Welcome to another Friday! Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Review - Hard Day's Knight by John Hartness
Hard Day's Knight by John G. HartnessMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I put off writing this review because any words I put together would not do this book the justice it deserves. The writing is amazing. The main characters, two vampires who were turned in the 90s, and stayed the exact way they were then, are hilarious! James Black and Greg Knightswood form Black Knight Investigations. They are normal, everyday kind-of guys that I would probably love hanging out with. They play video games, read comic books, are not physically perfect, steal to get by, and definitely don’t sparkle, which James reminds us, “I don’t sparkle, I’m no more perpetually horny than anyone (or anything) else, and I don’t use my vampire powers to get laid. Much.”
This kind of snarky narrative continues throughout the entire story. I loved it! I laughed out loud. It made for a fast, fun read, and I still got into the plot and the characters. I can’t wait to read the next installments in this series.
I don’t have a whole lot to say, except that this was a fun, refreshing, action-packed vampire story. There were demons, zombies, possessed middle-schoolers, fallen angels, a priest who is the boys’ best friend, a hot detective lady, who James falls for, and lots and lots of action. This is a must read for any fan of the urban fantasy genre!
View all my reviews
Check out the Hard Day's Knight Blog Tour!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Demon Kiss Blog Tour: Interview and Giveaway!!
Welcome to the next stop on The Demon Kiss blog tour!
Today, we have an interview with author Lacey Weatherford, and your chance to win your very own copy of The Demon Kiss!
Lacey Weatherford, author of The Demon Kiss, thanks so much for taking time to hang out with us!
We’re talking about The Demon Kiss, the 2nd book in the Of Witches and Warlocks series. I know there are at least 4 books available, how many books do you have planned for this series?
There will be five books total. The first three are released now, and book four, The Dark Rising, is coming soon, near the end of June. I’m still working on the end of book five right now. It’s been a lot of fun.
What drew you to write about witches and warlocks?
Well the idea itself was actually sparked by a comment during a hair dying experience with my oldest daughter. But I’ve had a life long fascination with witches too, so it was easy for me to run with the idea and see what would come of it. I think they’re a fun subject matter because one can do so many things with a paranormal storyline that revolves around magic.
Can you sum up the series in one sentence?
Unconditional love meets the destructive terror of demonic evil and fights to survive it.
What has been the best part about writing this series?
I think it’s been just seeing it take on a life of its own and begin to build a fan base of wonderful people. Writing was something I always hoped I would be able to do someday, but I never really knew if it would happen, so it’s nice to see things progress to the point that I have readers frequently contacting me to share things about the books. That’s really awesome! I love visiting with everyone and hearing what they have to say.
What has been the hardest part?
I’m pretty impatient, so I like to see instant results which is kind of hard to do as a writer. I would love to have that magic wand that could just take a story out of my head and put it right on the paper for me. I also get excited to see reader reactions to things too, so sometimes it’s difficult to keep the secrets and twists to myself. I do it, but I don’t like it!
Do you have a favorite place where you go to write?
I actually spent most of my time writing this series propped up by pillows on my bed with my laptop. But we recently purchased a gigantic sectional for our family room that has a huge chaise lounge piece on it. That is quickly becoming my favorite place to write.
Can you give us 3 random facts about you?
Sure! Let me think….hmmm.
1. I would have a purse to match every single outfit if it didn’t put my husband into such an apoplectic fit every time I bought one.
2. I’m a texting junkie. My BFF and I send texts about every five minutes throughout the day. I think we average about 15,000 texts a month.
3. I absolutely stink at math. I can do all the basics, but when it starts getting into algebra and higher…forget it. It’s like a steel wall closes down in my head.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I’m a huge football fan. I will drop EVERYTHING to go watch my son play football. I like to watch college and pro football with my son too. I also enjoy blogging and reading, so I spend a lot of time doing those since I have a book blog to keep up, and of course I just love hanging out with my wonderful family, either at home, or going out to dinner and the movies, or inviting the extended family over for dinner parties. They’re a great bunch of people!
What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
Well, I plan to stick around the book world for a while. I have another book written that I want to release after this series that’s a fantasy/fairytale, plus a few others that I’ve outlined or written some chapters on already. I want to keep blogging, and I’ve played around with the idea of starting a publishing company in the future too. But writing is my first love, so I guess we will see how it goes!
Quickies- Favorites:
Cookie- Pea-choco-scotch! It’s my own recipe that is a peanut butter cookie dough with milk chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch morsels in it. (And sometimes walnuts.)
Comfort food- Chocolate! Preferably my sis-in-law’s hand dipped chocolates, but Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups will do in a pinch too!
Drink- Water!! I love water- can’t get enough of it! But if we are partying then Otai is my favorite. I have a fabulous Tongan aunt who got us all hooked on this Polynesian delight which is a blend of mashed up watermelon, coconut, and pineapple mixed with water, coconut milk and sugar. It’s a chunky drink that you have to chew along with, but it is AMAZING! Look it up and give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.
Music - I love everything from opera musicals to rock-n-roll. If I’m writing though, I’m probably listening to some pop rock, alternative, or techno stuff like The Veronicas, Breaking Benjamin, and soooo much more!
Movie - It’s too hard for me to pick a favorite, because I love so many. Movies I’ve watched a billion times? The Phantom of the Opera, Queen Victoria, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Gone with the Wind, A Walk to Remember, Father of the Bride 1 & 2, The Cutting Edge 3, and the list goes on and on.
Book- Same thing…too hard to pick! Classic favorites are Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, & Tom Sawyer. Recent favorites, The Mortal Instruments series, Nightshade, Shiver, and anything with a hot romance in it!
Author - L.M. Montgomery. Her writing style and scene descriptions are spectacular!
Finally, any advice for aspiring writers out there?
YES! First, if you have the dream, then do it! Second, polish it and get critiques to make sure it’s were it needs to be. Third, RESEARCH the reputation of every agent and publishing house that you are going to submit to! There are sharks waiting to take advantage. You can avoid them by going to the Predators and Editors website and see what kind of information is available for the company you want to do business. Protect your work by getting it into the best hands who will work for you!
Thanks for hosting me! :D
Thanks so much for answering all our questions! :)There will be five books total. The first three are released now, and book four, The Dark Rising, is coming soon, near the end of June. I’m still working on the end of book five right now. It’s been a lot of fun.
What drew you to write about witches and warlocks?
Well the idea itself was actually sparked by a comment during a hair dying experience with my oldest daughter. But I’ve had a life long fascination with witches too, so it was easy for me to run with the idea and see what would come of it. I think they’re a fun subject matter because one can do so many things with a paranormal storyline that revolves around magic.
Can you sum up the series in one sentence?
Unconditional love meets the destructive terror of demonic evil and fights to survive it.
What has been the best part about writing this series?
I think it’s been just seeing it take on a life of its own and begin to build a fan base of wonderful people. Writing was something I always hoped I would be able to do someday, but I never really knew if it would happen, so it’s nice to see things progress to the point that I have readers frequently contacting me to share things about the books. That’s really awesome! I love visiting with everyone and hearing what they have to say.
What has been the hardest part?
I’m pretty impatient, so I like to see instant results which is kind of hard to do as a writer. I would love to have that magic wand that could just take a story out of my head and put it right on the paper for me. I also get excited to see reader reactions to things too, so sometimes it’s difficult to keep the secrets and twists to myself. I do it, but I don’t like it!
Do you have a favorite place where you go to write?
I actually spent most of my time writing this series propped up by pillows on my bed with my laptop. But we recently purchased a gigantic sectional for our family room that has a huge chaise lounge piece on it. That is quickly becoming my favorite place to write.
Can you give us 3 random facts about you?
Sure! Let me think….hmmm.
1. I would have a purse to match every single outfit if it didn’t put my husband into such an apoplectic fit every time I bought one.
2. I’m a texting junkie. My BFF and I send texts about every five minutes throughout the day. I think we average about 15,000 texts a month.
3. I absolutely stink at math. I can do all the basics, but when it starts getting into algebra and higher…forget it. It’s like a steel wall closes down in my head.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I’m a huge football fan. I will drop EVERYTHING to go watch my son play football. I like to watch college and pro football with my son too. I also enjoy blogging and reading, so I spend a lot of time doing those since I have a book blog to keep up, and of course I just love hanging out with my wonderful family, either at home, or going out to dinner and the movies, or inviting the extended family over for dinner parties. They’re a great bunch of people!
What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
Well, I plan to stick around the book world for a while. I have another book written that I want to release after this series that’s a fantasy/fairytale, plus a few others that I’ve outlined or written some chapters on already. I want to keep blogging, and I’ve played around with the idea of starting a publishing company in the future too. But writing is my first love, so I guess we will see how it goes!
Quickies- Favorites:
Cookie- Pea-choco-scotch! It’s my own recipe that is a peanut butter cookie dough with milk chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch morsels in it. (And sometimes walnuts.)
Comfort food- Chocolate! Preferably my sis-in-law’s hand dipped chocolates, but Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups will do in a pinch too!
Drink- Water!! I love water- can’t get enough of it! But if we are partying then Otai is my favorite. I have a fabulous Tongan aunt who got us all hooked on this Polynesian delight which is a blend of mashed up watermelon, coconut, and pineapple mixed with water, coconut milk and sugar. It’s a chunky drink that you have to chew along with, but it is AMAZING! Look it up and give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.
Music - I love everything from opera musicals to rock-n-roll. If I’m writing though, I’m probably listening to some pop rock, alternative, or techno stuff like The Veronicas, Breaking Benjamin, and soooo much more!
Movie - It’s too hard for me to pick a favorite, because I love so many. Movies I’ve watched a billion times? The Phantom of the Opera, Queen Victoria, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Gone with the Wind, A Walk to Remember, Father of the Bride 1 & 2, The Cutting Edge 3, and the list goes on and on.
Book- Same thing…too hard to pick! Classic favorites are Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, & Tom Sawyer. Recent favorites, The Mortal Instruments series, Nightshade, Shiver, and anything with a hot romance in it!
Author - L.M. Montgomery. Her writing style and scene descriptions are spectacular!
Finally, any advice for aspiring writers out there?
YES! First, if you have the dream, then do it! Second, polish it and get critiques to make sure it’s were it needs to be. Third, RESEARCH the reputation of every agent and publishing house that you are going to submit to! There are sharks waiting to take advantage. You can avoid them by going to the Predators and Editors website and see what kind of information is available for the company you want to do business. Protect your work by getting it into the best hands who will work for you!
Thanks for hosting me! :D
Leave a comment for your chance to win The Demon Kiss from Lacey Weatherford. Contest open until June 1st. Leave a way for to contact you.
Author Bio:
Lacey Weatherford has always had a love of books. She wanted to become a writer after reading her first Nancy Drew novel at the age of eight.
When she is not reading, writing, blogging, or doing book tours for her current series, she can often be found out at sporting/musical events which her kids are in or texting like crazy with her best friend.
Lacey resides in the White Mountains of Arizona, where she lives with her husband, six children, one son-in-law, and the family dog Sophie.
There are more goodies in store for you on this tour!
The Demon Kiss Tour Grand Prize:
The Grand Prize winner will receive swag, signed copies of books 1, 2, 3, & 4, AND will be written into an interactive scene with VANCE in book four too!
Want extra entries? You can get 1 more entry for every time you comment on the tour, and 5 more entries for every time you send a Tweet or Facebook the link to that day’s blog post. Make sure you keep track of those as you will be asked to submit verification links when you enter the giveaway.
Good Luck! May the “Vance” be with YOU!
The Grand Prize winner will receive swag, signed copies of books 1, 2, 3, & 4, AND will be written into an interactive scene with VANCE in book four too!
Want extra entries? You can get 1 more entry for every time you comment on the tour, and 5 more entries for every time you send a Tweet or Facebook the link to that day’s blog post. Make sure you keep track of those as you will be asked to submit verification links when you enter the giveaway.
Good Luck! May the “Vance” be with YOU!
Book Purchase Links
The Of Witches and Warlocks series can be ordered in ebook or paperback anywhere books are sold, including Amazon and Smashwords
The Of Witches and Warlocks series can be ordered in ebook or paperback anywhere books are sold, including Amazon and Smashwords
Next Stop on the Tour! May 26 – Alise On Life
Full Tour Schedule HERE...
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Hard Day's Knight Tour Stop: Interview!
Thanks for stopping by on the Hard Day's Knight tour. Today, I'd like to thank author John Hartness for stopping by and answering some questions for us.
We’re talking about Hard Day’s Knight - the 1st book in The Black Knight Chronicles. I see you have book 2 in the works. When can we expect the next installment? Actually I released Book 2 in February of this year, and Book 3 should be out this summer, hopefully by the end of July.
Do you have a plan as to how many books will be in this series? I currently have the major arc planned through the first five or six books. To me that means that I know who the “big bad” will be in that many books, and I have a couple of secondary plots that will carry through that far.
Being a male author in a genre dominated by females, do you find yourself getting compared to Jim Butcher often? Is he any kind of inspiration to you? :) There have been a couple of Butcher comparisons in reviews, and I’m always flattered. I love the Dresden Files, they’re one of my favorite series (especially the audiobooks with James Marsters’ masterful narration). Butcher is a bit of an inspiration, and I think that people who enjoy Harry Dresden’s wry sens of humor will enjoy my books as well. The thing about Butcher that I’m really impressed by, however, is the distinct voices he writes in. His Codex Alera series is so totally different from the Dresden books, and that’s a really tough task, so I’m blown away by that.
What drew you to write paranormal? I’ve been a big comic book nerd forever and a day. From X-Men when I was a kid to Sandman in college, comics have played a huge part in my life. It’s just a logical progression from comics to fantasy lit. Obviously I loved LOTR and The Hobbit when I was in middle school, then in high school I got hooked on The Belgariad, and it was all downhill from there!
What is the hardest part about writing and publishing? Promoting and getting the word out is the hardest part. That’s the bit where I sometimes wish I was traditionally published and could count on a legion of people to do that for me. Then the reality sets in and I realize that nobody’s going to do anything for me regardless of how I’m published, so I buckle down and get to work.
What is the most fun or most rewarding part? Writing dialogue is a lot of fun for me, probably because I’ve done theatre for twenty years or so. But the most rewarding is hearing from people who read and enjoy the books. I was driving along one afternoon after getting an email from someone who loved the first book, and all of a sudden it hit me, “I have fans!” I had a stupid grin on my face for the rest of the day!
What can we expect when we read Hard Day’s Knight? Hopefully, you can expect humor, strong characters that are just like you and me (only vampires), a twist or three on the standard vampire tale, and a couple of really rockin’ fight scenes. There are zombies, demons, fallen angels, vampires and more, oh my!
Can you sum up the book in one, awesome sentence? Non-sparkly nerd vampire detectives try to save the world and get the girl.
Quickies- favorites:
Cookie - Sugar Cookies
Comfort food- Fried Chicken
Drink- Vodka & Cranberry (or Mountain Dew if we’re not “drinking” drinking)
Music- Sam Bush, Reckless Kelly, Robert Earl Keen, The Avett Brothers, John Hiatt
Movie - Dead Poets Society
Book - A Prayer for Owen Meany
Author - Neil Gaiman
Finally, any advice for aspiring authors? Don’t listen the naysayers, just write it! Write the first draft all the way through, no edits - just get it out onto the page. You have your whole life to edit and tweak, but get something written. And defend your work - if your critique group thinks it’s crap, make sure they can write well enough to recognize crap if they step in it. There are a lot of people out there who could have great books written, if they would just get out of their own way and WRITE IT!
Thanks again for stopping by and taking the time to answer my questions!! Thanks so much for having me! I’ll hang around in comments if anyone wants to chat.
Author Bio:
John G. Hartness is a recovering theatre geek who likes loud music, fried pickles and cold beer. He’s been published or accepted online in several journals including The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, cc&d, Deuce Coupe and Truckin’. His first novel, The Chosen, is an urban fantasy about saving the world, snotty archangels, gambling, tattooed street preachers, immortals with family issues, bar brawls and the consequences of our decisions.
He followed up The Chosen with Hard Day’s Knight, a new twist on the vampire detective novel and the first in a planned series of at least five books. The second book of The Black Knight Chronicles, Back in Black, landed in March 2011 and has enjoyed immediate success.
John has been called “the Kevin Smith of Charlotte,” and fans of Joss Whedon and Jim Butcher should enjoy his snarky slant on the fantasy genre. His next novel, Knight Moves (Black Knight Chronicles Vol. 3) is due out in the summer of 2011.
He can be found online at www.johnhartness.com and spends too much time on Twitter, especially after a few drinks.
Buy the book:
- Amazon Hard Day's Knight
- Barnes and Noble
- Don't miss the next stop on the tour: Book Sake http://booksake.blogspot.com/
Friday, May 20, 2011
Daughter of Deception Blog Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway!
Thanks for stopping by for the Daughter of Deception
blog tour!
From Goodreads:
Daddy's little girl.
That's what clairvoyant Viola Ashwood has been her entire life. She wouldn't mind quite so much if her father hadn't been possessed by a powerful, and nasty, demon nearly a decade earlier. After recovering from a horribly tragic confrontation with Daddy Dearest, Viola wants nothing more than to get back in to the federally-funded but privately run demon-hunting Network. Duke, her brother's ex-best friend and the guy she's crushed on since she was six, stands in her way. As Network regional head, Duke's got plenty of reasons for keeping Viola out of his region, and that's before he considers the fact that her father's on the Network's most wanted list
Just when Duke grudgingly allows Viola into the Network, Daddy Dearest, still possessed and more obsessed with Viola than ever, reappears. While trying to stay one step ahead of the demon, Viola struggles to overcome fears about her surprise demonic heritage while learning to control her new abilities. Especially the one that has her raising zombie squirrels in the middle of the afternoon. Together, Duke and Viola deal with dangerous demons, centuries of family secrets, and a mysterious link that may bind them for life.
That's what clairvoyant Viola Ashwood has been her entire life. She wouldn't mind quite so much if her father hadn't been possessed by a powerful, and nasty, demon nearly a decade earlier. After recovering from a horribly tragic confrontation with Daddy Dearest, Viola wants nothing more than to get back in to the federally-funded but privately run demon-hunting Network. Duke, her brother's ex-best friend and the guy she's crushed on since she was six, stands in her way. As Network regional head, Duke's got plenty of reasons for keeping Viola out of his region, and that's before he considers the fact that her father's on the Network's most wanted list
Just when Duke grudgingly allows Viola into the Network, Daddy Dearest, still possessed and more obsessed with Viola than ever, reappears. While trying to stay one step ahead of the demon, Viola struggles to overcome fears about her surprise demonic heritage while learning to control her new abilities. Especially the one that has her raising zombie squirrels in the middle of the afternoon. Together, Duke and Viola deal with dangerous demons, centuries of family secrets, and a mysterious link that may bind them for life.
Read my review here...
Today I have an exclusive excerpt...
All the air whooshed out of Duke's lungs when his back slammed against the side of Viola's SUV. He blinked rapidly to clear the stars from his eyes and missed the opportunity to avoid the thick tail headed for his stomach. The fast-food breakfast sandwich he'd finished half an hour earlier threatened to make a reappearance. Coughing and sucking in oxygen, he regained his equilibrium and shuffled out of the way of a second tail shot.
"Little help here, Vi?"
"Give me a sec!" Viola cursed under her breath when she the arrow slipped out of her hand for the fourth time in two minutes. Her fingers were still numb from having been in the cold air and pulling out an arrow with a wooden shaft out of a quiver stuffed full of arrows with aluminum, fiberglass, and wooden shafts was proving to be impossible. "It would really help if you'd stop
shaking the damn car."
Duke planted his right foot in the chest of the scaly demon towering over him. He gave the demon a shove then slid around the rear of the SUV to join Viola. Leaning over her shoulder, he plucked the quiver from her grasp and pushed her towards the demon. "Let's trade places."
Viola balled her fists and contemplated taking a swing at the Zizk. Its scales weren't that hard, but she really didn't want to go to her first meeting with a potential business associate with scraped, swollen knuckles. She should have grabbed Duke's set of brass knuckles when she’d spotted them. She settled for striking out with her foot. The toe of her sneaker caught the demon in the jaw. The Zizk didn’t flinch, but Viola was certain she’d broken her big toe.
Duke poked his head around the side of the vehicle. He saw Viola hopping up and down on one foot. He was only mildly concerned. Her foot was still attached to her leg, after all. "Told you that you should have worn your boots."
"Shut up, Tobias." Viola dropped down into a low crouch so that the clawed fingers aimed at her head hit the side window instead. The sound of claws scraping across glass made her shudder.
"You can hurry up any time now!"
The Zizk snarled at Viola. Its hand darted out to swipe across her shoulder. The claws dug furrows into Viola's skin. Viola instinctively lashed out. The force of the kick she gave the Zizk sent it stumbling away and clutching its abdomen. Viola thrust her fingers through the gouges in her sweatshirt. When she pulled her fingers away, they were stained red. "This was my new favorite sweatshirt!"
"Guess he didn't get the 'hands off' memo Daddy Dearest sent out, huh?" Duke looked up from the knot he'd been tying when a panting, angry Viola appeared next to him. His eyes scanned the wound on her shoulder. The scratches looked deep but not enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. If she was still standing, she wasn’t too bad off. "Isn't that my shirt?"
Viola eased the rag-covered arrow from Duke's hands then slapped him on the shoulder. "Tag, you're in."
There is also a giveaway on this stop of the tour... One lucky commenter will win their very own copy of Daughter of Deception! Leave a way to contact you, I'll choose the winner via random.org, and pass along your info to the author... contest will be open until May 30th.
"Little help here, Vi?"
"Give me a sec!" Viola cursed under her breath when she the arrow slipped out of her hand for the fourth time in two minutes. Her fingers were still numb from having been in the cold air and pulling out an arrow with a wooden shaft out of a quiver stuffed full of arrows with aluminum, fiberglass, and wooden shafts was proving to be impossible. "It would really help if you'd stop
shaking the damn car."
Duke planted his right foot in the chest of the scaly demon towering over him. He gave the demon a shove then slid around the rear of the SUV to join Viola. Leaning over her shoulder, he plucked the quiver from her grasp and pushed her towards the demon. "Let's trade places."
Viola balled her fists and contemplated taking a swing at the Zizk. Its scales weren't that hard, but she really didn't want to go to her first meeting with a potential business associate with scraped, swollen knuckles. She should have grabbed Duke's set of brass knuckles when she’d spotted them. She settled for striking out with her foot. The toe of her sneaker caught the demon in the jaw. The Zizk didn’t flinch, but Viola was certain she’d broken her big toe.
Duke poked his head around the side of the vehicle. He saw Viola hopping up and down on one foot. He was only mildly concerned. Her foot was still attached to her leg, after all. "Told you that you should have worn your boots."
"Shut up, Tobias." Viola dropped down into a low crouch so that the clawed fingers aimed at her head hit the side window instead. The sound of claws scraping across glass made her shudder.
"You can hurry up any time now!"
The Zizk snarled at Viola. Its hand darted out to swipe across her shoulder. The claws dug furrows into Viola's skin. Viola instinctively lashed out. The force of the kick she gave the Zizk sent it stumbling away and clutching its abdomen. Viola thrust her fingers through the gouges in her sweatshirt. When she pulled her fingers away, they were stained red. "This was my new favorite sweatshirt!"
"Guess he didn't get the 'hands off' memo Daddy Dearest sent out, huh?" Duke looked up from the knot he'd been tying when a panting, angry Viola appeared next to him. His eyes scanned the wound on her shoulder. The scratches looked deep but not enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. If she was still standing, she wasn’t too bad off. "Isn't that my shirt?"
Viola eased the rag-covered arrow from Duke's hands then slapped him on the shoulder. "Tag, you're in."
There is also a giveaway on this stop of the tour... One lucky commenter will win their very own copy of Daughter of Deception! Leave a way to contact you, I'll choose the winner via random.org, and pass along your info to the author... contest will be open until May 30th.
You can buy the book:
From Barnes and Noble
or Smashwords
Stalk the author, Kara Thorpe :)
Kara Thorpe started writing as a distraction in French class and never stopped (just don’t ask her to conjugate many verbs). Born and raised in Texas, she loves all things historical, scientific, and downright geeky. Though she prefers to write short, character-driven stories, she ventured into the world of the novel with the first book of the Family Lies series "Daughter of Deception."
Find her on Goodreads
Twitter
Her blog
or Smashwords
Stalk the author, Kara Thorpe :)
Kara Thorpe started writing as a distraction in French class and never stopped (just don’t ask her to conjugate many verbs). Born and raised in Texas, she loves all things historical, scientific, and downright geeky. Though she prefers to write short, character-driven stories, she ventured into the world of the novel with the first book of the Family Lies series "Daughter of Deception."
Find her on Goodreads
Her blog
Don't miss the next stop on the tour!
Don't miss this great giveaway offered by Kara!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Follow Friday #10 & 18 And Over Tag Along #2
To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
- (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
- (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://ninjagirlreads.blogspot.com/
- Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
- Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
- Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
- If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
- If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
Happy Follow Friday!
Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...
Hmmmm... Quirky things...
1. I used to teach English, one of my biggest pet peeves is incorrect spellings used in public - on menus, signs, specials boards, etc...
2. When I go somewhere on vacation, I usually bring home a rock from that place - I love rocks and everything to do with geology... Needless to say, there are tons of rocks all over my house. :)
3. I love rainy and stormy weather, and am happiest when it's raining. Sunny days actually sometimes depress me. I also get more done and am more motivated when it's raining. I tend to be lazy when it's sunny. Thunderstorms are my favorite
4. I can't stand feet. I don't like looking at other people's feet, I don't really like wearing flip-flops or walking around barefoot.
5. I love the moon, and often take pictures of it because it is so fascinating to me. I love all phases of it, in all positions of the sky. I love how it changes colors and size and just love looking at it.
Okay - so that's part of what makes me quirky... Your turn!! :)
Did you set yourself a reading goal?
I did. On Goodreads, I set a goal of 52. I was going for one a week. Now, with beginning to blog, and discovering I like reading books on my iPod, I will probably surpass that goal. Go me! :)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Review - SEALed With a Kiss by Mary Margaret Daughtridge
SEALed with a Kiss by Mary-Margret DaughtridgeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I don't usually go for contemporary romance, or any kind of military romance, but it was free at Amazon, and I decided to give it a try... By almost 4 AM, I figured I probably liked this book I had stayed up all night reading on my iPod to finish.
Jax is given leave to get to know his four-year-old son, who had been living with Jax's ex-wife. Due to the demanding lifestyle of a Navy SEAL, Jax has not seen Tyler much in his four years of life. Now that Jax's ex-wife has passed away, he has to decide what he wants to do about Tyler. Jax has no idea how to behave with the boy, and the first few scenes with Jax and Tyler had my heart breaking. (Maybe because I have a son around the same age). Pickett is a family therapist and can't help but step in when she sees Jax and Tyler on the beach. She knows how easy it would be to get them to start interacting and she astonishes Jax with the ease with which she makes Tyler open up.
I loved that there was some curious attraction between the two at first, but it was not an instantaneous, off-the-charts type of thing. Jax even sees Pickett in the grocery store later that day, and barely acknowledges her, writing her off as high-maintenance and too much work. Jax doesn't want a woman who is going to make demands, and Pickett doesn't really believe in love.
There's a hurricane coming and, after a couple of strike outs, Jax has nowhere to take Tyler during the storm. He ends up looking up Pickett's number because she was the only person who seemed to connect with Tyler and Jax is hoping she will teach him how to connect with his son. Pickett reluctantly allows Jax and Tyler to come stay with her during the storm.
What follows just blew my mind. I fell in love with Jax, empathized with Pickett, and wanted them all to be a happy family. The author does such a great job of having you get to know the characters. We learn about their pasts, what they want out of the future, and we see them grow. The tension between Jax and Pickett is delicious and each is holding back for different reasons. As Jax gets to know Pickett more, he realizes she has some serious hang-ups that he is not sure why she has. Together, they work through her insecurities about herself and his insecurities involving his son.
I just loved this book, I couldn't stop reading. Jax and Pickett's scenes had me sighing at one point, then made my chest tighten with sadness in the next minute. I wanted them to try and make it work, even though they both were trying to convince themselves it would never work. And at one point, Jax even says "This doesn't mean...anything." I could feel my heart breaking!
This is a heartwarming story that made me laugh and cry, and even get angry at some of the characters. I was drawn into the story and didn't realize how long I had been reading until I was done. The sex scenes are steamy, but nothing too explicit. I would probably give it a heat rating of 3 out of 5. There is some description, but not too much. The sexual tension is deliciously built and you may find yourself screaming, "Just do it, already!"
I completely recommend this book, it was amazing!
View all my reviews
"Waiting on" Wednesday - Deeper Than Midnight
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
Deeper Than Midnight - Lara Adrian
(Midnight Breed #9)
From Goodreads:At eighteen, Corinne Bishop was a beautiful, spirited young woman living a life of privilege as the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Her world changed in an instant when she was stolen away and held prisoner by the malevolent vampire Dragos. After many years of captivity and torment, Corinne is rescued by the Order, a cadre of vampire warriors embroiled in a war against Dragos and his followers. Her innocence taken, Corinne has lost a piece of her heart as well--the one thing that gave her hope during her imprisonment, and the only thing that matters to her now that she is free.
Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos's most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he's hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he'll go to end Drago's reign of evil--even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne's tender heart.
Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos's most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he's hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he'll go to end Drago's reign of evil--even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne's tender heart.
This is one of my favorite series and the release date for this book kept getting pushed back all last year, and now I feel like it's been forever since I've visited with the Midnight Breed - I just can't wait for this... But really, it just brings me closer to reading Chase's book - who, for some reason, I can't wait to see have an HEA...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sexy Snippets - Kayla's Gift - Jayne Rylon (18+ only)
Sexy Snippets is a weekly meme hosted by Secrets of a Book Lover and Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in just grab the button, post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participates can add the book to their TBR lists if they like. Then add your post to the linky on one of their sites so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!
Three strong partners held her up, grounded her, kept her from flying into space as her climax threatened to rip her apart. Pleasure smashed into her with reverberations that didn't seem to end. It slowed but kept pulsing in her core as Dave settled into a steady rhythm of thrusts from below that Neil matched in counterpoint.
"Hold onto it, Kay." James wove his fingers through her hair, positioning her where he pleased as he fucked her mouth.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Review - Daughter of Deception by Kara Thorpe
From Goodreads:
Daddy's little girl.
That's what clairvoyant Viola Ashwood has been her entire life. She wouldn't mind quite so much if her father hadn't been possessed by a powerful, and nasty, demon nearly a decade earlier. After recovering from a horribly tragic confrontation with Daddy Dearest, Viola wants nothing more than to get back in to the federally-funded but privately run demon-hunting Network. Duke, her brother's ex-best friend and the guy she's crushed on since she was six, stands in her way. As Network regional head, Duke's got plenty of reasons for keeping Viola out of his region, and that's before he considers the fact that her father's on the Network's most wanted list
Just when Duke grudgingly allows Viola into the Network, Daddy Dearest, still possessed and more obsessed with Viola than ever, reappears. While trying to stay one step ahead of the demon, Viola struggles to overcome fears about her surprise demonic heritage while learning to control her new abilities. Especially the one that has her raising zombie squirrels in the middle of the afternoon. Together, Duke and Viola deal with dangerous demons, centuries of family secrets, and a mysterious link that may bind them for life.
My review:
The first thing that hit me when I started reading were the character’s names: Duke, Viola, Olivia, Sebastian. Wait a moment. That’s Shakespeare! Twelfth Night. Okay, now I’m definitely intrigued. Anyone who alludes to the great Bard has my attention. :)
And the book just got better from there. Seriously, this is a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait to read the next books!
I fell in love with Duke almost immediately, he had bad-boy, yet protective older brother, yet still hot vibe going on. And, Viola was my kind of heroine - tough, smart-ass, funny, yet broken and vulnerable. Duke was just the guy to help her get back on her feet. Their verbal sparring throughout the book is excellent, and had me laughing out loud at spots. The sexual tension between the two is also excellent, and made me want them to just get it on! :) Viola has loved Duke, her older brother’s former best friend, since she was young, and I loved reading their back story.
Duke works for the Network, a government-type organization of demon hunters. Viola used to and wants back in. Duke reluctantly agrees, as long as he’s her partner so he can keep an eye on her, or so he tells himself. The demon hunting action is fast-paced and it was fun to read about the different demons the author invented. I felt immersed in the characters’ world and was never lost when they discussed demons, the author did a great job of integrating the details of the world into the story.
You really get to know Duke and Viola, see their vulnerabilities, learn why they are the way they are, and you want them to just shut up and admit their feelings for each other - though I really enjoyed their ribbing of each other. And when Viola drugs Duke - hilarious!
Viola goes through so much emotional stress in this book - I just love her for being tough and handling all the news she gets in a way that was both realistic, and amazing. She feels betrayed by almost everyone she has ever loved and trusted and Duke is there to help her stay sane. He is her rock, and their relationship is so endearing.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, how I stayed up until 2 AM, staring at my computer screen, to read it, how the plot moved quickly and the action was great, how I was drawn into the story and felt like I really got to know the characters. And then the author went and added extras at the end - little snippets from the past, showing the beginnings of the relationships between Viola and her brother and sister, and Duke. Those extras really gave you the extra information to see how the relationships had evolved and why.
I’m rating this book 4.5 stars out of 5 simply because - and this is the picky English major talking- there were many, many typos and errors that need to be fixed. They were almost distracting - and that they weren’t a major distraction is telling to how great the story really was. However, in one section of the book, there were whole sentences and chunks of sentences missing- major flaw that I hope the author corrects.
Otherwise, one of the best I’ve read recently, and I will definitely be checking out the next installments.
I'll have an exclusive excerpt and will be giving away a copy of Daughter of Deception here on May 21st! Make sure you stop by, you'll want to read this book! :)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Top 5 Sundays #7
It's Sunday already! I went to the most awesome concert by Seether last night! I'm still coming down from that rock music high... :) 
Time for another Top 5 Sunday - hosted by Larissa. ..
The theme for today is:
Favorite 1st Books in a Series!
This is hard, I have to actually look at my books to be reminded which first books I really liked. :) I have so many great series.
1. Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)
This is just a classic for me - I love being introduced into Anita's world.
2. Dark Lover (BDB) 
If you've been here before -you KNEW I would pick this one. Wrath and Beth start us off in this book and the WARDen builds the awesome world of BDB that I never want to leave.
3. Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows) 
You get to see Rachel struggle with starting her new life, the beginnings of her partnership with Ivy and Jenks, and we are introduced to characters who will be around for awhile... (Trent :)
4. The Darkest Night (LOTU) 
I don't know if technically this is book one - but we'll go with it. Maddox -hot! And again with the introduction of the sexy lords and the world that I love!
5. Storm Born (Dark Swan) 
So, I haven't actually read book 2 or beyond, yet - but I really enjoyed this one. Eugenie is an awesome, kick-ass heroine, and the romance part - yum :)
Alrighty, so there you have my top 5. First books were hard, especially when the series is so far in, I had to ask myself, "Would I re-read that one?" "Do I remember what happened in that book?"
So, what's yours? :)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Follow Friday... Finally
Blogger was having issues-- but I'm posting... :)
Happy Friday!
This one is tough because I purposely avoid books that I know are going to make me emotional... :) Hmmm... I'm gonna go with scenes from the last book I read, Possession by A.D. Blackburn.
Happy Friday!
Q. The Blogger Apocalypse made me a little emotional. What is the most emotional scene in a book that you have read lately?
This one is tough because I purposely avoid books that I know are going to make me emotional... :) Hmmm... I'm gonna go with scenes from the last book I read, Possession by A.D. Blackburn. 
I can't tell you which scenes, because that would be giving away spoilers, just know it was emotional. :)
Any other hops I did were lost to Blogger, so we'll just go with this one this week. :)
Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Be Part of the Bookish Snob Team!
Are you a blogger who LOVES reading romance, urban fantasy and all things paranormal? Someone who loves showcasing the amazing authors who write them? Are you looking for a way to help promote through your blogs?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, I’d like to invite you to become a team member of The Bookish Snob Promotions. This is a hot new book promotional business that focuses on providing fun blog tours and bringing readers and authors together.
Why should I sign up?
Good question. I'm a fellow blogger who has a complete addiction to books. If you're like me, you have a real passion for what you read and want to do what you can to spotlight the authors you love. You're also on the lookout for new talent and being part of a blog tour team can help you do that. This is a way for you give back and also connect with other readers who love the same genres. This is a great addition to your blogs and can also ease the nerves of contacting authors for reviews/interviews/guest posts. By being a member, I help with that.
What does being a TEAM MEMBER mean?
It means you’re part of an amazing group of bloggers that have agreed to host authors on their sites. It means that as authors approach with their books and purchase tour packages, you'll be contacted by me and invited to sign up. For each tour you participate in, you commit to:
- Reading and reviewing the author's book
- Posting the review on your blog and other sites
- Hosting the author for either an interview/guest post/excerpt/giveaway
Ok, I'm in. How do I sign up?
Signing up is really easy. Just fill in the below form and I'll get in contact with you.
Team Member Sign Up
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at thebookishsnob(AT)hotmail(DOT)com.
I can’t wait to get to meet you and thanks for stopping by. Happy reading!!
Bels aka The Bookish Snob
Sunday, May 8, 2011
The Vampire's Warden Book Tour! Interview with S.J. Wright
Welcome to the next stop on The Vampire's Warden book tour!!
Today I am happy to get a chance to ask author S.J. Wright some questions. I'm so excited she took the time to answer my questions. :)
1.) What inspired you to write the book?
May 9 – The Wyld Hollow http://thewyld-hollow.blogspot.com/
And follow the tour for a chance to win the great giveaway!
Today I am happy to get a chance to ask author S.J. Wright some questions. I'm so excited she took the time to answer my questions. :)
1.) What inspired you to write the book?
Twilight resonated with me on a certain level. But I'm forty. I wanted to put together a vampire story for a slightly older group. I also didn't want to make another version of Twilight. Putting my main character into the position of a protector seemed like an interesting angle.
2.) What was the most fun part of writing The Vampire's Warden?
2.) What was the most fun part of writing The Vampire's Warden?
I had the best time developing Sarah's tough side. I'm the kind of person who absolutely hates confrontations. So letting Sarah show her angry side was a great release for me. Michael was really fun to write about too. He's one sexy beast.
3.) What was the hardest part?
3.) What was the hardest part?
The hardest part of writing Warden was dealing with the issue surrounding Sarah's Mom and how Sarah reacts to her discovery about Selena leaving.
4.) How do you juggle being a mom and wife -and all that goes along with that- and your writing?
4.) How do you juggle being a mom and wife -and all that goes along with that- and your writing?
I can't juggle! When things get too tough, the writing comes to a stop. My youngest son, Cameron, has spina bifida. I am his primary care giver and will be for many years to come. It's difficult, but I find that laughter makes things so much easier to bear. Both of my sons have amazing personalities and are complete goofballs. They make me giggle every single day.
5.) Would you recommend self-publishing to aspiring writers?
5.) Would you recommend self-publishing to aspiring writers?
Absolutely. I didn't have the guts to even finish a novel until I read about Amanda Hocking and what she had started. I have never sent a manuscript or query into an agent or publisher. I love the idea of cutting out the middleman. However, there are a lot of things to keep in mind when you decide to do this on your own. Do you know how to format your novel? Are you able to design the cover? Do you have some money for up-front advertising costs? Think about how much time you will have to devote to promotion. And above all, do not put anything out there until you've had lots of beta readers check it over for problems.
6.) What has been the best moment of your writing journey?
6.) What has been the best moment of your writing journey?
Explaining to my four-year-old that Mommy wrote a book and that people are buying it. He was sort of impressed. For about five minutes.
7.) Sum up the book in one sentence. :)
7.) Sum up the book in one sentence. :)
This is not your typical glittery-vampire story.
Thanks so much for taking the time to spend with us. Happy Mothers' Day to Ms. Wright, and all the other mothers today!!
I am a stay-at-home Mom with two growing boys, an overworked husband and a very devoted Jack Russell terrier named Shelby. I grew up in small city called Mishawaka, Indiana and the majority of my family live in the Indianapolis area. I now live with my wonderful boys, my husband and sort-of-annoying dog in Little Elm, Texas. The Vampire's Warden is the first book I have ever put up for sale.
Find the author:
Buy the book:
Check out the next stop on the tour!
May 9 – The Wyld Hollow http://thewyld-hollow.blogspot.com/
And follow the tour for a chance to win the great giveaway!
Review - The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright
From Goodreads:
I couldn't seem to contain the inferno burning inside me, being that close to him. Even knowing the danger he posed and the gruesome scenes that must have been caused by him, I still felt a burning inside me every time I heard his voice or felt his hot gaze on me.
But I was the Warden. He was one of the damned. We were destined to be at odds. Enemies.
Sarah Brightman, having just lost her father to cancer, is stunned to discover that the mother she thought was dead is actually still alive. She also finds out that the legacy her father left her is a lot more than just an Inn on the outskirts of Nashville, Indiana. She has a frightening new responsibility.
But I was the Warden. He was one of the damned. We were destined to be at odds. Enemies.
Sarah Brightman, having just lost her father to cancer, is stunned to discover that the mother she thought was dead is actually still alive. She also finds out that the legacy her father left her is a lot more than just an Inn on the outskirts of Nashville, Indiana. She has a frightening new responsibility.
What I thought...
I really thought the premise of this book was unique. Humans being set to be caretakers of bad vampires, the wardens of vamps who misbehave- love it!
Overall, this book was enjoyable and left me salivating for more. I will definitely be checking out the next installment. I really liked Sarah. She was a tough, no-nonsense woman. She was always honest, never beat around the bush, and took no crap from anyone. I really enjoyed that about her. Unlike, her over-emotional sister, who I think went a little overboard… The characters were overall well-developed, though there are a lot of questions still unanswered about where some of them come from, how much they each knew of the past, and who can be trusted. I liked the backstory, how it was brought into the plot through the journal, that’s so much better than paragraphs of description.
As for the plot, at times it felt like the characters knew things that had not been revealed to the reader, like the author knew the details and just kind of forgot to write them in. The relationship between Alex and Sarah’s mother is not quite fully explained. The relationship between Michael and Sarah, which I feel has great potential, felt rushed. I felt like they needed more scenes before her confusing feeling started. But they do have a couple awesome, tense scenes that I’m looking forward to seeing more of. And do we ever find out why Alex was found unconscious and bleeding on the side of the road in the beginning of the book? How did the rogue group know that Sarah knew? And who was the mastermind of the rogue group? Victoria? A couple things in the climax scene confused me and I hope they will get answered better in the next book. And I want to know what Michael is eating while he’s being held captive… :)
At times, the author’s writing is great. Her descriptions draw you right into the story and by the middle, I felt like I was there. I had trouble in the beginning, however, because I felt like the plot was sluggish and I was instead focusing on grammatical errors and choppy sentences. By the middle - I was no longer noticing these things, instead focusing on the story.
I don’t want to be overly picky, and the average reader may not even notice these things, but I used to be an English teacher, so it was my job, and errors in grammar and choppy writing catch my attention. I assume these would be taken care of with the help of a professional editor.
In summary, I liked the idea of this book and it was a fun read. In my humble opinion- and really I feel horrible - I’m not trying to be mean, I just feel like a good going over would help this book go from good to awesome. I would rate this 3 stars, it has a lot of potential and I’ll be reading the following books in the series.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
New Feature - A Writer's Blog Hop :)
I decided to give this blog hop a go this week. I've been lurking for weeks. :) I write, I'm not published, but I write, and I've been scared to admit to anyone that for years, my dream, like my #1 dream, is to be a published author... So, I've got to start somewhere. :)
Here are the rules:
The rules
- Follow this blog.
- Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop
- Follow the featured author of the week, VK Tremain.
- Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.
- Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.
- Answer the question
- Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!
- If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.
- Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.
Follow Friday #10 & 18 & Over Book Blogger Tag Along #2
Happy Friday!! It's time again for blog hopping... :) Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
First up is Follow Friday - hosted by Parajunkee and the featured this week is
Al @ Magnet 4 Books
Q. Circle time! Time to share. What character in a book would you most like to be, what character in a book would you most like to date?
A: Seriously? I would want to be Anita Blake. She is Bad. Ass. She has awesome powers, and she gets to sleep with a lot of hot men. :)
Date? I am kind of in love with Qhuinn (from BDB), but I don't want to take away his HEA with Blay... So, I'll have to go with a recent read and Ryan Travers from Mari Carr's Sugar and Spice, since he's fresh in my mind. He's hot, dominant, and loyal. :)
Question of the week: List 3 books off the top of your head that you read this year and really enjoyed.
Lover Unleashed - J.R. Ward
Sugar and Spice - Mari Carr
Club Shadowlands - Cherise Sinclair
Thanks for stopping! Make sure you say hi, and then hop by the other blogs and give them some love. :)
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