NRR Issue 2

What role does an

EDITOR

The DOs and DONTs of review’s

really play?

Lori Foster: The queen of

More BEASTLY details.

Find out more about the famous book and movie

Romantic Suspense

What’s in a

Rachel Vincent shares more! Find out juicy details on the anticipated

BLOOD BOUND

Erotica Covers and Titles

name?

4

Featured Reviews Look Inside 7 Titles Each Month

18

Legends Delayed: Baby Congrats!

6

PNR & UF What’s the Difference?

19

Hunks See the Winners and New Contestants

7

Young Adults Kick Back for the Rest of the Summer

20

Self Published Authors Jamie McGuire Shines

9

Romantic Suspense Lori Foster Shines

22

Author Insight Rachel Vincent discusses Blood Bound and More

11

Erotica Covers and Titles: What Works for You?

25

News and Information What Do Editors Really Do?

13

Cover Reveal Get a First Look at Your Fav Author’s Cover

26

Opinions Piracy: What About It?

15

How To Review Writing and Site Managing

28

Technology Pros and Cons of an eGalley Society

17

Books to TV Beastly Hits Theatres

30

New Releases

32

Summer’s Chill Part 2: Andrea and Nicholas

Nocturne Romance Reads ™ Lenoreandbrandi@nocturnereads.com Media Coordinator: Lenore Mullican Social Coordinator: Brandi Baker Other Staff: Angela, Dori, Sarah Dizon, Tiffany, and all our amazing reviewers © Nocturne Romance Reads 2011

Click on the title to read the full review Wet Heat: Jan Springer Genre: Erotica 3 Hoots Reviewed by: April

Wildcat Fireflies: Amber Kizer Genre: Young Adult Fantasy 4 Hoots Reviewed by: Angela

Wildcat Fireflies by Amber Kizer is a heart Wet Heat by Jan Springer is a real pumping story filled with incredible strength sizzler! There are dreamy Italian vampires, hot and determination. Kizer has written a new sex and a happy ending! Mati stays away from colorful spin on angels. the men she loves in order to save them from her Meridian and Tens are two kindred previous owners. What she does not realize, is spirits who mirror the other to perfection. how much Gio and Paolo love her and leave theirback. homeIt to herquick back.read It is a very quick read The new battles, inexperienced love, destiny, trust and friendships their home to get her is get a very and Mati's story and Mati's story could have been told more in could have been told more in depth to enhance her character, but are a mere fraction of explorations these two characters discover. depth to enhance her character, but it is an Tens and Meri follow the clues to finding another Fenestra before it is an enjoyable afternoon read! enjoyable afternoon read! it’s too late.

Playing Dirty: Susan Andersen Juliet’s life is filled with lies which cause her heart to Genre: Contemporary harden. Meridian and Tens’ desperately search for Juliet in hopes 4 Hoots of shedding light to her darkened existence. Meridian and Tens Reviewed by: Karia find more than they could have hoped for in Carmel, Indiana. While Julie’s destiny lays in the quake, her reluctance of trust creates I haven’t read the first two installments of Meridian and Tens duty to help her transition nearly impossible. this series, but I found that it didn’t hinder my The war of good vs. evil creeps throughout the pages making each enjoyment of the story at all. The three main turn of the page seem like a crucial endeavor until the very end. I female characters have been friends since high can’t wait to read the next chapter of this new exciting world Amber school and were there for Ava when her world Kizer has created for us. shattered after losing her virginity to heart throb, Ink Flamingos: Karen E. Olson Cade.

Genre: Romantic Suspense Fast forward and they are working with Cade to piece 4 Hoots together a local mystery near and dear to all their hearts. The three Reviewed by: Brandi women loved their benefactor and the house they inherited from her.

Since they could not maintain the home due to the expensive up Ink Flamingos is the fourth and final keep and repairs, they were force to “lie down with the devil” as it book in the Tattoo Shop Mysteries. With a were. page turning plot containing mystery and The devil in this case, being Cade. But as Ava works with intriguing characters, Ms. Olson gives readers him and watches him, she can see that he has changed. She too is a satisfying and enjoyable goodbye to not the insecure fat girl that she once was…and Cade can see the everyone's favorite tattoo artist, Brett error of his ways…but can he convince Ava that he’s changed? I One of Brett's friends/ good customer Dee has been killed loved seeing Cade through Ava’s eyes and then through my own by a reaction from the colored ink in a tattoo. Brett knows that Dee impression. As their love grows, both Cade and Ava grow in both is allergic to the colored ink and in the past has only done colorless their confidence and their capacity for forgiveness. This was a great tattoos on her friend. She is informed by her brother (who is a story that has me heading out to my local book store to catch up on police officer) that someone left Dee's hotel room matching Brett's books one and two. Enjoy! description. Then Brett finds on a blog, pictures of herself that she knew nothing about, along with someone accusing her of killing Dee. So what's a girl to do? Well, if you’re Brett, your sleuth personality kicks in and you find the real murderer.

The Tattoo Shop Mysteries are great fun with their likeable and memorable characters. Ms. Olson does an excellent job of placing the reader in the Vegas scene and her "whodunit" mystery.

She has created a fantastic series that will be greatly missed!

Body of Sin: Eve Silver Genre: Paranormal Romance 5 Hoots Reviewed by: Lenore Eve Silver is a master. Body of Sin weaves romance, mythology, and pure grit into one nicely bound package. This book is raw emotion that will allow readers to feel what the characters feel.

The plot follows Lokan Krayl, Sutekh's , son and former ambassador, along a journey about love, truth, and change. By far one of the most developed characters I have ever experienced, by the end of the novel readers will feel like they know Lokan's deepest thoughts and emotions. His love for his daughter Dana and his budding love for her mother Bryn create a deep connection with not only female readers, but also male readers who know about protection and fatherhood.

Eve Silver weaves multiple presents and pasts together to give readers the overall picture. Through her past and her new found self, Bryn emerges a powerful and worthy woman. Dae, Alastor, Mal and their mates also get face time in Body of Sin, wrapping up the loose ends from the previous book Sins of the Flesh. New characters are also introduced.

One would think that he or she would not have time to get to know/ love a character in just one book, but Eve Silver once again manages to do so. Readers will meet Bryn's brothers as well as get to know many deity's mentioned- but never developed- in earlier books.

A truly dramatic and heart pounding end to the Otherkin series, Body of Sin is one of the best books I have read in ages. Right up there with books such as Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld and even JR Ward herself. Do not miss these fantastic books that will have you up all night from page one to the end.

Taming of the Rake: Kasey Michaels Genre: Historical Romance 4 Hoots Reviewed by: Kim

I really like this book. I've always loved Kasey Michaels writing style and Harlequin's editors are top notch. With all the new authors self-publishing or not being given the editing support needed to develop a high quality novel, it's like getting wrapped up This book gave me a sense of dĂŠjĂ vu. It's like I've read it before, but not quite. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. The story of young couples running to Gretna Green against their family's wishes is a tried and true romantic fantasy. Just think if Shakespeare had thought of it for Romeo and Juliet.

Still, it has a twist rarely seen in Historical Romance.

There've been hundreds of stories about daughters born on the wrong side of the blanket being raised as wards in an attempt to legitimize them. This book (and the series to come) is about the bastard son of a Marquess, who would have married his actress lover if she hadn't been too selfish and flighty to consent to being tied down to the man she supposedly loves. Oliver Le Beau Blackthorn could have been heir to the Marquisate, but oh no, that would have meant giving up a dream. No, I don't like the mother in this story if you couldn't tell. What kind of mother sacrifices the future of her children so that she can be a mediocre actress? But that's not the story being told here.

Well, it's sort of not the story being told here. If the Marquess and the actress had married, Beau would have been a legitimate suitor for Chelsea's slutty and equally selfish older sister. Beau's goal in life after being humiliated by the selfish slutty sister and Chelsea's mean older brother had been to ruin Chelsea's family financially. Coincidentally the older brother is doing a lot to help him along by becoming a religious zealot following a self-proclaimed religious guru who wouldn't know Dead Iron: Devon Monk how to be a good Christian if Jesus kneed him in the nads.

(Previous three books do not need to be read in order but it Genre: Urban Fantasy When Chelsea's older brother tries to force her to marry is recommended to get the full effect. However, books one 3 Hoots his slimy guru, she runs to the only person who wants to see her two and three must be read before Body of Sin to understand Reviewed by: Charity brother ruined as much as she does - namely Beau. They start the plot points.) a convoluted and circuitous trip to Scotland from London that I will admit, this book is my first Steampunk, and takes for-freakin'-EVER. The length of time it takes to get from I find it a bit bizarre. There is so much going on it London to Scotland is really the only frustrating part of this book. is hard figure out what exactly is going on. . It is A three day trip takes about a week. You'd think they'd have set in Wild West era with scenery, but you also hurried a little given that Chelsea's brother was meandering at have technology, gadgets, steam-machinery, an equally slow pace trying to catch them. and other inventions. Then throw all that in with a I was a little disappointed with the ending. They get the werewolf, witches, Strange (demon like), and all kinds of magic. It is happily ever after, but even with the way too long travel time, it's a lot for the senses to imagine and melt into. too easy. The brothers touch on the facts that Chelsea will There is more than one main character and there are several never be allowed to talk to any of her friends ever again points of view and switching back and forth. At first this was because of her new reputation and husband, but it doesn't seem distracting, and then I began to fall into the story and began to like to occur to Chelsea herself. Or if it occurs to her, she dismisses how Monk was making you get to know all the characters. By the it as acceptable given the alternative. Chelsea's brother gives end, I was intrigued, especially about the Strange, and I would like to up too easily. Beau admits to love too easily. After the find out what happens in the next book. interminable trip, I was hoping for a little longer happily ever after.

OMG! PNR or UF? First off – what is PNR and UF? This is where things tend to get tricky, because the line between the two isn’t straight it’s bendy, curvy and might have a few cracks. Paranormal Romance isn’t just vampires anymore, and Urban Fantasy isn’t just wizards anymore either. Things have changed, and here are a few examples of their differences.

Urban Fantasy, or UF for short, consists of stories geared toward adults. This genre usually tends to have strong female protagonists, are voiced in first person, may be set in modern day settings and cities, and feature mythical/paranormal beings (vampires, aliens, demons, etc.). UF normally doesn’t focus on any romantic relationship between characters either. I’m not saying there won’t be sexual contact in UF stories. There could be no contact at all, just kissing or raunchy gettin’ down sex – but the story isn’t focused on romance or love. If the story does focus on a romantic relationship, it is often slowly developed and not brought full circle until well into the series.

A large number of UF authors are women as well as the protagonists, but men seem to be breaking into the scene lately. However, UF covers follow the pattern of their protagonists, featuring strong females front and center.

Some Urban Fantasy authors use music as inspiration for their work as well, and may even go as far to put playlists in their books. Even though the majority of UF stories are written in modern setting, they can also be written as historical or futuristic situations and can be in made-up or real worlds.

Urban Fantasy can be written as stand-alone books or as a series. UF series generally follow a pattern where the same character is kept as the protagonist in every book and a major conflict or story ARC can last one to several books. Usually once that ARC or major conflict is resolved, the series starts up again with the same characters focusing on something new or something that may have happened in a previous book.

Paranormal Romance, PNR for those in the know, can have Urban Fantasy elements in it, but the main focus of the story is the romantic connection of the leading characters. Like UF, paranormal romance follows a cover trend. Often these covers feature the couple of the series in a deep embrace, foreshadowing their relationship. Other times, the covers feature only one partner, but have a cover step-back featuring both characters. PNR stories tend to be told in third person and may alternate from the lead male to the lead female. Paranormal Romances commonly have a male as the lead protagonist, but often times the role is equally dished out between the main characters. Paranormal elements such as faeries, witches, vampires, shapeshifters and demons are often featured in PNR books.

Along with the lead characters most likely having a mystical soul, melding bond, suspense and mystery are also big factors in Paranormal Romance books – but not always. PNR can occur in any time setting: historical, contemporary, and futuristic – the possibilities are endless. The key ingredient here is the romance, but I’m not saying there will or won’t be any sexual contact in Paranormal Romance. Like in UF, there could be no contact al all, just kissing or raunchy gettin’ down sex – but the story is focused on the love and passion the characters feel for one another. Warning: Often, however, romance novelists include deep and meaningful sex as a way to consummate the character’s relationships or show deep emotional feeling. Not only this, but readers need relief from the sexual tension of the characters too!

Just like Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance can be written as a stand-alone or as a series – though series are most commonly written for this genre. The story ARC/major conflict usually tends to continue throughout the series, only changing lead characters from book to book. Series often revolve around a central group of people who are at least acquainted somehow and each book is about a different couple from that group.

So, PNR or UF? You decide what’s right for you based on whether you like romance or just tons of kick-A** action, or a little of both. Good luck and good reading!

Need a good novel to take to the beach or on a flight?

Why not check out these new releases?

Die For Me (Amy Plum) This is a novel that every teen and young adult girl should consider picking up for the summer. Kate, the main character, has recently lost her parents. She moves with her sister to France (the perfect summer setting!) to live with their grandparents. Shortly after arriving, she meets a mysterious man, Vincent (yes, he’s the handsome enigma).

Vincent clearly has some secrets and a past; Kate is naturally inquisitive. The main concept of the novel centers on “revenants” or zombies that give up their own lives to try to change the deaths/suicides of others. The plot is very fast-paced, and the reader will never be bored by long descriptions or pages with no dialogue. At the end of the novel (no spoilers!), Kate emerges happy and content; she has learned to live with the deaths of her parents. Readers can also look forward to an upcoming sequel to this novel.

Beauty Queens (Libba Bray) This novel disguises itself at first as a bunch of Teen Dream contestants heading for a fun day at the beach. They are beautiful, smart (some of them at least), well-dressed, lucky girls; however, nothing in life is ever that perfect! In this novel, the group of surviving girls learns to be themselves: to love their bodies, accept their sexuality, find boy/girlfriends, understand their pasts, etc… The author entwines these girls’ newfound maturity with hilarious - bordering on the extreme - dialogue and actions in the novel that are meant to highlight how much today’s society focuses on good looks, weight, money, and the superficialities in life. After all, summer is a time to contemplate many of these issues what with the thought of bikinis, tanning, and manicures on display. Teen, young adult, and adult female readers will really appreciate this novel; there are guaranteed laughs, happy endings, and funny misunderstandings.

Playing Hurt (Holly Schindler) This novel is a great summer read. The plot and characters come full circle; the novel begins in summer and ends right before the start of September. The main characters, Clint and Chelsea, need to learn to live again. Chelsea, a former basketball star, can no longer play her favorite sport due to an injury; Clint lost his girlfriend in a driving accident. She had been on her way to his hockey match. Both no longer participate in their former loves, basketball and hockey. Clint and Chelsea are forced to spend their summer together; they learn to enjoy each other’s company. Slowly, the romance grows, and the book ends on a happy note; both main characters have learned to have fun and to take part in life again. With the descriptive way the author has of creating the setting, the reader will feel as if he/she is in hot, humid weather too. This novel is uplifting and won’t leave you in a funk on a nice summer day.

Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie Perkins) Beginning in the summer and ending in the summer, Anna and the French Kiss is the story of a typical girl in an unusual situation. After being shipped overseas by her father to attend school in France, Anna is left feeling abandoned and alone. Quickly though, Anna meets and falls in love with Étienne St. Claire, an American boy with a British accent. Friendship and love develop between the two, but circumstance is their enemy. Old crushes and girlfriends seem to make it impossible for Anna to admit her feelings. Eventually however, through the magic of Paris and real friendship, they have a happy ending. This book is great! The characters will appear realistic to the reader, and the descriptions make you feel as if you were falling in love in Paris and wishing you were going there for a vacation.

All and all, these novels will take the reader on a vacation of his/her own. If you want to experience camping, pick up Playing Hurt. A Paris fan? Try Anna and the French Kiss. Enjoy your summer and read some terrific books!

Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Do you secretly wish for a tall, dark and oh-so-nicely-muscled man to stop on a dark road and ask to change your flat tire? Have you ever found yourself at the airport searching out who might be a spy? Then you need to read romantic suspense.

One of my favorite RS series writers today is Lori Foster.

Lori Foster has over 150 works accredited to her on GoodReads, and I have read almost all of them. Her latest series, "Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor", combines all the elements that she does best: realistic scenes, witty dialogue and gorgeous, capable, macho alpha males. While this newest offering is grittier and deals with a heavier subject matter than her earlier Visitation, North Carolina series, both have over arching themes and characters that maintain their continuity and integrity throughout.

One element I enjoy in a series, especially one that deals with police officers, SEALs or security specialist, is the ‘bromance’. I like to meet all the characters in play and then watch them develop over time. Each male is a lead in and of themselves, but an author needs to be able to write them both as hero and as hero support.

In Just a Hint Clint, we not only meet Clint but his buddies. Each has a skill set they bring to the team. These unique qualities make it not only believable that one specific woman would fall for this guy or that guy but helps add depth to the team and the plausibility in their abilities. In ‘Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor’, Dare, Trace and Jackson have this same kind of cohesiveness. They work extremely well together, having been a military unit, but they each have their own repertoire of skills that adds to the overall team.

One of the best hero support characters in all of Foster’s books would be Jamie from the Visitation series. Throughout the Visitation books, we see glimpses of Jamie and his contribution at critical plot points in each story along the way. The women also love Jamie. In each book leading up to Jamie’s installment, the previous heroines flock to Jamie. It is this attraction to him that acts as a veining rod for the men of Visitation to get together and find Jamie his own woman. The interplay between characters trying to set Jamie up made for many humorous pages. The sum of all this male bonding occurs in Jamie’s book where all the previous heroes come back to support him in his fight against his demons and to win his HEA. The men of Lori Foster’s books keep the reader coming back for more, time and time again. When asked about the characters and the men in particular, Lori responded, "Readers tell me that my style or voice has changed, but I'm unaware of it.

I've always written macho, Alpha guys who, no matter their influences, had noble hearts and great intentions. I suppose if anything has changed, it's my confidence. I don't second-guess my characters. If they want to say or do something, I turn them loose!" And turn them loose she does. While some of the men turn to gadgets and spy equipment, others use their muscle and magnetism to get the job done. Her characters are not just stereotypes. For example, Jamie can fight it out with the best of them, but he also has paramagnetic powers that enable him to see the future. The variety, mix of character types, eclectic side stories and down right sexy love scenes keep readers coming back to Foster time and again.

Blending the sex appeal of her macho men along with their vulnerabilities is a delicate balance at which Foster excels.

Take Dare for example, he is a huge bulk of man who knew the first second he saw Molly in that dank shed that she didn’t belong there. Without a thought, Dare set his agenda to find the truth and punish those responsible without causing Molly any extra fear or anxiety. Dare is quite reminiscent of Clint, who knew the kidnapping of Julie Rose was a farce and took it upon himself to keep her safe while rooting out the would-be killers. Each guy struggled with his attraction to the heroine, but kept it

clean until the women had recovered from their traumatic kidnapping ordeals. They kept it in their pants until the women quite literally ripped their clothes off them.

If I had to pick a lead male from the newest series, I would have to say Trace.

From his chest-tastick cover to his patient, calm, and accepting treatment of Priss, he is a protector in an understated way with just a touch of jealousy. When I posed the same question to Lori, she replied, “You want me to choose strictly from the current series? If so, then it's Trace, hands down. Don't ask me why because I don't know. But if it can include any hero, then probably Mick, from “Caught in the Act." He was a very "broken-wing" hero, a cop, and a natural born protector.” It is this mix of strength and vulnerability that make the men of Lori Foster’s writings so appealing and compelling and how she has remained one of the most popular romantic suspense authors over the past decade.

Notes on Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor (see reviews on NRR): Start with Jett and Natalie in The Guy Next Door, then Dare and Molly in When You Dare, Trace and Priss in Trace of Fever and Jackson and Alani in Savor the Danger.

For those who want to check out the Visitation series: Say No to Joe? The Secret Life of Bryan When Bruce Met Cyn Just a Hint Clint Jamie

Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Series

WARNING: 18+ Only

What’s In a Name?

If you look up the word “erotic” in a dictionary, you will find the definition goes something like: “tending to arouse sexual love or desire.” I wondered about that “arousal” part when considering titles and covers of erotic genre books. They should be something that reaches out and grabs you right? It’s the first thing you see after all. I would imagine an author wants your eyeballs to digest the candy it sees and to transmit that buyer’s impulse thing to your brain and thus your pocketbook as soon as possible. What arouses someone would be a preference thing and I get that. I mean, I personally am not sexually attracted to let’s say a horse. A horse is not going to arouse me. However, in recent headlines, a man in Michigan was arrested for lifting up a horse’s stable sheet and doing the deed. So for him, that horse cover just may do the trick. I know that’s an extreme but I bring this up because I was starting to imagine how hard it must be for authors to find something that would grab our attention en masse. For this article, I got on the internet and started to look for those covers and those titles that would tend to grab my eye. Now, remember, this is based on title and cover ONLY. This is not based on what the book may be about or any particular author. Simply what draws the eye and of course, the pocketbook.

First off, here’s a Warning: Hold on to your glasses. These images may be offensive to some. The intent of this article is not to offend, but rather to inform. I am not placing any judgment on these covers or offering any opinions other than my own and even that is only to the “look” of the cover itself.

Doing my research for this article was rather easy for me and I’m going to share one of my sources with you because I found it fascinating to look through. Have you ever checked out Listopia over on Goodreads? Oh it’s a fun thing. On it, there is a list called “Hottest Romance/Erotica Covers.” There are 297 titles on that particular list. (Be careful on those Listopia list things. One list leads to another and another and your TBR shelf starts to fill up like crazy. They are a great source to turn to when you are looking for a particular sort of book though.) If you scroll down the list, you will notice that there are books that may have been nominated by some not so serious readers, but thankfully, I didn’t see a Twilight listing anywhere. Most book covers have a hunky male usually without a shirt -- sometimes without any pants. All of them are just yummy to look at. The number one book on this list is “Tempted” by Megan Hart and has a cover that is rather lovely. If I were in the mood to buy an erotic novel, I’d probably pick that one up without much care as to what was in it or what it was about. The other book titles that are on this list are rather usual I think. I noticed a few trends that I’ll talk about later in this article but, all in all, I think this is a pretty accurate description of what’s out there right now.

Tempted by Megan Hart Does this light your pocketbook on fire?

The most interesting and extremely sexy cover I found was from this book, “In the Dark” by Jack Brighton. It’s in the “gay erotica” genre and it received only so so reviews. Most of its reviewers complain that there just isn’t enough character development. I’d like for you to pause for a minute and look at this cover and then consider the complaint of not enough character development. ::pausing for effect:: If I’m going to be honest with you, I have to tell you that this is a book I definitely plan on reading and it’s sitting on my Nook as I type. So good job Mr. Brighton! This cover alone made me sort of gasp, and then I wanted to buy and read this book. I wonder how many of you reading this article will go out and purchase this book for the same reason? How fast will you put this book on your TBR shelf, hmm? The title doesn’t really do much though does it? It could be a horror story, a memoir, even a fairy tale based on just the title. However, based on just the cover? Whew!

While we are speaking of titles, what could an author possibly name their book that would make you want to dip into your purse? I’ve laughed along with many of you over porn movie Into the Dark titles that have goofed on popular movies such as On Golden Blonde, Buttman and Throbbin’

by Jack Brighton. and Star Whores. There are a plethora of these types of spoofs in the porn movie world.

Shocking? Yes. Erotic?

While I did find some evidence of these sorts of titles in the adult book world, it was limited.

Absolutely. Is it enough “The Haunted Vagina” by Carlton Mellick III has been a title that my girlfriends and I have to make you pick up and buy this book? Does it been laughing about for a while now. The opening sentence for its summary just sets me off matter that it’s a gay into fits of laughter as well: “It’s difficult to love a woman whose erotic genre book? vagina is a gateway to the world of the dead.” If you read some of the reviews on the book, you’ll see statements such as “what a fun rump through Stacey’s vagina!” Is that title enough to make you want to read the book? Have you reached into your pocketbook yet? For me, the laugh factor combined with the erotica factor have me not only wanting the book, but wanting to cheer for it.

While porn movies may take their lead from movie titles, erotica novels seem to me anyway, to be much more creative. How about “Beautiful C*cksucker” by Barbara Sheridan? Cha-ching, right? “The Return of the Horney Dead” by Rhonda Lee. Are you putting that on your TBR shelf right this instant? There are even educational titles that perhaps you may learn a thing or two by. “Tickle his Pickle: Your Hands-On Guide to Penis Pleasing” by Sadie Allison and Steve Lee. “How to Live With a Huge Penis: Advice, Meditations, and Wisdom for Men Who Have Too Much” by Richard Jacob and Owen The Haunted Vagina Thomas (our significant others should be so cursed eh?). All of these books have

by Carlton Mellick III. exceptionally good ratings on Goodreads. They are legitimate novels . There are titles too Once you are finished that are themed in nature that may make you laugh, but are you buying the book? How laughing, are you does “Long, Hard Ride” get you? “Rode Hard, Put up Wet?” “Saddled and Spurred?” (all buying? by author Lorelei James). Does the “Bad in Boots” series by Patrice Michelle make you want to giddy on up to your wallet? Finally, there are the more common titles, ones that may not necessarily describe the book, but that make you want to look. “Thong on Fire” by Noire really raised my eyebrows. I do think that generally speaking, these novel titles and/or covers are doing their job to get the attention of most erotic tastes.

Some titles are simply one word. Think of the Twilight series. One word, right? Well, in erotica, there are one word novels as well. Again I can point to the “Tempted” novel we have already discussed. There are a few others along that line: “Built” by Amie Stuart and “Insatiable” by Lauren Dane. But then, interestingly, there are books with just a name. “Lyon”, “Nicholas”, “Raine” and “Dane” are all books from the “Lords of Satyr” series by Elizabeth Amber. I don’t think the draw to these books though is the name for the title but rather the lovely man candy that graces the covers. But still, isn’t there something about a man’s name standing alone on book that draws you in? Or is that just me?

These covers and titles definitely sparked my interest and drew my eye. I can see exactly why the authors used the covers they did, and in most cases, I think the titles are creative and even tasteful. I’d much rather see some of the titles discussed here than a book titled “Saving Ryan’s Privates”. Wouldn’t you???

Cover Reveals!

Want to see your favorite author’s new cover?

Black Dagger Brotherhood: Book 10 March 27, 2012

Immortals After Dark: Book 10 January 10, 2012

Dark Swan: Book 4 January 3, 2012

Bloodlines: Book 2 May 1, 2012

Midnight Breeds: Book 10 January 24, 2012

Alpha and Omega: Book 3 February 7, 2012

Darkness Rising: Book 2 April 10, 2012

Frost: Book 2 November 29, 2011

Delirium: Book 2 March 6, 2012

Morganville Vampires: Book 11 November 1, 2011

Falling Under: Book 2 January 3, 2012

Clarity: Book 2 March, 2012

How To: Writing Reviews and Managing Your Own Site There are many review sites and blogs out there. You have independent sites such as Nocturne Reads, Night Owl Reviews, Romance Junkies and more. There are also your bloggers: Parajunkie, My Overstuffed Bookshelf, and the Book Nymph. This article can help you learn what is best and important with managing a site with large content and amounts of reviewers.

Top sites for people to search for ratings and reviews, of course, are Amazon and Goodreads. Both sites reveal a wealth of information for the average reader who simply wishes to find a good book. These sites are excellent for reviewers who just wish to share their thoughts. So no matter if you are looking to start an independent site, blog, or just write a review on Amazon this article will tell you how! It can even be your guide to finding your perfect review site.

These do’s and don’ts are provided by Nocturne Romance Reads, Night Owl Reviews, Dear Author, Smart Bitches, and Romance Junkies. Thank you to all contributors!

Reviewing: To begin, you need to know some basic do’s and don’ts of reviewing. First and foremost: Be honest. A review is not helpful if the reviewer’s opinion and response to a book is not entirely truthful. At NRR we refrain from reviewing books that cannot be rated at least 3 Hoots. While our staff gives honest reviews, author and book bashing is not our goal. We want to provide readers with accurate information, yes, but not completely destroy a book’s credibility. There are reviewers out there, though, that feel you should write the review good or bad, negative or positive, harsh or not no matter what. As long as you are honest, the prior is your prerogative. Only read and review what you want to. Do not read something that has no interest for you.

A great review includes many of the following elements. To begin most readers like to see the title and author (of course), the series name and book number, the release date, the genre, and whatever your rating is. Some reviewers may also include the ISBN, the publishing house, and setting. The body of your review should to give some type Do think of the reader first. of summary. Many reviewers like to use the book synopsis (be sure to site the website it −Dear Author comes from!). Others like to sum it up in their own words. Once your official review begins things get tricky. (Again, remember, be honest!) It is great if reviewers give readers both the pros and the cons of the book. Granted, there may be more of one than the other, but surely you can find something you enjoyed about it right? Try starting with the positive. If the author reads your review, it will initially calm their nerves. It also helps open the door and keep readers with an open mind. When stating the negative, keep the details concrete, clear, and impersonal. The author did not write the review specifically to offend you or grate on your nerves, so don’t write your review like they personally upset you. Next, sum it up. Tell readers what worked for you as a whole. Include what was great and what details the author could improve on. What set this book apart from others good or bad? Overall, remember to be honest, but in your honesty be fair. If your review is mostly negative, be sure you can give concrete reasons why. If possible, sum up your review in a conclusion sentence.

Managing: So you are starting a new website and need to know what you’re doing right/ wrong. You want to know what could be better or what you might be missing. Great! Keep reading. When managing a review site, one of the most important details is your reviewers. If you have unquallified reviewers who will not turn in reviews on time, disappear without notice, or do not write worthy reviews, your site probably won’t go anywhere. One way to avoid this issue is to set up a trial basis. Initially, have interested reviewers submit a sample review. This way, you can tell if the reviewer has good grammar, sentence structure, and honest opinions. You can also tell if the style of writing fits your site. Some sites like to go even further. Night Owl Reviews requires their reviewers to read a minimum of 10 eBooks before they can proceed to obtaining print galleys. This allots the site manager (you) more time to decipher the reviewer. Now that you have good reviewers, you must be fair. Don’t give all the good and popular titles to one or two reviewers. Spread it out. However, allow reviewers to read what they enjoy. It is unwise to give a paranormal addict a contemporary romance to review, etc. Once the reviews are in and published be sure to always let the publisher know. That is why they sent the book to you after all. It also gives your site promotion if they enjoy it.

Promotion is key to running a large (or small) review site. Get involved by spreading the word about your site. An easy way to do this is to help an author with his or her promotion. Offer interviews, giveaways, contests, and other promotions. Get in touch with your readers by adding chats and polls. Newsletters and membership allow readers to Don’t answer emails until be connected and informed. Keep in mind that you do not need to overspend on your second cup of coffee. promotions. Get the word out there, but do not put ALL of your time and effort into it. Be −Romance Junkies sure to be on top of your emails and promotions. Do not let something go unfinished or sit in your inbox for too long. If the person trying to contact you has to wait, they may give up or loose interest and go elsewhere. Remember to change your content often. If a site does not have new content weekly or even daily, viewers may forget about the site and quit visiting. Keep it updated and interesting.

Don’t forget about the little stuff! Things like the website design make a big impact on viewers.

Unfortunately, people do not live by the mantra: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”Make sure that your design best fits your targeted audience. People are very sight oriented. The more pleasing to the eye the better. Even though there is a ton of work to do and not ever enough time to do it, don’t forget to take time for yourself. You do this because you love to read, so make time to enjoy what you love and have time for yourself.

“Don’t answer emails until your second cup of coffee.”

-Romance Junkies

BEASTLY: The Book and the Movie Beastly hit book shelves October 2007 and was a raging hit as it climbed the success ladder and became a #1 NY Times Bestseller. Alex Flinn gave the young adult audience a modern spin on the classic tale of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. She was rewarded for this new age story by receiving handfuls of awards including VOYA Editor’s Choice and IRA/CBC Young Adult Choice. Since the release of Beastly, Flinn continues to deliver her romantic fairytales with A Kiss in Time (2010) and Cloaked (2011) both published with Harper Teen.

Beastly centers around Kyle , an arrogant teen with plenty of self-esteem and takes pleasure in being this ass of a person. Finally he meets his match in Kendra, who happens to be a witch; she puts an appropriate curse on Kyle that makes him absolutely hideous to look at. The only way the curse can be broken is when someone says "I Love You" and of course, the icing on the cake, he has a time limit or else he will be stuck in his new skin for the rest of his life.

Now as the Beast, Kyle’s life takes a dramatic turn as he is in solitude and has time to reflect on the person he was and the person he is now. He becomes intrigued with Lindy , who is a fellow classmate and will end up staying with Kyle but has no clue who he is. As their relationship blossoms Kyle wonders if Lindy can love him and the answer to that question is valuable, since he is in love with her.

Does this story sound intriguing and heartfelt? You bet it is! So, it is no surprise that the rights were bought by CBS Films in December 2007. When this news hit the media networks, teenagers and adults alike were jumping with joy to see Beastly brought to the big screen. Daniel Barnz was signed on as the director and screenplay writer. He is credited for directing The Cutting Room (2001) and Phoebe in Wonderland (2009).

One of the many intriguing interest's of the fans was what actor's would bring these characters to life?

Well rest assure the casting department did an exceptional job as they brought us some of Hollywood's best and upcoming stars to the film.

Alex Pettyfer as Kyle/Beast, who showed out as John from "I Am Number Four". Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy, who's sweet charisma filled the scenes in Disney's "High School Musicals". Along with Mary Kate Olsen as Kendra and Neil Patrick Harris as Will.

With a modest budget of $17 Million for filming and marketing, production began in June 2009 and ended August of the same year, with most of the filming taking place in Montreal. Re-shoots were conducted in 2010 due to the push back of the film's release, and in order to "emphasize the romantic relationship between the two main characters". One of the most time consuming stages in production was for Pettyfer’s transformation into the Beast. Which took 7 hours to apply full body makeup that consisted of 67 pieces of prosthetics and 60 tattoos.

In March 201,1 Beastly made it to theaters and had fans of the book along with the curious seekers out to see how this modern tale was portrayed. The movie earned a gross revenue of $38 Million, doubling its profit. It also ranked #45 in The Times predicted “50 Biggest Movies of 2010”. Along with the success of the movie, Pettyfer and Hudgens were honored as “Sho- West Stars of Tomorrow” for their roles in Beastly. Proving they captured their roles as Kyle and Lindy and are stars on the rise.

As for comparing the book to the movie, I personally lean more towards the book. One of the main reasons being the emotions that it delivers to the audience. The book captures the love between Kyle and Lindy with more strength and since you read the story from Kyle's perspective you truly felt and understood his struggles with the Beast. Also, the movie had an alternate ending that was not as climatic as the book and fell a bit flat. However, the movie is more modern and is delivered at a faster pace than the book. Alex and Vanessa have a strong chemistry that will hold viewers attention. Both the film and the book exceed at rehashing that famous storyline about the beauty who falls in love with the beast, and brings to reality one of the most thought out questions. Is beauty really that important?

Congrats to Tiffany!

This article was going to be on psychic vampires (I know you are all disappointed!), but it will be moved to next month. The lovely Tiffany had to take this month off due to the pregnancy and birth of her precious son. She hopes to be back in her abnormal form for next month. Congrats Tiff! Send pictures!

And the winner for August is‌

As Lend from Kiersten White’s Supernaturally!

Vote for the August Hunk Now! Featuring Jessup Brady (AKA. Sundown) from Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Self Published Authors!

Jamie McGuire: Author of Providence series and Beautiful Disaster Self-published authors do a ton of work. Since readers cannot find their books at most big end retailers such as Books A Million and Barnes and Noble, they must rely on great reviews and word of mouth. NRR wants to help these authors and help you discover some great books you might not otherwise have found. So without further ado: The Fabulous Jamie McGuire!

Beautiful Disaster- Jamie McGuire May 2011- Jamie McGuire LLC Young Adult /Contemporary Romance 5 HOOTS Powerful and captivating! Jamie McGuire delivers a gripping contemporary romance set in the young adult genre that will have the audience beyond satisfied! Beautiful Disaster centers around Travis and Abby's new found friendship that turns into a emotional love story.Travis is a ladies man who is simply out to have a good time until he meets Abby, who turns his world upside down. The last thing Abby wants is a man like Travis as her lover but no matter how much she tries to deny it their attraction becomes more intense.Filled with intense scenes and satisfying character development,Beautiful Disaster will keep the reader glued to the pages until the very end! This is one story that is not to be missed! --Brandi

Providence- Jamie McGuire Heaven and Hell- Book 1 Self-Published- 2010 4 Hoots Paranormal Romance Providence is a suspenseful read that will keep fans on their toes. Nina is a young, likeable character. Her flaws maker her realistic and fun. Jared, her mysterious boyfriend, and Ryan, the perfect friend, make for a unique love triangle. Jared and Nina's relationship is a bit odd and non-realistic, but hey, this is fiction, the circumstances aren't really normal! This book is considered a young adult, paranormal romance. I, however, would not categorize this as young adult. There is a spicy scene or two that is deemed appropriate for readers at least 16 or older. (Young adult books typically have no explicit scenes.) The paranormal aspect of this novel does not start to well over half way. Readers will be kept interested until then by suspense alone. This book is great for readers who enjoy young adult paranormal romances but are looking for a bit "more". I've recommended it, and the other books by Jamie McGuire, to several of my friends. Now I recommend it to you! A low cost book that is well worth full price, how can you miss out! Look for the sequel, Requiem today! --Lenore

Requiem- Jamie McGuire Providence- Book 2 Self Published- 2011 Paranormal Romance 4.5 Hoots Jamie McGuire really knows how to write a book! For fans of Providence (Book 1), Requiem will blow your socks off! The second book in the series has everything the first did... only better! Suspense, romance, and paranormal elements all wrapped up in one digital package! Nina and Jared have grown as a couple and while their relationship is still a little far fetched, McGuire explains it beautifully. Readers will fall in love with the characters Claire, Ryan, and Bex as well. All three of these minor characters really see stage time in Requiem allotting for an even better read. Book one was limited on paranormal elements, but book two allows readers to get a feel for that as well. Providence and Requiem are great for the "in between" readers. Those who are growing out of some young adult books but just aren't ready to breach the world of adult books. Those who want to try paranormal but have never really been a fan. Requiem is great for all readers. Nina and Jared's journey continues in Requiem, therefore, the series needs to be read in order. I cannot wait for the third installment. Providence, Requiem, and Jamie McGuire's contemporary Beautiful Disaster I highly recommend. --Lenore

Interview with New York Times Bestselling author

RACHEL VINCENT! NRR: Can you share with us how you got started into writing?

I opened a Word Perfect document and started typing. Seriously. It's that simple. Kind of. Actually, my husband dared me to write the book I'd always been threatening to write. *Then* I opened the document.

Sometimes writing is really simple, especially at first, when you're not worrying about market viability, promotion, or sell-through. I started just started typing, and ten months later I had three completed novels.

NRR: How were you inspired to write Blood Bound?

I did a lot of brainstorming and came up with a world based on a literal interpretation of the phrase "a man's word is his bond." What if promises couldn't be broken? And both the world and the book grew from there.

NRR: What is in your to be read pile?

It's huge. At the moment, it's mostly full of YA and books I picked up at BEA. NRR: What was the most challenging part of writing Blood Bound?

Writing from two points of view. I've never done that before. I naturally write in a very linear, point-A-to-point-B style, as seen through the eyes of one character. Trying to do that from two different points of view nearly killed me and it gave me a LOT of respect for writers who do this all the time.

With Blood Bound, the characters share a goal, and parts of it are seen through Olivia's eyes, while other parts are seen through Cam's eyes.

But in plotting Shadow Bound, I realized that a double POV book would be much smoother if each character had a different goal. You'd think I'd have picked that up from reading books with multiple points of view, but I didn't, because as many of those as I've read, I never thought about writing one. Until now.

So, in Shadow Bound, Kori has one goal and Ian has another. Their goals conflict and their points of view alternate much more smoothly. I consider this a sign that I'm still growing as an author. I hope to never stop growing.

NRR: What is a day in the life of Rachel Vincent like?

Glamorous. Totally. Jeans. Baggy tees. Scooping cat litter. Folding laundry. And between all of that, I make my 3000 word daily goal in 3 one hour spurts, if I'm writing a rough draft. Or, if I'm rewriting, I work on one chapter at a time, and take breaks for laundry, lunch, and errands.

Like most writers, I actually work really long hours. And there's no office to leave my work at, so even when I'm not writing, I'm plotting in my head. My writer's brain never powers down. Not ever.

And, what most readers don't understand is that less than half of a writer's work is actually writing. The rest of it is answering interview questions like this (easily an hour, on this one interview), filling out cover art information for the artists, interacting with readers online, answering email, critiquing for other writers, designing widgets, designing and ordering swag, and about a million other things that have to be done, but aren't technically writing.

NRR: Can you share with us the storyline of Blood Bound?

It's Romeo and Juliet meets The Godfather, but paranormal. That's how I pitched it, anyway. Two former lovers have to work together to help a friend whose husband has been murdered by someone the police can't catch. On the way, they uncover secrets (SO MANY SECRETS) about their own pasts and the connections they share with the people around them. Also, they have abilities. But not the typical superhero abilities. No one reads minds or walks through walls. This is different. And very dark and violent. 'Cause, you know. I wrote it. ;) NRR: What can fans expect to see from you next?

Blood Bound comes out in September. If I Die (Soul Screamers 5) comes out in October. And if all goes well, there will be another Soul Screamers online novella out before the end of the year.

Both Shadow Bound and Before I Wake (Soul Screamers 6) are scheduled for summer 2012, unless something changes.

Look for these fabulous titles from Rachel!

Adult Series Shifters (concluded) Stray

Rogue

Pride

Prey

Unbound Debut Blood Bound

Shift

Alpha

Young Adult Series Soul Screamers My Soul to Take

My Soul to Save

My Soul to Keep

My Soul to Steal

If I Die

Anthologies Chick Kick Butt

Enthralled

Kiss Me Deadly

Immortal

Vampire Romance

What Exactly Is The Role Of An Editor?

Author J.D. Stroube comments: “I think the editor plays a much larger role than simply editing the book. They are the essence of the authors "piece of mind." In other words, when a writer pours their entire soul into writing a novel... they are terrified of the end result. However, if they have a wonderful editor the author can have faith that their baby is in the right hands… In some ways, this makes the editor a parental figure or the honest friend who is willing to tell you something you may not want to hear. They are the sanity within the chaos.”

When talking books and publishing the word editor is always quick to follow, but what exactly is an Editor and what role do they play in the publishing world? Dictionary.com’s definition of Editor is “Manager who supervises the preparation of a publication.” Well that is all well and good, but what does that actually entail?

When thinking about editing a literary work the first thing that pops into my mind is spelling, grammar, punctuation, flow; there are certainly editing and writing services that do just those things, but is that what you are looking for when trying to get your piece published?

Book editors working for publishing companies primarily work with authors to see their books through to publication. Editors often work on a book from its earliest stages to the time it appears in stores. When an editor accepts a manuscript for publication, he or she will work with the author to further develop the project until it is ready to be produced and ultimately printed. But more often than not there is a team working with and/or under “your” Editor, which includes several different types of editors and assistants, that all do different things.

When a book editor receives a manuscript for consideration, he/she will read its contents and determine whether or not it is a good fit for the publishing company. Once accepted an editor will write up a contract for the book. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, book editors make suggestions and changes to a manuscript only after it’s been accepted.

These edits include corrections to spelling and grammatical errors, and could also include changes to content to improve its flow and tone. I have a great example given to me by Elle on Goodreads.com “my Editor catches things like, if I say a character enters through a side door but fifty pages earlier I said there was only one door in the club.” This process takes the most time in entire process.

Editors will also work with authors to produce ideas for a book's cover, as well as its internal design.

Though a publishing company's design department, or a freelance artist, will provide artwork for a cover, the editor and author will generally discuss concepts, ideas or specific images they think would be most effective and attractive as a cover. Many editors work with a marketing department to ensure the book is being effectively publicized and promoted. Editors typically know the most about the books they work on, so their input to a marketing team is valuable and often necessary. Book editors often have, assistants to aid them in copy writing, editing and working with both market-

-ing and production departments to oversee a book's design and manufacturing. Assistants may be responsible for issuing payments to authors, organizing meetings between editors and authors and securing reviews for a book, among other tasks assigned by the editor.

Behind (nearly) every great book on the best seller list is a great Editor (and Editor’s team). Without these Editors some of the great literary works wouldn’t have been published.

Do you know who the Editor of your favorite book is? If you knew that some of your favorites were acquired for publication by a single editor, would that make you likely to search out other books that they acquire? Arthur A. Levine is the American editor for J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series as well as Philip Pullman’s “The Golden Compass”. He is also a published author himself. Kara Cesare is the Senior Editor for the “Black Dagger Brotherhood” series. Megan Tingley is the Editor who signed Stephanie Myers’ “Twilight” Series. So how do you find an editor?...that can be the hard part. The editor isn't usually listed - just the publishing company. The editor is “just” one of the employees of the company, so isn't normally named.

That said, a writer will often thank his or her editor (because it gets to be a pretty close relationship as the book is brought into production) and you can sometimes find the editor named in the acknowledgments, along with the agent.

Goodwill of Authors and Piracy Go Hand in Hand!

A hot topic in the literary world today is digital piracy and the internet. Online file sharing causes huge problems for all authors; however, those who are just staring out feel its effects much more than that of a seasoned writer who has the resources at hand to fight off the attack. Young authors start out trying to get their names out there by offering their works or portions of them for free and don’t sit back and look at the consequences of their actions. For instance, recently I read a post from an author friend who has just found out that her book is available for free on many torrent sites. She was dumbfounded and shocked that people would do this and that something like this happened to her. She even went as far as calculating her losses on book sales and calling it ‘robbery’ (which don’t get me wrong it is; but I think one has to look at filing sharing as a calculated loss when dealing with digital production). She then continued to blog, tweet, and post on Goodreads detailing how wrong this was and how it is a huge violation to her personally and professionally threatening not to continue with her series. All the while I’m sitting back and looking at her past actions promoting her book; whereby, she offered up free copies for short intervals on various sites to get her name out there. Can you see the conundrum she may face???? She gives it away for free and then some short while later gets upset that its now went above and beyond her giving’s to an endless amount of people having access to it on our favourite place to look for information the big bad internet!

Can this jeopardize the industry? It may. Does it violate a huge code of ethics? Of course! Do people care? This is the million dollar question, and the answer is a big resounding NO! Unfortunately, in this day and age morals and ethics get thrown out the window when it comes to money. People are driven to get the biggest bang for their buck.

I don’t care what part of the world you are in or how thick your pocketbook may be, lets face it everyone wants freebies! Admit it, every one of you reading this article at one time have downloaded a book off the internet or emailed a digital print to a friend. I’ll admit it…. I have on both accounts; sometimes books that have come highly recommended and are not available in my country will surely be on the “try to get it for free list” of mine. Don’t get me wrong I’m one of the biggest supporters for ‘new authors’ with unbelievable talent, but I’m not as pure as snow either; ethics be damned I will probably still even after reading all the ‘consequences’ and ‘its ethically bad’ statements, still download some books for free! It’s the nature of the beast.

In truth there are very few effective measures an author can do without expending large amounts of dollars and manpower to protect themselves, to combat the evil internet feign. We may start to see a push of digital authors to print (oh how I miss the smell of a paperback), authors expending a bit more to see their books go to print first and then follow up with a digital copy so their income isn’t completely compromised. Or a protected digital copy sold to readers, not allowing them to reproduce, forward, or post on free sites. Unfortunately there’s not much an author can do to stop pirating at this moment and should probably concentrate their efforts on public promotion to get

their name out there. As bad as it sounds, piracy helps those small unknown authors market in way they wouldn’t have dreamed of in the first place. Your name out there in any capacity helps, so look at piracy as a marketing tool and put a positive spin on it being out there for the world to view. For those authors out there…….don’t ever stop writing, my imagination isn’t that creative and I need your words to get lost in! Chin up and fingers to the keyboard… pump those beautiful pieces of art out there in mass volumes to make up for the ones that have found their way to the World Wide Web beast! Maybe in the future there will be a cure for piracy but until that time comes use it to your advantage and don’t let’em drag you down!

Sitting back and looking over my author friends’ situation, she either is very clueless in book production or she has figured out the marketing ploy of piracy and is using to her advantage! Ill keep you posted on how it turns out!

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of eBooks in a Digital Driven Society?

EBooks have changed how we view reading our favorite authors latest creation. Now we can escapes into the fantasy world full of sexy and dangerous vampires or transport ourselves into a universe where every husband is a Navy SEAL. The introduction of dedicated e-readers, multiple-functional devices and Smartphone has ushered in a new meaning to the word “The Written Word”. Gone are the days of dominancy of paper and ink books and here are the days of the e-Book digital society; never leave home without it.

The digital society is also responsible for a change in the way authors and publisher announce market and interact with their readership. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Email campaigns now play a huge role in book promotions. Authors and publishers are now able to interact with their readership by way of contests, polls, quizzes and Q&A sessions. Another avenue that has benefited from this new era of reaching out to is the concept of blogging; blogging is not just about thoughts anymore. There are now thousands of sites dedicated to the blogging about book reviews, new release front-list as well as backlist titles, author interviews and publishing industry news in general.

For longtime the province of the book reviewing was seen as the private domain of the legitimate Amazon reviewer or the realm of the prominent publication reviewer. The emergence of e-Books has opened the field wide open and continues to play a key role as consumers embrace the digital society. The Internet is brimming with specialty and general review sites that cover reviews for most book genres including paranormal, romance, erotica, mystery and suspense, crafting and even cooking to name a few.

Empowering and enriching these sites is the publishing industry gravitation to the eARC format. An e-ARC is a digital copy of an advance reader copy of a pending new release. Leading the charge by fully embracing the concept of e-books and e-ARCs is NetGalley. NetGalley offers the publishing industry a venue to makes e-copies of pending new releases available for review by sites such as Nocturne Reads, The Night Owl Reviews and Dear Author.

Through the use of NetGalley, publishers gain a wealth of knowledge about a book perception, possible consumer demand and a boost in author popularity. Less known authors are now given the opportunity to have their book featured in a review by a review site. One company that has fully embraced the concept of e-books is Harlequin. In 2010, Harlequin embarked to embrace the e-book concept by forming the e-only publication called Carina Press. Celebrating its one year anniversary, Carina Press offers an eclectic mix of genres that will appeal to most readers. There are a number of other e-only publishing houses that have benefitted from the consumer demand for e-books some of them include Ellora’s Cave, Melodrama and Siren Publishing, Project Gutenberg and Smashwords.

Though the emergence of the digital age is a benefit to consumers, it has wreaked havoc within the publishing and bookseller communities. The bookselling industry has seen the seen the demise of the small corner bookstores, as bigger and better store fronts emerged. While the ever changing dynamics of consumer demand is fueling the overwhelming sales numbers for e-books, its growing popularity may also be a contributing factor to the decline of the brick and mortar books store. In recent months the industry has seen the shakeup at Borders bookstore in the form of store closing and a bankruptcy filing. The print media industry has also seen a decline in traditional print Medias such as magazine and newspaper subscriptions. For the consumer it’s all about consuming content quickly and cheaply in a chaotic world, and a digital society fills the void- even at the expense of traditional publishing.

Check Out These New Releases Coming in August!

Not all releases shown

Week of Aug. 1

Historical Romance

Week of Aug. 15 & 22

Week of Aug. 1 & 8

Week of Aug. 1

Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy

Week of Aug. 15 &22

Week of Aug. 8 Week of Aug. 1

Week of Aug. 1

Romantic Suspense

Teens/ Young Adult

Summer’s Chill A Nicholas and Andrea Short: Part 2 Following Andrea’s sentencing, all hell broke loose. Summer guards are on high alert. Father has issued as few as three guards to watch over the kingdom gates and many more in the surrounding woods. Whispers of treason are floating around. Andrea does not understand why I did what I did, but she will have to wait for my explanation.

In secret, Andrea and I met at the divide between our courts. It is treason to be with fey of the opposite court. Though this has never been an issue, as our touch is meant to kill the other except during solstice. Andrea and I met in hopes of finding a loop hole so we can be together. In a sweet embrace, a collision of summer and winter transformed our claimed court’s mark on the back of our hands combining her winter’s crescent moon over my summer’s sun. That was the answer we were looking for, though the spectacular display that changed us created a light show for all to see.

I knew someone would come seeking answers. Pip showed up and before I knew it, Andrea had crossed our border. She left me no choice. I told her to leave, to go before something happened. Before it was too late, but no, not Andrea. Her stubborn, feisty self, I should have known she would stay. Had I showed her leniency, my father would’ve declared war or Pip would have attempted to harm her. I could not risk her being harmed, so I ordered Pip to bind her hands. It was quick thinking on my behalf, but Andrea was quicker to think I had betrayed her. The frigid glare of my winter princess be stilled my heart. I could see the betrayal in her eyes, heard it in her voice as she accepted my father’s terms of her imprisonment. Now I must act as if she is my enemy, but soon, I will change that. I will not let my court or hers harm her, and I cannot exist without her. ☼ ☼ ☼ I find my father in his private study, a place he retreats to process decisions. Hopefully I can get a heads up as to what his plans are. “Father, do you think the winter court will declare war?

“Son, there is still much for you to learn. You will attend the kingdom while I meet with winter’s court. Keep a close eye on the princess. I have my suspicions as to why she stepped over the boundary of our court. She may be spying. Do not allow her beauty to blind you my son. You did well tonight. Princess Andrea will be a high priority, as she is to take reign over her court soon. Solstice is near, and if winter wishes to take over their season, they will accept to my terms beforehand.”

My father dismisses me, allowing me to silently formulate a plan. I walk outside; the fresh night air always helps to free my mind. The moon is blinded by clouds as I circle the gates of my court. Andrea’s room is on the west side, but no light shines.

She must be asleep. I will wait till the sun rises and then, I will have my chance to make amends, but for now I rest. ☼ ☼ ☼ The day is bright and the air is crisp as I walk into the common room finding the widows open wide. My father sits in his chair near the book shelf beaming, with three beautiful half naked fey crooning him. Very typical of the summer fey; they are a site to see.

“Ah my son, you have made me proud. When the seasons change, you will rule the summer court well.” My father’s words are strong and joyful as he prepares to meet with the winter court. No doubt he will make them suffer. Still the look of betrayal when I commanded Pip to cease her haunts me. “Boy, cheer up. You have much to celebrate, and I have just the gift to award you. Fida, Gena and Hila, come.” My father beckons a new round of summer fey before he leaves.

The summer fey frolic about, weaving their delicate hands through my hair, then one slides her hand to my chest and my shirt falls to ground. I close my eyes, though they betray me. The only face who appears is Andrea. Without effort, I stop the play of desire only to find my actions are too late. I can feel her presence. The warmth at the back of my hands is laced with cold. I know the presence of winter’s crescent moon has found its way back.

“Princess Andrea, what a pleasure. Would you be so kind as to join me for breakfast in the dining room?” My mother interrupts making her presence known. I find the composure I need to look up. Only I regret to find my worst fears. Andrea’s eyes are devoid of the emotions we once shared. With her perfect chin held high, she accepts my mother’s invitation to breakfast. They walk to next room and as a cord being pulled, I follow.

“Nicholas, I am surprised to see you. I thought you had other plans.” My mother’s question is cautious.

“Ah, but a growing man requires food to keep sustenance mother. I only wish to accompany two beautiful women such as yourself and the Princess to breakfast.” I take a seat at the far end of the table, afraid if we are too close, and the mark on the back of our hands will make its self be known.

“You do not fool me my son. You are free to join us as you wish. I do believe your father’s gift as he calls them are rather striking, and you must find a queen soon. You cannot delay this decision much longer.”

“I see, and we mustn’t forget the wedding. I have until the end of winter before I choose, is this not the deal?”

"Queen Sheyla, perhaps I should leave the two of you alone. It appears you have much to discuss and I do not wish to intrude,” Andrea speaks for the first time. Her voice is like warm honey to my ears.

“Do not worry Princess, perhaps you could be of service to me?” My mother ponders aloud.

Andrea’s voice cracks, “Queen, how could I possibly?”

“Here under our reign, your powers are not fatal as you know. My son has stalled finding a proper fey to marry. There were rumors of you finding a proper suitor, is this so Princess?” My mother eyes Andrea, no doubt seeking who this person she is to marry. Andrea blushes under my mother’s gaze. Oh how I miss the paleness of her skin turning crimson. They way her crystal blue eyes shine as bright as the clear blue sky when they look upon me. Such beauty, but then she turns to face me, and all the affection is gone.

“No, Queen Sheyla I do not have a suitor. There must have been some sort of mistake. You know how rumors are. The Prince should be able to find any summer fey he wishes, if I do recall he had three frolicking only moments ago. I do not think I could help him in any way.”

“Princess, other than stepping over to our court without permission, you have proven yourself worthy to rule.”

“I…” Andrea attempts to debate the queen, but it is a task she will not win. My father and I have failed many times. My mother raises her hand to silence her.

“Princess, I do not wish to order you, however, I needn’t remind you that you are under our command. I suggest you think wisely before disputing this.” Andrea's face turns green, but with all her cleverness, she agrees.

“As you wish, shall I begin now?”

“Clever girl. After we eat,” my mother commands.

I couldn’t have come up with a better plan myself. My mother always has a trick up her sleeve, though any chance of speaking with Andrea privately is a chance I am willing to take. So I bide my time until we finish eating. Andrea rushes out as soon as the Queen leaves and I hurry to catch her.

“So what shall you teach me Princess?” She keeps her face forward, no hint of her turning to look at me, her hard stare could turn the warmest of days cold.

“Well Prince, I must say I find this task a failing one. You see, I don’t think you can be taught how to love or anything close to it. Besides, the queen wasn’t specific to how I should train you. This is lesson one, watch me leave you Prince and take how this feels to heart, because you will never see me again.” Andrea turns swiftly on her heels. The sway of her hips is mesmerizing. She is a clever little thing, but she must think me a fool if she believes this is over. No, not by a long shot. She will see that my actions were only to protect her. One thing is for certain, she has the passion and feistiness of a queen. The coolness of the crescent moon fades as she leaves me. Once again I am lost in my own true feelings for her. ☼☼☼ If he thinks I am to be fooled again by his charms, then he is more senseless than I thought. And if he thinks this ridiculous order by the queen will cause me forget what he has done, then he is utterly daft as well. The mark on my hand soothes as the tingle of heat fades as I distance myself from him. To think he loved me! How naïve of me. I busy myself in my room, biding my time until my father frees me. Footsteps echo down the corridor, louder and louder until the sound comes to a standstill in front of my door. Whoever it is can knock, but I have no plans of letting anyone in. Walking closer to the door, my hand begins to tingle; Nicholas. I should have known. “Nicholas what is it,” I attempt to keep my anger in balance.

“You’re using my name again does this mean we are making progress Princess?” Heat boils reaching my face. The nerve of him! Without second thought I open the door wide. Nicholas’ lips curve into a lazy grin; his muscular arms are folded over his chest while he leans against the wall for support.

“A slip of the tongue Prince, one I assure you I will not make again.” The playfulness in his eyes changes, but only for a moment.

“Well Princess I think I have accomplished your first lesson, what shall you teach me now?” He unfolds his arms and steps towards me causing my stomach to tighten. I take a deliberate step back and he continues to step forward until he is standing in my room. “Should we close the door Princess?” With the wave of his hand the door closes. Alone in a room with Nicholas is too much.

“Prince this is not proper, you heard what the queen said, I have a suitor.”

“Ah, but you replied stating that was a rumor. Besides I have it on good authority that you do have a suitor.” I can’t help but step closer, not thinking of the consequences.

“You are incorrigible! Do you know that? What makes you think you can stand here and speak to me as if nothing has happened, as if you did not have me captured? Thea was right; I never should have believed you could love.” My anger has brings me to close to him. The smell of sunshine, riverbeds and roses assault my nose pleasantly. Nicholas closes the small gap between us. He lifts his hand and caresses my cheek. I fold. “Why are you doing this to me? Please stop.” Only he doesn’t. His strong arms pull me to him. My head rests on his chest and I can hear his heart sprint like the wings of a hummingbird.

“Andrea, I did the only thing I could. Pip is too loyal to my court, he would have attempted to kill you and at that, I would have killed him in the process. I do not wish to kill my oldest friend. Or my father would have declared war as soon as he heard what happened and that I allowed you to flee.”

My head still rests on his chest; his fluttering heart begins to settle. “You did not wish to fight Pip and you thought having me bound by him was better, easier? Nicholas when my father hears what you have done he will declare war. Is this your plan?”

“No, but I did not see another way. Remember what happened in the divide, when summer and winter merged as one?”

I lift my face wanting to see where this is going. “Yes Nicholas I remember. You said we would create a new court. You asked me to marry you. How could you think I would forget? It was the happiest moment of my life. I thought, but then you… and now us… this...” I stop my incoherence, unsure of how to go on.

“Andrea, meet me tonight. We will go to the divide together. I have a plan.”

“I’ve been ordered not to leave these walls, I could be killed or you. I’m not sure if we should go. Maybe after your father returns he will release me. We can meet after I am returned home.”

“Andrea my love, trust me.” I am uncertain. “Please believe I would protect you with my life.”

“Where shall I meet you?”

“I’ll come for you when the moon his high.” ☼☼☼ Andrea agrees to leave with me. I leave her alone and find my way back to the common room. Commotion is rampant as my father’s knights follow him to the meeting room.

“Father you have returned, what has been decided?”

My father’s face is set in a stern mask. War is on the horizon, I can feel it. “The winter king is not willing to negotiate. We will prepare for battle. Where is the Princess? Were you able to retrieve any information from her?”

“No father, her words are true. She was not purposefully stepping into our court to begin war. The Princess is not a spy.”

My father spits and his furry grows. “Do not be such a fool my son. The winter court does nothing but wish to take over our court. The soldiers will stake out the parameters, and in the morning war will begin. Leave me; I have much work to do.” I turn to leave ready to take actions into my own hands when his words stop me. “If the Princess attempts to leave these walls, it is on my order that she be killed immediately.”

I hide my worry and nod, “my King.” This will be tricky, but I have to get her out of here, tonight. ☼☼☼ Night descends as I creep out like a shadow. Father has issued two guards by Andrea’s door. I beckon two of the summer fey. “Gena and Hila go to the guards. They have worked hard and need a reward. Be sure to keep them as busy as you can.” I give them a wink, but they do not leave.

“But Prince, we would rather make you happy. We used to please you, and it seems you have forgotten,” Gena says using a little faery magic of her own. Before I know it, Gena’s lips cover mine and Hila’s hands move quickly to untie my shirt.

“There will be plenty of me to go around ladies,” I say in a seductive tone.

“Don’t you want this Prince?” Gena’s smile turns wicked, a game I used to enjoy, but not anymore.

“Do as you are told. This is an order,” enough playing nice. I move quickly pushing them forward.

“Fine, but you will make this up to us, right Prince,” Hila says now. I agree with a quick nod holding in my irritation. The guards laugh as the girls whisper promised words of pleasure in their ear.

“The palace is guarded heavily. What would a few minutes mean really,” one of the guards says.

“Speak for yourself. I plan to take much longer than a minute,” the other guard beams. I listen until I can no longer hear their laughter at the end of the hall. Finally, I reach Andrea’s room and lock it behind me.

“Nicholas is that you?” Andrea walks from the closet. The black corset is tight allowing her cleavage to spill at the top.

The pants hug her thighs showing off her figure well. Foolishly I stare, unable to utter a single word. “Nicholas speak,” she demands.

My lips turn into a seductive grin, as thoughts of ravishing her plays over in my mind. I can feel myself swell and my pants become suffocating. Her eyes travel below my waist and she gasps aloud. “Nicholas, stop it! We are about to embark on a

suicide mission and you’re, you know! Oh just stop.” Her cheeks are flushed, and she quickly turns grabbing a dark cloak to shield her in the night.

“Soon we will be together, but for now I will be a gentleman. You have my word.”

“I highly doubt that, but I have no choice at the moment. Let’s go before someone comes.” ☼☼☼ I keep my face serious despite the butterflies swarming around like a hail storm in my stomach. The determined desire Nicholas held in his eyes was undeniable, not to mention the swelling at the front of his pants. Without another word, we creep out into the night. There are no clouds to conceal the moon or stars. So like a beckon of light, the moon illuminates our journey.

We are nearing the goblin’s caves. They are an unruly crowd with no reserve of what or who they take for dinner. Nicholas has crafted a halo of magic around us blending us with the trees. Only a small touch from a goblin or any other creature will cause this shield to falter. With luck we make our way from the nasty goblins. “Nicholas isn’t this,” my words are silenced by his hand.

An ogre leaps form the small hill right in front of us. The smell is sickening. Putrid, horrid and rotten breath assaults the air around him.

“Who goes there?” The ogre announces searching with his yellowing eyes. He lifts his nose and sniffs the air. “I smell you and I haven’t eaten tonight. I think a nice bowl of,” he stops to sniff the air again before he finishes. “Yes, a nice bowl of summer fey will settle my growling stomach nicely.” He continues sniffing the air while he moves around the area searching. He’s close now and his stench is too much to bear, I sneeze. His yellow eyes slant and he stomps his feet making the ground shake. I stumble and fall. Nicholas grabs my arm, but it’s too late. The ogre has found us. “Two for one, but what do we have here, a winter fey with the Prince.” The ogre circles us. “Isn’t the winter Princess under your reign Prince. If I remember correctly, you would be her. Oh what to do, what to do,” the ogre contemplates.

“Andrea when I say now leap in front of him,” Nicholas whispers. Did I hear him right? Maybe he does want me dead! I turn to look at him, making sure I heard him right and he winks at me. This had better work!

“Now,” Nicholas shouts. I leap in front of the ogre just as he’s about to move left. He stumbles and begins to fall. In a whirl wind, Nicholas binds his hands and feet. “You know what they say; the bigger they are the harder they fall.”

“This is not over Prince; I will catch you and be certain that when I do, I will not hesitate.” Nicholas gags him with ivy, rolling him up until his body is covered with it.

“That was a close call. We better get out of here before others come. I don’t think I can stomach the smell of another one. When we reach to top of the hill, there is a place we can sleep. You still holding up okay Princess?”

“Yes, I just thought at first, I mean me. Never mind, let’s go.”

The hill didn’t look too terribly far, though it was. Between the hunting goblins, the wolf, and let’s not forget the mermaid that tried to pull me under the water, I’m beat. “Nicholas is there clean water to drink or bread to eat?” The small opening in the tree was hidden by honeysuckle. The smell is refreshing and comforting. It’s cozy down here. Nice, cool, quiet and there’s a bed! Ah, perfect. I’m exhausted.

“I haven’t been here in a while, so the food is sparse, but there is plenty of water. I will go in the morning and pick some berries.”

“Great, do you have a change of clothes? After I eat, I’m taking over that bed.” Nicholas laughs.

“Yea, give me a second. Eat and drink, I’ll be back in a minute.” Nicholas walks away and I devour the food in no time.

“I guess you liked it?” Nicholas asks handing me a white shirt.

“Um, yes sorry. Did you eat anything? I was so hungry I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry, there’s more in the other room. I’ll grab something while you change.”

“Okay,” he walks away. I change, slipping the shirt over my head just as Nicholas walks back in. “Hey. That was fast.” My heart picks up a beat. The shadows dancing from the lighted candles sweeps across his face and bare chest, revealing just enough of him to tighten my stomach. Slowly he inches closer to me. I can hear his breathing coming faster. He brushes my hair from my shoulder then leans down and touches my lips to his. His arms embrace me and the kissing deepens. A soft moan escapes my lips as he moves to my neck. Suddenly he cradles me in his arms and carries me to the bed. He gently lifts the shirt over my head then trails kisses over my chest. The fire in my lower stomach burns with desire. Boldly I unfasten his pants.

Nicholas stops.

“Andrea, are you sure. Is this what you want? If we’re moving too fast we can stop. I can wait.” Nicholas traces my lips with his thumb. “So beautiful, and all mine.”

“No. This is right, you and me. I don’t want to wait any longer Nicholas.” At that moment, the tingle on the back of my hands increases. Yes, this is right.

“I love you,” he says and then lowers his face to mine. I run my hands through his soft brown hair. His hand caresses my breast. I arch my back needing more and he fulfills. I move my hand to his chest and then down further finding the bulge.

“Andrea,” his voice is tight, restrained.

“Nicholas, I love you. I want you now.” With that, he sweetly obliges. Winter and summer forge again as our bodies mold together as one. Love is what brought us together and love will lend us the strength we need to fight the coming war.

Tomorrow we will create a new court. One that allows any fey who wishes to love without fear. But tonight, tonight is about us, our beginning of forever.