Review: The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2) by Juliette Cross

The Red Lily (Vampire Blood #2) by Juliette Cross
Purchase link: Amazon

My rating:     

Heat rating:      

New Release: Once Bitten (The Wolves of Hemlock Hollow #1) by Heather McCorkle

Once Bitten
The Wolves of Hemlock Hollow #1
By: Heather McCorkle
Releasing April 24, 2017 
Entangled Select Otherworld

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled

Cover Reveal: Starstruck (The Trans-Galactic Insurrection #2) by Kalli Lanford

Starstruck by Kalli Lanford
The Trans-Galactic Insurrection #2
Releasing April 24, 2017
Entangled Publishing Select Otherworld

Author Interview & New Release: The Reaper's Kiss (Deathmark #1) by Abigail Baker

The Reaper's Kiss
Deathmark #1
By: Abigail Baker
Releasing August 24, 2015
Entangled Select Otherworld

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

Synopsis

Ollie Dormier's tattoos are deadly. She is a Scrivener—an employee for Death—and her skull tattoos mark her clients for their demise. She does her job, and she stays out of trouble. But when her hands start to burn hot and fierce, and her control goes leaping out the window, all hell breaks loose. Ollie is showing the early signs of being a Master...demonstrating power that is forbidden.

That power is exactly what Reaper Brent Hume is counting on. A hot, scruffy rebel, who does marvelous and terrifying things to Ollie's insides. Now he needs Ollie's help—and her skills—to overthrow the evil and corrupt Head Reaper. That is, if he can figure out a way to keep this hot-handed girl cool...and keep his hands off.

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Excerpt

    After raiding Lethe, the underground lair of the Head Reaper, Brent and I convened around a piping hot radiator in my livingroom. The temptation to sit on it and warm my buns was there, but I resisted. What was impossible to resist was standing side by side with Brent without touching. And the more we sought warmth, the closer we became. Too soon we were all but hugging in effort to regain our body heat.
    Had he suggested removing our clothes, I would not have partaken. I would have liked to know what the rebel Brent Hume was like in the bedroom, but not right before Lethe, in Lethe, or after Lethe, and certainly not standing over a radiator, shivering ourselves silly.
    My clicking teeth slowed as the radiator, and Brent’s body heat, melted a layer of ice on my clothing.     “Did you... you get the Reaper’s name?”
    He pulled down the collar of his shirt to expose a white notecard inside a plastic bag—the prize from Lethe. A name was scribbled on it, but from what I could see the writing had bled. Brent noticed a second after me.
    “Mother fucker,” he groused. “The ink got wet.”
    “Of course it did.” It was too much energy to roll my eyes. For now, I needed heat. Lots and lots of heat.
    He held the baggie up to the overhead light. “I see a name. Baird.”
    “Is that a last name or first? Is it a male or female? Who is it?” My shivering worsened my panic, which in turn worsened my shivering. “We did this all for nothing, didn’t we? Didn’t we?”
    “Good Hades, calm down, Scrivener.” He turned from me when I tried to get a peek at the name through the soggy baggie. Not one to take such an obvious cue to give him space, I went for it, using my own shivering to launch into the air. Quick as he was, he underestimated my determination. The baggie was in my hands before my feet touched the floor. Being short and swift was a fine offense against tall and slow.
    “Hey!” he barked.
    “It says Baird. It’s a last name.” I ducked when he reach around my shoulders, thwarting his effort to retrieve the baggy. “But I can’t read the first name. No knowing if it is a guy or gal.”
    “Give it back.” Brent refused to continue reaching for the prize, as if little ol’ Olivia outplaying him was a front to his ego.
    “I don’t know a Baird,” I said.
    “Neither do I. This means I can’t just look the Reaper up and distract him or her like I had planned.”
    “So I was right?” I dropped my arms to my sides as we faced each other, Brent looking as bewildered and broken as I felt.
    “Seems so.”
    I sighed to keep from breaking into tears. My shoulders and head felt heavy. The couch seemed a great place to throw myself down and let my emotions pour out. I would’ve found out, if Brent did rush at me and grab the baggie. There was only a small glimpse of his wicked smile before we found ourselves entangled, both vying for the prize. A moment after, I found out what it would be like to collapse onto the couch, only with the Eidolon, too, falling over top of me. The springs of the IKEA beast cringed from our weight.
    Thoughts of Eve and the name Baird flitted away in exchange for one very real thing hovering above me.
    I grew tense but hopeful when his eyes turned to my lips. I knew what that meant. Every woman did. However selfish and grossly out of place it was, I was okay with one kiss, more curious than frightened to discover what it is like to kiss an Eidolon who could drain my life. Perhaps my motivation was to ridicule Fate by kissing the lips of Death himself. Or maybe I was cold, tired, and downright horny.

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Goodreads | Goodreads series


Author interview

I'm delighted to have Abigail join me to anwer a few questions for the blog. Please give her a very warm welcome ...

First of all, thank you for inviting me to your blog! :-)

Where are you from?

Good question. I was born in Ohio, grew up in North Carolina, and spent most of my adult life in Illinois and Colorado. I’m from all over, I guess.

(Deanna): Oh, I've visited Colorado. It's beautiful.

Tell us your latest news?

My debut paranormal romance, The Reaper’s Kiss, A Deathmark Novel is finally out! I’m also working on the follow up novel to The Reaper’s Kiss right now. That one should be out in June of 2016. And when I’m not involved with the Deathmark Series, I’m working on a new, women’s fiction about PTSD and the long path toward healing.

(Deanna): Yay, a book 2. I love a good series!!

When and why did you begin writing?

I was an artistic kid—drawing, dancing, acting, singing, and, of course, writing. Over the years I realized that out of all of the arts, writing is my topmost passion. I love telling stories, so in some ways I like to think of myself as a storyteller first and then a writer. I can honestly say that I’ve been a writer since I was old enough to write.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I studied ancient Greek and Roman literature in college, so I pulled from those mythologies. I also looked at the history of tattoos that goes as far back as the Otzi Man found in the Italian Alps. The Otzi Man had roughly 61 tattoos that they believed helped him with pain. His discovery and tattoos got me thinking about tattoos and their magical purposes and why people wear them.

(Deanna): I adore mythology!!

Do you have a specific writing style?

I took inspiration from Jeaniene Frost and Darynda Jones. I like their mix of dark and sarcastic and outright funny.

(Deanna): Oh Jeaniene Frost is one of my favorite authors. I love her Cat and Bones series!

How did you come up with the title?

Through the help of my agent and editor. Honestly, I’m terrible at titles. That is not my talent. Don’t ever ask me to title anything. Please.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Stand up for what is right no matter how hard or frightening it might be. We need more people in the world who fight for the underdog or the voiceless.

(Deanna): That is so true. It's a great message.

How much of the book is realistic?

Not much and that’s probably a good thing. I mean, I sure hope that there isn’t a Scrivener out there putting tattoos on people as a way to mark them for Death. Scary stuff. Then again, I do think there are guides that help us cross over from life to the Afterlife. That is a thought I can live (and die) with.

(Deanna): I can live with not much of it being realistic! My first encounter with Death as a character was a book by Piers Anthony called "On a Pale Horse", that was such a long time ago!

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I have one very close friend who has done a majority of my tattoos. Over the years and the long tattoo sessions with her, I began to formulate my main character, Ollie. So, there are some qualities of my friend in Ollie (some of the best qualities).

(Deanna): I love tattoos. I'm rather a big fan of Kat Von D. She's gorgeous with all her tattoos and what an incredible talent!

What book are you reading now?

Right now I’m doing research for a new project not at all connected to the Deathmark Series. So, I’m reading Irritable Hearts: A PTSD Love Story by Mac McClelland and The From-Aways by C.J. Hauser.

What are your current projects?

I’m editing the follow up novel to The Reaper’s Kiss as well as working on a women’s fiction about PTSD and the long path toward healing.

What would you like my readers to know?

Thank you. Seriously. I consider myself lucky that people want to read Ollie and Brent’s story. And I hope my readers love the pair as much as I do. Of course, I’m just a little biased. :-)

(Deanna): I'm looking forward to reading it. It's in my TBR.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I have loved your answers to all my questions. Please stop by again anytime!

Author Info

Abigail Baker shares her home with a Siamese cat endearingly named “The Other Cat” and two rescued mutts with mundane human names that people think are cute. In addition to writing about rebellious heroines, she enjoys hiking, discovering craft beers, baking the perfect vanilla bean cupcake, and rock climbing (going as far as scaling 800 vertical feet to the summit of Devil’s Tower National Monument in 2013).

Abigail won first place in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s 2010 Colorado Gold Writing Contest for Romance for THE BLOODSUCKER and first place in RWA’s Golden Network’s 2011 Golden Pen in Paranormal Romance for TATTOO OF YOUR NAME ACROSS MY SOUL (now THE REAPER’S KISS, Deathmark Book One). She regularly blogs about life observances, lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and can be easily found hiking any of Colorado’s best trails.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog



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Author Interview & New Release: Blood and Metal (Dark Desires #5) by Nina Croft

Blood and Metal
Dark Desires #5
By: Nina Croft
Releasing August 24, 2015
Entangled Select Otherworld

Buy Links:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

Synopsis

She's his last chance for redemption...if she doesn't kill him first.

Copilot of the Blood Hunter, Daisy is a newly-turned vampire, and she's hungry. Really hungry and it's interfering with her plans for revenge. Unfortunately, the only thing that can distract her from said hunger is sex...which is a problem when she can barely refrain from draining any man dry within moments. But old flame Fergal Cain might just be the sexy-assed solution to her problem.

Part human, part cyborg, and with a poison coursing through his system, Fergal's running out of time to find the scientist who has the cure. Unfortunately for him, the misfit crew of the Blood Hunter put a serious kink in his plans. And if the poison doesn't kill him, the hot little vamp he can't resist might do the honors herself...

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Excerpt

    “I used to think Rico was just this guy who drank blood. But it’s not like that.” A visible shiver ran through her, and Daisy rubbed her arms. “I died and came back to life, but I’m not the same. Right in the center of me there’s this dark place, and sometimes it tries to crawl up and come out. It’s worse when I’m hungry. That’s why I try to feed regularly. Anyway, Rico thinks the best way to keep it firmly locked inside is sex.”
    “And you can’t just pick up some guy.”
    “I’d probably rip out their throats.” She sounded so matter-of-fact.
    “Why did it happen?”
    She shifted on the bed. “I was dying. It was the only way Rico could save me.”
    “And are you okay with it?”
    “Most of the time. I liked being green, though—made me sort of unique.”
    “It sure did, but so does being a vampire.”
    “I guess. And there are some good things. I’m super strong, and I get to live forever.”
    “So Rico suggested you have sex with me because I taste disgusting and you won’t be tempted to drain me dry.”
    “Something like that. Rico said he’d killed hundreds, probably thousands, in his early years, and not all of them on purpose.”
    “Shit.” He frowned. “So what’s with the tying up, or is that just personal preference?”
    “I don’t know. I’ve never tied anyone up before. But I guess he thought you might try to run away or fight me off.”
    He studied her across the bed. The jumpsuit was open at the neck, revealing the swell of her breasts. Her legs were long, her hips rounded, and she had the sexiest lips—when she wasn’t flashing her fangs—that he had ever seen.
    His dick pulsed in his pants, and he savored the feeling. It had been so long since he’d experienced desire for anything but survival. Scary monster or not, he wanted her, and his dick jerked again in agreement. Wanted to push himself deep inside her and forget everything for a while.
    “I don’t think I’ll be running.”

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Goodreads | Goodreads series


Author interview

I'm delighted to have Nina join me to anwer a few questions for the blog. Please give her a very warm welcome ...

Thank you for having me here today!

When and why did you begin writing?

In a long ago time and a faraway place…When I was in my twenties (that’s the long ago time) I spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia with my husband. We were based in a remote village on the banks of Lake Kariba (a manmade lake formed by damming the Zambesi River—we were working with the people displaced when the dam was built). It’s a stunningly beautiful place but far from the nearest books (and this was way before ebooks) and I had a book-a-day habit. I suffered, and in the end came to the conclusion that I was going to have to write my own. That was my first (sadly never-to-see-the-light-of-day) attempt and I was hooked.

(Deanna): How awesome! And how wonderful that you were working with those displaced people. It must have been quite an experience!

Why do you write?

Because I get to make things up. I can do anything, be anyone, go anywhere. It’s fun!

What genre are your books?

I write romance, but all sorts of romance, contemporary, paranormal, science-fiction and sometimes a mix of all of them.

What draws you to this genre?

I write romance because I love a happy ending. But I also love variety and change, and so I switch between sub-genres.

(Deanna): I read romance because I love a happy ending too. Happy endings rock!

What is your most recent book about? (the one you are promoting now)

Blood and Metal is book 5 in my Dark Desires series, which follows the adventures, romantic and otherwise, of the crew of the space ship, the Blood Hunter. The series is a mix of science fiction and paranormal and each book is a standalone romance with a new couple. In Blood and Metal that’s Daisy and Fergal. A vampire and a cyborg. They are very different, yet both ultimately looking for the same thing… even if they don’t know it at first.

(Deanna): I love the idea of a vampire and cyborg together. Not a combination I've come across before.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does she do that is so special? (for the current book that is being promoted)

Daisy has been in the series from the start—she’s the co-pilot of the Blood Hunter—and was always going to get her own story. She’s a genetically modified human, part plant, and green, and probably one of the nicest characters I’ve written. In book 4, she was changed into a vampire (to save her life) and now she has to come to terms with the darkness and hunger inside her. She has to learn to let go of her old self and come to terms with the new.

(Deanna): I like that she's green, or used to be if the excerpt you included below is any indication.

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

Scarlett Johansson for Daisy and Alex Skarsgard for Fergal.

(Deanna): Oh, I love Scarlett Johansson. Do you see Daisy as blonde Scarlett or Black Widow Scarlett?

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There is an overall theme through all the Dark Desires books—immortality—which is a subject I find fascinating. I suppose I’d like to get people thinking about whether they’d like to live forever, and what they would be willing to pay.

(Deanna): I would love to live forever, but only if my beloved Steve was with me. I always think that the years we have together are not enough. Even now, after 18 years, I think it's not enough. I want more of it. Eternity would be just nice.

How much of the book is realistic?

None!

(Deanna): Love!

What book are you reading now?

I’m reading Cottonwood, by R. Lee Smith. It’s dark science fiction with a little alien romance thrown in. I’m gripped.

What are your current projects?

I’m working on book 6 in the Dark Desires series, Flying through Fire, (Thorne and Candy’s story) And also doing edits on a contemporary romance releasing with Entangled’s Brazen imprint in October, His Fantasy Girl.

(Deanna): Can't wait!

Author Info

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of nine-to-five work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina writes all types of romance, often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook Author Page | Email | Amazon Author Page




Giveaway
An e-copy of the first in the series, Break Out.
To enter, simply leave a comment below and Nina will pick a winner.

Break Out (Dark Desires #1) by Nina Croft

The year is 3048, Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars where they've discovered the secret of immortality—Meridian. Unfortunately, the radioactive mineral is exorbitantly expensive and only available to a select few. A new class comprised of the super rich and immortal soon evolves. The Collective, as they're called, rule the universe.

Two-thousand-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and rogue pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador, can't resist two things: gorgeous women and impossible jobs. When beautiful Skylar Rossaria approaches him to break a prisoner out of the Collective's maximum security prison on Trakis One, Rico jumps at the chance. Being hunted by the Collective has never been so dangerous—or so fun.






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