Review of Sloe Ride by Rhys Ford

It seems like forever ago that I discovered Rhys Ford, but it really has only been within the past year. I kept seeing her book, Sinner's Gin, showing up on my suggested reads and at first, I kept passing it up. At the time, I wasn't that big into the M/M genre (still not entirely sure why it was showing up lol), but the cover wore me down. From the first few pages of that book, I was hooked. I ended up binge reading on the rest of the books and then anxiously checked to see when the fourth book, Sloe Ride, would be released. Sadly, it hadn't had a release date at that time. Cue my stalking her website and Facebook page for any sign as to when it would be released.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of Sloe Ride, which makes the fact that I didn't post this on release day a bit shameful. In my defense, that was my wedding anniversary and the start to an insane week. Then again, I should've posted it sooner. Alas, hindsight is 20/20 and all that. Anyway, let's rectify things and get to this amazing book, shall we? First, a bit about the book:

Sloe Ride by Rhys Ford

About the Book:

Genre: M/M Romance

Series: Sinners Series (Book 4)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Length: 260 pages

Price: $5.38 for Kindle (as of 9/13/15)

Blurb:

It isn’t easy being a Morgan. Especially when dead bodies start piling up and there’s not a damned thing you can do about it. 

Quinn Morgan never quite fit into the family mold. He dreamed of a life with books instead of badges and knowledge instead of law—and a life with Rafe Andrade, his older brothers’ bad boy friend and the man who broke his very young heart. 

Rafe Andrade returned home to lick his wounds following his ejection from the band he helped form. A recovering drug addict, Rafe spends his time wallowing in guilt, until he finds himself faced with his original addiction, Quinn Morgan—the reason he fled the city in the first place. 

When Rafe hears the Sinners are looking for a bassist, it’s a chance to redeem himself, but as a crazed murderer draws closer to Quinn, Rafe’s willing to sacrifice everything—including himself—to keep his quixotic Morgan safe and sound.

WHAT I LIKED:

I love how real the characters of Rhys Ford's books are. You don't have perfect heroes; they always have their flaws, whether they're seen or unseen. This book is no different. Rafe was once a successful bassist who let drugs take over his life and ruin his career. When things went up in flames (literally), he was left a pariah of the music world. He has overcome his addiction, but can't escape his past. Quinn is also an outcast of sorts. In a family full of cops, he's a professor. He has struggled with never quite fitting in with his siblings as well as having an undeniable attraction to a certain bassist. There are also some mentions of issues with depression, something that is always refreshing since it's still a bit of a taboo topic.

I loved that Rafe wasn't immediately welcomed into the newly forming band (read the other books to get the other members' stories), but it wasn't something that was dragged out. Their concerns were founded, but they still gave Rafe a chance. I really loved getting to see more of the previous characters, especially my favorite: Miki. He has shown a ton of growth over the past few books, slowly easing into accepting the boisterous Morgan family as well as the new bandmates. It's not easy for him, but he's trying.

I don't want to go into too much detail. There's some action to this book that keeps things interesting and everything is well paced. While this technically could be standalone, I HIGHLY recommend you read the other Sinners books first. You'll get so much more out of this book having read those.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

This is a very minor complaint. I wish a bit more time had been given to some of the struggles Quinn had with his depression and issues. A lot focused on Rafe and their growing relationship, but I really would've loved to see just a tad more on Quinn. Like I said though, that's a VERY minor complaint and just a personal preference of mine.


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!

This was a solid contribution to the series and kept me hooked until the very end. We also get to see the band's new name and let me tell you, it couldn't be more perfect. Definitely a book (and series) you shouldn't miss!

Night Unbound by Dianne Duvall Review!!

Review for Night Unbound by Dianne Duvall!

This review is unfortunately way later than I'd intended it to be. I haven't made a secret of my health issues and unfortunately, this book fell through the cracks. Totally could've sworn I'd written one though.

Thank you to the fantabulous Dianne Duvall for giving me a review copy of this and I'm beyond sorry I apparently didn't post a review sooner.

WHAT I LIKED

Dianne Duvall is an auto-buy for me, no question about that. When I heard that the mysterious Zach was getting his tale in Night Unbound, to say I was excited is a massive understatement. I was ELATED lol. Especially because I loved the hints at a relationship between him and Lisette. Dianne didn't disappoint.

One thing you can count on with Dianne's books are complex, wonderful characters who suck you right into their story. Honest, I think this may just be my favorite of the series, at least until I get Seth's book. Night Unbound has the passion, adventure, and humor I've come to expect in Dianne's books, and I can't bring myself to say too much for fear of giving something away.

I would strongly suggest reading the other books in the series first. You'll have a much better understanding of why characters are reacting the way they are if you read those books before this. Plus, you'll get to meet the other sexies that are the Immortal Guardians ;)

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

I honestly loved everything

OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!

Dianne Duvall is a winner if you're looking for action-packed paranormal romance with humor and intriguing characters!

Interview + Review for Dianne Duvall!!!

Hello my lovelies!! Today I am honored to welcome one of my all-time favorite authors, Dianne Duvall on her release tour for Darkness Rises!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have her on the blog :) To make things even better, she sat down for an interview with me AND I got the opportunity to read an ARC of Darkness Rises so be sure to stay tuned after the interview for that review!

But wait! There's more...

 

 

Be sure to answer Dianne's question in the comments below for your chance to win a SIGNED copy of Predatory containing a novella of the Immortal Guardians series :D Plus you'll get some pretty kick ass swag! OPEN INTERNATIONALLY, MUST BE 18+ TO ENTER. Don't forget to leave your email address so the winner can be contacted! Contest ends Sunday Oct 27 11:59:59 PM EST.

 

Answer this question from Dianne!! Don't forget your email address!!

 Are you reading any special books to get yourself in the Halloween spirit?  Let me know for a chance to win a signed copy of PREDATORY, my last release, + Immortal Guardians swag.

 

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy meeting this absolutely amazing author!

 

Welcome to my humble blog, Dianne! First let me tell you what an honor it is to host one of my favorite authors :) I love your new take on the vampire mythology. Tell us about the Immortal Guardians and what makes them so unique.

Although my Immortal Guardians series falls under the heading of vampire romance, vampires aren’t the heroes in it.  They’re the villains.  (Or rather they’re ONE group of villains.  Others have reared their heads as the series has progressed.) Vampires are humans who have been infected with a very rare symbiotic virus that behaves like no other on the planet.  This virus conquers and replaces the immune system, then lends its host heightened senses coupled with incredible speed, strength, and regenerative capabilities.  It also causes photosensitivity, a need for blood, and progressive brain damage that rapidly drives humans infected with it insane.  

Immortal Guardians, on the other hand, are men and women born with extremely advance DNA, who are infected with the same virus.  Their advanced DNA lends them abilities humans and vampires don’t possess — such as telepathy in the case of Étienne, the hero of DARKNESS RISES — and protects them from the more corrosive aspects of the virus so they suffer no brain damage.  As a result, immortals spend their nights hunting and destroying the insane vampires who prey upon humans.

 

I love that distinction between the Guardians and vamps. It truly makes for an intriguing premise as the every day human doesn't know there is a difference between the two beings. How did you come up with the inspiration for your Immortal Guardians series?

I never know what might inspire me.  The idea to make vampirism the result of a virus, for example, arose from watching documentaries and educational programs in which historians expressed their belief that much of the vampire mythology that has existed for centuries resulted from a simple misunderstanding of such illnesses as porphyria.  When I sought a way to differentiate between immortals and vampires, the notion of having the virus cause progressive brain damage and madness in humans was inspired by a biography of King George III, whose madness many in the medical field now believe resulted from the same illness:  porphyria.  The laughter and teasing immortals frequently engage in was simply inspired by the laughter that’s such a large part of my own life.  So, inspiration can come from many sources.  J

 

I've heard that theory! I do think it's plausible it originated from a misunderstanding of diseases and having disease be the source of vampirism makes it seem more likely this could actually happen. Do you have any favorite characters? In particular, do you have any favorite Immortal Guardian? If so, why?

My favorite vampire in the series would be Cliff.  His heroic struggle to stave off the madness just breaks my heart.  Darnell, Chris, and Sheldon are pretty evenly tied for my favorite mortals in the series.  My favorite Immortal Guardians, however, tend to change with each book. Étienne and Krysta, the hero and heroine of DARKNESS RISES, are my current favorites.  I simply love the teasing banter they share.  But, if I had to choose just one, it would be Seth, the eldest and most powerful Immortal Guardian.  He carries so many responsibilities on his broad shoulders and has seen such tragedy in his long existence.  I think he deserves a HEA more than anyone.

 

Personally, I adore Cliff and his struggles, as well as Seth. He's the most intriguing character I've read in a very long time and I find myself rereading the parts centered around him the most :) What has been the most fun about exploring the world of the Immortal Guardians?

Discovering that characters can surprise me.  It may sound odd — I’m the writer, after all, and control all aspects of the series — but it’s true.  I’m a pantser, not a plotter, which means I don’t have the entire series already outlined and summarized from beginning to end.  I know where I want series arc to take me.  However, I don’t know how many books it will take me to get there or which couples will find their HEAs along the way.

Étienne and his siblings are among the characters who have surprised me thus far.  I had initially planned to tell their stories later in the series, but I couldn’t stop thinking about them.  Sibling immortals are extremely rare in my Immortal Guardians world.  And, for two centuries, Lisette has borne enormous guilt over accidentally transforming her brothers.  The more I encountered Étienne and Richart, the more I wanted them to find their HEAs.  And I knew Lisette would never let herself find happiness until they did, so they pretty much demanded I tell their stories sooner rather than later.  J

 

I admit that I was a bit surprised that you told their stories so early, but I fell in love with them immediately. I cannot wait to read Lisette's story! If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only have 3 things, what would they be?

Assuming there was no cell phone reception, I would want one of those large hunting knives that has waterproof matches, a fishing line with a hook, and a compass in the handle (Did I mention I’ve had to research weapons for several manuscripts?); an iPad crammed full of pics and videos of my family, books, movies, music, and apps; and a solar-powered tent to power it and keep me warm at night.

 

Oooo, creative choice of things with multiple uses! I love it :) What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my family, read, and garden, though I admit I’ve had very little time for the last two of late.  My TBR pile now teeters precariously near the ceiling, and I don’t know if my plants are going to forgive me for neglecting them so heinously over the last few months while I prepared for DARKNESS RISES’ release.  J

 

I commend you for even attempting to keep plants. I can't manage to keep the poor things alive. The only reason I manage to have a dog is that she gets cranky if she doesn't get plenty of attention. Last time I checked, plants don't communicate well ;) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write every day.  I know life can be busy and hectic and stressful and exhausting.  But, even if you can only manage to write a single paragraph on your worst day, you will be one paragraph closer to achieving your goal.  And ALWAYS look for ways to improve your writing.  If I had 30 million books in print that had been translated into 20 different languages and were worldwide bestsellers, I would still search for ways I could be a better writer.  If you’ve never taken any creative writing classes, I highly recommend that you read Stephen King’s ON WRITING (also available as an audiobook) and Christopher Vogler’s THE WRITER’S JOURNEY.  Both will help you distinguish between strong and weak writing and avoid the pitfalls into which new writers can unknowingly fall.

 

That is amazing advice <3 Can you tell us anything about what you have in store for the Immortal Guardians?

Right now I’m working on NIGHT UNBOUND, the fifth book in the series.  It will feature Étienne’s sister Lisette as heroine and Zach — a dark, mysterious, and very powerful winged figure — as hero.  Zach is yet another of those characters who surprised me.  I didn’t realize when I introduced him what a pivotal role he would end up playing in the series. J    

 

I cannot WAIT for this book. Seriously. I am dying to know more about Zach and Lisette!! Any last thoughts you’d like to share with your readers?

Thank you for your support!  You’ve been so generous, helping me spread the word about my series.  And your wonderful comments, messages, and emails never fail to make me smile.  I hope you’ll enjoy Étienne and Krysta’s story!  Thank you again!

Thank you again so much for joining me, Dianne! It has been a pleasure getting to know you a bit better :)

Lovelies, stay tuned for my review of Darkness Rises and be sure to enter to win a SIGNED paperback copy of Predatory!!

About the book:

Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: October 1, 2013

My source for the book: Gift from author

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Description:

 

Krysta is used to getting the drop on vampires. Her "special abilities" aren't much, but the plan is simple—she plays helpless pretty young thing to lure them in. Then her shoto swords come out and it's bye-bye, bloodsucker. Until one night she finds herself with an unexpected ally. He's a vampire, all right, but different. Mysterious. Handsome. And more interested in saving her skin than draining it.

Étienne has been an Immortal Guardian for two hundred years—long enough to know that Krysta is special. He can't stop thinking about her long legs, even more than her short swords. Then he discovers the vamps she's exterminating have friends in high places, and the Guardians are in danger too. He'll have to accept Krysta's help to save them. The stakes for a mortal are high. But the cost to his heart might be higher. . .

 

• Amazon — http://amzn.to/1881z2E
• Kindle — http://amzn.to/1auybnw
• Barnes & Noble — http://bit.ly/1ftUHTI
• Nook — http://bit.ly/19LJGor
• iBooks — http://bit.ly/16Oc1cS
• Kobo — http://bit.ly/1bgYDFx
• Audible — http://bit.ly/1eLWUbT
• Walmart — http://bit.ly/1h7RzIP

 

WHAT I LIKED:

 

This series is incredibly original and contains some of the most interesting characters I've read in quite a while. I stumbled across Dianne's work in the bookstore and I'm hooked. Never have I fallen so hard and so fast for every character in a book, especially the secondary characters! From the moment I encounted Etienne, I couldn't wait to get my hands on his story.

 

Krysta was a perfect match for Etienne. She's prickly, stubborn, and a born warrior. While she isn't too keen on Etienne when she first meets him (and can you blame her? She does think he's a vampire after all), the attraction is undeniable. As more of their story unfolded, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster to find out what happened. The moment I finished the book, I flipped right back to the beginning and started re-reading it. There are VERY few authors I do that.

 

Beyond Etienne and Krysta, I adored learning more about my favorite couples and the secondary characters. Zach is turning into such a mysterious character and I was thrilled to see that his book is the next one. Dianne has a talent for creating a rich environment and plot that grabs you from the first paragraph and never lets you up.

 

While this is part of a series, it is stand alone. That being said, I HIGHLY recommend reading the previous books so you can love the characters as much as I do :)

 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

 

Having to wait for the next book to be released!

 

 

OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!!

 

 

If you are looking for a fantastic paranormal romance that's action packed, suspenseful, steamy, and has beautifully written characters that stay with you long after you've finished the book, then run out and grab your copy today! And be sure to read all of the others!!

Meet Dianne!

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series.  Her debut novel, Darkness Dawns, was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance—Vampire by The Romance Reviews.  Ensuing books in the series — Night Reigns, Phantom Shadows, and Predatory — have all been deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews, and/or Night Owl Reviews.  Her latest release, Darkness Rises, has been declared a Top Pick by both Night Owl Reviews and The Romance Reviews as well. 

Dianne loves all things creative.  When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires in her novels.

 

Connect With Dianne Online

Website: http://www.dianneduvall.com
Blog: http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianneDuvallAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DianneDuvall
Youtube: http://www.youtube
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dianneduvall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4400405.Dianne_Duvall

 

 





Interview and Review with Sharon Sala!!!

Hello my lovelies! Today is a VERY special day. Not only am I kickstarting my interviewing and reviewing again, I'm hosting one of my all-time favorite authors, ever. It's such an honor to be able to introduce you to the fantabulous Sharon Sala!!

Sharon is an amazing writer, one of the rare few who have released a phenomenal amount of books while mantaining a consistent style. Not only that, but this New York Times Bestselling author has also ventured into the tumultuous waters of self-publishing.

I also had the astounding privilege of being able to review an advanced copy of her book, Going Once, that was released today!! It's the first in a new trilogy and I can't recommend it enough. Alas, I'm getting ahead of myself so let's get on to the interview then the review!!

Thank you so much for joining me, Sharon. May I say what an honor it is to have you on my blog? When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don’t think I ever had a moment that hit me and said, “this is it, Sharon! You should be a writer.” It was more of a gradual thing…finding a way to share the stories that were always in my head.


That's wonderful. You have definitely found the perfect way to share those stories :) What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?

It’s probably never having enough time to write the way I’d like to, and the long drawn out process about waiting for an editor to pass judgment on a proposal or a manuscript.


Oh yes, I can only imagine how nervewracking that must be! Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with your pen name?

Dinah McCall is my pen name, and it came about from a publisher I had who wanted to publish me in a different genre. The name Dinah was my younger sister, Diane’s, nickname. She died in 1985, before all of this started for me, so choosing it as my pen name was my way of taking her with me on this amazing journey. I chose McCall because at the time, there wasn’t another McCall writing romance. All about the marketing… LOL

I think that's such a beautiful way to honor your sister! Who are your favorite authors?

Without hesitation, John Hart, Robert Crais and Harlan Coben.

Those are fantastic authors :) What authors inspire you?

Authors who aren’t just ‘telling me a story’, but the ones who bring the pages to life. Kay Hooper is brilliant at this, as is Iris Johansen.

I couldn't agree more. Kay Hooper has always been another of my personal favorite authors. What type of books do you like to read?

Suspense, romantic suspense, paranormal if it’s psychic or healers, not the horror side of paranormal.

I adore those genres <3 What do you like to do in your free time?

Read, bake, paint pictures, be with my family.

Ooo, you bake? I'll have to get some tasty recipes from you! And that's fantastic that you're a painter as well. I've always wanted to paint, but sadly, I have no talent whatsoever lol. Where is your favorite place to vacation?

I haven’t been on a vacation in so long I wouldn’t even know where to start. I will say that one of my favorite areas of the country to be in, is the South.

Having lived in the South and visited many times over the years, I share your love of the area :) If you were stuck on a desert island and could have only three things, what would they be?

A machete, a flint to start fires, and a tent.

How wonderfully practical :D Remind me to call you up if I'm ever on a deserted island! Are you a plotter or a pantser with your writing?

Neither. I dream my stories…like you go to the movies. So when I wake up, the whole story is already in my head. No writing by the seat of my pants because the story was ‘given to me’ in a dream. No plotting because the story is already there.


OMG, that's truly amazing. I love that that's how you get your stories!! Why did you choose to write romantic suspense?
 
I like happy ever after, (romance) and I am an adrenaline junkie when it comes to movies, books, etc… I’d rather watch Die Hard 12, than sit through something like Bridget Jones Diary or some kind of relationship movie. My all time favorite movie ever to have seen is AVATAR. I still wish I was 9 feet tall and blue and lived on Pandora. Omg.

Wow, I seriously couldn't agree more with you about watching Die Hard 12 than sitting through a sappy movie *shudder* What has been the most fun about working on your books?

I think probably bringing to life the people that I see in my head.

What has been the hardest scene for you to write?

Love scenes are getting harder because I’ve been writing/published for over 22 years. So 85 plus books and counting and I’ve pretty much written every kind of a love scene there is to write in my genre. SOOO now when I come to those scenes in the manuscript, I kind of take a deep breath and fight my way through them.  


LOL!! I can see how that would get to be a problem! Rest assured, your love scenes have never felt stale or boring to me :) Do you have any favorite characters? If so, why?

Yes, Jonah Gray Wolf in THE HEALER, and the ancient spirit WINDWALKER, in my last Dinah McCall book, WINDWALKER… Also, Cat Dupree in my female bounty hunter trilogy, NINE LIVES, CUT THROAT, and BAD PENNY. AND… Layla Birdsong/Singing Bird from the WINDWALKER.  

*sighs wistfully* I loved Jonah <3 Do you have any favorite books or series among all the ones you’ve written?

Favorite series might be my Rebel Ridge trilogy, NEXT OF KIN, DON’T CRY FOR ME, and TIL DEATH. Favorite books… THE HEALER, THE WARRIOR, WINDWALKER… and my first women’s fiction that I self-pubbed, A FIELD OF POPPIES, and my first fiction I wrote for Belle Books, THE BOARDING HOUSE.

I'm not going to lie, Rebel Ridge is right up there among my favorite series of all time. Then again, now that I've read Going Once, that may tie it lol. Tell us more about Rebel Ridge. Do you plan to write more books in this series?

No, that series is finished with the release of Til Death.

Aww, well there's always re-reading for me! Lovelies, definitely check out my review of 'Til Death! In book two of the Rebel Ridge series, Don’t Cry For Me, your characters deal with PTSD. As someone with a best friend in the Air Force, I love that you shed light on this condition so many of our returning soldiers face. Did you find it difficult to write about it?

Yes, it was difficult for me to write because I have a family member who suffers from this. He served two tours in Iraq, the last in Fallujah where he was wounded and sent home. It has destroyed who he was, and he struggles daily to find a way to live in this world.


It's so tragic that so many of our soldiers suffer after defending our country. It's important for people to understand that this is a devastating condition that affects so many lives. You have also self-published. How is this process different from working with your publisher?

One great big plus is there is no lag time between finishing it and getting it up for sale. I have enjoyed it immensely, have two out now, A FIELD OF POPPIES and WINDWALKER, and am at the present writing a third called A THOUSAND LIES. Poppies and Lies are written under my Sala name and are women’s fiction. Windwalker is a paranormal romance written under my pen name, Dinah McCall.

I definitely love the freedom of choosing my own timeline with self-publishing :) Do you have any advice for other authors?

If you’re passionate about wanting to be a writer, join a writer’s group. It’s the single best thing you can do for yourself, being in the company of other people on the same journey as you are on.

That is fantastic advice <3 What's next for you?

Always another book.

You have no idea how happy that makes me :D Anything else you want your readers to know?

That I appreciate them SO much, and they can reach me on Facebook.  I can also be reached at my website, www.sharonsala.net.  


Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog, Sharon!! It has truly been a pleasure having you here.

Now my lovelies, stick around for my review of Going Once and be sure to snag your copy today!!

About the book:

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Publication Date: September 24, 2013

My source for the book: Gift from author

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Description:

From New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala comes a story of reignited passion set amidst a town reeling from disaster and the long shadow of a killer…  

As raging floodwaters engulf her Louisiana hometown Nola Landry is stranded on high ground, the unwitting witness to the brutal murder of three fellow survivors. Finally rescued in the aftermath of the storm, no one is willing to believe a story as horrific as hers—until three FBI agents arrive on the scene…one of whom Nola knows very well.

Tate Benton has been tracking the so-called Stormchaser serial killer for months, never expecting the trail might lead him home, or to the woman he cannot forget. Home is now a ravaged town full of memories—of love, of disappointment, of past mistakes. The investigation brings Nola back into his life. Long-buried feelings resurface, and the former lovers try to pick up the pieces in the wake of the disaster.  

Amid the relief effort the killer lingers, determined to silence Nola forever. In the Stormchaser's twisted mind the pain is far from over…and hers is just beginning.

WHAT I LIKED:

Sharon Sala is one of my all-time favorite authors for a reason. I can always count on her books to draw me in from the beginning and keep me enthralled for the entire book. She writes with a beautiful blend of romance and suspense that few authors can match in my opinion. This book was no exception. I loved the premise of the Storm Chaser and I can honestly say that as soon as I was finished with this book, I immediately started re-reading it...twice...in one weekend.

Tate and Nola have a history, but Sharon doesn't belabor the history. Yes, she makes it known that they each have scars from their past, but Nola doesn't hold a grudge. However, she doesn't forgive him straight away, either.

This is the first book in the Forces of Nature trilogy and it introduces an antagonist that will be present in all three books. He was an interesting villain and definitely something different. I look forward to seeing how Sharon continues to develop this character. This book also introduces the the heroes of the other books and I cannot WAIT to read more about these men. Sharon's characters are so rich and detailed, I instantly fall in love with them.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

My biggest complaint is that I have to wait for the next two books. I know that I'll be stalking the bookstores waiting for them to be released :D

OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!

 

If you're in the mood for beautifully crafted romantic suspense with compelling characters and an intriguing plot, look no further than Sharon Sala! 

Interview and Review with A.D. Trosper!!

Hello my lovelies!! It's time to sit down with the fantabulously awesome A.D. Trosper! I had the pleasure of interviewing her as well as reading her book, Embers of Galdrilene, and may I say it's fantastic? I mean, seriously, you must read it :) But, we'll get to that in a bit. Who's ready for an interview!!

Thank you so much for joining me, A.D.! When did you know you wanted to be a writer? 

I wanted to be writer for a long time before I ever actually embarked on the journey.

That's wonderful <3 What has been the most difficult part about being a writer? 

Time. With three children, dairy goats (twice a day milking), chickens, and vegetable gardens, time is always a problem. Hmmm, and the evil Facebook that is always trying to suck my day away.

I can completely relate to a lack of time, not to mention the time sink that is Facebook lol. Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with your pen name? 

Nope, I use my real name.


Nothing wrong with that :) Who are your favorite authors? 

That is a long list but I will try to name a few. In particular order: Robert Jordan, Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, R.A. Salvatore, Clive Cussler, Mary Stanton, Christine Feehan, Katie Jennings, and a whole host of indie authors. I have come to greatly love reading indie authors.


Those are all fantabulous authors. Anne McCaffrey and Christine Feehan are particular favorites of mine :) What authors inspire you? 

Many of my favorites.


That's the same with me. What type of books do you like to read? 

As you can see from my favorites list, I have a very eclectic taste in books. So the books I like to read are the ones that interest me at that moment. Beyond that, I like books that take time to develop.


I love how eclectic your taste is. What do you like to do in your free time? 

Spend time with my family, spend time with my animals, read, watch Vampire Diaries, Gray’s Anatomy, Dexter, Homeland, and Deadliest Catch.


Ahh, Dexter...one of my favorite shows :) Where is your favorite place to vacation? 

I have dairy goats that have to be milked twice a day. I don’t vacation. :)


Hey, who knows? Maybe you could pile them into a truck and take them with you ;) If you were stuck on a desert island and could have only three things, what would they be? 

My family, a stock pile of food and water, and my Kindle.


That sounds perfect! Are you a plotter or a pantser with your writing? 

Pantser. If I plan too much, I lose my muse. Like me, she prefers barely controlled chaos to perfect order. We get along well.


Your muse sounds very similar to mine :D Why did you choose to write an epic fantasy?

I didn’t. It chose me. Characters show up in my head with their backstories and usually their names already known to them. I write what they tell me to write.


Don't you just love how that happens that way? What has been the most fun about working on your books? 

Editing. I know, I’m a total freak but I love revisions and edits.


*Long pause* I'm sorry, did you just say editing? LOL! Sorry, totally cannot relate hahaha. What has been the hardest scene for you to write?

None of them. As long as I listen to my characters, things flow pretty smoothly.


You are so so lucky! Do you have any favorite characters? If so, why? 

I love them all. Trying to choose a favorite would be like trying to choose a favorite among my children.


I can understand that :) How did you come up with the premise for your book? 

Again, I didn’t come up with it, it came to me.


We are running a bit low on time, but is there anything else you’d like to mention about your book? 

It survived the Writing Apocalypse and also won readers choice best in fantasy in the Turning the Pages book awards. It also won an IBD award.


That's fantastic! Congratulations :) Is this part of a series? If so, what can we expect with the other books? 

Yes, it is part of the series. The second book will be out this summer.


I cannot wait! What's next for you? 

After the Dragon’s Call series is finished (there will be a third book), I have a few characters in my head that live in the urban fantasy world, so I will start writing them.


Well, after reading this book, I cannot wait to see what else you right! Thank you so much for joining me, A.D.!! Anything else you want your readers to know before you go? 

I appreciate each and every one of them.



Lovelies, keep reading for my review of Embers of Galdrilene!

About the book:

Publisher: Silver Spring Publishing

Publication Date: May 4, 2012

My source for the book: Purchased

Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 496 pages

Description:

Embers of Galdrilene...Buy it Now!

“A ray of light, a stain of shadow, shall endure to breathe life and death into the future”

The war between the Guardians and the Shadow Riders ended in total devastation. The final battle killed all the dragons and left nothing but fields of ash. A small clutch of dragon eggs was all that remained to provide hope for the future.

Five hundred years later, the ability to use magic is a death sentence and dragons are remembered as a curse. But the unhatched dragons sing for their riders...and soon six lives will be changed forever.

The elements of magic are drawn together as the dragons’ call leads them on an epic and dangerous journey of discovery. They soon learn everything they've been taught to believe about magic and dragons is wrong.

With the last of the dragons and the world at stake, they will risk everything to heed the call.

But an evil from the past soon threatens their discovery and new found joy. Shadow Dragons ride the dawn once more...

WHAT I LIKED:

This is an epic fantasy, which I adore. Who doesn't love dragons in their books? A.D. wrote a very rich world. All too often with an epic fantasy, there can be a ramp up period where things are slow as the author sets up the world building and characters. This book dove straight into the action. The characters were compelling, there was plenty of new vocabulary and phrases introduced to help solidify that this is a fantasy world (LOVED dragon-blasted!), and it was so easy to immerse myself in this story. Though it's a long book, I found myself compelled to keep reading as fast as I could to find out what would happen next.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

I loved how immersive and detailed this world was, but at times it could get a little bit overwhelming. I feel like a compendium guide would be a fantastic thing to help keep everything straight.


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!!

If you're looking for a fantabulously immersive epic fantasy with wonderful characters, a fantastic setting, and its own set of vocabulary and phrases, you must read this book!

Meet A.D. Trosper!

Born in Kansas, I spent a lot of my childhood moving around. I've lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, Washington State (around Seattle), and southern California. I had many great adventures growing up. I'm now settled down in Kansas with my wonderful husband, three children, my wonderful dog Katie, assorted cats, and small flock of chickens.

I've been an avid lover of fantasy since I was young child. Dragons, elves, fairies, dwarves, and other denizens of the fantasy world as well as magic have always fascinated me. As I grew up, I developed an interest in vampires, zombies and my interests branched out to take in paranormal and urban fantasy.

I don't have any special writing credits to my name other than a wildly active imagination and the ability to form that imagination into written stories.

 Connect with A.D.:

• Facebook
• Blog/Website
• Twitter

Interview and review with I.J. Miller + GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hello my lovelies!! Today is going to be extra steamy as I welcome erotica author I.J. Miller to The Lindsay Show!! Best of all, I'm reviewing her scorching retelling of a classic tale, Wuthering Nights. But wait, there's more! Five lucky commenters will get their very own PAPERBACK copy of this fantastic book!!

Please note, winners must be in the U.S. to win and must have an actual address, not a P.O. Box. Thank you lovelies! 

Winners must be 18+ years. By entering the contest, you are stating that you are over 18,

To enter to win, leave a comment telling me what story (classic or otherwise) you'd like to see retold as an erotic romance. Be sure to leave your email address so you can be contacted!

Now then, shall we get to our author interview? Have your coffee or tea ready? Good!

Thank you so much for stopping by, I.J.! Let's dive right in :) When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

During 11th grade in high school I took a creative writing class and that started me "thinking" writing. I watched people more closely to use their dialogue and characteristics for stories and started formulating distinct life observations so I would have something to say. I never thought I could be a writer until I sold my first article, just out of college, to a tennis magazine.


I love that! And belated congrats on selling your article to that magazine! That must've been so exciting :) What has been the most difficult part about being a writer?

It is mostly pure joy. However, it is difficult to make a living, even if you are selling books. The selling part is taxing as well: finding an agent or publisher, waiting months for a response, getting a generic rejection letter or email.


I have to admit I think you're very brave to go through the process of finding a publisher. I'm too chicken to get that rejection letter so it's part of why I jumped on going the self-published route lol. Do you use a pen name? If so, how did you come up with your pen name?

I first started out publishing under my real name, but later became a university tennis coach. With the explosion of the internet, and times becoming more conservative, it became too easy to search my name and books, so I went with a pseudonym to separate "university employee" from "erotic writer." My writing name now uses my actual initials.


Yeah, I could see how that could get a little bit awkward lol. Who are your favorite authors?

Philip Roth. Junot Diaz. Bernard Malamud. Alice Walker. Toni Morrison.


Hmm, some of those I've never heard of. Now I'll have to look them up :) What authors inspire you?

Malamud and Roth inspire me to be the best storyteller I can be. Roth in particular inspires me because he has produced quality work from a young age to his later years.


Wow, that longevity is amazing. All too often I see the quality start to taper off in authors who have written for a long time. What type of books do you like to read?

Fiction. A good story about real people.


Love it! What do you like to do in your free time?

I play a lot of tennis, work out, read, cook.


I've played tennis a bit in the past. Wonderful way to unwind in my opinion, though I don't get to play very much now. Where is your favorite place to vacation?

I love being near the beach or in a beautiful rustic setting. I like to be active. Just returned from a vacation in Key Largo, FL and it involved snorkeling a coral reef, canoeing through a Mangrove forest, visiting with some alligators, and taking a speedboat ride through the everglades.


Wow, that sounds like an amazing vacation! If you were stuck on a desert island and could have only three things, what would they be?

Pen, paper, food.


All the essentials :D Are you a plotter or a pantser with your writing?

Well, in my early years I managed to live cheaply off summer earnings and write full time. Then I would come up with a character, an idea, a point I wanted to make and let the writing process do the rest. Once I started working full time as a tennis coach, I had less time to write, so I spent some time just planning, so when I finally did have writing time I could produce a more well-developed first draft. Also, I got my Masters at the American Film Institute in screenwriting, which teaches you to plan your stories as well as you can from beginning to end, because the limited space and limited writing process doesn't allow for the full exploration a novel affords. This pre-planning also carried over into my fiction.


Oh awesome, I can definitely see how that would help. And on a random note, that's so cool you have a Masters in screenwriting :) Why did you choose to write an erotic romance?

I've fought for years being labeled an "erotic writer." My material could be sexually graphic but not always in the HEA, sex positive way. I've always used sex to reveal character and plot and sometimes that means a dysfunctional experience. My main purpose was simply to tell a good story. But in today's climate everyone is very genre oriented and from a "selling books" point of view it helps to fit in somewhere, so erotic writer I am, one usually classified in the sub-genre of "literary erotica." Also, there is no escaping that WUTHERING NIGHTS is an erotic romance.


I have to say that you certainly have a knack for it :) What has been the most fun about working on your books?

When you are going good and the story and characters just take over and the fingers fly on the keyboard and you work all day without even noticing the sun has gone down.


I couldn't agree more. That is one of the best feelings EVER. What has been the hardest scene for you to write?

In my earlier books, I mostly lay out the psychology of the character and put him or her in a well described scene and let the reader attach most of the emotions. For writing an erotic romance like WUTHERING NIGHTS my editor really wanted me to flesh out all of the emotions. It was a challenge not just to tell the reader what everyone was feeling, but make it organic, subtle, creative, while still revealing the full depth that exists.


Well I would just like to say that you ended up doing a fantastic job. Do you have any favorite characters from your books? If so, why?

I've grown attached to Heathcliff in WUTHERING NIGHTS. I'm even on Twitter as him. I like him because he seemed to have been written before the classic boundaries of literature were established. He is a very flawed hero, as brutal as he is passionate, which makes him just completely him, not a prototype protagonist who is interchangeable with any story.

Heathcliff

Heathcliff was definitely one of the most compelling characters I've ever read. How did you come up with the premise for Wuthering Nights?

The premise, the characters, the themes, the language are all Emily Bronte. But I deliberately did not want to write an erotic mashup that just had verbatim text and some sex thrown in. I worked very hard to stay true to the original, but added a number of new plot twists that helped make the eroticism more a part of the story and thus helped intensify the romance and peel back new layers to the story and characters.


I must admit to having never actually read the original Bronte book, so I can't speak to how true to the original it is, but I adored it. Tell us about the setting of Wuthering Nights. How did you come up with it and is any of it based on personal experiences?

The original has one of the famous settings in literature: the blustery moors of Northern England, which adds to both the darkness and passion of the book. I did however add a new setting to help create a focal point and connect the story from the beginning to end in a more dramatic way: Black Rock Cragge. It is halfway between Wuthering Heights and the rival estate Thrushcross Grange. It has the height of a rocky precipice above the depths of a black pool. It is where everything meets and where everything comes to a full head. It connects the two estates, the two families, and has both an aura of heaven above and hell below. It was just something I thought the book needed to connect the first half focused on Heathcliff and Catherine and the second half of the book focused on their offspring.


I absolutely loved the setting. Your descriptions of it really drew me into it beautifully. Tell us more about your main characters please.

Heathcliff starts out as a pure, passionate innocent, in love and grateful to be rescued from an orphan life. But his adult rejection because of class status and gross mistreatment change him into a vengeful brute...all while never letting go of the pristine deep love and passion he feels for his beloved, Catherine.

How cool is that?


Definitely cool :) Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your book?

Expect the language, themes, and characters of the original, with a more "naked" approach. Appreciate I made the choice not to soft-soap them for the modern audience, but presented them with all of the original good and bad. Look for an interesting present day prologue and epilogue that casts you not just as an observer of the story, but as a participant...


I thought that prologue and epilogue were really clever and helped pull me in from the start. Wonderful idea to use it! Is this part of a series? If so, what can we expect with the other books?

Not a series, but I do have an outline and sample chapters prepared for an erotic mashup of a Dickens novel. Which one? Well, you'll just have to wait and see. Hint: It's not Oliver Twisted.


Ooo, I can't wait! What's next for you?

I’m working on a New Adult erotic romance for the 18-25 crowd called CELINE’S SOLUTION, about a college girl who gets her final, senior year education from her young English professor who is both a master of passion and a troubled secretive soul. Before she can know for sure whether she has found true love or needs to move on, she needs to unravel all of his mysteries.


I will definitely be on the lookout for that! We are unfortunately out of time and I am dying to get to my review. Is there anything else you want your readers to know?

That I am very appreciative of fellow writers like you who take the time to help other authors promote their work. It is a wonderful kindness.



Thank you so much, I love helping my fellow writers in any way that I can. Alright lovelies, are you ready for my review of Wuthering Nights?

About the book:

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: April 23, 2013

My source for the book: Provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Genre: Erotic Romance
Length: 368 pages

Description:

Romantics everywhere have been enthralled by Emily Bronte's classic novel of the tragic love between beautiful, spirited Catherine Earnshaw and dark, brooding Heathcliff. The restrained desire between these two star-crossed lovers has always smoldered on the page. And now it ignites into an uncontrollable blaze. In WUTHERING NIGHTS, writer I.J. Miller reimagines this timeless story to reveal the passion between Catherine and Heathcliff--in all its forbidden glory.

Set against the stark, raw beauty of the English moors, Heathcliff, an abandoned orphan, recognizes his soulmate in wild, impulsive Catherine, the only woman who can tame his self-destructive nature. And Catherine cannot deny the all-consuming desire she feels for him, despite his low birth. Together they engage in a fiery affair--one that will possess them, enslave them, and change their destinies forever...

Buy it Now:

• Amazon
• Barnes and Noble
• Sony

WHAT I LIKED:

Before I begin, I must admit to having never read the original Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. To be perfectly honest, I had a hard time reading any of the classics. They generally bored me, much as it shames me to admit that. If only they'd been written like this one...

I jumped on the chance to review this solely because it was a new author and I was curious to read an erotic historical romance. I'm a bit dense in that it didn't really occur to me that it would be a retelling of the classic novel. Once I realized what it was, I was a bit apprehensive thanks to my dubious track record with classical novels. Man was I wrong.

I can't speak to how closely this follows the original Bronte book. I do know the general plot and it hit the major points as best as I can tell. The style was certainly very similar to the time period with the exception of the prologue and epilogue. These are written in a modern voice and designed to draw you into the story, achieving it with admirable success.

Despite having issues in the past with staying interested in classical books, I expected this to be written in that style since it was not a modern retelling. I was quite impressed with the author's ability to mimic the style without making it dull. As for the content? Holy hell is it scorching, explicit, and at times, a bit depraved. All I can say is that if more of the classics had been written like this, I sure as hell would have been more excited to read them lol.

The sex in this book is graphic and frequent, but it enhances the story. The author doesn't just drop sex scenes into Bronte's novel to make it an erotic book. I.J. uses the sex scenes to show the descent of Heathcliff into increasingly erratic behavior. To show his proclivities and need to dominate as well as to illustrate the tumultuous relationship with Catherine. All in all, I really felt the scenes added to the tale in a way that can be hard to achieve with some erotic books.


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

There really isn't anything.


OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!!

If you're like me and weren't necessarily a fan of the classics back in school, you must give this a try. It's truly unlike anything I've ever read. This book is not for the faint of heart, but damn was it engrossing. Be warned, this is one of the most graphic erotic romances I've read in a while and includes group masturbation, some BDSM, domination, and plenty of scorching sex. I highly recommend this book and author.

Meet I.J.!

I.J. Miller is the author of five, distinct, literary, erotic works of fiction: SEESAW was translated into two languages, with over 130,000 copies in print; WHIPPED appeared in both English and German; SEX AND LOVE, a collection of short stories, made its debut in the summer of 2011; CLIMBING THE STAIRS, a novella, was released just a year later. His latest novel, WUTHERING NIGHTS, is an erotic retelling of Emily Bronte’s classic, Wuthering Heights, and is published by the Grand Central Publishing imprint of Hatchette Books. It is available now as an e-book and will be in bookstores as a trade paperback and audio book on April 23. Miller has a Master of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute and has taught creative writing and screenwriting at the university level.

Connect with I.J.:

• Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads

Please note, winners must be in the U.S. to win and must have an actual address, not a P.O. Box. Thank you lovelies! 

Winners must be 18+ years. By entering the contest, you are stating that you are over 18,

To enter to win, leave a comment telling me what story (classic or otherwise) you'd like to see retold as an erotic romance. Be sure to leave your email address so you can be contacted!