Debbie's Book Bag

Review: The Look of Love

2012-01-31T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Look of Love (Wedding Cake Mystery - Book 2) by Mary Jane Clark

Publication Date: January 17, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Hardcover, 340pp
ISBN-13:978-0061995569

ISBN:0061995568

(Received for an honest review from William Morrow)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Mary Jane Clark on the WEB: website, facebook

Books in the Series: To Have and To Kill (2011), The Look of Love (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Look of Love (Amazon Look Inside Feature)

Synopsis:

Piper Donovan accepts when the owner of Elysium, an exclusive spa and plastic surgery center, offers her an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to create a dazzling and unique wedding cake. The job also gives Piper the time and distance she needs to sort out her feelings for handsome FBI agent Jack Lombardi.

The ultra-luxurious spa caters to the rich and famous in need of a little "refreshing" - a nip here, a tuck there, a little Botox, a little detox. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, Elysium seems picture-perfect: the grounds, the staff, even the guests. But no sooner does Piper arrive than a guest is brutally murdered in one of the private bungalows. Someone, it seems, wants to make sure Elysium's beautiful director, Jillian Abernathy, never gets to walk down the aisle. Piper soon discovers that beneath the glamorous surface of this idyllic oasis lies an ugly truth - and a cold-blooded plan for murder.

Thoughts:

Mary Jane Clark is certainly not a new-comer in the publishing industry, but she has focused mainly on main stream mystery and thrillers throughout her career. The Look of Love is the second book in Clark's first cozy mystery series. The Wedding Cake series introduces readers to Piper Donovan, cake decorator, actress and amateur sleuth. Readers will enjoy this lighter side to Clark's writing, as well as, her engaging characters.

Clark's trademark short chapters put me in the mind of James Patterson at times with shifting viewpoints and a multi-layered plot. I loved the way Clark easily shifts from the killers point-of-view, to that of possible suspects and the main characters. It sounds like it would hard to follow, but it's anything but and the reader gets a view into the mind of a murderer, creepy but cool.

Piper, the heroine in The Look of Love and the series, is a spunky young woman who wears plenty of hats. She's an aspiring actress, a wedding cake decorator and she dabbles in solving mysteries and this book is definitely focused on the whodunit. The mystery itself was unique and easily held my interest. I liked the fact that Piper is taking a road trip in this book and taking herself out of her comfort zone.

Who doesn't want a little pampering now and then? And what better place to get it than a state-of-the-art spa. Even the name of spa equates to luxury and comfort. Elysium is a Greek version of the afterlife. The Hollywood Hills isn't exactly a normal cozy mystery setting and that made it all the more interesting. It was different and the day-to-day workings of the spa was enlightening. Readers will certainly be wishing they could visit this spa due to the wonderful descriptions.

Another thing I found interesting about this one was the fact that Clark didn't just stop with one murder. This twisting plot features several. There are bodies dropping all over the place. I found myself wondering... Who in the world would feel the need to kill that many people to get what they want? And of course Piper is right in the middle of the mayhem, right where she belongs.

This is a great sophomore effort on Clark's part and I liked just about everything about it. Piper is a great heroine, engaging and easy to like. Her curiosity killed the cat attitude is always landing her in hot water. The setting was unique and interesting and Clark's shifting view points were a real selling point. I recommend this one to cozy readers, Clark fans and even those main stream mystery readers that need to give cozies a try!

The Look of Love is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Like Piper Donovan, New York Times bestselling author Mary Jane Clark has a mother who made customized cakes for the neighborhood kids when Mary Jane was growing up. After a career at CBS News and writing twelve media thrillers, the author envisioned the Piper Donovan/Wedding Cake mystery series. The daughter of an FBI agent, Mary Jane is the mother of two grown children and splits her time between New Jersey and Florida. Currently, she is concocting her next novel.

Review and Giveaway: An Appetite for Murder

2012-01-31T09:30:00.000-05:00

An Appetite for Murder (Key West Food Critic - Book 1) by Lucy Burdette

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 310pp
ISBN-13: 978-0451235510

ISBN: 0451235517

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mystery)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Lucy Burdette (Roberta Isleib)on the WEB: website, blog, facebook

Excerpt from An Appetite for Murder (Amazon Look Inside Feature)

Synopsis:

Hayley Snow's life has always revolved around food - she loves cooking it, eating it, and, most of all, writing about it. When she moves to Key West and applies to be a food critic, Hayley's so close to achieving her dream, she can taste it. Until someone serves her a helping of murder.

Hayley Snow is a woman of many passions. She's followed her soul mate to funky, foodie Key West, but when their romance loses its sizzle, she's determined to find a new life in this island paradise. She's always been a foodie, so when she applies to be a food critic for Key Zest, the new Key West style magazine, it seems like a perfect pairing. Then Hayley discovers her potential new boos is Kristen Faulkner - the woman who stole her boyfriend.

Hayley can't see how things can get worse now that she's loveless, possibly working for her romantic rival, and living on her friend's boat - until Kristen is murdered and the police pull Hayley in as a suspect. Unfortunately, Hayley's got more motive than Key Lime pie has meringue. To clear her name she'll have to find the real killer fast or the only restaurant she'll be reviewing is the prison cafe.

Thoughts:

What a perfect book to read this time of year! Lucy Burdette debuts the first book in her new Key West Food Critic series to fans and new readers. An Appetite for Murder has all the ingredients for a great cozy mystery, that will appeal to foodies and amateur gumshoes alike. The locale and mouthwatering food descriptions give this new series an exotic, carefree atmosphere that will have readers raving!

For most of the continental US it's winter-time. Freezing temps and blowing snow. And the perfect time to read a mystery set in the fun and sun. Key West was a perfect location for the beginning of this new cozy series. Burdette either has first hand knowledge of the everyday goings on in Key West or she's done a whirlwind of research because this book is just oozing local flavor and the amazing food of the islands. Even though murder is afoot, the author is still able to give off the feeling of the laid back, relaxed persona of Key West. Readers will find themselves feeling that ocean breeze on their skin or tasting the nutty flavors of the local cuisine. The descriptions are out of this world.

The lead character in An Appetite for Murder is down-on-her-luck Hayley Snow. A gal who followed her heart to Key West and ends up getting dumped by a cheating boyfriend. But you can't keep a good girl down, as Hayley decides to make the most of it and try hand at her life's passion, food! Unfortunately, the mishaps keep piling up and Hayley finds herself a murder suspect, as well as, a food critic. I really enjoyed Hayley's voice. She comes across as a little scatter-brained at times but she's witty and she's quick. She follows her instincts and gets right down to the point. Burdette has really created a very engaging main character that readers are sure to like and want to know more about.

I liked the behind-the-scenes kind of look into the world of food journalism. Readers get to see the dilemma's that food critics face on a daily basis. What happens if you mention a stop that has a lot of local flavor and your review gets it a lot more attention than it wants? How do you tell a chef that's a friend, you're going to give his restaurant a bad review? If you write a bad review it could damage a restaurants reputation. All of these were questions I never really considered when I thought about food writing. It was a very insightful and fun to read about.

I tried one of the recipes in the back of the book and it was a good one. Hayley Snows Leaning Tower of Eggplant is soooo delicious. If you've never tried eggplant, try it fried, it's amazing! I always try a recipe from each food related cozies and I'll have to say this was one of the best. I know it might sound weird, but it's super tasty.

This is a great first book in a series. The background is established. The characters are introduced and the mystery is still the main focus. It's fast-paced and smooth and the ending was surprise. I didn't have this one figured out and I'm hard to stump. If you love good food, the sights and sounds of islands and a little murder and mayhem this is definitely the book for you!

An Appetite for Murder is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib, aka Lucy Burdette, has had eight previous mysteries published. Her books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. Her story "The Itinerary," written under the Roberta Isleib name, was selected for inclusion in The Rich and the Dead, an MWA anthology edited by Nelson DeMille. She is a past president of Sisters in Crime.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of An Appetite for Murder by Lucy Burdette.

~ You must be a GFC follower or an E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 14th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: All That Bleeds

2012-01-30T10:30:00.000-05:00

All That Bleeds (Etherlin - Book 1) by Kimberly Frost

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 324pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425245804

ISBN: 0425245802

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Kimberly Frost on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from All That Bleeds

Synopsis:

Within the elite community of the Etherlin, the descendants of the ancient muses are inspiration made flesh. But beyond the wall protecting their world wait the fallen, those who yearn to possess them...

As the last heiress of the House of North, Alissa has never been one to follow laws blindly. Striking up a secret friendship with a half-vampire enforcer is dangerous, but Merrick is a temptation she can't resist.

Merrick's desire for Alissa consumes him, though he knows better than to pursue a muse. But when Alissa is kidnapped and brought outside the Etherlin walls, Merrick will do anything to protect the woman who tempts him with her very existence.

As enemies from both worlds threaten, Alissa realizes that Merrick is the only one she can trust - even while the pull she feels toward him is the thing she fears most...

Thoughts:

Forbidden love. Who could resist a paranormal romance with that kind of theme? Kimberly Frost brings readers the first book in a new series featuring the Muses who lend their energy and powers to inspiring artists, musicians and other creative elements in society. All That Bleeds is quite a departure from Frost's Southern Witch series and has darker more ethereal feel to it. Even the cover is striking and readers will love Frost's amazing world building skills.

The first book in the Etherlin series was a totally unexpected read for me. I was expecting the tone and atmosphere of the book to mirror Frost's first series, but I was totally blown away with this one. The world building alone is enough to make this an amazing book. Frost draws readers in from the first action packed pages and introduces them to a world where the Muses are competing amongst themselves for the Wreath, a magical element that will allow them to focus their powers. I was taken aback by the back biting and the politics that went on among the Muses and sympathized with Alissa the lead character in dealing with all of it.

Alissa was a great character. She knew her own mind and she knew what she wanted to do and how to make it happen. I liked her ingenuity and her forthright attitude. I also liked that part of her led her make friends with someone she should have stayed away from. Merrick is a bad, bad boy, but he's darn good at it. She didn't let anyone choose her friends for her and she stood up for what she thought was right. I liked her a lot.

Merrick was the perfect hero. Very confident and sure of himself. Extremely loyal. When he decided to protect Alissa, he would move heaven and hell to do it and I liked that tenacity and kick-ass attitude. Nothing or no-one was going to get the best of him. He may have flouted authority and done things his own way, but he knew what he was about and he wasn't changing for anyone.

The romance that blossoms between Alissa and Merrick is completely forbidden. He is a vampire enforcer and she is a Muse. Not everyone's ideal match made in heaven. I liked the fact that Frost allows the relationship to grow and change instead of opting to make them soul mates or having some kind of unflinching bond. Their relationship was tender, authentic and very real feeling. That made it so much better in the long run.

I liked the mystery elements surrounding the death of Alissa's mother also. There was a lot of violence and the pace of the book was chalked full of action. There was never a quiet moment in this one and I felt like I was in a whirlwind reading it. The end was satisfying and sets up the next book in the series well. I think this series has a lot of potential and readers of both romance and paranormal romance will enjoy it. Can't wait to see what happens next.

All That Bleeds is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Kimberly Frost is the national bestselling author of the humorous Southern Witch series, which includes Would-Be Witch, Barely Bewitched, and Halfway Hexed. She was the 2010 PEARL award winner for best new paranormal author, and her paranormal romantic suspense "Etherlin" series launched in November 2011 in the multi-author Christmas anthology, Tied With a Bow, followed by the January 2012 release of All That Bleeds (Etherlin Series, Book 1)

Review and Giveaway: If Fried Chicken Could Fly

2012-01-30T09:30:00.000-05:00

If Fried Chicken Could Fly (Country Cooking School - Book 1) by Paige Shelton

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 296pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425245859

ISBN: 0425245853

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Paige Shelton on the WEB: website, blog, facebook

Synopsis:

Isabelle "Betts" Winston loves reaching the secrets of mouthwatering country food in her hometown, Broken Rope, Missouri - famous for its past of outlaws, knife battles, and hangings. But now an all-too-current murder threatens the start of tourist season...

At Gram's Country Cooking School, Betts and Gram are helping students prepare the perfect dishes for the Southern Missouri Showdown, the cook-off that draws lots of summer visitors. Then they discover the body of local theater owner Everett Morningale in the school's supply room - and Everett's widow points the finger at Gram...

Betts must clear Gram's name and keep the cook-off preparations on schedule - all while worrying about a mysterious cowboy only she seems to be able to see. And after shots are fired at her, Betts has to dig into Broken Rope's history to find a modern-day killer - before the last wing is served...

Thoughts:

Paige Shelton brings readers the first book in a new series, If Fried Chicken Could Fly. That's quite the catchy title for the first Country Cooking School mystery. Readers will fall in love with the "old west" town of Broken Rope, Missouri and all it's quirky inhabitants including a few ghosts thrown in for good measure. Fans of culinary mysteries that are light and funny will enjoy this one, as well as, fans of the supernatural, as Shelton weaves a cozy mystery that will appeal to readers of all types.

Paige Shelton is quickly becoming a favorite of mine and her latest book mixes two genres that I am particularly fond of, it's a cozy mystery with a paranormal element. I thought Shelton couldn't possibly top the Farmer's Market series, but if this debut in her new series is any indication is will be even better. Gram's Country Cooking School also adds the element of fun to equation and who doesn't love Grandma's cooking? This book has a very homey, down-to-earth feel that I think will resonate with a lot of readers.

Bett's Winston is a great amateur sleuth character. She finds herself trying to clear her Gram of suspicion of murder when they find a body in the cooking school closet. Bett's is a lot of fun as is this entire book. It is very light and funny and readers will find themselves continually laughing at Bett's and Gram's exploits. Though Bett's is the main character, Gram really added a richness to the story that made it seem authentic and believable.

Broken Rope has tons of interesting characters, most notably, Jerome, a friendly ghost of sorts that helps Bett's solve the case along with her friend Jake who happens to be a part of the local historical society. This mystery is rooted in the past and I loved how Shelton used the supernatural to her advantage her. Jerome was an essential part of the tale and I think readers will embrace the paranormal element and run with it.

When there are recipes provided in the back I always try to choose one and make it before my review goes up, so I can say... This recipe was delicious, you gotta try it. In this one I chose, the Fake Fried Chicken and I have to say, it may not be good for you... but it tastes amazing! You gotta try it... LOL!

Shelton gives readers a solid mystery with some really great motives and suspects and having a ghost along to help you out doesn't hurt. I liked this first in a series book better than most and I think there is a lot of potential her for a great series. Can't wait to see what Bett's and Gram end up in the middle of next!

If Fried Chicken Could Fly is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Paige Shelton spent lots of years in advertising but now writes novels full time. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and son. When she's up early enough, one of her favorite things is to watch the sun rise over the Wasatch, Mountains. Paige is the author of the national bestselling Farmers' Market Mysteries.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of If Fried Chicken Could Fly by Paige Shelton.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail Subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 13th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Winners! New! Challenges Updates! Jan. 22-28

2012-01-28T12:30:00.000-05:00

It's time once again for the winners, news, challenge updates from the last week. So far, this is working out well with my new schedule. I apologize for not being around as much as usual, but duty calls.

WINNERS!

This week we have had several giveaways posted and a couple that have ended. I want to thank everyone for their participation and let you know that I'm glad you are being introduces to so many wonderful authors and books!

Winners will be notified later today and publishers the following week. Prizes will be sent out directly from the publisher and all winners were chosen using random.org.

Stripped by Tori St. Claire
Publisher: Berkley Heat (Penguin Group USA)

Winner: Yadkny

Sins of the Highlander by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Winners: Renee & Proserpine

NEWS!

We kicked off our first mini-challenge of the year for the 2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge. Since the first mini-challenge is set for Jan. & Feb. the theme is Love! You must be a participant in the main challenge for be a part of this mini-challenge. All you have to do is find a cozy with the word "love" in the title, read it, review it and post your link. Several people mentioned in the comments that finding a cozy with just the word love was difficult so I am going to allow all forms of the word love: loved, lover, loving, etc etc. I did make a note that the second cozy by Mary Ann Clark has love in the title. So get reading and posting those links to be eligible for the prize. See details on my sidebar!

On a more personal note. It's been a bit of a traumatic week for me. I'm back at work and had a ton of things on my mind. But I made it and all the other stuff is going to be OK... I'm Thankful, grateful and very blessed! Just had to share LOL!

CHALLENGE UPDATES!

Here are my updates for this week:

Here is a link to my updated Google Map for the 2012 Where Are You Reading Challenge.

I added one book to the 2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge. (2/37 5% Done)

Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet - Book 4) by Nora Roberts

I added one book to the 2012 Immortals Reading Challenge. (4/20 20%)

A Demon Does It Better (Demon - Book 2) by Linda Wisdom

I added two books to the 2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge. (6/12 50% Done)

Ghoul Interrupted (Ghost Hunter - Book 6) by Victoria Laurie
Affairs of Steak (White House Chef - Book 5) by Julie Hyzy

I added seven books to the 150+ Reading Challenge (27/150 18% Done)

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly
A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom
Hold Me If You Can by Stephanie Rowe
Ghoul Interrupted by Victoria Laurie
Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy
Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

I added two books to the 2012 Paranormal Romance (4/20 20% Done)

A Demon Does It Better (Demon - Book 2) by Linda Wisdom
Hold Me If You Can (Soulfire - Book 3) by Stephanie Rowe

I added one book to the 2012 E-Book Challenge (2/25 8% Done)

Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet - Book 4) by Nora Roberts

Review: Where Wildflowers Bloom

2012-01-28T10:30:00.000-05:00

Where Wildflowers Bloom (Sisters at Heart - Book 1) by Ann Shorey

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Genre: Christian Fiction
Pages: Paperback, 328pp
ISBN-13: 978-0800720742

ISBN: 0800720741

(Received for an honest review from Revell)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, IndieBound

Ann Shorey on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Where Wildflowers Bloom

Synopsis:

How far will she go to follow her dreams?

The Civil War stole a father and brother from Faith Lindberg - as well as Royal Baxter, a man she wanted to marry. With only her grandfather left, she dreams of leaving Noble Springs, Missouri, and traveling west to Oregon to start a new life, away from the memories that haunt her. But first she must convince her grandfather to sell the family's mercantile and leave a town their family has called home for generations.

When Royal Baxter suddenly returns, Faith allows herself to hope that she and Royal will finally wed. But does he truly love her? Or will another man claim her heart?

Thoughts:

Ann Shorey brings readers the first book in a new Christian Fiction series. Where Wildflowers Bloom is the beginning of the Sisters at Heart series which takes place shortly after the end of the Civil War. Shorey's heart felt writing and attention to detail make this book a must read for Christian fiction and inspirational romance readers. Shorey's ability to write character driven, nurturing stories is unparalleled in the genre. She is easily one of my favorite Christian fiction writers.

Ann Shorey is definitely not a new face in Christian fiction, but her books always seem fresh and endearing. Readers will love Shorey's ability to bring her settings and characters to life. In her latest book, Where the Wildflowers Bloom, Shorey introduces readers to the the town of Noble Springs, Missouri and to Faith and Nate Lindberg, two characters that will touch the heart. It is Faith's dream to leave behind all of the bad memories created by the war and to travel with her grandfather, Nate to Oregon to start over. But fate and God have set a different course for her life than she ever would have imagined.

Faith is such a great character. She has seen so much devastation and loss that it's amazing she is still standing. She lost two members of her family before the war and now the war has taken her father, her brother, and the man she planned to marry. That's almost too much to ask one person to survive. I think it was Shorey's plan to show how a person with faith in God, could go through something like this and still look forward to a better future. I was really glad that Shorey left Faith at least one person in her life, her grandfather Nate. The thing that stands out so much about Faith is her gentle and loving spirit. She always came across as very genuine and honest.

I liked the relationship that developed between Rosemary and Faith. Shorey is very good at showing the bonds that people have with each other. In this book the bond between Rosemary and Faith starts with adversity. The women of Noble Springs don't seem to understand Rosemary. She saw the horrors of the war up close and personal as a nurse and the other women seem taken aback by that. I loved the fact that Shorey allows the reader to see the kind of friendships and love that can develop between women. It was a joy to read. As was Faith's relationship with Curt.

Faith planned to marry Royal Baxter before the war. She believed him dead and this only added to her dream of moving on. But when Royal suddenly reappears she is torn between him and the friendship she has developed with another returning solider, Curt Saxon. Curt is a fantastic character. He is going through some really difficult things. He is disfigured from the war and he has PTSD. Flashbacks threaten to ruin his return home, as he begins to fear himself, but with help he begins to turn around. His friendship with Faith is a great catalyst for his recovery. It was amazing to read about their relationship and how it grew. Shorey does a fantastic job of showing the depth and love they share.

Nate Lindberg, Faith's grandfather is an amazing secondary character and probably my favorite of the book. I loved the way he interacted with all of the people of Noble Springs. His mercantile was a focal point of the story, and really reminded me of the great feelings I used to get watching shows like The Waltons and especially Little House on the Prairie. It was just a very wholesome setting and Nate's presence gave it an authentic and believable feel. It's an atmosphere that is unmistakably pure. I really enjoyed all that Nate added to this book.

As you can see the characters are what this book is all about. Shorey uses the characters to drive the story and there are certainly a lot of directions it could have went. The idea's of love and hope and second chances, permeate the story and keep it grounded, while all of these amazing people come to life and leap off the page. Shorey doesn't overwhelm the reader with Bible thumping, she simply plants the seeds and let's the story take the reader where it will. It's quite a journey.

If you are a Christian fiction fan, you've probably heard of Ann Shorey. But if by some off chance you've never seen her writing this is your chance to start at the beginning of a new series, with this remarkable writer. I think it's my favorite of this kind of novel that I've read in a long time. It will definitely pull at your heartstrings and make you think about your own dreams and how they will play out in your life. Our plans are not always His plans... This one really put a smile on my face. Don't miss it!

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller, from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one a resounding 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Ann Shorey has been a full-time writer for over twenty years. She made her fiction debut with the At Home in Beldon Grove series in January of 2009.

When she's not writing, she teaches classes on historical research, story arc, and other fiction fundamentals at regional conferences. Ann and her husband life in southern Oregon.

Review and Giveaway: Ghoul Interrupted

2012-01-26T12:30:00.000-05:00

Ghoul Interrupted (Ghost Hunter Mystery - Book 6) by Victoria Laurie

Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
Pages: Paperback, 344pp
ISBN-13: 978-0451235503

ISBN: 0451235509

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Victoria Laurie on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: What's a Ghoul To Do? (2007), Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend (2008), Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun (2009), Ghouls Gone Wild (2010), Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls (2010), Ghoul Interrupted (2011)

CoverArt: Click the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Ghoul Interrupted

Synopsis:

M.J. Holliday has the unusual ability to talk to the dead. But when it comes to a demon spirit, she may be wasting her breath...

TIME TO TAKE A DEMON DETOUR

M.J. and her crew are forced to interrupt the frantic schedule of their reality-television show. Ghoul Getters, and hotfoot it to New Mexico, where a dreadful demon is waging tribal warfare. Sam Whitefeather - M.J.'s spirit guide and late grandfather to her fellow ghost buster and boyfriend, Heath - urgently needs her help to stop this evil spirit from wiping out the descendants of his tribe.

To defeat the demon, M.J. is told she must kill whoever released it - a thought that horrifies her. But with all these lives at risk - including her boyfriend's and her own - it may be kill or be killed. Still, it doesn't take a psychic to predict M.J.'s going to have a devil of a time making New Mexico a demon-free zone.

Thoughts:

Victoria Laurie's paranormal cozy mystery series, the Ghost Hunter Mysteries are always a fan favorite. The latest book in the series, Ghoul Interrupted continues to surprise and entertain Laurie's fans, while drawing in tons of new readers. Laurie's mix of the supernatural and the mysterious is always a fun read that keeps readers on their toes, trying to figure out M.J's next move. Ghoul Interrupted takes her and her merry band of followers on a road trip to New Mexico exposing fans to a new locale and a new supernatural force.

Occasionally I come across a few mystery series' that I have mixed feelings about. In the past the Ghost Hunter mystery series has fallen in that category. But with the latest addition, my feelings are somewhat more settled. I admit that this by no means a flaw in the authors writing or anything like that. I am a huge fan of the paranormal and of cozy mysteries and mixing the two together is usually a winning combination in my book. But with this series some of the books felt a little too cliche or perhaps a better way to put it, is too over-the-top or cartoonish to suit my tastes. That's not to say that it wouldn't appeal to other readers, I'm sure it does. But Ghoul Interrupted is certainly nothing like that and I hope that the author continues in this new more realistic fashion. If so, this series will become one of my favorites. This is a fantastic book, for both paranormal and cozy fans!

I have a bit of a Native American background, as my father's grandmother was a full-blood Cherokee. She married a transplanted Scot. You can imagine the combination. That being said, I loved the Native American mythos that Laurie takes on in this book. I've always been kind of partial to Heath and taking a deeper look into his family and background was extremely interesting. Native American legends and tales are intriguing and make some awesome fodder for story building. I thought Laurie did an amazing job of bringing out these elements in Ghoul Interrupted. The Whitefeather's were amazing!

When I'm reviewing cozy mysteries, I tend to try to figure out if the plot is plausible. Is there some possible way this could have happened in real life. But when you review a paranormal cozy you have to throw that completely out the window. The story itself isn't meant to be plausible. It's meant to put reading in touch with things that are supernatural, things that don't occur in the normal scope of life. The paranormal aspects of this book were very well written from M.J.'s intrepid spirit guide, Sam, who once happened to be Heath's grandfather to the malevolent demon that plagues the Whitefeather's in this book. Laurie did a remarkable job of bringing these characters to life and readers will certainly appreciate the fact that this is kind of book is a total escape.

M.J. is once again a force to be reckoned with. She finds clues first and asks questions later, which sometimes gets her in trouble. I love the fact that Laurie creates a close knit group of secondary characters to be a part of M.J.'s team. Heath of course does double duty as lover and part of the gang and Gilly is so offbeat. He adds tons of humor and idiosyncratic behavior to the book and keeps things off kilter and sort of chaotic. I liked that in this one. It seemed well placed and not to overdone. Laurie kind of settles it down a little in this book and I liked the change of pace and different kind of tone she presents here. Very enjoyable read!

If you love mysteries and you love ghosties... this book just might be what the doctor ordered. It has a lot of humor and a lot of interesting background. The Native American mythos was fantastic and the characters were less overdone and more realistic. This one is perhaps a turning point in the series and readers will appreciate the new direction. Extremely well written and extremely satisfying.

Ghoul Interrupted is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Real-life professional psychic Victoria Laurie drew from her career as a gifted intuitive to create the characters of Abigail Cooper and M.J. Holliday. She lives in beautiful Austin, Texas, with two spoiled dachshunds, Lilly and Toby, and one opinionated parrot named Doc.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Ghoul Interrupted by Victoria Laurie.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail Subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 9th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: Affairs of Steak

2012-01-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

Affairs of Steak (White House Chef Mystery - Book 5) by Julie Hyzy

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 293pp)
ISBN-13:978-0425245835

ISBN:0425245837

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Julie Hyzy on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the series: State of the Onion (2008), Hail to the Chef (2008), Eggsecutive Orders (2010), Buffalo West Wing (2011) Affairs of Steak (2012)

CoverArt: Click the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Affairs of Steak

Synopsis:

White House executive chef Olivia Paras just wants to create first-class cuisine for the First Family. Unfortunately, dangerous politics keep spoiling her recipes...

Assigned to work with her arch nemesis, Peter Everett Sargeant, the White House sensitivity director, Ollie must find a venue for an event to honor the secretary of state. Instead they find one of the First Lady's assistants and the chief of staff, both murdered - and Ollie and Peter may be witnessed the killer making his getaway.

News reports suggest that the assistant and the chief of staff were having an affair, but no one on the staff believes the rumor. Now, with their jobs - and their lives - in jeopardy, Ollie and Peter must depend on each other to learn who killed their colleagues and why - before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda...

Thoughts:

Cozy author Julie Hyzy is no stranger to the publishing business with two cozy mystery series' under her belt, the Manner of Murder Mystery series and the White House Chef series. Hyzy's latest book, Affairs of Steak is the fifth book in the White House Chef series featuring chef Olivia Paras and a wacky set of characters that populate the White House kitchens. Hyzy's trademark wit and humor are on full display in this one. Fans will be smiling all the way to the end.

This is a cozy series that I hesitated with a bit. When I started reading cozies, this series was already well established and I wasn't sure the setting - the White House - was one I would enjoy. Thankfully, I decided to to give this one a try a couple of books back and found the latest addition to the series to be one of my favorites.

Affairs of Steak is somewhat different than the previous books in the series in that it is set, for the most part, outside the White House. It gives an entirely different vibe to the novel and may take some readers out of their comfort zone with the series, but I thought it was refreshing to change things up a little bit. Hyzy shows that she can effectively write the same characters from a different perspective.

I liked the fact that readers get a more intimate look at Ollie's personal life i this book. I want a neighbor just like Mrs. Wentworth! She was an exceptional secondary characters adding a lot of humor and flavor to the book. I also enjoyed the addition of the 'temporary' head usher. He created a lot of chaos that helped move the book along and gave it some necessary tension. Not that a double murder didn't create enough tension, this was just a tension of a different sort.

I liked the pairing of Ollie and Peter together to solve this mystery. These two are not exactly friends and when they are thrown together to find a venue of a very important birthday party, it seemed like a match not made in heaven. But once the bodies start dropping, these two characters really come together and make a pretty formidable team. I loved the banter that Hyzy created between them and the overall atmosphere they give off around each other. It's kind of charged, and readers will be wondering what exactly is going on with these two. Nemesis or not?

I thought that Hyzy also changed a little bit of the way she describes Ollie's food in this one as well. Usually, she goes into great detail in her descriptions, not leaving much to the imagination, but in Affairs of Steak she holds off a bit. I think maybe she needs to find a happy balance. The detailed descriptions were maybe a bit much, but the summaries of the food in this one, not quite enough. That's my only criticism for this otherwise fantastic cozy.

If you love politics, the First Family, good food and most importantly a great mystery, this book is for you! The double murder was cleverly plotted and there were suspects a plenty. The motives were believable and readers will not only get a look into the White House, but also into Ollie's life outside of her place of business. This was a great addition to the series and fans will appreciate the social dynamics Hyzy is so good at portraying in her characters. This one's a keeper!

Affairs of Steak is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Anthony and Barry award-winning author Julie Hyzy writes both the White House Chef Mysteries and the Manor House Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. As a native Chicagoan, she thoroughly enjoys researching her books, especially when traveling to exciting new places is involved.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Affairs of Steak by Julie Hyzy.

~ You must be a GFC follower or an E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 9th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation for the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Hold Me If You Can

2012-01-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Hold Me If You Can (Soulfire - Book 3) by Stephanie Rowe

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 359pp
ISBN-13: 978-1402241970

ISBN: 1402241976

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Stephanie Rowe on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: Kiss At Your Own Risk (2011), Touch If You Dare (2011), Hold Me If You Can (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Hold Me If You Can

Synopsis:

ESCAPING HELL WAS THE EASY PART...

Nigel Aquarian has escaped with his life, and with his inner demons. He needs beautiful Natalie Fleming, the woman he's admired from afar for years, to soothe his turmoil... if only she wasn't consumed with her own problems...

STAYING OUT IS GOING TO BE THE REAL CHALLENGE...

Ever since her brush with death, all Natalie wants is to run her famous chocolate shop and he left alone. But the only way she can kick-start her powers is by giving free rein to her sensual side, which Nigel is more than happy to help her explore...

With Nigel making quite a convincing case for losing control. Natalie is finding the temptation darn near irresistible...

Thoughts:

Stephanie Rowe's third installment in the Soulfire series, Hold Me If You Can is just as intense and heart-pounding as the first two books in this amazing paranormal romance series. Rowe brings readers a series with completely unique and interesting characters. Her use of wit and humor is will have readers smiling, while biting their nails at the suspenseful parts of the book. Rowe meshes adventure and fun in this surprisingly satisfying novel.

The Soulfire series has a special place in my heart. Kiss at Your Own Risk, the first book in the series, was one of the very first paranormal romance titles that I got for review. One of the things that still hits the spot for me with this series is it's uniqueness. It is so different from the average paranormal title you pick up. There are no vampires, no werewolves or anything like that. Rowe's paranormal characters are almost like superheroes except sometimes their powers can be on the dangerous side, which gives this series a kick that some readers won't be expecting.

Rowe's characters tend to have some issues which is great for me as a reader. Her heroes can be brooding and a bit dark like Jarvis from, the second book in the series, Touch Me If You Dare. But they can also be lighter and more in touch with their feminine sides. Kind of like Nigel the hero in book three. Nigel is an artist, a painter and drawer. He is at peace with the fact that he can tame the harsher, rougher side of himself with art. But when that's taken away from him he has to find another way to calm the beast. I love the fact that Rowe's characters are so complex and so different from what you normally see in paranormal romance. Not to mention they are so bad-ass, they are amazing to read about.

Readers met Natalie in the last book in the series, but Hold Me If You Can is completely centered on her and Nigel and their quest for their own happy ending. I admit I got a little tired of the on again off again attitudes these two had at times. I even wondered a couple of times if Rowe was going to turn it on it's end and keep these two apart. But happily it all turned out in the end and the journey was such a roller-coaster ride I could hardly put it down. Rowe's imagination is just unbelievable. I find myself often wondering how she came up with this story line? She must dream in color... LOL! How ever she does it, readers love it.

Can't wait to read number four and I encourage all my paranormal romance fans to read this series, it's a must read. Each book can stand on it's own and give readers an amazing read, but when they are read together the effect is like fireworks. I love this series and this author and I think you'd be crazy to miss this one!

Hold Me If You Can is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Four-time RITA Award nominee and Golden Heart Award winner Stephanie Rowe is a nationally bestselling author and has more than 25 contracted titles with major publishers such as HarperCollins, Dorchester and Harlequin. Stephanie has charmed reviewers with her unique blend of humor and otherworldly magic. She lives outside Boston, Massachusetts.

Interview and Giveaway: Stephanie Rowe

2012-01-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Stephanie Rowe to Debbie's Book Bag today. Stephanie is here to talk with us about her latest release in the Soulfire series, Hold Me if You Can. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Stephanie's book, see details at the end of the post.

DEB: Stephanie, tell us a little about yourself?
SR: After writing 18 complete manuscripts and 9 partials (and accumulating over 150 rejections), I sold my first book in 2004. I've sold more than twenty since then, and I'm been published in an assortment of genres. I am currently focusing on my paranormal romances and romantic suspenses, and my contemporary teen fiction.

DEB: Tell us a little about your book, Hold Me If You Can and the Soulfire series?
SR: The Soulfire series is about a team of immortal warriors who have recently escaped from the Den of Womanly Pursuits, after 150 years of torture and sensitivity training by Death's grandma. These hardened survivors can, much to their dismay, wield a pair of knitting needles as well as they can vanquish a demon with a sword. Not that they will admit that. Ever. Denial only goes so far, however… If a man's got a talent with a curling iron, he can hide it for only so long…

In HOLD ME IF YOU CAN, book three, Nigel Aquarian is the only warrior who's entirely at peace with his softer side. Give him a sketch pad and some markers, and he's happy. But those that giveth taketh away, and Nigel suddenly finds that his art has become deadly to those he loves. Without his art, Nigel has no outlet for his darker side. He has to find a way to regain control before he kills everyone he loves, and the only woman who can help him is Natalie Fleming, a passionate woman with a talent for chocolate, demons and maybe, just maybe, his salvation. If, of course, they don't kill each other first.

DEB: What was your inspiration for these novels? Is the paranormal something you've always been interested in?
SR: I've been reading paranormal romance for quite a while. The first two authors I read were Katie MacAlister and Christine Feehan, many moons go, and I was hooked on the genre as soon as I read them, and I've been reading voraciously in that genre ever since.

When I started writing the Soulfire series, my goal was to take the traditional and twist it into unexpected directions. I wanted to surprise the reader by creating a powerful, sexy story about the triumph of love in the most unusual of circumstances. Of course, I wanted the men to be badass immortal warriors who had been sufficiently tortured to make it impossible for them to trust, to connect or to bond (except with the woman who was meant for them, and their loyal team of warriors). Who wouldn't want that kind of man in her books?

But I also wanted these guys to be more complex and unexpected than your typical tortured warriors. I wanted to turn the traditional paranormal hero on its head, so I wanted to give these guys an unexpectedly soft side that torments them as much as it gives them peace. I did that by having them spend a few centuries being tortured in the Den of Womanly Pursuits by Death's grandma. While in the Den, the men of the Soulfire series were forced to tap into their softer sides. It's to their great dismay and embarrassment that they have become addicted to their delicate pastimes for their sanity (literally), and they try their best to do their cross-stitching, knitting and other such skills in private, or when appropriately covered in the remnants of a man-battle. I wanted to show that a man can be a bad ass warrior, and still tap into his gentle nature without losing that which makes him so powerful and appealing.

The whole series is based on that kind of approach: I wanted to take the expected and twist it on its head. Like the main villain in TOUCH IF YOU DARE is Cupid, who normally you'd think would be a good guy. The book is full of satirical twists on the paranormal romance norm, not just with the warriors, but in many different ways. I had a lot of fun creating it, and readers seem to enjoy it as well.

DEB: What kind of research did you have to do to make this book come alive?
SR: Let's see, I had quite an assortment of things I had to research in this series: cross-stitching, motorcycles, French-braiding, tasers, knitting, parking tickets in Boston, local Boston beer, stainless steel, fire, portals, prisms, the Grim Reaper, and of course, I had to spend a lot of time thinking about sexy, immortal warriors with great bodies, tortured souls and scarred hearts. That last one, that was the tough part. Ahem.

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have to have specific things in order to write comfortably?
SR: In an ideal world, I like to write in the morning, power through until I'm finished, and then gallivant gleefully throughout the rest of the day. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. I often have to stop to take a break and workout, because my brain gets tired, or life interferes. At the moment, I usually find myself working until midnight or so seven days a week, and then I'm up at six, so it's a bit of a busy schedule right now. Ideally, I'd like to take evenings off but I'm going to be needing to put in this many hours for at least the next six months. We'll see how things look like after the summer! I have a pretty extensive outline before I start to write, and I usually end in the middle of a scene (not the end of the scene), so it's pretty easy for me to pick things back up when I sit down again…or at least, that's my theory… In terms of setting, I can actually write in pretty much any situation. I can write in a coffee shop with all sorts of chaos around me, I can write with music blasting or the TV on, or I can write in the total silence of my living room, or even in my car in a parking lot. It depends partially on my mood, but there is also an element of awareness that this is my job, and I have to find a way to work in whatever situation I'm in. Sometimes it's tough to get going, but once I become immersed in my story, the environment I'm in ceases to matter. Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to write on a sunny afternoon lakeside in the woods of Maine with a gentle breeze blowing, and I must say that that was quite awesome. If I could recreate that moment at will, that would be a beautiful thing.

DEB: What was it like when you found out your first book would be published?
SR: It was funny, because my agent called me and told me that I'd sold first my book, I just stood there and cried silently, tears running down my cheeks. She said, "Stephanie? Are you there? Did you hear me?" She expected me to start screaming and yelling, but truthfully, I was so overwhelmed and the emotion was so intense, that I literally couldn't even speak. It had been a very long, emotional, difficult journey, and I'd given so much to the process that I just broke down when I sold. The crazy exuburance didn't set in for a couple days, but when it did, I was one happy girl!

DEB: Do you have advice for new writers?
SR: My usual advice is to write a lot, start new books instead of revising old ones to death, join RWA and go to conferences to learn about writing. And, of course, continuing to read. But with the advent of self-publishing, I would add a caveat of DON'T SELF PUBLISH TOO SOON. I wrote 18 books before I sold my first book. Had self-publishing been an option back then, I'm sure I would have put up lots of those books, and it would have been a mistake. Why? Because the books weren't good enough. Recently, I decided to self-publish some of those old books, but when I went back to look at them, I realized that I would have had to completely rewrite them from scratch because they weren't high enough quality to put up. The truth is that we often think we are ready to be published when we aren't. Enter contests. Query agents. Write another book. And another. Eventually, when you start doing well in contests, and when you start getting good responses from agents, that will be a sign that you're writing well enough that maybe it's time for you to self-publish successfully. Until you can do well in those contests and get good responses from submissions, don't put your book up on Amazon. Putting up books that aren't ready will hurt you more than waiting a year will. Be patient. The opportunities aren't going away. They are simply getting better.

DEB: When you aren't writing, what kind of books do you like to read? Do have a favorite genre or author?
SR: My favorite genre to read is historical romance, because of the pure magic of love in those stories. I also enjoy historicals because I don't write them, so I can turn off my writer's mind and just lose myself in the story. I also love to read paranormal romance, contemporary romance, YA and even some middle grade fantasy. There are just so many wonderful books out there! Katie McAlister was my first real exposure to paranormal romance, and I really enjoyed her humorous take on life. I also love Christine Feehan's emotional intensity, and, although Lisa Kleypas doesn't write paranormal romance, her historical romances are the most beautiful love stories and a great standard try to hold for my own stories.

DEB: What are you working on right now?
SR: Right now I'm doing the final edits for CHILL, the second book in my Alaska Heat romantic suspense series. The first book, ICE, just came out this weekend, and I'm so excited. I'm also working on my edits for my brand new dark & sexy paranormal romance series, The Order of the Blade. The Order of the Blade is an elite group of ancient warriors called Calydons with a mission to save the world from members of their own race when they go rogue. Each Calydon is destined to meet his mate and bond with her, but the moment the bond is complete, both will die and destroy everyone one they care about, unless the Order of the Blade kills them first. No warrior can afford to bond, and yet it is their destiny to do so. The first three books will be out this spring, with the first one coming in March.

Later on this year, I have lots more projects coming! The fourth book in the Soulfire series, SEIZE WITH YOUR KISS, is scheduled for July, which is Christian's story. He's been battling a huge burden that he hasn't been able to share with his team, and we will finally get a chance to find out what is going on with him. I also have a new book in the Immortally Sexy series coming in late 2012. Readers have been waiting a long time for Mona and Rafi's story, and it's finally here. I'm so excited! I'm also hoping to squeeze one more book in the Alaska Heat series in late 2012, but we'll have to see. So, busy year! For more details, visit www.stephanierowe.com or visit me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRoweBooks or on Twitter at StephanieRowe2.

DEB: Tell us one thing that readers may not know about you?

SR: I think the most important thing about who I am is my belief that we all deserve to be happy and feel good, no matter what is going on around us. I've been through some hard things for the last few years, and there are times it's been such a challenge for me to put one foot in front of the other, and to believe that things are going to be okay someday. It's made me realize how important it is for all of us to keep striving to feel good, to be good to ourselves, no matter how tough life is. Of course, it's not always that easy to stay positive when life is crumbling down around you. I've spent a lot of time figuring out ways to feel better, to feel good enough to get up in the morning and make an effort to change things, and it helped a lot. I put together a lot of those essays into a non-fiction book called THE FEEL GOOD LIFE, hoping that I can help people who are going through the tough days like I did. If my own journeys can help, or if becoming immersed in one of my romances can give someone a respite from what they're facing, then that's biggest gift I could ask for. That's why I write romances, because I believe that we all need to have that dream of a happily ever after, and we need to remember why it's okay to have hope and believe that things are going to be okay. Romances always give you that happy ever after, no matter how tough things get in the middle, and I think that's a reminder and a lift we all need sometimes. Taking the time to read books that uplift your heart is one of the gifts we can give ourselves, so I'm honored and privileged to have the opportunity to write books and maybe be that moment of relief for someone whose having a tough time.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Hold Me If You Can by Stephanie Rowe.

~ You must be a GFC follower or an E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US and Canadian addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 8th.

1. Please leave a comment or question for Stephanie on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: A Demon Does it Better

2012-01-24T10:30:00.000-05:00

A Demon Does it Better (Demon - Book 2) by Linda Wisdom

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 319pp
ISBN-13:978-1402236723

ISBN:1402236727

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Linda Wisdom on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend (2011) A Demon Does it Better (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from A Demon Does It Better (Amazon Look Inside Feature)

Synopsis:

A MADHOUSE IS NO PLACE FOR A CURIOUS WITCH...

After more than a century, Doctor Lili Carter, witch healer extraordinaire, has returned to San Francisco and taken a job at Crying Souls Hospital and Asylum, where strange and sinister things are happening. Patients are disappearing, and Lili wants to know why.

AND DOUBLY DANGEROUS FOR A DEMON...

Lili finds herself undeniably attracted to perhaps the most mysterious patient of all - a dangerously demented and seriously sexy demon named Jared. What's behind the gorgeous chameleon demon's bizarre disappearances?

Before long, Lili and Jared are investigating each other - and creating a whole new kind of magic.

Thoughts:

Author Linda Wisdom is known for her light approach to the paranormal. A Demon Does it Better is the second book in Wisdom's demon series and fans of her work will certainly not be disappointed. Wisdom fills her book with paranormal characters of all kinds, including main characters Lili, a witch and Jared a Shadow Demon. Wisdom's trademark wit and humor gives this book a zany feel that readers are going to love.

Linda Wisdom is a favorite of mine. After reading and reviewing her book Demons are a Girls Best Friend, I went back and read several other books by the author and was immediately struck by the amount of humor and wit that she instills in all of her writing. Wisdom must have a great sense of humor because a lot of her characters certainly do. I liked the way that she takes a genre that tends to lean a little toward the dark side and livens it up with witty banter from the characters and comic relief in the form of wacky secondary characters like Cleo, Cleopatra re-incarnated, in, A Demon Does it Better.

The second book in the Demon series is also a part of a larger series that features Jazz Tremaine and her witchy friends. The main character in A Demon Does it Better, Lili is also a witch and was excluded from the Academy like Jazz and several others. Lili is very single minded, she gets something in her head and she just can't let it go, like finding out what happened to her friend Sera who was working at a mental asylum that Lili herself used to work at. Lili is a doctor, a healer, and one kick-ass heroine. But she has a heart for healing and once she's inside the asylum she finds herself more interested in the patients than she thought she'd be, she wants to help them all, which is a great characteristic for a heroine.

Jared is everything readers want in a great paranormal hero. He is unique, he's handsome, he's dark and mysterious. I liked the fact that he was supposed to be extremely dangerous, there is a kind of power or commanding presence that radiates off him. He is a contained force and it's easy to see that he is going through hell. But he isn't so far lost in his own pain that he cannot respond when someone shows him kindness and initially I think that's what draws him to Lili. The passion between them is intense and provides some really great sexy moments, but there is also a lot of romance and tenderness between these two. I liked the balance that Wisdom is able to keep between the two aspects of their relationship.

The character development was excellent and the wit and humor sets this book apart from a lot of other paranormal romance titles. But another thing I liked was the fact that Wisdom allows characters from her other books to have cameo roles in this one. There is an appearance from the Hellion Guard that was a big part of the first book in the series, as well as, other faces that Wisdom's fans will be familiar with. This book has a lot going for it and I think readers are going to love it and be on the look out for the next installment. It's the lighter side of paranormal and it's very appealing.

A Demon Does it Better is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag.

Linda Wisdom was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. She majored in journalism in college, then switched to fashion merchandising when she was told there was no future for her in fiction writing. She held a variety of positions, ranging from retail sales to executive secretary in advertising and office manager for a personnel agency.

Her career began when she sold her first two novels to Silhouette Romance on her wedding anniversary in 1979. Since then she has sold almost eighty novels and two novellas to five different publishers. Her books have appeared on various romance and mass market bestseller lists and have been nominated for a number of Romantic Times awards. She has been a two time finalist for the Romance Writers of America Rita Award.

She lives with her husband, one dog, one parrot and a tortoise in Murrieta, California.

When Linda first moved to Murrieta there were three romance writers living in the town. At this time, there is just Linda. So far, the police have not suspected her of any wrongdoing.

Interview and Giveaway: Linda Wisdom

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Linda Wisdom to Debbie's Book Bag today. Linda is her to talk about her latest book, A Demon Does it Better. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Linda's book, see details at the end of the post.

DEB: Linda, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
LW: I’m a born and bred Californian who’s always wanted to write books. I celebrated my 32nd year in publishing this past December which was also my wedding anniversary. Married with two demented white mini-Schnauzers, a Yellow Nape Amazon parrot with attitude and a tortoise. My writing has taken a lot of twists and turns over the years. My sanity has probably been questioned more than once, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.

DEB: Tell us a little about your latest book, A Demon Does It Better? Is this a single title or part of a series?
LW: This is part of actually two series. The second in the Demon series but also the Hex series since Lili is one of the banished witches.

DEB: What was your inspiration for this book? Have you always been interested in the paranormal?
LW: One of my favorite movies is Boris Karloff’s Bedlam. With Lili being a doctor it was easy to conjure up a hospital that treats the supernatural creatures. I’ve always loved paranormal. Started out with fairy tales and went from there.

DEB: What type of research did you do for your book?
LW: I looked into the hospitals of 1700 and 1800s. Especially asylums. Bedlam was the template for Crying Souls Asylum.

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have things that have to be in place to write comfortably?
LW: Hm, I don’t know if I have a normal writing day. As long as I have my coffee in the morning and sparkling water in the afternoon and the TV on, I’m set. I tend to have a program or movie on that suits my mood that day.

DEB: What was it like when you got the word that your first novel would be published?
LW: I might have screamed the building down. Funny thing is, I’d just returned from lunch with a client and I told him about my writing and sending the two books to Silhouette Books. While I was taking him to lunch he insisted on treating me saying he hoped it would be good luck. I was only back at the office a few minutes when I got The Call. And yes, I let him know right away. A month later, I was fired for selling the books. My boss seemed to think I used office time to write them. Considering everything there was no way that could happen.

DEB: Do have any advice for new writers?
LW: Realize there’s a lot of work involved. So many new writers still feel they can knock out a book and sell it for a lot of money. Yes, that can happen, but it’s still rare. Read, research. What type of book do you want to write. Read what’s out there now, look at what books are coming out in six months, even if a year if you can. Know the technical side. An editor wants to see a clean manuscript. And above all, be professional!

DEB: When you’re not writing, what kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?
LW: Urban fantasy and mysteries are my top must reads. So many favorite authors Yasmine Galenorn, Jennifer Estep, Faith Hunter, Nancy Haddock, Mark DelFranco, Anton Strout. My Nook is always demanding more books.

DEB: What are you working on right now?
LW: A variety of things. I received the rights back to almost all of my backlist books and I’ve been putting them up as ebooks at the usual book sites along with www.joyridebooks.com. I will be doing the same with witch Thea’s book which I titled Guns ‘N Hexes and a YA urban fantasy that while the editors loved, they didn’t buy. :{ It keeps me out of mischief.

DEB: Tell us one thing that people may not know about you?
LW: Hm, but if I told you I’d have to kill you. :} Or a restraining order. I’d have to say the blue mark on my inner forearm is due to a boy stabbing me with a pencil when we were in the 4th grade.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US and Canadian Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 7th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post, not the form.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review and Giveaway: Dreaming of Mr. Darcy

2012-01-23T09:30:00.000-05:00

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: Paperback,
ISBN-13: 978-1402251351

ISBN: 1402251351

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Landmark)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Victoria Connelly on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Dreaming of Mr. Darcy

Synopsis:

Shy, brilliant screenwriter and producer Adam Craig throws himself into work to forget about his broken heart. And Jane Austen addict Kay Ashton purchased a B & B in the seaside town of Lyme so she'd have a peaceful place to finish her book, The Illustrated Mr. Darcy. Neither is looking for romance. Until they meet - and Kay tries to set Adam up with another woman.

All the sparkling drama of Jane Austen's Persuasion comes to life as old Lyme Regis becomes the site of the new big-screen adaptation of the classic. Kay attracts the attention of handsome actor Oli Wade Owen, Adam struggles to know the secrets of his own heart, and life in quiet Lyme gets very interesting indeed...

Thoughts:

Victoria Connelly once again brings Jane Austen lovers a book that will far exceed their expectations. Dreaming of Mr. Darcy is the second in a trilogy of books about Jane Austen addicts and Connelly excels at bringing Austen's themes and ideas to life. This novel has hints of two Austen classics within it's pages. The theme is somewhat reminiscent of Emma, while Persuasion seems to be the novel most talked about. Connelly easily brings the places and settings of Austen's books to life.

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy nor the first book in the trilogy, A Weekend with Mr. Darcy are what I would call strictly "Jane Austen fiction." I reserve that for novels that actually use Austen's characters. That kind of book is usually a prequel or sequel to one of Austen's classics. This book is more of what I would term "Austen inspired fiction." Meaning that the author doesn't necessarily use Austen's characters but more of the themes of her work. Telling one of Austen's stories but in a different and unique way, usually with new characters and situations.

Connelly however takes it a step further for Austen fans and uses some of the most popular English settings that Austen used in her titles. In Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, Connelly takes readers to Lyme-Regis the famous setting of Austen's novel, Perusasion. This is a seaside town with tons of charm and atmosphere. Connelly's descriptions of it, really come to life for the reader. She describes the countryside, as well as, the shops and businesses with such fervor, readers will be enthralled with this little town.

I liked the fact that the author uses a lot of references to Austen's work in her novels. The book that the main character is writing is an homage to Mr. Darcy. The film crew that takes over the town is filming and updated version of Persuasion and there are constantly mentions of Austen's characters or titles. I thought Connelly did an excellent job of interspersing all of Austen related details. The book wasn't overwhelmed by them, it just added to the ambiance.

I have to admit I wasn't the biggest fan of the main character in this one. Kay is a very over the top Austen fan, which is fine. She's a writer, which is great. She owns a B & B and is a hopeless romantic. All great features for a character but she was a bit on the slow side, romantically speaking. I was totally surprised that she took up with Oli, when Adam was right there. I know, I know, it wouldn't have been a very good story if she fell for the right guy from the beginning, but it seemed like it took her for-ever to figure out she was trying to set up the man of her dreams with another woman. It was just a bit frustrating LOL! Extremely well written but frustrating...

I loved Adam though. A very unassuming man, who is about to see one of his biggest dreams realized. He is writing the script for a re-make of Austen's Persuasion and he should be on top of the world. What he doesn't realize is that another huge thing is happening to him as well. He's falling in love again. He was hurt badly in a previous relationship and you would think he would be holding back, but it's obvious that Kay is the one. I just love Adam he was so honest and forthright in his opinions and feelings. He was a great character.

Connelly used the theme from Emma to write a fantastic book that holds true to Austen's classic style and ideas. I think readers will appreciate the fact that Connelly is a huge fan of Austen or wouldn't have been able to write this book so accurately portraying Emma's characters in an original tale. This book will appeal to Austen fans and fans of Austen fiction (both kinds). I liked it a lot and I think you will too, especially if you enjoy British Lit and stories that take place in the environs of Austen's own characters.

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Victoria Connelly was brought up in Norfolk and studied English literature at Worcester University before becoming a teacher in North Yorkshire. After getting married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales, she moved to London, where she lives with her artist husband and a mad Springer Spaniel.

She has three novels published in Germany, and the first, Flights of Angels, was into a film. Victoria and her husband flew out to Berlin to see it being filmed and got to be extras in it. Her first novel in the UK, Molly's Millions, is a romantic comedy about a lottery winner who gives it all away.

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy is second in a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts, which is a wonderful excuse to read all the books and watch all the gorgeous film and TV adaptations again. First in the trilogy is A Weekend with Mr. Darcy.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly.

~ You must be a GFC follower or e-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US and Canadian Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 6th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation of the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge: Feb. Mini Challenge

2012-01-22T09:30:00.000-05:00

I decided to do some mini-challenges this year in hopes of keeping up the interest of readers who are participating in the 2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge. I am going to being doing a mini-challenges during each two month period. Since the first is Jan and Feb. I decided on doing the challenge with a February theme.

The rules are very simple:

1. Read a cozy mystery that has the word "love" in the title.
2. Post a review of your "love" cozy and link back to this post.
3. You'll be entered for a chance to win a cozy of your choice and little February surprise that will accompany your prize!

I didn't want to make it too complicated for the first challenge!

So knock yourselves out and well see who gets the first prize....

Winners! News! Challenge Updates! Jan. 15-21

2012-01-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the week again! So far, this seems to be working out well. Some time over the weekend I have been posting the previous weeks winners, whatever newsworthy items that pop up and a bit of an update on the challenges I'm participating in...

WINNERS!

We had three giveaways ending this week. Winners were chosen using random.org. Winners will be notified later today and publishers on Monday. Thanks again for your participation and I hope you had a great weekend!

Here are this week winners:

Wine to Water: A Bartender's Quest to Bring Clean Water to the Word by Doc Hendley
Giveaway Sponsor: TLC Tours
Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Winner:

Carol N. Wong

Red Templar (Templar - Book 6) by Paul Christopher
Publisher: Signet (Penguin Group USA)

Winner:

Margaret

Crash Into You (Loving on the Edge - Book 1) by Roni Loren
Publisher: Berkley Heat (Penguin Group USA)

Winner:

Shelley Bagby

NEWS!

Among the many things going on in the blogsphere, sometimes it's hard to choose what seems important enough to be considered news for this part of the post. I don't have any particular blog news this week but there is a lot going on that might eventually affect bloggers.

Many of you have heard about SOPA and PIPA, US legislation that could affect bloggers in the near future if it passes. Both are anti-piracy bills that are very broadly worded. I am not a proponent of censorship and in my opinion that's what this is. But I also do not believe that people should be able to use the intellectual property of others without their permission or compensation. So it's one of those cases where I understand the need for this kind of legislation but I think it's worded in such a way that it will cause more trouble than it's worth.

Please take the time to look up both bills and let congress know how you feel! It's an important issue, that may result in blogs being shut down because they link to a sites that may have some kind of piracy violation.

CHALLENGE UPDATES!

Here are my updates for this week:

Here is a link to my updated Google Map for the 2012 Where are You Reading Challenge hosted by Book Journey.

I added five books to the 2012 New Authors Challenge (11/50 22% Done)

Die Job by Lila Dare
It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

I added three books to the 2012 Immortal Reading Challenge (3/20 15% Done)

To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter
Born of Ashes by Caris Roane

I added four books to the 2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge (4/12 33% Done)

Die Job by Lila Dare
It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
Wild Wild Death by Casey Daniels
Plan Bee by Hannah Reed

I added nine books to the 150+ Challenge (20/150 13% Done)

Die Job by Lila Dare
Night Reigns by Dianne Duvall
It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore
Wild Wild Death by Casey Daniels
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter
Plan Bee by Hannah Reed
Born of Ashes by Caris Roane
Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

I added two books to the 2012 Paranormal Romance Challenge ( 2/20 10% Done)

Night Reigns by Dianne Duvall
Born of Ashes by Caris Roane

I added two books to the 2012 Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge (4/48 8% Done)

To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter

I added one book to the What's In a Name Challenge (2/6 33% Done)

Something you would see in the sky: Plan BEE by Hannah Reed

Winner! 2011 Cozy Mystery Challenge

2012-01-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

As many of you know I hosted the 2011 Cozy Mystery Challenge last year. It didn't go quite as planned but I learned a lot and hopefully am making the right changes to make this years challenge more fun and more exciting!

But somehow in all of the hub-bub of getting the 2012 challenge ready I forgot to announce last years winner and get their prize out! I had only one participant that stuck it out and participated the entire year, besides myself. So that person was logically the winner.

dollycas

was faithful all year and I really appreciate it. She will have her choice of five cozy mysteries, from one series or a combination of titles from different authors. I'll be notifying her later!

Congrats!

Review: Chasing Mona Lisa

2012-01-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Genre: Christian Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Pages: Paperback, 325pp
ISBN-13: 978-0800720469

ISBN: 0800720466

(Received for an honest review from Revell Books)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, IndieBound

Tricia Goyer on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Mike Yorkey on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Chasing Mona Lisa

Video: This trailer was found at Tricia Goyer's website.

Synopsis:

One enigmatic smile. Two passionate protectors. And a relentlessly ticking clock.

August 1944. Paris is on the cusp of liberation. as the soldiers of the Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country and steal countless pieces of irreplaceable art. In fact, Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one of all - the Mona Lisa - as a postwar bargaining chip.

But the woman with the mysterious smile has some very determined protectors. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler rescue Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece before it falls into German hands?

With nonstop action and intrigue, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh Swiss chateau, the race is on - and the runners are playing for keeps.

Thoughts:

Chasing Mona Lisa written by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey is the second book these writers have collaborated on. Their first book The Swiss Courier is also about Gabi Mueller. This writing duo gives readers a historically based novel with Christian overtones. It is steeped in period detail and will have history fans caught in it's grip as well as romance enthusiasts.

There were several things that I liked about this book. The historical aspects of the book were so well researched, that it was easy to see that the authors took great pains to make it historically accurate and believable. Being a history major I was somewhat familiar with the practices of Hitler's Third Reich in regard to relics, historical artifacts and famous artwork. Which made me like this book even more. But, I think readers who are unfamiliar with the history behind it, will like it because it educates as well as entertains.

This book will also appeal to art lovers. Using the Mona Lisa as a backdrop to the action of this book was a genius idea. There are very few paintings that can boast the kind of noteriety that the smiling lady has. Just about everyone has heard of it or knows what it looks like, and I thought that was fantastic way to draw interest to the novel and the story behind what was happened to the masters during this post war period.

I also liked the romantic aspects of this novel. Gabi isn't one to dally around or moon over someone but it was nice to see her take notice in this book and find someone who complimented her strengths. I think she is a very no-nonsense kind of character and it was nice to see her out of her element a little bit when love was concerned. The authors did a great job of making this part of the book hold up to the historical significance of the rest of the story. The historical pars of the book didn't war with the romantic parts. They played off each other and worked well.

So many things about this book seemed to really gel and work well together. It was just a very harmonious pairing. History and romance, where could you go wrong? It was not overbearing either. It wasn't preachy or condescending. I was pleasantly surprised at how the authors chose to let the Christian overtones of the book speak for itself and not stomp all over other peoples beliefs... very well done!

I look forward to more books from this pair and I think it's safe to say this book will probably be well received by Christian Fiction fans as well as art lovers and romance enthusiasts. There's a lot going on here. It's not one of those books that you can just read and not really think about. It requires a little something from the reader and to me that makes a more meaningful experience.

Chasing Mona Lisa is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-eight books, including CBA Bestseller Beside Still Waters and Remembering You. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband, John, and they are the parents of four children. She loves talking with World War II veterans, doing drama in children's church, and mentoring teenage mothers.

Mike Yorkey is a veteran author or coauthor of more than seventy-five books, including the Every Man's Battle series and The Swiss Courier, the prequel to Chasing Mona Lisa. He lives in Encinitas, California, with his wife, Nicole, and they spend part of the year in her native Switzerland. They are the parents of two adult children.

Review: Born of Ashes

2012-01-20T10:30:00.000-05:00

Born of Ashes (Guardians of Ascension - Book 4) by Caris Roane

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 436pp
ISBN-13: 978-0312533748

ISBN: 0312533748

(Received for an honest review from St. Martin's Paperbacks)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Caris Roane on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Books in the series: Ascension (2010), Burning Skies (2011), Wings of Fire (2011), Born of Ashes (2012), Obsidian Flame (2012) Brink of Eternity (Novella - 2011)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Born of Ashes (Amazon Look Inside Feature)

Synopsis:

ENTER A HIDDEN WORLD OF WINGED VAMPIRE WARRIORS - AND THE WOMEN THEY ARE SWORN TO PROTECT...

HELL HATH NO FURY

For years, she was kept as a human slave - one of seven unwilling "blood donors" for the death vampires who thirst for absolute power. Now, Fiona is a free woman, haunted by her memories of being strapped to a gurney, drained of blood, then revived at the last moment. She lives to avenge her captors - but only one warrior can help her...

LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS

Jean-Pierre has lived and fought for over two hundred years. He knows the triumph of slaying a death vampire, but has never known anything like the feelings that arise when he becomes Fiona's guardian. Her beauty, her pain, her passion - and her growing power - consume his senses. Now the warrior must draw his sword once more... and fight the gates of hell itself - for love.

Thoughts:

Born of Ashes is the fourth book in the Guardians of Ascension series written by Caris Roane. Roane's mythos explores a schism that has developed in the vampire world between the death vamps and the warriors of blood. This is an exceptional series, that gives readers a whole new kind of vampire to explore. Their winged grace is impressive and so is Roane's character development. This is a series that is best read from the beginning, so that the reader will learn the dynamics of the societies and all of the background on the characters before they get to this book. It enhances the experience!

I liked this book a lot but I didn't think it quite lived up to previous books in the series. There has always been a sense of urgency in this series that the reader is able to feel and be pulled in by. In Born of Ashes, Fiona is basically after revenge against the death vamps who used her and took her freedom. It has a ton of potential. The premise is interesting, it's well thought out. It's a bit dark and earnest, but I think I expected more the main couple than what I got with this one.

Fiona and Jean-Pierre didn't seem to have that intensity that Roane's previous couples have had. They were a little stilted and I suppose that would be normal since both characters are bit shell shocked by their pasts, but it just didn't seem to get off the ground. They were to polite to each other, they didn't get in each others faces or do things to really ramp up the attraction outside the bedroom. I guess I wanted them to be more into each other.

That being said everything else in this book was a winner. Born of Ashes appears to be more of a transition type of book than we've seen in the series so far. A lot of story lines are introduced, the main couple for the next book is set up, there are just a lot of sub-plots and stories going on that will probably prove very interesting for the future of this series. But it would be kind of hard to pick this one up and dive right into the action. I think readers would definitely benefit from starting with Ascension in this series and building up to where we are now.

In the course of this book, the author begins to set up a new power couple for her next installment, which will feature Thorne and Marguerite. This one is sure to spark some controversy. This chick is hell-on-wheels! She treats Thorne in the most condescending, and rude manner. She is just not very nice, which makes the next book look amazing. How in the world is Roane going to make Marguerite the kind of woman that Thorne not only deserves, but the kind of woman readers want for him? Roane has basically issued a challenge to herself with this character and I'm really interested to see if she can pull it off... you know what they say... go big or go home! I can't wait!

I recommend this entire series to paranormal romance and vampire fans. It's different, it's unique and that's saying a lot in genre that is heavily saturated with vampire stories. How does an author set themselves apart from the pack? By creating vampires that don't fit the pattern, by providing readers with a mythos that is both believable and compelling. Give this one a try, you won't be disappointed. Born of Ashes may not be my favorite of the series, but it is definitely a solid addition to the series.

Born of Ashes is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Caris Roane has authored over fifty published Regency romance novels and novellas under the pseudonym Valerie King. In 2005, the Romantic Times honored her with a Career Achievement award for her Regency work.

Caris lives in Phoenix with her two cats, one of which is named Sebastian, after a favorite vampire. When she gets a third, he'll be called Jean-Claude.

Review and Giveaway: Plan Bee

2012-01-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

Plan Bee (Queen Bee - Book 3) by Hannah Reed

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 286pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425246214

ISBN: 0425246213

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Hannah Reed (Deb Baker) on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the series: Buzz Off (2010), Mind Your Own Beeswax (2011), Plan Bee (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture to see a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Plan Bee (Amazon Look Inside Feature)

Synopsis:

The townspeople of Moraine, Wisconsin, should be feeling festive during Harmony Festival. But when everything starts going wrong, beekeeper Story Fischer realizes that keeping honeybees is easy compared to keeping the peace...

Moraine's annual Harmony Festival is anything but harmonious for Story Fischer. She's lost the Honey Queen crown to the town's biggest shoplifter; her domineering mother wants Story's beehive banned from the festival, and a visiting twelve-year-old genius is wreaking havoc with his explosive experiments.

Then Story stumbles upon a dead body in the cemetery, only to have it disappear - and then reappear in a most inconvenient place. When her mother begins dating the prime suspect, and the young scientist goes missing, Story is determined to get to the bottom of things. It's up to her to make a beeline for the truth before everything in Moraine blows sky-high.

Thoughts:

Plan Bee is the third book in the Queen Bee mystery series by Hannah Reed. This cozy mystery series is full of interesting facts about Wisconsin and the art of beekeeping. Reed takes readers back to Moraine, a small town with some very zany inhabitants. Reed's sense of humor comes across loud and clear and readers will find themselves alternating between laughing out loud and biting their nails, as local bee keeper, Story Fischer once again finds herself in the middle of a murder.

This is just a great feel good kind of mystery. The atmosphere is cozy and jovial for the most part, even when murder is afoot. The characters are full of energy and a vivaciousness that Reed is able to convey to the reader through humor and imagery. One of the first rules of a good cozy is finding a place or an occupation, maybe even a hobby for the main protagonist that is interesting and different. I'd have to say bee-keeping is right up there with the most unique of professions I've seen in a cozy yet. It gives this series a real "down on the farm" kind of feel. I liked that a lot.

The characters are just plain wacky in some respects, which makes the series and this book in particular a little over-the-top. Reed walks a fine line with this bunch and I think readers will like them a lot. First of all I have to say that names and places don't usually stick out to me in books. If it's a person or a couple that I like, I remember them of course, but I don't usually mention them in my reviews, however "Story" is the perfect name for a great character. Reed's main character for this series is a very in-your-face kind of person, which tends to be a good thing if you happen to be an amateur sleuth. I liked her matter of fact way of speaking and her nosiness was quite funny. I also enjoyed how the author showed everyone feelings about Story, who liked and who didn't and why, that was fun reading.

The mystery aspect of the book was interesting and easy to follow. Story finds a body in the local cemetery one night while she's out walking her dog. But when the police arrive the body has hightailed it off somewhere and Story is left looking a little foolish, when it re-appears it gives stuffing the chimney a whole new meaning. I thought Reed carried off the mystery well, by providing some interesting motives and suspects. I figured it out before the end, and I was really excited that I was right. I love trying to beat the author to the punch. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't, but this was truly a fun journey. The humor in this book and series, really carries it.

I recommend this one cozy readers who like a little something sweet with their murders. The whole bee-keeping aspect of the story was extremely fun to read about and the interactions between story and the townspeople were priceless. Her mom, is quite the cranky lady and every town has to have one, the quirky, nerdy kid who nearly blows the town square sky high. This was a great addition to an already great series!

Plan Bee is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Hannah Reed lives on a high ridge in southern Wisconsin in a community much like the one she writes about. She is busy writing the next book in the Queen Bee Mysteries.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Plan Bee by Hannah Reed.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only (publisher request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 3rd.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation of the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Raven Cursed

2012-01-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock - Book 4) by Faith Hunter

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 368pp
ISBN-13: 978-0451464330

ISBN: 0451464338

(Received for an honest review from Roc)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Faith Hunter on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: Skinwalker (2009), Blood Cross (2010), Mercy Blade (2011) Raven Cursed (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Raven Cursed

Synopsis:

Jane Yellowrock is a shape-shifting skinwalker and a vampire killer for hire. But lately instead of just staying vampires, she's been working for them...

The vampires of Asheville, North Carolina, want to establish their own clan, but since they owe loyalty to Leo Pellissier, vampire Master of the City of New Orleans - and Jane's boss - they must work out the terms with him. To come up with an equitable solution, Leo sends and envoy with the best bodyguard blood money can buy: Jane.

But when a group of local campers is attacked by something supernatural, Jane goes from escort to investigator. It's up to her to keep peace in the region, and unless she wants to face a very angry vampire Master, Jane will have to work overtime to find the killer. It's a good thing she's worth every penny...

Thoughts:

Raven Cursed is the fourth book in the Jane Yellowrock series written by Faith Hunter. This series just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. Hunter is a master at divulging just enough information to keep readers coming back for more with this series. A lot of questions get answered in this book, but a bunch of new ones pop up, that's what makes it so addicting. Hunter has an imagination to die for and her books are full of vivid imagery and super close attention to detail. This author does her homework and it shows!

One of the things that I really enjoy about this series is the fact that the author dots her i's and crosses her t's. She knows New Orleans and she knows the mountains of North Carolina, right down to street names, hotels and local cuisine. She obviously does her research when it comes to her writing and she isn't pushy with her knowledge. She intersperses little details here and there but doesn't overwhelm the reader with too much unnecessary information. It's a delicate balance that works well for Faith Hunter.

Jane is her typical hard-headed self in Raven Cursed. She has a tendency to blame herself for just about everything that happens and there are times I just shake my head and want to throttle her... LOL! But I think that's what makes her such a good character, she's only human... but she's not. She takes on the characteristics of a normal gal, beats herself up over stuff, gets emotional, you know the type. But when push comes to shove, she's gonna kick some serious butt. She is one of my favorite UF heroines.

If you are just starting the series, it is one that I recommend you start at the beginning. It may be a little hard to follow the vamp politics and the dynamics of the witches and weres that goes on in this book. Jane is on a mission to keep the peace as a new vampire is establishing his clan within Leo's territory. So the setting for this one is North Carolina as opposed to the normal setting of New Orleans. I'll admit that New Orleans is more interesting than Asheville, but a lot of cool stuff goes on in this book, including Evie's mixing it up with some dark magic and Jane's friend Molly and her family may be targets of rampaging weres. There's a lot going on in this book and the action is thumping.

I loved the interactions between Jane and Beast. Beast almost takes on a more human like quality in this book. Beast is Jane's alter-ego of sorts. As a skinwalker she is a shapeshifter but she's also able to communicate with her other self and I love that relationship between her two halves. It's one of the things that really makes this series different and interesting.

This series has some romantic elements but it's definitely still urban fantasy. It's a one of my favorites in the genre and I think readers who are new to the genre would really like it. Jane is a great heroine and the characters she has at her back like Rick, Bruiser, Leo and Molly make quite a team. Faith Hunter writes a very satisfying book, with lots of visual imagery. She's very descriptive and has an amazing imagination. This isn't one you're going to want to miss if you like UF or if you think you might want to try it!

Raven Cursed is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Faith Hunter was born in Louisiana and raised all over the South. She writes full-time in a hospital lab (for the benefits), tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for travel, jewelery making, orchids, skulls, Class III white-water kayaking, and writing.

Many of the orchid pics on her facebook fan page show skulls juxtaposed with orchid blooms; the bones are from roadkill prepared by taxidermists or a pall named Mud. In her collection is a fox skull, a cat skull, a dog skull, a goat skull (that is unfortunately, falling apart), a cow skull, and the jawbone of an ass. She would love to have the thigh bone and skull of an African lion (one that died of old-age of course) and a mountain lion skull (ditto on the old-age death) and is looking for a wild boar skull, complete with tusks.

She and her husband own thirteen kayaks at last count, and love to RV, traveling with their dogs to white-water rives all over the Southeast.

Review and Giveaway: Wild Wild Death

2012-01-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Wild Wild Death (Pepper Martin - Book 8) by Casey Daniels

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 287pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425245828

ISBN: 0425245829

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Casey Daniels on the WEB: website, blog, facebook

Books in the Series: Don of the Dead (2006), The Chick and the Dead (2007), Tombs of Endearment (2007), Night of the Loving Dead (2009), Dead Man Talking (2009), Tomb with a View (2010), A Hard Day's Fright (2011), Wild Wild Dead (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Wild Wild Death

Synopsis:

Ex-cemetery tour guide and reluctant medium Pepper Martin is dying for a break from communicating with the no-longer-living. But returning a legendary Wild West star's ghost to his hometown is proving one killer of a road trip...

Her job has been cut, she's low on cash, and her detective sometime-boyfriend refuses to even talk about her ability to see the dead and solve their murders. So Pepper is most certainly down for a vacation to get her spirits up.

That is, until her scruffy yet cute scientist friend Dan is kidnapped - and throw responsible demand that Pepper steal the remains of Chester Goodshot Gomez, a sharpshootin' star performer buried at Garden View Cemetery. Goodshot's ghost has plenty of supernatural reasons to accompany Pepper to New Mexico... and raise rowdy hell once there. But when his bones disappear and bodies start dropping. Pepper has one clever murderer to track - one whose idea of boot hill has nothing to do with Jimmy Choo...

Thoughts:

Wild Wild Death is the eighth book in the Pepper Martin mystery series written by veteran cozy author, Casey Daniels. As always Daniels delivers a well written, tightly plotted novel that will have fans raving. Pepper once again finds herself in a bit of a mess with her on again off again boyfriend missing and a ransom note that requires the bones of a dead man as barter for Dan's life. This long running series is a favorite among cozy fans, so if you are just starting out with Pepper be advised, you'll be out buying the other seven before you get this one finished.

Pepper Martin is anything but a typical heroine and cozy fans, as well as, paranormal enthusiasts will love this one. Pepper, being the only investigator that caters to the dead is such an amazing character, that has evolved so much throughout this series. I think one of the things that readers find so endearing about Pepper is the fact that she is so normal. Here she is, able to talk and interact with the dead, but she still has trouble meeting her financial commitments and well as her romantic ones. She seems like the girl next door, with a bent toward the supernatural. She draws a reader in quickly and doesn't let go.

In Wild Wild Death Pepper is dealing with something that generally happens to all of us at one time or another, she's out of job and in need of a distraction. But sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for, because when the dead come walking, Pepper has to help out. The ghosts that Pepper encounters in each of her adventures are usually among my favorite characters in each book, and Chester Goodshot Gomez is no different. He was a hoot! I liked him so much and I think fans of the series will find his story very interesting going back to the days of the famous Wild Wild West shows. A glimpse of genus, if you ask me. It made for a great backdrop to this mystery.

The mystery aspect of things was right on target which is usually the case with Daniels writing. I haven't read too many books by her that I didn't like and this certainly wasn't one of them. It's fast paced and has just the right amount of supernatural to go along with the mystery. It has that "Ghost Whisperer" kind of feel at times, but that's certainly not a bad thing, it's a great hook for this series. I didn't figure this one out to nigh on the end, which is always a plus... If I can't figure it out, it's very well plotted LOL! When you read 10 or so cozies a month you start to get a knack for figuring them out, so I consider it a hallmark of a good mystery writer, when the culprit stays hidden until the author is ready to reveal.

A great addition to a very colorful and entertaining series. I think there are still a lot of directions Daniels can take this series and I hope she continues to crank them out for us die hard Pepper fans! This is a series that I highly recommend. You can start at the beginning with Don of the Dead and follow Pepper's character development all the way through or hop right in anywhere along the way, without too much trouble. Daniels always does a fantastic job giving just the right amount of back story. Take it from me, you won't be disappointed with any of the books in this fantastic cozy series.

Wild Wild Death is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Casey Daniels once applied for a job as a tour guide in a cemetery. She didn't get the job but she did get the idea for the Pepper Martin Mysteries. Casey learned to love mysteries early, thanks to her father, a Cleveland police detective who enjoyed Sherlock Holmes stories and spent his days off searching for stolen cars, with Casey along for the ride. Later, she read her way through every mystery on the library shelves. Casey has a degree in English and a background in journalism and teaching. She lives in Northwest Ohio.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Wild Wild Death by Casey Daniels.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only (publishers request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 2nd.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: To Walk the Night

2012-01-18T10:30:00.000-05:00

To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 313pp
ISBN-13:978-0758268723

ISBN:0758268726

(Received for an honest review from Kensington)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

E.S. Moore on the WEB: website, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from To Walk the Night

Synopsis:

Even a vampire has to face her inner demons...

Kat Redding is the very thing she hunts: a vampire, thirsting for blood, capable of killing any creature unlucky enough to get in her path. The difference is, Kat kills her own kind in order to protect human Purebloods. She's good at what she does. Good enough to earn the nickname Lady Death - and the enmity of every bloodthirsty being around. But now a vampire Count in intent on merging his House with a werewolf cult to create a force of terrifying power.

Kat can't allow that to happen. Even if it means taking on a den of weres and a vampire more ruthless than any she's encountered before. She has the weapons, the skill, and a few allies. But that may not be enough to eliminate the Count before her own dark nature rises to the surface - and costs her whatever is left of her humanity...

Thoughts:

To Walk the Night is the first installment in E.S. Moore's new Urban Fantasy series. It is gritty, dark and gives new meaning to things that go bump in the night. Moore brings out some interesting new ideas on the vampire and werewolf mythos. He goes back to the origins and legends when vampires were bloodsuckers and werewolves wanted nothing more than to tear your heart out. No wimpy villains here, these are serious bad guys and Moore writes them with ease.

Moore certainly isn't going where no man has gone before with the theme of To Walk the Night, but the journey he takes the reader on is one of a kind. I don't read too many male urban fantasy writers, Jim Butcher being my favorite, but I took a chance on this one and was pleasantly surprised. It is true urban fantasy, with that dark, edgy, feel that is unmistakable in the genre. There is no lead male lurking around the corner leaning the book toward a paranormal romance feel. This is straight urban fantasy and that was really refreshing.

It is the first book in a series, with that said, I do have to give it a bit of grace. There were some moments when the pace was a little slower than I would have liked, but once the logistics of the world building and character set up were out of the way the action ramped up and didn't let go. There was also an overabundance of characters with issues. I had a little bit of a hard time trying to figure out who was who and why they were important, but once I had it down, it easy. The second book in the series should flow a lot better and give the reader that sense of continuity that this one lacks a little of. That's not say it wasn't a great book, because it was. It has the potential to be a very good series and I think not that Moore has his feet wet, he'll take this and run with it.

There were a couple of things about the overall plot that I found very interesting. I liked the whole idea of the Vampire Houses and how they used the werewolves as their guard dogs, so to speak. This isn't the first time I've seen this idea used. R.A. Salvatore's fantasy series, The Dark Elf trilogy also uses the "houses" idea and it worked extremely well with the dark drow and with E.S. Moore's vampires. There are also hints of the "Blade" movie series, in regard to the main character Kat Redding. She is a vampire hunter, who happens to be a vampire herself. She loathes that part of herself and fights an epic inner battle with her conflicting natures.

Kat is such a great character. I'm looking forward to subsequent books in the series just learn more about her. She's a very no-nonsense, kick ass kind of chick. She means business when she takes on the Count, who intends to wreak a lot of havoc on the Purebloods (humans). I liked her take no prisoners attitude and the fact that Moore didn't have her completely deny who she was. She knows she's a vampire, she doesn't like it, but she deals. I liked that. In my experience not to many male urban fantasy writers can really nail a female lead, but Moore does it with style.

Overall I really enjoyed this one and I would definitely recommend it to urban fantasy readers. It's not a paranormal romance disguised as urban fantasy either, which is a plus in my opinion. I like it when an author clearly draws the genre line. There are some ups and downs as happens with most first in a series books, but nothing that can't be overlooked, up against all the positive things about this book. Great potential for a great new series!

To Walk the Night is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

E.S. Moore was born and raised in Ohio where he still lives with his wife and son.

Review and Giveaway: It Takes a Witch

2012-01-18T09:30:00.000-05:00

It Takes a Witch (Wishcraft - Book 1) by Heather Blake

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 309pp
ISBN-13: 978-0451235527

ISBN: 0451235525

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mystery)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Heather Blake on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: It Takes a Witch (2012), A Witch Before Dying (2012)

Excerpt from It Takes a Witch

Synopsis:

Darcy Merriweather and her sister, Harper, hail from a long line of witches who have the power to grant wishes using spells. They've come to Enchanted Village in Salem, Massachusetts, to join the family business, but they soon find themselves knee-deep in murder...

Until three weeks ago, Darcy and Harper were working dead-end jobs and trying to put their troubles behind them. Then their aunt Velma delivered a bombshell: They're actually Wishcrafters - witches with the power to grant wishes with a mere spell. Wanting a fresh start, they head to their aunt's magic-themed tourist town to master their newfound skills.

But their magic fails them when a wannabe witch turns up dead - strangled with Aunt Ve's scarf - and Ve's sweetheart, Sylar, is found looming over the body. Ve is standing by her man, but Darcy overheard Sylar wish that the victim would disappear - forever. With Harper distracted by her handsome new crush, Darcy is determined to sleuth her way to the truth. But it'll take more than a wish to unravel this mystery...

Thoughts:

It Takes a Witch marks the beginning of the Wishcraft series by Heather Blake. It's a cozy with a touch of magic that will appeal to paranormal fans as well as mystery buffs. Blake is no stranger to the publishing world and it's easy to see why she's so successful. If It Take's a Witch is any indication this going to be a rocking series! This first in a series book, certainly doesn't need any grace.

A lot of times an author spends an inordinately large part of the first book in a series, setting up the background, introducing the characters and setting and generally a lot of detail work and sometimes the actual plot of the book suffers a little bit. That certainly wasn't the case with this book. Blake strikes the perfect balance, keeping the set up directly tied to the story itself. I loved the idea of "Enchanted Village" and the fact that it was in Salem was a nice touch. History fans will enjoy the nod.

The Merriweather sisters come from a long line of witches with the ability to cast spells granting wishes, wishcrafters, if you will. Not knowing about their heritage or their abilities both girls are working dead-end jobs and wondering why they don't quite fit in. After their fathers death, their aunt Ve invites them to join the family business of wishcrafting and asks them to come to Enchanted Village so they can learn to do what they were born for. It's a new lease on life for Darcy and Harper as Blake starts to develop these two wonderful characters. I thought she did an excellent job of showing how the girls reacted to the impossible and unbelievable.

When their Aunt Ve's boyfriend Sylar (love the name) becomes involved in a murder it looks like it might take more than a few wishes to figure out what really happened. I liked the fact that there was a lot more going on than what met the eye. The author did a great job of providing just the right amount of suspects and several red herrings to throw the reader off. I don't always want to figure it out too quickly. I like to be surprised and Blake certainly did that. I thought she played well off the idea of witches living and working out in the open with mortals. It sat well with me as a reader was believable along with the reason why the girls were investigating. It was a plausible story line if taken from a paranormal viewpoint.

I have a penchant for the paranormal and I love cozies, so mixing the two together for me is always a very good read. This book was well written and interesting. The characters were fun and upbeat and the subject of murder was lightened by comic relief and a few messed up wishes. I rarely mention covers in a review other than to post them, but I have to say that the cover design for this book was fantastic. The colors, the touch of glitter in the swirls, it definitely said magic in a big way.

I loved this one and I know you will too! I recommend it to cozy fans who like their mysteries with a touch of magic. This one is a great first in a series book and gives off the potential for an amazing series. Can't wait til the next one!

It Takes a Witch is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Heather Blake grew up in a suburb of Boston, and enjoys going "home" in her novels. As a young mother, she tried her hand at writing novels, and she hasn't looked back. Heather lives in the Cincinnati area with her high school sweetheart, their children, and Max the fish. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only (publisher request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST February 1st.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Night Reigns

2012-01-17T09:30:00.000-05:00

Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians - Book 2) by Dianne Duvall

Publication Date: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: Paperback, 393pp
ISBN-13:978-1420118629

ISBN:1420118625

(Received for an honest review from Kensington Zebra)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Dianne Duvall on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: Darkness Dawns (2011), Night Reigns (2011), Phantom Shadows (2012)

CoverArt: Click the picture for a larger, clearer picture of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Night Reigns

Synopsis:

Ami isn't much on trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she's no coward, and she's no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn't hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into...

Marcus Grayden has been an immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and at the moment he's not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can't deny that she's strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she's also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can't bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets - how can she defeat death itself?

Thoughts:

Night Reigns is the second book in Dianne Duvall's Immortal Guardians series. Duvall has created a paranormal world where guardians protect humanity from the forces of evil. But these guardians are not perfect, they can be dark and brooding, with troubles of their own. Duvall's world-building skills are exceptional and the her character development is flawless. Her first book Darkness Dawns was a well crafted and thought out book, but I think Night Reigns exceeds even my highest expectations for the series.

I am so glad that I got in on this series at the beginning. Duvall surprised me in the first book, with her world-building. When you read a lot of paranormal romance and fiction, I think you get a little jaded by the enormity of what the author is trying to do, create a whole new world in which their characters live and breath. As readers we learn to kind of expect the unexpected and then a book like Night Reigns comes a long and knocks us on our collective asses. Not only does the author give us some spell binding characters but the world in which they interact becomes extremely vivid and real. That takes some skill and Duvall has it!

The main couple in Night Reigns, Marcus and Ami, made secondary appearances in the first book in the series and now they have a more active, in your face role in this book. Marcus is my favorite kind of hero, dark and brooding, with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He's only ever loved one woman and she could never truly be his. Now that Bethany is really gone, Marcus is kind of lost. He doesn't have a death wish mentality, but he definitely puts himself in some situations where he could ultimately lose the battle. When Seth appoints Ami has his second, Marcus is less than enthused though he is unmistakably attracted to her. I liked the fact that Duvall chose to make her someone he couldn't ignore. Her abilities and her determination spoke to him on an inner level that he didn't particularly like, but he understood it. I thought he was just amazing! He goes through so much in this book and comes out a deeper more thoughtful man.

Ami is a kick-ass heroine. She's been through hell and she's come out on the other side. Readers who read the first book will know that there is a lot more to this chick than meets the eye. Though Marcus believes her to be human, she has a secret that she doesn't think she can trust him with. But as their relationship starts to strengthen and change, Ami struggles with letting him in to that inner sanctuary of her heart. It was so gratifying when it finally revealed what Ami is and how it will affect she and Marcus. I thought the author did an amazing job of writing the journey that their love takes. It was inspiring to say the least.

This is a series that really hits the spot with me. One of my all time favorite paranormal series is J.R. Ward's, Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I have to admit the Immortal Guardians are right up there with the Brotherhood in terms of uniqueness, in well written and amazing storytelling, and in just about all other categories. If the author continues to improve as much as she did with this book in each book in the series, this will be a very long lived and much loved series. I can't wait to see what happens next. The author has this knack for revealing only small tidbits of the overall story as she goes along. A lot of questions were answered but there are still more avenues to explore. I want to know what Seth is... LOL!

If you haven't tried this author let me assure you, you won't be disappointed when you do. Night Reigns is not to be missed, by any paranormal romance fan. The year is still young, but this one is already fast becoming a favorite of mine.

Night Reigns is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Diane Duvall earned a BA in English from the University of St. Thomas (Houston) and currently lives in Texas with her husband.

Review and Giveaway: Die Job

2012-01-16T09:30:00.000-05:00

Die Job (Southern Beauty Shop - Book 3) by Lila Dare

Publication Date: January 3, 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 292pp
ISBN-13:978-0425245880

ISBN:0425245888

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Lila Dare on the WEB: website, facebook

Books in the Series: Tressed to Kill (2010), Polished Off (2011), Die Job (2012)

CoverArt: Click on the picture to see a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Die Job (Amazon Look Inside Feature)

Synopsis:

St. Elizabeth, Georgia, offers charm, Southern hospitality - and an occasional dollop of murder. Now, rumors that a local mansion is haunted are more real than ever when an amateur ghost-hunter comes upon something quite deadly...

The Uninvited

High school senior Rachel Whitley thinks the field-trip idea - playing ghost hunter with with her class in Rothmere mansion, where the spirit of a murdered plantation owner is said to still reside - is a lark. But instead of a ghost, Rachel stumbles upon fellow student Braden McCullers, sprawled out in the very spot where Cyril Rothmere died.

As Braden lingers in a coma, Rachel enlists the ladies of Violetta's salon to investigate the attempt on his life - and unravel the secrets that somehow link a high school student with a centuries-old crime. The intrepid team of hairdressers find themselves in a tangled and treacherous mystery where the roots to the past are very ominous indeed.

Thoughts:

Die Job is the third book in the Southern Beauty Shop mystery series by Lila Dare. Dare takes readers back to St. Elizabeth, Georgia, a southern coastal town with charm and some interesting inhabitants. The gang from Violetta's Beauty Salon is back, as Grace and her friends try to figure out how a high school student could possibly have ties to a centuries old murder. Dare's use of dialogue is impeccable, in this well written cozy that will have fans on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last.

Lila Dare has created a great southern cozy series. I can just imagine the small town of St. Elizabeth and it's inhabitants battening down the hatches in anticipation of a hurricane. Dare's town is one of those small Georgia towns that could be found off the beaten track anywhere in the south. With quirky, interesting townspeople and a long and varied history. I loved the way that Dare used a murder committed over a century ago as the basis for her third book in the Southern Beauty Shop series. Die Job was well written and full historical tidbits that kept the reader wanting to know more.

The premise for this entire series is based on the fact that a woman will tell her hairdresser just about anything that's going on in her life. Southern women like many others have a penchant for beauty and going to the salon is sometimes a weekly event. And yes, as happens when you get a bunch of women together, they start talking. Talking about their neighbors, the town news, the latest gossip and I think Dare was able to bring that cozy feeling of being in the company of people you know and trust into this series. It also gave her room for some really impressive use of dialogue. Dare is so good at driving her stories through the interactions of her characters and in Die Job she is able to continue that very savvy, smart way of writing.

The mystery aspect of the story was both interesting and fast paced. The reader is treated to plethora of motives in Braden McCullers attempted murder and ties to the murder of plantation owner, Cyril Rothmere. I liked how the author weaved the past and present together to give readers a mystery that is steeped in history as well as murder. I thought I had an idea of who might be behind everything at the beginning, but Dare had me fooled which somewhat hard to do. Readers probably be able to put two and two together before Dare intends for the killer to be outed. That's a hallmark of a good mystery writer!

I hope that Dare continues this series and we get to learn more about Grace. She seems the epitome of a Southern bell but she can't seem to keep her nose out of trouble. Not only is she and her partner Stella right in the middle of this mystery, but it look like Grace might find herself in the middle of a love triangle as well. Dare's characters are full of life and vigor and readers will find themselves drawn back to this series time and time again. A new book is almost like going back to visit old friends. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series and I think cozy and history fans a like will find Die Job to be right up their alley!

Die Job is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Author of the Southern Beauty Shop mysteries, Lila Dare was born in Georgia and has lived in Alabama, Mississippi, and Virginia. She currently lives west of the Mississippi with her husband, two daughters and dog, and misses Southern cooking and friendliness, but not the humidity.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Die Job by Lila Dare.

~ You must be a GFC follower or an e-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only (publisher request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST January 30th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation of the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Winners! News! Challenge Update! Jan. 8-14

2012-01-14T11:43:00.001-05:00

It's time for my weekly post for winners, news and challenge updates. I hope to do one of these every week, but I'm a little unsure how much time I will have with my new schedule starting next week... but that's the plan at this point. That way I stay on top of things a little better and keep you a little more informed.

We had four giveaways ending this week. All winners were chosen using random.org. All four prizes will be sent out directly from the publisher. Winners will be notified later this evening and publishers on Monday. Thanks to everyone who participated! We had record numbers on all four of these giveaways. That's very encouraging! Please allow four weeks for the publisher to get your prize to you before contacting me, sometimes they are prompt, sometimes not so much!

WINNERS!

The Last Word (Books by the Bay - Book 3) by Ellery Adams
Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Winner: Martha Lawson

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy - Book 1) by Deborah Harkness
Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Winner: Laura Kay

You Might As Well Die (Algonquin Round Table - Book 2) by J.J. Murphy
Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Winner: Angela/griperang

Crops and Robbers (Farmers Market - Book 3) by Paige Shelton
Publisher: Penguin Group USA

Winner: Shelia K.

NEWS!:

I haven't had any moments of brilliance this week, nor do I have major news to impart. But I do want to encourage you to consider joining the 2012 Cozy Mystery Challenge. There are links on the sidebar to the sign up page, as well as the first two month review post, where readers can post there links for Jan. & Feb.

I already have well over double the amount of participants that were a part of the challenge last year! I am so excited about it! Which reminds me that I totally forgot to post the 2011 challenge winner. So look for that post, plus the first mini-challenge of the year coming up next weekend!

I post a lot of cozy reviews each month. Somewhere between 5 and 10, so there shouldn't be a lack of inspiration as far as what to read, but if you have any questions about whether a book would be considered a cozy or anything else please drop me an e-mail.

CHALLENGE UPDATES!

I am really enjoying only doing a select few challenges this year, but I'm still looking for an illusive Highlander Reading Challenge if anyone knows of one. Please let me know... I'm a sucker for a man in a kilt!

Here are my updates for this week:

Here is the link for my updated Google Map for the 2012 Where Are You Reading Challenge hosted by Shelia at Book Journey.

I added three books to the 2012 New Authors Challenge (6/50 12% Done).

I added one book to the 2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge (1/37 3% Done).

I added one book to the Just For Fun Challenge (1/12 8% Done).

I added six books to the 150+ Challenge (11/150 7% Done).

I added one book to the 2012 E-book Challenge (1/25 4% Done).

I added one book to the 2012 Historical Romance Challenge (1/12 8% Done).

I added one book to the Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge (2/48 4% Done).

Review: The Keeper

2012-01-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Keeper (Stoney Ridge Seasons - Book 1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publication Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Genre: Christian fiction, inspirational
Pages: Paperback, 320pp
ISBN-13: 978-0800719876

ISBN: 0800719875

(Received for an honest review from Revell Books)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, ChristianBook, IndieBound

Suzanne Woods Fisher on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the series: The Keeper (2012), The Haven (coming later in 2012)

CoverARt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Keeper

Video:

Synopsis:

A FAMILY, A FARM, A HEART, ALL IN NEED OF REPAIR.

Life on Windmill Farm hasn't been the same since Julia Lapp's father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn't stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding - again - she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul's sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.

Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through, the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hive full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys brings his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.

Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

Thoughts:

Suzanne Woods Fisher once again takes readers on a journey into the heart of an Amish community in her latest book, The Keeper, book one in her new Stoney Ridge Seasons series. Fisher is considered by many, one of the best in Amish fiction writing. Her patient story building and constant attention to detail make Fisher's books a must read for Christian fiction and inspirational fans.

Many of you may have seen the reviews I did for Suzanne Woods Fisher's Lancaster County Secrets series. It is probably obvious that I really enjoy Suzanne's work and find her writing both charming and inventive. I have been reading Christian fiction for a lot of years and when I find an author that I really like it is usually one that I stick with. Suzanne Woods Fisher is definitely one that is on my auto-buy list. She has a way of writing that just seems to stick with a reader. She has a message and she conveys it through her writing. She isn't pushy about it, nor does she overwhelm the reader with her values, subtlety is a virtue in this case and Suzanne Woods Fisher uses it well.

One of the things that I really liked about this particular book was that it didn't follow the typical Amish fiction pattern. In most Amish fiction books the story is usually the same. Boy likes girl or girl likes boy, either way. One of the two isn't satisfied with the Amish life and either leaves for a while and comes back or decides to stay away. Not in this book! Suzanne Woods Fisher's characters are Amish and their happy with it. In a way that was really refreshing. There was no "there has to be something more to life" kind of plot. It was certainly more realistic and showed a clearer look into the Amish way of life. These are people who do things the way they do them for a reason and this book showed that it can be a satisfying and happy life.

There were a couple of hiccups with this one, but nothing to take away from the overall impression the book made on me. Julia is a good character. She shows herself to strong and capable, taking care of her siblings and her ailing father. But she seems a bit to reliant on her relationship with Paul to give her true happiness. I was glad that throughout the book the author shows that what we sometimes think is God's will isn't exactly what he has in mind. Her happiness wasn't really dependent on Paul at all and I was glad she found that out. Paul was a little too wishy-washy to suit me. He didn't have quite enough backbone. He relied to much on what others were telling him, when he was the one who needed to make the decisions.

Roman was my favorite character for a lot of reasons. He has some secrets of his own including a tragic family accident that starts him on a path of roaming about the Amish countryside. He was all about freedom and being able to do as he pleased, while still keeping to Amish beliefs. But when he starts to realize that Julia may mean a little more to him than he originally thought, it's amazing to see the transformation in him. I never really thought of Amish people as the roaming sort, but it suited him well.

I thought Fisher's real strength in this book was her character building. Not only do the main characters stand out but the secondary ones as well. Julia's relationship with her siblings was well written and came across as realistic and easy to believe. I'm the middle child myself and I thought the interactions between the brother and sisters was spot on. M.K the youngest gave the story a lot of humor. Menno the shy and simple minded brother gave it a very heart warming feel and Sadie was just priceless! She was a less than skinny girl with a lot of heart. I loved her and can't wait to read her story in the second book in the series scheduled to release later this year.

I'll just come right out and say it... If you want to read good Amish fiction than look no further than Suzanne Woods Fisher. Her books have a certain charm that is undeniable. The writing is both heartwarming and full of wisdom. Her portrayal of the Amish people makes them come alive for the reader, who wants to learn about their simple way of living and how they use the truths they impart in their own lives. As a first book in a series, this one didn't need any grace, it stood up well to all the emphasis put on introducing the characters and setting up for future books. The story was solid and interesting. And the love story aspect was just as beautifully written as any romance.

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, and A Lancaster County Christmas, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interests in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of Amish Wisdom, a weekly radio program, and a columnist for Christian Post. She lives in California.

Review: Shadow City

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Shadow City (Horngate Witches - Book 3) by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: Paperback, 369pp
ISBN-13: 978-1451613858

ISBN: 1451613857

(Received for an honest review from Pocket Books)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Diana Pharaoh Francis on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Books in the Series: Bitter Night (2009), Crimson Wind (2010), Shadow City (2011)

CoverArt: Click on the picture for a larger, clearer image of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Shadow City

Synopsis:

FOR MOST WARRIORS, LOYALTY IS A VIRTUE, FOR MAX, IT'S A CURSE.

From the moment she was bound by magic and transformed into a deadly warrior, Max dreamed of escape. Instead, she went to war. She saved the coven she was enslaved to defend from unearthly destruction, but only at the cost of her own freedom.

Now Max has been taken captive and forced to become the champion of a demigod in a deadly game where the losers die - or worse. Alone and unarmed in a strange, magical city, Max must battle bizarre creatures with unpredictable powers. If she wins, she just might get a chance to go home to her friends, her family, and to Alexander, the Shadowblade warrior whose fate is entwined with hers.

But Horngate's own future is far from certain. The covenstead is threatened by a Fury - a creature that, once is escapes its fragile bonds, will wreak untold destruction. Will Alexander and the other Shadowblades be able to protect Horngate without Max? Or will Max discover that she doesn't have a home to return to?

Thoughts:

The highly anticipated third book in the Horngate Witches series, Shadow City, by author Diana Pharaoh Francis is what I would call Urban Fantasy at it's best. This is series and book that I would recommend to seasoned Urban Fantasy readers, as well as, newbies. What a way to break into a new genre! Francis banks on the idea that absence makes the heart grow fonder in the latest installment in the series, as Max the heroine of the first two books is far from Horngate and is thrust into new challenges and battles. Readers will love Alexander's more "alpha" role and the two parallel stories that make for a very intense read!

As many of you know, I keep a very delicate schedule. I balance my freelance career, my family, and my book blog on the edge of knife most of the time. So it's rare that a book, no matter how enticing can put a stop to the constant chaos around here, but Shadow City was one of those books! It was literally one I just couldn't put down until it was finished! After finishing Crimson Wind, the second book in the series, I wasn't really sure where Francis was taking us. There were a lot of unresolved issues and story lines and I couldn't quite figure out how she was going to pull off Max being away from Horngate for most, if not all of book three. Wow! Is just about all I can say... (well maybe not)!

Max is a character I have liked from the beginning. She's a slave that has had to do a lot of things in order to save her coven. She's stubborn, strong-willed and somewhat flawed. I love it when an author understands that readers aren't looking for perfect heroes and heroines. It's so much more about the character growth and transformation that happens to the hero/heroine when they have something to atone for, or some issue that makes them more human. Max is definitely a character like that and in Shadow City, I felt like she grows more than in the previous two books. She is relying more on her own instincts, her ideas of right and wrong, and is fighting a whole new set of battles. I thought that made all the difference in this book. It is easily the best of the series so far.

Alexander is also coming into his own. His feelings for Max are becoming more clear, as he faces a very dire threat to the covenstead, without her by his side. Alexander doesn't want to become prime, he is afraid that will mean that Max will never return. His story runs parallel to hers all the way through this one until the come back together. There's no more dancing around the sexual tension between either and it's about darn time LOL! I loved seeing Alexander as the leader, the alpha male so to speak. Trusting his own gut and his own abilities. I saw so much more out of both him and Max in this book. It bodes very, very well for futures installments.

Not only are the heroine and the hero well fleshed out in this series, but the secondary characters are just as important to the story. I certainly would never have believed after reading book one that I would ever have a good thing to say about Giselle. Francis writes her sooo well. She's a villain you can't help but have a little sympathy for. In the second book, I liked her a wee bit better, in book three... she's really starting to grow on me. The friendship that is starting to develop between her and Max has a lot of potential, can't wait to see where the author takes it. Scooter the demi-god has always intrigued me, but in Shadow City we get to see another side to him. He needs Max. It's a matter of life and death and I loved finding more about him and his motivations. We didn't see some characters we met in the first two books, but new ones emerged. I hope that we see a blending of the new and old in the next book. I just can't hardly wait til it comes out!

Definitely a favorite of my year so far as Urban Fantasy goes. And one I would recommend whole heartedly to all my readers. If you haven't tried this series, what are you waiting for... you'll love it!

Shadow City is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Diana Pharaoh Francis is the author of ten fantasy novels - including the Horngate Witches novels from Pocket Books - as well as many short stories. a teacher in the English Department at the University of Montana Western, she is a lover of chocolate, Victoriana, and sparkly things.

Review: From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant by Alex Gilvarry

Publication Date: January 5, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: Hardcover, 320pp
ISBN-13: 978-0670023196

ISBN: 0670023191

(Received for an honest review from Viking)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Alex Gilvarry on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Video: (WARNING: There is a wordy'durd (the f-one even) in the trailer! But only one!) Oh My!

Synopsis:

FASHION AND G-MEN CLASH IN A MASTERMINDFUL DEBUT

Boyet Hernandez is a small man with a big American dream when he arrives in New York in 2002, fresh out of fashion school in the Philippines. But on the brink of fame and fortune, there comes instead a knock on the door in the middle of the night: the flamboyant ex-Catholic is swept to America's most notorious prison, administered a Qur'an, and locked away indefinitely to discover his link to a terrorist plot.

Now, in his six-by-eight-foot cell, Boy prepares for the tirbunal of his life with this ultimate confession. From borrowed mattress to converted toothpick factory loft, from custom suit commissions to high-end retail, we are immersed in a wonderland of soirees, runways, and hipster romance in twenty-first-century Gotham. Boy is equally at home (if sometimes comically misinformed) invoking Dostoyevsky and Diane von Furstenberg, the Marcos tyranny and Marc Jacobs, the vicissitudes of memory and the indignity of the walking sandwich board. But behind the scrim of his wit and chutzpah is his present nightmare of detainment in the sun-baked place he calls No Man's Land. The more Boy's faith in American justice is usurped by the Kafkaesque demands of his interrogator, the more ardently he clings to the chemical hope and humanity of his adoptive country.

Funny, wise, and beguiling. From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant gives us a tale so eerily evocative that it, and his hero, are poised to become an indelible part of the reader's imagination and the literature of our strange times.

Thoughts:

Alex Gilvarry's debut novel, From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant uses humor and wit to take a deeper look into a not so funny subject. The post 9-1-1 world the hero finds himself in, is one of opportunity, but the veiled paranoia of the government is ever-present. When Boy takes on some less than reputable backing to get his fashion line on the runways of New York, he never considers the possibility of being accused of terrorism. Readers will laugh and cry along with Boy as he relates his story, as a detainee who's rights are no longer existent.

Gilvarry uses humor to diffuse this very political subject. Boy is allowed pen and paper and decides to chronicle his rise to fashion fame from the time he landed in New York until he was taken prisoner and left to languish away without proof of guilt. Gilvarry is able to interest the reader in a heavy topic by allowing Boy's adventures to take on a slightly madcap influence, while telling the underlying tale of the horrendous treatment and violations of human rights that some non-combatants were treated to. I thought the author did an amazing job of using fiction to clearly articulate his views on the tactics and practices used at Guantanamo Bay.

This is probably not a book, I would normally have picked up for a few reasons. I thought this kind of subject matter would lend itself to being very heavy. I will admit to reading books that are a little more romantic and a little less political because I like to read to relax and to take the edge off a bit, not add to it. So I was fully expecting a book that interested me, but didn't really have that escape factor. I was pleasantly surprised that Gilvarry was able to make this book so much lighter than I expected. Boy's voice seems to slip back and forth that of naive young man to a person with more wisdom than they know, and that made all the difference.

As most everyone who reads this book will know, Guantanamo Bay has been harshly criticized for it's treatment of detainee's. The interrogation methods, the living conditions, the lack of human rights etc. etc. I liked the fact that Gilvarry did not try to mask the horror of what these people went through. Though humor is a big part of this book, he still doesn't sugar coat the plight of these people, who were basically hidden away and forgotten about. I liked the stark differences between Boy's life before and after his detainment. He was living a life of luxury and in the blink of an eye he has nothing but his story.

I'll be honest in saying there were parts of the book that didn't ring completely true, mostly those were scenes from Boy's life as an up and coming fashion designer. There were times it seemed a little trite when compared with what he was going through in "No Man's Land." But in some ways I think that was probably what the author may have been going for. Showing that the "American Dream" was possible but not always attainable. And Boy's relationships with what he called "waspy" women were not at all what I expected.

Overall I enjoyed the book and thought the author was very clever at using fiction for a higher purpose. Gilvarry proves that books can still influence people and that is a worthy goal. His use of wit and humor was remarkable and I think readers who like this kind of book will be very enthralled by the story and the characters. Boy was a hoot! But he was also very savvy! A very interesting hero to say the least. I recommend this one to readers who have an eye for fashion and a willing mind. It may be a bit of a heavy subject, but it is lightened greatly by Boy's madcap adventures on the mean streets of New York. A great debut!

From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Alex Gilvarry is a native of Staten Island, New York. He's the founding editor of the Web site Tottenville Review; he has been named a Norman Mailer Fellow; and his writing appeared in The Paris Review. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Review: Sins of the Highlander

2012-01-11T13:00:00.000-05:00

Sins of the Highlander by Connie Mason with Mia Marlowe

Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc.
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Paperback, 325pp
ISBN-13: 978-1402261824

ISBN: 1402261829

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Connie Mason on the WEB: website, facebook

Mia Marlowe on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter

Excerpt from Sins of the Highlander

Synopsis:

ABDUCTION

Never had Elspeth Stewart imagined her wedding would be interrupted by a dark-haired stranger charging in on a black stallion, scooping her into his arms, and carrying her off across the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his strong thighs, she ought to have feared for her life. But her captor silenced all protests with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion - a pain only she could ease.

OBSESSION

"Mad Rob" MacLaren thought stealing his rival's bride-to-be was the perfect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longed to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his, forever.

With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join together - body, breath, and soul. Or both will be make to pay for the... SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER.

Thoughts:

Both Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe bring different things to the table in their new collaboration, Sins of a Highlander. Mason is the voice of experience, lending her tried and true methods of writing and style to the book, while Marlowe brings a fresh voice with new ideas and attitudes. This meeting of the minds sets the reader up for a magical experience. When you add in a sexy Scot in a kilt, with a brogue to die for... how could they go wrong?

Marlowe and Mason have taken a well-used theme for Highland romances, the kidnapped bride and have given it a new lease on life. One of the things I found most interesting about this book was the fact that the authors were able to keep the plot exciting and unpredictable. Readers of Scottish tales of love probably think they have it all figured out, but Mason and Marlowe prove there are still some twists and turns that even the most seasoned of readers won't see coming. It gave the book a sense of urgency and energy that is missing in some romances. I thought the authors really excelled in this area.

Mason and Marlowe have also provided the reader with a sympathetic hero in "Mad Rob" and a smart, innocent heroine in Elspeth. Needless to say the combination is both tender and explosive. I loved the idea that the hero was literally almost mad with grief for his first wife. His feelings are raw and honest and came across as very authentic. It was also amazing to see Rob open himself up the possibility of loving someone that deeply again. It was almost like he had a second chance at life, as well as, love. Rob is of course the typical highland laird. He is all alpha male. Someone who readers will both sympathize with and probably drool over a bit. As a romantic hero goes, I thought the authors were spot on with their idea of how he should be.

Elspeth was also a great character. She was sassy and resourceful and full of genuine innocence. She's a young woman willing to do her duty and marry a man she knows nothing about to provide a better future for her family. But she has no idea the kind of cruelty that she would have had to live with had Rob left her in the clutches of Laird Drummond. I thought the authors did a great job of of showing Elspeth's conflicting emotions. She tries repeatedly to escape because that's what she should do, when in truth she is becoming more and more drawn to Rob. The combination of the the two leads is sizzling. As they banter back and forth and rage against each other, the sexual energy is almost palpable. When the do come together, let's just say, it's electric!

Another thing that stands out about this book is the portrayal of the villain, Lachlan Drummond. This guy is a piece of work to say the least. He is cruel and basically evil incarnate. The fact that he shoots at the fleeing pair in the church without regard to whether he hits Elspeth or not lends to that idea. Also the torture and rape of Rob's wife, Fiona lets the reader know just what this character is capable of. Often times in romances I find that a writer who is really good at writing heroes and heroines, has a tough time writing the bad guys. They are such polar opposites. I think the fact that this is a collaborative effort helped to strengthen the character building and brings out the personalities and stories of even the most minute of secondary players.

In short, this is a great book that readers won't want to miss. Being of Scottish ancestry myself, I always tend to be a bit more skeptical of authors who write Highland romances. That certainly wasn't necessary with this one! These authors did their homework and it shows. The book has moments of tenderness, themes of betrayal, a bit of political intrigue and just the right amount of heart pounding action. Oh Yeah... And some really hot romantic scenes that might require a cold drink or a fan!

Sins of the Highlander is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Connie Mason, who started her romance-writing career after she became a grandmother, once told 48 Hours that she does her best work in bed. That work being writing, of course! For her newest release, Connie has teamed up with Mia Marlowe, a rising star of steamy historical romance. Mia learned about storytelling while singing professional opera. A classically trained soprano, she knows what it's like to wear a corset and has had to sing high "C's" in one, so she empathizes with the trials of her historical heroines.

Connie lives near Tampa, Florida, and Mia lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Credit for putting these two authors together goes to their editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, and their agent, Natasha Kern, who saw the creative potential in this pairing. Both Connie and Mia write sexy, adventurous stories with alpha heroes to love. They hope you'll enjoy the melding of their styles as much as they enjoyed collaborating to bring their new stories to life.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Mia Marlowe

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Please join me in welcoming Mia Marlowe to Debbie's Book Bag today. Mia is here to tell us a little bit about her inspiration behind her latest book with Connie Mason, Sins of the Highlander. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Mia's book, see details at the end of the post.

First, thanks so much for having me here today.

Debbie asked what inspired me to write about the Highlands. The simple answer would be ‘When is a man in a kilt not inspiration enough?’

But actually, the real answer goes back to the heart of my partnership with Connie Mason. If you’ve read any of this romance legend’s backlist, you know she regularly takes her readers outside the usual settings. My previous works have been set in Victorian/Regency England. When Connie suggested we set our debut collaboration in Scotland during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, I knew I had some serious researching to do.

But that’s part of writing historicals that I dearly love. So I dived into the world of the Highlands, where cattle reiving was a respectable occupation and blood feuds were a way of life. I always study the legends that spring up in a time and place because they reveal so much about how the people thought about themselves and their world.

One of the legends I discovered while researching SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER was the each uisge, or the water horse. Scotland is dotted with deep lochs and in addition to the Loch Ness Monster, almost every body of water is a potential home for an each uisge (pronounced sort of like “eck whiskey”). A Water Horse is a crafty beastie. He may look perfectly harmless on dry land. In fact, he’s probably the most beautiful horse you’ve ever seen. Unless it’s a sunny day (a highland rarity) you likely wouldn’t notice his glassy greenish color. But canny highlanders know it’s very unwise to try to capture and ride a strange horse munching long grass near a loch. Once a person mounts a water horse, he’s unable to dismount and the beast will bolt into the loch and drown his rider.

If the Water Horse is looking for a wife, he’ll appear on land as an extremely handsome man. But don’t be fooled. That waterweed in his hair is the dead giveaway and no highland lassie wants to become the each uisge’s bride. He’s a terrible husband.

In SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER, ‘Mad Rob’ MacLaren admits that he can’t throw stones at the water horse. He believes he too was a terrible husband. And when he confesses as much to his captive, Elspeth Stewart, a girl blessed with the Sight, she surprises him completely. Here’s a snippet from a scene on Loch Earn as they flee from Elspeth’s father and bridegroom.
_________________________________

Elspeth wiped the last of the salty tears from his cheeks. Then she kissed him again. On the lips this time, firm and sweet. Like a blessing. Like a benediction.

“Ye are no’ to blame for Fiona’s death,” she said with conviction.

Rob didn’t have the heart to contradict her, but he didn’t believe it for a moment. “After all that, I’m sure ye believe me a madman now.”

“‘Tis no’ madness to weep for someone ye loved.” She shook her head. “If ye had no tears, I’d think ye less a man. Never because of them.”

“Ye’re a strange lass, Elspeth Stewart.”

“And ye’re a silver-tongued demon.” She laughed, obviously trying to lighten his mood. “Dinna think to turn my head with such compliments.”

Rob smiled at her, confused, but strangely comforted. He still grieved for Fiona, but the serrated edge of unexpressed mourning and guilt that threatened to send him spiraling into insanity was gone.

Elspeth returned his smile. He shook his head in wonderment. He’d stolen her from the altar, taken her prisoner, and tormented her body with a wicked lover’s touch. And here she was giving him comfort. If he lived to be a hundred, he’d never understand what went on in a woman’s head.

Then while he was watching her, her eyes glazed over and she stared sightlessly over his shoulder.

“Elspeth?”

She gave no sign that she’d heard him.

He let go of the tiller and grasped both her shoulders, but she continued to stare unblinking. He gave her a little shake. She looked at his face then, but he sensed no recognition in her eyes.

“The each uisge comes, reaching up from the depths to snag his bride,” she said in a voice devoid of all expression. “And a bolt from the dark finds its mark.”

“Elspeth!”

Then he was nearly knocked off his feet, thrown forward as the boat stopped dead in the water.
________________________________

Thanks again for having me here today, Debbie. I’d like to invite your readers to pop over to my website http://www.miamarlowe.com to enter my website contest. The Grand Prize is a new KINDLE!

And I’m happy to share that Sourcebooks is offering two chances to win SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER to lucky commenters today (USA & Canada only). All you have to do is answer this question:

Is there a legend you’d like to see incorporated into a historical romance?

SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER BY CONNIE MASON & MIA MARLOWE – IN STORES JANUARY 2012

Abduction

Never had Elspeth Stewart imagined her wedding would be interrupted by a dark-haired stranger charging in on a black stallion, scooping her into his arms, and carrying her off across the wild Scottish highlands. Pressed against his hard chest and nestled between his trong thighs, she ought to have feared for her life. But her captor silenced all protests with a soul-searing kiss, giving Elspeth a glimpse of the pain behind his passion—a pain only she could ease.

Obsession

“Mad Rob” MacLaren thought stealing his rival’s bride-to-be was the prefect revenge. But Rob never reckoned that this beautiful, innocent lass would awaken the part of him he thought dead and buried with his wife. Against all reason, he longed to introduce the luscious Elspeth to the pleasures of the flesh, to make her his, and only his, forever.

With two clans against them burning for battle, they must find a way to join together—body, breath and soul. Or both will be made to pay for the Sins of the Highlander.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Sins of the Highlander by Connie Mason with Mia Marlowe.

~ You must be a GFC follower or E-mail subscriber to participate.
~ US and Canadian Addresses only (publisher request).
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST January 24th.

1. Please answer Mia's questions from her guest post above. The question is in bold print.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

Review: Stripped

2012-01-09T11:30:00.000-05:00

Stripped by Tori St. Claire

Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Erotic romantic suspense
Pages: Paperback, 403pp
ISBN-13: 978-0425246771

ISBN: 0425246779

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Heat)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

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Excerpt from Stripped (WARNING: This excerpt is inappropriate for readers under the age of 18 years.)

Synopsis:

Body of secrets...

As a member of the CIA's elite Black Opals, Natalya Trubachev must live a lie, working undercover as the lover of Dmitri, a Russian mob boss. His business is trafficking vulnerable Las Vegas strippers overseas for twisted sex games. Natalya's business is to blow the ring wide open and bring down Dmitri and his American contacts. But the stakes are raised when she learns that the next target is her own sister, a dancer in the famed club Fantasia. Only now does Natalya realize how personal her mission has become, and how far she's willing to go to complete it.

Body of lies...

The manager of Fantasia is Brandon Moretti, an undercover detective who keeps a close eye on his girls, and an even closer one on his sinfully sensual newest hire. For Natalya, working the club could be the break she's been waiting for. But for Moretti, Natalya is a possible link to a killer. Only he never counted on her being so lethally seductive or so dangerous to get close to. As every forbidden pleasure between them is stripped away, his own secrets threaten their security, but it's Natalya's secrets that could destroy them both.

Thoughts:

Stripped is the new erotic romantic suspense novel from Tori St. Claire. St. Claire is no stranger to the publishing world having written historical and paranormal fiction under the name Claire Ashgrove for some time now. Stripped takes it's plot line straight from the headlines, with an intense look into the world of human trafficking. St. Claire gives readers a book with fast-paced action and sizzling romance. A combination that is literally combustible!

Tori St. Claire has written a novel that readers will find satisfying in a lot of ways. Not only is the sex really hot, but the suspense is really riveting. It is amazing to me as a person that the kinds of experiences that St. Claire's characters are having in this book still exist. It's hard to fathom that slavery of any kind still goes on, especially the kind of sexual slavery this book depicts. I think St. Claire did a fabulous job of showing the reader the kind of environment that is conducive to this and the type of people who could allow it and work to support it.

When most people consider reading a erotic romance, several factors enter into which book they ultimately choose. It might be a steamy blurb on the back of the book, a cover that gets them interested, a writer they've always wanted to read, but I would say nine times out of ten it isn't the fact that the book might make them think about how they view the world. Tori St. Claire's book, Stripped will probably do all those things and make the reader consider "if the ends always justify the means."

St. Claire's characters are so well developed that the reader will even feel sympathy for the bad guy, Dmitri. Despite the terrible crimes he has committed, he loves Natalya and ultimately she will betray him. It's rare that a writer can bring out that kind of emotion. I thought her portrayal of Dmitri as well as Natalya and Brandon was spot on and very well written, but one of my favorites is still Natalya's very stalwart and determined partner Sergei. There is just something about that character and the secrets of his own that he is keeping that draws the interest of the reader. I doubt we've seen the last of him, I hope so anyway!

St. Claire's book introduces readers to Natalya Trubachev, a CIA operative under deep cover on a human trafficking case. Natalya has spent the last three years building her cover and her case against a Russian mob boss. As readers would probably expect Natalya has had to do a few things that were probably not on the up and up as she has gone along. In this case, it has meant that she allows herself to get close to the girls that Dmitri intends to kidnap and sell into the human trafficking market. So Natalya has been indirectly responsible for several women being sold into that kind of world. Readers will have to decide for themselves if they think the ends justify the means in this case. Though she helped to sell some women, she is in the long run trying to make a safer future for others. It's definitely a thought provoking question.

Brandon Moretti is the manager of club Fantasia in Las Vegas where Dmitri's next victim is working. Natalya is being sent to get close to the woman and Brandon is looking for a den mother of sorts to watch over his girls. The strip club isn't always the safest of places to work obviously. When Natalya finds out that the next stripper Dmitri intends to kidnap is her own fraternal twin sister, she knows that she must act quickly. What she doesn't realize is that Brandon is an undercover cop working the same case. The air around these two sparks right from the beginning. They are attracted to each other body and soul and it's electric. These are some of the steamiest love scenes I think I've ever read. It's something about the connection between these two, perhaps the danger of what's at stake that really ramps up the sex. Whatever it is... it's definitely HOT!

All things considered I liked this book a lot. I tend to read less romantic suspense than most genres, but I liked the plot of this one, the intensity and the romantic connection between the main characters. I liked the idea that an erotic romance kept me on my toes and made me think about what people sometimes have to do to keep us safe. Nothing is ever really black and white is it?... even right and wrong! I recommend this one to erotic romance readers and the mystery and suspense crowd. There is a lot going on here and I can't wait to see what happens with this elite group of operatives next. I loved the whole idea of the "Black Opals" and hope that St. Claire continues to write about them.

Stripped is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag.

Tori St. Claire grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full-length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.

while that manuscript gathered dust bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author under the pen name Claire Ashgrove. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier stories.

Her erotic romantic suspense novels are searingly sensual experiences that unite passion with true emotion and the all-consuming tie that binds - love.