~About the Author~~

Kym Grosso is the author of the erotic paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans. The series currently includes Kade’s Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1), Luca’s Magic Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 2) and Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 3).

In addition to romance, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She writes autism articles on PsychologyToday.com and AutismInRealLife.com. She also is a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.

Kym lives with her husband, two children, dog, cat and guinea pig. Her hobbies include autism advocacy, reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.

Website ∫ Facebook ∫ Twitter ∫ Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GRAND PRIZE:

$50.00 gift card to Amazon and an autographed copy of KADES DARK EMBRACE (Book 1)

Open to International Readers – *International winner will receive the gift card and an eBook*

RUNNER UP:

signed paperback of KADES DARK EMBRACE (Book 1), a Mug, signed bookmarks and a Harley Davidson (Men’s Large) Wolf Shirt.

Open to International Readers – *International winner will receive a $10.00 gift card *

For more excerpts and more info on this series don’t miss checking out the other stops on this tour!

6/01- Darker Passions

http://darkerpassions.net/

6/02- Toot’s Book Reviews

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

6/03- The Jeep Diva

http://www.thejeepdiva.com/

6/04- Larissa’s Bookish Life

http://www.larissaslife.com/

6/05- Bianca2b

http://bianca2b.wordpress.com/

6/06- Cocktails and Books

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

6/07- Curse of the Bibliophile

http://curseofthebibliophile.blogspot.com/

6/09- Urban Girl Reader

http://www.urbangirlreader.com/

6/10- Mimmi’s Musings

http://mimmismusings.blogspot.com/

6/11- Book Monster Reviews

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

6/11- Literal Addiction

http://www.literaladdiction.com/

6/12- United by Books

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

6/13- Close Encounters

http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.com/

6/14- Page Flipperz

http://pageflipperz.blogspot.com/

6/15- Mad Hatter Reads

http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

6/16- Book Lovin Mamas

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

6/18- Wicked Readings by Tawania

http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/

6/19- Booked & Loaded

http://bookedandloaded.com/

6/20- I Smell Sheep

http://www.ismellsheep.com/

6/21- Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies, Oh My!

http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

6/22- Bookin It Reviews

http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

6/23- My Reading Obsession

http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/

6/24- Ramblings From This Chick

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

6/25- For the Love of Reading

http://niinas-reading-and-reviewing.blogspot.com/

6/26- Bitten by Paranormal Romance

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/

6/28- You Gotta Read Reviews

http://yougottaread.com/

6/30- Reading Between the Wines

http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/

Posted in Spotlight, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Spotlight for Anne Marsh’s Blue Moon Bride Series

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Today I am spotlighting Tempted by the Pack and Pleasured by the Pack from the Blue Moon Brides series by Anne Marsh!

Erotic Paranormal Romance (especially involving shifters) is a genre I truly enjoy and this series has really grabbed my attention! Maybe because not only is it an Erotic Paranormal Romance, but it is also set in the Louisiana Bayou. (Another weakness of mine!!)

~About Tempted by the Pack (Blue Moon Brides, #1)~

by Anne Marsh

Erotic Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Self/Indie

Release Date: October 26, 2012

Heat Level: Sizzling

Word Count: 36,000

Amazon | ARe | B&N | Kobo

Blurb:

Once in a blue moon…

For Rafer Breaux, life in the Louisiana Bayou is harsh, violent—and deeply sensual. The Cajun werewolf lives for his Pack and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his brothers safe. The longer a wolf lives without a mate, the harder it becomes for that wolf to shift back. To remember that he is a man—and not a monster. And those mates can only be found during a blue moon. When a blue moon finally rises, Rafer will need every weapon in his sensual arsenal to tempt one special woman into his arms and the heart of the Pack.

The Pack hunts for mates

Fighting to keep her family farm, Lark Andrews isn’t looking for love. Even if the very sexy Breaux brothers make her dream of hot bayou nights spent in their arms. When the blue moon leads Rafer to her door, however, Rafer has her rethinking her position on all work and no play. Now, the bayou nights are heating up as Rafer fights to convince her, one sensual touch at a time, to give love and passion a chance. But Rafer isn’t a one wolf deal. Is there room in Lark’s heart—and bed—for Rafer and his Pack?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations (including multiple partners) and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

***See Excerpt at the end of this post!

~About Pleasured by the Pack (Blue Moon Brides, #2)~

by Anne Marsh

Erotic Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Self/Indie

Release Date: May 23, 2013

Heat Level: Sizzling

Word Count: 48,000

Amazon | ARe | B&N | Kobo

Blurb:

Dre and Landry Breaux do everything together. Fishing, fighting—and loving. A whole lot of loving. When the blue moon leads these Cajun werewolves to their fated mate, however, they’re ready to reform. Now, they’ll fight to keep the woman of their dreams safe from the evils lurking in the Louisiana bayou—and to tempt her into taking a chance on two of the bayou’s sexiest bad boys.

Mary Jane Johnson is no heartbreaker. Running from a troubled past, the bayou captain wants only to be left alone. When she takes a pair of bayou bad boys on board, however, Dre and Landry have her rethinking her need for space. These two big males have promised to take orders—all of her orders. Suddenly, she’s dreaming of getting as close as possible… to both of the Breaux brothers.

~About the Author~

Heated romance. Hot heroes. Happily ever after. Writing as Anne Marsh, I am known for deliciously sensual romance. My nationally best-selling shapeshifter romance, THE HUNT (Dorchester, October 2009) was a double finalist in Borders/RomCon’s 2010 Readers Crown contest. Dorchester released BOND WITH ME, a fallen angel romance set in Moscow in the near-future, digitally in September 2010 and in trade paperback in July 2011. BOND WITH ME was also a finalist in the 2011 Readers Crown contest. Kensington Brava released the follow-up book, HIS DARK BOND, in April 2012 and the book made bestseller lists at Barnes and Noble.

Fall 2012 saw the launch of my sexy contemporary romance series from Kensington Brava about smoke jumpers fighting fire and finding love in Northern California (BURNING UP, October 2012 and SLOW BURN, April 2013). BURNING UP was the featured book in a December 5th, 2011 Times magazine article on military heroes and romance novels. A spin-off series about hotshots starts in July 2013 and I’m also writing an erotic paranormal series about Cajun werewolves searching for their fated mates in the Louisiana Bayou (TEMPTED BY THE PACK, PLEASURED BY THE PACK).

I live in Northern California with my husband, two kids and four cats. After ten years of graduate school and too many degrees, I escaped to become a technical writer. When not planted firmly in front of the laptop translating Engineer into English, I enjoy gardening, running (even if it’s just to the 7-11 for slurpees), and reading books curled up with my kids. The best part of writing romance, however, is finally being able to answer the question: “So… what do you do with a PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures?” You can visit me online at www.anne-marsh.com.

Email | Website | Twitter | Facebook

~Excerpt from Tempted by the Pack~

“Caught you,” he growled in her ear.

“Let you,” she growled right back.

Rafer turned her around to face his unmated Pack members and asked her the question they all wanted to know the answer to. “Who do you choose? Pick one.”

“Hell, pick us all,” Dag drawled.

Pick one.

Lark leaned back, savoring the masculine heat pressed up against her. She hadn’t had a lover in years, so maybe this feverish need was her subconscious’s desperate S.O.S. Because, God, the Breaux brothers were hot. The reality was so much better than the rumors she’d heard. These men focused on her looked hungry.

And Rafer Breaux had his hands on her. Finally.

“You got fantasies, chère.” Rafer’s words were no question.

She let her head hit his shoulder, looking up at him. “Guess you weren’t kidding.”

“I warned you. We need you,” he said, his voice low and harsh as he bent his head to her ear again. Like a lover whispering compliments, except she couldn’t imagine him doing the pretty. He was too straightforward. Too blunt. She liked that. Rafer Breaux wouldn’t lie to her.

His thumb stroked over the pulse in her wrist, and she wrapped her free hand around his. When she tugged, he didn’t let go.

Around them, the other men moved closer. Watching. “This feels good.” Rafer sounded confident. Certain. Suddenly, putting herself in his hands seemed like an excellent idea. “You wan’ to try us all?” He made the suggestion like he was holding her plate at a buffet, waiting for her to point and choose. “You can. No worries.”

She shook her head. There were some places she wasn’t going tonight, no matter how strange the bayou bred them. “I don’t know your brothers,” she protested.

Amusement colored his words. “You want introductions? You and I, we know each other.” He made that brief acquaintance of theirs sound intimate. He gestured one of the other men forward. “This here is Dag. The twins, Dre and Landry. And over there are Luc and Jackson. These are my famille.”

Dag wasn’t as tough and mean-looking as the man currently pinning her wrists to her side—and she hadn’t overlooked how he held her in place and showed no signs of letting go—but he was still plenty rough around the edges. His short, dark hair was cropped close to his head, drawing her attention to his bronzed skin and the hard lines of his face. He was no playful, laughing lover—and yet the hungry look in his eyes tugged at her.

“Don’ you want to play with us?” Dag pulled her hand away from Rafer, pressing his mouth against her palm. His tongue tasted her, and she felt an answering spasm deep in her womb. His eyes flared as if he knew about that secret arousal. “Lark Andrews.” He crooned her name like it was a secret code he’d just unraveled. Part of her knew she should have been concerned. She hadn’t given him her name, and yet he knew her.

“I don’t do this kind of thing.”

“But you could.” Rafer eyed her steadily. “If you wanted to. There’s nothin’ wrong with a little touchin’. A little pleasure. And we could give you a lot of pleasure, chère. Bring those fantasies of yours to life.”

She stared down at the male forearm holding her so close, impossibly tempted.

Dag smiled slowly. “We’ll make it good. We’ll be just the littlest bit naughty.”

There was no misunderstanding the sensual hunger on his face, filling his eyes—or the answering chord that hunger plucked deep inside her. She’d been so very, very lonely. Yes, she decided, relaxing her body against the man who held her. Rafer. He smelled delicious, so for one long moment she stretched against him.

He was hard and erect, but when she moved, he froze. As if he was afraid he’d frighten her, when all she wanted to do was reach around and wrap her fingers around him. Explore every delicious inch of him.

Rafer was a fantasy man, and damned if she didn’t deserve a taste of something sweet. It was night, she was lonely and out here in the dark of the Louisiana headlands, the bayou’s black magic surged and pulled at her. There had to be a reason—other than the blue moon—why she wanted a wolf pack and one hell of a sexual game, but right now all she wanted was sex with Rafer Breaux. Her desire was a secret, pounding heartbeat between her legs.

“Yes,” she said. The erection tucked against her ass surged, grew longer. She wriggled, testing to see what he would do. What he would let her do.

Anything, apparently, because the hands on her hips tilted her, positioned her for the hard, sure stroke parting her ass through the worn denim of her jeans.

“Bien,” Luc rasped. “We take her home with us.”

She didn’t protest as Rafer swung her up into his arms and carried her to the waiting boat. He was taking her somewhere she wanted to go. The Breaux brothers ran their boat up the bayou, gunning the motor over the night-black waterways in an exhilarating ride. Rafer cradled her on his lap, wrapped her tight in his arms, but that was all. He didn’t touch her further. Damn him, he made her wait, and that deliciously unfamiliar erotic tension built again, part anticipation and part fantasy.

An alligator hit the water with a gunshot-sharp splash off the starboard side, and she squirmed on his lap.

His cock pressed back at her behind the sun-faded cargo pants.

She wanted.

Wanted the man holding her to lower her to his bed, take her hard and fast. Or slow. She’d never been so aware of her own arousal. Of the heated fantasies in her head. Rafer was solid and large, the feel of him feeding the need building inside her.

*****

Fan anyone? ;) – Annie

You can visit the other stops on this tour for more Excerpts from Tempted by the Pack and Pleasured by the Pack by clicking the links below!

June 17: Dawn’s Reading Nook
June 17: Nina’s Literary Escape
June 17: A Little Fiction of Every Flavour (Review)
June 18: Booked & Loaded
June 18: Proserpine Craving Books
June 18: MsRomanticReads (Review)
June 19: Reader’s Edyn (Review)
June 19: For the Love of Bookends (Review)
June 19: Passionate Encounters (Review)
June 20: Author Rose Wynters (Review)
June 20: Queen of the Night Reviews
June 20: Rachel Leigh – erotic romance
June 21: Crazy Four Books (Review)
June 21: Coffee Beans & Love Scenes
June 21: It’s All About the Romance!

Posted in Spotlight | Tagged Anne Marsh, Blue Moon Brides, Erotic Paranormal Romance, Shifter Erotic | 1 Comment

Book Review A Kiss of Blood (Vamp City, #2) by Pamela Palmer

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Annie Slasher

A Kiss of Blood Series: Vamp City #2
Published by Avon on June 25, 2013
Genres: Dark Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 384
Source: Received from Publisher via Edelweiss
Buy the Book • Goodreads

ONLY ONE WOMAN CAN SAVE VAMP CITY

One of the few humans who managed to escape the deadly twilight world of Vamp City, Quinn Lennox vows to never return. But the vampires want her back, for only she has the power to renew the magic of their crumbling world--and free the vampires trapped within.

When the handsome, dangerous, and all too seductive Arturo Mazza comes for her, Quinn knows she can never trust him after the betrayal she suffered at his hands. But with her beloved brother's fate hanging in the balance, and her own power beginning to emerge, she chooses to risk all on yet another perilous journey back to Vamp City. And though she tries to deny it, her heart begins to hold hope that even a ruthless vampire can learn the meaning of true love….

~Book Review~

A Kiss of Blood is the second installment in the Vamp City series and takes off right at the beginning. The future of Vamp City is still unknown and everyone believes Quinn Lennox is the only who can save it. I do want to warn that this series is on the dark side and is not a typical Paranormal Romance. I would still classify it this series as Dark Paranormal. Arturo Mazza has led Quinn into a web of lies and Quinn is still not untangled out the mess. With everyone putting the weight of not only their worlds survival, but her brothers as well Quinn is feeling some serious pressure. Watching Quinn grow into her powers and as a person is a lovely aspect to this story. However, I feel that not much was resolved in a Kiss of Blood. Quinn is beginning to see more of the “good” side of the dark Vamp City, but all in all not much is wrapped up. I like to see things progessing and although I feel like book 3 is set up well, I feel unfulfilled. I did enjoy many of the new characters introduced and you certainly do get sucked into Quinn’s story. A Kiss of Blood would not read well as a stand alone and I would recommend beginning this series with the first book, A Blood Seduction. (review here)

I rate A Kiss of Blood 3.5 out of 5 Bullets

To learn more about the author, Pamela Palmer, you can visit her:

Website ∫ Twitter ∫ Facebook Page ∫ Goodreads

I received A Kiss of Blood from the publisher via Edelweiss. I was not compensated in any way for this review.

Posted in 3.5 Bullet Rating | Leave a comment

Keri Lake Cover Model Contest Voting is OPEN

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Seriously…you do not want to miss out on the chance to check out these cover models and vote! Keri Lake has done a fantastic job putting together bios, photos, and some Q&A’s with the models for your enjoyment. I already have a fav that I might have stalked a little. Don’t judge me!

How often do you get to pick the cover model for a book?

Now’s your chance.

From a pool of over 200 candidates, I’ve narrowed down a small group of finalists possessing the best attributes for Logan–the dark and dangerous leading male in the next installment of my Sons of Wrath series. These guys not only have a smokin’ hot bod, they’ve got the gorgeous face to go along with it.

Check out their spotlights.
Vote for your favorite

*Click on the models image to view their spotlight!

By doing so, you’ll not only exercise the power to choose my next cover model, you’ll also be included in the acknowledgments of my book on a special ‘Contributors’ page AND you’ll score a VIP pass to nab book 2 before it goes on sale!

Bring a friend to vote and you’ll increase your chances of winning one of two $50 Amazon gift cards that I’m giving away in celebration of this event! The more friends you bring to the party, the better your odds of winning!

I’m also randomly giving away Sons of Wrath t-shirts and other swag to those who leave a comment!

BOOK 2 IS GOING TO BE AS HOT AS THE COVER MODEL YOU CHOOSE!

Ready to get started?

Click below to check out the sexy spotlights and then follow the links to vote!

* COVER MODEL SPOTLIGHTS *

Have you read SOUL AVENGED yet?

Grab a copy here:

Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble (Nook)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Keri Lake | 3 Comments

Authors After Dark Spotlight and Giveaway with Tina Wainscott (Jaime Rush)

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Welcome everyone! Today I am doing an Authors After Dark Featured Author Spotlight on Tina Wainscott aka Jaime Rush!

We are less than two months away from the Authors After Dark Convention and I am getting super excited!!! Seeing the schedule with all the great panels and events always gets me geared up!

Don’t miss the opportunity to win an ebook copy of Dragons Mine by Tina Wainscott at the end of the post!!

This & That with Tina Wainscott

Morning or Night?

Night

Road Trip or Fly?

Road trip

Drive or Ride?

Ride (so I can read!)

Writers Cave or Starbucks?

I like cavin’ it

Dog or Cat?

Cat

Ocean or Mountains?

Mm, both. But I have a place in the mountains so I’ll go with that.

Clean shave or 5 o’clock shadow?

Depends on the guy

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook

Dancer or Wallflower?

Dancer

Vampire or Werewolf?

Werewolf

Camping or Hotel?

Hotel

Barefoot or Socks?

Barefoot. I’m a Florida girl, after all!

Cake or Ice cream?

Ice cream

Bookmark or Dog ear?

Bookmark. Deface a book?!? Horrors.

Planner or Pantser?

A bit of both

About the Author

I’m so glad you’ve come to visit. So you want to know a little more about me? I am the daughter of an exiled king, living a life of both luxury and danger. While ensconced in our palace in our adopted land of Romania, we must be ever-vigilant of the dark forces that expunged us from the beautiful and sacred land that was once called Eden.

You can tell I write fiction, right? I wish I could say that I was an airline pilot or a former spy or something exciting, but my life has been pretty ordinary. My mom likes to assure people that I had a nice, happy, stable childhood in her defense of the fact that I kill people for a living. On paper, of course. I was always drawn to the strange and unexplained, and to the dark side of human nature. I devoured Alfred Hitchcock anthologies, as well as the movies. Loved watching Unsolved Mysteries and true crime television. My sometimes warped sense of humor probably came from all those MAD magazines that were always around the house. Don’t even get me started on my Alfred E. Neuman nightmares.

So, yes, I am fascinated by what makes people do evil things, but mostly what I love about what I write is that good triumphs in the end. The bad guy gets his just punishment. We don’t always get that in real life. But I believe in the strength and beauty of our souls and that we can at least triumph over our own demons–our pasts, our nemesises, the hurts we’ve sustained along the way. The people in my books have the baggage and hurts and insecurities we all do. Then I throw them into a really bad situation, test their hearts and souls, and in the end, they find not only love for someone else, but for themselves, too. If they can do it, so can you, and you don’t even need to have people trying to kill you to achieve it.

I’ve lived in southwest Florida my whole life. I have a wonderful family, fabulous friends, and consider myself blessed beyond reason. I swim, work out, meditate, read, and spend time with the aforementioned friends and family. I try to find joy in the little things in life and to find the lessons in the hard times. Life is truly what we make it, and I choose to make mine fantastic.

I actually do have another identity. I have written eighteen books, mostly romantic suspense with a light paranormal bent, under the name Tina Wainscott. Check out my website at www.tinawainscott.com. While those books are out of print, some of them are available new and even signed. If you’re interested, use the contact form. I have released nine of them as digital books and will have some new fiction out in 2014 that I’m very excited about. Lots of things in the works with Tina, including a new website. If you like the Jaime books, I think you’ll like most of my earlier books, too.

What inspired me to write the Hidden series? The weird things in life that can’t be explained. The sound you hear in the house and can’t find the source of. Those darned missing socks. Missing people. I wanted to come up with a hidden world of beings that lived just beyond our sight…but not beyond our senses. Of course, it’s the people in the world that drive any story, and I knew they’d be special. For years, I’d had this idea about a guy with a dragon tattoo that allowed him to morph into an actual dragon. The tattoo was the dragon’s window into his soul and had a consciousness. But I wanted more than just one type of supernatural human. So I have Deuces, humans who hold the essence of magick gods. And the progeny of fallen angels. And none of them play well together. Stir, add fire, and it’s quite a volatile mix. Check out my World page for more specifics.

I’ve also just completed my Offspring series, about a group of people with supernatural abilities who must band together to find out why they are being hunted by the government.

For photos, and interaction, check out my Facebook page. To see what books I like to read, check out my GoodReads page.

Twitter ∫ Website

About Dragon Mine

Amazon ∫ B&N

Kirin is summoned home when his father goes missing–the man who ruined his life, and his relationship with Elle, by being a suspect in her mother’s disappearance. When he runs into Elle, sparks fly, especially when he discovers her father is missing, too. Suspecting that their disappearances are linked, they must combine his Dragon power and her magick to find the truth in the darkest shadows. But as their desires flare again, can their burning passion overcome their past—or the danger that the future holds?

Giveaway

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Posted in Authors After Dark, Spotlight | Tagged Author Spotlight, Authors After Dark. Authors After Dark Savannah Night, Dragon Mine, Jaime Rush, Tina Wainscott | 15 Comments

Novella Review Meridian Six by Jaye Wells

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Meridian Six by Jaye Wells
Published by Jaye Wells on June 6, 2013
Genres: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 100
Source: Received from Author
Buy the Book •

Meridian Six remembers the days before the Troika enslaved humans. She also remembers her mother, a freedom fighter who was murdered in the final battle between humans and vampires. But it is her mother’s final words that have haunted her:

Never stop fighting, Carmina. Red means life.

In the years since her mother’s death, Meridian Six has been used as both a propaganda tool and a blood slave by the Troika. She withstood their indignities because they were better than breaking her bad in a labor camp or bleeding our in a blood camp. But when the abuses finally go to far, she decides to run towards freedom and her mother’s red light.

On the other side of the light, she finds the Sisters of Crimson. They helped her like her mother promised, but they also handed her to the human rebels, who have their own plans for the daughter of the human race’s famous freedom fighter. The vampires used her famous name to keep human slaves biddable, but now the humans want to use it inspire a revolution.

Meridian Six is about to learn that when the world is at war, freedom is a luxury paid for with blood.

~Book Review~

Jaye Wells introduces us to an entirely new vampire world. One filled with repression and bleakness. It is dark. It is gritty….I loved it. Wells’ take on vampires is not a romanticized version in this novella. Vampires use humans for one purpose only – food. The human world is destroyed and an underground rebellion still strains to make a difference. For a novella the story contained much depth and a great story. Meridian is at a crossroads in her life and this story begins after a life changing decision. I enjoyed walking the journey with her and hope there will be more to her story!

I rate Meridian Six 4.5 out of 5 Bullets!

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To learn more about the author, Jaye Wells, you can check out her:

Twitter ∫ Facebook ∫ Goodreads ∫ Website

I received Meridian Six directly from the author in exchange for an honest review .

Posted in 4.5 Bullet Rating, Uncategorized | Tagged book review, Jaye Wells | Leave a comment

Giveaway and Spotlight: Fiery Edge of Steel (Noon Onyx #2) by Jill Archer

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Today I am spotlighting Jill Archer’s newest release, Fiery Edge of Steel. Fiery Edge of Steel is a Fantasy novel with romance and mystery elements and the second book in the Noon Onyx series. Check out all the fantastic details below and don’t forget to enter the giveaway as well!

Fiery Edge of Steel
Noon Onyx Book Two

Jill Archer

Genre: Fantasy with elements of mystery and romance

Publisher: Ace

Date of Publication: May 28, 2013

ISBN-10: 0425257169

ISBN-13: 978-0425257166

Number of pages: 336

Word Count: 105,000

Cover Artist: Jason Chan

Amazon ∫ Barnes and Noble ∫ IndieBound

Blurb:

Lucifer and his army triumphed at Armageddon, leaving humans and demons living in uncertain peace based on sacrifice and strict laws. It is up to those with mixed demon and human blood, the Host, to prevent society from falling into anarchy.

Noon Onyx is the first female Host in memory to wield the destructive waning magic that is used to maintain order among the demons. Her unique abilities, along with a lack of control and a reluctance to kill, have branded her as an outsider among her peers. Only her powerful lover, Ari Carmine, and a roguish and mysterious Angel, Rafe Sinclair, support her unconventional ways.

When Noon is shipped off to a remote outpost to investigate several unusual disappearances, a task that will most likely involve trying and killing the patron demon of that area, it seems Luck is not on her side. But when the outpost settlers claim that an ancient and evil foe has stepped out of legend to commit the crimes, Noon realizes that she could be facing something much worse than she ever imagined.…

~Excerpt from Fiery Edge of Steel~

To the east of the square, I heard scraping and clanking. The crowd rippled and swelled back as if a giant had stepped into its edge. “But drakons are a myth,” I said quickly, turning toward the sounds. They were mythological creatures, winged demons supposedly born to human mothers.

“As much of a myth as a female member of the Host with waning magic,” Sasha snorted. I blocked him out. I was trying to block it all out.

I don’t want to be here, I thought. I can’t do this. I won’t do this.

I was the girl who went out of her way not to step on ants. I put house spiders in cups and took them out to the curb rather than squashing them under my boot heel. And I was expected to help kill someone I’d never met just because someone else said they deserved to die? Even if I had paid more attention in class, someone else’s case notes wouldn’t have been enough to convince me to end another’s life. Frankly, I didn’t know if I was capable of executing a demon in cold blood. But what I did know was that if I was going to be asked to take on the moral responsibility of ending another’s life I was damn well going to be deciding for myself whether they deserved it or not and I wasn’t going to be participating in an execution purposefully designed to be cruel.

At the edge of the crowd, my father was ascending the wooden steps of a hastily erected platform. Waldron Seknecus, St. Lucifer’s dean of demon affairs, and Quintus Rochester, one of our professors, stood near the platform with several upper-year Maegesters-in-Training. My father walked to the center of the platform and held his hands up. The crowd immediately fell silent. He gestured to his left and a young man was led up the stairs.

Rail thin and filthy, the man stared defiantly out at the crowd. But when a woman’s cry pierced the silence, his defiant look turned to one of terror. He hadn’t known she would be here, I thought. I could feel it in his signature. The anguish, the anger, the remorse. Suddenly I heard a thump and the crowd shifted again in response to something happening. Jezebeth strained against his captors, twisting his body from side to side, trying to break free. But more than mere muscles held him in place.

Had his human lover thrown herself against the base of the platform?

Was that the thump I’d heard? The thought of her desperation suddenly made me sick. Why was she being forced to watch?

The crowd swelled. I felt the waning magic around me intensify. Beside me, Ari’s waning magic flared and I suddenly felt like I’d emerged from a dark house into blinding sun. Instinctively, I shielded myself from him. He glanced down at me with a small, stiff smile. In the midmorning sunlight, his eyes were the color of caramel.

“Ari . . .”

I didn’t have to finish my thought. Waning magic users couldn’t read minds, but some of us—the more powerful ones—could feel each other’s feelings. My redlining signature told Ari everything he needed to know. I was ready to bolt.

“Don’t. Everyone will see you leave,” he said in a low voice, leaning close to my ear. “You’re standing right next to me so no one will know if you don’t participate. My magic is strong enough for both of us.” He stared at me, waiting for me to respond. I shook my head and clenched my fists, keeping my head down. I didn’t want Ari throwing my stones for me. Or seeing me cry when I did so. Up front, the drakon’s lover continued her pitiful sobbing as she begged my father to set him free.

“Unveil him,” my father commanded, motioning toward Jezebeth. The Archangels on the platform cast a spell and suddenly Jezebeth—the real Jezebeth—was before us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dark Light of Day

Noon Onyx Book One

By Jill Archer

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Ace

ISBN: 978-0-425-25715-9

Number of pages: 384

Word Count: 123,000

Barnes & Noble ∫ Amazon

Blurb:

Armageddon is over. The demons won. And yet somehow…the world has continued. Survivors worship patron demons under a draconian system of tributes and rules. These laws keep the demons from warring among themselves, the world from slipping back into chaos.

Noon Onyx grew up on the banks of the river Lethe, daughter of a prominent politician, and a descendant of Lucifer’s warlords. Noon has a secret—she was born with waning magic, the dark, destructive, fiery power that is used to control demons and maintain the delicate peace among them. But a woman with waning magic is unheard of and some will consider her an abomination.

Noon is summoned to attend St. Lucifer’s, a school of demon law. She must decide whether to declare her powers there…or attempt to continue hiding them, knowing the price for doing so may be death. And once she meets the forbiddingly powerful Ari Carmine—who suspects Noon is harboring magic as deadly as his own—Noon realizes there may be more at stake than just her life.

~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Jill Archer is the author of Dark Light of Day, the first book in the Noon Onyx series. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jill now lives in rural Maryland with her two children and her husband, who is a recreational pilot. She blogs about books, movies, interesting people, and various weekend adventures.

website/blog ∫ Twitter ∫ Facebook ∫ Goodreads

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June 3 Spotlight

Dangerous Romance

http://dangerousromance.com/

June 4 Interview

Frankie Blooding’s Bookshelf

http://frankieblooding.wordpress.com/

June 5 Spotlight and review

Reader Girls

http://www.readergirlsblog.com

June 6 Spotlight

Cover Reveals

http://CoverReveals.blogspot.com

June 7 Spotlight

Pembroke Sinclair.

pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

June 9 Spotlight

The Broke Book Bank

http://thebrokebookbank.blogspot.com/

June 10 Interview

Tynga’s Reviews

http://www.tyngasreviews.com

June 11 Spotlight

Booked & Loaded

http://bookedandloaded.com

June 12 Spotlight and review

Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust

http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/

June 13 Interview and review

Cabin Goddess

http://cabingoddess.com

June 16 Spotlight and review

My Home Away From Home –

http://www.officialmhafh.com

June 17 Review

Krystal’s Enchanting Reads …

http://enchantingreads7.blogspot.com/

June 18 Spotlight and review

A_TiffyFit’s Reading Corner

http://tiffyfit.blogspot.com

June 19 Interview and review

Lissette E. Manning /

http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning

June 20 Spotlight and review

happy tails and tales

http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com

June 21 Interview

Vicky at Deal Sharing Aunt

www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

June 24 Spotlight

Share My Destiny

http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com

June 27 Interview

Marsha A Moore’s Blog

MarshaAMoore.blogspot.com

June 28 Spotlight

Leeanna.me

www.leeanna.me

June 30 Spotlight

http://paranormal-bookclub.com/

Posted in Spotlight, Uncategorized | Tagged fantasy, Fiery Edge of Steel, Jill Archer | 14 Comments

Lightning Rider Blog Tour with Guest Post by Jen Greyson

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Guest Post by Jen Greysen

Creating a Unique and Believable Fantasy World

I have a hard time reading epic fantasies partly because of the heavy world-building that has to happen right off the bat. My meager brain just can’t handle all the fantastical names for people and places, let alone picture the actual location with it’s fauna and milieu. Because I know how I am as a reader, I’m conscientious of it as a writer.

Every book has world-building, some just comes easier for the reader. When a book is set in present-day we don’t have to describe the sky or cars or towns, everyone pretty much gets what we’re describing. But when I head back to ancient Spain, not everyone has been there, so I need to layer in details so the setting comes to life.

Luckily for me, waves sounded the same 2,000 years ago (I’m assuming!) so I can use details that a modern reader will know without overloading their brain. When I talk about ships docked in the marina, I don’t have to describe the water, but I can use it as a foundation to give my reader a leg-up as I start describing the Roman war ships. Even then, I don’t go into a lot of detail because I don’t love to read books that go into a lot of detail.

Writing about lightning bullwhips gets a bit tricky because (as amazing as Google is) there isn’t a way for me to research what those look and sound like. I can make them mimic real lightning, but there’s still a lot of world-building that has to happen when my character, Evy, starts using them. Because they’re new to her too, it was easy to have her explore them and test them as a way to build the world around them without overloading the reader.

Time travel was the toughest part of my world. I spent a lot of time behind the scenes figuring out the mechanics of how everyone traveled, both the time-travelers and the lightning riders. Because their means of travel uses different sources of fuel and has different impacts on time, I had to make sure everyone knew the rules up front.

Building a fantasy world is both freeing and restraining. Freeing because I can make up whatever rules and magic systems that I want, and restraining because once those rules are there, I can’t go breaking them to solve problems in the story. Time travel is doubly tough because as I’m changing things in the past the future is being altered, and along with it, my rules.

What about you? When you read, do you struggle with the world building? Who’s your favorite author when it comes to world building?

A huge thanks to Annie here at Booked & Loaded for letting me come visit.

Heiress to a time-traveling dynasty, Evy Rivera is finally claiming her birthright as a lightning rider. Problem is, she’s forced to learn it alongside Constantine, a prickly, obstinate Roman warrior who constantly challenges her to be the woman he sees in her.

Thrown back into ancient Spain, Evy must rely on guts and instinct to wield her lightning as a weapon and outsmart Ilif, her quasi-mentor who believes time traveling should be left to the Rivera men.

During her training, Evy and Constantine battle the push-pull of their explosive relationship, aware the 2,000-year span between their lives is an unavoidable hurdle.

Caught between a centuries-old battle rife with secrets, Evy must learn whom to trust before she risks everything and the wrong history repeats itself. When the heritage her parents have suppressed mingles with the past, Evy must find answers . . .

Which history is the right one? And who is she becoming?

Lightning Rider reviews:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17412638-lightning-rider

http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/87

Available everywhere on May 31, 2013

Kobo ∫ Amazon ∫ iTunes ∫ Barnes & Noble

~About the Author~

From the moment she decided on a degree in Equestrian Studies, Jen Greyson’s life has been one unscripted adventure after another. Leaving the cowboy state of Wyoming to train show horses in France, Switzerland, and Germany, she’s lived life without much of a plan, but always a book in her suitcase. Now a wife and mom to two young boys, she relies on her adventurous, passionate characters to be the risk- takers.

Jen also writes university courses and corporate training material when she’s not enjoying the wilds of the west via wakeboard or snowmobile. Her new adult fantasy, Lightning Rider, comes out May 31 and features a Latina heroine with some serious superpowers.

You can find Jen here:

Twitter ∫ Facebook ∫Goodreads ∫Blog

Posted in Guest Post, Uncategorized | Tagged Guest Post, Lightning Rider, urban fantasy | 2 Comments

Book Review The Cursed (Black Swan #1) by Alyssa Day

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Annie Slasher

The Cursed by Alyssa Day
Series: The League of the Black Swan
Published by Berkley on May 7, 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 304
Source: Personally Purchased
Buy the Book •

New York Times bestselling author of the Warriors of Poseidon series Alyssa Day returns with a thrilling new series of paranormal romance and a heated battle between good and evil fought to the death on the streets of New York…

Bordertown private investigator Luke Oliver’s beat is the dimensional fold in Manhattan between the human and supernatural realms. But now a secret from his past—the League of the Black Swan—has surfaced. Because Luke isn’t any ordinary P.I. He’s the Dark Wizard of Bordertown, and he never backs down from a fight.

But this time the fight threatens his life and his heart. Rio Jones, the only woman he loved, needs his help against a deadly menace. Luke pushed her away once before, so she’d never fall prey to the curse that threatens to destroy him. He swore he’d never let her go again.

Luke and Rio, with the help of the newly reformed League, must keep evil forces from taking over Bordertown—all the while battling a passion on the razor’s edge between danger and desire. And going to take everything they have just to stay alive.

Book Review

Alyssa Day’s newest addition to Paranormal Romance is The Cursed. The Cursed is the first book in The League of the Black Swan Series. Reviewing the first book in a new series is always a challenge for me. Everything is not always explained and sometimes aspects of the story can feel incomplete….because they can be filled in later. Many of my reservations about not being completely fulfilled with the story – I think – is due to this “first book” syndrome.

I did fully enjoy this new world with its HUGE array of folk and myth inspired creatures. The world placement was pretty clear and well defined. Many of the secondary characters are unforgettable and fantastic. So, why didn’t The Cursed work for me completely? I think a big part of it is simple – visualization. Normally the author describes and prepares an image of what each character looks like and your imagination runs with it. I just could not visualize Luke. Yes, it was repeated that he was hawt. However, that was not enough to go on. This seemed to have effected the chemistry (for me) between Luke and Rio. I just couldn’t see him through Rio’s eyes and I felt disconnected from the passion between them. However, that is my main complaint and not one I ever expected to have when I began The Cursed.

All of the characters were distinct and I enjoyed the variety of personalities and humor. Rio was a great lead female character. She was witty and fun – I really enjoyed the way she things! All in all it was an interesting read with the beginnings of something great.

The Book Club Talk

I was not alone the visualization of Luke. All of us in the book club meeting felt we could not picture Luke…and we really did want to! All in all it seems like the dislikes were fairly minimal and the likes were the same as above. Everyone that read the book commented on the beginning and how much everyone enjoyed being thrown into the story. Apparently none of us knew the significance of Luke’s mother and we actually looked it up the club. So – we all suck at history apparently.

I rate The Cursed 4 out of 5 Bullets

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To learn more about the Author, Alyssa Day, you can visit her:

Website ∫ Twitter ∫ Facebook

I personally purchased The Cursed to read with my local book club. I received no compensation for this review.

Posted in 4 Bullet Rating, Book Club Talk, Book Review | Tagged Alyssa Day, book review, Paranormal Romance Review, The Cursed | Leave a comment

Giveaway and Spotlight: Meridian 6 by Jaye Wells

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Annie Slasher

Meridian 6 by Jaye Wells
Series: Meridian Six #1
Published by Jaye Wells on June 6, 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Buy the Book • Goodreads

Meridian Six remembers the days before the Troika enslaved humans. She also remembers her mother, a freedom fighter who was murdered in the final battle between humans and vampires. But it is her mother’s final words that have haunted her:

Never stop fighting, Carmina. Red means life.

In the years since her mother’s death, Meridian Six has been used as both a propaganda tool and a blood slave by the Troika. She withstood their indignities because they were better than breaking her bad in a labor camp or bleeding our in a blood camp. But when the abuses finally go to far, she decides to run towards freedom and her mother’s red light.

On the other side of the light, she finds the Sisters of Crimson. They helped her like her mother promised, but they also handed her to the human rebels, who have their own plans for the daughter of the human race’s famous freedom fighter. The vampires used her famous name to keep human slaves biddable, but now the humans want to use it inspire a revolution.

Meridian Six is about to learn that when the world is at war, freedom is a luxury paid for with blood.

Buy Links:

B&N ∫ Kobo ∫ Goodreads ∫Amazon

Today is release day for Meridian 6 and I cannot wait to sit down and step foot into this new world! Don’t miss a chance to win a ebook copy of Meridian 6 – you can visit more participating blogs to keep entering!

~About the Author~

After several years as a magazine editor and freelance writer, USA TODAY Bestselling author Jaye Wells finally decided to leave the facts behind and make up her own reality. Her overactive imagination and life-long fascination with the arcane and freakish blended nicely with this new career path. Her Sabina Kane urban fantasy series is a blend of dark themes, grave stakes and wicked humor. Jaye lives in Texas with her saintly husband and devilish son. Her work is represented by Rebecca Strauss of DeFiore and Co.