Devil Without a Cause Winner!

A great big PRA thank you to Terri Garey for stopping by a few weeks ago for an interview! 

I selected the winning commenter from that post using random.org and the winner is....

Beverly who said...

Great interview - love the five fun facts bit!!! I have two sisters - isn't it amazing how groups of women raised together can all turn out so amazing and yet so completely different. Please enter me in the giveaway - love the cover and it sounds great! I am an old follower.

You won a copy of Devil Without a Cause from Terri Garey! Congrats! I will be emailing you shortly to confirm and get your info. 

NR: Eternal Kiss by Laura Wright

Eternal Kiss (Mark of the Vampire #2)

by Laura Wright

Paperback, 384 pages

Published April 5th 2011 by Signet 

ISBN 0451233840

Raised by the Breed, Nicholas Roman wants to stop the Eternal Order of Vampires from controlling his life, and using other males from his bloodline-including possibly his son-for their vicious reign. Only a beautiful vampire stranger can help him. But what are her true motives?

Good Reads

5 Loveys!

Eternal Kiss is dark and sexy; every page will leave you craving for more!

I fell in love with the Roman brothers in the first novel of the Mark of the Vampire series, Eternal Hunger but this novel, Eternal Kiss, just blew me away! Nicholas Roman’s story is dark, deep, dangerous and enthralling – I could not put it down! He has a lurid past and a shocking secret that could destroy the life he’s built with his brothers and his developing relationship with Kate if it’s ever revealed.

I have to admit that I was drawn to Nicky from the start, in the first novel he was the gentlemen of the brothers but you could tell that there was a tortured soul underneath his calm veneer and in Eternal Kiss author Laura Wright masterfully peels away the multiple layers in his character, drawing you deeper and deeper into him until there is no turning back. Honestly, he is one of my favorite heroes out there. Everything I look for in one, he has! Loyal, sexy, self-sacrificing, fierce, strong, smart, brave, loving…I can keep going and going…

He is paired with the perfect heroine for him, Kate Everborne. I rarely find a series where I love all the heroines but so far we’re two for two here. Kate is smart, courageous, strong and witty; the ultimate heroine. The relationship between these two could not of been better written. Both Nicky and Kate have major baggage and trust issues but the intense sexual tension is the biggest shining point, and it leads to a scorching climax for these two. Scorching people.

But they weren’t the only characters in this book; there were subplots involving others that just enhance the story and invest you further into this world. The dialogue between the brothers themselves is humorous, sarcastic and entertaining; some of my favorite scenes are with all three of them.

Every scene is well thought out, detailed and descriptive; immersing the reader fully into the story line.

I loved the fact that Wright provided a glossary for this novel, the word that she has created is interesting and unique but it always helps to have a page you could turn to if you forget what a new word or term used in the story means.

Nail biting twists and turns, fantastical suspense, relentless action and fiery romance this is a paranormal romance that you cannot pass up! There was also a fabulous set up for the next book in the series, Eternal Captive, which I am just dying for! 

Today's Relapses 06/21/11

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Hyperion

ISBN-10: 1401323901

ISBN-13: 978-1401323905

The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret--they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there's Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache.For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it's time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.

The Darkest Heart by Thea Devine

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Gallery; Original edition

ISBN-10: 1416562664

ISBN-13: 978-1416562665

Ever since a terrible fire killed her older son, one ambition has ruled Countess Lazlaric. Desperate to continue the family legacy, she is determined that her rakehell second son wed and produce an heir. Now, she’s found the perfect bride. A distant relative, writing to beg for help, is ideal for her secret plans.Alone in the world, beautiful raven-haired Senna Landseth finds more than just Drom Manor’s isolation sending a shiver down her spine. Countess Lazlaric seems overly eager to welcome her, strange noises fill the cavernous corridors of the gloomy manor, and she senses she is being spied upon. Then a note mysteriously appears, inscribed with chilling words: “I’m watching you. Nicolai.”In the years since the fire that supposedly destroyed him, Nicolai Lazlaric has inhabited the world of a vampire, consumed with seeking revenge on the creature who turned him. Now, it is time to return to Drom Manor. But Nicolai has no idea how badly the Countess wants an heir—or that his hated brother’s prospective bride is residing there. Senna’s unexpected presence upends Nicolai’s plans, for he can think only of possessing the beautiful innocent, of taking her in a blood-binding seduction from which she will never escape. . . .

Embraced by Blood by Laurie London

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition

ISBN-10: 0373775865

ISBN-13: 978-0373775866

Alfonso Serrano is a hunted man. For months he's managed to elude the Darkbloods, vengeful foes who won't rest until he's dead. But he still craves one dangerous temptation: Lily DeGraff, the sexy Guardian agent he'll risk anything to protect.Lily is a wanted woman. Her talent for tracking Sweet—a rare blood type that's addictive to vampires—makes her a prime target for enemy capture. Her only hope is the stealthy vampire operative who stole into her bed…then left her in despair. Danger aside, Lily won't let Alfonso near her heart again—until an irresistible hunger threatens to draw them back together… and into an assassin's snare.

Vacation with a Vampire...and Other Immortals by Maggie Shayne

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Harlequin

ISBN-10: 037361862X

ISBN-13: 978-0373618620

Let's face it—vacation is great! We could all use a warm summer night on a beach, the sand still hot from the sun, with the moon rising on the horizon. If it could be paired with a handsome, sexy man—an immortal man—wouldn't that be the icing on the cake? Nothing says holiday quite like a walk in paradise with a gorgeous vampire…or spending a twilight eve with a charismatic Highlander. And the best part? While you may get a sexy bite or two, it's guaranteed that you won't get a sunburn!
Don't be afraid to dip your toes into these two seductive and enthralling stories from Maggie Shayne and Maureen Child.Come on in and leave your cares behind….

Cover of the Week: Awaken the Highland Warrior

Hot magical warriors in kilts, angels, demons and yes, even vampires. What more can you ask for?

A man from another time...

Faelan is from an ancient clan of Scottish Highland warriors, charged with shielding humanity from demonic forces. Betrayed and locked in a time vault, he has been sleeping for nearly two centuries when spunky historian Bree Kirkland inadvertently wakes him. She's more fearsome than the demon trying to kill him, and if he's not careful, she'll uncover the secrets his clan has bled and died to protect...

Could be the treasure she's been seeking all her life...

When Bree inherits an old treasure map, she discovers a warrior buried in her backyard. But the warrior isn't dead. Bree shocks Faelan with her modern dress and her boldness, and he infuriates Bree every time he tries to protect her.

With demons suddenly on the move, Bree discovers that Faelan's duty as protector is in his blood, and that her part in this fight was destined before she was born. But nothing is ever what it seems...

GoodReads

Guest Review: The Adventures of Miss Upton and the Sky Pirate by C.J. Archer

The Adventures of Miss Upton and the Sky Pirate 

by C.J. Archer

B004LGRZGG

Published 01/28/10

Courtesy of author for review

Tilda Upton's talent at finding things with the aid of a talisman puts her on the edge of the dangerous hellhag category. Rather inexperienced in using her magic, she's prone to mistakes. It is one such mistake that lands her in debt to the Chief Royal Inventor who blackmails her into retrieving an Oriental and his machine. But to find the Oriental she needs to intercept an airship and the best way to do that is through piracy.

Tilda turns to the notorious Black Jack Knight, a sky pirate known for his cruelty and cleverness who dislikes passengers, particularly of the female variety. Fortunately for Tilda he accepts a currency she can provide—the location of a man who witnessed his brother's murder, a murder which Jack was falsely accused of committing. Together they fight corsairs, a mad inventor and their growing attraction to each other in order to retrieve the man Tilda has been forced to find, only to learn his machine could destroy her and everyone like her.

3.5 - 4 Loveys!

The first thing the reader will notice is that it takes awhile to truly get into the book. The plot is ok, not terrific, but not bad. The characters are fun to read about. The reader will not necessarily like either of them-at times the heroine may appear a little bratty and the hero will treat her too badly ( for the reader's taste). The book has the typical heroine slowly falling for the hero outlook. As long as the reader doesn't take the characters too seriously, he/she should enjoy this novel. The action is there, the events are fast-paced, there is not too much detail (just enough), and the characters have interesting personalities. The reader will enjoy reading about their adventures and their dialogue-more than entertaining enough to keep the pages turning. This novel is terrific for adults who enjoy romance taken to the dramatic side.

Krystal - Live to Read

Good Reads