Wednesday, February 29, 2012

His Chosen Bride Excerpt & Giveaway With Author Sherry Gloag

Welcome book lovers! Today author Sherry Gloag is with us to share a great excerpt and blurb for her latest release, His Chosen Bride. I have to say, when I saw the beautiful cover for this book I couldn't help but want Ms. Gloag's latest release for my collection, but after reading the excerpt I knew had to have it! 

And in celebration of the release of His Chosen Bride, Ms. Gloag is offering up a digital copy to one lucky winner! So don't be shy! Speak up and join in to win. :-)( Open to International readers)

Welcome to BIR Ms. Gloag! 

His Chosen Bride
by Sherry Gloag

Get Your Copy

Back Of The Book
Prince Henri Gasquet is happy to let his father, the king, choose his bride for him until he meets Monica Latimer.

Monica Latimer is not prepared to risk letting any man close enough to learn about her Gift. A gift that normally has men running for the hills when they find out about it.


Excerpt:


She lost track of time until the flames caught her attention once more. They flickered from orange to gold, to silver, to white.
A flurry of snowflakes masked the flames and for a second Monica watched the most beautiful, pristine snow-scene she’d ever seen. Her lips curved in longing. How she’d love to get a toboggan and slide down that slope. She knew where it was, and had done just that many times in her childhood, first with her parents and then, in clandestine manner, with her brother. Sneaking an old tin tray from the back of her mother’s walk-in pantry, she’d then grabbed Billy’s hand and they’d rushed out the back gate, heading for the lakeside track that led up into the hills.
Darkness, dense and thick with grief dropped over the scene. Startled and disconcerted by the strength of emotion emanating from the vision Monica shifted to her knees, ready to stand, when a voice, a deep male voice, sharp with fear called out her name.
“Monica!”
She knew she’d never heard the voice before, and yet—it was as familiar to her as the image she saw in her mirror each morning.
“Help me, Monica.”
Desperate for more clues, she searched the darkness within the flames until it sputtered and faded. With a curse she jumped up and ran for the phone. With her outstretched hand hovering over it she halted and let her hand drop to her side once more. What could she say? What would the police or rescue team think of her if she called them and told them she’d seen a vision of a man in distress?
They’d laugh in her face and classify her as a lunatic. Well, maybe not. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d contacted them with positive information but something—an instinctive gut reaction told her what she’d seen this time hadn’t happened yet.


A Little About Sherry
Multi-published author, Sherry Gloag is a transplanted Scot now living in the beautiful coastal countryside of Norfolk, England.  She considers the surrounding countryside as extension of her own garden, to which she escapes when she needs "thinking time" and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel.  While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there are no other walkers close by.

Apart from writing, Sherry enjoys gardening, walking, reading and cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office.  She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic.


Ms. Gloag, Thank you so much for being here today with us!
Readers, don't forget to leave some author love with your valid email addy to enter the giveaway!


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Celebrating H.P. Mallory & The Jolie Wilkins Series

Hi my fellow book lovers! How is your Tuesday so far? I wanted to pop in here real quick and share a couple of book series with you that I absolutely adore. And I have a series of book trailers-three to be exact-to accompany the Jolie Wilkins series that is beyond unique and borderline genius. Heck, it just might BE genius...;-)

H.P. Mallory started out as an indie author that contacted me for a review for her paranormal romance Jolie Wilkins series about a year ago. I loved her covers and thought her blurbs were very well written so I accepted. As they say, the rest is history. I went on to review her Urban Fantasy Dulcie O'Neal Series after I finished with her Jolie Wilkins series and have fallen in love with both. She is a talented author that believes in delivering the utmost quality of story telling in her books for readers to enjoy. A characteristic always valued in an author, right! 

She has guest spotted here on Bookin' It Reviews a number of times and when I heard about her book deal with Bantam books I couldn't haven been happier for her! Her hard work and determination paid off and her personal story to publication is an interesting one that I believe you will find inspiring as much as I did; especially if you are an aspiring author like myself.

So in celebration and in congratulations to H.P. Mallory releasing the thrid book in her Jolie Wilkins series I have pulled together and provided below all the details for the books. I also have those genius book trailers that I can't stop watching!

Let's get started!


Witchcraft: A User's Guide with Jolie Wilkins - 

Lesson #1 Witch Problems





Witchcraft: A User's Guide with Jolie Wilkins -

Lesson #2 Bonding




Witchcraft: A User's Guide with Jolie Wilkins - 

Lesson #3 Men of the Underworld





Book One Jolie Wilkins Series
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
by H.P. Mallory

Get Your Copy
Amazon | B&N |

Back Of The Book
A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead.

A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover.

A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches.

The Underworld in a state of chaos.

Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

Book Two Jolie Wilkins Series
Toil and Trouble
by H.P. Mallory

Get Your Copy
Amazon | B&N |

Back Of The Book:

The Underworld in civil war.
The cause? A witch who can reanimate the dead.
A sexy as sin vampire determined to claim her.
An infuriatingly handsome warlock torn between duty and love.
Who says blonds have more fun?

After defending herself against fairy magic, Jolie Wilkins wakes to find her world turned upside down—the creatures of the Underworld on the precipice of war.

The Underworld is polarized in a battle of witch against witch, creature against creature, led by the villainous Bella, who would be Queen.

While Jolie has one goal in mind, to stake the vampire, Ryder, who nearly killed her, she also must choose between the affections of her warlock employer, Rand, and the mysteriously sexy vampire, Sinjin.

And as if that weren’t enough to ruin a girl’s day, everything Jolie knows will be turned inside out when she’s thrust into the shock of a lifetime.

Novella Jolie Wilkins Series

Be Witched
by H.P. Mallory

Get Your Copy

Back Of The Book
In this sexy and spellbinding original short story, available exclusively as an eBook, bestselling author H. P. Mallory presents the exciting Underworld from a never-before-seen point of view—through the eyes of Rand Balfour, a drop-dead gorgeous warlock and the love of Jolie Wilkins’s life.

While the undead wage a brutal civil war, Rand Balfour has only one thing on his mind: protecting his true love, Jolie Wilkins, the savvy and spirited witch whose powers have made her the toast—and target—of the new Underworld order.

For Rand, keeping Jolie safe means guarding against allies and enemies alike. First there’s Sinjin Sinclair, a dangerously seductive vampire who has his fangs set on Jolie, and who Rand suspects of harboring a sinister agenda. Then there are the factions of supernatural creatures causing chaos at every turn. But most shocking is Rand himself, whose wild desire for Jolie may put her very life at risk. Torn between his duty and his passion, Rand must summon all his strength to withstand temptation, even if it costs him the one woman he cannot bear to lose. 

Follow more of Rand and Jolie’s electrifying paranormal romance in this eBook’s special bonus: a thrilling excerpt from H. P. Mallory’s next novel, Witchful Thinking.

OUT TODAY! 

Book Three Jolie Wilkins Series
Witchful Thinking
by H.P. Mallory

Get Your Copy

Back Of The Book:

From H. P. Mallory—the exciting author of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble—comes her new paranormal romance featuring the sassy, self-deprecating witch Jolie Wilkins.

Jolie thinks she’s seen it all, but life continues to spring surprises. The latest shocker? She’s just been crowned Queen of the Underworld. Jolie may possess a rare gift for reanimating the dead, but she doesn’t know the first thing about governing disparate factions of supernatural creatures. She can barely maintain order in her own chaotic personal life, which is heading into a romantic tailspin.

First there’s sexy warlock Rand, the love of her life, from whom Jolie is hiding a devastating secret. Then there’s Sinjin, a darkly seductive vampire and Jolie’s sworn protector—though others suspect he harbors ulterior motives. As the two polar opposite yet magnetic men vie for Jolie’s affection, she must keep her wits about her to balance affairs of state and affairs of her heart. Overwhelmed, under pressure, and longing for love, Jolie decides it’s time to take charge—and show everyone that this queen won’t take jack.

Book Four Jolie Wilkins Series
The Witch Is Back
by H.P. Mallory

Pre-Order (Out July , 31st 2012)

Back of the Book:
The witching hour has arrived in bestselling author H. P. Mallory’s captivating and sexy new novel, starring the most dazzling denizen of the undead, Jolie Wilkins. 

Funny and feisty witch Jolie Wilkins is back—or rather, she’s back to her humble beginnings. Propelled into the past to her old Los Angeles fortune-telling shop, Jolie has no idea she possesses extraordinary powers, and she definitely doesn’t remember becoming Queen of the Underworld. But at least she has two incredibly sexy men vying for her affection: Rand Balfour, who looks very familiar, though Jolie can’t place his gorgeous face, and Sinjin Sinclair, who is tall, dark, and perfect . . . except for the fangs.

Yet despite her steamy love life, Jolie can’t shake the sense that something is not quite right—like she’s stuck in a déjà vu gone terribly awry. As both men race against time—and each other—to win Jolie’s heart, the fate of the Underworld hangs in the balance. And Jolie’s decision can either restore order or create an absolute, drop-dead disaster.



Book Five Jolie Wilkins Series
Something Witchy This Way Comes
by H.P. Mallory

Pre-Order (Out Sept.25th, 2012)
Amazon | B&N | 

Back Of The Book

A witch’s work is never done, and in bestselling author H. P. Mallory’s mesmerizing new novel, Jolie Wilkins finds that the real magic is only just beginning.
 
For smart and sexy witch Jolie Wilkins, being Queen of the Underworld is a royal pain. Back from a round of time travel, Jolie must now protect her realm from the sinister Lurkers—a powerful breed of half-humans bent on conquering the undead. And if there’s one thing she knows, it’s that the supernatural never go down without a fight. 
 
At least Jolie has her soul mate (and finally official boyfriend), warlock Rand Balfour, by her side. Honorable, brave, and unbelievably handsome, Rand is everything Jolie wants in a man. So why can’t she forget the dangerously alluring vampire, Sinjin Sinclair? With her private life heating up and a battle boiling over, Jolie sets out to prove that in matters of love and war, the fairer hex has its own set of charms.





*~*


I Hope you enjoyed this post and hopefully you will enjoy these books as much as I and so many other readers have! Congratulations go out to Ms. Mallory on her release day! Here's to your success and many many more books!






Monday, February 27, 2012

Why Do We Love Those Heroes? Guest Post and & Giveaway with Author Jordan K. Rose

Welcome readers! Today we have author Jordan K. Rose here to share quite a wonder guest blog about heroes and her latest release, Perpetual Light. She is also hosting a WHOPPER of giveaway via the Rafflecopter just below her post and believe me...YOU DON"T WANT TO MISS OUT ON IT! Plus, there is a fabulous $15 gift certificate to Nordstrom giveaway for Bookin' It Readers to enter as well! 

Welcome Jordan to Bookin' It Reviews! It's so wonderful to have you here!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Why Do We Love Those Heroes?

Hi Talina. Thanks so much for having me on Bookin’ It Reviews as part of the Perpetual Light Blog Tour.

I thought we’d talk about heroes. Who doesn’t love a hero? No one I know doesn’t love to read about a man she can fall in love with. But what makes us love these strangers, these men created in someone else’s mind? Let’s think about that for a second. These guys are existent only in our minds, and yet we love them.

That fact is amazing to me. Someone sitting at her desk dreams up this tall, dark and handsome, brooding man whose strong personality is nothing short of a challenge for everyone around him, and we all fall in love with him.

How?

In real life most of us won’t tolerate a man (or woman) whose personality is not appealing to us from the beginning. Most of us don’t want to waste our time trying to crack through a ridiculous, protective wall. Most us want to enjoy our relationships from the beginning. We want men in our lives who want to be in our lives.

But in romance novels we want a hero who, in the beginning, is not completely willing to be in the relationship whether it’s because he’s got hang ups with women, a mission to save the world , his own personal conundrum to unravel. Whatever it is, we want him to have an issue. One that he’s working on and does overcome.

It’s his efforts to work on this issue and improve himself, thus proving he deserves the heroine and a happily ever after that make us love him. This is what creates the depth that draws us to him and makes us interested in what will happen.

But it’s not him alone. Because let’s face it, this headstrong hero, left on his own, without the influence of a suitable heroine would most likely make all the wrong choices and simply irritate us.

The heroine’s presence, her charm or demands, or her fate, as it is in Perpetual Light all impact the hero. It’s the combination of the hero and the heroine within the relationship that make us love Mr. Headstrong.

It’s the romance between them that makes him more appealing. I happen to love super-alpha males. Christine Feehan’s Dark Series is one of my favorites, Dark Prince being my absolute favorite with Dark Magic a very close second. Mikhail and Gregori are like vampire cavemen. Literally, if they conked Raven and Savannah on the head and dragged them off, I wouldn’t be surprised. But, Raven and Savannah challenge them at every turn, pushing back on the Neanderthals and forcing them to admit their appreciation for the strength within each woman.

That give-and-take and then ultimately the growth of each character is what makes me love them all the more. It’s the heroine’s journey along side the hero’s that makes him more appealing. The interplay between the two allows the hero to soften, when needed.

It’s easy enough to like a hero when you meet him or to even dislike him at first glance. But ultimately how he interacts with, reacts to, or feels toward the heroine is what makes us love him.

Tell me about your favorite romance heroes. What did you love about them and why?

I’d like to offer a $15 gift certificate to Nordstrom to one random commenter. All you have to do is comment on the post to be entered to win. To increase your chances of winning connect with me via one or more of the social networks listed below.
Everyone who comments is entered into the grand prize drawing for an
 eReader- Kindle Touch or Nook Simple Touch.

Back Of The Book

Perpetual Light
By Jordan K Rose

Get Your Copy 

Fate is cruel. Especially when the one you’ve sworn to love for all eternity, the very soul who changed your destiny is the last person you should trust.

After more than three hundred years of running, Lucia Dicomano must make a choice.

Forced to take her place as a Pharo of Redemption, the divine slayer needs to master her forgotten powers. Lucia turns to Vittorio, the one vampire she’s failed to deliver from eternal damnation. But overcoming smoldering remnants of love, lust and anger aren’t their only obstacles.

Samuel, who may know Lucia better than she knows herself, hunts her with a fervor stoked by a thousand years of vengeful hatred. His plan—capture and enslave the weakened Pharo then take control of her elusive power. 

Can Lucia trust Vittorio long enough to reclaim her powers? Or will she have no choice but to kill him and battle Samuel alone?





A Little About Jordan:
After trying her hand at many, many things- from crafting and art classes to cooking and sewing classes to running her own handbag business, Jordan finally figured out how to channel her creativity. With an active imagination and a little encouragement from her husband she sat down and began to write, each night clicking away at the keys with her black Labrador, Dino curled up under the desk.

A few short years later she’s entered the publishing arena with no plans to ever turn back.

Jordan’s a member of Rhode Island Romance Writers, as well as RWA National, and the New England (NEC), Connecticut, and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (FFnP) Chapters.

Her first book, Perpetual Light, releases in February of 2012 from Crescent Moon Press.

Find Jordan on her website at www.jordankrose.com
Follow her tweets on https://twitter.com/#!/jordankrose 
Friend her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jordankrose

Don't forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway for Bookin' It thanks to the wonderful Ms. Jordan Rose AND for a better chance at winning, follow her on one or all of her social networks!

Manday Hotties Hop ~ Sweet Treats for Monday!


It's that time again! Manday Hotties Hop has rolled around and this week is going to rock your world! ;-) And after you enjoy my selection of man candy please visit the other blog participants in the linky list below!

Sorry, images have been removed.



Friday, February 24, 2012

Book Review: Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro


Don’t have time to read this review? No worries! Download Here in PDF and save to your computer and read at your leisure or transfer it to your reading device and read on the go! Happy reading!


This book was reviewed for
Night Owl Reviews
Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro
Series: A Hellsbane Book
Release Date: December 2011
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Source: Author
Age Group: Young Adult / Adult
Category:  Urban Fantasy
Pages: 256 pages in print
Available Formats:
Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Amazon Print
Books On Board | diesel | Book Depository


My Rating: 4.5 Stars ~ Top Pick For Night Owl Reviews
Read my Rating Scale here

Back Of the Book:

Twenty-three-year-old Emma Jane Hellsbane just found out she’s not human—or, at least, not only human. She’s half angel, too, and now Heaven’s got a job for her: round up all the Fallen angels and their red-skinned, horned devil-demon minions and boot their butts back into the abyss. Only problem? The demons and their Fallen masters fight back…and they don’t fight fair.

Luckily for Emma, she can put a stop to the constant threat of having her head hacked off if she figures out which Fallen angel is her father—and then kill him before he kills her. Of course, in the meantime, she’ll have to avoid accidentally seducing her angelic mentor, help an old friend conquer his own Fallen sperm donor, and basically save the world from a cataclysmic divine smack down.
No one said being Heaven’s bounty hunter would be easy. But with a name like Hellsbane, Emma Jane was born for the job.


First Line:

I couldn’t breathe. My heart slammed in my chest like a caged animal and sweat chilled down my back. Muscles all over my body tensed, and instinct screamed through my mind, telling me to run. Run. RUN!


Teaser:

Then it was gone. Darkness engulfed us, with only the distant stars twinkling in the vast emptiness. My hands leached around Eli’s neck, brought us cheek to cheek. “You’re safe in my arms, Emma Jane. Always,” he said, his lips brushing my ear. A shudder traveled straight down to my center with the sweet sound of his words. The man had an orgasmic voice.


Plot:
Half human and half Angel the illorum remain dormant, living out their lives as normal humans unaware of the demons and Fallen Angels who control them mingling among them. Though if unlucky (depending on your outlook) and their destiny activated by touching a sword made in the fire pits of Heaven to banish the evil from Earth, they must pay for the sins of their fathers-the Fallen Angels-and slay all escaped demons and send their father back to the abyss in order to have those sins forgiven and be allowed into Heaven.

Hellsbane was a challenge to read. It pushed my boundaries, forced me to set aside my own personal beliefs and to let my guard down. This book showed me how to enjoy a book without judgment and I loved it! It is not to often that I am challenged in such a way that I want to put down a book because I happen to not agree with the a plot point or character's point of view, but NOT put it down for the same exact reasons. Ms. Cuccaro has written a story that uses so many of the known stories and references in the Bible, slightly bent them in a way that made Hellsbane unique all the while exploring the 'possibilities' hidden right under our noses. Brilliant! 

After the first few chapters my understanding of the story the author was telling through her main character, Emma Jame Hellsbane grew vastly and I found myself actually high-lightening words, small references hidden within the action scenes and throw downs between the Fallen and the illorum. I think that is why it took me four days to read instead of my normal two days. It was like a big egg hunt-exciting, thrilling when you found a delicious hint or clue and then you're on to the next hoping to find something else just as tasty. 

The story itself, beyond the references that I spoke of above, was tight and strong. The plot and characters so intricately woven that every action of Emma Jane, Tommy, the one who brought her into the world of the illorum and the Angel Magester Eli, sent to guide them, flowed seamlessly from chapter to chapter. This story occupied my complete attention the whole time and had me holding my breath waiting to see if Eli would take risks for Emma, though against all laws set by the Angel council that received direction for the Big Man Himself. Of course, there were moments that I dreaded reading but I understood the reasoning behind all outcomes and as much as I would like to give all the juicy details away I find it best to let you read the story for yourself. Not fair, I know but if you want to experience a unique story filled with consuming emotions, action, suspense, and engaging dialogue then read Hellsbane. I know I am glad it did! The ending was nicely wrapped up without a dramatic cliff hanger but at the same token I can't help but want to know what is so different and alluring about the main character. A mystery to piece together in the next installment for sure!

Writing:
This makes three books I have read by Paige Cuccaro. Her talent has increased with each book and has left me really wanting to get my hands on the second installment of Hellsbane. Her flow of words and descriptive abilities are note worthy to readers because she doesn't allow you to read a scene and not feel what the characters are going through. You are right there when swords clank and bullets whiz by within a hairs width from your head, or make that the character's head. Either way you feel the need to dodge!

Summary:
I am glad I stuck with this book. It challenged me and gave me something to think about in my own life on so many levels. I highly recommend this book not only for the fabulous Urban Fantasy story, but also to enjoy a very talented author weaving magic with her words.


Thank you for stopping in and reading my book review for Hellsbane by Paige Cuccaro. If you'd like to share your thoughts on this book, recommend a book or just what to say hi, please don't be shy! Leave a comment! I always respond. :-)


Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Last Beginning Book Spotlight with Author Rachel Firasek

Good morning readers! Today we have a book spotlight highlighting author Rachel Firasek and her latest release, The Last Beginning published by Entangled Publishing. Below you'll find the book blurb, links, author details and the book trailer to enjoy!


Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.
Today you’ll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80’s dance moves.
She’s intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or at www.rachelfirasek.com .

The Last Beginning 

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX

Book 3

By Rachel Firasek

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Length: Novella 

Release Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-1-937044-56-5


Back Of The Book
Sadie’s days fighting off greedy claim jumpers ended in 1856 when Osiris snatched her from her filthy room and placed her with a trio of phoenixes. After 150 years living a respectable life saving souls, she’s tired of playing by the god’s rules. It’s time the master of manipulation learned her creed: live hard, play for keeps, and never let the enemy see you suffer. 
Osiris never imagined the true queen he’s spent two millennia searching for would be a half-pint redhead with a mouth that makes him blush. She needs a gentle hand to breach her defenses, but living with her and keeping his natural arrogance at a simmer proves a challenge worthy of any champion.

While Osiris teaches her the wisdom needed to rule a world with fairness, the irritating god only intensifies Sadie’s belief in her creed, reinforcing the walls that keep her from happiness. If Osiris can’t win her hardened heart, Sadie’s ascension might threaten the world he’s struggled to create.






Other Books In The Series:
CURSE OF THE PHOENIX 
Book One
Title: The Last Rising
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: September 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-28-2
Mobi ISBN: 978-1-937044-29-9


Back Of the Book 
After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment. 
Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

CURSE OF THE PHOENIX 
Book Two 
Title: The Last Awakening
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: December 2011
ISBN: 978-1-937044-44-1

 
Entangled Publishing 

Back Of The Book 
For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns her voodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthy of a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.
Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after the tragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a woman who forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keep his personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.
When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the man she loves.

Enjoy An Excerpt From The Last Rising:

“Why is it I can’t get you out of my mind? You say we haven’t met, but my dreams remember you.”

Oh yeah, he’d dreamt of a woman for months now. She resembled his dream woman in so many ways, but he’d never seen his fantasy lover’s face.

She struggled against his clutch. “Mr. Alcott, I assure you we haven’t met. And for your other question, I don’t know why, but you need to release me.”

Why did that quivering bottom lip make him suspect she was lying? Turner rested his forehead against the top of hers and sucked in her scent. “Please, tell me I’m not losing my mind. Tell me you don’t visit me every night and I’ll promise to leave you alone. I just need to know.”

He sounded like a crazy man but she had to tell him. She was the only one who could put a stop to his mind’s constant fantasizing, and this feeling of déjà vu every time he saw her.

Ice wriggled in his arms, her thighs chafing against his slacks. “Mr. Alcott, you need to let me go.” She glanced around his shoulder. “Brodie is probably staring out that glass window and I would hate for him to get the wrong impression.”

She was right. He needed to get ahold of himself, but he didn’t have the strength to walk away. His hands traveled up and over her shoulders, stalling on her neck. Brushing his thumbs against her jaw, he pressed her head back and stared into hard eyes—no emotion. Couldn’t she see the battle he fought?

He teased the corner of her mouth with his thumb and her breathy gasp pleased him. So, she wasn’t completely immune to him. He dropped his head until his mouth hovered over hers.

“Mr. Alcott—”

“Shhh. I just need a taste of the sunshine.”

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Guest Author & Giveaway with National Bestselling Author Virna DePaul

Good day my fellow book lovers! Do I have a special treat for you today! Please help me welcome National BestSelling Author Virna DePaul. She's one of my favorite authors and is a strong inspiration for me in my own writing career and I am very honored to have her here today! Ms. DePaul is here to spend a bit of time with us and share a great post and her latest release in her highly raved aboiut Para-Ops series.  

She's also offering one lucky reader a $10.00 GC from Amazon. To enter, leave a some author love with a valid email addy for contacting purposes! That's it! Happy Reading!

I was thinking about the toughest aspects of being a writer and one thing really stood out—how much contradiction it involves. 


Generally, writers are introverts who acquire energy from being alone, yet what we create is intended for mass consumption and in order to market it, we need to be willing to network with readers, publishing professionals and other writers.  

Most writers fear not being good enough, but we obviously think we’re good enough because we’ll go through the sweat, blood, and tears to actually write the stories.  We hope we’re right and not just delusional.  J

We have to be willing to fall but at the same time believe in our ability to fly.

In short, writers are a complex combination of insecurity and confidence, dread and hope, talent and mediocrity, passion and prudishness, etc.

But most writers are also die-hard readers.  As such, we know what it’s like to be swept into a story, to feel the pain and joy of fictional characters, to forget our own existence for the pulse pounding adventures that can only be found in a great novel.  In the end, that’s what motivates us to write despite the fact many aspects of being an author may rub against other parts of our nature. 

We’re willing to be uncomfortable in hopes of finding those readers who’ll think, “Wow.  Loved that story.  Loved that world.  And now I love my life a little bit more, too.” 

Bio: Virna DePaul is a former criminal prosecutor and now national bestselling author of the Para-Ops Novels.  In addition, she writes contemporary romantic suspense for Harlequin Romantic Suspense (It Started That Night, May 2012) and HQN (Shades Of Desire, June 2012).  Virna is also a national bestselling author of numerous indie published novels.  Sign up for her mailing list for access to her monthly writing “cheat sheets” and reader contests.  www.virnadepaul.com

Virna's latest release is Chosen By Sin, Book 3 in the Para-Ops Novels.  Read an excerpt, watch the trailer, or find out more at www.chosenbysin.com

You can purchase on Amazon (ebook: $4.99, paperback: $7.99), Barnes and Noble, or www.chosenbysin.com/purchase.

Blurb:

The longest life isn’t always the happiest one…

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and Otherborn—humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA—still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

For now, werebeast Dex Hunt serves on the Para-Ops team, but his true purpose is to kill the werewolf leader he blames for his mother’s death. Biding his time, Dex keeps his emotional distance from his team members and anyone else he might care for, including a mysterious vampire he met in L.A.

As a doctor, vampire Jesmina Martin has dedicated her immortal life to healing others. As a scientific researcher, she’s trying to prolong life spans, in particular those of her adoptive dragon-shifter family and the werewolf who saved her as a child. Her greatest hope lies with Dex, a werebeast she believes can gift immortality to others.

Only Dex knows nothing about his gift or the fact Jesmina wants to harness it. After a passionate night together neither expects to see the other again. Weeks later, they are reunited in France and forced to acknowledge a fragile miracle—a new life struggling to survive. At the same time, they must stop a group of rebel shape-shifters hoping to unleash every demon in hell. But before Dex and Jesmina can save their child or the world, they must relinquish their secrets, face their fears, and open themselves to love.

Virna, thank you so much for taking the time to be here on BIR. I always love having you stop in for a spell.:-) Congratulations on the release of Chosen By Sin! It was wonderful addition to your Para-Ops series!

Readers, don't forget to leave some author love and a valid email to enter to win Virna's Amazon Gift Certificate giveaway!