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2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
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7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
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Showing posts with label ebooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ebooks. Show all posts
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, December 7, 2012
Quickie Review: Miracle in New Hope by Kaki Warner
Miracle in New Hope
Author: Kaki Warner
Release Date: Dec. 11, 2012
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Historical Romance, Novella, holiday
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
About the book:
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Amidst the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains in 1871, Daniel Hobart keeps to himself—a man with a hole in his heart that matches the scar on his face. But when Daniel starts having visions of a young girl crying out for help, he begins to fear that solitude may have caused him to lose his mind. Determined to find out the truth about the mysterious girl, Daniel travels into New Hope and learns that she’s the missing daughter of widow Lacy Ellis.
After a year of heartbreak, Lacy isn’t sure what to make of Daniel’s claims of seeing her daughter. But when he sets out to find Hannah on his own, Lacy decides to join him, allowing herself one last chance to hope. And as they retrace the long-cold trail of Hannah’s disappearance, two broken people manage to take some small comfort in each other, and in the possibility of a miracle…
What Ang is talking about:
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I loved Miracle in New Hope right from the beginning. I found it to be a gripping page turner, even if the pages were on my Kindle.
The descriptions were so vivid I found myself shivering in the cold as we traveled the rugged Colorado mountain passes and grateful for the relief the fires offered at the end of long journeys.
The characters were just as well written with real wounds. I found myself cheering for Daniel and Lacy as they dealt with intense hurt and damage, then struggled through their desires to heal and move forward with their lives. Hannah's character was an interesting twist that tied everything together with just the right touch of mystery and heart.
Overall I found Miracle in New Hope to be a perfectly delightful and emotional read, full of the kind of romance and magic you want at Christmas time all year long.If you pick it up and read I'm certain you won't be disappointed! I wasn't.
Ang’s Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Purchase Info:
Labels:
5 stars,
Ang Review,
ebooks,
historical romance,
Kaki Warner,
novella,
Penguin Publishing
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0
comments
Thursday, November 29, 2012
25 Days of Christmas with Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks is feeling the spirit of the holiday season and they want to share it with you! They're running their biggest promotion yet: daily discounts on their most popular ebooks, starting December 1 and lasting through December 25! When you sign up, you’ll be notified every morning of which book is going on sale that day. And, when you sign up to receive their daily email notifications, you’ll automatically be entered to win two ereaders: one for you, and one for a friend or family member.
In addition, they'll also be giving away more fun prizes every single week, from candy, to gift baskets, to books. Sign up today! You’ll be able to see the featured books once you’ve signed up.
Double your chances: Each time one of your friends sign up, it doubles your chances of winning, so make sure to forward your emails to all of your nearest and dearest, encouraging them to sign up, too!
Sign up today for the Sourcebooks Christmas eBook Spectacular on their ebook promo page, for the chance to get great books and great prices, and to win ebooks, candy, print books, and an eReader for you – and one for a friend or family member!
Please feel free to share this information! Be sure to check out the @sourcebooks and @sourcebookscasa Twitter accounts for daily updates and links each day, as well as the Sourcebooks Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/sourcebooks.
I hope you enjoy these great deals and chances to win!
Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!
I hope you enjoy these great deals and chances to win!
Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Review & Giveaway: The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane
The Devil’s Thief
Author: Samantha Kane
Release Date: Nov. 12, 2012
Publisher: Loveswept/ Random House
The Saint’s Devils #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher & Author
About the book:
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The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn’t know if it’s masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.
Alasdair Sharpe had no intention of keeping his end of the bargain. Planning to offer his little cat burglar carte blanche instead, he promptly loses himself in the delights of unexpected pleasure. But when he awakes the next morning to find his family heirloom gone, fury quickly replaces sensual languor. Of course, Alasdair is more than willing to use seduction to reclaim his stolen pearl—and find the key to Julianna’s heart.
What I’m talking about:
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While in the midst of a daring jewel heist of her neighbor, Julianna Harte is caught. Julianna is no ordinary thief, but rather a young woman of society who is in desperate need of funds to save the orphanage she started. So when the owner of the famous Stewart Pearl, Alasdair Sharpe, offers the family heirloom to “Juliet” in exchange for a night in his bed, she accepts the offer. Even as Alasdair takes Julianne’s virginity, he has no plans to make good on his promise. So when Julianne escapes with the pearl, Alasdair enlists the aid of his two closest friends to help him discover who is the thief in the night.
Soon Alasdair realizes his “Juliet” is in fact his neighbor whom he never really noticed before (although Julianna has had her eye on Alasdair for some time). He approaches her, hoping that she’ll return the pearl; however, before he can talk to her, Julianne sold the pearl. Soon, the pair, along with his friends and a street urchin named Wiley, work out ways to reclaim the pearl, and as they do, Alasdair realizes the true treasure is the thief herself.
The Devil’s Thief, is a highly amusing historical romance filled with wit, fun, danger and love. The story is rich with enjoyable characters and an amusing plot. The characters provided the driving force behind the storyline. Julianna is a strong woman who can fit within society's boundaries on the outside, but is "modern" on the inside. I love that Alasdair respects and admires that part of Julianna. I feel the interactions and banter between he and Julianna are clever and entertaining.
Julianna does not fit the mold of a prim and proper society woman, often standing up for herself, taking risks and making things happen. And she’s not the only one. Her father, a former thief, who stole only to feed and cloth his young daughter, has married up into society to a Baroness. But he didn’t do it for the financial cushion, but rather for love. And the Baroness herself is fairly bold and at times, contrary to the roll she lives in public.
Alasdair was especially trying (in a good way) at times. He was so wrapped up in the fact that he lost his family’s prized possession, that he neglected the facts presented before him (for example, that he did promise the pearl to Julianna). He was also blind to matters of his own heart. At times he was completely driven by passion, and he had trouble reconciling his desires with the family honor. Although I did get frustrated with Alasdair at times, he made the story extremely entertaining.
The quest to return the pearl is one of adventure and danger. Although somewhat predictable, the plot moved forward at an enjoyable pace. The ups and downs the characters endure make the journey that much more satisfying. Alasdair’s companions, (fellow Devils) Roger and Hil add comic relief, but also additional mystery. They are marvelous. I love the light-hearted, silly "frat boy" humor of Roger and want to know more about Hil. He is full of intrigue, and it will be exciting to see what woman will match him. The misunderstandings and mishaps the gang encounter never bordered on frustrating and always kept the story moving forward.
In the end, I really enjoyed The Devil’s Thief and look forward to the next tale. The overall feel was light and romantic, with a lot of humor tossed in. But most of all, the characters were all exceptional. They may not be the picture perfect specimens of society during the time period, but that's what made them enjoyable and even lovable.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
The Devil's Thief
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Saturday Conversations 10/13/2012
E-reader vs. Book
In today's day and age, books are available to readers 24 hours a day. A reader has access to thousands of books on your phone, you can pre-order favorites online and have them delivered, and you can visit your local library or book store. I for one love this!
What I also love is the rise of the ebook. Thanks to the giants like Kindle and Nook, e-readers are a common gadget in our electronic arsenal. I myself have been reading via a Kindle (or the Kindle app) since late 2008. The first appeal was that I could get a book whenever I wanted. I was like a kid in a candy store. I also liked that I could easily look up words I didn't know instead of reading over them. But I still preferred the feel of a paperback in my hands.It wasn't until I began to review books in early 2010 that I fell completely in love with reading on a Kindle. First - I love that I can take notes and highlight passages right within the text. GENIUS! I also love the "cloud" feature - so if I forget and leave my Kindle at home, I can still read on my phone!
But best of all is the search/look up function. When I started writing reviews, I no longer was able to read books within a series back-to-back, and my memory of characters and events was a little shoddy. If I had the previous book on my Kindle, I could look up events and characters using keywords. This is such an important feature for me now - I use it within books and not just looking up old books. For example, when I'm halfway through a book and "Mrs. Brown" enters the room (and I don't remember something about her), I can look up to see what we have been told about her. If I can't recall the hero's favorite flavor of ice cream (because it is critical!), I can type in a couple keywords and voila!
So now, although I still read a paperback when tossed my way, I prefer to read on my Kindle. How about you? Do you prefer an e-reader or a book when reading? What are your pros and cons?
Thanks for stopping by to chat!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Galley Giveaway Contest from Shiloh Walker
I just found out about this AWESOME giveaway Shiloh Walker is running on her website:
Check out Shiloh's latest project...Blade Song. Enter to win a galley to review...and she's giving away 50!
You can enter via her blog. You can tweet about it. And if you post about it to your blog, you get a couple of extra entries...
About the book:
Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.
So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.
Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead.
If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee…
Are you interested in winning an advanced review galley? Visit Shiloh's site HERE. For an excerpt of the book visit Shiloh under her new pen name, J. C. Daniels HERE.
Check out Shiloh's latest project...Blade Song. Enter to win a galley to review...and she's giving away 50!
You can enter via her blog. You can tweet about it. And if you post about it to your blog, you get a couple of extra entries...
About the book:
Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake.
So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money.
Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead.
If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee…
Are you interested in winning an advanced review galley? Visit Shiloh's site HERE. For an excerpt of the book visit Shiloh under her new pen name, J. C. Daniels HERE.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
News from Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks Launches
Discover a New Love
Discover a New Love
Online Readers Club Focuses on Connecting Romance Authors & Readers
Sourcebooks, one of romance fiction’s fastest growing publishers, announces the launch of www.DiscoveraNewLove.com, an online readers club that offers members exclusive, early access to some of the hottest new authors, deep discounts on new and bestselling romance ebooks, and a nonstop party for both readers and authors.
At the heart of Discover a New Love are monthly ebook selections that offer members the opportunity to download an ebook from one of the major romance subgenres: contemporary, paranormal, and historical (plus a special “wild card” title thrown in for fun). While many selections will feature sizzling new debuts and rising stars, members will be pleased to find nationally bestselling authors like Georgette Heyer, Grace Burrowes, Catherine Mann, and Carolyn Brown in the monthly mixes.
“Readers have a hard time figuring out what they should try next. It’s an issue of discovery—finding great new authors with amazing stories,” says Deb Werksman, Editorial Manager. “Now, they can choose their favorite categories, and we’ll treat them to something new on a monthly basis, sometimes even before these new books are available to the public.”
Membership to Discover a New Love is offered for as little as $1.67 per book and provides access to the monthly selections, “members-only” deals, sneak peeks of forthcoming titles, and author chats. “For what you’d normally pay for one romance, you can now buy two or three,” says Leah Hultenschmidt, Sourcebooks Senior Editor. “It’s a fabulous way to read your favorite authors and get a chance to try new ones without putting a big dent in the book budget.”
In addition to great ebook deals, each month readers can join Barbara Vey, romance fiction expert and blogger of Beyond Her Book, as well as featured authors, for online parties to celebrate their books and discuss all things romance!
“I’m thrilled to be involved in a venture that brings readers and authors together, because what’s more fun than talking about romance with like-minded people?” says Vey, who will be regularly blogging and hosting parties for Discover a New Love. “The only thing better than reading good romance is talking about it with other readers who love it just as much as you do.”
A couple of other notes about Discover a New Love:
In response to reader demand, many of the featured ebooks will be available on a worldwide basis.
The ebooks offered will be DRM free. Sourcebooks wants readers to own the books and for those ebooks to be portable across ereading devices and platforms.
Discover a New Love is starting with Sourcebooks titles, and is looking to work with other publishers to make their authors available on this new model.
“Discover a New Love is a new model built directly in response to what we’ve heard from authors, agents, and readers,” says Dominique Raccah, CEO and publisher of Sourcebooks. “Expect a lot of experimentation from us.”
DiscoverANewLove.com officially launches at 9:00 a.m. CST officially Tuesday, April 10, in time for the RT Book Lovers Convention in Chicago. The featured titles for the month of April are: One Hot Cowboy Wedding by New York Times bestselling novelist Carolyn Brown, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal by New York Times bestselling novelist Grace Burrowes (released one month early to members), Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton, and Mariana by New York Times bestselling novelist Susanna Kearsley.
For more information about Sourcebooks, its authors, and new initiatives, visit www.sourcebooks.com.
Starting Tuesday, May 1st, the titles that members can choose from are:
Additionally, Sourcebook has a couple of new benefits beginning in May, too:
Save an additional 15% off the member pricing on the purchase of any additional Featured Selections.
Get an extra 10% off any title by the authors of our Featured Selections.
I hope you enjoy this great new deal from Sourcebooks! Happy Reading!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Quickie Review: A Karma Girl Christmas
A Karma Girl Christmas
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: Available now
Bigtime Superheroes Series (Short Story)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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It's Christmas time in Bigtime, New York, but society reporter Carmen Cole isn't in the mood to celebrate since her husband, Sam, has to go on a business trip and might not make it home for the holiday. But Carmen has plenty to keep her busy, since she moonlights as Karma Girl, a member of the Fearless Five superhero team.
On Christmas Eve, Carmen, as Karma Girl, is assigned to guard toys, clothes, food, and more that are intended for needy children and their families. But an ubervillain also has his eye on the toys and plans to steal and then sell them to the highest bidder. Carmen will have to use all her empathic powers just to stay alive, not to mention make sure Christmas is a happy one for all the kids who are counting on her. It's all in a night's work for a superhero ...
Note: This is a 14,000-word story that takes place after the events of Jinx, the third book in the Bigtime series. It can also be read as a stand-alone holiday story.
What G & U are talking about:
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A Karma Girl Christmas is a short story, as stated on the author’s website, from the Bigtime series. Gikany and Una have not read this series, but it did not detract from the book at all. It can definitely be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone story.
This delightfully short and sweet story is a wonderful light-hearted read. We enjoyed the characters and the fun little world that Ms. Estep has created. It feels a little like Gotham but without all the dark fog and brooding people. Karma Girl, for a superhero, feels so much like the girl next-door and the characters are quite charming in their own unique way. Reading this short story was simply a fun little romp.
Feel free to download A Karma Girl Christmas to read after you’ve set the tree up, and are looking to relax. We suggest enjoying it in front of a fire with a steaming cup of tea (Una’s preference) or cocoa. At only $0.99, how can you go wrong?
Their Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Books in the Series:
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Ebook Deal by AAD 2012 Featured Author: Judi Fennell
Next week, I will be hosting paranormal romance author, Judi Fennell, here at That’s What I’m Talking About. In addition, I will have a review of her newly released Genie Knows Best, the second book in her fun Bottled Magic series.But here's something really great: the first book in the genie series, the Bottled Magic series, I Dream of Genies, is not only available but it's FREE in electronic form for this week. Kindle
, Nook, iBooks, Sony, whatever your reading platform, you can find it for free.
, Nook, iBooks, Sony, whatever your reading platform, you can find it for free. Here is a link to my review of I Dream of Genies.
I wanted to let you all know so if you haven't had the chance to discover this awesome, fun world, now you can do it free of charge. And be sure to stop back next week when I’ll have my review of Genie Knows Best.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Ebook Deals for Halloween
Sourcebooks eBook Deals!
Dear Readers... I want to share with you some SPOOK-TACULAR eBook deals from SOURCEBOOK going on during October. Look for the deals wherever Sourcebook eBooks are sold, but please be patient if pages aren’t uploaded immediately on the dates listed below, as it does take their eBook retail partners a little bit of time to update/upload their information. Note that the Paranormal Romance sale doesn't start until FRIDAY OCTOBER 28.
Also—do you LOVE hearing about Sourcebooks' eBook deals and romance novels? Become a CasaVIP by clicking HERE. You can also receive the latest information about their ebook deals by joining their newsletter by clicking HERE.
Halloween Spotlight: Plain Fear Forsaken for $2.99!
(10/25/2011 – 11/03/2011)
Plain Fear Forsaken by Leanna Ellis
Hannah Schmidt pines for Jacob, the boy who saved her life when she drowned, bringing her back from the brink of death by breathing life into her. But Jacob is gone, buried. Levi Fisher loves Hannah. But he knows how much Hannah loved his brother Jacob. He also knows the troubling event that took Jacob out of their lives…. So when a stranger named Akiva comes into their community, carrying with him a dark secret, their love and beliefs will be put to the test. And Hannah must choose between light and dark, between the love she vowed to carry with her and a new possibility of love---a decision that will decide the fate of her soul.
Vampires, Werewolves, and Witches, Oh My! Paranormal Romance for $0.99!
(10/28/2011 – 11/03/2011)
Wicked by Any Other Name by Linda Wisdom
Stasi Romanov uses just a little witch magic in her lingerie shop, running a brisk side business in love charms. A disgruntled customer threatening to sue over a failed love spell brings Trevor Barnes to town. Trevor's the best attorney around, and he just happens to be a wizard. Everyone knows that witches and wizards make a volatile combination—sure enough, the sparks fly and almost everyone's getting singed. Add to that Cupid playing a practical joke, a lunar eclipse that nearly precipitates a witch hunt, and some very mysterious goings on at the magical lake, and the feisty witch and gorgeous wizard have more than simply a possible lawsuit on their hands. Can they overcome their objections and settle out of court—and in the bedroom?
Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe
Trinity Harpswell is a cursed Black Widow--death and mayhem are all part of the job description. If she can manage to go just one more week without accidentally killing someone, she’ll break this killer curse and put her Black Widow days behind her. When sexy Blaine Underhill III shows up at her door and asks for her help rescuing his friend from the clutches of Death’s evil grandma, Trinity gets pulled into a daring high stakes adventure. As Blaine and Trinity join forces to take down a series of underworld assassins, they may just learn that love is the deadliest game of all.
The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare
Rogue, Rake…Werewolf. Years ago on a full moon, Lord William Westfield gave way to his inner beast and nearly ruined young Prisca Hawthorne. Knowing he can never trust himself in the arms of the woman he loves, he throws himself into a debauched lifestyle. When Westfield discovers he has a rival for Prisca's love, he decides if she's going to marry a Lycan it damn well better be him. But time is running out as Prisca's other suitor takes an instant and potentially fatal dislike to Westfield.
Merely Magic by Patricia Rice
The daughter of one of the strongest magical lineages, Ninian Malcom Siddons is a powerful witch. Determined to only use her magic for good, she lives a simple, solitary life as a healer in her village, where she meets Drogo… Lord Drogo Ives believes only logic and science can explain the wonders of the universe and doesn’t believe the local folklore about Malcolm witches and Ives men, until he meets Ninian.
Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear
Devlyn is a beta male werewolf in a pack of grays, Bella is the female red werewolf he rescued as a pup. When the pack’s alpha male tries to rape her, she flees and lives as a lone werewolf until Devlyn comes to bring her back to the pack. The two get embroiled in danger when a local red werewolf goes on a killing spree. While fleeing the murderer and the police, and keeping their whereabouts hidden from the vengeful alpha male of their pack, they find that their love is deep and their mutual attraction irresistible, but Bella knows that if she mates with Devlyn, he’ll have to fight the wicked alpha male, and it’s a fight to the death . .
Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase
When all-star pitcher and shape-shifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment but as a place to escape the demands of major league baseball. That is, until he meets his tenants— a sarcastic unemployed crime-fighter vampire; a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a super-friendly salesman werewolf; and two witches with an owl who work as phone sex actresses. Not to mention a beautiful, all-too-human nurse. But with all the hooting, howling, and hollering going on, how's an all-American shapeshifter supposed to sweep a girl off her feet?
Emma and the Vampires by Jane Austen and Wayne Josephson
In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. But when her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she’s the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart—his (literally) undying love for her… A brilliant mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead.
The Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary
Haunted by visions of Druid priests and Celtic warriors, Donovan O’Shea left home in Northern Ireland and immigrated to America. With his father ill, he returns to help sell the family property and pub, and now, to his dismay, the “sight” has returned. He inherited the talent from his long-lost mother, who told him to keep it a secret, and he has. He is soon involved in the archaeological excavation on his family’s land and meets American Rylie Powell. Her father walked out on the family when she was a toddler, and she now believes that Donovan’s father is also hers. Donovan knows in his heart this cannot be true as the attraction between them is palpable. In between checking out DNA tests and family histories, the two become involved with murders past and present stemming from the Troubles, a quest that requires Donovan’s gift. Northern Ireland’s violent past combined with supernatural elements add an intriguing twist to this modern love story.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Ebook Deals for October
Sourcebooks eBook Deals!
Dear Readers... I want to share with you some SPECTACULAR eBook deals from SOURCEBOOK going on during October. Look for the deals wherever Sourcebook eBooks are sold, but please be patient if pages aren’t uploaded immediately on October 3, as it does take their eBook retail partners a little bit of time to update/upload their information.
Also—do you LOVE hearing about Sourcebooks' eBook deals and romance novels? Become a CasaVIP by clicking HERE. You can also receive the latest information about their ebook deals by joining their newsletter by clicking HERE.
Cover Me by Catherine Mann will be $0.99:
10/04/2011 – 10/17/2011
It should have been a simple mission…
Pararescueman Wade Rocha fast ropes from the back of a helicopter into a blizzard to save a climber stranded on an Aleutian Island, but Sunny Foster insists she can take care of herself just fine…
But when it comes to passion, nothing is ever simple…
With the snowstorm kicking into overdrive, Sunny and Wade hunker down in a cave and barely resist the urge to keep each other warm… until they discover the frozen remains of a horrific crime… Unable to trust the local police force, Sunny and Wade investigate, while their irresistible passion for each other gets them more and more dangerously entangled…
Hot Zone will be in stores in December, so get a jump start on Catherine Mann’s hot new military romantic suspense series!
Mr. Darcy’s Obsession by Abigail Reynolds will be $2.99:
10/03/2011 – 10/09/2011
What if…Elizabeth Bennet was more unsuitable for Mr. Darcy than ever…Mr. Darcy is determined to find a more suitable bride. But then he learns that Elizabeth is living in London in reduced circumstances, after her father’s death robs her of her family home…
What if…Mr. Darcy can’t Help himself from see king her out…
He just wants to make sure she’s alright. But once he’s seen her, he feels compelled to talk to her, and from there he’s unable to fight the overwhelming desire to be near her, or the ever-growing mutual attraction that is between them…
What if…Mr. Darcy’s intentions were shockingly dishonorable…
Abigail’s latest Pemerbley Variation—retellings of Austen’s quintessential classic P&P— Mr. Darcy’s Undoing, will be in stores next week!
Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson will be FREE:
10/03/2011 – 10/09/2011
He's given up on happily-ever-after...
Cinderella's Prince Charming is divorced and at a dead end. The new owner of a bookstore, Charming has given up on women, royalty, and anything that smacks of a future. That is, until he meets up with Mellie...
But she may be the key to happily-right-now
Mellie is sick and tired of stepmothers being misunderstood. Vampires have redeemed their reputation, why shouldn't stepmothers do the same? Then she runs into the handsomest, most charming man she's ever met and discovers she's going about her mission all wrong...
It's only natural that sparks fly and magic ensues when these two fairy tale refugees put their heads—and vulnerable hearts—together...
Utterly Charming, another fairy tale with a twist by Kristine Grayson, will be in stores in October!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Review: The Vampire Next Door
The Vampire Next DoorAuthor: Ashlyn Chase
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Strange Neighbors #3
ISBN: #978-1402236631
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
| About the book: |
In this third installment of Chase's lively, sexy, paranormal trilogy, we meet witch Morgaine, who is deathly afraid of the dark, and her vigilante vampire neighbor Sly, who has his reasons for hating sunlight. Sly needs Morgaine's magic to help heal a broken fang, but with further help, and sometimes hindrance, from the wacky apartment dwellers around them, they may become each other's last hope for a normal life...
| What I’m talking about: |
As mentioned above, this is the third installment of Ms. Chase’s Paranormal Chick-Lit Strange Neighbors series. (I reviewed the second book, The Werewolf Upstairs, HERE.) Although you probably don’t need to read the earlier books to enjoy this story, it would give you a bit more background on and history of this little apartment building full of paranormal activity.
The primary focus of this book is on witch, Morgaine, and the building owner’s father-in-law, vampire Sly. After Morgaine has a makeover from Goth to pretty blonde, Sly realizes he is attracted to his long-time friend. The two are a little shy and reluctant to share their feelings (especially at first because of Morgaine’s cousin, Gwyneth, who has shown a little interest in Sly as well).
I have to say that once again, a story doesn’t have to “mean something” to be enjoyable. This is one of those stories. The character development wasn’t all that great, but I enjoyed Morgaine and Sly. Their “courtship” and mutual attraction didn’t really strike me as overly passionate (they did a lot of talking), so when they finally got it on, it seemed a bit over the top to be going at each other like animals. However, after their initial encounter, I enjoyed the relaxed and sweet development of their love for one another.
The side plot lines in this book were a bit much this go around. First, Sly’s vampire maker is stalking him - this vampire is “evil” according to our resident witches, and yes, he did kill Sly’s wife some 20+ years ago because HE HAD A CRUSH on Sly. *shakes head* I wish there had been a bit more development of Malvant’s character and involvement in the overall storyline.
Second, Sly needs to earn cash, but due to his “condition” (vampire) he is limited for job opportunities. Gwyneth comes up with the idea of building a still and creating moonshine. This is an example of the sometimes outrageous humor Ms. Chase uses throughout the story. In some cases it works, but in others it seems a bit too silly. In this case Gwyneth seemed a bit too crazy about moonshine, but if you just roll with the humor, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud at times.
The other neighbors all had a part in the story as well. It was fun to see where everyone had been and was headed. We learn more about Gwyneth and quiet Nathan, find out about Merry and Jason’s soon-to-be-born infant, hear from Chad the ghost, and even Roz and Konrad make an appearance now and then. But what I don’t understand is new super, Jules, and new tenant, Lily. They are just odd, and their “romance” is out of place. The characters add very little to the story and I just scratch my head and wonder why they were put into the story.
Overall, this story is a fun read. It’s quick and easy, light and fluffy - perfect for the beach. You have to just go with the flow and not take the story seriously.
| My Rating: |
Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Readers: In honor of this week’s release of The Vampire Next Door, book 3 in the sassy paranormal romance series by Ashlyn Chase, Sourcebooks Publishing is giving away free ebooks of the first book in the series, STRANGE NEIGHBORS... YES - it is available for FREE from August 2 - August 8, 2011. Look for it where ever ebooks are sold.
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