The Bookish Snob Promotions Book Review: Taken

Author: L.M. Pruitt
Title: Taken
Publisher: Red Hot Publishing
Publish Date: Oct 28, 2011
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions and the author
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Cheating spouse? Stolen jewelry? Missing person?


Call Frances--Frankie--Post. A private detective with a trick of two up her sleeve and a few skeletons of her own.

What starts out as a simple missing person's case dumps Frankie and her lover Jack right in the crosshairs of a dangerous human trafficking organization. With lives on the line, bad blood and old wounds finally see the light of day. And Frankie and Jack are forced to realize: The past always catches up with you.

Always.

Review: I read Shades Of Grey by Pruitt last year and really enjoyed it, so I jumped at a chance to read Taken and I'm glad I did. This is a fantastic PI story with a lot of hot and steamy action going on both in and out of the bedroom.

Yeah. I said hot and steamy.

Like sizzlin' hot and steamy.

Melts ice, hot and steamy.

Have I mentioned hot and steamy?

OK.

Frankie is hired to find the cousin of a lawyer in the DA's office. But this is more than just a missing person's case as they find out through a little sluething. This is something big! Really big. Oh and Frankie has "The Sight." She has an ability to slip into a person's mind, which is how she found Audrey Clark and a whole lot more about her.  I like how this helps set things up in the story but doesn't take over the story. For the most part, this is a good PI story, with lots of sex!

Pruitt has created a fun cast of characters for this series. Jack is super sexy and so is Ian, aka Lawyer Boy...and then there's Casey Lynn and the doggie Monster, not to mention Johnny. One of these characters won't make it to book 2, but I'm not tellin' which..because you really have to read it.

There's one more thing about Jack and Frankie...they have a bit of a criminal past..and Jack and Frankie aren't their real names.

Want to find out more?

Read the book! You won't regret it..this was a good one.

Rating: 5 flowers

To read an excerpt, click here

Bookish Snob Promotions Guest Post: Keta Diablo w/Giveaway

Today we welcome Keta Diablo to A Chick Who Reads. She's going to talk about her new book Land Of Falling Stars.  Read her guest post and leave a comment and you could win an ebook copy of any of the books from Keta's back catalog except for Land Of Falling Stars. So make sure you leave a comment. Winners will be notified on Oct 19th.

Why I wrote Land of Falling Stars . . .




I love historical romance, always have. I cut my teeth reading Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss. Oh-oh, I think I just gave away my age. I remember reading Rogers under the covers with a flashlight, my heart thundering in my chest while I waited to see what Steve would do to Ginny once he discovered her latest faux pas.



Today, I read everything Joanna Bourne releases (Spymaster’s series) and Helen Kirk man. At least once a year, I rediscover the magical characters in a book called The Windflower (a pirate novel) by husband and wife team Laura London. Alas, they never wrote a sequel. I would have devoured books about their secondary characters, particularly Cat.



It’s little wonder when I started my writing career, I gravitated toward Historical Romance. The inspiration behind my books arrive through various vehicles—a dream or by people-watching. For Land of Falling Stars, I read a true-life article about the Civil War, specifically cousins who lived in the same county and fought for opposite sides. This was not unusual at the time. County boundaries were murky and sympathizers for the North frequently lived in the South—and vice versa.



Let’s draw an imaginary line across this great country we live in, and let’s imagine a civil war breaks out. You live in the upper part of the US, but have close family and friends who live in the bottom half. Near the boundary lives a horde of people who aren’t sure where they stand but are forced to choose. And they do choose for one reason or another.



The story about the cousins fascinated me. I couldn’t fathom how one could pick up arms and fight against their brethren. I spun off from that plot in Land of Falling Stars. What if two childhood friends grew up and fell in love with the same woman? What if one man fought for the North, the other for the South? What if the bond between the three was stronger than cement and not even war could separate the vast love they held for one another?



Thus, Land of Falling Stars was born. This is the story of Jesse, Gavin and Sophia. They lived in Virginia, a state with citizens deeply loyal to the South in all respects. Yet, Gavin’s family hailed from the North. You can see where this is going, right?



LOFS is not a complicated story; but a simple account of what happens between people when war knocks on our door. It’s a narrative of friendship, loyalty, betrayal and vast, abiding love. We won’t always like the characters’ actions or motives in the book, but to truly understand them and the world they’ve been thrust into, we must put our modern belief system aside and walk in their shoes of the time.



I hope you enjoy reading Land of Falling Stars as much as I enjoyed writing the book.



My best to you with sincere wishes that all your reads take you on memorable journeys you’ll never forget.


Author Info:

Keta Diablo is a multi-published author in romance (paranormal/historical) and gay fiction.




In 2009 her historical novel Decadent Deceptions was a finalist in the RWA Molly contest

Decadent Deceptions on Kindle: http://amzn.to/dQj8WZ



In 2010 Keta finaled in The Scarlet Boa contest with her yet to be published novel Phoenix Rising



In 2011 Keta's paranormal/shifter Where The Rain Is Made was nominated for a BOOKIE AWARD by Authors After Dark

Where The Rain is Made on Kindle: http://amzn.to/ev0I3Y



Her Crossroads series (gay fiction) has won numerous awards, including Best Book of the Month, Recommended Read and Top Reviewer's Recommendation.

Crossroads on Kindle: http://amzn.to/fRni1t



Diablo has written for numerous publishers over the years, most recently Books We Love Spice and Decadent Publishing and occasionally self-publishes.

You can find her on the Internet here:

Keta's Haunt Author home: http://www.ketadiablo.com/  (sign up for her newsletter here)

Keta's Keep Romance Blog: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com/

The Stuff of Myth and Men gay fiction blog: http://thestuffofmythandmen.blogspot.com/

Keta on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ketadiablo

Keta on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KetaDiablo.Author


Next Tour Stop: Oct 16 – Romancing The Darkside http://romancingthedarkside.blogspot.com

Buy: Amazon/Barnes and Noble

The Bookish Snob Promotions Book Review: Lust After Death

Author: Daisy Harris
Title: Lust After Death
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publish Date: July 18, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions and the author
Book Blurb: In the Pacific Northwest, where life hurries to keep pace with technology, a re-animated bride named Josie struggles to escape her creator and to find her identity in the half-erased circuitry of her mind and body. Assassin Bane Connor just wants to get the girl to the Zombie Underground and receive his payoff—a mental reset that will erase his memories as well as his guilt. But an attack by a rival faction derails his rescue, and the wide-eyed female whose circuitry requires a husband tears at his hardened heart and ignites desire like he’s never known. Acting as Josie’s spouse-substitute is tougher than Bane expected. The newborn stein needs touch to live, and wanting her is a complication he doesn’t need. To make matters worse, she sees into the darkest recesses of his mind. The last thing a killer wants is for his lover to read his thoughts, but if Josie can love him the way he’s programmed, perhaps Bane can find a way to heal his past.

Review: Lust After Death is probably the most unique paranormal type stories I've read. I'm not big on Zombies but this story had an interesting twist with the Zombie Underground. Oh and there's hot zombie sex too! Don't worry nothing falls off! Tee hee!

These aren't your typical Zombies though, they are Steins, as Harris calls them. The steins are brought back to life and are programed.

The two lead characters are steins, Bane is a killing stein, while Josie was programed to be a sort of blowup doll stein. You know there's going to be some fun there. Bane doesn't know what kind of stein she is, but he knows he has to rescue her and get her to the Zombie Underground for reprograming.

Oh and there's another group out to get them both!

Sound like fun?

It actually is, especially when Bane and Josie start having hot steamy sex with each other.

But all that aside, I have to say the thing that I really loved about Josie was her love for cats. I'm not sure if they explained the reason for that love, but it was so cute.

This was a short novella, less than 100 pages and an unusual plot for the paranormal genre. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you like your reads smoking hot!

Rating: 4 flowers

The Bookish Snob Promotions Guest Post: Daisy Harris

A Hero to Die For

Thanks for having me on the blog today!

I’ve decided to talk a little bit about damages heroes, and in particular my hero Bane Connor from Love-Bots 1: Lust After Death.

My love-bot world is inhabited by re-animated humans called “steins.” But in all honesty, I came up with the characters before I fleshed out the science. My heroine Josie was always going to be a zombie bride, and her hero Bane was always going to be a lost soul who she (figuratively) brings back from the dead. However, the details—the computer programming of their minds, their ability to form network connections, the way the data streamed into their consciousness—were created after the fact.

In order for my premise to work, I needed a hero who was damaged, and even a little mopey. At the start of Lust After Death, Bane is near-suicidal. He looks forward to finishing his assignment so that his mind can undergo a full reset. After the brain-wipe, he’ll be a whole different person with none of his memories and maybe even a different personality.

Writing a lost hero was a real challenge for me, and in real-life I’m not much of a fan of mopey men. Sure, there’s the attraction to a guy who’s deep and dark and damaged, but let’s just say I’ve had some bad experiences with that kind of guy. I wanted so badly to take the edge of Bane’s self-hatred, kick him in the shins and tell him to get over himself. Smack some sense into the boy!

So you can imagine my utter joy when at the end of the book my heroine Josie does exactly that! She doesn’t kick his shins, but she does stomp on his foot. And if you knew my ethereal, naïve Josie, you’d understand how funny that is. In my opinion, Bane got exactly what he deserved—a heroine who’d love him despite all his flaws, but who would demand he get the heck over his issues.

Sigh If only I could have done something like that in real life… Wait… What were we talking about??

Oh yeah, Bane Connor and his lady love. He’s my first and only lost-soul hero. And I’m glad I got the opportunity to make him a little less lost.

Thanks for having my on the blog! Make sure to check out my blurb below and the excerpts on my website and at Ellora’s Cave! Happy reading!

LUST AFTER DEATH

By Daisy Harris

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave / ISBN: 9781419935053 / Genre: Erotic

Paranormal / Length: Novella

In the Pacific Northwest, where life hurries to keep pace with technology, a re-animated bride named Josie struggles to escape her creator.

Assassin Bane Connor wants to get the girl to the Zombie Underground and receive his payoff—a mental reset that will erase his memories as well as his guilt. But an attack by a rival faction derails his rescue, and the wide-eyed female ignites desire like he’s never known.

The newborn stein needs touch to live, and wanting her is a complication Bane doesn’t need. The last thing a killer wants is a his lover who can read his thoughts, but if Josie can love him the way he’s programmed, perhaps Bane can find a way to heal his past.
DAISY HARRIS

Birkenstock-wearing glamour girl and mother of two by immaculate conception, Daisy Harris still isn’t sure if she writes erotica. Her paranormal romances start out innocently enough. However, her characters behave like complete sluts. Much to Miss Harris’s dismay, the sex tends to get completely out of hand.

If you like science-y subplots, fantastical creatures, and red-hotchemistry, you’ll love Daisy Harris. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook and at http://www.thedaisyharris.com/.

Buy @ Amazon & Barnes and Noble

Next Tour Stop: Oct 3 – Paranormal Opinion http://paranormalopinion.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Shades Of Gray

Author: L.M. Pruitt
Title: Shades Of Gray
Publisher: Red Hot Publishing
Publish Date: August 13, 2011
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions and the author
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: Orphaned at birth, raised by nuns, a teenage runaway living on the streets… she now earns a living at odd jobs, including one as a fake tarot card reader. Very little about Jude’s life appears normal, by any scale. When she accepts a gig to do a private reading, unconventional takes on an entirely new meaning. 

Life as she knows it ends when she’s thrust into a world she never knew existed—one filled with magic, vampires, and her beloved New Orleans on the verge of an underground war. To make matters worse, she's got two men in her life vying for attention, Williams and Theo. Both call to a different part of her, but one scares her just a little bit. Can she step up to the challenges set before her and make the right choices for the greater, which may or not be the greater good?

Review:This type of book isn't usually my thing, but the book blurb called to me and I had to read it. I really wasn't disappointed. Jude is the type of heroine that most women are totally excited to see. She's a no nonsense, kick ass kind of girl. She's really a refreshing character, plus she's not super rich, which is another thing that scores points with me.


When I started reading this the setting and the vampires and the witches reminded me a bit of True Blood. The characters all share that same "we take no shit" attitude. I really liked that, even though this isn't the usual type of story I reach for.

Pruitt combines magic, paranormal with an interesting family and weaves a killer story. Getting to know Jude's family history as the book goes on really pulled me in. I felt more inclined to care about Jude once we discovered more about her ancestry. (I don't want to give anything away with the plot).

I also liked the toned down relationship between Jude and Williams and Theo.  The feelings and relationships between these characters could have become really hot and heavy, but sex took a back burner in this story, and as much as I love me some smokin' sex in my books, it wouldn't have worked well in this story. Shades of Gray is too action packed with other things to have the sex take center stage.

This book was a definite challenge for me to read. Not because of the writing, but because urban fantasy is out of my comfort zone, but I'm really glad I read this one, and I hope to be able to read the next Jude Magdalyn book.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: Blood Of The White Witch

Author: Lacey Weatherford
Title: Blood Of The White Witch (Of Witches and Warlocks Book 3)
Publisher: Global Authors Publications
Publish Date: Aug 2, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions and the author
Book Blurb: As the personal connection between Portia and Vance explodes, the two quickly find themselves in a world of shifting balances. While searching for Vance’s missing mother, they realize they are suddenly unsure of who to trust, learning sometimes things are not always as they appear. When Vance’s demon characteristics abruptly begin to resurface without warning, the horrible truth comes out, crashing down upon them and shattering some of their most precious dreams. Once the deadly secret is uncovered, Portia and Vance find themselves hastily rushing against the hands of time in and attempt to stop an ancient ritual. Passion, loyalties, powers, and family ties, will all be tested when dangerous adventures abound in the third installment in the Of Witches and Warlocks series...Blood of the White Witch.

Review: This series is very different from what I usually read in the YA area. I jumped into it without reading the first two books, but that was ok, because things are explained nicely so that a new reader won't be too confused.

The relationship between Portia and Vance kinda creeps me out because I know there ages...16 and 18. A lot of sex goes on...though its alluded to rather than described, since this is a YA novel. These two have a very passionate relationship. The thing that doesn't sit well with me is Vance. Not that I don't love him, because he's the kind of hero we all want. Super alpha male, ready to do anything to protect his lady..but he feels like he's older than 18. Portia on the other hand doesn't seem as mature. It was the one thing I had a hard time getting past in the story. Oh and for Portia's protection, the two are married.

The story itself is awesome. I was totally taken in by Douglas and Fiona, Vance's grandparents, when the couple were in Scotland. The fact that they weren't what they seemed was a total shock to me. The conflict they bring to the story really is gripping. I was totally intrigued by "The Awakening" and the "White Witch Coven."

Again, I wish the passion were a little more toned down between Vance and Portia, because for me it detracted from the action, but that is me.

I really want to go back and  read the first two books in the series so I can tie everything together.

Rating: 4 flowers

The Bookish Snob Promotions Guest Post: Lacey Weatherford

Today we welcome Lacey Weatherford, author of Blood of the White Witch to A Chick Who Reads! How exciting is that.

A Trip through “Vanceland” - Part Three

Yay! You’re back for more touring with me! I love it!! Well, let’s get on with it, shall we? This is a fun one!

About midway through Blood of the White Witch, Vance and Portia find themselves in London, England on an unplanned detour. They end up staying at the fabulous Milestone Hotel. When they aren’t busy researching information on an ancient ritual, they often find themselves strolling through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens for a little relaxation time.

However, they soon discover information that sends them and their group out looking for a particular stone circle. Stone circles number in the thousands when it comes to Europe so this is certainly no easy task.

The two find themselves taking a little day trip to check out Stonehenge to see if it could be the particular circle they are looking for. They come back to visit the stones that night, all alone and they have an interesting little encounter.

“Something very powerful is at work here,” Vance said, and he lifted his palms into the air in front of him.

I watched him in amazement when sparks began generating from the tips of his fingers. There was a loud snapping sound, and suddenly the air burst into electrical currents around him.

He chuckled, and the currents spread through the air, twisting, zipping, and arcing in all directions until there was a current attached to every stone in the circle. I felt like we were standing in the middle of an electric storm ball, and I could feel the static electricity in the air begin to even lift the hairs on my head.

“Come here,” he said with a grin while he continued to manipulate the magic.

I walked toward him, and the streams of electricity danced harmlessly away from my body as I approached, until I was standing right in front of him.

“Lift your hands up,” he commanded me, and I did as he asked.

He moved until our palms were almost touching, but not quite, and I felt him link with me mentally.

Sparks began shooting from my fingertips the second his mind attached to mine, and I jerked as a wave of the most intense power I had ever felt coursed completely through my body from head to toe.

My breath caught when I suddenly realized this was his magic flowing through me. Never could I have imagined the strength or the level at which he operated. I had always known he was strong and gifted magically, but I would have never dreamed it possible at this magnitude.

A stronger surge moved through me. I felt my hair lift and swirl away from my body as it did, and I realized with awe that he was playing. What I was feeling was not even the full extent of his power! I wondered how he could possibly contain it all. My body was trembling at the invasion of it, and it continued to pulsate through me, causing magical reactions from my own power. I noticed the tips of my fingers had now turned to solid ice.

The air churned and throbbed with the electric streams that lifted from our bodies, twisting together. I watched the display around us in amazement. It was a phenomenal sight to behold, to be a part of.

He stepped forward, locking his fingers with mine, and I felt more than saw the explosion of electricity when his lips touched mine. My knees buckled under the power of his magic. He released one of my hands and caught me easily around the waist before pushing me backward with his body until my back was pressed against one of the ancient stones.

He lifted the one hand he still held up over my head, pressing it up against the rock too. He ran his free hand down my arm, sending actual sparks over my skin, raising huge goose bumps there, before he took my free hand and threaded it around his waist.

Lifting his hand, he touched my face, running his thumb over my lips while he looked at me. He looked like some sort of mythical god standing in front of me with the very air crackling and swirling around him.

Suddenly his fingers felt very cold on my lips, and I looked down to see that the tips of them had ice on them also, and I realized my powers were transferring to him as well.

“Look at the two of us.” He grinned seductively while continuing to run his thumb over my lower lip. “Fire and Ice … literally.”


I had so much fun writing this part of the book!! Stay tuned to the tour for more fun “Vanceland” locations!!

Buy the book: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Author Info:

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.

Lacey resides in the White Mountains of Arizona , where she lives with her wonderful husband, six beautiful children, one son-in-law, and their energetic schnauzer, Sophie. When she's not out supporting one of her kids at their sporting/music events, she spends her time writing, reading, blogging, and reviewing books.

You can contact Lacey by following her on her social medias:

Twitter at http://twitter.com/LMWeatherford

Facebook Fan Page at Of Witches and Warlocks- Paranormal Book Series http://www.laceyweatherfordbooks.com/  

http://www.ofwitchesandwarlocks.com/.

Next stop on the tour:   Aug 25 – Paranormal Opinion

Book Release Blitz: Knight Moves

Blurb –


In the third installment of The Black Knight Chronicles, vampire private investigators Jimmy Black and Greg Knightwood find another vampire (or more) playing in their sandbox, and the boys are NOT happy about it.

While tracking down the killer of a young college student, they encounter boobytraps, defenestration, coeds, a hirsute bounty hunter with a moon fetish and a bad attitude, and worst of all - game night at a comic shop!

This comic urban fantasy series has drawn comparisons to The Dresden Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Kevin Smith movies. Knight Moves is the followup to the kindle best-selling Hard Day’s Knight and Back in Black.

Book Links –

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Moves-Content-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B005G4QCX4/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1312741444&sr=1-4


BN - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Knight-Moves-with-Bonus-Content/John-G-Hartness/e/2940013633957

Bio –

John G. Hartness is a poet, actor and novelist from Charlotte, NC. He is the author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles and the stand-alone novel The Chosen. His work has been compared to Kevin Smith, Joss Whedon, Jim Butcher and other grown men who spend too much time in comic book stores. He likes bluegrass, fried pickles and cheap beer.


Website - http://www.johnhartness.com/

Twitter - @johnhartness

Facebook - www.facebook.com/johnghartness

The Bookish Snob Promotions Author Interview: Stacey Kennedy

 

Today I'm lucky to be hosting the fantastic Stacey Kennedy on the "A Warrior's Witch" blog tour.  You can check out my review of the book here

Stacey, can you tell us a little more about A Warrior’s Witch.

A Warrior’s Witch is a paranormal romance with a fun suspenseful mystery and has a dash of sensual spice. Here is the blurb:

Murder has brought Talon, Master of Guardians, as well as Zia, his witch and Master of Witches, to Chicago. The manner of death appears to be a suicide, but Talon is far from ready to close the case. To avenge the Guardian linked to his past, he agrees to take on the assignment, and find her killer.

As they dive deeper into the investigation, they find themselves entering a world where BDSM is the norm. A lifestyle that Zia is uncomfortable with and, rattled by this new development, she is more than ready to return to the Otherworld. But their investigation quickly takes an unexpected twist when they discover that they’re not only hunting a killer but also someone who is controlling supernaturals in Chicago.

Their mission not only brings danger, but also forces Talon to deal with decades old guilt that corrodes his soul. Every event that unfolds only deepens his fight and pushes him to face an ultimate choice—what is more important—his duty to the Otherworld or the witch he holds closest to his heart?

On your website you say you love series. What do you think the draw is to revisit certain characters over and over?

I write series because my books are focused around a woman coming into herself. Owning who and what she is. That acceptance I feel just can’t be found in only one novel. It takes a series of events for the character to discover all there is to know about herself and love who she is.

I do write single titles, but they’re my erotic romances that don’t have that full circle type of feel. All heat—and lots of it.

Do you have a favorite author or particular series?

Katie MacAllister and Jeaniene Frost are by far my two favorite authors. I have a real big thing for stories told in the first person and where the hero and heroine stay in love throughout the entire series. I’m not a huge fan of drama and if I’m not given a happy ending, I’m grumpy.

Your books have had witches, werewolves and ghosts, which paranormal entity was the
most challenging to write?

The most challenging had to be the ghost, Kipp. It proved to be a tad difficult to write love scenes were they cannot actually touch and this made me get creative. But the process was so fun!

Do you think there is a paranormal entity that couldn’t be made sexy?

Nope!

Do you have a favorite character from your books?

My favorite characters tend to be the ones I’m currently spending time with. So, right now I’m totally smitten over Ryker. Dear God, the man is too sexy for his own good. But when I start the next Tess & Kipp book, I’ll love Kipp! Needless to say, it always changes.

What are you working on next?

I’ll be starting the next Tess & Kipp book in the next couple weeks. I’ve outlined the book and am just wanting to sit down and start. If only I could get my to-do list down so I can dig in!

What book are you reading right now?

I’m nearly done River Marked by Patricia Briggs. I love me some Adam!! Now, if only I could find the time to finish reading it.

Tell your readers 5 fun facts about you.

I love horses and have ridden since the age of eight.
I’ve been kicked in the eye by a horse before and needed to get stiches on my eyelid.
I love an ice cold beer on a hot day.
I love to dance
I know how to drive a standard car.


Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Junk food—I love chocolate, ice cream, and candy!



Next Stop on the tour: July 2 – Seeing Night Reviews
 

The Bookish Snob Promotions Book Review: A Warrior's Witch

Author: Stacey Kennedy
Title: A Warrior's Witch
Publisher: Createspace
Publish Date: June 10, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions and the author
Book Blurb: Murder has brought Talon, Master of Guardians, as well as Zia, his witch and Master of Witches, to Chicago. The manner of death appears to be a suicide, but Talon is far from ready to close the case. To avenge the Guardian linked to his past, he agrees to take on the assignment, and find her killer. As they dive deeper into the investigation, they find themselves entering a world where BDSM is the norm. A lifestyle that Zia is uncomfortable with and, rattled by this new development, she is more than ready to return to the Otherworld. But their investigation quickly takes an unexpected twist when they discover that they’re not only hunting a killer but also someone who is controlling supernaturals in Chicago. Their mission not only brings danger, but also forces Talon to deal with decades old guilt that corrodes his soul. Every event that unfolds only deepens his fight and pushes him to face an ultimate choice—what is more important—his duty to the Otherworld or the witch he holds closest to his heart?

Review: If you haven't read a book by Stacey Kennedy yet this year....What the heck are you waiting for. Stacey is one of my favorite authors. This book just helps me reaffirm why I love her writing.

All of Stacey's heroines are really kick ass. No shirking violets here. Plus she has so many different elements going on, romance mystery...HOT STEAMY SEX....yeah did I mention sex?

Her writing borders on erotica, but it is always more than just the sex...but the sex...is...yowzas! Stacey's ability to bring up the heat and keep the plot going without one overpowering the other is one of the things I really love about her writing.

Talon and Zia definitely are one of my favorite couples. Both are strong and sexy, but they each have softer elements to their characters.

One thing is certain, this is a book you simply can't put down. Which again affirms my belief that Stacey is a goddess among writers!

Rating: 5 flowers

Next stop one the tour: July 2 – Seeing Night Reviews

The Bookish Snob Promotions Guest Post: Keira Lea Author Of Replay

Why I Love Hairless Cats


Kelsee Lewis, the main character of Replay, has a writing partner named Z. Braff. Before you run off to Google to see where you've heard that name before, let me tell you he has a small but puzzling role in the story. He's also a hairless cat.

Have you ever seen a hairless cat? My husband thinks they look like wrinkly, bald rats. I think they resemble Yoda's rosy niece. Their lack of a full coat gives them a unique standing in a feline world dominated by fur. When I started writing Replay, I knew one of these peach-fuzz wonders would be part of the story.

Kelsee feels like an outsider, someone who stands out because she is the new girl at school. She watches vintage Saturday Night Live episodes and calls on Gilda Radner's spirit to help her through the weirdness in her life. Not even her best friend Miranda helps Kelsee feel like part of the "regular" people in her world who don't have panic attacks with time-warp special effects.

I love the outsider. My novel is not autobiographical, but I identify with Kelsee. I would have been friends with her in high school. We would have put Z. Braff on a leash and walked through the neighborhood together. We would have shared our pride in being hairless cats in a world covered in fur.
 
 
Author Info:

Keira Lea released her debut novel in April 2011. She is a devoted fan of the TV show FRINGE, a card-carrying member of the Apple cult, and a mother to two human children and three feline ones. She is working on a sequel to Replay.

Next Tour Stop: June 27 – We Fancy Books

Buy Replay: Amazon/Barnes and Noble

The Bookish Snob Promotions Book Excerpt: Save My Soul

 Zoe Winter's has kindly shared a excerpt of Save My Soul with A Chick Who Reads.

Excerpt

He leaned in. Anna leaned back. A grotesque dance of unrequited love.

“What? Don’t I get a little goodnight kiss?”

“I don’t kiss on the first date. It keeps the pressure off.” That wasn’t strictly true, but what Marsh didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.

“We’ve known each other for years. You can’t make an exception?” He was easing in again, going for his second attempt.

“No, not really.” Anna was becoming irritated. He’d gone from annoying bad date to general all around clueless ass.

Marshal tried to look past her into the house. “All right. Can I have the ten-cent tour at least? I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this place.”

“I’m sorry, but the ten cent tour only covers the outside of the house.” When he smiled that goofy shaggy dog grin like he thought he was flirting, she decided to play it straight. “I’ve really got stuff to do.”

She was caught off guard when he pushed his way past her, causing the wildflowers she’d carried all day to scatter in all directions. The warning bells that had been gently tingling all afternoon, started to sound more like a loud cymbal.

The door clicked ominously behind him, causing Anna’s anxiety to climb higher. You’re being silly. This isn’t a Lifetime movie. He doesn’t realize he’s coming off this way. Despite her inner monologue, her hand itched for something heavy to beat him unconscious. Forcing his way into her home was crossing the line. Actually it crossed federal lines, being a felony and all.

“Marshal, I would like you to leave now. You’re pissing me off.”

He smiled. His voice came out a smooth purr as if he were seducing her instead of planning an attack. “No, I’m scaring you. You know, you always were such a tease, Anna. I would have asked you out when we were kids, but I thought surely Quinton Worthington’s daughter wouldn’t give me the time of day. It wasn’t until much later I heard you had a crush on me.”

“Get out.” The words were said between clenched teeth. She’d started to back away from him.

The smile didn’t leave his face; he only moved closer. Shy guy had left the building. “It’s pretty ironic. I’ll bet there were nights we both touched ourselves thinking of the other, and yet we never got together. Let’s find out if our reality lives up to our fantasies.”

Anna reached for a lead candlestick off the mantel, only to have it batted away as Marshal pressed her against the wall. He trailed a finger down her cheek, then dipped to capture her mouth in a kiss.

“All you had to do was give me one little kiss. You didn’t have to be so uptight.”

Anna leaned forward as if to kiss him back. Instead, she bit his lip and kneed him in the groin. His eyes widened as he reflexively doubled over, cupping the family jewels too late.

“Ow, you stupid bitch!” His tongue crept out to lick away the thin trickle of blood. His eyes filled with renewed purpose as his face rose to meet hers.

She knew she should have run for the door, but panic can make you retarded. Now she was the dumb horror movie chick running up the staircase. If she got out of this alive she’d never mock dumb horror movie chick again.

Author Bio: Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. She lives with her husband and two cats, and her favorite colors are rainbow and clear. For more information visit http://www.zoewinters.org or her blog at: http://zoewinters.wordpress.com

Buy: Amazon/Smashwords/Barnes and Noble 

Next Tour Stop: June 26 – Steampunkery And Book Reviews

Read My Review: Here
 

The Bookish Snob Promotions Book Review: Replay

Author: Keira Lea
Title: Replay
Publish Date: April 12, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The Bookish Snob Promotions and the author
Book Blurb: Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?

Review: Who wouldn't want to rewind time? I know I would, but as Kelsee learns using her powers has consequences.

There is much to love about this fast fun YA read. Kelsee is pretty much your average teenager. She has a crush on a cute guy but is scared to do anything about it. She has family troubles. She has a unique BFF.

She doesn't discover that she's able to manipulate time until midway through the story. The super power if you want to call it that, is more a secodary thing. The imporant things are the real girl things; trying to get her play written, trying to get the cute guy to like her, figuring out why here parents are crazy.

The story starts out slowly, focusing more on Kelsee's normal life, her school, her mom, the trips to the shrink. It is through that that we start to get a clue about her. Her panic attacks are more than just that. When she meets Quinn she starts to realize she's different.

Once she realizes what she can do, she uses it to fix things, however that's when things start to backfire.  Kelsee needs to learn that you can't mess with the time line.

I really liked Kelsee and Quinn, from the get go, I knew they would be a better couple than Kelsee and Patrick. The popular hot guy is never quite as good as you think he's going to be.

The best part of the story is the dialogue. I loved Kelsee's witty, sarcastic/snarky dialogue. She just really comes across as a typical teenager. Her thoughts and words were laugh out loud funny most of the time. She's got good reason to be sarcastic too. Her mom is too clingy, her dad has a new girlfriend, her best friend isn't acting the way a best friend should...and there is the time manipulation thing...oh and a play that is make it or break it for her school's creative writing program

It is no wonder this girl is stressed, and when she gets stressed time does funny things. As the story goes one, when Kelsee tries to fix things...she breaks them even more.

Keira Lea really pulls everything together in the end too. It is hard to explain all the things going on in Kelsee's life without giving away the plot, and really, this is a great book, so I don't want to spoil it. Just grab this book and a nice comfy chair and read away! This book is fab and fun! The perfect summer read!

Rating: 5 flowers

The Bookish Snob Promotions Guest Post: Toni LoTempio

Crafting a Heroine

Hi, I’m Toni LoTempio, a

uthor of the paranormal romantic suspense novels NO REST FOR THE WICCA and RAVEN’S KISS.

Today I thought I’d speak about crafting a heroine.  What goes into that, some of you might wonder?

Well, I’m not particularly fond of the old Harlequin stereotype, the maiden in distress rescued by the handsome hunk hero.  Probably because I like mysteries and grew up weaned on Nancy Drew, I likemy heroines to have a bit of spunk (no, can that – a LOT of spunk) and a backbone – although they do get a bit mushy when their Prince comes along LOL

In No Rest for the Wicca, Morgan Hawkes is a “ghost whisperer” meaning she can talk to spirits who haven’t yet departed this plane. She also has a lot of voodoo knowledge thanks to her father, some of which didn’t serve her in good stead when she was a Homicide detective – so now she’ a bit leery of trusting her abilities.  Her guilt over her partner’s death has also made her a bit –crotchety, shall we say?

And then enter Cole St. John.  This Inheritor Vampire knows just what buttons to push on her to get a response,and to let her open up and expose her feelings.  Yes, by the end of the book they’re madly in love (of course) but it was a journey for them to get to that point.

Ditto Raven Grace, the heroine of RAVEN’S KISS.  A college senior, she had high expectations of a career in law enforcement, until a demon’s bite turned her into a Shapeshifter.  Now a member of the Recovery – an organization who keeps the peace between humanity and errant Others – Raven’s motivated by a need for revenge on the demon who turned her. However, unknown to her, the demon had a hidden agenda, which she finds out when she makes the leap into parallel time – and meets up with a fiery, redheaded Scotsman who’s just as stubborn and opinionated as she is.

Instant love?  Hardly.  But eventually the two of them get together – because in the end, they’re good for each other – and isn’t that what it’s all about, really?

When I wrote the outline for these two strong women , I confess, I put a bit of myself into them – after all, they are my creations, how could I not?  Although I would hope I might not be as snarky or defensive as Raven or Morgan seem to appear sometimes, they both do have one thing in common: underneath their gruff exteriors beats a heart of gold – someone who would go that extra mile for someone they truly loved.

I hope you enjoyed this little insight into my characters, and I hope you’ll read Raven and Wicca and also feel free to stop by my website: www.tonilotempio.webs.com or my (andRocco’s) blog: www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com  to find out more about coming events!

All About….TONI LOTEMPIO

Hello!  I’m Toni LoTempio, author of Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense/YA Fantasy!  I’ve been writing ever since I was old enough to read, when I didn’t like the endings of the stories my mother read me I simply rewrote them J  Even though I write mainly in the paranormal genre, I have also written straight horror, as well as contemporary romance/suspense.

In 1995, I joined the staff of SUSABELLA PASSENGERS AND FRIENDS, a pulp magazine for collectors of antique children’s literature (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc.)  Currently I’ve written over 300 articles for that magazine, and I was the first recipient of their Margaret Sutton Award for Distinguished Writing in 1998.  I joined the staff of NIGHT OWL REVIEWS IN January 2011 as the suspense reviewer/columnist.  My column, DARK STREETS, which features articles on suspense authors and their novels, is featured on a monthly basis. I love to spotlight new talent, so if you’re a suspense author, please contact me!

In 2007, Whiskey Creek Press published BOUND BY BLOOD, a tale of possession, and EBONY, which deals with zombies and the dark side of man. EBONY was #2 on the Fictionwise bestseller list for e-books for the month of July 2007, beating out Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story. (and no one was more shocked than I, LOL) In 2010, after countless attempts to land another agent, I took the advice of a fellow author HP Mallory, and self published NO REST FOR THE WICCA, which has been on Amazon’s list of top one hundred in Occult since March 2011.  My short story, THE SACRIFICE, appears in the e-published anthology KISS ME KILL ME, and I also have a YA fantasy, MY SUPERHERO SISTER on B&N and Amazon.  A complete listing of my books appears at the end of this bio.

Currently single, I work full time and live in Clifton, NJ, with  my muses:  Rocco, Maxx, Gata and Trixie.  (Rocco is also known as Rocco the SciFi Blogging Cat and has appeared on the SciFi Saturday Night website and radio show, and also on the Kids Need To Read website where he holds the distinction of being the first (and possibly only!) blogging cat to support this charity!)

I love hearing from fans, so please feel free to friend me on FACEBOOK, and visit my website, www.tonilotempio.webs.com  Rocco and I post daily M-F on his blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com

Toni LoTempio Books:

Bound by Blood – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, Feb. 2007 (paranormal suspense)

Ebony – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, July 2007 (paranormal suspense)

Witch’s Pawn – Echelon Press, trade paperback & e-book, December 2008 (horror)

Nom de Plume – Whiskey Creek Press, trade paperback & e-book, November 2008 (contemporary romance)

It’s in the Cards – Whiskey Creek Press, e-book, February 2010 – (paranormal romance)

Out of the Ashes – Whiskey Creek Press, e-book, May 2010 – Fantasy

No Rest for the Wicca – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, September 2010 – paranormal suspense

My Superhero Sister – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, Trade Paperback - January 2011 – YA Fantasy

Kiss Me, Kill Me – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book anthology –February 2011 – Short Story, “The Sacrifice”

Raven’s Kiss – Amazon & B&N Pub-It, e-book, & Trade Paperback April, 2011 – Paranormal Romance

Next stop on the tour: June 22 - Faerotic Prose