Cover Reveal

The Kingmakers (Vampire Empire book 3)

By Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

Expected release September 2012

For weeks now Clay and Susan have been revealing a puzzle piece at a time for the new cover of the final installment in the Vampire Empire series.  It has been torture!  I have yet to see any snippets from the book or even a synopsis otherwise I would include those juicy details.  *insert frowny face*

I recently read the first 2 and though it took me a while to get through them, I thoroughly enjoyed them.  The romance is one of the best I have read in a really long time.  Princess Adele is an extremely strong willed woman that I admire.  The Greyfriar is just as strong and courageous.  Such a romantic hero!  I can't wait to see what happens in this final adventure! 

Review: The White Swan Affair

The White Swan Affair

By Elyse Mady

Expected release May 21st, Carina Press

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

London, 1810

After the tragic death of her beloved, Hester Aspinall vowed never to be ruled by her passions again. Still, she is drawn to her landlord, handsome adventurer Thomas Ramsay-but she doesn't fool herself that a man of his station would look twice at a poor tailor's sister.

With the sea for a mistress, Thomas has no intention of entering into matrimony. And yet, he can't get the plain-spoken and desirable Hester out of his mind, even though she's never tried to secure his attentions as other women do.

Everything changes the night Hester's brother is arrested during a raid on a gay brothel, the infamous White Swan. With no one else to turn to, and terrified Robert will hang for his crime, Hester accepts Thomas's offer to bear the cost of the defense. A true gentleman, Thomas expects nothing in return-but Hester can no longer deny her own desires...

She may offer her body eagerly, but can she protect her heart?

96,000 words

FYI>>> This review contains a quote of an erotic nature. ;)

This historical romance is a work of fiction revolving around the real events that happened at the White Swan on Vere Street in London in 1810. The White Swan was a molly house (gay club) that was raided by the police and a bunch of men were arrested and tried... This book does have some homosexual situations but it is not the main focus. The primary character in this story is Hester Aspinall. 

We meet Hester as she is looking for her brother Robert who did not return home from going out the previous night. She is searching frantically for him deciding to go look at his place of business, a tailor shop he runs with two apprentices. Low and behold he is not there but while she’s there, she runs into the landlord, Thomas Ramsay. Thomas decides it’s in his best interest to help her find Robert. Soon it is revealed that he was thrown in jail after being arrested for his activities at the White Swan. Though we still have homophobia today, back then the general masses were outraged and those “guilty”, ostracised. 

Hester has a very hard time trying to help Robert out. She has no family to turn to but finds help and understanding from Thomas. They grow closer together and have some sizzling moments.

“I would see you, silk caressing your skin, your breasts bare to my mouth, whilst you ride me. I would serve as your beast of burden, Hester. I would not complain if you flayed me with your nails or if you punished me by striking me. I would simply be content to serve, letting you take your pleasure again and again. I would watch as you rode me, and I would touch you until you screamed and broke apart and called my name with every stroke.”

Mostly this book revolves around Hester and Thomas but we do get a glimpse of what is happening with Robert. 

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a heartfelt story that deals with a subject that was taboo at the time. The main romance was wonderful. What I didn’t expect but was pleasantly surprised by was the secondary romance.

A great read for those of you who don’t mind a homoerotic edge. Some of us rather enjoy that! 

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I leave you with this...

“You have my heart. The rest doesn’t matter.”

Review: Improper Relations by Juliana Ross

Improper Relations by Juliana Ross

Available April 23rd, 2012 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A short but sweet review.

Dorset, 1858

When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified-but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?

22,000 words

“Tell me what this feels like,” he demanded.

How should I answer?  “It’s very nice,” I said,which seemed to fit the moment.

“Nice?  That’s all you have to say?  Nice?”

“I beg your pardon---”

“It’s more than goddamn nice,” he growled.  “It’s bloody perfect, that’s what it is.”

Wowsa.  That was a hot one.  This novella is set in England in the year 1858.  We meet Hannah who is widowed and a companion to her late husband's aunt.  One day in the library she witnesses the passion between her cousin (by marriage) Leo and one lucky lady.  Hannah never knew that there could be such pleasure shared between two people.  Leo makes a proposal to teach her.  At first she approaches it more out of curiosity but soon lust is taken to a whole other level. 

Juliana Ross is very talented and knows how to write steamy scenes.  You can bet I will be watching out for more from her.

Highly recommended for anybody wanting a quick afternoon read filled with passion and discovery.   

ARC provided from Netgalley

Cover Reveal

The Ripple Effect

By J.A. Saare

Expected release Summer 2012

There is always a price to pay…

Rhiannon Murphy visited the future, witnessed hell on earth and made choices to change things for the greater good. Unfortunately there are consequences for her actions, the penalties for her interference possibly more than she can bear. Determined to sever her debt with a fallen angel, she pushes everything aside, focusing on locating Marigold Vesta’s resting place.

Until death comes knocking at her door.

When Disco’s maker arrives in New York, he resents Rhiannon on a level she can’t begin to comprehend. Yet Marius isn’t her most dangerous adversary, not by a long shot. Marius’s sire -- a half-demon -- is determined to see the necromancer who stunned the vampire world on her knees. If she won’t bend, he’ll do everything in his power to make her break. No price is too high, meaning no one is safe -- including Disco and Paine.

Dealt a blow from which she can never recover, Rhiannon turns to the only person who can help her: the fallen angel who is relying on Rhiannon to save her soul. Bartering with a creature from Heaven is probably just as dangerous as starting a war with a demon from Hell, but with nothing to lose it’s no longer about life or death.

It’s about getting even.



The Ripple Effect Excerpt from jasaare.blogspot


Paine moved into my personal space, wrapped his arms around me, and whispered, “Don’t fight me, Rhiannon. Marius is watching.”

Then, he kissed me.

It was a good thing he warned me. Otherwise, I would have fought him.

At least, I think I would have.

Paine’s lips were plush and cool, feathering over mine, just before he opened his mouth and his tongued snaked out. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have the same problem. His tongue teased mine, inviting me to play. I followed his lead, kissing him back. The closeness between us brought back memories I wanted to forget, of a different time and place.

He pulled away, and the heat in his gaze made my toes curl. “I’d almost forgotten,” he murmured, licking his lower lip.

“Forgotten?” I asked breathlessly.

“What a woman tastes like.”

More memories arose. He’d said something similar in the future, something that swept aside my reservations. It was impossible not to ache for him—to love him—when I remembered how alone he truly was. That was the reason I didn’t move away from him, why I lifted my hands and placed one on his chest and the other against his face. He closed his eyes and exhaled in bliss, making me feel even worse.

“This isn’t fair to you.”

“Life isn’t fair.” He opened his eyes and looked at me. “We take what we’re given because there isn’t any alternative. Small moments like these can last an eternity.”

He moved away, taking a large step back. I was going to ask him why when I glanced at the door. Disco stood in the entranceway with Marius at his side. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, since his maker undoubtedly had him on his best behavior. Still, I did notice the way his lips thinned and his jaw ticced as he regarded us.

“Marius and I are meeting with the leaders of the other families.” Disco took slow, deliberate steps in my direction. “I wanted to see you before we left.”

This time, Disco was the one invading my personal space, wrapping his arms so tightly around me I held my breath, bringing me toward his chest. One large hand cradled the back of my head, arching my neck so he had access to my lips. His kiss was harsher than Paine’s, more demanding. He didn’t ask for control, he took it, dominating my mouth with swirls and plunges of his tongue. Unable to do anything else, I let him do as he wanted. He lowered his hand and cupped my ass.

This kiss was different—one I ached for, one I dreamed about. Delicious and wild, sending me spiraling out of control. I latched onto his arms, holding him close, breathing him in as he ravaged my lips. The scent of cinnamon and cloves was like coming home, sweet yet earthy, everything I’d missed. The world seemed to settle into place when I was in his arms, coming together as though we’d never been apart. I knew we had an audience, but I didn’t care, riding waves of untainted and pure emotion.

Disco didn’t lift his head as Paine had, shifting a fraction of an inch so I could feel his breath on my face. He gazed into my eyes, the heat from one simple look powerful enough to make my knees weak.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said softly and leaned in, nipping my bottom lip playfully, causing me to shudder.

When he let me go, I stayed in exactly the same place, arms loose at my sides.

It wasn’t the words spoken aloud that had me gasping for air, or the kiss that had scattered my thoughts. It was the words he’d spoken in my mind that echoed over and over in my head, a warning if ever I’d heard one.

“You belong to me, Rhiannon. You belong to me.”

(c) 2012 J.A. Saare




Phew! Is it getting hot in here?  All the attention Rhiannon is getting from Disco and Paine?  I CANNOT WAIT to read this!  This is definitely in my top highly anticipated releases for the year.  Whether you love Disco or Paine or both (raises hand), this is bound to be a roller coaster of a ride and I can't wait to see where Jamie takes us!

Review: Darkest Caress by Kaylea Cross

Darkest Caress by Kaylea Cross

Available April 23rd, 2012 by Carina Press

My rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Two-hundred-year-old Daegan Blackwell is one of the last remaining Empowered, an ancient magical race. Daegan's duty is to lead and protect his remaining Brethren in the coming war foretold by prophecy. The last thing he expects is to meet the one woman who will either save or destroy him-his destined mate.

Fiercely independent Realtor Olivia Farrell believes darkly handsome Daegan is simply a prospective client. Until she's attacked by a man with a strange aura-and Daegan fights him off, taking away her pain with just his touch. At first, Olivia refuses to believe she's part of a magical race, yet mounting evidence and her powerful chemistry with Daegan are too strong to deny.

But as Daegan's partner, Olivia becomes a target in the battle between good and evil that threatens her life, as well as the very existence of the Empowered. And the only one who can save her is the man claiming to be her destiny...

The Darkest Caress is the first in the Empowered series by Kaylea Cross.  We are introduced to Olivia “Liv” Farrell as she is on her way to show a house that’s new on the market.  Liv is a realtor but also teaches piano from her home.  Fighting off the mother of all migraines, she gets to the house and meets the mysterious Daegan Blackwell.  

Ice blue eyes speared hers.  He was tall, over six feet, broad-shouldered.  His dark brown hair was cut short, the strong planes of his face clean-shaven.  He looked to be in his mid to late thirties, the swells of muscle beneath his snug black dress shirt telling her he kept in very good shape.

So she’s trying to show him the place but is too easily distracted with how attractive he is.  She goes home that night and starts having erotic dreams starring Daegan.  She ends up showing him the house again later that morning.  After an impromptu breakfast and showing, he asks her out to dinner later that night.

From here it moves pretty fast.  From the book description we can tell they are destined to be mated.  That’s easy enough for Daegan since he grew up amongst the Empowered, he knows what the bonding process involves.  OK, maybe not easy, there may have been a few cold showers involved, but Liv has no idea what is happening.  She learns there's more to her heritage then she could possibly imagine and prophecies she may be a part of.  Add to that the idea of mating for life with somebody she just met, regardless of how ridiculously good looking he is, she’s had her world turned upside down.  

I like Liv.  She’s a strong lead character and though she’s thrown into this whole situation, she has a strong backbone and can hold her own.  Daegan is sweet and sexy.  He goes out of his way to give Liv a choice though it physically pains him to do so.  We can see right away that he truly cares for her, destined mates or not, he has her safety and happiness in mind.  

There are two side characters of note: Cade and Vaughn.  Vaughn is a character with a tortured past.  His “skill” is quite extraordinary and Kaylea does a wonderful job with descriptions.  He does not leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling but has a compassionate side that is barely touched upon in this first installment.  Cade is your typical love them and leave them type, albeit leaving them thoroughly satisfied.  The groundwork in this book to set-up the next book is very prevalent with his character.  

I loved the idea of the prophecy.  I really liked the mythology involved.  It’s a different angle then I have read before and really appreciate the uniqueness of it.  I enjoyed this book but have to give warning: the end is not really much of an ending.  Issues were resolved involving Liv and Daegan and the current bad guys but this series involves war.  The war prophecy has only just begun and the end of this book gives us a peek of what’s up ahead for them.  I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger though.  I just hope that this book garners enough attention that the author will continue because now I need more.

ARC provided from Netgalley.

Cover Reveal

Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1)

By Gena Showalter

Available 9/25/12 from Harlequin Teen

She won't rest until she's sent every walking corpse back to its grave.  Forever.

  

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would changed course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed.  From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined?  Please.  But that's all it took.  One heartbeat.  A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

  

Her father was right.  The monsters are real.

 To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead.  To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland.  But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn't careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.

I'd tell my sister no.

I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.

I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.

Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.

I'd tell them I love them.

I wish... Yeah, I wish.

Excerpt from genashowalter.com.

Off with their heads!  

OK.  I'm ridiculously excited about this!  For fans of Gena Showalter, we know she knows how to spin a captivating tale.  Throw in zombies and a twist of Alice in Wonderland and it's bound to be very entertaining!    But now I have the  Yeah Yeah Yeahs Heads Will Roll song stuck in my head.  

So who's with me?  Are you excited?  Is it on your TBR pile? 

Review: The Loss of Sunlight by Lia Black

The Loss of Sunlight by Lia Black   

Published November 4th, 2011

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars 

Sylvie believes she is the perfect modern image of a southern belle. She has a fabulous boyfriend, fashionable career aspirations and everyone is always so eager to help her when she runs into a problem. But her problems were never quite as bad as dying before, and now her biggest problem is trying to keep Aidan Pope, a devilishly handsome man--who insists on calling her by another woman’s name--from ruining her perfect life. 

Aidan is convinced that Sylvie is a woman born between heaven and hell who can save three worlds from a war that is inevitable in a reality where angels kill and demons can be compassionate. 
As Sylvie begins to discover the truth of her origins, she comes to the understanding that she can never have the life she thought she wanted, her days of being a pampered princess are numbered, and she must develop her power enough to defeat her aunt, the devil incarnate, and a woman with whom Aidan may still be in love.

This book was a fantastic find and I hope others read it and enjoy it as much as I did. I picked it up on Amazon as a freebie. Though it's no longer free, I think it's well worth the $4.99 price-tag.  

Meet Sylvie. She is a high maintenance Southern Belle who works as a fashion merchandiser for a department store.  Her toughest day to day decisions are deciding what to wear.

~ I had just enough time to put on my gorgeous and stylishly understated gold sandals that showed off my perfect French pedicure and long shapely legs, then for a final twirl in the mirror, before I grabbed my gold Prada clutch and headed out the door of my apartment.

She doesn't even have to order food for herself. Her boyfriend David takes care of it.

~David Thomas Sterling was a handsome and successful young entrepreneur, and a man who understood how to treat a lady of my southern sensibilities. I was born and raised with the knowledge that life had a way of taking care of young ladies such as myself--and so it seemed only natural that David would take care of me.

The beginning of the book starts with Sylvie getting ready to meet her boyfriend, David, for a brunch date. Deciding to walk through the park on her way there, something happens that changes her life forever.

Meet Aidan Pope. 

~As near as I could figure, the stranger was in his early thirties, at least six-foot five, and lifted weights—a lot. His broad chest and shoulders tapered to a trim waist. His skin, stretched taut over chiseled features and high sharp cheekbones, was smooth and pale, so light and flawless it seemed unnatural. On his forehead, around his eyes, and down his cheeks, were bizarre tattoos, like an intricate black mask. His hair, brushing past his shoulders, was the color and sheen of a raven’s wing. More tattoos peeked out of the collar of his shirt and covered both arms as well as the backs of his hands. They weren’t pin-up girls, Chinese dragons or anything recognizable as anything recognizable.

Aidan informs Sylvie that she has a destiny to fulfill. Through most of the book, Aidan is by her side. And when he's not? I want to cry and I want him to come back. I won't lie, the sexual tension between these two is fantastic. The plot is action packed. So many things happen, so many things that we don't even know what is real and what isn't anymore.  

There is such great character development for Sylvie. Sure, she starts out as a brat, but so much changes. I find it's not the challenges she faces, but how she handles them that make her such a strong woman. She grows into a great heroine. 

The plot is phenomenal. The writing is great. The descriptions are fantastic. The sexual tension is amazing. Oh yeah, I said that already, but it's SOOO TRUE! Aidan, you are now inducted into my fictional boyfriends hall of fame. 

I hope to read more soon from Miss Black whether it's a continuation of these wonderful characters or something new, I'm sold.

COVER REVEAL

Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel (Fever World #1)


By Karen Marie Moning


Available 10/30/12

"I'm currently working on a trilogy that features Dani, Christian MacKeltar, Ryodan, and the mysterious 'Dancer,' set primarily in Fever-Dublin. Each installment in the trilogy is a stand-alone mystery, however there are larger plot arcs unfolding in the background...

..For those of you who have been worrying—the trilogy is not YA. If I had to categorize it, I would say it straddles the line between YA and adult uneasily. ...Many of the questions I left unanswered in the FEVER series are addressed in this new series.

Exciting news: I’ve agreed to write two more books after that. Once the new trilogy is complete, I’m returning to the core story begun in the FEVER series, and will resume writing about Mac, Barrons, V’lane, Cruce, the Unseelie king, the concubine, the Song of Making.
All in all, there are five more books coming about the Fever World!"
Karen Marie Moning

So tell me? Who of you Fever FanGirls are excited as hell for this series?! I mostly definitely am!

Not everyone may be a big fan of Dani but I have hopes that she’ll redeem herself for her involvement with what happened to Mac’s sister.  From what we have seen from her already, she is independent and strong.  Age her a couple years and I think she will be a force to be reckoned with.  And talk of Christian and Ryodan in the series? SOLD!  The helpful and handsome Christian and the ever mysterious Ryodan.  Can’t wait to see how they factor in. Side note: Please tell me there will be Barrons? At least a little? I need my Barrons fix!

Now for some teasers posted from Iced via KMM's Facebook page.

Teaser 1 (contains spoilers from the Fever Series)

Four nights he’s come to me, murmuring my name, making it an exquisite melody with which not even the divine orchestral choir of all the angels in heaven could compete.

He chimes my name in the language of the Unseelie and it makes my ears ring until my mind is emptied of all thought, until my eyes are incapable of beholding any vision other than him. He is so beautiful that merely looking at him makes me weep and when I brush tears from my cheeks, my hands come away stained red with blood.

He wakes me but doesn’t wake me.

He takes me to a place that is so perfect and serene and free of worry that I want to stay there forever.

My name is Cruce, he says. Not V’lane. I was so weary of wearing his golden shining face. He was never half the Fae I am. I have you in the Dreaming, is it not beautiful? Do you not feel divine here with me? You need not fear me. I am not what I seem.

Teaser 2

He isn't what he's pretending to be with her. I watch him all the time. I'm going to be there when he stops pretending. I'm going to be her bulletproof vest, her shield, her fallen fucking angel, whether she wants one or not. He's pretending he's almost human. He's no more human than me.

Teaser 3

“You’re not responsible for the world just because you’re more capable.”

“Course I am. That’s what more capable folks do.”

“You could ask me to teach you.”

“Huh?” This night is getting weird in a hurry. “Teach me like you’re teaching a class or something? What are you going to call it: You-too-can-be-a sociopath-101?”

“It would be more like a graduate level class.”

I start to snicker. His sense of humor sneaks up on you. Then I remember who’s talking and bite it off.

“You want to be faster, stronger, smarter. Ask me to teach you.”

“I ain’t asking you for nothing. And you might be faster and stronger. For now. No way you’re smarter.”

“Your choice. But turn around because you’re not leaving. It’s night, and you know what that means.”

“Like, it’s dark?”

“You’re with me until dawn.”

“Why dawn? You a vamp or a zombie or something that can’t stand the light?”

He freeze-frames away, moves in on the scene. “I like sex for breakfast, kid. I eat early and often.”  

impatiently waiting for October 30th,