Guest Post and Contest with Pamela Palmer

Let’s Hear it for the Bad Boys!

By: Pamela Palmer

I love bad boys, those utterly unrepentant troublemakers who, when the story begins, appear to be perfectly comfortable straddling the line between hero and villain. Think Eric Northman (True Blood), Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries), or Jag, in my Feral Warriors series. These boys start out as trouble with a capital T, the vampires murdering without remorse, Jag driving everyone crazy with his foul mouth and love of riling his brothers. But before long, each reveals a glimpse of goodness, a hint of honor, and I’m hooked. Because deep beneath that bad boy exterior lurks a hero or, at the very least, a male capable of great love.

In A Blood Seduction, the first book in my new Vamp City series (which just hit store shelves), you’ll meet another bad boy, the vampire Arturo Mazza. Make no mistake, Arturo has no interest in playing the role of hero. He’ll be the first to tell you he is what he is—a dangerous predator at the top of the food chain, a vampire through and through—and he’s perfectly fine with it. But like all the best bad boy heroes, all that will change when he meets right woman. For Arturo, his world will begin to slowly unravel when Quinn Lennox stumbles into Vamp City, at once victim and savior, prey and warrior. A beauty who will turn his life, very slowly, upside down.

Unlike my other books, Arturo’s and Quinn’s story won’t wrap up in one book. In fact, by the end of book 1, it’s just getting started, the first of a five book series. Will you fall in love with Arturo in book one? Maybe not. Quinn certainly won’t. That bad boy has a long journey ahead of him and a long way to go before he’s deserving of her trust, let alone her heart. But, as with all my favorite bad boy heroes, it’s that journey that’s all the fun.

From the back cover:

Vampires live only for lust and pleasure in the eternal twilight of Vamp City. But the city's magic is dying. The only person who can restore it? A beautiful woman from the mortal world...one who knows nothing of the power she wields. Quinn Lennox is searching for a missing friend when she stumbles into a dark otherworld that only she can see--and finds herself at the mercy of Arturo Mazza, a dangerously handsome vampire whose wicked kiss will save her, enslave her, bewitch her, and betray her. What Arturo can't do is forget about her--any more than Quinn can control her own feelings for him. Neither one can let desire get in the way of their mission--his to save his people, hers to save herself. But there is no escape from desire in a city built for seduction, where passion flows hot and blood red. Welcome to Vamp City...

RT BookReviews calls A Blood Seduction, “A wonderfully intriguing and chilling launch!”

Kerrelyn Sparks, New York Times bestselling author of the Love at Stake series says A Blood Seduction is “An amazing, action-packed series! I'm as hungry as a Vamp for the next book!"

To read an excerpt or watch the book trailer, go to www.pamelapalmer.net.  If you have any questions for me, ask! I’ll pop in later and try to answer them.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dark Days of Summer 2012 -- Insurgent

 Stay connected to all things Dark Days on the Pitch Dark Facebook page, including exclusive content features every Wednesday!

INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

TOP TEN QUOTES from INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

1.

“Cruelty does not make a person dishonest, the same way bravery does not make a person kind.” 

2.

“It reminds me why I chose Dauntless in the first place: not because they are perfect, but because they are alive. Because they are free.” 

3.

“We're all right, you know,' he says quietly. 'You and me. Okay?' My chest aches, and I nod. 'Nothing else is all right.' His whisper tickles my cheek. 'But we are.” 

4.

"I think we cry to release the animal parts of us without losing our humanity."

5.

“I am his, and he is mine, and it has been that way all along.” 

6.

“He kisses me again, more insistent this time, his hands squeezing my waist. His breaths, his body, my body, we are so close there is no difference.” 

7.

“The Candor sing the praises of the truth, but they never tell you how much it costs.” 

8.

“I am collecting the lessons each faction has to teach me, and storing them in my mind like a guidebook for moving through the world. There is always somthing to learn, always somthing that is important to understand” 

9.

“I didn't realize until that moment that Dauntless initiation had taught me an important lesson: how to keep going.”

10.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Veronica Roth is a twenty-two-year-old debut author and a recent graduate of Northwestern University's creative writing program. While a student, she often chose to work on the story that would become Divergent instead of doing her homework. Now a full-time writer, she lives near Chicago.

PITCH DARK BOOKS ON TWITTER

PITCH DARK BOOKS ON FACEBOOK

FOLLOW THE TOUR

Leg 1

5/21 Aprilynne Pike at AwesomeSauce Books

5/23 Bethany Griffin at Fiktshun

5/25 Elizabeth Norris at Literary Exploration 

5/29 Veronica Roth at My Overstuffed Bookshelf

5/30 Aprilynne Pike at AwesomeSauce Books

6/1 Bethany Griffin at Fiktshun

6/4 Elizabeth Norris at Literary Exploration 

6/6 Veronica Roth at My Overstuffed Bookshelf

Leg 2

6/12 Aprilynne Pike at Books with Bite

6/14 Dan Wells at Hobbitsies

6/19 Veronica Roth at The Mod Pod Bookshelf

6/21 SJ Kincaid at SciFi Chick

6/26 Aprilynne Pike at Books with Bite

6/28 Dan Wells at Hobbitsies

7/3 Veronica Roth at The Mod Pod Bookshelf

7/5 SJ Kincaid at SciFi Chick

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

Naked in Death
In Death Series #1
Author: J.D. Robb
Source: Library Loan
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Berkley
 (August 3, 2004)
ISBN-13: 978-0425148297

SUMMARY

In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line--between seductive passion and scandalous murder... Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all--and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire--and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about--except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

MY THOUGHTS

I have never had much interest in reading mysteries.  I am a reader who likes my books simple but fun.  I don't like having to think too much while trying to enjoy a story.  Little did I know that I was wrong.  After hearing so much hype around this series by J.D. Robb -- who is actually Nora Roberts -- I finally caved and decided to venture into this genre of reading.  I had to see what all the fuss was about and to finally figure out what all the other people were swooning about whenever 'Roarke' was uttered in a sentence.

Lt. Eve Dallas is searching for a serial killer.  A killer that takes enjoyment in killing licensed prostitutes while playing mind games with the police is just the tip of the iceberg in this story.  While Eve is trying to pin down who the killer is, she is also dealing with other cases, political personnel who think they are owed their undivided attention, and a suspect who is quickly becoming a person of interest in her personal life.  Now granted,  I guessed the killer early on but it still was a surprise to discover I was actually right!  I also found that the mystery part of the book wasn't at all difficult to follow along with.  The author did a wonderful job of only revealing certain things at certain times to keep the reader second guessing.

Now lets talk about Roarke.  Hotness has entered the pages and taken over this readers imagination!  Roarke demands attention and leaves you wanting more.  I couldn't wait until Roarke stepped into a scene in the book because he brings Eve to life and leaves the reader drooling.  He is smart, rich, sexy and has an accent -- the ultimate reader fantasy!  Eve struggles not only with personal reasons in letting Roarke into her life, but she also deals with job fallout as well when they get hot and heavy.  I was cheering for Eve and Roarke the whole time and I loved how Eve finally opened up to him.  I can't help but think that Eve still has a bunch of history to work out in future books involving her past.  I also can't wait to learn more about Roarke's past as well.

I admit that my review is a little scarce on the plot, but I am worried about giving too much away in case you haven't read it yet.  I will tell you that there are some amazing side characters as well and that the main characters will keep you interested up until the end.  I am now a new fan of romantic suspense that author J.D. Robb obviously knows how to write.  Bring on the next book because it is going to be a fun ride to read about!

MY FAVORITE QUOTE

“I want to see you again." He stopped, took her face in his hands. "I need to see you again."
Her pulse jumped, as if it had nothing to do with the rest of her. "Roarke, what's going on here?"
"Lieutenant." He leaned forward, touched his lips to hers. "indications are we're having a romance.” 

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

My Book Haul (5)

From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.

Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post with me (and others) to check out.  

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REVIEW

A Scandalous Scot by Karen Ranney

-- Thanks to AVON Books --

Magic Gone Wild by Judi Fennell

Hell on Wheels by Julie Ann Walker

Call Me Wild by Robin Kaye

-- Thanks to Sourcebooks --

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

-- Thanks to Amazon Vine --

So what did everyone else get this week?

(ARC Review) His Dark Embrace by Amanda Ashley

His Dark Embrace
Author: Amanda Ashley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Author Submission
Publisher: Kensington
 (June 5, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-1420121339

SUMMARY

(from Goodreads)

A VAMPIRE’S KISS. A WOMAN’S SURRENDER.


Tall, dark, mysterious—and with a faint scar on his cheek that only makes him more gorgeous—Kaiden Thorne is one schoolgirl obsession Skylynn never forgot. Now, returning to her childhood home after eight years, she can’t believe her reclusive neighbor is still living across the street—and hotter than ever. Skylynn doesn’t know how Kaiden manages to stay so young, virile, and impossibly attractive. But she knows she wants him…even if he harbors a fearful secret he refuses to tell her.


When Kaiden sees the beautiful young woman Skylynn has become, he can no longer control the bloodlust that is his true nature. Once he pulls Skylynn into his arms, presses his lips against hers—and accidentally draws blood—he longs for more. Only she possesses what he wants and what he needs. Only she can save him or destroy him. But once Skylynn agrees to help Kaiden battle his darkest desires, there is no turning back…

MY THOUGHTS

Oh Ms. Ashley, how you love to tease me and indulge my vampire fantasy!  I am a sucker (no pun intended) for a vampire romance. What truly makes a vampire romance stand out for me though is how they were written before the vampires became sparkly and soft.  I love them bad, tough, secretive and edgy.  Author Amanda Ashley has never let me down with making a vampire romance a true dark and beautiful read.

Skylynn has watched and admired Kaiden from across the street from a young age up until adulthood.  She remembers having a teenage crush on him even with his unusual quirks.  So what if he only mowed his lawn at night. So he never quite aged as much as other people.  As a teen she looked over those mysterious and crushed anonymously on him.  Kaiden was her Grandfather's friend.  When Kaiden would come over and join her Grandfather in his lab, she never knew what happened behind closed doors.  She would hear bits and pieces of conversation, but never got the whole story.  Her brother also had questions, but never ventured in asking them.

Now she is an adult, her brother is missing, and her Grandfather has just passed away.  Skylynn is forced to return to her childhood home and begin settling her Grandfathers estate.  Should she keep the house or sell it? What should she do with all of his medical journals and supplies? Shortly after returning,  Skylynn is surprised to see Kaiden return to his home as well across the street.  Even more surprising is the fact that he still looks as gorgeous and youthful as he did so many years ago.  It seems that Skylynn's Grandfather had been making a medicine of sorts for Kaiden and he is running out of the last batch.  He is hoping that Skylynn will help him out and look around her Grandfather's lab for the formula.  Unfortunately, Kaiden is not the only person wanting the formula. Another person is wanting it and willing to do whatever it takes to find it -- including hurting Kaiden by going after Skylynn.

I really enjoyed the sweet romance between Kaiden and Skylynn.  They have known each other for years, but never acted on their feelings.  At first I was a little timid watching the two start a romance for the simple fact that Kaiden watch Skylynn grow up from a child.  True, he didn't have sexual feelings for her when she was young, but that doesn't seem to make me ignore the fact that it seemed wrong.  Once I moved past that though, I enjoyed reading about their romantic progression and the hopes in finding the formula. When the formula is revealed at the end of the book -- which is easy to figure out once you think about it -- you will be laughing along with the characters at the creative way Skylynn's Grandfather had hid it.

If you are looking for a darker and less sparkly vampire romance, then I urge you to give author Amanda Ashley a try.  Not only does she do them well, but she has many to choose from for days of reading enjoyment.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

*I received this ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

DISCUSSION POST: What makes a book work for you?

I will be the first person to admit that my pile of to-be-read books has grown out of control.

My name is Amy and I am addicted to books.

I have noticed though that the books I have bought and added to the pile seem to have certain things in common.  Some of these things are good and some of them are bad.  You know how it is when you get a book that has had so much hype that you just buy it and not even really know what it is about?  Yep, that has happened to me.

I have also been noticing that many of the books have been grating on my nerves lately.  I am not sure if it was the recent reading slump that I was going through, or if the book really didn't fit for me.

There are always certain things that will make me put down a book and there are always things that keep me interested.  Lately though, those aggravating things are growing.  I wanted to share a few things that will quickly turn me off to a story -- no matter the genre -- and make me shy away from further books like them.

COVERS
--Time for confession two.
My name is Amy and yes I will judge your book by your cover.
Now I am not saying that if the cover is horrible I will never try the book.  Let's put this in a different perspective though.  Imagine walking along the shelves at your favorite book store.  You are gazing at all of the books and wondering which book you should pick up.  You see one that catches your eye and you pick it up to read the back blurb.  Did you just do what I think you did? Yes, you picked up a book based on the cover -- which can include the title font, artwork, or author name - and picked it up instead of the other 30 or so books on that shelf.  If your cover is done poorly or doesn't catch my interest within the few seconds I glance at it, chances are I am going to move to the next book. First impressions mean more than you think.

SEXY SCENES
When reading in the romance genre -- whether it be erotica, PNR, UF, or just contemp -- the main thing a reader is looking for is some sexy scenes.  Yes, there is an inner smut monster inside of my brain.  I will devour a book in no time flat if the romance and chemistry lead to amazing sex scenes.  It is a fantasy and an escape for a reader when we read these scenes.  Not only does the writer need to walk the fine line of too much info and not enough info in these scenes, but they also need to create the scene to be believable.  Sex in the shower?  Yes it can be sexy, but one that isn't too much of a thrill for me unless you work the scene correctly. Don't give me images of pressing that woman against the glass shower door and pounding into her!  When I hear this, all I can think about is that girl probably breaking the glass or sliding all over.  When that glass breaks, it won't feel so sexy.  Also what is up with authors thinking sex in the woods or dirt is sexy?  Bark burns hurt and who the hell wants dirt, leaves, and rocks trying to wedge in your hoo-ha? Not too sexy is it.

ALPHA CHARACTERS
Alpha characters in books can be the best thing ever!  Whether it is a man or a woman who is in charge of the scenes in a book, there is no denying the appeal that can be there for the reader when they command our attention.  Just remember though,  when that character is in full Alpha mode, we need a character to balance them.  I can't stand when a woman alpha gets all high and mighty and doesn't have a friend, partner, or hell even an inner goddess to put her in her rightful place.  The same goes for the male Alpha.  He needs a counterpart of some kind to bring him down when he gets too high on his ego.  Seriously, well rounded characters are ones that have someone who is keeping them in line.

These are just a few examples that will make your book or break it for the reader -- at least in my opinion.

What are some deal breakers for you as a reader that will make you give up on a book?
What makes them great hits for you when they rise above your expectations?

Sunday Steals on Ebooks!

Below are this weeks E-Book Deals on Amazon!

Prices are subject to change at any time so grab them while you can!

FREE
A Little Death by Suzanne Sizemore
Bad to the Bone by Vivi Anna
One Last Bite by Heidi Betts
'Til We Meet Again by Stacey Kennedy
Hunter's Choice by Shiloh Walker
Turned by Morgan Rice
The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton
Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa
Beasts and BFFs by Shannon Delaney
Retro Demonology by Jana Oliver
Remedial Magic by Jenna Black
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

$0.99
Second Skin by Judith Graves
Bodyguard by Jennifer Ashley
Hunting Kat by Kelley Armstrong
Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase
Bring Out Your Dead by Katie MacAlister
Familiar by Michelle Rowen
Unlocked by Courtney Milan
Second Son of a Duke by Gwen Hayes
Tainted by Temptation by Katy Madison
The Ice Princess by Elizabeth Hoyt
Forever Mine by Donna Grant
Knight of Seduction by Cheryl Hoyt
Forever Knight by Jackie Ivie
A Knight to Remember by Karin Tabke
Tempting by Hope Tarr
Let Me In by Callie Croix
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Hereafter by Tara Hudson

$1.99
Thread of Death by Jennifer Estep
The Geek Job by Eve Langlais
Driving Mr. Dead by Molly Harper
I Love The Earl by Caroline Linden
The Wedding Vow by Jillian Hart
Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ($1.59)
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes ($1.59)
Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost (Bonus Material "Once Burned" excerpt)

$2.99
Under My Skin by Judith Graves
Chill by Stephanie Rowe (FREE for PRIME)
Into the Woods by Linda Jones
Hunting Season by Liz Carlyle
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

$3.99
Reign Fall by Michelle Rowen

My Book Haul (4)

From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.

Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post with me (and others) to check out.  

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FOR REVIEW

Along Came A Duke by Elizabeth Boyle

A Blood Seduction by Pamela Palmer

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson

AND A Blood Seduction Shot Glass
-- Thanks to HarperCollins/AVON --


Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London
-- Thanks to HarperTeen --

PURCHASED

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

Fifty Shades Freed by E L James

-- Thanks to the husband for these!  He was disappointed though because he couldn't find the second book in the series for me. So sweet of him to think of me! --

Wrecked by Anna Davies

-- PaperBackSwap --

GIFTED

In The Company of Witches by Joey W. Hill

The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston

Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

Forbidden Pleasure by Lora Leigh

-- Thanks to Anna from Anna's Book Blog for spoiling me! --

So what did everyone else get this week?

BEA Panel Contest hosted by Penguin!

Hello everyone!
Are you going to BEA?
Well unfortunately I am unable to attend. *boo*
Being on the West Coast makes it financially impossible for me to attend.
But I have a wonderful surprise for everyone who is unable to attend!
If you are unable to attend BEA, Penguin has graciously put together a goodie bag for one lucky person.
First though, if you are attending BEA, here is some wonderful news and opportunity for you!

-------------------------------------------------------

In celebration of “New York Book and Media Week”, Penguin has organized a panel at the New York Public Library and they would like to invite you to join as a valued member of the book media community.

WHO:

Lev Grossman (The Magicians)

Mari Mancusi (Blood Coven Vampire novels)

Veronica Wolff (The Watcher series)

Emily McKay (The Farm)

Laura Harrington (Alice Bliss)

James King (Bill Warrington's Last Chance)

WHAT:

The Not-So-Secret Life of the American Teenager: Bridging the Gap between YA and Adult Fiction

On this panel, Penguin authors Laura Harrington (Alice Bliss) and James King (Bill Warrington's Last Chance) join forces with fellow YA authors Mari Mancusi (Blood Coven Vampire novels), Veronica Wolff (The Watcher series), and Emily McKay (The Farm) to draw comparisons between Adult literature and the growing YA market. How do these authors craft novels that both teens and adults enjoy?  Whether their characters are parents reconnecting with their teenage children or teens battling high school bullies or vampires, each author offers readers a glimpse into teenage life-the milestones, the angst, the blissful moments-that both teens and parents can relate to. Moderated by Lev Grossman, author of the New York Times bestselling novels, The Magicians and The Magician King, these authors discuss books that appeal to readers of all ages.

WHEN:

 Tuesday, June 5th from 6 to 7:30 PM

WHERE:

South Court Auditorium, located in the Stephen A Schwarzman Building on Fifth Ave at 42nd Street. (New York Public Library)

If you are interested in attending this panel, please register here:

http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2012/06/05/not-so-secret-life-american-teenager-bridging-gap-between-ya-and-adult-fi

----------------------------------------------------

Now for everyone who is unable to attend, Penguin has a special chance for one lucky person to win a fabulous gift bag.  I am so jealous of everyone who gets to enter this contest!  If you are NOT attending BEA and live in the USA, follow the rules below for a chance to win the following:

Penguin tote bag will include

1 copy of Veronica Wolff’s ISLE OF NIGHT

1 copy of Mari Mancusi’s BOYS THAT BITE

1 copy of Lev Grossman’s The Magician King

1 ARC of THE FARM by Emily McKay

Bookmarks for Rachel Caine’s BITE CLUB and Veronica Wolff’s VAMPIRE’S KISS and other cool swag, including a YA sampler.

RULES:

1. You must be 13 years or older to enter.

2. Contest is for the USA only.

3. Fill out Rafflecopter to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

MY MOM – NOT! – IN FICTION

by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

My poor mother.

Maybe it’s because Mother’s Day was this past weekend, Mom’s been on my mind even more than usual lately, so much so that she’s even the inspiration for #135 in my Fortune-Cookie Tips for Writers micro-blog over at Red Room http://redroom.com/:

When your mother asks you if all the awful mothers in your novels are based on her, deny, deny, deny.

It all started with my first published novel, The Thin Pink Line. The widowed mother of sociopathic pregnancy-impersonator Jane Taylor has always favored Jane’s younger sister and is ice cold to Jane herself; in the sequel, Crossing the Line, the mother becomes a more rounded person but she’s still mostly stiff with Jane. Mom didn’t say anything about Jane’s mother, but by the time my third book came out, A Little Change of Face, yes, well...

The problem was that it actually hadn’t started with my first published novel; rather, I’d written several unpublished books before that, my mother had read most of them, most of the mothers in them were some form of toxic or nutty, so by the time she got around to A Little Change of Face, for the first time she asked, “These mothers in these books of yours – are they all supposed to be...me?”

Even while groaning inside, I knew why she was asking and I knew she had a legitimate reason to ask, because I’d broken a cardinal rule: I’d stolen an anecdote from real life and inserted it into the book. It wasn’t the first time I mined real life for humor, and wouldn’t be the last, but it was the first time Mom was at the center of the anecdote. In this case, the heroine tells the reader how her mother’s decorating style is inspired by TV Guide, by which she means that her mother has a whole panel of wall in her den on which she’s taped up TV Guide covers as though it’s wallpaper and that she’s decorated the support post in the garage in the same curious fashion. Of course Mom had done this and now, based on this one piece of concrete evidence, she wanted to know if all along, all those wretched mothers had been her.

That’s when I explained about the trope of the awful mother, how central that character is for so much comedy. The awful mother helps the writer, like a magician, shift the mirrors. When done right, the awful mother increases sympathy (“Yes, this main character is flawed, but look where she came from!”) and she provides for comic relief even within already comedic material (think Rhoda Morgenstern’s mother on the old Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda). Sweet and sensitive and non-awful mothers just don’t pack the same laughter punch. Eventually, Mom got it. None of my toxic mothers were her – she was a wonderful mother! She even forgave me for using the TV Guide thing once she realized I thought it was a fine way to decorate the house; it was only my eccentric character in my eccentric book who thought differently.

Phew.

By the time I got around to writing The Bro-Magnet, my comedic novel about a man’s man whose been Best Man at eight weddings while harboring a wish to be a groom, I’d solved the mother problem. As the book opens, Johnny Smith tells the reader, “Right from the start, I’ve been a disappointment to women,” and goes on to describe his mother dying while giving birth to him, which results in his mother’s sister playing a large role in raising Johnny. That woman, Aunt Alfresca, blames Johnny for her sister’s death and reminds him of this on a regular basis. So no, in The Bro-Magnet, the mother isn’t awful; she’s actually a saint although she does happen to be dead. Aunt Alfresca, on the other hand, is a piece of work.

The Bro-Magnet is currently free for five days on Amazon and I hope you’ll check it out: http://www.amazon.com/The-Bro-Magnet-ebook/dp/B006KYQ36U/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2.

And while you’re at Amazon, you might want to also check out the Victorian suspense novel The Twin’s Daughter, a Kindle bestseller and just $1.99! http://www.amazon.com/The-Twins-Daughter-ebook/dp/B003Y3BBA8/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1.

As for Mom, please know that I do my best to keep her happy. She’s 89 now and as Mother’s Day approached, she asked me if I’d heard of that “new sex book.” I realized she was talking about the E.L. James Shades of Gray thing and I took it as a hint. On Sunday, I let her watch her Yankees instead of my Mets and while she smiled when she opened the Frank Langella autobiography I’d also bought her, her face really lit up when she opened the second package. Somehow, I have the feeling that book will be making the rounds at assisted living and Mom’s status will rise to new heights.

Wherever you are, Mom, the mothers in my novels are not you.

Lauren Baratz-Logsted is the author of 24 books for adults, teens and children. You can read more about her life and work at www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com. 

      

Immortal Danger by Cynthia Eden

Immortal Danger
Night Watch #0.5
Author: Cynthia Eden
Source: Personal Purchase
Genre: Adult Paranormal
Publisher: Brava;
  Original edition (March 31, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0758226068

SUMMARY:

Being Bullet Proof Sucks—Literally

Once, Maya Black was a kick-ass cop patrolling the streets of L.A. She still keeps the city safe, but nowadays her bad guys of choice include demons, werewolves, and assorted nocturnal scum. Something Maya knows a thing or two about. She’s a vampire—and not thrilled about it. Payback meet bitch.


Adam Brody hopes Maya is as dangerous as they say she is. He needs her to help rescue his niece Cammie from a ruthless band of vamps, and he’s willing to pay—in blood. Trusting her is another matter. Adam has never met a vampire who doesn’t lie. Then again, he’s never met anyone like Maya, who fills him with a desperate need that ignites into explosive, no-holds-barred encounters…

MY THOUGHTS:

How to write this review is the question.  I have heard so many wonderful things about author Cynthia Eden so I purchased this series awhile back.  I heard the books were amazing and had kick ass hero's.  So naturally my ears perked up, my finger started clicking on the 'buy now' option and I was the new owner of a new to me series.  I finally got to start reading the paranormal world that Ms. Eden created and couldn't wait to meet the characters.

This book fell into the category of love/hate.  I loved the alpha hero of Adam Brody.  He was sex on a stick and had the heat to keep the pages on fire.  I hated the character of Maya Black though.  Yes she was a tough as nails heroine, but there was just something about her that I didn't like.  Maybe it was the fact that she thought she could handle anything and didn't want to really be on equal footing with Adam.  I felt that she  thought she was better than him and it just rubbed me the wrong way.  I did however, love the way the author created the paranormal characters.  They were your typical vampires, shifters, dragons, and other creatures of the night.  They were bad -- with some having just enough good in them to make them the better guys -- and some could even put fear into the reader with ruthlessness.

There was plenty of action that balanced well with the sexy time as well.  It wasn't overdone in the romance, the action flowed at a great pace, and the characters were well described and not overly narrative. The author has a wonderful knack for her writing and it shows just how well she can write within the pages of the story.

While it is not a favorite book of mine,  I am curious to read more in this series.  I want to read more about the Others and the world they live in within the authors mind.  A new series for me to keep an eye on and to hopefully become a new series I can claim as a favorite.

MY RATING:

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Sunday Steals on Ebooks!

Below are this weeks E-Book Deals on Amazon!

Prices are subject to change at any time so grab them while you can!

FREE
Daire Meets Ever by Alyson Noel
Georgia On My Mind by Marie Force
Love Me by Bella Andre
Sarah's Heart by Ginger Simpson
Take It Off by Tina Gerow

$0.99
Daimon: A Prequel to Half-Blood (Covenant) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer
Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey
Wicked Werewolf Secret by Lisa Renee Jones

$1.99
The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Immortal: Love Stories With Bite by Various Authors
My Life as the Ugly Stepsister by Juli Alexander (FREE for Prime)
Dead Girl in Love by Linda Joy Singleton
Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Crazy On You by Rachel Gibson

$2.99
Virtue: A Fairy Tale by Amanda Hocking
Divine Beginnings by P.C. Cast ($2.20)
Hunted: House of Night by P.C and Kristin Cast (FREE for Prime)
Marked : House of Night by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Tempt Me Twice by Eden Bradley ($2.10)
The Warlock's Daughter by Jennifer Blake (FREE for Prime)
The Morning After by Sally Clements (FREE for Prime)
The Rent-A-Groom by Jennifer Blake (FREE for Prime)
Almost Summer by Susan Mallery ($2.51)

BUNDLES
Gena Showalter's Atlantis Series $8.84
Blood Ties Bundle by Jennifer Armintrout $12.35
Lori Foster Bundle $8.94

My Book Haul (3)

From now on I will be posting My Book Haul on Saturdays.

Feel free to link up in the comments if you would like to share your mailbox post with me (and others) to check out.  

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This week was all about books for review for me.  I did purchase a few ebooks but I bought them for gifts and were gifted to Anna @ Anna's Book Blog.  I didn't purchase any for myself  (with the PBS exception) which I am rather proud of myself!  Of course that just means I will buy double next week.

Destined by Aprilynne Pike

--Thanks to HarperCollins--

Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble

--PaperBack Swap--

Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw

--Thanks to Greenwillow Books--

The Kissing List by Stephanie Reents

I Am Forbidden by Anouk Markovits

The Watch by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya

The Dead  Do Not Improve by Jay Caspian Kang

Hogarth Tote Bag

--Thanks to Hogarth--

So what did everyone else get this week?