Saint Valentine's Clash by Raven Corinn Carluk

Publisher:  Raven Corinn Carluk /  Smashwords
Pages:  320

(Release Date:  February 13, 2011)

 

From the Cover:

Her powers are growing, her depressions are gone, and Keila is doing what she does best; helping those who need her. The young psionicist has her life back on track thanks to her considerate vampire lover and close friends that love her.

Varick is out of town, and Keila keeps herself busy to avoid any longing. Simy is suffering flashbacks from childhood, Giovanni says kids are going missing, and a strange presence is affecting Portland. More than enough for a young woman to juggle and solve, keeping herself happy.

Events culminate quickly; Simy is kidnapped, a sex cult is enthralling people, and an enticing incubus becomes her ward. Suddenly, it's a race against time with an enemy from her past.

Keila must face her greatest challenge, alone, and prove to the world just how deadly capable she is.

While Varick is away on business, Keila finds herself in demand. She has finally come to understand that she is strong enough to stand on her own. Since the death of her parents, she's been a little lost. With Varick's help, and steady pushing, she's glorying her own abilities, and they're many and varied, and growing everyday. And she's found out something else about herself, without her vampire lover at her beckon call, she's becoming more like the vampire, in her thoughts and her needs, maybe even becoming a little bit of a vampire herself.

Simy, Keila's best friend, has been summoned back to New Zealand. But, when she drops him at the airport, he's kidnapped by a distant relative, a sex mage. It turns out, though Keila or Simy can't remember anything about what happened before, this is the same mage that kidnapped Simy and his sister. It's also the last thing Keila's father did before his death, freeing Simy from the very same sex mage. Now, it's up to Keila to find her friend and set him free.

While the airport and before she knows about Simy, she discovers another man, a gentle Japanese man, being forced into a van by other stronger men. It goes against her family creed not to try to help the weaker when possible. She frees the man, Kiyoshi, only to find out, he is one of the sex's mages underlings. Moira bound a demon to his soul, turning into an incubus and immortal. His abilities are to soothe, calm, use others with his sexuality. To get Simy back, Keila will need his help.

Also, Giovanni, since losing his daughter, Charlotte, has left the vampire's employment and he's now running a shelter for teens. Trying to give back and help other teens as he wasn't able to help Charlotte. When teens go missing, Keila thinks she knows where they are, and it all comes back to the sex mage, Moira. And there's more going on than Keila is even aware of.

When Varick calls Keila to see if she'd like him to return, in need of his help, she refuses. She needs to try to do for herself.

Saint Valentine's Clash by Raven Corinn Carluk is the second installment of her Keila O'Brion, Psioinic Warrior series. In this installment, we find Keila on her own, her German vampire lover, Varick Eitenhauer, out of town on business. Simy has been called back to New Zealand, but it's all a ruse to get him back into the evil clutches of Moira, ancient sex mage and distant relative. Without her vampire, Keila has to depend on herself, use her wits and cunning along with her powerful abilities to find and free Simy.  Moira, sex mage and wicked witch, has intruded once more into Keila's life and is daunting her with facts she doesn't remember, the reason for her father's death. Keila is also, with the help of the vampire's networking abilities, being called to help with preternatural problems. A private investigator, Cliff, calls about an odd book left in his care. He gives Keila the ancient book.... covered in something besides leather... and there's something about the book, something unclean... (there's more story to tell here, so there's hope for a three book for this series). Keila is the same gothic tongue-studded character from All Hallows Blood, Book 1 (Crescent Moon Press) who uses her abilities for good. She refers to herself a sociopathic, but I prefer "emotionally divergent" (she may exhibit some antisocial behaviors by not conforming to the societal norms, but she is engaged and she helps those who need her). It is through her emotional divergence that she's able to stay calm in extreme situations, not minding a little blood shed.

Saint Valentine's Clash is an excellent follow up to All Hallow's Blood, though I would have enjoyed seeing more of the vampire, Varick Eitenhauer. He was a strong character in the last book, and I missed his presence in this book, other than phone calls and dreams. But, Keila becomes more focused, a stronger character without the vampire taking care of her needs, letting her grow and come into her own. There is less romance in this book than the first, with the vampire out of town, but the introduction of Kiyoshi and his growth in the story, helps fill out the missing pieces. Though Saint Valentine's Clash is Book 2, it is easily read as a stand alone. Raven Corinn Carluk also wrote a flash fiction with Keila and Varick on her website, it's definitely worth a peek too. This is a book that all urban fantasy lovers will want to take a look at. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

I received this ebook for review from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

All Hallows Blood by Raven Corinn Carluk

Publisher:  Crescent Moon Press
Pages:  230

From the Cover:

Mourning her mother on Halloween, Keila O'Broin, a psychic warrior and last of her line, isn't prepared for dead teenagers to ask her to avenge them. Compelled by her family creed, Keila combats the vampiric serial killer, despite her atrophied powers.

But defeating one killer is only the start of her adventure. Into her life walks Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old undead master of Portland. The vampire tells her she will now help him defeat his rivals in a battle to control the city, and he will accept no refusals.

Surrounded by her desire and danger, the only way to succeed is to rise from her past like a phoenix from its ashes.

Keila first loses her father, and then a short time later, her mother is taken, both battling against the evil that exists in the world.  It's part of her family motto, help those in need.  But, she's forgotten all that in her grief for her mother.  That is until a small group of spirits contact her, begging her to save another and destroy their murderer.  She's out of shape mentally, not using her skills, and though working out to help relieve her grief, she hasn't been honing her skills physically either.  She gives in and agrees, she can't ignore a cry for help.  But it brings her face to face with vampires, one wanting her help, one demanding her life.

The murderer turns out to a newly made vampire, invading the territory of Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old master vampire.  Keila agrees to help him in his bid to find his nemesis, but there's something else she feels in the core of her self, she needs to help this vampire, keep him safe, because he pulls at her soul.

All Hallows Blood by Raven Corinn Carluk is an engaging, new telling for the story of vampires and psioinic warriors, as well as a love story.  Keila is a gothically romantic character, one complete with tongue stud, and she has lost a lot in her young life, it seems all those who touch her life end up dying.  Her life is a little dark and gritty, not everything is sunshine and roses, she's lived in the dark of her grief for too long.  Keila is lost in her grief, almost to the point of taking over her life, until she can see passed it.  She won't, can't let the same fate touch Simy, her roommate and friend, or Varick, the one who speaks to her heart, mind and soul.  She'll shield those around her, protect them, even if it means her life.  Warning:  sensually told romance that ignites and holds your attention.

All Hallows Blood is the story of what happens when a psychic warrior and a vampire combine forces, on the battlefield and in life.  The romance is red hot, Keila and Varick each feeding the others needs.  The antagonist is an old enemy who has come back to get even with Varick, trying to kill the ancient vampire and take over his territory.  But Varick has other plans for the usurper, and it doesn't include leaving him alive.  He'll need Keila's help with he's going to be successful.  This is the debut novel for Ms. Carluk, and an excellent foray into the vampire/paranormal romance genre.  Her vampires are bloody, no sparkles here, and I'll be looking forward to what she offers next, maybe a companion book?  I found myself wanting to compare the story to an unique sexy retelling of a the Cinderella story where Keila is the abused by life battered beauty waiting to be discovered and Varick is Prince Charming with a vampire twist, ready to ride to her rescue as she is to his.  Each needs the other to survive, each completes the other.  I recommend this read for those who enjoy/loves vampires (like I do), Varick is an unique vampire, ancient but with other powers as well, some having nothing to do with vampirism.  Also lovers of pararomance and urban fantasy will find this story engaging and want to give it a try too.  I found the story unique, intense, entertaining, and gripping, hard to put down.


I received my e-copy from the author, I very much enjoyed it.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Guest Author and Contest with Raven Corinn Carluck!!

It my very special pleasure to have Raven Corinn Carluck posting at Tink's Place today!  She's going to tell us about her books, writing, and a sweet excerpt from All Hallows Blood, an excellent read for Halloween!

(Released:  March 2010  Crescent Moon Press)

 From the Cover:

Mourning her mother on Halloween, Keila O'Broin, a psychic warrior and last of her line, isn't prepared for dead teenagers to ask her to avenge them. Compelled by her family creed, Keila combats the vampiric serial killer, despite her atrophied powers.

But defeating one killer is only the start of her adventure. Into her life walks Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old undead master of Portland. The vampire tells her she will now help him defeat his rivals in a battle to control the city, and he will accept no refusals.

Surrounded by her desire and danger, the only way to succeed is to rise from her past like a phoenix from its ashes.

Raven is a native of Las Vegas, and is madly in love with her desert homeland. No matter where she wanders, she always returns. Her household is quite full, with her soulmate, her best friend and his sister, two cats, a parrot, and a snake all in residence. The fuller the house, the happier Raven is.

Her first story was written at age five, and was everything a five-year-old's story could be expected to be. Raven has been writing ever since, creating worlds and characters in an effort to share her visions. Magic abounds in her thoughts, waiting to be set to paper. Nothing will stop her from writing, as Raven is forever a storyteller.

Amongst her hobbies, past and present, are breeding snakes, embroidery, digital painting, playing table top RPGs, hiking, collecting stuffed animals and swords, cooking, growing roses, and playing computer games.

Raven codes and maintains her own website, and invites everyone to stop by and browse her story and art galleries @ http://raven.youareannoying.us or http://ravencorinncarluk.blogspot.com

Follow on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/ravencorinn

Please help me welcome Ms. Carluck to Tink's Place!


Hi Raven, thanks for visiting Tink's Place today! It's awesome having you here!

Thanks for having me. It's great to get out and around the blogosphere.

To start with, why don't you tell us something about yourself?

I'm madly in love with my soul-mate, and we've been together for twelve years now. I love big animals, and have a very talkative parrot, a childish cat, and a gorgeous snake. And I'm stoked to be on my journey to fame and fortune.

What drew you to the genre of paranormal romance? Have you written in other genres?

I've been a fan of vampires and monsters since I was little. I'm a romantic at heart, so it wasn't a big leap for me to join the paranormal romance genre. Passion and love, immortality and powers beyond the normal, these are things I love very much.

I typically have a little more urban fantasy in me, so there's action and adventure along with the love. I also write dark fantasy, and have the bad guy win. I've never been accused of being cute and fluffy with my stories.

What types of books do you read when you're not writing? Do you read in your own genre? Do you have a favorite author or all time read?

I do read from my own genre, though I prefer fantasy and sci-fi as my main reading selections. I'll read just about anything speculative fiction. I want more than the real world in my reading selection, because reading has always been an escape for me.

Anne McCaffrey and Michael Moorcock are some of my favorite authors of all time. Carrie Vaughn is my favorite author in something resembling my own genre.

Is there any must haves when you sit down to write (I have to have hot cocoa, lol, chocolate and caffeine, yum!)?

My must have is my Orlando Bloom notebook. I'm obsessed with him, and I do all my first drafts by hand. Not much I'll do without him. Other than that, I really just need something to drink, and something in the background. Doesn't matter if it's soda, or water, sweet tea or drink mixes. And music or movie, just something to distract parts of my mind.

Is there a certain time of the day you like to write? Morning, Noon, Midnight? (I'm a night owl myself, lol)...

I'm a total night owl myself, but can't stay up too late because of the dreaded day job. I'd love to write until dawn, but I can't. I end up mostly writing through the afternoon at work, and doing edits and typing in the evenings.

I really think of myself as a storyteller, and mostly I'm just reaching out to get new readers. I want all of you to get a glimpse of what I've created, and be taken away for a while. I've got a bunch of free reads on my site, and am putting up short stories on my blog. All Hallows Blood is my first novel, but it certainly won't be my last.

An excerpt of the book will follow. If what you read catches you, come to my blog and enter in my big giveaway. You just need to friend me there, or on Twitter for a chance to get an ecopy of either of my books. And November 1st, I'm doing a drawing for autographed copies of my books. So stop by, say hi, and maybe get a free read.

Varick met my gaze, his eyes hard chips of blue. “I am judging your skills, attempting to discern how you bested a vampire past the neophyte stage.”

“Maybe he was just a loser,” I offered, crossing my arms under my breasts as I settled into the corner. Varick's sweater was loose enough across my chest, but it pulled tight when I trapped the fabric like this. I thought his eyes flicked across my form, but couldn’t be sure. I didn't know if I cared, despite the desire I'd had for him earlier. “Just because he's a vampire doesn't automatically make him badass.”

“Actually,” he said, suddenly in my face, his arms braced on either side of my shoulders, “it does.” Varick leaned closer, enveloping me in his aroma, our bodies nearly touching. He still didn’t register in my psychic perceptions, but my aura parted around him. I swallowed hard, and his eyes went to my neck.

“Vampires are predators,” he said with a husky voice. He made no attempt to disguise the way his gaze caressed my neck. My pulse jumped as I imagined his lips tracing my skin, and I bit my tongue stud. Varick knew he disconcerted me, and he seemed intent on using it to make his point. “Once we are strong enough to be away from our master, we are stronger than any human.”

I uncrossed my arms, standing a little taller, letting anger rise to displace the sadness completely. Was this really the same man who'd held me an hour ago while I cried, who'd bared his own sorrow to me? My heart skipped a beat as I carefully put my hands by my side, attempting to show that I wasn't frightened of him. I wondered if he tasted my hidden fear, if he could tell it was all a lie. “I've read accounts of vampires getting killed by humans.” I held his gaze, even as the sapphire brilliance darkened with his expanding pupils. It didn't even occur to me that I'd admitted to having knowledge of his kind when I hadn't earlier. “That vamp didn't sound that strong.”

The German must have allowed some of his aura loose, because his presence swelled. He didn't move, yet I instantly felt trapped by Varick. My blood ran cold, and I pressed myself farther into the corner. I didn't care if he knew I was scared. No one with a self preservation instinct wouldn't be scared. This was the atavistic fear all creatures carried, something in the genes that let us know when we were being hunted.

His eyes bored into mine, pinning me as easily as his body. “Even were that account true, do you really think a bunch of mewling mortals stalked into a vampire's lair and killed him without help? Perhaps he was set up? Or was he a neophyte abandoned by his master?”

I shivered, his breath washing across my face. The account I'd read was from a hunter, and he'd hinted at being a psionicist. No mewling mortal there, but someone who could level the playing field. I could tell him what I was, take the mystery out of it, but then he'd know everything about me. I couldn't do that.

The elevator bounced to a stop, chiming as the doors opened. “We're here,” I said, unable to look away from his captivating eyes.

“Never mind that,” he whispered huskily, turning his head as his gaze fell once more to my neck. My skin crawled with biting fire as he leaned forward, close enough that a deep breath would bring us together. My head slowly turned, a breathless whimper escaping my lips. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I wanted him to taste me. Right now. I shuddered, from either fear or desire, as his breath touched my bared neck. “Could you stop me?” he asked, his voice dropping lower. “Would your fighting skills do you any good in here?”

Varick's lips were nearly to my neck, the air stirred by their motion. My eyes closed, a soft groan rising from my throat. The vampire stiffened, and his left hand drifted closer to my shoulder. I couldn't think of anything but his mouth, and how his hair would feel tangled through my fingers. I wanted to tell him the vampire in the house hadn't had this kind of presence, that until he'd bitten me, there had been no desire for him. With the German so achingly close to me, I couldn't think of raising a hand to him.

I groaned again, gritting my teeth in frustration. I was not some sort of easy lay; I simply did not lust for someone like this so quickly. It had to be some function of his power, something to lull his prey into submission. It couldn't be my own hormones running rampant.

The doors swished closed behind us, and I let my eyes flutter open. I saw Varick's hand scratching at the paneling, scars standing out against icy flesh. We'd moved so close in that span of seconds, his mouth was a breath away from the vein in my neck. “Varick,” I whispered in a strangled voice. If either of us moved, my throat would end up against his teeth. It took more willpower than I realized I had to hold still .

Thanks for visiting with us here at Tink's Place!  It's been great having you here!  And remember to stop follow Raven's blog or follow on Twitter for a chance to win one of her books!

Did Everyone Check Out Bitten By Books Today?

Bitten by Books is one of my favorite sites. Why? Well for one thing, they have mega contests, massive book reviews, and great polls.

Today on BBB, they offered a fun little contest where you had to match up a character blurb to a book offered by a small publishing house, Crescent Moon Press. I had a blast, met at least seven new authors, and I know I've added a massive amount of books onto my to be bought list. It was too much fun. So, in honor of some of the great new authors that I had a chance to 'meet', lol, I thought I'd post some of their books. If you haven't checked out Crescent Moon Press, they offer fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, and scifi all woven together with romance. (The contest is still going on for another two hours, go check it out!)

So here are some of the authors that I'll be picking up in the future:

Louann Carroll - She talks about some of the best ghost stories, haunted hotels, and she likes archeology.

 
Michelle Picard - fantasy stories, Eden Court sounds so interesting!!

 
Leanna Renee Hieber - OMG, her books look great!  The excerpt was even better!

S.J. Edward - This book sounds so cool, time travel, assassins, working for the good of mankind.

 
Raven Corinn Carluk - Vampire fantasy, OMG, I loved her excerpt!!  Talk about vampire love!!

Judi McCoy - Psychic fantasy with a twist, this is a must check out!

Amanda McIntyre - Not a new author for me, I love Amanda!!  And this is one of her books I haven't seen!!  I love fae fantasies (I mean, seriously, you've seen my blog, right?)  Hi Amanda!!!  I'll be looking for this one!

Barbara Romo - SciFi/Fantasy...This series sounds great too, I loved the excerpt!