In honor of Eclipse being released today, I'm taking a page from TMZ's- "Who would you rather?".
I ask...
Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Team Sparkle and Team Furry McAbs at Eclipse premiere
or perhaps... Team Mho?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
You Knew I was Going To Do This...
or perhaps... Team Mho?
KB's Pimpin Cookie Book Covers *Future Releases*
Promoting some future releases with their lovely cookie covers...
Gorgeous cover art here. Virga: Cities of the Air by Karl Schroeder coming from Tor on July 6th.
Synopsis: It is the distant future. The world known as Virga is a fullerene balloon three thousand kilometers in diameter, filled with air, water, and floating chunks of rock. The humans who live in this vast environment must build their own fusion suns and “towns” — enormous wood and rope wheels that are spun for centripetal gravity.
This complex and fascinating world is the setting for the novels of Virga, Karl Schroeder’s interstellar far-future space habitat sealed off from contamination by the rest of the inhabited universe. These books have set a high standard for hard SF adventure in the last decade, and now the first two novels, Sun of Suns and Queen of Candesce, are brought out for the first time in one trade paper omnibus.
Some hot mermaid loving? Siren's Call by Devyn Quinn coming from Signet on August 3rd.
Synopsis: As a woman with a secret, lighthouse keeper Tessa Lonike savors her solitude on the island of Little Mer, off the coast of Maine. During a violent storm, Tessa spots a man thrashing in the ice cold waters and dives in to save him, using her ability as a mermaid to easily pull him to shore.
When Kenneth Randall awakens on the beach he is alone, left with the haunting memory of his beautiful, flame-haired savior. But a year later, when Kenneth meets her again, he’s determined not to let Tessa slip away. Just as the desire between them begins to burn, Tessa’s archaeologist ex-lover comes back to town with a tantalizing clue to her murky heritage.
The trio travel to the Mediterranean in search of answers, and when Tessa inadvertently opens an underwater portal they find a lost mermaid city. But in the deep, not everything is as it seems, and Tessa must decide if she wants to take her place as the royal heir, or follow the call of her heart…
Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan coming from Ace on August 31st.
Synopsis: Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires that feeds off the living. In Austin, Texas, one woman’s madness will drive her into a world that few people ever see–or even know exists…
Shortly after she picked up a guitar, Miranda Grey conquered the Austin music scene with a newfound ability to psychically manipulate her audience’s emotions. But as her powers outgrow her control, her mind is increasingly invaded by haunting secrets and overwhelming sadness. Unable to look anyone in the eye, Miranda is fast approaching the edge of insanity–with no one to catch her fall…
When he outlawed killing humans, David Solomon ignited a civil war among Austin’s vampires. As Prime of the South, his sympathy for mortals angered the old guard who refuse to control their violent urges. David has his hands full with the growing insurgency, but he takes in a broken-down woman, a musician in need of supernatural guidance. Little does he know that Miranda Grey has the power to change his world as well…
Blood on Silk (Awakened by Blood Book One) by Marie Treanor coming from NAL on September 7th.
Synopsis: Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk is spending the summer in Romania researching historical superstitions for her PhD. While she is tracing local foktales, one subject in particular sparks her imagination. His name is Saloman, legend's most powerful vampire, a seductive prince staked centuries ago. Now, in the ruins of a castle crypt, Elizabeth discovers the legends are real. Her blood has awakened him. Her innocence has aroused him. But Elizabeth unleashes more than Saloman's hunger.
An army of vampire hunters has amassed to send Saloman back to hell. Sworn to help - yet fearing Saloman's deadly blood lust - Elizabeth seeks to entrap him, offering her body as bait. But something stronger than dread, more powerful than revenge, is uniting Elizabeth to her prey. Caught between desire and rage, Elizabeth must decide where her loyalties lie...and what the limits are to a yearning she can no longer control.
Dreadnought (Second novel in the Boneshaker series) by Cherie Priest coming from Tor on September 28th. *No synopsis*
Some awesome cover love here. Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin coming from Harlequin Historical on October 1st.
Synopsis: During China’s infamous Tang Dynasty, a time awash with luxury, yet littered with deadly intrigues and fallen royalty, betrayed Princess Ai Li flees before her wedding.
Miles from home, with only her delicate butterfly swords for a defense, she enlists the reluctant protection of a blue-eyed warrior…
Battle-scarred, embittered Ryam has always held his own life at cheap value. Ai Li’s innocent trust in him and honorable, stubborn nature make him desperate to protect her – which means not seducing the first woman he has ever truly wanted….
Haunted Honeymoon (Casa Dracula Book 4) by Marta Costa coming from Pocket on October 5th. *No synopsis*
Some hot spy action? Midnight by Beverly Jenkins coming from Avon on October 26th.
Synopsis: In a time of peril, she fears nothing—except the forbidden passions of her heart.
In Boston, revolution is in the wind—yet none would ever suspect Faith Kingston of treason. But under cover of darkness, the beautiful daughter of a Tory tavern owner becomes the notorious spy “Lady Midnight,” passing valuable secrets to the rebels. Dedicated to fighting British tyranny, she’ll let nothing distract her—until a dark, mesmerizing stranger enters her life.
A reckless, worldly adventurer, Nicholas Grey has returned to troubled Massachusetts seeking revenge for the death of his rebel father. He suspects a local innkeeper, but it’s the man’s breathtaking, ebony skinned daughter who has truly captured his interest. Nicholas burns for the sensuous, secretive lady—and Faith cannot mask her own blazing desires. But when destiny unites their causes, the passion that draws Midnight into Nicholas’s arms is as dangerous as it is glorious—and it could spell disaster for them both.
Debut author alert! Kieran Kramer has two releases coming out, one after the other. When Harry Met Molly coming from St. Martin's on November 2nd.
Synopsis: He’s always been a player.
Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his day in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.
Who will win this game of love?
Enter Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”
and:
Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right on November 30th.
Synopsis: Their engagement was a fake.
Most women would not be pleased to be labeled a spinster. But Lady Poppy Smith-Barnes isn’t most women. In fact, Poppy has invented an imaginary fiancé, the Duke of Drummond, to deter unwanted suitors. A very useful fellow, this duke, until the real Drummond turns up and uses Poppy’s ploy to trap her in a betrothal.
Will their passion make it real?
A good spy flies below the radar. Which is why being named one of the Prince Regent’s “Impossible Bachelors” is so inconvenient for Nicholas Staunton. Every society female will be out to ensnare him. Nicholas needs a fiancée—and Poppy’s ruse is the answer. How could he have known she’d be a brazen, sensual siren with an irresistible taste for adventure? Now nothing less will do than to convince his fiery Poppy to revoke her spinster status…for good.
Shot outs to these fellow bloggers for posting some of these covers first:
The Season
The Misadventures of... Super Librarian
Lurve Ala Mode
Lovin' Me Some Romance
Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Penguin Group's Picture a Book Changing Lives Campaign
Inspired by readers around the world who have embraced and shared Hosseini’s beloved novels, the Picture a Book Changing Lives campaign invites people to submit up to two still photos of themselves reading or holding a copy of either The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns.
For each eligible photo uploaded to the Hosseini group page of the Penguin Group (USA) website, Riverhead will donate $2.00 (up to a maximum $25,000 donation) to The Khaled Hosseini Foundation. Starting on June 15th and running through August 31st (11:59:59pm ET), people can visit www.penguin.com/community/hosseini, join the “Hosseini” group, and upload their pictures.
Photos submitted before the end of the campaign will be available to view at Penguin Group’s new online community. Eligibility requirements include: residency in the fifty United States, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories and possessions, ages 18 and older, and photographer’s permission. Complete rules and details for Picture a Book Changing Lives can be found online at www.penguin.com/pictureabookrules.
Why not do you part and take a few pictures for this great charity?
Insatiable Advanced Review *Lauren Dane*
*I can't stop staring at this hot man flesh cover!*
The Federation Military Corps try to keep the peace and have a close eye on the Imperial territory. Daniel Yaws, the leader of the secret Phantom Corps, will help smuggle Carina out to safety. There is great risk on Daniel's part and he assumes Carina is some fragile, spoiled princess who will barely be able to make the long, dangerous journey. But Daniel is in for a big surprise because Carina is not some weak woman and is more than willing to do whatever it takes to help those in need and to stop power hungry men like her father who kill to get what they want.
Both Daniel and Carina hide in the shadows and wear disguises as they run. Because Daniel has backup and support from many undercover agents, he is able to keep Carina safe. But the close quarters these two share together bring to light their growing attraction, where Carina longs for Daniel to make her his woman. They just have to stay alive in order to have a future together.
Lauren Dane is one of the best authors out there writing exciting, on the edge of your seat science fiction romance. Insatiable (Phantom Corps #1/Federation Chronicles #3) delivers that and more, especially with two amazing characters. Daniel is one swoon worthy hero. He may have issues because of his past and the lengths he has to go through in order to succeed, but he lives by a moral code and loves deeply. This is show so perfectly in the way he loves his sister Abbie and his new found love for Carina. Their lovemaking is steamy, but at times fun and joyful because they're both embracing life together that could be taken away from them at a moment's notice. Daniel may seem to have control of the situation at hand with Carina, but that quickly changes. Carina is not some simpering, living in fear female. She takes on a great sacrifice bravely and walks by Daniel's side proudly. And once she claims him for her own, Daniel doesn't stand a chance.
I would say that Insatiable is also a great suspenseful thriller where the chase will leave some readers breathless. Borderline erotic, and sensual definitely comes to mind when reading the ways Daniel and Carina love one another. But there is always a deep respect between these two and a yearning for a future that is just out of their reach.
You can't go wrong with Lauren Dane and Insatiable is a perfect example why. (Berkley Heat, available July 6th)
Final Grade: B+
Another Insatiable review:
I Just Finished Reading
Monday, June 28, 2010
Music To Make You Dance To *Lenny Kravitz*
This is the reason why Lenny Kravitz is the man.
From Bits and Pieces: A Day In The Life of the Day: Lenny Kravitz was just sitting up on a terrace in New Orleans having a drink, and he heard the First Baptist Church in Lewisville’s The Voice of Praise Choir singing “Fly Away.”
The KB Mid-Way Year Book Report
I also find myself a bit more critical as I'm reading and perhaps maybe 3 books out of the 119 I've read have really stood out for me.
My top 20 with their grades, in no particular order, goes as follows:
Shalador’s Lady by Anne Bishop- A
Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison- A-
Promise Me Tonight by Sara Lindsey- B+
Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh- B+
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale- B+
Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole- A-
Blood of the Demon by Diana Rowland- A-
Jazz Baby by Lorelie Brown- B+
Changeless by Gail Carriger- A-
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane- A-
The Lord of White Hell by Ginn Hale- A
Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep- A-
The Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne- A
Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch- B+
Song of Seduction by Carrie Lofty- A-
Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran- A-
Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione- B+
Gold Mountain by Sharon Cullars- B+
The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber- B
Enlightened: Little Boy Lost by J.P. Barnaby- B+
And the spare: In and Out by LB Gregg- B+
For the first time ever, I have a self-published book in my top 20 with Enlightened: Little Boy Lost.
My top 3 favorite debut authors for 2010 are:
Lorelie Brown (Jazz Baby)
Carolyn Crane (Mind Games)
Gini Koch (Touched by an Alien)
My top 3 favorite reads so far for are:
The Lord of the White Hell by Ginn Hale
Changeless by Gail Carriger
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
The Lord of the White Hell by Ginn Hale now holds the number 1 spot for me. This is the first time ever a GLBT novel has been my favorite read of the year.
Some future releases I have my eye for the second half of this year that may make my final best of 2010 list are:
The Lord of White Hell: Part 2 by Ginn Hale
Demon Blood and The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
Double Cross by Carolyn Crane
A Wild Light by Marjorie Liu
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Blameless by Gail Carriger
Last Night's Scandal by Loretta Chase
In December I will have my final list of my favorites, as well as those books that disappointed.
What books have brought you joy for the first 6 months of 2010, and what future releases do you look forward getting your hands on?
Sunday, June 27, 2010
WTFckery Or Not? You Decide
Here some the WTFckery!
1. Dracula is all over the place! Take that Vampire Sparkles! The title I guess it supposed to be a ha-ha funny? Can no one come up with an original idea anymore? From Anna's Book Blog:
iDrakula by Bekka Black coming from Sourcebooks on October 1st.
Synopsis: 18-year-old Jonathan Harker is diagnosed with a rare blood disorder after visiting a Romanian Count. His girlfriend Mina and a pre-med student named Van Helsing team up to investigate the source of the disease. The teenagers discover a horrifying truth: the Count is a vampire. The harrowing events unfold through emails, text messages, web pages, Twitter feeds, and instant messaging—the natural modernization of Bram Stoker’s original Dracula, which was written in letters, diary entries, and news clippings.
2. I used to adore Mel Gibson ( I still cry at the ending of Braveheart). Has this man gone off the deep end or not? From TMZ:
As one source put it, "She tried to protect his reputation, depsite her fears of him and his verbal and physical abuse." And the source goes on, "She regrets havfing believed in his empty promises to obtain professional help to control his violent nature."
TMZ broke the story ... Oksana obtained a restraining order against Gibson last Monday, which prohibits him from coming within 100 yards of her."
3. Thanks to Alison Pang for this WTFckery. This really makes me sad and disgusted. From Switched:
BeautifulPeople Dating Site Boots 5,000 'Fatties'
"The site has reportedly booted 5,000 (yes, that's a comma and three zeros) users after they posted pictures which showed they had gained weight over the holidays. The unabashedly vain Web site can't take sole credit here however, the site's users themselves reported the now exiled members for getting soft around the middle.
Founder Robert Hintze was unapologetic about the move. He told the BBC, "letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model." Clearly there are no requirements about class to join the service."
4. So the premiere of Eclipse has now passed, but I'm still shaking my head over grown women spending 3 nights before in tents just to get a small glimpse of Edward/Bella/Jacob. As for me, if I waited that long, I would also want to meet Billy Burke, who plays Bella's dad Charlie and Peter Facinelli, who plays the vampire Dr. Carlisle Cullen. From Deadline Hollwood:
One of the comments left says it perfectly: "Meanwhile, at Summit HQ…“Excellent, Smithers.”
"600 fans starting to line up Monday for Thursday's Eclipse premiere at the Nokia Theater for a glimpse of the cast of this 3rd pic in the Twilight Saga. About 350 Twi-Hards already were cleared through security to camp out at 6 AM PT Thursday in the L.A."
5. Some aweome 80's teen pop singer idol mash-up here in the form of B-movie greatness! Debbie Gibson and Tiffany are going to star together in Mega Python vs. Gatoroid for the Syfy network! I'm on Team Debbie. And yes, I have her greatest hits album and listen to it montly. From The Hollywood Reporter.
The network promises an epic battle between the former teen pop idols, who will star in “Mega Python vs. Gatoroid.”
Gibson will play a fanatical animal-rights activist who frees illegally imported exotic snakes from pet stores, sending them into the Everglades, where they grow to mega sizes. Tiffany will play an overzealous park ranger who uses dangerous methods to save endangered alligators."
6. Chris from Stumbling Over Chaos gave me the heads up at a new product. It's a condom with teeth that will prevent rape. From CNN World:
South African doctor invents female condoms with 'teeth' to fight rape
"Dr. Sonnet Ehlers shows a spiked female condom, whose hooks she says stick on a man during rape"
South African Dr. Sonnet Ehlers has invented a new type of condom called Rape-aXe.
"Ehlers is distributing the female condoms in the various South African cities where the World Cup soccer games are taking place. The woman inserts the latex condom like a tampon. Jagged rows of teeth-like hooks line its inside and attach on a man's penis during penetration, Ehlers said.
Once it lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest.
"It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," she said. "If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter... however, it doesn't break the skin, and there's no danger of fluid exposure."
Ehlers said she sold her house and car to launch the project, and she planned to distribute 30,000 free devices under supervision during the World Cup period."
7. Hello Kitty engine oil? From New Launches:
8. For some reason a talking Mickey really freaks me out. But on the other hand, this video does bring a tear to my eye.
9. And your Regretsy WTFckery is a plush companion toy to that WTFOMGBBQ horror movie, The Human Centipede. I have to give major props though to the crafty creator of this toy that a cat will surely love to chew apart.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
For the Love of the Book Blogs. (LA Times Article Shot Out)
The Living section of the Los Angeles Times has a great article posted about how book bloggers are becoming very important to publishers. Some familiar bloggers were interviewed such as, Trish who runs Hey Lady, Whatcha Readin?, Rebecca who runs Book Lady's Blog and Amy who runs My Friend Amy. The biggest mention was the first annual Book Blogger Convention in May during BEA where "the Book Blogger Convention was at capacity, attended by more than 100 bloggers from 27 states and five countries." The article goes on to explain that the new world of book blogging has exploded with around 300 active book blogs all participating in the online community.
It looks like publishers are finally "getting it" when it comes to book bloggers because it's the perfect way to read readers, which means helping book sales increase. It's all about blogger outreach that can help take a debut or mid-list author to the next level. And with the amount of book blog reviews, in a give month, a blog can have over 5,000 page views in a given month. I know for a fact some blogs have way more than 5,000 views in a month. You do the math.
And in honor of promoting some incredible blogs, (and it's been awhile since I've done so) here are some must visit blogs that I recommend you add to your Google Reader and check out.
Rita runs the Not Another Historical Romance blog and her love of historical romance shines through with every single review she posts. Rita is a huge fan of Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas. When Rita first contacted asking for advice on how to start her blog, I was honored. This soon to be college student is a perfect example of someone who embraces the romance genre and shouts it loudly for everyone to hear.
Angie runs the Angieville blog and has bee doing so since 2005. She is one of the old school bloggers. When I first started getting more into YA books, I found Angie. She loves books and will try any genre she can get her hands on. Her blog looks so very professional and she promotes the best in books. I have expanded my reading horizons because of her
I first found out about Dirty Sexy Books from Carolyn Crane. Rebecca has been blogging since April of 2009 and her personality and reviews are so very unique. Dirty Sexy Books gives off a newspaper vibe and her reading is all over the place from horror, urban fantasy and YA.
Christine at Happily Ever After is my fellow NJ blogger pal. She's been around for awhile and still loves to blog about books, but her focus has changed somewhat. She has been experimenting in the kitchen and makes the most delicious types of food and posts the recipes for all to salivate over. I can see her having her own cookbook one day (hint hint). She also has been running the In Death reading challenge and is involved in the Support You Local Library by posting about the books she ends up taking out from the library. For good books and good eats, check out Happily Ever After.
Paranormal Bites run by Laurie was started a few months ago. It has become my go to site for everything about the paranormal, from movies, television and books. It's an excellent resource for those who are just dipping their toe in the paranormal world, as well as those who are life long fans.
I found out about Tam who runs Tam's Reads from Kris at Kris 'n' Good Books. A great resource for everything GLBT and MM. Tam loves the MM romance deeply and she is so very quirky and funny. She also likes to post those pretty men cookies that I can't get enough of. We really do need more blogs like Tam to promote all that is good and well in GLBT literature.
Fiction Vixen is my fellow JR Ward fan girl whose blog is so much fun to visit. Her reviews, posts and willingness to be wacky is something to look up to. She has become another one of my go to blogs for book recommendations and great discussions. I also love her avatar, which always makes me smile whenever I see it. You know a blog is something great when you stop by and the warm fuzzies fill your stomach.
I cannot fail to mention the duo who runs Smokin' Hot Books. KC is a Starbucks addict, just like me (salutes with a caramel latte) and loves everything genre related books from Paranormal, to Urban Fantasy, to Romance and now GLBT romance. K-Khan is her backup and all around fun time chick who speaks her mind. I promise you that you will end up in stitches when you visit the Smokin' Hot ladies. Another warm and fuzzy blog that you must check out.
Yummy Men and Kiss Ass Chicks is a new blog I just discovered over the past few months. Julie's love of reading was discovered because of Stephanie Meyer and Twilight which lead her to JR Ward, Ilona Andrews and Jeaniene Frost among others. A true Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance reader came out. Now she can't get enough and wants more! Her blog is a fun place to hang out at. With a title like Yummy Men and Kiss Ass Chicks, you know Julie has so much to offer the blogging world.
These are only a few blogs I try and visit every day. They are perfect examples of bloggers who work hard and welcome anyone with an opinion. If you have some time, definitely stop by their places and say hello. They will hold out their arms and embrace you gladly.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Book Contest: Rushed to the Altar by Jane Feather
The wonderful people at Simon and Schuster have 10 copies up for grabs of Jane Feather's new release, Rushed to the Altar.
From New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather comes the first of a wonderful new trilogy, The Blackwater Brides, set in the sensually im-proper Georgian period, in which three noble brothers discover they will be forced to find brides under highly unusual circumstances.
Jasper Sullivan, Earl of Blackwater, needs a prostitute. Not in the usual way, however. His wealthy uncle’s will promises to divide his huge fortune among his nephews if each rescues a fallen woman . . . by marrying her! And since Jasper’s estates were already mortgaged to the hilt before he inherited them, when he catches a pretty young prostitute trying to pick his pocket, he immediately makes his proposal.
Clarissa Astley is not at all what Jasper believes. The orphaned daughter of a prosperous merchant, she is searching the seedier districts of London for her young brother, abducted by their evil guardian, who wants the little boy’s inheritance. But she needs powerful help, and the darkly handsome Earl of Blackwater is certainly that. So she pretends to be exactly what he assumed— a risky charade for an innocent virgin. But when passion flares between Jasper and Clarissa, the deception becomes even more difficult to handle. . . .
If you would like to enter to win a copy of Rushed to Altar, just fill out the form below by Thursday July 1st. Only open to US residents. Good Luck!
Beyond the Shadows Book Review *Jess Granger*
Yara needs passage on a ship back to Azra before her rival Palar tries to take over. Yara longs to bring peace and harmony to Azra and feels she can as the next Grand Sister. But she is stranded on a military base and has no one to turn to. Unfortunately the mysterious Cyrus Smith offers to take her home for the right price. Because Yara has run out of options, she and her scout, the feline Tuz will go with him.
Cyn enjoys pushed Yara's buttons by calling her pixie (because of her green colored hair) and keeping important facts about his past and who he is from her. Yara doesn't trust him as far as she can throw him, but she learns fairly quickly that this Earthlen male has her back when pirates attack them and she is taken hostage and to be sold as a sex slave. Cyn's feelings for Yara have grown into something deeper where he has to decide how honest he should be and convince her to join him and his people to stop a revolution that could kill many.
Beyond the Shadows (Realms Beyond #2) is perfect for those science fiction fans that enjoy intergalactic action and suspense with two warrior type characters. Even though Cyn is deceitful to Yara, right up to the moment where they act on their desire for one another, he knows he can't lose focus on his mission. Too many lives are at stake and that is where Yara is given a hard choice to make. Yara is one amazing heroine who doesn't back down from danger. But there was some confusion on my end in regards to Yara's important status. Because Yara is next in line to rule a planet, why would she be alone all and vulnerable, without any bodyguards, since she knows she has a rival who wants to get rid of her? The way Cyn was able to reach her and convince her to trust him is shaky even with the reasoning given.
Cyn and Yara are equals in almost every way from the way they fight to the way they love. There aren't many love scenes, but the tension and attraction between these two is definitely there. These are two characters you can get behind and root for. I continue to look forward to more future books from Jess Granger and found Beyond the Shadows to be an enjoyable read.
Final Grade: B
A few other Beyond the Shadows reviews:
All About Romance
Dear Author
Smexy Books
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Some Simon and Schuster Hot Reads for June and July!
Here's some hot Simon and Schuster reads to heat up your June and July (yes, I had to do a play on the word "heat")
Rushed to the Altar (The first book in the Blackwater Brides series) by Jane Feather available now.
From New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather comes the first of a wonderful new trilogy, The Blackwater Brides, set in the sensually im-proper Georgian period, in which three noble brothers discover they will be forced to find brides under highly unusual circumstances.
Jasper Sullivan, Earl of Blackwater, needs a prostitute. Not in the usual way, however. His wealthy uncle’s will promises to divide his huge fortune among his nephews if each rescues a fallen woman . . . by marrying her! And since Jasper’s estates were already mortgaged to the hilt before he inherited them, when he catches a pretty young prostitute trying to pick his pocket, he immediately makes his proposal.
Clarissa Astley is not at all what Jasper believes. The orphaned daughter of a prosperous merchant, she is searching the seedier districts of London for her young brother, abducted by their evil guardian, who wants the little boy’s inheritance. But she needs powerful help, and the darkly handsome Earl of Blackwater is certainly that. So she pretends to be exactly what he assumed— a risky charade for an innocent virgin. But when passion flares between Jasper and Clarissa, the deception becomes even more difficult to handle. . . .
Black Dust Mambo by Adrian Phoenix available on June 29th.
“There will be times, girl, when all your magic ain’t going to be enough, times when it will seem to dry up like mud under the noonday sun, or even make matters worse. . . .”
Kallie Rivière, a fiery Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a talent for trouble, finds herself smack-dab in the middle of one of those times her mentor warned her about when she visits New Orleans to attend the Hecatean Alliance’s annual carnival: her hard-bodied conjurer hookup ends up dead in her blood-drenched bed. And he was killed by something that Kallie would never dream of touching—the darkest of dark juju, soul-eating juju—a black dust hex that may have been meant to kill her.
Now Kallie has to use every bit of hoodoo knowledge and bayou-bred mojo she possesses to clear her own name and find the killer—even as that dark sorcerer hunts Kallie and her friends. But Kallie’s search for the truth soon leads her in a direction she never anticipated—back home to Bayou Cyprés Noir, and to Gabrielle LaRue, Kallie’s aunt, protector, and hoodoo mentor . . . who is looking more and more like she just might be the one who wants Kallie dead.
Unspeakable (Book #2 in the Tracers series) by Laura Giffin available on June 29th.
Elaina McCord’s dream of being an FBI profiler is threatened by her very first case—investigating a string of murders near a Texas beach resort. The victims, all young women, were drugged and brutally murdered, their bodies abandoned in desolate marshland. Elaina’s hunch—met with disbelief by local police—is that these are only the latest offerings from a serial killer who has been perfecting his art for years, growing bolder and more cunning with each strike.
True-crime writer Troy Stockton has a reputation as an irresistible playboy who gets his story at any cost. He’s the last person Elaina should trust, let alone be attracted to. But right now Troy, along with the elite team of forensics experts known as the Tracers, is her only ally in a case that’s turning dangerously personal. A killer is reaching out to Elaina, taunting her, letting her know how ruthless he is and how close he’s getting. Now it’s not just her career that’s in jeopardy—it’s her life. . . .
Simon and Schuster is holding an excellent contest for Unspeakable where One Grand Prize winner will receive a phone call from rising romantic suspense star Laura Griffin, and signed copies of the thrilling Tracers novels, Unspeakable and Untraceable. Runner Up will receive signed copies of the thrilling Tracers novels, Unspeakable and Untraceable. Click here to enter to win.
Bring on the Night by Jeri Smith-Ready available on July 27th.
WHAT’S BLOOD GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin seems to finally have it all. A steady job at WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll. A loving relationship with the idiosyncratic but eternally hot DJ Shane McAllister. A vampire dog who never needs shots or a pooper-scooper. And after nine years, it looks as if she might actually finish her bachelor’s degree!
But fate has other plans for Ciara. First she must fulfill her Faustian bargain with the Control, the paranormal paramilitary agency that does its best to keep vampires in line. Turns out the Control wants her for something other than her (nonexistent) ability to kick undead ass. Her anti-holy blood, perhaps? Ciara’s suspicions are confirmed when she’s assigned to a special-ops division known as the Immanence Corps, run by the Control’s oldest vampire and filled with humans who claim to have special powers. To a confirmed skeptic like Ciara, it sounds like a freak fest. But when a mysterious fatal virus spreads through Sherwood—and corpses begin to rise from their graves—Ciara will not only get a crash course in zombie-killing, but will be forced to put her faith, and her life itself, in the hands of magic.
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