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Crimson Romance

Crimson Romance
For the best in romance, from sweet to naughty!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson, Michele Hauf, Lois Greiman, and Leandra Logan

Hi Everyone!

Just giving a shout out to one of my new favorite books, Faeries Gone Wild!!! This one should tickle everyone's fancy. I mean really, it's about faeries!!! Now, you know how I feel about Tink right? So when the wee ones (or not so wee ones as the case may be) are having their own book, I can't resist! And two of my favorite authors are part of this anthology --- MaryJanice Davidson and Michele Hauf --- how could you go wrong? The release date on this little jewel is June 2, 2009, a great fast, fun summer read! And it gets sweeter, check out Michele Hauf's site to get a chance at winning this fun read. You know you want to try it, so be sure to check it out. Review to come soon!! If you'd like to read more, check out Riding With The Top Down.



MARYJANICE DAVIDSON 'Tall, Dark and Not So Faery'

Scarlett is not your typical pint-sized faery. At six feet, four inches tall, she's an unlikely candidate for a match made in heaven. But when she ventures to Cannon Falls, Minnesota, on royal orders to survey its extraordinary residents, she stumbles upon the one man who just may measure up to size.

LOIS GREIMAN 'Pixie Lust'

William Timber is a cutthroat developer who refuses to let a few trees come between him and his next million. But when Avalina - a sparkling faery charged to protect all things green - comes to town, William is forced to choose between life as he knows it and the unknown reaches of his heart.

MICHELE HAUF 'Dust Me, Baby, One More Time'

A librarian by day and a tooth faery by night, Sidney has absolutely no time to find Mr. Right. Until she flies smack dab into sexy, sun-bronzed Dart Sand, a man who makes her wings a-flutter.and whose allure could get her banished from the Mortal Realm.

LEANDRA LOGAN 'A Little Bit Faery'

Tia is mystified when she strikes out on the Luna faery singles scene, in spite of her hourglass curves and vivacious charm. Then she takes off for Manhattan and lands on the doorstep of a steamy firefighter who sets her soul on fire - and shares a strong connection to her secret past.

(Cover art and book blurb available at Fantasy Fiction)

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Romance Is Good For The Soul and So Are Romance Writers

Hi Everyone!

Thought I'd pass this along from Vickie Taylor's website. I made me feel good about reading and spending a little extra money on books. It's such great escapism...It just makes me happy...and in today's world, isn't a little happiness something we all could use? Look at this article from TODAY: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30986580/from/ET/.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
Publisher: ROC, New American Library, Penguin Group
Pages: 432

From the Cover: The new novel in the hit New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series.

The Warden Morgan has been accused of treason against the Wizards of the White Council and there's only one, final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, wants his name cleared, and needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog. Someone like Harry Dresden...

Now, Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less-than-agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head someone like Harry.

The eleventh book in the Dresden's File Series.

(From Jim Butcher's webstie @ http://www.jim-butcher.com - thought everyone would like to see how Harry Dresden would describe himself and the add he has in the phone book.)

HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD

Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties or Other Entertainment

The Dresden Files are set in a "alternate" Chicago where magic is real, but only a few actually believe in it; it's a first-person tale told by an irascible wizard named Harry Dresden, who regularly gives the magical establishment indigestion — and the police, the same. Take Sam Spade, your Average Joe Underdog Action Star, and toss in some spellcraft, and you get Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Heck of a guy.


As the story opens, Harry Dresden, Chicago's wizard extraordinaire and sometime warden, is having an odd day. Nothing seems to be going right. Suddenly there's a pounding at his door. The White Council's Chief Executioner, Morgan is pounding and swaying at his door. Morgan who has been trying to remove his head for years. Morgan who doesn't know how to break one of magics rules. He staggers against Harry's door, wounded and bleeding, begging Harry, 'Help me, the wardens are after me' as he falls, slipping into unconsciousness and into Harry's arms.

'Hells Bells', what the blooding hell's going on? Morgan has wardens after him? How can this be possible? Harry doesn't know what to do, but he does know one thing, Morgan would never break a magical law, especially not the murder the White Council is claiming he committed. He's an innocent, and Harry must help him. He cannot watch another innocent be hunted and killed. It hits too close to home and what Morgan has tried to do to him for years.

First, he must control Morgan's blood loss, Butters is the only answer. Butters, morgue MD and friend, will have Morgan fixed up, but at what cost. As Harry provides shelter and aid to a now enemy of the White Council, it could cost him and his friends their heads. Mouse, Harry's Foo dog is set to keep watch over Morgan as is Molly, Harry's assistant and apprentice. Without knowing what else to do, Harry contacts Thomas, his half vampire half brother of the White Court. Since the recent war with the Red Court Vampires, the allegiance between the White Council and the White Court Vampires has been tenuous. (White Court Vampire have silver white eyes when thirsty, but they don't live off on blood, but emotions and sex - sex with a White Court Vampire can kill, or at least be addicting, inducing someone to become a thrall. Red Court Vampire are exactly as their name implies - blood drinkers and they don't play with their food, they kill it.)

As Harry starts to investigate, he realizes a strangeness in the air, something is just not right. Harry slips into his Second Sight to see the world at it truly is and to his amazement and horror, he discovers a hideous skinwalker, a naagloshii (an magical creature who has refused to leave life and has gained strength over the centuries),is hot on his trail. Wizards don't take this particular skill on second sight lightly. They don't stare for too long into each others eyes; it can bring a soul gaze that opens the viewers eyes to what is buried deep within the wizard's or person's soul, and sometimes, it isn't pretty, sometimes the evil corrupts from the inside out.

The evilness of the skinwalker makes Harry physically ill and he heads for the only safe place he knows, the Wolves. Will and Georgia as well as Will's young pack of wolves were shown how to morph by a misguide lycan witch, and have become one of Harry's strongest allies. As Harry recovers, the young wolves start patrolling, trying to pin down down the location of the skinwalker. Kirby and Andi, part of Will's pack are savagely attacked, killing Kirby and severely injuring Andi. Now Harry has more blood on his hands. Karin Murphy shows up to lend what help she can, but since the last fiasco with Harry, she's all but lost her rank with the Chicago Police Department as head of the SI, demoted to investigator.

As the story becomes more involved, Harry starts to question the wisdom of the White Council, even starts the question the Captain of the Wardens, Anastasia Luccio who has recently been occupying quite a bit of Harry's free time....and why has Ana suddenly become so fond of Harry? When Harry makes a trip through the Never-Never (the fey land of in between where fey live and strike or capture those who enter and whom the White Council currently has a truce with) to Edinburgh, Scotland....he discovers even stranger happenings going on.....Could the 'Black Council'(those trying to over throw the White Council) have an active agent on the White Council? How are the White Court Vampires involved? How can the naagloshii be defeated?

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher is the eleventh book in the Dresden Series. The name states what the story is going to be about, a turn coat or traitor in the ranks of the White Council. If you haven't read the series to date, this is not the place to start. This is a series best read in order, many twists and turns in the plot create the need to start at the beginning. Some of the early books could be read as a stand alone, but the later books are missing too much information to be satisfying to the reader. Harry Dresden has been hunted his whole life by Morgan. It was only through the good graces of Ebenezer, Harry's mentor and teacher, that he was allowed to live after killing his evil foster-father. Harry's mother and father are both dead, at the hands of vampires and magic. Now, Morgan has come to Harry for help because he knows Harry is the only one who has a chance to save him. Harry is a romantic hero, not that there's a lot of romance involved in this book. He's a romantic hero by his actions, his sense of right and wrong, the way he stands up for his beliefs against all odds. He will put his life on the line time and time again, but will never ask another for the same. He cherishes those around him, even the tiny fey - faeries to who Harry has been a hero and leader - Toot is one of my favorite characters. Despite his minuscule size, he's always there. Harry's heroine is hard to place in this novel, Ana Luccio, Molly Carpenter, Laura Raith, or even Karin Murphy could be seen in this role, all for different reasons. Ana Luccio's mind and soul were ripped from her body and she has taken up residence in the body of her murderer, her only place for refuge, and Harry's current lover. Molly is in the same boat that Harry found himself in as a teenager, without Harry's kindness as mentor and teacher, she would've lost her head to Morgan's blade. She also the daughter of Michael Carpenter, one time avenging angel that is Harry's long-time ally. Laura Raith is Harry's half brother's sister, and unchallenged, but also impostor, head of the White Court. She feeds off of emotion, and she would like nothing better than to eat Harry whole. She could easily kill Harry or enthrall him, but values their uneasy truce more at this time. Karin Murphy has soul gazed with Harry, and Harry has seen her true inner soul, that of a fierce warrior for the weak, but being smudged by the evil around her. She is Harry's guiding light in his darkest hours, one of his closest friends and allies. I've explain more than I had intended, and I hope I'm not spoiling the books. I love the Dresden Files. Harry is so lonely; he wants and needs to be a white knight. Harry wants to be a part of a family; I think this is why Michael Carpenter's family has played such a significant role in the stories to date. Everytime he gets close to his desire, something goes wrong and it slips through his fingers as he watches in desperation. Jim Butcher is one of the best urban fantasy writers out there. I would have liked to seen a more involved love interest in this book, to explore the relationship between Harry and Ana, but it was a doomed romance. Morgan's and Ana's story would have been nice to explore as well, when Morgan was her apprentice many years ago. There is the romantic feel to the story that I enjoyed, like most gumshoe mysteries, that Noir quality that seems to be missing from more recent mysteries. For more information about Jim Butcher's Dresden Files or his Codex Alera Series, visit his website. From his website, all of his books can be accessed as well as a free short he has available online. He also has a blog and a writing forum that readers can participate that are accessible from his website. All his novels are worthy reads that I highly recommend.

Since there isn't a book trailer, here's a peek at the now defunct series trailer. Why did SciFi cancel it?

Monday, May 25, 2009

HOT IN HERE (ARC) by Sophie Renwick

Publisher: Penguin Group
Pages: 288
Released Date: June 2, 2009

From the Cover: A sizzling debut novel starring a sexy TV chef who steams up more than just entrees...

She wasn't his kind of dish—until someone turned up the heat...

Celebrity chef and infamous ladies' man Bryce Ryder can't believe the thoughts he's having about his old friend Jenna McCabe. She's always been the shy girlnext- door, but when some bad publicity threatens everything he's built, Jenna gets down to business— and shows a side of herself that is take-charge and totally irresistible.

Soon things are heating up in and out of the kitchen—and all of Jenna's secret fantasies about Bryce start coming true. But will she be the one to tame his heart, or is the sexy chef just indulging another one of his cravings?

Bryce Ryder doesn't know how his life got so screwed up. He's a mega-popular celebrity chef with his own restaurant and cooking show. He thought he had everything worked out since his time with the wicked witch Chrissy, who almost cost him his beloved restaurant as well as all of his savings. Now, some crazy reporter is spreading lies that could cost him his dreams and his plans. Thank God Jenna is here, she always saves the day, she'll make it right. If she can just come up with a plan that he can live with. As Bryce sits down with Jenna, he notices something distinctly different, she's more self possessed, more sure of herself, and damn, she looks better and hotter than he's ever seen her. What's going on with her. And the plan she comes up with, be seen dating an average girl instead of the size zero's he been dating. He likes the kind that don't except anything. But he would love someone who could appreciate his fine skills as a chef, both in the kitchen and out.

Jenna has known Bryce for her whole life, since he moved to Lucan in middle school when she dump her meatloaf in his lap. He's cute, sweet, and walking talking sex appeal. If he could only see her as something more than a friend, but Chrissy has almost ruined him for all women. Now all he can wants is the convenient one night stand. Jenna wants the whole deal, ring, wedding, kids. Jenna has a plan, it's her birthday tomorrow, and she can't think of a better present than Bryce. If only she can get him to realize that she's more than Jenna McCabe, friend and girl next door. But, as usually Bryce takes her for granted. This is really starting to tick Jenna off.

As Jenna storms out of his restaurant, Bryce can't help but wonder what's up with her. His brother, Titus, mentions that maybe it's his thoughtlessness, not even remembering her birthday. Birthday? God, he did forget, but he can take care of this oversight by whipping her up a fantastic birthday dessert. Jenna could never refuse his cooking. When he rings Jenna's bell, she answers in her babydoll pj's as his eyes pop out of his head. Could this be his Jenna? Jenna the girl next door, Jenna that is his best friend? As they cozy up on the couch, preparing to eat his fantastic dessert, he can't keep his thoughts away from Jenna. Bryce comes to realize doesn't want to keep his thoughts away from Jenna, Jenna who he has always thought of as his. He can't keep his thoughts away, or his hands, lips....Suddenly Jenna has become his dish du jour. Who knew food could be so much fun.

This is what Jenna has always desired, a night with beautiful Bryce, but what will she do now? It isn't a casual fling for her. She's in love so deep, she doesn't know if she can keep her head above water. Sarah, her sister, would tell her to go with her heart, but Rachel from work would say to play it cool. If she goes with her heart, Bryce might run. If she plays it cool, her heart might break. Bryce is too sweet a dish to pass up.

Trey, Bryce's older brother, tries to push Bryce toward Jenna knowing his brother's desires better than his own. Together Sarah and Trey conspire to keep these two together. But are there other matters cooking between Sarah and Trey, her secret heart's desire?

As Bryce and Jenna delve deeper into what could be, Bryce comes to the realization that Jenna is everything his heart desires, but this new Jenna may not feel the same. His life is forever changed after grabbing Jenna in Italy and becoming captivated by her heart, body, and soul. He realizes he loves Jenna. Where can this lead? Will he ever be able to let her go?

Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick (Charlotte Featherstone) is Sophie's debut contemporary romance. It's the story of a top chef, Bryce Ryder, with his own cooking show that he fears his loyal audience will abandon after getting some bad press. Hiring Jenna McCabe's firm may be the only thing that saves the day. Jenna is his best friend, someone he can always turn to; someone he can trust. But can he trust her with his heart. Bryce is an unsure hero, unsure of himself, bruised by the reality of life. He's vowed never to be put in a position where he'll be used again; never to give his heart to love. Bryce is actually a kind and decent man, he cares for others around him, willing to give his time, effort, or money. He doesn't need to take credit or have accolades. The one thing he needs to learn to trust his instincts; those instincts that are telling him to give it all to Jenna, take the love he sees in her heart and soul. Jenna has always been the outcast, never one of the beautiful people. That's what happens to a girl who's a size fourteen in a size zero world. Jenna is a heroine who has been slightly damaged by life, who has learned lessons the hard way; who has had to fight her way to making a name for herself. She used to been timid, but not anymore. And there's still a chance she could lose it all; all it takes is one failed business deal. Her family farm is in trouble and she doing everything in her power to save it. She's loved the beautiful Bryce her whole life, but is he ready to hear the truth and is she ready to tell it. Is he the same Bryce or has he changed? When Bryce and Jenna come together, it definitely heats up the atmosphere with sparks that blow the mind. Bryce is a consuming lover that is willing to give and needs to take. His need for Jenna becomes a force in his life, a force that Jenna has wanted her whole life. Hot in Here is a great debut contemporary romance for Sophie Renwick. It's funny, sweet, adventurous, hot, and sexy. The setting is beautiful with a backdrop into rural life and the sweet lands of Italy. This was an incredibly fast, fun read and I enjoyed it immensely. To find out more information about all of Sophie Renwick's wonderful books and new releases, please visit her website or her blog. Charlotte Featherstone's historical and paranormal romances are also fantastic, if you haven't tried Addicted, I can highly recommend it. To read my review of Addicted, click here. Charlotte's other great books can be found here or visit her blog.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Suzanne McCleod Is Having A Fantastic Giveaway!!!!

Suzanne McCleod is handing out Congrats -- Charlaine Harris!!



Many Congratulations to Charlaine Harris!!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!


New York Times
Saturday, May 23, 2009 Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Best Sellers
HARDCOVER FICTION


1. DEAD AND GONE, by Charlaine Harris

Suzanne wrote:

I absolutely love the Sookie Stackhouse books, and I credit Charlaine Harris with part of my love of all things vampire [especially Eric *g*] and to celebrate her being No. 1 on the New York Times ~ squeeeeee! ~ I'm starting my next weekly giveaway early.

So to win a copy of Dead and Gone :: Book 9 in The Southern Vampire series along with a signed copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood please leave your congratulations for Charlaine in the comments before end of day [anywhere] Thursday, 28th May. See it's that easy. And don't forget to check back to see if you've won, and to enter next week's giveaway.

ETA: I haven't read Dead and Gone yet, [it doesn't come out in the UK until the middle of June, so not fair *pout* ] so please, no spoilers in the comments, not even little hints . . . *claps hands over ears* :-)



















Read the article about Charlaine Harris in the New York Times

1 comment = 1 entry

Please help me spread the good news, both about Charlaine Harris being No. 1 and about my upcoming release on the 16th July, 09 of The Cold Kiss of Death :: Spellcrackers.com Book 2, by mentioning the giveaway on your blog/live journal/myspace/facebook/twitter/etc

[post the link to the mention into the comments again**] = 1 entry per link

Which all means you could end up with more entries into the metaphorical hat, so what are you waiting for? Get posting and linking!! Good Luck!!

*The winner's name will be posted and will have 7 days to claim. If not claimed in this time, then I'll redraw.

Everyone head on over to Suzanne's blog and take a look at this great contest. Help spread the word about an author I love: Charlaine Harris and one I'm going to love:
Suzanne McCleod. Leave a comment on Suzanne site about Charlaine Harris' Dead and Gone HERE. Enter to win!!! (Also check out Suzanne McCleod's new book, The Sweet Scent of Blood......it going to be soooo good!!)


Okay, this is on a completely different note. Apparently, going around the internet are sites that are basically stealing the fantastic work all the great authors we know and love are publishing. It amounts to someone else taking the credit for the hard work you do. You know what I mean? You go to work and work hard all day for your money, then someone you don't even know stops by your desk, nabs what you've spent all day doing and gives it to your boss and reaps the rewards, then your boss stops by your desk and explains how you won't be getting paid because of the lack of work (not productive, no $$$$$). Is this fair? NO. Does it make you so mad that you can't see straight? YES. I mean a book costs between $3.00 to $7.00 for a paperback, less if you can find it used, or free if you go to your local library and borrow it. We love that these wonderful authors and publishers who give us free books for contests, as well as hours of enjoyment from their wonderful words. But if they can't make any money, they can't give us anymore books, free or not :( Let's support our favorite authors. Just my thoughts about a situation that should not be happening. Click here for Barbara's thoughts. Click here for Kristie's thoughts. Click here for Pamela Clare's thoughts.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Contest Winner -- Randonizer.org


There were 33 entries for the Nauti Dreams novel by Lora Leigh. Using Randomizer, here is the list generated by entry number and name:

3-Barbara
12-Blodeuedd
18-booklover1335
19-Mari
17-booklover1335
33-Sia
25-Liyana
22-Wendy
7-Cecile
24-RachieG.
27-Janel
26-Gaby
4-Elaine
28-Eve C.
20-tetewa
13-Blodeuedd
10-Amanda
14-Cecile
29-Gaby
30-Gaby
2-I Heart Book
31-Alexa
5-Mandi
11-host
32-Kytaira
16-Maija P.
1-I Heart Book
6-Mandi
23-Amy S.
15-Maija P.
9-host
8-kh
21-tetewa

Timestamp: 2009-05-23 04:31:34 UTC


Barbara

Congrats Barbara!! I'll be sending you an email for your snail mail addy!! Woohoo!!

Gratuitous Video......I'm A Believer......The Monkees



No, they aren't playing the instruments.

Now that we've had some of the past, here's some of the present.



Yes, she is playing two pianos (actually it is one piano and a keyboard - thanks Lea!).

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Reviewette: Demon's Delight --- The Angel and The Hellraiser --- by Vickie Taylor

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 241 - 314

From the Cover: Zane is hell-bent on danger --- the more he eludes death, the bigger the rush. Then he awakens from a near-drowning not only alive, but in the caring arms of a beautiful angel. But the ethereal Rosemary is driven by her own desires --- and full of surprises....

Only months to live, full throttle life, the only way to live, all out and full of danger.

Angel of death, moving souls from one existence to the next, no comparison to human existence.

Zane Halvorson lives life as he always has, full throttle, all the way to the edge and back again. First in the army, and now as a civilian; a dramatic stunt aviator. That means he jumps from flying planes, with or without parachutes, or maybe takes a walk on the wing. Zane doesn't have a death wish, he just wants to spend every minute he has making life count the most, and the count is getting higher.

Rosemary D'Amica is a reporter with the Times. But in another incarnation, she is the angel of death, waiting for the souls of the dying to move to the next plane of existence. Now she has a body, a mind, a soul, and a heart. What she needs to know is why, why has she take the form and memories of a woman. She usually waits for the soul to need her, but not this time, now she is stuck inside this confining human form being forced to feel a human's existence.

Zane may have gone one time to far, as he watches his parachute ignite. Well, this is as good a way to go as any. He only wishes he had more time; time for love, life, laughter; time to live.

Rosemary watches Zane fall to Earth and into the lake, first in angelic form and now in human form, and she realizes she is meant to save Zane, this time. As she gives him CPR, his body sputters back to life, opening his eyes to look into hers, almost as if he can see into her soul; guardian angel.

He's crazy, she thinks, he's trying to kill himself. Zane assures her that he's not crazy, just living life full out, the way it was meant to be. There are two kinds of people in the world, the doers and the thinkers. Zane is definitely a doer, he plans each stunt in detail for the best possible outcome, to walk away alive. Rosemary has serious doubts about his planning process, but begins to see life the way Zane does. When she talks to her boss, St. Peter (bar owner extraordinaire), he tells her that maybe Zane isn't the only soul that needs saving, to search her humanity for the answers her heart and soul desire.

Rosemary is like a newborn being born into an adult life. She knows about life, but has never actually lived it. Now, it's time for her to live. For once, she's not the guide, but the guided. Zane is her guide, a guide to living life to it's fullest. As Rosemary and Zane grow closer, the next natural step in their relationship must occur; Rosemary needs to feel Zane's life breathing through her body. Rosemary has to trust Zane enough to love him and to be loved; and Zane must give her that piece that is missing from both of their lives, love. Zane is dying, as we all are, and no one or thing can save him, not even his guardian angel, Rosemary. Now Rosemary has something else to worry her. Trey, an angel of darkness has joined Zane's airshow and he also wants to guide Zane's soul. But to a different dimension, one of darkness and destruction.

The Angel and The Hellraiser by Vickie Taylor was a beautiful story of life and love. I was in love with Zane's robust, feisty nature after the first page. He meets life head on, no holds barred. Zane is a hero who at first blush, looks like he might be tired of life, but in reality, it's just the opposite. He lives life to the fullest because he never knows when it's going to end. He doesn't want to miss a moment. Rosemary, the angel of death, has been an angel for so long that she has forgotten what life is about. She doesn't understand Zane's zest for life. The angelic plane is so much better in so many ways. She has lost the ability to feel, to live and breathe, and has forgotten the pleasure that a simple sunset or sunrise can bring. This is what Zane has to teach Rosemary in what time he has left. Rosemary needs to learn how to love another being. She is a heroine that needs to learn what life can only teach, how to live, she needs to learn to fight for what her heart desires. She has an unique scrappiness that holds Zane's fiery attention, and she doesn't let go. She is given a chance to help Zane and herself find true love, maybe the only love of their lives. I have to say that I cried through the last two chapters of this novella. I cried for Zane's life and the Rosemary's loss, my heart breaking for their time together and apart. It was one of the best short stories I have ever read. I highly recommend this novella for readers who love romance and full throttle living. I picked up this novel on the recommendation of Vickie Taylor, she thought I might like it. She was wrong, I loved it. For more information about all of Vickie Taylor great books, please visit her website. She's been away from writing for a while, but she's back now full time. The third book of her Les Gargouillen (Gargoyles) Series is in production and The Doctor's Watch, a Silhouette Romantic Suspense, will be released in January 2010 (start looking for it around the end of December).

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Reviewette: Demon's Delight --- The Demon's Angel --- by Emma Holly

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 159 - 239

From the Cover: A beautiful scientist in the realm of the Demon World falls in love with a human male she has experienced on.....and is changed forever.....

The humans live a life of drudgery, the Demon's a life of luxury....does this seem fair?

Dr. Khira Forette's one of the genius scientific geneticists in the Demon World. If only the Emperor can see it her way. She could help demons far and wide.

Harry Wirth, the King of Costermongers (Victorian street vendor), has lived a hard life from an orphanage to life on the street to the comfortable home he has struggle to make, but for what, he shares it with no one, has no one at home.

Khira has worked her entire demonic life to prove she the best geneticists and now her dreams have come true. Although she abhors the idea, she must kidnap a healthy strong human male to complete her research.

Harry sits alone in the bar, when he sees a beautiful demon come through the door. How does he know it's a demon? The light shimmers on her silver metallic eyes, Yama demon is he remembers his days on the streets. And she's looking right at him, as he stands, puffing his chest, his driving manly force barely contained. Suddenly, she leaves, Harry feels let down. Human society is far less advanced than that of the demon, and she apparently wasn't looking for a human tonight.

As Harry leaves the bar, two military class demons attack him, kidnap him, drug him with some weird demonic agent causing him to be paralyzed, that is with the exception his throbbing member which has reacted strongly to the demonic pheromones. He is transported by train and flying ship to a hidden mountain top lab.

At the lab, Khira begins her dreaded work. She's trying to enhance the genetic code, rewire the DNA to make it better and fix any anomalies she finds. But the price of experimenting on Harry is physical contact, skin on skin. Little does Harry know that human energy is an aphrodisiac to the demon body. Soon, Harry and Khira are connecting in ways that blows both of their minds.

Khira begins her experiments only to find Harry is resistant to her attempts. As she releases Harry, she realizes that she has become addicted to the energy force his body emits. Harry admits he just as addict to her. She thinks, just one night of madness, then her head will be clear. As Harry and Khira come together with the force of a small hurricane, Harry relaxes enough for Khira's experiments to take effect. Soon, he's floating off the ground with his very own angel wings.

Khira realizes that this development may cost Harry his life, if not hers. She must hide him, help him to escape. But where will they go? What will they do? Who can she trust?

The Demon's Angel by Emma Holly was an incredibly fast read. It brings together the feel of Victorian England and the advanced culture of a demon society. It's full of hot sex, hotter bodies, and love between a demon and a human. Khira has always felt that she unworthy of the demon class. She's smart, thoughtful, and kind to Harry in the only way she can. She's a heroine who's afraid to love and be loved in return. Afraid of the rejection she has seen in the eyes of others. Harry is a hard as nails man, a hero to be reckoned with; he's used to people following his orders. But he's lonely, he's tired of living just to make money. There has to be more to life than what he's been living. When the sexy demon captures him body and then soul, there is little he can do to stop himself. He wants her in the most primitive way, and come hell or high water, he will have her. Emma Holly is another new author for me, her stories are chocked full of erotic love scenes. I highly recommend this novella for adults because they are mega hot and extra steamy. Definitely not for the faint of heart. If you'd like for information about the steamy novels by Emma Holly, please check out her website. It's definitely an adult only site.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Reviewette: Demon's Delight Anthology --- Street Corner and Halos by Catherine Spangler

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 65 - 158

From the Cover: Meet Rachel, hooker and vampire, plying both trades after hours until she meets Gabriel on the night shift. He's an angelic emissary on a mission to prove Rachel still has a soul. and to save it, But she offers him a mortal temptation he never suspects......

Rachel is a lost soul...turned by a Nazi vampire rapist while she watched her family die at Dachau. She suffered through a different death, an immortal one. She only wishes she could have joined them instead of losing her immortal soul or at least that's what she believes.....

Rachel is a vampire hooker who never actually performs the deed. Her specialty is slipping into the mind of her prey and giving them the best sexual fantasy they've ever had. Only when they have reached the height of pleasure does she take what she needs, blood. She has a nice little condo, a nice little car, and a nice little life with no temptations. She doesn't get close to anybody or thing, there's less disappointment that way. She never has to watch anyone die ever again.

One night, a well dress man walks into her undead life. Gabriel is on an angelic mission to save her and her soul. She tries to glamor him, but he is unaffected and he tells her the only way to get rid of him is to spend seven nights with him, one week. Though her glamor doesn't work on him, his power of compulsion works on her. Soon, she finds herself agreeing to one week worth of 'dates'.

As Rachel and Gabe get to know each other, he takes her shopping, to plays, concerts, and to a children hospital to see what she's missing. They grow closer, and before Gabe knows what's hit him; he desires Rachel for more than her soul. Rachel is afraid to let anyone in. Though she wants Gabe as much as Gabe wants her, since being raped, she's had sex with no one. Nada. That's why mind sex with her prey is her specialty. As Rachel tries to slip into Gabe's mind, he pushes her away. She needs to make to choice: have a real life with a real relationship or go on her immortal way. But will Gabe to there or will he slip away as an angel might have to do.

Rachel runs. Does she want to spend eternity alone? No. She has to learn to trust, but that may be impossible. Now that she's had a taste of a real life, can she go back to her safe undead world? Gabe can save her and let her enter the sunlight she has forgotten by saving her soul. Can she take what is offered, his very life's blood? Or is she too late to even try.

Street Corners and Halos by Catherine Spangler was another fast fun read. This also introduces a new author to me as well. Rachel is a vulnerable heroine who grew up in a Nazi concentration camp at the height of World War II. She trusts no one, not even the little cat, Gertie, that she found by the dumpster who she feeds every night, but vows to quit the next. She's so lost that she can no longer find her way and she doesn't really care. She as happy as an undead person can be. Gabriel is a strong hero who knows he can save her if she'll only let him. He pushes Rachel to her breaking point and then pushes a little harder. He likes the finer things in life and he considers Rachel one of the best things in life, if only she'll learn to share herself with those who want to love her. The odds are against Gabe, but he never gives up. This was such a sweet story and I fell in love with these two characters. Rachel is hurt almost beyond repair, but Gabe has the heavenly body to get the job done. A great little read. It reminds me about what's important in life, you're not really alive unless you live. Visit Ms. Spangler's site for more information about her books. She has a new book, Touched by Light to be released in June, 2009.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Contest -- Nauti Dreams -- Lora Leigh

Hi Everyone! Thought I'd do a little cleaning up. And I came across a book or two that I have more than one copy of....so I thought I offer it up as a contest.

The book I'm offering is Nauti Dreams by Lora Leigh.



"When I'm in the mood for steamy romance, I read Lora Leigh," raves Angela Knight.

From the cover: Years ago, Natches Mackay separated himself from his family, except for the two cousins who gave him the only family he’d ever known. Now, he’s being dragged back into his father’s life in a way that could destroy him and the only woman he’s ever felt a spark for . . .

Government agent Chaya Dane has fought to put her past behind her – until a mission in Somerset, Kentucky, puts Natches back in her dreams. He makes her forget about a dark past that still haunts her. He makes her feel that she deserves something she has never known – happiness in the arms of a man who loves her. But Natches has his own dark shadows – those cast by his father, who has fallen under suspicion in the theft of government missiles – and they could cost Chaya more than she ever imagined.

It is rather a tasty little contemporary romance, the 3rd in Lora Leigh's Nauti Series. Great fun and steamy romance.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here for one entry. Post this contest anywhere on your blog, tweet, facebook, or myspace, another entry. Leave a separate comment for each entry. Contest will remain open until Friday, May 22, 2009, but all entries for this contest will have to be left on this post. Leave your email address (if you're not on blogger) so I can contact the winner! Open to all.

To entice you more, I found the book trailer for Nauti Dreams.



Good Luck!!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Reviewette: Demon's Delight --- Witch Way by Mary Janice Davidson

Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 1 - 63

From the Cover: Can a witch and a witch-hunter find common ground ..... without killing each other first.....

Image being told your whole life that you're going to die at thirty...at the hands of your mortal enemy...that you're a witch to be killed by a witch-hunter.

Image that you have been trained your entire life to defend yourself...against an unknown enemy...and being told on your twenty-first birthday...that you have two years to live...two years until you must take a life to save humanity from the greatest evil ever known...

It's Rhea Goodman's twenty-first birthday and Flower and Power (Stephanie and Bob a.k.a. Mom and Dad) want to talk her. What have they done now? Robbed a bank? Protested animal cruelty? Whatever it is, she's sure she can fix it. But, not this time, this time they tell her that she is destine to fight a great evil, all the target practice they have forced their children to learn has been in preparation for the fight of her life.

Chris de Mere can smell a demon, literally smell it, they stink. He follows his nose and dispatches yet another evil dude. Does he get a thanks? No. And he still has to worry about the Goodman that's going to kill him. He's been going to every Goodman he can find to try to avoid being killed on his thirtieth birthday. Well, Boston's next on the list, maybe this will be his lucky city; Massachusetts is where the Salem witch trials were held.

When Chris pulls up at Rhea's family home, he is told to go away, Rhea has two more years to learn to kill him. They don't know is neither has to die if they come to an agreement.

The legend say that the curse can only be broken when the witch shares their greatest power with the hunter, and vice verse. A Goodman has to trust a De Mere, will that ever happen? When Power near kills Chris by running him over while Chris and Rhea tussling on the ground, Rhea has an epiphany! But Chris takes off before she can share what might be their only chance. Maybe the curse can be broken, now to find Chris.

Chris is back to hunting the demons stalking women around town. He wants to believe that the curse will be broken, because he really doesn't want to die. As he comes upon the demon pair, Rhea finds him. As they kill the demon duo and Rhea tells him her big plan. She teaches him to rhyme, and he doesn't kill her; and together, they make a baby. Curse broken, problem solved. Right? Well, at least no one has to die....

In Witch Way, Mary Janice Davidson comes through again. She writes an engaging little tale that you're sure is going to end in a dastardly deed. But, she turns the table and leaves it upside down. Rhea is a sweetie, who will do anything to protect her mom and dad and the various other ankle biters better known as her siblings. She's strong like all MJD's heroines, speaks her mind, and doesn't take any sh** from anyone, not even when it comes wrapped up in a cute little package by the name of Chris De Mere. Chris is a good guy who has been portrayed as the evil doer, when he's nothing of the sort. Well, there is this little voice in his head that keeps telling him to be evil, but he doesn't listen to it (at least not often, and he tells it to shut up all the time). When Rhea and Chris come together, sparks fly in more ways than one. Witch Way was a quick little read that was just a lot of fun. Demon's Delight is a great anthology from a group of talented writers that give a new meaning to the words angels and demons. I recommend this book to the reader who wants to take a sweet little break and have a blast. Literally, that Chris can cast a wicked spell, if only he could rhyme.

MJD - I hope you're feeling better, rest up!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 314

From the Cover: Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos can't find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is squirreled away to his family's estate to recover. Vampires don't exist in this day and age — or do they? As Milagro falls for a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family who has accepted her as one of their own and a shady organization that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.

Milagro De Los Santos is your average everyday young female American trying to survive in a male dominated world. She did everything right. She went to the big Fancy University, she had a sweet boyfriend, she went to all right parties... so why isn't she taken seriously. She wrote novels about political issues and substituting zombies for the nasties. Sebastian has had no trouble getting his insipid book published. She went to F.U. too, so what's the problem? Who doesn't like politics and zombies? Apparently, the agents and publishers didn't.

Milagro makes money doing odd jobs, even though her parents are well to do. Her mother, Regina, convinced her father that her next face lift was more important than a Master's Degree. Milagro is a personal reader, works in a nursery, and does other menial jobs to keep her crummy basement apartment which she thinks is rat infested.

Then, one evening at a reading of her ex-boyfriend Sebastian Beckett-Witherspoon's new book whom she hates with the fire of a hundred suns; she happens to meet a strange man. He's wearing an old fashioned suit, but wears really well, she notices. In fact, she notices, he's really kind of fabulous looking. When this strange man approaches Milagro, she's a little frightened. He seems to draw her to him, capturing her attention.

When he introduces himself as Oswald and asks her back to his hotel to talk about publishing, at first she wants to refuse, but as she gazes into his eyes, she finds herself agreeing. What's wrong with her? When Beckett-Witherspoon tries to chase her down, they rush to leave. But at the hotel, it seems that Oswald only wants to talk about Beckett-Witherspoon, so she offers Sebastian's phone number and wants to leave. As Oswald reaches out to stop her, they trip and fall on top of each other. A drop of red blood oozes from Oswald's lip as Milagro realizes she wants nothing more than to kiss that bloodied lip, and she does but, her lip is bitten as well.

That night, Milagro becomes ill, it's the flu, she thinks. She's worse the second night, and the night after. But, then she starts to feel better, her hearing is better and her vision has gotten better, she no longer needs her contacts. But the cravings she's having are really weird. She decides to talk to her friend and nightclub owner, Mercedes, but Sebastian is waiting outside for her, professing his long lost love; offering dinner and ride in his limo. She decides she can afford him a second chance, but Sebastian has other devious plans and tries to kidnap her instead, showing how much he actually loathes her. He has joined CA-CA and his organization works to eliminate vampires. Okay, so Sebastian has lost his marbles, vampires don't exist....or do they? She must save herself from Sebastian and the evil CA-CA if she is to survive.

Gabriel, Oswald's cousin saves her and takes her away to the family's country estate. There, she meets Oswald's fiance, Winnie, who is cold, but who can blame her...Milagro was swapping smooches with Oswald and now she has been infected with a rare blood disorder causing her to have weird cravings for the red fluid. Oswald's grandmother, Edna, who's as prickly as a catcus, has no love for Milagro, or so she thinks. Sam, Oswald's other cousin, is sweet to Milagro and tries see to her needs, but does he want something? What will she do? Who can she trust?

Happy Hour At Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta is a fun filled laugh riot. Milagro is always taken by the next mess that turns out to be her life. She just can't get ahead no matter what she tries. You never know what's going to happen, except that she's attracted to Oswald, but knows he's engaged to someone else. That puts him into the creep column for asking her to his hotel, she doesn't usually do things like that. She needs to be taken seriously, trying to channel great thinkers to help in the writing process. Unfortunately, beach reads are all she attracts. In the meantime, Oswald and his family is trying to foil the evil CA-CA and he needs to find out what she knows about Sebastian and his organization. Milagro is a vulnerable heroine who has never know the love of her family. She learns gardening from one of father's employees, even though her father has a huge landscaping business. The person she loved the most, her abuelita - her small grandmother, was killed in a car accident. Her grandmother was totally devoted to Milagro, she goes from having love to having nothing. Her mother, Regina, only loves Regina and what money can buy for her. Her father only loves making money and her mother, Regina. Oswald is a misunderstood hero who wants one thing from life, to be happy. He isn't happy with Winnie, but their DNA is a perfect match. Too bad they can't stay to touch each other. The one thing he wants is Milagro, his beautiful young spicy love. I loved this book, I started laughing on page one and didn't quit until the last page was turned. There were times when I felt Milagro's pain of a loveless life and a hopeless future, but she never lets it get her down for long and she wins in the end. If you want to read a book with a fresh look and feel, and all about a very rare blood disorder (vampirism), then Happy Hour At Casa Dracula is for you. I highly recommend this book for those who want a fast fun filled look at the life of a girl who does everything right, attends F.U., works hard, and writes about issues important to her, but life keeps throwing her for a loop. For more information about Marta Acosta's other great books please see her website or her blog. Both are fun and interesting.

Here's a peek at the book trailer Marta Acosta made, it shows the story so well. The music was deleted, but my son added some......he's a big Tenacious D fan.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A Bad Day In Illinois and Internet Drops

Hi Everyone!

This is how I spent my day!



I wanted to, but I didn't!

I feel ever so slightly prehistoric!



I thought about turning the T-Rex on to the cable company.

I didn't.

The cable repair guy and I got to know each other.



Think I can trust him? ..... No? ..... Me neither. ....... Though he did promise no more outages today.

Surely tomorrow will be a better day for internet cable connection.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Barbara's Beautiful Happily Forever After and Lea's Lovey Clostewriter

My sweet friend Barbara over at Happily Forever After is having a contest! It's for Her Ladyship's Companion by Evangeline Collins and it sounds great!



Here's the scope on the contest from Barbara's very own post!

First, let me give you the contest details...

Grand Prize Winner will receive:
$50 Gift Card to your choice of either Amazon.com or Victoria's Secret.com
A gift set from Bath & Bodyworks
A copy of Her Ladyship's Companion by Evangeline Collins
as well as a lovely jeweled book thong to match

Runner Up will receive:
A copy of Her Ladyship's Companion by Evangeline Collins
as well as a lovely jeweled book thong to match

Contest Rules:
To be entered, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.

If you happen to post about this contest and let me know with your comment, you will be entered in to the drawing twice.

This contest is open to all and will run through Saturday, May 16th. The winners will be chosen at random and announced Monday, May 18th.

Now isn't she just the sweetest thing ever and it's her one hundred fiftieth post!!

So everyone stop over at Happily Forever After and give Barbara a big (((hug)))!

Now, I couldn't mention Barbara without mentioning Lea!!!

My other sweetie friend, Lea, who just had the fabulous Daring Time giveaway is starting a new contest this WEEK!
Lea at Closetwriter is having one heck of sweet contest! She's giving away a bunch more books!! It's a Devin Quinn giveaway of Man After Midnight (3 copies!) and Dangerous Times (3 copies!) - five winners in all!




Here's all the info from Lea at Closetwriter own blog!!

Devyn has been EXTREMELY GENEROUS and I have 6 books to give away each day for the next 4 days (Monday through Thursday). There will be 3 "Man After Midnight", by Devyn Quinn, and 3 "Dangerous Ties", an anthology by Devyn Quinn, Jodi Lynn Copeland and Anya Howard won by 5 lucky winners. Look for the DAILY posts at approximately 7:00 am EST.

The Grand Prize Winner #1, will receive a copy of "Man After Midnight", AND a copy of "Dangerous Ties".

Winner #2 and #3 will have their choice of either book.

Winner #4 and #5 will receive one of the remaining books.

**PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT EVERY DAY TO BE ENTERED! NO COMMENT NO ENTRY!**

Today's Contest is open to folks living in the USA and Canada only. However, tomorrow Tuesday May 12, 2009, the contest will be open to EVERYONE, including those of you who live over the big pond.

So hurry over to enter. Check out Barbara's Beautiful Happily Forever After where dreams came on true and the prizes are sweet, and Lea's Lovely Closetwriter where the posts are hot and the prizes are hotter!(check out that book trailer and you'll know what I mean about hot, the eyes are poppin', there's smoke everywhere!)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day Wishes

To All Moms

To all the moms both wide and far,
to those of you who wish upon a star,
To all the moms who never who will never hear,
the thanks you need and we hold you dear!

Happy Mother's Day Ladies!!




I found these cute little videos online, they are too cute; I know that they're just an advertisement for flat earth chips, but they're hilarious!!!




We've all been there and done that.





I've actually done this.




To Mom, who I love with all of my heart (and Tink's as well), Happy Mother's Day!!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The Messenger by Jan Burke

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
Pages: 320

From the Cover: Beneath the Caribbean Sea, a salvage diver hears an eerie voice calling to him from the wreckage of a nineteenth-century ship. In return for promised riches, the diver becomes the servant of Adrian deVille, Lord Varre, the creature who has called to him. It's a bargain the diver will come to regret. Varre enlists him in a hunt for a man named Tyler Hawthorne.

Ten years later, in a canyon in the foothills above Los Angeles, Amanda Clarke has become curious about her new neighbor, Tyler Hawthorne. He's not home much, but others tell her that her new neighbor is about her age -- twenty-four. He's also wealthy, handsome, and single.

Amanda soon suspects that another description can be added to the list of Tyler's attributes: con artist. When Tyler shows up at the hospice room of her friend Ron and tells the dying man he'll live, Amanda angrily resents Tyler for giving Ron false hope.

Until Ron begins to recover.....

Captain Tyler Hawthorne lies dying in the mud under his horse in the battle against Napoleon at Waterloo. He's dying, he can distantly feel his injuries when an unknown stranger asks him if he wants to live to fight another day. Tyler doesn't know how he answered the stranger, but YES, he wants to live. There will be costs, the stranger tells Tyler, costs that cannot be paid with money. Do you still want to live? YES, Tyler thinks, I want to live.

Placing a ring upon Tyler's finger, the stranger, Lord Varre who gives Tyler an uneasy feeling of something close to evil, leaves Tyler with instructions on retrieving funds from his agent to help him with his new existence. Shade, Lord Varre's large black dog, chooses to remain with Tyler. Shade is a cemetery dog....

Almost immediately, Tyler feels stronger, feels his grievous wounds begin to heal, and starts hearing the voices of others round him. But those around him are the dead or dying. What is happening to Tyler? As Tyler begins to recover, he feels himself drawn to those who are near death. The dying are asking Tyler to deliver messages to family members. As the last wishes of the dying, Tyler cannot refuse to complete these tasks. Tyler's new existence in life is that of the messenger.

Present day: Amanda has seen Tyler lurking around the hospice. Comforting patients, but what she cannot tolerate is him giving hope to Ron. Ron has been dying of leukemia all these long years. And, Tyler has surely swindled Ron's grandfather, Derek, into selling him Derek's family home. It was kind of Tyler to tell Ron that it was still his home, not that Ron will ever get to enjoy it.

As Tyler walks Shade around the cemetery near his home, he receives a call from the hospice, his services are needed again. After he helps the husband of a dying patient, he checks in on Ron to find Amanda sitting with Ron. She is furious with Tyler for giving false hope. How could this handsome stranger harm Ron is this way. Tyler assures her he is not giving false hope, but he cannot explain, who could tell someone else that the dying have told him it is not Ron's time to die?

On another front, Lord Varre is trying to regenerate from his own grievous wounds incurred centuries ago after one of his ancestors tried to kill him, but Varre is too hard to kill. He is not a normal human with a fragile existence, like Tyler, he is almost immortal. Now, he needs to revive and retrieve that he has given Tyler, his immortality. Many will have to suffer Lord Varre's wrath for the unspeakable act committed against him. Lord Varre will see to it that those who have wronged him received the ultimate punishment...revenge against those who are his own descendants as well.....but he has killed before.....

The Messenger by Jan Burke is another new author for me. It was an enticing story that dealt with ghosts, magic, and immortality. Cemetery dogs to help messengers bring relief for the suffering of those left behind by the dying. It has action/adventure for the adventurous. It has mystery and mayhem for the mystery lovers. It is a contemporary paranormal romance for lovers of romance, with the banter between Tyler and Amanda, and the attraction that is inevitable after Tyler's lonely long existence. Tyler questions his right to have Amanda, cursed as he is with eternal life. She's afraid of dogs, and Shade has and will remain with Tyler for the rest of his unnatural existence. But she is so beautiful and challenging with her quick mind and the ability to accept what others would find unacceptable, making her the forbidden fruit that his body desires. How can he curse her with his love, only to watch her die as he continues to live. Can he watch another loved one perish, look on as she dies leaving him to continue his existence? All these questions and more are answered in The Messenger. This book was a relatively quick read of pure fantasy. If fantasy is your cup of tea, The Messenger will be an appealing book. I enjoyed it immensely wanting the story to continue. For more information about Jan Burke's book, please visit her website.

Since there wasn't a book trailer for The Messenger, I'm adding the trailer for one of my favorite TV shows........The Ghost Whisperer.......Same basic concepts, different sex.



I love watching The Ghost Whisperer.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 544

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
From the Cover: When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn't realize is that the closer she gets to his, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be to late to turn back...

Bella Swan has spent two weeks every summer in Forks, Washington, that is until her fourteenth summer when she rebelled against the whole wet cool summer thing without the Phoenix sun. California was the location of choice from that point on where her father Charlie would vacation. But now, at seventeen, Bella must make the choice to live with Charlie in Forks. Her mother, Renee has remarried and her step-father, Phil, has a chance at a minor league baseball contract in Jacksonville, Florida, almost 1800 miles from her beloved Phoenix. As Bella breathes in her last warm dry air, she already misses Phoenix, her home.

Charlie has a surprise as they reach the small house where Charlie and Renee once lived together. Knowing Bella will need transportation, an old red truck waits for her. In Phoenix, Bella went unnoticed in a crowd, but in Forks, Bella's beauty stands out in the small school. Suddenly boys notice her much to her embarrassment. But the only ones that catches Bella's attention is the table of kids that keeps to themselves, all stunningly beautiful, the Cullens. One Cullen in particular, Edward Cullen, is really eye worthy. Unfortunately, the Cullens don't socialize outside of their family. And such an odd family, all adopted by Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen, and rarely seen apart, Rosalie and Emmett, Alice and Jasper, and Edward, always alone. The one time Edward does notice Bella in Biology is with a look of disgust, maybe an unpleasant odor surrounded her that day.

After that, Edward is mysteriously absent from school, but upon his return, he seems to be a different person. Suddenly he is speaking to Bella, watching her. He saves her when Tyler's van almost crushes her body into the side of her truck, how did move so fast? And why is he denying it? Another odd thing, he keeps telling her it would be better to not be friends, but continues to occupy her time and her thoughts.

Charlie's best friend, Billy Black along with son Jacob, come into Forks for a visit. Jacob remembers Bella from the summers and time at the res. When Bella and friends head to the res beach, La Push, Jacob tells her the story of the Cold Ones - vampires, the Cullens, and the men who can shift into wolves, his people - the Quileutes - the Protectors, descendants of the wolf. Which gets Bella to consider the story and the Cullens...why is Edward so cold to the touch?

When Bella confronts Edward, he admits that he is vampire, a monster. Carlisle found Edward dying of influenza in 1918, and turned him. Then came Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett - all victims of what would have been early death. Alice and Jasper found the Cullen coven and they became a family. Edward, Alice, and Jasper all have special abilities that vampirism has enhanced. Edward can read thoughts. Alice sees the future, but the future can always change. Jasper's aura can have a calming effect on the most disturbed crowd. But Bella's thoughts are a mystery to Edward, she's a blank page, most refreshing and very irritating. Bella should be afraid, but she isn't, she's enthralled. Soon she finds out why Edward is always absent on sunny days, his skin glows like a million diamonds stars all twinkling at once. So beautiful, so hard not to touch. As Edward desensitizes himself to Bella's enchantingly delicious aroma, he is able to touch her, fluttering her heart with the need to be closer, to press lips firmly and frantically together.

Bella and Edward spend so much time together that soon they cannot bear to be apart, they have become an addicting force for each other. When the family plans a baseball outing, Edward brings Bella. Baseball can only be played during thunder storms to hide the wondrous smashing of the baseball against the bat of the vampire players. But suddenly Alice sees the future changing, a group of vampires is approaching and one of them is a tracker. Laurent, James, and Victoria come upon the Cullens wanting to join in their game, baseball is loved by all, even vampires. But when James picks up Bella's enticing scent, the Cullens go into protective mode; further enraging James who must have the deletable dish the Cullens are protecting. There is only thing way Bella can do, run as fast and as far as she can and hope the Cullens get him before he gets her.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is a fascinating look at a world of vegetarian vampirism and bring vampires into a new light. Vegetarian because the vampires no longer prey on humans; the only prey these vampires hunt is the four legged variety. Emmett's favorite is bear, Edward's mountain lion; the prey animals becomes the prey, and there's a new prey animal at the top of the food chain - vampire. The wonderfully attractive vampires are the ultimate hunter; they exude pheromones that entice humans, superior strength, sight, hearing, and sense of smell. Bella is helpless as the heroine attracted to the vampire. As she breathes in Edward's scent, it sends her senses tingling as no other has before. Edward is the dark hero; thinking of himself as the monster; trapped forever in an existence that he no longer wants. To Bella, he is like the most mouth watering candy there is. But, Bella has the same effect on Edward, something that's never happened to him before; something that's been missing from his long lonely existence, love. In all of Edward's one hundred years, no one has stirred his heart, crept into his thoughts, and tangled his imagination as Bella has, and it just may save his life. Twilight is the best in YA, entertaining and a winning story. Currently, there are four books in the Twilight Saga, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. If you check Ms. Meyer's website, a partial draft on Midnight Sun (Edward's story) is available for your perusal. It is a fun take on Edward's point of view, and well worth the time it takes to read. Visit Ms. Meyer's website for more information on all her great books and stories. I literal could not put this book down; even when I wasn't reading it, it held my thoughts. I feel to caught all of the nuances going on in the book, a second reading is not a bad thing. Although this is categorized as a YA book, I highly recommend this book to the young and old alike. It was excellently entertaining.



Twilight the Movie Starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Running Time: 121 minutes



The Twilight movie has several difference from the book. Most of them are fill ins to make the story more appealing to a viewer, where the book lets the reader's imagination wander. There is little background information given about the Cullens, only Edward and Emse stories are brushed upon; Carlisle's, Rosalie's, and Emmett's stories are left out entirely as is any mention of the Volturi. Jasper's calming ability is never mention. Maybe these storylines will be brought forward as background information in the movies yet to come. One of the most powerful lines in the movie is the reference to the lion and lamb. Edward say "And the lion fell in love with the lamb." If you haven't read the book, the reference looses some of it's meaning because you'll never know Edward's favorite thing to hunt is mountain lion. He wants the challenge and danger of the lion, but in Bella's case, he'll settle for the sweetness of the lamb. There are dramatic differences in the movie as well. In the book, Edward never invites Bella over for dinner; she does go to his home to meet his family where she's learns their stories including Carlisle's time with the Volturi. Bella confronts Edward on the mountain in the movie about his vampirism, which is not portrayed in the book. There are other differences as well, but I guess only a purist would continue to point them out. It is a decent showing of the Stephenie Meyer's novel and very entertaining, a worthy watch for all Twilight fans.

Here's a peek at the Twilight Movie trailer from October 2008.



I love this song from the movie soundtrack written by Carter Burwell, Bella's Lullaby. Robert Pattinson was supposed to write it, but he was unhappy with the finished piece. He does play the song and has other songs on the soundtrack. A multi-talented attractive young man, what more could you ask for?

The second book is the series New Moon will be coming to theaters soon with a release date of November 20, 2009. I, for one, can hardly wait even though I know it will never match the book.



Here's a peek at the stunning official poster releases.







And fan made posters that can be found on fanpop.




And a peek at a fanmade (emruking) trailer for New Moon. There's another attached to this one that is way cool as well.


If the actual trailer is as good, then sell me a freaking ticket!!


The only official trailer I could find, don't know if it's the real deal or not.

The third movie, Eclipse, is due to be released June 30, 2010.


The Twilight Saga ----- Will it continue? There is talk that the story line isn't complete, and Breaking Dawn did leave wiggle room ----- what do you think?

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