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LOOSE ENDS by Tara Janzen Author: Heather Webber Genre: Paranormal Romance, Contemporary, Comedy Reviewed by: Terri
to keep track of and you may miss some of small details that involved Lucy’s earlier adventures. But the story will stand on its own and
Lucy’s not sure if this is a good or bad thing but she really didn’t need to see as much as she did! And aging rock stars know that if you cause trouble, you will get pubThis book continues where the last book left licity which is what you Lucy Valentine’s family has off. This does not mean that you will not be want if you want to make a gift. They can see people’s auras and match them to their able to follow this book without reading the a come back. perfect mate. Lucy, however, The characters are previous books at all. It just means that you fantastic and definitely no longer has this gift after an will have a lot of characters to keep track of unique. Lucy has a gift but accident she had as a child. She has a different gift. She can and you may miss some of small details that she has much more. When find lost items. Items, not peoshe touches Sean, she can involved Lucy’s earlier adventures. ple, not live things but items. get visions of what will If someone has on something happen in the future. This that was a gift, she can find it. So, unique humor will come across with would be okay if everything she saw even though Lucy can’t actively work no problems. was pleasant. But Lucy, also, has oth And this book does have a lot er issues like does she really want in the family’s matchmaking business, she has a sideline, finding lost of humor throughout it. Lucy has to Sean to move in with her? Lucy’s loves. hide her gift from a nosey friends are just as unique and wacky To help her on these searches is as she is. One is a veterinarian who Sean Donahue. He was a fireman loves to give her friends unadoptbut due to a heart condition, he’s able pets, such as a three legged cat. joined his brother’s private inThe other almost got married and vestigation office. Sean and Lucy almost became a doctor. While she’s are more than co-workers. There getting her life together, she’s stayis a definite love interest there. As ing with Lucy’s grandmother is who Sean looks for a new place to live, also an interesting character. Lucy’s does Lucy dare offer him a place at grandmother wants to be part of the her house? It’s not like he doesn’t family business but as she married stay over most of the week. into the family, she doesn’t have any In this third book of Lucy’s adgifts. There is nothing even remotely ventures, there is a mysterious man normal about these characters yet throwing hundreds of dollars away they all seem to fit the story and are around Boston Common. People are wonderful. watching for this man so they can Simple or easy solutions aren’t in grab some of the $20 bills he tosses the mix. This gives what could be a in the air. There is also a missing simple story depth and complexity artist. His daughter is married to an that is needed to keep your interaging rock star who is well past his est. It’s as if nothing is as it seems prime and who is looking for money and nothing becomes clear until to finance a reality show. Could there close to the end of the book. be a connection? It’s Lucy’s job to I am really loving this series. find out. Lucy is also hired to find The characters are interesting a lost love who the police may also and you can relate to them. Where have an interest in. reporter who has there could be easy, straight forward This book continues where the decided to hang out at Lucy’s famsolutions, twists are added but in last book left off. This does not mean ily’s office. This reporter can find such a way to give the story a unique that you will not be able to foltrouble without any effort and truly angle. I can easily see Lucy Valentine low this book without reading the thinks she’s helping. Lucy’s parents becoming a much loved mystery previous books at all. It just means who have been separated for years, series by thousands as her stories that you will have a lot of characters have decided to get together again. are perfect for teens and adults alike.
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Features Featured Review.....................................................................................................................................................3 Q & A with the Authors..........................................................................................................................................5 Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal........................................................................................................................6 Leaf’s Legends.........................................................................................................................................................9 Dark Streets (Suspense)........................................................................................................................................10 Inside the Cookbook.............................................................................................................................................12 Cooking Up a Storm..............................................................................................................................................14 Staying On Top......................................................................................................................................................15 Publisher Interview...............................................................................................................................................16 SFF Insider.............................................................................................................................................................17 Teen Reads............................................................................................................................................................18 Love and Romance in Color...................................................................................................................................20 Novel Technology..................................................................................................................................................22 Romance...............................................................................................................................................................24 History Bitz............................................................................................................................................................26
Night Owl ReviewsTM WEtap Media, LLC 2459 SE TV HWY, #153, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 NightOwlReviews@gmail.com Editor-In-Chief: Tammie King Director of Marketing: Tammie King NightOwlReviews@gmail.com Š Night Owl Reviews 2011 These are just a small portion of the reviews that Night Owl Reviews has available on our website. For a full listing and the most up to date reviews visit our website www.NightOwlReviews. com. Reviews are provided by our review staff. Reviewers get books via NOR and we get books direct from the publishers, authors and publicists. Reviews are based on reviewer thoughts. 4
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Author Deborah Harkness Please tell us your latest news! A Discovery of Witches is earning great reviews from readers, bloggers, and the press— including recent mentions on Entertainment Weekly’s “Must List” and inclusion in O Magazine. It’s all very exciting! As I answer your questions, I’m ten days from the release date in both the US and the UK so it’s a busy time. Describe your writing environment.
I write best at home, in a familiar space, with music playing, and never too far away from the tea kettle, The other place I love to write is on airplanes.
Author Marianne Stephens If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? I’d love to add more to the book, but because of the delicate nature/safety of others concerning other events that happened to Tamerla, some material had to be left untold. It took courage for her to disclose what she did and allow some photos to be inserted in the book. Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing?
I actually like writing at night when everything’s quiet. Phone won’t ring and there’s less family demands to interrupt me. But, I have to be careful because I tend to make more typos at night! Always need something to drink...either cold water or juice. No coffee, tea, soda!
Author Lynn Schnurnberger Please describe your writing environment. I work in The Writers Room (no apostrophe!). It’s a communal space for writers in lower Manhattan. Do you have a specific writing style?
I think--I hope--my style is very chatty, that as you’re reading, you feel like yo uare standing with the characters, that you’re part of the converstaion. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Stick to it. Try not to get discouraged. If one person turns you down, try another. Try to meet other writers so you can network, they can introduce you to their agents and editors--when I was getting started, being a member of The Writers Room was a great help!
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For many readers February is still a cold month in the seemingly never ending season we call winter. And for bears like me who would rather hibernate than go out in the cold nothing helps us get through the long cold nights better than a good book. This month PNR and UF fans have plenty of power house new releases to choose from. It’s also time for author tours and plenty of authors are hitting the road to sign their newest releases. Kimberly Frost’s newest Southern Witch series, Halfway Hexed, was released February 1 and she’s doing a combo of virtual and in person tour stops. You can see all her tour stops and upcoming events at http:// www.frostfiction.com/ miscellaneous/calendar/ . Theresa Meyers’ newest release, The Truth About Vampires, is due out February 15 and she is doing a virtual book tour full of giveaways and goodies. See her tour schedule at http://bewitchingbooktours. blogspot.com/2011/01/tourschedule-for-truth-aboutvampires.html Kim Harrison’s newest Hollows book, Pale Demon is out on February 22 and Kim is going on tour with this book. I am planning on visiting one of her Michigan signings, I did last year and it was so packed I couldn’t believe it. If you would like to see if she’s going to be near you visit her website for details and a tour schedule http:// www.kimharrison.net/Events. html#EDERtourInfo Jeaniene Frost’s latest Night Huntress book featuring Cat and Bones, This Side of the Grave, is also being released on February 22. You can see her tour schedule at http://jeanienefrost.com/october-appearances/ . Unfortunately she
won’t be in my area for any of her signings I would love it if she did make a Michigan appearance. Alayna Williams aka Laura Bickle’s newest release, Rogue Oracle, also hits shelves February 22 and like Theresa Meyers she is doing a virtual book tour. Her full schedule can be viewed at http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot. com/2011/01/alayna-williams-rogue-oracle-tour.html Other February releases I am looking forward to include Ashlyn Chase’s The Werewolf Upstairs, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah E. Harkness, Nightshade by Michelle Rowen, and Etched in Bone, by Adrian Phoenix. What new releases are you looking forward to in February? Author Interview with Alayna Williams
Q: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into: A: Rogue Oracle is my newest urban fantasy. It’s a mashup of magic and science, and will appeal to fans of the X-Files and Fringe. Q: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words?
A: Tara Sheridan is intuitive, guarded, and unorthodox.
Q: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? A: Harry Li, Tara’s federal agent partner, is pragmatic, skeptical, and burnt-out.
Q: What is one unique trait about your heroine?
A: Tara uses Tarot cards to solve crimes. She’s the best criminal profiler in her business, and she has to keep her methods under wraps. Q: What is one unique trait about your hero?
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www.NightOwlReviews.com A: Harry’s starting to lose his grip. His job has sucked the life out of him, and he’s starting to crack.
tor building and discovers that the killer has stolen some of Harry’s memories of her.
A: Harry’s sexiest trait is that he’s got a bannana hammock in his kitchen. His adopted dad gave it to him - it’s one of those c-shaped wooden devices used to hang your bananas on. Keeps the fruit from bruising. ; Just kidding. His sexiest trait is that he’s kept a souvenir of Tara from their last meeting - a tattered Tarot card that he’s kept on his dresser as a reminder. He’s an unsentimental guy, so that’s saying something for Harry.
A: Magical, tense, thrilling.
Q: What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book?
Q: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole:
Q: Can you sum up the book in 2 sentences or less? A: Criminal profiler Tara Sheridan is pressed into using her Tarot card skills to track down a serial killer who’s selling nuclear secrets on the black market. And a nightmare that began decades ago in Chernobyl will reach a terrifying endgame that not even Tara could have foreseen…
Q: What’s the heat level of your book? (ex: arctic winter, sweet and romantic, hot and spicy, sizzling, scorch your panties hot)
Q: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is
A: There’s a romantic element, but it’s not front and center. Tara and Harry have a history and a damaged relationship, so reconciling is more a gradual thawing of nuclear winter. Neither one of them wants to get hurt again. They take it slow, but it’s satisfying.
A: ...getting to build your own world.
Q: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book? A: ROGUE ORACLE is available from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookseller February 22.
Q: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? (ex: vampires, witches, succubi, demons, ghosts, psychic visions, etc) A: Tara is an oracle, a member of an old order of female oracles that’s existed since the time of Delphi. All the women in her order have a unique talent to peer into the future. Tara’s talent is cartomancy, divination by Tarot cards. Other members of Delphi’s Daughters can divine the future using other skills, like astrology, pyromancy, and geomancy. In ROGUE ORACLE, Tara is up against a survivor from Chernobyl who has become something of a modern-day paranormal horror - he devours the memories and bodies of former spies and sells their information the international back market.
Author Interview with Donna Burgess
RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into: DB: Darklands: A Vampire’s Tale. I would classify it as dark urban fantasy. RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words?
DB: Kick-Ass, intelligent, independent
RR: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? DB: Hot, patient, mysterious
RR: What is one unique trait about your heroine? DB: She’s over 40.
RR: What is one unique trait about your hero?
on
DB: He was around during WWII, but is still dead sexy. I guess it’s because he’s kinda…dead.
Q: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences? A: Tara travels to Chernobyl to track down the serial killer she’s been pursuing. She chases him to the decaying reac-
RR: What’s the heat level of your book?
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DB: Sizzling.
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RR: What kind of paranormals are in your book?
RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into.
DB: Vampires—in the world of Darklands called “Deathwalkers”
MA: Claiming the Evil Dead. Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences?
RR: What is one unique trait about your heroine? MA: She drools
DB: Let’s see—“It’s never fun to dream you have been buried alive. And even less fun to wake from that dream and find you have levitated all the way up to the bedroom ceiling.”
RR: What is one unique trait about your hero? MA: He values human life
RR: What’s the heat level of your book? MA: Hmmm... hot and spicy, borderline sizzling.
RR: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole
RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book?
DB: Sexy, violent, fastpaced
MA: Vampires, demons, warlocks, ghosts
RR: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is
RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences?
DB: Writing what I would want to read
MA: Drake takes Jessie to meet one of his friends, a gypsy card reader and she learns a great deal about herself.
RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book?
RR: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole:
DB: It’s available now in digital form via Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords
MA: fast paced, different, adventurous
RR: Can you sum up the book in 2 sentences or less?
http://www.amazon.com/Darklands-Vampires-Tale-ebook/ dp/B004GNFTQC/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_2
MA: Half-demon catches evil souls and sends them to hell. In the process, she discovers not all vampires are bad.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Darklands/DonnaBurgess/e/9780982966525/?itm=1
RR: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/33941
MA: hearing people say they want to read more.
And Print
RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book?
http://www.amazon.com/Darklands-Vampires-Tale-DonnaBurgess/dp/0982966512/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3
MA: Amazon, Noble Romance, All Romance Ebooks
Interview with Mary Abshire
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Here it is February, the month that celebrates love with a special day and we’re besieged with that reminder every time we walk into a store! Valentine’s Day centers on amour…candlelit dinners, gifts of chocolates or jewelry and images of a chubby little cherub fluttering around with bow and arrow poised ready to shoot love into his target’s heart. A lot of us refer to him as Cupid, but before Cupid came Eros. Eros, the young winged boy of the Greek empire, shot his arrows into the hearts of gods and immortals to rouse them with desire. He carried two types of love weapons in his quiver: golden arrows with dove feathers that aroused love, or leaden ones with owl feathers to generate indifference. But, even gods grow up and the chubby little guy became a tall, hunky man who personified beauty. The grown Eros was considered to be the youngest of the gods and the most beautiful. Why not, since some versions have Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as his mother. The little winged boy was the result of a fling between the goddess and Ares, the war god. Eros was worshiped throughout Greece. In Athens where the fourth day of every month was Eros day, he even shared a cult following with Aphrodite. . There are other versions to his parentage through other godly connections, and then there are the renditions that label him only as Aphrodite’s assistant. Either way, we can thank Eros, the god of love for the word “erotic,” though back in his heyday his quality of love was considered spiritual as well as physical. Whether you consider “erotic” physical or spiritual, think how lacking our vocabulary would be without the word! Still, gods can fall in love, especially if they become a victim to the same device they use to generate matters of the heart for others. One story has it, Eros’ mother becomes jealous of Psyche, a mortal girl too beautiful for Aphrodite’s taste. Goes to show, even goddesses can have inferiority complexes. Eros is sent by his mother to shoot the girl with one of his arrows and make her fall in love with an
evil mortal. Arrow poised to shoot, he is so overcome with Psyche’s beauty that he scratches himself with the arrow and falls in love with her. Then there is the one where Eros found the young Psyche so beautiful he fell in love the first time he feasted his eyes on her, but feared her seeing him. He told her never to look at him (he wanted to be loved for him, not his looks), but what’s a girl to do when given that kind of order. Of course she disobeyed and took a peek. His beauty so whelmed her that her hands trembled. Hot oil spilled from the lamp in her hand scarring the gorgeous man, which can really get a fellow upset. When he ran home to Mom with his burns, Aphrodite was furious. The harm caused to her baby by the hated mortal woman gave the goddess yet another reason to try to eliminate Psyche. The efforts to kill her failed and the love birds reunited. Whichever version you go with, after lots of trials and tribulations they end up married. What a way to start out as a young bride…a mother-in-law who hates her from the get-go. The furious goddess even went so far as to send the young girl into the Underworld to collect the beauty of Persephone, the queen of the darkness. Once again, Psyche couldn’t leave well enough alone and opened the box that contained the queen’s beauty. You guessed it…more problems. With the capture of the Greek Empire by Rome, the invaders adopted many of the Greek gods of which Eros was one, and changed the Greek names to Roman. Among the changes, Eros became Cupid and his mother Venus. The two versions have become interchangeable in modern literature and bring the same image to most readers. When it comes to the God of Love, whether you prefer Eros the Greek god, or Cupid the Roman one, each February you will find him hard to avoid. After all, who better to represent the “love” holiday, than the god himself. -------------------------------------------------------------------Award winning author, Lizzie T. Leaf enjoys writing Paranormal/Fantasy with a twist of humor. The first book in her new Magical Love Series, Beyond Magic released January 2011 with Passion in Print Press. www.lizzietleaf.com
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Patterson Vs. Clark Battle of the Suspense Authors I’ve always been a big fan of suspense, probably my favorite genre following horror/paranormal. I’ve always been a big fan of two of the biggest, the undisputed king and queen of suspense, James Patterson and Mary Higgens Clark. Who is the bigger name? Well, there’s pause for thought. Let’s take James Patterson. Patterson, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, has had more NY Times bestsellers than any other writer…ever. (19 consecutive #1 New York Times bestselling novels, and he also holds both the Guinness and NYT record for bestselling hardcover fiction author: 56). Although best known for his series chronicling the adventures of criminal psychologist Alex Cross, Patterson is also the proud author of such sereis as Women’s Murder Club, Maximum Ride and his latest YA, the Witch and the Wizard. He’s also written many stand alone thrillers, as well as some nonfiction and even romance novels, surely making him one of the most diversified writers today. Out of all Patterson’s novels, I confess to a particular fondness for the Alex Cross series; and the resounding belief that the movies made so far from them do not do them justice, although I will agree that Morgan Freeman is an excellent choice to play Cross. My
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favorite: Jack & Jill. This thriller, about a pair of killers whose ultimate goal is the President’s execution, was the third in the Alex Cross series and for my money, one of the best. Patterson’s latest, CROSS FIRE, not only brings back an old enemy – Kyle Craig, the Mastermind, but is also a milestone for Cross: he gets married. As is typical of James Patterson, the story undergoes many twists and turns before it reaches its shattering conclusion. A must read for all Patterson/Cross fans. Mary Higgins Clark is another American institution. Each of her forty-two books has been a bestseller both in the US and abroad, and each of her novels remain in print as of 2007, with her debut suspense novel, Where Are The Children, in its seventy-fifth printing! Her books have sold more than 80 million copies in the United States alone. She began her writing career with short stories, expanded into television, eventually taking the plunge into writing suspense novels upon the advice of her agent. Known as “The Queen of Suspense”, Higgins Clark is often referred to as a “master
www.NightOwlReviews.com plotter” that is, someone who has the ability to slowly draw out the tension while making the reader think everyone is guilty. (think Perry Mason with panache). Her novels feature strong, independent young women who find themselves in the midst of a problem that they must solve with their own courage and intelligence. She’s won numerous awards for her writing, including the Horatio Alger Award (1997) and the Passionists’ Ethics in Literature Award (2002), as well as the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Spirit of Achievement Award (1994). She has been awarded eighteen honorary doctorates, including one from her alma mater, Fordham University. She’s also served as president of the Mystery Writers of America and her own publisher, Simon and Schuster, have funded a Mary Higgins Clark award for excellence in suspense writing for the last ten years. Her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, is also an author with a popular suspense series and her ex-daughter in law, Mary Jane Clark, is also the author of several suspense novels, the most recent of which is TO HAVE AND TO KILL: A WEDDING CAKE MYSTERY (review in next month’s issue) Her most recent novel, THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE, contrasts medical science with religious faith and, as most of Clark’s books, involves the keeping and exposure of a deadly secret. Her next novel, I’LL WALK ALONE, is due out in early 2011. I don’t know about you, but I call it a tie ... I can’t decide! So I’ll just keep buying…and reading…their books as long as they continue to write them. How about you readers out there? Any opinions? Which suspense author is your favorite? Email me at tlotempio@ aol.com and put “Suspense Poll” in the header! Results next time!
Killer Suspense
Anders Roslund
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Toni LoTempio - admin by day, writer by night, Toni is the author of several paperback and e-books of romantic and paranormal suspense – check out her website at www. freewebs.com/toni1953 and her latest, NO REST FOR THE WICCA, available at amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
Börge Hellström 11
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Famous Recipes from Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House in Historic Savannah I must begin by saying ‘hey’ to all of you cookbook readers out there. I say readers because cookbooks are more than a collection of recipes bound between two covers, they are a part of history to be read and enjoyed. I’m Pamela, new cookbook reviewer for Night Owl Reviews, and I intend to awe you with the unusual, the spectacular and the practical side of cooking. For my very first review I have chosen Famous Recipes from Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House. Now there’s a reason this one absolutely had to be first, I have a special connection to Mrs. Wilkes. Many years ago I went off to college in, you guessed it, Savannah, Georgia. I rented a shotgun apartment from a local architect who had an office next door and shared a wall with me. I was at 108-A West Jones Street and he was at 108. For those of you who don’t know what a shotgun apartment is, it’s similar to a shotgun house. You can stand at the front door and shoot a shotgun and it will go out the back door without hitting a thing inside. But I digress. After living in this apartment for only a few weeks I started to see a pattern of an unusual occurrence. People would line up on the sidewalk across from where I lived and well, just stand there. They’d be there for hours, or so it seemed and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why. I thought I could solve this mystery on my own. I would walk across the street, late at night, and stand on that same sidewalk looking for something interesting that I never found. One day I got tired of messing around and went and stood in that line myself. We stood for at least an hour in one spot and then we began to inch up. Finally, I stood in front of a door. It wasn’t a special door of any sort, until it opened. A huge black woman opened that door, hustled me in and motioned for me to sit down at a table big enough for sixteen people. She welcomed me with a big toothed grin, set a glass of sweet tea in front of me
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and jostled away only to come back with ginormous platters of fried chicken, meatloaf, biscuits, cornbread, pork chops, rutabaga, green beans, corn and so much more! By then the table had been filled with others and they passed the plates. We took what we wanted and then passed the platter onto the next guest. When one bowl emptied another took its place. We talked, we laughed and when we were done we cleared our plate and took it to the kitchen. That day I ate some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. Later I found out that Mrs. Wilkes used to run a boarding house in that same location and she fed her boarders three meals a day. I learned that fascinating tidbit straight from Mrs. Wilkes herself. That woman did love to gab. Magazine covers and awards adorned the brick walls of her establishment, but it’s so much more fun to hear about the past straight from the horse’s mouth. I returned many times to eat breakfast and lunch across the street and even got her to sign a cookbook I bought that compiled her wonderful cooking into measurements and ingredients for all to enjoy. It reads, Best wishes, Mrs. Wilkes, and I treasure it to this day. I highly recommend buying your own copy before it’s too late and you miss some of the best southern cooking recipes you’ll ever find. The dining room, as they call it, is still open, but
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Grilling
only for lunch. Tourists and locals line up together on that same sidewalk looking for food and fellowship. I go back as often as I can. It’s a lot more commercialized since I lived there and they even have a fancy sign out front telling folks where they are. Mrs. Sema Wilkes has long since passed but her memories live on in her recipes and in the many guests whose lives she touched. FEATURED RECIPE
Turnip Greens 1 bunch of fresh turnip greens with roots 1 cup of water 1 medium piece of salt pork 1 tsp. of salt
Stripe stems from leaves (unless very tender) and wash thoroughly. Place in covered saucepan, add meat, water and salt. Cook 45 minutes on medium heat or until tender. Remove meat and pour in colander to drain. Place in pan and chop scissor like with two knives. Depending on taste, may need more salt. Keep hot and add 2 tbsp. of bacon drippings, butter or margarine. (Except for roots cook collards or mustard greens same way)
***This is a fantastic recipe book for those who cook at home a lot and have large families or love leftovers. True southern cooking at its best!*** Looking forward: Next month I’ll review The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook and The Lady & Sons, Too! Look for a scrumptious corned beef and cabbage recipe that’s sure to be a hit on St. Paddy’s Day! Pamela Reviewer/Freelance Writer www.thefantasticfoodie.wordpress.com ----------------------------------------------------------------http://www.mrswilkes.com | Purchase the Book from Amazon
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Thoroughly Modern Milkshakes by Adam Ried This is a 4.75 stars cookbook! Oh yes, yes, I know. 49 out of the 50 states have had some version of snow or other. It’s still subzero here in Massachusetts as I type this. But who cares? Everyone screams for ice cream, right? Besides, as we wind down from the holiday season, maybe we still want to entertain, but we’re no longer quite up to making that finicky, multilayered napoleon. Milkshakes are easy, lovely, and goes down well with every age group. Even without the lure of easy entertaining, who doesn’t like a nice cold milkshake while cozied up in front of a fire or in front of the TV with the electric blanket plugged in? There’s something fantastically decadent about being curled up in warmth while sipping slowly at a thick, frothy, delicious shake. Adam Reid is pretty amazingly thorough in this book. He speaks of freezer temperatures, of blending times, of optimal blender jar characteristics, and waxes poetic on the ingredients. As expected for a book on milkshakes, the instructions are dead easy and most of these ingredients won’t break the bank whilst giving you a taste to remember. Reid is also clear on how proportions of ingredients and tells you how much each recipe
will serve. The best part about this “cookbook” is that although he goes the length and breadth of the US to bring forth combinations reminiscent of the various food cultures here, he also brings in ideas from other places as well. There’s quite a bit of inspiration to be found in this relatively slim book. Even beyond what’s in the book, he also opens the door to ideas that you might not have thought of before someone told you that you can use fresh herbs in your shakes. He moves from the basic egg cream to the classic vanilla shake to the ohso-seductive childhood sweetheart, the chocolate shake to the siren’s song of a foodie’s dream combinations. Sesamehoney-vanilla? Mocha cardamom? Blackberry lavender? My favorite might have to be the avocado-coconut-lime shake. This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf. Part of the fun was reading out the titles to my friends and hearing the chorus of “oh yes, yes, that one!” or “yeah, that, I want that”. I expect that our blender is going to get plenty of action in the upcoming days.
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This month, I have the honor of featuring Mary Jane Clark, “Queen of Suspense”. Her latest book, To Have or To Kill is the first in her new series, The Wedding Cake Mysteries. Told from various points of view, this book moves at a fast pace, with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing to the end. Reviewers and readers alike call this “a light and cozy read”.
A: Just the accomplishment itself.
Q: How did you get into writing? A: I wrote at CBS News for years before I tried my hand at fiction writing. I had an idea for creating a fictional television news world and staffing it with characters that would go out to cover their journalistic assignments which would lead to mystery and suspense.
Q: When you first started writing books, did you ever imagine you’d be on the New York Times’ Best Seller’s list? A: I hoped I would be. I think pretty much every writer imagines what it would be like.
Q: Do you see writing as a career, or just a hobby you indulge in when you have the time?
Q: Do you remember where you were when you heard the news that your book made the list? Who told you?
A: Definitely, a career.
Q: What are you doing now that you have achieved recognition as a NYT Best Selling author?
A: I was sitting on the step in front of my house in New Jersey. It was summertime and I can even remember what I was wearing, what shoes were on my feet. Matthew Shear of St. Martin’s Press called to let me know.
A: Working on a new story, taking a break or just basking in the accomplishment? Continuing to write. To Have and To Kill, the first book in my new Wedding Cake Mystery series has just been published and I’ve been spending a lot of time promoting that. I’m working now on the next book in that series.
Q: What ran through your mind? What emotions did you feel? A: The dream had come true! I pinched myself, thrilled, excited, happy and grateful.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring authors who have their hopes set on gaining this status?
Q: Has becoming an NYT Best Seller helped you gain more recognition for being a successful author or is there no change?
A: It’s good to have dreams. Just keep at it…don’t get discouraged. Also, realize that, if you don’t make that list, it doesn’t mean that you’re not successful.
A: There is something satisfying about being able to say it. I think it really does give you more recognition.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
Q: What is the best thing about being a member of such a prestigious list?
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A: To write more…and more…and more. And to take time to appreciate the blessings I have. I try to do that, but, sometimes, I fall short.
Night Owl Reviews
Featured Publisher
Summerhouse Publishing
Interviewed by: Tammie King Celia Kyle is here with us today to discuss her new venture. She’s opened a new publishing house called Summerhouse Publishing.
ing works of varied length and I’m sure our readers will as well.
Celia, why did you decide to set out on your own and start a publishing house?
What types of manuscripts stand out for you? Is there anything you are particularly looking for?
I felt there was a gap within the industry. With the growing popularity of self-publishing, Summerhouse acts as a middle ground between authors self-publishing their works on their own and a full scale publishing house. We take well-written manuscripts and give them a final polish with copy-editing, provide professional cover art, wide spread distribution and extensive marketing. We help eliminate the stigma surrounding self-publishing by giving those authors a “house” to stand behind.
I love romantic relationships that are fully developed and lend toward believability. How many authors will you have on opening day?
We’ll be having a relatively small release program overall with one book every other week and our opening day will feature two books: Her Dark Fairy by Ella Vines and Indigo Rain by Taige Crenshaw.
What do you bring to your company that will be of benefit to authors and readers?
Are you looking for currently unpublished authors?
I think one big benefit is that we accept a lot of the more “taboo” content that a great deal of more traditional publishers don’t publish.
Of course! Authors are authors, plain and simple.
What type of stories is Summerhouse seeking submissions for? What are your submission requirements?
Please tell us about your starting titles. Ella has written an engaging historical paranormal erotic romance that touches your heart and *ahem* other places. Taige Crenshaw’s Indigo Rain is action packed with plenty of fighting both in and out of the bedroom. Look for both of these titles on March 14, 2010!
We accept works as short as 3,000 words and up. Those manuscripts are well-written, with no plot holes, head hopping and have been thoroughly self-edited. Currently I’m interested in interesting stories. I know that’s pretty vague, but there are so many sub-genres that I enjoy in romance and erotica that I have a hard time settling on just a handful right now.
Do you have any suggestions for authors on how to make their manuscripts stand out in a crowd?
Capture me in the opening paragraph. Throw me into the action and drag me into your work. I want to be captivated and excited to get beyond the first page.
Do you have any specific lines that readers should be looking forward to?
What are your paying rates?
We’ve got three special short story lines featuring same-sex relationships (Can’t Think Straight), heterosexual relationships (Digital Decadence) as well as multi-partner relationships (Electronic Excess).
We start at 60% net. Those rates rise up to 70% net as sales rise. Do you have any strategies to make your company get known?
Will your books be available for purchase outside of your publisher website?
We’ll be actively marketing books in a variety of ways including social networking, advertising on blogs and press releases.
Absolutely. We’ll be at the major distributors including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the iBookstore.
Celia Kyle Publisher, Summerhouse Publishing
Will you be doing a wide range of story lengths such as shorts and full novels?
We will be accepting works as short as 3,000 words to full-length novels. I love read-
Thanks for joining us this month Celia and we wish you a wonderful publishing debut!
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License to Ensorcell: A Nola O’Grady novel is the first in the new urban fantasy series featuring a psychic agent who uses her clairvoyant and oracular powers for a secret government agency. When a new case involves the forces of “Chaos”, Nola is assigned to solve why someone is murdering werewolves without being seen. To complicate matters, Ari Nathan, an Israeli agent is also trying to solve the case as well for Interpol who just thinks whoever is doing it is psychotic while Nola knows the killer is actually murdering real werewolves. Add to the mix Nola’s Irish family who live close to her and who she is trying desperately to not involve in her cases. However, it looks like they may already be involved as the killer’s first victim was her younger Pat, a lycanthrope. The novel is a very quick and easy read. It is enjoyable with an enjoyable world, with a simple mystery with a bit of humor and a dash of romance to keep you entertained. The only weak part to the book for me was the villain, but not enough to take away from the book itself. I give this one a 4.5 star rating and look forward to reading any future sequels! This is recommend for fans of urban fantasy who like psychic detective work, a bit of gun play and secret agencies.
The Obsidian Key by Eldson Thompson is book two in the Legend of Asahiel fantasy trilogy. After reclaiming the Crimson Sword in the first book, Torin has accidently reopened a dimensional realm that contains the Illysp, foul spirits that possess man’s bodies and enslave their souls. The new King Torin must now find the ancient secrets used to overcome the foul spirits and rediscover a lost people who are rumored to have existed many years before. But even if he succeeds, it might still be too late for his devastated land. The Obsidian Key has plenty of drama and some gruesome battle scenes. It is a bit slow moving at times, but still has plenty of adventure and political intrigue. It reminded me in some ways of the Shannara series by Terry Brooks on the scope of adventure, mission to save the world and trying to stop and ancient evil by lost “secrets”. At the same time, the book seems to be weaker than the first novel as the urgency for the mission seems to be lacking in regards to the lead characters. Torin seemed too reluctant at times and definitely worried about his romance a bit more than need be. And other characters acted out of character in comparison to the previous novel. Still, I would give it a 3.75 star rating and those who enjoy grand adventure fantasy will find it a pleasant or decent read. 17
Night Owl Reviews
As you all know Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. What better way to celebrate than with a book? Here in South Korea they celebrate three different Valentine’s like days. Valentine’s Day is only for the girls to give the guys gifts. Next month around the same time is called White Day where the boys give gifts to the girls they like. Then finally, April 14th is known as Black Day, where those who got no gifts the previous months get together and eat black noodles and try to make friends that will help them get gifts next year. So this month I am going to suggest some great love stories to get you in the mood for the Valentine’s Day season or just to enjoy a great read! There are about a million great love stories suitable for adults and a whole lot less geared for young adults. I dug through both genres to bring you a list suitable for anyone wanting to read a great love story! The number one love story of all time on my list is The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It is witty, funny, sweet, and above all about love. If you have only seen the movie, I definitely urge you to read the book as well. My next pick for a great romantic read is Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers. This book has popular paranormal elements as well as a sizzling love triangle
that will leaving you trying to figure which boy is really THE best for the heroine, and it will be a hard choice. There is a whole other genre that anyone can read and enjoy that all too often gets overlooked, the classics. My next pick is one of my favorites, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. This is a book for book lovers and romance lovers alike. It effortlessly swirls romance, intrigue, and a little bit of horror, into one great story. There are so many books out there beyond the ‘Paranormal YA Romance’ genre (which I do enjoy as well) that need to be savored, loved, and kept alive by our younger generations. If you haven’t read a couple of the books above, check them out, or give one as a gift to someone you love. --------------------------------
Monica is a lover of books and is currently serving her countery abroad!
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Night Owl Reviews
It wasn’t so long ago in this country that interracial marriage was not only frowned upon, it was illegal. One brave couple chose to fight the illegality of interracial unions and cleared the path for people of all races and ethnicities to have the right to love each other. Mildred Jeter, a black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, married each other in 1958 in Washington, DC because interracial marriage was illegal in their home state of Virginia. After their wedding, the couple returned to Virginia and discovered they could not live as man and wife there, even though they’d been married elsewhere. One night, while asleep, police entered their home and arrested them. They were later found guilty of the crime of being married. Facing a one year jail sentence, the couple accepted the judge’s alternative offer to leave the state of Virginia. Life was difficult for the Lovings. They were separated from their families and friends and faced discrimination everywhere they went. Finally, Mrs. Loving contacted Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to request help. The case was forwarded to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and two attorneys agreed to work on the Lovings’ case at no charge. Nine years after their marriage, the unanimous decision by the United States Supreme Court judges in the case of Loving v. Virginia overturned the Virginia law. The Lovings were finally able to live together as husband and wife in their home state. At the time of the decision, fifteen other states had similar laws which banned interracial relationships. Forty-one years later, interracial or interethnic marriages saw a dramatic increase. According to the Pew Re-
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search Center, in 1980, interracial marriage made up 6.7 percent of all marriages. In 2008, however, 14.6 percent of marriages in the United States were between people of different races or ethnicities, which included people who identified themselves as multiracial. Sixty percent of people polled said it “would be fine” if a family member married someone of a different race or ethnicity. Meanwhile, 35 percent of adults say they have a family member who is married to someone of another race. For romance writers, these figures are important, because people in interracial relationships want to read stories about and for them. One of the fastest growing segments of romance is the interracial subgenre. But interracial novels are not only for ethnic readers or readers in multiethnic relationships. The heroes and heroines of different races in these books are thrust together and struggle against the same relationship issues faced by characters of the same race in other novels. For that reason, anyone who picks up an interracial novel, no matter their race or ethnicity, will be able to identify with the conflict and emotions the characters experience. E-publishers lead the way in the promotion of interracial romance. E-books have opened up a world of variety which enables readers to pick and choose from a number of authors in familiar genres. A few print publishers have also come to recognize the underserved interracial segment of the romance reading population, and they’ve begun to offer the same types of books. For readers, this is a win-win, offering many more options to take advantage of. Your choices are almost endless if you’re in the mood for an interracial romance novel. As you become more
www.NightOwlReviews.com familiar with specific authors and publishers, you’ll be able to find the books that most appeal to you. Whatever your interest, there is an interracial romance novel available for you. The heat levels may be sweet, sensual, or erotic, and for your reading pleasure, you’ll find westerns, historicals, contemporaries, sci-fi/fantasy, and paranormals. The following publishers offer an interracial or multicultural category in which you can search for books of interest on their website. The list is not all-inclusive, but it’s a good place to start. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Amira Press Changeling Press Cobblestone Press Decadent Publishing DLP Books Ellora’s Cave Evernight Publishing Genesis Press Loose Id Parker Publishing Phaze Books Red Rose Publishing Sugar and Spice Press Total E-Bound Publishing Wild Rose Press Xcite Books
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Delaney Diamond writes African-American and interracial romance. Enjoy free reads on her website at www.delaneydiamond.com.
Love All Year Long
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Night Owl Reviews
What is E? An Introduction to eBooks and Technology I am so excited to share my thoughts and views about eBooks and technology. I am a self-proclaimed eBook convert that loves to read and write reviews. But that’s enough about me, let’s talk eBooks. In the past two years the publishing industry has been rejuvenated by the explosion of consumer interest in dedicated e-reader and Multifunctional devices. Driven by demand most popular publishing houses now offer most of their bestselling authors works in companion eBook format. What a lot of people do not realize is that eBooks (Electronic Books) have been around since the 1990’s. During the peak of the PDA era more and more eBook-Stores began to crop up over the Internet to peddle their eBooks to the tech conscious crowd; I will admit I was one of them. During that time I owned and still do a Dell Axim PDA. Some of the first eBook-stores to offer eBooks were Project Gutenberg (1971), Baen Books (1999), Mobipocket (2000). In the early years and to some extent even today there were compatibility issues across devices with most publishers using proprietary formats for their books. What is e now? E is the equivalent of the future of books. There are many different dedicated e-Readers, tablets and MP3 devices capable of allowing a reader to jump into the true e-book foray as well as various branded software that allows an e-book to be read on a Smart-phone. The current success of eBooks, e-reader devices and multiplatform reading software has spurned a bonanza of question to consider when selecting a device or platform. I am going to try to take the guess work out of making the best selection, so that you can avoid having buyer’s regret.
There are many factors to consider when selecting an e-reading platform: Dedicated Reader or Multifunctional Device? Regardless of the platform that you choose theses are a few things to consider. In today’s economy price may play a big factor in what a consumer is willing to spend for convenience and ease of use.
The look, feel, weight, size and functionality should play a huge factor in deciding on what device is the right one. There are a number of dedicated e-readers available on the market to name a few. • • • •
Amazon’s kindle (Various Models) Barnes and Noble’s nook (Various Models) Sony E-reader (Various Models) Kobo E-reader (Various Models)
The how, when, and where use of the device should be considered when making a selection. Used for reading mainly indoors or outdoors, during the day or at night, at bedtime? All of these little nuances can make or break the overall reading experience. • Some devices do not allow for international purchases • Some have e-book restrictions due to publisher territorial rights management • Some devices allow users to connect to their public library and borrow books via the library Internet portal powered by overdrive.
Long term readability/ use should be considered when evaluating file format compatibility between devices and/or software. I usually purchase eBooks that can be read by a number of devices and software.
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www.NightOwlReviews.com • •
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Some devices use a proprietary file format that can only be read on specific devices. Some devices only read specific file formats that use a customized DRM (digital rights management) in an effort to combat eBook piracy. Some devices are open to a variety of formats with/ without DRM
by the Reader e-Bookstore.
Support for some devices come and go so quickly, it could make your purchase obsolete within a year. What type of warranty is offered on the device and what are the costs. Total internal and external storage capacity availability should also be considered.
Kobo.com Last but not least there is the Kobo dedicated e-reader form the Canadian based company Kobo. This dedicated e-reader was introduced in 2010 and has been steadily been gaining traction within the dedicated device wars. Powered by its own Kobo eBook-store, the Kobo has an expandable memory, holding an additional 4GB via an SD slot, accepts epub and pdf file formats, is available in black or white and comes preloaded with 100 public domain classic books. So there you have it my top list of branded dedicated ereading devices currently on the market. I currently own a classic nook wifi-3G, an iPod Touch 4th Gen and an iPad wifi-3G. You would probably ask why so many, the nook is more for indoor reading for me, while the touch is that on the go reading in line at the bank, waiting for a movie to start etc and the iPad is use for long term review reading and annotating. I still purchase my favorite authors in Imprint books, but my library has grown exponentially since I have embraced the eBook technology. This media really lends itself to promoting the reading experience without the clutter. The versatility and ease of use is a really great feature with this technology; a technology that is growing daily as more companies invest in the future of publishing.
Barnes and Noble.com In 2009 Barnes and Noble returned to the eBook market with its introduction of the nook; currently known as the classic nook. The nook was seen as Barnes and Nobles attempt to catch Amazon’s wave of success in the eBook market. Boasting 2 Gigabytes of internal memory, an external SD card slot, wifi-3G connectivity, the ability to read pdb and epub file formats, lend purchased books, borrow eBooks from an overdrive subscriber library and an extensive B&N driven eBook-store has made the nook a worthy addition. Though initially it was plagued by software issues, its current 1.5 upgrade has successfully delivered a stable device. In 2010 the company introduced the nookColor to consumers with rave reviews. Powered by Android the nook collection of dedicated e-readers continues to successfully promote the concept of enhanced eBooks and magazines.
Device shelf life should be considered if your purchase is going to be a long-term investment. Storage capacity, brand name and longevity should be included in your evaluation. • • •
Where to purchase eBooks once you have selected a platform. File format, device compatibility and eBook price are big factors as to where to purchase from. • •
There are free eBook Internet retailers (Project Gutenberg), Baen Books) and then there are the paid retailers (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books on Board). Although price is no longer as competitive as it had been in the past. There are still instances when shopping around can be beneficial.
Name brand retailers that have embraced the concept of eBooks and have delivered a branded dedicated e-Reader include:
Amazon.com In 2007 Amazon’s introduction of their dedicated e-reader device caught its competitors off guard. The Kindle was criticized and ridiculed by skeptics upon its introduction. The device has since revolutionized the manner and capacity by which reader consume books. Now in its 3rd generation of the classic Kindle design, the Kindle is still the top choice among dedicated e-reader devices. Powered by the Kindle’s e-bookstore, Amazon’s success is still going strong.
SonyStyle.com Another retailer that entered the foray in 2006 is Sony, mostly known for their TVs, walkmans and other electronic devices. Sony’s dedicated e-reader was the first device to offer the ability to borrow, download and read eBooks from public libraries that subscribe to Overdirve Internet Services. Their collection of dedicated e-readers includes the Pocket Edition, the Daily Edition and the Touch Edition; all powered
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Novel Technology “E-books and Technology Made Simple” next month’s article “The Multifunctional device a dedicated e-reader alternative”
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“Time-line references courtesy of wikipedia.”
Night Owl Reviews
The Season of Love The month of February brings an abundance of red and pink hearts, chocolate confections and wishes for the ultimate, true love. It’s thrilling to be writing NOR’s Romance Column. In the upcoming months, the column will feature some exciting and diverse offerings. If there’s anything you’d like to see, please let me know! Now on to highlight some Valentine’s Day releases. In the world of romance, the literary offerings become ripe for couplings; yet, what about those writers who bring us the tales of ardor overcoming all obstacles? Do their relationships inspire these sizzling offerings? Well, some of those secrets have been revealed in a new non-fiction offering, Fall in Love like a Romance Writer, edited by Amelia Grey. The collection is separated into seven sections: Humor; Moonstruck; Inspiration; Opposites Attract; Second Chances; Trust and Respect; and Hope. The contributions by 67 authors span from endearing to hard-hitting realistic. In “How to Beat the Odds,” Susan Andersen discusses getting married too young, and spending the next 42 years with her “soul mate” husband, who happens to be an engineer. (Note: My hubby is an engineer. Maybe there’s something about romance writers and those technically minded!) Barbara Samuel takes on love, the second time around, in “A View from the Top of the World.” Samuel infuses her account with the special details that makes her contemporary romances so memorable. Finally, Laura Lee Guhrke
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closes it out with a look at love with a younger lover … a much younger lover in “In Praise of Younger Men.” On a similar note, Harlequin’s non-fiction line brings A Compendium of Kisses by Lena Citron. The author discusses all subjects “kissable” in this delightful collection, from the longest kiss to the chemistry of smooches. Want to know how to say “kiss” in another language? It’s covered. One particularly entertaining graphic is a stick figure that displays The Physical Geography of a Kiss, from the forehead, which “conveys a blessing or reverence” to “The ground beneath your feet.” Interested in pop culture kisses? Then check out the section on literary kisses, big screen kisses and lip-locking on television. Be warned though: it’s not all red roses; the Compendium also includes sections on darker subjects such as “Murderous Kisses” and the “Vampire’s Kiss.” Fiction Offerings
RiverTime, Carina Press (http://ebooks.carinapress.com) Release date: February 14, 2011
Debut author Raw Renzi possesses an intoxicating style, with a mixture of action and infusing her characters with immedi-
www.NightOwlReviews.com ately likeable qualities. After starting to read RiverTime over a lunch break, and I became hooked. Renzi’s engaging writing and kept me reading far too long. In the novel, Casey Lord teeters on the precipice of marriage: Should she get hooked with her steady and dependable boyfriend Reed, even if there’s no real physical chemistry? She embarks on a river-rafting trip to gain a perspective, and gets swept away in a flash flood. Standard with dangerously handsome Jack, Casey questions the foundation of her relationships. The lost in the wilderness portion of the novel accounts for only a quarter of the novel. The rest addresses the repercussions after Casey and Jack’s rescue, and dealing with real-world issues.
level in this holiday offering. As a bonus for Valentine’s Day, Set Up For Love includes My Last Blind Date by Hatler. Get a sneak-peek and watch the trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=4rS-eTrN7ZE On the Wild Side
Enjoy your romance a little bit more on the erotic side? Then read on: The next few cater to the more daring in taste.
My Sexy Valentine, Sizzler Editions (http://shop. renebooks.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=26)
Be Mine, Valentine, Turquoise Morning Press (http:// www.turquoisemorningpress.com)
For those readers who prefer their stories a bit more on the “sweet” side, Turquoise Morning Press offers up Be Mine, Valentine. The anthology showcases a dozen short stories by authors such as Krista Ames, Marissa Dobson, Cat Shaffer and Amy Le Blanc. While focusing on love, the collection includes Jennifer Johnson’s look at the love counseling of Valentina and her husband in “Valentine: The Untold Legend,” and “His Other Valentine” by Elizabeth Chalkley the mysteries around an unexpected Valentine’s gift. Harlequin Blaze sizzles this holiday with a number of releases, including Tawny Webber’s Breaking the Rules (http://blog.tawnyweber. com/books/breaking-the-rules/) featuring Max St. James, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, on leave after a year in Afghanistan. Don’t know about you, but I love a man in – and out – of uniform. Set Up For Love, Two of Hearts Publishing Release date: February 14, 2011
Set Up For Love combines three contemporary romance short stories about finding Mr. Right, with a little help from those who know them best … friends. Authors Virna DePaul, Susan Hatler and Delilah Sloan provide a sweet-to-moderate heat
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The premiere anthology in the new Sizzler Intoxications line, My Sexy Valentine features four delectable tales surrounding lusty rendezvous on Valentine’s Day. The darling (and daring) Em Petrova kicks the action off with “Bachelorette.” After getting jilted weeks before her Valentine’s wedding, Kiki goes on a champagne and green confectioner’s hearts spree in Paris, and only learns to heal her heart after a wild extravaganza featuring her closest childhood friend and his closest four friends. (Not for the feint of heart.) In the fourth short story “Cupid’s Arrow,” my “sister” writer Daisy Harris (we share an agent) takes on a modern retelling of Cupid’s quest of shooting unsuspecting “victims” in the days before Valentine’s. When Cupid shoots Cassidy and she fails to fall for her target – who happens to be Cupid – he sets out to test if she’s immune or the potion is bad. Along the way, he just may get shot himself. ________ Louisa Bacio enjoys soaking up the sun in Southern California, spending time with her family, and reading and writing romance.
Her debut erotic thriller Sex University: Physical Education is available via Ravenous Romance and other online retailers. She’s also been published in multiple erotic anthologies, and is currently finishing up an erotic paranormal. Bacio also edits for Keith Publications. Drop in for a visit at http:// louisabacio.blogspot.com/, and http://www.facebook. com/louisabacio
Night Owl Reviews
While there are a lot of reference and history-related books for whatever the reader may be looking, Osprey Publishing offers wonderful overviews that allow readers to get a feel for different peoples in ancient history. What follows is a look at a couple of the titles that Osprey has available. The Sarmatians, 600 BC - AD 450 by R Brzezinski and M Mielczarek is part of the Men-at-Arms series, Celtic Warrior, 300 BC-AD 100 by Stephen Allen is part of the Warrior series and Sassanian Elite Cavalry, AD 224-642 by Dr Kaveh Farrokh is part of the Elite series. All three of these books provide an overview of the people, how the warriors fit into the overall society, how the costumes and weapons looked and the general attitude of the people involved. The books also provide photographs and illustrations of the tools of the trade and the warriors in action, maps of where the people lived, and aspects of their daily lives (cooking utensils, living accommodations, etc.).
the Moors and Arabs (7th and 8th centuries), the Danes and Swedes (9th and 10th centuries), and the Avars, Magyars and Mongols (6th to 13th centuries). Color illustrations, photographs, and reproductions of woodcuts provided throughout the book.
Kings and Vikings by P.H. Sawyer From the back cover: P.H. Sawyer traces the causes of Viking activity to the links between Scandinavia and Western Europe that developed in the Roman period and were revived dramatically in the eighth century, creating improved opportunities for piracy and leading to the development of the ships that made Viking raids possible. He assesses the consequences, both destructive and constructive, of the raids and conquests, and their effect on Scandinavia itself. The whole range of Viking activity is covered with particular emphasis on conquest and settlement in Western Europe, the Atlantic islands and Russia. P.H. Sawyer offers new interpretations of the development of Scandinavian society and the history of Christian conversion, focusing on the abundant but previously neglected contemporary written evidence, including inscriptions. Good starting point to get an overall feel for Vikings and their society as well the history involved. Different maps and sketches are provided throughout the book.
Other titles to consider:
The Barbarians: Warriors and Wars of the Dark Ages by Tim Newark Provides chapters devoted to the Huns and Eastern Germans (4th and 5th centuries), the Western Germans of the 1st to 4th centuries, the Visigoths and Vandals (5th century), the Ostrogoths and Franks (6th century),
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I hope you found at least one great history book this month!
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Night Owl Reviews
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