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

Character Interview with Ares from The Heart of War & Author Lisa Beth Darling

Today we have some special guests joining us at PRA. Ares, from The Heart of War, has agreed to sit down for an interview with author Lisa Beth Darling, and share it with us!

*~*~*~*~*

We're here today on a secluded Greek Isle with Ares God of War. The brawny 7 foot God before me is leisurely lounging across his Throne of Bones, his long muscular legs draped over one arm. All around us fires burns, the massive hearth behind me is fed by small trees, while in the corners of his dark cave torches burn bringing an eerie glow to the grim surroundings. Everywhere I look there is a weapon of some kind; sword, dagger, arrows, halberds, and of course, guns. The other 'decorations' consist of armor; brightly polished shields, breastplates, and helmets glow in the firelight to remind to be cautious and courteous to the drop-dead gorgeous man staring at me with smoldering onyx eyes.

Lisa: Just wondering, but, why aren't we conducting this interview on Olympus today?

Ares: Suffice it to say that, my Family and I don't get along. Besides, if you went to Olympus with me willingly then there'd be nothing to prevent you from staying a lot longer than you expected.

Lisa: But you do live on Olympus, don't you?

Ares: I do now, this is my…home away from home (he says with a sly smile)…where I come to think and get away from their bickering and back stabbing. (The God of War waves a heavy hand in the air) Enough of them ask me something else.

Lisa: (Swallowing hard) Sure…you've been alive for a long time—and you're in amazing shape, truly first rate.

Ares: (Snickers) Thank you, at my age, just over five thousand years, I have to work at it but, the package is holding up nicely, wouldn't you say?

Lisa: Definitely.
(There's an animal magnetism about him, something drawing me to close to him and whispering my own primal desire to touch him, run my hands wildly along his exposed chest—must be professional, can't think about that, on with the interview.)

Lisa: Being so old, are you wealthy? Do you even have any need for money?

Ares: I'm a God, I don't need anything but, when one has hung around this planet as long as I have, one can't help but amass wealth. Yes, in the world of Mortal Men, I am very rich.

Lisa: So why come here? Why not buy a mansion for your getaway instead of this hovel? (Instantly I know I've made a mistake, as the God of War stop lounging, swings those tree-trunk legs off the arm of his Throne of Bones, and leans in close to stare at me with smoldering eyes.)

Ares: Hovel?

Lisa: Well, I just meant…well…it is a cave. It's very nice…for a cave.

Ares: (Snarl. His upper lips curls and then settles as he shakes his head.) I have many homes from mansions to small cabins all over the world. I have a full fleet of vehicles, mostly expensive fast cars and motorcycles, I have yachts, a helicopter, a speedboat, and many other mortal toys.

Lisa: Motorcycles? Speedboats? Thrill seeker, Lord Ares? Why? You're a God, you can do whatever you want.

Ares: And I have, a thousand times over. On Olympus they get their kicks by gossiping and stabbing each other in the back. Down here life is fragile, fleeting, Mortals love to test their limits—I like to do that too. Besides, you know, sometimes, ya just gotta have a little fun. Satisfied, woman?

Lisa: (Not yet, but um….) Speaking of satisfaction, I hear there's something particularly interesting about you. (With purpose and delight I cast my eyes toward that bulge in leather pants and wonder if what I've heard is true. The snarl on his face turns to a grin and then a wicked little smile that makes my heart jump.)

Ares: I take it you've heard about the enormity of my manhood and that I can control the size of my cock. Yes?

Lisa: (My mouth starts to water and all I can do is nod. I've heard that when his staff is at its full potential its nearly the size of a Louisville Slugger.)

Ares: It's true, I can control it, length and breadth, to suit the woman below me. It's more of a …precaution than anything else. I'm so well-endowed that not many mortal women can take me, I can only achieve full sexual satisfaction with a Goddess, that's why I, up until very recently, I kept a constant stable of eight women around me, at my disposal, whenever, wherever, however, I wanted them.

Lisa: (The subject is at hand and I just have to know, so I whisper;) They say women die in your bed, is that true?

Ares: It's not my fault (he's almost apologetic about it) as I said, not many mortal women can take me and, on occasion, I've been known to become overzealous. I tend to make love with as much zest as I war, after all the two are so closely related. They may have died from internal blunt force trauma, but I assure you, they all died smiling.

Lisa: I bet

Ares: Excuse me?

Lisa: Ah, nothing. (I can't tell if it's the hearth or the God but it's suddenly very warm in here, I feel sweat breaking out on my forehead—before I know it--) I think I could take you.

Ares: (Sits further forward and licks his lips, he's so close the musky masculine scent of him is filling my head to forbidden thoughts) Do you?

Alena: I don't think so.

(A woman's voice has broken the tension and I tear my eyes away from Ares to see that a very pregnant woman has entered the room. She's very beautiful with her long silver/gray hair, alabaster skin, and stormy eyes.)

Ares: (Smiles wide, making his smoldering eyes sparkling, as he stands and holds his hand out to the woman.) Ah, Alena, my lovely Wife. (Taking her hand, and kissing her cheek, he sits her on his Throne of Bones) Thanks to her no more women die in my bed, she is the only one I desire, but your offer was tempting.

Lisa: When is the baby due?

Alena: Any day now.

Ares: She's supposed to be resting on Olympus, Raven—our Son here—has been giving his mother much trouble.

Alena: (Looks up at her husband with love in her gray eyes) I missed you.

Lisa: Well, I won't keep you any longer then. Thank you very much for spending this time with us today, Lord Ares and you too, Lady Alena, for coming to grace us with your presence. I wish you both all the best with your blessed event.

Ares: I'm sure you'll be reading all about it soon, say around December 31st?

Buy Links: "The Heart of War" is $2.00 until July 31, 2011 through Amazon.com

E-Book Available through:

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All Romance eBooks

Also available in iBooks

Contact:

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Early Review: Embraced by Blood by Laurie London

Embraced by Blood (Sweetblood #2)

by Laurie London
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: June 21st 2011 by HQN Books

ISBN 0373775865

Courtesy of NetGalley

GoodReads

Is she a deadly temptation...or the one woman who can quench his eternal thirst?

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 draws them back together...and into an assassin’s snare.

4 Loveys!

Another smashing read from author Laurie London, definitely a writer to add to your auto-buy list!

Embraced by Blood begins a year following Bonded by Blood where we found out that Dom’s brother, Alfonso Serrano, was not the evil Darkblood we thought but a double agent working undercover and having a secret affair with his agent contact, Lily DeGraff, which was broken off at the end of the book. But what they didn’t realize was that they were blood bonded, and there is no turning back from that.

London continues the unique and exciting world of the Sweetbloods with this second installment. The story flowed smoothly with captivating characters and an interesting plot that dealt with many different points; Lily & Alfonso re-discovering each other, the latest plot by the Darkbloods of capturing top Trackers, the riff between Alfonso and his brother Dom, Lily and her family, including her ex Steven, and some snippets of earlier characters that we are sure to see more of in the continuation of this series.

Being a paranormal romance, the main characters relationship is the main factor of the story. Lily and Alfonso are both protective of each other which sometimes works against them, and they are both unsure in their ability to be loved and this is the crux in their relationship development. It did move slowly at times and I guessed the big twist right away so that wasn't a surprise for me, but there was a heap of action and drama with plenty of sexy scenes to keep smutty gals like me happy. For me, the side character of Jackson really stole the show and I am really looking forward to his story.

Embraced by Blood is dark & gritty with a heavy dose of romance and a dash of humor. A must read for sure!