Indie Paranormal Book Reviews

Guest Author: Tom Andry - Off With Their Heads! Killing Characters

2011-12-14T22:07:00.000-05:00

Tom has visited IPBR several times and today he is back to talk about killing off your characters.

Tom says...
When I started thinking up the plot for Bob Moore: Desperate Times, I knew I wanted to start with a big event. Something that would propel the story, and the characters, forward. Nothing does that like a terrorist attack. Unfortunately, to make something like that hit home for the reader, you have to kill someone they care about. A character they have invested time and energy into getting to know and, hopefully, liking.

When I first read George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, I was thrown for a complete loop when he killed a major character (I won't reveal who here though I'm guessing most of you have already read the book/seen the show). I remember laying the book down and thinking, "Man, if that character can die, no one is safe!" It was a disquieting realization.

Too many authors, I believe, become emotionally attached to their characters. They love them and want the best for them. Heck, most authors will freely admit that they put much of themselves into their characters. The more of themselves they put into those characters, it seems, the harder they are to kill (or even hurt it seems). So up pops the deus ex machina, in walks the guy you thought was dead to save the day, out comes the lucky break only the main character seems to have.

To me, this is the ultimate betrayal to the reader.

I've recently finished reading a six book series by a well-known author. In all that, not a single main character stayed dead. Oh, at the end of a chapter they might be impaled, surrounded by enemies, or hanging on for dear life, but in the end, they'd make it through. The author used the "red shirt" method to show that situations were dangerous but the reader quickly learned that main characters were never in real danger.

From the standpoint of a reader, I couldn't have been more annoyed. It became a game of seeing if I could spot the "out" (the way the author was going to save the characters) before they were revealed in the text. If this were a series aimed at kids or teens, I could understand the hesitation to kill characters. But it wasn't.

A character that the reader doesn't feel is in any real danger isn't compelling just like a character you know is going get the girl/boy/treasure/prize isn't thrilling - it's inevitable. Of course, we all realize that the central character will most likely make it out alive but we should, as a reader, be worried. That fear is what keeps us turning the pages; not discovering what clever ruse the author came up with to save them this time. The only way to keep that tension within your reader is to be ruthless with your characters. While you'll get some hate mail from fans of those characters that had to be sacrificed (my first one came from my wife, the second from my first reviewer), at the very least, your readers will be involved.

And isn't that the point?

~~~oOo~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Andry is the Associate Editor of Audioholics.com and host of the AV Rant podcast. He's been writing mostly reviews but has lately returned to his prose roots. He has written many unpublished short stories, poems, and a few screenplays that may still be produced. He's the father of three boys affectionately nicknamed Punkalicious, Captain Evil, and Neo. He's happily married and currently resides in Perth, Australia. His background is in drama, creative writing, and research psychology which basically means his kids are in for a pretty rough time. His wife, Tanel, doesn't have it so easy either.

You can find Tom online at: http://www.tomandry.com/ where you can find out more about his book Bob Moore: No Hero and Bob Moore: Desperate Times. Tom has also recently finished a series of blog posts on self-publishing for iBookstore, Smashwords, Kindle, and Nook.

Get the Books!

Bob Moore: No Hero (Book 1) FREE!

Smashwords | Kindle | Nook

Bob Moore: Desperate Times (Book 2)

Smashwords | Kindle | Nook

Want more info on Bob Moore: No Hero? Take a look at the Whatcha Reading? spotlight for this book here on IPBR.

Thanks for visiting with us again Tom!

Books for a Cause: Entangled, A Paranormal Anthology

2011-09-21T20:51:00.000-04:00

Support a great cause and read some great stories. It's a win-win!

All proceeds from the sale of Entangled, A Paranormal Anthology will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Publisher: Authors4theCure (September 7, 2011)

Word Count: approx. 125,165

Ghosts, vampires, demons, and more! Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal short stories from authors Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Edie Ramer, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, and Michelle Miles, plus a Seven Deadly Sins novella by Allison Brennan.

Stacia Kane contributed the foreword. Formatting and cover art were also donated to the project by Lori Devoti and Laura Morrigan.

All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

From the press release:

Fort Worth, Texas – Eleven authors have banded together to support breast cancer research with their writing. Authors4theCure, which includes award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, as well as two breast cancer survivors, is donating proceeds from the sale of their paranormal anthology, Entangled, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

Here are the story blurbs. They all have a Halloween theme. Word counts and links to excerpts on author websites for each story are included where I could find them.

HALLOWEEN FROST by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Estep (author of the Mythos Academy, Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime series) — It's Halloween at Mythos Academy, but Gwen Frost and her friends are in for more tricks than treats when they run into a mythological monster intent on killing them. (6,500 words) [Read Excerpt]

THE FAT CAT by Edie Ramer (author of Cattitude, Galaxy Girls) — In a battle for the souls of seven women, a wizard has the god of war on his side; all the witch has is a fat, black cat. [Read Excerpt]

MEDIUM RARE by Nancy Haddock (author of the Oldest City Vampire trilogy) —What’s spooking the spirits of St. Augustine? As the witching hour of Halloween approaches, ghost seer Colleen Cotton must team with a by-the-book paranormal investigator to locate the one ghost who can save the city’s specters. If she fails, her own great grandfather’s spirit may be lost forever. [Read Excerpt]

SWEET DEMON by Misty Evans (author of the Witches Anonymous series) —When Chicago’s vampire king insists Kali Sweet join his empire, the vengeance demon must rely on her ex – the half-human, half-chaos demon who left her at the altar three hundred years ago – in order to escape the vamp’s clutches. [Read Excerpt]

SIAN’S SOLUTION by Dale Mayer (author of the Psychic Visions series) — When a vampire discovers the human man she loves has been captured and hung in a blood farm, she goes against her own kind and risks everything to save him.

A BIT OF BITE by Cynthia Eden (author of NEVER CRY WOLF and ANGEL OF DARKNESS) — A killer is stalking the streets of Crossroads, Mississippi, and it's up to Sheriff Ava Dushaine to stop him. But when suspicion falls on werewolf alpha Julian Kasey—Ava’s ex-lover and the man who still haunts her dreams—Ava knows that she'll either have to prove his innocence...or watch the whole town go up in flames. (11,000 words) [Read Excerpt]

SINFULLY SWEET by Michelle Miles (author of the Coffee House series) — When Chloe bakes a little magic into her pastries, she attracts the attention of Edward, the sexy half-demon, half-witch, who’s come to warn her those who murdered her sister are now after her.

A NIGHT OF FOREVER by Lori Brighton (author of A Night of Secrets and To Seduce an Earl) — Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man, but as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

FEEL THE MAGIC by Liz Kreger (author of the Part of Tomorrow series) — Jenna Carmichael’s magical attempt to rectify Jessica Manfield’s birth identity takes an unexpected turn when the past comes back to haunt her.

BREAKING OUT by Michelle Diener (author of the Tudor-set historical suspense novel In A Treacherous Court) — Imprisoned in a secret facility, powerful telekinetic Kelli Barrack and two other 'special' inmates grab a chance to escape, only to confront their worst nightmares on the outside.

GHOSTLY JUSTICE, an all-new Seven Deadly Sins novella by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan (author of the Seven Deadly Sins series) — Demon hunters Moira O’Donnell and Rafe Cooper are dragged into the dangerous world of nocturnal predators to find “Ghostly Justice” for a virgin sacrificed to an ancient blood demon.

~~~oOo~~~

Get the Book!

Available in ebook format at these venues:

Smashwords | Kindle | Nook

All Romance ebooks

10% sample download in all major formats available at the Smashwords link above.

$2.99 through September and October then the price goes up so get it while the getting is good!

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Okay, now that I have stopped drooling over that freakin' awesome cover....I'm heading off to buy my own copy! Ta!

Review: Kismet's Kiss by Cate Rowan

2011-09-17T21:54:00.001-04:00

Kismet’s Kiss
The Women of Kismet, Book 1
by Cate Rowan

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Word Count: approx. 116,855 (Novel) includes excerpts of other books
Publication Date: August 26, 2010
Print length: 258 pgs
ePub length: 365 pgs
Kindle length: 8158 locations
Source: ebook provided by author

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:
In the desert realm of Kad, a deadly epidemic strikes the palace of Sultan Kuramos. Only a magical healer from an enemy land has the skill to save his royal household, but Kuramos never imagined the healer would be a woman.

Healer Varene finds her own surprises in Kad. She expects the sultan's arrogance, but not his courage or his selfless care of the ill—or the possibility that the epidemic is the curse of a vengeful goddess.

Kuramos's culture condemns Varene's mystical talents. Her presence triggers an insurrection, yet as he and the healer toil for a cure, he loses his heart to her. She falls for him as well, but how can she relinquish her homeland and her principles—especially when he already has a harem and his family may be cursed?

MY THOUGHTS:
This story takes place in a lightly magical world that is similar to our world yet different. The imagery was wonderfully descriptive without overdoing it. It transported me to another place and time. What that time was though I am not sure. It felt like a subtle alternate world fantasy in an Arabian Nights style setting. It had scimitars and sherbet (in the desert?), palm fronds and key-hole doorways, falafels and churidars, harems and hammams. These things are real in our world and so we can relate to them in some way even though they may not all be things we are familiar with, but there are also fydds (horses), jencel-birds (a talking bird character that I loved!), and kyrra (a magical essence within someone). People also seem to live very long as in hundreds of years. These are some things unique to the story that give it an alternate world feel. There were a couple of times a word would sneak into the narrative or dialogue that felt a little too modern and jarred me out of the time and story for a second…but just a second, I got over it. :)

I wasn't sure how much I would like Kuramos as the male lead character in this fantasy romance. He is the Sultan of Kad and has a harem of six wives. He appears a little arrogant when Varene first appears in his palace but you soon see underneath that hard exterior and realize he has many admirable qualities that make him a likable character. He respects his wives and cherishes his children. He is kind to the servants and wants the best for the people of Kad. He is loyal, protective, and willing to make sacrifices, but can also be fierce when necessary.

I liked Varene from the start. She is kind, smart, and brave. She stands up to those who would dismiss her worth and healing abilities because she is a woman. She knows what she wants and she soon learns she wants Kuramos. But what of his wives? She isn’t willing to share. How could she ever compromise on that?

Both Kuramos and Varene have painful secrets they are hiding in their past, which are unraveled as the story progresses.

Though I knew this story would have an HEA...a big honking HEA as it turns out...I was still curious how it would play out. How do we go from a harem of six wives to a happily ever after for Kuramos and Varene? At the beginning of the book, Dabir, Kuramos's mentor and father figure, prophesizes that "She will come...Will you bend, or will she? Perhaps neither." and sets up part of the conflict for this romance that stuck in my head for the entire book. Who will bend? Though I sort of guessed how it would be resolved, I wasn't totally right, but I was totally satisfied with the ending.

I have to say a word about Gunjan, the jencel-bird. Jencels are talking birds but not like a parrot. I just loved this character! But then I am a sucker for a talking animal character that doesn’t seem to be channeling a Disney movie.

Rowan has weaved a wonderfully engaging and romantic story set in a magical Arabian Nights style middle-eastern setting that kept me turning the page. The smooth writing style allowed me to easily fall into the story. I was rooting for Kuramos and Varene and was eager to see how it would all be resolved. The Source of Magic, which is the prequel novel, focuses on Alvarr and Jilian who are the rulers of Teganne, Varene's homeland. We get a brief glimpse of them in this book and I'm already eager to read their story and jump back into this world.

Rating: 4 (I Really Liked It)

Typos found: 7

~~~oOo~~~

This book is available in both ebook and paperback formats. You can find Cate Rowan on the web at:

Website: http://caterowan.com/
Blog: http://caterowan.com/blog
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CateRowan
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Rowan-Award-Winning-Author/102272339832698
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4278042.Cate_Rowan

Get the book!
Smashwords | Amazon | B&N

Read an 11% excerpt HERE

Find it on Goodreads HERE

Quick Bite Review: The Tingles by Melissa L. Webb

2011-09-08T19:41:00.000-04:00

Quick Bites: shorter reviews for shorter stories

The Tingles
by Melissa L. Webb

Genres: Urban Fantasy
Word Count: approx. 1,000 (Short Story/Flash)
Publication Date: December 19, 2010
ePub Pages: 5 pgs total (3-4 pgs story text)
Source: My personal library

DESCRIPTION from Smashwords:
Meet Zane. He's got a slight problem. Who can he turn to for help?This is an excerpt from an upcoming Zane Redgrave novel.

MY THOUGHTS:
Very short, very cool. About 3-4 pages of story text depending on how your ereader flies. Considering the size of the story (about 1,000 words) I think the author did a great job of building the suspense so you are wondering just what the heck is going on with this guy and the tingles, and then you get a cool twist at the end. It almost felt like it was part of a larger series, so I went looking (and hoping) there was more associated with this story or maybe this was a prequel to one in the works. I wanted to read more of this world. It would be an awesome premise for a larger work. ~~But alas, there does not seem to be anything else. I hope others have asked for more of this world, too.~~ Edited to Add: As I was prepping this review for the blog, I noticed some additional notes in the description above at Smashwords that I'm pretty sure were not there when I initially wrote my review. It looks like there is an upcoming book associated with this story....sweet!

Rating: 5 (I Loved It!)

Typos: 1-2

-----oOo-----

This short story is available only in ebook format. You can find Melissa L. Webb online at:

Website: http://melissalwebb.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/melissalwebb
Blog: http://melissalwebb.wordpress.com/

-----oOo-----

Find it on Goodreads HERE

Get the story...it's FREE!

Smashwords

Sweet Indie Deals: Indie Book Blowout Labor Day Sale

2011-09-03T19:54:00.001-04:00

Indie Book Blowout!

All books are $0.99 this Labor Day Weekend -

Sept 2nd thru 5th

http://indiebookblowout.com/Indie_Book_Blowout/Genres.html

Sweet!

Whatcha Reading? Bound to the Prince by Deborah Court

2011-09-01T19:46:00.002-04:00

Whatcha Reading? is a feature that spotlights currently released titles. Today we have Deborah Court here to give us a closer look at her debut novel, an erotic paranormal romance titled Bound to the Prince.

Word Count: approx. 98,635
(Novel)

~~~oOo~~~

What’s the basic premise of Bound to the Prince?
Once a proud warrior, elven prince Elathan was living in exile, fallen from grace and separated from his own people. He wanted the mortal woman the moment he saw her standing on London’s Blackfriars Bridge, staring down into the darkness with unbearable pain in her eyes. This strangely compelling female also happened to have luscious curves that made his body ache with desire. Naturally, he decided to hunt the woman down, drag her to his lair and command her to become his slave of pleasure. But would her frail human body survive a night of untamed passion in the arms of a Fae?

After a devastating breakup with her fiancé, Igraine Chandler was spending her honeymoon in England all by herself, her life utterly bereft of meaning. For who could ever love a plain, slightly overweight nurse from New Jersey with nothing left but a broken heart and her lost dreams of a home and a family? But she never imagined that she would soon set out into a world beyond her wildest dreams, and help a prince reclaim his throne …

What inspired the idea for this book?
I’ve always loved elves since I first read “Lord of the Rings”, and later the graphic novel “Elfquest”, which inspired me to write and draw my own comic books. When the LOTR movies came out, I had quite a crush on Legolas and the other male elves. However, they always seemed a bit too soft and ethereal for my taste. I longed for a darker kind of elf, strong, masculine and sexual. Elves are magical creatures, living in perfect unison with nature. They are also clever and cunning, and they love to play all sort of pranks. If one of them encounters a mortal woman he desires, he’ll simply steal her from her own world. This is what happens to my human heroine, Igraine.

Who is the audience for this story?
Readers who, deep inside their heart, believe that somewhere - maybe not too far away - another world exists; a place where myths and legends come true. And women who want to have it all in one story - romance, action, mind-blowing passion, and the immortal love of a prince.

How would you define the genre for this book? Are there any underlying themes?
Jokingly, I call it “H.E.R.” - Hot Elven Romance. Actually, it’s a paranormal romance with lots of steamy scenes and a strong alpha male as the hero. Still, it’s not like urban fantasy since the story mainly takes place in the elven realms, so I guess it’s a fantasy novel, as well. You’ll find noble knights, monsters and magicians, sacrifice, betrayal and revenge. It’s a romance at heart, but I was strongly influenced by Celtic mythology and the Arthurian Legends when I created Fearann, Elathan’s kingdom.

How would you describe the heat level for this book?
Although I see Bound to the Prince as a fantasy/paranormal romance, I think it would be also right to call it erotic romance so that readers will know what to expect.

The heat level is definitely much higher than in mainstream romances; the erotic scenes are more frequent and explicit. My hero is an alpha male - after all, Elathan’s a prince who's used to be the one in command. He likes to be dominant and possessive in bed, but in a loving way. Since he's an elf, he even might use some magic to enhance his woman's pleasure. But I strongly feel that the main focus is on the love story, and there's much more going on in the elven realms than just mind-blowing passion. As the story enfolds, you'll visit beautiful places, meet mysterious creatures and see some fighting action, too.

What sets Bound to the Prince apart from other books in the genre?
Although I am not 100% sure, I think that my book is the first romance featuring an elven hero. Besides, Elathan is another sort of elf than those we know from fantasy fiction. He’s much darker, deadly beautiful and seductive. But at the same time, he has a strong sense of honor and responsibility. If he gives his heart to a woman, it will be forever. I love paranormal romances, but I didn’t want to write another story about vampires, weres or shapeshifters - there are already so many talented authors who did that. Instead, I felt that it might be the right time for something new.

Will Bound to the Prince be part of a series? If so, can you tell us more about it?
Yes. “Bound to the Prince” is the first book of my upcoming Elven Warrior Trilogy. I am currently working on the second part, which will be Calatin’s story. Calatin is an elven magician and Elathan’s friend. I introduced him in “Bound”. He’s funny and sexy, and he’s an irresistible womanizer. But at the same time, he’s loyal and honorable. Calatin is a character I fell in love with quite unexpectedly. I planned him as some sort of funny sidekick to Prince Elathan, but he turned out to be so much more.

Who did the cover art for your book?
Kimberly Killion at Hot Damn Designs, a wonderful artist and a romance writer herself. It was a pleasure working with her.

What is your favorite scene or line from Bound to the Prince?
It’s hard to decide, but I particularly like a scene where Elathan commands Igraine to wash him under a waterfall by an underground lake. It was so much fun to write. Read an excerpt of this chapter below.

If you could be one of the characters in your book, who would it be, and why?
Obviously, my heroine Igraine. At the beginning of the book, she has reached a dead end in her life, and she’s heartbroken. Then Elathan takes her to his beautiful realm of magic, and she gets all the hot elven lovin’. ;-) But Calatin is the character I fell in love with quite unexpectedly. I planned him as some sort of funny sidekick to the prince, but he turned out to be so much more.

Where can readers find your book? Is it available in ebook, print, or both?
It’s already available at Amazon.com as a Kindle ebook, and will shortly be published in print version. You can also find it in many other e-book formats on Smashwords and other large retailers.

Is there anything else you would like readers to know?
The elven language I used in this story is, though I didn’t especially mention it, Irish Gaelic. I had some help from a good friend who learned this wonderful old language from her Irish grandmother. My next blog entry will be about “How to say it in Gaelic” - teaching you the best declarations of love and the best insults, just in case you’ll encounter some handsome-as-hell sex god from Ireland or Scotland whom you want to impress. I also wove some old Irish legends into the story. Readers will find the original versions on my website if they are interested to dig deeper into the mythology.

Where can readers find you online?
You can find book excerpts, a video trailer and more on my homepage: http://www.deborahcourt.com.
My blog: http://www.deborahcourt.blogspot.com.

I always love hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to hit the “Contact me”-button! Although it may take a few days, I’ll answer every message.

~~~oOo~~~

FIRST WORDS... (from Prologue)

Deep in the night, an elven prince lay by a lake, sound asleep.

Dreams wove their way into his peacefully resting mind, dreams of days long past, when he was a young knight living at his father’s court. King Bres of the Tuatha Dé Danann had attached great importance to his son’s education and insisted that Elathan was to be treated the same as any other warrior in his service, for he should not grow up to be pampered and weak. After all, Prince Elathan’s royal duty would be to defend Fearann, the lands of the Fae, and make sure that no human would ever cross the magic boundaries.

~~~oOo~~~

EXCERPT from Bound to the Prince

Elathan stood at the edge of the lake,waiting for Igraine to serve him. “What do you want me to do, my Lord?” sheasked, still avoiding looking at his private parts.

“Don’t you filthy humans even know how towash?” he hissed impatiently. He gestured to the ornate table. "Thesevials contain soaps and oils. Use them to bathe my body, slave.” The princestepped under the waterfall, rinsing off part of the mud, but it stuck to hisskin and hair. Igraine sniffed at some of the bottles, inhaling their wonderful,unknown scents. Some of them were fresh, others musky, but clearly intended foruse on the gorgeous body of the male who was showering right in front of her,naked. Water droplets glistened on his skin, running down from his chest to hisflat, rippling stomach and still further down, gathering at … "Why do Ifeel like I'm in midst of a Cool Water commercial now?" shenervously murmured, wincing when the elf threw her a glance that clearlydeclared her a lunatic.

Sighing, Igraine took a small green bottle containinga soapy liquid and followed the prince. Elathan stepped out of his naturalshower without even looking at her. Closing his eyes, he turned his broad backto Igraine, with the unspoken order to wash him. She poured some of thearomatic soap into the palm of her hand. The mud was diluted by the water, butit still ran in dark streams over the elf’s body, down over his hips and hismuscular backside, dripping over his thighs. It collected in a puddle at hisfeet.

Igraine’s hands trembled when she reached outto touch him. “May I …?” she said softly. “What are you waiting for?” Elathanreplied. Despite the harsh words, his voice was low and hoarse. She couldn’tsee the expression of his face from behind, but she noticed his rigid posture.His contempt for her was obvious.

Taking a deep breath, she fought back hertears and started with his dirty hair, lathering it with the luxurious soap.Black, muddy water ran through her fingers and down her arms. When she hadworked the soap into the whole silken length, she reached up to massage hisscalp. Elathan stiffened before tilting his head back so she could reach himmore easily. After she had washed all the mud out of his hair, she reached outto touch his shoulders, covering his pale skin with the soap.

Elathan stiffened even more, looking like astatue of stone now. Her hands wandered to the sides of his neck to wash thedirt away, then moved down over his shoulders, rubbing him in circles. His skinwas smooth and soft as velvet over his rock-hard muscles. How much she loved totouch him! No man had ever affected her so much. Just being close to him madeher a weak creature, driven by the most primitive desire to mate.

Now that he couldn’t see her shamelesslystaring at him, she was safe to admire his muscular back. It was built like anartist’s masterpiece. The scars marring his alabaster skin only enhanced hisbeauty. Without them, the sight would be too perfect for human eyes to endure.They were old, faint scars, diagonally crisscrossing all over his back. Igrainesuddenly realized that the prince had been whipped, even if it had obviouslyhappened long ago. Tears stinging in her eyes, she lightly traced the scarswith her fingers while she washed his back. Although she didn't dare, shelonged to touch those reminders of his torment with her lips, kissing theancient pain away.

Continuing with his waist, she found somevery nasty grime there, sticking to the prince’s skin. As she rubbed his sidesto get them clean, Elathan seemed to wince. She paused, but when he saidnothing, she rubbed some more. He winced again, apparently trying to escape hertouch. At first she stared at his back, baffled for a moment. Maybe he didn'tlike her to touch him anymore. But then she understood.

The merciless, battle-hardened elven princewas ticklish.

Amazed by her discovery, she pondered abouttickling him some more, but decided against it. She should not tempt her fatetoo much. Instead she reached around his waist and began to wash his widechest, feeling his strong heartbeat and the heat of his skin. He was so tallthat she had to press her body against his back to reach him with her arms.Moving down, she soaped his flat stomach, feeling the tense muscles under herfingertips. Elathan seemed to breathe more heavily now. For a moment, she askedherself what would happen if she dared to go even deeper, washing him … there.When she had finished and withdrew her arms, she glanced down at his butt.Heavens, this was too good to be true – so smooth, perfectly rounded and tight.She wondered if he would allow her to wash him there, too.

Suddenly a mischievous grin spread across herface. Well, even if he would kill her afterwards, this princely backside wouldbe worth it. Now your ass is mine, Your Royal Highness, she thought. She justcouldn’t help it. Then her hands touched his muscular buttocks, lathering thesoap in small circles over the skin. Maybe being an elven prince's slave wasn'tgoing to be so bad, after all. When Elathan moaned ever so softly, she couldn’thold herself back anymore. A small giggle escaped her lips.

Strong hands grabbed her upper arms. Igrainewas whirled around until she stared directly into Elathan’s furious face, hisgolden eyes burning with anger. Before she could move or utter a sound, hepicked her up like a weightless doll and threw her into the lake.

All of this happened so quickly that shedidn't even have time to hold her breath. She sank into the dark water andstruggled for a moment in panic. Then she managed to reach the surface and cameup, coughing and gasping for air. Bewildered, she was still wondering what hadhappened when Elathan was suddenly in there with her, wading through the lakeand quickly rinsing off the soap from his hair and body. His pitiless grin lether know that he found her distress entertaining.

"You!" she shouted angrily, shovingagainst his chest with both hands. The fact that his eyes widened with surprisegave her a certain amount of satisfaction, but not enough. "Prince or not,who the hell do you think you are? First you abduct and enslave me, threateningto kill me if I don't obey your every wish and whim. You hate humans, and stillyou don't bother to kill me. Instead, you seem to enjoy your little game ofhumiliating me. Why don't you finally get it over with, elf? You incrediblyarrogant, insufferable…"

He grabbed her wrists and bent her armsbehind her back with a swift movement. Simultaneously, he silenced her with ahard, passionate kiss.

Want to sample some more?
Download a 20% excerpt at Smashwords

Find it on Goodreads HERE

You can also view a trailer for this book at Deborah's website or on YouTube

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I lovebooks. I always did, since I was old enough to learn to read, and my passionfor stories – funny or tragic, dark or fantastic, sad or amusing – has grownever since. With time, I started to think about the books I had read,starting to write alternate endings or additional scenes. The step to write myown story wasn't too far from there. Over the years, I have written many shortstories, fiction and articles for magazines. But the wish to write my ownromance was always there, in the back of my head.

During mytime at college, I was lucky enough to get a job as a translator of historical romancebooks. Translating made me learn a lot about the structure of a book, aboutgood and bad writing and what the reader looks for in a good story.

With therise of paranormal romances, I finally encountered a genre that had everythingI ever wanted in a story: Love, supernatural and fantasy elements, and morepassionate love scenes than in your usual romance. "Bound to the Prince" beganas a small story about an elven warrior who has been living in exile for manyyears, hidden in underground caves beneath the world of humans. Never in mywildest dreams had I imagined it to grow into a full-length romance, but hereit is, and I hope you enjoy reading as much as I loved writing it.

=====

Deborah, thanks for coming by and telling us about your book! I think you had me on "ticklish". This one is going in my TBR. Kimberly did an awesome job on the cover, too. It definitely caught my eye :)

Whatcha Reading? Bound by Blood - P.A. Lupton

2011-08-23T19:56:00.000-04:00

Whatcha Reading? is a feature that spotlights currently released titles. Today we have P.A. Lupton here to give us a closer look at her paranormal romance, Bound by Blood.

Word Count: approx. 95,654

(Novel)

What’s the basic premise of Bound by Blood?

FBI agent and psychic, Brianna Reece, descends from an ancient and powerful bloodline of witches, only she doesn’t know it. But now that legacy has come back to bite her—literally.
In the shadows of night in Denver Colorado, a serial killer is hunting women, and FBI agent Brianna Reece is hunting the killer. Unlike any case she’s worked before, Brianna can’t ignore the prickling at the back of her neck when she glimpses the resemblance she shares with the victims. The investigation begins to touch even closer to home when it is revealed that all of the victims were also psychic.

Complicating matters further, Brianna is captivated by the FBI’s prime suspect Nathan Donovan. Though she senses he is hiding something from her, the attraction she feels for him is compelling, and unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Through a chance twist of fate, Nathan learns of Brianna’s ancestry and is forced to divulge secrets to Brianna that will change her life forever.

When she learns that the killer is an evil vampire, and he’s now set his sights on her, Nathan alone holds the key to awakening her dormant powers. Now he must race to teach her how to control her emergent gifts before she becomes the next victim.

What inspired the idea for this book?

It started with a question I read that asked, “If you could have any power what would it be”? I thought about it and decided it would be cool to be Empathic, and I contemplated the ways that gift could develop. That’s when I created the character of Brianna Reece.

I wanted her to fall in love with a man that could be her equal—a partner. Many stories have women who fall in love with a strong alpha male, constantly rescuing them from danger. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I love a powerful alpha male as much as the next girl. Nathan Donovan is that man, and although he is strong enough to protect Brianna, he respects her enough to let her fight her own battles as well. Once the characters were alive in my mind, the story just sort of developed after that.

Who is the audience for this story?

The story is really geared toward adult women who like the Paranormal.

How would you define the genre for this book? Are there any underlying themes?

Bound by Blood skates closely on the line between Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy, and could be considered a hybrid of both genres. Though the relationship between the main characters is a focal point of the story, there is much more to the plot, including an underlying theme of mystery. There’s the obvious whodunit, but also the secrecy of Brianna’s lineage that must be unraveled.

What sets Bound by Blood apart from other books in the genre?

Bound by Blood is a Paranormal Romance, but there’s more than just romance. It also has mystery, suspense, and a unique blending of vampires and witches, with some fresh theories about the origins of both. It steps outside the stereotypes regarding both mythological legends and offers up some different ideas.

Will Bound by Blood be part of a series? If so, can you tell us more about it?

Yes, Bound by Blood is the first book in a series entitled The Garner Witch Series. I am hoping to release the second book in the series before Christmas 2011.

Who did the cover art for your book?

Actually, I initially hired a cover artist to design my cover, but when I received the finished product I hated it. While complaining to my brother—the computer wiz—he asked what I wanted. I explained my vision to him and an hour later he showed me this cover, which is exactly how I envisioned it. He’s brilliant—though I don’t tell him that.

What is your favorite scene or line from Bound by Blood?
I like this scene because it highlights the independent nature of the heroine:

He rushed at me, grabbing onto my hair as he pressed the knife against my face, “If you’re waiting for your boyfriend to rescue you, don’t. He’ll never find you.”

Despite my exhaustion, I managed to let out a short, humorless laugh, “You really are from another time aren’t you. Well, let me give you a clue—women rescue ourselves now, asshole. ”

If you could be one of the characters in your book, who would it be, and why?

Unquestionably the heroine Brianna, she can kick ass, she’s powerful, and she’s dating the sexiest vampire I could imagine.

Where can readers find your book? Is it available in ebook, print, or both?

Bound by Blood is available in paperback and all e-book formats. You can purchase either directly from my website http://www.palupton.com/ or alternatively at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Is there anything else you would like readers to know?

Well the first thing I’d like to do is thank you for inviting me to spotlight Bound by Blood on your blog. Also I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to review the book, or send me their reactions. I’m surprised by how many people have taken the time to email me with such positive feedback. This is the first book that I’ve published, and I never realized how terrifying it would be to put something out there that is so personal to me.

Where can readers find you online?

My website: http://www.palupton.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5096013.P_A_Lupton
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/search/Pennyannlupton

~~~oOo~~~

FIRST WORDS...
The music was screaming, the bass thumping, reverberating through the floor and pounding furiously in my chest. I glanced around the club, my assessing eyes drawn to the scantily clad women hanging around the bar. I felt overly exposed as I dressed in my too-short skirt and too-tight blouse with the sweeping neckline, which in my opinion was also too-low. The outfit, exactly opposite to my regular collection of slacks and blouses, but as I observed the women in the club tonight I realized I was dressed like a nun in comparison. I hated going to clubs.
But this wasn’t a social visit. Tonight I was hunting a killer.

~~~oOo~~~

EXCERPT from Bound by Blood

Nathan Donovan rose to greet us, and I noticed three things at once: First, the alluring scent that filled the room was him. Second, he was undeniably the most drop dead gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on. And third, he was the source of the pulsating charge in the room. His aura literally vibrated like nothing I’d ever seen or felt before, it was as if lightning were contained in the body of a man.

His movements were purposeful and sinuous, he seemed utterly confident—although not cocky. He was simply a man comfortable in his own skin. He wore black dress slacks and a light blue shirt with a darker silver-blue tie. Despite the business attire he was wearing, I could see that he was muscular and well built.

Tall, at least six-foot-two, his shoulders were broad and tapered down to a lean waist. His hair and perfectly shaped eyebrows were deep brunette, almost black, and they contrasted perfectly with his tone. His skin appeared luminescent, literally flawless, completely unlined and free of blemishes.

His hungry gaze drank in my body from head to toe, and when he finished his perusal he lifted the corner of his full—very kissable lips—in a wicked and dangerous smirk.

He turned his attention to my partner and extended his hand, all the while keeping me in his peripheral. “Hello, my name is Nathan Donovan.”

“I’m special agent Morrison” my partner shook his hand “and this is special agent Reece,” he said as Nathan Donovan turned his eyes back to me. It was then that I got a good look at their color. They were deep chocolate brown with tiny, almost imperceptible, hints of golden flecks inside. High cheekbones and a slightly shadowed square jaw made him look as though his face had been chiseled by the gods themselves.

“Hello Mr. Donovan.” I stammered while extending my hand.

Our hands connected and it was like liquid fire was suddenly pumping through my veins, I almost wrenched my hand back in surprise from my body’s unexpected response.

There was a gleam in his eyes that told me my reaction to his touch hadn’t escaped his notice. His tongue peeked out slightly, tracing the inside of his lower lip. No one had ever stared at me so intently, like he knew I was undressing him with my eyes and he welcomed the fantasy. I felt a blush move furtively up my face as I quickly pulled my hand back and averted my eyes from his knowing stare. For the first time in my life, I was speechless, I couldn’t think of a single coherent thing to say.

“How can I be of assistance to the FBI?” He asked breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Great, his voice was just as destructive to my libido as his touch, it was like pure sex! The sound of it did something wildly erratic to my heart rate. Aside from the formality of his speech, his voice was sensual, almost melodious. God, the intonation was like foreplay. My stomach felt like a hundred butterflies had just taken flight, and my heart was banging against my chest so loud, I was sure they could both hear it. Get a grip Brianna. Focus. Was he asking me something?

“Ahem” Morrison cleared his throat and glared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “We’re here investigating a homicide, the victim had one of your business cards at the scene, and we were hoping that you could explain why.”

I was grateful for Morrison’s presence. Otherwise I may have made a complete ass of myself—as opposed to the half-ass I just made. I tried to keep my thoughts professional and focus on what they were saying.

“Oh?” he glanced back at me briefly and then turned his attention completely to Morrison’s question. “I am very sorry to hear that. What was her name agent Morrison? If there is any way I can help with your investigation I would be happy to do so.” He said sincerely.

“Morganna Tate”

He sighed wearily and I could see sadness fill his eyes. “Yes, I met Morganna. I made her acquaintance just recently. She believed someone was stalking her. She was frightened, but unfortunately, the lack of corroboration prevented the police from helping. Her only proof that someone was watching her was that she had a ‘bad feeling’.” He shook his head and had a faraway look. “Regrettably, it would seem her ‘feeling’ proved spot on.”

“What exactly did she want from you?” Morrison asked.

“She wanted to hire one of my bodyguards for protection.”

“Your bodyguards are pretty expensive from what I hear.” Morrison questioned.

“Ms. Tate was a successful psychologist, she could afford our services.” He answered.

I was slowly regaining some rational thought. I asked a question hoping it would come out somewhat articulate “Who did you assign to guard her?” Relieved, I actually managed to keep my voice steady.

He looked back at me, now tentatively as if deciding how to answer. “I had not yet assigned her a body guard.”

I had the distinct impression he was lying, but the electricity coming from him was muting his emotions. Time to do my thing, I thought, as I prodded deeper to gauge his real reaction, not the one he voiced. I established a more profound connection and momentarily was able to read two very distinct emotions: First, incredible sadness. The news of Morganna’s death had caused him a great deal of pain. The second thing I sensed was deception—he was hiding something from us. It was just a brief glimpse though, because just as I formed the link between us, it unexpectedly slammed shut.

With a shocked expression, Nathan whipped his head in my direction and his eyes bored curiously into mine. For the first time ever, I had the distinct impression that he knew precisely what I was doing. That’s not possible, I thought. Before I could try again, his lips quirked into a smirk I could only describe as challenging, and he had the nerve to wink at me.

Want to sample some more?
Download an 11% excerpt at Smashwords

Find it on Goodreads HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ever since I can remember I’ve had an addiction to books, and from the moment I picked up my first Anne Rice novel, I was hooked on the paranormal. The compelling lure of the paranormal world is irresistible. It is a world where anything and everything is possible, and the boundaries of humanity need not apply. A world in which life spans are measured by centuries and millennia, rather than decades, and a woman can possess inhuman strengths and kick major ass, yet still retain her innate femininity.

Why Vampires? They are the ultimate bad boys.

Women love a dangerous man, and what could be more dangerous than a vampire. Vampires embody everything we crave about the stereotypical bad boy. They exude confidence and sensuality. They are exciting, mysterious, and the epitome of masculine perfection—strong, youthful, and indescribably gorgeous. What’s not to love?

My first novel, Bound by Blood, combines my two favorite paranormal legends: witches and vampires—with a little romance thrown into the mix. I hope you enjoy it.

=====

Thanks for coming by and telling us about your book!

Quick Bite Review: The Amazing Transformation of Wicca Dog by Krista D. Ball

2011-08-17T21:00:00.000-04:00

Quick Bites: shorter reviews for shorter stories

The Amazing Transformation of Wicca Dog
by Krista D. Ball

Genres: Paranormal Fantasy/Humor
Word Count: approx. 3300 (Short Story)
Publication Date: April 11, 2011
ePub Pages: 13
Kindle locations: 228
Source: My personal library

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:
When Robert is bitten by his nephew, he's convinced that he isn't really going to turn into a werewolf. After all, werewolves aren't real. Unfortunately for Robert, mischievous Pan is nearby, lamenting that there aren't enough shapeshifters in the world.

MY THOUGHTS:
This short story was a fun and furry read. There was about 9-10 pages of story text and it was just the right size for a quick read before bed when I was just too tired to dig into a novel. It is a fun little story about a wiccan who unexpectedly gets in touch with his furry side. Sometimes short stories can be disappointing, but I was very satisfied with this one. There was a beginning, a middle, and an end with a twist that made me smile. I thought it was well written and proofed. I did have a couple of minor quibbles, but it's nothing I'm going to lose sleep over. I'm glad I picked this one up the other night. The cover has a bit of a sinister feel, but don't be fooled, this story is definitely on the lighter side. Krista D. Ball is now on my radar and I'll be checking out her other books.

Rating: 4 (I Really Liked It)

Typos: 0 (woot!)

-----oOo-----

This short story is available only in ebook format. You can find Krista D. Ball online at:

Website: http://www.kristadball.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kristadb1

Facebook: Krista's FB page
Blog: http://www.kristadball.com/blog

-----oOo-----

Find it on Goodreads HERE

Get the Book!

Smashwords | Kindle | Nook

Review: Bob Moore: No Hero by Tom Andry

2011-08-14T21:14:00.000-04:00

Bob Moore: No Hero

by Tom Andry

Genre: SpecFic>Superhero>Mystery/Detective

Word Count: approx. 39,530 (Novella)

Publication Date: January 8, 2011

Print length: 186 pgs

ePub pages: 108

Kindle locations: 2044

Bob Moore, Book 1

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:
Super powered humans started appearing 30 years ago. Now, they are everywhere. Bob Moore, Private Eye, dares to investigate those who could incinerate him with a thought. When he is called to help a super from his past, however, he'll be pushed to his limit. When supers and the police think there is no crime, can he get to the truth? Will he want to for the man that destroyed his marriage?

MY THOUGHTS:

A non-powered P.I. investigates a case of disappearing superheroes in a world that caters to the super powered.

Bob Moore: No Hero started off with a bang, or maybe I should say it was on fire considering Bob was in a tree that was set aflame by a super he was investigating. I thought it was a great start, it grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading. However, after the first few chapters, which were action-packed, the story pacing slowed down for me quite a bit and became a bit mundane, but only for awhile. Things picked up again when Bob finally accepted the case and started investigating.

I did like the dialogue between Bob and Khan and would like to have had more of that. Khan is a super who works for Bob but whose powers have a bit of a glitch. I liked this character. Overall the dialogue was comfortable but a couple of times it felt like Bob was channeling an old detective noir movie. Bob himself seems a bit of a jaded character. He doesn't like the supers much and doesn't have a lot of good things to say about them, but then he does have some history with them that would contribute to this. Also, the world he lives in caters to the supers and seems to treat the non-powered like second-class citizens.

Andry has certainly created a world that is an interesting "what if" scenario that considers what might happen if super powered humans suddenly started showing up in the population in significant quantities. One of the questions I had after reading this book is where did the superheroes come from? Superheroes in this world are a somewhat recent phenomena but I don't recall it ever being explained why they suddenly started to appear. The curious kitty in me wants to know the whys and whats behind this. It is an interesting superhero world and though we learn quite a bit about it, I wonder if the next book will go into more detail.

The classic superhero characteristics that comic book lovers can appreciate fill the pages of this story: spandex (lots of it), molded masks, secret identities, nifty gadgets, super geniuses, and campy names. On the other hand, I can't say that the supers are the focus of this story like they would be in a comic book (not that I'm an expert on comic books, mind you). The story is told from Bob's perspective so it is more about the world that Bob lives in and his interactions with the supers in his investigations and daily life, his back story, world-building, and the detective aspect of the story. When the story got too detective-ish without action scenes to keep me glued to my ereader, I started to lose some interest until Bob got to the house where he makes a bizarre discovery. This is where things really start to get interesting. Hey, I read paranormal...I love me some weirdness :) Bob also has some emotional baggage related to the supers, but it adds an edge to his character and it is also relevant to the story.

I liked the writing style and the world Andry created. I also really liked the ending and how the mystery was resolved. I was definitely glued to the last third of this book. I didn't guess the culprit, but I came close. I felt it was a solid book with solid writing but it didn't completely fulfill my personal reading needs. If the story hadn't slowed down for me and if I had more appreciation of the detective aspect of the book, I would probably rate this a bit higher.

Rating: 3 (I Liked It)

Typos Found: 5

This is a free ebook so it's a no-risk read (but it's also available in paperback). The sequel to this book, Bob Moore: Desperate Times, is novel length and due to be released August 2011.

~~~ oOo ~~~

This book is available in both ebook and paperback formats. You can find Tom Andry on the web at:

Website: http://www.tomandry.com/
Blog: http://www.tomandry.com/extras/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AVRant_Tom
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bob-Moore-Investigations/219761961396719

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4608873.Tom_Andry

Get the book!

Kindle | Smashwords | Nook

More venue links available on Tom's website

Find it on Goodreads HERE

Check out the Whatcha Reading? Book Spotlight for Bob Moore: No Hero right here on IPBR.

Review: Toil and Trouble by H.P. Mallory

2011-07-18T20:09:00.000-04:00

Toil and Trouble
by H.P. Mallory

Genre: Light Paranormal Romance
Formats available: paperback, ebook
Publication Date: November 30, 2010
Word Count: approx. 104,780 (Novel)
Print Length: 270 pgs
Epub Pages: 281 pgs
Kindle Locations: 6252
Source: ebook provided by author

Jolie Wilkins, #2

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:

The Underworld in civil war.
The cause? A witch who can reanimate the dead.
A sexy as sin vampire determined to claim her.
An infuriatingly handsome warlock torn between duty and love.
Who says blonds have more fun?

After defending herself against fairy magic, Jolie Wilkins wakes to find her world turned upside down—the creatures of the Underworld on the precipice of war. The Underworld is polarized in a battle of witch against witch, creature against creature, led by the villainous Bella, who would be Queen.

While Jolie has one goal in mind, to stake the vampire, Ryder, who nearly killed her, she also must choose between the affections of her warlock employer, Rand, and the mysteriously sexy vampire, Sinjin. And as if that weren’t enough to ruin a girl’s day, everything Jolie knows will be turned inside out when she’s thrust into the shock of a lifetime.

MY THOUGHTS:

Toil and Trouble picks up right after Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble ends.The power struggle for control of the Underworld continues and the battle between Bella's and Rand's forces is imminent. While the politics, strategy, and preparation for the battle move forward, the love triangle between Rand, Jolie, and Sinjin continues as well.

Rand is his usual conflicted yet sexy self, but we learn a little more about why he has an approach/avoidance issue with Jolie. Then there is Sinjin, our bad-boy vampire who also wants Jolie, but is it because he really likes her or does he have some other agenda? Sinjin plays a much bigger role in this book and the affections of Rand and Sinjin continue to yank Jolie in two different directions for most of the book. However, events toward the end of the book will seem to move her more in one direction than another and makes me wonder how or if this love triangle will be handled in the next book. I have to admit that Jolie's character grated on me a little at times, but I liked the romantic tension between Jolie, Rand, and Sinjin.

There is an element of time travel in this book and during this part we learn more about Rand, Sinjin, and others and get answers to some of the whys and whats of the story. We also learn more about the source of the bad feelings between Sinjin and Rand. If there were any time travel continuity issues I couldn't tell ya.... thinking about the mechanics and issues of time travel tends to give me a wee headache, so I don't worry about it and go with the flow. :)

Mallory has notched up the heat level in this book and the sex scenes are more explicit, though I didn't think they always flowed well--maybe even a little rushed at times--and I felt there were some inconsistencies or continuity issues.

The beginning was a little slow but it picked up soon enough, especially when Sinjin started to get more involved in the story. (Well c'mon..it's Sinjin!) The story kept me turning the pages and I got all the elements that I liked from the first book... a light paranormal romance with a dash of humor and snark, paranormal characters galore, and a romantic conflict but with some extra spice this time around. Since this is a series with a continuing story line that uses the same main characters in each book, I recommend reading it in order so you understand the conflicts, relationships, and history between the characters.

Rating: 4 (I Really Liked It)

Typos Found: 14+

~~~ oOo ~~~

This book is available in both ebook or paperback formats. You can find H.P. Mallory on the web at:

Website: http://www.hpmallory.com/
Blog: http://urbanfantasyauthor.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hpmallory
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HP-Mallory/170736579637643

Get the book!

Kindle | Smashwords | Nook

Whatcha Reading? Galaxy Girls by Edie Ramer

2011-07-16T21:21:00.050-04:00

Whatcha Reading? is a feature that spotlights currently released titles. Today we have Edie Ramer here to give us a closer look at her newest novel, Galaxy Girls. I was fortunate enough to read an advance copy of Galaxy Girls and enjoyed it so much I asked Edie to stop by and tell us more about the book. It's not actually paranormal...really more sci-fi, but that's close enough for me :) Without further ado...here's Edie!

Word Count: approx. 90,360
(Novel)

What’s the basic premise of Galaxy Girls?
Michelle, thank you so much for inviting me to your place. Here’s the short blurb:

Genetically created to be broodmares, Phyrne Galaxy and her mother, aunt and cousin escape to earth. When their freedom is threatened, they use their most potent weapon against a sexy FBI agent and two casino thugs ─ pheromones.

Six years later the now ex-FBI-agent-turned-alien-hunter finds out Phyrne has a five-year-old daughter, and that’s just the beginning of their trouble. Two Kergeron warriors are on their trail. Phyrne's calm life running the Tea & Comfort shop in Freedom, KY, is about to get shaken, stirred and screwed.

What inspired the idea for this book?
Before Galaxy Girls, I’d written a women’s fiction about four women friends. I loved that mix of strong, supportive women. But I also love writing books with paranormal elements. So I decided to combine these elements. That was almost two years ago, and I don’t remember how I came up with the plot. I do know I wanted it to be a fun book. What could be more fun than women who use pheromones as a weapon? But it’s not all fun. It has an underlying serious issue of women breaking free of tyranny.

Who is the audience for this story?
A friend suggested Galaxy Girls as a title, and I immediately thought of Gilmore Girls. It’s so appropriate. Galaxy Girls is like Gilmore Girls with an extra level of pheromones. If Lorelai Gilmore could’ve used pheromones as a weapon to protect Rory from bad guys, I’m sure she would have. So that’s my audience: readers who like Gilmore Girls and paranormal/sci fi romance with a twist.

How would you define the genre for this book?
Along with being able to use pheromones as a weapon (which can’t always be controlled), each of the four Galaxy women has a metaphysical power. Most of the story takes place in a small Kentucky town, so I originally thought it was a paranormal romance. But when I sent it to agents and editors, they told me it was sci fi romance. I like sci fi romance, so I’m happy with that.

Are there any underlying themes?
Family, friendship, and freedom. I even named the town Freedom. It felt appropriate.

What sets Galaxy Girls apart from other books in the genre?

I came at it as a hybrid book from the beginning. A paranormal with a strong quartet of women. Five if I count Birdie, the heroine’s five-year-old daughter. It feels like there are a lot of paranormals with teams of men characters and very few with women. I think a lot of readers are ready for books about Phyrne and her family members.

This doesn’t mean I shortchange the men. The hero has allies, too: a female FBI agent he’d worked with in the past; a newbie agent he’s teamed with at the Foundation, a non-government shadow agency that hunts down aliens; and the Foundation’s director, a physically and emotionally damaged man who only shows tenderness to the dogs he rescues.

And one of my favorite characters in the book is a Kergeron warrior sent to bring the Galaxy women back to Kergeron.

Will Galaxy Girls be part of a series? If so, can you tell us more about it?
Absolutely! I’m writing a long novella next. The main character is Phyrne’s aunt. She’s a precog and her visions of the future aren’t always pleasant. Out of all the Galaxy Girls, she’s the most reserved. In this book, I’m yanking her way out of her comfort zone. Her hormones, under control for many years, start acting up at inconvenient times. (As hormones often do.) She might get an unsuitable love interest... Or she might get two. Plus, a government agency, nicknamed the Freak Squad, is on the trail of the Galaxy girls, and the youngest Galaxy girl is helping another child in trouble.

When I started Galaxy Girls, I had plans to write a book for each Galaxy woman. But then I discovered there’s a male relative still in Kergeron. As I wrote about his existence, I thought, “Hmmm. Future hero?” The head of the Foundation is another interesting character who will have his own story.

Who did the cover art for your book?
Laura Morrigan. She’s done all my covers. She’s amazing!

What is your favorite scene or line from Galaxy Girls?
I love the beginning scene where Phyrne uses her pheromones to bring down the thugs waiting for them outside the casino. Then the hunky FBI agent gets into the mix, and her pheromones backfire.

Here are two lines from her encounter with the casino thugs:

Both guns trained on her, but she kept her gaze on their faces and a smile on her mouth. Not an “I’m happy with the world” smile but an “I’d like to suck your love stick until you weep with ecstasy” smile.

If you could be one of the characters in your book, who would it be, and why?
Birdie, Phyrne’s five-year-old daughter. She can levitate. What a terrific talent! And she has four wonderful women who love her and are great role models. My mother was a great role model, but she was just one woman. Four is better.

Where can readers find your book? Is it available in ebook, print, or both?
Galaxy Girls is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance and Smashwords. It should soon be available in Kobo, Sony, Apple store, and Diesel. I plan to have it available in print, but probably not until fall.

Is there anything else you would like readers to know?
Yes, thanks for asking! Along with eleven other writers ─ including several NY Times bestselling writers ─ I’m part of Authors4TheCure. This September we’ll be publishing a short story anthology, with the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Entangled includes twelve suspense-filled paranormal stories from authors Allison Brennan, Lori Brighton, Michelle Diener, Cynthia Eden, Jennifer Estep, Misty Evans, Nancy Haddock, Liz Kreger, Dale Mayer, Michelle Miles, Karin Tabke and me. It will be available at most digital retailers on September 1st.

Misty Evans and I are putting this together. I’ve read ten stories so far, and they’re all astounding.

Where can readers find you online?
My website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

I also belong to popular grog, Magical Musings, where I can be found every other Monday. We often have giveaways.

EXCERPT from Galaxy Girls
Copyright 2011 Edie Ramer

Hawk had thought he could express the DNA sample, then stroll down the street, check out a few stores, plant a GPS tracker on the Galaxy’s car and glance at the Tea & Comfort from the sidewalk without going in. But he couldn’t. The need to see Phyrne’s face had eaten at him like a heroine addict’s need for a fix.

He stood in the tea-scented room, two feet away from her, close enough to feel her unease. It gave him a savage satisfaction. He flicked his gaze down her curvy body and back up again. Her mother and her cousin hovered on either side of her. The only one missing was Ki Galaxy. According to an earlier phone call by Nelson, Ki was grocery shopping.

It didn’t matter to Hawk whether Ki was here or not. Only Phyrne mattered to him. The others could zap away to another universe in a flying teapot, and he wouldn’t waggle his little finger to stop them.

As long as Phyrne stayed. Phyrne and her daughter.

He studied her, steeling himself not to reel forward like a fish flapping on a fishhook. Forcing himself to look for faults, he found them.

Her face was too wide to win beauty contests, her eyes too big, her nose too long, her complexion too golden, her eyes such a brilliant blue the color looked fake. Everything about her looked fake. With her golden skin and her statuesque body, she could have stepped fully clothed out of a centerfold.

But fake was the one thing he knew she wasn’t. She was more genuine and passionate than any woman he’d dated. But what they’d done hadn’t been close to dating. She’d enraptured him. Sucked the life out of him and left him passed out in the surveillance van.

Though she gazed back at him with her chin up, he saw apprehension in her eyes. The flicker of fear.

Good. He wanted her to be scared.

She blinked, then averted her gaze, glancing past him, toward the door. He felt her yearning to walk out, away from him.

His tension spiraled. He didn’t want her so scared she would run away with her daughter. Reaching out, he grasped her upper arm. She jerked, then stilled. Something flared in her eyes. Not fear this time. Anger.

Before he could inhale, the other two women stepped up to him, their eyes wide and anxious, their mouths clenched and determined.

“Take your hand off my daughter,” Liss said in a low voice.

Deena stared at his face, not saying a word. A pressure built in his head. He released Phyrne’s arm and pressed his hand against the left side of his head.

He flicked his gaze to Liss. She didn’t look like anyone’s mother. Not unless the mother was the Goddess Aphrodite.

He shifted to peer at the younger woman, the cousin. Studying her, he sealed her in his memory. Her eyes narrowed but she didn’t blink. The pressure inside his head swelled, something foreign – something alien – spiraling into his brain.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed at the pressure in his head. It remained, and he shoved harder. Get out! he shouted. Get out!

Deena’s color blanched and she reeled back. Phyrne gripped Deena’s shoulder and shared a look with her.

Neither spoke a word, but their expressions changed as if they communicated silently.

He lowered his hand, the pressure still there, but eased to a threadlike presence.

What the hell had just happened?

A chime and fresh air on his back announced a customer coming into the shop. Phyrne released Deena’s narrow shoulder and Deena turned toward the front, leaving them.

The pressure in his head left with her.

Phyrne nodded at her mother. “I can take care of this.”

Liss Galaxy frowned at him and gave him the look that said “I wouldn’t trust this man alone with you if he were legless and armless.” She sniffed, her disapproval as loud as if she’d shouted it to the town. With a hip swivel, she turned toward the husky young man glaring at their small gathering.

Hawk glanced around the room. A few couples were talking and drinking tea, nibbling on muffins, not paying them any attention. Only a redheaded woman sitting by the front window with her laptop open watched him suspiciously. Her cell phone was next to the laptop, and her hand covered it as she waited for him to make the wrong move.

Looking back at Phyrne, he said, “We need to talk. Someplace private.”

“We don’t need to do anything. I serve tea and muffins. If you want conversation with a woman, I hear there are 900 numbers for that.”

He realized he’d been prepared for seduction – realized he’d hoped for seduction – not defiance and a go-to-hell glare. Craning his head toward her, he lowered his voice, a menacing growl accompanying his menacing words.

“The casino has videos of you.”

Her breath hissed in. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I have the video. The one where you pushed me into the van.” He leaned closer, seeing flecks of gold in her blue eyes, breathing in her honeyed scent. “Don’t believe me? I can show it to you.” His whisper came out huskier than he intended. A sliver of air separated their cheeks, and he felt her tremble.

Want to sample some more?
Download a 20% excerpt at Smashwords

or add to your Goodreads shelf HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I’m funnier on the page than in real life. I live in southeastern Wisconsin with my husband, two dogs, and one important cat, where I write paranormal and sci fi romance about cats, ghosts, dragons, aliens, and even earth people with attitude.

After many near misses, close calls and four agents for my award-winning books, I decided to self-publish. It's one of the best things I've done. Since then, my books have been on three Kindle top ten bestselling lists, and top 100 for other categories. Galaxy Girls, Cattitude, Dead People (Haunted Hearts series, book 1), Dragon Blues and a short story, The Seventh Dimension, are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and most online retailers.

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Thanks for joining us today Edie and telling us about your book! I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series and the anthology sounds great!

Review: Paved With Good Intentions by Keith B. Darrell

2011-06-25T00:34:00.003-04:00

Paved With Good Intentions
by Keith B. Darrell

Genre: Comic Paranormal Fantasy
Formats available: paperback, ebook
Published by: Amber Book Company
Publication Date: January 15, 2010
Length: 322 pgs
Source: print book provided by author

Halos & Horns, #1

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:

Exiled on Earth, naive angel Gabriel and amoral demon Lucifer, in the human guise of "Gabe Horn" and "Lou Cypher", form an unlikely partnership as private investigators in Las Vegas. Their adventures take them across the seven heavenly realms, into the nine levels of Hell, through the dream realm of the Dreamscape, and even through time to Camelot. Along the way, the pair encounter a wickedly funny assortment of angels, demons, witches, warlocks, vampires, and other supernatural creatures.

Darrell has devised some of the most imaginative characters in contemporary fantasy, including an intriguing array of protagonists (Miss Twitch, a Salem witch; Emma, a British schoolgirl and witch in training, and Morgan Summers, a Dreamwalker) and antagonists (sadistic witch-hunter Nathaniel Thornhill, a golem, a Paiute Shaman, the corporate vampires of Nosferatu, Inc., trampires, gangsters, and demons). Some of the vampires include Sharon - she's Jewish, crosses don't bother her; Pandora - trouble follows her like a shadow; Claude - he's too claustrophobic to use a coffin; and Artemus - a 10-year-old boy who's been a vampire for 457 years. But the real stars are the ultimate odd couple, Gabriel and Lucifer, whose comedic banter and improbable escapades will amuse and thrill readers and leave them asking for more.

MY THOUGHTS:

A demon (Lucifer) and an angel (Gabriel) are sent to Earth on a mission by their respective masters. In the first chapter they appear to bungle this mission so they go into hiding in Las Vegas where they open a Private Investigations business under the guise of Lou Cypher and Gabe Horn. The story follows their adventures as they deal with numerous supernatural characters and events. As the story goes along it appears to lose the original mission for which Lucifer and Gabriel were sent to Earth, but all comes together at the end and sets up a continuation of the story.

The chapters read almost like a bunch of short stories that have some connecting threads. It reminded me of a TV show where each episode is mostly a story in itself but is all leading up to the season finale when the details start to come together and a few loose ends get tied up, but mostly it leaves a cliffhanger for the next season’s story.

When I first saw this book and read the blurb, it reminded me a bit of Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman -- a comic fantasy involving a demon and an angel on a good vs. evil mission with a cast of quirky characters. Well, you do get some of that but it is not at all like Good Omens. The feel of story was very different and it didn’t have the same funny factor or sense of satire. The best chuckle for me was on the first page and though it didn’t really give me the LOLs I was expecting, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it.

On the technical side, there were more than a handful of typos in the print version...don’t know about the digital version. There was also a scene that had what I feel was a continuity issue. The other issue I had was the relationship between Lucifer and Miss Twitch. This might be a small spoiler, so fair warning...

Start spoilerage...This is not a romance book so I don’t expect a big romantic build up or a lot of emphasis on a romance, but the relationship between Lucifer and Miss Twitch seemed to happen by osmosis...it was just there. One minute they are showing only the slightest clues of attraction and the next minute they are in love. This relationship actually has some significance to the overall story...End spoilerage.

Likewise, the discovery between Lucifer/Gabriel and Miss Twitch that the other was of a supernatural nature was another osmosis moment for me. It just seemed to happen without much more fanfare than choosing which cereal to have in the morning. Not even a simple Oh, you’re a demon! or Oh, you’re a witch! to be had. It seems to be simply accepted without any outward acknowledgment.

So yeah, I had a few issues with the story, but overall the writing style was comfortable and I enjoyed the back and forth between Lucifer and Gabriel even if it wasn’t as funny as expected. This book wasn’t a page-turner for me but it kept my interest. It was a quirky read and I quickly grew to like Lucifer, Gabriel, and Miss Twitch. I am interested in knowing what happens to them, which might have something to do with that darn cliffhanger! :)

Rating: 3 (I Liked It) And a few extra brownie points for the Harry Potter spoof!

Typos: 17 (refers to 1st print version - some of these may have been corrected in the 2nd printing)

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This book is available in paperback and ebook format (Kindle only at this time, but other formats forthcoming). Book 2 in this series, And a Child Shall Lead Them, was recently released. You can find Keith B. Darrell on the web at:

Blog: http://keithbdarrell.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Keith_B_Darrell
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keith-B-Darrell/196073142588
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1368191.Keith_B_Darrell

Get the book! Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback

The ebook is currently a sweet deal at .99 cents through the remainder of June!

Review: Dead People by Edie Ramer

2011-06-04T19:53:00.004-04:00

Dead People
by Edie Ramer

Genre: Paranormal Romance Mystery
Formats available: ebook
Publication Date: November 18, 2010
Word Count: approx. 89,900 (Novel)
Kindle Locations: 6338
Source: ebook provided by author

Haunted Hearts, #1

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:

When Cassie Taylor talks, ghosts listen. She wants to heal their souls so they can leave earth. Brooding songwriter Luke Rivers wants to give his recently found daughter a normal home, but he discovers his new house in small town Wisconsin is haunted by a ghost with an attitude. His ghost whisperer has an attitude too — even before someone tries to kill her. So why does he have the hots for her? And why does she lust after him? He wants conventional; she wants acceptance. No wonder she thinks men are hard and dead people are easy.

MY THOUGHTS:

Dead People is a romance wrapped up in a ghostly mystery. There is more emphasis on the romance than the mystery. In fact, if you are looking for a classic whodunit that keeps you guessing until the end, then this isn't the book for you. Like Ramer's other book, Cattitude, the mystery is more of a howdunit and whydunit than a whodunit. The bad guy is made obvious by the author early in the book, but there are a few mild red herrings thrown in to make you wonder if it might possibly be someone else.

The attraction between Cassie and Luke starts off immediately but it's not in-your-face instant attraction. The reader isn't hit over the head with it from the get go. They are both dealing with personal baggage that makes them keep their distance and resist each other. Luke is suddenly a father to a daughter he didn't even know he had and whose mother is a junkie. Cassie is independent and spunky but also has self-image issues and has given up on finding love due to always being treated like a freak by boyfriends, classmates, and family because of her ghost whispering. She has learned not to expect anything from people and to keeps her distance. She prefers the companionship of Joe, her ghostly friend and sidekick. I really liked Joe's character and wished he had a bigger part in the book, but it looks like he will have a book of his own in the next installment of this series. I also liked the fact that Cassie wasn't the perfect heroine with the perfect body, though at times I think there was a little too much focus on it.

Overall, I liked the story but sometimes the dialogue didn't work for me and was a little confusing at times. In one case, I couldn't figure out what Cassie was even responding to. On the other hand, Cassie is a bit of a smart ass and there were several good verbal exchanges or snippets of narrative that gave me a chuckle. Unfortunately, there were a lot of typos in this book and it did start to distract me along with a few other nitpicky things.

Dead People was a good read and I feel it is well worth the time for a reader who likes a romance with a light mystery and some ghosties, a sassy but lonely ghost whisperer, a conflicted but sexy songwriter, a little girl with emotional baggage, and a not-so-scary haunted house with a temperamental ghost. Cassie and Luke's story seemed pretty wrapped up at the end so no major cliffhangers but the story does leave the door open for the next book involving Joe the Ghost. I'll definitely be looking for it!

Rating: 3 (I Liked It)

Typos: 29

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This book is available as an ebook. Keep your eyes peeled for the next book in this series, Formerly Dead (Haunted Hearts, Book 2). You can find Edie Ramer on the web at:

Website: http://www.edieramer.com
Blog: http://www.edieramer.com/blog/index.php
Twitter: http://twitter.com/edieramer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=747112424

Get the book! Kindle | Smashwords | B & N

It's currently a sweet deal at .99 cents!

Blog Tour, Guest Post & Author Contest - Beth Barany - What I Love About Kick Ass Heroines

2011-05-27T06:00:00.002-04:00

IPBR is today's stop on Beth Barany's Blog Tour to promote her YA Novel, Henrietta the Dragon Slayer. Beth will be guest posting about Kick-Ass Heroines today. Be sure to check out her contest info at the end of this post!

What I Love About Kick Ass Heroines, Bad Girls We Know and Love

By Beth Barany

I’ll just come right out and say it! {Scary, in a good way.} I’m releasing my YA fantasy, Henrietta the Dragon Slayer, in print June 1! (The Kindle/Nook version is now available.)

Henrietta is a bit of a bad girl as the story opens. She’s gettin’ out of Dodge, leaving her hero days behind, not wanting to be the hero anymore. She's leaving behind her responsibilities for a life down in the sunny beaches down south. Her heart is hurting and she doesn’t even know it. Yet.

Where did the inspiration for Henrietta come from?

Other bad girls!

I devote this post to the bad girls and kick ass heroines I know and love, drawn mostly from movies.

The Bad Girl archetype is a powerful and ancient one, and well represented in our modern stories. The Bad Girl archetype is about reclaiming female power for the good of the community and for benefit of the Bad Girl, who sometimes becomes more than just a Bad Girl. She becomes a Kick Ass Heroine.

Feel free to chime in with your favorites!

I have a primary place in my heart for Nikita in the original Luc Besson film, La Femme Nikita.

She’s bad out of choice and circumstance. Then she gets a chance at redemption. Or does she? I like how she has the opportunity to remake her life.

Another is Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.

She's a spoiled rich girl. Or is she? Not just. She lost her beloved father early and seems to be driven by some sort of justice. She’s strong, she’s capable, and she won’t stop until she gets what she wants.

Then there's Lilu in The Fifth Element, another Luc Besson film.

She may not be considered a bad girl, because she’s supposed to save the world. But if the world is not worth saving she will let it be destroyed. That takes guts, and the strength of doing what’s right, in the face of the potential horrible loss.

The ultimate bad girl is Kali, the Hindi goddess of birth and destruction, and eternal energy.

I’m drawn to her, without consciously knowing why. Then I read this: “She is also revered as Bhavatarini (literally 'redeemer of the universe').” Oh! Redeemer!

I love stories where the Bad Girl gets redeemed. She’s on the outside looking in, her violent tendencies seemingly keeping her at odds with the expectations of what it means to be a woman. Only through acceptance of her benefits to the community that both she and the community agree to can she find her place in the community.

Lastly, I want to mention the book, Warrior Women: An Archaeologist’s Search for History’s Hidden Heroines by Jeannine Davis-Kimball, with Mona Behan. This from the editorial reviews at Amazon says it all: “Nearly one-quarter of the women buried in some late Iron Age sites were either warriors or priestesses. Even the remainder, ‘hearth women,’ were important players in the tribes’ surprisingly egalitarian societies. Further, southern Kazakhstan’s famous ‘gold man’ was in fact, a ‘gold woman.’ Davis-Kimball also finds solid evidence of ‘high status’ women in graves as far east as China and as far west as Ireland.”

I know I come from a long line of warrior women, many of them viewed as Bad Girls from the culture of their day.

It’s time for us, for me, to reclaim our Badness and use it as a force for good!

So we can become kick ass heroines!

In normal everyday life, I don’t know about you, but I have to be polite. (Okay I don’t have to… but I am.) I can’t go around punching or kicking folks. I’m not five, anymore. Actually, I wasn’t that kind of kid, where any of the adults could see me. But I was a bully. Is that why I love bad-ass or kick-ass heroines?

I don’t know. Actually I think it’s my nature to be a warrior, but there isn’t enough women warrior archetypes in my life, so I wrote about one! Yep, she’s Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, and she’s at any fine ebook retailer of your choice.

Henrietta, the legendary Dragon Slayer of the Kingdom of Bleuve, can’t stomach the thought of one more kill. Yet, in order to save her dying mentor, she must go on one last quest. But will the quest for the healing stone be derailed by misfit companions, seasickness, and an ego maniacal king? And will she be able to cut past her conscience and kill the dragon?

Read an excerpt of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer here.

I wrote above about the kick-ass heroines I’ve seen in media, Bad Girl Archetype. There are not enough Kick-Ass Heroines in my opinion when you compare to all the men who have these roles — so I’ve compiled a list of the characteristics of a kick-ass heroine archetype. I’m really curious what you think.

Before I go there, I just wanted to say that I do value softness and vulnerability in women and girls. I guess, though, I’m rallying against helplessness.

I believe we are all resourceful, and sometimes asking for help is the most resourceful, brave and courageous thing we can do.

Characteristics of a Kick-Ass Heroine Archetype

Fierceness
Persistence
Fighting skills with or without weapons
Doesn’t listen to elders
Determined
Leadership
Strong
Flexible
Probably experience some form of tragedy earlier in their life
Doesn’t take orders from others well
Wants to be in charge
Tends to be a loner
Doesn’t suffer fools gladly
Can rally her friends behind a cause
Is brave enough to ask for help
Stands up and speaks out against injustice
Helps those in need
Isn’t afraid to do what it takes even if what it takes is a stretch, new, or scary, especially if it’s scary
Faces her fears
Honest to at least herself
Searches for the truth to best of her abilities
Owns up to her mistakes
Works hard to cultivate and maintain her abilities

What do you guys think? What did I leave out from this list? What would you add? Thanks!

P.S. All who answer the question are eligible to enter my May book giveaway for a copy of my book (print or ebook) and the blog tour Grand Prize, Henrietta's necklace. More details here: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer Summer Blog Tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, author Beth Barany has been making up fantasy and adventure stories all her life. It only took her thirty years to actually start writing them down, then grit and determination to whip them into shape. She writes to empower girls and women with her kickass heroines who have to save the world against great odds.

In her off hours, Beth enjoys cardio kickboxing, stick yoga, reading and watching movies with her husband, author and musician Ezra Barany, and two cats, Kitty and Leo.

You can find Beth online at:

Blog: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/

Website: http://www.bethbarany.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Beth_Barany

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Barany/102635213105386

Thanks for joining us today Beth!

IPBR on semi-hiatus

2011-05-23T21:32:00.001-04:00

I have had a great time on the blog and have met a lot of wonderful authors, readers, and bloggers. But due mainly to some “real life” issues going on at this time, I have decided to put the blog on semi-hiatus while Rose looks for a new blog manager to take over for me. Any books in the current FIFO queue will still be reviewed as I get to them and as long as I have access to the blog. If for some reason I lose access, then they will get posted on the sites where I usually cross post: Goodreads, LibraryThing, Amazon, and Smashwords (if applicable). Any other features I have already committed to will also be posted when received.

As for the review pool, I regret not being able to get to those books. I was actually looking forward to using the new review system. There are definitely some books in there that I am eager to try -- some new-to-me authors and some old favorites. If you have a book in the review pool that I downloaded, I’ll post a review for it at the sites listed above if/when I get around to reading it (and it will likely get priority over other indie books). So you might even get an extra review if the new blog manager accepts your book too!

I will continue to read my favorite indie authors and look for new favorites, and I can always be found on goodreads where I list any new indie finds to my shelves and post reviews occasionally. Hope to see some of you there!

If you are a reader reviewer of indie paranormal fiction and would like to consider managing this blog, please contact Rose Pressey at info@indieurbanfantasy.com

Indie Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance website is revamped!

2011-05-19T20:17:00.000-04:00

If you haven't been to the Indie Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance website lately you should go check it out. Rose Pressey has taken over management of the site and has given it a facelift.

If you are an author of paranormal fiction and want to be added to the site, give Rose a holler at info@indieurbanfantasy.com.

If you are a reader of paranormal fiction, check out the author info and find some new books to try. More authors will be added soon.

Review: Lovers & Beloveds by MeiLin Miranda

2011-05-15T19:11:00.000-04:00

Lovers & Beloveds
by Meilin Miranda

Genre: Epic Erotic Fantasy
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Publication Date: September 6, 2010
Published by: Sans Culotte Press
Word Count: approx.143,660 (Novel Plus)
Print Length: 420 pgs
Kindle Locations: 7517
Source: ebook provided by author

An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom, #1

DESCRIPTION from Goodreads:

Naive and sheltered Prince Temmin, Heir of Tremont, is newly arrived from his peaceful childhood home to his father King Harsin's intrigue=filled court in the City. He quickly finds himself the target of assassins sent by enemies he didn't even know he had, confronted with his past mistakes by his family's immortal advisor Teacher, and falling for the beautiful twins Allis and Issak.

But the twins are holy figures, the embodiments on earth of the Gods known as the Lovers. To be with the twins, Temmin must serve in the Lovers' Temple for two years, the fulfillment of a prophecy so old it's moved into folklore. Harsin believes its fulfillment will mean the end of the monarchy, and does everything he can to stop it.

Haunted by stories of his ancestors found in a magic book, Temmin must choose a path: one will lead to ultimate glory for Tremont, one will lead to its end, but no one knows which path is which.

Set in a place and time where magic is nearly forgotten and a new industrial age is dawning, "Lovers and Beloveds" is the first book in the series, "An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom."

MY THOUGHTS:

Temmin is Prince of Tremont and Heir to the throne. He has grown up with his mother, the Queen, far from the King's residence in a sheltered environment. Now that he is turning eighteen, he must return to court and start his training to one day become the next King.

Once there, he meets Issak and Allis Obby, the Embodiments of the God Nerr and Goddess Neya of the Lover's Temple. He is infatuated with them and wants to become a Supplicant to the Lover's Temple. Not so much out of piety but because he wants Issak and Allis. This plan is not popular with the King due to the prophecy that says if this were to happen, prosperity would come to the people. Sounds good, eh? Well, not when the King believes that prosperity for commoners means downfall for the royal line. Should Temmin follow his desire or his duty?

While Temmin struggles with his choices, he has to adjust to his new, more formal life at The Keep, dodge assassins, avoid the annoying prat, Lord Fennows, who has come to live at The Keep, deal with the servants' love lives, and escape the machinations of the King to keep him out of the Lovers Temple. He gets an unexpected ally in Teacher, the immortal advisor and tutor to all the Kings of Tremont. Teacher shows him the Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom. This is a story within the story that has parallels to Temmin's experiences.

Temmin starts out a bit whiny and spoiled, but you see him grow through his experiences and the choices he has to make. Though he could act a little naive at times, he also showed a tendency toward compassion, protectiveness, and loyalty. He loves his sisters and is protective of them even though they do annoy him at times. He also shows kindness to the servants. These qualities made Temmin a very likable character to me. He seemed to be good at heart and wanted to do the right thing. There are a number of interesting secondary characters too.

There is magic in this world, but it has been diminished. The magic that was once wielded by the King and his line is now mostly in the hands of Teacher. The reason for this was explained briefly, but I would like to have learned a little more about how this occurred. When Teacher shows Temmin the Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom (and I do mean show...falling into a book takes on a more literal meaning with Teacher) we see the magic of the past. This story unfolds slowly throughout the book.

The ending seemed a bit abrupt to me. I turned the page and was surprised that it had ended. There are definitely open story lines to be continued, so don't expect everything to be neatly tied up at the end. I don't know how many books are planned for this series but I get the sense that it will be a fairly long saga. There was at least one story thread that seemed to disappear -- the assassins and their attempts to kill Temmin -- that I suspect will come back into play in upcoming books.

Miranda has created an interesting world that is not bogged down in excessive world-building details. There are enough similarities to our own world to make a connection, but also enough differences to give you that "we're not in Kansas anymore" feeling. I've noticed this book is tagged as steampunk, but other than it taking place in a pre-industrial age and a steam engine being one of the primary modes of travel, I don't really see anything steampunk about this story. This world is also polytheistic; there are several gods and goddesses that people can choose to worship. Each one has its own Temple, with the Lover's Temple being the one of choice for Temmin. You can probably guess what goes on in this Temple.

This book is often compared to Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series. I haven't read that series so I can't say for sure, but I understand the gist of it and I think it may be a good comparison. Like Carey's books, there is a significant erotic element to this story. Lovers and Beloveds is not a romance and you won't get an HEA. I would consider it more an alternate world fantasy with strong erotic elements. I don't feel the sex is gratuitous. It supports the story rather than the other way around. However, some of the erotic elements may be uncomfortable for some readers. Be prepared for dubious consent/rape, menage, anal, m/m, light bdsm and elements of incest.

The beginning of the book was a wee bit slow for me but it didn't take long to pick up. I thought the narrative and dialogue flowed well. It was also edited well, which made it a delightfully smooth read. This book was crowd funded, which means enough people enjoyed the initial drafts and believed in the author's ability to deliver a good story that they were willing to donate money so the author could get it professionally polished with editing and cover art. If you are inclined to read a fantasy saga with a strong erotic theme, I would recommend giving this book a try. I look forward to Temmin's continuing saga.

Rating: 4 - I Really Liked It

Typos found: 4 or 5

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This book is available in both ebook and paperback formats. You can find MeiLin Miranda on the web at:

Website: http://www.MeiLinMiranda.com/
Blog: http://www.meilinmiranda.com/blog/1
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MeiLinMiranda
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meilin.miranda
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/MeiLinMiranda

Get the book!
Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

Find it on Goodreads HERE!

Free online serialized version of this novel is available on MeiLin's website:

http://www.meilinmiranda.com/history/lab-toc

Friday Finds: Sweet Indie Deals - May 13, 2011

2011-05-13T22:13:00.000-04:00

Friday Finds is a way to share super sweet deals for indie paranormal ebooks. All Friday Finds are priced from Free ~ $3.00 and represent an awesome deal for the word count.

Books listed in Friday Finds have not been reviewed unless indicated below with a link to the review.
It's up to the reader to determine if the ebook is a good fit for their reading tastes.
Follow the links for more details and to download a free sample (if it's not already free) to see if you might like it. It's a great way to "test drive" a book.
If a coupon code is listed below, it is publicly available or was provided to me by the author specifically for sharing on the blog.

Prices are valid at the time of this post but they can change at any time, so get 'em while the gettin' is good!

Graveyard Games

by Sheri Leigh

published by Fido Publishing

Free! Smashwords

Free! Amazon Kindle

Free! B&N Nook

65,480 words (Novel)

Dusty, on forced leave as a police officer, returns home for her twin’s funeral to find local authorities aren’t being upfront about her brother’s death. Her focus fixes on Shane, her brother’s best friend. Sparks fly and while Dusty finds herself sinking in deeper with Shane, the mystery of what happened to her brother, and an ever growing list of victims, grows even stranger.

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Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, Jolie Wilkins, #1
Toil and Trouble, Jolie Wilkins, #2
To Kill a Warlock, Dulcie O'Neil, #1
A Tale of Two Goblins, Dulcie O'Neil, #2

All of HP Mallory's eBooks

Limited time sale

This Weekend ONLY!

$0.99 Amazon Kindle
$0.99 B&N Nook

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Revelations
by Kevin Wright

$0.99 Smashwords

135,450 words (Novel Plus)

The city of Colton Falls rots seething from its core. Corruption festers. Gangster wars bleed out from the projects. A serial killer haunts the streets. Below the streets is worse. Most live in ignorance… A few know of the occult menace: a grizzled emt and his partner, a comatose veteran, and a stone hearted cop. By day and by night, they combat the darkness at the risk of becoming it.

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Raven's Kiss
Raven Grace, #1

by Toni LoTempio

$1.99 Smashwords

$0.99 Amazon Kindle

$0.99 B&N Nook

85,470 words (Novel)

A demon’s bite cursed her…Now Raven Grace walks the line between Other and humanity, all with a special purpose…

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Rook

Allie's War, Book One

by JC Andrijeski and published by White Sun Press

$2.99 Smashwords

$2.99 Amazon Kindle

$2.99 B&N Nook

152,490 words (Novel Plus)

28-year-old San Francisco native, Allie Taylor, at least thought she was human. But when she meets her first real seer, a race of human-like beings discovered in the 1900s, he tells her that not only is she a seer, like him, but that all the other seers believe she's going to end the world. Unfortunately, no matter what she does, everything that happens after that only seems to prove him right.