Official Upcoming Release Schedule!

Due to changes in how my publisher assigns dates, I won't have release dates until I finish the book. I'm currently working on:

Taking the Realm which is book 3 of Sha and Connor's trilogy (previously titled Shaking the Balance)

Sunday, March 31, 2013

First chapter of Warrior Unleashed!!

My dear lovelies, very soon I will be releasing my Mythrian novella, Warrior Unleashed, and since it has taken me longer than expected, I wanted to give you a present. Here is the first chapter!

Warrior Unleashed takes places in the Mythrian Realm, introduced in Breaking the Nexus. This novella features Achaius Rilke, a panther Chimerae who also happens to be Sha's half brother, and Saia Makan, a Gaelen (wind) Sorceri. The cover is being designed by the fantabulous Blue Harvest Creative, and I will be revealing that soon! The amazingly fantabulous Cinta Garcia is editing this and my equally amazing army of betas are helping me making this the best it can be.

In case you missed it, here's the blurb for Warrior Unleashed:


Nothing is more dangerous than a warrior unleashed. 
When Sentinels begin dying under mysterious circumstances, the deaths are believed to be unrelated. Only one man sees the truth: an unknown enemy is targeting the elite group of warriors and no one is safe. As a panther Chimerae, Achaius Rilke recognizes the signs of an unpredictable predator. The only person he can trust is Saia Makan, the tempestuous Sorceri he has chased from afar. But when the killer has set his sights on Saia, Achaius faces the hunt of his life.


Now, without further ado, I give you chapter 1 of Warrior Unleashed!


Rage suffused her, casting a red haze over her vision as she attacked the sparring post. Blood bloomed on her knuckles, but she didn’t register the pain. The blows continued to rain down as she embraced the bitter anger. Anything to keep from dwelling on the grief lurking just beneath the surface. 
She didn’t know who was more deserving of her wrath: the draka who was murdering Sentinels, or Treven for having the audacity to be the latest victim. How dare he let some bastard catch him off guard. They were partners, supposed to look out for each other. Who was going to guard her back now that he was dead?
“Draka,” she repeated under her breath, redoubling her efforts to annihilate the padded target in front of her. Nobody spoke the old language anymore, save for a few scattered words or phrases, but the curse seemed appropriate. Any coward who incapacitated a Sentinel before slitting their throat deserved to be called draka.
“Come now, Saia. That’s a bit rude to say that to an innocent sparring post, don’t you think?”
Wonderful. Just what she needed to make this day even better. What in the Seven Hells was he doing here? The amusement in the deep voice only served to rile her up further.
“Go away, Achaius, I’m not in the mood.”
“I figured you could use some company, considering you’re missing Treven’s memorial. Unless you forgot it was today, of course.”
Right, how could she forget? They would light the funeral pyre for her partner of five years, but Saia couldn’t bring herself to attend the memorial. She’d said her goodbyes privately and she knew he’d understand. She clamped her lips, battling the wave of tears that welled up. Damn Achaius. She’d been fine until he showed up.
“I didn’t forget,” she managed, her voice betraying only the slightest tremble. Why couldn’t he leave her in peace before she made a fool of herself by bursting into tears? She refused to break down in front of him. Of all the people that had to track her down, why him?
Achaius Rilke could rile her temper faster than anyone she knew, but at the moment he wasn’t trying to annoy her or tempt her competitive streak. No, he was being nice to her and that was worse. She didn’t need nice, she needed to control her emotions and focus on revenge. 
Sighing, she dropped her arms and stepped out of the ring of power used to protect observers of training sessions. When activated, no magic or weapons could leave the circle. Without a word, she walked past the wall of chiseled muscle and grabbed her towel, scrubbing it hard over her face. Working out in the training room wasn’t helping to stop the grief roiling inside and she was perilously close to giving into it.
The air shifted and she sensed him moving to stand next to her. Wild energy emanated from him and she knew his panther was straining to be let free. Of all the Chimerae she’d ever encountered, she had only ever been able to sense Achaius’ beast. The man intrigued her as much as he infuriated her, challenged her even as he pushed her to the limits of her patience. 
He moved closer, warmth teasing the wisps of hair at the back of her neck as he exhaled. His musky scent curled around her, enticing her to lean against his strength.  Get a hold of yourself, Saia Makan. 
“Please, Achaius, just go away.” Exhaustion weighed upon her and she dropped to the bench, her head falling into her hands. Gods, she didn’t need this. Couldn’t he get it through his skull she wanted to wallow in self-pity alone?
“Contrary to what you may think, I’m not here to give you a hard time, Saia. I’m here as a friend. Let me help.”
She lifted her head, her gaze meeting his in surprise. “I don’t need your help. I’m fine.” 
Was that hurt that flashed in his eyes? “You’re not, but if you want to be miserable, go for it. When you’re done feeling sorry for yourself, come find me. We need to talk. Treven was the third Sentinel dead in less than a month and we’ve got a serious problem.”
He turned, started walking toward the exit, and guilt stabbed her. Mother Night, she was being a bitch and he didn’t deserve it. “Achaius, wait. I’m sorry.” An instant later his words registered and her blood turned to ice in her veins. “Wait, what do you mean he’s the third death?”
Pausing at the heavy door, he shook his head. “Time enough for that later. Come on, I want to show you something first.”
Curiosity piqued, she stuffed her belongings into the simple black bag she’d brought and hurried after him. Somehow, the man had managed to pry her mind away from the crushing sadness at losing her partner and, despite her earlier words, she was grateful for the distraction. As he led the way, it was hard not to admire the way he moved, his panther showing itself in the graceful stride of a predator. Oh yes, she was definitely distracted now.

Friday, March 29, 2013

Blog tour for Annamaria Bazzi!!

Hello my lovelies! Today we have the fantabulous Annamaria Bazzi for her blog tour for her Regency Era book, White Swans! I'll also be reviewing her book later so be sure to check back in a few days for that.


Grab your coffee or tea, sit back, and enjoy as Annamaria talks to her characters!




Thank you so much, Lindsay, for hosting my 8th blog tour stop for White Swans—

Kendíka: Excuse me, but are we going to be able to see this review, or do we have to wait until the end of this post?

Annamaria: Kendíka, you need to learn some patience. We are Lindsay’s guests today and you haven’t given me the chance to introduce you and Saphora.

Kendíka: Yes, I know that, but I’m dying to know what she had to say about your fetish of turning people into birds in her review.

Saphora: Kendíka, I believe we’ve gone through this in a previous interview. I’m the one who turns your kind into birds. Humans don’t have such powers.

Kendíka: Nothing is greater than the power of imagination.

Annamaria: You’re right, and I wish more young teens would understand that. The imagination has no boundaries or limits, and it’s endless.

Saphora: It is a most powerful tool, greater than the magic I possess.

Kendíka: I would say so, after all, Annamaria, created you and your demented powers.

Saphora: Be careful how you speak to me. You’ve already had a taste of my kind of punishments.

Kendíka: ~rolls eyes~ Quite unfairly too.

Annamaria: Don’t either of you have anything nice to tell readers about the story?

Kendíka: ~laughs~

Saphora: It’s a wonderful world—

Kendíka: Wonderful for who, you the masters?

Annamaria: I think the readers are tired of your bickering.

Saphora: It’s a great short story, and the second book, another short story—

Kendíka: Dah! It’s a short story series, every book is going to be a short story.

Saphora: Don’t interrupt. Now where was I? Oh yes, the second book, will be coming out the first week of April, and every month a new short will be published.

Annamaria: Yes, I’ll be introducing new characters, and Saphora, the honey sweet voice, will have a much greater roll. Now I’m sure if we all settle down, Lindsay will share her review.

Lindsay: Lovely to meet you all! I will certainly be sharing my review with you soon!!

White Swans: A Regency Era...Buy it Now!

Left an orphan, Kendíka cries herself to sleep and startles awake in a Regency castle. Terror consumes her, and she attempts to escape only to discover the new world is her prison. Having no choice, she attends a ball given by her guardian, Lord Deverow, to introduce her into society. He admonishes her to follow the rules and promises to protect her from the wrath of the strange, hazy set of eyes spying on everything. But when she ignores his warning, Kendíka learns firsthand what it means to be disobedient.







Meet Annamaria!

Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country.

Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent.

She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish.

Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing. 


Connect with Annamaria


Links to Annamaria’s book

White Swans: A Regency Era

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-White-Swans-Regency-ebook/dp/B00BMXLKVM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1362486278&sr=1-1&keywords=white+swans%3A+a+regency+era

A Simple Matter of Justice

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A-Simple-Matter-Justice-ebook/dp/B00APCB9N0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359345080&sr=8-1&keywords=a+simple+matter+of+justice

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-simple-matter-of-justice-annamaria-bazzi/1113992043?ean=2940016095110

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/265991

Revelations of Abaddon:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Revelation-of-Abaddon-ebook/dp/B00BCRB1H6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362486218&sr=8-1&keywords=revelation+of+abaddon

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revelation-of-abaddon-annamaria-bazzi/1114317527?ean=2940044305984

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/283345

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Guest post from Elizabeth Rose!!

Hello my lovelies! The fantabulous Elizabeth Rose has stopped by for a guest post! Grab your coffee or tea, sit back, relax, and enjoy as Elizabeth talks about the influence of childhood stories!



Tales as Old as Time

 At my parent’s house, I have an entire shelf full of the books that I’ve kept since childhood. I have all the old suspects- Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Collected Fairy-Tales. If I’m going to be perfectly honest, I can tell you right now that, even though the rest of my shelves are reserved for ‘adult’ books, they don’t look much different. Almost all I own are re-tellings and re-imagingings of those first stories that I heard- Wicked, The Looking Glass Wars, Alice in the Country of Hearts, Mirror, Mirror, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Beastly…need I go on? The only deviance from this pattern that I have would be Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, but even then that entire fantasy world is a satire of the stories we are told in this world. In fact, there is a specific quote of his that has stuck with me. In his novel, Witches Abroad, Pratchett directly satirizes fairy-tales (complete with a fairy godmother and glass slippers and everything). In it, he says: “People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it's the other way around.”

This is something that I have come to believe. Why else would we be so interested in hearing the same stories over and over again? Plato, in The Republic, laid out the idea of the ‘noble lie’- things that, although not objectively true, are undeniably true in an experiential sense. Stories are like this- even in non-fiction, stories are told in ways that are less ‘true’ to a strict, scientific sense, and yet are ‘true’ in that they relate to a larger capital-t Truth in our own experiences. In some instances, this can even translate into the experience of giving us a truth, by presenting in a fictional manner that speaks to our experiences.

I’ve talked before about the power that fiction has the building of how women see themselves, specifically those in abusive relationships. As writers, and as readers, we need to be asking ourselves- what have the stories we’ve read, or told, been saying? In my first novel, ‘Till the Last Petal Falls, I directly ask this question of one of my own favorite fairy-tales, Beauty and the Beast, and hope to continue the series in asking each of the ‘princess’ stories the same question. When an old story is re-told, it is most powerful not when the story is simply re-told in a different setting- but when the story has a new light shone on it, revealing things about it that could have previously been overlooked. The fact that there are so many different ways to take these kinds of beloved stories does not say that these stories are inundated with only bad morals or ‘lies’- but that they have so much potential to be a ‘noble’ lie, even in our own time, many years after they have been written, that many lights must be shone on it.

So don’t be ashamed to read, or re-write, some of your favorite stories. But be critical of what new ‘truths’ are being upheld in these newer versions of the classics. Today’s world needs new noble lies, not tired, plain ol’ lies. You are what you read.

'Till The Last Petal Falls...Buy it Now! 

Jolee Bellissa is a 21 year old English major graduate living with her soon-to-be penniless inventor father, Moe, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. All that's waiting for her in this 'bubble' of a town is a relentless suitor, Gage Aristade son of a rich accounting CEO and notable playboy, and a part-time job at the local Tattered Cover. When she sees a job listing for a literature and poetry tutor for a shut-in adult student in Aspen, room and board paid with a $1000 a month stipend, she figures she has nothing left to really lose.  Adam Emile is a 33 year old eccentric artist, whose paintings' beauty is only matched by their disturbing choice of focus. Scarred by a horrific childhood and holed up in the mountains to keep from embarrassing his wealthy and famous father, he is beginning to lose all sense of reality. As a last resort, his personal nurse Chip has put out an ad on Craigslist, under the guise of tutoring, for a new friend for his patient. Will the beautiful young woman who answers the ad change Adam and break the curse of his mental depravity? Or will the secrets he harbors drag them both into madness?  A dark twist on the beloved story of 'Beauty and the Beast.

Buy it Now:



Meet Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Rose is a twenty-something college student in Denver, Colorado, double majoring in Religious Studies and English. Though "'Till the Last Petal Falls" is her first full-length novel, she has been published in poetry since her junior year of high school. To date, she had appeared under her real name in over twenty journals, both in print and online.

Connect with Elizabeth:

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Winner of Big Cocks and Shamrocks Blog Hop!


Congrats to Krysta Banco! You won a $5 Amazon Gift Card in the Big Cocks and Shamrocks blog hop!

Interview with RJ Mirabal!

Hello my lovelies! Time for another interview!! There are going to be some exciting things coming up on the blog so be sure not to miss a minute of the action :)

Today we have the fantabulous RJ Mirabal on the blog! Grab your coffee or tea, sit back, and enjoy The Lindsay Show!



Thank you so much for joining me RJ! When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I knew I was a storyteller when, as a kid, I entertained my friends with a never ending story as we rode to school on the bus. It was told in installments which I made up on the spot. Later, as an adult, I realized I had the makings of a writer and started writing.


Oh that is freaking awesome. I would have loved to have someone do that :) What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?

Getting published! My career as a high school teacher left scarce time for writing, so I wrote some and published next to nothing for over 30 years. After retirement, I committed to making it work. After finishing and getting a publisher for my debut novel, The Tower of Il Serrohe, I thought I was done with the hard part. But now I’m learning about promotion, etc. which I find to be harder. I’ve realized the easy, fun part is creating, the hard part is editing and promotion.


Yes, getting published is so hard, especially when you can't devote yourself to it 100% of the time. It's great that you didn't give up and revisited it when you retired! Who are your favorite authors?

Quite a diversity. Isaac Asimov for both science fiction and science fact; James Herriot for human and animal interest—I’ve always loved animals and interesting people; J.R.R. Tolkien for traditional fantasy; Agatha Christie, Tony Hillerman, and Henning Mankell for detective mystery; Rudolfo Anaya for New Mexico Hispanic literature; and Charlotte Bronte for Jane Eyre (if I could write one novel like that, I would die fulfilled!).


Those are all amazing authors. What authors inspire you?

Same list as above! Isaac Asimov wrote in a clear, transparent style, a constant but elusive goal for me. I am always trying to evoke the terrain and atmosphere of New Mexico and the Southwest in my writing the way Tony Hillerman and Rudolfo Anaya have. And, of course, Jane Eyre is about as close to perfect as any novel I’ve ever read, and I read a lot! These accomplished writers inspire to keep at it!


I can certainly see how they'd be inspiring :) Are you a plotter or a pantser with your writing?

Pantser. That’s a good one, lol! I start out as a pantser once I have an idea that intrigues me. I usually write one or two chapters off the cuff, usually in a torrent. Then I step back and start mulling and plotting in such detail I can copy my notes to the draft and just flesh out a few more sentences. Strangely enough, when I’m plotting, I’m still being a pantser because I seldom go back and make drastic plot changes unless I’ve discovered a logical gap or have a revelation about how to spark up the story.


LOL I loved that term when I first saw it. That sounds like a great methodology :) What type of books do you like to read?

Most anything printed on the page except heavy duty technical nonfiction and textbooks! For fiction I prefer fantasy, science fiction, suspense/mystery (especially detective stories), and exotic stories. For nonfiction, I read a lot of magazines about motorcycles, cars, and National Geographic as well as travel and the occasional philosophy book.


Yeah, I've never been a fan of textbooks either ;) Love the mix of genres you enjoy! What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to travel though I don’t do as much as I would like. I have a 4wheeler which allows me to get out in the wilderness (desert and mountains) almost every week. I also love music and am learning to play the hammered dulcimer. And I volunteer in two organizations: a motorcycle club and the New Mexico Dulcimer Festival. I enjoy good movies and engaging television, particularly PBS.


I'm jealous you get to go exploring the desert and mountains every week! Where is your favorite place to vacation?

Anywhere in the USA and Canada. I also want to return to Europe to do the Grand Tour and spend more time in England and see Ireland.


I'm dying to see Ireland too! If you were stuck on a desert island and could have only three things, what would they be?

Is a person, a thing? If so, my wife would be my absolute first choice. Then I would want a library and plenty of paper and pencils (computers take electricity, so that’s out). Notice I cheated by saying a library instead of just one book! If I had to choose another thing instead of my wife, I would want a radio so I could listen to music and know a little about what’s happening in the rest of the world.


We'll count a person as a thing :) I think it's wonderful your wife is your absolute first choice <3 Why did you choose to write southwest contemporary fantasy?

I paid heed to the oft quoted injunction: “Write what you know.” I grew up in New Mexico and its terrain, atmosphere, and culture are ingrained in my being. Traditional fantasy has many excellent writers keeping it viable, so instead I carved out a unique niche by combining a few elements of traditional fantasy with the Southwest and my crazy imagination. I always want to do something different from everyone else: a result of being an only child who had to provide his own entertainment most of the time.


OMG my husband told me that EXACT same thing! It's how I got into writing paranormal romance :) I truly think it's the single best advice I've ever heard with respect to writing. What has been the most fun about working on your books?

I love creating my own world, putting interesting people in it, devising unique situations, and then seeing what happens. I’m always amused at some of the wonderful twists and turns in my stories that I didn’t plan. It’s fun to let your characters loose and see what they do and say.


That's such an amazing feeling when you can sit back and take in the world that you created. I especially love when things kind of take off on their own :) What has been the hardest scene for you to write?

There is a chapter where the two main characters make love. I wanted it to be tender and beautiful without becoming too explicit or salacious. I re-wrote and edited it more than any other chapter in my book. I hope I succeeded.


I can tell you that love scenes were by far one of the hardest scenes I've ever had to write. You really need to be careful how you approach it, particularly in your case I'd imagine since it's not meant to be romance per se. Do you have any favorite characters? 

From my own book? If so, I do like my main character, Don Vargas, although he would be hard to be around at times because of his negativity and bluntness. But then on the other hand, I find that interesting. I also aspire to his very ironic and dry wit. It’s a survival mechanism for most anyone who teaches teenagers! I like Nersite because he’s so earnest and modest, but totally determined and stubborn. I think Raquela is “hot” without being obvious. A quiet beauty who wears well. Actually, I like all of them, but those three are my favorites.


He sounds like a fantastic character! How did you come up with the premise for The Tower of Il Serrohe?

It was the result of two stories I wrote. One a fantasy novelette about a clan a small people fighting a powerful, wily clan of nasty people who dominated their desert river valley with their tower set on a high volcanic cliff. The other was a character study of someone whose life was rapidly flushing down the toilet. Neither story was much on their own, but when I had the crazy idea of combing them, it just clicked in amazing ways.


Ooo that's awesome that you decided to combine those two novelettes! Tell us about Don Vargas please.

Well, he’s not like me except in a few ways I don’t want to reveal. Mainly he’s negative, an addictive personality, and apathetic. What more can one want in an anti-hero? He is at his lowest point of self-destructiveness at the beginning of the story right when he’s thrown out of his home and the life he’s known. I’ve known a few people who had elements of his personality as well as a few characters I’ve encountered in literature. I wanted him to be a loser, but not an evil person or punk. Just obnoxious and disinterested in the quest he’s given. Does he redeem himself? That’s what the story is about.


Definitely sounds intriguing. Anti-heroes are truly fascinating to me. How does the Southwest influence the story? Did you base any of the story on your own experiences or places you’ve visited in the Southwest?

There is hardly anything in the story except the battle scenes and the magic that I didn’t experience myself growing up in the Southwest. The setting is right where I lived and worked my whole life. The people are like people I know and have known. That’s why I put the word “Southwest” first in my classification of the story.


Ok well now I'm even more interested in this book! I've found that when authors can bring in their own experiences, the story can be so much more rich. Who are the different clans? What about Soreyes?

New Mexico has many divergent cultures. My clans don’t represent those real ethnic and cultural groups directly, but the diversity is brought out through their sharp contrasts. The Nohmin are small feisty people who live in holes and tunnels in the ground. The Soreyes are tall, lanky, and unpleasant as well as smarter and more powerful than the other clans. The Taurimin are physically large farmers who want to live in peace. The Càhbahmin work with the Taurimin though they are livelier. Ursimin are big, burly, gregarious hunters, and the only religious clan except for the Soreyes. The Loopohmin and Linksmin are hunters also, but live in small family groups and do not associate with the other clans (there are rumors they may prey on some of the other clans, but they are not the big threat the Soreyes pose). The Crotalmin are small in number but evoke fear in the smaller people of the valley. And there’s more!


Wow, you definitely have a rich world in your story! What do you have planned for future books?

I am now working on a sequel to The Tower of Il Serrohe. I originally wrote it as a stand alone story, but my editor advised I plan on a sequel if readers demanded one. So I planted a few plot elements that could lead to sequels just in case. Some of my early readers immediately wanted to know if there were going to be sequels. So I’m now working on the first of two sequels. After that, I’ll move on to other projects, but I may make further use of the world, though not the characters and situation of this Tower “series.”


Well I can't wait to read this and your future books! Anything else you want your readers to know?

Please visit my web site, write a comment, or drop me an email and let me know what you think of the story. I’m happy to answer questions and talk about the story at any point. Don’t wait until you finish the story if you have questions and don’t be bashful.



Thank you so much for joining me, RJ! It has been a blast learning more about you and your book!


The Tower of Il Serrohe...Buy it Now!

The Tower of Il Serrohe pulls us into the deteriorating life of Don Vargas thrown out of the house by his promiscuous wife. He lands in a dilapidated casita which, of course, is a portal to another world. Reluctantly, Don is seduced by an alternative existence in the Valle Abajo, a valley strangely like and unlike his own Rio Grande Valley. A creepy voice in the dark of his casita drives Don to take on a quest to save the clanspeople of Valle Abajo from the wily Soreyes who have built the mysterious Tower dominating the landscape and magically empowering them to preempt every effort of the clans to break free of Soreye terror. Traveling to the Valle, Don at first finds the clans are like a sophisticated mix of widely divergent races and cultures that do not work well together but are forced to unite to defeat the Soreyes...except they can't. A century earlier, Teresa, a curandera from the Rio Grande Valley attempted to defeat the Soreyes, but succeeded in only slowing them down. Now all Don wants to do is drink beer, spout profanities, and coat every thought and action with cynicism. Only the disarming beauty and quiet wisdom of a young curandera of the Pirallt clan can hope to move Don to take on this quest...that and the dogged determination of Nersite, a pint-sized story- teller and occasional warrior of the Nohmin clan. Don bounces back and forth between the Rio Grande Valley and Valle Abajo. Each time his perception of the Valle and the clans evolves until he discovers the final shocking reality of the Valle.
Buy it Now:



Meet RJ!

RJ Mirabal loves the Middle Rio Grande Valley having lived there for most of his life. A happily retired high school teacher, he now pursues writing and music while volunteering with a motorcycle club and teachers’ organizations. RJ enjoys exploring New Mexico’s wilderness areas on his four-wheeler and traveling with his wife, Cheryl. The Tower of Il Serrohe is his debut novel.


Connect with RJ:



*** Don't miss your chance to win a FREE SIGNED COPY of The Tower of Il Serrohe coming this April on RJ's website!!! ***

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Review of Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter


Hello my lovelies! I have another review for you and for once it's not a book I read specifically intending to review. I can't tell you how excited I was to realize Gena Showalter had released a new book, Beauty Awakened. I freaking ADORE her Lords of the Underworld series beyond words. She's an auto-buy for me, I don't even read the blurb, I just snag it and usually run up to my hubby jumping up and down for joy.

Yes, I really do literally jump up and down for joy.

The last couple of her books have been good, but I've noticed a subtle shifting in the tone. It's easier for me to put it down and I skip around more in the book. It hasn't stopped me from buying her books...yet. So, what did I think of her latest? Well..



About the book:
Publisher: Harlequin - HQN
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
My source for the book: Bought
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Description:

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with another captivating Angels of the Dark tale, as a tormented warrior is brought to his knees by the most delicate of humans….

His name is Koldo. He is scarred, powerful, his control legendary—and he lives only for vengeance against the angel who viciously removed his wings. But if he yields to the forces of hatred, he will be eternally damned.

Nicola Lane was born with a defective heart, yet this fragile human shows surprising strength as demons stalk her every move, determined to end her. She is the key to Koldo's deliverance…and his downfall. Though he fights duty, destiny and his first addictive taste of desire, his toughest battle will be the one for Nicola's life—even if he has to sacrifice his own….

WHAT I LIKED:

This is the second book of her Angels of the Dark series and, as with all of her books, it's standalone. The story was pretty interesting and I have to admit to being quite intrigued by Koldo after reading Wicked Nights. We get more of a look into the world of angels and I really liked the idea of an angel as wounded as Koldo by his horrible parents. I wanted to love this book, truly. Parts of it were really interesting, there was some great humor in areas and some of the snappy dialog I loved from the Lords of the Underworld books.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

I don't know where to begin. The last few books, culminating with this one, have been less than exciting and borderline boring as hell. Not only that, they've gotten preachy. Every once in a blue moon, I'll read an inspirational romance but it's rare. The Lords of the Underworld were magnificent, some of the funniest books I've read, great dialog, fast paced action, and amazing sex scenes.

This though? This was lacking so much. As I said before, parts were pretty funny but much of the book was slow and felt dull. The sex was practically non-existent. Where's the passion, the heat of the old books? I mean seriously, they don't even have sex until just before the end. I'm not all about sex but when your previous books are incredibly erotic, you come to expect a certain heat level. Even when we got to the scene it felt rather chaste.

The action was a poor imitation of what I expect from Gena and I found myself skipping around. I sometimes read books out of order, but if I love the book, I'm drawn to read it straight through. It's a weird habit I know, but what I've done for years. This book, however, I skipped around and never felt compelled to read straight through. Nothing captured my interest long enough. Every time I tried to start reading consecutively, I found myself skipping pages looking for the author I loved so much.

OVERALL VERDICT: 2.5/5 Blue Duckies



If someone had told me the first book I gave this rating to would be a Gena Showalter book, I'd have laughed my ass off. Perhaps if I wasn't so used to the Lords, I wouldn't have been so disappointed. I'm not sure what happened to Gena, I just know her writing has changed significantly. While there were attempts at bringing back the rapid pace, intense action scenes, it pales in comparison to the older books. There's a new Lords of the Underworld coming out in June and frankly, I'm almost afraid to read it for fear of ruining one of my all time favorite series.

If you're reading Gena Showalter for the first time with this book, please read her Lords of the Underworld books because they are far far better than this. If you're an avid fan, I'd still give this a read to keep abreast of the mythology of her books, but don't go into it expecting anything on par with her earlier works.

I just realized in trying to sum up this book to someone that I had to consciously think about what happened in this story. I've read Gena's previous books so many times, the stories are imprinted in my brain pretty damn well. This one? I read the majority last night and already I'm having to think very hard about what actually happened. It makes me sad to think of how forgettable this one is.

Ashlynne Layne Winner!


Congrats to Jennifer Wedmore for winning the Progeny ebooks from Ashlynne Layne!!

Lucky in Love blog hop winner!


Congrats to bn100 for winning a $5 Amazon Gift Card!!

Review of 'Til Death by Sharon Sala!!

Hello my lovelies! I meant to do this last week but there have been some issues lately and I've gotten behind on my reviewing and pretty much everything else. The good news is, life is settling down!

I was honored to be approved to read this on NetGalley and let me tell you, I had high hopes for this book. I've read and adored pretty much all of Sharon Sala's books, especially her latest series, Rebel Ridge. If you haven't read a Sharon Sala book, you have no idea what you're missing :) Now then, time for the review!



About the book:
Publisher: Harlequin - MIRA
Expected Publication Date: March 26, 2013
My source for the book: NetGalley.com
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Description:
He left in handcuffs. Now it’s time to set himself free.

Nearly twenty years after he was wrongly convicted of setting the fire that killed his father, Lincoln Fox returns to Rebel Ridge, Kentucky. There, deep in the Appalachians, the truth of that terrible night lies buried—and he’s sworn to uncover it.

His plans take an unexpected turn when, in the midst of a blizzard, he rescues Meg Walker from her wrecked car. Suddenly Linc discovers another reason to clear his name. Meg, his high school sweetheart, had always believed in his innocence, and if he wants a future with her, he has to show the world proof that she was right.

As the community chooses sides, those who once let a teenage boy take the fall for their crime are forced to raise the stakes. They kidnap Meg, leaving her to the mercy of the mountain. And a second rescue may be more than even Linc can manage….

WHAT I LIKED:

Sharon Sala is without a doubt one of my favorite authors. 'Til Death is actually the third book in the Rebel Ridge series but you can read it by itself. I've read the previous two books and highly recommend it because you revisit the characters from Next of Kin and Don't Cry for Me.

So, what did I like about this book? Pretty much everything! The action starts right away with Meg running into some trouble, literally. Meg doesn't meet Linc right away, instead setting things up from each of their perspectives. Meg's having issues with an unknown assailant and Linc has returned home after a near death experience to try to clear his name. When he finds out about the trouble Meg has experienced, let's just say he's not pleased. They were high school sweethearts and both still loved each other after all this time.

My favorite thing about Sharon Sala is her ability to avoid angst for the sake of angst. Meg never believed Linc was guilty of his crimes and doesn't hold it against them. Linc doesn't avoid Meg thinking he's not good enough for her. They don't jump straight into bed with each other, but you can tell they both want to. I love the balance of romance and suspense and when I made the mistake of reading some of this before work, I ended up being late to work. Yes, it was just that good. If I didn't have meetings that day, I'd have probably called in sick.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

I hated that it had to end :)


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!!


Sharon Sala is one of my go-to authors when I'm dying for well crafted, well developed romantic suspense. Her paperbacks on my bookshelf have some of the most worn spines of any of my books because of the times I go back and reread her books. This is a must read in my opinion. Can't wait for the next one!!

Wolf Protector Cover Reveal!!

Hello lovelies! Time for a cover reveal for a book I'm dying to be released!! Behold the gorgeous cover for Wolf Protector by Milly Taiden!!



A woman with a secret…
The Federal Paranormal Unit is an elite squad of supernaturals dedicated to solving missing persons cases. Erica’s gift allows her a special connection with the crime, but it comes at a deep personal cost… Until now, she’s kept her gift a secret, even from the other members of the team. But this case will throw her together with Agent Trent Buchanan. He’s the object of her secret desires, but he’s also a cocky womanizer. She’d rather swim in shark-infested waters with a paper cut than admit she has feelings for him.

A man with one desire…
Wolf Shifter Trent wants Erica more than he’s ever wanted any woman. He’s spent years patiently waiting for her to admit that she wants him too. Working one-on-one in a race to find a serial killer, Trent’s patience and Erica’s resolve wear thin. When Trent discovers the truth about Erica, will he accept her for who she is? And can he protect her from the horrors that her gift brings?

A case that pushes them to the edge…
Erica will have to risk it all if she wants to stop the killer, and when she does, Trent may have to put his own life on the line to make sure his mate is protected…




Meet the Characters!



Meet Milly Taiden

Want to know about me? April Angel (aka Milly Taiden) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she loves reading all Mina Carter and Cynthia Sax, and Dianne Duvall among others.


Connect with Milly:

A Celtic Tapestry Release!!




Eight authors, eight Celtic festivals...all weaved into one tapestry.

A Celtic Tapestry.

Welcome to the official release of A CELTIC TAPESTRY!

The wheel of the year turns, bringing the joy of spring, the warmth of summer, the richness of autumn, and the merriment of winter. But eight Celtic festivals link these seasons together, bringing with them romance, lust, danger, and even magic. From a city under threat from night-time creatures at Ostara, to a selkie caught by the light of the Lughnasadh moon, to a writer caught in the flames of a fiery goddess at Imbolc.
Eight authors have come together to give their own twist on these festivals, weaving each story with a blend of myth, magic, and contemporary telling…to create A Celtic Tapestry.
Copyright 2013 Moon Rose Publishing and all respective owners.


Crimson Beat--Elle J Rossi
In Nashville, Ostara night is filled with monsters...and only one woman can take them on.
Beltane Fires--Livia Ellis
Deep in the Irish countryside, a witch takes over as Mother of her coven. Will a 'wink at the moon' love spell give her what she most wants?
Blade's Magic--Carolyn Wolfe
Midsummer celebrations are going as usual for one magical young woman, until she comes into contact with Max Blade--a man from another dimension.
Shore's Edge--Tara S Wood
Lammas beckons in Ireland in the year 1170, bringing with it war. Will one feisty young woman have to marry the man she hates most, or will the Gods bring her another answer?
The Picnic--Elodie Parkes
The woods near Morgan's home are under threat. But will salvation come for the woods--and himself--in the form of a beautiful environmental officer?
Shadows in the Dark--Miranda Stork
A surprising past life regression opens up a new world for one young woman...but it also throws her at the mercy of an unknown Shadow Man.
Magic in Memphis--Hunter S Jones
Memphis. The favourite place of a hard working public-relations employee, whose life is good, but without surprise...until she has a chance meeting with James Wellington on Yule night, throwing her world upside-down.
Brigid's Flame--Laura DeLuca
A writer, depressed at the turns of his career and losing his relationship with his girlfriend, looks to the Gods for inspiration at Imbolc...and finds the goddess Brigid answers his prayers.

Learn a little more about the magic within the pages...


Buy your copy from

And now for the giveaway! Well, what IS the free stuff? Moon Rose Publishing, as part of the A CELTIC TAPESTRY tour, is giving away a ton of good stuff. You could win a print copy of A CELTIC TAPESTRY, a sticker pack, bookmarks, a beautiful necklace and jewelled bookmark from Tara S Wood, or an e-book of the anthology!

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Monday, March 18, 2013

Interview with Bryant Oliver!!

Hello my lovelies! Please join me in welcoming Bryant Oliver, a fantabulous new author working on his first book! I'm so glad you could stop by, Bryant!! Now then my lovelies, grab your coffee or tea and let's get started :)


Thank you so much for coming, Bryant! When did you know you wanted to be a writer? 

That’s a hard question for me. I guess the best answer would be when I was in college. I had written poetry, screenplays and a few songs throughout high school and my last year of college so I had all these poetry and song lyrics and I wanted to do something with them so I decided to put them into a book and thus in 2008 my first book “Starlight Memories: A collection of poems and songs” was born.


That's so awesome! What has been the most difficult part about being a writer? 

Trying to become inspired to write and trying to describe people. I always have an idea in my head as to what the person looks like but at the same time I am kind of unsure that my readers will like the person that I have described.


Those are two of my biggest struggles too. Who are your favorite authors? 

My favorites are Robert Frost, J.K Rowling, A.J Penn and of course you.


Aww, thank you so much <3 What authors inspire you? 

Well I have Milly Taiden, Rebecca Jane Lynch and you Lindsay because you’ve published multiple books and are constantly working extra hard on new material but I also have Jennifer Blaney and my tribal sis Kristen Marie because they are new authors and they have both worked so very hard to get where they are today.


At this rate you'll have me blush *hugs* Are you a plotter or a pantser with your writing? 

I guess I would be both. Most of the times I know what’s going to happen and I do tend to plan when it will happen but at the same time I tend to change my mind, take a chance and let things happen when they do.


That's somewhat how I operate. What type of books do you like to read?

I love to read fantasy but at the same time I like a good poetry book and I also like to read Manga and Cookbooks.


Love that mix :) What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to watch movies, spend time with my family and my girlfriend, and listen to music as well as watch some Japanese shows like the Super Sentai and Kamen rider series. I also like to sing and play video games.


Video games are one of my fave things to do too! Where is your favorite place to vacation? 

Philadelphia, Pa. My mom and I used to go there during the summer to visit some of my family and I always have fun seeing and hearing the sounds of the city.


I think you're the very first person to tell me that one lol. If you were stuck on a desert island and could have only three things, what would they be? 

Well I would have to have my computer so I could work on books and listen to music, my girlfriend to keep me sane and plenty video games because I love to play video games.


LOL love that list!! Why did you choose to write fantasy? 

I chose to write fantasy because it takes people to new worlds and in my case brings out the kid in me because I get to be a kid and create these new worlds for readers to travel to and be a part of.


That is such a fun part of writing fantasy, I must admit. What has been the most fun about working on your books? 

Being creative in the case of Falcon X I loved creating the characters and coming up with how some of the characters transformed and even some of the fight scenes.


From what I've seen, you have very rich characters and I can't wait to see more :) What has been the hardest scene for you to write? 

The hardest scene for me to write was the death scene in which Kai/Saitora-Kahn kills Jason’s parents and sensei. It was hard but sad because though I knew how it would end it’s always sad to have to kill a character and I didn’t want their deaths to be too gruesome.


Oh wow, that would certainly be a difficult scene to write <3 Do you have any favorite characters?

Well I have two one is Jason Lee/Falcon X because he is like me in a way. He is into martial arts and he never gives up but he tends to doubt himself at times. The second is Jason’s beast spirit Kaen the Falcon because he is friendly, brave and funny. Both are there for those that need them.


He sounds awesome :) How did you come up with the premise for Falcon X

Well I came up with Falcon X after seeing Spiderman 2 with one of my cousins. I was and still am a fan of Power Rangers and I wanted a super hero like that. Over the years I changed it so that the main character would be a part of a team with him having an unknown destiny like my favorite anime Sailor Moon. The whole book is inspired by not just the Power Rangers series but the Kamen rider/Super sentai series. My favorite anime series Sailor Moon and Naruto and some video games such as Street Fighter and the F-zero character Captain Falcon as well as the Marvel comic book hero Falcon.


My sister and I used to ADORE Sailor Moon!! Tell us about the Guardians in Falcon X

Well other than the warriors known collectively as “Team Beast X” there are Guardians. The Guardians are spirits that embody an element. The guardians are Milly guardian of Water, Lindsay guardian of Fire, Rebecca guardian of wind, Emily guardian of the forest, Dawn guardian of stone and Jennifer guardian of Ice. The guardians serve under two Grand Guardians, Kristen the Grand Guardian of Darkness and Katie the Grand Guardian of Light then you have the Celestial Guardian Simi who is the guardian of the moon and stars. The guardians are there not only to guide Jason and his friends but to watch over Jason’s rival Kai/Saitora-Kahn. They also know Jason’s destiny which is a secret to him that can’t be revealed to him yet.


I'm so honored to be a guardian and so is Simi :D When can we expect Falcon X to be released? Will it be part of a series? 

Well I would like to see Falcon X be released around 2013, 2014 or 2015 but it depends on how much I can get done. As far as it being a part of a series I am thinking about it. I have been focusing on Jason’s character and I am not sure if I will be doing any background stories on some of the other characters within the main story but a few origin stories could happen.


LOL! I love how realistic you are in your expectations. If you could have any magical power, what would it be? 

I would have the power to control the elements. If someone was annoying me I could blow them away and if I wanted to cool off on a hot day I could make it snow in the summertime.


I think that would be my choice as well. You’re also starting the Indie Tribe. Can you tell us more about that please? 

Well Indie Tribe is a web show that’s created by me and my friend Luna Nightwyn. The show is about indie authors and all authors alike and I will be interviewing authors, talking about new books and doing book reviews and previews as well.


I can't wait to be a guest on it!! What's next for you? 

Well I hope to finish Falcon X as well as my second poetry book Moonlight Dreams. I’m also planning to film the debut episode of Indie Tribe and I have a few other projects that I am working on.


Bryant, it has been a true pleasure have you on my show!! <3 Anything else you want your readers to know? 

I just want to say thank you to my readers, friends and family for their support and I also want to tell everyone to keep an eye out for Falcon X and Indie Tribe.



Alright my lovelies, keep your eye out for Bryant, Falcon X and especially his Indie Tribe!! Thank you again for coming by :)

Falcon X



Meet Bryant!

Bryant Oliver is the author of “Starlight Memories a collection of poems and songs” and is currently working on three books the poetry books “Moonlight dreams light v/s dark more poems from the mind of Bryant Oliver” and “Celestial Visions” and the fantasy novel “Falcon X”. He is also the creator and co creator of three web shows “StrikefalconX’s Sound-off”, “Tribal Talk” and “Indie Tribe” which he co created with his friend Luna Nightwyn. In his spare time Bryant loves to listen to music as well and sing and dance. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family but he also loves being a kid at heart. Bryant hopes that his books and the video he creates will inspire others.

Connect with Bryant:

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Big Cocks and Shamrocks Blog Hop Giveaway!!

Well my lovelies, I never thought I'd be a part of a blog hop called the Big Cocks and Shamrocks giveaway but here we are!! LMAO There's a FANTASTIC grand prize that I highly highly highly recommend you do everything in your power to get in on.



Wait, never mind. I want the grand prize. LOL. Anyway, Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! In honor of this post I'd like to share with you a snippet from my upcoming novella, Warrior Unleashed which is due to be released very soon! A little backstory, my heroine Saia has a little problem with claustrophobia. Luckily, Achaius is more than willing to help her out with it ;)

Before we get to it, want to know what you can win? Well on my blog you can win a $5 Amazon gift card!!

But what about that grand prize? Well you win a Basket Full of Naughty containing the following in a Cabal of Hotness tote!!!

The items:
- tickler/flogger (one on each end)
- penis-shaped sour candies
- flask that reads "girls with class don't need a glass"
- g-spot vibe
- oral sex "essentials" kit
- glow in the dark erotic dice



How awesome is that? Now then, let's get to that blurb, shall we? Please excuse any typos, this is unedited!

She hadn’t always been afraid of closed in spaces, not until the day she learned nightmares and monsters were very real. Don’t think about that day. Calm down and stop making a fool of yourself. Humiliation burned her cheeks and she wished she could disappear so Achaius couldn’t witness her moment of weakness.
“Saia, take a breath.” She heard the command, concern sharpening the tone, but it was faint. Still, she struggled to obey, willing her lungs to expand. Brisk hands sped up and down her arms in an attempt to offer comfort. “Come on, baby, you’re alright. It’s perfectly safe here. The training grounds are more enclosed than this room.”
Despite the truth of his words, she couldn’t draw enough air and the room began to spin, spots dancing before her eyes. She heard a muttered curse, felt his arms come around her, turn her, pull her close. Before she could comprehend his intent, his mouth closed over hers.
Mother Night, his taste was intoxicating, pushing all thoughts, all fears from her mind. He lifted his head a fraction and she moaned in protest. “Take a breath, baby,” he said, teeth nipping at her bottom lip. Obeying without conscious thought, her hands clenched in his hair and yanked him down, demanding more.
Achaius purred and pushed her backward, boosting her up on top of a large, flat ledge. Deepening the kiss, his tongue swept into her mouth, claiming hers even as he spread her legs to make room for his torso. Frantic for his touch, she rubbed her aching core against his erection, loathing the barrier of cloth between them. 
All the years of teasing, of dancing around their attraction. What in the Seven Hells had they been thinking? They were fools to waste all of that time when they could have been doing this.
He tugged her head back lips moving  to her neck, the slight pain from his bite giving way to pure pleasure. “Sure this is what you want, baby?” Achaius asked, tongue lashing her sensitive flesh while his hand skimmed the side of her breast and coaxed a shiver from her body.
“Stop and I’ll have to hurt you,” she managed and arched her back to provide him with better access.
He chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that.” One claw revealed itself moments before he used it to slice open her shirt, her aching nipples pebbled and begging for his touch. 
“That was mean, kitty. How do you know that wasn’t my favorite shirt?” Saia asked, pushing his shirt above his head, desperate to touch him. 
“Hmm, somehow I doubt a plain, gray shirt was your favorite. Now hush, there are better uses for your mouth.” His lips claimed hers in another hard kiss then he grabbed her hands, pinning them above her head. Liquid heat rushed to her core at the unfamiliar sensation of being restrained.
“Let me go, damn you,” she ordered, surprised at the huskiness of her voice.
“Not yet, not until I’ve had my fun.” A wicked smile gleamed in the dancing light reflected from the tumbling water. Breath coming in quick pants now, her thighs clenched in anticipation. When his weight shifted just enough to free her legs, she whipped them out and around his waist, fitting her throbbing center to his cock. Achaius let out a low growl, hips beginning a shallow thrust against her that sparked a slow climb toward oblivion. In this moment, this dangerous man was hers and exhilaration made her almost giddy.


Unfortunately, Warrior Unleashed isn't quite out yet but you can get the first book, Breaking the Nexus on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or in paperback!!

Don't miss Breaking the Nexus!


A warrior trying to save humans. A detective searching for a killer. And a romance neither expected.

Throughout history, myths and legends of extraordinary creatures have been told and retold. Fantastic tales of demons and banshees, gryphons and dragons, and of course, magic. Stories that every child grows to learn are nothing more than fantasy…or are they?

Beyond the world you see lies a hidden realm, the Mythrian Realm, inhabited by all of the creatures you’ve been told are mere fiction. Only one thing lies between humans and the truth: the Nexus. A magical barrier erected millennia ago to separate the two realms, it has stood the test of time. Until now.

For Mythrian Sha Phoenix, magic is nothing new. But when she stumbles upon a portal on the verge of collapse, her fate will forever change. Pulled through the portal into the Human Realm, she lands in the middle of Detective Connor Flynn’s brutal murder scene. Soon it is obvious someone is using blood magic to try to bring down the Nexus. Together, Connor and Sha must work to unravel the secrets before the barrier falls and the realms collide.

The Nexus is breaking and all hell is about to unleash…literally.

*** Warning this book contains graphic sex scenes featuring a sexy detective ***

Buy it Now:





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