So You Think You Can Write?

Hello to everyone in the blogosphere... (echoes back... crickets fill the backgroud). I'm emerging from the forest long enough to gasp for non-writing filled air.

My NaNoWriMo attempt is... progressing, if not a bit slowly. And I was right, right now, I'm considering deleting the whole thing, it happens every time. But, I'm already committed, so it's onward for the timid soldier. Right now, I'm sitting at a weak 10,000 words. Should be somewhere around 14,000 words. Can I do a 4000 word day? I don't think so... but maybe a couple of 2500-3000 words days, and I'll be mostly caught up!!

I fell on the writing wagon, missed most of the weekend, but I had a great one! Son number 2, some of you may know him as 'the drummer' entered his first contest this weekend at the Battle of the Bands. He's been trying to start a band, it's just him and his bud so far. But, they figured they'd give BoB a shot, it's their Junior year, and they had nothing better to do anyway, just the two of them jamming, hoping someone hearing them will want to join their mini-band, lol. And guess what, THEY WON SECOND PLACE! He couldn't believe it, I couldn't believe it. They had to beat a bunch of bands to grab second place.... and there's only the two of them... no singer, no bassist, just a guitar and a drum set..... Still getting over the shock, LOL!

But, this wasn't even the point of my blog today... I'm getting lost in the details, much like my MS.

Harlequin is holding a "So You Think You Can Write" contest to go along with NaNoWriMo. There are editors on site, assignments everyday to get editor feedback. Information about synopsis, what editors are looking, and at the end, the possibility of having your manuscript published if you're the BIG winner. Not saying I'm entering the contest, but I'm all for the writing tips! My NaNoWriMo attempt will never be ready by their deadline in December, but some of my writing buddies might... Why not give it a try? So You Think You Can Write started yesterday, but you can read the blogs from yesterday, and still participate in today. Go have a peek!

Well, the forest is calling me, the leaves... brown, orange, and red... are wrestling in the breeze. Drifting slowly to the ground, my MS along with them. Chat you up later!!

Battle of the Bands... for your listening enjoyment...LOL Awesomeness!!

Liam's Perfect Woman by Beth Kery

Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 224

Released: July 19, 2011

From the Cover:

The moment Liam Kavanaugh first glimpsed the exotic beauty dancing across a moonlit beach, he was smitten. But he was in for the surprise of his life when she turned out to be Natalie Reyes! The big–city cop had returned to Harbor Town to be the chief of police. Instead, he was battling an intense attraction to the woman who was forcing him to confront his past…

The lone survivor of the crash that had destroyed their families, Natalie needed Liam's help to finally move past the tragedy that shattered her life. Yet the innocent beauty wasn't prepared for the passion that flared between them. And now her very future was in the hands of a man who just might be able to heal her heart with his loving touch… 

Natalie needs Liam's help. He's the only one who can find the answers, but he's also the reason she's lost her parents. And why she hides. Or at least that's what they've been led to believe. But, what if there's more to this mystery than meets the eye? What if the reasons are more than either can stand to hear?

When Liam sees the mystery woman dancing in the moonlight, he finds himself attracted, drawn, and yet, when he calls out, she runs away. Now, he's supposed to be taking over the police force in a few days when he gets a call from the last person he ever expects to hear from, Natalie. She wants his help, but he's afraid, he could damn his family even further.

But, how else is he going to find the answers to the question that are haunting them both?

Liam's Perfect Woman by Beth Kery is a fast read that grips your heart from the first pages. The accident that stripped Natalie's parents away, and left her permanently scarred, also ripped Liam's family apart. His father caused the accident. With his death and the ensuing lawsuit, his family loses everything. Now, the person who should hate him the most, needs his help. But, he's resistant, why open up all the pain and hurt again? Natalie makes him realize that they both need this, if they're going to find what they really need, answers. What sparks between them is more than either thought was possible, or needed.

Liam's Perfect Woman is an endearing story with characters that evolve to become stronger than they were, grow as the story unfolds, to become people that the reader cares about. Natalie's plight can only be made better by the person she's always been afraid to reach out to. Liam's unhealed wounds need to Natalie's hand, she's the only one who can understand his pain. Their families are an integral part of the story, secrets of the long forgotten past, and mysteries make this story hard to put down. I read it in one sitting. I've come to love Beth Kery's contemporary romances, and I'm not a typical reader of contemps. If you'd like to try a quick contemporary read, pick this one up. 4.5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.

I received my book as a contest prize, though it was on my list for my next shopping trip :)  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross + The Strange Case of Finley Jane

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 78

(Released: May 1, 2011)

 

From the Cover:

Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. 

Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined…

An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

Finley Jayne is a strange girl, "unnatural" she's been called. She seems to see more, hear more, and she's stronger than she should be. But, when she's hired as a companion to young Phoebe, she need every bit of that "extra" she has if she's going to save her.

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne is the prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset, and it's a free read on various sites @ Harlequin, Amazon, and B&N. The title is a fun play on the masterpiece, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde because there are two Finleys, the one that stays out of trouble (mostly) and the one that keeps getting her into it up to her neck. In this case, Finley needs to discover why a man more than double the age of his fiance wants the young woman, and it may be for a nefarious, grotesque desire. YA lovers of all kinds will want to give this steampunk novella a try, it's a taste of Ms. Cross's The Steampunk Chronicles world, and a most excellent world it is. 4 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader.

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 474

 (Released: May 24, 2011)

From the Cover:

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the thing inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help and finally be a part of something, finally fit in. 

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

Finley Jayne is once again up to her neck in trouble. She's had to runaway from her position as a lady's maid for taking the young lord of the manor to task for attempting to force himself upon her. Young Lord August-Raynes finds out just what can happen when the object of his desire doesn't want his illicit desire, and it's not anything he's anticipating.


The Duke of Greythorne, Griff to his friends, stumble upon Finley Jayne in her attempt to escape..well he actually runs her down. But, when he sees the young girl, instead of calling the authorities and bringing unwanted attention, (his velocycle has...modifications), he brings her home with him. Finley Jayne isn't what anyone is expecting.


Sam, Em, Jasper, and Lady Cordelia don't know what to make of the girl who can carry twice her weight, who seems to have two personalities, and who doesn't seem to like them all that much (at least part of her doesn't), they don't trust her at all. But, Griff won't have it any other way, because deep down, he feels a connection to Jayne, and he needs to find out why. Maybe it can help lead him to the murderers of his parents.


The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross is the first full book in the Steampunk Chronicles, and it lives up to being the start of a new series plus so much more. In this story, Griff, Duke of Greythorne has lost his parents in a freak accident. Unbeknownst to Griff or Finley, their parents knew each other, were collaborators, and Finley's father lost his life because of it. They find their lives intertwined by fate. Finley has always felt like an outcast and that leads her to trouble. And where ever trouble finds Finley, her alter ego take over. While Finley feels herself drawn to Griff (who is a Duke and no way is she a Duchess), her alter ego is attracted to the seedier criminal type, a Lord in his domain. The true fly in the ointment is Lady Cordelia who knows more than she's saying, and who's husband is missing. She doesn't trust or like Finley, and she has her own set of abilities that allows her to take a trip through Finley's mind, which brings Finley's alter ego into the picture, more than powerful in her own right. Can Finley blend the two halves of her personality? Does she want to?


The Girl in the Steel Corset is a must read book for YA lovers, especially those who enjoy Steampuck, which is sort of a new genre for me. I was impressed by the world building skills of Ms. Cross, her attention to detail, and her ability to weave a story that totally knocked my socks off. I'll be eagerly waiting for the next in the Steampuck Chronicles, The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, which should take up where this one leaves off. Jasper, American cowboy and almost romantic hero, is arrested at Duke Greythorne's estate by none other than the secret service. Can he face his own demons? I absolutely loved this book, and I will snap up the continuing story. Excellent reading for those who love adventure, a new world, and strange new happenings. Five out of five fairy kisses for this reader.

  

I received by ebook from NetGalley and Harlequin for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Seduction & Scandal by Charlotte Featherstone

Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 384

(Released: June 21, 2011)

From the Cover:

With the scandalous nature of her birth to live down, Isabella Fairmont dreams of a proper marriage—even if a passionless one. She saves her deepest desires for the novel she dares to pen, wherein a handsome lord with dark powers seduces her. But then her courtship with an appropriate suitor is threatened by the sudden attentions of the reclusive Earl of Black…whose pale blue eyes and brooding sensuality are exactly as she described in her book.

Isabella tries to resist the mysterious Earl of Black.

Yet as he pursues her, with inexplicable knowledge of her past and kisses that consume her, Isabella fears she will succumb.

If only the earl could tell Isabella the truth. With very real, and treacherous, thieves endangering her life, Black will need to protect Isabella from the very people she trusts the most….

Isabella's life has been anything but scandal free. She herself was the unlucky result of a love tryst gone wrong. It was the weakness of Isabella's mother, giving her heart and love too freely. She's grown up without...without security, money, the ability to give herself, and trust in herself. With the loss of her mother and grandmother, she loses part of herself that she did have, and the unfortunate incident occurs.

Her uncle comes to her rescue, bringing her back to London. With her cousin Lucy at her side, she learns to live again. Security found, legitimacy won in passionless arms of her suitor, Knighton. But, Lucy has become enamored with the occult, dragging Isabella from one cemetery to another, one seance to another, until Isabella meets her breaking point. When Death is courted, Death finds a way.

Into her life walks the dark Earl of Black, a mysterious figure in London society, the talk of the ton. Rumors and innuendo follow him, his own background almost as scandalous as Isabella's. He's promised to fulfill the duties entrusted by his father. There are relics, items, that could effect the fate of mankind, and it's his responsibility to hide them away.

When these two meet, the cocoon wrapping Isabella starts to melt away, but it scares her, unable to deal with the feelings his presence evolves. Black can't keep his eyes from finding her, even after her rebuffs. He knows he shouldn't but he can't resist, he seduces, coaxes, coercers. She's the water to his thirst, without ever knowing it.

Seduction & Scandal by Charlotte Featherstone is the first book in the Brethren series, dealing the Templar Knights and the secrets they've carried to their graves and beyond. The Earl of Black, forced to carry on the family heritage, doesn't want to extend his family line beyond himself. He doesn't want force his sons to bear the burden he's shared. When he meets Isabella, all those feeling of aloofness disappear. He burns for her presence, and not matter how hard he tries, he can't stay away. Isabella is a timid heroine, she's been burned by life, first living down the scandal of her mother's life, then her own unfortunate incident. She's hiding from life in her uncle's home. She's found a "safe" relationship, even if it's a passionless one, she won't have to worry about scandal finding her. She's come to live through her journal where she writes her stories... about Lord Death. Little does she know that the Earl of Black is her own Lord Death. From the first meeting, Black and Isabella flame to a burning fire. Though she tries to run, she can't outpace desire.

Seduction & Scandal is another heartfelt story told as only Ms. Featherstone can. It's a historical romance with elements of the paranormal thrown in as well as a bit of mythos of old England, and the Templar Knights. It pulls at your heartstrings, waiting for the reluctant lovers to find out they don't really have a choice. The villain, and there are several in this story, tries to stop the lovers from being together as well as keep the relics for themselves. If you're a fan of historicals, Charlotte Featherstone is certainly an author to try, you simply can't go wrong. Her stories sometimes address issues such as addiction, abuse, suicide, but she does it with subtly and guile, making her stories very involving and readable. I have come to look forward to her books even though historical romances aren't my usual read. She has captured my attention, always must read. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader, I hope you pick it up, it's a story within a story, spellbinding.

I received my ebook for review from NetGalley and Harlequin. All opinions express are my own.

Body of Sin by Eve Silver

Publisher:  HQN, Harlequin Enterprises
Pages:  384

(Release Date:  August 23, 2011)

From the Cover:

The ultimate fall from grace…

Once the favorite son of the Lord of the Underworld, Lokan Krayl held enviable privileges and powers. Powers that led to a devastating betrayal—murder.

Resurrected by his immortal brothers, Lokan is still trapped in purgatory. He has no way to contact his family. He has no answers. In order to find the truth about his death, and who killed him, he must escape his prison. And there’s only one way out: through the twelve gates of his eternal enemy, Osiris.

But Lokan has help. Bryn Carr, the woman who duped him once before, is his beautiful yet unwanted guide. She’s been sent by his brothers to aid him. She’s his last hope. Lokan must place his fate—and that of the mortal and immortal worlds—in the hands of the one woman he can never trust.

Lokan Krayl was thought to be lost, the one-time favorite son then killed by an unholy father, sacrificed to allow the Lord of Chaos a chance to walk in the mortal realm once again. His brothers, Dagan, Malthus, Alastor with their mates have found a way to bring Lokan back, maybe, if Bryn Carr, his enchantress, can guide him back to the mortal realm. But, is Lokan willing to give up what will be necessary to make their plan work? If he can't, his father, Lord of the Underworld, the Chaos Lord, will find a way to use his granddaughter in the same way he attempted to use Lokan.

Lokan will be forever changed by what has transpired since his cruel death. As a God of the Underworld, it was thought impossible to kill him, now he knows different. Sacrificing himself to save the one person he can't live without, his daughter, Dana.

Body of Sin by Eve Silver is an excellent finish to this mythos based series, the Otherkin series. If you haven't read this series before the books in order are: Sins of the Heart, Sins of the Soul, and Sins of the Flesh, with Daughter of Sin (novella in the same world). Lokan is the son most trusted by the Lord of the Underworld, his right hand man. But, when it is discovered that Lokan has produced a child, his father sees his chance to rule the mortal world, to take as only he can. He is incapable of real love, his sons are mere instruments for his use. It is the love of his brother's that saves Lokan, as well as the love of the only woman who can love help him return, and the need to save his daughter that makes him want to return to what has been left behind. It will take everything he and his brothers have to bring him home.

Body of Sin finishes the story started in Sins of Heart, and I recommend reading the books in order. There's great world building, a hot romances, and an excellent tale that unfolds and grows with each book. I found myself hoping Lokan would find his way, laughing at the insanity, crying at the inevitable. Eve Silver weaves a magical story that all lovers of mythos will want to read. Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance lovers will find a satisfying tale of love lost and found, hope revived. I highly recommend the entire series. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses, I'd give it more, but I ran out of kisses! Put this series on your reading list.

I received this ebook for review from NetGalley and Harlequin. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lust by Charlotte Featherstone

Publisher: Spice, Harlequin
Pages:  377

(Release Date:  January 31, 2011)

From the Cover:

Of old, humans and Faeries have dwelt side by side in parallel realms. Only the canniest mortals recognize the alluring creatures that often walk—and lie—among them.

The righteous Fae of the Seelie Court cherish an ancient quarrel with their Dark counterparts: a curse born of anger and deceit. The Unseelie Court will perish unless one of its princes can win a woman's love—honestly, without coercion…and love her wholly in return.

To halt the slow demise of his people, Prince Thane—the embodiment of Lust—infiltrates the Georgian court to seduce his mortal inverse. Noblewoman Chastity Lennox is purity incarnate—a sensual prize well worth winning. But Thane's carnal quest proves more challenging than he ever dreamed.

No other has ever been able—or willing—to resist his erotic charms. Chastity's resolve is maddening…and intriguing. It makes him want her all the more. But how best to seduce one who truly seems above temptation? Discover her greatest weakness and become the intoxicating essence of her deepest, most forbidden desires….

Chastity is beyond temptation, such is her gift and her curse, her attention is only called by the one who completes her purpose. She and her sisters proudly hold their heads and their virtues high, again part of the gift and their curse. 


Thane, a prince of the Unseelie Court, desires to crack Chastity's resolve, his desire for her is unlike any he has known before. And he will have her, willingly given, by glamour if need be if only temporarily.  But his court needs love given freely, so by love it will have to be.


Chastity's father, had made a deal with the Seelie Queen, promising away his daughters to their court, but he has also made a deal with the Unseelie Prince, for great wealth, with payment to be made later.  When both come seeking his daughters, he's at a quandary... who to refuse? Both are dangerous. The answer is obvious, the Unseelie are unworthy, dark, dangerous, depraved. But Chastity has already lost her heart, she feels little desire to prop up the Seelie Court... Will she follow her heart or her duty?


Lust by Charlotte Featherstone is another beautifully told tale of sensual desire.  Prince Thane has been promised his heart's desire, and the Unseelie Court is dying, it needs love, it needs the virtues. The Queen of the Seelie Court has cursed the Unseelie Court with death, unless their Princes can win love, not steal it or coerce it, and the virtues are their only hope.  But the virtues in the form of Chastity and her sisters, have been promised to the Seelie Court, and the Queen will see them in her home. It becomes a battle of wills and love to see who will be the winners and survivors, Seelie or Unseelie?  Love is the answer.


Lust was a wonderfully told tale, with mythological beginnings in the fae world. The Seelie Court may not be an good and pure as thought to be, they are not below coercion to get what they want, by crook or by foul. The Unseelie Court  has at it's core the desire to take want it wants, but that's how they ended up cursed. Now, if they are going to survive, they have to give up their wicked ways, and learn to love and give love if they're going to survive. Charlotte Featherstone does not fall to deliver in Lust, I found myself pulling for the Unseelie princes with their darkness, while the beautiful Seelies tried to work their magic. If you're a fan of sensual tales, dark magic, historical romances, this is a book for you. Lovers of paranormal romance will also find a home in this story, it's filled with sensual romance that will pull at your heart. I recommend picking it up, nice done tale of fae against humanity, love over duty.

I received the ebook for review from Net Galley and Harlequin.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Seducing the Vampire by Michele Hauf

Publisher:  HQN/Harlequin
Pages:  384

(Released:  December 21, 2010)

From the Cover:

In Marie Antoinette's Paris, the beautiful vampire Viviane seeks a male patron who will allow her to live on her own terms. Courted by two feuding brothers, Viviane succumbs to the handsome rebel, Rhys. She's unaware that Rhys has other, darker, motives. He seeks vengeance against his brother, Constantine—by stealing Viviane and tainting her with his blood.

But just as Rhys is realizing the depth of his love for Viviane, his brother takes his revenge. By casting a spell on the woman they both desire, he condemns her to a living death inside a glass coffin.

Two centuries later, Rhys hears the legend of the Snow White vampiress, imprisoned deep in the tunnels under Paris. He must find her and set her free, but will he be able to save her from the evil still intent on destroying them?

Viviane LaMourette is an independent young vampiress, barely two centuries old, bloodborn, and patroned to Henri Chevalier. He took her under his patronage with the death of her parents, but has allowed her independence, demanding nothing of the young vampiress. When Constantine de Salignac proposes taking her patronage, possibly a match and marriage to create a line of bloodborn vampires, pure blood, creating a tribe of vampires to rival all of Paris, she balks, she will answer to no man, nor bow down, vampire or not.

Rhys Hawkes spies the young vampiress in the salons of Paris. He's been sent to investigate the murder of a vampire couple, Henri and Blanche Chevalier, the very same patron of Viviane. Was this deed committed by a crazed werewolf? Rhys has more secrets, he is a half breed, born half vampire half werewolf. When he scents Viviane, he realizes he has to have her as his own. Will she be able to accept his wolf? Will his vampire allow him to love the vampiress?

When Lord Salignac discovers the half breed's intentions, he reveals the well kept secret, and that Rhys Hawkes is his own half brother. Though, Viviane has been tempted by Rhys, she rejects the truths he has hidden. Can he win her back? Will Constantine de Salignac allow his brother to have what he demands as his own?

Seducing the Vampire by Michele Hauf tells the story of what happens to an independent woman, before her time. It's a time when vampires and werewolves shared the title as the Dark Ones. Women were subservient to men, even vampiresses. The male vampire was not demanded to seek out a female vampire for life, but the female of the species was depended upon the male for survival, forced to partake blood from the male or die. It is the same for Viviane, but her patron demands nothing more, Salignac demands submission, sex, and bloodborn children. She will be nothing more than a brood mare. She rails against his demands, refuses him. Then, suddenly Henri is gone, as will be her life if she does not take another patron. Salignac wants to fill that role. But Rhys discovers an awful secret, one that will bring Salignac to his knees, if he can nail the bastard down, how could his own brother commit such a dastardly deed? Viviane can see no one other than Rhys, even with his half blood, he is more of a man than Salignac can ever hope to be. When Salignac sees he is going to lose to the half blood abomination, he acts quickly and horrifically. While Rhys is sating his wolf, Salignac is committing a horrible crime.

Seducing the Vampire is historical paranormal romance, a story told in two different times, jumping from the past to the present to render a heart wrenching story of loss and hope. It is the retelling of the Snow White story with the vampiress as the poor maiden thrown into an aware paralyzed sleep by an evil Lord and his warlock underling for more than two centuries. When Snow White is awaken, she is near crazed with a bloodlust, lost to herself. It is only through love that she is able to find her way again. Michele Hauf was written wonderful retelling of the Snow White story, but it's not the Disney version, it's much more frightening and evil. It does take the handsome prince to bring his beauty back to life, to live once again within the society of humanity. If you're a fan of historical romances, this is an unique story with all the elements of a good historical. For all paranormal romance lovers, this one fills the bill, a love story to stand the test of the times. And urban fantasy fans will find this as a vivid imagining of the Snow White story where a dark world is created with the beginning of a light world to reveal witches, warlocks, familiars, faeries, vampires, and weres as well as the mortals who wander among them.  Ms. Hauf mentions some favorite characters from other stories to tie the series together. If you enjoy Michele Hauf storytelling, this is one not to be missed, she combines the past and present to create a excellently told tale, it was a page turner to the end. I very much enjoyed it as I have most of Ms. Hauf's books, and I'll be waiting for the next, Forever Vampire, May 2011. For more information about Ms. Hauf or her books, please visit her website.


I received this ebook from Net Galley and Harlequin for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout

Publisher:  Mira/Harlequin
Pages:  336

(Release Date:  February 22, 2011)

From the Cover:

HE'S THE GOOD KIND OF VAMPIRE. SORT OF.

Buried in the Heartland is a town that no one enters or leaves. Graf McDonald somehow becomes its first visitor in more than five years…and he was only looking for a good party. Unfortunately, Penance, Ohio, is not that place. And after having been isolated for so long, they do not like strangers at all.

Jessa's the only one to even remotely trust him, and she's desperate for the kind of protection that only a vampire like Graf can provide. Supplies are low, the locals are ornery for a sacrifice and there's a monster more powerful than Graf lurking in the woods. New men are hard to come by in this lonesome town, and this handsome stranger might be Jessa's only hope for salvation.

Even if she has to die first… 

Jessa Gallagher was stuck, and sick of being stuck.  No one in the small town of Penance, Ohio has moved in the last five years.  No, I mean, no one has move at all, unable to escape the boundaries of the town in five long lonely years.

There's a monster in the town, a real honest-to-Gawd monster, and it's hunting something.  It'll do whatever it needs to fulfill it's own crude needs.  It's like time has passed the town by, and the outside world no longer knows of their existence, and certainly, no one knows about the monster terrorizing Penance.  Until a wayward vampire stumbles into the mist of the battle, who knew vampires could get lost?

Graf MacDonald is the vampire lost in the middle of no where, who stumbles into a fight not his own.  It becomes his battle when he discovers he's as stuck as everyone else is in the small town.  But, he needs to find a place to sleep away from the sun, and someone to eat because he's starving too.

When Graf finds Jessa hiding from the beast, he doesn't know if he should eat her or lose her.... She seems slightly crazy and snotty to boot.  But she has lost her entire family, maybe there's a reason for her short temper.

American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout is an urban fantasy that ends up being a vampire romance, one of my favorite genres.  I have to admit, at first I didn't like either of the main characters, Jessa or Graf.  Jessa because she was whiny, sleeping with her loser ex-boyfriend who married her best friend rather than support her after her entire family is wiped out.  Graf, because he was a heartless bastard who wants help but it unwilling to give it, in a hurry to leave Penance and their monster with no intention of helping them.  In fact, he throws Jessa out of his car when he thinks she's gone around the bend, granted, he also doesn't know Jessa either, and vampires are not indestructible.  But, as I got further into the story, Jessa learned to be less dependent of her loser ex-boyfriend, who is worse than anything she can imagine, including the monster terrorizing the town.  Graf, by being stranded with no escape from Penance, finally learns what it means to need another person for something besides a meal or a place to hide from the blistering sun.  Though, he still cares little for the humans surrounding him in the town, and with good reason... they aren't any more likable at the beginning of the story than by the end, but then again, I didn't get to glimpse the town before the monster started terrorizing it, and they've all been trapped for five years, they've got plenty of reason to be pissed, but they've lost part of their humanity in the process, becoming monsters themselves.  I did like the ending where Graf saves Jessa in the only way he can.

American Vampire is an interesting story, and from my above comments, you may think I didn't enjoy the story.  You'd be wrong, it was an intense page turner that grabbed my interest from the start, I read this book in a single day.  After getting to know Jessa, and watching her grow up at long last, accepting her family's death, she turned out to be a self-sacrificing character, and Graf turned out to be the strong vampire hero everyone needed him to be.  As the townspeople have lost part of their humanity, Graf gains a little of his back.  At first, I thought Graf was going to be a vampire savior, but he really is just an ordinary guy who happens to be a vampire.  He's not super human strong, very much susceptible to sunlight, his emotions have become lost with the change to vampire, but he is super quick and learns to mock human behavior pretending so well to be human, he almost fools Jessa, almost.  Even though he is relatively new to vampirism, only being turned in 1967, he understands the lost of humanity.  It seems with Ms. Armintrout's version of vampirism, as soon as one becomes a vampire, humanity is lost; no breathing, no blinking, an imitation of human existence.  This is another new twist to the vampire genre, which only helps keep the genre fresh and interesting.  Urban fantasy lovers may want to give this one a try, and paranormal romance lovers, there's some lovin in here for you too.  At the heart of this story is a monster, the question is who let the monster out to play and how can it be killed?

I received this ebook for review from Net Galley and Harlequin.  All opinions expressed are my own.

The Keepers by Heather Graham

Publisher:  Harlequin Nocture
Pages:  288

From the Cover:

At the core of New Orleans lie the otherworldly vampires and shape-shifters that hide in plain sight among mankind. As one of the Keepers, an elite group possessing superior skill and strength, Fiona MacDonald's duty is to maintain peace in a place where one vampire's bite could ignite war. When Detective Jagger DeFarge, a vampire, is called in at the discovery of a body drained of blood, both the detective and Fiona must join uneasy forces.

Jagger will stop at nothing to find the murderer - including working with the sensual and suspicious Fiona. As more die, it becomes clear that this isn't the work of an ordinary vampire. No one is safe. So when the killer's attention turns to Fiona, will Jagger risk destroying his own species to protect the woman he so passionately desires?

The Keepers: Three extraordinary sisters, balancing the duties of their birthrights and the yearnings of their hearts.

Fiona, Caitlin, and Shauna MacDonald, three sister, and three Keepers of the Underworld, Fiona - Vampire Keeper, Caitlin - Shapeshifter Keeper, and Shauna - Were Keeper; all three came into their powers with the death of their parents.  Their parents had been powerful Keepers who gave their lives to stop the Underworld war ripping their society apart.

Fiona MacDonald doesn't know who to trust, Jagger DeFarge the police detective/vampire in charge of the murder cases, David Du Lac vampire local night spot owner, Billy Harrington vampire and in love with one of the murdered women, Grenard Mateas newcomer vampire... all are on her radar, but would any of them risks themselves, be willing to give up their lives to start a new war between the races?

Jagger DeFarge doesn't want Fiona intruding where a Keeper shouldn't be, but he finds himself drawn to the Keeper, it's her power, but is it the power of the Keeper or the sensual woman?  David Du Lac appears to be the father figure of the vampire community, is he something more?  Billy Harrington appears to be sweet and innocent, but could he have murdered all these women.. just to keep the one he loves eternally at his side?  Grenard Mateas, newcomer to New Orleans, and doesn't believe in all their rules, could he be trying to take control of the city, starting a war to prove vampire superiority?

Fiona and her sisters need answers to all of these questions to stop the brewing war that could rip their society apart and well as their city, and exposed them all to the humans they're suppose to protect.

The Keepers by Heather Graham is a paranormal romance with elements urban fantasy that encompasses three races of paranormal creatures:  weres, shifters, and vampires.  There was a great war between the races in recent history caused by a mixing of the race, the root of the war... prejudice, when lovers came together to defy the separation of the races.  War of this magnitude should never be allowed to happen again, many were lost to the destruction including Fiona MacDonald's parents.  But, there's one that doesn't believe there should be a second chance, one that believes one race over the others is to blame.  The question that needs to be answered is who would want such a thing?  Then, the murders start happening, and the beautiful young blonde blue eyed victims rise from the death, turned.  Could a vampire be responsible for the deaths?  Who would jeopardize their life, freedom, and more war?  It's Fiona's job to prevent more war from ever happening again, her job to police the vampire society.  It's DeFarge's job to find out who could be responsible, and stop them at all cost.

The Keepers is an excellent read with a love story brewing at it's base.  Fiona MacDonald and Jagger DeFarge are drawn together by the need to stop the murders.  But, once thrown together, the vampire and the Keeper find each other irresistible.  This could have been an erotic romance, but instead, we're left with the sweetness of a true love, sensual in nature, and there are sex scenes, but sweet not graphic.  It's the story of two people who find each other, who made for each other, and love blossoms where least expected.  As for the murders that have been occurring in some of New Orleans cemeteries, everything indicates a vampire, but Fiona is warned, not everything is as it seems, or is it?  The Keepers was a quick page turning read.  Jagger DeFarge is strong, sexy, with all the powers of a vampire.  Fiona MacDonald is beautiful and strong, but carrying the baggage of her parents death and having to protect her two younger sisters as they all three come into their powers.  Basically, this story is about what can happen when prejudice against one race versus another is allowed to roam free, unchecked, leading to war.  One of the questions left to be answered is did this Underworld society learn from their previous mistakes?  If you enjoy paranormal romances or urban fantasies, you'll enjoy this read.  I ended up very much enjoying this one, and will be patiently waiting to see if Caitlin and Shauna get their stories as well, and to see if the races can become one large Underworld society able to live in peace and work together.

**Addition to Post**  Amazon is offering The Keepers for a remarkable 99 cents!!  Check it out!

I received this ebook from Harlequin and Net Galley for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Into The Dark by Gena Showalter

Publisher:  HQN, Harlequin Enterprises
Pages:  361

From the Cover:

Three otherworldly tales from the master of paranormal romance.and a brand-new Lords of the Underworld bonus guide!

The Darkest Fire - a Lords of the Underworld prequel

Geryon is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. Kadence is the goddess of Oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a dangerous horde of demon lords - and discover a passion unlike any other.

The Amazon's Curse - a tale of Atlantis

Zane, a fierce vampire warrior, has been enslaved by the Amazons. Nola, a lovely Amazon soldier, has been cursed with invisibility. Now, these two stubborn enemies must overcome the pasts that haunt them and embrace a love that can set them free..

The Darkest Prison - a Lords of the Underworld tale

Once, Atlas, the Titan god of Strength, was the Greek goddess Nike's slave. Now, he is her master. And soon these sworn rivals destined to destroy each other will be forced to risk everything for a chance at love..

Into the Dark by Gena Showalter is an anthology of three tales plus a couple of bonus features that were truly enjoyable.

 

The Darkest Fire

Kadance is the goddess of Oppression, sent to the domain of Hades to make sure the wall between the topworld and underworld, demons constantly worry the wall.  Geryson, cursed to to the domain of Hades, his life bartered to save another.  Now, he's the beast, Oppressions opposite, making sure demons and underlords don't escape Hades wrath.

This is an excellent short story, finding Kadance and Geryson together, if they can find a way to stay together.  What will they give up to stay together?

The Amazon Curse

Zane has one love, and it's a love he can't have.  Captured by the Amazon warriors, he's held prisoner, to be bartered away to the most powerful, to sire children to become Amazon warriors.  His love, the only touch he can tolerate, is Nola.

Nola, curse by the gods, exists in a different plane, she can see Zane, but never touch him.  She will have to find a way back to him if she's going to save him.

Another excellent short story of vampire and Amazon warrior, who heat up the pages.  Zane is an unique character, this isn't your average vampire tale.  Nola is his one true love, if only she can understand, saving herself and him.  I want to read more about these characters!

The Darkest Prison

Atlas, the Titan God of Strength was imprisoned in Tartarus for centuries, but with Cronus's release, the Titans imprison the Greek Gods in their place.  But, Atlas and Nike, the goddess of Strength, have a past, one where she would have set him free, but Atlas couldn't be true, so she marked him with her name.  Now, the table are turned, and Atlas seeks nothing but revenge from his warden.  Or does he, after he marks her with his name, he has to fight to control his desires, because, they might get him killed.

Nike and Atlas's story is a classical love story, one where they're damned if they stay together, and damned if they're apart.  Both deny their desires until both will combust if they're not together, but to be together, they'll have to escape their respective kings, or face their anger.

Bonus Features:

Bonus Guide  -  Lord of the Underworld series; including her gods, goddess, demons, and other characters, as well as having fleshed out their backgrounds, making them more real.

Twenty(ish) Questions with Kresley   -   She includes an interview with Kresley Cole, which was fun, interesting, and lets you have a peek into both Gena's and Kesley's worlds.

Behind the Scenes & At Home with:  Lord of the Underworld   -  more background information

Round Table:  Women of the Underworld  -  interesting background for the women too

Awakening Pandora

Pandora came to King Maddox's realm promising great magic if he would hide her treasured.  Upon agreeing, Pandora gifts Maddox and each one of his men with one of her "treasures".  To Maddox, she give Destruction.

This little short tells a tiny piece of King Maddox's story and how he's set free from his boxed cage.  Though it's just a tiny bit, it kept me turning pages and waiting for, wanting more.


Frequently Asked Questions:   Gena answers questions from readers

Sneak Peek of The Darkest Passion


The Sacred Scrolls

Glossary of Characters and Terms - very comprehensive for anyone who wants to know more about the characters

Into the Dark by Gena Showalter is a nice little taste of the Lord of the Underworld series.  We get to met some of the characters in greater detail, see how they came to be, explore Ms. Showalter's world.   I recommend it for anyone who loves her Lord of the Underworld series, excellent companion piece with four tasty short stories.

I received my copy for review from Net Galley and Harlequin.  All opinions expressed are my own.

My Soul to Take, Soul Screamers, Book One by Rachel Vincent

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen / Harlequin Enterprises
Pages:  384

From the Cover:   

She doesn't see dead people, but…

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

Kaylee Cavanaugh is your average high school student.  She worries about what to wear, where to sit, why her cousin and her crowd are so vile, and why she doesn't have a date on Saturday night.   What she worries about most is going back to the mental hospital and her next panic attack, and when she'll know without being told who's going to die next.

When Kaylee and her best friend, Emma, sneak into one of the hottest dance club, everything's thing great until a gorgeous blonde stands next to Kaylee.  She's shrouded in shadows, and as Kaylee sees the darkness, the scream starts to build in the pit of her soul, claws at her throat for release, as she presses her lips tightly together, hoping against hope that she can stop the panic attack in time.  But she knows the cute little blonde only has moments to live.

Nash Hudson, one of the hottest guy in school and part of in crowd, and someone her cousin would have no problem being with sees Kaylee at the club, he knows what's about to happen, and guides her to relative quiet of the alley where he can whisper and chant the scream away.  Because Nash knows what wrong with Kaylee.  He knows because he's one too, and he's drawn to Kaylee and her need to release the soul song.

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent is an amazingly quick read that had me flipping pages, entranced by one of the best YA series I've read to date.  I loved the short story prequel to this series, My Soul to Lose, it had me begging for Kaylee's continuing story.  Kaylee is an average teenage with one difference.  She's a bean sidhe from the legends of old.  A soul screamer, one who knows when the unthinkable is about to happen and sings for the soul's release, unable to affect the events because if a soul is saved, another must be taken in it's place.  The scales have to be balanced.  Her family has deep roots in Ireland where the legend was born, only this legend is founded in truth.  Nash, her new boyfriend, is also a bean sidhe, he doesn't see the soul before it's demise, he guides the soul to the next place.  He can also guide the soul back to it's body, but the price of doing so is too great.  When he hears Kaylee's song, though beautiful to his ears, it's ear splitting to others around her.  Bean sidhes are destined to be together, to help reach other, and only Nash can help Kaylee through the trying times yet to come.

MSTT is a must read for teens and adults alike, fast paced page turner that I had trouble putting down.  I enjoyed it immensely.  It has all the elements of a good paranormal romance with toned down sexuality needed for a younger audience, but still with enough romance to keep adults coming back for more.  The cover art for this series is amazing well done.  The colors match the tone of the books, bringing the reader into the story before it ever begins.  I can't wait to see where Ms. Vincent takes this series as well as seeing how Kaylee grows into her heritage and her new knowledge.  It also has elements of a great urban fantasy, a whole society of death seers with Reapers and their counterparts.  This series is just starting to unfold, and already I'm hooked, pre-ordering the third book in the series.  I highly recommend this series for readers who enjoy excellent YA, paranormal romance readers, and lovers of urban fantasy.  I know you won't be disappointed, I certainly wasn't.

I purchased this book for my own enjoyment.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Her Vampire Husband by Michele Hauf

Publisher:  HQN / Harlequin Enterprises
Pages:  368

(Release Date:  4/1/10)

From the Cover: 

An arranged marriage between a werewolf and a vampire.

There will be blood.

She may resist his bite, but she can't resist his charms...

Werewolf princess Blu Masterson won't allow her seductive vampire husband to consummate their marriage with his bite, marking her forever. Alone in a secluded estate with her sworn enemy, Blu curses the marriage arranged to bring their rival nations together, especially since Creed Saint-Pierre calls out to her most feral desires.

When Blu uncovers her pack's secret plot to destroy the vampire nation—and Creed—she is forced to confront her growing feelings for her sexy undead husband. Will she choose the only life she's ever known or accept his vampire bite? 

Blu Masterson, werewolf princess and the only female of the northern pack, has been promised in marriage to a longtooth, the elder tribe leader, Creed Saint-Pierre.  This is a move between the governing Council and her conniving father, Amandus Masteron to bring peace to the struggle between the vampires and the werewolves.  But Amandus is always scheming in the background, more than his beautiful and mistreated daughter can ever know.

Creed Saint-Pierre, 900 year old vampire, has seen more than most even in his own kind.  He accepts this sham of a marriage because the Council wants it to be so, and if he's in control, he can orchestrate his own plans behind the farce marriage.  What Creed doesn't expect to happen are the feelings he thought long dead that the saucy werewolf princess evokes.

What can one vampire and werewolf hope to accomplish, the battle between wolf and vampire has raged for centuries.  Even if they fall in love, even if she accepts his bite, even if it means his death.

Her Vampire Husband by Michele Hauf is a very quick, very sexy, very fun read.  I loved Michele Hauf's sense of humor, her struggle to right the wrongs, and do it all with a playful sexuality, almost like dark little sexy romp.  I fell in love with Blu Masterson, her outrageous little stunts hiding secrets.  I fell in love with Creed because he could wait out the princess, give what she needed and only took what was offered freely.

Blu Masterson should have had it all, the only werewolf princess, hell, the only female in her pack.  She should have been revered.  But the dynamics of her pack are as sick as her father's misguided beliefs.  Creed Saint-Pierre, centuries old vampire, was turned against his will because of his ability to wield a deadly sword, one that the ancient vampire society sought to use against the wolves.  He's hunted werewolves and killed indiscriminately for more than a few of those centuries.  And still the wolves and the vampires are deadly enemies.  If only the marriage could accomplish what it set out to achieve, peace between the battling nations.  But each faction schemes against the other, unknowingly at first, but as Creed and Blu become closer, the secrets are revealed.  The creep out factor has to go to Amandus Masterson, a supremely evil creature that at the beginning of the book, had outlived his usefulness, if his miserable soul ever had a use.  His ability to use and abuse his daughter made Blu's story that much more poignant and heart breaking.  And along with her outrageous stunts, wigs, outfits and sensuality, this vulnerability is what draws Creed to her, into her, to become part of her.  It's Creed's ability to calm the beast, love the beast, and see passed the scars that draws Blu back again and again, each time revealing more.

Her Vampire Husband, part of her Wicked Games Series, brings back some of the characters from her previous books, The Highwayman (WG #1), Moon Kissed (WG #2), and After the Kiss (WG #2.5), most notably the sexy and tortured werewolf, Severo.  Her Vampire Husband (WG #3) has a prequel with Alexandre and Veronica's story in Vampire's Tango (WG #2.5).  All of these books and short stories could easily be read as stand alone books or if you'd like as a series, but the enjoyment of the books are not depended upon each other.  All have a magical quality, fae beings (Michele like the faery dust, but not your usual faeries), as well as other paranormal beings as supporting characters.  If you enjoy paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or just a hot little read, try Her Vampire Husband.  I was able to read from cover to cover in a single day, it was hard to put down.  I very much enjoyed this quick read and hope others give it.  With each book Ms. Hauf grows as an author, her voice clearer and keener.  I'll hoping that this series continues, I've been enjoying it and I wait to see what else Michele Hauf has to offer her readers.

I received this book from the publisher, Harlequin, and Net Galley for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent (Prequel to the Soul Screamers Series)

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen / Harlequin
 Pages:  74

From the Cover: 

Kaylee Cavanaugh's trip to the mall ends with a brutal panic attack and a brainscrambling shriek she can't stop. Her secret fear is exposed. It's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

But the hospital isn't a safe place for Kaylee, and getting out won't be easy because everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, who has a secret of her own...

SOUL SCREAMERS

The last thing you hear before you die...

Kaylee Cavanaugh is your average teenage with the average problems.  Her boyfriend, Toby, dumped her right before Homecoming to ask her best friend Emma to the dance.  Now together, they plan their revenge on the unsuspecting Toby.  But on a trip to the mall, a panic attack takes Kaylee, one like she's never had before.  She wakes up to find herself strapped to a metal bed, scratches on her neck, and she can't remember how she got there.

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent is a prequel to her Soul Screamers Series.  In this series, Kaylee is something different, something other, and her aunt and uncle don't know what to do.  When she has the panic attack at the mall, no one can bring her back, not Aunt Val or her best friend, Emma.  To prevent herself from injury, her aunt, who really doesn't like the interruption of her normally placid life, sends Kaylee to a mental facility for observation.  Upon visiting, and seeing the other patients as the facility, Uncle Brendon can't leave her there, she doesn't belong there.  But, just when Kaylee thinks release is in sight, the panic comes again, worse than before, keening threatening to burst from her throat.  Lydia, fellow patient, drags Kaylee away from the mayhem caused by another patient and through her touch, takes Kaylee's pain away.  But maybe at too high of a cost.

My Soul to Lose is an excellent little taste of Ms. Vincent's YA series, and I highly recommend giving it a try.  If you haven't tried this series yet, and you like YA, good story telling and paranormal, it's a free read if you click here.  The next two books in the series, My Soul to Take (Book One) and My Soul to Save (Book Two) are available now, and the three book, My Soul to Keep will be available in June 1, 2010.  I do love the cover art and colors chosen for this series.

I downloaded this book as a free eread.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Brighid's Quest by P.C. Cast

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen/Harlequin
Pages:  544

From the Cover:  "I will go."

Rather than follow her family's restrictive rules, centaur Brighid chose to set out on her own to make friends and form relationships with humans as well as centaurs.

Now she's facing her toughest challenge yet. While helping guide home a grieving human—Cuchulainn, her friend Elphame's brother—Brighid finds herself beginning to care for him. An emotion forbidden by her clan.

To add to her troubles, the Great Goddess has awoken the power of the Shaman within Brighid—the first centaur so blessed in ages. And just as she's torn between taking up a power she never expected and a love she's afraid to admit to, Brighid receives a vision of a tragedy that might destroy everyone she's ever cared about….

Brighid Dhianna of the Dhianna Herd has chosen her own path, away from her manipulative mother, High Shaman of the Herd, but long corrupted by her love of power once bestowed by the Great Goddess, Epona.  Brighid has found her new home with the Clan MacCallan in Partholon, as Centaur Huntress for the Clan.  

Elphame, the Chieftain of the Clan is in turmoil.  Her brother, Cuchulainn, has been lost in sorrow with the death of Brenna, the Clan Healer and his lover at the hands of a mad Formorian, the winged demons from long ago.  Legend and lore says that the demons stole into the Clan stealing and raping the Goddesses Incarnate of the Temple of the Muses.  

Cuchulainn, through his despair, has chosen to travel through the Wasteland to find the home of the winged demons, the Foromians.  He wants to see with his own eyes that these winged demons are no longer infected with the madness, that his sister's sacrifice was not in vain, taking the infected blood into her body to break the madness.  What he finds is hard for his eyes to believe.  It is Cu's Quest to find these New Foromians and bring them back to the land of their foremothers, hoping to find a reason to live without his lover, Brenna.  

It is Brighid's Quest to find Cuchulainn and bring him back to the Clan.  In leading the winged New Foromians back to their homeland, she discovers Cu's soul has been shattered, he no longer feels the desire for life, and if she is to save him, she will have to journey into the Spirit Realm, seek out his soul, and heal the pieces for life to begin again.

Brighid's Quest by P.C. Cast is pure fantasy at it's best.  Our feisty heroine, Brighid, has set her own path.  Her mother is mad with power and has been trying for years to corrupt her children as well.  To save her sanity and her life, Brighid has chosen to leave Centaur Plains and lead the solitary life of the Huntress.  Our hero, Cuchulainn, must find a way passed the pain of losing his love, Brenna.  But to do it, he has to confront the very creatures who have brought her death.  His discovery of their true nature brings him to meet his destiny, either death or healing.  He chooses to heal, to find peace within his soul.  Brighid is his only hope to help find the shattered pieces of his soul and make him whole again.  His mother, Goddess Incarnate, Etain, could do it or Elphame, the Clan's Chieftain, but only can Brighid can do what mother and sister cannot, bring life and love back to the warriror, bridge the Spirit Realm to find Cu's soul and let life begin again.  But can Brighid face what she has so long denied?  Will Cu be able to live without Brenna at his side?

Brighid's Quest is a mythical fantasy, full of magic and mystery.  P.C. Cast weaves an excellent world to be explored; Partholon's legend of the Centaurs, the Clan MacCallan, and of the Great Goddess, Epona.  In this world, the Great Goddess Epona blesses her chosen ones with great power, but with that power comes free will.  The right to choose their own path.  Some choose the path that leads to madness and murder.  Some choose the path that brings enlightenment, leadership, and love.  But those who receive the power must make their own decisions, because the blessing of power can lead to disaster.  Brighid's Quest was a fun read and as with most fantasies, not a quick read.  There is much to be explored and learned about the world within the Centaur Plains and the Clan MacCallan, all of Partholon to be explored.  Fantasy is quickly becoming another favorite for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy read and recommend it to other fantasy lovers.  Brighid's Quest is book two in this series, Elphame's Choice is book one and though I usually read a series in order, enough background is given in this book that I had no trouble following the storyline.  If you enjoy good fantasy, great story telling, and excellent world building, give the Brighid's Quest a try.  I'm certainly glad I did.


I received this book in ebook format from Harlequin and Net Galley for review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Out of Mind, Court of Angels, Book 2 by Stella Cameron (ARC)

Publisher:  Mira, Imprint of Harlequin
Pages: 400

(Release Date:  March 30, 2010)

From the Cover: Willow Millet longs to deny her family's exceptional gifts—paranormal talents known to few, shared by even fewer. Benedict Fortune is one such—a connection that should have strengthened the undeniable bond between him and Willow. But her self-doubt has driven them apart.

Married instead to her business, Willow's concierge we-can-do-anything service is thriving until it is hit by a string of bizarre and fatal accidents—every victim a client. Now her livelihood depends on two enigmatic socialites and their notoriously decadent parties. In this anything-goes atmosphere, Willow and Ben are thrown together again and their need for each other is as strong as ever, but they are challenged at every turn….

For dark forces are stalking Willow—coveting her gift as a means of cheating death…and ruling New Orleans forever. 

Willow Millet is the only Millet who is 'normal', that is she doesn't have all the paranormal powers of her family.  She's happy running her little personal care service, Mean' n' Green Concierge, you need it, we can get it done is her mantra.  She's always been completely normal, instead of the oddness that the rest of the family makes use of from time to time.  Sometimes she knows things, feels things, but everyone can do that, she's just particularly sensitive to the feelings of others.  Right?

Ben Fortunes has watched Willow grow up from childhood through the awkwardness of teen years, and now as a beautiful young woman, denying what and who she is.  He has come to love her, has known it could be no one other than her to complete him, but she sent him away.  Only Ben knows that he can never let Willow go, the Bond between them can never be severed, but also can never be fulfilled until Willow recognizes who and what she is.

But, now there's another force to be reckoned with.  A strong force that has been haunting the Millet family for a century, and finally it has found a home within the Millets, unknown to them, and it's the same force that tried to take Marley Millet.  The Embran, creatures of the dark and far away place, are determined that New Orleans will be theirs, one way or another, and the Millets are the only thing standing in their way.

Out of Mind by Stella Cameron is the second book in the Court of Angels Series.  It's a very quick read, twisting and turning to lead the reader along the treacherous path that finds the Embran and what they desire.  Somehow in their battle against the Millets, the Embran have become stricken.  Instead of the immortality that has always been theirs, they are starting to weaken and even to die.  Only the Millets hold the secret to how to reverse the curse, their legend.  The Millets only problem is they haven't figured out the legend either.  Jude, their Mentor and the original member to bring the curse of the Embran to the family, has been trying to guide them, but there is only so much a spirit can do.  Marley and Gray's story from the first book, Out of Body, tells the beginning of the battle between Light and Dark, Millet against Embran.  Book Two, Out of Mind continues the story with Willow and Ben's story.  Willow is in denial about who she is, and she just strong enough to hide from herself.  Marley and Sykes will have no part of it, as sister and brother, they know what she's hiding.  Ben, long suffering lover, also knows that she hiding what and who she truly is.  But until she's ready to admit to herself what is obvious to others, they can never be Bonded and both will continue to suffer.  It takes the evil influence of the Embran to force Willow to see.

Out of Mind is twisting urban fantasy/paranormal romance that kept me flipping through the pages.  It was a quick, fun read and I didn't want to put it down.  Although, it's was the second book in the series, I had no trouble picking this one up and reading out of order.  I would usually recommend reading the series in order, but it's not necessary to enjoy this book.  If you enjoy urban fantasy or paranormal romance with a touch of seduction and a sexy heart pounding romance, then this is the book for you.  I enjoyed the story immensely and I'll be going back to read Out of Body, Book One (released March 1, 2010), and the following book, Out of Sight, Book Three (Sykes and Poppy's story) which is set to be release on April 27, 2010.  I can't wait to see where this story goes. 

(Release Date:  March 1, 2010)

Born of an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet finds that her psychic gift is both unsettling and incredibly dangerous. She never wants to "travel" again - but the choice is not hers to make.

After glimpsing the fates of two missing New Orleans jazz singers, Marley knows she has no choice and must speak up before more women disappear. Flinty cop-turned-writer Gray Fisher, who interviewed both chanteuses before they vanished, takes a special interest in Marley's incredible story - and in Marley.

Scouring the wild clubs of the French Quarter, Marley and Gray make an unlikely and uneasy team. But their determination is matched only by the heat between them.and the evil they have uncovered. 

(Release Date:  April 27, 2010)

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Stella Cameron brings readers a sexy, supernatural new trilogy.Psychic master talent Sykes Millet can vanish at will, read minds and control others with hypnosis. What Sykes cannot do is escape his destiny--an ancient curse foretelling the misery his dark beauty may bring to everyone he loves. Poppy Fortune knows all too well the burden of having paranormal talent. The supernatural world has fractured her entire family – now it's keeping at bay the one man she wants more than life. Sykes and Poppy must set aside old distrust and use their bonded talents to save their families, themselves and New Orleans from the evil Embran race who threaten to terrorize the city into submission. 

I received this book from Mira/Harlequin for review.  All opinions expressed are my own.