Nocturne Romance Reads

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Featured Reviews Look Inside 7 Titles Each Month

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Author Insight Inside Thoughts of Karen Chance

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How to Read Tips to Help Authors Get and Stay on Top

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Information and News What is eBook Piracy

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Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy The Werewolf Legend Evolves

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Technology Made Simple eReaders: What Kind Should You Buy

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Tantalizing Tales What Legends Do You Believe In

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Short Stories “Winter’s Burn”: The Faerie Courts

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Teen and Young Adult Reads Early 2011 Top Picks

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New Releases July’s Top Anticipated Titles

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Romantic Suspense An Insider Look

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Books into TV Vampire Diaries and Water for Elephants: Books vs. TV

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Erotica Reads The Eroticism of Erotica

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Hunks Calendar See the Winner and New Contestants

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

Chosen by Blood- Virna DePaul Genre: Paranormal Romance 5 Hoots Reviewed By: Brandi Steamy and Mesmerizing! Chosen by Blood will grab the audience’s attention with a well thought out plot and captivating characters. By the time the prologue was finished, I was beyond intrigued and couldn’t devour this book fast enough!

This story is not your typical boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in lust then love. With a refreshing twist to the plot, our main characters Knox and Felicia are soul mate but… Felicia stays away from Knox because he’s married to her best friend!

Due to a government vaccine for humans which removes nutrients vampires need from their blood, vampires grow weaker.

Knox ends up running the Para-Ops organization and his first case is to find a cure. Once his team is assembled, you can only guess who shows up as one of his new recruits...Felicia.

Here’s one of my favorite Knox comments to Felicia- and trust me there are many: He smiled and leaned closer, his words for her alone. “I didn't have to read your mind, love. You’re flushed and breathing hard and I can see your tight little nipples even under that starchy shirt of yours. But I won't tell if you won't."

This is a STAND OUT novel showing promise as an incredible new series!

Should’ve Been a Cowboy- Vicki Thompson Genre: Contemporary Romance 4 Hoots Reviewed by: Karia As many of you know, Harlequin Blaze books are my guilty pleasure. They fit so nicely in my purse and are great reads for football and dance practice waits. That said, I read the first three Chance books and I loved them all. Gabe and Morgan were my favorite couple, then Jack and Josie’s story was a close second (sorry Nick). So when I was given the chance to read Should’ve Been a Cowboy, I jumped on it. Alex is Josie’s brother and Tyler is Morgan’s sister…And they are drawn to each other like two magnets on the fridge.

Alex was wounded and disillusioned by love after his divorce. A change of pace and scenery was just what the Chicago-born DJ needed. While mixing music at his sister in-laws wedding, he saw Tyler from across the barn and he knew that a night with her was just what he needed. Now 10 months later, they are both back at the Last Chance Ranch. While neither is looking for love, they cannot resist the passion that burns between them.

I just loved reading how these two come together and learn about themselves and each other. Take a chance on the Sons of Chance…because the Chance men get lucky! Enjoy!

Spellbound- Cara Lynn Shultz Genre: Young Adult Paranormal 5 Hoots Reviewed by: Michelle Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz is extravagant! A wonderful story about reincarnated love and a spell destined to keep them apart. A family heirloom brings two lost lovers from the past back together in present time. However, an old ancient spell has doomed this passionate love.Spellbound is a novel I found impossible to put down. There is excellent character development and a plot that will have any reader begging for more.

Shultz has put together a wonderful story that will make readers long for a love as strong, passionate and true as Emma and Brendan's. The mystery and action within the plot will take readers breath away as they fight along with these exceptional characters.

Spellbound has certainly become one of my absolute favorites!

The First Victim- JB Lynn Genre: Romantic Suspense 5 Hoots Reviewed by: Ali I don't even know where to begin to describe The First Victim. Let me start by saying, it is awesome! I couldn't even fathom that this is Ms. Lynn's first published novel, it is that good.

I will admit I am rather picky about my mysteries. I like them to keep me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I want them to keep me guessing who the villain is, and I want them to scare me just enough that I am a little nervous turning the lights out at night expecting someone to jump out at me. And this book, this book did all of that and more.

I made the mistake of starting this book late at night after everyone was tucked into bed and the house was quiet. Thinking this would be a good time to start without all the distractions from anyone else. However, what I didn't expect was to be on the edge of my seat the first few pages in and completely engrossed in the story not wanting to put the book down because it is just that good.

Needless to say I devoured this book. Ms. Lynn creates a very real scenario and gave us a very realistic look into the mind of a killer. She beautifully orchestrates a world that is not only believable, but is something that could happen to anyone anywhere. She had my heart pounding and had me jumping at any little noise I heard. I was left guessing up until the very end at who the killer was. This is one of the best romantic suspense books I have read in a long time. I will definitely be anxiously awaiting J.B. Lynn's next masterpiece.

Blue Angel- Logan Belle Genre: Erotica 4 Hoots Reviewed by: Sarah H Blue Angel is off the charts smokin’ hot!! This story is way more than I expected. Mallory is naïve, open and unhappy. She is basically clueless to the world outside of her shell, she is willing to have adventurous intimate situations with her boyfriend and she isn’t satisfied with her career. Alec keeps pushing Mallory to bring another woman into their bed; if I were Mallory, I would feel the same way she does.

Alec is kind of a d-bag, hypocrite. I really didn’t like either of the main characters. Bette is a carefree, live and let live kind of person. She really doesn’t take too much seriously.

So I didn’t like Mallory or Alec, but I felt something for them (I’ve read books where I could care less about the main characters) – meaning the writing is so good, I was invested in the lives of characters that I didn’t like. The sensual scenes are fantastic and breathtaking. I’d never really read f/f or f/m/f, but I enjoyed and liked it. I couldn’t put this book down and read it all in one night.

This is an excellent erotic romance read!!

The Neon Graveyard- Vicki Pettersson Genre: Urban Fantasy 5 Hoots Reviewed by: Brandi You know the saying... all good things must come to an end? Well this applies to the sixth and final installment of Vicki Pettersson’s Signs of the Zodiac Series in, The Neon Graveyard.

Personally, I don’t see how she could have ended the series any better. This book is filled with emotion along with all the key elements that fans love of this series… action, romance and a fantastic story told as only Ms. Pettersson does. She’s an extremely talented writer and I look forward to what she delivers next.

Trying to stick with a "no spoilers" review, I will say, all of our questions will get answered and we’re reminded why we fell in love with Joanna Archer in the first place. She’s one of the toughest heroines that you will ever read. As far as her life is concerned, it’s been full of emotional challenges and in The Neon Graveyard, we see her determination to do whatever it takes to save her lover Hunter and kill her father.

Will Joanna get the happy ever after she so rightfully deserves?

Well, you’re just going to have to read it to find out!

I would like to thank Ms. Pettersson for giving us a wonderful and memorable urban fantasy series!

By His Majesty’s Grace- Jennifer Blake Genre: Historical Romance 3 Hoots Reviewed by: Lexi Blake wastes no time in sweeping you along in this historical romance, from the very first page her beautiful writing will grab you.

Another thing that will grab you, or leave you wishing it would, is the hero of the story. The author has written a handsome sexy man who is also incredibly tender hearted and honorable, even if it means costing him his life. Reading about him and getting to know what he stands for and values you will fall in love, no surprise that the heroine doesn’t stand a chance in keeping her heart closed off from him.

A historical romance that starts off like so many but when you start to get comfortable and think you know where the story is going there is a twist in the plot. That twist gives the book a whole new feel as you get a little murder mystery mixed in. Overall this book is a good combination that will leave you wishing for a man like Rand.

For more amazing reviews go to: http://www.nocturnereads.com

For Authors: Tips to Help You Get and Stay on Top Getting into the wonderful world of the written word is difficult at best. First, you must write the novel. Then, you have to get a publisher to buy it. Sometimes this involves an agent. Always, it involves rejection. So you finally got your manuscript accepted.

However, there are a few errors (with it being your first novel and all), and you must do edits and revisions times a thousand.

Whew! You are done! Well, not quite. So your book is written, polished, and ready to hit the shelves. Is that all that you need to do to make your book a success? What do authors who are published, famous, debut, and even those still looking for acceptance have to say about being the best writer you can be and doing the things that help you stay on top? Keep reading this article and you are sure to find out!

Authors do little things to keep their career at tip top shape. Sometimes it is behind the scenes and other times it is hands on. It takes more than simply writing a novel and selling it to a publisher to continue writing books. Many authors find writing a passion and not a job, but unfortunately you cannot get one without the other. There things you must do to make sure that your novel is known and selling.

Lori Foster states, “The single most important thing I do is, I don’t promote all the time. I love getting online and talking with readers, asking about their lives, sharing some of mine, talking about what we’ve read, what movies we’ve seen, whose kids are are doing what—and through that I’ve gained some of the most amazing contacts, friendships-- and readers.

An author who is always pushing her book will quickly become tiresome to all.” (Author of Savor the Danger)

The most simple and easy things to keep you noticed are often the ones authors, especially new authors, fail to do. Promoting your book is the number one way to make sure you continue to get to do what you love. Easy promotion is getting review sites to review a copy of your book for free. Get as many early reviews out there as you can. The more places the book appears and the more people that know about it, the more fans you will have before the book is ever released! Also, interviews, giveaways, and contests are a great way to get readers interested in the book. A balance is required, though. Don’t push your book on people. Put the news out there and then just enjoy writing and getting in touch with potential readers and fans. One way to do this is up to date blogging. The thoughts of an everyday author, as well as information on new books keeps readers feeling connected. The nicer you are, the more likable you are, the more likable the book. It is like trying to sell a series with an unlikable protagonist. It usually doesn’t sell well, right?

To back up these points, I asked several authors of series you all know and love to tell us what the most significant thing they have done to keep them at the top of readers wanted list.

Yvonne Navarro had this to say, “The thing I believe that has helped me the most, and which I pass along anytime a new writer asks me for advice, is that I read all my stuff out loud. Yes, entire novels. And I do it with feeling, like it's actually happening. This is what enables me to find all the stuff that's off, from misspelled words to sentences that go on for far too long-- if I can't breathe by the time I get to the end, I really have to consider if the reader can keep track of all the stuff I crammed in there. Is it going to take you awhile to read? Probably. Is it going to be worth it? Definitely.” (Author of The Dark Redemption series) Jennifer Estep also participated. She believes that “

Erica O’Rourke tells writers, “One of my most important tricks is to reward myself. Sometimes it's small: if I'm having trouble with a scene, I often promise to reward myself with a cookie or a phone call to a friend. Hitting my page count means I can celebrate by watching TV that night. The bigger the task, the bigger the reward -- meeting a deadline means we get to go out for sushi; turning in a book usually means I get to buy myself a DVD and watch it all at once. Nothing earth-shatteringly big or expensive, but indulgent nevertheless. It works for two reasons. One, it allows me to break big odious tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Two, I am easily bribed, especially when cookies are involved. I will be the first to admit it's not a sophisticated system, but what it lacks in finesse, it makes up for in results. (Author of Torn) Sarah Morgan wants authors to, “Learn how to pick yourself up. Develop resilience, because having a successful career means writing through the lows as well as the highs.” (Author of many Harlequin Presents books)

Werewolves Unleashed How have they changed and why?

Ten years ago when the word werewolf was mentioned, usually Lon Cheney’s Wolfman would come to mind or maybe Michael J. Fox as Teenwolf. Even J.K. Rowling envisioned a wolfman for Professor Lupin in Harry Potter. Werewolves weren’t really considered related to the realm of romance and “Happily Ever Afters”. Things certainly have changed between now and then.

The whole paranormal romance genre has changed and evolved the way werewolves are portrayed in modern film and literature.

Werewolves don’t just take on the form of a wolfman as early film and books have led society to believe. They can change into a real looking wolf. Some werewolves can take on both forms, the beast and the animal. Sometimes the wolf is normal sized and others, it’s as big as a Hummer. Women are now werewolves as well, not something commonly seen in the past.

The actual changing into a werewolf varies as well. Often it is a drawn out painful process, with cracking bones and tearing flesh.

Other times, the change is instantaneous and can happen in the blink of an eye. The change can also shred the clothing the werewolf is wearing at the time and when they transform back into human form they’re naked as a jaybird, or by some incredible magic mojo thing going on, their clothing vanishes and reappears along with their skin.

The way werewolves become werewolves has evolved as well. Werewolves aren’t just bitten anymore either. Some wolves are born that way and some change after meeting their soul mate. Some transform when the need arises to protect their culture.

Sometimes it doesn’t even take a werewolf bite, just a scratch maybe. In other cases, lycanthropy is thought of as a virus.

Werewolves, in some stories, live as long as normal humans do. In others, they live as long as vampires.

Daily life for werewolves has changed in various ways as well. Werewolves live in packs and have a social order to life. There are Alphas and Betas. Soul mates and offspring. Elders and Pack leaders. It’s not uncommon for werewolves to have a Tri-mate relationship in many paranormal erotica books. Frequently in modern stories, they live in the middle of nowhere on a compound; in others, the werewolves live in the city and try to blend in to society. Werewolves now also have telepathic abilities and/or other psychic powers.

There have been many changes in the mysticism of the werewolf, but the one thing that has changed the most within the species is that they are fierce protectors and passionate lovers. They’d do anything and everything to protect what they consider theirs. Werewolves as vile, destructive beasts aren’t a common element in modern adult literature and film like they used to be. Werewolves nowadays are romantic, fierce, sexy beings that bring shivers of delight instead of fear.

The paranormal romance genre has forever changed the world’s outlook on werewolves. With stories like Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga and with authors like Lauren Dane, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kelley Armstrong, Annette Curtis Klause and Patricia Briggs, werewolves will forever be deeply imbedded into the world of romance and “happily ever afters”.

What Legends Do You Believe In? Admit it. We all believe in some type of legend. The question is, whether the legend we believe in is actually real or not. In this Dark Secluded little corner, I will look into every legend that I can think of, find out where it originated. Everything has at least a little dose of the truth in it. Just how much is the question.

First let’s talk about why it is that we believe in them in the first place. We grow up believing in legends, only while we are children, they are called fairytales instead. How many of us came up believing in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, Cinderella, Snow White, knights in shining armor? Don't sit there and act as though you didn't. If you didn't, or least a very hefty portion of our fine country didn't, I don't think the royal wedding that just took place would have had as many viewers as it did. 22.8 million viewers and 18.6 million households. A small part inside of most of us still believes. I don't think people gathered around their television sets, computers and iPads just to see what Kate's dress looked like, but to see with their own eyes that sometimes those fairytales do come true. Because normal, ordinary, just-like-you-and-me, Kate, found her very real Prince Charming.

Even the boys, and the confused little tomboys like me, had legends they grew up believing in too, though these were called heroes. Don’t play shy like you don’t know the ones I’m talking about: Superman, Batman, The Green Lantern. Are those not legends? I do believe they are.

Then came our almighty teenage years, where we began to believe different types of legends. We began to discover vampires, witches, aliens, zombies, urban legends, magic, heroes, mutants…… Some of those are very real, just not in the way we believed them to be. Some are just good ole fashion make believe. Some are like the old gossip game we used to play, starting out very simple but morphed into some outrageous by the time the version of events comes to your ears. The question is which is which?

Am I the world’s greatest expert with a million degrees? No. I won’t even pretend to be. Will I do my very best to uncover every fact I can find, whether it be via internet, all of the books that I read, (yes I do read more than fiction!) or via word of mouth? Yes, I will. Do I plan on having some fun with this little corner? Why the hell not?!

I plan on picking apart and dissecting every legend I can possibly think of, but in a good way. I want to find out where it is all of these legends started. How much of each legend is actually true? Not to mention which author depicts that legend in his/her fictional work.

Please feel free to send in any request on which legend you would like to learn more about.(magazine@nocturnereads.com) I am ALWAYS open to suggestions. That said………ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Vampoholic T.A. Moorman

Top YA Picks!

Are you up-to-date on your young adult reading? Here are a few books that you may have missed in the past few months or are new for the summer. Take a look!

Krystal’s Picks: Timeless: Alexandra Monir I'll admit, the first thing that drew me to this book was the face of a beautiful girl looking wonderingly from the cover. However, what drew me into this book isn't the pretty cover. The description on the inside of the book is really intriguing and gives just enough information for the unassuming reader to buy the book or check it out from the local library.

Michele Windsor, the protagonist of the novel, loses her mother in an alcohol-related driving incident.

Devastated, she is sent to live with her ridiculously wealthy grandparents who had previously "disowned" her mother. Her mother was, in part, disowned because of Michele; when she was young her mother fell in love with a mysterious young man by the name of Henry Irving. As Henry was not especially rich or famous, the Windsors disapproved. In order to marry her first love, Michele's mother runs away with Henry Irving only to be seemingly abandoned by him before Michele's birth. Michele and her mom live alone with only each other for company.

Unable to get comfortable in her new extravagant home and unwelcoming school, Michele looks through boxes brought from her California home and finds an interesting key. When the key draws her to a lock containing an ancestor’s diary, Michele is miraculously transported back to 1910. There she meets her ethereal ancestor Clara, as well as her love interest, Philip. Can a relationship survive the gap of time?

I liked this book from the start, the writing is descriptive, but not to the point of annoyance, the main character's feelings and anxieties are tangible throughout the novel, and the reader gets a sense of the pervading atmosphere. This book is great for readers who enjoy fantasy/magic, romance, and intrigue. I was so happy to reach the end of the book and find a "To Be Continued".

Rage: Jackie Morse Kessler Who would have ever thought that a book about self-harm and the four riders of the apocalypse could be a good idea? This book was not just good, it was terrific.

The characters and their qualities really pull the novel together. The main character, Missy, will engender pity in the reader, yet one will never be quite sure whether or not to like her. The supporting characters were perfect fits in the novel, from charismatic death to Missy's mean sister. The plot is outstanding. Missy is a self-harming teenager who is constantly at war with herself becoming War and a rider of the apocalypse.

Death is show-cased as a bit of a savior, preventing Missy from dying to give her a chance to make peace with herself and become a Horseman. The evil, cruel classmates set the scene for Missy's anger and hatred, emotions the reader may actually approve of in this situation. The author has managed to allow the reader to better understand the emotions and/or actions behind cutting, even though the concept will remain foreign to the majority of us. This book is terrific and will be enjoyed by teens/young adults/adults.

Waterfall: Lisa Tawn Bergren I finally got my hands on this after waiting on a library hold! The cover looks really cool with a pretty girl looking to the side in anticipation and a door with bright light on the bottom half. I already knew I liked this author's way of writing.

The main character, Gabi, is bored with her mother's archaeology job dragging her to remote places with nothing to do and no boys in sight. She enters her mother's excavation site with her sister in tow and is pulled into a completely different world of medieval Italy. When she arrives in this strange world, her sister is not there, and she hears the clangs of a sword fight outside her cave. Unsure of where she is, she wanders from the cave and is taken back to the Forelli keep by a handsome Marcello, the castle's "lord" due to his older brother's affliction. Marcello is handsome, courteous, regal, and caring; he becomes Gabi's love interest in the book, despite the fact that he already is engaged to Lady Rossi, a powerful daughter of one of the Nine (most powerful families of that time). Gabi is impulsive, defensive, and protective of her family (desperate to find them). And throughout the novel, she makes a great character with her mishaps, and her imperfections mold her into a sympathetic, dynamic person the reader comes to know and love.

The other characters really help to set the scene and allow the reader to truly get the flavor of the book. Will Gabi find her sister?

Will Marcello cancel his engagement and pursue Gabi? Will castle Forelli remain safe? The ending is satisfying, but leaves the reader on an unfortunate cliff-hanger as there will be a second book, Cascade, to this series.

I enjoyed the novel, read it in two days easily. The main characters are fun and spunky; the reader will feel as if he/she knows them well at the end of the novel. The language utilized for fourteenth-century Italy is amazing and must be well-researched on the part of the author. I would recommend this novel to young adult/teen females who enjoy books about medieval love, action, and intrigue.

Michelle’s Picks: Prism: Faye and Aliza Kellerman Prism is an outstanding novel! The main character is a spunky girl with purple hair that goes by the name of Kaida Hutchinson. Her story starts out with life as an everyday and ordinary teenage girl. However, life quickly changes when she and two other kids are forced together on a field trip. After a fiery accident they find themselves stranded in a different and strange world. I absolutely cannot explain how epic Prism is!

Aliza incorporates a little bit of everything in her debut novel! She creats a plot in which I have never read before and creates characters that are easy to relate to but unlike any character I have read about before.

Prism incorporates a wide variety of genres to satisfy any preference. Prism ranges from Paranormal to Sci-Fi to Young Adult and Romance. This novel is action packed and full of exciting twists and mystery! I have to say, in my personal experience, I am use to figuring out plot lines and character development long before anything is reveled. Prism, however, kept my mind reeling for answers all the way up to the last page. I could not figure out what was really happening and I loved it! Prism is most defiantly one of my favorites!

Torment: Lauren Kate Torment takes Luce to a new academy that fills her confused mind with more worries and questions. Here at this peculiar academy she discovers the blurred lines between good and evil and a way to find the answers she longs for. Despite the danger that lurks in the shadows, she decides to chance it and possibly lose everything: Daniel, her friends, family, and possibly her life. Kate was not fooling when she titled this entrancing novel Torment. Readers will the feel the pull that holds Luce’s heart in a bind as she decides which way to fall. I know my heart broke for Luce and the struggles she faces throughout this novel; however, after reading this I gained a new respect for Luce. She is a strong character with the ability to make up her own mind. Luce is an inspiration to all women. I loved getting to know this side of her and her determination to take on unknown forces and discover the truth about her and Daniel. By the way, the third book Passion just arrived in stores July 14th so if you haven’t read Fallen or Torment you should!

Halo: Alexandra Adornette Halo by Alexandra Adornette is an excellent read for those trying to bridge the gap between Vampires and Fallen Angels. There are a lot of Vampire Romance novels and series out there, but from Vampires came the era of Fallen Angels. Halo is a charming story about three Angels who have been sent to earth to help rid a town form evil. However, there simple task turns dangerous as the youngest angel, Bethany (and our heroine), falls in love with a mortal. In her attempt to be with him she has tilted the scale that separates the mortal from the immortal. Now Bethany must face a dark opponent, fight off dark forces, and try to protect her virtue as her heart is claimed by a mortal boy. Halo is a novel that will have your heart fluttering all over the place. Bethany’s love interest is defiantly a girls dream come true, however, there’s another guy; a dark and mysterious guy that you just can’t help but fall for. Halo’s plot is a little shaky, the emphasis is mostly on the romance, but who doesn’t want a good story about true, yet forbidden love? The character development

of Bethany is excellent; however the other characters need a little work. Throughout the story readers will watch her grow into a powerful, brave, and independent minded girl. She is an excellent role model. Adornette’s next book, Hades, comes out in August.

Hopefully Adornette will expand the plotline and give us more insight to Bethany’s partners Gabriel and Ivy. I fell in love with this book and the characters. Like I said before Halo is excellent for those who want to cuddle up and fall in love Alright guys, tired of all the Romany girly stuff? Well I have a couple action packed books for you! Or ladies if you’re like me and sometimes just want to sit down with a good Sci-Fi, then please read on…

Invasion: Jon S. Lewis Invasion by Jon C. Lewis is an action packed Sci-Fi that mixes aliens, WWII, and comic books all together. Pretty awesome right? I completely agree. Invasion follows a young man named Colt whose entire life changes when his parents die in a freak accident. He is then sent to live with his grandpa were he discovers untold secrets and finds his true calling, no matter how deadly it may be. Colt is an incredible character! As readers we see Colt transform from a broken and vulnerable boy to the type of hero this incredible novel needs. Invasion is Sci-fi in its truest form. It is full mystery and excitement. Lewis creates an epic plot line with well developed characters. Throughout Invasion, Lewis lets his imagination flow. I have stayed up many nights after reading this wondering “what if that could/did happen.” This book is full of surprises and loop holes that had me completely entranced even after I read the last page!

The Scorch Trials: James Dashner The Scorch Trials by James Dashner is a futuristic novel of sheer awesomeness! This book is the second book in Dashner’s tantalizing trilogy. We follow Thomas and his friends out of the maze and right into a disease infested world. It seems the Flare has affected everyone and everything. Thomas is forced to take leadership, ensure everyone’s safety, avoid the Flare infected survivors and fight off WICKED once again.

The Maze Runner Trilogy is one of my absolute favorite series! Dashner has a terrifying and creative mind.

He creates a familiar world that helps to put the reader right into the action. By having this rare talent Dashner is able to create a story that will entrance and scare the reader’s socks off (I know mine were many times).The plot line is absolutely sheer brilliance! The Scorch Trials captures reader’s minds and imaginations. I cannot possibly explain how awesome this book is! The plot has so many dimensions; however, you never lose track of the main goal: escape WICKED for good. The character development is absolutely superb! Usually there are just a few characters that have been well defined. In The Scorch Trials there is a whole slew of well developed characters. The Scorch Trials is a well written novel with plenty of action and terrifying loop holes. A must read!

Well, it seems we have come to our conclusion of the Best Books to Read in July. I know I’m pretty upset too. We hope that you will get a chance to read them all, or at least found a few that has intrigued your interest. Happy reading!

Romantic Suspense: An Inside Look What is Romantic Suspense? I am an avid reader of all book genres, but romantic suspense has me coming back time and again. For me, a great romance is a must; the mystery which needs to be both believable and plausible is second.

Most books in this genre set up the lead characters and their situation quickly to ensure that they spent some serious quality time together. They may not fall in love at first sight, but they do stop and take notice of each other. The alpha males, be they police officers, security specialists or SEALs, take their role of protector/rescuer seriously.

The balance between romance and suspense/mystery sets the overall tone and flow of the story. Some books are grittier and street wise in nature, while others inject humor and light hearted subject matter that appeals to a wider audience. Not all readers wish to read the gruesome aspects of the murder scene just pages before a love scene. This point was true for me when reading Heather Graham’s Deadly Harvest (Flynn Brothers series). The descriptions of the body found in the field were horrific. Graham detailed the shock Rowenna felt at finding the body, but did not rush her love scenes with lead police investigator Jeremy. To have done so would not have been realistic. On the other hand, Janet Evanovich is a master of injecting humor at every twist and turn of her stories through shoot outs, kidnappings, discovering dead bodies and even attending funeral services. The Plum series stories are witty, fast paced and ridiculous…and that is their charm.

The players generally fall into three main categories: Heroes, Villains and Victims. While standard stories have the lead male as the hero, I personally love when the villain becomes our hero. There is no better example that I can think of than Linda Howard’s Death Angel. As an assassin sent in to kill Drea, the hardened killer Simon is a most unlikely hero. The story works so well because Drea needs rescuing from her murderous ex and the murderer he hired.

Many romantic suspense series use a recurring or common villain(s) and each contribution leads towards their final demise. Two of my favorite series use this technique to connect their books: Shannon McKenna’s McCloud Brothers and Lora Leigh’s Nauti series. In the McCloud Brothers series, the hunt for the villain leads many of the heroes to their happily ever after, while in the Nauti series, the search for the common villain draws in more heroes as back-up support during the final take down.

The victims are the real wild cards in this genre. While some of the women are gritty, hardened cops who find themselves in dangerous situations, others are demure, plain or normal looking woman dropped into extraordinary situations. My favorite heroine of all time is Tamra from Shannon McKenna’s McCloud series (her story is in Ultimate Weapon). She is beautiful, tough, tragic and deadly. She doesn’t sit back and wait for a man to rescue her and her family; she makes it happen. On the flipside, Molly from Lori Foster’s book When You Dare is a plain woman thrust into a completely foreign setting. Her personality and fortitude are the key attractors to her alpha male hero.

A dominant female lead is not typical of this genre. Generally, the men have militaristic stealth and skill, tall muscular builds that scare men and enrapture women, and unlimited time and money to save the day. Typically, the dominant women archetypes are reserved for the rare case when the villain is female. One of the most deadly women villains was Mrs. Diego Fuentes from Lora Leigh’s Tempting SEALs series. She was not only a lying, evil, sadistic bitch, but she was able to taint so many others with her poison throughout the series. No matter whom the villain, the reader knows that the mystery will be resolved, if not solved. The hero will save the victim and the hero’s sheer presence will keep the victim safe from harm. And, most importantly, the happily ever after is guaranteed.

Romantic Suspense Books to Look for This Summer

The Vampire Diaries CW Television Series based on the novels

By LJ Smith The Vampire Diaries trilogy hit book shelves in 1991. LJ Smith gave audiences a unique twist in the young adult genre with a storyline of a teenage girl, Elena, who falls in love with the beautiful and sincere vampire, Stefan. Doesn’t this sound predictable? Except, Smith threw a creative catch to the story with Damon, Stefan’s brother and vampire. Damon is the type of character that steals every scene with his bad boy personality that gets him into more troubling situations than his calm and collected brother. The hook line to the plot is Damon’s love for Elena. The love triangle between these three main characters makes for an entertaining read. With readers’ interest piqued with wanting the answer to the unbearable question of who Elena will choose, this series is still progressing as Smith just released her seventh novel to the series in March 2011.

In 2009, the CW Network debuted The Vampire Diaries to its viewers and received an overwhelming response. With the world on a “vampire craze: since the Twilight phenomenon, it grabbed the audiences’ attention with the series fast paced episodes. Even if you are not a fan of the fang, The Vampire Diaries has the perfect blend of suspense and romance. The writers of this show do a stellar job of delivering nonstop turmoil week after week that only leaves the audience begging for more. The actors who have been cast to play the three main characters are Nina Dobrey (Elena), Paul Wesley (Stefan), and Ian Somerhalder (Damon). They go beyond all expectations as they bring their characters to life. And let’s face it… They are beautiful! Same can be said for the supporting cast; they play their characters to perfection and get enough air time that viewers have grown fond of them as well!

Comparing the books to the TV show is like comparing apples to oranges. The books have a foreseeable plot and move at a slower pace that appeals to a younger audience. As for the TV series, it is unpredictable with an erratic pace that appeals to an audience of all ages! For those of you who have read this series and watch the show, you might agree that you’re clueless as to what direction the show is headed; the storylines are no where near comparison.

Water for Elephants A FOX 2000 Pictures and Flashpoint Entertainment production based on the novel by Sara Gruen In 2007, Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants made quite the splash in the literary world. With ratings through the roof, readers became curious and most of them found this book lived up to the hype. When reading the summary, many thought, “Could this be the next Notebook?” Well, I will let you fill in the answer.

Water for Elephants is the story about Jacob, who is in his nineties and living in a nursing home. he shares his experience of joining the circus after suffering the loss of his parents. As he works for Benzini Brothers, he ends up falling in love with one of the shows stars, Marlena, the wife of the sadistic animal trainer, August.

Ms. Gruen does a fascinating job of placing the reader in the Depression Era, and her terminology of the circus shows she did her research. She tells a story that is memorable with its romance, mystery, and cast of characters (especially the four legged kind). The book goes at a steady pace form the beginning until the end and the flashbacks are very easy for the reader to follow.

In 2011, Water for Elephants hi the big screen and had fans of the book out at the theaters. Readers were curious to see how it would live up to the book; the non- readers curious over the story and cast. Obviously the developers did something right! Water for Elephants (according to Yahoo!) made over $55,000,000 and is still showing as some theatres. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 6.1 out of 10.

Overall critics gave it a B- rating (Yahoo!) and fans loved it.

America’s current heart throb, Rob Pattinson was casted to play Jacob, and America’s sweetheart, Reece Witherspoon, played Marlena. The chemistry between these two is strong, and they did a wonderful job of brining the characters to life.

When comparing the book to the movie, I feel they are almost even. The book was more emotional and gave a more completed story. As for the movie, some of the scenes from the book were absent, but the pivotal moments did transpire.

VS

VS

Which do you prefer? Go to:

http://www.nocturnereads.com and vote now!

The Eroticism of Erotica Why all the hype?

When asked what topics I might like to write about for this and future issues of Nocturne Romance Reads, it did not take me long to put together a list. I find the world of erotic literature to be not only well, erotic, but a really darn good read! I’m not alone either.

In the declining economy and publishers struggling because of low sales, erotica publishers and book sellers are enjoying a word a lot of Americans haven’t heard in a long time -- profits. Gone are the days of underground “sexy” books like Lady Chatterly’s Lover. It’s all out in the open now. You can have the latest on your e-reader or computer in a matter of seconds.

I have a confession to make to you. I read erotica. I do. I’ve read enough books to consider myself somewhat dangerous. I am however, still a novice. If you are willing, I’d like to take you into the world of erotica with me. As I learn things, so will you.

Please come with me on this journey. We can learn and discover together.

I review erotic (and other genre) books for NRR . I am finding these books to be really very entertaining and surprisingly well written. I am now proud to be an e-book toting erotica carrier. When I see someone in the doctor’s office reading on their ereader, I am very suspicious about what they are reading. I can’t see the cover, but I know what I have on my e-reader and I’d be willing to wager that they have some of the same stuff. All one needs to do is look around at some of the conversations going on at Goodreads to know that I am not the know it all I may think I am. One member group has an extensive categorized and crosscategorized bookshelf that contains many (150 and more) different categories. There is an entire thread dedicated to the lingo: BDSM, SM, con and non-con (con meaning “consent”, did you know that?) and well, let me just say that there’s a lot out there to get to know.

I set out to do some interviews with readers about erotica and what they like and why they like it. I am fortunate to have resources like the members on Goodreads to go to. I asked various members from different groups a set of basic questions. Everyone from male to female, straight or gay, young and old answered. Our first lesson together starts with their answers.

The first question posed was: Do you, as a reader of erotica, prefer more of a storyline with the sex scenes or vice-versa? The overwhelming response was that most prefer more of a story line. It appears that this is mainly a female point of view. Men tend to be more visual than visceral and my research on Goodreads includes gay men in this group as well. Readers that are using erotica as a direct sexual aid vs. just something to add spice to the marriage bedroom will tell you that “erotica is best served short and to the point.” I have found in my own personal experience with erotica that many authors try to do just that by keeping their stories short, usually under 60 pages, and the good ones will pack a good story while having excellent steamy sex scenes in them as well.

What is considered erotica? A steamy romance novel? Or is erotica a nice word for porn? I’d hate to have the FBI come in and search my hard drive and pull out all my erotica novels and label them porn after all. This can be a sincerely taxing question too if you are organizing your shelves on Goodreads. You don’t want a Nora Roberts book on the same shelf as say, “The Burning Thong.” The best definition I saw of erotica is this: Erotica is where the plot is focused on a sexual issue. A romance involves people trying to establish a relationship.” An erotic romance or “romantica” as some like to call it, is the combination of both.

Porn then, would be just flat out sex. So you can wipe your brows in relief right? I’ll notify the FBI of my findings immediately so they can set their records straight.

Next, I asked readers how they found their erotica to read. Overwhelmingly (and pay attention authors), readers will buy books based on reviews or recommendations from other readers. That’s why sites such as Nocturne Romance Reads are so important to readers. The review/recommendation is there for many popular releases in not only the erotica genre, but other genres as well.

There is a huge world of book bloggers and Goodreads of course, allowing anyone to post reviews and recommendations. The

more books that are out there with reviews attached, the more likely the book will sell. So reviewers, take note to be timely and honest with your reviews. It helps readers and it should help authors as well.

My next question was a little more startling. There is a large following of straight heterosexual women who love m/m (male on male) romance. There doesn’t seem to be as big of a following for f/f (female on female) for some reason. I don’t have any research to back up my claims when I say this but, I believe the reason for that is fairly simple: Heterosexual women are attracted to men. Gay men are attracted to men. So most readers (female readers outnumber male readers) are sexually attracted to the same thing. If heterosexual women are fantasizing about the male physique making love, does it really matter that an actual female might not be involved? I will admit that I myself have not yet read any m/m stories yet, but I have them on hand and ready to read. My favorite erotica author writes them and I would purchase anything she writes. Plus, if a friend who knows my tastes were to recommend one, I’d probably purchase it. I have interviews though from straight men who also like m/m erotica. That could be a whole other story, and one I didn’t dig deeply into but perhaps the excitement is just imagining two people in the act.

So in this erotica world, are their taboos? Subjects that most people will not cross over into? Yes, thankfully. Most everyone that responded to my questions replied that children were off limits. Most everyone also responded that bestiality held no interest.

Those seemed to be the two no-nos that most people did not care to read about. Everything else, including things like incest (some forms) and rape are lines that are okay to be crossed if done in certain ways and with certain people. After all, in fantasies, what woman doesn’t like the decision making process taken away from them by a strong sexual presence? My interviews indicate that a lot depends on the author. A really good, favorite author can write any sort of sex scene and make it something that their fans would go for. It’s a style. It’s a fantasy, not a reality and that is the important thing to remember. Readers must use their imaginations as they read. They are used to it. Why not apply it to their fantasies?

If you haven’t read an erotic novel lately, perhaps you should give it a try. Many people I interviewed have stated that it really spices up their bedroom lives. If this is a safe outlet for people to play out their healthy sexual fantasies, is there anything wrong with it? I’ve been married over 30 years, there’s not a lot that we haven’t seen. If my imagination sparks and makes me feel sexy in the bedroom, my husband is not going to complain. It’s a win-win situation.

In the coming issues, I hope to be able to share many different things about reading erotica. I am lining up some author interviews already to ask them about writing this stuff. I hope to be able to learn more from “experienced” readers and to share their thoughts, as well as my own, with you. Plus of course, I hope to talk about new books and new authors and help both you and I to traverse the erotica reading scene just a little bit more in the know.

--- Kelly Lester

And the Winner for June is‌

As Hunter from Laura Adrian’s Deeper Than Midnight!

Vote for the July Hunk now!

Featuring Lend from Supernaturally by Kiersten White!

NRR: Can you share with us when you knew you wanted to become a writer?

Karen: I think always. I’ve written something at pretty much every period in my life. I wrote my first novel, if you can call it that−I’m not sure it deserves the title- when I was in my early twenties. But at the time, I was in college and working a full-time job to stay there, and my free time each week could be counted in minutes. I used to joke that I had to schedule time to do the laundry, but it wasn’t that far from the truth! So, bad as the book was, I was proud of having finished it at all. But at that point, there was simply no opportunity to work on getting any better. That had to wait until I finished my studies.

NRR: What was the most challenging part of writing Hunt the Moon?

Karen: I think fitting in everything that needed to be there and still making it a fun read. Hunt the Moon is a pivotal book in the series and it contains a lot of information, both about the characters and about the overarching plot of the series. But I didn’t want it to read like it. Character development and plot exposition are great, but they need to be done in conjunction with the crazier/ funnier aspects of the book or they can get a little overwhelming. I think the trickiest part of Hunt the Moon for me was finding that balance.

NRR; How were you inspired to write Cassie’s character: Karen: I suppose reading a lot of other urban fantasy and wondering why there wasn’t a character like that. I wanted to write something different and no one was doing anything with seers. Plus Cassie had to be the way she is for the plot of the series to work. All of the characters are really there for plot-related reasons.

NRR: What is your guilty pleasure?

Karen: World of Warcraft. Yes, I am that much of a geek. I have a level 80 undead warrior I am dying to try out in Cataclysm- the newest release- but haven’t had the time. WOW, for those not on the crack yet, is one of the internet’s biggest time sinks, and these days, I am being forced to go cold turkey due to RL concerns. But I will be back! Oh, yes.

And the Alliance shall tremble.

NRR: Readers enjoy following the adventures of Cassie’s life. Is there one scene out of all your novels that is your favorite?

Karen: That’s like asking a parent which of their kids they prefer! But if I had to choose, I’d probably say the scenes in Hunt the Moon when Cassie and Pritkin are discussion what happened to his wife. I had wanted to write those for a while, but didn’t have a good plot- related reason. But they were needed in this book, and I was really happy how they came out.

NRR: I’m sure you are asked this question repeatedly. Which male lead do you find better suited for Cassie? Mircea or Pritkin? (It is a tie for me!)

Karen: Hmm, I’m not sure how to answer that. They are both complex characters who have their good points and their not-so-good points. And both of them interact with Cassie in very different ways. She brings out different things in each man, and they in her, so each of the relationships is unique. Comparing them is like apples and oranges; it doesn’t’ really work.

NRR: Can you share the storyline to Hunt the Moon?

Karen: Because this book is so full of answers, I can’t say much about the plot without also giving spoilers. But I can say that I think Hunt the Moon does for the series’ of character development what Curse the Dawn did for its world building. You don’t learn all of everyone’s secrets (or there’d be no need for more books!) but you do get the pivotal moment in each of the three main characters’ pasts that made them the way they are today.

NRR: What can fans expect to see from you soon?

Karen: I am currently working on the next Dorina Basarab novel and, of course, the next Cassie. There is also a Dory short story in the anthology Chicks Kick Ass, June 7, the same as Hunt the Moon.

Now for some art!

All art taken from and can also be found via Karen’s website

Cassie and Billy: Cassie is the lead character in the five novels. She is gifted with many powers, including the ability to see and interact with ghosts. Billy has been with her for years, and is a close ghost companion (no matter how irritating he can be!).

Mircea Basarab: Mircea is a powerful master vampire and member of the Vampire Senate. He met Cassie when she was just a child. Enthralled by the young girl, romantic interests develop between Cassie and Mircea. However, with all the power players looking to control Cassie and her power, she is put in a precarious position where Mircea is concerned. Mircea also appears in Karen Chance’s new and growing series Dory Basarb.

John Pritkin: Once a war mage who specialized in demons, Prtikin is now commanded by his bosses to kill the upcoming Pythia, a powerful seer not under their control. Easy right? Now Pritkin is a former war mage and Cassie’s present body guard. No money for his trouble, and he must stick out his neck on a regular basis. Demon hunting was far simpler.

Francoise: Francoise was transported to the twenty first century through some unforeseen events. She has her beauty and her magic but little else. In many of the Cassie novels, Francoise is a side character.

Kit Marlowe: Marlowe’s character crosses over between the Cassie and Dorina novels.

He is head of the Vampire Senate’s spy network. Marlowe also is featured in many short stories by Karen Chance.

Dorina Barsarb: Dory is a dhampir, a cross between a vampire and a mortal. She has her own series of novels. She is a mercenary for the supernatural community.

Unfortunately, her current employer happens to be her estranged father, Mircea Barasarb, a member of the Vampire Senate. Her jobs for the senate have brought her closer to many new vampires and closer to one in particular, Louis- Cesare. When they are together, both seem to forget who they are, much less that they are sworn enemies.

Louis Cesare: A master vampire with a complicated past, Louis- Cesare’s present is becoming quite complicated. He is learning to come to terms with his status, but the boss’s daughter hanging around sure isn’t helping him reduce his issues. LouisCesare was warned to stay away from her; however, he has never been very good at following orders…

Short Stories by Karen Chance All short stories written by Karen Chance. Everything taken from karenchance.com

The Gauntlet, a short story featuring Kit Marlowe: Available Here

Shadowland, a short story featuring John Pritkin. For more information visit Karen’s Website.

Masks, a short story featuring Mircea Barsarb. For more information visit Karen’s Website.

What is eBook Piracy?

Have you ever shared or borrowed a great book from a friend and then returned it, or have you ever given a book away? When you buy an e-book on-line and then share it with your friends did you know it was piracy?

created. However, if you go to a copy machine, and photocopy your paperback to give or sell to your friends, you are breaking the law.

So what's the difference between a pirated book and a group of friends not buying it and just passing it around? It's a matter of law: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Under copyright, an author has the exclusive right to control the reproduction (copying) and distribution of his or her work. It is legal to share or sell a paperback book with anyone because the physical paperback changes hands. If your friend has it, you do not have it as well. You might get it back, but it does not exist in two places at the same time, no unpaid-for copy of the book you bought is

More on eBook Piracy With an eBook, you purchase a license to read the work on your own equipment but you do not purchase the copyright.

By emailing an eBook to someone else, you become a Reproducer (because you make copies) and a Distributor. Same thing goes if you upload it to a storage site and then upload the URL to a "sharing" site.

You still have the copy you paid for on your hard drive, and on your desktop, and in your automated backup... it is also in your ISP “Send” file, and it is in the “In Box” of whomever you sent it to. Under current copyright law, the right an author has to control reproduction and distribution (and the performance) of his or her work overrides other’s rights and doctrines such as First Sale, which is A legal principle that limits an Authors right to control content after it has been sold for the first time. Fair Use (A legal term for uses of content that are considered valid defenses to copyright infringement, such as for criticism or educational purposes) almost always applies only to excerpts, never to a whole work. A test of

whether a use is fair or not is the effect that the proposed “fair use” would have on the author's ability to sell legal copies of the original work.

The Kindle and Nook eco-systems and the iPhone App Store are great for fighting piracy as well as making it convenient to find and buy books. They track every book, and every copy of every book. In doing this they make piracy harder because you leave a permanent trail. Kindle and Nook also offer an option to lend your eBooks out to other same system users. The recipient will be able to access the e-book for 14 days, and the original owner will be unable to access it for that same period. These leading eReader devises, as well as others, are able to do this through DRM (Digital Rights Management) files. This controls access to copyrighted material using technological means. There are also websites such as EbookSecurity.com which helps eBook Authors protect their work. All the writer has to do is submit their locked PDF or EXE files and the websites Virtual Vault will help protect the eBooks.

What happens to Piracy as eBooks become more popular? If e-reader stores, the iPhone and other closed or mostly closed systems win out; piracy becomes a small manageable problem. But if the Internet starts becoming the big eBooks channel we have a huge problem on our hands. The main reason

people go to websites, such as latestdownloads.net, looking for free eBooks is because it is too expensive to pay for a copy. So is there a solution? YES! You can legally share files with Nook and Kindle, check out libraries, publishers, and authors. Some libraries legally lend eBooks for free. There are also monthly fee libraries such as bookswim.com and even local libraries (depending on your location) where you can pay a small fee every month to read as many books as you want, including new and popular releases. Check out some publishers that legally give away free reads.

Also a great option is the authors themselves. Authors will have larger sales of new books the more their old books circulate so a lot of authors will give away free copies of their previously published works.

It only takes a few minutes to check out legal options to get free eBooks, but let’s say you just want stuff for free without really caring if its legal. What happens to an editor when 50% of the book’s profits are eaten by piracy? What happens to the author? We are talking about authors and people in the publishing industry who do it for the love of books, the fantasy, and the art. It would be truly sad to see people exploit these content creators, and cause the destruction of the book industry. Let’s support authors, not steal from them. Buy books, rent books, or obtain free copies legally.

eReaders: What kind should you buy?

The eBook explosion has opened a new avenue for enjoying the written word, and with said prosperity has come a multitude of compatible e-readers and file formats. Although there have been many devices over the years that have allowed a user to read an ebook on a mobile device and a desktop as well, many of those first units are obsolete in this day and age. In their wake the Amazon Kindle (in all its iterations), the Apple iPod Touch/ iPhone/ iPad, the Barnes and Noble Nook, the Kobo Reader, the Sony Reader, the Motorola XOOM MZ600, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the BlackBerry PlayBook , the Dell Streak 5 and a number of e-reading enabled Smartphone have emerged as the contenders for your e-reading dollars.

Personally I am a multi-device kind of person; I use an Apple iPad for review reading and writing, an iPod Touch for on the run reading in line at the bank and a Nook on occasion when I am at the hair stylist. So you see there is a use for any device and having more than one is a great convenience. I never have to be without my current eBook or audio-book.

Choosing the right device is sometimes not a simple task, and functionality, portability and cost should weigh in on any decision. So I would like to take the opportunity to present a handy cheat sheet of eBook formats and there compatibility to some of the devices currently on the market.

There are a number of file formats that are available for eBooks, including the following: Plain text files: .txt files Hypertext: .htm or .html Amazon Kindle: .azw Open book format xml based: .opf Portable Document Format: .pdf Microsoft LIT: .lit eReader Formerly Palm Digital Media/Peanut Press: .pdb Mobipocket: .prc & .mobi Universal EPUB (DRM & Non-DRM)

Hardware Reader Amazon Kindle 1 Amazon Kindle 2, DX Amazon Kindle 3 Android Devices Apple iOS Devices Barnes & Noble Nook COOL-ER Classic iRex iLiad Iriver Story Kobo eReader Nokia N900 NUUTbook 2 Windows PC Pocketbook 301 Plus, 302, 360° Sony Reader Viewsonic VEB612 Windows Phone 7

No Yes

MobiPocket Yes Yes

EReader[h 1] Kindle[h 1] Open eBook[h 2] No Yes No No Yes No

No Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes No

Yes Yes[h 3][21] Yes[h 3] No

No Yes[h 3][23] Yes[h 3] Yes

Yes Yes Yes[h 3] No

No Yes[h 3] Yes[h 3] No

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes No No No Yes No Yes Yes

Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes

No No No No No No Yes No

No No No No No No Yes[h 6] No

No No No No Yes No Yes No

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes

No Yes Yes

No Yes No

No No No

No No Yes

No No No

Plain text Yes Yes

PDF

ePub

HTML

No Yes

No No

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Data Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

Remember when selecting an e-reading device, file compatibility is one of the most important functionalities. It’s a twofold scenario; the eBooks you buy today may not work with the device you buy in the future. The eBooks you already own may or may not work with the device you buy today or in the future.

Hopefully this article has shed a little light on the number of devices available and their file format compatibility.

Victoria

“Winter’s Burn” The first story about Princess Andrea and Prince Nicholas By: Angela McPherson Some stories may contain materials not suited for younger viewers

“Please Princess, you mustn’t be so rash. Do you think I don’t know where you go during the night or who it is you meet? If the king and queen find out, you and...” Before Thea releases his name, I swiftly secure my hand over her opened mouth.

“I’m sure I don’t know what or who you’re referring to. I am Princess Andréa, of the winter court. I do not submit my whereabouts to anyone.” The fierce look Thea has blazing in her eyes speaks volumes. I, with a hard look of my own, drop my hand from her mouth. I know what she speaks means treason.

Thea softens her eyes. “Princess, I would never betray you. Unlike your parents, you have always treated me with compassion. It is your compassion that worries me. You are too trusting and I fear your life as well as your heart will be deceived. You are to take over the thrown when the season changes. This foolish behavior must stop.”

“Thea, beloved friend, I cannot speak of this with you. You are dear to me as well, though should I confess my whereabouts, you will be held accountable as well. Please, I simply need more time. I need time to construct a plan that will unite both our kingdoms.” Before I know it, tears betray my composure. There must be a way and tonight, Nicholas will bring an answer. I once mentioned that we leave faery and live among the humans. Humans lead such simple lives, I envy them really. If only Nicholas and I could love as freely as they.

Thea pulls me from my thoughts. “Princess, I will not speak of this matter again.” And with that, Thea sharply turns on her small little heels and dashes away.

All fey feel the nearing knock of winters chill just as I. Each step creates intricate designs of snow and ice in my wake. Yes, solstice is near. Solstice is a time of dance and jubilee, and is the only times our courts mingle without harm.

Together, winter and summer host the celebration, a sort of truce if you will, between the courts, as long as laws are upheld.

Such forbidden acts never come to light; simply because our touch is meant to violently kill the other immediately. I remember the first time we touched, there was no violence only bliss.

Our parents introduced us to the crowd, announcing our futures to rule separately as king and queen known to the royal fey in attendance. The ceremony was lovely. Together winter and summer stood as one. I tried not to show my thoughts, though who could deny such warm beauty. Nicholas is strong, passionate, and kind, though only few see the side of his kindness.

It is customary for the future king and queen to share the first dance, another symbol of peace. Nicholas bowed gracefully, then with his hand extended, for the first time our eyes met. My breathing quickened along with my heart. My father cleared his throat bringing me out of my dazed stupor. I took his hand and together we waltzed. Others joined then, though none were of importance to me. Nicholas’ light touch to the small of my back sent a rush of feelings racing through my mind. We stared into each other’s eyes until the harpist ceased and the music fell silent. Without missing a beat, Nicholas dipped another graceful bow. As he stretched back up, he gently caressed the back of my hand with a kiss.

“Princess,” he said then stepped away.

Every secret meeting since the first solstice renders committing treason worthwhile. I would rather die than lose what Nicholas and I share.

The rustling of bushes near the divide of our courts eases me. “Nicholas is that you,” I ask in a whispered tone.

Secrete meeting or not, one can never be too cautious.

“It is. Did you run into trouble?” Nicholas steps into the light of the moon. His face gleams in the moonlight, so striking. I extend him a dazzling smile.

“You know, I do have the same battle training as you. I think the memory would not have escaped you so easily.

Shall I demonstrate a sample again Prince.” To that, Nicholas’s lips curve into a seductive grin.

“If I were betting, I would think you wish to fight Princess. You do remember it is still our court that holds the power of the seasons. However, I would not think to disgrace your honor by backing down to your opened invitation to quarrel.”

Nicholas then begins to circle me; his shoulders are squared, and chin held high with his arms held stoically behind his back. Like a lion waiting for an opening, he continues to circle.

Closing my eyes, I summon a small amount of the coming winters reign. A prickle of ice shoots through my fingers, aiming at his feet. With the speed of light, Nicholas leaps for me. I may be the fairer sex, though I am freight held in a small deceiving package. I mirror his leap catching his ankles with briar vines. A laugh bursts from my victory, though only too soon. Nicholas changes the vines into a ray of rainbows. Caught off guard, I stumble yet keep my balance intact. A spray of heated air bubbles around me. He’s being too easy now, and now I’m a little rifted.

“Ice,” I demand. Through my demand of winters trueness, ice and hail then showers around my stalking lion.

“Flames,” Nicholas says aiming at me. This is how he lost the playful battle last time. He underestimated my ability. “No my love, you will not be the victor.” And with that, I raise my hands to the greying clouds. Drawing in more winter than I should, my body turns crystal blue and as if I merely wish to whistle, I let out the wrath of winter in a small secluded storm of ice rain, snow and ferocious wind. Nicholas uses summer’s heat to melt his imprisoned blizzard cage. And something happens then, something I have never before witnessed. Summer and Winter collide, and in a burst of energy, Nicholas and I are both enclosed in the middle of a season of battle. A battle wielding of their own accord.

Nicholas rushes to my side wrapping his warm arms around my iced body. “Andréa, love, look at me.” His words are soft and sweet, no hint of anger shone in his beautiful brown eyes, only tenderness. Nicholas cups my face in his hands and then with the softness of his touch, he leans down and kisses my blue quivering lips. My arms reach to pull him closer, and I then, drape my arms around his neck. “Andréa, I love you,” he says with lips still pressed to mine. My heart warms as does my body.

“And I love you Nicholas, forever.”

“Forever,” he echoes and then the power struggle of winter and summer squeezes our hold to each other, tighter and tighter still. And then, a sudden bright light of white and gold shatters in a sprinkle around us.

Breathless, Nicholas and I stand while looking around the divide. “Nicholas,” I gasp looking at him. His once shiny full brown hair is now streaked with snow white and his golden brown eyes are brimmed in the same white. “Nicholas your hair and eyes, they have changed. Are you alright?” As I watch him, he merely continues to stare at me with a blank expression. He’s gone mad. With a shake of his shoulders, I raise my voice. “Nicholas, snap out of it. You’re scarring me, please speak to me. Do you feel ok, Nicholas, Nicholas?” At that moment he pulls me into his arms kissing me with more passion, more need than ever before.

Something changed, something wonderful changed in that kiss or maybe it was the colliding explosion of winter and summer that showered us. Heat and Ice twine together. His lips, his hands, his touch, oh my, I want more, no, I need more. More of him, more of us- together. Like a lifeline has been created and should we part, we will die. I run my hands under his shirt. I find that his clothes are a hideous barrier- only in the way of my desperate need.

Panting, Nicholas traces kisses down my neck, then back up. His teeth gently graze the lobe of my ear and then he whispers, “Andréa, my love, my queen.” Did he just call me his queen? His hand moves from my waist to sit on my lower stomach and that does it. “Nicholas, I need you. I feel like I may die if you do not take me.” This stops his sensual touches and he pulls away to look at me. He stares at me again, and the agony of his distance feels like stabs of daggers over my aching body. “Nicholas,” I begin but he stops me. The pain dulls as he lifts his hand and delicately traces my cheek with his fingers.

“Andréa, you are the most beautiful creature I have laid eyes on. You have changed as well my love. My summer

has colored your lips with the touch of roses, your hair is highlighted with the ray of the sun and your crystal blue eyes are too ringed with gold. I have never seen anyone more perfect, more beautiful than you. You have stolen my heart and we will wed and create a new court. Together we will rule a new region of fey, my queen.” Nicholas kneels on bended knee and laces his fingers with mine and I see it.

Every fey is a marked on the hand, a show of alliance to their court. Winter is marked with the crescent moon and Summer with the blazing sun. On Nicholas’s hands, his sun is now joined with the crescent moon. Like an eclipse of the moon over the sun. It’s beautiful. “Nicholas, look your mark. It has changed,” I announce. Nicholas transfers his gaze to the back of his hands and I look down to my hands. The same intricate design is tattooed on the back of my hands.

Taking my hands from his, I trace the design with my finger. Cold and hot, winter and summer merge together as one.

This is it, I think. This is the answer we’ve been searching for.

I hear rustling in the distance, a clear sound that someone is coming. No doubt the display of what just happened has peeked both summer and winter fey. “Nicholas, someone is coming. We must leave before someone finds us together.” My mind races with uncertainty. What will happen once the news is out? Nicholas breaks me from my worried thought.

“Andréa, leave, now,” Nicholas voice is surprisingly demanding. He has never spoken to me in such a tone before.

“Nicholas, what is the matter. I will not cower away. I will face whatever comes our way, we will face this together.”

For a brief second his eyes cast a proud glow, but then it changes to something darker. Suddenly I’m more afraid of what he is thinking, then regard what others will say when they find us together.

“Andréa, cross over to winter’s side. Now,” he demands. His face is a mask to me. On shaky legs I follow his command crossing over the divide of summer and winter. Just as my feet grace the border of my court, my body turns from the warmth I felt merely seconds ago. Winter now proceeds and the new mark of the sun traced over my hands has gone. My breath catches, I open my mouth ready to ask Nicholas what has happened, but stop.

He has crossed the border of summer, and he too has changed. The traces of winter have left him as well. “Prince Nicholas, did you see what happened?” Pip, Nicholas’s right hand man questions as he steps into the clearing.

“Yes, Pip I saw the lights. I rushed to see what the cause was. Are you the only one here? Are there others coming?” Nicholas asks his voice turned to authority. I’ve found I don’t care for this side of him. Nor do I care for the sudden change in his demeanor towards me.

“No, Prince it is only I the king has sent. He wishes to make certain winter did not start the war. Though I’m not sure what to make of this,” Pip becomes silent then as he notices my presence for the first time. His small beady eyes squint and he unsheathes his sword readying to fight. “Princess Andréa, what a surprise to see you here. Did you come to observe what happened?” His question is filled with accusation and he straightens his back taking a more regal stance.

I admit I find this change a bit amusing.

I step closer. The fact that he accused me and not his Prince irritates me. “Cease her, she has crossed the barrier.” I can’t move. Not because Pip has my hands bound with vines, but because who ordered him; Nicholas.

“Nicholas, what are you doing?” I plead; my heart is racing with shock. I don’t understand what he’s doing. All the affection he has bestowed me is gone. His face is dark, not a trace of the love he carries when he looks at me is shown.

“Nicholas, please, I don’t understand” I plead again.

“Silence, you will call me Prince Nicholas. This is summer court and you are not welcome here Princess. You know the rules, do you not? It is a declaration of war should a winter fey cross the barriers of their court unless granted by the king or queen, and you have not been granted clearance. Am I wrong Princess?” Unable to utter another word, I simply nod agreeing to the specifications. This is what Thea warned me about. My trusting, my compassion, it was all for nothing. Was this his plan all along, I wonder? How did I not see this sooner? Pip mentioned something of a war. Was that his the plan? Has he merely been tricking me in order to declare war? Despair rages through my chest and tears begin to form in my eyes. I fight the stinging pricks of sadness as it thrushes through my hardening soul. I am Princess Andréa, of the winter court; I will show no signs of weakness.

We reach the kingdom. Hushed whispers from summer fey follow in our passing. Nicholas has yet to look at me.

Pip’s grip is fierce, though I refuse to show my discomfort. The closer we get to the palace, the quicker my heart races. The guards bow as Nicholas approaches the doors. The entrance of his home is beautiful, I admit.

“Prince, the king and queen have heard of your return with the winter Princess. They wait for you in the throne

room,” a servant faery says with a bow. His loyalty is clearly evident as he looks at me and hisses. I do not care what he or anyone else should think of me here. We enter the room and I am ushered to stand in front of the king and queen. My hands are still bound behind me tightly in Pip’s hold. Nicholas stands beside me and bows.

“So Nicholas, what have you brought here?” The king questions with a bit of delight. His hair is the same golden brown as Nicholas’s, though his eyes mirror’s his mother, soft golden brown. I give myself a mental lash for thinking of him. He doesn’t deserve any kindness from me- not anymore. The thought still heavies my heart.

“My King,” Nicholas begins. The Princess crossed the borders into our court. I captured her as the law declares.”

His words still devoid of any affection, only formality, his stance is stern I notice from the corner of my eye.

“Well my dear. It seems we have quite the situation here. Tell me Princess, what of your presence in my court.

Does winter wish to declare war. I must admit, I find this hard to believe. Why do they not send a knight, has your court become weak?” He smirks and places an easy grin to his lips.

I square my shoulders and straighten my chin before I speak. “No, your highness winter does not wish to declare war today. My footing was foolishly over stepped I do admit. I was taken aback by the display of lights and was simply speaking when I crossed the barrier. This was a mistake.” I can’t help but harden my tone with my last statement. Though, I could have sworn I saw Nicholas stiffen, again, not that I care.

“I see,” the king says thoughtfully. “That is an unfortunate step Princess. You are aware of the laws. I have every right to hold you under my reign. I would think you would practice more gracefulness, with you so close to taking over winter’s court,” he says. “This is a slippery decision Princess but.” Nicholas interjects his thoughts.

“Your highness,” he bows waiting for permission to continue. The king nods his acceptance. “If I may, should our court decide to keep the Princess it will surely cause war.” The king raises an eyebrow and Nicholas continues. “We are in the right to keep her. I agree she has foolishly landed in our hands, though we could bargain for her freedom to return to her court. We now hold the power to do so,” Nicholas finishes.

“Ah, you will make a great king yet my son.” The king turns to me ready to determine my fate. “Princess Andréa, you are legally held by right of the summer court. Until an acceptable debt is dealt, you will stay here. Pip, round the guards and go to winter. Tell the king and queen we will meet in the marrow.” The king then turns to me, “Princess, you will stay within the walls of my court. You are free to roam within these walls, though should you try to escape, I will be forced to lock you away. Do you accept to these terms Princess Andréa?”

With my chin raised high, I answer, “I accept to your terms.”

“Very well then, you will have a maidservant show you to your room.

A small plump faery ushers me to my room then leaves closing the door behind her. I take in the room, walls sparkle with gold, though there is only a single window overlooking the kingdom. I step closer hoping for a better look, only to find the moon is hidden behind a mass of clouds blocking the scene before me. I change into a warm white nightgown and climb into bed. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Nicholas and I were supposed to flee, to be together.

My hand begins to tingle with warmth and I notice in the shadows of the room, my hand has a faint glow of the sun behind the crescent moon on my hands. Nicholas, what have you done? Alone in the darkness of my room I shed the silent tears I so vehemently held back before. Enfolding into the despair of Nicholas’s betrayal, after tonight, I refuse to shed another tear. Never again I proclaim whispering in the dark of night. I then roll over and allow one last time, my sorrow to take over.

To Be Continued…

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