Table of Contents February 2012
Issue 6
Featured Articles: 2
Angels
8
All You Have to do is ask! Werewolves Edition
11
Legends Dragons Oh my!
12
Books to tv Breaking dawn
14
In your corner Website building
15
technology Best tablet for you
18
teen reads Best books of 2011
6
February Releases
10
Controversy Column Self– published vs. publisher
13
erotica Up close with the authors
16
Self published interview JT harding
20-23
reviews
24
cover reveal
The Lure of Wings By Lexi Hansen Have you ever happened to be standing still when a flock of birds have passed overhead? The kind of flyby where you can feel on your face the soft caress of wind created from the beating of powerful little wings, and you can hear the whisper soft sound of air rushing past thousands of feathers. It brings a wonderful feeling that will make you want to close your eyes and pretend you are flying yourself. Of course you would have to have wings, and if you had wings you would most likely be called an angel. With angels being described as terrifyingly perfect and beautiful beyond words it is no surprise they hold our attentions captive. You can easily find angel jewelry, figurines, ornaments and statues. Angels hold fascination for many people, a fascination that spans across cultures. Christian, Islamic, and Jewish religions all have very similar hierarchy for angels. And all of them list an Archangel named Raphael. It doesn’t take too much of a stretch of imagination to put these perfect otherworldly beings into novels, specifically romance novels. It is easy to romanticize something so majestic and alluring, easy to create an angel hero to sweep you off your feet. But if you are going to write something so perfect and good there has to be a counter balance, can there be good without evil? Nalini Singh, author of the Guild Hunter series, has stretched her imagination (or done some in depth research) and made her good a little bit evil, and her evil a little bit good. She takes her good, perfect angels and instead of giving them demons to fight she gives them vampires. And not just unknown vampires because here you find it will take an angle to make a vampire. Guild Hunter vampires are more than just evil beings in bloodlust. They were once regular people with normal jobs and normal lives. Maybe it was the appeal of immortality glimpsed in the beautiful angels seen flying above, and being turned into a vampire is the closest thing to achieving that. Maybe it was the promise of no more disease, the potential to amass wealth or the sheer power to be gained that made some choose fangs. Or it could have simply been one of the seven deadly sins in the form of angel wing lust. So you have exquisite angels, perfect in every way yet susceptible to becoming power hungry and loosing their minds. And you have vampires that are commanding beings on a little bit of a power trip capable of noble actions. Two types of paranormal beings not normally connected are brought together in a symbiotic relationship. It is an unusual combination that intrigues the mind and keeps us reading.
If there were a choice, angel or vampire I think it would be an unequal result. Sure there are those that might like the perks and danger that come with fangs, and you could call yourself angel made. But fore the rest of us I think the lure of wings would win out.
Check out Nalini Singh’s series featuring Angels and more from Berkley!
Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh In Angel's Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court. In Angels' Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all... Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless... And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED In Angels' Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court. “This anthology was originally going to feature the print edition of Angels' Pawn, a reprint of Angels' Judgment, plus a brand new novella, Angels' Dance. However, my publisher has decided to make it a complete GH collection, so as a bonus, they'll be including Angel's Wolf as well (releasing as part of the Angels of Darkness anthology in October). So, you can choose to wait and get Angel's Wolf in March 2012 when Angels' Flight releases. But, if you want my opinion, I would very much recommend you get the Angels of Darkness anthology. The lineup is incredible - I'm hanging out to read the other novellas (by Ilona Andrews, Meljean Brook, and Sharon Shinn) myself!” —N. Singh
February Releases! Fantasy and Young Adult Edition Firelight (Darkest London, #1) by Kristen Callihan London, 1881 Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman. Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask. Alpha Instinct (Moon Shifter, #1) by Katie Reus Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate. The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again. But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack… Eternal Captive (Mark of the Vampire, #3) by Laura Wright Since feeding her his blood, Lucian Roman has struggled with his obsession with Bronwyn Kettler-fighting an uncontrollable desire to kill her, if he has to, and the vampire she has sworn to wed. But when a dangerous enemy threatens Bronwyn, only Lucian can save her life. Even if it means sacrificing his own...
Shaded Vision (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon #11) by Yasmine Galenorn It's Valentine's Day and we're preparing our friend Iris's wedding. But when we get word that the Supe Community Center has been bombed, things get really ugly. The evil coyote shifters-the Koyami-are back and Newkirk, their new leader has joined forces with a group of rogue sorcerers. Then, just as we think things can't get worse, the demon lord Shadow Wing sends in a new front man, and life really goes to hell...
A Perfect Blood (The Hollows, #10) by Kim Harrison Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth — a would-be creator is determined to make his (or her) own demons. But it can’t be done without Rachel’s blood. As a bounty hunter, Rachel has battled vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more. But humanity itself might be her toughest challenge.
Midnight Enchantment (Dark Magick, #4) by Anya Bast Niall Quinn, mage and the finest thief in the Black Tower, is the fae’s best hope for freedom. Only he stands a chance of tracking down and retrieving the missing bosca fadbh pieces from the Summer Queen. But he meets his match in Elizabeth Cely Saintjohn, who has taken control of the pieces on the Summer Queen’s behalf—and has refused to give them up. Elizabeth is an asrai, a rare English water fae, and she may be the only one in Piefferburg stealthier than Niall. She has her own reasons for guarding the two pieces and wanting the walls of Piefferburg to remain intact—even if it means denying her fae sisters and brothers their freedom. Her mother’s life depends on it. Torn between his duty to obtain the pieces at any cost—and the shocking lust Elizabeth has stirred in him—Niall must convince Elizabeth to surrender the pieces, or else he may have no choice but to destroy her and all she holds dear… By a Thread (Elemental Assassin, #6) by Jennifer Estep Then again, how often does an assassin live long enough to enjoy her retirement? In this line of work, you either get lucky or you get dead. And since I destroyed my nemesis Mab Monroe a few weeks ago, all of Ashland’s lowlifes are gunning to make a name for themselves by taking out the lethal Spider—me, Gin Blanco. So I’m leaving behind my beloved barbecue joint and heading south with my baby sister, Bria, to cool my heels in a swanky beach town. Call it a weekend of fun in the sun. But when a powerful vampire with deadly elemental magic threatens an old friend of Bria’s, it looks like I’ll have to dig my silverstone knives out of my suitcase after all. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Detective Donovan Caine, my old lover. But Donovan is the least of my problems. Because this time, the danger is hot on my trail, and not even my elemental Ice and Stone magic may be enough to save me from getting buried in the sand—permanently. Until Next Time (The Angel Chronicles, #1) by Amy Lignor How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul? Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache. When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans. Arcadia Awakens (Arkadien, #1) by Kai Meyer Hidden caves, dangerous beasts roaming the hills, and a history of familial bloodlust mean that Rosa can’t trust anyone. Torn between loyalty to her family and love for their mortal enemy, Rosa must make the hardest decision of her life: stay in Sicily with her new love…or run as far and as fast as she can.
A Beautiful Evil (Gods & Monsters, #2) by Kelly Keaton When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess. Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian. Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself.
For More Titles Releasing in February Check out All Things Urban Fantasy. BlogSpot. com
All You Have to Do is Ask! What to Read Next and More! Do you love werewolf books of any and every kind? Do you just prefer the more modern tales? Romance? Young adult? Horror? This list compiles the top 10 werewolf books of all kinds. Find your next favorite read here! Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy/ Little Romance Published by ACE Books in the Series: 6/ Ongoing Order Book 1 from Amazon
Women of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy/ Some Romance Published by Plume Books in the Series: 13/ Ongoing (Not all werewolf) Order Book 1 from Amazon
Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/ Prominent Romance/ Ages 14 and Up Published by Scholastic Press Books in the Series: Trilogy Concluded Order Book 1 from Amazon
Nightshade Series by Andrea Cremer Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/ Prominent Romance/ Ages 15 and Up Published by Philomel Books in the Series: Trilogy Concluded Order Book 1 from Amazon
Kitty Norville Series by Carrie Vaughn Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy/ Some Romance Published by Tor Books in the Series: 9/ Ongoing Order Book 1 from Amazon
Wolf Series by S.A. Swann Genre: Adult Horror/ Some Romance Published by Spectra Books in the Series: 2/ Concluded Order Wolf’s Cross from Amazon
Raised by Wolves Series by Jennifer Lyn Barnes Genre: Young Adult/ Some Romance Published by Egmont USA Books in the Series: 2/ Ongoing Order Book 1 from Amazon
Moon Series by Rebecca York Genre: Paranormal Romance Published by Berkley Sensation Books in the Series: 10/ Concluded Order Book 1 from Amazon
Wolf Tales Series by Kate Douglas Genre: Erotica/ Heavy Sex and Some Bestiality Published by Aphrodisia Books in the Series: 12/ Ongoing Order Book 1 from Amazon
Breeds Series by Lora Leigh Genre: Erotica/ Sex and Romance/ Sci-Fi Published by Berkley Sensation Books in the Series: 26/ Ongoing (Not all werewolf) Order Navarro’s Promise from Amazon
Opinions
Controversy Column Controversy: It Makes Life Interesting Traditional Publishing versus Self-Publishing
The Pros, Cons, and Everything In Between By Sara Trimble
In this period of amazing technology, it has become easier than ever for authors to choose self-publishing and do away with the horrors that come along with traditional publishing houses. Indie authors don't have to worry about writing that dreaded synopsis and query letter, they can choose when to release their newest story, and they can set their own sales price. Cutting out the middle man may seem like the way to go, but this path isn't for the faint of heart. For anyone considering self-pubbing, be aware of the ups and downs. Educate yourself before you make a decision.
As an Indie author, I can testify that it is a lot more work than I ever thought. Yes, I was able to do all that I mentioned before, but the work doesn't stop there. Unlike with publishing houses, a self-publishing author has to do their own promoting. This means hours of using social media, contacting bloggers and reviewers in the hopes that they will offer you a bit of their time and help get your story out there. You have to hire an editor, and a book cover designer. Then, you may want to consider hiring a PR firm. There's a ton out there that are cheap but successful.
Even after doing all of this, there's still no guarantee that your work will reach as many buyers as you hope. A downfall to publishing on your own is that you might not have your book sold in stores. Most franchises and bookstores only deal with companies like Ingrams-a distributor-which is almost impossible for Indie authors to get featured in. You might be able to get local stores to buy your books, but this will usually require you to purchase your own work for them to display. If those don't sale, you may be out of luck and cash.
When using a traditional publisher, you don't have to worry about a lot of these hassles. There is a longer wait time to see that new release out on shelves, but if you're under contract, you do get extra benefits. You don't have to hire an editor, since most agencies have them on staff; publishing houses help do the promoting, though the majority of this is focused on the big authors. As a new release, you will still be required to do most of the marketing. The companies will provide tutelage, which can be easier for authors than having to learn entirely on their own. PH's may also have an established group of reviewers so you can be sure the right people are able to read and write about your book. As an Indie author, you have to search out your own.
When it comes to money and payments, most publishing houses refuse to even discuss their payouts until a contract is in negotiations. Most people assume authors receive a sign up bonus, but this is usually only available to well known authors. Advances are sometimes given but this money has to be paid back before that author ever gets a future royalty check. The royalty for publishing houses is usually fixed and not as high as if you self-publish.
If you're hoping to get rich fast, neither option is for you. Writing and publishing is not a get-rich scheme. There is never a guarantee that your book will become a best-seller, whether you choose publishing houses or to do it on your own. If you have connections with fellow authors, question them about their paths and check the pros and cons. Make your choice educated; not based on a rash decision.
By Tiffany Moorman
Dragons? Oh My!
When first taking on this article, I had no idea just how vast and broad this topic truly was. There is so much information out there on dragons that it’s almost surreal. From legends to articles, fact to fiction, and even religion. Usually when I begin research I’m lucky to find maybe one or two sites and/or books with enough different concrete information to go on, not this time. It seems as though dragons have been fascinating man from as far back as 4000 BC. Almost every religion and culture has depicted the dragon in some type of way, shape or form, on shields or flags and even breastplates. What is the significance of this creature, why is it revered above all other creatures, real and mythic alike? The dragon has almost always been depicted as a serpentine or reptilian like creature, which always depends on which culture is telling the tale. Pretty much every aspect of a dragon depends upon the culture; the way it looks, the special powers it has, its habitat, its ability or inability to speak. Most Western cultures believe dragons to be great beasts with large wings that not only breathe fire but poison as well. At times even being said to have more than one head, like the Hydra. In many tales the dragon has been depicted as either a monster or a great protector, sometimes a mixture of both. Such as the story of St. George, a Norwegian tale, it was said the great King had left his unwed daughter a tiny dragon to watch over her while he went away on a long trip. When he returned the dragon was no longer small, but rather large enough to rap itself around the entire castle. The dragon would not allow anyone inside, including the King himself. I guess you could say the dragon became a tad overprotective. There are many more tales, where the dragon has been appointed the great protector over untold treasures, or where men have become knighted after gallantly slaying the beastly dragon. Stories where a knight or an ordinary man has brought the head, or sometimes even the tongue, to a king in order to win the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage. Even the Loch Ness monster— wasn’t it told that old Nessie was indeed a sea dragon? Eastern cultures believe quite the opposite of dragons. They view as being not only beautiful but as magnificent and majestic. In fact, where western cultures believe dragons breathe fire, eastern believe they actually cause floods (when annoyed by pesky humans). Most eastern cultures view the dragon as being serpentine rather than reptilian; while still large they view them as being wingless almost like a mutated snake. In Chinese cultures they are viewed as water deities’. And surprisingly a lot of emphasis was placed on the toes. The more toes a dragon had, they were considered to be higher up in the nobility ladder, the highest being five. In fact, in ancient times, if a peasant was caught wearing an emblem of a dragon with five toes they were immediately executed. To say they took their dragons seriously would be putting it lightly. There are also several forms of lizards considered to be “real” dragons. The Basilisk Lizard which is also known as the “Jesus” lizard since it has the ability to walk on water. The Chinese Water Dragon, technical name Physignathus Cocninus. Bearded Dragons, technical name Agamidae: Pogona Vitticeps. The Komodo Dragon, technical name Varanidae: Varanus Komodoensis, the largest known lizard growing up to ten feet in height. And that list is only but a few. The real question here is; Do Dragons of legend truly exist? Have there ever been, and perhaps still to this day, real fire breathing dragons? Or are they nothing more than fantasy? Well ladies and gentlemen, as much as it pains me to say this, there is no definitive answer to this question. Though there have been bones and fossils founded, it has never been proven whether or not they were dragon or only just a form of dinosaur. There are dozens of speculations on where the myth began, such as people seeing nothing more than a large snake spitting poison and thinking it to be fire. That the tale just grew until became that of a fire breathing dragon. While this myth has yet to be proven, it certainly has not been disproven either. After all, every myth and legend started from some sliver of truth.
V
S to T
BOOK
Breaking Dawn Part 1 By Brandi Baker Three words that are known in house holds worldwide are The Twilight Saga. This series of books and movies has captured the audience of teenage girls and adults alike, in which many have reread the series and stood in lines just to see the movies! In 2003 Stephanie Meyer had a dream about a human girl and a boy who sparkled in the sun because he was a vampire. They were in a meadow together and in so much love that Meyer decidedly wrote down her vision and turned it into a story. Once the story was completed she looked to get her work published. After a few publishing houses declined Meyer’s work Little Brown and Company was very eager to take on the first time author and signed her to a 3 book deal for $750,000,an unusually high amount for a first time author. The first in the series, Twilight, was released in 2005 and grabbed the interest of readers in the young adult and fantasy genre. With each release to the series it seems the audience grew in numbers leading up to the fourth and final book in the series, Breaking Dawn that sold over 1.3 million copies on the first day alone and won the British Book Award for “Children’s Book of the Year”. As of October 2010 the Twilight Saga has sold over 116 million copies and won numerous awards such as the Kids Choice Award for “Favorite Book”. In 2008 Twilight hit the big screen and drew out readers to the theaters to see this romantic tale brought to life. Needless to say from the response of fans Summit Entertainment decided to go forth and make the other 3 books in the series. With each new theatrical release the audience grew in numbers, with Breaking Dawn Part One earned an estimated $30.25 million on midnight showings which was the second highest midnight gross of all time. The fans were beyond excited to finally see Bella and Edwards wedding and honeymoon and as of January the film has grossed over $657 million worldwide! After the first 3 movies were considered to be very profitable, Breaking Dawn had some of the best in the industry to work on this project. Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) was hired on as the director withWyck Geoffrey. Karen Rosefelt and Stephanie Meyers to produce. Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg, the screenwriter for the first 3 films. The cast from the previous film’s returned, with Kristen Stewart (Bella), Robert Pattison (Edward) and Taylor Lautner (Jacob). After much consideration the studio decided to break the movie into 2 parts so the audience did not feel rushed thru one movie but both films were shot back to back so aging would not show on the characters. Both films were filmed in various locations, with most of their time spent in Louisiana and in the process they tried to keep the locations a secret. While filming the wedding scene the security was increased to helicopters, off duty officer’s with sheets and umbrella’s and no cell phones allowed on set. All of this just to keep Bella’s wedding dress a secret! However, while shooting in Argentina some footage got leaked early and it’s a ongoing lawsuit. One of the stand out features to the film is the special effects. In some of the scenes they needed to cover Kristin Stewart’s cast that was on her wrist along with making her look malnourished. The overall effect was outstanding as many viewer’s cringed at the sight of Bella in these scenes. However, after the release of the film incidents began occurring of the birthing scene triggering epileptic seizures in some movie goers. The visual effects during the scene involves swirls of pulsating red, white and black flashing lights, which creates an effect like a strobe light. The studio has reported that area of the movie has been fixed and should not cause any other problems. Even though critic’s were unimpressed with Breaking Dawn the audience got everything they were wishing for. The wedding was beautiful, the honeymoon gave off enough sexual chemistry between Bella and Edward and the birthing scene was painful and excruciating for viewers. The movie was as accurate to the book as possible and a truly great addition! Breaking Dawn Part 2 hits theaters November 16th 2012 and will be the last and final movie to the series!
By Charity Daugherty Have you ever wondered where the Authors of your favorite Erotic books get their ideas? Have you ever wondered if a certain situation ever happened in real life? Well I wonder about those exact things so I decided to ask. I sent a list of questions to several authors and was both surprised and intrigued. First I started with an easy question…character names. Those names and characters that make the story seem so real and alive. You know what I am talking about- those strong dominate characters or the heroes and heroines, the submissives. Well surprising enough most of those names come from baby name books, phone books or internet sites. For historical erotica, the authors I interviewed, admitted to going to baby name websites and typing in birth years for their character and finding a list of the most popular for the time frame. Only recently have authors started writing about plus sized or curvy women in romances. I have read several books with a “less than perfect body type” so I wondered how authors write using a “plump” woman and make her feel sexy in the book. Lynn LaFleur (Author of the Men with Tools series) sums up a lot of responses with her answer. “Confidence is sexy, no matter the size of a person. I’m a plus-size woman, so I understand that whole he-won’t-find-me-attractive thing. But a woman who’s sure of herself, who knows what she wants in life and isn’t afraid to go after it, is very sexy.” I particularly like the ones where the woman is self-conscious at first, but after being with a man that finds her incredibly sexy, her self-esteem changes. Women that feel sexy and are treated like they are sexy are great motivators. Are authors experienced in the material they write about? Well obviously a lot of answers came back with fantasy answers or a mix of real life and fantasy. But I was looking for more of the “out of the norm” type of stuff like BDSM, writing about gay or bisexual characters, etc. Selena Kitt (Author of A Modern Wicked Fairy Tale series) says: “You do the research that needs to be done, just as with any other job. You don't have to be a serial killer to write about one - and you don't have to have been to a BDSM club to write about one either.” To several authors research is reading, most authors said they have read many BDSM stories before they attempted to write one. The gay or bisexual angle is an interesting one. A couple of female authors were bisexual so were comfortable with writing some f/f action, but not m/m action. I really liked the answer Sophie Oak (Author of the Texas Sirens series) gave: “I particularly love writing bisexual men. I find them endlessly fascinating. And I know I'm not a gay man, but they fall in love like the rest of us. The same emotions are present. Love is the great binding force in the universe. It's the same gay, straight or bi. And I think there's more m/m out there because the majority of the readers of m/m erotic romance are women. It's a big fantasy for a lot of women. Two hot guys together. I know I don't write f/f because I'm just not physically interested in women. But it exists and should for anyone who happens to be into it.” Now let’s get down and dirty with the language, or not…There are different types of Erotic stories and those stories might fall into their categories strictly because of their language and dialog. So why does an Author write down and dirty (with terms such as cock, pussy, cunt… etc.) or more conservative (he enters her core…etc.) and why? Most Authors answered that their character language depicts how they talk, how they like things portrayed in other writings, and what gets them hot. Cara McKenna (Author of Lessons in Letting Go) answers: “I write both romance and erotica, and the words I choose are dictated first by my publisher (can't say “cunt” with some publishers, for example, or I need to use those sorts of words more sparingly) but also by my characters. Some of my characters talk filthy in bed, and endlessly so. Some hardly make a peep. To some of my characters, a penis is a “cock” or a “dick”, when to a more romantic or conservative character, it's an “erection” or his “hard length”. Some of my heroines would never refer—even in introspection—to their “pussy”, but others, hey, no problem. Very much down to how the character sees and labels their own world.” Another question frequently nagging my mind is how do Authors feel about reviewers? As a reviewer myself I often wonder if the review I write may help or hurt an Authors focus. Melissa Harlow (Author of A Game of Catch) says “I love them when they like me and I don’t mind a not so good review if it’s helpful. Maybe reviewers scare me a little, I don’t know. I do know that I don’t want to put my heart and soul into something only to have someone come along and sum it up by basically saying, “This is shit” without a reason why.” The answers and conversations I have had with the Authors that were so kind to answer my questions have been very enlightening. Sometimes it’s helpful to dive a little deeper into the making of a book, or the thoughts behind it, to fully appreciate it. I want to thank all of the authors that responded to my questions. I also what do say a big thank you to these Authors because if they didn’t write it, we couldn’t read it, and I would have hated to miss out on some of these great Erotic stories.
“HOW TO” HELP
In Your Corner
By Dolores McCabe You have finally finished your project. You take a deep breath and wonder what comes next. You know you need an internet presence. You also need a publisher, and most of all, you need an audience! One of the most spirited discussions I can remember from my graduate Literature classes involved determining why people write. While this is a discussion for another day, let it suffice that most folks write because they have ideas they want to share. These are your key words: IDEAS and SHARE. These are the key words that should guide you as you construct your website. There are many businesses that will build one for you (for a price, naturally), but why not experiment with constructing your own? At www.webs.com you can sign up for free and play around with their free templates. Of all the website builders I have tried, this one was the easiest for a writer with limited technical skills. As you set out on this grand adventure, keep a few caveats in mind. By far, the most important element in website construction is DESIGN. Design encompasses: *Theme - keep it consistent. If you are writing military history, small, fluffy animals would not be appropriate. Similarly, it is not helpful to overload with too many scattered concepts. Select one idea that best sums up your message and develop it. Keep it fresh. For the romance writer, some themes are so well-worn they will actually turn people away. Instead of embracing couples, try focusing on the setting of your novel. One of the most intriguing record covers I can remember is Cat Stevens' "Tea for the Tillerman," which featured a stark landscape in tempest with a far-off figure of a woman raising her arms to the heavens. Finally, keep it personal. These are your ideas that you are putting out there. Make them uniquely yours. *Fonts - In his blog, "What Makes a Good Website," Derek Halpern cites several psychological studies based on peoples' reactions to font styles. A simple font works best for directions and content material; fancier font can add flair for specific items, such as showcasing a particular book. It can be used to highlight your blurb. Avoid neon print, which actually annoys the reader. And remember, when it comes to font size, 16 is the new 12! *Logo - A good logo is simple, clear, uncluttered, and conveys the essence of your thoughts. Think of the MacDonald logo. Pepsi. Ford. So simple. So memorable. This will consume a lot of time and thought. Don't rush it. *Colors - Your website should not be an experiment in a Peter Maxx remix. Select one color and 3 or 4 shades of that same color. It will help your book covers and your pictures stand out. *Layout - Keep it simple. Ornate frames, flashing graphics, and flash animation will not add anything to your message. You want the focus to forever be upon you and your ideas. You need a "Mission Statement" of sorts, which sums up you, the Author, and your entire website will revolve around that concept. However, if you want to accentuate your thoughts with graphics, you can search Flickr or Stock.XCHNG, which offer free graphics. Your best graphics could be right on your computer in your Picture file. Finally, in her blog, "5 Mistakes That Spell Disaster for Your Website," Irina warns against the following: *Stale Content - You need to update your website frequently. If you don't have any news, then make something up. Start a blog, which Webs.com offers as part of their free service. Write a discreet online journal of your journey as a writer. *Content Overload - Don't have too much going on. Divide your site into pages, each one dedicated to a single book, "About the Author." and so on. *No Photos - What could be more boring than a website without pictures? Pictures of you at book signings, pictures of you at your computer, covers of your books, a cute picture of your dog eating your book….whatever! *Looking Illegitimate - You should have a "storefront" to establish credibility. If not your actual address, then your town and some local attractions, a location app to Main Street, and a phone number are the bare essentials that let your public know you aren't a ship passing in the night or a shifty scammer who can't be trusted to sell a book. Bland - Use "About Us" type photos, perhaps a little Flip video of you reading excerpts from your book or discussing your book (Keep these at less than a minute), and maybe a personal message to your fans which you change periodically.
Above all, SPARKLE!
NEWS FEED...
Technology In Literature By Vicci M Christmas has come and gone. We have jubilantly celebrated the coming of the New Year; a Leap year at that. For all of you with shinny new e-readers and tablets, I say welcome to the digital age of books. Now for those of you still straddled the fence as to which device to buy, I would like to draw up a little profile for each of the device categories that may help you decided on which will best fit your needs. There are currently tons of categories of devices available for reading eBooks: the e-reader/tablet and the e-reader ink-only.
Children’s Books Hall of Fame By Michelle Keener Have you ever passed by the children’s section of the library or your local book store and thought: “I remember that book! I use to read it all the time!” If this sounds like you then I would like to invite you to join me in a moment of nostalgia. A wonderful children’s site know as grandparents.com decide to create a Children’s Books Hall of Fame. The first book is a trouble maker’s favorite: The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter written in 1902. Surely everyone has taken the temptasious trip into Mr. McGregor’s garden sniffing out only the finest vegetables in all the land. Next is a bedtime must, Goodnight Moon by Margret wise Brown written in 1947. I mean really, who of us could truly sleep without saying goodnight to that giant mysterious glowing orb that acted as the most faithful night light? I know I couldn’t (and neither could my rabbit). Are you feeling hungry? Perhaps reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle written in 1969 could calm that insatiable appetite. I do believe a snack is in order, how about some Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss written in 1960? This magnificent yet simple books has been lighting up the minds of children and adults for years! As you can see these book have been around for quite some time delighting children of all ages, its no wonder that they have made it into the Children’s Books Hall of Fame. Didn’t see your book? Feel free to check out grandparents.com for the full list.
Last month I touched briefly on the introduction of the Kindle Fire by Amazon and the Nook Tablet from Barnes and Noble. Both of devices are quasi tablets and do allow a user to surf the net, check email, play some games, read an e-books, play music, and manage documents. Aside from the obvious features just stated the number one draw for the Kindle Fire and the Book Tablet is their price points. At $199 and $249 respectively, these devices offer and alternative tablet choice for the price conscious user. The Kindle Fire is primarily a digital media device ( e-reader/table) that allows a user to manage his/her digital content that they may have already purchased through an amazon.com account as well as any new purchases. The Kindle Fire is the perfect iPad alternative for the user looking to manage all of his/ her content from one location. While the device does allow the loading of personal content, keep in mind that only e-books purchased from amazon.com and other internet retailers that sell kindle formatted e-books, will be in the kindle .azw format and can only be opened by a kindle device or the kindle apps available for most of the portable devices. The Kindle Fire is also a great device for those new to the digital age that may be looking for a device that allows for ease of use, is relatively affordability, has a stable internet retailer and lastly offers convenient one stop shopping and management for all things digital. A few new features recently added to the Kindle family of devices is the ability to borrow kindle books from the public library and Amazon's own Kindle Lending Library. Almost all the digital content (e-books, music, movies and tv shows) can be transferred to the device for later enjoyment. If a user happens to subscribe to Amazon's Prime service, then by default a user is able to stream over a wifi connection the hundreds of streamable content that Amazon has available. The thing about the Prime subscription is that it is not a new services, the Kindle Fire's no charge streaming is the new animal here. The Prime subscription $79 per year services has always been around, it's the subscription provides 2 day free shipping on products purchased at amaon.com. On that note I would like to switch gears and take a look tat the nook Table by Barnes and Noble. The nook Tablet is a slightly different animal, while Barnes and Noble does offer e-books in epub and possibly a few in pdb format, unfortunately that is the extent of the digital content available directly from BN.com. While the nook Tablet does play music, movies and tv shows via apps such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, other digital content will need to be acquired from 3rd party internet retailers and the content either streamed over wifi or manually transferred to the device. This may be considered a drawback for the user looking to do as little content management as possible. But for those of us that love to shop around for e-books and music or own previously purchased, the ability to manage our content they way we want is priceless. If you are like me, you may own a wealth of previously purchased e-books. For the newbies, prior to the publishers setting the prices of e-books, a user could search for the best prices for an e-book and purchase it from any retailer. As a e-book aficionado, it was always imperative to me that I be able to read my .PDB e-books purchased from www.fictionwise.com on any reader that I purchased. Thus, this is one of the reasons why I currently own a first generation B&N nook Ink e-reader. The other deciding factor was its ability to borrow e-books from the public library. A feature that still holds true today. So far I have covered what each of the new e-reader/tablets brings to the table. Let's now take a look at Ink-Readers. While the Kindle Fire, nook Tablet and the nook Color offer an enhanced reading experience as well as a tablet like look and feel, the Ink devices are all about reading. For those wishing to avoid the email clutter, the twitter timeline, countless Facebook status updates or those that just want to curl up with a great read without distractions, the Ink e-reader may be your device of choice. Although these devices lack the flash and flair of a color e-reader or a tablet, they do what they were manufactured for; allow a reader to read an e-book anywhere, anytime. The current crop of Ink e-readers includes devices such as , the Kindle Touch, Kindle 3, the Kindle with the Keyboard, the Kindle Dx, Nook Touch, Nook Color, the Sony Reader and the Kobo Reader to name a few of the more popular brands. Most of the devices except for the Kindles are able to read e-books in a variety of formats. Although they do require a book light for night reading, but on the plus side, they are not prone to sunlight glare and blind spots. The reading experience that they deliver is as close to print as digital can be; given today's Ink technology.
Interview with Self-Published Author: JT Harding By Charity Daughtry NRR will periodically showcase a Self-Published Author in hopes of both shedding a little light on the process these Authors go through, and to shine a little light on their work. We sincerely hope this interview will help aspiring Authors, satisfy curious minds, and introduce the Author to more readers. JT Harding (Tess Harding) started writing fiction at the age of 9, but had to wait until she was 24 before being published professionally. That was a long time ago, and somewhere along the way real life demanded her attention and she drifted away from writing until recently. Tess writes erotic fiction which, she sincerely believes, is different. Many works under that banner consist of graphic and extreme sex. Tess believes that true eroticism only comes from character and storyline. Therefore, her fiction may take a while to get going, but it will get you there in the end and, it can be argued, will result in greater satisfaction. She has self-published five pieces of work, two novellas and three full length novels. NOCTURNE: Did you originally want to be a Self-Published Author or were you having difficulties with Publishers. HARDING: When I started writing again I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to pursue traditional publishing or explore selfpublishing. I toyed with contacting an agent and then decided I'd test the waters out and self-publish first. Having done so, and having read a number of blogs such as those of J.A. Konrath, I've decided to continue on the self-publishing path. However, the main reason I'm doing things this way is because I'm a control freak, and I need that control over the entire process from start to end. Until my latest book I did everything, including creating the covers, but for Ali's Art I commissioned a cover. NOCTURNE: Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published? HARDING: Only self-imposed ones. Initially trying to find out how to do everything, how to format for Kindle and Smashwords, how to create a cover and then a book trailer, lots of different skills, and then the toughest skill of all how to market what I've written. I haven't cracked that one yet, but I don't think it's something you can do overnight, you just have to keep plugging away at it, a little at a time, a process of attrition, one reader more that you had before. NOCTURNE: Can you tell us the steps you went through to get Self-Published? HARDING: Sure. First I wrote the book(s). I don't mean to sound flippant, either. Writing a book is one of the hardest things anyone is ever going to do. There are so many skills and experiences you have to bring to the process if you have any hope of being any good. However, I do write very fast, and can produce between 1 - 5,000 words a day. I once wrote an entire 60,000 word novel in four days straight, but now I plan to take between 40-45 days producing a first draft. I use a piece of software called Scrivener for creating each book and also editing the first two stages, because it allows me to see the outline of what I'm working on and follow the flow of the plot easily. Once the book is finished I start the editing process. I normally go through three edits. The first is a read through to check for plot, is the tension in the right place, is the pace correct, do the character's names change half way through and does it all hang together and make sense. After this I convert my book into Word and use a thing called TextAloud to read it back to me. I find this invaluable because it makes me slow down. If you read fast like I do you tend to miss little mistakes, skipping over them. TextAloud reads my words back slowly and I catch hundreds of tiny errors I've missed up until that point. Then I either print the book out or, more usually, convert it to my Kindle and read it there. The process of actually reading on the final media seems to add something that reading on screen doesn't. At the end of this period I check my formatting. I always use Styles in Word and have my formats and process really nailed down now, so it takes me half an hour to format for Kindle, another ten minutes for Smashwords and maybe an hour or two for the print copies which I use both CreateSpace and Lulu for because Lulu prints internationally so if someone wants to buy a paperback in the UK the shipping costs are significantly lower. While all this editing is going on I'm searching out images for the cover and also to use in a book trailer and producing those. Finally I upload everything and the job's done.
NOCTURNE: If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change? HARDING: I change my work process all the time. I'm not the kind of person who's ever content that I've got something perfect so I'm always looking for a better way to do things. Usually this is in terms of looking for something to make my job easier, which is how I discovered TextAloud, but also in terms of process and craft. So I read blogs and take in all the good suggestions. One I read recently on the Self Published Author's Lounge I liked a lot, which is how to create four or more books a year through being really organized: http://selfpubauthors.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/how-can-you-write-4-books-a-year-and-maintain-quality-work I've now started working on that basis, juggling two, three or more books at the same time as editing the latest finished one. NOCTURNE: How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre? HARDING: I'm on Goodreads and LinkedIn, and also have my own website at www.jt-harding.com where I try to post regular blog entries. I do book Giveaways on Goodreads and basically put myself around as much as possible. There is however a danger of getting dragged into the social networking at the expense of writing, so I've pulled back from Facebook lately and haven't updated my page there for over a month. I still post occasionally to twitter, but not as often as I used to. I'm trying to simplify my social networking to a core of things I enjoy doing and which might also benefit me. Strangely, the biggest marketing boost I ever got was to give my books away free on Smashwords. Around last March my sales on Kindle were maybe 8 a month and Smashwords had a promotion to give your books away free for a week. I put both of my two titles up and they were purchased (for free) over 100 times. What was odd though was that as the free books went flying out, so too my Kindle sales began to rise. In April I sold around 100 copies on Kindle, for money, and in May it went up again until in August I sold over 1,500 books. NOCTURNE: Can you tell us about your self-published and/or upcoming book? HARDING: I've just self-published a new book: “Ali's Art”. This is a consolidation of a series of stories I put out on an online reading site, re-edited extensively, and comes in at 380 pages (135,000 words). It's basically a long-drawn out love story: boy loves girl, girl loves girls, boy gets girl. NOCTURNE: What project are you working on now? HARDING: I'm working on several things at the moment. The one that intrigues me the most is a non-erotic novel which I'll be publishing early next year under the name of Eden Harding. It's fantasy, but again I'm making it tough on myself, because it's not an ordinary kind of fantasy, being very much set in the here and now. It's called The Apples of Avalon and is planned as book one of a trilogy telling of a final confrontation between ancient races and man, where the earth itself gets involved. I'm trying to make it read like it could be happening next door to you, now or next week, but with the fantastic elements appearing completely natural. I'm also working on several new erotic books: One about a woman who inherits a ranch in Montana, but which doesn't include cowboys. One about a deputy in a town close to the Canadian border who has a run in with Hell's Angels as well as the neighbors across the road and involves elements of M/F, M/F/F, F/F and curious M/M relationships. The third is a coming-out tale set in 1920's England where a young woman fresh out of school becomes the tutor to the children of a family involved in the artistic revolution between two world wars.. NOCTURNE: Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? HARDING: Only to write a lot, and not to get discouraged. Take the time to write what you love, and also take the time to make sure it's the best you can do before publishing. And write every day, even if it's only a sentence - get into the habit of writing and it will become a habit. NOCTURNE: Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? HARDING: Thanks. If no-one read anything I write I'd still be writing because it's a compulsion, but knowing some people like my work makes all the effort worthwhile. The writings of JT Harding that are currently available: June Bug: Published: January 3rd 2011/ The Beach House: Published: April 2011/ Summer Secret - Cherri Red Book 1: Published: October 5th 2011/ Ali's Art: Published: December 5th 2011/ My Miami Model: Published: December 21st 2011 What Does NRR think of Harding’s writing... Wow! It is very rare to come across an Erotic book that has depth. This story has character development, background, climax, and a fantastic finish; but it is lacking absolutely nothing when it comes to sexual material.Ali and Tom are both greatly developed characters. I love Ali’s curiosity, her carefree but composed nature. Tom, I cannot say enough good things about. Not only is he a sexy morsel I would like to kidnap and keep for myself, but he has such respect and control. They are both perfect for each other with just the right amount of curiosity, willingness, and love. The best part about this book is the way that it is written. It is completely believe, written in “a day in the life” kind of way. There are a few slow spots, but it is a story that is hard to put down. On more than one occasion I lost track of hours while reading.
BEST BOOKS OF 2011 The year 2012 will most likely bring new stories, daring twists, and intriguing new characters to the YA genre, but will we forget all of the great books of 2011? I think not. Goodreads have been kind enough to write a list of the ‘Best Books of 2011.’ In this article, I will look at the first five in comparison with other sites who have reviewed the books including Amazon, Goodreads, and Hallow Reads. To get the full list go to: http:// www.goodreads.com/list/show/3812.YA_Novels_of_2011 The number one book on Goodreads list is City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare. This was an incredible surprise to many Mortal Instruments fans: the once thought trilogy with now many more installments. As I researched this book on the sites listed above, I found that many readers disagree with Goodreads list, and many of them believe this book should not hold a place on the list let alone be number one. Listed below are a few quotes from the sites: “This book is obviously an attempt to revive a series that has already been concluded and resolved in order for the author and the publisher to make a predictable buck from Cassandra Claire's fans. I just wish the novel hadn't made that fact so obvious.” – Amazon “Wow, there's four days of my life spent reading this book that I'll never get back. And it normally doesn't take me that long, but I had to self motivate myself with promises of chocolate ("If you just read one more page..."), just to get through it.” –Goodreads However, I do not wish to discourage anyone from picking up this book and giving it a shot. Amazon’s rounded review for this book came in at three and a half stars. Many of the reviews said it kept them hooked, they just wish it didn’t feel so forced. Let’s be honest, it couldn’t have made number one in Goodreads Best Books of 2011 for not being good to a lot of people. The second best book on Goodreads Best Books of 2011 is Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls # 3) by Maggie Stiefvater. Forever got raving reviews from all three sites for capturing its readers and placing them in a world of danger and romance. Isabelle and Cole may be 2011’s favorite love couple. “Forever is a fitting finale to the lovely Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater (after last year's Linger). This time, the stakes are higher than ever: while Isabel’s father plots to wipe out the wolves once and for all, Sam and Isabel search for ways to save the pack, and Cole races to find a cure for Grace. But the real centerpiece of the series is the romance--between Sam and Grace, of course, and between Cole and Isabel--and Stiefvater’s luminous, poignant writing does not disappoint. Sam and Grace steal breathtakingly sweet moments together between Grace’s unpredictable transformations, and Cole and Isabel struggle to melt each others’ icy exteriors. Readers will melt, too, and find a satisfying, but not too-perfect, ending to this bestselling saga.”-Amazon “The label "modern-day fairy tale" fits Forever even more so than the first two books – and, like all true fairy tales, the story doesn't just lead to a straight 'happily ever after.' There are risks, sacrifices, and losses. Honestly, I wouldn't have had it any other way. It makes the story all the more powerful that the end isn't wrapped and tied up with a bow. I like endings that offer readers the freedom to come to their own conclusions about the futures of the characters; those types of endings are special gifts, in a way. Forever may have closed a door for this series, by Maggie Stiefvater made sure to leave a window open for readers to glimpse the characters' futures in the comfort of their own imaginations. And that's a wonderful thing.”- Goodreads Coming in at number three, and saving the reputation of Cassandra Clare as an author, is Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices # 2). Many reviews claim the Infernal Devices series beat the Mortal Instruments by a mile. Is it the plot line, the characters, or is it simply the story? Well let’s see… “CLOCKWORK PRINCE, while having a robust plot involving attempted coups, an army of automotons, and spies, is really real about the characters. We learn tantalizing clues about what Tessa is, the reason why Jem is the only one that Will will let himself get close to, and why Will is as tormented and isolated from everyone else (and wow is it a doosey). There is a lot of heartbreak in this one...a lot...like Jane Austen a lot. Honor and devotion and self sacrifice are the dominant themes and they all play out beautifully.
I blinked and I was reading the last page, that how fast CLOCKWORK PRINCE flew by, and I wanted more. The ending is ripe with bittersweet love and loss, and I almost don't know what to hope for since no matter what happens next, it will be devastating to at least one character that I've grown to love. I'm dying for and dreading the next book in the Infernal Devices series, CLOCKWORK PRINCESS, which hits shelves on December 1st 2012. After this fantastic set up, it's now one of my top wish list titles.”-Amazon “The plot is a roller-coaster of a ride, full of twists and turns, unexpected leaps and drops. Everything was structured so well. There is no denying the fact that Cassandra Clare can write. She continues to blow me away with her mesmerizing work, her great skill at unwinding a riveting story line. I was once again impressed with the attention to detail, especially the vivid descriptions of an old London, complete with street names that are so familiar to me that I felt right at home in her Victorian world. What Cassandra Clare clearly excels at the most, is characterization. Only the most expert of writers can manage to create an engrossing tale, riddled with mystery, whilst at the same time maintaining the high levels of consistency in the personalities of the characters. And it is not just the main characters that stand out in this book; the secondary characters too leave a recognizable impression on both the reader and the story.”- Goodreads Number four on Goodreads list is Silence (Hush, Hush # 3) by Becca Fitzpatrick. I’m not going to lie, this one was one of my favorites and I am ecstatic to see it in the top five! Go Ms. Fitzpatrick! Let’s see what others think…. “I suspected when I started Silence that it would be best in the series, but I had no idea just how much I would end up loving it. The characters all seemed to have a lot more depth in this action-packed page turner - especially Nora. I enjoyed the first two books in this series but didn't love them - this one makes up for everything the first two books lacked and then some. From the moment I downloaded it on my Kindle I couldn't put it down - I just HAD to know what happened next. In my opinion this is where Becca Fitzpatrick's work really shines. I can't wait until the next book in the Hush, Hush saga is released!”-Amazon “As we begin this story where Crescendo left off, Nora has been kidnapped. When she does return, her life from May until September has been totally wiped out of her mind. I sort of liked her better that way. I wasn't sure how I felt about the book for the first 12 Chapters, but I am deeply into this story and was sure it would get better. It definitely did!... I loved the latter parts of the book and was glad that although it ended with a lot more to come, it was not a big cliffhanger like the previous book. In all honesty, I would have been happy for the series to have ended with the next to last Chapter. It was beautifully done.”-Goodreads Finally here we are at book number five Passion (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate. Another one of my favorite series! The draw between Luc and Daniel is remarkable, but you’re not here to read my opinion so what did everyone else think? Keep reading… “I absolutely loved the story once I was finished with the book. However, the book read at a very slow pace. Or rather, I had to read it at a very slow pace. I think that what has made people give this book some poor reviews is that this is a book that requires a lot of thinking and processing as you read. I think that going back to see Luce and Daniel in all their past lives was amazing. It was also very necessary to understand where they are now. Just like Luce, the reader is sort of blindly jumping through time and trying desperately to make sense of all the situations and figure a way out of them. Unlike Luce, the reader has the luxury of putting the book down and taking a rest from all the thinking!...let me just say that Lauren Kate has really created some beautiful descriptions and there were times when Daniel's anguish literally broke my heart! She also throws in some surprises along the that were fun.”-Amazon “Although I didn't really like it until the last two chapters or so, I thought the writing style was extremely good. The book did lack expectations action-wise as it was pretty borings throughout about 80% of the book. The ending was completely unpredictable and quite shocking, actually. I'm quite scared about the final book, Rapture, due to the ending. I'm scared for the characters. It was left on an 'ohshit-what-are-we-gonna-do-now?!' ending, so I'm pretty pumped to read Rapture. I thought I wasn't going to read the conclusion of the series due to Passion because it was pretty boring, but now I HAVE to read it, like, there will be no exceptions if I don't.”-Goodreads Wow, it appears there are some surprising reviews for quite a few of these books. I personally found all of these books to be intriguing and fascinating, but it appears some feel differently. I hope you all give these books a chance for the fascinating reads that they are.
January Reviews
Contemporary Romance/ Erotica To Santa With Love– Janet Dailey
Wicked Game– Mercy Celeste
To Santa with Love is a very different romance book for me There was so much tension between Jacquie and Choya that at times I wanted to scream at them, but for some reason...I loved it! I could not help but plow through this book just to see if the spirit of Christmas and love would bring them together finally. I like Janet Dailey and will be reading more of her books! (Kensington, Dec. ‘11) April
Wicked Game is a kind of book, a reader who is looking for romance, humor and fun would absolutely love! You start it with a smile on your face and it ends with that sweet smile still on your face. It's really a joy to read this book. A reader wouldn't regret reading a book that would have you suddenly laughing out loud while reading it in a coffee shop. This book is a must read for those readers who are looking for something light, sexy, easy and super sweet to read. I am looking forward to reading more of Miss Mercy Celeste's works. (Liquid Silver, Sept. ‘11) Krishna
Merry Christmas Baby: Anthology– Vickie Thompson The book opens with a short from one of my favorite Blaze series, The Last Chance Ranch. I love the theme of second chances in this series and these two definitely heat up the night with their second (and third) rounds of loving. I have loved all the Uniformly Hot books in the series. This short was touching, sweet and heartbreaking. You do not need to have read any of the series I mentioned to enjoy these shorts…I would recommend picking up this Christmas anthology and some Calgon and get taken away this Christmas! Enjoy! (Harlequin Blaze, Dec. ‘11) Karia
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy To Walk the Night– ES Moore
Shadow Heir is the epic conclusion to the Eugenie Markham series. I have long awaited this installment, but I was in a way disappointed with several aspects of the book. As always, Richelle Mead's writing sucks the reader in from sentence one. Readers will have no problem following the story, and will become engaged in the superb imagery of the Otherworld. Despite the slow beginning, readers are likely to think the book is too rushed. It seems as though it should have been two books in order to cover every aspect to the full potential. Shadow Heir is indeed the conclusion; however, the story line had less to do with the twins and Storm King's heir than to be expected. That point, overall, is my biggest complaint with the book. Yes, the story was engaging, fun, and so very Richelle, but was it an epic conclusion? No, not in my humble opinion. There are a few unresolved plot points, which readers may become irritated with. Hopefully this means she is leaving room to possibly return to the Eugenie world? Who knows. (Kensington, Dec. ‘11) Lenore
Moore presents the darker side of the vampire life, werewolves at their most primal. To Walk the Night takes place after the vampires have taken over the human world as we know it, making nightmares become reality. This book very much so deserves an A+ for effort, for it has much potential to become a fantastic series, many connections were there, just nothing done with them as of yet. It was just a tad bit too drawn out for my tastes, too slow moving in the beginning and middle, though the end does pack plenty of action readers will definitely enjoy. (Kensington, Jan. ‘12) Tiffany
Bad Blood– Kristen Painter 1/2 I think my favorite part of this book that has been developing throughout the series is one of the most unexpected things: Tatiana's growth as a character. Readers discover in the first book that there is something about her past that could make her character multi-dimensional. It is truly astonishing how far Painter has brought her character in just a few books. The House of Comarré series is defiantly one fantasy fans should pick up. Readers do not even need to just get book one. Go ahead and buy all three at once. Trust me, you do not want to have to stop long enough to go to the bookstore! will definitely enjoy. (Orbit, Dec. ‘11) Lenore His Dark Bond– Anne Marsh TOP PICK WOW! What can I say about this book...it was awesome! The Fallen Series by Anne Marsh is a totally different take on Fallen Angels. I highly recommend this book and will be reading book 1 very soon!
(Kensington, Feb. ‘12) April
One Salt Sea– Seannan McGuire TOP PICK Wow! Was the first thing that comes to mind when reading this fifth installment of the October Daye series! Emotional, action-packed, funny, and just a great story from start to finish, One Salt Sea will take readers into a world combined with reality and fantasy and have them begging for more even as the story progresses from triumph to loss, Fae to mortal, and everything in between! In the end, this book was phenomenal! It had it all: romance, humor, action, betrayal, redemption, death, life, and, of course, Fae! Fans of the series will be stunned, excited, saddened, and ultimately thrilled with the story as a whole and where this series is headed. will definitely enjoy. (DAW, Sept.. ‘11) Shannon
Instinct– JA Belfield I had a lot of difficulty deciding how to rate this one. The story was incredibly sweet which personally isn’t for me, but I can appreciate a quality book when I read one. Instinct, the prequel to Darkness and Light, has a mysterious and endearing essence to it. The slowness in the beginning didn’t detract from the story but instead added an enigmatic element. J. A. Belfield kept you enchanted with her astounding ability to illustrate the world and the characters in them. Everything she described was so vivid and tangible; it was like a painting with words. It is a rare talent to captivate a reader by the sheer potency of their words, by incorporating all 5 senses in their story. The most intriguing part is that it's told from Sean’s view point. It was fascinating reading a love story from a man’s perspective. Instinct is better suited for those with a longing for a tender and sweet paranormal romance. It is more of a classic love story then paranormal. Nonetheless; I think readers won’t be able to put this beautifully written novella down. (J Taylor, Jan.. ‘12) Kyami
January Reviews
Shadow Heir– Richelle Mead
January Reviews
Historical Romance Once A Rouge– Jayne Fresina
Sins of the Highlander– Connie Mason TOP PICK
Once A Rogue by Jayne Fresina is a good historical read most will love. I had a hard time after Lucy and John's initial encounter waiting for their love and attraction to come alive. Once Lucy and John start to connect and open up to each other the story is wonderful and reads very quickly. I have also read other books by Ms. Fresina and will continue to do so! (Lyrical, Nov.. ‘11) April
Sins of the Highlander is amazing! I love this book. I devoured this book in one sitting and will be looking forward to more by Connie Mason! series! (Sourcebooks, Jan.. ‘12) April
It Happened One Christmas– Kaitlin O’Riley It Happened One Christmas is fabulous! I love this book. This is a wonderful historical romance and I read it in one day just to see what was going to happen! I highly recommend this book and the others in the series! (Kensington, Dec.. ‘11) April
Too Wicked to Wed– Cara Elliott Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott is an exciting historical romance. It is the first in a new series Lords of Midnight and is a fabulous start. Too Wicked To Wed has what every romance reader will enjoy, romance, love, rogues, redemption, secrets, passion, intrigue and danger. A fast paced story that has irresistible temptation and an undeniable passion between two people who are strong willed, wicked and full of intrigue, Too Wicked to Wed is a must read! (Forever, Nov.. ‘11) April
The Duke is Mine– Eloisa James The Duke is Mine is a wonderfully entertaining love story between two people that bring out the best in each other. Despite the roadblocks in their way Olivia and Quin are helpless against what they feel for each other. You will breathe a sigh of relief along with them once it becomes clear there is nothing standing in the way of love. James takes bits and pieces from many well-known stories. See how many you can pick up on before you read her historical note at the end to discover if you were right. This is highly recommended to historical romance lovers, fairy tale retelling lovers, and anyone who just wants a fun witty romance. (Avon, Jan.. ‘12) Lexi
All About Seduction– Katy Madison This is my first time reading anything from this author and when I finished, I truly found that to have been a huge oversight on my part. Although I do not believe this is part of a series in and of itself, Ms. Madison has written other books focusing on the period that I have added to my list of reads and if you have never read anything by her, please give it a try. I was skeptical thinking it was going to be another one of "those" all too familiar period pieces and love stories, but I highly recommend this emotional story of unique and tender love. Very impressive. (Avon, Jan.. ‘12) Vickie
Young Adult/ Teen
Candlewax– C. Sims TOP PICK Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims is exceptional. When I first began this book I could not wrap my head around the mythical character being a giant cat. In all honesty, it through me off. I’m used to fallen angels, vampires, werewolves and the list goes on and on, but never a cat. However, as I continued reading my love for this giant cat grew more and more as did my love for the characters and then my admiration of the author. I absolutely loved this book! I loved how it was not your average "girl falls in love with vampire/werewolf/fallen angel and all is okay suddenly Candlewax is a breath of fresh air to the Young Adult/ Fantasy genre. Though there is love within the novel (with a handsome prince) it does not take up the entire story. Candlewax is absolutely amazing! (Terabyte, April. ‘12) Michelle
Butterfly Clues– Kate Ellison Butterfly Clues is a wonderful novel that lingers in your heart and mind. Butterfly Clues is a magnificent novel the forces the reader to view life from a different view. The story is told through Lo's perspective, thus the reader is entrapped within her thoughts as a person with OCD. Lo is constantly counting numbers, certain numbers are good omens, while others are bad omens. The constant counting can become annoying along with the repetition, but it is all to help the reader truly understand Lo. Ellison hooks the reader by giving them the smallest of clues and incentives, but they are intriguing enough to keep the reader glued to the story. I was entranced by the mystery surrounding a murder which linked with the murder of Oren. I could not put this book down until the mysteries where solved! This is a wonderful story and heartbreaking when you begin to really understand Lo and the events in her life. A truly enticing read! (Egmont USA, Feb. ‘12) Michelle
Every Other Day– Jennifer Lynn Barnes TOP PICK What a whirlwind of an amazing novel! I could not put this down for even a second! Barnes's writing is eloquent, imaginative and hilarious. The heartfelt emotion of the characters is so real it's tangible. Barnes manages to execute one unforeseeable plot twist after another without ever seeming overdone or obvious. My only hope is that Barnes will turn this into a new series. *Fingers crossed!* I will definitely be checking out her previous novels, as I am now a huge fan of Jennifer Lynn Barnes! (Egmont USA, Feb. ‘12) Cindy
January Reviews
Tempest– Julie Cross 1/2 This fantastical novel of teen-age time travel is a fun, well-paced and well written story. From the beginning the reader is immersed into the problems of Jackson Meyer’s time travel issues. Cross is an excellent writer. The book is paced to entice the reader to keep reading on and on. What is going to happen next? Every reader will want to know the answer to that question. Cross expertly integrates those small essential elements of what would happen with a time traveler . The novel is an interesting and fun novel for those interested in contemporary fantasy. There are strong characters, solid plot and appropriate subplots, a solid novel framework, excellent pacing, and interesting writing. Readers of this genre should have a good time. (St. Martin’s, Jan. ‘12) Lydia
Cover Art Reveal!