Saturday, April 30, 2011

April Review Re-Cap


I can't believe today is the last day of April.  :)  It seems like our daughter just started college and now she is taking finals next week and her first year is over.  Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping...now I'm showing my age.  LOL

Speaking of age - someone will be celebrating her 40th birthday next week...man, 40.  LOL

I had a very good reading month - here is a re-cap.

5 Stars

Eternal Rider - Larissa Ione
Lydia - Tim Sandlin
Hush - Cherry Adair
Dead by Midnight - Carolyn Hart
Ghost Town - Rachel Caine
The Time-Traveling Fashionista - Bianca Turetsky

4 Stars

Gambit - Kim Knox
Collision Course - Zoe Archer
Blood of the Maple - Dana Marie Bell
Just For The Night - Tawny Weber
Dead City - Joe McKinney
Cross Your Heart - Michele Bardsley
Inseparable - Brenda Jackson

3 Stars

River Marked - Patricia Briggs

How was your reading month? 

April R.A.K Closed :)





April was the first month I participated in the R.A.K. and I have to say, this was a very great idea.  :)

I did not receive any books in April - but I did mail out four and I hope they are enjoyed.

To Ash @ Smash Attack Reads!:

The Curse Workers by Holly Black
Feed by Mira Grant

To Sara @ Sara's Urban Fantasy Blog:

Taste Me Arc by Tamara Hogan

To Kt @ A Book Obsession:

Crescendo Arc by Becca Fitzpatrick

If you haven't signed up for the R.A.K - stop by and take a look around, sign up and share your love of reading with others.  :)

Friday, April 29, 2011

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #37

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #37:
 

Guardians of the Horn
By Michelle Greathouse

For thousands of years the magical realm of Cymbrelle lived in peace and harmony.  The people prosperous, the Monarchs throughout time generous and fair.

The study and use of magic is commonplace and anyone interested in learning is encouraged to seek out a mentor.

Unicorns, beings of pure magic, are held in high regard, treated with reverence and respect.  Once a year adult unicorns travel to the Kingdom and allow their horn to be gently scraped by the Kings magician.  These scrapings are key ingredients in the spells used throughout Cymbrelle.

But it is a daunting task that can be undertaken by only the most careful of magician.  The horn of a unicorn is not only magical - it is their very life essence.  If the horn of a unicorn is broken from its body, the unicorn dies and the magic of the horn changes.

The horn of a unicorn is magic in its purest form - good magic.  When the horn is removed from the unicorn, the magic becomes twisted, tainted.  It can then be used in incantations and spells meant to harm, maim or kill.

To protect the unicorn from such a fate, the Guardians of the Horn were formed.  These individuals have sworn to protect the unicorn and offer safe haven when the unicorn is being hunted.

Guardians are trained in all manner of weaponry, the sword, cross bow and knife, as well as defensive magic and hand to hand combat.  Oftentimes magically enhanced beasts are used in tracking the unicorn and the long bow is employed for distance kills.

Aniki is a Guardian of the Horn, she and her family have protected the unicorn for most of her life and she has become quite fond of most of them.  But one unicorn in particular is her favorite - she calls him Bran.

Brans mother and father were killed in his second year and Aniki’s family sheltered him until he was strong enough to go out on his own.  Aniki took to Bran immediately and the affection was returned, the two became inseparable.  Aniki’s magic is stronger when Bran is near and Bran is invaluable when it comes to sensing a unicorn in need.

Together the two have saved numerous unicorns.  And Aniki has made a name for herself - which has gotten the notice of the wrong kind of people.

Now Aniki is in danger.  A being of pure evil wants her dead and he will stop at nothing to attain his goal.

The End
Word Count: 423

Okay, not my best effort.  But not too bad for an hours work this morning.  LOL With all the tornado business of Wednesday PM/Thursday AM, I completely forgot about my flash.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Cover & Promo: Trance by Kelly Meding


Kelly Meding’s war-ravaged Los Angeles is ground zero for the ultimate Meta human showdown in this sexy, action-packed new series.

Fifteen years ago, Teresa “Trance” West was a skilled telepath and a proud member of the Ranger Corps. But ever since the Rangers were inexplicably rendered powerless at the climax of the devastating Meta War, she’s bounced from one dead-end job to another. Now her powers have reappeared just as mysteriously as they vanished— only they’re completely transformed and more potent than ever. And they’re threatening to destroy her.

Trance heads to Los Angeles to track down the surviving Rangers and discover who restored her powers—and why—but a phantom enemy is determined to kill them before they can reassemble. As they dodge his deadly attacks and come to terms with their new role as heroes, Trance and the rest of the team set out to annihilate the sinister madman . . . only to discover their own powers are his greatest weapons.


Release Date:  10-25-11

Review: Hush by Cherry Adair

Hush is the first book in the Lodestone Trilogy by Cherry Adair and a novel of Fiction from Pocket Star Books.

Book Blurb:

A reckless adventure in a deadly paradise.

Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adventure, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world's highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death - where they don't know the rules.

A one-night stand that will change his life forever.

Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle. A risky, deathdefying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak's life . . . until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense.

An unexpected diversion with lethal consequences.
Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun, and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead - at any cost.

My thoughts:

Zak Stark and his brother Gideon are thrill seeking adrenalin junkies.  Their latest adventure finds them in Venezuela scheduled to BASE jump Angel Falls.

An early morning visit from a band of heavily armed guerilla’s throws a wrench in those plans.

Acadia Gray is not the thrill seeking type - but when she saw Zak Stark the night before, she thought she’d have her first one night stand.

That night was one of the best of her life - waking the next morning to room full of gun toting strangers - not so much.

Now Zak, Acadia and Gideon have been kidnapped, taken to the middle of jungle and given 48 hours to come up with a twenty million dollar ransom - for each of them.

The three come up with a plan of escape - but things go from bad to worse as each of the brothers are wounded.  And Zak realizes that the kidnappers may be working for someone he knows.

I absolutely loved Hush and can’t wait for the other installments.  This trilogy is definitely on my auto buy list. :)

I give Hush 5 out of 5 stars.



  Product Details

    * Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
    * Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition 

       (April         26, 2011)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 1439153825
    * ISBN-13: 978-1439153826

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Review: River Marked by Patricia Briggs

River Marked is the sixth book in the Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and a novel from ACE.

Book Blurb:

Coyote shifter Mercy Thompson knows that life with her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will never be boring, but even their wedding doesn’t go as planned.  Nevertheless, a ten-day honeymoon camping on the banks of the Columbia River, alone, just the two of them, should make up for it.  But the trip - and the pimped-out trailer they’re using - is courtesy of the fae.  And nothing from the fae comes without strings attached...

Being a different breed of shapeshifter - a walker - Mercy can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her.  Until now.  An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River - and innocent people are dying.  As other walkers make their presence known to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil...

My thoughts:

Mercy and Adam head out on their honeymoon - ten wonderful days alone on the banks of the Columbia River.  No pack business to worry about - no cars to fix - nothing to get in the way of some much needed private time.

Well, that was the plan.

Uncle Mike ‘loaned’ Adam his fancy new camper and suggested Adam take the camper and Mercy up to the River to check on the otterkin that had been relocated to the area.

When they arrive, Mercy and Adam find that folks have gone missing all up and down the River and it sounds like no ordinary missing persons case.

Adam, as the werewolf Alpha, is quite accustomed to dealing with were’s, vamps, fae and even witches - but now he has encountered something new to him - Native American Earth magic - and he’s not so sure how to deal with it.

Mercy is getting in touch with her Indian side - and learning a little more about her heritage - but will it be enough to stop the evil that has been unleashed on the unsuspecting population?

I love the Mercy series - but River Marked was really slow going.  It did not really kick in for me until around page 200 - and it is only a 324 page book.  But when it did - it was pretty good. :)

I give River Marked 3 out of 5 stars.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Hoppy Easter Blog Hop Winner:

Good morning.  It is time to announce the winner of the Hoppy Easter Blog Hop.  :)

First thing - I would like to thank you all for stopping by and participating in this Hop.  There were 166 entrants.

Using Random dot Org the winning number is #63 - Tawania at Wicked Readings By Tawania.  She has been contacted and has chosen prize pack #3.

The remaining two prize packs will be put away for the next Blog Hop I will be participating in - Splash Into Summer - which will run from 5-25 through 5-31.

I hope to see you there.  :)

Monday, April 25, 2011

M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #37


Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #37:


I don't see any way to work this picture into the story I'm currently writing...so I think I will take a break from that story this week and write something a little different.  :)

Stop back on Friday to see what I come up with for this weeks flash.  :) 

Review & Giveaway: Inseparable by Brenda Jackson


Inseparable is a novel in the Madaris Family series from Brenda Jackson and a Contemporary Romance from Kimani Press.

Book Blurb:

Living under Reese Madaris's roof makes LaKenna James the envy of every woman in town. But Reese's offer of a place to stay is strictly platonic - just until Kenna's new condo is completed. He has no idea that his best friend has been attracted to him since college, and Kenna plans to keep it that way.

Ever since his cousin Blade got married, Reese has become Houston's most eligible bachelor - and a magnet for gold diggers. Reese turns to his temporary roommate for dating advice, and suddenly sees Kenna for the beautiful, voluptuous woman she is. Though Kenna's afraid to give her heart to the man who could so easily break it, when her life is in jeopardy, she'll discover just how far a Madaris man will go when love is at stake.

My thoughts:

Kenna James has been the best friend of Reese Madaris since college.  They have been there for each other through the good times and the bad.  As a matter of fact, they are as close as a married couple - but they maintain that they will never be more than friends - even though Kenna is in love with Reese.

Reese Madaris is wealthy and handsome - and that makes him a target for a certain kind of woman.  But Reese is smart - he keeps things casual and never leads a woman to believe she will get more out of him than he is willing to give.

The only woman he is completely comfortable with is Kenna - and now, Reese is beginning to see her in a different light.  

Just as the two are exploring the possibility of taking the next step in their relationship - Kenna is threatened - and Reese is determined to protect her at all costs.

I really enjoyed Inseparable.  This is the first book I have read by Brenda Jackson - and though it is the latest in a long running series - I had no trouble reading it as a stand alone novel.

Inseparable has an element of Suspense - so fans of Romance as well as Romantic Suspense will enjoy this book.
 

I give Inseparable 4 out of 5 stars.


 Product Details

    * Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
    * Publisher: Kimani Press (April 26, 2011)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0373534434
    * ISBN-13: 978-0373534432


Thanks to the publisher, I have three (3) copies of Inseparable for giveaway for those in the US.  Just leave a comment with your name and a valid email addy and you are entered to win.  Winners will be chosen using Random dot org on Friday - April 29.

Good Luck!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

In My Mailbox: 04-23-11


In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what we bought, borrowed from the library or received in the mail.


Here is my mailbox:
 
 
From PaperBackSwap:

Xombies Apocalypticon by Walter Greatshell

For Review:

Bound by Darkness by Alexis Morgan
Hush by Cherry Adair
Touch If You Dare by Stephanie Rowe
Cover Me by Catherine Mann
What A Goddess Wants by Stephanie Julian
Love You More by Lisa Gardner

Thanks to SourceBooks, Simon & Schuster and Bantam Dell

Friday, April 22, 2011

Cover & Promo: Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells


Silver-Tongued Devil is the fourth installment in the Sabina Kane series by Jaye Wells.

Book Blurb:

Life is looking up for Sabina Kane. Now that her scheming grandmother is dead, the threat of war has passed and the rulers of the dark races are about to sign a treaty to ensure ongoing peace. Her relationship with sexy mage Adam Lazarus is strong and all her friends are around her. Even her magic training is progressing further than she ever expected. The only two dark spots in her otherwise settled life are her guilt over her sister Maisie's fragile mental state and Sabina's own sinking sense that she's got unfinished business with Cain, the mysterious cult leader she let get away months earlier.

When a string of murders rock the New York dark races community and threatens to stall the peace negotiations, Sabina finds herself helping to find the killer. Her investigation leads her down troubling paths that have her questioning everything – and everyone – she knows. And the closer she gets to the murderer, the more Sabina realises this is one foe she may not able to kill.

Release Date:  01-02-12

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #36

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #36:


The Marking, Part 5
Visions
By Michelle Greathouse

“Why would my people, as you call them, destroy the village to rescue me?  You must be mistaken.”  Chance stood and began to pace, crushing the vegetation beneath his heavy boots.

“What I see is the future Chance Strong, but the future is always changing.  We have time to stop the destruction of the village.”  Ren stood and offered his hand to Talah, who ignored it and jumped to her feet.        

“Ren, thank you for coming - but you must leave now.  Send a message if needed - but you can’t risk being caught.  You know how many women want you to father their children - and you swore you’d rather die than be forced into stud service.”

Chance looked at Talah and Ren as if they’d lost their mind.  “Stud service?  Is that what you wanted me for?”

“Not now Chance - and no.  I just wanted to mate.”  Talah missed the assessing gaze Ren sent Chance’s way.  He had never known Talah to show the slightest interest in a man - why this one?

 
Ren promised once again to be careful, gave Talah a hug, nodded to Chance and began the long journey back home - hoping that his vision would not come to pass.

Talah and Chance resumed their jog back to the village.  The sun was shining bright as they reached the guarded entrance and Warriors opened the massive wooden doors to let them inside.

Without a word to anyone, Talah led Chance to her quarters and ushered him in to the cool interior.  “Stay here until I come for you.  There is food and water for drinking - I won’t be long.”  She left without giving Chance a second thought.

When Talah reached the Queen’s quarters, she nodded to Azar and Dwen, and waited for Dwen to announce her.  Once given permission, she hurried inside and found Margred breaking her fast.  “You have returned my daughter, how was your Hunt?”

Talah proceeded to tell her mother of the vision she’d had.  “You have never had a vision Talah, why would you have one now?”  Before Talah could answer Margred, Dwen entered.  “Excuse me please, but Brinald is requesting an audience.”  Margred inclined her head.  “Allow her in.”
 

Brinald entered and immediately sat, without invitation, and took an apple from Margred’s tray.  Biting into the juicy fruit the witch chewed and swallowed then placed the remaining apple into one of the huge pockets on her robe.  

“I see a woman in slumber - but even in sleep she plots murder.  She is not a Warrior, does not confront her foe face to face with honor - but schemes and sneaks.  This woman wants more than she is entitled to have - and she will not hesitate to kill to obtain it.”  Here Brinald looked to Talah.  “She wants your man.  But he has refused her advances and that has infuriated her.”

Brinald paused, took the apple from her pocket and bit into the fruit.  Talah turned to the Queen, “I have no man - does she mean Chance?”  Brinald laughed.  “He became your man when he stopped being number five.”

Queen Margred hid her smile.  “Bring Chance, he may have insight into who this woman is and why she would want to destroy our village to get to him.”

Talah knew a dismissal when she heard one, she inclined her head to the women and opened the door to leave.  “Talah, tell Dwen I need her.”
 

Talah relayed the message to Dwen and headed to her quarters to retrieve Chance - she hoped he would have the answers they needed.
 
The End
Word Count: 605


A little progress was made - not as much as I'd hoped, but I had to work the picture in and this is what I came up with.  :)  Hope you like it.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Cover Find: Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Larissa Ione unveiled the new cover of the second book in her new Lords of Deliverance series - Immortal Rider.

Book Blurb:

Sexy, powerful, and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny. She’s been marked as Satan’s bride and her jealous fiancé wants her all to himself. The only way this Horseman can keep herself—and everyone else—safe is to keep her distance. But not even Limos can save herself from the secrets she’s kept . . . or resist the seductive allure of one very brave human.
 
Arik Wagner knows the saying “love hurts” better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in Hell. Literally. It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he’s topside, Arik realizes that the agony has just begun. With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the desire smoldering between them? Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Hoppy Easter Blog Hop

The Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Once Upon A Twilight.

This Hop will run from 12:01 AM April 20th until 11:59 PM April 25th.

Here is what I have available for this hop:

Prize Pack #1 UF/PNR:  Will include the following:


Prize Pack #2 Mystery/Fiction:  Will include the following:













Prize Pack #3 Erotic Romance:  Will include the following:


 










My Hop is open to all followers of this blog with a US mailing address.  Just leave a comment with a valid e-mail addy.  

One winner will be able to choose whichever prize pack they want.  :)

Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this Hop.



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Review: Cross Your Heart by Michele Bardsley


Cross Your Heart is the seventh book in the Broken Heart series by Michele Bardsley and a Paranormal Romance from Signet Eclipse.

Book Blurb:

Even Vampires Are Afraid Of Ghosts

After the death of my husband - and my dreams of motherhood - I returned to the family estate in Broken Heart, Oklahoma.  Little did I know I would literally give up my life as Elizabeth Bretton, the Silverstone heiress.  The whole undead situation calls for a drink - blood martini, straight up, please.

Escaping the past isn’t that easy - especially when someone else’s past is out to get me.  Now I have a vengeful ghost trying to kill me, a 150 year-old mystery to solve and an outrageous were-jaguar named Tezozomoc “Tez” Abraham Elvis Jones trying to get into my boudoir.  Tez is a homicide detective who is vulgar, egotistical, presumptuous, and ridiculously hot.  Meow, indeed.

My thoughts:

Elizabeth Bretton is a direct descendent of one of the five families who founded Broken Heart.  She comes from a wealthy family and to call her snooty is an understatement.  

She is also one of the people who was attacked by the then Tainted, Lorcan O’Halloran, resulting in her being Turned Vampire.  

Elizabeth is of the Vampire Family Zela which means her ‘talent’ is in the manipulation of metals.

Resigned to being a single vampire - Elizabeth surrounds herself with her romance novels - immerses herself in work and enjoys the life of a well-to-do bloodsucker.

Enter Tez.

Tez is a were-jaguar, maybe the last of his kind.  He has come to Broken Heart by invitation of the current were Alpha - just to have a look around and see how Broken Heart suits him.

One thing is for sure - Elizabeth suits him just fine - and if he has his way, she will definitely be his.  

But first they have to figure out who the ghost is that is trying to kill Elizabeth - and what her ancestor has to do with it.

I love the Broken Heart series.  Each installment is better than the last.  The characters are fun and quirky, oftentimes sassy and raunchy - but always a blast to read. :)

I give Cross Your Heart 4 out of 5 stars and can’t wait for the next installment - Must Love Lycans, available 09-06-11.


Monday, April 18, 2011

Review: Lydia by Tim Sandlin


Lydia is a Novel of Fiction by Tim Sandlin from SourceBooks Landmark.

Book Blurb:

Managing the Virgin Birth Home for Unwed Mothers means the women in Sam Callahan’s life keep his world interesting.  But it’s his family members that really take the cake.  His daughter may be having a nervous breakdown, and his mother’s just out of prison for attempting to poison the president’s dog.

And when they hit the road with a geriatric, an adoptive son trying to discover his parentage and an enraged psychopath on their tails, all hell may break loose.

My thoughts:

Lydia is the first book I have read in the GroVant, Wyoming series by Tim Sandlin and I honestly laughed until tears rolled down my face.

This book tugs on all the emotional strings - humor, anger, regret, love, hate, forgiveness and triumph - to name a few.

I instantly connected with the characters in this book and now I have to get the first three in the wonderful series.

I give Lydia 5 out of 5 stars.

  Product Details
    * Hardcover: 464 pages
    * Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (April 1, 2011)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 140224181X
    * ISBN-13: 978-1402241819

M.M.F.F. Challenge: Week #36


Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #36:



I don't readily see a way I can work this into the story I've been writing the last four weeks - but I am determined to try.  LOL  :) 


Be sure to stop back on Friday to see if I can make this pic work.  And don't forget, if you'd like to join in - we'd love to have you.  Just leave a comment letting us know where you've posted your Flash.  :)

Friday, April 15, 2011

Cover & Promo: One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire


One Salt Sea is the fifth book in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire.

Book Blurb:

October “Toby” Daye is settling into her new role as Countess of Goldengreen. She's actually dating again, and she's taken on Quentin as her squire. So, of course, it's time for things to take a turn for the worse.

Someone has kidnapped the sons of the regent of the Undersea Duchy of Saltmist. To prevent a war between land and sea, Toby must find the missing boys and prove the Queen of the Mists was not behind their abduction. 

Toby's search will take her from the streets of San Francisco to the lands beneath the waves, and her deadline is firm: she must find the boys in three days' time, or all of the Mists will pay the price. But someone is determined to stop her — and whoever it is isn't playing by Oberon's Laws...

Release Date: September 2011 from DAW

Flash Fiction Friday: Week #35

Amy C over at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take. 


And here is picture prompt #35:


The Marking Part 4
The Messenger
By Michelle Greathouse

Talah had only one thought on her mind as she ran through the night - getting back to the village in time to stop the devastation she’d seen in her vision.

As the sky lightened from darkest night to the graying of dawn she slowed, finally coming to a halt, breath slightly labored from her exertions.  In the distance the sound of water could be heard.  They had made it back to the river.

Talah turned to the man who followed her, “The bridge is ahead.”  He nodded once and the two continued their journey.

As dawn broke the sky Talah focused on adjusting her eyes to the brightness of the new day, grateful when the opaque film slipped into place.  As they neared the bridge, Talah scanned the opposite bank for anything out of the ordinary.

From behind number five touched her arm, “Wait.”  He crouched down, taking Talah with him.  “Who is that?”  He pointed down and to the left the of the bridge where a man could be seen through the trees.

“That is my brother.”  Talah raced across the bridge, number five right behind her.  “Brother?  I did not see any men in your village other than the ones held captive.”

Talah had no time for explanations, if Ren were here - the situation was dire.  He knew how dangerous it was for him to be this close to the village.

Ren stood when he saw Talah, opening his arms
and hugging the Warrior.  “Sister, it is good to see you in good health.”  Ren cocked his head to the side and looked at number five, surprise clearly written on his face.  “Who is your traveling companion?”

Chance stepped forward and offered his hand in greeting.  “My name is Chance Strong.”  Ren shook the proffered hand.  “Ren, Torq’s Son.”  The next several seconds were spent taking the measure of each other.  Talah shook her head - this was the very reason her world was dying.  

Men and their silly posturing.  Over a hundred cycles ago Epras was a thriving metropolis, known for its art and architecture, vintage wine and beautiful women.  The tiny planet was the place to see and be seen.  Until greed ruined it all.  Two men, Carlisle Roth and Viktor Strum - once the best of friends - became the worst of enemies.  In their fight to own Epras and all of its trade, they started a war that ended in the total destruction of the world they both wanted.

The beautiful art and architecture was destroyed, the vineyards burned - the more fortunate women, fled in terror.  

No one knows exactly who is responsible for the nano-tech that was unleashed on Epras - but the results were immediate and long lasting.  Every person with the XY chromosome dropped dead.  That left women as the only survivors on a ravaged planet.  Those women adapted and over the years, they became the Warriors.  Now the population has to be rebuilt and for that, they need men.  

“Ren, what are you doing so close to the village?  You know how dangerous it is for you.  If you are caught...”  Ren took Talah’s hand.  “Sit, please and I will tell you.”  The three sat on the ground, Talah and Chance facing Ren.

“A week ago I had a vision.  The village was completely destroyed - Mother dead.  I left home that very day and arrived not long ago.”  Ren had experienced visions since he was a small child, more than once he’d saved many lives with his gift.

“Ren, I had the same vision last eve - that is why we are in such a hurry to get to the village.”  Talah controlled the urge to jump to her feet and take off running.

“Be at ease Sister.  The vision showed the future - a full moon cycle away.  We have time to stop whatever danger is heading our way.”

Chance spoke up, “Did you see who is to blame?  Why the village is attacked?”

Ren turned to Chance.  “I did.  It is your people who will attack the village.  They want you and they will stop at nothing to get you back.”

The End
Word Count: 700

Okay, so this one took me in a direction I didn’t see coming.  What do you think?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Cover Discovery: Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews


Fate's Edge is the third book in the Edge series by Ilona Andrews.

Release Date:  11-29-11

Blurb Forthcoming

Cover & Promo: Sins of the Angels by Linda Poitevin


SINS OF THE ANGELS is the first book in the Grigori Legacy series by Linda Poitevin.

Book Blurb:
A detective with a secret lineage. An undercover Hunter with a bullet-proof soul. And a world made to pay for the sins of an angel…

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis answers to no one. Especially not to the new partner assigned to her in the middle of a gruesome serial killer case-a partner who is obstructive, irritatingly magnetic, and arrogant as hell.
 
Aramael is a Power—a hunter of the Fallen Angels. A millennium ago, he sentenced his own brother to eternal exile for crimes against humanity. Now his brother is back and wreaking murderous havoc in the mortal realm. To find him, Aramael must play second to a human police officer who wants nothing to do with him and whose very bloodline threatens both his mission and his soul.

Now, faced with a fallen angel hell-bent on triggering the apocalypse, Alex and Aramael have no choice but to join forces, because only together can they stop the end of days.

Release Date:  09-27-11 from Ace Books

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WoW: Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine to showcase books we are patiently awaiting.
 
 Book Blurb:

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. 

Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. 

Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

Release Date:  05-03-11

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Review: Dead City by Joe McKinney

Dead City is the first book in the Dead City series by Joe McKinney and a novel of Fiction from Pinnacle.

Book Blurb:

Texas? Toast.

Battered by five cataclysmic hurricanes in three weeks, the Texas Gulf Coast and half of the Lone Star State is reeling from the worst devastation in history. Thousands are dead or dying - but the worst is only beginning. Amid the wreckage, something unimaginable is happening: a deadly virus has broken out, returning the dead to life - with an insatiable hunger for human flesh...

The Nightmare Begins

Within hours, the plague has spread all over Texas. San Antonio police officer Eddie Hudson finds his city overrun by a voracious army of the living dead. Along with a small group of survivors, Eddie must fight off the savage horde in a race to save his family...

Hell On Earth

There's no place to run. No place to hide. The Zombie horde is growing as the virus runs rampant. Eddie knows he has to find a way to destroy these walking horrors...but he doesn't know the price he will have to pay.

My thoughts:

The day began as any other for officer Eddie Hudson - patrolling the streets of San Antonio, Texas - protect and serve.

Then news starts coming in from other states - talking about attacks. Hundreds of people attacking each other for no apparent reason.

Eddie receives a call from dispatch to break up a fight and he and a fellow officer head out. What they find when they arrive is shocking to say the least.

A group of people have gathered and no matter what Eddie says, they will not disperse. It is like they can’t comprehend what he is saying to them. And then they attack.

Eddie is hesitant to use deadly force - but to save himself and his fellow officer he must. But his shots are brushed off - they make no difference at all. And now the crowd is growing - what was a group of ten is now thirty - and more are coming.

All Eddie can think about is his wife and young son and getting them to safety. But getting to them is going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.

Dead City is a fabulous read - but intense. From the moment Eddie confronts his first zombie it is non stop action.

And Dead City is gory. This is no sugar coated zombie book - these critters are nasty. I loved it!

I give Dead City 4 out of 5 stars and can’t wait to read more.


Monday, April 11, 2011

Book Blogger Hop

Book Blogger Hop

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!


This week's question comes from Aislynn who reviews at Knit, Purl, Stitch...Read and Cook!
 
 "Outside of books, what is your guilty pleasure?"
 
A few years ago my daughter talked me in to watching Project Runway and America's Next Top Model - now I love them.  LOL
 
And I am a huge fan of zombie movies.  I know, I know - I am such a dork.  :)