Romance Novels - Some Examples of Romance Novels

Novels have become the chief source of entertainment despite the various entertainment resources. Romance has always been one of the common and central themes in the novel. And so came into being romance novels focusing on the stories of love.

Jane Eyre (1847): One of the Greatest Novels

One of the first great romances was Jane Eyre (1847) written by English novelist Charlotte Brontë. The novel is all about a young orphan girl who gets a job as a governess. With the course of the time she finds love with her employer. Rebecca (1938) is another good example of romance by British writer Daphne du Maurier. It also tells of a young woman who gets married with a widower. The story tells us that what sort of woman the man's first wife was.

Love Story (1970): A classic Romance

Love Story (1970) from the pen of Erich Segal is a classic romance. The novel is all about a man from a well-to-do family who gets married with a poor girl who dies very young. There is a famous passage from the novel which describes the intensity of love in one of their conversations:

I stood there at the bottom of the steps, afraid to ask how long she had been sitting, knowing only that I had wronged her terribly. "Jenny, I'm sorry-"

"Stop!" She cut off my apology, then said very quietly, "Love means not ever having to say you're sorry."

Other Famous Romance Novelists:

There are some famous romance novelists such as Judith Krantz, Jackie Collins, Nora Roberts, Jacqueline Susann, and Danielle Steel. Their writings continue to appeal the common people.

Valentine's Day Is Made for Romantic Movies: Here's Your List

Valentine's Day is a great day to snuggle up with your sweetheart and watch a romantic movie. The following are a few romantic classic movies that are great for Valentine's Day.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)-When Harry Met Sally is a movie about two people who try to be friends, and only friends. It is a story of platonic friendship, and whether or not it really exists. The starts are Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. The film is humorous, and complete with fake orgasms, and funny fight scenes. It is a great Valentine's Day movie for couples.

Pretty Woman (1990)-The stars of this movie are Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. It is a fairytale storyline of the hard working whore, and the rich business man. She is a hooker, who gains the attention of the high society businessman and reels him in, hook, line and sinker. With shopping trips on Rodeo drive, and jests about her profession, this is a fantastic movie for the romantic at heart.

Casablanca (1942)-This movie might as well be the definition of a romantic classic, as it has all the elements of a good love story. Casablanca stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It is a tale of love, and chivalry. It is a great way to spend Valentine's Day.

The Lady and The Tramp (1955)-This might be an animated classic, but it is a romantic love story none the less of the lady, and the underdog (all puns intended) falling in love over a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

Titanic (1997)- This is a tragedy and love story, and a popular movie featuring Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet. There is intrigue, sex, and an epic love story that you could hold on to for generations.

Top Gun (1986)-This classic romance features Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Tom is the cocky pilot, and Kelly his beautiful instructor. The film captures the intrigue, excitement, and thrill of new found love.

Romancing the Stone (1984)-This features Michael Douglas, a treasure seeking adventurer, and Kathleen Turner, who is a romance novelist. Together they go on a quest, and end up finding love. It is a great story, and a great film.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Rest Break, Romantic Challenge Polarized

FORWARD

Kal Bishop's 188 stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188+ stage template. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

MASTER PLOT

There is a theory that there are a finite number of Plots (Tragedy, Rags to Riches, Rebirth. Man vs Machine, Man vs Environment etc). If you deconstruct these, you will find that they all reduce to the Hero's Journey, which is the Master Plot.

Further, if you reduce these, you will see degrees of Detachment and Attachment, New Self and Transformation.

The point being that, most plots are variant situations of the same base (and it is the base that you must first master).

(For the Complete 188+ stage Hero's Journey simply go to http://www.heros-journey.info/ )

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

*****Rest Break*****

It is common for a rest break to occur (past the stage of the Road of Trials). In The Godfather (1972), Michael gets to walk around Sicily.
This is a time to bond with Allies. In Alien (1979), right before the Alien explodes from Kane's stomach, time is spent getting to know the characters. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Joan gets to know Jack in the downed aircraft.
The Hero and allies reference their Old Selves and Back Story. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Zach talks about his days in the PI. In Romancing the Stone (1984), Jack didn't know the Doobey Brothers had split up; he was into short cuts.

*****Romantic Challenge Polarized*****

The Romantic Challenge is just that - a challenge that has to be resolved. As such, the Hero and Romantic Challenge are, at first meeting, highly polarized. In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Marion argues with Indy outside her bar. In The Deer Hunter (1978), Michael is a world away from Linda. In The English Patient (1996), Laszlo and Katharine have the problem of her husband.

Couples Aloud in Bed - Romancing With Words

It's 11:00 PM, and you've hardly talked to the people you live with. First there was a full day's work, then driving to various activities, then groceries, laundry, emails, making a to-do list for the weekend, helping your sixth grader with homework, or catching up on office work that didn't get done in a day full of meetings. You could zone out on a little television or flip though a catalog - or maybe, story could become the last thing you do at night and the first thing you do in the morning.

Story - like talking quietly to each other, turning off distractions and asking for details, for narrative, for what made your partner happy or sad or something clever the kids did, or a challenge going on at work. It's simple, just ask a leading question, pause, attend, and invite story to unfold. Almost every night, make the last thing you and your partner do is to ask each other: What's your favorite thing that happened today?

Story - like reading a book aloud to each other, sharing a story that weaves its way through several weeks, becomes the source of other conversations, becomes a shared journey away from daily details and into the art of a good tale. Snuggle up with your children for story-time, listen to them, help them tell stories, read to them, help them read to you, even write with them. Then, what do you want to read in bed: mysteries, historical or contemporary fiction, essays, memoir, fantasy, poetry? Go the library and bring home a stack and experiment.

Valentine's Day Movies for People Who Hate Sappy Love Stories

If you love romantic movies, there are about ten million possibilities if you want to watch a film on Valentine's Day, most of which are helpfully packaged in pink and red at WalMart to help menfolk who are out shopping for their ladies. Romantic movies run the gamut from tearjerking same-sex epics (a la Brokeback Mountain) to wholesome teen musicals (of the High School Musical subset) in an attempt to hit every possible demographic.

But what about the rest of us, who don't like romantic movies? We who gag at the mention of Nicholas Sparks and have had our eyeballs surgically removed from the backs of our heads after watching Another Cinderella Story? What is there for us to watch on Valentine's Day? Believe it or not, whether you're a misanthrope or a serial killer, there's a love story out there for you.

For Action Movie Aficionados and People With Short Attention Spans

THE TERMINATOR

A resistance fighter is sent back in time from an era where the world is controlled by machines in order to protect the future mother of mankind's last hope from a robot assassin.

Starring: Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton
Released: 1984

I have a love/hate relationship with James Cameron movies, but this one is firmly located at the "love" end of the spectrum. The Terminator gave birth to several popular phrases and spawned four sequels. There's a lot of action: explosions, vehicle chases, gunfights, even a futuristic war, but thematically it's a love story, which helps it stand the test of time even now that the impressiveness of 1980s special effects has worn off.

For Lord of the Rings Fans, Dungeon Masters, and Fantasy Lovers

STARDUST

A lovestruck young man ventures into the magical kingdom of Stormhold to fetch a fallen star for the girl of his dreams, only to find the real girl of his dreams is the star.

Starring: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes
Released: 2007

If you're into fantasy at all, you know that Neil Gaiman is a genius. Anyone looking to get into writing fantasy or science fiction should be required to take lessons from Neil Gaiman on balancing familiarity and imagination. This is a star-studded (pun intended) adaptation of his novel that involves, flying pirate ships, witches, sword fights, castles, and one of the most impressive examples of acting I've ever seen (hint: it involves Mark Strong and a voodoo doll).

For World War II History Buffs and War Movie Enthusiasts

ENEMY AT THE GATES

Famed Soviet sniper Vassili Zaitsev dukes it out with his German opposite number as Nazi bombers turn the city of Stalingrad to rubble. At stake: the outcome of the war.

Starring: Jude Law, Rachel Weiss
Released: 2001

One of the things I like best about this movie is that the British/American actors don't try to fake Russian or German accents (if you've seen K-19 you know why this is not a good idea). The love story here is a triangle involving Vassili, the commisar publicizing his feats, and a female soldier (yes, Russia had female soldiers back then). Tragic yet uplifting, this is one of the best war movies I've ever seen.

For Science Fiction Fans and Comic Book Nerds

AEON FLUX

An assassin, one of the last few hundred survivors of a deadly epidemic, is sent to kill the dictator of their futuristic society only to discover that everything is not what it seems.

Starring: Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas
Released: 2005

This movie, which is based on a comic book, has it all: futuristic technology, martial arts, gun battles, skintight outfits, and a love story that's organic to the plot rather than jammed in to appease the girlfriends of male nerds. I can't tell you much about it without including spoilers, but it does have a happy ending.

For Adventurers and People Who Love Irony

ROMANCING THE STONE

A lonely romance novelist with no travel experience enlists the aid of a jaded mercenary to help her find the treasure that will allow her to rescue her kidnapped sister from a Colombian drug lord.

Starring: Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas
Released: 1984

The irony here is that this comedy pokes fun at the absurd plots of romance novels from within the framework of a plot that could have come from a romance novel. Ms Romance and Mr Uncouth naturally fall in love through the course of the film, but there are enough crocodiles, motor vehicle stunts, and jungle survival tips to please even the biggest Indiana Jones fanatic. As a bonus, you can turn it into a 4-hour movie marathon by screening it back-to-back with its sequel, Jewel of the Nile.

For Fans of The Godfather and Members of Organized Crime

DIRTY DEEDS

An Australian soldier returning home from Vietnam joins his uncle in organized crime just as members of the American mafia make their first inroads into the country.

Starring: Sam Worthington, Kestie Morassi, Bryan Brown, Toni Collette
Released: 2002

This is not your typical mafia story. It's unexpectedly hilarious and actually kind of heartwarming. Bryan Brown, Toni Collette, John Goodman and Sam Neill get top billing in all the promotional materials, but Sam Worthington's character is actually the center of the film. There's the requisite murder, car chases, shootings, and destruction of private property, but there's also a subplot involving the introduction of pizza into Australia and two love stories: between the soldier and his uncle's mistress and between his uncle and aunt.

For Serial Killers and Horror Film Fans

THE SIGNAL

A woman, her boyfriend, and her husband find their lives interwoven in the aftermath of a mysterious signal that makes everyone who watches it crazy.

Starring: Anessa Ramsey, AJ Bowen, Justin Welborn
Released: 2007

The story is told in three parts from three different perspectives by three different directors, but make no mistake, it all fits together. This movie is simultaneously scary, hilarious, and uplifting, with a love story that sets it apart from the usual "let's have sex as murder happens around us" horror movie fare. Relatively unknown, this movie is worth every second you have to put into finding it.

For Martial Arts Enthusiasts and Asian Cinema Lovers

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON

A great warrior in Qing China must outwit a deadly assassin to regain possession of a magical sword.

Starring: Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh
Released: 2000

Despite the furious Kung Fu battles, mystical elements, and incredible special effects that have actors dancing through the treetops during fisticuffs, this is essentially a love story between two warriors. There's also a princess, a female assassin, and some smashing cinematography, so it holds appeal for both romantics and karate kids alike so long as they don't mind reading subtitles.

For Misanthropes and Inanimate Objects

WALL-E

A trash compacting robot abandoned on a garbage-strewn Earth for 700 years teams up with a sleek vegetation-seeking robot to help a ship full of spoiled humans return to the home they've forgotten.

Starring: voices of Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, and a MacIntosh computer
Released: 2008

Yes, there are even love stories for people who hate other people. In fact, EVE and WALL-E's romance may be one of the cutest in film even though (or perhaps because of) the fact that they only know about four words apiece. Show it to your lovestruck toaster and inspire it to propose to the blender. Great CGI animation and a timely message also make this a great film for Environmentalists and sci-fi buffs.

For People Whose Major Relationship is With a Computer

HACKERS

A teenage computer hacker whose childhood exploits are famous moves to New York and becomes embroiled in a plot to frame hackers for ransoming an oil company.

Starring: Johnny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie
Released: 1995

Anyone who's owned a computer made after 1996 will find the "cutting edge" technology employed by the hackers laughable, but people who play World of Warcraft 24/7 and dream of beautiful women coming onto them will relate to main character, who manages to land a hot girlfriend despite spending most of his time in a dark room with his computer.

Mountain Wild

 Introduction

In the year "Mountain Wild" begins, the American frontier was still in its infancy. The exploits of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett were fresh in the hearts and minds of Americans, for their legends were still relatively new. These famous frontiersmen led the way for a nation expanding ever westward, and those who followed in their footsteps were eager to prove themselves equal to the challenge.

guest author Ami Blackwelder

What lies beneath the water? This is the question I ask in my latest release The Mers, which came out halloween night! Available on kindle, nook, smashwords. Would we find enlarged sea monsters? Mermaids? If our world ceased to be as it is now....and the land crumbled beneath the water....how would we survive?

I love teasing readers with dystopian questions about how our actions will affect our future. I like to make readers think. But I also want them to have fun. So, in most of my novels, The Mers included, I give the reader a plausible world, one plausible way our world could turn out and insert many heart-felt characters to tell a story that is relatable on a very human level.

I enjoy reading stories that are not just unpredictable, but also character driven. I love to fall-in-love with the characters. When I write I keep those two points alive. I want readers to sit at the seat of their pants, to cry, laugh, throw something when the characters does something they didn’t like. I want my readers to care, to FEEl. After all, that is half the fun of reading fiction. That and an amazing new world.

I hope I do that for all my readers with my array of novels: The Gate of Lake Forest (elf romance), Shifter Evolutions (books 1-6, shifter romance), The Day the Flowers Died (historical romance set in Munich, Germany 1930), and with my latest book The Mers.

I am building a variety of worlds for readers to explore: elf, shifter, mermaid...but also I will be writing about angels, psychic abilities, and vampires. So, look out for a plethora of intriguing worlds to enter in 2012! 

Do we really ever know what we are stepping into whether in the water or in our life? What if everything you thought you knew turned out to be a lie?

Please check out my latest release The Mers and find out why my books are stories readers just can’t put down (I’m not kidding)

Please order the books from kindle, nook, amazon, BnN online and front desk, and on the author's website.















Book Trailer code:


Enclosed are images to include and a bio and synopsis.

SYNOPSIS:

Paranormal and SciFi Author Ami Blackwelder will have two new books out soon!

Find out more about her and her books at http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com


The Invasion of 2020, the first book in the Shifter Evolutions series is scheduled to be released Sept 1st 2011, (Books 1-5 are out now)
The Invasion of 2020 is the prequel to Shifters of 2040. The Shifter Evolutions begins with the middle book, The Shifters of 2040, and gives the reader the choice for the past or future. This release of the first book in the series, The Invasion of 2020, will allow readers to engage the series chronologically also.
Readers will enjoying finding out more about Uri Petrov and Dr. Samantha Croon as they discover what exactly brought the shifters to Earth and what sparked human fears. Who was the young Marn and young Raul and what molded them into who they became?

BIO:

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com


Straddling Lane, Frenier’s knees dug into the soft porch sofa and his arms braced on each side of her neck. He dangled a fresh strawberry above her wet lips and teased. The resolute glint in her eyes stayed fixed on the moist fruit as it oscillated.

“Let me have it!” she demanded, her long tongue showing.

“Come and get it,” he whispered, his breath blowing over her porcelain like face. With only his beige trousers on, the beads of water from the shower earlier slid over his defined muscles and dropped one by one over Lane’s naked leg. In only lace panties and a pink bra, her blonde hair sprawled over the sofa, under- neath and behind her. Like the indents in desert sand made by slithering snakes, her hair appeared soft and perfectly patterned.

“Give it to me, Frank!” She batted her lashes, her chin angling upward as her lips fought to secure the strawberry. Like getting a fish to charge at bait, Frenier had become an expert fisherman when it came to her, when it came to most women. Both players at love, they understood the game.

Demon from the Dark

Guest post with author Jacquelyn Frank

Please welcome Jacquelyn Frank to Bitten!

Hello you crazy reading fiends. And yes, I DO include myself in that. Though not so much reading time for myself these days, I have the heavily laden bookshelves to prove I am a permanent member of the reading-fiend fan club.  But now I’m reading off my Kindle (and heavily craving a NOOK color in spite of the fact that I will have my library split in twain.) I have also recently discovered the joys of audiobooks! (The NIGHTWALKERS series is in audio at last! You can get them here and here!) Anyway, I’m happy to talk with you all.

Okay, let’s get the hawking of the wares out of the way. J

KANE a.k.a. SUPERNATURAL

KANE has arrived! August 30^th! Oh at last we get to glimpse into the past and find out…What happened that first Samhain night between Kane and Corrine? We get to be the proverbial fly on that wall and see just how things unfolded. After all, it was Samhain night, Kane and Corrine were Imprinted, and Kane was going to be driven to take his mate no matter what! No matter that she was comatose and near dead from being drained of energy. And knowing how noble the Demons are, how wholly offensive must this have been to Kane’s sensibilities?

What happened??

Well, you know what you have to do to find out. :P

ADAM

The first man. Or, ironically enough for me he’s the last man. Last Demon standing, as it were. It took three years, but the next book in the NIGHTWALKERS series is here! Releasing Oct. 25^th, 2011, ADAM: THE NIGHTWALKERS Book Six will arrive.  I know, I know. It’s about time! Well, it’s the right time, really. The book was actually started right after I wrote NOAH, book five, as the dates in the story will reflect. However, at the time I was feeling pretty burned out on the NIGHTWALKER world, and the story never progressed past the first few chapters. I was in the process of being published for the first time, life was changing, and other stories were scratching at my brain begging to be free. I decided to take a little break.

Ahh. What a relief. Then I decided, you know what, I’m not going back there. Let NOAH be the end of it. I’m done. Finito! Kaput!

Enter a half a BILLION fan letters that went something like this:

PLEASE don’t let it be the end!!

What happens to Noah and Kestra? Tell me Gideon heals her and she can have a baby!

Do Damien and Syreena ever have a baby?

What about Leah and Seth? Can’t they grow up and fall in love?

Hey! Jasmine needs an HEA!

And the one most people said:

What about RUTH?? You have to kill the bitch!!

Well, I heard you! And while I don’t answer every last one of those questions, I take care of enough of them in ADAM to keep most of you all happy.  I think. I hope. Well, if not, suck it up. :P I have plans for the future. Trust your author. Hehehe.  

Haunted by magic, beset by evil, the Nightwalkers face

their darkest hour yet. And when they unthinkable

happens, only one legendary male has the power,

        the will, to save them: Adam....

FOR 400 YEARS HE WAS LOST TO HER,

    BUT HE IS HERS TONIGHT...

From their first tantalizing touch, Jasmine knows he is

different. What other lover could unlock her tight control,

flood Vampire senses jaded by a lifetime of decadent self

indulgence? Centuries ago, when he disappeared without a

trace, she had given up hope of ever fulfilling the promise of

incomparable passion. But here he is, against the very laws

of nature, ready to bring down their most vicious enemy,

ready to bring her blood to the boiling point....

                    If she will only let him.

I wanted to tell you that, yes, I do have plans for Tristan from the Shadowdwellers to get his HEA eventually. What form and time this takes shape in is a grey area at present, but there is an intention.

I also want to take the opportunity to give you all hugs cyber hugs and thank you SO much for your devotion to this series. That has allowed it to be translated into over five foreign languages and now the entire set is in the midst of being released in audio format by Tantor Media! (The fabulous Xe Sands does our gang of men and their ladies proud!) Anyway, I have wondrous things planned for you and this world in the future. Follow my on my website, Facebook, Twitter and blog and I’ll keep you up to date on me, my books, my life, my peeves, my cats, my kid…basically all the floatsam of my life. Oh, and on Facebook we have a neat roleplaying page you ought to join. You get to watch actors play your favorite NIGHTWALKER characters, get to oogle the Hump Day Hunks on Wednesdays and a variety of other things as well. Oh, and the person who plays Ruth (cough) is sick and twisted and does a FABULOUS job, if I do say so myself. Hehehe.

Hugs and Kitties,

characterfest winners for week 4

I hope everyone had fun with characterfest. I also hope you got to met some new author that will bring happiness to your reading time. 

I want to thank the authors for their interviews and to the many readers that stopped in to read and enter the interviews.

Congrats to the winners 

Arial Burnz winner is Calisa 

Bree Young winner is Vanessa N

Liz Strange winner is Arianne 

Gabrielle Bisset winner is Shaiha 

Felicity Heaton winner is mnjcarter

Alex Severin winner is  BHLmistress

Linda Hilburn winner is  Maria

Eve Langlais  winner is Cecile

Anitra Lynn McLeod winner is  wild about bones 

Tina Folsom winner is  June M

2012 paranormal romance reading challenge sign up

This years challenge is going to be a little different. You have to read 20 adult paranormal romance novels and add a small review or long if you like LOL and these 20 books have to be read in the year of 2012.

I will allow erotic paranormal romance but again they have to be novels. 

Novel is over 40,000 word count 

 novellas will not be allow nor will urban fantasy or YA. If you want to make sure it's not UF please ask or you can visit these post below to find out how to tell the difference for yourself. 

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2011/08/is-it-paranormal-romance-of-urban_25.html

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2011/08/is-it-paranormal-romance-or-urban.html

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2011/08/is-it-paranormal-romance-or-urban_28.html

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2011/08/is-it-paranormal-romance-of-urban_27.html

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2011/08/discussion-of-month-august-2012.html

As of paranormal it can be any, witch, warlock, time travel, vampire, shapeshifters, steampunk, Sci-fi etc.. I include anything that is not normal in paranormal but if you have a question about a certain book please don't hesitate to ask. 

The other change will be I am only giving away autographed books to the people who finishes their 20 book challenge.

Blogger 

 You can make one post on your blog for your reviews and once your done with all 20 books come back here to link you post or you can email me you post.

To sign up add your blogs name and the link to your blog below. You dont have to worry about making a review post at this time. 

Note: on your challenge post you can either add your reviews on one post or you can do a link post like this one

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2010/01/paranormal-romance-reading-challenge.html

This was very easy for me to do and didn't take up much time. As we bloggers knows we need any extra time we can get LOL.

Non Blogger

If you don't have a blog you can still enter. Just email me your reviews once your done or if you have a goodreads, shelfari etc account you can make a shelf just for your 2012 paranormal romance challenge. Once your done email me your challenge shelf and I will look them over. To sign up all you have to do is add your name below and put your goodreads, shelfari etc.. link in the next line. 

Once you read 20 books your done you can not enter for another turn. 

At this time I have 12 autographs books but I can always get more if needed. 

Once your finished and I look over your books or post I will tell you to pick out which book you want. So the first that finishes is the first served LOL.

I have two hunky buttons to chose from so please if you would pick one hunk and take him to your blog;) You'll find the code on my left side bar.

If you need any help or I didn't make something clear please let me know. 

You can sign up now but the count wont start until Jan 1, 2012. 

I will have the post with all the autographed book up on Jan 1, 2012

I think that's everything but I am sure I missed something if so give me a yell. 

Thanks! Laurie

Author guest post and giveaway with Mary Abshire

Love Conquers All Evil

Does love really conquer Evil? It was the question my protagonist, Jessie, had to answer in the 4th book of the Soul Catcher series.

The third book in the series, Fighting Evil, ends with the question "What happens next?" I jumped right into writing book 4. Drake and Jessie are on the run from the VETOV (Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of Other Vampires). In writing the book, I had to think of a place they could hide. Vampires are cold-blooded creatures. The logical place they'd want to go is somewhere warm. They hate the cold whereas demons, being hot-blooded creatures, love the cold. So, what place did I come up with for Drake and Jessie to hide? Alaska. Yes, it's not a good place for Drake, but he knows they are safer there.

Upon their arrival, they stumble across a murder. The dynamic duo asks questions and soon discovers there is a serial killer on the loose, and it's a demon stealing good souls. Jessie wants to stop the evil murderer, so she mingles with the local demon community. Well, a werewolf from the past appears and more trouble arises. She doesn't want to tell Drake just yet because she doesn't want to alarm him. Needless-to-say, things spin out of control fast. She has several "evils" that she faces while her heart yearns for one man who wants to spend eternity with her. Can she conquer the evil? Should she give up life for eternity with her vampire lover? It's not so simple since she's half-demon, but Drake works hard to persuade her, real hard. To find out the answers, I encourage you to read the book.

Excerpt:
"You still have not told me what is on your mind," Drake said.
I stopped pacing, and stood near the door. "I'm thinking about the kind of demons who steal souls."
"You know what I am talking about," he said, smiling. "Our agreement from earlier. You owe me an answer, and I intend to get it."
Get it? Oh, I could give it to him, but why not make him work for it? Grinning, I uncrossed my arms. "And I seem to recall telling you to give me what I want, and then I would tell you. Well, Mr. Dark Eyes, you still owe me."
"Mr. Dark Eyes?" Drake slowly rose from the chair. "I owe you?"
I took a step back, placing myself in the doorway. Any closer and I'd run. Let him catch me, and work for the answer.
"I fulfilled my obligation," he said, his head slightly tilted to the side. His pupils enlarged.
I licked my lips. "Only to an extent. We were interrupted."
"You are teasing me," he said, as he took a step toward me.
Giggling, I darted down the hall, and raced down the stairs. Footsteps came fast behind me. I had no hope of escaping him, but that was all part of the fun. And he knew it.
Drake caught me two steps past the stairs. He picked me up, and my legs flew up in front of me. He carried me into the bedroom, all while I laughed, screamed a little, and wriggled in his arms. Reaching the bed, he let go, and I fell onto the soft mattress.
I quickly twisted around to face him. He gazed into my eyes, and below his curled upper lip, two sharp teeth said hello. Amusement played on his face. He grabbed my legs, and yanked me toward him.
"Do you refuse to tell me after we agreed—?"
"Refuse is such a strong word. I don't refuse. I simply want something in return." I grinned.
He lowered his body over mine, and rubbed his solid cock against me. Oh God, I loved the feel of him.
"I intend to get my answer," he said before he pressed his lips to mine, kissing me gently, tenderly.
I raked my fingers through his soft hair, brushing it away from his face. "Show me how badly you want it."
After a quick tug, he had my shorts off, and then he showed me how much he wanted my answer, repeatedly, until my body was sore, throbbing with ecstasy, and totally exhausted.

Buy Links:

Noble Romance Publishing Website http://www.nobleromance.com


Amazon Kindle ASIN# B005HZKEK4

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Conquers-Evil-Catchers-
ebook/dp/B005HZKEK4/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
All Romance Ebooks
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-loveconquersallevil-594251-
139.html


Bio:

By day, Mary is a government employee. At night, she’s a Paranormal
Romance and Urban Fantasy Author.
Her interest in dark, mysterious, and dangerous creatures started in her
youth. Sci-fi and horror shows were her favorite. During her teenage years,
she read every Anne Rice book available, had a plethora of pen-pals she
wrote to, and enjoyed 80’s new wave music. In her early twenties, she
dabbled with writing, but never pursued it as a career. Fifteen years later,
she decided to write again. After writing a few full-length novels, she came
to the realization that she couldn’t stop. What started as an interest grew
into love, and is now an addiction.

Love Conquers All Evil is the fourth novel in the Soul Catcher series.
Mary’s urban fantasy novel, The Awakening, is scheduled for release
January 2012 from Lyrical Press.
Where to find Mary Abshire:
http://www.maryabshire.com
http://www.facebook.com/mary.abshire
http://www.goodreads.com/maryabshire
http://twitter.com/maryabshire
http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryabshire http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maryabshire/ http://www.maryabshire.wordpress.com

Giveaway will be for one book in this series at winners choice. This is for an ebook so international is welcome.
Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter under please hit "Read More" to do that.

Christmas giveaway!! ends Dec 1st

US and Canada only, sorry!

This year I'm giving away three prizes to three winners. Fill out the Raffelcoper below and if there is a problem in filling it out let me know. This is only the second time I am using it so knowing me I messed something up LOL. 

Chose which number giveaway you want below and click on it in the Raffelcoper 

Giveaway ends Dec 1st so I can get the prizes out. 

This will be in all three giveaways 

  

Number 1

Nina Bangs Eternal Craving

Book mark and small candle from Slatkin & co S'mores 

Number 2

Mary Burton's Senseless

EARRINGS are gold tone with freshwater pearls.

Number 3

Bath and body set Twilight 

Sophie Renwick Velvet Haven

Giveaway rules are here and since this is my giveaway you have to be a follower to enter. 

THE GUARDIAN - SHERRILYN KENYON,

erotic paranormal romance reading challenge Novembers review link up 2011

November 2011 review link up

Please add your reviews below in the Linky.
Instructions
1. On the top box add the book name you read and your blogs name in ( ) Example Demon Unbound ( your blogs name)
2. Place that ULR of your review in the next box.

Now remember if you dont have a blog to post your reviews you email them to me and you can find my email under contact.

Paranormal romance reading challenge review link post of November 2011

Giveaway will be a paperback of Susan Sizemore Master of Darkness

Octobers winner is Julianne at Vixen Reviews. Would you please email me I cant seem to find your email!!

Instructions
1. On the top box add the book name you read and your blogs name in ( ) Example Demon Unbound ( your blogs name)
2. Place that ULR of your review in the next box.

Now remember if you don't have a blog to post your reviews you email them to me and you can find my email under contact

ARC Review White Dawn by Susan Edwards

Title: White Dawn
Author: Susan Edwards
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: e-book; 90,000 words
Release date: Mass Market original release- May 2002; e-book re-release- November 21, 2011

Broken-hearted and abandoned in the wilds of America's untamed West, sixteen-year-old Emily Ambrose is rescued from certain death by solitary trapper John Cartier. Though she's learned the hard way not to trust any man, she can't help but feel safe with the kind stranger.

John can't imagine anyone willingly letting Emily go. Her strength and beauty call to him, but it is clear her wounded heart needs time to heal, and he won't settle for just her body. He vows to return Emily to civilization—and to resist the desire growing between them, unless she turns to him out of love.

Emily is drawn to her rugged but gentle rescuer, and begins to feel the passion that a woman can feel for a man. But she can't embrace a future with John as long as she's haunted by secrets of the past...





Rating-





Sexual-





My review-

I admit that I have a soft spot for historical romances, particularly those set during the more “Wild West” times of American history. This is book one of a series of twelve all together, but this book stands well on its own.

You are immediately drawn into the struggle of Emily facing a missionary father who seems to have a grudge against women. Your heart aches for the things he says to her and you feel as if you are there with her as her journey begins, bringing her into John’s life. From there, you are entranced as a friendship grows between them and soon blossoms into love. One particular plot point was easily predictable from the get go, but it didn’t detract from the overall story. The love scenes in the book are very well written and give you just enough of a visual to feel the characters’ emotions without being too much at the same time.

If you are interested in a nice, leisurely read, I highly recommend “White Dawn”. I’m looking forward to reading the next three in the first set of four books in the series.

October's Paranormal romance characterfest with Tina Folsom and giveaway !

Welcome to Characterfest

Characterfest is a month long event where you’ll find a different character interviews written by the author each day. Each interview has a giveaway(s) make sure the giveaway is open to you and if so add a comment or question along with your email. I will close all giveaways at the end of the week and add the winners to the winners post on that Tuesday. Odds are if you won you’ll be hearing from me.

One thing I will ask is if you could please twitter or hit the facebook likes button on the post so that others can see the interview. I want to get these authors out to as much as I can and you’re my go between in this event.

I hope you enjoy each interview and please try to make it here each day to find out whom or what’s next. If this goes as planned I will be hosting this next year. 

Dionysus, God of Wine and Ecstasy

Tina: “Today I’m interviewing a god, and frankly, I’m a little nervous. I mean, how do you address a god? Would it be something like “Oh, God!” or maybe “Dear God!”? It’s not every day I speak to a god. Maybe I’ll just play it saf, and address him the way his servants do. *clears her throat* Oh, mighty God Dionysus, it’s a pleasure having you here today.”

Dionysus *unleashed a devastating grin*: “You can call me Dio, sweetie.”

Tina *blushes down to the roots of her hair*: “Mmm, Dio, I now understand why you have such a reputation with women.”

Dio: “Call it what you want, sweetie, but I simply love women, no matter what shape or form they come in. There’s nothing more enticing than a woman’s body: curves, hair, scent, skin … hmm, just thinking about it makes me—”

Tina *interrupts hastily*: “Yes, yes, I understand. So, I hear that the goddess Hera played a little trick on you recently. Can you tell us a little about that?”

Dio: “Hera, that fu… excuse my Greek … my friendly stepmother. She’s not very fond of me. Guess I can’t really blame her. I’m a constant reminder of Zeus’ infidelity. Not that I’m the only one, but for some reason I’m always on her darn radar.”

Tina: “I feel for you.”

Dio: “Hera robbed me of my memory. I mean, what woman would do such a thing? You be the judge. But what she did to me was downright nasty.”

Tina: “I hear a lot of interesting things happened as a result of it.”

Dio: “Interesting? Make that humiliating. I had to work as a waiter. Can you imagine that? Me as a waiter? And of course all the other gods came to gloat and made me wait on them. Bastards!”

Tina: “But I understand that not everything was bad. There’s rumor that you’ve met someone special.”

Dio *smiles off into the distance*: “You should meet Ari. She’s lovely. So strong, so beautiful, with such a pure heart. Who could resist her? I didn’t want to see it at first, and I’m the first to admit that I treated her badly. I was such a jerk, but for Hades’ sake, I was scared shitless. I wanted her so much, I thought something was wrong with me.”

Tina: “But you came around and made it work.”

Dio: “We both did. She helped me see what’s important. It’s not chasing skirts for the rest of eternity, but it’s finding that one person who really gets you.”

Tina: “So what are your plans for the future?”

Dio: “Ari and I are gonna have a few heroes and—”

Tina *interrupts*: “Heroes? What are heroes?”

Dio: “Those are the children of a god and a mortal. We call them heroes. And *winks* we’re busy making heroes …”

Tina: “Well, in that case, I’d better not keep you any longer.”

Dio: “Appreciate it, sweetie. Hey, and if there’s ever anything you want me to do for you, just ask. After all, you wrote me the way I am, and I’m pretty darn happy.”

Dio is the star of A Scent of Greek, the second book in Tina Folsom’s Out of Olympus series. It is available for sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBookstore, Kobo, Google, and other online retailers.

Tina Folsom, Author

www.tinawritesromance.com

http://authortinafolsom.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/AuthorTinaFolsom

Details for the giveaway:

1 person will win a paperback copy of A Scent of Greek – open internationally. To be eligible for the draw you need to a current or new facebook friend of Tina: www.facebook.com/AuthorTinaFolsom