M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #29

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #29:

This image is a bit different from the ones we've used in the past.  Be sure to stop by on Friday to see what I can come up with for this picture.   

February Review Re-Cap

We've come to the end of another month.  :)  It just blows my mind how much faster time seems to pass now that I am older.  

I read a few new to me authors this month and enjoyed some of them very much.  I also had a few DNF's this month.  

Here they are:

5 Stars

Nekropolis - Tim Waggoner
Dreams of a Dark Warrior - Kresley Cole

4 Stars

Beyond the Night - Joss Ware
The Thieves of Darkness - Richard Doetsch

3 Stars

Black Wings - Christina Henry
Enemy Within - Marcella Burnard
Right Hand Magic - Nancy A Collins

DNF

Stripped - Marcia Colette
Song of Scarabaeus - Sara Creasy
State of Mind - Sven Michael Davison

How was your reading month?

In My Mailbox: 02-26-11

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what we bought, borrowed from the library or received in the mail.

Here is my mailbox. 

For Review:
Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Bought:
This Side of The Grave - J. Frost
American Vampire - J. Armintrout
Serpent's Storm - Amber Benson
Primal Bonds - Jennifer Ashley
On the Hunt - Showalter, Butcher, Andersen & Knight

Won from author Thomas Emson:
Zombie Britannica
Skarlet
Maneater
Prey

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #28

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #28:

 

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
Pt. 3
Cha, Cha, Cha, Cha - Changes
By Michelle Greathouse

The small group stood, heads bowed, as the wooden coffin was lowered into place.  The vicar concluded his sermon to hearty ‘amens’ and Lord Niall bent, scooped a handful of the turned earth and tossed it after the coffin.

“She was a good woman, our Hannah.  I don’t know how we’ll get along without her.”

And it was true.  For the last fifteen years Hannah had the run of Castle Killymoon and Lord Niall could not remember a time when she wasn’t there, taking care of him and Elizabeth.  The loss of Charlotte Watson all those years ago almost did Hannah in - but she worked through her grief.  Work being the operative word.  She turned Castle Killymoon on its ear, along with everyone in it.

“Come Elizabeth, let’s get out of the cold.”  Lord Niall turned to the young woman at his side and wondered, not for the first time, what he was going to do with Elizabeth.

The seventeen year old, petite blond, turned her black eyes his way and did not bother to hide the anger in her gaze.  “I am not cold Niall, and if I were I have enough sense to go inside.  I am going for a walk.”

Niall let her be and walked into the Castle.  He had done all he could for her.  In fact, went above and beyond in his familial responsibility to his brothers only child.  And all he got in return was scorn.  Scorn and rage.  

Elizabeth had been a lovely child; happy and carefree.  Until her thirteenth birthday.

Hannah had baked one of her famous cakes with hazelnut frosting - it was Elizabeth’s favorite - and Niall had purchased enough fabrics for half a dozen new dresses.  Everyone gathered around the table for a piece of cake, laughing and telling tales of Elizabeth’s adventures over the years.  Just as the huge clock in the hall struck seven - which was supposedly the hour of Elizabeth’s birth - a rage overcame Elizabeth.

She picked up the platter of cake and threw it against the wall.  Everyone was shocked into silence by this unexpected behavior.  Elizabeth did not say a word, merely turned and went to her room.  Later when Lord Niall went to berate her for her unladylike behavior, he found her sobbing on her bed.  “I am so sorry Uncle, I don’t know why I did it.”

In the last four years these kinds of incidents had become more frequent.  And now, Niall was at his wits end.

Elizabeth walked away from the grave site and the only mother she’d ever known.  She missed Hannah so much it was like her heart was about to burst.  She began running.

She ran through the woods, shedding her heavy overcoat, then her gown.  Elizabeth kicked her shoes off and ran barefoot, ignoring the small twigs and briars that cut her feet.

Elizabeth’s shift became tangled in a low growing shrub and she pulled at it until it ripped the bottom half free.  Her heart was pumping, her skin felt tight and her hands were burning as if on fire.  She splashed through a tiny creek and enjoyed the cool water on her torn feet.

Finally, out of breath, Elizabeth stopped and sat under a huge tree.  She reached up to wipe the sweat from her brow and screamed.  Her nails had turned to talons, scoring a small cut on her forehead.  She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs - that is when she felt the feathers on her lower legs.

“What is happening to me?”

“Do not be afraid child, tis your birthright.”  Elizabeth gasped as the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen emerged from the trees.

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?  And why is this my birthright?”  Elizabeth stood and noted that she was the same height as the woman before her.

“Impertinent, I like it.  As for who I am - I am your mother.  Why am I here?  I have been waiting to see if this would happen - it was possible that your father’s blood would dilute mine.  And why is this your birthright?  Because you are a harpy my daughter.”  

Elizabeth sat back down.

“I made a mistake laying with your father.  I thought the lycan strain ran in the family - but your Uncle was turned lycan.  It was his seed I wanted, his offspring.  But no matter, I shall work with what I have.”
 
“You bitch.  Stay away from me.”  Elizabeth sprang to her feet and took off through the woods, the sound of her mothers laughter ringing behind her.

Suddenly Elizabeth was knocked to the ground, her palms sliding in the dirt and leaves.  “Don’t run my dear, I like the chase too much.”

Off in the distance a wolf howled.

“Ah, your Uncle comes to play.”

The End
Word Count: 823

I know, another cliff hanger.  What’s a girl to do? 

Review: Right Hand Magic by Nancy A Collins

Right Hand Magic is the first book in the Golgotham series by Nancy A Collins and a ROC Fantasy.

Book Blurb:

Meet the new girl on the paranormal block...

Like most Manhattanites, aspiring artist Tate can’t resist a good rental deal - even if it’s in the city’s strangest neighborhood, Golgotham.  For centuries werewolves, Valkyries, centaurs, and countless other creatures have crowded these streets, where no cab will venture. 

Golgotham’s most prominent citizens, though, are the Kymerans, a race of witches who provide humans with the charms they desire and curses they fear.

Tate’s new landlord is a Kymeran sorcerer-for-hire named Hexe.  Despite being the son of Golgotham’s Witch-Queen, Hexe is determined to build his own reputation without using dark Left Hand magic or his mother’s connections. 

As Tate is irresistibly drawn into Hexe’s fascinating world, they both find that the right hand does not always know what the left hand is doing...

My thoughts:

Tate is a trust fund baby who does not have the approval of her parents.  They think she is wasting her time on her welded metal art and feel like she should settle down and marry a man from a respectable family.

Needing a better space to work in  - Tate sets out to take a look at a room for rent in Golgotham - and finds that she is not in Kansas anymore.

The landlord is a practicing Kymeran wizard/healer who only practices Right Hand, or good, magic.  Tate takes the room and settles in - but realizes that in Golgotham things are not always as they seem and being human puts her at a definite disadvantage.

I really wanted to love this book - but I didn’t love it.  I liked it.  I think it would have been better without Tate - or with a different Tate. 

She was too nice for me - one of those women that get in over her head and then needs to be rescued.

I really liked the secondary characters: the biker chicks and the centaurs - and Scratch, the demon familiar. :)

I give Right Hand Magic 3 out of 5 stars.

WoW: The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine to showcase books we are patiently awaiting.

 

The Darkest Secret is the eighth book in the Lord's of the Underworld series and Amun's story.

Book Blurb:

Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when the immortal warrior is chained and isolated to protect those he loves, death is his only hope of release - until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty..

Haidee is a demon-assassin, raised to despise Amun's kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul.and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.

Release Date:  03-29-11

This is not my favorite cover.  And correct me if I'm wrong - but isn't Amun supposed to be of a darker complexion?

Review: The Thieves of Darkness by Richard Doetsch

The Thieves of Darkness is the third book by Richard Doetsch featuring Michael St. Pierre and a novel of fiction from Pocket Star Books.

Book Blurb:

Will A Treacherous Mission Lead Them Into Ancient Paradise...

Reformed master thief Michael St. Pierre thinks his criminal days are behind him when his best friend Simon is sentenced to die in a brutal desert prison.  Breaking into jail for the first time in his checkered career, Michael frees his friend only to discover his own girlfriend in the next cell...

Or Straight To A Ruthless Enemy?

With a madman on their heels, the trio plots a series of daring thefts inside the world’s most celebrated and heavily guarded sanctums to find the mysterious artifact that landed them behind bars: a map to a secret holy place predating Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  From the glittering banks of the Bosporus to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, they embark on a globe-trotting adventure to preserve the relics at stake and protect the fate of humanity.

My thoughts:

The Thieves of Darkness is the first book I have read by Richard Doetsch and though this is the third adventure of Michael St. Pierre, I had no trouble at all reading it as a stand alone novel.

Michael is still coming to terms with the death of his wife eighteen months ago.  He has finally decided to begin dating again and agrees to a meeting with KC, a mutual friend of Michael’s and Simons.

KC is lovely and she and Michael have so much in common - more than even Michael is aware of.

Michael decides that he is ready to take the next step with KC, and after spending a wonderful evening together KC heads out on a business trip - and Michael does not hear from her again.

And then he receives word that Simon has been imprisoned.  Michael heads to one of the most horrible prisons in the world.  A prison where people are never heard from again.  What he finds when he gets there is unbelievable.  Not only is Simon scheduled for execution in the morning - but KC is as well.

What follows is an exciting jail break and an Indiana Jones worthy treasure hunt.  

The Thieves of Darkness is a great read; richly detailed and layered.  Just when I thought I had it all figured out another layer was revealed.  I couldn’t wait to find out how it was going to end - and then when it did - I was left wanting more.

I give The Thieves of Darkness 4 out of 5 stars.

 

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star; Reprint edition (February 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416598979
• ISBN-13: 978-1416598978

     

Happy Birthday Blodeuedd!!

 

Today is Blodeuedd's birthday - Happy Birthday B!  So if you have a minute, stop by her blog and wish her a happy birthday.  :)

Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

Cover Find: Hit List by Laurell K Hamilton

 

Hit List is the 20th book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K Hamilton.

I must admit though, here lately - Anita  has not been doing much vamp hunting.  :)

Blurb:

Word has leaked to Anita Blake that hit men are headed for St. Louis- and that she, Jean-Claude, and Richard are the targets.

Release Date:  06-07-11

I'm not really digging this cover.

 

Review: Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman

Trick of the Light is the first book in the Trickster series by Rob Thurman and a ROC Fantasy.

Book Blurb:

Now you see it....Now you don’t....Now you’re history.

There are demons in the world.  Monsters.  Creatures that would steal your soul.  You might hide under your covers at night and pretend all’s right with the world, but you know.  Even if you don’t want to admit it...

Las Vegas bar owner Trixa Iktomi deals in information.  And in a city where unholy creatures roam the neon night, information can mean life or death.  Not that she has anything personal against demons.  They can be sexy as hell, and they’re great for getting the latest gossip.  But they also steal human souls and thrive on chaos.  So occasionally Trixa and her friends have to teach them some manners.

When Trixia learns of powerful artifact known as the Light of Life, she knows she’s hit the jackpot.  Both sides - angel and demon - would give anything for it.  But first she has to find it.  And as Heaven and Hell ready for an apocalyptic throw down, Trixa must decide where her true loyalty lies - and what she’s ready to fight for.  Because in her world, if you line up on the wrong side, you pay with more than your life...

My thoughts:

Trick of the Light blew me away.  :)

Trixia is in the information business - and I do mean business.  She finds out things that people would pay to know - and then she charges them accordingly for the info.

Right now she is looking for the Light of Life.  Why?  Because so many people want it - and they are willing to pay just about anything to obtain it.  But Trixia doesn’t want money.

Years ago someone very close to her was murdered and she wants the name of the killer - she wants vengeance and she is willing to trade the Light of Life for that vengeance.

I will admit that this book kept me guessing until the very end - and what an ending.  I could not put this book down until I finished it and now I want the next one in the series.  :)

I give Trick of the Light 5 out of 5 stars.

M

M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #28

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #28:

I absolutely love this image.  :)  I can't wait to see what direction this beautiful picture takes us in - I am quite sure we will end up with very different stories.  That is what is so fun about this - one picture that inspires so many people in so many different ways.  :)

Stop back on Friday to see what I come up.

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #27

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #27:

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
Part 2
Choices Made in Haste
By Michelle Greathouse

It had been three months since Charlotte and Hannah arrived at Castle Killymoon and things could not be going better.

Lord Niall, being the sole guardian of his young niece Elizabeth, employed Charlotte as the child’s governess and was even kind enough to make a place for Hannah in the kitchen.   

A routine was established and everyone was getting along swimmingly, until he arrived.

One week ago Jonathon Monroe arrived at Castle Killymoon and Lord Niall’s demeanor changed completely.  He introduced Mr. Monroe as a distant cousin and dismissed the man to one of the upper floor rooms.

Several nights later Mr. Monroe joined them in the dining room and Charlotte was surprised at the anger Lord Niall displayed towards Mr. Monroe - who, despite his chilly reception, appeared to be enjoying his dinner with gusto.

“Mr. Monroe, where are you from?”  Charlotte inquired between small bites of fish stew.  Hannah had outdone herself with this evenings meal.

“Lass, I’m from Inverness.  You’re familiar with the place?”   Mr. Monroe missed the pointed look Lord Niall sent his way - but Charlotte did not.

“Of course I have heard of Inverness, but have not had the pleasure of visiting.”

“We shall have to remedy that at the earliest convenience.”  Mr. Monroe smiled charmingly and then laughed aloud as Charlotte blushed.

“We shall retire for the evening.  Monroe, follow me to the library.”  Lord Niall pushed his chair from the table and strode from the room, not doubting for a moment that Monroe would follow him.

“Sleep well Lass.”  Monroe winked and left the table.

Charlotte sat alone at the table and wondered what had caused the animosity Lord Niall felt for Mr. Monroe.  And why, if he disliked the man so much, he allowed Monroe to stay in his home.

Mr. Monroe was not an unattractive man.  Fair hair and eyes as green as grass.  Broad shoulders and straight, even teeth.  His appearance was pleasing to the eye - but his demeanor left a lot to be desired.  He was too bold, too brash.  Not at all like Lord Niall who never appeared ruffled - well, until now.

Charlotte rose from her seat and helped Hannah clear the table.  “Hannah, can I help you clean the kitchen?”

Hannah patted Charlotte on the arm, “No lass.  I’ve got the young lassies cleaning.  Go on to bed.  I’ll see you in the morning.”

Charlotte made her way up the stairs and paused to check on Elizabeth who was sleeping soundly.  As she closed the door to Elizabeth’s room she was startled to find Lord Niall standing in the shadows.

“Charlotte, you must stay away from Monroe.  He is not..a fit companion for one such as you.  And while he is here, you are not to leave the Castle on your own or with him- especially at night.”

“Good grief.  If the man is dangerous why would you allow him to stay here in the first place.  Think of Elizabeth.”  Charlotte’s tongue was loosened by anger and her outburst caught Lord Niall off guard.

“Do not presume to question me madam, you are but a guest in my home yourself and you’ll do well to remember that.”  Lord Niall left Charlotte standing in the corridor fuming at his arrogance.

Charlotte went to her room and readied for bed - but the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.  How dare he dictate to her.  She was a woman grown and this was not a prison.  If she wanted to befriend Mr. Monroe, she would.  If she wanted to go for a walk in the moonlight - well, she’d do that too.  

Tonight.  Right Now.

Grabbing her wrap and pushing her feet into her slippers Charlotte eased open her door and headed for the stairwell that would take her to the kitchen.  No sense in announcing her plans to Lord Niall.

She reached the kitchen without running into anyone and gently lifted the latch on the door, careful to make sure it did not catch behind her - or she would be locked out for the rest of the night.

The moon hung full and round in the sky, so near Charlotte thought she could touch it if she stood on tiptoe.  The path from the kitchen to the small dock on the backside of the Castle was well worn and the moon made it easy for Charlotte to avoid any hazards along the way.  She climbed down the wooden stairs and stood at the edge of the water, just enjoying the night air.

Suddenly the birds in the trees took flight and Charlotte jumped in surprise.  Something had scared them - and in turn, scared Charlotte.

A growl came from her left and Charlotte turned at the sound.  She was surprised to see a pair of green eyes looking out from the trees.

Charlotte slowly backed towards the stairs.  From her right another growl shot across the rocky expanse of shore and Charlotte watched as a huge wolf stepped out of the trees, blue eyes glowing in the moon light.

A longer growl came from the trees on her left and Charlotte could not believe her eyes when another wolf emerged from the trees.

She was stuck between two huge wolves.  She lunged for the stairs just as the two wolves left the trees.  Charlotte could see the staircase, could almost feel the wood under her feet - when a wolf hit her on the right side, knocking her to the sand and raking its claws from shoulder to waist.  

Charlotte screamed.

Her scream was drowned out by the sound of the wolves fighting and the rushing of the blood in her ears.  

Everything dimmed and then went black.

The End
Word Count: 985

Okay, I went way over in my word count - hope you will forgive me. :)

Have a great weekend.  

(INT) Giveaway with author Anitra Lynn McLeod

Anitra Lynn McLeod is the author of the Onic Empire series.  The latest installment in this series is Wicked Empress - which will be released in e-format on March 8th.

 

Book Blurb:

It'll take more than one man’s love to tame her wild heart.

Bithia, newly crowned empress of Diola, indulges herself with as many men as it takes to satisfy her voracious passion. Now that it's time to continue the family line, though, her advisors expect the unthinkable: for her to submit to one man from a sexually primitive planet.

Drahka disobeyed his tribe's strict sexual rules once. The shame still haunts him. He longs for a fresh start, but breaking one cardinal rule—a man gives, a woman takes—is not an option. His struggle to learn local customs is complicated by a mentor whose eyes hunger for the empress...and for him.

Viltori is exhausted. He's tried to teach Drakha that there are many ways to find pleasure, only to be met with anger, even violence. Touching the handsome primitive only sharpens his unbearable lust for Bithia, making him wonder if execution for failure wouldn't be a blessing.

When Bithia witnesses the results of Viltori's training, she realizes only these two men can fill her empty heart, inspiring her to take command of the throne at last. Except those who've held the reins thus far have a sinister reason for keeping Bithia—and her new consorts—in their place.

Warning: This erotic romance contains a lusty empress, a primitive alpha male, a dedicated acolyte with domineering tendencies, copious amounts of hot m/m and m/f/m sex, secret torments, burning desires clashing with duty, and a little bit of meddling by future gods.
 

Anitra is here today to offer an advanced e-copy of Wicked Empress to one lucky winner.  Since this is an e-book, this contest is open to everyone. :)

But that is not all - Anitra is also offering one bound copy of the third book in the Onic Empire series - Sinful Harvest - for US mailing addresses only.

 

Book Blurb:

In the erotically charged world of the Harvesters, taking a woman's virginity is a man's greatest responsibility—but unleashing her potential for endless pleasure is the greatest of sins...

ENSLAVED BY DESIRE

Virile, golden-haired Kerrick performed his manly duties like a champion, bedding virgin after virgin with the restraint expected from a Harvester. But when his leaders decide to change the rules, the tables are turned. Kerrick becomes the sexual servant of his destined mate, the beautiful and fiery Ariss. 

For the first time in Ariss's life, she is the master of her own pleasure. With Kerrick's slow sensual hand, undeniable physical gifts—and wicked imagination—she begins to experience sensations beyond her wildest dreams. 

Somewhere deep inside Ariss, something powerful has been unleashed—and no man can satisfy her like the one called Kerrick...

But when lust becomes love, who is the master...and who is the slave?

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the first two installments of this series, Wicked Harvest and Dark Harvest.  You can find my reviews:
 

Wicked Harvest
Dark Harvest

To enter the contest just leave your name and a valid email address, along with which book you are interested in.  Please make sure to list whether you are (US) or (INT).

Anitra will be checking in - so feel free to leave any questions or comments for her to answer.

The winners of this contest will be announced Tuesday 2-22-11.

Good Luck!

Blog Tour & Review: Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole

 

Dreams of a Dark Warrior is the ninth full length novel in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole and a Paranormal Romance from Pocket Books.

Book Blurb:

 HE VOWED HE'D COME FOR HER . . .

Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memory of his past lives.

SHE AWAITS HIS RETURN . . .

When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals - unaware that he belongs to their world.

TO SATE A DESIRE MORE POWERFUL THAN DEATH . . .

Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan's torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once shared - even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?

My thoughts:

Dreams of a Dark Warrior is another brilliant installment in the Immortals After Dark series.

Valkyrie Regin the Radiant has lived thousands of years as the kick a$$ prankster who likes nothing more than making her friends smile and her enemies die - painfully. 

Anyone who is Anyone in the Lore knows who Regin is - and what she is capable of - her reputation precedes her.  That is a good thing - most of the time.  But now Regin is on the radar of The Order - a group of mortals who capture and study immortals - before killing them.

Declan Chase is a magister in The Order - head of one of its experimentation facilities.  He hates all things immortal and has vowed to capture and kill as many as he can.  And now, he is after Regin.

Declan is both mentally and physically scarred from an encounter with immortals as a teenager.  His co-workers find him hard and unfeeling, emotionless.  He has made himself that way in order to do his job.  And he has had no trouble doing that job - until Regin.

Now Declan is questioning everything he’s ever known and feeling things he never thought possible.

Dreams of a Dark Warrior rocks   I absolutely love the back story on Regin and Aidan and all of his reincarnations.

The Immortals After Dark series is my all time favorite series.  Each installment adds a new layer, new players, to a world populated with complex characters who are both fierce and unforgettable.

I give Dreams of a Dark Warrior 5 out of 5 stars.

Winner of the V'Day Books with Love Hop :)

First of all a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Hop and to Good Choice Reading and Once Upon a Twilight for hosting.  :)  Now let's choose a winner.

There were 62 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Lindsay Cummings
2. ReneeG
3. Nicole Sender
4. Library Lady
5. Rebekah
6. Tribute BMama
7. Leslie
8. DominiqueS
9. chelle2006
10. Andrea I
11. Linda Henderson
12. Jennifer
13. Judy
14. Glenda
15. Wanda
16. Dee
17. donnaS
18. xxsquigglesxx
19. Laura H
20. JHS
21. Piink Poodle
22. Ellie
23. Jen
24. Mona
25. laceyinthesky
26. tetewa
27. Juana
28. YWLiang
29. Stephanie
30. Loveange132
31. Allie
32. Brooke
33. CaseyCG
34. Ricki
35. Jolene Allcock
36. Maria
37. Cheryl C
38. Khyla
39. captainliss40
40. Tiffany Drew
41. Melissa
42. Cheryl F
43. Sinn
44. Lisa
45. Shannon@BD
46. Katie
47. Scorpio M
48. Crystal GB
49. Jennifer
50. D
51. Eli Squared
52. cuzinlogic
53. Rosa
54. Lora 1967
55. Katy
56. Belle Decouverte
57. Diana D
58. Karina
59. lgm52
60. mbreakfield
61. Stephanie
62. Steph

And the winning number is #44 - Lisa Loves to Read.  An email is on the way.

Happy Reading! 

Cover Find: Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey Mackenzie

 

Green-Eyed Envy is the second book in the Shades of Fury series by Kasey Mackenzie.

I absolutely loved the first book - Red Hot Fury and I can't wait for Green-Eyed Envy.

Release Date: 06-28-11

Blurb Forthcoming

WoW: Living on the Edge by Shannon K. Butcher

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine to showcase books we are patiently awaiting.

 

Book Blurb:

After a devastating injury, Lucas Ramsay knows he's finished as a soldier.But when the general who saved his life asks him for a favor, he says yes. All Lucas has to do is keep the general's daughter from getting on a plane to Colombia -- which is easier said than done...

Independent to the core, Sloane Gideon is a member of the Edge-a group of mercenaries for hire. But she's not on the clock for this mission. Her best friend is being held by a vicious drug lord, and Sloane must rescue her -- no matter how many handsome ex-soldiers her father sends to dissuade her.

With little choice, Lucas tracks Sloane to Colombia-where she reluctantly allows him to aid her in her search. But as they grow closer to the target, they grow closer to each other. And before the battle is over, both will have to decide just what they are willing to fight for...

Release Date:  03-01-11

M.M.F.F Challenge: Week #27

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #27:

I didn't get this posted yesterday due to the hop I'm participating in - but I think I might use this picture to continue my story from last week.  Hmm....  Come back Friday to see what I decide to write.  :)

Valentine's Day Book With Love Hop

Good Choice Reading and Once Upon a Twilight have gotten together to host a Valentine's Day Blog Hop.

This hop will run from 2-14 through 2-16 and I will announce the winner of my giveaway on 2-17.

My giveaway is open to all followers of this blog with a US mailing address.  Here is what I have up for grabs.

Book Blurb:

R.S.V.P. to the most riotous wedding of the year . . .

Lucy Jorik is the daughter of a former president of the United States.

Meg Koranda is the offspring of legends.

One of them is about to marry Mr. Irresistible - Ted Beaudine - the favorite son of Wynette, Texas. The other is not happy about it and is determined to save her friend from a mess of heartache.

But even though Meg knows that breaking up her best friend's wedding is the right thing to do, no one else seems to agree. Faster than Lucy can say "I don't," Meg becomes the most hated woman in town - a town she's stuck in with a dead car, an empty wallet, and a very angry bridegroom. 

Broke, stranded, and without her famous parents at her back, Meg is sure she can survive on her own wits. What's the worst that can happen? Lose her heart to the one and only Mr. Irresistible? Not likely. Not likely at all. 

Make sure you stop by the other blogs participating in this hop.  Good Luck and Happy Reading!

 

Winners of To Have and to Kill by Mary Jane Clark

Thank you to everyone who participated in the To Have and to Kill giveaway.

Using Random dot org the winners have been chosen:

There were 14 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Debbie
2. Meredith
3. Skkorman
4. Paula
5. Jolene
6. Maria
7. DL Haley
8. Mariska
9. Mona
10. tetewa
11. MissKallie 2000
12. Ricki
13. Carol N Wong
14. Martha Lawson

And the winning numbers are:  6-Maria, 9-Mona and  13-Carol N Wong.

Congrats winners and Happy Reading!  An email is on the way.

 

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #26

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place
have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #26:

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
By Michelle Greathouse

Charlotte pulled the curtain aside and peered out of the window - nothing but trees.  The four week journey should be coming to an end soon, she did not know whether to be happy or sad about that fact.  

She was still in shock over the events of the last month.  Her father died, not unexpected in itself,  Charlotte had nursed him for the last year and a half.  But finding out upon his death that he had no money - was in fact, in debt - was distressing to say the least.

The house and all its furnishings were sold to cover the debts Lord Watson had incurred.  That she was able to walk away with her own clothing was a blessing Charlotte was grateful for.  That and Hannah.  

Charlotte looked over at the plump woman who had been more mother than housekeeper and squeezed her hand.  “It shouldn’t be long now.”

Hannah brushed her hand over her graying hair, not a strand out of place.  “Aye lass, we’ll be there soon enough.”
 
Shortly thereafter the carriage came to a halt and the door was opened.  “It’ll be a few moments before everything is transferred to the barge, if you care to stretch your legs milady.”  The footman assisted Charlotte and Hannah from the carriage and set about moving the trunks to the barge.

Charlotte made her way to the edge of the water, careful to keep her shoes from getting wet.  She remarked upon the fog, “My mourning clothes fit well with this gloomy weather.  I can barely see the castle in all of this fog.”

Suddenly is was too much to bear and Charlotte turned to Hannah, tears on her face.  “What do you think he wants with me, this Lord Niall.  Though he says he was a friend to my father, I’ve never heard of him.  Hannah I am afraid.”

Hannah took Charlotte by the hand.  “Lass, what choice do we have?  We’ve no where else to go and no money to boot.”  Resigned, Charlotte let Hannah lead her to the awaiting barge.

The barge made it’s way through the water quickly. Sooner than expected Charlotte arrived at the opposite dock.  “Careful milady, tis slippery.”

At the end of the short dock Charlotte found a set of massive stone steps that disappeared into the fog.   

She began to climb.

Off to her right a wolf howled causing Charlotte to mis-calculate the distance to the next step. She stumbled and would have fallen if not for the strong arm that reached out of the fog and grabbed her.

“Careful lass, you wouldn’t want to fall.”

Charlotte looked into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, topped by a head of hair as black as night.  “Lord Niall?”

“Welcome to Castle Killymoon.”

The End
Word Count: 497

Definitely not my usual fare - but I’m trying to branch out - and I didn’t kill anyone - yet. :)

Hope you liked it.

Have a great weekend.  

The Friday Hops, Follows & Tag Alongs :)

And

This follow is hosted by Laurie @ Bitten by Paranormal Romance and here is a rundown of the rules:

In order to participate in this tag along your blog must  primarily review, feature or promote those books that ARE NOT YA.  Your blog may have YA content - but it should not be the majority of what is featured.

Question of the week: What is your favorite genre? I absolutely love Urban Fantasy with Paranormal Romance a very close second.


And




And

Covers & Promo: Darkness Unbound & Darkness Rising

Darkness Unbound is the first book in the new Dark Angels series by Keri Arthur.

Book Blurb:

Risa Jones is as extraordinary as her heritage. Born from a lab-enhanced clone mother and an Aedh father, she can not only talk to the souls of the dying and the dead, but she can see the reapers and walk the gray fields that divide this world from the next...

Release Date:  09-27-11

And Book #2 in the Dark Angel's series:

 

No Release Date or Blurb on Book #2