Thursday, April 30, 2015

What's next in my series? #1 ... catching up on series I'm reading

For those of you who read romances you will know that there are a lot of great series out there. Of course, there are standalone books but I do love me a good series. The hardest thing about a series? Keeping up with them. According to FictFact, I am following 226 series, some I've started, some I've abandoned, some I've finished and some I haven't started yet. That's probably not even all the series I'm following since I haven't updated the list in a long time.

For this post, I want to focus on some of the series that I've started and have really enjoyed. I want to keep reading them and stay up to date on them but when you follow as many series as I do, it's inevitable that I fall behind. I'm thinking this will be a series of blog posts since there are so many series that I follow and love.

As you can see from the pages of my iPad Kindle library, there are a ton of books in there (bookworm problems!) and sometimes it's hard to figure out what's next. If only Siri could actually answer the question "what's next in my series?" for me. And BTW, shout to to my friend, Bambi, who came up with this awesome title for my blog post!



Not in any particular order, here are some (the actual list I'm behind on is much longer!) that I need to catch up on because I enjoy them and they are just bloody good reads.



Lily Harlem - Hot Ice
Hot Ice is my on-going series about fictional hockey team, The Vipers, based in Orlando. It's enormous fun to write and readers certainly seem to enjoy the antics of these bad boys and the women that tame them. When I wrote the first book HIRED I always had an idea it was going to grow into more than just one novel but I never could have predicted just how many stories would evolve. I'm now writing the 7th book!
They don't need to be read in order, they're all fine as standalone reads, but if you do follow the sequence you will briefly meet the hero of the next book in each of the previous.
Lily Harlem is one of my favorite erotic romance writers because she writes great characters and incredibly sexy scenes. With the Hot Ice series, she's made me fall in love with hockey players even though I don't watch or follow the game. I'm up to book 3 in the series and really need to get back into the series and catch up. As she says above, she's up to book 7 already! There is one book in the series that I'm not sure about, it's a MM book but seeing that it's Lily, I'll give it a shot even though it's not my thing. Her hockey players are big touch, alpha males but at the same time, they are seriously nice guys. I don't know any athletes but I read enough in the media that a lot of them are not the most upright of characters with their behavior in their personal lives but Lily's characters are all very upright guys. She makes them easy to fall in love with. Not a question of if but when I'm all caught up with this series.




Jacquelyn Frank - The Nightwalkers
Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers - the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. 
This is the first series by Jacquelyn Frank. I have read all of the books from the World of Nightwalkers series which was the first time I encountered Jacquelyn Frank. The reason for this discovery was because she had a book coming out featuring a gargoyle as the hero and I have a rather large obsession with gargoyles as heroes. I started the series and read up to the point of the latest (then) book in preparation for the gargoyle book. Once I caught up on the series, I decided to go back to her back list and start on the Nightwalker series. I've only read Jacob so far, so I need to really get caught up and make my way through the series before the next book in the World of Nightwalkers comes out as there are connections to the next book.



Alexis Morgan - Paladins of Darkness & Warriors of the Mist
A cursed destiny. A band of warriors. And one troubled kingdom.
It is whispered in Agathia that the legendary warriors of the mist—cursed by the gods—can be summoned only when a champion is needed and the cause is just. Gideon, their captain, knows this to be the one path that will lead his men to redemption—lest they face an eternity of damnation.
Years have passed since anyone has journeyed to the river's edge, but times are desperate. 
I'm in the middle of two series by Alexis Morgan and I really need to get my act together and catch up on them. At least with Warriors of the Mist it is only the latest book in the series that I haven't read. With Paladins of Darkness, I have a few more but I think the series has ended and I think psychologically, I'm delaying the end because the series is over. I love that series and I just don't want it to end. With Warriors in the Mist, I'm just slack. I am definitely going to read them though because I love her writing and the stories are great.



Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress & Night Prince
The NIGHT HUNTRESS series is an urban fantasy romance featuring half-vampire heroine Cat Crawfield and Master vampire hero, Bones. My heroine and hero have a difficult road ahead of them and they will have to work very hard to earn their HEA (happily-ever-after), so their story isn’t over with the first book. Hope you come along for the ride!
I first came across Jeaniene Frost and the Night Huntress series because of few of the girls in my book group were raving about the books. On their raving recommendations, I started my journey reading about Cat and Bones, and of course, like them, I fell in love with the stories and with Bones. :-) I'm on the last book of the series, or rather, I haven't read the last book in the series. I might be saving it but I'm not sure. I had started to read it a while ago but then decided to read it later as it wasn't the right time for me to concentrate on it and I wanted some dedicated time to really savor the story. I haven't picked it back up since. I must! I have read all the books in the Night Huntress World series!

With the Night Prince series, I started it because well, (1) Jeaniene Frost is a great writer and (2) I loved Vlad is a character. I really enjoyed the first book but got stalled from starting the second book because a friend reading it claimed that Vlad was a total douche canoe in the book and she hated him for it. She was going through a bad divorce at the time and during that time, I think all men were douche canoes to her! I really don't like hearing opinions like that because it ruins it for me and it's the reason I stay away from reviews before I read a book. I haven't picked the book up but I plan to, especially now that the third book is out and I know that Leila married Vlad. I promise I'm not spoiling anything - it's in the blurb for the book!



Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse
Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is no typical Southern belle. She can read minds. And she’s got a thing for vampires. Which, in a town like Bon Temps, Louisiana, means she’ll have to watch her back—and neck
I loved this series during the early books and I have to admit that I thought the quality of the books started to fall off around about book 11 for me, when the series went on TV as True Blood. I was even super excited about the TV series but never made it past the first season. If you look at my ratings for the books, you'll see that though they were consistently 3 or 4 star reads for me, they started to dip below that towards the end. I haven't read the last book yet because (1) it was the last book and I thought I was saving it and (2) I accidentally read a comment in an thread unrelated to it about a major character that ruined it for me and made me not want to start the book. Then just now, as I was researching the series for this post, I read a HUGE spoiler about the ending that just ruined it even for me. Why do people do that? Why do they just post spoilers without a spoiler alert? <Rant!> Now, I'm even more uncertain if I will go back and read the last book. I guess eventually I will just to say I've finished it although Charlaine Harris doesn't seem to be done with the series or the characters as she seems to keep coming out with related books.



Deborah Harkness - All Souls Trilogy
A Discovery of Witches is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of a modern-day witch who inadvertently calls up an ancient enchanted manuscript at Oxford University's Bodleian Library[6] thereby attracting the unwelcome notice of a host of magical creatures who live among humans, including other witches, daemons, and a 1,500 year-old French vampire.
I love this series. I love the writing and I love the story. I fully intend to read the last book in the series but this is a long book, and it demands attention and dedication to its reading. I want to be able to savor it and give it my full attention so I'm looking for a time when I can do just that. It's one of my favorite series of all time. Even if you are not into anything paranormal, read this because the writing is beautiful and it is a journey of the senses.

I had planned on talking about a lot more series that what I ended up with, but the post just got too long. If you are interested in what series I follow, check out my list on FictFact or just drop me a message and we can chat about them, all my contacts via social media are below or you can use the "Contact Me" form in the side bar. :-)


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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

New Release: The Gifted and The Damned by Dana Michelle Burnett

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The Gifted and The Damned
(The Vampire Wars Series, Book #1)
by Dana Michelle Burnett

Synopsis:

Seduction was her gift...He was her weakness...In the small town of Corydon Indiana, witches, seers, and shape shifters live hidden from the everyday world in plain sight. They live under the constant memory of the trials of Salem and live by a code of secrecy.

Ruby Malone, the only siren ever born to her family of witches, held the hearts of many men in the palm of her hand, making her the talk of the supernatural community, but there was only one man that she wanted. Making seer Archer Wallace hers was the only thing Ruby cared about until a war between the gifted and the vampires turned her world upside down.


Suddenly, the world that Ruby knows is gone. Archer is off fighting in the war and Poe Corvus, a rebellious shape shifter with a past, tempts her to be the siren she was born to be.




Available for purchase at 

amazon



Excerpt

Ruby looked up at me, her green eyes glittering in the near darkness. My gaze fell on her red trembling lips.

Before I could stop myself, I was kissing her, forcing my tongue between her teeth. At first, she fought me, but then I felt her mold herself to me and press herself against my groin.

There was no waiting. I pulled at her clothes, almost tearing them off her. Her creamy flesh beckoned me, smelling of earth and sin. I tore away my own clothes so that I could hold her warm body against my naked skin.

She reached up and took my face in her hands, “Look at me.”

I looked down into her green eyes, feeling my very soul pull towards her. “What?”

Ruby brushed her hand over my cheek, “I do love you. I love you so much that it scares me sometimes.”

I was kissing her then, trailing my lips along her jawline and down to her neck. I could hear her unsteady and ragged breaths as I licked at her collarbone, but my own breath was coming just as fast.

I eased her down onto the floor and stretched out beside her. My lips found her breast, she cried out as they closed around her nipple. I brought my hand up to knead the other breast, pinching that nipple between my first finger and thumb. Ruby arched her back and twisted her fingers in my hair as my tongue circled her nipple before taking it between my teeth in a gentle nibble.

I pulled her closer, sliding my hand under her so that I could clutch her buttock. I ran one finger along her cleft, teasing her nether opening.

She drew in a sharp breath and bucked her hips upwards as if trying to get closer to me. I ached with my need to impale her, to fill her completely.

I groaned, low and animalistic. I shifted so that I could move further down, leaning over her and brushing her hair off her neck and shoulders.

“Can I really trust you?” I asked as I teased her skin with a feather touch.

“Yes,” she gasped. “Yes.”

I brought my lips back down to her lips and then trailed along her throat, between her breasts, and stopped just below her stomach. I positioned myself between her legs, eased her thighs apart, and then lowered my mouth to her wet slit.

Ruby gasped as I buried myself there, lapping at her inner folds. She bucked and cried out as I held her down and worked her over. She was still twitching when I moved back up her body, kissing her hot flesh, as I took her.

She clutched at my shoulders, pulling me closer. I felt her come apart again and again until I could not hold back anymore. I swore as a shudder overtook me.
We remained on the floor, Ruby’s head against my chest. My fingers tracing the ridges of her spine as I listened to our hearts beat in time.


About The Author

Dana Michelle Burnett spent most of her life writing short stories and sharing them with family and friends. Over the years, her work was published in numerous commercial and literary magazines including Just Labs, Mindprints: A Literary Journal, Foliate Oak, and many more. Her short story John Lennon and the Chicken Holocaust was include in The Best of Foliate Oak 2006.  

Dana Michelle's Spiritus Series introduced the idea of a ghostly romance and became a Kindle bestselling series. Her Gypsy Fairy Tale Series combined the magic of the Tuatha De Danann and the Irish Travellers and the first book in the series, Once, was included in the Faery Realms Multi-Author Box Set. With this new series, Dana Michelle dives into the trials and tribulations surrounded the paranormal gifted during a war with vampires.

She's an avid reader of anything dark and romantic. Dana Michelle lives in Southern Indiana with her dancing diva daughter and an assortment of pets.
Dana Michelle loves connecting with her readers. 

You can find Dana at 

               


Giveaway




Presented By


* My review for this book is forthcoming.


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New Release: Paranormal romances from Kensington by Melody Johnson, Daisy Banks and Alexandra Ivy

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Title: The City Beneath
Author: Melody Johnson
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle
Purchase link: Amazon


Synopsis

As a journalist, Cassidy DiRocco thought she had seen every depraved thing New York City’s underbelly had to offer. But while covering what appears to be a vicious animal attack, she finds herself drawn into a world she never knew existed. Her exposé makes her the target of the handsome yet brutal Dominic Lysander, the Master Vampire of New York City, who has no problem silencing her to keep his coven’s secrets safe…

But Dominic offers Cassidy another option: ally. He reveals she is a night blood, a being with powers of her own, including the ability to become a vampire. As the body count escalates, Cassidy is caught in the middle of a vampire rebellion. Dominic insists she can help him stop the coming war, but wary of his intentions, Cassidy enlists the help of the charming Ian Walker, a fellow night blood. As the battle between vampires takes over the city, Cassidy will have to tap into her newfound powers and decide where to place her trust…


About the author

mjMelody Johnson is the author of the gritty, urban fantasy Night Blood series set in New York City. The first installment, The City Beneath, was a finalist in several Romance Writers of America contests, including the “Cleveland Rocks” and “Fool For Love” contests.

Melody graduated magna cum laude from Lycoming College with her B.A. in creative writing and psychology. While still earning her degree, she worked as an editing intern for Wahida Clark Presents Publishing. She was a copyeditor for several novels, including Cheetah by Missy Jackson; Trust No Man II by Cash; and Karma with a Vengeance by Tash Hawthorne.

When she isn’t working or writing, Melody can be found hiking the many woodsy trails in her Pennsylvania hometown or sunning and swimming at the beach.

Author links: Website - Facebook - Twitter


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Title: Marked for Magic
Author: Daisy Banks
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle
Purchase link: Amazon


Synopsis

The witch mark on Nin’s hand is a curse. She has no magic powers, whatever the lore says. But the village believes. The old crone’s wisdom is to see her banished. Ragged and hungry, she must serve the Mage. Alone in his tower, she is his chattel. But Mage Thabit is not what Nin expected—the bright green eyes and supple form under his cloak are not the stuff of nightmares, and kindness hides in his brusque heart. Thabit senses that Nin is more than she seems, too. When true nightmares haunt the land, it is precisely her elusive powers that might deliver them…


About the author

dbI am a romance writer. I write sweet sensual romance with a bit of a bite.

I love writing fantasy stories and letting my mind run free with them. I also write paranormal stories and historical tales.

I was born in the Black Country in the West Midlands in England. I am very proud of that heritage.

At present I live with my husband in a converted Chapel in Shropshire in England. Luckily any lingering spirits here are kind.

I have retired from a career in teaching and can now concentrate on other things.

My inspiration to write is one of long standing and I continue to develop my skills as an author to tell the stories in my mind.

I always hope the stories I write give readers enjoyment.

Author links: Website


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Title: Darkness Eternal
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle
Purchase link: Amazon


Synopsis

For the Guardians of Eternity, battle is a way of life—whether the plight of their world is at stake, or the fate of their heart…

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of Hell, there’s no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by Uriel’s touch…

Previously published in Supernatural.


About the author

aiLike most writers, I was born with an avid love for reading. Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a book in my hand or wasn’t dreaming up wild stories in my head. And when I stepped into my local library for the first time I thought it was paradise. There were so many books on the shelves I didn’t know where to start!

Still, I didn’t plan to grow up and become a writer. I was much more interested in a glorious career as an actress on Broadway.

I followed my dream by acquiring a degree in theatre and performing for several years in summer-stock productions, but after I married my college sweetheart I decided to put the career on hold while we started a family. After the arrival of my two sons, Chance and Alex, I found myself seeking a new creative outlet and decided to turn my occasional scribblings into a genuine effort to get published.

I’d like to say that I was an overnight success, but the truth is that it took years before I finally got ‘the call’. The rejections were painful, but now I’m relieved. All those manuscripts that I thought were the next Great American Novel are now exactly where they belong…gathering dust under my bed.

They did, however, help me learn my craft, and just as importantly, they gave me the opportunity to enjoy writing in a wide variety of genres as I searched for my voice. Which no doubt explains why I started writing traditional regencies under the name Debbie Raleigh and then moved to steamy historicals under the name Deborah Raleigh before transforming into a contemporary paranormal writer as Alexandra Ivy. Now my career spans everything from erotica to romantic suspense.

When I’m not writing I love to travel, it doesn’t matter where I’m going as long as it doesn’t include any cooking or cleaning. I also love to spend time with my family who continue to be my greatest source of inspiration. And since some things never change…when I have a few minutes, you can still find me with a book in my hand!

Author links: Website - Facebook - Twitter

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Tuesday Teaser: Forged In Fire (Red Hot SEALs #1) by Trish McCallan

I might be on a bit of a romantic suspense kick but seriously, I have a huge thing for men who serve. Navy SEALs, Marines, Army Rangers .... you name them, I love them. I have so much respect for the men and women who sacrifice so much to keep us safe and who do what they do to allow us the liberty to live our lives as we do. To all those men and women, I salute you. Thank you for your service.

The other reason that I've picked this book is because it is a Kindle or Kindle Unlimited and Audible combo and I am loving the additional audio add on to the books right now. Takes me forever to finish a book since I only listen a few minutes each day, but I am enjoying the listening experience.


The CharmerTitle: Forged In Fire (Red Hot SEALs #1)
Author: Trish McCallan
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publish date: 4 September 2012
Length: 394 pages
Genre: Romantic suspense
Purchase link: Amazon

2013 RITA® Finalist for Best Romantic Suspense AND Best First Book

Beth Brown doesn’t believe in premonitions. But her recent dream feels too real to ignore: a commercial airliner is hijacked, and a handsome passenger is shot dead. Beth hasn’t met the mystery man in her dream; she would never forget a gorgeous face like his. But she can’t deny the bizarre connection she feels. Now awake, and unable to allow for the violence she’s convinced is impending, she races to the airport…and comes face to face with the man of her dreams.

Zane Winters lives for his job, using his uncanny psychic powers to carry out missions for elite SEAL Team 7. Yet the constant adrenaline highs can’t drown out the numbness seeping into his life as he yearns to find a woman he can trust. All that changes when he meets a beautiful stranger who sets his soul on fire—and somehow knows he’s about to die.

To thwart the global crisis the hijacking will unleash, Beth and Zane join forces. But even amid the danger, they can’t deny the powerful force drawing them together. Is it merely attraction…or destiny?

Revised edition: This edition of Forged in Fire includes editorial revisions, new scenes and a new ending.


Get the other book in the series:

bk2



About the author
auTrish McCallan was born in Eugene, Oregon, and grew up in Washington State, where she began crafting stories at an early age. Her first books were illustrated in crayon, bound with red yarn, and sold for a nickel at her lemonade stand. Trish grew up to earn a bachelor's degree in English literature with a concentration in creative writing from Western Washington University, taking jobs as a bookkeeper and human- resource specialist before finally quitting her day job to write full time.

Forged in Fire, the first book in her Red Hot SEALs series, came about after a marathon reading session, and a bottle of Nyquil that sparked a vivid dream. She lives today in eastern Washington. An avid animal lover, she currently shares her home with four golden retrievers, a black lab mix and two cats.

Author links: WebsiteFacebook - Twitter - Blog - Newsletter


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Monday, April 27, 2015

Book Review: Red Fever (BBW Fairy Tail Shorts #1) by Viola Rivard

Book coverRed Fever (BBW Fairy Tail Shorts #1) by Viola Rivard
Purchase link: Amazon

My rating: star star star star

Heat rating: Flame  Flame  Flame


The first of six steamy paranormal fairy tale novellas by New York Times Bestselling Author, Viola Rivard...

On a mission to escape her detestable fiancé, Rose must traverse a stretch of woods with a dangerous reputation. She has no idea that her curvy body has caught the eye of the forest's deadliest predator, or that he'll stop at nothing to make her his mate!

No cliffhangers here! Red Fever is a complete, HEA, standalone short story. Although by now it should be abundantly obvious, this story contains buckets of sensual content, only suitable for those over eighteen who enjoy their men on the wild side.

This is a new standalone novella by Viola Rivard that features a sexy wolf shifter to the classic fairy tale of Red Riding Hood. We meet Rose who is running away from a horrible man that her brother has betrothed her to. We also meet Ronan, who is our sexy wolf shifter who has discovered that Rose is his mate.

This is a quick, fun and sexy read of how Rose and Ronan meet and mate.

I loved Rose for her bravery and trying to make a better life for herself than what she was forced into.

I loved Ronan for his caring and tenderness. For a lone wolf who has not been around humans much, he's extremely considerate and well intentioned. I particularly liked all the little things he did for Rose to ensure her comfort and wellbeing. They weren't big, earth shattering things, well, except for that one crazy thing he did at the end, but all those little things showed that he cared more than any words could have.

Viola Rivard packs a punch in 50+ pages. It takes great skill to build in nuances in short punchy sentences with such a limited word count to create a credible love story. Ms Rivard has managed to do that.

View all my reviews


About the author

authorViola Rivard is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal and fantasy romance. When she's not wowing readers with her werewolves or dazzling them with dragons, she's hanging out with Mr. Rivard (aka, the hairiest man on the planet) and impatiently awaiting the birth of their baby bear, Lachlan.

Author links: Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads









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