The Devil Wears Plaid Book Winners!

The winners of The Devil Wears Plaid Book giveaway are:

Demmi

Anita Yancey

Tore

Susan1215
Sotheara

Winner, please email me your mailing address at KatiebabsgATgmailDOTcom to get your prize!

Thank you to everyone that entered.

Why Stacia Kane's Chess Putnam Series Works For Me

All that anyone was talking about last month on the majority of the blogs I read was all about Stacia Kane's  Chess Putnam series. This is a dark and gritty world about a drug addicted heroine where facts are truth, meaning that religion and the belief in god and a peaceful afterlife has been rejected. For Stacia to come up with a heroine, who not only pops pills, but snorts and sometimes injects drugs, and where faith and spirituality is non-existence, that takes a lot of balls. Stacia Kane is an author with balls because this series is really not for the faint of heart but works so well for me.

For the first time, in a long time, based on all the reviews, I bought Unholy Ghosts, Unholy Magic and City of Ghosts after the non-stop buzzing about Chess and her shaky relationship with the possible anti-hero called Terrible. This is a perfect example of what word of mouth and the power of blogs can do for an author. If not for blogs, I would have never picked up this series. And I'm so happy I did. Count me in as one who now attends the church of Chess Putnam.

Unholy Ghosts (book #1) takes place in a post-apocalyptic word set around the year 2020. Back in 1997, the undead rose up as homicidal ghosts, killing any humans who crossed their path during a week known as Haunted Week. Millions died and not even their churches, the places where they pray and hope for salivation could save them. When all was said and done and the ghosts were defeated, people turned their back on their religious beliefs and the only church to survive (which is a bit of an irony) is the Church of Real Truth. This church is like a religious order, but their beliefs are based on truth. The Real Church now runs the whole world.

The setting of this series takes place in Triumph City, mainly in the Downside neighborhood. Downside is filled with the dregs of society. Run by a drug lord called Bump, he gives the unwashed and pathetic masses a way to escape. One of his "followers" and buyers is Chess Putnam. Chess was only an infant when Haunted Week occurred. She was taken in by the Church as an orphan and trained to be a Churchwitch. Chess has the ability to hunt and eliminate ghosts that still haunt houses and buildings. She's covered with Church sanctioned tattoos and is pretty much protected by the church as their appointed ghost buster. But Chess hides a very deadly secret that could have her excommunicated. Chess is a full blown drug addict. She pops pills, snorts, smokes and swallows anything that will give her that high, and bring her down if need be. Bump is Chess's only supplier and knows he basically owns her because there is no where else she can score her dope. And because of that, he forces her to do some side work for him.

Chess can't stand herself. She lives for her drugs. She's without hope and doesn't believe she has a future. But she's good at her job and it gives her a purpose. Bump has given her a special order where he wants her to get rid of some pesky ghosts at a run down airport so he can import his drugs. She is forced to partner up with Bump's main enforcer, Terrible. Terrible is down right ugly. He wears bowling shirts, drives a black 1969 Chevelle and does all of Bump's dirty work. Bump wants Terrible to watch Chess like a hawk and from that Chess and Terrible start a very interesting friendship. This friendship has so many ups and downs that occur over next two books.

We see Chess navigating through a very dangerous world where she's beaten up in such a way that no normal person would be able to go on. Along with Terrible, who scares Chess half the time, he helps her when she needs it. Then there's Lex, another drug dealer who works for Bump's competitor. Lex ends up kidnapping Chess because he also needs her for some dirty work. He nicknames her Tulip, based on the tulip tattoo she has. And not only is he willing to give her free drugs to get her out from under Bump's hands, but some TLC in the form of unemotional sex.

So here we have Chess, an unstable druggie who can barely make ends meet, looking for her next score, trying to keep a job, and make sure that everyone around her is happy. Chess sacrifices so much because she's being blackmailed from every which end. In Unholy Ghosts, (book #2), we see how much she has come to care for Terrible, who is just as emotionally damaged as Chess is. Terrible wants to be loved, and with Chess he has formed a precious bond. Whereas Terrible sees something special in Chess, she sees the same in him. These two become close, and even closer still, but because of Chess's lies and inability to trust, she ruins everything she and Terrible have because she continues to keep Lex on the side. The moment Terrible figures this out, he is destroyed, and in turn rips out Chess's heart.

Then in City of Ghosts (book 3), we see Chess at her worst. Her work is killing her, the drugs she's taking has increased, where she can barely keep it together, and Terrible rages against her. Not only are the ghosts Chess tires to exterminate are one the rise, but there's a deadly underground type of cult that wants Chess dead. Chess is near suicidal in her actions and thinking mainly because of her guilt regarding Terrible.

Trying to explain why this series has me hooked is a hard one. Chess is a tough character to like. She has her TSTL moments and for all purposes should be dead. How she functions on the amount of smack she ingests is as much of the fantasy as these books are. Chess is the only heroine I've read that has almost has no soul. She is almost pathetic, but still gives up a good fight and refuses to surrender.

Chess reminds me of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake. The Anita I remembered, before I stopped reading the series, is one who keeps people at a distance, but is looking for that one person to understand and love her unconditionally, faults and all. In this instance, the relationship between Chess and Terrible comes to mind. Talk about two opposites in everyway. Terrible becomes Chess's rock, her salvation, and it happens quite suddenly.

Chess is not always likable, and I'm waiting for someone, perhaps Terrible to give her the wake up she needs in regards to her drug addiction. Has anyone else noticed that Terrible doesn't feel the need to lose himself into the oblivion of drugs like Chess does? But, I don't expect much where Chess is concerned. The way Stacia ends City of Ghosts gives me hope that Chess will find some inner peace, if only for a small period of time. And those who are fans of this series, knows what may save her. Stacia has given us that with an amazing, stand up and cheer cliffhanger in City of Ghosts that has me dying for the next book.

The Downside world is harsh and the street lingo confusing at understand at times. There is gore, bloody and spooky magic. Those who are also very spiritual may have a tough time reading as well.

I don’t know how Stacia has done it, but she has created a world that is electric and inspiring to both readers and a writers. Chess Putnam is the bomb, and the woman who has invented her is very much the same. *in order to get the "bomb" reference, you must read City of Ghosts. The last three pages are full of awesome*

Unholy Ghost and Unholy Magic both get B+'s and City of Ghosts gets an A- and in my top 20 for 2010. (Del Ray Books)

Another Gag Me Literary Paranormal Mash-Up? *Dick and Jane and Vampires*

It's an actual book. But, why no sparkles?

Why do I have a bad feeling a Dr. Seuss mash-up maybe in the works? Dead Green Eggs and Zombie Ham anyone?

Dick and Jane and Vampires from Grosset & Dunlap for those 5 years and up. You can start them early on their vampire fetish.

Synopsis: When innocent Dick and Jane meet a creepy, cape-wearing vampire, the unexpected happens: he becomes their friend! Dick and Jane and Vampires borrows from the classic stories and art we all know and love, but adds an of-the-moment twist: a vampire, illustrated in the classic Dick and Jane style.

Blameless Book Review *Gail Carriger*

**If you haven't read Soulless, you may not want to read this review because it will have spoilers in regards to that book. And there will be a spoiler discussed in Blameless that has made me less than pleased with the outcome of the book**

When we last left Lady Alexia Maccon, she had been thrown out by her husband Conall due to her being pregnant. Seeing as Conall is a centuries old werewolf, there's no possible explanation for Alexia to be pregnant with his child. He comes to the conclusion that she cheated on him and then turned her out. (Conall never stops to think that because Alexia is soulless, and when she touches a supernatural creature, she makes them human. So perhaps while they were intimate, there's a possibility he could get her with child). Alexia has no choice but to move back home with her mother, step-father and two annoying sisters who blame Alexia for their hardships in not finding any men to marry. Alexia is more than perturbed, not only by her husband's disregard, but the fact she's been saddled with an, "infant-inconvenience" as she calls the fetus growing in her womb. She can hardly keep anything down and her appetite has wasted away, another horrid side affect to her pregnancy. This is a woman who loves to eat and now she can't find joy in even that.

And the fact that Alexia is mark for extermination by the vampire community make things very hard indeed. She is almost killed by a group of mechanical ladybugs that infest her carriage. She captures one in a hat box and goes to see Madame Lefoux, a scientist, inventor and owner of a hat shop. Alexia has no one else to turn to, not even her good vampire friend, Lord Akeldama, who can give her sanctuary. He has gone missing, and now without the protection of her husband, Alexia and the baby she carries have been marked for death. She needs to figure out how and why she has gotten pregnant so she can show her husband that she hasn't been canoodling with another man. She, along with Madame Lefoux, and her dead father's former valet, Floote, will travel to Italy, not only for Alexia's safety but to find her roots, since her father was Italian and a soulless like she is.

Italy is just as precarious as England, with vampire assassins following their every move and a religious group called the Templars who welcome Alexia, but with disdain. They believe Alexia is a demon and have a devious plan regarding her. With only her specially made parasol as a weapon, and her analytical thinking, Alexia, as always, must save herself.

Blameless is book three in Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series. The reason I read these books is because of the character of Alexia. She is so very adorable with her thinking and dry wit. This woman gets in to so much trouble and, even with the possibility of death breathing down her neck, all she can think about is food. The reason she loves Italy is because of the pesto. But unfortunately for Alexia, her child causes her a great amount of grief. She isn't sure how she should feel toward her unborn baby. She is fearful she doesn't have maternal instincts and may not care for her child. Her goal in finding out why she is pregnant moves along the story, and for once you see a more delicate Alexia. She's hurting a great deal because her husband has cruelly turned his back on her. Alexia maybe very vocal about Lord Maccon's faults, but he's the only one who has given her true affection, something she can no longer live without.

Now where do I start with Conall Maccon, the alpha of the werewolf pack of London? I'm deeply perturbed by the way he has treated Alexia. If you're expecting him and Alexia to have a great deal of interaction in Blameless, you will be very disappointed. I was peeved, not only by the way Conall is portrayed this time around, but when he comes to the conclusion how wrong he was about Alexia, it was very, very lacking. The word- grovel comes to mind.

Spoiler: *Highlight to read*

If you're expecting a big outlandish groveling scene, there is none. This man basically calls his wife horrible names because he thinks she has cheated on him. Because he has turned his back on Alexia, she's no longer under his protection, meaning she's vulnerable and easier to be killed. He never says "I'm sorry" to his wife. And the reason Alexia forgives him is because of two small instances that she thinks shows how much he loves and forgives her. These two actions weren’t good enough for me. I wanted Conall to get down on his knees, crawl like the dog he was and shout to the world how wrong he was. I wanted him to suffer and have to work to regain Alexia's trust. That doesn't happen at all. Because of this I had to give Blameless a lower grade.

I was less than please in the outcome of Alexia and Conall's relationship because Conall didn't do enough, in my opinion, to have Alexia forgive him. The so-called grovel scene was unbelievably lacking. The man even has the nerve to be upset that Alexia didn't do enough on her part to try and make him believe her. I felt robbed in that sense and I hope in the next book that Conall will move Heaven and Earth to make Alexia happy.

Blameless is fun reading and I adore Alexia so much. I love her attitude, the way she looks upon the world and the non-stop loopy adventures she finds herself in. Even though one part of Blameless was less than satisfactory for me, I do look forward to Heartless and can't wait and see how the Maccons start a family. (Orbit, available tomorrow)

Final Grade: B-

WTFckery Or Not? You Decide

Some shocking and eye rolling WTFckery now headed your way!

1. This is a big old WTFckery to us bloggers. If it happens in one state, I can just see the others following. Can you imagine if you're a blogger and must purchase a business license  even if you make next to nothing? The city of Philadelphia wants to make this a new law. From Reuters:

Bloggers Must Purchase Business License in Philly

"The city of Philadelphia is going micro. The cash-strapped city has decided one way to increase revenues will be to require all bloggers to acquire a business license. All blogs with profit making potential via ads or other means must apply for the $50 a year ($300 for lifetime) licenses, no matter how micro the profits from the blog are.

The Philadelphia City Paper cites the example of blogger Marilyn Bess who writes a blog on green living. According to the report, Bess makes a profit of about $50 a year on the work she considers a hobby. But the city would like its share. Any Philadelphia blogger who reports their earnings (no matter how meager) has been asked by the city to pay the $300 for what the city calls a "privilege license" plus taxes.

The City Paper reports that from the city's point of view, they have a right to collect on any business engaged in "activity for profit," says tax attorney Michael Mandale of Center City law firm Mandale Kaufmann. This applies "whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year," he adds. Business licenses are required for any business located within an incorporated city's limits. According to Andrea Mannino of the Philadelphia Department of Revenue, in fact, simply choosing the option to make money from ads -- regardless of how much or little money is actually generated -- qualifies a blog as a business."

2. This F'ed up WTFckery makes me want to scream. From CNN:

Live tiger cub found in suitcase at Thai airport

This two-month old tiger cub was found stuffed in a woman's luggage at Bangkok's international airport

"A live tiger cub hidden in a suitcase filled with stuffed toys was spotted as it went through a luggage X-ray at a major Thai airport, a wildlife trade monitoring network said. Staff at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport contacted authorities after a baggage scan showed an item resembling a real cat in a passenger's over-sized bag, the non-profit organization TRAFFIC said Thursday.

Investigators found a sedated, two-month-old tiger cub when they opened the bag for inspection.

Officials are trying to determine where the cub came from and whether it was caught in the wild or bred in captivity, TRAFFIC said. Authorities found the tiger Sunday in a suitcase belonging to a 31-year-old Thai national, who was scheduled to board a flight for Iran, the organization said."

3. This scares me very much. Creepy horror and sci fi inspired custom knitting, starting at $150. From Brutal Knitting:

4. This maybe considered a WTFckery for some, but I think this is awesome. Would be amazing in coffee for double the caffeine high. From ThinkGeek: Thanks to Chris at Stumbling Across Chaos.

Stay Puff Caffeinated Gourmet Marshmallows!

* Delicious gourmet marshmallows.

* Licensed Ghostbusters product.

* Box is rubbery with a marshmallow feel, for fun after you eat all the mallows.

* 24 square-ish mallows per box.

5. And the Twilight paraphernalia keeps on coming! Who wouldn't want Edward's big head on their toilet seat? This can be all yours for $19.99 (Plus $3.99 shipping and handling) over at Ebay.

Bathroom Toilet Seat Skin Twilight New Moon D2

6. Speaking of Edward, I really feel for this poor cat! From Buzz Feed:

7. This outbreak of bed bugs gives me the willies! I've been checking my own bed every night and suddenly can't stop itching. First a Victoria Secret store, the Empire State Building, the CNN building and now your local movie theater. From Deadline Hollywood:

"New York City's latest bed bug infestation has expanded into movie theaters. Audience members have reported bites at Times Square's AMC Empire 25 and in Harlem's AMC Magic Johnson 9, according to news reports. Yuck! Since then, there've been inspections, exterminations, seat replacements, and more inspections. At least this time, no one is denying there's a problem. (Whereas rumors of a bed bug problem last Thanksgiving was denied by NYC theater chains.) Then again, the current outbreak in NYC office buildings and retail stores have received massive publicity. Suggestions for moviegoers include 1) select washable attire, 2) isolate clothing and shoes upon returning home, 3) dump into a hot wash and dry as soon as possible, 4) leave purses and bags back at home, 5) inspect the popcorn for anything that moves."

8. For the those that like a little musical WTFckery. From Tampon Crafts. There's step by step instructions on how to make your own special tampon flute! *I can't believe there is a blog dedicated to all things tampons. O.O* Thanks to Jackie at Literary Escapism

Tampon Pan Flute

"It’s summer and the birds are singing their sweet songs. Join them with a musical tampon applicator pan flute. This eight-note pan pipe covers an entire octave, so you can play some of your favorite tunes. The hills are alive with the sound of tampons!"

9. For those who want to make a quick exit out of their airplane like the Jet Blue "screw everyone, I'm outta here" steward. From The Presufer:

10. This WTFckery Regretsy is something I would never even dare to pin on myself. These Steampunk type crafts are more than disturbing. *shudder*

Enjoy this week's greatest in WTFckery!

Book Giveaway: Bad Boy by Peter Robinson

If you are a fan of Peter Robinson's books and/or his Inspector Banks series, this contest for you. I have 2 copies of his latest release, Bad Boy to give away.

Synopsis: The acclaimed international bestselling author, Peter Robinson, delivers a fast-paced, nail-biting thriller in which Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks must face his most challenging and personal case yet—one in which he must save his daughter's life in the superbly written novel Bad Boy.

A distraught woman arrives at the Eastvale police station desperate to speak to Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. But since Banks is away on holiday, his partner, Annie Cabbot, steps in. The woman tells Annie that she's found a loaded gun hidden in the bedroom of her daughter, Erin—a punishable offense under English law. When an armed response team breaks into the house to retrieve the weapon, the seemingly straightforward procedure quickly spirals out of control.

But trouble is only beginning for Annie, the Eastvale force, and Banks, and this time, the fallout may finally do the iconoclastic inspector in. For it turns out that Erin's best friend and roommate is none other than Tracy Banks, the DCI's daughter, who was last seen racing off to warn the owner of the gun.

Thrust into a complicated and dangerous case intertwining the personal and the professional as never before, Annie and Banks must risk everything to outsmart a smooth and devious psychopath. Both Annie and Banks understand that it's not just his career hanging in the balance, it's also his daughter's life.

Among Peter Robinson’s award-winning Inspector Banks novels, there are titles which have been named "Best Book of the Year" by Publishers Weekly, a "Notable Book" by The New York Times, and a “Page Turner of the Week” by People. Robinson was born and brought up in Yorkshire, England, and now divides his time between North America and the UK.

Just fill out the form down below by Wednesday September 1st.

KB's Pimpin Cookie Book Covers *Future Releases*

Some future released to keep your eye on...

I can't stand this cover. Girl needs a brush or a hair cut. Mob Rules by Cameron Haley (Book 1 in The Underworld Cycle series) coming from Luna on September 1st.

Synopsis: As LA plunges into an occult gang war, mob sorceress Domino Riley must unravel a conspiracy that reaches beyond the magic-soaked mean streets into a world of myth and legend.

Domino investigates the ritual execution of a mob associate, a graffiti magician named Jamal. The kid isn’t just dead, he’s been squeezed — the killer stole his magical power or “juice.” Domino summons Jamal’s shade, and the ghost points to Adan Rashan as his killer. This is tricky, because Adan is the favored son of Domino’s boss, Shanar Rashan, a six-thousand-year-old Sumerian wizard. It’s even trickier because only a mobbed-up sorcerer could have squeezed Jamal and Adan isn’t a sorcerer.

As the corpses pile up, Domino must confront the killer and unmask an otherworldly kingpin with designs on her gang’s magic-rich turf.

MOB RULES is an urban fantasy novel of murder and magic, betrayal and redemption set in the supernatural underworld of Los Angeles.

Sounds spooky. You Are Next by Katia Lief coming from Avon on September 28th.

Synopsis: He took everything . . . then came back for more.

Former Detective Karin Schaeffer has nothing left to live for after serial killer Martin Price destroys all she holds dear. Known as “The Domino Killer” because he leaves dominoes as a clue to his next victim, Price doesn’t stop until an entire family is destroyed. Even when he’s locked away in prison, the shadow he casts over Karin’s life keeps her in constant darkness.

Then a policeman brings news to her door: Price has escaped. Karin knows where he’s headed because of the message he left behind last time, scrawled in blood, on her bathroom mirror—

You are next.

But Karin Schaeffer refuses to run and hide. She feels no fear and has nothing left to lose. And so she waits. She won’t stand by and let Price harm any more of her family. And she won’t rest until she’s put him back behind bars forever . . . or until one of them is dead.

There are rumors this maybe a paranormal historical. From the blurb it looks like it is. I'm not a big fan of these types of historicals but we'll see how this one goes. And I can't even tell you what Fraternitas Aureae Crucis means.One Touch of Scandal by Liz Carlyle coming from Avon on September 28th.

Synopsis: Grace Gauthier had taken a position as governess hoping to find security and peace in a life that had very little of either. She’s always yearned for a good marriage, a family, and a home, but it was not to be. And when the brutal murder of her employer leaves her unprotected and alone—as Scotland Yard’s prime suspect—she has no one to turn to except the mysterious and reclusive Lord Ruthveyn.

A dark-eyed Lucifer, Ruthveyn guards his secrets carefully. His shadowed past as the Queen’s most trusted agent in India is the stuff of whispered rumor, as is his mixed ancestry. Deeply moved by her plight—and haunted by her beauty—Ruthveyn is determined to save Grace by unmasking a killer. But his growing passion for her soon places his own heart at risk and threatens to expose his dark gifts—and his dark society—to the world .

The Year of Living Scandalously (Secrets of Hadley Green 1) by Julia London coming from Pocket on October 19th.

Synopsis: In 1792, the village of Hadley Green executed a man for stealing the Countess of Ashwood’s historic jewels. Fifteen years later, questions still linger. Was it a crime of greed—or of passion?
When Declan O’Connor, Earl of Donnelly, arrives at Hadley Green to meet with Lily Boudine, the new countess of Ashwood, he immediately recognizes the lovely woman who welcomes him. Pretending to be her cousin Lily in an attempt to avoid an unwanted marriage, Keira Hannigan is staying at the estate while Lily is abroad. When Declan threatens to expose her, Keira convinces him to guard her secret, then enlists him in her investigation of the missing jewels, for she now believes an innocent man was hanged.

Unable to deny the beautiful, exasperating Keira—or their simmering passion—Declan reluctantly agrees. But neither is prepared for the dangerous stranger who threatens to reveal Keira’s lies . . . and Declan knows he must protect Keira at all costs, for she is the woman who now owns his heart.

Black Wings by Christina Henry. Coming from Ace on November 30th.

Synopsis: Meet Maddy Black. She’s an Agent of Death who really needs to get a life.

Escorting souls into the afterlife leaves Maddy little time for socializing—until devilishly handsome Gabriel Angeloscuro agrees to rent the empty apartment in her building. But when demons start appearing on Maddy’s front lawn, she realizes there’s more to her new tenant than meets the eye.

Finally Captain Sean's book! Ride the Fire (Firefighters of Station Five #5) by Jo Davis coming from Signet on December 7th.

Synopsis: After he lost his wife and children to tragedy, Capt. Sean Tanner drowned his pain with alcohol. Now, fresh from rehab, he wants to regain the trust of his team and begin again. The last thing he needs is to have feelings for beautiful firefighter Eve Marshall. But even as they dare to explore their growing desire, Sean learns that his family may have actually been murdered. And that a shadow from his past has returned to finish off Sean-and anyone he loves

This is one freaky looking cover! Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann coming from Simon Pulse on February 8th.

Synopsis: The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace.

Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad.

Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history.

Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Haven by Kristi Cook coming from Simon Pulse on February 22nd.

Synopsis: One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start–a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.
But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there–every student, every teacher–has psychic abilities, ‘gifts and talents,’ they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend–Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye–much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy–if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

I love this series like you wouldn't believe. Archie and Gretchen are so disturbing with their feelings for one another. The Night Season by Chlesea Cain coming from Minotaur Books on March 1st.

Synopsis: With Beauty Killer Gretchen Lowell locked away behind bars once again, Portland detective Archie Sheridan can finally rest. Meanwhile, the city of Portland is in crisis. Several people have drowned in heavy rains that have flooded the Willamette River. But the medical examiner discovers that in fact the latest victim was poisoned before she went into the water—she didn’t drown. A little detective work shows that so far three of those previously thought to be accidental drownings have actually been murdered. Portland has a new serial killer on its hands, and Archie and his task force have a new case. Meanwhile reporter Susan Ward is following up on an entirely separate mystery: the dramatic flooding has unearthed a skeleton, a man who might have died during catastrophic flooding more than sixty years ago that washed away an entire neighborhood and killed at least 15 people.

As Archie follows the bizarre trail of evidence and evil deeds to catch his killer, he has to battle the rising waters of the Willamette first.

Hotter than Wildfire (Protectors #2) by Lisa Marie Rice coming from Avon A on March 22nd.

Synopsis: No one knows who Eve, the mysterious woman with the golden voice, is. Her records have gone platinum, but no one has ever seen her. Former Delta-Op Harry Bolt doesn’t care who she is. All he knows is that her music helped him put his shattered life back together again after Afghanistan.

But then one day, a woman on the run shows up in the security company Harry owns with his blood brothers, Sam Reston and Mike Keillor. RBK Security does a lot of corporate work, but its real mission is to help abused women escape violence. When the damaged beauty shows up on Harry’s doorstep with an army of thugs after her, Harry realizes that this is Eve—the woman of his dreams.

Harry Bolt is her last hope. She knows something that powerful men have killed to keep secret. They are hot on her trail and she desperately needs help. Can Harry keep her safe…or is he one of them? He is tough, hard, scarred. Not the kind of man you can easily trust, but she falls and falls hard.

Will her heart betray her?

Thanks to these blogs for posting some of these covers first:
Super Librarian
Dark Faerie Tales

Jonathan Frazen the Great American Novelist?

A few weeks ago Jonathan Frazen graced the cover of Time Magazine, the first time in over a decade a novelist has been on the cover. Can you guess which author was the first one?

Vogue ran a feature article in their September edition on Frazen where he talks about his August 31st release, Freedom. Can you believe it's been nine years since Corrections was published?

I love the beginning of the Vogue article:

"I like the fact that novels in other languages are called some version of romance,” says Jonathan Franzen, sitting at the antique wood dining table of his book-filled Upper East Side apartment. “Roman in German, roman in French, romanzo in Italian. Because they should be romances for the reader, but they have to before that be romances for the writer. And I initially thought this book was my romance with Patty.”

Synopsis: From the National Book Award-winning author of The Corrections, a darkly comedic novel about family, Patty and Walter Berglund were the new pioneers of old St. Paul — the gentrifiers, the hands-on parents, the avant-garde of the Whole Foods generation. Patty was the ideal sort of neighbor, who could tell you where to recycle your batteries and how to get the local cops to actually do their job. She was an enviably perfect mother and the wife of Walter’s dreams. Together with Walter—environmental lawyer, commuter cyclist, total family man—she was doing her small part to build a better world. But now, in the new millennium, the Berglunds have become a mystery. Why has their teenage son moved in with the aggressively Republican family next door? Why has Walter taken a job working with Big Coal? What exactly is Richard Katz—outré rocker and Walter’s college best friend and rival—still doing in the picture? Most of all, what has happened to Patty? Why has the bright star of Barrier Street become 'a very different kind of neighbor,' an implacable Fury coming unhinged before the street’s attentive eyes?

I haven't read any of Jonathan's work and that means his much honored Corrections. Have any read Corrections, and will you be reading Freedom? What makes Jonathan Frazen a great American novelist? Is he really that amazing of an author?

Oh, and writers, one of Frazen's rule for writing goes as follows: "It's doubtful that anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction (the TIME magazine cover story detailed how Franzen physically disables the Net portal on his writing laptop)."

I think I need to follow that rule more.

Demon From the Dark Book Review *Kresley Cole*

*some spoilers*

There has only been a handful of times where I've read a book and think, "I want to have babies with it." In the case of Kresley Cole's Demon from the Dark, I want to start a whole family with it. The tenth book in Kresley's very popular Immortal After Dark series is too good for words. This is an author who can bring forth the angst and still have you laughing your head off through most of the story. Kresley has a fan for life with me. Demon from the Dark is now my favorite books of hers.

Demon from the Dark introduces Kresely's most damaged and tortured hero yet. Malkom Slaine will have you aching with hurt. This is a demon who was sold by his mother as a child to be a vampire's blood slave. He then is saved by Prince Kallen, who becomes his best friend and confidant. Unfortunately he and Kallen are taken by Viceroy, the ruthless leader of the vampires. Viceroy decides to change both men into vampires as his ultimate revenge. When the bloodlust becomes too powerful for them both to ignore, one of them will end up killing the other in order to quench their thirst. It's not too hard to guess who kills whom. And this all happens in the prologue.

Fast forward to present day where the party girl witch and everything of the snark, Carrow Graie has been kidnapped along with her fellow immortal creatures by the Order. The Order is a group run by Declan Chase, who is experimenting and torturing the immortals and has no qualms about it. He is sinister and possibly evil, especially since the one he loves to torture most of all is Carrow's friend, the Valkyrie, Regin the Radiant. Also with Carrow are other familiar faces such as the vampire Lothaire, Lanthe, an evil sorceress, and the demon-angel Thronos who wants revenge against Lanthe. Chase wants Carrow to capture a vampiric demon, known as a vemon, and it happens to be Malkom. Carrow gives Chase the big old finger but he has something up his sleeve to make her do what he wants. Carrow has no choice but to accept and will go into the demon hell place of Oblivion where she has seven days to bring Malkom back with her.

Carrow enters Oblivion with only the clothes on her back and is in for a huge wake up call because the nasty creatures that reside there are way out of her league. Her first meeting with Malkom goes very badly. It looks like Carrow is his mate and now Malkom wants to claim her. But there's a small problem. First Malkom only speaks Demonish with a smattering of Latin. Plus he's not big on hygiene, as in he doesn't shave or bathes. And his way of courting Carrow is throwing her the head of some disgusting ghoul he decapitated. At first Carrow thinks Malkom is this big bloodthirsty demon, but then after he saves her a few times from death, she goes off with him to his lair and get him to trust her.

Malkom is incredibly lonely, but thinks now that he has his mate he can build a home and create offspring with her. But first he has to try to find a way to communicate with her and hold back from sucking her blood. And not only does he want her with every part of his being, but Carrow refuses to have sex with him. She'll give him little taste as long as he let's her bathe him and give him a haircut.

Soon these two have created a fragile trust and for once Malkom has hope that he will be loved. He thinks Carrow is his savior, but has no clue what she has planned. Carrow is falling for the big lug, but she knows if she hands him over to the Others, he will hate her make her suffer for her deceit.

Demon from the Dark is a rip roaring, action packed hotter than the steam rising off the cement paranormal tale that I'm urging everyone to read. The way Kresley can balance these tragic characters with some light hearted moments amazes me. Malkom is a big old teddy bear by the time Carrow gets through with him and we're given insight on Carrow's psyche and why she acts the way she does. Carrow may seem spoiled and undeserving, but that all changes, especially when she's with Malkom. There's a big scene where Malkom puts his total trust in Carrow, simply by taking a bath. These two are tender, loving and one of the most emotional love scenes I've read this year. And I will get this out in the open and say that Malkom doesn't know how to be around a woman. He's never even touched one. I can assume you know what this means.

The action doesn't let up and so many things come to light that will shock you. My mouth dropped when I figured out why Chase acts the way he does and it's quite the doozy. And things end on such a cliffhanger regarding two characters that need to be the stars of their own books.

I cannot give enough praise to Demon from the Dark and the incredible world building and creativity that shines through these pages. I simply bow down to Kresley's skill at bringing to life Malkom, Carrow and the whole cast of characters that has me so excited to read.

Demon from the Dark will be in my top five favorite books for 2010 and gets a big two thumbs up as a must read book.

Final Grade: A

Favorite Paragraph that had me in stitches:

"Latin?" I suck at Latin. Carrow just memorized it for spells or used it for fun. More than once, she'd slurred, Carrowicus, much drunkicus or Hot-assicus in my greedy handsicus.

Also, the conversation on page 121 where Carrow says the only thing she knows in Demonish to Malkom will have you dying from laughter.

A few other Demon from the Dark reviews:
Book Faery
Paranormal Haven
Smokin' Hot Books

Cover Alert: Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh

This cover has been making the rounds in the blogsphere, so here I am doing my part. I give you Archangel's Consort (Guild Hunter series, Book #3) by Nalini Singh coming from Berkley on January 25th.

Synopsis: When vampire hunter Elena Deveraux became an angel, with magnificent wings the colours of midnight and dawn, it turned her world upside down. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, is used to being in control even when it comes to the woman he considers his own.

But Elena has never done well with authority …especially not when it seems Raphael is the one who needs her help. The archangels may be almost all-powerful, but there are some things that only a Guild Hunter can get done, and Elena and Raphael may be heading for their most dangerous investigation yet.

Purple is one of my favorite colors. And if you haven't picked up this series yet, I recommend you do. Raphael will make you sigh in pleasure... much like Elena does around him.

Sin Undone Book Review *Larissa Ione*

Sin is the only female Seminus demon alive who is also master assassin. She has never counted on anyone but herself, including her twin brother Lore. Sin also has a raging libido but can control it because of her tattoo on her right arm called the dermoire. Sin must stay ruthless and show no sign of weakness. But she's been feeling guilty lately because she is responsible for unleashing a virus that's killing wargs, better known as werewolves. If she and her half-brothers, who work at Underground General, a supernatural hospital, can't stop the plague they have named Sin Fever (after her), it will destroy the wargs and may jump to other creatures and perhaps even humans.
Paramedic Conall Dearghul is half-werewolf, half vampire, known as a dhampire. He and Sin acted on their physical attraction once. But as soon as Sin was done with him, she pushed him away. Conall is more than bent out of shape about Sin treating him like dirt, but he can't stop thinking of her. He may just get more than he bargains for when he and Sin team up together to stop the virus.

Not only do they have to stop this deadly virus, but Sin has to stay on her toes since she has been marked for death. And Conall is being forced to take his seat on the Warg Council and fulfill his dhampire duties where he must mate with the females to build up their population. Soon he and Sin are on the run, hiding from those that want to eliminate them both. Sin refuses to become a victim since she has been one before. Conall wants her to lean on him for support and show her that it's alright for her to feel and love.

Sin Undone (Demonica book #5) is the final book in Larissa Ione's Demonica series that fans will not want to miss. Please give me a moment while I mourn because this series is just too good to end. I had joked that Larissa loves to make her heroes suffer (mainly through their physical reaction to sex. The phrase, "blue balls" comes to mind. Larissa is evil like that and I thank her for it)

Sin is haunted by both her past and present, and has no choice but to become cold hearted and sometimes cruel in order to survive. She has killed in the past and will do so again with no remorse. But of course there is more to her than meets the eye. When Conall comes into her life and forces her to reflect on her actions, that's where she begins to forgive herself and those horrendous deeds she was forced to do. She has a true support system from family, friends and even with Conall who wants her as his. Conall doesn't want to own Sin or force her to please him for his own gains. As they come to rely on one another, he sees how special she is, and Sin in turn opens her heart to him. And the passion and sex between is hotter than hot. Larissa Ione writes good sex. Her sex scenes are some of the hottest I've read in a paranormal romance series. You can practically taste the lust and desire Conall and Sin have for one another. These two have great chemistry even as they hurl insults at one another.

Sin Undone doesn't disappoint and makes way for yet a new set of characters and books, in her soon to be released Lord of Deliverance series.

Thank you Larissa for giving us kick ass heroines, alpha, yet protective heroes who make women sigh in lust and a series that has raised the bar for what a paranormal should embody. (Grand Central Publishing)

Final Grade: B+

A few other Sin Undone reviews:
Book Faery
Love to Read for Fun
Paranormal Haven

Cover Alert: This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Because some book covers just need their own special spotlight and this is one of them!

This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress book #5) by Jeaniene Frost coming from Avon on February 22nd.

*Awesome stepback*

Cat and Bones are one of my favorite couples in all of paranormal romance. And Jeaniene always has winners with her Night Huntress covers. I spy lickable bone arm tattoos. *Lick*

Synopsis: Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they’ve triumphed over the latest battle, Cat’s new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance…

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing.  A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous “ally”—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war. …to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Now just waiting on a hot Cat and Bones pleaseletitbeachapter32likescene excerpt.

Tina Donahue Guest Post and Book Giveaway

A Hero to Die For. . .

Let’s face it, ladies, the reason we read romance, whether it’s sweet, erotic, or somewhere in between, is because we crave a hero. One with honor, integrity, who’ll do anything for his woman. . .who’ll lay down his life for her if he must.

When I was writing my upcoming erotic romance In His Arms, I wanted an alpha male, who’s not only assertive and commanding, but a guy whose world shifts when he meets the woman he loves. For her, he’ll do anything – he’s not only her lover, he’s her protector. From the very beginning of In His Arms, I incorporated that concept into RJ, my hero. To show you what I mean, here’s a blurb and an excerpt.

BLURB:

Owned by one man, loved by another. . .

Abducted and delivered into sexual slavery, Lori has surrendered her will in order to survive. For more than a decade, she’s been known as Summer, a lovely submissive, her owner’s possession until he gives her to his newest lieutenant, a mysterious man called RJ. Commanding and virile, RJ dominates without cruelty and possesses without threat, engendering a mixture of safety and passion. In his strong arms, Summer enjoys carnal pleasure she’s never known and tenderness she’s craved. In his heated gaze, she experiences a sense of recognition she doesn’t immediately understand until it proves dangerous in a way she could never have imagined. Bound by desire and their growing love, RJ traverses the shadowy world of human trafficking, risking all for Summer’s freedom only to learn she harbors a fateful secret that threatens to tear her from him, leading to an irrevocable event that risks both their lives.

EXCERPT: (In this scene, Summer has just learned that her owner, Anthony, has given her to RJ)

Hogan closed the door and threw the deadbolt. Arms crossed over his chest, he turned and spoke to the stranger while inclining his head to her. “This is Summer. She’s yours to do with however you please from now on.”

His odd words broke the stranger’s grip on Summer. She jerked her head to Hogan and spoke without thinking. “What are you talking about?”

He lifted his hand to run his thumb over his jaw. “You belong to RJ now. You’re his gift from Mr. Karam.”

Summer’s eyes flew to RJ, then back to Hogan. This wasn’t about RJ enjoying her for the evening as compensation for saving Anthony’s life? She belonged to him now? What did that mean? Where would he take her? For how long would she be away? Would she ever return to Anthony? If she didn’t, she’d never again—

No. She stopped her thoughts, refusing to consider losing the only thing keeping her alive. Her shoulders tightened and her fingers drew into tense fists. Why this? What had she done this time? Her lungs burned for air, the room lurched. Hadn’t Anthony hurt her enough for running away five years ago? His never-ending punishment was worse than if he’d killed her. She lived with it each day of her life.

Unable to bear it any longer, she shook her head so hard the ends of her hair whipped her cheeks. “No,” she cried, the word wrapped in a plea. “I won’t go with—”

Hogan interrupted in a barely controlled voice. “What do you mean, you won’t?” He moved toward her swiftly, causing her to retreat several steps. Summer’s head snapped to the side as her hip and thigh bumped one of the chairs.

Hogan continued to crowd her, cutting off every chance of escape, his tone threatening. “You think you’re going to tell us what to do? Is that it? Like fucking hell. You’ve been trouble from the start. It’s time someone taught you some manners.”

In a flash of movement, RJ grabbed Hogan’s arm before he could strike her, yanking him away from Summer. Hogan’s thick fingers folded downward, making a fist. Grunting and fighting, he tried to free himself. RJ held onto him easily, the tips of his fingers digging into the man’s suit jacket.

Strained breaths pumped past Hogan’s lips. His florid face matched the shade of Farrell’s hair. He growled, “Get your fucking hand off of me.”

Summer saw RJ’s fingers squeezing even harder, blanching the tips. Sweat dotted Hogan’s forehead.

Breathing easily, speaking in that same calm yet deadly voice, RJ warned, “Don’t touch her. Understand?”

Hogan heaved a breath and yanked his arm one last time. It remained imprisoned, his Italian silk jacket ripping instead. He swore loudly.

RJ’s jaw tightened with his next squeeze. “Understand?” he repeated through his teeth, his manner proving he didn’t care if Hogan was one of Anthony’s most valued lieutenants or that he had a gun and wouldn’t hesitate to use it to right a perceived wrong. RJ seemed to believe Anthony would support him in this dispute.

Huffing at the pain, Hogan blurted, “Yeah, I fucking understand.” RJ released him. Hogan backed away quickly, rubbing his arm, his head twisted to the right to inspect his ruined sleeve.

RJ continued to face the man, his large frame deliberately between Hogan and her, strong, protective.

Summer’s heart began to slow.

RJ turned to her. “Are you all right?”

Her gaze shot to Hogan.

“Are you?” RJ asked again, his voice insistent.

Summer met his eyes and nodded.

He didn’t look as if he believed her. “Come here,” he said, holding out his hand. “It’s all right. No one’s going to hurt you.”

At the sound of his voice and words, gentle, not threatening, something inside Summer shifted, confusing her as to whether she should trust him or if she should remain cautious. She forced down a swallow and approached slowly, glancing at his hand.

He lowered it, his long fingers relaxed.

Stopping in front of him, Summer glanced at his beautifully chiseled mouth while she awaited his next move.

He didn’t touch her or speak. Silence pressed in on them, the quiet interrupted only by the rush of wind against the windows, the faint ticking of an antique clock on the mantle, her pounding pulse.

She stared at the dark stubble on his upper lip and caught a hint of soap on his skin, light, fresh as spring air with a trace of lime. The scent of his leather jacket lingered on his sweater, a powerful, masculine fragrance.

Far taller than her, he appeared broader than she’d first thought, his body potently male.

Her heart beat so fitfully, her body weakened.

At last, she tilted her face upward and met his eyes. Her breath caught. Dark gray flecks, stormier than the blue, intensified the color of his irises, increasing their allure. She searched for any signs of brutality and saw none. Instead, he looked at her with patience and curiosity.

“Why don’t you want to go with me?” he asked in a soft voice.

For any other woman, the question might have seemed ludicrous. For Summer, it was not. For over a decade, her role had been to obey.

This time, she could not. There was too much to lose, a matter she couldn’t reveal to RJ. Nor the fact that if he took her away, she’d escape him as surely as she had once done with Anthony. Only this time she’d return willingly to Anthony’s compound and beg him to let her stay. He’d given her no choice. For as long as she lived, his world would trap her.

“I don’t know you,” she said, unable to think of any other excuse.

“Then we’ll have to change that, don’t you think?”

Having no idea what to say, hopeless to answer, she simply looked at him.

He held her gaze for moments, then murmured, “I won’t hurt you.” He ran his knuckles over her cheek to her jaw, pausing before going further, as though wordlessly asking for her permission.

Summer’s heart continued to beat painfully while her skin tingled from his gentle touch.

This is the beginning of Summer and RJ’s remarkable journey into love, and danger. . .

In His Arms will be available September 3 Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8593-50-in-his-arms.aspx

Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary, historical and erotic romance. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work; she has reached finals and /or placed in numerous RWA–sponsored contests. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern.

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

CONTEST TIME!
To celebrate the upcoming release of In His Arms, I’m offering a contest today. One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of my following books**:

1. Lush Velvet Nights – ebook
2. Adored – ebook
3. Deep, Dark, Delicious – ebook
4. Close to Perfect – mass market paperback
5. Bad Boys with Red Roses – trade paperback
6. Take My Breath Away – trade paperback

** Winner chosen at random. Winner in continental US has her choice of one of the six. Winner outside continental US has her choice of one of the ebooks

The Devil Wears Plaid Book Giveaway and Teresa Medeiros Twitter Chat

The Devil Wears Plaid

By Teresa Medeiros

On Sale: 8/24/10

ISBN: 9781439157886

Price: $7.99 ($9.99 CAN)

Description: Passion sparks in USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Teresa Medeiros's irresistibly tempting new romance after a sexy Highlander kidnaps his rival's spirited English bride Emmaline Marlowe is about to wed the extremely powerful laird of the Hepburn clan to save her father from debtor's prison when ruffian Jamie Sinclair bursts into the abbey on a magnificent black horse and abducts her in one strong swoop. Though he is Hepburn's sworn enemy, Emma's mysterious captor is everything her bridegroom is not—handsome, virile, dangerous . . . and a perilous temptation for her yearning heart.

Jamie expects Emma to be some milksop English miss, not a fiery, defiant beauty whose irresistible charms will tempt him at every turn. But he cannot allow either one of them to forget he is her enemy and she his pawn in the deadly Highland feud between the clans. So why does he still want her so badly for himself? Stealing his enemy's bride was simple, but can he claim her innocence without losing his heart?

I have 5 copies of The Devil Wears Plaid to giveaway! For your chance to win, leave a comment here by Saturday August 28th. This is open to US residents only and no PO boxes please.

And even more fun is in store because Teresa will be doing a live Twitter chat today at 4 pm EST.

Please follow @TeresaMedeiros using the Hash Tag #chatPAD. Just tweet away with your questions and Teresa will answer them!