Sunday, July 31, 2011

See You Soon My Romance Comic Loving Friends!

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! As some of you probably already know, I am uprooting and moving from the United States to Denmark -- this month! While I am super excited, I am also naturally a bit stressed out! Making a move to another country is no easy feat! In light of my relocation, I have decided to go on a short hiatus from Sequential Crush. I will be back early September when my comics have arrived and a new scanner has been purchased! Until then, I hope you enjoy perusing through the archives of all the gems posted over the last few years and reading some of the other terrific blogs I have listed on my blogroll! I also encourage you to check in from time to time on my Twitter feed, as well as my new personal blog -- The Coziness Project which I will probably update a few times during the moving process. Once again, I cannot thank you -- my readers, enough for all of the encouragement, praise and love you have shown me and Sequential Crush over the past few years! I'll miss ya, but see you soon!!!

Closed Promo and giveaway of the Hunt by Heather Killough-Walden CLOSED

Product Description
Byron Caige has been a prisoner for the last fifty years of his supernaturally long life. Just when he gives up hope of ever knowing the taste of freedom again, he is unwittingly rescued by the very same woman who only wants to see him dead. Katherine Dare – Kat – is smart, fast, strong and beautiful – but unfortunately she’s a Hunter, and she’s convinced that Byron murdered her father twenty years ago.

She’s also Byron’s dormant.

As supernatural war breaks out amongst the otherworldly of Earth and threatens the existence of entire races, Kat is faced with a terrible decision. Should she give up her cause and believe Caige when he professes his innocence? Or should she fight him and possibly avenge her father’s taken life – even while she forfeits her own?

The Hunt is the fourth book in Heather Killough-Walden's New York Times bestselling Big Bad Wolf series.

Link to the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hunt-Big-Bad-Wolf-ebook/dp/B0058W5ZTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311912618&sr=8-1

Link to the book on Nook (Barnes and Noble):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hunt-heather-killough-walden/1104159986?ean=2940012854803&itm=1&usri=heather%2bkillough%2bwalden


Heather Killough-Walden is a California native currently living in Texas with her husband and child. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Big Bad Wolf series. Heather’s educational background includes religious studies, archeology, and law. She has traveled all over the world but hopes to one day live in a town with a world-class hockey team. (Let’s Go Pens!) Visit Heather’s website at www.killough-walden.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter. Also, be sure to keep in touch with her and other fans through her Facebook fan page and through Twitter (killoughwalden)!


Heather is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the Big Bad Wolf series and The October Trilogy. Check out all of Heather's novels at Amazon and on Barnes and Noble Nook: http://www.amazon.com/Heather-Killough-Walden/e/B005725SO4/
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?ATH=Heather+Killough-Walden&STORE=EBOOK

 Giveaway Heather is giving away eBook copies to the first thirty people to sign up for my newsletter by logging on to my website at www.killough-walden.com and sending me their valid email address (which I will need anyway in order to purchase Kindle gift ebook for them and send it to them) will receive a free copy of The Hunt

"A Weekend with Mr. Darcy" Review

"A Weekend with Mr. Darcy"
by Victoria Connelly

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Release Date: July 1, 2011 
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Full of characters obsessed with Jane Austen and set in Jane Austen locations in England, this lively modern Jane Austen romantic comedy trilogy features two pairs of lonely hearts who find each other and themselves at a Jane Austen Addicts weekend.
Dr. Katherine Roberts is a Jane Austen lecturer at St Bridget's College, Oxford, who secretly loves the racy Regency novels of Lorna Warwick. But Lorna is really a man who's slowly been falling in love with Katherine. He's hoping that the Jane Austen Addicts weekend will be the perfect opportunity to declare his feelings...

My Review:

This is a super cute Austen-inspired modern day novel. Jane-ites are going to love this fun story with loads of references to Austen's works.

I loved that the characters not only mentioned Austen's original books, but also specifics about the many screen adaptations. Because let's face it, if you're an Austen Fan, you've seen almost all of the movies, too!

The characters were likable, but I never really connected with them completely. At first I thought the two female leads were a bit non-romantic for two people who love Jane Austen so much. You'd think they would be less skeptical of love. But Robyn especially grew on me after her hopeless romantic side came out.

Warwick was so cute as the Regency romance author. I loved that he wished he was more like the heroes in his books, it was so cute to read about.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5

Setting: 4/5

Romance: 3/5

Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 5/5 (I really adore this cover)
Writing: 4/5



Bottom Line: A lovely modern day story for Jane Austen fans.

In My Mailbox (79)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.
 
for review:

"Kiss of Night" by Debbie Viguie




"The Colonel's Lady" by Laura Frantz


contest wins:

"The Borgia Betrayal" by Sarah Poole



What did you receive in your mailbox this week???
 

ARC review Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Retribution (Dark-Hunter #20)
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Source: Request from publisher
Genre: Paranormal romance
Fromat: Hardcover
Authors website 


A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey.

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief- Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters and training for the day when she meets the man who killed her family: Jess Brady.

A gun in the hand is worth two in the holster...

Jess has been charged with finding and terminating the creature who’s assassinating Dark-Hunters. The last thing he expects to find is a human face behind the killings, but when that face bears a striking resemblance to the one who murdered him centuries ago, he knows something evil is going on. He also knows he’s not the one who killed her parents. But Abigail refuses to believe the truth and is determined to see him dead once and for all.

Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, they must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they’ve sworn to protect.
Sexual





I am going to have to rate this book a little different. The story is great. I loved the characters the powers they had to use and I really enjoyed the Indian heritage brought to the plate. I also was very thankful that there wasn’t a bunch of new characters added to keep up with. You’ll find humor, adventure and danger, with all of this mixed together it made this one a fast pace read. So, for the story I give a 4.

Now, for the romance I have to give a 2. Yep, this one feel very short in the romance. I never felt one spark between Jess and Abigail and at times I never felt anything believable about them being together. Don’t expect a hot romance in this story.

I really hate to go more to the story with such a big description for the book. I do want to tell you a little that goes on. Jess knew Abigail when she was a baby and kid after her parents accident (which you’ll have to read to find out what happened) he lost track of her after that, until one day he came face to face with Abigail which wasn’t as much fun as he would have liked. I have to admit it took me a bit to warm up to this idea and I really don’t know why, but it creeped me out. LOL Abigail has a thing for Jess, but it’s not want you think she wants him dead. After taking the wrong advice she has open a can of worm so to speak and now she has to turn to the one who she hates to get her out of the mess she has gotten into.

I liked Jess, he strong and caring. Abigail well she tends to hold way to much of a grudge and wont drop it. After a while it got boring.

At the end you’ll find a bonus scene for Asheron and Troy’s birth of their son. It was good except for one instance. I didn’t care for Artemis being there one bit, but that’s me:)


 Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Tara for sending me a review copy. 

ARC review The Lost by Caridad Piñeiro

Title:The Lost (Sin Hunters #1)
Author: Caridad Piñeiro
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Paranormal romance
Format: Mass paperback
Authors website

Adam Salvatore is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .
Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.






This was an excellent romance story and the paranormal aspects really held me captive. I truly loved that the heroine was a war veteran and she gets a excellent HEA. If you’re one for danger, betrayal, adventure and romance this maybe a book for you.

I could see the romance connection between Adam and Bonnie from the start. Both loners in life because of issues they had. One is a little different and doesn’t feel safe around other women. The other one is not in the best of shape after a bombing in Iraq and with all of her scars she is felling not so hot now days, but who can blame her. So, when these two connect they fall for each other rather instantly. Adam treated Bonnie with the out most respect knowing what happened to her in Iraq. I did at times feel sorrier for Adam in some ways. He lost his parents and his step-dad is rather not such a good dad. You have to read to find out how one so called dad can start the whole ordeal.

The paranormal aspect between shadow hunters and light hunters is interesting I wish it would have gotten a little deeper, but what’s there is easy to understand. I can see this continuing for the next book.

Recommend to any paranormal romance lover.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Meet Kate Carlisle: How to Seduce a Billionaire and Giveaway



Author Bio

Kate Carlisle is the New York Times bestselling author of romances for Harlequin Desire and the award-winning Bibliophile Mysteries. Kate’s first series of romances features the Duke brothers, Adam, Cameron, and Brandon, three wealthy bachelors who live and work in Dunsmuir Bay on the beautiful California coast. This month’s release is Brandon’s story,

HOW TO SEDUCE A BILLIONAIRE





Book Description

The first step...mix business with pleasure

New hairdo? Makeup? A dress? Where did his efficient secretary go? Because the woman in front of Brandon Duke is not the Kelly Meredith who left on vacation two weeks ago. He is shocked—and curiously enchanted—by her transformation.

She says this makeover is all part of her plan...to become more seductive. And this billionaire is just the man to give his suddenly sultry assistant a few lessons in love. He'll go slow, savor every moment and then say goodbye—as long as he can remember just who is seducing whom!

"Laugh-out-loud funny in spots and a consistently entertaining read, the unexpected romance of Brandon Duke and Kelly Meredith will give readers a wholly warm and joyful feeling."

—RT Book Review Magazine



Kate welcome to Romance Author Buzz.  I would like to congratulate on your latest release How to Seduce a Billionaire. Is there a story behind the book story?

I love series about siblings, so I wanted to write a book about three fabulously handsome and wealthy brothers, but I wanted to give it a special twist. The Duke men are not biological brothers. They’re not related at all. They were all in foster care, and they were each troublemakers in their own way until Sally Duke took them in when they were about eight years old and loved the anger right out of them. As they bonded with their new mom, they forged a bond of brotherhood between them that was stronger than blood.

Now that they’re adults, incredibly successful in their careers, Sally has grown impatient for them to fall in love, get married, and make her some grandbabies. None of the men seem to be in a hurry to find The One, so Sally sets out to find a woman for each of them… despite their objections.

Do you plot your stories or let your characters lead you?

I plot my stories in advance, but I have found that my characters aren’t always willing to follow my lead. Quite often, they take me in directions that I’m convinced did not come out of my head.

What are you currently working on?

I recently finished the fifth book of my ongoing series of Bibliophile Mysteries, ONE BOOK IN THE GRAVE (out in February 2012), and now I’m working on my next Harlequin Desire about the Duke brothers’ twin cousins. The first twin’s book, AN INNOCENT IN PARADISE, comes out in December 2011.

Of all of your characters, do you have a favorite and why?

Oh dear! Well, naturally, I love Brooklyn Wainwright, my protagonist in the Bibliophile mysteries, and I’m in love her dashing British security expert lover, Derek Stone. And I love all my Duke Brothers heroes (and their lovely heroines). But if you must pin me down ... okay, I admit I adore Sally Duke because I modeled her after my mother. She’s smart and charming and determined to do everything in her power to make her sons happy. And she’s not very subtle about it!

What is the best thing about your job as an author? What is the hardest thing?

The best thing is being able to give my creativity free rein. Writing, when it’s going well, is the best endorphin rush you could get. You know that feeling you get when you’re having a great dream, so great that you wake up smiling? That’s what writing feels like when you’re in the zone.

The hardest thing about being a writer is that even when you’re not in the zone, you have to be disciplined enough to sit down and work. “The zone” doesn’t just happen. Sometimes you have to force yourself to write when you don’t feel like it. When I do that, I invariably find myself excited about the story again within the first half hour.

What kind of daily schedule do you have? What types of things interrupt your writing? Describe a day in the life of Kate Carlisle.

We’re back to “the zone.” When I’m in it, nothing distracts me. When I’m struggling with the writing that day, a speck of dust can interrupt my train of thought. And I hate dusting (a never-ending, thankless job)!

I try to write every day. I’m publishing three to four books a year now – at least one mystery and two romances – and you have to be disciplined to keep up that pace. I’m fortunate to be able to write full-time, but I take my commitment to writing as seriously as I used to take my commitment to my paycheck job.

If a movie was made about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

First of all, I think my life story is more appropriately told on TV than in a movie. A sitcom, definitely. But if I could have any actress play me, I’d choose Angelina Jolie … uh, because we look so much alike? Right! Sadly, probably not going to happen. I’m more all-American girl next door than full-lipped exotic goddess. How about Sandra Bullock? Or Reese Witherspoon? Both cute and perky but with an edge. I like that.

What is something you definitely want readers to know about you?

I’m really fun on Facebook! 

What are you currently reading?

Well, I just finished reading ONE NIGHT, TWO HEIRS by the fabulous Maureen Child. I love it! Rick is a great hero… a cowboy who’s currently serving in the Marines. Oh, and he’s independently wealthy since he inherited one of the largest ranches in Texas. Plus, he goes completely soft and gooey the instant he first lays eyes on his twin daughters. Love him!

Now I’m reading HEIRESS IN LOVE, a historical romance by Christina Brooke. I’m in love with this one, too! Lush writing, wonderful characters and a fabulous story about a marriage of convenience arranged by the highly secretive Ministry of Marriage in Regency England.

Kate,thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me!

Thank you for hosting me and for helping introduce readers to HOW TO SEDUCE A BILLIONAIRE. I hope they’ll rush out and buy the book the first week of August!


Where you can find Kate:

Kate's Website
Kate on Facebook
Kate onTwitter

Where you can find Kate's Duke brother series:

Adam Duke
Cameron Duke

Brandon Duke

A random commenter will win a copy of THE MILLIONAIRE MEETS HIS MATCH, the first book of the Duke brothers’ trilogy. US residents only, please.  To win a copy, post a comment and leave your email so what you may be contacted.  Follow Kate on Facebook for an extra chance to win and let us know.

On a personal note, I've read Kate's first two books in this Duke brother's series and they are incredible.  Especially their adoptive mother and her friends.....great fun!


Q&A with Dianne Venetta and Giveaways




Dianne Venetta's Bio:

Dianne lives in Central Florida with her husband, two children and part-time Yellow Lab—Cody boy! When not whacking away at her keyboard crafting her next novel you'll find her in the family's organic garden chasing grasshoppers and plucking hornworms all the while crafting wild analogies between kids and plants and men. Definitely men.


A girl's gotta have fun, right?

When she's not knee-deep in dirt or romance, Dianne contributes garden advice for various websites and volunteers in her kids' school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses--or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she's done all right



Book Description:

In a race against time, cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home; the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny. And one that puts her career on the line.






Dianne, welcome to Romance Author Buzz.  Is there a behind the book story for Jennifer's Garden?


Jennifer's Garden epitomizes the showdown between a career woman's criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means. Briefly married early on, I thought long and hard about a second go-round with marriage. Who wants to repeat that mistake? Not me thus I debated on how best to go about choosing my next husband, the one I'd have children with and love until I'm old and blonde (not gray—never gray!). Should our relationship be based on personal chemistry or professional compatibility? Education, religion? There are so many factors, but which should top the list?

Looking around, I noticed many of my contemporaries were seeking men of equal or greater "stature," ie. potential suitors had to be equally or more successful, equally or more educated. Sure it made sense on a socio-economical level, but would it translate into overall compatibility as well?

That was the question then and the one now--facing my heroine in my current novel.

Do you plot or let characters lead you?

Both. I'm a plotter, outliner and like to have a general idea where I'm going before I set out on any given journey, but my characters have minds of their own too, and come up some crazy ideas! Being of spontaneous nature, I follow. Always up for a good adventure, right?

How long been writing?

Started writing about fifteen years ago. Inspiration struck and I was called to write a book centering on the relationship between mothers and daughters. Working through issues with my own mother at the time, I realized much of what we experience is simply rote learning, ie. we learn a cycle of behavior as youngsters and repeat that cycle of behavior as adults—unless we specifically choose otherwise and change direction.

What currently working on?

Currently I'm writing the third book in this series of novels with connected characters all of which is focused on a woman's personal growth and self-actualization. Each heroine has her own distinct set of issues and challenges she must face, yet each has friends on hand to help love and support her while she works through them. It's what we women do!

Favorite character?

I love Sam Rawlings! Is that bad? Like saying you love one child more than another? Oh, but this woman is so much fun to write, not only because of what she says and does but her general philosophy on life. In developing her, I drew from three people I know, combining their VERY different personalities into one strong can-do woman who makes for quite an interesting individual!

Best thing about my job?

I get to write my stories all day. I can spend hours upon hours at my computer and not even notice the passage of time. To earn a living this way is beyond dream come true.

Worst thing?

I don't have enough time to write all the books I want to write as fast as I want to write them!

Daily schedule?

Wake up, get coffee, start laundry and get writing! With the kids out school, I add a breakfast break, followed by a trip to our backyard garden. Weed, harvest, feed the peanuts, peppers and sweet potatoes, we then head back to the house.

Okay kids, time to play or read so mom can get back to work! But next thing you know, it's lunchtime which means eat, play and run errands. I mean, since I’m not able to write, I might as well be productive on the home front!

Until the husband comes home and wants to know what's for dinner. Ruh, roh. Forgot. But we have wine, right? Oh, thank God—quick, thaw some frozen fish! Cruising back on track we sail past dessert, baths, spousal conversation and it's off to bed.

Play lead role in movie version of my life?

Oooh…that's a tough one. The younger wild and crazy me, or the older sassy and fun-loving me?

Definitely want readers to know?

I write because I love to write. I have to write. When the first inspiration struck I don't believe it was coincidence. The story running through my head centered on mothers and daughters and working on the relationship with my own at the time I took it as a sign: detour!

Life is about living and loving and sometimes that means taking unexpected turns as we follow our heart. If no one else reads my books but my daughter, it's still worth it. Writing is a labor of love and my way of sharing with her the things I've learned along the way—hopefully—setting her on her best foot forward.

Which is why they better be entertaining or she won't learn a thing!

What do you want your readers to remember about you when someday you retire?

When I retire I want people to remember-- My stories were sexy and fun and hopeful—a reminder that HEA exists for all of us.

What are you currently reading?

In My Wildest Dreams by Christina Dodd and just finished Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. I enjoy splitting my time between historical and contemporary.

What's your favorite song?

Favorite song -- James Taylor's You've got a friend

What's your favorite color:

Favorite color -- Hot pink, baby!

Motto?

(My tag line :) "Given the proper care and feeding, a woman will bloom in time; her own sweet time!"

Where can your readers find you?

Website
Facebook

Dianne, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your latest release and for the giveaways.


Free ebook giveaway Jennifer's Garden – Leave a comment on this blog to enter contest and send her an email: dianne@diannevenetta.com (so she can contact you!). Three random winners will be chosen by August 31st.  Don't forget to leave your email as well on this blog.

Eternal Prey Nina Bangs Book Trailer

Friday, July 29, 2011

White Laws ...

In one early session of my Social and Environment subject in grade 4, we discussed 'Famous People' with their so-called 'beliefs'. The three famous people selected were Mother Teresa, Ian Kiernan, and Eddie Mabo. The discussion then led me to talk a bit about the history of Australia. :)

Everybody knows Mother Teresa and her love for all human beings in the whole world, especially the needy. Her deep belief in her God was represented in a way that she devoted her life for those who need help. Different from Mother Teresa, Ian Kiernan as an environmentalist deeply believes that we all are to live in a clean environment so that we are not to litter everywhere: waterways, rivers, harbor, bla bla bla ... Meanwhile, Eddie Mabo who is also from Australia, was struggling against 'White Laws'.

"What is white law, Miss?" my grade 4 students asked.

In the book it was already explained that during the white colonization over Australia, the white issued their own laws saying that all lands in this smallest continent belonged to no one. It meant everybody -- those new comers from other countries, mainly Britain -- could claim any land they coveted to be theirs. They did not respect the rights of the native descendents, the aborigins.

For further information about Eddie Mabo, just click here
�My very young students found it difficult to understand, though. Therefore, as an example, I told them the history of how the early settlers migrated from Britain to the east coast of America (since I am not quite familiar with the history of Australia, but I learned about American History): how those early settlers moved from their native country to the new land to get better life, to get freedom to adhere the religion they believed in; but then they called the native uncivilized only due to different way of life, different way of thinking, etc.

At this point, one student whose dad is Australian was speechless because apparently his grandma told him that the aborigins were uncivilized since they once came to the grandma's house to steal. He got more dumbfounded when I told the class that many centuries ago, many poor people from Britain were 'sent' to America, while criminals from the same country were sent to Australia.

C-net, 10.25 300711

More on Ian Kiernan, click this this.

Ever wonder what most book bloggers do in a day.

You see this man to the right.

He's my 86 year old father who has lived with me over 3 years now. He is almost blind most of the time he can't see his food. And of course, his hearing is almost gone. I have to make sure he takes his pills, goes to the doctor and that he has food cooked to eat and let me tell you he won't eat leftovers. He also loves sweets from scratch and that has to be made every other day or so and you can guess who hast to cooks it?... Me. My daughter throws in and helps sometimes.

My husband because of his job he is home most of the time and I would guess like most men, all the attention has to be focus on him ugh. As much as I love him he had one problem he can talk someone's head off. Yep, as I am trying to read or add things to my blog he is in the background yanking his head off UGH LOL.  He needs knee replacement surgery on both knees, they are trying to hold off until he is 60, but I just don't think he is going to make it with all of the pain he is in. We have a split level home and guess who has to make the trips down the stairs? Yep, it’s me or my daughter, which she does the most of this. Thank goodness.

My daughter tries her best to help, but she is a still a young adult and you know how that goes. She needs a job and if your one that needs one you know how that’s going. Did you know I homeschooled for 12 years? Yep, just got done in June wooohoo. She mostly takes care of herself until she finds something for me to look at. Then she yells for me and I have to go see ugh.. So, there’s time here where I put something down to go check it out what she is yelling about. When I come back I know I missed something, but what?.. LOL

Then there are the 2 dogs, 3 cats and 3 rabbits that have to be fed watered and taken out. I do the entire washing clothes, food shopping, cleaning house and pool cleaning that has to be done. My daughter will do dishes at times. She lucky we have a dishwasher, I didn't have one when I was a kid.

Then if my day isn’t full enough I play book blogger all day too. You wouldn’t believe the request that comes that I know hasn’t even read the blogs policy or looked at the blog, so I have shift through them and email the ones that I won’t accept.  When I do fine a good request I go to check which reviewer will read what and them start a process of email back in fourth. If there’s events, guest post or just any question from author I do them all, so that takes time and in between all of this and the household chore, sometime I find multi-tasking doesn’t work out I forget to write something or someone down. Grr. Then I have to rack my brain and believe me it’s not there by that time lol. So, I have to hope someone will email me back. Needless to say I can only do so much and then it still doesn’t work out. I wish I had more time to get whit authors to chat but I just don’t, with my time. I can cut back but then there wouldn’t be the review, so I do what I feel best. You can ask some of my reviewers a few of them have to keep on to me until my brain clicks and I get what they are saying. I know most of you have blogs and you know what’s it like, but for those who don’t it’s a job without pay.

I have 4 sometime 6 reviewers to keep up with who is reading what and how long will the review be. I have to admit I love my reviewers are the backbone of my blog anymore. They have become some of my best friends and I find each of them wonderful in their own way.  Again if it wasn’t for this blog I wouldn’t have met these wonderful ladies that have become my best friends.

Then a few weeks my pinky and ring finger started tingling and then it started killing me and I found out I have Ulnar Nerve Entrapment and let me tell you if you have it the pain can get very bad if I type for long. Then there's the pain pills that I am not use to. Yep, I feel asleep that day, the next I broke the pill in half and it has helped, at least I'm not knocked out LOL.

I have just touched on some of my day but there is still more that I have not even touched on. I am not writing all of this to complain, I'm just trying to let everyone one know followers and authors a like, I am only human and the more the blog grows the more of me that has to go around. I am not mean to anyone even authors that I didn’t enjoy their books. I look at it as hey, I may not like it but someone else might. So, If I forget to email or if I forget to add your name or I don’t send you an email just to chat. You know I am busy or just forgot so please do as my reviewers do and say, "hey, dummy did you forget me? No matter how much this blog grows I can never be mean to anyone least off any author or follower. 

I keep running this blog to help authors and followers find each other. I also believe that includes me and my reviews. We have found a lot of wonderful new authors just from this blog alone because most of them are books we would have never found without this blog.



Author Interview Series - "Romancing the Reader"

This will be a great couple of weeks on A Book Inside Blog because I will be interviewing several new authors whose books were published in a wide-spread array of genres. If you’re working on your first or second book right now, you should find these interviews to be full of good information. I will attempt to post one new interview each week.

This initial interview is with first-time author, Andrew Fitzmorris. I chose this one to start because Andrew has published a “literary fiction” novel with a touch of Romance; a very common genre. In this interview I will be asking Andrew about the actual “writing” and editing process of his book, Love Beyond The City.

Carol Denbow: Welcome Andrew, and thank you for participating in our interview extravaganza!


Please start by telling us a little about your new release, Love Beyond The City. What’s it about?

Andrew Fitzmorris: Thank you for having me, Carol! I’m excited to be here today. Love Beyond the City is about Leopold Roman, an artist, who’s struggling journey to find purpose in life through a rollercoaster of emotions. He begins with an art block, detesting the town he lives in. He decides to leave behind Kennebunkport, Maine and his current unstable relationship with Sara Perkins to travel to where he used to live, New York City, for a spark of inspiration. While in the city, he gets together with old friends and meets the girl of his dreams. Leopold struggles for her love as well as making sense of life. Love Beyond the City touches upon emotional upheaval and one’s desperate plight to once again find peace and simplicity that lies within reach.

Carol Denbow: Did you always dream of writing a book, or was this written “on a whim” so to speak?

Andrew Fitzmorris: When I was in college, I figured writing a book would be a hobby, but it turned out to be a gift I wanted to re-open every single day. Like many writers, I had my up’s and down’s with writing in general. Some mornings I’d wake up feeling great, head filled with creative ideas, then lose them for no reason, not feeling it anymore. At the end of some days, I may have ended with five thousand or more words, other days, perhaps only a few hundred, maybe only a sentence. Those were the ones that I’d look at the following morning, see it differently, and write more on it. For this particular story, the dream or idea of writing it surfaced after visiting my friend in Jersey City. We had explored New York City for days and I was in awe. One day, in February 2010, the idea became a dream, one full of literary possibilities. I realized I could write something profound, deep, real, and honest.

Carol Denbow: What do you suggest new writers do to prepare before picking up the pen (or computer nowadays!)

Andrew Fitzmorris: I suggest writing what it is you’ve been yearning to write down your entire life, even if it’s not the greatest thing in the world, it’s something. And that something will give you more experience down the road. I’ve learned that I needed to fail over and over to get it right. Writing fiction takes patience. You have to be willing to give yourself time for the words you want. Best advice I received was from my father, who told me to keep writing. Don’t let your dream and passion be taken away from you. To this day, I am still learning and strive to be knowledgeable in the field of fiction.

Carol Denbow: Your book sounds like an interesting story. How many pages is your book?

Andrew Fitzmorris: 80,000 words, 274 pages.

Carol Denbow: Wow! That must have taken some time to compose. How long did it take for you to finish the book?

Andrew Fitzmorris: It took me about five months to write. I handled each sentence and each chapter with care. I wanted it to be perfect when it came to the overall book and the way I envisioned it.

Carol Denbow: How did you decide when and where to end one chapter and begin a new one?

Andrew Fitzmorris: Most of it was pieced together by fragments. I put them together like a puzzle. So with each fragment, some were designed for a beginning chapter, middle idea for a chapter, or an ending to a chapter. I’d run with that fragment and build off of it. The tricky part was finding a home for these fragments, but after that, composing the chapter was fairly easy for me.

Carol Denbow: How did attending writing classes and participating in writer’s groups help you?

Andrew Fitzmorris: They helped motivate and excite me about the idea of being a writer. My professors molded the structure and basics for writing. After college I did a lot of reading and studying techniques from the Beat Generation. I loved Jack Kerouac’s style and how beautifully he put sentences together. William S. Burroughs blew me away with his technique of the cut-up method, a literary technique in which a text is rearranged to form new sentences and circumstances. These two great American authors shaped my writing. I wanted to embody Kerouac’s style and rhythm of words. I wanted to add Burroughs’s cut-up method. In, Love Beyond the City, you’ll see glimpse’s of both.

Carol Denbow: Do you suggest (I know I do!) that writers have their work critiqued by other writers or anyone for that matter?

Andrew Fitzmorris: If writers are serious about having their work published, then I highly recommend joining a critique group. If you check out different literary magazines or do an extensive search online, you’ll come across many. It’s a lot of hard work and very tough. You have to have thick skin. I am part of two groups and I take their feedback and comments to heart, whether it’s positive or negative. I really like having a mix of both because they’re the readers and audience who one day may read my work; having another perspective helps. You may think it’s great, but they’ll see it differently. The tricky part is how much do you change. If three people read a current chapter and all three points out that they didn’t understand the main characters motive, then you have to go back and re-think what you’re trying to say. But if one person finds the flaw and the other two don’t, then that’s ultimately up to you whether your character’s motive works.

Carol Denbow: What was the editing process like for you?

Andrew Fitzmorris: The editing process was time consuming, but having a critique group helped. Just when you think it’s good, it’s not. On and off, I must have spent about six months editing, then I sent query letters to literary agents and publishers. I sent a total of eighty or so. Each one was a rejection. You can’t take it personal. It’s actually a good thing and will help you in the editing phase. You’ll want to go back and figure out why they didn’t like the first five to ten pages you submitted.

Carol Denbow: This is all good information Andrew and we really appreciate your taking the time to do this interview with us. Is there anything you would like to add?

Andrew Fitzmorris: I just want to thank you for the opportunity to showcase my novel. I really enjoyed our interview and hope my book goes over well with readers.

Carol Denbow: Thanks again Andrew. Folks, Andrew Fitzmorris’ new release Love Beyond The City can be seen (or bought) at the following links and is also available wherever fine books are sold:

Amazon.com

Kindle

Nook Book

Please drop by Andrews Website at http://www.andrewfitzmorris.com
As always, comments are welcome and I’m sure Andrew would be happy to respond to any questions left in the comment section. Thanks for dropping by the Blog.


Thursday, July 28, 2011

Surrounded by Woods by Mandy Harbin

Title:Surrounded by Woods by
Author: Mandy Harbin
Source: Authors request
Genre: Erotic Paranormal romance
Length: Novella eBook
Authors website

When Mikaela Patterson must take on a client with specific requirements that no single women be allowed on his property, she keeps her broken engagement a secret. She doesn’t realize her client and his sons are mountain lion shifters whose instinct to mate with any available woman turns deadly. 

Josh Woods is her client's eldest son, and he is immediately drawn to Mikaela. Knowing his father would never allow an available woman on the property, Josh doesn't understand his fascination with her. Josh and Mikaela fight their attraction because of their own secrets, but when the truth comes out about Mikaela's true availability and Josh's animal instincts, they must be prepared to face the consequences.




*After reading this ebook my mouth still hung open on my desk* this is one hot dominant novella read here. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop and there better be more books coming…. This was very fast pace read with all of the goodies that comes with an erotic paranormal romance.

What I look for in a novella is fun, excitement and most of all connection between a couple in romance. Most of the time with the novella’s I find it’s hard to find the right connection between couples because it’s just hard to get everything in a shorter book. This one fit’s my excellent novella quality and the connection between these two are high. I find very few authors that can accomplish the this, so congrats. I know there are always people who want’s a longer story, but hey if it made you happy after your done why fuss?… Anyhow, this book is top on my recommend list. If your one for a small story, fun, romance and some hot dominating mountain lion shifters, you have try this one.
Now, on to the story which I am not telling you much of because you need to read it LOL. So, Mikaela finds her dead beat fiancé doing something with someone else, but she doesn’t want to tell anyone just yet. So, she lives a lie and is sent to this client that only wants mated females to come. Why? Let’s just say it’s not fun when all the sudden you’re setting with a bunch of changed horny mountain lions growling at you. LOL Now, don’t worry Mikaela only has the hotts for one of these mountain lions:)
 There are 5 total brothers and one single father. I really hope that the all get a story that’s just right for them.

So, that’s all I have time for because I have to go back and re-read some parts *wicked grin*

Teaser
She stepped back, instantly realizing his intent. “I have no need to know where your room is.”
He continued his advance. “You might like mine better.”
“How so?”
“I’d be in it.” 




Review Demon Girl by Lisa M. Cronkhite

Title: Demon Girl
Author: Lisa M. Cronkhite
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal - Demon
Format: eNovella, 82 pgs
Release Date: July 5, 2011
Author Website
Publisher Website
Demon Girl Book Cover

Charlene Peters is in love with Jesse Carson, a man she met online. Through the internet their relationship grows as they agree to meet in person. Jesse is falling hard, yet he has no idea she is hiding a dark secret about her life— the previous life she lived before.

Charlene now must save the condemned souls from attempting the same thing she did one year ago or she will never see her family from her past life again. There is only one thing that will break the curse put upon her—to find her soul-mate. Can Charlene get a second chance at living a human life?

Bat Divider

Rating -
Nothing to howl about

Sexual -
Flirty

My Review:

While the plot is a very intriguing one and the character of Charlene is a believable one, the story is not developed enough to be considered a paranormal romance. 1.5 Stars.

Although the eNovella needs a lot of work, the story itself is very interesting and it brings up some thought provoking issues. As a bonus, there is some poetry throughout the story.

The writing style is different - the result is a kind of choppy flow. And, my goodness, is it depressing as written!

There is the basis for a romance between Benjamin and Charlene and Jessie and Charlene connect online but there is no real romance in the story in either instances.

There is a lot going on in this 82 page novella to/around Charlene:
Jessie, met online, long distance online relationship, professes love
Sarah, Jessie's ex, considering suicide, Charlene's mission
David, landlord, sometimes seems interested in Charlene
Benjamin, another demon, intentions unknown until end
Father, left when she was 3, shows up in her section at work
Delmara, Charlene's mentor and angel
Adam, stepfather and father of Charlene's child
Unknown figure, after a break in at her apt, seen hiding in trees
Lucifer even has a cameo appearance
Charlene unintentionally possesses Sarah's body

Paranormal and urban fantasy fans may like this story.

WildAboutBones

Author Interview and Giveaway with Miranda Neville

I am ubber excited to share with you guys this great interview I did with an amazing author and a fast favorite of mine. She WOW'd me with her book 'The Dangerous Viscount' , which featured a Virgin hero, and now, it looks like another Virgin will make themselves notable in outstanding fashion with her latest book!
Please enjoy my chat with the lovely, Miranda Neville:

About The Author:

"I grew up in beautiful Wiltshire in southwest England. During my misspent youth I devoured the works of Georgette Heyer, Jean Plaidy and any other historical novels I could lay hands on. As a result I attended the University of Oxford to study history, ignoring all hints that economics might be a more practical subject. I spent several years writing catalogues of rare books and original letters and manuscripts for Sotheby's auction house in London and New York. Much of my time in this job was spent reading the personal correspondence of the famous. This confirmed my suspicion that the most interesting thing about history is people. I'm also a sucker for a happy ending: I howled in the back of geography class when I was supposed to be learning about German coalfields because I hated --HATED -- the end of Gone With The Wind. I still haven't forgiven Margaret Mitchell.
A few years ago I decided to write an historical romance. How hard could it be? Wrong. Several manuscripts under-the-bed (or deep in the hard drive) later, HarperCollins bought NEVER RESIST TEMPTATION, published in 2009 by Avon Books.
I now live in beautiful rural Vermont with my daugher Becca, a college student and confirmed drama queen, and two cats who are never on the right side of any door."Source

 Find Miranda Neville onlineWebsite | Blog | Facebook | Twitter


About the Book:


Being kidnapped teaches Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life

LESSON ONE

Never disrobe in front of a gentleman ... unless his request comes at gunpoint.

LESSON TWO

If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.

LESSON THREE

If offered an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.

LESSON FOUR

Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.

And while an erotic novel may be entertaining, 
the real thing is even better


Get Your Copy Today:

The Interview

RJ: Hello Miranda! Welcome back to Not Another Romance Blog! Congrats on the release of your latest historical, The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton (Book 3-The Burgundy Club series, July 26th, 2011, Avon)! How excited are you for this book’s publication? Does this book have special meaning to you?
MN: Tarquin, the hero of The Amorous Education, has been with me a long time. He was the hero's best friend in my first book, a work that will never see the light of day. I still wanted to write Tarquin's story so I transferred him, with some tweaking, into the Burgundy Club. I'm very excited that his book is finally appearing after such a long journey.

RJ: Why don't you tell me and the readers a little bit about what they will find when they crack open The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton?
MN: Tarquin is a dandy and a society leader who can be quite rude, especially to debutantes. He needs to be brought down, so I stripped him of his clothing and his memory and left him at the mercy of one of his victims. The story is about how Celia discovers the heroic and lovable man beneath the social polish. Along the way to HEA they overcome hunger, villains, interfering relatives, lost treasures and their own views of themselves and each other.

RJ: This release is the latest book in the Burgundy Club series. During your last visit to this blog, you told us about the premise of the series, but as time goes on I think the series begins to grow and change as well. What changes or notable additions to the series can you remark on?
MN: Each installment of the series has turned out differently. The Wild Marquis has a strong mystery as background; The Dangerous Viscount is purely a relationship book, without external subplot. The Amorous Education is a combination of the two but with a different flavor - a sexy romp. Each is very much its own book but tied together by recurring characters.

RJ: Did you pick up any interesting tid-bits while researching for the book and/or did you incorporate any unique elements in your story?
MN: Celia's "Amorous Education" comes from The Genuine Amours, a naughty novel. This is a real book, dated 1796, and all the quotes are from a rare volume I discovered in the British Library in London. Celia learns a lot from Tarquin, too!

RJ: Tarquin Compton is the most fashionable dandy in all of London, but who is the man behind the smartly cut waistcoat? Tell us more about his character. And tell us about the woman who brings him to his knees. How do they work as a couple?
MN: I had to ask myself, what makes a man a dandy? The story of his childhood and the uncle who influenced him is revealed in the book. A big part of Tarquin's emotional journey is rediscovering the person he was before a youthful tragedy, and balancing his own desires with gratitude to his mentor. Celia, on the face of it, is his opposite: unfashionable and socially awkward. But she has a snarky humor blended with courage that brings out the best in him. I hope by the end readers will be in no doubt of this unlikely couple's happiness.

RJ: I love strong main characters, but having amazing secondary characters gives a book that extra “umph”. Give us the scoop on a notable secondary character in The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. What’s their name, occupation, and a random fact about them?
MN: Diana and Sebastian, the couple from The Dangerous Viscount, play a part in the book, as does Diana's sister Minerva. There's one new character, the mysterious and charming Countess Czerny, whom I think quite intriguing. She's a potential rival for Tarquin's hand and something of an adventuress. Don't worry, Celia has another admirer too. Equal opportunities for jealousy! Fact: Countess Czerny buys her clothes in Paris.

RJ: In a small paragraph, write the blurb to your life as it is-but exaggerated to how you ideally wish it were.
MN: I grew up in England and moved to New York City to work at Sotheby's auction house. After my marriage I moved to Vermont where I still live. I have one beautiful daughter who has never left her room untidy in her entire life. I now write romance novels which flow from my pen without the slightest effort. (Guess which bits aren't true.)

RJ: What makes a good romance to you and who are your favorite authors?
MN: All I want is a pair of likable and convincing characters whose story I can enjoy as they wend their way to an emotionally satisfying HEA. I love smart people, clever dialogue and humor. On the other hand Patricia Gaffney's To Have and To Hold is one of the best romances I've ever read and there's not much humor there. With so many authors I adore, I will restrict myself to a handful of the very best: Loretta Chase, Eloisa James, Madeline Hunter, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Mary Jo Putney … I could go on for hours!

RJ: What projects are you currently working on and what do the readers (and me!) have to look forward to next from you?
MN: I'm in the middle of revisions for Confessions from an Arranged Marriage. The heroine is Minerva Montrose and the book will appear in April 2012.

RJ: Picture this: Some major motion picture studio buys the film rights to The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton and want to make it into a movie. They bring you in as a consultant (since you wrote the book and everything-LOL). They ask you to come up with an ‘ideal’ cast list. Which actors would make that list?
MN: Richard Armitage! Without him as Tarquin, the deal is off. For Celia I envision Cate Blanchett: not conventionally pretty but stunning and with a strong personality.
--

Miranda's Question:
Summer's the traditional time for lazing in a hammock with a good book. What are you planning to read? One commenter will win a copy of The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton to take to the beach.


~*~GIVEAWAY DETAILS~*~
Miranda has generously offered to giveaway a copy of 'The Amorous Education of Celia Seton' to (1) one lucky commenter! All you have to do to be eligible to win is answer Miranda's question above in the comments below! The giveaway will end on August 11th and the winner will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter.