10.31.2008
Romeo Romeo Review
Rosalie Ronaldi is a corporate turnaround expert, Italian, and is constantly hassled by her mother to settle down and make some babies. Rosalie has been dating a guy named Joey for about two years and their relationship is going nowhere fast. The only reason she is even with him is so her mother would leave her alone about finding a husband. Rosalie isn’t interested in getting married anytime soon and likes her life just fine how it is. Sure her house is a mess, she doesn’t cook, and her best friend is her dog named Dave, but that’s ok! Everything in Rosalie’s life is neutral, not that exciting, not that thrilling, that is until she meets Nick Romeo.
After Rosalie becomes stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire and no spare, Nick pulls over to help her. He is immediately attracted to this feisty woman who is cursing in multiple languages and kicking her car. When Rosalie assumes he is a mechanic, Nick decides not to correct her and attempts to ask her out on a date. Maybe if Rosalie thinks he’s just a regular Joe she will like him for him and not for what he has in the bank…
Nick and Rosalie form a pseudo relationship. They make a deal that there will be no strings attached and nothing serious will come of this, but quickly their own rules fly out the window when they start to fall in love. The only problem is Nick still hasn’t told Rosalie who he really is and as time progresses he becomes more afraid of revealing the truth.
When Rosalie’s new corporate turnaround turns out to be a job that Nick always coveted, things get a little bit dirty. How will Rosalie react when she finds out the truth about Nick? Will she still want to be with him after knowing he isn’t Nick the mechanic but rather the rich and famous Dominick Romeo? Will their relationship end with heart ache or will Rosalie finally get her happily ever after?
Romeo Romeo is author Robin Kaye’s FABULOUS debut into the romance genre. I haven’t read a straight romance (without vampires and fangs) in SO long and it was such a delight to read. There’s plenty of humor, witty dialogue, sexy chemistry, and a very compelling storyline that readers will adore.
After opening Romeo Romeo and reading the opening sentences, you will immediately be hooked. ‘’Rosalie Ronaldi made a successful escape from the insane asylum. Okay, so it wasn’t a real insane asylum; it was her parent’s Bay Ridge home. But most days, it could pass for the Sicilian version of Bellevue. ‘’
Romeo Romeo is a fun book in the same vein as Stephanie Plum with a dash of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Overall, I immensely enjoyed reading Romeo Romeo. I would heartily recommend it to contemporary romance readers who are yearning for a touch of something sweet and romantic that will leave them with a smile on their face.
Visit Robin Kaye's website here
Buy Romeo Romeo on Amazon here
Buy Romeo Romeo on Barnes and Noble here
10.28.2008
Playing Dead Review
10.24.2008
Blood Memories Review
Wade and Dominick are two cops who were called to answer neighbors’ complaints of loud music coming from Edward’s house. What they stumbled upon are two vampires who did not want to be discovered. Edward had lost his mind and was planning his suicide by running out into the sunlight, but Eleisha knew nothing of his plans. When Eleisha tries to use her telepathy powers to reach into Wade’s mind, she is shocked when she discovers he is also telepathic. He is aware of Eleisha and knows what she is. After the suicide, Eleisha and William quickly move away for fear of being discovered by the two cops.
Wade is suspicious of Eleisha and knows something isn’t right about her. He may also be telepathic but he has no idea how ruthless vampires can be. Chasing Eleisha is a bad idea, especially when her fellow vampires will protect her and kill a mere mortal with just a snap of the neck. Will Eleisha put all of her friends’ lives in jeopardy by going to them for help? Will Eleisha be captured or killed by Wade and Dominick?
Blood Memories is a reprint with a new cover from the 1998 publication by author Barb Hendee. The story has an ‘’Interview with a Vampire’’ feel to it and that’s refreshing! I’ve read several paranormal novels with vampires and in almost all of them vampires are always romanticized into being something sexy and barely even dangerous. In Blood Memories, these vampires are the real thing. They will kill you in a heartbeat for a feeding of your blood and think nothing of it. But Eleisha isn’t like them. She has a good heart and doesn’t want to hurt people like her fellow vampires.
The story is told in first person point of view for the first 100 pages and then the chapters alternate in flashbacks highlighting each character and giving the reader a peak into their lives before the present. Some readers may find the flashbacks to slow down the story but I enjoyed learning more about the characters and what their lives were like back in the 1800’s.
There is plenty of suspense and action to keep readers riveted for the duration of the story. However, romance readers be aware, this is NOT a paranormal romance by any means. There is a lot of violence involving people and animals that may be disturbing to some people. At only 243 pages, this is a short read but after surviving Eleisha’s ordeal you will feel satisfied with Blood Memories. Overall, I found Blood Memories to be a very entertaining story that horror and thriller readers will greatly enjoy.
10.23.2008
Hot As Hell Promo
She's mad as hell. He's hot as hell.The desert may not be big enough for both of them…
TELL ME MORE...
Lexy Stuart is nobody's fool...not since she wised up to the fact that her fiancĂ©, Noah Paxton, wasn't just sporting the hardest bod this side of the Ironman competition. No, he was also harboring enough secrets to make a CIA operative blush. Little things he never thought worth mentioning like, oh, a previous marriage. So Lexy gave back the ring—with extreme prejudice—and made sandy tracks straight to a remote desert spa. Problem is, with a man like Noah, a girl can run, but she can't hide. Nor does she particularly want to...
Alexa Annabeth Stuart. The stuffy name couldn't be less suitable for a woman as fiery and free as Noah's Lexy. And Lexy is his—always will be—the tricky part will be getting her to realize it. Of course, Noah's always up for a challenge. Which is a good thing, since between the crazy heat at this god-forsaken “retreat” and the looks Lexy's shooting him (not to mention the shockwaves he's getting from her hot-pink bikini), winning his ex back could be one dangerous mission. But if Noah doesn't survive it, well, he intends to die a very satisfied man...
10.22.2008
Demon's Hunger Contest on Vampire Wire!
Here's a blurb from Amazon:
The Compact of Sorcerers, a brotherhood sworn to protect the wall between the human and demon realms, is thrust into battle with an unseen evil that threatens to destroy them all...
Forensic anthropologist Vivien Cairn fears she's losing her mind. Her libido has kicked into overdrive, and she's blacking out, leaving hours of her life unaccounted for and no memory of where she's been or what she's done. But when a sexy stranger rescues her from a demon attack, Vivien realizes there's more than just her sanity at stake.
A seductive killer is luring victims, and Sorcerer Dain Hawkins finds himself walking a dangerous line between ancient duty and sizzling desire when the brotherhood--and Vivien herself--begins to suspect that her mysterious symptoms may connect her to the crimes. Can Dain save Vivien from the evil that threatens to claim her? Or will they both succumb to...
Cynthia Eden Contest on Brava!!
Here's the blurb for the book to get you excited:
Cara Maloan doesn’t look like a monster. In fact, the gorgeous blond nightclub singer possesses heavenly attributes that make Atlanta detective Todd Brooks sure there’s a higher power somewhere. But a twisted killer is leaving a trail of bodies in seedy hotel rooms across town. The male victims show no wounds–it’s as if the life was simply drained from them. And right now, mysterious Cara is Todd’s only suspect.
Cara knows it’s foolish to be so drawn to a man who thinks she’s a murderer. She also knows Detective Brooks would find the truth even harder to swallow. Cara is one of the Others, a race of powerful, paranormal creatures who live among humans. Cara’s particular abilities make men putty in her hands–all except this rugged, sexy-as-hell detective. But now someone, or something, has singled Cara out for serious payback…
As uneasy trust gives way to mind-blowing desire, Cara and Todd will go head-to-head with a killer whose mission is deeply personal, and who’s determined to serve up revenge that’s hotter than hellfire, and just as deadly…
10.21.2008
Phantom's Touch Review
After stealing the sword from her ex husband’s house, Lauren is in for a surprise when a phantom man immerges from out of nowhere. Aiden Forsyth was cursed into the sword back in the 1700’s by his enemy Rogan. When the Forsyth brothers tried to save their sister from Rogan, he cursed all of them into objects that they’ve been captive in ever since.
Aiden explains to Lauren how he came to be stuck in the sword for so long and how he wants to find his family and get revenge on the man who cursed him. The only problem is, Aiden is not yet free of the curse. He can only become whole at sundown. During the day Aiden is in the sword once again. Lauren researches the Forsyth family in hopes of finding out some answers for Aiden. In the mean time, there is a strong sexual attraction between the two of them and Lauren learns the true pleasures a man can bring into her life.
While Lauren is enjoying her time with Aiden, she has no idea that there is a very determined man who wants the sword for himself. He will resort to any means necessary, even attacking Lauren to get to it. But Lauren can’t let anyone steal the sword from her because she would be losing Aiden right along with it. Will Lauren’s life be endangered because of the sword?
The romantic scenes and Lauren’s past was well written and gave the story a touch of mystery. I look forward to learning more about the Forsyth brothers and what objects the others are trapped in. Overall, Phantom’s Touch is an intriguing story that leaves readers wondering what is next to come.
10.18.2008
Hotter After Midnight Review
With just one look, Emily is able to tell if someone is human or an Other. When she meets Detective Colin Gyth, she is shocked to discover he is a Shifter. No one on the police force knows the truth about Colin, not even his partner Detective Todd Brooks.
Colin’s latest case is that of a murdered man whose neck was brutally ripped open by what appears to be an attack by an Other. The press quickly dubs the killer The Night Butcher and wait for more deaths so he can be classified as a serial killer. Emily helps the police investigate the murders by forming a profile of the perpetrator. Using her psychic abilities she reads people’s thoughts to try to find out the truth behind the case. But when more people are murdered, things quickly become scary. Colin’s boss is aware of Others but wants the supernatural elements of the case kept quiet.
Will Colin be able to keep his Shifter side in control and not become discovered? Is the killer an Other or is it a human?
While working along side Colin, Emily starts to welcome his bold flirtation. She knows he is a Shifter but doesn’t know specifically what kind of Shifter he is. When Emily finds out the truth will she have a change of heart about her feelings for Colin? Will Colin win Emily over or will her past sneak up on them and cause turmoil and mistrust?
Hotter After Midnight is a nail biting, suspenseful, sexy, paranormal romance that kept me glued to the pages. I devoured Hotter After Midnight all in one day, that’s how good it is! I was physically unable to put it down, not even for a bathroom break.
The writing, characters, and dialogue is so engaging and had me hooked from the first sentence. ‘’The vampire on her couch had a serious blood phobia.’’ Cynthia Eden is officially one of my new favorite authors and has definitely earned a place on my keeper shelf. Run and get this book!
Buy Hotter After Midnight on Amazon
Buy Hotter After Midnight from Barnes and Noble
Read an excerpt on Cynthia Eden's site here
10.17.2008
Veiled Truth Review
Lyra Magice is a witch who works for the OCU to solve mystical cases. The answers to the case might be in the four thousand year old book that one man possesses. But this man is Theron LeNoir, the same dhampir (half vamp- half witch) that Lyra once thought she could have a relationship with. She hasn’t seen Theron in five years ever since she decided she wouldn’t become another notch on his bed post, she has more dignity then that.
Theron is arrogant, rich, and egotistical, not Lyra’s idea of her dream man. Without any other choice, Lyra calls on Theron for permission to borrow his book. When he flatly refuses, Lyra takes it upon herself to use a little magic and haul ass out of there with the book.
When Theron shows up at the OCU to retrieve his stolen book, Lyra is in for a surprise. Caine welcomes Theron onto the case to help decode the meaning behind the symbols. Working with Theron will drive Lyra insane and she doesn’t appreciate her body’s response every time he walks into the room. Theron is gorgeous and one look from him sends chills up Lyra’s back.
How will she work alongside this obnoxious man who sees women as nothing more then a good time in bed? Will Lyra and Theron be able to decipher the symbols before it’s too late? Why is Theron so secretive and what is he hiding?
As the case progresses, Theron realizes the answers to the puzzle and discovers that Lyra’s life is in danger. But Theron can’t reveal what he knows because that would also reveal his darkest secrets. What will happen to Lyra? Will she become another body in the morgue or will her team come to her rescue just in time?
Veiled Truth is a thrilling fast read that I inhaled in two sittings. The romance is sexy, the suspense is electrifying, and a touch of magic makes this a very fun read! I enjoyed seeing all of my favorite characters from previous books back and getting to know more about Lyra Magice.
Vivi Anna never disappoints and I can’t wait to read her next Valorian Chronicles book. If you haven’t read this series yet, I recommend reading them in order starting with Blood Secrets, Dark Lies, and then Veiled Truth. I guarantee you will adore this series and become as addicted as I am! Overall, Veiled Truth is pure reading enjoyment from start to finish and I can’t recommend it enough.
10.16.2008
The Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel Review
In The Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel, romance authors Christie Craig and Faye Hughes, have created an incredibly useful book to use as your guide while writing your own romance novel. The book starts off with a brief history about romance novels and the different subgenres within romance.
Writers can also learn how to deal with writer’s block, rejection, how to use the five senses to make a book come alive, and whether or not you want to find yourself an agent and how to go about it. In the back of the book is a glossary of frequently used terms in the romance genre and a large list of romance publishers that include major publishers, small presses and e-book publishers.
The Everything Guide to Writing a Romance Novel is perfect for readers who don’t know a lot about the writing industry and would like to write their own romance novel. This How to Book is the ultimate guide for aspiring writers to give them that extra push to writing a book. Overall, the information was easy to understand and I enjoyed learning more about how to write a romance novel.
Break of Dawn Review
Underneath the streets of Hollywood, is the underground world where vampires live. Dawn joined Jonah Limpett’s Vampire Hunting team after a member of his crew had a vision of Dawn being ‘’the key’’ in a scenario. Since their last mission, Dawn’s father was kidnapped by her vampire mother and taken underground. Without knowing where the underground really is, the team is at a loss on how to find him.
After finally meeting the person behind The Voice - Jonah, Dawn receives some disturbing information from him that causes her to leave the sanctuary of the Limpett house. Without the ghosts known as Friends to protect her, Dawn ventures out to meet up with Matt but instead comes face to face with her mother Eva. Eva’s intentions are hard to interpret and this leaves Dawn at a loss on whether she can truly trust her mother or not. After all, she did betray her when it came to Breisi and this resulted in Breisi’s death.
Will Dawn find The Underground on her own without falling into a dangerous trap? Will the truth about Dawn’s love interests tear her apart? Will Dawn ever find her father and bring him safely home? Will this mission end successfully or will it result in another tragic death?
Break of Dawn is the final book in a trilogy AND the third book in the Vampire Babylon Series. The series will continue with a fourth book, but this will start up an all new storyline and trilogy. I enjoyed the suspense and action of Break of Dawn and how everything came together in the end.
The characters and their chemistry with each other brings an interesting element to the story. I found the fantasy parts very well written and entertaining. Overall, Break of Dawn is a fascinating, suspenseful, urban fantasy novel that will keep readers riveted until its exciting conclusion.
10.13.2008
Iron Hunt Review
The prison veil that was built ten thousand years ago is starting to fail and the demons that were imprisoned there are coming through. Maxine is the last person alive to protect the world from these demons as all of the Wardens have now died. It is up to her to make sure the demons don’t destroy the world and that’s a lot of responsibility for one person to handle.
Along the way, Maxine comes across a dead private investigator who she believes was investigating her. This leads her to a chance meeting with a man named Jack, a homeless boy named Byron, a woman named Sarai and several demons who know more about Maxine then she does herself.
Maxine’s boyfriend Grant somehow helps her keep her sanity but he is only human and isn’t always available to help her. A man named The Tracker is introduced into the picture as is Blood Mama, a woman to be feared.
Will Maxine put together the pieces of her life and discover the truth about her past and her future? Will Maxine save the world from destruction and protect the innocent from demons?
IRON HUNT is the sequel to the short story Hunter Kiss in the anthology Wild Thing. I was aware of this beforehand so I did read the short story first. I would definitely recommend that readers read it so they aren’t lost for details when picking up IRON HUNT.
IRON HUNT is primarily an urban fantasy story, heavy on the fantasy aspects. There is lots of suspense and mystery but some readers may become frustrated with the elusive manner in which details are presented. Everything is a mystery to Maxine, so it is presented to the reader in the same manner. As she uncovers clues, so do we.
I found the story to be beautifully written and the imagery made the story come to life out of the pages of the book. Overall, IRON HUNT is a fascinating, highly imaginative, fantasy novel that I greatly enjoyed. I look forward to the next book in the Hunter Kiss Series and learning more about Maxine Kiss.
10.04.2008
I Love Your Blog
The rules for this award are that you need to:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!
So I'm officially awarding this award to:
1. Kimberly at Darque Reviews
2. Marta Acosta at Vampire Wire
3. Amber at AmberKatze's Book Blog
4. Lori at Lori's Reading Corner
5. Linda at Reading Is So Much Fun
6. Book Binge Ladies at Book Binge
7. Jen at Up Close & Personal with LadyTink
(FYI Wendy, Carolyn already nominated you that's why I didn't. I still love your blog)
10.03.2008
Excerpt from The Missing
The weird sense of deja vu exploded into something else entirely. Something that shook her to the core. His eyes narrowed and he reached up, caught her chin in his, staring at her.
She was pale and Cullen thought she looked every bit as shaken as he felt. “The dreams,” he muttered. He caught her face in his hands and forced her to look at him, staring into her pale gray eyes. The ugly, dark bruise around her left eye made her iris seem that much paler and as he watched, the pupil flared, enlarging until just a sliver of gray of visible.
Taige tried to jerk away and he wouldn’t let her. “You had the dreams, too, didn’t you?” he demanded.
Her voice shook as she reached up with one hand to jerk on his wrist, trying to break his hold. “Let go of me.”
Slowly, he shook his head. “You have,” he whispered, dismay spreading through him.
Dismay–and something else. She’d always held herself apart from him in those dreams. But through those dreams, he’d gotten to know her, gotten to know the woman she had become. She was pulling away from him not because she was angry at him, or because she didn’t want anything to do with him.
She pulled back because she still loved him.
releasing 11/4/08…
Want to read more? Click here
Insatiable Desire Review
Vincent closes himself off from love and has rules for the women he sleeps with. He will only sleep with a woman one time and then he moves on. This way there is no attachment and feelings involved and Vincent can keep his demon in control. But Vincent’s rules change when he is called back to his old home of Eerie, Tennessee to investigate a serial killer case.
Clarissa King is a psychic and she’s had visions, heard voices, and communicated with the dead and recently departed since she was a kid. Clarissa and Vincent were friends as children but haven’t seen each other for a long time. When Vincent returns home to Eerie, Clarissa and Vincent both experience confused emotions and an odd attraction for each other that they can’t deny.
Vincent is skeptical about Clarissa’s psychic abilities, but when she starts putting together clues and leads that she otherwise would not have known, he starts to believe in her talents. Together, Clarissa and Vincent work together to find an elusive serial killer who is murdering the women of Eerie one by one. Will they find the evil person who is on a killing spree or will something supernatural stand in the way and reek havoc on the town?
Insatiable Desire is the first book in a new paranormal romantic suspense series by Rita Herron. There is nail biting suspense, romance, erotica, mystery, and paranormal elements all within this story. Every once in a while, I read a book that I absolutely love and adore; Insatiable Desire is one of those books. The book ended with a killer cliff hanger that will leave readers eager for the next book, Demon Hunger due out in the summer of 2009.
10.02.2008
Charlaine Harris Hits NYT List BIG TIME!
I've never seen anything like this before. With the Harry Potter books the last 2 books are usually on there when a new one was released or when the movie is coming out, but this many weren't ALL on there at once right??
Anyway big congrats to Charlaine Harris! I think it's very cool that she has had such great success! I haven't read the books yet, (I know crazy huh?) but I did start the first one and saw that it follows almost exactly from the first episode. So I kind of didn't want to spoil the show, so I didn't continue reading it for now. I will eventually read them though.
So anyway, isn't this crazy that all of her books are on there at once?!