Night Owl Reviews 3
Q & A with an Author Look into the Lives of Authors
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History Bits Travel Back in History
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Fabulous Fiction An Inside Look
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Novel Technology The Low Down on Tech for Readers
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Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal Hot UF / PN Releases Every Month
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Inside the Cookbook Find Some Awesome Cookbooks
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Science Fiction & Fantasy A Look Inside the Books
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Love and Romance in Color Diversity in Romance
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Leaf’s Legends A Look Inside Legends
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A Piece Of My Mind Insights for Writers
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Teen Reads Young Adult Reads For All
22 Romance Stories To Make You Fall In Love
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Dark Streets Suspense at Its Best
Night Owl ReviewsTM WEtap Media, LLC 2459 SE TV HWY, #153, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Reviews@NightOwlReviews.com Editor-In-Chief: Tammie King Director of Marketing: Tammie King Tammie.King@NightOwlReviews.com © Night Owl Reviews 2012 2
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Coreene Callahan
me—Success is measured by three things: passion, patience, and perseverance. I believe it. If you have the THREE Ps in your pocket (no matter how difficult the road), you’ll stay the course and achieve your dreams.
Current Release: Fury of Fire
Describe your current release in two sentences?
What is the best thing about being an author?
The first novel in my Dragonfury series, FURY OF FIRE, introduces a secret species of dragon-shifters and their struggle to defeat a rogue faction of their kind. Half-dragon, half-human, able to shift forms at will, they are the only thing standing between humankind and total annihilation.
Besides getting to make stuff up for a living? I think that says it all, but I also love the fact I get to work from my house, wear yoga pants to work every day, and hang out with Winston. Writing a novel is hard work, but the perks far outweigh those days when the words come hard instead of easy. Do you have a favorite time of the day? If so when and why?
What are you working on?
I’m an early bird. I get up every day at 4:45 A.M. to write. I know, I know. I can hear the “Are you crazy?” comments all the way from here. But there is something about a quiet house and the stillness of the world before dawn that I love.
I’m currently writing the third novel in my Dragonfury series, FURY OF SEDUCTION. I’m also planning the second novel in my Circle of Seven series, paranormal historical romances set in fourteenth century Transylvania. The first in the series, KNIGHT AWAKENED, will be released in December, 2012.
What do you feel blessed with?
Family. I’m blessed with a very tight-knit family. Not just my immediate one either, but a whole crew of aunts, uncles, and cousins. We have so much fun together that once a year we descend on a campground and pitch our tents while the older generation drive in with their RVs. We come from all over the country, and at the height of the weekend, there are anywhere from 80 to 90 of us eating BBQ and catching up on the past year’s events.
What is your favorite TV show?
Criminal Minds. The study of human behavior fascinates me, and I love seeing how they use psychological markers to profile criminals and predict behavior.
How was your road to publication? Have you ever had to deal with rejection letters? Oh, boy, now here’s a loaded question! I have a binder full of rejection letters. But I’ve never looked at rejection as a bad thing. Sometimes failure is the best teacher, and I decided early on that each NO I received was simply another step closer to the one YES I needed. I heard someone say something once (and can’t for the life of me remember who!) that stuck with
Full Interview at: http://paranormal. nightowlreviews.com/nor/Interviews/Tamazoninterviews-Coreene-Callahan-on-Mar-13-2012. aspx
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Night Owl Reviews
The Children’s Edition
One of the perks I’ve been blessed to experience in my job as a reviewer involves children’s books. I have reviewed children’s books for over two years and as a mom this comes in quite handy. There are a million and one children’s books to choose from, but deciding which books are worth the money is difficult. Spending $12.99 on an adult novel that is over three hundred pages and will likely be re-read is easier to do than a $16.99 children’s hardcover that will be quickly grown out of is much harder. Since I have been reviewing children’s books I’ve been able to decipher which books have staying power and which books teach my children and catch their attention. I’ve been able to confidently recommend books to others in the market for children’s literature, including teachers. Since it’s highly likely that many who are reading this have a child in their life, I decided to focus this month on children’s literature!
and surprising extras!
Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi, Illustrated by Tim Bowers ISBN: 978-1-4022-5275-4 If you have an adorable little girl in your life who’s full of big dreams, this one is for you! Dream Big, Little Pig encourages children to discover their talents, go after their dreams and never give up. In this book, Poppy the pig chases her dreams until she finds one she loves and excels at. Along the way her family and friends encourage and support her with love and words of kindness. With beautiful illustrations and a positive message this book is perfect for the little dreamer in your life. The Butt Book by Artie Bennett, Illustrated by Mike Lester ISBN: 978-159990-311-8
Just One Bite by Lola Schaefer, Illustrated by Geoff Waring ISBN: 978-0-8118-6473-2
In addition to its impressive size, Just One Bite offers children ages 2-6 an inside look at 11 amazing animals and their life size bites. The pages are full of interesting tidbits about the animals and their daily meals. A bonus to this fun, lively book is its educational value
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If you’ve spent a moment around any child, you understand their inquisitive and curious natures. I’m willing to bet you’ve been asked a hilarious or uncomfortable question by a child you just met at some point in your life. The Butt Book takes a comical angle to the question “Why do we have butts?” So regardless the term you use, fanny, bottom, heine, rear or butt, this book will have adults laughing right along too! This one proves not all books are just for kids! In a tasteful and fun way, Artie brings humor to a well-known fact, everyone has a butt!
www.NightOwlReviews.com What Happens to Our Trash? By D.J. Ward, Illustrated by Paul Meisel ISBN: 978-0061687556
As part of the “Let’s read and find out science series, this book takes a look at our trash and what happens to it once the garbage truck takes it away. From the dump to landfills, recycling and more, this book is full of information for little minds. The story doesn’t skip over facts but rather encourages understanding, awareness and valuable recycling information. I even learned a thing or two from this one! If you have a science loving child, a curious child or you want to know how to explain the process of our trash removal process and recycling, this book is an informative and wonderful tool! A Dog is a Dog by Stephen Shaskan ISBN: 978-0-818-7896-8
A Dog is a Dog unless it’s a… What could it be? This wonderfully entertaining and well-illustrated book follows a dog through multiple costumes changes and teaches children the skills of rhyming and imagination. It doesn’t take long for your little one to start guessing what the dog will become next. I loved this book so much I read it to my daughter’s kindergarten class! Within seconds they were pointing out rhyming words and predicting what the next page would hold. It was quite a hit with both the students and the teacher! There is really no reason not to read this one to the child in your life. (Ages 2-6) It’s the Best Day Ever Dad! By Brooke Shields, Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld ISBN: 978-0-06-172445-9
Frankie and her sister Violet are proving great days can be spent with dads every day! Beginning with a wake up dance, pancakes and giving mommy a day of rest, this book is packed with the adventures of two little girls and their dad. Coupled with the best of illustrations, this book is full of real life events making it relatable to fathers and daughters everywhere. It is a completely enjoyable read. So, if you’re not a fan of Brooke Shields overlook the name and give this one a try. I was quite surprised and my girls loved it!
Fancy Nancy and the Too Loose Tooth by Jane O’Connor, Illustrated by Robin Glasser ISBN: 978-0062083029
If you know books, you likely know something of Fancy Nancy. Nancy is quite the little grown up. She loves all things fancy and is quite the girly girl. Throughout her stories, Nancy uses big words and then explains their meaning to the reader by saying “______ is fancy for ______.” In Fancy Nancy and the Too Loose Tooth, eager learning readers are introduced to simple sentences with big words and a story that reflects what they are most likely experiencing in their young lives. In this book the fancy words are arrive, confess, gore, injured, in transit, joyful, long for, moment and prevent. All little girls love learning “fancy” big words through Nancy and her adventures.
Whatever the interest your little reader holds one of these books is sure to catch their attention! The great thing about reading is that publishing ensures there are multitudes of options for all of us to discover. I love the variety of books at my fingertips! Whether for my children, my husband, a friend or myself, I know there will never be an end to my reading options and that makes me smile! Happy reading everyone! -------------------
Tiffany is an avid reader, reviewer and marketing specialist. You can connect with her via the following outlets. Website- http://www.acozyreaderscorner.com - Twitter - @cozyreadersnook – Facebook http://www. facebook.com/groups/#!/pages/A-Cozy-ReadersCorner/152514161454295
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Night Owl Reviews
Books, book, and more books. I have a confession to make. I’m a boarderline book hoarder. There I said it. It’s out in the open. I still have many of my childhood books. Well the ones I owned. 99% of them came from the library because I read too much too fast. My mother would have spent a small fortune keeping me in books. Now I still read library books but thanks to working in the book world I am never without new reading material. I have books sticking out of every nook and cranny in my house. But there are always more books to be had. All I can say is that I pray if I am ever to be trapped somewhere; I hope it’s a library or bookstore so I have plenty of reading material. And hopefully some of this month’s new releases will be there. Which ones are you looking forward to? I’m looking forward to reading A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing by Terry Spear and The Werewolf’s Wife (Harlequin Nocturne) by Michele Hauf. Books on my wish list include: Blood on the Bayou (Annabelle Lee, #2) by Stacey Jay, Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #10) by J.R. Ward, On Midnight Wings (The Maker’s Song, #5) by Adrian Phoenix, and The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen #2) by Amanda Stevens (actually thanks to NetGalley this one’s already on my Kindle waiting to be read and reviewed). Out this month are many series additions: Dying Wish (Sentinel Wars, #6) by Shannon K. Butcher, Doubletake (Cal Leandros, #7) by Rob Thurman, Eventide (Dark Ink Chronicles #3) by Elle Jasper, Fair Game (Alpha & Omega, #3) by Patricia Briggs, Soul Bound (Blood Coven, #7) by Mari Mancusi, The Isis Collar (Blood Singer, #4) by Cat Adams, Sacrificial Magic (Downside Ghosts, #4) by Stacia Kane, Shadow’s Fall (Shadow World, #3) by Dianne Sylvan, Wanted: Undead or Alive (Love at Stake, #12) by Kerrelyn Sparks, and Spell Bound (Hex Hall, #3) by Rachel Hawkins. A couple new series out this month worth checking out include: Nightborn (Lords of the Darkyn, #1) by Lynn Viehl and Wicked as They Come (Blud, #1) by Delilah S. Dawson. What’s on your wish list?
The authors featured in this month’s Super Quick Author Interviews are Laura Lond, and Denise Alcea We’ll get started with Laura. Tell us Laura, what is the name of your newest release and genre/category it falls into? LL: My Sparkling Misfortune and My Royal Pain Quest, books 1 and 2 of The Lakeland Knight series. Humorous Fantasy.
RR: Can you describe your main character in 3 words? LL: Funny snarky villain.
RR: Can you describe your hero in one sentence? LL: Funny snarky villain who will be furious if he finds out I called him a hero. RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book?
LL: My book has gormacks, powerful evil spirits who occasionally materialize. When in the physical form, a gormack can be captured and forced into temporary submission, but it’s a difficult and dangerous thing to do. There are also sparklings, fairy-like good spirits, also strong and powerful. Normally, they can’t be captured…but there’s an exception to every rule. RR: In two sentences or less can you tell readers something unique about your book?
LL: Imagine a villain who wants vengeance getting stuck with a fairy-like creature determined to bring out the good in him.
RR: Can you list three adjectives that describe your book as a whole?
Now it’s time for the SQAIs.
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My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond
Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way. Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a Sparkling instead—“a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains’ plans.” Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the Sparkling is not easy to get rid of. My Royal Pain Quest by Laura Lond
How far would a villain go to help a friend? Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle thinks doing three heroic deeds is a bit too far. Not only it’s plain detestable, it can ruin his reputation and get him in trouble with the Villains League. On the other hand, it’s not like he’s got friends to spare. And losing the League’s membership isn’t the end of the world, one can always work independently.
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Night Owl Reviews RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? (ex: vampires, witches, succubi, demons, ghosts, psychic visions, elves, fairies, etc)
LL: Funny, fast-paced, unpredictable.
RR: And last but not least, where can a reader purchase your book?
DA: I would have to say that my paranormal element would be traveling back in time.
LL: In most online stores: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Sony, Smashwords. It is available as an ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences?
Next we have Denise Alicea
Denise what is the name of your newest release and genre/category it falls into?
DA: Imagine meeting someone you admired and seeing them at a low point in their life. I think that’s what’s memorable about James and Mira meeting.
DA: Consoling Angel. Young Adult
RR: Can you describe your main character in 3 words?
RR: In two sentences or less can you tell readers something unique about your book?
DA: Busy, Smart, Sad
DA: Being a big fan of James Dean inspired this story.
DA: A smart girl that has lost her way, but will find it in the past.
DA: Sweet and Romantic.
RR: Can you describe your hero in one sentence?
RR: And last but not least, where can a reader purchase your book?
DA: An icon and a legend that was misunderstood.
DA: Amazon , FictionWise , All Romance
RR: What’s the heat level of your book?
RR: Can you describe your heroine in one sentence?
Consoling Angel by Denise Alicea
Mira did not know what she had in store the day she fell asleep while wanting to escape her current situation. Overcoming a death from someone so close and burying herself in school and an internship has kept her somewhat awake and alive. An admiration for the actor, James Dean was all that kept the memory of her father alive. If she couldn’t be with her father, she could at least remember what they shared an admiration for together. She always wanted to meet James Dean… she didn’t know it would come true. Be careful what you wish for. It may just come true. 8
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A Thousand Splendid Suns by byKhaled Hosseini
Since its publication in 2007, A Thousand Splendid Suns has shipped more than three million copies. The bestselling adult novel of 2007, it spent fifteen weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remained on the list for an impressive fortynine weeks. Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love. Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann
As the New York Times bestselling author of the Troubleshooters series and a “superstar of romantic suspense” (USA Today), Suzanne Brockmann has an acclaimed history of taking readers’ breath away with her novels of hot passion and high adventure. Now she takes her talent for sexy, action-packed storytelling in a thrilling new direction: forward—into a future, both fantastic and frightening, that only the brilliant Brockmann could envision.
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Night Owl Reviews
The Broken Land A People of the Longhouse Novel / North America’s Forgotten Past by Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear Score: 5 / 5 Top Pick Reviewed by: Lilyraines I had not read any of the Gears’ books in a long while and I was glad, although unsurprised, to find the same richness of setting, characters, and plain, old-fashioned storytelling that I enjoyed before. For me, the continuation of the People of the Longhouse story is a beautifully savage and savagely beautiful one with all of that that may entail. It is a story of trying to bring peace to warring nations who are seemingly deadlocked in a domino effect of violence where one act breeds retaliation that breeds another act of retaliation. The descriptiveness of the surrounding scenery, longhouse living, clan interactions/councils, and scene descriptions add to the overall effect, even though some may come across as a touch too brutal for younger readers. It is also a story of a young girl who is betrothed to the man who is trying to bring about peace among the warring nations as he has ties to all sides. Her story is a minor one but an important one that shows how she comes into a mature view of not only what she has known, but of what could be as she gains a better understanding of her betrothed, his ties, his friends and his vision. Some readers may find parts of the book a bit dry to read, but when taken into the whole of the story the reading makes sense. The Broken Land is third in the People of the Longhouse quartet (which I think would be better read together as a whole in order to understand some of the past events and how the main characters are tied together, although it can be read as a standalone in a pinch) and the 19th book in North America’s Forgotten Past Series. CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh Score: 4 / 5 Reviewed by: Sia McKye
CassaFire is the second book of the adventures Cassan’s pilot Byron, the first book is CassaStar. I haven’t read the first (but I intend to now) can be read as a stand alone. CassaFire, for me, was reminiscent of the best things I loved about Star Trek. Exploration of new worlds and cultures and the adventures that the characters went on to solve the mystery they
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were faced with. In Cassafire, reclusive war hero, Byron, has kept his promise to his beloved mentor and friend by being part of the ship’s company on an exploration ship, The Rennather. The ship’s compliment has been dispatched to the planet Tgren to discover the identity and source of the newly found alien ruins. I loved the way the author introduced this and developed a real world. There’s an immediate sense of excitement and mystery. The Tgrens have achieved air flight but not yet reached beyond the planet and are suspicious of the Cassan’s mental abilities, technology, and motives. There are some excellent secondary characters, both on the planet and with the ship’s compliment, which move the story forward in a realistic manner and with them the author puts me on the spot. The Rennather science team must unlock the secret of the writing in the alien ruins and discover whether it’s a weapon or perhaps the key to when and how the Tgrens arrived on the planet. Byron also has another assignment and one he’s not particularly thrilled with, being a loner. Access the immerging mental powers of the Tgrens. To do this Byron also has to interact with the pilots and the author skillfully captures the pilot mentality and their arrogance. Byron is soon paired up with the planet’s ace pilot, Athee, who shows extraordinary mental powers. She also happens to be gorgeous and sexy which makes it difficult for Byron to maintain his solitary mindset. When the race to find the answers of the mystery becomes a matter of life and death, there’s no way Byron can remain detached. CassaFire has a good sense of humor skillfully weaved through out the story. I found myself laughing and chuckling. This story is well told and has a rich sense of suspense, danger, and an element of romance. Mr. Cavanaugh creates some wonderful three-dimensional main characters that readers can’t help but be invested in emotionally. I love Mevine, Byron’s friend. He’s a geek burning with enthusiasm and wonder. I just want to hug him and then pump him with questions. Athee is a woman sure of herself, eager to learn, and willing to fight for her people. She’s my kind of heroine. Athee is independent and spirited and full of adventure-as is the whole story. I loved the sense of mounting danger Alex Cavanaugh was able to induce throughout the story to the end. A very satisfying ending. There were a few minor distractions for me in this story. Mostly centering on a few phrases used which pulled me from being a part of what was happening and placed me back as an observer. Overall, this is a fun and entertaining adventure, which kept me turning the pages and I didn’t want it to end. IF YOU LIKE STORIES LIKE STAR TREK AND BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, YOU REALLY ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS ONE!
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Poseidon A guy who can make your earth move is the selection for what will be my last article for a while. Throw in the fact he rules the sea, carries a trident and gets the credit for creating horses, you have Poseidon, a Greek god that rules a large domain. He was born into a family where dad preferred to eat his kids versus cuddling them. The story goes his mother, Rhea concealed him among a flock of lambs and pretended to have given birth to a colt. When she presented her new ‘off spring’ to Cornus, he lived up to his reputation and promptly devoured it. Poseidon, Zeus and Hades were the three strongest of the children born to the unstable parents, and eventually after years of feuding divided the world into three areas to rule… Zeus received the sky, Hades the underworld and Poseidon the sea. Poseidon’s wife (or consort) was the nymph, Amphitrite, an ancient sea-goddess. But married or not, that didn’t stop him from playing around. He’s as noted for his lusty ways as his brother Zeus and pursued females who interested him whether immortal or human. The mortal Tyro caught his eye, but though she was married to Cretheus, she had the hots for Enipeus who wasn’t interested in her. Poseidon saw opportunity and disguised himself as the man of Tryo’s dreams, and she ended up with a pair of twin boys, Pelias and Neleus. He rescued Amymone from a satyr trying to force his way on her, and Poseidon promptly had his way with her…bingo, another child. When his sister Demeter rejected his advances and turned into a mare to avoid the letch, Poseidon saw through her deception and turned into a stallion. Result, another child and this one, the horse Arion, was capable of human speech. See it wasn’t just Mr. Ed, the talking horse from late 1950s TV sitcom. The horny god got it on with Medusa on the floor of the temple to Athena. That didn’t set well with Athena, and she took her anger out on Medusa, turning her into a monster. When he wasn’t following his lust, Poseidon had to attend to business. In his quiet moments, he created new islands and offered calm seas. Put him in a foul mood and one had to deal with his temper. Pounding the ground with his trident, he caused earthquakes, drownings and shipwrecks. No won-
dered sailors prayed to him and offered sacrifices. Life on the high seas was tough enough without having Poseidon ticked off at you. The god was protector of many Hellenic cities, but in Athens he had to compete with Athena for the ‘who’s in charge’ title. Tired of the squabble to be number one, the Athenian priests gave the god and goddess the chance to offer a gift and see which was preferred. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a spring emerged. Problem with that, the water was salty and not drinkable. When Athena’s turn came, she offered an olive tree. The tree had more to offer with wood, oil and food. Guess which gift won? A little miffed at losing to a female, Poseidon decided to teach the Athenians a lesson and sent a monstrous flood to the Attic Plain for not choosing him. Yep, he had a temper. But Poseidon and Athena eventually worked out their differences. Poseidon was god of the horses, but the goddess built the first chariot that he allowed the steeds to pull. She also built the first ship, and the god of the sea allowed the vessels to sail on his waters, though at times things weren’t always smooth. The next time you’re on a cruise and the weather gets nasty or the seas become rough, take a good look out across the water. You may see a guy riding a dolphin, holding a trident and having a grand old time at your expense, especially if you’re prone to sea-sickness. In that moment, offer a thank you or a curse, but make sure you included the name, Poseidon. ---------Due to a strenuous deadline schedule on various books, this is my last monthly column on Leaf’s Legends. The management at Night Owl Reviews magazine has kindly offered if I come up with future article to let them know, so you may still hear from me occasionally. Thank you NOR for the past year and thank you to the readers who have sent me comments or posted messages on my Facebook page and Twitter. Also, look for the upcoming spring 2012 release of Emerging Magic from Passion in Print Press, as well as several other books during the year. Information on future happenings will be available at www.lizzietleaf.com
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Night Owl Reviews
Controversy and the banning of books!
classic by many literary circles and completely ignored by others. A hugely popular book series: The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins was put on some banned lists because some individuals thought it promoted an immunity or empathy toward violence. Another hugely popular book series: Twilight by: Stephanie Meyer for a severe religious view and violence. The above list is very abstract and there are so many other books out there being banned by various groups of people for various reasons. It is getting to the point where authors are censoring their own writing and writing style so they can sell a book. Stand up for your rights and your favorite novels. How would you feel if you went to your library one day and were told you couldn’t check out The Hunger Games?
Controversy is a major factor in most literary circles. What is a story without the drama? The excitement? But, how much controversy is too much? There are many novels for young adults that get the spotlight in a negative way due to content or subject matter that (mostly older) readers decide is too much for a teenager to read. This sort of thing falls hand in hand with ‘issues books’, because most issues books are considered controversial and sometimes even blacklisted. I am going to share some of the most banned or controversial young adult books with you this month. One of my favorite books and one of the top banned young adult novels is: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by: Stephen Chbosky covers some pretty controversial topics to include homosexuality and teenage sex. An oldie but a goodie: Brave New World by: Aldous Huxley depicts a dystopian future where people are morally empathetic. There are sexual themes, racism, and stereotypes. Another Oldie but a goodie: The Catcher in the Rye by: J.D. Salinger is one of the top banned books for language and sexual content. This book is considered a
Monica is a lover of books and is currently serving her countery abroad! Find her online at The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com
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Suspense Author….Misty Evans!
Recently I participated in a Halloween anthology with ten other authors to raise money for Nathan Fillion’s charity, KIDS NEED TO READ. This was a very diverse group of talented authors, and there are a few I’d like to introduce to you over the coming months – starting with Misty Evans! Alice in Wonderland was Misty’s favorite book as a child – she spent hours searching the grounds of her home for the rabbit hole that would transport her into a wonderful fantasy world. Years later, she discovered she had a talent for stringing words together and as such, didn’t need the rabbit hole – all she needed was her own fertile imagination. The first inkling Misty got of her future career was when she entered a school contest. Her story was printed in her hometown newspaper and the minute she saw her story and byline, she realized that not only could she write stories her parents appreciated, but other people did too! From that moment on, writing became a passion. A business degree in marketing served her well in the corporate world, but after the birth of her twin sons she decided it was time to pursue her true avocation: writing. But it was the terrorist attacks of 9/11 that forever changed the way she viewed the world. Life seemed to spiral out of control, and the only way she could cope was to create a new Wonderland, one where she controlled the outcome. She started dabbling in fiction, starting with mysteries and branching out into the Super Agent romantic suspense series. She enjoys researching and writing about the CIA, FBI and DEA – a tough job but hey, someone’s got to do it! She has her sources but, of course, they remain anonymous. :) Misty Evans is the author of four series: the Super Agent romantic suspense series, the light paranormal Witches Anonymous series, the dark paranormal Lost Worlds series, and the Kali Sweet urban fantasy series. Her Witches Anonymous series has garnered 5-star reviews and was dubbed a Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read. Both the Super Agent Series and the Witches Anonymous Series have been on multiple Amazon Kindle bestsellers lists. The books in her Super Agent series have won a CataNetwork
Reviewers’ Choice Award in 2008, CAPA nominations in 2009, the New England Reader’s Choice Bean Pot Award for Best Romantic Suspense in 2010 and the Ancient City Heart of Excellence Reader’s Choice contest in 2011. Each is jammed chock full of suspense, intrigue and adventure! Here’s a bit about each of the books in the series so far: Super-Agent Book 1: OPERATION SHEBA
Julia Torrison-codename Sheba-is keeping secrets. Seventeen months ago she was a CIA superagent, tracking down dangerous terrorists with her partner and lover, Conrad Flynn. A mission was blown, literally, when a bomb Julia built exploded early and Conrad died. Yanked back to Langley and given a new identity, she is now the Counterterrorism Center’s top analyst, spending her days at CIA headquarters and her nights in the bed of her boss. Her former life as a secret agent has been sealed off. Like her heart. Conrad Flynn-codename Solomon-has his own secrets. For starters, he’s not dead. Going under the deepest cover possible, he faked his death to save Julia’s life. Now he must tear her life apart and ask her to help him hunt down a traitor: her new love. Is Con a rogue agent or just a jealous ex-lover? To find out, Julia will have to enter a web of seduction and betrayal to play the spy game of her life using nothing more than her iPod-and her intuition. Super Agent Book 2: I’d Rather Be In Paris Elite CIA operative Zara Morgan has a reputation as a loose cannon with a penchant for breaking the rules. Now she’s got a chance to prove she can be a competent field officer, but the test doesn’t end there. She’s been paired with sexy covert ops team leader Lawson Vaughn, a man who lives and breathes protocol.
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Night Owl Reviews Methodical is Lawson’s middle name. He specializes in high-risk search and rescue, not missions that involve tracking down terrorists. Especially while trying to keep the lid on a partner who has a problem with authority and skates by on wits and bravado.
Thriller
Even before they get on the plane for Paris they’re under each other’s skin...and fighting a scorching sexual attraction. Drawn into an unauthorized game of vengeance, Lawson is forced to dance a tightrope in order to protect his partner from their quarry--a terrorist who’s about to unleash a biological nightmare on the Muslim world. And Zara is the first target. With her life, and that of millions of innocent people, on the line, Lawson must become the one thing he despises. A renegade. Warning: Either you’re in or you’re out. There’s no playing it safe anymore. Super Agent Book 3: Proof of Life No matter how many times he patches the holes in the wall, CIA Deputy Director Michael Stone can’t forget the night a terrorist took him hostage in his own home. Or the mistakes that transformed him into an overwhelming force to keep his country safe. And now that his niece, the daughter of the Republican candidate for President, has been kidnapped just days from the election, Michael vows to do whatever it takes to get her back, Dr. Brigit Kent, a consultant for the Department of Homeland Security, knows this particular kidnapper well. Exposing him, however, will reveal her sister’s secret ties to a terrorist group. The only way to keep her sister safe is to blackmail the sexy, rocksolid deputy director. A move that puts her directly in his line of fire. Brigit is undeniably beautiful, brilliant, cunning. But is she friend or foe? The answer to that question could break Michael’s personal code of honor--and his heart. If you are a fan of suspense ala James Patterson or Tess Gerritson, I highly recommend Misty’s books! And if you’re also a fan of paranormal suspense, check out her Witches Anonymous series. All books are available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or the publisher, Samhain. To learn more about Misty, you can visit her website at: www.readmistyevans. com
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.tonilotempio.webs.com and her cat’s blog! www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com Check out her YA fantasy, MY SUPERHERO SISTER and her paranormal romances, NO REST FOR THE WICCA and RAVEN’S KISS. She is also featured in the paranormal romance anthology, KISS ME KILL ME, available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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History In March?
February is gone and Valentine’s Day along with Ash Wednesday, Tu B’Shevat, Candlemas, Fat Tuesday and Presidents Day have also passed. Now March is here with a few more holidays. A couple notable ones for March are: Purim (March 8), Daylight Saving Time Starts (March 11), St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Swallow’s Return Day (March 19, San Juan Capistrano), and Greek Independence Day (March 25). Some titles that might be of interest to readers about these particular holidays are: Purim: Its Observance and Significance Artscroll Mesorah Series by Avie Gold The book is based on both Talmudic and traditional sources and provides insights into the history, meaning, and observances of the holiday. Split into an Overview that shows a philosophical perspective on Purim’s meaning and purpose, Insights that offer anecdotes, ideas and comments, Laws providing a brief digest of the laws and customs surrounding Purim (and provide a practical, rather than theoretical approach), and a Liturgical section that provides the praises and prayers that are specific to Purim and include the Megillas Esther.
Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time by David Prerau
Presents an insight into the story behind Daylight Saving Time and a few of the personalities that are associated with it. These include: Benjamin Franklin (came up with it), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (endorsed DST), Winston Churchill (campaigned for it), Kaiser Wilhelm (first to employ it), and two U.S. Presidents (Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt) who went to war with it. Some of the other aspects that are looked into include technical issues, costs and benefits, conflicts between interest groups and government policymakers, and how it impacts agricultural
practices, street crim, how sports scores are reported, traffic accidents, voter turnout and even the inheritance rights of twins. The Wearing of the Green: A History of St. Patrick’s Day by Daryl Adair and Mike Cronin
Encompasses the holiday’s history from its medieval origins to the times when it acted as fuel for political arguments. Provides a general overview of Irish traditions and Irish communities across the globe. According to the blurb provided on Amazon.com, this is “highly informative” for those students who study history, cultural studies, and sociology, and is good for those interested in Irish culture in general. Photos included.
San Juan Capistrano Images of America by Pamela HallanGibson, Don Tryon, Mary Ellen Tryon, and The San Juan Capistrano Historical Society Provides an overview into the mission’s history from its establishment by Padre Junipero Serra, a Franciscan friar, in the 18th century and talks about the rancho days, land barons, California statehood, the arrival (in 1958) of the San Diego Freeway, the city’s 1961 incorporation and the population growth from about 10,000 residents in 1974 to approximately 34,000 in 2004. A Concise History of Greece by Richard Clogg
The reader will come away with a concise, illustrated introduction to modern Greece and its history from the first hints of a national movement in the late 18th century to the present day. Provides a basic introduction for both general and academic readers that may have little or no prior knowledge in Greece’s history.
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Night Owl Reviews
The 411 on Getting the Next Great Book
Books,books,books! Got to get the next book in the series? When is the street date? Who’s got it? I need it right now! So, how many times a month have you heard your inner self asking these very questions, then musing over their absurdity. If you are an avid reader, such as myself, your answer would be, I look for new releases just before the next month starts, every Tuesday or for the really obsessed every day, hour and second. So where’s the best place to get the 411 on new releases? While some book publisher such as www.Penguin.com, www. RandomHouse.com, www. Berkeley.com, Tor.com, www.Ace.com and www. Harlequin.com offer pages on their site noting upcoming release; no one has time to traverse all of the major publisher sites, nor do they have time to browse the multitude of e-only publishers. One of our greatest assets is the power of social networking. Social networking through Facebook, Twitter, Google, E-mail subscription and Dig to name a few has created an ecosystem where information is shared and consumed every second. Facebook offers the opportunity for authors and publishers to create calendar events for new releases. Some authors even go so far as to provide chapter excerpts for upcoming releases; all through the power of networking. On Twitter the ability to connect with readers is astounding. Follow your favorite author and catch snippets about uncirculated book and character info. These two social magnets are not just for authors and
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publishers, readers can chat and socialize about the latest J.D. Robb book “Celebrity in Death” or squeal in delight up the new Lora Leigh novel. So where else can I get the lowdown on new releases? We ravenous readers get our monthly dose of “I just got to have it now”, from websites like www.NightOwlReviews. com, www.DearAuthor.com, www.Goodreads.com, and the www.SciFiGuy.ca. These are just a few sites that deliver more than just a laundry list of new releases. Each site respectfully offers unbiased book reviews of past and current releases. They also feature author interviews, book giveaways and monthly chats w/ prize giveaways. If like me you are more interested in the audiobook format of some of today’s hottest books, then Audible. com is your ticket to a sampling of up-coming releases (they have a link on their site front page). Another great audiobook source is the audiobook publishers site; www. BrillianceAudio.com, www.Tantor.com, www.BlackStoneAudio.com and www. RecordedBooks.com to name a few. So Now that I have covered some great resources to find out about new releases, and I am sure that there are a lot more out there to be discovered, why not try an e-book or audiobook today? Happy reading
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Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook Martha Stewart is the queen of baking, in my opinion. I’ll never forget the first time I saw her on television. My first thought was, “Oh, my gosh, why hasn’t anyone told me these things before?” My second thought was to write her helpful tips down. I learned how to do everything from planting herbs to how to fold napkins and take stains out of whites. I anticipated loving this cookbook and Martha Stewart didn’t let me down. Every recipe has a picture. I think that’s a necessity. How do you know if you want to try a recipe if you can’t see how it looks? Not me. Many of these recipes have stepby-step pictures. This is more than a cookbook. It truly is a handbook. Want to know how to cut fruit for pies? It’s in here. If you’re looking for a recipe to make your own crackers or rolls…it’s in here. There is an entire section on how to make pastries. I’ve often wandered through many a kitchen store wondering what certain items were used for. This book will tell you. I want to stop writing and bake right now! Not many cookbooks will motivate you to bake like this one will. Those pretty lattice pies are explained in detail and if you have a hankering for chocolate try the onebowl chocolate cupcakes. Dried fruit and homemade frosting in the same book-yay. There are so many uses for my stand mixer. Bundt pans, muffin pans, loaf and popover pans, oh, my. All of those, and many more, can be filled with goodies to delight and amaze your family and friends. If you’re feeling a bit selfish, do a test run and make something just for you!
12 oz fresh goat cheese at room temperature ½ cup confectioner’s sugar 6 oz whipped cream cheese at room temperature
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the goat cheese and cream cheese on a medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add sugar, and beat until well-combined and fluffy, about 4 minutes. The frosting can be refrigerated, covered, up to 3 days; bring to room temperature, and beat about 3 minutes before serving. ***Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook gets an A+ from me. While there are many recipes and tips for seasoned, experienced bakers, there are just as many for the novice baker. I suggest taking this cookbook and using it as you would a textbook. Begin with the basics and add a little more each month. It may take several months to get through, but at the end you’ll be a fantastic baker!***
Looking forward: Next month I’ll be reviewing Paula Deene and Friends. Buy Link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/MarthaStewarts-Baking-Handbook-Stewart/dp/0307236722/ref=sr _1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330884256&sr=8-1 Pamela Reviewer/Freelance Writer www.thefantasticfoodie.wordpress.com
Featured Recipe: Creamy Goat Cheese Frosting
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Night Owl Reviews
Not Your Standard Historical Romance I enjoy reading historical romance, but over the years I’ve grown tired of reading about all the lords and dukes and the snobbery of the ton. I find I’m reading more Highlander romance novels and historicals about people in other countries. They’re interesting and allow you to get a glimpse into the culture of another place. Interracial romances can be difficult to write on their own, but historicals can be particularly sticky. Take, for example, storylines that include blacks and whites in the United States. The author must not only bridge the racial divide, they must also weave a convincing tale of how the hero and heroine overcome prejudices of race and actually fall in love. That’s part of what makes these types of romances so appealing. Cultural, racial, and socio-economic differences add dimension and flavor, so that the happily ever after is even more satisfactory. And after all, overcoming obstacles and falling in love is why we read romance, isn’t it? Next time you’re looking for a historical romance, don’t read the norm—get outside your comfort zone. Set aside the books on the Regency era. You can go back to them later. Pick up a novel about love in pre-colonial Nigeria, learn about a Chinese dynasty in 759 A.D., or read about the not-so unlikely pairing of an Indian woman and a Viking before the founding of the United States. Get started with the following books. Wild Sweet Love by Beverly Jenkins
Teresa July has led a hard life, but now she has a chance to put her train robbing past behind her. Armed with a new
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job as a cook to one of Philadelphia’s elite families, Teresa is determined to start her life anew, and nothing––not even her boss’s stuck–up (and far too handsome) son––is going to stand in her way. Madison Nance is sick of his mother taking in women from the wrong side of the tracks, just to see them turn on her generosity. That’s why it’s up to him to keep a close eye on Teresa’s every move. At least, that’s the only logical explanation for why he can’t get the young woman out of his mind. His Treasure by Kiru Taye
This is a historical romance set in pre-colonial West Africa. In a time when men ruled their households with firm hands, can a quiet man tame his rebellious wife with persevering love? Angry at being forced to marry a man not of her choosing, Adaku stubbornly shuns her new husband on their wedding night. However, she soon discovers there are worse things than giving into a man whose touch awakens her deep desires. Obinna knows there are several ways to tame a rebellious woman. Patience and perseverance are two of them. Adaku is his treasure and he will never let her go. When her fears push her into his arms, will he be able to convince her to stay with him forever by unleashing the passion within her? Savage Paradise by Cassie Edwards
When Mariana Fowler arrives in the Minnesota territory, she is not prepared for the uncivilized world she encounters. What unsettles her most is the man who captures her
www.NightOwlReviews.com attention, a handsome Chippewa brave named Lone Hawk - an enemy of her people. A fiercely proud warrior, Lone Hawk has every intention of resisting his powerful feelings for the beautiful woman whose life he saved. Yet his all-consuming desire demands that he seduce Mariana and make her his bride. But if he surrenders to his deepest longings, their forbidden union could cost him everything - including the one woman he can’t help but love. Viking’s Bride by Theresa Scott
Torn from home and family, beautiful, gentle Indian woman Winsome is plunged into the wild, and sometimes brutal, Viking life. Brand Bjornson’s single-minded pursuit of Viking justice is interrupted when he captures a lovely Indian woman who rejects his advances and insists on her right to give herself only to the man she marries. His sense of honor heightened, can Brand find a way to pursue justice and still keep the one woman he desires? Restoring Hope by Ruth Ann Nordin
In the middle of the night, a young Mandan Indian woman, Woape, flees her tormentors. When Gary Milton finds her, he doesn’t know why three Indian men want to harm her. But he’s sure of one thing: he must save her. So he does.
Feeling safe with him, she follows him home. Haunted by her past and stuck in a white man’s world, she clings to him and becomes his wife. But her past is not far behind, and when it catches up to her, much more is at stake than before. Will she ever find the peace and security she longs for? Or will her life be in the hands of her tormentors forever?
The Lady’s Scandalous Night by Jeannie Lin Tang Dynasty China, 759 A.D. Yao Ru Jiang, known as River, has woven many romantic dreams of honorable swordsman Wei Chen from her brother’s stories. Their meeting should have been a happy event; instead, Chen arrives to tell River he is duty bound to kill her brother for rebelling against the warlord they both serve. River would do anything to distract the handsome, conflicted warrior from his mission—even take him as a lover…. --------------------------------------------
Delaney Diamond is the best-selling author of African-American and interracial romance. Her first release in the Hawthorne Family series, The Temptation of a Good Man, and her first sweet interracial romance, Worth Waiting For, are now available. Enjoy free reads on her website at www.delaneydiamond.com.
Stolen Promise by Lisa Marie Wilkinson
At the Lowara Gypsy Camp outside Windsor, England, in 1806, a young woman will lose her independence in a common marriage market transaction. Jade knows she is promised to Dimitri, a possessive abuser. Jade knows he will hurt her. Jade knows her freedom is gone. When her father sends her to the arms of another man, she finds only slight consolation . . . until she encounters her intended. Evan Dark is a half-Gypsy gentleman—nothing like Dimitri. 19
Night Owl Reviews
When Will I Get a Break? Whatcha got ain’t nothin new. This country’s hard on people, you can’t stop what’s coming, it ain’t all waiting on you. That’s vanity. --from NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN Recently, a writer who reads this column asked me a question via an email. I want to address his concerns here. I have abridged this email for space and content. Mr. Pomerantz,
For the last three years, I have been sending out many query letters about my short stories. I’ve been getting turned down a lot. Now I have a small stockpile of short stories I have written, but limited sales of my work. When will I get a break?
to look harder for them Now for some good and bad news... The good news is many writers are going to small self-publishing and Ebook houses at get their novel and short story work published. Some authors like Amanda Hocking and others have done wonderfully with this medium. However, when I co-host a radio show with Marsha Casper Cook (a Good Story is a Good Story on Blog Talk Radio), we were also talking about the overflow of writers who have self-published. Some of these writers have been turned down by large publishers and have tried selfpublishing or ebook publishing. Some of these book projects are good and some bad as the same mix you get from print publishers. However it opens the flood gates for to paraphrase a Mickey & Judy film ideal, “LETS PUT OUT A BOOK!” . These B rated books, mostly eBooks are okay. But its flooding the market. This also allows sharing of books with others, so people aren’t paying for the book. Sometimes this is worse than passing the books around. It’s done electronically. The bad news comes with a stern word of warning to all writers... Let the writer beware! I say this, research these publishing houses very well, before you sign on the dotted line. Some of these houses request you buy the total print run (like a vanity publisher)...some of these companies print books on demand (which means when someone orders a book they make it) ...and other publishers own your rights to your book for ten years
“...if you self-publish with a company or ebook publisher, most of the time you are responsible to promote your book project.”
I know you cannot do anything about this situation, but I figure I would ask you. Joel Joel, you and every other writer is having the same or similar break problem these days. The adage is there is one in every hundred writers who get published. Anthology magazines have either quit publishing or have cut back staff and resources. So those free-lance short story article magazines have dwindled down to almost nothing. Like in any work industry, writing jobs of any sort are at a premium these days. The jobs are out there, you just have
“The bad news comes with a stern word of warning to all writers...Let the writer beware!”
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www.NightOwlReviews.com (this may also include audio and film rights). Also remember this, if you self-publish with a company or ebook publisher, most of the time you are responsible to promote your book project. Too many authors who selfpublish are lost on where to promote their book Also know this....Many books stores will not carry selfpublished books (not like the days when Borders were NOT so corporate and allowed self-published authors a Saturday a month as long as the store got a 10 percent bargain - in those days long ago!). Nowadays, things have changed. Another problem that a few authors have said publicly and told me privately.... some crooked promoters have taken an author book’s PDF and sell these book in a group (say 20 books) on eBay for next to nothing offering the author ZERO and a bigger loss of revenue. It financially hard to write, but these sleazy repackages are taking food outta authors mouth.
And now if your publisher deals with Amazon and Barnes and Noble has a PayPal deal with those who buy from them. THIS IS NO MORE. Amazon has off listed many self-published book if the author or the publisher takes PayPal as a method of payment. I think it is censorship. I know authors who free-lance at yahoo and they get paid by PayPal. So why won’t B & N or Amazon? I have no clear cut answers So Joel, have you thought of gathering up some of your stories into a book collection? Maybe that may be a way of giving yourself a break. These days you can do a small collection as short as seven of your pieces. Or maybe, may you have thought of this...have you started to see if any of your work may going into different book anthologies with other authors? I feel like DEAR ABBY here, I just hope this advice helps. So until next time, Reach for the stars
Memories Of Empire by Django Wexler
Veil thought her life had ended the day her father sold her to a passing slaver. When the slaver’s caravan is butchered by a lone attacker, her only chance for survival is to forge an unlikely friendship with the mercenary, Corvus. Beset on all sides by pursuing demons, she wonders if death wouldn’t have been easier.
Unbeknownst to Veil, Corvus, an apparently invincible swordsman, searches for the fragments of his past. Cutting a bloody swath across the Empire, now humbled by the Khaev invasion, he seeks only to know who he is. On the other side of the continent, Kei and her partner reluctantly join a mission to hunt down a rogue sorcerer. The expedition is led by an eccentric noble with a penchant for getting everyone around her killed. Kei’s misgivings only increase when she’s introduced to their erstwhile ally, the shadow spirit Jyo-raku. However, she is duty bound to obey her commander.
Different lives; different paths. Each seeking destiny. Unaware they are merely the pawns of ancient spirits, players in a deadly game that will ultimately bring them together for the greatest prize of all . 21
Night Owl Reviews
Romance with an Accent
Can one grow tired of alluring accents? Think of the classic British in The Diary of Bridget Jones. I’ll be forever in lust with Colin Firth after the film adaptation. March brings a particular favorite with books that tie into the ever-popular St. Patrick’s Day. This month once again features some related releases. And for those purists, don’t hate on me for kicking it off with a romance that features Scots. We’ll have our Irish love.
time periods. The novel delivers on all levels. Ultimately, would you give up modern luxuries for a lifetime of happiness and love? Kiss Me I’m Irish Roxanne St. Claire Jill Shalvis Maureen Child Harlequin
* A note of warning: These stories were previously published separately.
Pillars in Time Erin Pryor Decadent Publishing
In the past, I’ve featured some of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series. Debut author Erin Pryor’s Pillars in Time ventures into new territory with time travel. Pryor’s engaging novel introduces modern-day Cadence, who’s fascinated with historical restoration and Gaelic. A perfect match when she’s catapulted back to 14th century Scotland. As far as alpha heroes go, Nicholas Kincaid, the laird of Dunmaben castle, is as manly and gallant as they come. Pryor captures the countryside and culture in this sweet paranormal romance. There’s a love of the lush “A castle, large and brooding like its owner, stood fully intact. The morning shone down on the gray stones, gleaming off an iron cross topping one building.” The twosome’s courtship is not a walk through the ruins, however. Nicholas is promised to wed another in a marriage of convenience. Danger and intrigue plagues them. And then there’s that matter of living in different
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In “Whatever Reilly Wants,” Maureen Child sets up a bet between four brothers, a set of triplets and the eldest in the family, who also happens to be a priest. The bet? Two months without sex. Surely, the priest is bound to ultimately win, right? The prize? The winner collects $10,000 from each “loser,” and the loser is required to ride in a convertible, clad in embarrassing Hawaiian dancer attire (coconut bras). This story seems to be the second in a series because the opening discusses the first brother Brian previously losing the bet. In order to escape potential enticements, Connor decides to hang out at his best friend’s auto body shop. When he tells Emma that he’s able to be around her without seeing her as a woman … just a “mechanic,” the game’s on. Emma takes up the challenge of making Connor see her as a woman, and making him lose his bet. As far as Irish hunks go, Connor’s an American military version: “His black hair was cut militarily short. His features were clean and sharp. High cheekbones, square
www.NightOwlReviews.com jaw, clear, dark-blue eyes that sparkled when he laughed. He wore a dark-green USMC T-shirt that strained across his muscular chest and a pair of dark-green running shorts that showed off long, tanned, very hairy legs.” Oh baby, would you lose that bet? I would. Kiss Me I’m Irish also offers two other delectable treats, “The Sins of His Past” by Roxanne St. Claire and “Tangling with Ty” by Jill Shalvis. On the Spicy Side
Between Heaven & Hell L.M. Brown Silver Publishing
One wouldn’t think that there would be such a problem with choosing between heaven and hell. For regular human Tristan that option seems to come after meeting Machidiel, an angel, and Alastor, a demon. Although the two immortal creatures are in lust with each other, they’re not allowed to get physical … or at least so they believe. Instead they propose a special relationship with Tristan – a ménage. Brown creates a believable world in which demons work in the city council, and angels in the hospital. Coupled between reality are extremely steamy sex scenes. And, we’re talking a lot of them. It’s one m/m/m that delivers between the sheets.
From the very beginning, the reader knows that the tenuous relationship between Mac and Alastor won’t last. Eventually, something must break. The fun: watching the bond develop.
Hopefully, if you’re familiar with my work, you have to know that I’m a lover of New Orleans. Well, next month brings a much-anticipated paranormal romance, Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson. Here’s a little teaser: “When Hurricane Katrina destroys the barriers between modern New Orleans and the Beyond, an apprentice wizard braves the chaos of her struggling city to find her missing mentor, fend off the undead pirate Jean Lafitte, and control her annoying new partner—not to mention find a serial killer before he finds her.” Stay tuned for the review! Until then, happy reading!
Louisa Bacio Love Knows No Bounds http://louisabacio.blogspot.com
Bacio recently released the m/m erotic paranormal The Vampire & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas, which is available via Amazon, Ravenous Romance, and other e-retailers. For more information, visit www.louisabacio.com.
Dark Seduction - Immortal Guardians by Katalyn Sage
Following her father’s dying wish, Ally Stanford discovers that everything about her life is a lie. When she’s targeted by demons, she’s forced to entrust her life to the tall, dark warrior who seems intent on doing everything within his power to keep her safe.
After mourning the loss of his Fated female for over a century, Draven, a warrior within the lore-legendary Guardians, is astonished at the primal feelings Ally invokes in him. Her small, lithe body, brilliant blonde hair, and lavender eyes awaken something deep inside, something he thought he lost forever. Keeping her safe becomes his top priority, and he’s willing to do anything for her. But when the truth of her existence comes to the surface, will it bring them closer together or separate them for all eternity? 23
The Darkest Seduction Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter
At long last, New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter unveils the story of Paris, the darkest and most tormented Lord of the Underworld…. Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive—but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he’d thought was forever beyond his reach…until now.
Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris’s arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.
Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally—or tear them apart?
Nightborn Lords of the Darkyn Series #1 by Lynn Viehl
The High Lord of the Immortal Darkyn has sent his most trusted warrior, Korvel, to retrieve a coveted scroll that’s rumored to contain maps to Templar treasures and the secrets to eternal life. Uniting with Korvel to recover the dangerous artifact is Simone Derien, the daughter of the scroll’s guardian, and a woman with many deadly secrets...