Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 Recap

 2012 is over and yay we survived!
 
 
 
This was such an exciting year for me.  I started my blog back at the end of 2011 but it wasn't until this year that I began to take it seriously.  I have learned so much this year.  I love the publishing world and I have to admit I felt a part of this world by running an active blog.
 
I loved being able to do interviews with authors.  I mean how awesome is that, I got to swap emails with these amazing writers and then post all about it.  It was so much fun!  All the authors were amazing and so easy to work with.
 
My followers count went from 37 to 367 this year and while I know that is is a low number compared to some blogs I couldn't be happier about it!
 
I still have no idea how to use Twitter but I plan to tackle it in the coming year.
 
I got involved with Blog Tour companies and that was a lot of fun to participate in.  I enjoyed being able to promote amazing books even if I didn't have time to read them.
 
My favorite part of my blog year was getting a new blog design. I love it so much! I want to thank Lori at Imagination Blog Designs. She did an incredible job!
 
My favorite book this year that I promoted was Poison Princess by Kresley Cole.  You can read all about the book on my post HERE. You can also read my review HERE. 
 
I wasn't sure if I read more Adult or YA.  I love both so much!  I was a little excited to find out that it was really close.  I read more Adult books. 
 
 
Here is what I posted in 2012.
 

Reviews (Young Adult) - 21

Reviews (Adult) - 23

Author Interviews - 11

Giveaways - 16

Blog Tours - 9 



I want to thank you all for such an amazing blogging year.  I have made many new friends, worked with wonderful authors and have just had a magical year. 
 
Thank you all so much! 
 
I look forward to 2013!



Jillian Dodd Appreciation Week + Giveaway

 
 
 



“THANK YOU Jillian for all that you do!”

Friends of Jillian Dodd are showing their appreciation!

In appreciation for the hard work and effort indie author Jillian Dodd does behind the scenes for authors, her writing friends are offering YOU the chance to win one of her books!

You can choose from one of the Keatyn Chronicles:  STALK ME or KISS ME. Or maybe you prefer one of the titles in the That Boy series: THAT BOY or THAT WEDDING. All books are New Adult contemporary romance.

Good luck!

 
 




Title: Kiss Me
Author: Jillian Dodd
Series: The Keatyn Chronicles: Book Two
Genre: Romance, Mature Young Adult
Release Date: November 28, 2012

Buy links for Kiss Me






Summary:

I've always written scripts for my perfect life.
But no way could I have ever scripted this.
My life is so far from perfect, it’s not even funny.
All because of a stalker.

I’m at a boarding school where I have to lie about who I am.
I can’t see my family.
I’m tutoring a Hottie God that tortures me with his smile.
The most popular girl already hates me.
But there’s this boy.
This hot, sweet, sexy boy.
So I’m going to stop trying to script my life and just live it.
Because who knows how long I have left.


Title: Stalk Me
Author: Jillian Dodd
Series: The Keatyn Chronicles: Book One
Genre: Romance, Mature Young Adult
Release Date: September, 2012

Buy links for STALK ME:


Summary:

Gossip girl meets Hollywood in this new series by That Boy author, Jillian Dodd.

Keatyn has everything she ever dreamed of. Her life is following the script she wrote for the perfect high school experience. She’s popular, goes to the best parties, dates the hottest guy, and sits at the most coveted lunch table.

She’s just not sure she wants it anymore.

Because really, things aren’t all that perfect.
Her best friend is threatening to tell everyone her perfect relationship is a scam.
Her perfect boyfriend gets drunk at every party they go to.
It’s exhausting always trying to look and act perfect.
And deep down, she isn’t sure if she has any true friends.

To add to the drama, her movie star mom’s long-time fan has turned stalker.
An older man is flirting with her and telling her they should make a movie together.
And she’s crushing on an adorable surfer. Dating a guy like him would mean committing social suicide.

So she writes a new script. One where all the pieces of her life will come together in perfect harmony.
But little does she know, there’s someone who will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
 
 

About the Author:

Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy.

She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

Jillian Dodd | Facebook | Twitter

pinterest ~ goodreads ~ amazon author page

Keatyn Chronicles fan page ~ Keatyn Chronicles on Twitter

 

 


 
 
(1) eBook copy of STALK ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #1), KISS ME (Keatyn Chronicles, #2), THAT BOY (Volume 1), or THAT WEDDING (That Boy, #2). Open International. Books will be gifted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.


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Friday, December 28, 2012

ARC Review: Fangtabulous






 
 
 
Title:  Fangtabulous
Author:  Lucienne Diver
Series:  Vamped #4
Release Date:  January 8, 2012
Publisher: Flux
Format:  Ebook
Pages:  288
Source:  Provided by publisher via Netgalley 






Summary:

Can a fanged fashionista take out a deadly Salem spirit?

Being on the lam from the Feds and the vampire council with no money is not as glamorous as it sounds, especially when I, Gina Covello, fashion queen of the undead, am forced to abandon my wardrobe. Salem, Massachusetts, seems like a great place to hide our supernatural gang. But who knew the city would be crawling with ghosts? The nasty spirit of George Corwin, infamous sheriff from the witch trial days, is on a killing spree. It's up to us to take down the breath-stealing phantom-without blowing our cover.




Review:

This was the first book in the series that I have read so I had a little trouble figuring everything out at first.  I would have liked to have had a bit more back story in the beginning.

This book follows Gina the vampire.  She and her friends are on the run from the Feds.  I have no idea why but they decide the best place to hide out is in Salem were everyone is used to the supernatural occurrences.

While in Salem they discover that there is a very real and every evil ghost that is not just haunting the people of Salem but actually killing them.

The group decides to try and solve the case all while trying to stay under the radar of not only the Feds but a Ghost Hunter TV crew that showed up to film haunted Salem.

I loved the rich history of Salem that we get to lean about.  Vampires in Salem fighting angry Ghosts was a ton of fun.  I am going to have to read the first few books and then maybe all the relationships will make more sense but I loved this book and cant wait to see what happens next!




Purchase:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble


Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas

 
 
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
 
 
I HOPE YOU ALL GET LOTS AND LOTS OF BOOKS FROM SANTA!!!
 


Friday, December 21, 2012

Review: Daughter of The Spellcaster

 



Title:  Daughter of The Spellcaster
Author:  Maggie Shayne
Series:  The Portal Book 2
Release Date: November 2012
Publisher:  Harlequin
Format: ebook
Pages:  400
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary:
 
Has a spell been cast?

Lena Dunkirk is a practicing witch, Ryan McNally a wealthy playboy. Logic says mismatch, yet from the first they share a passion that defies reason, as if they know each other from another place, another time. Then Lena gets pregnant and runs for the safety of home.

Months later, when Ryan appears at her door looking to help raise their child, Lena doesn’t know whom to trust–particularly now that “guru to the stars” Bahru has taken an interest in her baby, offering gifts forged of magic.

Soon she and Ryan are sharing eerie dreams of ancient lands, while a vengeful demon plots to take possession of their child. As the moment of birth approaches, the demon’s power rises, forcing the hand of love to wield the blade that will decide the fate of a child’s soul–and the future of the world.
 
 
 
Review:
 
Maggie Shayne's writing is brilliant.  She has a way of making you feel like you are right in the story.  I felt like I could just jump right into the pages and live in this world of magic she has created!

Daughter of the Spellcaster is the second installment in The Portal Series trilogy. This has been my favorite so far. I was swept away by this story of pregnant witch Lena and her wealthy playboy boyfriend who just happens to be the prince from her childhood fantasies.

Lena doesn't know that she has been reincarnated from ancient Babylon times.  The release of memories come so much easier for Lena than they did for Indira in the first book. I think it's because she is pregnat.

 Lena has more of an emotional journey. She has to overcome several emotions including resentment and trust but most of all, love!

Ryan is Lena's true love and by far my favorite character in this book.  He is so devoted to Lena and the baby.  He tries to show his love for her on every single page.  Even when he is tested by evil he still loves her.  He is truly a wonderful man.

Each book in this series can stand alone but together they are simply magical.  I am already halfway through the third and final book.  That review will be up soon.  Don't hesitate to give this series a try.  I think it has something for everyone.



 
 
  
 
Purchase: 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Review: Finale

 
 
 
 
Title: Finale
Author:  Becca Fitzpatrick
Series:  Hush, Hush Book 4
Release Date:  October 23rd 2012
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Format:  Hardcover
Pages:  454
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary:
 
 
Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.

Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.

But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.

As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.
 
 
Review:

This is the final installment in the Hush, Hush series and I found that I was extremely sad to let this world go.  I have really gotten attached to Patch and Nora.

This time around we find Nora and Patch finally working together.  The whole world thinks they have split up and it shakes everything up on both sides of the war.  No one knows what is going to happen if Nora cant change the course of things.

There is a ton of action in this book.  Even the romantic stuff has you wondering what is going to happen next.  We get a good dose of fighting and confrontations too and a huge betrayal that you wont see coming.  This is one of those books where you might not be sitting on the edge of your seat but you are trying to figure out the mystery the entire book.  Nothing is revealed until the perfect moment.

In the end Patch and Nora sacrifice everything for each other. It truly is a romantic love story of forbidden love and overcoming all odds for true love.  Its about learning that the small moments are the ones that will last you to the very end.

If you are a fan of fallen angels and epic battles then this one is for you!



 

 

Purchase Your Copy Of Finale

 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Review: Iced



 
 
Title:  Iced
Author:  Karen Marie Moning
Series:  Fever #6, Dani O'Malley #1
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Format:  Hardcover
Pages:  495
Source:  Purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary:
 
 
The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.
 
 
Review:
 
First let me just say that I have had such a hard time writing a review for this one.  I have no idea why this is so hard because I loved this book.  I adore this whole series.  I usually put a lot of detail into my reviews but this one is just going to be short and sweet.

Iced was a great book however to me it read a bit more like a young adult than I was expecting.  Dani is a 14 year old girl who has made it her priority to save her beloved city of Dublin after the walls fell that kept our world and Faerie apart.

Dani finds herself in the middle of an investigation to find out what is causing places to get iced around her city.  She finds tons of action and fun but mostly trouble this time around.

And oh my gosh I had forgotten how much this author loves cliffhangers.  If you want this book to end with a satisfying ending then stop right before the final chapter.

I can not wait to read the next book in the Fever series.  I think we will be seeing a lot more of Mac and Barrons in the next book.



 
 

Purchase your copy of Iced
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Blog Tour: Starflower Review + Giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours...

Starflower  (Tales of Goldstone Wood #4)
Starflower
Tales of Goldstone Wood #4
by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
Paperback, 400 pages
Published November 1st 2012 by Bethany House

Premise:

When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal. 

But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?



Review:

I have never fallen in love with a story so completely before.  This has to be one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a long time.  Starflower has a place in history next to classics like Othello, Romeo and Juliet and Alice in Wonderland.

Starflower to me tells the story of what it means to love.  It is about love in every form. 

First you have the Dragonwitch.  She is a cursed woman who has been betrayed by love and even though she has such a fiery anger in her you know that to have hate you have to love as well.  I look forward to seeing the rest of her story. 

Then you have Lady Gleamdren who is in love with herself so much that she allows herself to be kidnapped just to receive attention. She is quite self absorbed but she does provide several laughs.

Glomar is such an honorable man.  He loves Lady Gleamdren even from afar.  His is a story of longing for love.

Eanrin has not yet learned what love truly is but his journey is incredible.  I loved seeing him going from crowd pleasing poet to kick ass hero.  Not to mention that he is incredibly sexy!

However this story is all about Imraldera.  She is a cursed woman who has been through too much heartache and tragedy in her short life  Her ability to survive that kind of pain but still love the unlovable is commendable.  I found I could relate to her from the very beginning.  She is an amazing woman who I think given time could change all of Faerie.  I hope to some day love the way she does.

Anne Elisabeth Stengl has just made my top three favorite authors and I can not wait to see where this story continues.  If you have not yet read her book please give it a try.  It just doesn't get any better than a story about the simplicity of love!

 
 
 


About the Author:


Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, MOONBLOOD, and STARFLOWER, with DRAGONWITCH due to release in 2013. HEARTLESS and VEILED ROSE have each been honored with a Christy Award.


Find & Follow:


The Dragonwood Series:



Bethany House

Get Your Copy:

Bethany House
Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository
Amazon:



Check out the entire December Tour!


3 - Laura @ Colorimetry - Launch!
3 - Sarah @ Letters to the Cosmos - Review
4 - Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer - Excerpt
4 - Kari @ Kari's Crowded Bookshelf - Review
5 - Aleksandra @ Aleksandra's Corner - Guest Post - Inspired by Cats I
6 - Lisa @ Bookworm Lisa - Guest Post - Inspired by Cats II
6 - Mandy @ The Reading Diaries - Review
7 - Alicia @ Mortality Bites - Dragonwitch page REVEAL
7 - Naj @ Unputdownable Books - Guest Post - Inspired by Cats III
9 - Lissette @ Passion and Life - Guest Post - Night Terrors
10 - Laura @ Colorimetry - Review
10 - Bonnie @ A Backwards Story - Review
12 - Aimee @ Getting Your Read On - Guest Post - The Faces of Love I
12 - Kimberly Krey @ Kimberly Krey - Guest Post - Drafts
13 - Abbi @ Christian Novels - Tales of Goldstone Wood Reviews
13 - Mandy @ The Reading Diaries - Interview
14 - Ivy @ Open the Page - Guest Post - The Faces of Love II
16 - Alicia @ Mortality Bites - Review
17 - Len @ Musings of a Reader Happy - Hightlight/Excerpt - Meet Dragonwitch
17 - Jen @ Literally Jen - Review
18 - Beth @ Living a Goddess Life - Review
19 - Rach @ Stressed Rach - Guest Post - Illustrated Sneak Peak
19 - Christy @ Christy's Cozy Corners - Review
20 - Heather @ Proud Book Nerd - Review
20 - Heidi @ Geo Librarian - Guest Post - The Faces of Love III
21 - Jaime @ Goodreads - Review
21 - Finale @ Colorimetry - Giveaway winner announced.


Catch the Christmas Read-along!


Giveaway:

Grand Prize

GRAND PRIZE:  The first four books The Tales of Goldstone Wood: HeartlessVeiled RoseMoonblood and Starflower + SWAG!  2nd place is a copy of Starflower + SWAG!

2nd Prize

Enter to win until 12/20. Winner to be announced 12/21. Open to anyone who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here & on Colorimetry as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Void where prohibited by law. 

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Friday, December 14, 2012

Author of the Month: EXCERPT ~ The Shaman's Mate







 
Title:  The Shaman's Mate
Author:  Donna McDonald
Format: Ebook
Pages: 286
Published:  November 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary:
 
When an unfamiliar fellow park ranger walks up moments after he prays for help, Jason sends his gratitude out into the universe for answering his call. The last thing Jason ever suspected would happen was for the same man to return to abduct him. But now Hania and his people are insisting that he make good on his promises to repay his karmic debt to them.
Jason is not opposed to helping the Chileaans, or their beautiful Shaman, but it’s what they want him to do that’s the problem.
 
 
 
Excerpt:
 
Jason started across the grounds realizing that he had no idea how to get to Shaman Aiyana’s house on his own. Then he started noticing that when he walked in one direction, his hands hummed. When he turned a different way, the humming stopped. Deciding to follow the humming, Jason walked quickly and eventually recognized Aiyana’s temple.
Now that he was here, Jason hesitated before climbing the steps slowly. For the first time he wondered if he was already too late, if Cheveyo was already with her. This might be embarrassing for all of us, he thought.
Jason looked at the door, compelled to go inside no matter what he came across. Being with Cheveyo wasn’t going to work anyway. Jason didn’t know how he knew that about the situation, but he just did. Even the thought that Aiyana would try with Cheveyo upset him now, but being upset was not right either. So Jason didn’t bother knocking, but he did remove his shoes as Aiyana had asked last time.
Once inside, he walked softly through the house looking and listening at every closed door. Finally, he came to a large open room at the back of the house that faced a lush courtyard with a cascading fountain. In the center of the room, Aiyana sat in the middle of a pile of pillows wearing only a very sheer bra top and equally sheer pajama pants. On her shoulders and down her arms were intricate designs made of fine black dots. As Jason walked towards her, he saw the dots on her start to glow.
She stood and turned to him in one fluid motion.
“Jason. Why are you here? I’m expecting. . .” Aiyana found she couldn’t say the truth to him while he was looking at her so fiercely.
Jason walked up and stopped in front of her, placing his hands on her arms, matching their designs. He winced at the pleasure-pain sensation it caused both of them.
Aiyana moaned as the power flowed between them. “Jason…” she began, then caught her breath.
Jason sensed the man at the door before he actually saw him. He dropped his hands from Aiyana to face the man who had just entered.
“Who are you?” the man at the door demanded. “Why are you touching Shaman Aiyana?”
Jason looked at him for a few moments. There was no doubt who the man was because he fit the description. He studied the man that Aiyana had told him was more handsome than he was, a man who had pleasured her more than once.
“This is the final time I ask you the question before I take further action,” the man said quietly.
Jason heard Cheveyo speaking in the same dispassionate, but I-really-mean-it manner of speaking that Hania used. Maybe he should be more worried about the fierce glare he was receiving, but he just wasn’t feeling anything but relief that he stopped Aiyana from…holy hell. He was jealous.
“Aiyana won’t need your services after all, Cheveyo. I am the Shaman’s mate,” Jason growled the words, shocked at how fiercely he sounded saying them.
Jason watched the man study him for long moments. He was prepared to fight him if needed, but hoped it would not come to that. The man was a lot bigger and looked a lot stronger than Hania, who had managed to take him down easily.
Aiyana’s heart stopped, and then started beating with a thunderous sound. Jason had told Cheveyo that he was her mate. How was this possible? He was staring at Cheveyo, his eyes glowing with the Great Mother’s power. Shocked happiness shook her to her core and she started to fall.
“Aiyana, are you okay?” Jason asked, grabbing her arms to hold her upright, accidentally matching their marks again.
“Jason…” she called his name, and then collapsed in a heap at his feet, her hands sliding down his body. She wrapped her arms around his legs because she simply had to touch some part of him to believe it was real.
Aiyana looked across the room, pain in her heart for yet another misdeed she had done to the man at her door. “I’m sorry for this situation, Cheveyo. I truly did not expect Jason to return to me, but I am glad he has.”
Cheveyo looked at him with the most hateful look Jason had ever received from another person.
“There is no dishonor here, Aiyana,” Cheveyo said softly. “I serve Shaman Aiyana, who serves the Great Mother. If you have need of me, I too will return to you.” He bowed his head to her and left, not sparing Jason another glance.
Jason looked down at the woman wrapped around his legs and wondered what had possessed him to stake a claim. What was it to him if the woman bonded with the whole tribe? But thinking of Cheveyo at her door, he was pleased he’d sent the man away. God help him—maybe he felt a sense of duty growing for her. Somehow he instinctively knew that Shaman Aiyana’s ascension wouldn’t happen with anyone but him. Walking through Aiyana’s door moments ago, he was following some inner voice that demanded he help her, regardless of what form that help took.
As he pulled Aiyana up into his arms again, the voices he’d heard when he kissed her started chanting again. This time though the chanting perfectly matched the heat in his blood as he studied Aiyana’s nearly naked body. This time when desire for her moved through him, Jason accepted it physically, even though he still had to work at setting the emotional guilt aside. His body was insisting that he be with her. There seemed to be no other choice.
“So where are we doing the deed?” Jason asked Aiyana. “Do you have a bedroom?”
“What?” Aiyana asked, not quite understanding what Jason meant. She was still recovering from what had just happened, from the joy that Jason had returned, and from her shame at having to send Cheveyo away. It wasn’t often that she experienced emotional turmoil.
“For this ascension thing to work for you, you have to have sex with me, right?” Jason demanded. “I don’t know how I know that, lady, but I just do.”
Aiyana looked hard at Jason, trying to see into his spirit, trying to see if he would have any regrets. “You told Cheveyo I was your mate. Did you mean those words?”
Jason tugged her forward by the center of the bra top she wore, until they were nose to nose because she was so tall.
“God help me for disrespecting my dead wife, but I do,” Jason admitted, rubbing a thumb across her left nipple and making her tremble. He watched their dots glow brighter as he touched her through her clothes. “Kissing you put these glowing dots on my hands. And I see you have a matching set.”
“Praise to the Great Mother for all her gifts,” Aiyana said breathlessly, finding it difficult to have conversation when Jason was touching her so intimately.
“You might want to save that gratitude for after we’re done,” Jason joked, hoping he would not back out on her once they started.
Part of him was hard and aching for her, so he knew he was up for the challenge, so to speak. Still another part of him was trying to decide if he would be betraying Emily and her memory by what he planned to do to help a woman he didn’t really even know.
“What you bear are the Great Mother’s marks. You are also ascending Jason. I did not know that would happen when I kissed you. Are you okay with receiving the power of it?” Aiyana asked, concern evident in her face.
“If I turn into some really ugly creature after having sex with you, there’s going to be hell to pay,” Jason warned, still toying with her top.
“When ascension is complete, you will be what you already are, only more so,” Aiyana told him with a smile, trying to reassure Jason that he would not be harmed.
“Will there be more tattoos?” Jason asked, thinking he needed to be prepared for what would happen.
“Yes. You’ll get a lot more tattoos,” Aiyana informed him, laughing painfully, not really finding any humor.
Jason pulled her closer to him, listening as the chanting grew louder and louder in his ears.
“Next question. Why do I hear people talking every time I get near you?” he asked her.
“It is the voices of the ancestors. Can you understand what they are saying?” she asked in return.
“Not the words, but it seems like they are encouraging me to just…take you hard and fast,” Jason finally admitted, hoping she did not find it offensive.
Aiyana stepped away from Jason, untied a string on each side of her hips, letting the pants fall to the floor. “That’s exactly what they are saying,” she agreed. “And I am ready for you to do so.”
 
Purchase Your Copy:
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Author of the Month: Donna McDonald Interview + GIVEAWAY


 
Hi Donna!  Welcome to Mortality Bites!  I'm so excited to have you here with us today.

Thank you Alicia! I’m very excited to be here.
I love your blog’s name. . .and I agree.







THE INTERVIEW:

You write in several different genres.  Which is your favorite?
Wait until I stop laughing. Oh, okay--I’m better now. I knew this question was going to be asked one day.
I like all my genres and need them all to be a happy writer. I have two writer friends who are the same way. I didn’t know that about my writing self when I started publishing in 2011, but I definitely do now with 16 books finished.

I sincerely enjoy the contemporaries, which are mostly funny, because I like to make readers laugh. Plus, I wanted to show that sexy relationships can be terrific at any age and I have done that with my older characters. I had to self-publish my contemporaries because no traditional house thought they could sell them. My rejections were kind, but hinted frequently that my sex was too hot for people over 40. None of my readers think that is the case-lol. The five books of the Never Too Late series are my best selling titles at the moment.





However, I am here on Mortality Bites because my writer roots are in what started out in the mid-90s as “paranormal romances”.  Now that branches from paranormal into fantasy and the science fiction series that I’m having so much fun writing. I am home in these genres.
Now The Shaman’s Mate is a different book for me. I categorized it as fantasy because I tackled life after death, dimensional travel, energy and magic, a possible theory of angels, missing Native American tribes, and a host of spiritual topics in the story. Philosophically, it has a little of everything, but at it’s core is a broken man finding his life’s purpose and the woman he is meant to love and support. I have one more book with a similar theme that I wrote in 2010 which I hope to release next year.
 
At Mortality Bites we love all things paranormal/fantasy.  Can you tell us a little about your Forced To Serve series?
My blog for this work is called “Demons, Dragons, and Space Opera” because I intended to write a dragon book, but after a very detailed dream ended up writing a space opera with an alien demon in it. Until that point, I never even considered writing about demons.
Book 4, The Healer’s Kiss, just released December 4. I’m already getting excited about writing Book 5 in a few months. The first book in the series, The Demon of Synar, is a novella that covers the initial world building and introduces the characters. The rest of the books are larger stories and more complicated books, averaging around 100k words each. The Forced To Serve series is fun for me for many reasons. I get to write fight scenes AND alien sexual encounters. How great is that?
Who are your favorite characters in this series and why?
Malachi, the true ‘Demon of Synar’, is probably my favorite character. He is a non-corporeal being who was turned into “demon mist” as a punishment for the wrongs he committed on his planet. His punishment of serving the Synar family has been ongoing for over a millennia when the series begins. Because Malachi was such a tough case, he has a “demon master” among the Synar males who is responsible for him. The recent one happens to be my ship’s captain. Liam’s evil brother was supposed to be his master, but his father found out and gave Malachi to Liam, though the younger Synar was very reluctant to take the role of demon master.

Malachi’s situation seems to have little resolution, except in the most limited of ways. To have any sort of life outside of his energy-only form of demon mist, Malachi must live in a host, which is the heroine of Books 1 and 2, and his first female one ever. So far, Malachi’s ‘redemption’ is a running theme throughout all the books. Book 5 is going to be “The Demon’s Change” and I’m vibrating to write it.
My other favorite character is the ship’s second in command, Commander Gwen Jet, who is the only Earthling (well half anyway) on the ship. She is 35 when the series opens and quite the warrior. Nasty temper, but loyal with the heart of  a great leader. In ways, she is more a true leader than her captain. Her mate is Lieutenant Dorian Zade, the sexy Siren counselor onboard. My all time favorite moment in the series is a fight that happens between Gwen and Dorian in Book Two. I had a writer’s Zen moment of knowing it was great and perfect for the story.

I have kick-ass women throughout in the series, and the males they end up with are definitely put through the paces. There is a “type” for reader. I’m finding fans are writing to ask me now about what’s going to happen in future books.


In this series you have three books out right now.  Can you tell us anything about the next book in the series? 
Book 4 is The Healer’s Kiss and just released December 4. In Book 2, the crew rescued a captive female mate who ended up helping them find the Peace Alliance ambassador they were sent to the planet to rescue. The accidentally rescued female is Boca Ador.  On the ship, Boca uses her skills to work in Medical, but on the side is training to be a warrior, which is a life career she always wanted.
She fights with knives and is a skilled assassin with them. The ship’s residential healer, Doctor Chiang, has a natural mating urge for her and keeps causing problems in her training as he pursues her. He was a warrior and gave it up, so you can imagine how many issues he has with Boca fighting. So this book is their romance, but it also is transitional for the series in adding new characters and losing others. The crew is returning to Boca’s old slave planet to rescue another female captive, and she is going undercover to help. Chiang insists on going along as well.
 
Your cover art is amazing.  Who does your design and was it fun getting to create them?
If I ever meet her, I will kiss the feet of Dara England of LFD Designs for Authors. Her work for me is amazing and I am grateful every day. Dara has done all of my covers. I think she reads minds. The Siren’s Call (Gwen and Dorian) and The Healer’s kiss (Boca and Chiang) are my first “couples covers”. I did help with those by picking out couples I liked that fit my characters. But my favorite cover of the Forced To Serve series is Book Two, The Demon Master’s Wife. You would not believe the magic Dara did with that one. I love it. It suits Ania’s character perfectly. I just got the cover for Book 5 a week ago. It is equally good.
 
 
I hear you are going to be writing  a book about dragons?  What can you tell us about that?
Yes I will definitely be writing a book about dragons. I love dragons. I get chills talking about them. It will be a fantasy. I don’t have all the details, but I am leaning to the female lead being other worldly. She will be forcing the dragon state on the hero who will not be pleased. I have several ideas, but commitments to readers to complete next books in several of the contemporary series. I don’t know if I will get to my dragon book in 2013 or not. I am waiting for the muses to decide.
 
You are one of the attending authors at the Indie Romance Convention next year.  What are you looking forward to the most about this convention?  Do you have anything special planned for us?
First, I’m looking to meet readers. I attended Lori Foster’s Reader-Author Get Together this year and loved meeting people. But also, two of the indie authors I regularly read are being featured as well, so I will get to meet them and I’m VERY excited. I hope my readers are half as excited about meeting me.
October 2013 seems so far away. I haven’t planned anything special yet, but I’m sure I can come up with something. If you have any suggestions, I’ll consider them.
 
 
 
Now for some fun
 
This or That
That. I use the word to point things out, fearful I guess of others missing what I am taking in around me.
 
Sweet or Salty
Sweet—Chocolate. Donuts. Cookies. Excuse me—I have to make a trip to kitchen. I’ll be back in a minute to finish this interview.
Polka Dots or Stripes
I bought a polka dot scarf to break up all the solid black and white in my wardrobe. Does that count?
 
Bath or Shower
Shower—when I’m in a hurry. Bath—when I want to slow down, or share my relaxation time.
Chocolate Syurup or Whipped Cream
BOTH. If you forced me to pick, I’d probably take the whipped cream. I have plenty of chocolate in my house.
Leather or Feather
Feathers if there are restraints. Leather if there are lots of fasteners and zippers. Wait—who’s going to be reading my answers? Just kidding. . . 
Lights On or Light Off
Lights on.
 
 
Thank you so much Donna for talking with us today!
 
 
 
A Signed, 2 Volume Print Book Set of Books 1 and 2,
The Demon of Synar and The Demon Masters wife
 
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