Saturday, April 30, 2011

Spring Blog Carnival!



Hi everyone! 

Lori from Pure Imagination, Candace from Candace's Book Blog, Mary from The Book Swarm, and Angela from Reading Angel have decided to join together and throw a blog party!
The party (Blog Carnival) is May 1 - 8, 2011
There are over 120 blogs participating!
Now for the Carnival Part.  During the giveaway hop different blogs will be hosting booths.  Each booth will have a fun challenge for you to do to enter their giveaway!  

I have the Haunted House and will be giving away Paranormal books.
Lori has the Kissing Booth and will be giving away Romance books.
Mary has Rollercoasters and will be giving away a contemporary book.
Candace has the Food Court and will be giving away Giftcards (or books of winners choice).
Reading Teen has the Fortune Tellers Booth and will be giving away Witch Books.
Mod Podge Bookshelf is hosting the House of Mirrors and will be giving away Book Prints.
Actin’ Up With Books with the Karaoke Booth
Lovely Lit with Once Upon a Time Booth
Awesomesauce Books with the Gaming Booth
Books R Us Medieval Booth
Extreme Reader Book Reviews with the Guessing Booth (or Riddle Booth?)
Colloquium with the Cotton Candy Booth
The Minding Spot with the Teacups Booth
Miss Remmers Review with It’s a Bad World Booth
For my giveaway: You must be a follower, you must be at least 13 years old, you must fill out the form.  Winner chosen by Random.org on May 9, 2011.  Winner will be emailed and the book will be sent directly from the author Sherry D. Ficklin!


Check out my reviews:
Foresight - - HERE
Second Sight - - HERE

Review: Second Sight by Sherry D. Ficklin

Second Sight: The Gods of Fate Book 2 by Sherry D. Ficklin

*** I was fortunate and received a digital ARC from Sherry in return for an honest review.  (She is also offering free e-books for my giveaway in May! Stop back for the giveaway - May 1-8, 2011 - it will be international!!!)

186 pages - available at Amazon.com both paperback and Kindle formats!
(You can buy autographed copies of Sherry's book on her website!)


Amazon product description:
When the man Grace Archer loves is pulled into the Underworld, she will stop at nothing to get him back. Her quest is complicated by the fallen god Samael, who is on the loose with a dangerous relic that puts all the immortals in jeopardy. With her powers on the fritz, Grace must help track down Samael and retrieve the deadly Eye of Hera before any more gods fall victim to his madness. Daughter of the Greek Goddess Pandora and the Greek God Prometheus, Grace must dig deep to find the power she needs to infiltrate Hades and convince the God of the Dead to release Chris. But when you make a bargain with the devil, you pay with your soul. [Book II of the Gods of Fate Series (Young Adult Fantasy) released 2011 by Dragonfly Publishing, Inc. www.dragonflypubs.com]




My thoughts:
I have to admit that for this one - I was not hooked from the start!  I thought I was, until Chapter 3!  When I thought, "NOOOOOOOOOOO, not that!" I put the book down for a good hour before I HAD to go pick it back up and finish it!  Of course, then I had to read through to the end! Great story - can't wait for the next one!!!!


Sherry Ficklin creates wonderful characters.  They are realistic enough to relate to and imaginative enough to inspire you.  She puts her fantastic characters into situations and settings that keep you turning the pages.


It was great to see all the characters I loved from the first book again.  It was interesting to see the relationships involved in this story - - - Hades...a loving husband!  


This installment of the Gods of Fate series is filled with questionable behavior, wonder, deceit, sacrifice, love, trials, sorrow, and mystery.  I can't wait for the next book - Hind Sight!


*****my favorite quote from Second Sight******
"It's like she's a part of me.  Like we're connected.  She breathes in, and I breathe out."

End of April - - - Wrap up!

April flew by!!! Of course it is amazing how fast time goes when you are drowning in books!
This is what I got read and reviewed:
1- Hunting Human by Amanda Alvarez
2 - Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler
3 - Sleeping Beauty Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan
4 - Bound by Blood by Cynthia Eden
5 - Vampire Relationship Guide: Volume One by Evelyn LaFont
6 - To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory
7 - Guardians of the Hidden Scepter by Frank L. Cole
8 - A Tale of Two Goblins by H.P. Mallory
9 - In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane
10 - Forever Vampire by Michele Hauf
11 - Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins
12 - Second Sight by Sherry D. Ficklin
13 - Vampire Dimitri by Colleen Gleason
14 - The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright
15 - Dead is Not an Option by Marlene Perez
16 - Diva Doctrine by Patricia V. Davis

This was I believe my biggest reading month so far this year!  I am so excited that I was able to actually review every book I read!!!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Review: The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright

The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright

200 pages (paperback version)
Blog Tour dates: May 2 (starts here at The Wormhole!) through May 16 - finishes at author site!

*received this book (digital copy) free of charge in exchange for an honest review and participating in the blog tour!

Amazon Product Description:
It was a flash in the moonlight, a blur of motion like I’d never witnessed before. No human had the capacity to move like that. When I found myself face-to-face with him there in the meadow, I knew without a doubt that the journal was authentic. I knew that my grandfather hadn’t been crazy at all. Because a foot away from me stood a vampire. Sarah Brightman reads her grandfather's journal in stunned disbelief. What was once her grandfather's responsibility has passed to her father and now to her. She has become the Warden. Her life will never be the same.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
My thoughts:
This was a fast read.  It is mysterious and intriguing.  I really enjoyed the characters!  


Michael is so interesting!  What is really going on?  Who is/was Michael and what is he to be to Sarah?  Alex is great!  What is his story for real?  How does he know Michael?  Where does this budding friendship between he and Sarah go?  Speaking of Sarah... she is a fantastic character.  Tough and determined.  I can't wait to find out what she does with her new job as The Vampire's Warden.  I get the impression that her and Michael will be changing the way things have been for the last hundred years.  


The ending is shocking!  Total cliffhanger!!! CAN'T wait for book 2!  
I will be checking out the final stop on the blog tour where we will be getting a sneak peek at book 2.


I enjoyed the story, but feel like it could have been fleshed out in places.  I finished with questions - loads of questions.  Some of those questions I am sure are left unanswered so that the reader is looking for the next book in the series, but I felt that there were some holes.   


All in all though a really entertaining read!  Be sure to check it out!

It's Friday!!!

It's Friday again - Let's hop!!!
This meme is hosted at Crazy For Books!

The question of the week?  What 2011 Summer release are you most looking forward to?
Me - - I am looking forward to Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne

Amazon Product Description:
Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

I have been seeing this one around and looks like something I would really enjoy!
Happy Reading!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Review: The Vampire Dimitri by Colleen Gleason

The Vampire Dimitri: Books of the Regency Draculia #2 
by Colleen Gleason


384 pages (paperback)
Pub. Date: 4/26/2011


*I got this book (digital ARC) from NetGalley free of charge - reviews are requested.


Amazon product description:
Dimitri, also known as the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed—and bewitched—the Dracule nobleman too long, and denying his animal cravings grows more excruciating by the day.
Miss Woodmore's family has a rather…complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except passion.
In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitri come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation and fiercest desire.


My thoughts:
I was intrigued by the idea of getting another side of the story from the view we got in Vampire Voss.  I was excited to get to know more of the characters that we were introduced to in that book as well.
I wasn't a huge Dimitri fan by the end of Vampire Voss and I thought Maia was overbearing and controlling - - - so this book was a refreshing look into those two characters! 


Love, duty, responsibility, desire, obligation, status, standing....
This story has it all!


I truly enjoyed Vampire Voss and was pleased to find wonderfully created characters again in the second book of the series.  Once again I can't say enough about the author's ability to create incredible characters.  
Maia is fantastic!  Anyone who has ever felt a little overwhelmed with responsibility will instantly relate to her.  She is strong, courageous, loyal, devoted, smart and passionate.  
Dimitri is so much more than he appears to be in the first book.  He is honorable to a fault.


As in the first story - we are in the Jane Austen meets Bram Stoker setting!  It is fascinating to watch the two "responsible" adults trying to wade through emotions that don't fit into what they supposedly each want for themselves or what they believe is right and fitting.   


I truly loved that the main idea was not about self-sacrificing or self-deprivation but about taking something for yourself, learning to cope with actually wanting something and getting it.


I read this cover to cover without putting it down for more than a few minutes.  It was a great read!  I am looking forward to book 3 - The Vampire Narcise. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Review: Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins

Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins

160 pages
Pub. Date: 4/26/2011

*got this book from NetGalley free of charge - digital ARC - reviews are requested.


Amazon product description:

The thing about Hank's new friend Inkling is, he's invisible.
No, not imaginary. Inkling is an invisible bandapat, a creature native only to the Peruvian Woods of Mystery. (Or maybe it is the Ukrainian glaciers. Inkling hardly ever gets his stories straight.)
Now Inkling has found his way to Brooklyn and into Hank's laundry basket on his quest for squash—bandapats' favorite food. But Hank has bigger problems than helping Inkling fend off maniac doggies and search for yummy pumpkins: Bruno Gillicut is a lunch-stealing dirtbug caveperson and he's got to be stopped. And who better to help stand up to a bully than an invisible friend?



My thoughts:
This was a fun, creative story about what it means to be a friend and to have a friend.


It would work well as a read-aloud for elementary students.  The theme is friendship, and of course there is a bully!  The reader is shown that sometimes there is more to a bully than just the desire to be mean.  The author doesn't excuse the bully behavior, but sheds some light on what could be going on "behind the scenes" emotionally for the bully as well as for the bullied.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

What's Beside Your Bed? Blog Hop!



I am trying to read as many NetGalley books and books for review as I can - so my bedside table is FULL!
This is what I am reading today!
The Vampire's Warden by S.J. Wright

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered and helped make this hop a success!!!
Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Hop Winner!
#31 ~ Diana!
(your book is on its way!)

Review: Forever Vampire by Michele Hauf

Forever Vampire by Michele Hauf
Pub. Date: 4/26/11
384 pages

* I got this book at NetGalley. NetGalley books are free of charge, but reviews are requested.

Amazon Product Description:
Vail the Unwanted is a pure-blooded vampire. But raised by Faery, he has neither home nor peace, and when his aid is sought in the recovery of a priceless diamond gown, his price is information. Specifically the whereabouts of his accursed father. His goal is revenge, and the supernaturally sexy Lyric, the icy blond vampiress with whom he must work, is a distraction he can't afford.
Outwardly as cold as the diamond dress in which she was kidnapped, Lyric has her own secrets. Desperate to break free from her criminal family, she aligns herself with the brooding Vail. Together they seek justice while each secretly works for freedom and a fresh start. For Lyric that means holding herself apart, even from the smoldering blue-eyed Vail. For Vail, it means a battle to the death for revenge—and for a temptress he can't deny.
My thoughts:
I love the secrets!  This is a whole new take on the vampire/faerie relationships.  
Vail the Unwanted - a fantastic character!  Vaillant - the dark prince...has so many issues.  He is a pureblood vampire raised in Faerie to hate his own kind, then banished to the mortal world and given back to his "family" - his stepfather is 1/2 werewolf 1/2 vampire, his brother is full werewolf, his mother is a vampire who is insane - made that way by his real father who is evil, mysterious and missing.  Vail's goal is to find his real father, confront and kill him.  He portrays himself as the ultimate bad guy, but the reality is he is searching for so much more.  He wants a family and acceptance more than anything else, he simply isn't willing to admit it to anyone - not even himself.  
Lyric is wonderful!  She, like Vail, is a pureblood vampire whose family is almost as screwed up as Vail's.  Her father is dead, her brother is a thief (which is basically the family business), her mother is overwhelmed, somewhat oblivious, and in love with a man who is trying to control their family and is also making their family fortune disappear remarkably fast.  It's this financial difficulty that ends up throwing these two characters together, and truly where their journey to themselves and each other begins.
Michele Hauf characters are well designed.  I loved them all.  Each of the characters has a depth that you don't see right away.  The belief structure that she gives them is fascinating.  It was so easy to get caught up in all the relationships between the various characters.  
The one main theme running throughout the story is the importance of family, and what family means.  
Back to the secrets - everyone in this story has a secret - some characters have many.  I don't want to include any spoilers so I won't elaborate on this part - but it is the secrets and who shares them with whom and when that makes this story intriguing. 
The plot twists and turns - leaves the reader wondering who's who and what's what!  Who really is the "bad guy" and who really is honest and good.  Will Vail find what he is so desperately searching for? Will Lyric?  
It's a page turner!  Couldn't wait for the answers, but didn't want the story to end!  

Monday, April 25, 2011

A Tale of Two Goblins Blog Tour!

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour!
The blog tour is being hosted by Bels at The Bookish Snob.  The complete tour schedule is HERE

The Author we are featuring is: H.P. Mallory
Hi, I'm HP Mallory and I've written two series, the first about a fairy in law enforcement (To Kill A Warlock and A Tale of Two Goblins) and the second about a witch who can bring back the dead (Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and Toil and Trouble).

I'm a mongo fan of anything that goes bump in the night and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! (Quick tangent--the best costume I've ever worn was last year when I went as the Headless Horseman and my baby was my Jack-O-Lantern head!) I've always loved the Twilight Zone Marathons and if I ever saw a ghost, I think I'd wet myself.

I grew up in California although I've lived abroad in the UK (England and Scotland--woo hoo, gotta love those kilts!)

I'd categorize my writing as a blend of suspense, humor, light horror, and romance with a sprinkle of fantasy to tie everything together! If you are all about fairies and witches and vampires (oh my!), you love a good alpha warlock and you like men who get a little hairy during a full moon, I got the goods.


The book on tour is: A Tale of Two Goblins!


You can buy the book by clicking on any of these links:
Amazon.com    Smashwords.com    Barnes and Noble.com

I have just finished reading both book one and book 2.
Book 1:  To Kill a Warlock - click HERE to read my review and 
Book 2:  A Tale of Two Goblins - click HERE to read my review of the blog tour book!

Book Excerpt from H.P. Mallory:

Apparently feeling my eyes on him, Bram turned his attention to me and winced as if he wasn’t enjoying all the attention. Ha, as if. I held up my hand to say “take your time; I’m enjoying myself” even though I couldn’t say I was enjoying myself. Jealousy was still in the process of eating a big hole in my stomach and if nothing else, I wanted to go home and drown my sorrows in a vat of Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream. And that was really saying something because I didn’t even like sweets.
“Is he trustworthy?” Knight continued.
“What?” I asked, completely at a loss. “What are you talking about?”
“Maybe if you’d stop staring at the vampire, you’d know.” His voice was stilted, angry.
“I wasn’t staring at him,” I muttered, realizing I’d been doing exactly that.
“Is Bram trustworthy?” Knight repeated. “Since he’s so much stronger and faster now, is that going to cause trouble for the ANC or trouble for you?”
I frowned and shrugged at the same time. “He’s as trustworthy as the next vampire.”
“That isn’t saying much.”
“It’s saying I don’t know what the answer to your question is. Do I trust Bram? Most the time yes. Do I think he’s going to get more cocky and take more risks due to his increased strength and power? Probably so. Do I think he’s a risk to the ANC? No, probably not.” I took a deep breath—I needed it since that had been a mouthful.
“If he’s so much stronger, it will be harder for you to defend yourself against him, if the need ever arose.”
Based on Bram’s little example of his increased speed in the limo, I also wondered if I’d be able to defend myself against him, not that I thought I’d ever need to… “Bram and I go way back.”
Knight’s lips were still tight—maybe even angry. And there was a rigidness to his body. “So what? He’s vampire.”
I smiled as warmly as I could. “You’re Loki, and I hardly know you.”
He nodded and cocked his head to the side, studying me like he was a great artist and I was a muse to be reckoned with. “I would never hurt you.”
I swallowed hard, not wanting to admit how his words had created warmth in me, a feeling of, dare I say it, endearment. “Neither would Bram.” At Knight’s dubious expression, I continued. “He’s harmless, Knight. Bram just wants to have sex with me and then he’d be completely over this…crush.”
At the word “sex,” Knight shifted uncomfortably, focusing his attention on Bram. His expression wasn’t a pretty one. When he faced me again, there was heat in his eyes, a certain glow I’d never seen before.
“What was that?” I demanded, sort of weirded out.
“What?”
“Your eyes just started…glowing.”
I was pretty sure I didn’t imagine the reddish blush that stained his cheeks. “It’s something Lokis do—we have no control over it.”
I narrowed my eyes—would his Loki traits ever stop revealing themselves? “And what is ‘it’ that you have no control over?”
He exhaled deeply. “Not something I really want to—”
He never had the chance to finish the statement as Angela was suddenly beside him. I was so irritated, I had half a mind to open the floor and have it swallow her whole, but restrained myself. I’d find out what this glowing eye bit really meant soon enough. The fact that Knight was clearly uncomfortable with it and didn’t want to discuss it was all the more reason to find out why. Anything I could wield over his head held a lot of value.


Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!


The next stop on the tour - Reading Between The Wines Book Club http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com


Don't Miss out on the Giveaway!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Read-a-thon! April 25, 2011 - May 1, 2011

The Spring's Serenity Read-a-thon is being hosted by The True Book Addict!
Spring's Serenity Read-A-Thon,coming the week of Monday, April 25th through Sunday, May 1st.  The read-a-thon will run from 12:00am Monday through 11:59pm Sunday (adjust your time zones accordingly).   Remember, you can join in any time through the week and read as little or as much as you want.  It's all about personally challenging ourselves and also having fun as a community of readers.
My goal is to read 1 book each day - they will be listed here with links to the reviews!
April 25 -  Invisible Inkling -- read this on April 24 so it doesn't count
April 26 -  Vampire Dimitri -- read April 25
April 27 -  Vampire's Warden -- read April 28
April 28 -  Second Sight -- read April 26
April 29 -  Savannah Grey -- didn't get this one read
April 30 -  Diva Doctrine -- read April 30
May 1 -  Hedgeland -- read May 1
added: Dead is Not an Option -- read April 29

Happy Easter!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Thanks for all the great books!


I wanted to take a few moments to say thank you to the wonderful bloggers who have had contests that I was lucky enough to win and to those amazing authors who have provided me with books for review!
So...thank you so very much to:
Jennifer at The Introverted Reader - where I won Huck by Janet Elder
Sherry D. Ficklin - author of Secondsight
aobibliophile - where I won No Rest for the Wicca
The Bookish Snob - who is hosted a number of blog tours that I am lucky enough to be participating in.
Joanne Rocklin - author of One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street
Peter J. Plasse - author of Ravenwild
Intense Whisper - where I won The Truth About Vampires
Patricia Hoover - where I won Chaos by Rachel Ward
Supernatural Underground - where I won Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Larissa Benoliel - where I won Beyond the Night by Joss Ware


Reveiw: A Tale of Two Goblins by H.P. Mallory

A Tale of Two Goblins by H.P. Mallory

* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour being hosted by The Bookish Snob.

Amazon Product Description:
Please note, this is book 2 in the Dulcie O'Neil series. Book 1 is To Kill A Warlock

A Dreamstalker— a creature that stalks and kills its victims in sleep.

A fairy in law enforcement determined to stop him.

A potions smuggler who possesses something she wants.

A vampire with his own agenda.

And a partner who couldn’t possibly be sexier or more frustrating.

Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy working in law enforcement for the Netherworld. 
When Knight Vander approaches her with a case regarding comatose victims, she agrees to help him, imagining the most difficult part will be combatting her attraction to him.

But, what Dulcie isn’t betting on is the fact that the case becomes personal when she learns all the victims are somehow linked to her.

When her best friend falls victim to the Dreamstalker, Dulcie must do everything in her power to ensure her friend’s survival, including associating with criminals and accepting the fact that desperate times do definitely call for desperate measures.



My thoughts:
Spunky Dulcie is back for round two!  Entertaining!  Well-written!  Great characters!


Although this is book 2 in the Dulcie series, it could stand alone.  The author does a great job of catching the reader up so it isn't necessary to read book one first.  I would however suggest reading book 1: How to Kill a Warlock though because it's such a great read!  With that said...


Once again the characters are wonderfully created and I was thrilled to see so many of the same faces!  It was exciting to see the roles each of the characters portrayed in this second volume.  Some of the minor characters in book one get to be so much more in book two.  
The plot keeps the reader turning the pages hoping to figure out the mystery.  
Dulcie is forced to do some soul-searching and has the opportunity to see herself and others in a different light.  


Mallory has successfully created a wonderful story - combining great characters, an intriguing plot, a lot of emotions, and just the right amount of humor!  Be sure to check it out!

Friday, April 22, 2011

The Vampire Relationship Guide Tour!


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour!
The blog tour is being hosted by Bels at The Bookish Snob and
you can get to the complete tour schedule by clicking HERE!
Today, please welcome Evelyn Lafont.
She is the author of Vampire Relationship Guide!
I have just finished reading volume one - Meeting and Mating!
You can read my review here.
On to the interview!
 
 When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?


I actually don’t think I realized it until I started doing it for fun. I’ve written marketing and training materials for companies for years but didn’t realize that I actually wanted to be a writer until I started creating some funny, satirical pieces. Maybe about 4 years ago.

 How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

Holy cow, I am the queen of jobs. I had…16 jobs before starting my own business in 2009.

 How long does it take you to write a book?

It really depends. Since I work for myself, it doesn’t take very long to get a first draft done because I can work my freelance schedule around my fiction schedule which means I don’t have to squeeze fiction writing into an already restrictive schedule or stop when I’m on a roll.

 What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I do this thing that my best friend noticed. Whenever I’m writing a scene of conflict and there is some sassy dialog, I turn my head to the side and start pulling away from my monitor. I have no idea why. Also, I blush and start sweating when I write sex scenes…which is so not hot.

 Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I don’t have a routine but ideally, I like some Starbucks next to me (hot or cold, depending on the weather) some nice smelly stuff in the air, quiet music and no one else around. Also, it really helps when there’s not a cat lying on my keyboard.

 Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

Everywhere. I have an absurd sense of humor, so most of the time in my head there’s this voice going, “Oh my God, wouldn’t it be funny if….” Then, I want to write a story about whatever I was thinking to see what will happen and whether or not it is, in fact, funny.

 How do you decide what you want to write about?

When I get visuals of scenes, I know it’s time to go ahead and get to writing. If it’s just a concept with no visual hallucinations accompanying it, I leave it in the brain bin for later.

About you as a person:

 Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Do I have to choose? Okay, cats because they aren’t quite so needy.

 What books have most influenced your life?

It’s weird, because these are not my favorite books, but the Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman have probably had the biggest influence on where I am right now. I started reading them before I became self-employed. I was so jealous of the main character, Alex Delaware, because he got to feed his fish any time of day, go running whenever he wanted, and basically run his life however he pleased because he was self-employed. I remember thinking, “I could do that.” At the time, I didn’t really know how I could…but I suspected I’d find a way—and I did.

 What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I like to read, watch movies and television, listen to music, wax philosophical with Hubby, go to the beach, spend time with friends—just normal stuff.

 What is your favorite comfort food?

Ben and Jerry’s, every time.

 What do you think makes a good story?

Tension, laughter, love, indecision.

 Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

I honestly can’t think of a favorite. Anyone who has the courage to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and then release their creation for others to read is admirable.

 What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

I love Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Southern Vampire Mysteries…and so many more…

Evelyn is giving away the chance to beta read her next book as a finale to the tour.




Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Review: To Kill A Warlock by H.P. Mallory

To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory


* I bought this book at Smashwords because I am participating in the Tale of Two Goblins Tour being hosted by The Bookish Snob and this is book one so I wanted to read it first.




Amazon product description:
The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch. Dulcie O'Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She's a Regulator-a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she's either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim. Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie's got her hands full. As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S and M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.


My thoughts:
Love the characters! They are all unique and just a little bit "off" from what you would think they should be.  They all have a lot more depth than they want others to believe too. Some, like Dagon, are frightening in both their behavior and their personalities.
On the outside Dulcie is a tough, hardened, smart-mouthed Regulator, but on the inside she is a wounded, insecure romantic afraid to let anyone get to close.  And too close is where Knight wants to spend his time.  Knight is a fantastic character - loved his cockiness and self confidence.  Bram on the other hand - I couldn't decide what to think of Bram - want to love him, but anyone who can want for someone for that long really has to get on with it or get over it.  
I do love the relationships that develop throughout the story.    
The plot is twisty and keeps you turning the pages.  Well developed, well written, and entertaining!  Didn't want to put it down!  Can't wait to read book two - I HAVE to know what happens with Knight and Dulcie!!!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Review: In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

In the Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

* I got this book at NetGalley.  NetGalley books are available free of charge, but reviews are encouraged.

Amazon Product Description:
Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend--the first boy she ever loved--of being a killer. 

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac "White Bird" Henry isn't in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she's pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn't understand. 

Feeling isolated and alone, she's up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she's as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won't turn her back on him. She's the only one who can free them both. 

Even if she has to expose her secret--a "gift" she's kept hidden her whole life.


My thoughts:
     Wow!  I don't even know where to start or what to say about this remarkable story.  I finished reading it with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.   
      I have a friend who likes to ask me, "Bev, what have your read lately that was profound and thought provoking?" to which I usually answer, "Nothing Doug, you know I read fluff for pleasure."  If he was to ask me today, my answer would be different.  This story touched my heart and I will remember it always. 
     I usually talk about characters and world building and such when I write a review, but with this book... you truly MUST read it yourself and experience the power of what Jordan Dane has written.  I think this book should be read by everyone.  It encompasses so much in the worlds of so many.


So, for this one - here are some of my favorite quotes...


(Location 2818) Things that came from Joe always seemed important. Like White Bird, the man didn't waste words. "Stop questioning the tests that are put in your path. You're given only what you can handle. And those tests - making mistakes and figuring stuff out - that's what makes you stronger."  
"Quit looking back, Brenna. The only thing you can change is what's ahead of you."


(Location 3200)  "A journey takes time." The boy shrugged and looked him square in the eye. "And I guess the lessons we learn best, they come from the journey, not the destination."


(Location 3306) He looked tall and strong, the way he used to, but somewhere along the way, without me, he'd stepped into the shoes of a man.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop!


Click on the words above to go to the Hop Linky.
April 20th to 25th


Welcome to  #55 of the Hoppy Easter 
Eggstravaganza Blog Hop!
I am giving away a (brand new, never been read) copy of 
Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson
  (I have two and only need one!)
It's simple to win: 
1 -be a follower of this blog (The Wormhole)
2 - be over 13 years of age
3 - live in the US
4 - fill out the form
5 - be drawn the winning number by random.org