Series Spotlight for Lydia Dare

I really enjoy paranormal stories if you couldn't tell by now. I wanted to share a series with you today that I found so fresh and unique. Werewolves or shape shifters abound in the romance genre, but Lydia Dare has really brought a twist into Regency England with her wolves.

Who is Lydia Dare...

Lydia Dare is the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. Both Tammy and Jodie are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and live near Raleigh, North Carolina.

Book 1:

A Certain Wolfish Charm
Lily takes to task the roguish Duke of Blackmoor, Simon Westfield.  While he answers the call of the full moon once a month, he will find that the call of his mate is much louder.

Tough, resourceful, charming women battle roguish, secretive, aristocratic men under the watchful eye of society in Dare's delightful Victorian paranormal romance debut. When Lily Rutledge's 12-year-old ward, Oliver, displays sudden changes in size and appetite, she demands that his guardian, Simon Westfield, duke of Blackmoor, pay attention to the boy. Simon wants to take Oliver away and teach him about the Westfield werewolf heritage; Lily refuses to abandon her beloved near-son to the man who has ignored him for years. Simon and Lily are drawn to each other, but Simon's secret and society gossip threaten their happiness.

Book 2:

Tall, Dark, and Wolfish
Elspeth is a kind hearted woman and healer, always willing to help those that come to her. Benjamin Westfield, youngest of the Westfield brothers and also lycan-only his wolf has stopped calling once a month.

Seeking help to heal his wolf, Benjamin Westfield is sent to find a healer in Scotland.  Originally seeking out  Elspeth's mother who had passed away, Elspeth's accepts to help Ben in her stead. Throughout the entire story Ben is at odds with his wolf, however every much attracted to the Scottish healer. an attraction so strong that neither will be able to hold back for long.

He's lost the most important part of himself...

Lord Benjamin Westfield is a powerful werewolf-until one full moon when he doesn't change. His life now shattered, he rushes off to Scotland in search of the healer who can restore his inner beast, only to find she's not at all what he expected...She would make him whole, if she could...Young, beautiful witch Elspeth Campbell will do anything to help anyone who calls upon her healing arts. Then Lord Benjamin shows up, and she suddenly discovers she may need him even more than he needs her...

Book 3:
The Wolf Next Door
Prisca Hawthorne and William Westfield tried and failed in their attempted elopement. Years later they are still fighting their attraction and silently suffering from broken hearts. However, their attraction will lead them together again and it will be up to Prisca to forgive and for Will to heal the wounds between the two for the love to last.

They can't even be in the same room together...Ever since their failed elopement years ago, Prisca Hawthorne has taunted, insulted, and in every way tried to push him away. If only her heart didn't break every time Lord William Westfield left her...But staying apart is even worse...Lord William throws himself into drinking, gambling, and debauchery and pretends not to care about Prisca at all. But when he returns to find a rival werewolf vying for her hand, he'll stop at nothing to claim the woman who should have been his all along.Can Prisca forgive the unforgivable, or are the moon-crossed lovers going to be forced into a battle of wills that could be fatal?

Book 4:
(I have yet to read book four. It is due out November 2, 2010!)
The Taming Of The Wolf
Please visit her site for the blurb!

You can find all the link to your favorite book stores at Ms. Dare's site!!;-)

Although this is not an official review on the series, I recommend this series to all that love Regency England and that loves a good romance with the added flavor of werewolves!

Author Spotlight

While I was cruising the web looking for new releases, I came across a new paranormal series that is going to blow your socks off! I loved her Blood Lily Chronicles and this series is going to be just as good if not better. The excerpts that are available on her site are just enough to make your mouth water and wanting more. Most of us know her as author Julie Kenner, but wait, have you meet her alter ego J. K. Beck? Her new series, THE SHADOW KEEPERS,  is set to hit book stores August 31, 2010 with When Blood Calls. Followed by the next two books in the series. The second book, When Pleasure Rules, will be released September 28, 2010. And the third, When Wicked Craves, releases on October 26 2010. I really look forward to writing my review for this series.:-)

As unique as her new series and covers, her book trailer is just as fun and unique. Take a look at the trailer for When Blood Calls.



Please visit Julie Kenner and her alter ego J. K. Beck and check out her books for yourself and read all the excerpts available!

Review: A Dream Of The Past by Lisa Rusczyk

A Dream Of The Past by Lisa Rusczyk
Released: Febuary 2010
Category: Fiction /Fantasy /Urban Life
Publisher: Club Lighthouse Publishing
Price: $15.32 ppb USD / $5.99 USD Ebook (Ebook / Paperback)


*I received this book from the author for review


SUMMARY (from Club Lighthouse Publishing):

All people have dreams from their pasts that never came to be. This is especially true for Gamane, and he intends to fix it. A long time ago, he tried to imprison Kalelli, the woman who would not love him back, with a powerful enchantment. Kalelli countered the spell, and instead of becoming his prisoner, a new race was born and Kalelli was destroyed. The cadens, part cat, part bird, and part magical Kalelli have been able to live in peace for hundreds of years, but now Gamane is back and wants to kill them all to restore his beloved back to life in her human form.

 Marcila doesn’t fit in on her island home of Slinaria. She is a skeptic living among people who thrive on stories and try hard to forget the past. When she finds out her father is alive and abandoned her when she was a toddler, she sets out for the mainland to find him so that she can understand why she is different. On her journey, she forms a bond with a caden and decides she must help fight Gamane in his mission. She meets others who share this vision, including her father. A group of mages and civilians band together to stop the powerful Gamane and end the caden killings.

FIRST LINE:

Gamane seemed truely sorry.

Plot:

The plot was easy to follow and flowed smoothly for the most part of the book. I did have to read over a few paragraphs to make sure I understood exactly what was happening. The author did however move from the past to the present with relative ease. 

SETTING

The story is set is the world of Sena. The Main Character is from the small secluded town of Slinaria. As the story continues, she travels to far towns with-in Sena-each more interesting than the last. If you enjoy reading books with exotica worlds, you will enjoy this book.  


WRITING:
I liked how the author used description to her advantage. She expertly created the scenes within the readers mind, making the fantasy all the more real and exciting. I had a little difficulty following a few of the characters thought process at times. I believe that was due to the different mind set and culture development created for the story. 


ORIGINALITY:
I haven't read that many fantasy books before, but I found the plot very unique and enjoyed reading it for all the creativity in the world building.


LAST THOUGHTS:
There are many underlying themes in A Dream Of The Past. You can see the connections between family strength, love, folklore and the adventurous youth of every generation-no matter the time period. This book is a good read for all young adults and I think even the younger readers would enjoy the fantastic world building Ms.Rusczyk has created. Per her blog, she is planning a sequel to this book. 



You can find Lisa Rusczyk HERE.


MY RATING:

Author Spotlight

I am hooked. A few months ago I discovered an new to me author. Broken was my break in novel from her books and I now absolutely love anything and everything by Shiloh Walker. She has such a fertile imagination that flows so smoothly across the page. Her stories twine together love with adventure and mystery. The perfect combination in my humble opinion! So you can see why I am anxious for her new release of Veil of Shadows.

Now that I have gushed like a school girl I wanted to share a couple of her books with you. I know Through the Veil was published in 2008, but it deserves to be spotlighted anyway. Not to mention the sequel in coming out next month as I mentioned above.
So here you go...

1. Through the Veil

Blurb:

Veil Book 1

Found wandering in a field as a child, Lee Ross was given a name by the state and placed in a foster home–without anyone realizing she wasn’t entirely human. All her life, she’s tried to dismiss the odd dreams that have plagued her, dreams of monsters creeping through the night and a man, fighting demons by her side. But the bruises she wakes up with are all too real to ignore

Then the man from dreams appears in the flesh. His name is Kalen and he insists that her destiny lies in his world, the world of her dreams.

To save their people, he must convince Lee to give everything she knows, follow her heart and cross into the Under Realm, even though once she does, she’ll never be able to return.

Excerpt

2. Veil of Shadows: Coming out September 2010

Blurb:

Veil Book 2

From an author known for her “romantic spine tinglers” comes the thrilling follow-up to Through the Veil, featuring a beautiful captain who’s lost her magic—and the stranger who will either be her great love, or her greatest enemy…

With demons running amok throughout the forests and mountains, a rebel army has been established to win back the land—and a new soldier has appeared out of nowhere to join them.

His name is Xan, and his past is a mystery to everyone, including Laisyn Caar—a beautiful captain in the rebel army—who is shocked by the powerful, all-consuming desire she feels in his presence.

But now isn’t the time for distraction. The future of her land—and of her people—is in her hands. On top of that, she’s been stripped of her magic—and without it she feels like part of her soul has been stolen away.

But when she discovers the dark secrets of Xan’s agenda, it will be up to her to determine whether the man she’s starting to love is a friend of her people—or a dreaded enemy…

Excerpt

You can find Shiloh Walker here

Redecorating...

Please excuse the redecorating. My fabulous husband is hard at work tweaking the xml template to Star Dust and Shadows so that I can have both blogs with relatively the same design. In the mean time, I have erased, and otherwise demolished the purple lady design. Just wasn't me! I hope you enjoy all the book covers, debut authors and upcoming releases on the side bars while we wait. Sometimes simple is just better!

What I'm Reading Right Now...

Author: Raven Corinn Clarluck

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Published: Febuary 22, 2010

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press 

Page Count 230 pages (paperback)

Buy: Amazon

A week ago a fellow writer and friend recommend Ms. Carluck's debut book for review. I am so glad she did. After I read the excerpt available, I was hooked. I immediately contacted the author and had a digi-copy in my 'hands' soon after for my review. I love discovering new authors and I will say right now that this author has awesome potential! I am finishing it up and by the weekend I will have my review ready. In the mean time here is the book blurb taken from Amazon and Ms. Carluck's link so you can visit her blog.

Blurb:

Mourning her mother on Halloween,Keila O'Broin,m psychic warrior and last of her line,isn't prepared for dead teenagers to ask her to avenge them.Compelled by her family creed,Keila combats the vampiric serial killer, despite her atrophied powers. But defeating one killer is only the start of her adventure. Into her life walks Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old undead master of Portland.The vampire tells her she will now help him defeat his rivals in a battle to control the city, and he will accept no refusals. Surrounded by her desire and danger, the only way to succeed is to rise from her past like a phoenix from its ashes.

Ms. Carluck also offers an unpublished prologue. Here's the link to it...

Check this Cover Out....

Yea! That's what I said...WOW! 


Ms Pearce is one lucky gal, in my opinion. Who could not notice this book? The art work is simply beautiful. Paired with her unique writing style, this book is sure to be a hit. Has any one read it yet? What did you think of it? If not and want to know more, here's the blurb from B&N's site...

First in a sexy new series that takes a bite out of the court of King Henry VIII 

Desperate to defeat King Richard III and gain the crown, Henry Tudor made a pact with the Druids binding him and his heirs to the Druids' struggle against vampires. Ever since, the Llewellyns, a vampire- slaying family, have been in the king's employ. Now Henry VIII reigns, and his father's bargain has been almost forgotten-until bloodless corpses turn up in the king's bedchamber. To save the king, Vampire hunter Rosalind Llewellyn must form an uneasy alliance with Druid slayer Sir Christopher Ellis. But soon, Rosalind must face an unthinkable truth: that her sworn enemy may be her soulmate...

Blurb from the author's site...

The Kiss of the Rose is death to kin
And three will stand alone.
The bonds of blood will reunite
And enemies become one.

The Legend of the Tudor Vampire Rose

People still argue today over whether the blood-red bloom known as the Tudor Vampire Rose is the result of Vampire or Druidic magic.

Arch enemies for centuries, Druids and Vampires have fought since the first vampires were created. Druid lore says this occurred when rogue Druids drank blood sacrifices meant for their gods. The result of these first Vampires’ power-hungry sacrilege…

If you visit Ms Pearce's site you can download the legend behind the Tudor Vampire Rose and enjoy all the other things available on her site.

Review: Cold Sight by Leslie Parrish

Extrasensory Agents Book 1: Cold Sight by Leslie Parrish
Released: July 2010
Category: Romantic Suspense/Paranormal
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Price: $7.19 ppb USD / $6.99 USD Ebook (B&N / Amazon)

*I received this book from the author for review

PERSONAL SUMMARY:

Small towns are never what they seem. It will take the stubbornness of one reporter and a special Agent to open the eyes of all the towns people to the hell residing behind closed doors.

SUMMARY (author's website):

After being made a scapegoat in a botched investigation that led to a child's death, Aidan McConnell became a recluse. Still, as a favor to an old friend, Aidan will help on the occasional XI case. But under his handsome, rugged facade, he keeps his emotions in check--for fear of being burned again.

Reporter Lexie Nolan has a nose for news--and she believes a serial killer has been targeting teen girls around Savannah. But no one believes her. So she turns to the new paranormal detective agency and the sexy, mysterious Aidan for help.

But just as the two begin forging a relationship, the case turns eerily personal for Lexie--and Aidan discovers that maybe he hasn't lost the ability to feel after all...

FIRST LINE 

Until last night, nobody had ever read Vonnie Jackson  a bedtime story.

PLOT:
I found the plot to be solid, holding the book together from beginning to end. I loved the intricate web that Ms. Parrish expertly weaved. The romance thread fit with the suspense thread, making the read smooth and seamless. It is hard to find an author that can meld the two together.

SETTING:
I am very fond of books placed in the south, so I thought is a nice surprise to find that Cold Sight set in a small town in Georgia. I consider the detail and description of the surroundings very well thought out, adding good taste to the writing style.

WRITING:
I liked how the author glided between the hero's point of view and the heroines in a matter of a simple gesture or thought. I found no need to stop and re-read for verification of which head I was in at any one moment.
I always wonder what the antagonist is thinking or feeling - find out what makes him tick. Ms. Parrish did not let me down. The story thread created for the antagonist was exceptionally detailed and delivered in a professional writing style true to the character's feelings and thoughts, making him believable.

CHARACTERS:
This is the interesting part.

This series is based on characters that have abilities beyond what normal humans have, yet they are fully human, make no mistake. While I love the romance genre and all the sub-genres that fall under this category, paranormal is my favorite. As I ventured deeper into the story, the surprising twists within the paranormal category, such as Ms. Parrish's characters provided, was really a treat.

Cold Sight focuses on Aiden and Lexie. They are both strong characters that play well off of each other. The heroine pulled me in the moment she stepped onto the page and I loved the connection I made with her. Even though she is a reporter, her humanity over ruled any goal she felt towards getting the next big story.  Her upbeat, never-going-to-keep-me-down personality worked perfectly with the plot and made me want to be a bit more like her. Aiden, with his take-no-bullshit demeanor went a long way to prove he deserved to be with Lexie, in my opinion. As I stated before, the antagonist was equally developed. His back story pulled me in and made me feel for him. Even when I thought I couldn't.

LAST THOUGHTS:
The emotions were thick throughout the entire book. A roller-coaster ride raging from loving and sweet to terrifying and infuriating. I love when a good book can make me step out of my ordinary day to day life and make me feel-make me see a world beyond my own living room. In this case, that is exactly what happened. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romantic suspense with a touch of the paranormal. I can't wait for the next book in this series!


MY RATING:

Find Leslie Parrish HERE. 

Recommended Reads for Summer's End

If you're like me, you hate to see summer come to and end. The quiet moments basking in the warm breeze as you read a good back in the back yard should never have to end. Unfortunately, it must. So to capture the last few weeks of sunny days and fruity drinks, I have made a small list of the few books that are on my End Of Summer Must Read List. If you have books to add feel free to mention them in the comment section!

Author:

Inez Kelley

Released: Jun 21, 2010

Category: Fantasy Romance, Romance, Shifters

eISBN: 9781426890253

Publisher: Carina Press 

BLURB (taken from the authors website):

It’s not nice to piss off Mother Nature…

Bryton Haruk sets out on a suicide mission to stop the bloodthirsty Skullmen from terrorizing the war-weary Land of Eldwyn. Consumed by guilt over the death of his wife, Bryton seeks revenge and reunion in the afterlife with his lost love. His purpose is determined, his bravery unmatched, until the queen casts a spell to save Bryton from himself.

Salome is that spell. A bird-shifter, she can harness the earth’s breeze and take the form of a beautiful, innocent woman. Her challenge is to harness Bryton’s pain and guide him to peace. She entrances and irritates him, tempting Bryton from his mission. Even as he gives in to the passion between them, Bryton insists on mounting a solo attack on the brigands’ compound, and Salome fears her love won’t be enough to save him…

I chose this book because I liked the blurb, yes, but I also was drawn in by the fact of the plot being unique. I liked how the heroine is given the task of saving a man that is set to die for a lost love.

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Released: Jun 27, 2010

Category: Paranormal Romance, Suspense

ISBN -13:9780062005274
ISBN: 0062005278

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

(Book two in the Night Huntress World Series)

Blurb (taken from author's website):

An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness…and now one woman has stumbled into the shadows. Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking.  But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn.  Suddenly she finds herself in a world she’s only imagined in her worst nightmares. 

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master Vampire who thought he’d seen it all.  Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful…human who braved death to rescue him.  Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life, yet sending her away is unthinkable. 

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose between the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction. 

Ms. Frost had me with her first book, Half Way To The Grave. She has kept me enthralled with her Night Huntress Series and I was not disappointed with the spin off The Night Huntress World Series. She knows how to write paranormal romance and she knows what a reader likes!

And for the Contemporary Lover in everyone...:-)

Author: Carly Phillips

Released: July 27, 2010

Category: Contemporary Romance

eISBN: 9781426864070

ISBN: 9780373774548

Publisher: Harlequin/eHarlequin

(Book 1 in the Bachelor Blog Series)

Blurb (taken from the author's website):

He’s New York’s Most Eligible Bachelor…

She’s just not interested!

Sam Cooper (“Coop”) has just become the most eligible bachelor in New York City. After foiling a jewelry store robbery, and being rewarded with the ring of his choice, single women all over the city are fawning over the crime reporter. But Coop isn’t interested in the admirers sending racy underwear his way. His attention is centered solely on Lexie Davis, the only woman in the city who claims not to be interested in his bachelor status.

Instead free-spirited Lexie is more interested in Coop’s antique ring, and its (potentially scandalous) history in her family. But Coop is quickly becoming more than just her route to the ring But when Coop’s investigation starts to uncover the truth, will she trust her heart – and her family secrets – to this most eligible bachelor?

I am a huge fan of Ms. Phillips for the simple fact that she never lets me down. I love the fact that I can connect with all of her heroines and every hero has something about him that makes me cheer for him as well. (If you like discussing the books you enjoy and chatting with the authors, Ms. Phillips will be doing a book club day for Kiss Me If You Can at her blog the Plot Monkeys on August 31st)

And last but never least...

Author: Kristan Higgins

Released: August 2010

Category: Contemporary Romance

ISBN:9780373774586

Publisher: Harlequin

Blurb (taken from author's website)

One happily-ever-after rocking chair…

And no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol’ Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track, because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company’s new Miss Perfect. If that isn’t bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a 3-0 birthday bash in the family funeral home.

Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a relationship with the town’s most eligible — yet not so warm and fuzzy — veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark’s attention. So Ian’s more comfortable with animals… So he’s formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it’s time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But, dang — if he doesn’t shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont’s unlikeliest eligible bachelor…

I have almost every single book of Ms. Higgins, but I have note been able to read them yet. They were a gift to me and I adore all the back blurbs and covers. I am a huge 'covers girl'.  I think this will be a great read to bring in the new season. The blurb reads like something that will make you laugh and give you that feel good vibe all the way down to your toes. 

If you have any books you would like to add to the list, leave a comment and share!!:-)