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Showing posts with label Grand Central Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grand Central Publishing. Show all posts
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Review: Wuthering Nights by IJ Miller
Wuthering Nights: An Erotic Retelling of Wuthering Heights
Author: Emily Bronte & I.J. Miller
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 978-1455573028
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): paperback (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Romantics everywhere have been enthralled by Emily Bronte's classic novel of the tragic love between beautiful, spirited Catherine Earnshaw and dark, brooding Heathcliff. The restrained desire between these two star-crossed lovers has always smoldered on the page. And now it ignites into an uncontrollable blaze. In WUTHERING NIGHTS, writer I.J. Miller reimagines this timeless story to reveal the passion between Catherine and Heathcliff--in all its forbidden glory.
Set against the stark, raw beauty of the English moors, Heathcliff, an abandoned orphan, recognizes his soulmate in wild, impulsive Catherine, the only woman who can tame his self-destructive nature. And Catherine cannot deny the all-consuming desire she feels for him, despite his low birth. Together they engage in a fiery affair--one that will possess them, enslave them, and change their destinies forever...
What VampBard’s talking about:
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So. I read Wuthering Nights. It took me a while to get in to the story, even though I've read Wuthering Heights multiple times. Either it wasn't the right time for a revisit to Heathcliff and Catherine, or I **really** missed some of Ms. Bronte's descriptions. Maybe what I missed was the fact that my imagination has probably conjured up some fervent fantasy about Heathcliff.
However, this title was seriously hot! However, the sex was used as an instrument for revenge & manipulation which was NOT ok with me, and is the primary reason for the lower rating. I did, however, like the introduction and conclusion of the story, but I felt that the author could have done much more with it.
Catherine and Heathcliff are the consummate romantic couple; star-crossed lovers on-par with Romeo & Juliette. If you've read the original and you're ready for the male-dominated play in this version, keep this read for home with no one else around. Blush alert!
Kind-of difficult to write an extended review of a spin-off from a piece of classic literature. I feel as though I'm critiquing the work of Ms. Bronte. However, I must say that I liked the vein in which the plot ran. I suggest to those who have not read Ms. Bronte’s classic, read the SparkNotes online for Wuthering Heights before reading this title. I think it makes it more meaningful to compare & contrast. And appreciate the described male physique of Heathcliff... **le sigh**
VampBard’s Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Win Registration to RT2013 or RT2014
It’s Forever’s 10th anniversary, and in celebration they are giving two lucky fans a chance to win free registration to attend the RT BookLovers Convention! ($474 value*)
Enter for a chance to win a 'Readers' registration to this year's convention May 1 - 5, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, or next year’s convention in New Orleans, May 14th - 18th.**
You will also receive:
- An invitation for you and a guest to the Forever Pre-Ball Cocktail Party at the New American
- Membership in the “Forever Fanatics” club - an exclusive group who will be invited to preview advanced reads and exclusive promotional opportunities for an entire year!
*If you have already purchased your registration for this year’s conference, we will check with the conference coordinators and reimburse your fee.
**Winners are responsible for their own travel arrangements, accommodations, meals and incidentals.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Saturday Conversations 02/23/2013
Reading ebooks...
Earlier this week I received the following press release:
GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES
MAJOR EXPANSION OF FOREVER IMPRINT
New York, NY—February 21, 2013
Grand Central Publishing (GCP) announced today a major initiative to expand its romance publishing program over the next two years. Celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year, GCP’s romance imprint Forever and its year-old e-book only imprint Forever Yours will expand from a 2012 list of 64 titles to approximately 120 titles in 2013 and over 190 titles in 2014. As part of this growth initiative, Forever will be adding to its editorial and marketing staff.
Forever is the home of bestselling writers Elizabeth Hoyt, Jill Shalvis, and Larissa Ione and in recent months has acquired rising stars Jessica Sorensen, Kelli Maine, and J.A. Redmerski. It publishes its titles in a mix of trade paperback, mass market, e-book and audio formats.
Beth de Guzman, founding editor of Forever and VP, Digital and Paperback Publisher, GCP, said of the expansion, “From the beginning, Forever has always been dedicated to publishing the highest quality romance books. With the romance audience more robust and diverse than at any other time, we are thrilled to expand our program to match the insatiable demand in the marketplace for romance books in every format available.”
Amy Pierpont, Executive Editor, GCP, and Editorial Director, Forever and Forever Yours, said, “Romance readers are talking, and Forever is listening! Fans want more books from their favorite authors, they want them published more frequently, and they’re eager to discover new favorite authors and series. Forever’s expansion allows us to bring readers exactly what they’re asking for—and more.”
Jamie Raab, President and Publisher of GCP, said "We’ve always held a deep belief in the importance of the romance genre to our publishing program and Hachette Book Group is giving its full support to the expansion of Forever and Forever Yours. What we’ve accomplished in the last 10 years is remarkable and I’m sure will be even more impressive moving forward.”
First, congratulations to Grand Central Press! I am excited that the world of romance genre publishing is growing, because that means more choices for fans from which to select. But it got me wondering about the explosion of "ebook only" imprints. I pretty much only read ebooks - but most are electronic versions of published paperback or hard cover titles. Over the past year plus, I've been adding in ebook-only selections as well, but again, most of these are novellas from established series and/or authors that I currently read. With more and more "ebook only" books being published, I wondered how many folks are out there buying them.
What about you... Do you purchase "ebook only" titles? Do you generally buy them from a large site (Amazon, B&N) or from smaller sites and/or direct from publishers? Do you try new authors with ebooks? Do you purchase novellas or full-length books?
Thanks for stopping to chat!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Contest Winner - Lords of Deliverance
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by for my interview with the awesome Larissa Ione and my review of Rogue Rider, the fourth and final book in her Lords of Deliverance series. I’d also like to thank Grand Central Publishing for sponsoring the giveaway of Larissa’s series.
The winner as selected by Rafflecopter:
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Winner... please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your full name and mailing address so the publisher can send you the books. You have until Friday December 7, 2012 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Review & Giveaway: Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione
Rogue Rider
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: Nov. 20, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central
Lords of Deliverance #4
ISBN: #978-0446574488
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (432 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues - and falls for - a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man that Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man that can be very dangerous . . .
Reseph may not know his background, or why he mysteriously appeared in Jillian's life, but he knows he wants to stay. Yet when Jillian's neighbours are killed and demon hunters arrive on the scene, Reseph fears that he's putting Jillian in danger. And once it's revealed that Reseph is also Pestilence, the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world with death and destruction, he and Jillian must face the greatest challenge of all: can they forget the horrors of a chilling past to save the future they both desire?
What I’m talking about:
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The final story in Ms. Ione’s Lords of Deliverance paranormal series about the four horsemen of the apocalypse centers around the final brother, Reseph, also known as Pestilence. Pestilence was "created" from Reseph when his "seal" was broken back before the first book in this series. As Pestilence, he brought about hell on Earth, literally, and caused the horrific death of thousands (if not millions) of innocent people.
It's been three months since the events at the end of the third book, Lethal Rider, which concluded with the death of Pestilence. His death allowed for the return of Reseph (the good half of the horseman), who was subsequently released from Sheoul (the demon realm, comparable to hell) where he'd been imprisoned. He was tossed back to Earth with his memories removed by his guardian angel (of sorts), Reaver, who did this in hopes that Reseph would have time to heal and integrate back into his life and family.
It's been three months since the events at the end of the third book, Lethal Rider, which concluded with the death of Pestilence. His death allowed for the return of Reseph (the good half of the horseman), who was subsequently released from Sheoul (the demon realm, comparable to hell) where he'd been imprisoned. He was tossed back to Earth with his memories removed by his guardian angel (of sorts), Reaver, who did this in hopes that Reseph would have time to heal and integrate back into his life and family.
At the start of Rogue Rider, Jillian discovers a very naked and lost Reseph from the snowy hills of her reclusive property. Although Reseph has no knowledge of his past, including all of the unearthly destruction he brought upon the world, Jillian takes him in against better judgement. It’s obvious that Jillian has suffered emotion damage and has chosen a life a solitude, yet she felt a connection to Reseph that tugs on her emotionally.
The opening few chapters of Rogue Rider are sweet and romantic, telling us the story of a couple of lost souls getting the chance to heal and start over. Both Reseph and Jillian sensed in the back of their minds that something bigger was going on, but each chose to embrace the other with blind passion. I enjoyed seeing Reseph free of the horrors from his past and getting a glimpse of the brother we never saw in the previous three books. I also felt the gradual unveiling (at first) of Reseph's memories allowed the couple to deal with pieces of him in a safe way - giving them time to become emotionally invested before the ball drops.
I adored Jillian, who pulled on my heartstrings. Even before I knew the whole hideous truth of her backstory, I had a gut feeling it would end up coming between Reseph and Jillian. But for a woman that hid from the world, I was impressed with how she opened herself up to Reseph. Although she tried to take it slow and keep her distance, she just couldn’t resist this sexy, mysterious man.
On the other hand, Reseph was a total character. He was cocky and arrogant, somehow sensing that it was just in his nature. I loved how he gave people in town descriptive names like “Deputy Dick” for the local officer who rubbed him the wrong way and “Two Packer” for a woman who had a rasp like she smoked heavily. Watching him battle internally between the urges for power and destruction versus taking a calmer, more civilized road was fantastic. Of course, things change drastically once his memories catch up to him, and he is horrified by all of the death and destruction caused at the hand of Pestilence. Seeing him as he once was, but then allowing him the chance to redeem himself from the horrors created a likely character, despite of the evil we witnessed in the first three books.
Together Reseph and Jillian made a good pair. I loved that they both took chances with their feelings - letting the other know how much they really did mean to the other. There were no games between the couple. This also happened even after Jillian learned the truth about Reseph’s history. I enjoyed how pieces of the past were exposed and examined. Both Jillian and Reseph take each event in stride - sometimes pulling them apart, and sometimes bringing them back together.
Once the truth is out of the bag, Reseph must not only earn the forgiveness of his friends and family, but he must also forgive himself, which is no easy task. This story is about both redemption and forgiveness. I feel that Ms. Ione does a good job on the redemption piece, but sometimes I felt the forgiveness was granted a little too easily. While each sibling expressed the pain and betrayal caused by Pestilence in their own individual way, I felt that their collective “about face” from wanting him dead no matter what to finding him a cure from his madness was quick.
Beyond Reseph’s story, Rogue Rider wrapped up a few loose ends from the first three books. I am happy to report that we delve deeper into Gethel, former caretaker of the horsemen. I was unsatisfied with the reasons for her betrayal listed in the last book, and was glad to find out more about this wicked angel. In addition there are a couple of BIG reveals that will have a direct impact on the next book (Reaver’s story, back in the Demonica series). One of which was something I had guessed at a while ago, the other came as a bit of a shocker. Neither had huge impacts on this story, but it was exciting to watch the progress of the overall story arc.
And there were definitely some action-filled and tense moments, especially involving the character Lance and the nefarious branch of the Aegis. I was on the edge of my seat several times wondering who would get to key people or information first: the good guys or Lance et. al. This made for some frantic and intense reading!
In the end, I enjoyed most of this story, especially the first two-thirds of the book. Reseph is definitely a favorite redeemed hero. I was even okay with the speed of forgiveness because each sibling did have their chance to “get it out of their system” and tell Reseph how he did hurt them. However, I felt that the conclusion of the book was a bit too simple and almost anti-climatic for my liking. The book spent a lot of time building up to a showdown of good and evil, and as the battle began, the dangers continued to grow. Yet I felt let down by the way in which it was won and the ultimate battle was suddenly over. Nonetheless, Rogue Rider is still a satisfying conclusion to the Lords of Deliverance series, and I look forward to continuing the tale in the next Demonica book!
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
GIVEAWAY: I have one (1) set (one winner) of all four of the Lords of Deliverance books by Larissa Ione to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. The books include: Eternal Rider, Immortal Rider, Lethal Rider, and Rogue Rider. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for sponsoring the giveaway. To enter, please use the RAFFLECOPTER entry form, below. As part of your entry, please leave a comment answering the question Who is your favorite fictional demon? Winners restricted to US mailing addresses, only. The contest is open from November 20, 2012 until November 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM EST. One (1) winner will be selected from the eligible entries. Book will be sent to winner by the publisher. You do not have to be a Google Friend Connect to enter, but it is always appreciated.
Also, stop over and read my interview with Larissa Ione.
Also, stop over and read my interview with Larissa Ione.
Author Interview & Giveaway: Larissa Ione
Today I have the honor of bringing to you one of my all time favorite authors, Larissa Ione. I had the privilege of meeting Larissa last summer at the Authors After Dark conference. Larissa, an Air Force veteran, traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge… just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.
Larissa’s final chapter in her Lords of Deliverance paranormal romance series, Rogue Rider, releases today! Keep reading for information on how you can win a set of all four Lords of Deliverance books, courtesy of Grand Central Publishing. Please help me welcome Larissa toThat’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Larissa, welcome and thank you for stopping by. It’s always a pleasure to chat!
Larissa: Thanks for having me! It's always fabulous to be here, and now that I've met you in person, it's even better!
Twimom: First, I need to ask... How did Demon Ducky start?
Larissa: I've always loved ducks. So much so that I even used to hatch them in an incubator in my bedroom (I grew up on a farm.) So one day I saw some rubber duckies that had little demon horns, and at the time I was working on the first Demonica book...and, well, it just all came together. Demon duckies!!!!
Larissa: The series is a continuation of the Demonica series, though it features the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as the main characters. The first book, Eternal Rider, kicked off because of events in the fifth Demonica book, Sin Undone. Rogue Rider is the fourth book in the Four Horsemen (Lords of Deliverance) series, and it's all about forgiveness and recovery. The hero, Reseph, who was a bad guy named Pestilence for the first three books, must find his way back to being a good guy...and he must also work hard to right the wrongs committed against his family -- and the world.
Twimom: Oh yes, Pestilence was very, very bad!
You’ve said before that you will be returning to the Demonica world starting with *MY* dear Reaver *squee*. Will the next book pick up after the conclusion to Rogue Rider or will you back track some? Do you have a tentative release date? Do you have any other plans for the series you can share?
Larissa: Reaver's book will start exactly where Rogue Rider left off. Since Reaver's memory of everything except the last 30 years is gone, there will be a lot of backtracking in order to get that background, but that'll be done over the course of the story and much of it told through others' eyes. Tentative release date is late fall/early winter 2013. I can't really discuss plans beyond that yet, because things are still stewing in my little brain!
Twimom: Here at That’s What I’m Talking About, we are a team, so I asked the ladies what they would like to know. Nima asks what is your emergency method when you are out and about and the creative lightening strikes? Napkins? Back of hand with a sharpie? Lipstick on the mirror?
Larissa: I try to carry a notebook with me, but I usually end up typing notes into my iPhone.
Twimom: VampBard wonders what your favorite kids' cartoon character is and why.
Larissa: I always loved Shmoo. He was just so cute! I'd also be willing to bet that few readers will even know about Shmoo. That's how old I am!
Twimom: *whispers* I remember Shmoo... Team member Una asks how do your characters come to you? Are they based loosely on people you meet? Possibly from a dream or your past?
Larissa: I honestly don't know how they come to me. They just...do. Usually as I'm writing a book. A new character will just appear on the page. I know that's not a great answer, but it's accurate!
Twimom: Finally, fellow reader and blogger, Rum, would like to know if it is hard for you to write from the male point of views and then switch back to female POVs?
Larissa: Nope, not at all. The key is to know the characters well. If I know the characters, it's as easy to go from male to female as it is to go from male to male or female to female.
Twimom: I always like to ask authors about their reading habits... What types of books do you enjoy reading? What is your favorite read so far in 2012?
Larissa: I read everything, but unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to read anymore. I'd say my favorite reads are either paranormal romance, fantasy, or historical fiction. My favorite read of 2012 is Lionheart, by Sharon Kay Penman, which actually came out last year but I didn't get a chance to read it until this year.
Twimom: What upcoming releases are you most excited to read?
Larissa: So many! I've got so many books pre-ordered that I can't even keep track of them all. But I know I've got books by Lynn Viehl, Lara Adrian, Stephanie Tyler, Kresley Cold, Jill Shalvis, Maya Banks, Shiloh Walker, Michelle Willingham, Gena Showalter, Britt Bury, and Robert Jordan on my list!
Twimom: Larissa, thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourselves and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you.
Larissa: Thanks again for having me!
You can find Larissa Ione on line at
About Rogue Rider:
The prophecies were there but no one listened. Until now. They are the Lords of Deliverance and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride.
Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues - and falls for - a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man that Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man that can be very dangerous . . .
Reseph may not know his background, or why he mysteriously appeared in Jillian's life, but he knows he wants to stay. Yet when Jillian's neighbours are killed and demon hunters arrive on the scene, Reseph fears that he's putting Jillian in danger. And once it's revealed that Reseph is also Pestilence, the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world with death and destruction, he and Jillian must face the greatest challenge of all: can they forget the horrors of a chilling past to save the future they both desire?
Be sure to stop by for my review of Rogue Rider.
GIVEAWAY: I have one (1) set (one winner) of all four of the Lords of Deliverance books by Larissa Ione to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. The books include: Eternal Rider, Immortal Rider, Lethal Rider, and Rogue Rider. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for sponsoring the giveaway. To enter, please use the RAFFLECOPTER entry form, below. As part of your entry, please leave a comment answering the question Who is your favorite fictional demon? While you are not required to be a Google Friend Connect, it is always appreciated. Winners restricted to US mailing addresses, only. The contest is open from November 20, 2012 until November 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM EST. One (1) winner will be selected from the eligible entries. Book will be sent to winner by the publisher.
BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT as well as use the Rafflecopter form TO BE ENTERED!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Review: The Darkest Day by Britt Bury
The Darkest Day
Author: Britt Bury
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central / Forever Yours
Immortal Heat #1
ISBN: #978-1455523290
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
About the book:
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ALL-CONSUMING DESIRE . . .
Izel Campbell was raised to believe she is an immortal Fionn with the magical skills of persuasion. But when she travels to Scotland to visit her ancestral home, Izel discovers that she is actually the world's last living human. Forced to run for her life, Izel crosses paths with Kelvin Kerr, the Campbells' greatest foe-and the most magnificent warrior she has ever seen.
BURNS BRIGHTEST . . .
A thousand-year-old battle chief of the Kerr clan, Kelvin lives only to avenge his father, who died at the hands of the bloody Campbells. Honor demands he kill the Campbell heir, but when he learns that the lovely Izel is both Campbell and human, Kelvin is torn between duty and desire . . .
What I’m talking about:
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The Darkest Day opens with a brief “history lesson” that highlights the long and bloody feud between the Campbell and Kerr clans. Kelvin Kerr vows to seek revenge on James Campbell for the death of Kerr’s father. We flash forward to the present where Kelvin is going to finish his vow to eliminate James’ son - the last heir of James’ lineage-until he finds out that “he” is actually a “she,” and Kel has a moment’s pause in his revenge plans. When he finds Izel Campbell, his intended target, he realizes she is possibly and probably also his fated mate. But what happens next is astonishing to both Kel and Izel - she undergoes a magical transformation, and they soon discover that she is the last surviving human on the planet.
The opening of The Darkest Day was reminiscent of the movie, The Highlander.... Immortals fighting on a Scottish countryside. However, the flavor of the book altered quickly when I discovered that the heroine is the last remaining full human. In present day Earth, humans are extinct and Izel Campbell, heir of the Campbell Fionns, just discovered at age 25 that she is not a Fionn, but actually a full-blooded human. I love this twist. The opening few chapters are intriguing, a wonderful new mythology that had me racing to read more.
Ms. Bury's world is full of different immortal species, some of which are only mentioned in passing, but others such as the Fionns and Pookahs, are discusses in detail. Our hero, Kelvin Kerr is a Razorback Pookah, not a shifter, but a humanoid immortal that has animal "essence" as part of his being. The Kerr Clan (all Pookahs) and Campbell Clan (mystical Fionns) have been at war for over a century. Vengeful blood vows fuel the on-going feud and have created an unending battle, one that Izel is unaware of since her grandfather hid her in the US since birth. When she seeks out answers about her history from her grandfather in Scotland, she meets Kel, who keeps the truth hidden. They begin a journey together, one shrouded in deception (by him) and need (by her). Of course, the pair fall in love and the journey is not easy.
Izel is strong and determined. She is cleaver and confused. Going from never having experienced feelings to meeting her very desirable, destined mate is jarring and the results are intense. She struggles to handle the severity of the ardent emotions, and I feel the results are believable.
Kel is a huge alpha male, and oh is he delectable. He wants life to be black and white... All he's ever known is honor and his family's vow to rid the world of Campbells. When he realizes Izel is his fated mate, he struggles with "right and wrong," and I hurt with and for him.
Together, the pair is combustable. Kel and Izel are not opposites, but rather two different ends of the same wick - burning towards the center where they collide with explosive force. Every encounter they have is so passionate-beyond desire and into need. It's easy to get swept up in their developing relationship. And HOLY HOTNESS!! Just Wowza! Their smexy time is sensual and lustful.
And it’s not just passion and lust... the emotional growth and raw feelings the two experience are powerful. I had tears in my eyes at the pain both felt has they attempted to maneuver through the life-altering changes occurring to and around them. Ms. Bury does a marvelous job of getting the reader inside the hearts and minds of her main characters.
As for the other characters: there are a slew of supporting cast that are ripe for further development. My favorites are Ian, Kel’s brother and Ramsey, a high-ranking Fionn warrior. Ian is very similar to Kel-trying to adjust perspectives when all he’s known is duty and honor. He too is attracted to an unexpected female “complication,” and I feel his story will be a good one when told.
On the other hand, Ramsey acts as Izel’s best buddy, telling her like it is and helping her through her grief. His humor is sharp, but underneath it all he’s a teddy bear. He almost comes off as the “gay best friend” to Izel, but you can tell there is so much more to Ramsey.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed The Darkest Day and eagerly await the next book. Ms. Bury has created a world full of adventure, excitement and romance. I fell for Kel and Izel from their first exchange, and their passion kept me engaged and engrossed. The plot and her mythology had a comfortable feeling, yet it is unique and exciting. Although I felt the ending was a little tidy, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Ms. Bury's debut is a must read for paranormal romance fans!
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
ARC Review: Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione
Lethal Rider
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central
Lords of Deliverance #3
ISBN: #978-0446574501
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (464 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.
Demon-slayer Regan Matthews never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.
What I’m talking about:
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Lethal Rider opens roughly 8 months after the exciting conclusion of the second Lords of Deliverance book, Immortal Rider. We are quickly brought up to speed on the state of Regan Matthews, long-time Aegis demon hunter who is 8 months pregnant with the child of the fourth Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Thanatos aka Death. In the previous book we followed Regan as she was tricked into believing that a child by Than would stay the impending Demon Apocalypse. At the end of the book, Than’s brother and sister put him into a coma-like state and did not tell him about the child. Now Than has escaped his catatonic state and tracked down Regan. He is hell-bent on revenge until he finds out she is carrying his child, after which Than experiences an array of emotions and isn’t certain which direction he should take.
First of all... I LOVED this book. I tell you, each subsequent book of Ms. Ione’s series gets better. The opening chapters of Lethal Rider are superb. The story seamlessly moves into the next phase of the story while bringing the reader up to speed on pertinent events from the previous book. The details from the past are woven into this story in a manner that doesn't seem intrusive.
Regan and Than have a lot to overcome, and it’s not a smooth ride. She was brought up to hate demons and although she knows they aren’t all bad, it’s still tough for her to trust in and believe them. Yet she also has a major guilt complex over what happened to Than (she tricked him into having sex with her), even though she was mislead and drugged. Finally, she has low self-confidence, believing that once the baby is born, she will be unwanted by her Aegis family. Than... well, he’s an immortal half angel-half demon, and harbinger of death. He lead a celibate life for roughly 5,000 years, believing if he had sex, his seal would break and he would become the demon, Death. He is alternately lusting after and admiring Regan, then hating her for her part in his “deflowering.”
I will say that I felt sorry for both characters - my heart ached because I felt that they were both victims, and they were both hurt by the situation. I felt that there slow journey to love was well-played and extremely sensual. Although even I had a rough time in the beginning when Than was determined to use Regan as a sex slave to “make up” for the 8 months he was placed in a coma. The section of the book when this issue comes to a confrontation made me very nervous. There is a very fine line -- although, Than may have said to himself he's not going to force Regan to have sex, his words are very much to the contrary. It made me squirm, even with Regan refusing to beg and taking charge of her situation.
Although this is Regan and Than’s story, the supporting characters all play significant rolls. Pestilence, the first Horseman and only sibling to turn evil, is gaining power and control over the Earth. Several times while reading the book, I wondered what an average human was experiencing during these dark days. We see what the demon population is going through, but what about someone like me? I would love to read about that! Pestilence is still utterly wicked and the perfect villain.
There are also a wide array of characters that will continue to be significant in the next book. Some of the Aegis brethren are of particular interest. They make some (in my opinion) really bad decisions and draw a line in the sand. I cannot wait to see what happens next! Plus we have the heavenly watchers Reaver and Harvester... knowing that Reaver’s book is coming out after the final Lords of Deliverance, I am already putting pieces of the puzzle together trying to figure out what will happen. Finally there is an unknown “baddie,” someone helping Pestilence, and WOW - will there be some fall out in the next book. Although I like the twists that lead to some of the actions in Lethal Rider, I was not entirely on board with the reasons behind the biggest one. Unfortunately, I can’t discuss much of that without major spoilers, so you get cryptic here.
Finally, I have to say that the humor in these stories is incredible... Dry, witty and fantabulous!! Sarcasm is infused into almost every character’s persona... Here is a little sample from Regan:
Hanging out with her colleagues in her spare time would be about as fun as unclogging a toilet with a spoon.
In conclusion, Lethal Rider truly is the best book yet from the series. The story had me on the edge of my proverbial seat almost the whole book. The plot was fantastic, the twists and turns suspenseful, and there is still so much to be resolved. I can only imagine where Ms. Ione will take us from here!
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the series:
Immortal Rider (Lords of Deliverance #2)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Review: Immortal Rider
Immortal Rider
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: Nov. 22, 2011
Publisher: Grand Central
Lords of Deliverance #2
ISBN: #978-0446574471
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (414 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Arik Wagner, a soldier with the U.S. Army's paranormal unit, the R-XR, kissed a girl and liked it. And then he went to hell as punishment. Where he's spent weeks being tortured…and plotting revenge.
Limos, Horsewoman of the Apocalypse, isn't your average girl. She's immortal, dangerous, and her fiancé is Satan himself. In a moment of weakness, she gave in to her desire and kissed Arik, triggering her fiancé's wrath – and his claim on her. In order to save Arik, and the world, Limos must make a dangerous pact with her recently turned evil brother, Pestilence. A deal that might just cost her her soul…and her heart.
What I’m talking about:
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Immortal Rider is the second book of Ms. Ione’s Demonica Series spin-off series, Lords of Deliverance. This series tells of the pending apocalypse by following the Four Horsemen as they struggle to maintain a balance between good and evil. Each is cursed with carrying one of the four Seals of Armageddon (if all four break... hell on earth). Immortal Rider focuses on the only female rider, Limos, aka Famine. Limos is betrothed to the evil Lord Satan, who can claim her if she ever gives in to lust for another. In a moment of weakness she does just that - kissing Arik as she never has any other. This sends Arik to the demon realm to be tortured, and sets of a chain of events which ultimately could break Limos’ seal, setting free Famine.
As events unfold and our hero and heroine are brought together, I am amazed at the intricacy of the storyline and richness of the characters. Ms. Ione has added a whole new level onto her already amazing Demonica world. And unlike the first book, Eternal Rider (review HERE), there isn’t a steep learning curve in Immortal Rider, so the book is less confusing and a smoother read.
One thing I love about this story is that the players are gritty and raw - even the heroes/heroines aren’t always good. This gives the characters complexity and intensity. Limos is a prime example. As a horsewoman raised by demons in the underworld, she longed to marry Satan and bring about the apocalypse. Even after meeting her brothers, she continues to work to bring them down, but over time, she learns to love them and chooses not to marry Satan. Yet, even in the current day and age, when she is “good,” she continues to lie and hurt those around her. She has to own up to her mistakes, which creates a more emotionally driven storyline.
Arik and Limos are HOT. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of Ms. Ione’s work... Well, have a fan, ice water, cold shower, etc. near by. But it’s not all about the hot smex (really, it’s not!). The bonds created around these two characters heightens the emotional satisfaction and HEA conclusion. And let me tell you... it wasn’t just them. I am already head-over-heels in love with Thanatos (aka Death) and Regan... what a cliff-hanger of sorts. Their story comes up next in Lethal Rider (June 2012).
There really wasn’t much I didn’t enjoy about this story. I did feel that there are a few too many “I’m not gay, not that there is anything wrong with that” references, but it didn’t diminish the overall enjoyment of the book. There is some graphic violence, but once again, it’s value-added for the story and not filler for added action. I highly recommend Immoral Rider to all paranormal fans... but I do suggest you start with Eternal Rider first.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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