Immortality and Beyond: dark fantasy

Showing posts with label dark fantasy. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2011

Fantasy Fridays & Friday Blog Hops

Welcome back to Fantasy Fridays #6. I am so happy you are here. For those of you that are here for first time, Fantasy Fridays is a weekly meme I started that is all about Desire and Fantasy. I hope you will join me by grabbing the picture above, then leaving me a comment leaving your blog link so I can hop on over to check out your eye candy and/or Erotica Book Pick of the Week. That's right, you don't have to do the eye candy if you choose not to :). Also, please hop along with me during Follow Me Friday and join in my new Friday Follow, Step out of the Pages. There is a linky below to add your blog plus the other hops I follow on Fridays. I hope to see you along the way.

Helloooooo Cowboy!

Here's One for the Guys :): Wouldn't really be fair to leave them out now would it??? (*Wink Wink*)

My Book Pick of the Week:

Passions. Romance. Betrayals. Desire. Lust. Longings. These themes and more are presented in this dark tome by seven members of Ms. Santiago's Gratista Vampire Clan. Let their stories, art and poetry take you to those locked-down recesses of your mind, and free you from your inhibitions and awaken your darkest curiosities... The talents showcased in this volume include Anton Glascow, Kody Boye, Camille McKeever, Christy Poff, Dominic Demarco, Spider, and Cinsearae Santiago.

Until next time,

Friday Blog Hops:

I'm hopping along with the following this week, to join in click the button to be taken to the hosting blog and add yourself to the linky. You can also view all participating blogs to hop along :).

A Mommy's Sweet Blog Design Friday Blog Hop

So here is the linky:

Monday, January 17, 2011

New Release Monday

Hello fellow bloggers :). A new feature I am implementing, I will be letting you know about new releases on Mondays. If you have a new release, or if your favorite author has one, please let me know so I can add them to the post. It can be any genre, just include author, title, synopsis, publisher, and release date in an email with "New Release" in the subject line to bkwalkerbooks@comcast.net.

So this Mondays New Release Picks are:

Abigail Cottage by Margaret West
Paperback
Publisher: Hedge Witchery Books (1 Dec 2010)
ISBN-10: 1907963049
ISBN-13: 978-1907963049

After receiving an inheritance of a cottage in Ireland and discovering she is adopted, Abbey Newlands goes in search of her real family. But before she arrives at the cottage, a chain of events and a whirlwind romance leaves her deeply in love with Shaun O'Donnell. When Shaun's mother, Aveline, reveals a dark twist of fate that mean they can never be together, Abbey flees to the cottage alone, pregnant and unaware that it is cursed by two demons who reside there. One who will love her, and one who wants her dead. Only Shaun has the power to save them both and lock the demons away behind Hell's door.

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published December 28th 2010 by EgmontUSA

ISBN 1606840584 (ISBN13: 9781606840580)

The Lost Saint Series

The Dark Divine #2

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with he werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process.

Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot, a newcomer to town. But as the two grow closer, Grace's relationship with Daniel is put in danger -- in more ways than one.

Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her -- not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung.

Bree Despain delivers sizzling romance and thrilling action in the heart-pounding sequel to the The Dark Divine.

Entice by Carrie Jones

Paperback, 264 pages

Published January 3rd 2011 by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (first published December 14th 2010)

ISBN 1408810441 (ISBN13: 9781408810446)

url http://www.carriejonesbooks.com/my-books...

series

Need #3

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever.
But that's not quite how things have worked out.

For starters, well, Nick is dead.
Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?

And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned...she's Astley's queen.

My Soul To Steal by Rachael Vincent

Paperback, 352 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by Harlequin (first published January 1st 2011)

ISBN 0373210272 (ISBN13: 9780373210275)

My Soul to Steal Series

Soul Screamers #4

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.
See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.
And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

Awakened by PC Cast & Kristin Cast

Hardcover, 290 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by Atom

ISBN 1905654847 (ISBN13: 9781905654840)

Awakened Series

House of Night #8

At the start of Awakened, the pulse-pounding eighth installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey has returned, mostly whole, from the Otherworld to her rightful place as High Priestess at the House of Night. Her friends are just glad to have her back, but after losing her human consort, Heath, will Zoey—or her relationship with her super- hot Warrior, Stark—ever be the same? Stevie Rae is drawn even closer to Rephaim, the Raven Mocker with whom she shares a mysterious and powerful Imprint, but he is a dangerous secret that isolates her from her school, her red fledglings, and even her best friends. When the dark threat of Neferet—who is coming closer and closer to achieving her twisted goal of immortality—and Kalona returns, what will it take to keep the House of Night from being lost forever, and what will one desperate girl do to keep her heart from being irreparably broken?

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Hardcover, 435 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by HarperTeen

ISBN 0061996165 (ISBN13: 9780061996160)

Unearthly Series

Unearthly #1

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Entangled by Cat Clarke

Paperback, 374 pages

Published January 6th 2011 by Quercus Publishing Plc

ISBN 1849163944 (ISBN13: 9781849163941)

The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?

17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with a table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got here.

As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget. There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?

Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?

A story of dark secrets, intense friendship and electrifying attraction.

Spirit Intervention by Margaret West
Kindle Format
File Size 224 KB
Publisher Eternal Press January 6, 2011
ASIN B004I8WQ9S

When the spirit world collides with the living, anything that can happen, does. Patricia is a mother who refuses to stay out of her daughter’s life, even when she dies. Sally can hear her mother, but she can't see her spirit. At first she welcomes her return, but as the month’s progress she starts to feel increasingly peeved by her mother’s constant interference in her life. When she tells a few white lies on a dating application form, Patricia sets out to prove lies are not a foundation for a healthy relationship. She sabotages Sally’s relationship with Emilio to prove her point, not realizing her interference has caused a catastrophic chain reaction in the spirit world. It is now down to the spirit of Emilio’s grandmother to put things right. But has Patricia caused too much damage for her to mend?

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Hardcover, 398 pages

Published January 11th 2011 by Razorbill

ISBN 1595143971 (ISBN13: 9781595143976)

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.
Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.
Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Hardcover, 448 pages

Published January 11th 2011 by Splinter (first published September 22nd 2009)

ISBN13 978140278403

Tiger's Curse Series

Tiger #1

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.
Would you risk it all to change your destiny?
The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.
But that's exactly what happened.
Face-to-face with dark forces, spell-binding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger's Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more

Shadow Fever by Karen Marie Moning

Hardcover, 624 pages

Expected publication: January 18th 2011 by Delacorte Press (first published January 2011)

ISBN 0385341679 (ISBN13: 9780385341677)

series

Fever #5

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever. Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years. What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh — a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds. In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves. Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card? From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world... or destroy it.

There is this week's new releases. They can be found on Goodreads, Amazon or from the publisher's website. I hope you will add them to your TBR.

Have a blessed Monday :).

Signing off,

Saturday, January 15, 2011

***** Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater was astounding! I absolutely loved this book!

Grace always watches the wolves in the woods bordering her back yard. One wolf in particular, her wolf, the one that saved her when she was a child. She would recognize her wolf anywhere.

Years later, Grace still awaits the cold months to arrive, awaiting her wolf to reappear so she doesn't feel so alone. The wolves give her comfort.

Except this year, when she meets a boy, Sam. Sam is hurt and Grace is determined to save him, only when she does, recognition sets in and what she thought was a possibility is now a reality.

Sam is her wolf.

We watch the relationship between Grace and Sam grow, and let me just tell you, the connection to these characters is instant. Sam must keep warm, because it is in the colder months of the year that he loses his skin and transforms into a wolf. Grace is determined to not let him go, fighting to keep him in his human skin as she now feels complete.

It was so easy to become engulfed with this title, and emotionally connected. I found myself squirming, and even crying at how this story evolves (no spoilers here). At one point, I was a little disappointed as I felt like I was reading Twilight again, (boy meets girl, girl finds out secret, boy and girl hide out keeping the secret safe, parents are oblivious), but it was the briefest of moments, and then I was back in Shiver. It's not that this story isn't of its own accord, but I think that sometimes it's just so hard not to compare to other books we've read.

With that being said, Shiver was a nice change from the Vampire perspective and I absolutely loved this book! The relationship between Grace and Sam was very moving and the entire plot was captivating. Stiefvater did a magnificent job, pulling you in, keeping you in, and leaving you wanting more! I cannot wait to read Linger.

I give Shiver ***** (5) Stars, BK Walker

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

At the Round Table with Heather Keuhl

Welcome to the Round Table. Today I would like to welcome author Heather Keuhl, as we talk about her book Malevolent Dead.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop in Heather. Please tell us a little bit about yourself....

Thank you for having me. Well, I’m a stay at home mom for an adorable son and the wife of a wonderful man. When I’m not writing I am either reading or attempting to keep my garden alive.

1. Have you always considered yourself a writer?
I’ve considered myself a writer since I started writing stories back in sixth grade, but I didn’t really take the title of “writer” seriously until I got my first book published in 2009. I mean, I had over 40 short stories published at the time, but to me a writer wrote books and that was my goal; to get a book published.

2. What inspired you to pen this novel?
Malevolent Dead was inspired from the events that took place in Fade to Black. I was inspired by Sarah and the decisions she had to make. I just had to know more about her and more about her world.

3. Why werewolves?
I figured it was time for something new. I mean, vampires have been a bit over-done and while some of my secondary characters are vamps, I wanted a different creature in the lead role. And lets face it, thanks to movies and literature werewolves don’t have a very good reputation.

4. How do you keep your writing different from all the other stories in this genre?
I think the fact that my lead character is a werewolf is what sets my writing apart. I try to do new things with my world, not the same old stuff that everyone else seems to be doing.

5. How difficult was plot development?
Not very. I usually know how it begins and ends when I sit down to write. I have fun with the middle, letting the characters do what they want and seeing where it takes us.

6. What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?
The problems with writing Malevolent Dead was that Fade to Black was already published. I had a lot of feedback, most of it positive, and it seemed that everyone wanted certain things to happen in the sequel. I finally had to tell myself that I was writing to please myself.

7. Who is your favorite character and why?
Even though she is a secondary character, I love T.D. Drake. She’s a bad ass witch who loves to play with guns. She’s everything I wish I could be; strong in mind and in body.

8. How did you come up with your title?
Malevolent Dead is the name of the vampire owned night club in Charleston, SC. Since most of the events center around its owner, the born vampire named Damian, I decided that the club name would also work as a title.

9. What was the publishing process like for this particular novel?
I submitted Malevolent Dead to Eternal Press first, since they are the press that accepted the first book in this series (Fade to Black). I was pleased to discover that they were interested in the sequel and accepted it. Of course there was some editing to be done, but I love the way it turned out. And I just love the cover art. Amanda Kelsey is the artist and she has done such a beautiful job.

10. What is one thing you hope your readers will take away from your work?
I’ve created a world where you can walk outside during the day and see a dragon fly by, get bitten by a vampire that night, and fall in love with a werewolf under the light of a full moon. I want readers to feel like anything is possible.

11. What is one thing your readers can always expect regardless of the cover?
My books will always have nonstop, edge of your seat action and breathtaking romance.

12. What is one thing your readers might not know about you?
I collect coins. I have a lot of different coins from various countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Uganda.

13. What do you like to read when you're not writing? Who is your favorite author?
I like to read the same genre that I write. Some of my favorite authors are Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Kayden McLeod.

14. Are you currently working on any new projects?
The third installment of the Sarah Vargas Series, Blood Moon, has been recently contracted with Eternal Press and will have a March 2011 release date. I have two other novellas submitted to publishers and I’m currently writing a YA paranormal romance set in the same world as my previous books.

15. Where can readers connect with you?
Readers can visit me at http://www.heatherkuehl.com or http://www.heatherkuehl.blogspot.com or even follow me on Facebook and Twitter

16. Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to share with us?
Like I said earlier, Eternal Press has accepted Blood Moon for publication in March 2011. And with Malevolent Dead’s release on September 7th, I will be visiting a lot of blogs and even doing a live chat. For a complete list of dates just visit my website and click on “Events.”

17. Where can your book(s) be purchased?
For ebook copies of my books, please visit Eternal Press. For readers that are interested in print copies, Amazon has those available.

Thank you again Heather for stopping in. It has been such a pleasure to learn about you and your book. Please be sure to keep us updated and stop back anytime. Wishing you much success in the future.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

At The Round Table with Kristin Roisin

Today I'd like to welcome Kristin Roisin. Kristin is the author of NyteBeauti, a fantastic fantasy novel. Welcome Kristin. Please take a seat at the round table, and let's talk books.

Thank you so much for taking time out to chat with us today. Your favorite drink me friend? Tantalizing Tea, Captivating Coffee, Irish Brew, or Magical Mist?

I would have to say Irish Brew… but I’m biased.

Certainly...Here's a nice frothy Guiness :)....

This ought to be mighty refreshing on such a hot day. Enjoy.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself...

This is the one question I have the hardest time with. Any other topic, and I can talk for hours.
Haha! Well.. I’m a stay at home, of two beautiful little boys. I’m married to my best friend, and
The love of my life, who is patient (Most of the time) and loving, who allows me to recluse into
My imagination when I need to, at any hour of the day or night, for as long as I need to, to get
The next chapter on paper.

What inspired you to pen your first novel?

I used to role play online, on a few different forums. It was the stories that we came up with as a group, that inspired me to put pen to paper.

Role playing? Now that is very interesting.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I think so. Writing became a very powerful outlet for me, in my early teens, when I didn’t
Otherwise have a voice of my own. It wasn’t long before I realized that I not only had a
Knack for it, but I really loved it as well.

Tell us a little about NyteBeauti...

NyteBeauti was the culmination of many years of role play, dreams, fantasies, and even one or
Two personal heartbreaks, all combined together to create the story of Desta, and her search for Identity, acceptance, and eventually, true love.

How did you come up with your characters?

Most of the characters were created using a Role play character sheet, to give them their basic
Attributes, weakness, abilities, etc. Some I came up based on that. Others were inspired by a
Picture, or a piece of art I saw online. (Usually Luis Royo or other Fantasy Artists.) Morrigan was actually “born” first. She was to be completely different from who she turned out to be. The strong , feisty Irish woman, was never meant to become a vampire, and yet she’s become the break out character, because of what, and who, she is.

The rest, were characters I ran into, or created for atmosphere purposes. Some I fell in love with
Enough to create their histories and give them a future. Other’s remained ‘eye candy’ with a
Specific purpose of propelling a storyline along.

How did Desta come to be?

Desta, believe it or not, was simply meant to be an expendable, gateway character. She started
Out as nothing more than a dying body, at the bottom of the stairs. She was created for the sole
Purpose and nothing more, than to pass a message to Logan. Haha. But the scene was just so
Heartbreaking, and so emotional, I had to keep her. So, I rewrote her a bit, and reinvented her
History, and thus, Lady Desta was born.
I am so glad you didn't off her, so to speak. Even though Morrigan tends to be the one I lean to more as a favorite character, Desta definitely helps make the story.

How did you develop your plot?

Through the role play of the characters, I was able to tweak and adjust different aspects of each
Character. Once they were complete, it was a pretty easy process. They told their own stories. I
Was simply their voice.

Was there a lot of research involved?

There was, actually. Between time periods, to accurately describe their attire, maps to
Accurately describe villages or regions. Even vampire lore, so that I didn’t cross ‘too many’ lines
In trying to keep some originality with my own breed of vampires. I wanted them to be familiar,
So that my readers could identify and say, “Oh yeah, I knew that.” But at the same time, not
Give them a churned up, mulchified version of something they’ve already read.

Why Vampires? What draws you to write in this genre?

Honestly? Obsession. I love all things vampire, supernatural and preternatural. It started with
Anne Rice, and my initial mental image of Louis. After that, I was hooked. I loved how Louis,
Lestat, Claudia and Armand could bring out so many different emotions all in the course of
A half hour, and how I could releate to each one, in their own little way. Vampires also opened up
The door to allow me to explore different time periods, without being locked into a “Historical
Romance’ genre writer.

How do you keep your writing different from all the other novels in this particular genre?

I stick to what I know. My Characters. It’s starting to become apparent to everyone who’s
Been able to read bits and pieces that this isn’t first and foremost, a Vampire Story. It’s a
Story about people, who just happen to be vampires. Instead of focusing on their vampirism,
I focus on what motivates them, what moves them, what propels them forward, and that
Seems to work for my little ragtag bunch of vampires.

What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?

Wow. I think the hardest part for me, was remembering to not go off on tangents, or commentary
About the individual characters, and their behaviors. In otherwords, trying to keep in my role as pure storyteller, without my own emotion and thoughts embedded in the story. I am simply here To tell their story, not comment on it.

What dreams have been realized as a result of writing NyteBeauti?

I have an actual and honest to God real book in my hand, that has MY words on the pages. I
Have something that I can pass to my boys, something tangible, that I can say to them, “Look,
I had a dream, and with hard work, and perseverance, I made it come true. So can you.”
What a wonderful thing to be able to pass on and prove that you can do anything you put your mind to.

If you could possess any Vampire power, what would it be?

Oh my. My husband and I have had this discussion many times. Haha! I’m currently at a toss up
Between two lesser known disciplines. Melpominee and Temporis.
For those unsure of the terms Kristin used, Melpominee is the ability to speak to the soul as well as to the ears, sort of like throwing your voice, it can enlighten or damage.
Temporis is about controlling time, which may come in handy when a Vampire is seducing one or trying to feed without the donor remembering what happened. A day can last forever, or fly by.

What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?

My greatest hope, is that they walk away, having as deep a love for these characters, as I do.
I hope that they finish the last chapter, wishing to know more about a particular character that I
Didn’t expand on. My last hope, is that there is a character out there for everyone. That everyone
Finds a single character that they can relate to, and say, “I know just how s/he feels!”
I know I love your characters, so from my point of view you are well on your way to getting your hope.

What advice can you give to new aspiring writers?

Write what you know, not what is popular. Readers can tell if you’re passionate in what you write
About, or if you’re simply writing to jump on a bandwagon. And never let anyone tell you that
Your dreams are silly, or worthless.

Are you working on any projects right now?

Book Two, Echoes of Rayne is in the works right now. It continues with Desta’s tale, and
Introduces a couple of new characters, that I think my readers will REALLY love.

Where can your readers connect with you? Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Website, Blog?

http://www.kristin-roisin.webs.com/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000691310178&ref=ts#%21/profile.php?id=100000691310178
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#%21/pages/Official-Kristin-Roisin-Fan-Page/108414482510656?ref=ts
www.myspace.com/kristinroisin
www.twitter.com/kristinroisin
http://www.kristinroisin.blogspot.com/

Any upcoming events you'd like to share?

We’re currently in the process of setting up some local book signings, though no dates have been
Set as of yet. We are also in the midst of planning the Official book release party for this October.
It will be a few months “late” but everything has happened in such a whirlwind, that we’ve had no
Time to plan anything until now.

Any parting comments?

Thank you to all of my friends, family and fans. Without all of them, this roller coaster ride of
A dream would never have gotten out of the gate.

I also want to say thank you for your support, and your advice. Everything you’ve done for me,
To help promote my book, has been just absolutely amazing, and I will never forget it!

Thank you so much for chatting with us today. It has been such a pleasure chatting with you. Please be sure to let us know when the next book is out. You can come back to the round table to tell us about it. I wish you much success and I will be waiting to hear about Echoes of Rayne.

Cheers!

If you would like to purchase NyteBeauti, you can buy it directly from Publish America. It should soon be available on Amazon as well.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

**** Review of NyteBeauti by Kristin Roisin

NyteBeauti by Kristin Roisin was a fantastic read. A great plot with enthralling characters, you will be anxious to find out what Desta must endure next.

Desta awakens with no memories of her past. Each night the only thing she knows is an unexplainable hunger. Her memories show men with evil eyes and it only causes her an increased sense of fear with each remembering.

Lucky enough to have found a sanctuary in the basement of a church, a priest offers her a wine that helps to quench her hunger. Each night after her meal, she wanders out into the night, hoping to find the answers to her past.

She finds herself at the same tavern each night, and is surprised that it offers her a sense of safety. She ventures to the back of the tavern where she finds a beautiful lake, which gives her a sense of peace. She realizes it is the lake they call "Vampire Lake". She remembers the tale that a great priest blessed the lake and it was where many of the vampire kind, her kind, would meet their demise.

Her thoughts are suddenly interrupted when a man approaches her from her behind telling her that all of her kind should be dead. Startled at first, she slowly uses her finger to remove the sword at her throat. The problem is this vampire slayer feels a strong connection to her, and instantly resolves not to kill her, but protect her.

Sensing a trust in Cyrus, the slayer, she tells of her memories. He swears to keep her safe, and with each night her search continues. That is until one night, she meets a pair of the eyes from her memories.

Scared and without thinking, she runs away. She runs into Cyrus and tells him of her encounter. He takes her to a safe place where they sleep until dusk.

At dusk she ventures out again, only to find herself in a very compromised situation. Beaten and near death, Logan saves her. Is this the first time her and Logan have met? As time goes on you will learn that Logan is actually her maker, without me giving too much away.

Roisin did a fantastic job with this title. NyteBeauti has the perfect plot, with a lot of the vampire lore we are used to with some fantastic originality. Her characters are ones that you will find yourself loving one and angry with the other. I especially liked Morrigan. She is a feisty Irish woman with a definite boldness you are sure to fall in love with. I do hope to see much more of Kristin Roisin.

I give NyteBeauti **** (4) Stars, BK Walker. http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com

Learn more about this author - Kristin Roisin

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Romance and Vampires? Interview with Susan Hanniford Crowley

Please give a warm welcome to Susan Hanniford Crowley. Thank you so much for being with us today.

Please tell us a little about yourself.....

I'm a paranormal romance author, originally a crossover author from science fiction and fantasty. I expanded into paranormal romance which combines everything I love from science fiction and fantasy with romance. I've been married to the same romantic guy for 31 years and have two grown daughters and a dog named Pete. Recently we added two kittens Bella and Buffy to our family.

What do you see as your influences on your writing?

I've been influenced by some classics like Marion Zimmer Bradley (who had been my editor when I wrote fantasy) and Charlaine Harris. Right now I'm more influenced by up and coming authors like Bianca D'Arc, Stella and Audra Price, and a.c. Mason.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Time. I'm an author who still has a day job. I write every possible moment I have, and I usually think that's still not enough.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I would like have writing as my sole job. I would like to make enough money to travel and do some more research.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

I dream all my plots and characters. Sometimes I get it all in one dream or dreaming over a weeks. Sometimes it takes months. I have no set formula. The story is what happens.

What drew you to write about vampires/paranormal romance?

I write about vampires and a variety of rare supernaturals. The attraction to vampires has been since my childhood. I loved Dracula and was a big Dark Shadows fan. When I dreamt about Laura and David in THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS, their story was so compelling and so passionate I had to write it.

Here's a little taste:

"It's a funny thing." She paused, one hand resting on her breast. "When you're
near me, my heart feels full. It never felt that way when I was mortal." Laura tangled her hands in his hair. "I feel like I have always known you. I've missed you forever."

He smiled. It was such odd thing to say, but it felt true. "I've loved you forever."
He didn't know how she'd take that admission. How could you love someone you hadn't met yet? But in the darkness of his life, he had loved the thought of her, the hope of her, and the dream of her. Her expression was so enigmatic. Then she smiled and pulled him down to her face. They kissed tenderly at first. Then each breathless caress of the lips became frantic and hungry. He pressed his mouth against hers and his tongue invaded. She moaned. Her hands moved down to his shoulders. He ripped the buttons off the shirt, and his tongue lavished one breast and then the other. Tiny pants shuddered throughout her body. He kissed her stomach and she giggled. He did it again. She giggled like it hurt. David couldn't help but add his tongue.

"No." Laura pulled his hair. "You're breaking the mood."

He tickled her again, and she giggled. But her eyes smoldered begging him to
continue. Please. He loved hearing her voice in his head.

Pulling off her panties, he flung them to who knows where. She gasped, as his
head disappeared between her legs. Each sweet taste of her led to another. Laura cried and whimpered. Please, I need you.

THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS (part of The Vampires in Manhattan series) is available at: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thestormylovelifeoflauracordelais-374695-139.html

In Kindle at Amazon Books and I'm awaiting the print date any time now.

The other books in the series are:
WHEN LOVE SUVIVES
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whenlovesurvives-362921-143.html

A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-avampireforchristmas-387184-139.html

How do you keep your writing different from the vast variety of stories (in your genre) out there today?

It's the interplay of rare supernaturals that make my plots unique. Plus I've centered my vampires around the secret society in New York called the Arnhem Society. The Arnhem Knights, the society's police arm, are dedicated to preventing human deaths by vampires and aiding other supernaturals in trouble. I love have a supernatural world that exists when our contemporary world.

How did your title come into play?

The title of THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS is sort of an inside joke between myself and my readers. To understand the nature of Laura Cordelais and her powers is to get the title. LOL

Can you tell us a little bit about the main characters and/or the plot in your book?

Laura is in a desperate way and ends up clinging to the railing of the Brooklyn Bridge. David has just asked God to take pity on his loneliness. When Laura changes her mind, she slips and falls into the East River. David has a vision of her falling and jumps into the river to save her. But she is mortally injured and he only has one choice.

When David falls in love with Laura, he doesn't know he's doomed them both to an underworld of sorcery and voodoo from which no one escapes. Is he willing to die to save her?

What were your feelings when you first novel was accepted for publication?

I was so excited I cried. THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS is my debut novel. After years of writing short fiction, writing a full length novel and getting it published was a dream fulfilled.

I absolutely love working with the staff at Tease Publishing LLC.

Who is your favorite author? What genre of books do you read?
Are you working on any projects right now?

I have several favorite authors, so it wouldn't be fair to say one. I read paranormal romance, urban fantasy.

I'm working on a steampunk story and a Greek God story. Neither are part of the Vampires in Manhattan series.

If you could leave readers with one legacy, what would you want it to be?

Never give up on a dream, no matter how long it takes. If you truly believe in something and you work at it everyday, don't give up.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out in this genre?

Do your homework. Read your genre like a maniac so you know what's been done. Get Leslie Wainger's book Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies. Join the RWA and a local chapter. The education in RWA is the tops.

Any last comments you would like to add?

My next ebook release will be VAMPIRE IN THE BASEMENT—tentative release date July 15.

I will be participating in the Authors After Dark Romance Unlimited Convention in Secaucus, New Jersey, September 16-19. There 's still time to register. There will be tons of fun events, panels, workshops, parties, and giveaways. Here's the link:
http://authorsafterdark.blogspot.com/p/aad-confrence-info.html

Is there a website that readers may find you at?
Readers can always find me at http://susanhannifordcrowley.com
My romance blog: http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SHCrowley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/629298868

Thank you so much for chatting with us today Susan. I absolutely love the covers of all of your books. Susan is also on virtual book tour, so please be sure to leave her a comment here today for your chance to win a copy of one of her fantastic books.

Thank you for having me.

Monday, May 17, 2010

A Bite of Immortality with Denise Verrico author of Cara Mia

Please give a warm welcome to author Denise Verrico. Thank you so much for being with us today Denise. I love the synopsis of your book and I can't wait to start reading it. The cover is gorgeous!

Please tell us a little about yourself.....

I’m originally from the East Coast, but I currently live in Ohio. My husband and I met doing theatre and have been married twenty years. I have a punk-rocker son that I’m very proud of. We’re all roller coaster fanatics. Other than riding coasters, watching good movies is my favorite way to relax. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Being Human and Dark Shadows are my favorite paranormal TV shows. My favorite rock group is Queen. I have seven birds in the parrot family: an African Grey named Gromit, three cockatiels, Pippin, Galadriel and Toby and three budgies, Wacko, Yacko and Dot.

What do you see as your influences on your writing?

Hmm…my training in the theatre has shaped the way I attack character and conflict. I see each chapter like a scene in a play, with an individual arc that affects the arc of the entire story. My love of history, theatre and science plays a big part in Cara Mia. I like to create characters from time periods that interest me, like ancient Rome, the Holocaust or the American civil war and throw them together. I think a lot about how the time and place a character came from may have influenced them.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Trying to give the characters depth, yet not weigh down the narrative with too much introspection or description. It’s tricky to show and not tell. This is a challenge I also happen to like.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I’m trying to improve my craft all the time. I have plans for nine total books in this series, and I’ve started other projects, including plays. A screenplay of Cara Mia is a dream of mine.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set
formula?

I start with a general outline, but then some character will hijack it and take it to places I hadn’t foreseen. I’m not a big plotter. Creating characters is the part I love best. They come to me after I’ve done some research or read something that really inspires me. When I create a character, I go back to my training as an actor and do my homework. I come up with a back-story, attitudes, likes, dislikes and mannerisms, both physical and vocal. I also try to give everyone an occupation of some kind. I ask myself questions. How do they dress and move? What are their relationships like? How do they feel about and interact with the other characters. Most importantly, what do my characters want? What are their beliefs and motivations? Conflict arises out of obstacles placed in the characters’ way. Even minor characters have a story.
The plot of Cara Mia evolved over time. I had the Mia, Ethan and Brovik triangle roughed out, and then Kurt came into the picture, creating yet another triangle and shaking things up. Then I became interested in biotechnology and came up with the idea of Mia and Kurt rebelling against their masters to take the secret of immortality to science. The whole idea of the revolution and the “forbidden science” grew from that.
What drew you to write about vampires/paranormal romance/horror/science fiction (please choose your genre here)?

I’ve always found vampires fascinating because they reflect the dark side of humanity. This is a life-long obsession of mine. It’s always intrigued me how easily people can turn into monsters under extreme circumstances. History is full of examples of man’s inhumanity to man.
I’d say my story is urban fantasy with sci fi elements, rather than paranormal romance. Although Mia and Kurt’s romance and love for one another is an important component to their story, I’ve never really been into romance for romance’s sake, or the vampire as alpha male hero. My heroine doesn’t need saving. Oh, she makes plenty of mistakes and bad decisions. She suffers a lot because of them, but she fights back.

How do you keep your writing different from the vast variety of
stories (in your genre) out there today?

I try to think outside of the box (or is that coffin?) What I’ve tried to do is build a unique world, while not entirely throwing out some of the legendary vampire attributes. My vamps are still stronger and faster than ordinary humans, but they are biologically mutated rather than “undead”. They can’t go out in the sun and must drink human blood, but the blood doesn’t have to come from live victims. I turn to mythology, literature, history and science for inspiration. My vampires live in a multi-layered society, with cultural customs and even a religion. There are no werewolves or other supernatural beings in this world and no magical powers.
In my opinion, the key is to create a fresh cast of characters that doesn’t follow the stereotypes. A hero doesn’t have to be six-two and rugged to be tough. Kurt is five-six and a hundred and thirty pounds soaking wet, but he’s smart and courageous. He doesn’t treat Mia as a possession but an equal partner. Also, characters don’t have to be likeable all the time. Mia can be a bit snarky. She’s a native New Yorker and doesn’t mince words.

How did your title come into play?

Cara Mia is an endearment in Italian. It means, my darling. It’s something Mia’s father called her as a little girl. Her master, Ethan also calls her this, but it takes on a sinister connotation. Mia is a possessive pronoun, conveying his ownership of her. Mia Disantini loosely means, my little saint.
Can you tell us a little bit about the main characters and/or the plot in your book?

The book opens in 1986, with Mia badly beaten and cast out by Ethan in the middle of a winter night to fend for herself. We see a seemingly helpless young woman who turns out to be neither young nor helpless. It flashes forward to 2000, to the POV of Dr. Joe Ansari, a neuroscientist at Genpath Laboratories. Joe is assigned to create a behavioral profile on Mia and her lover, Kurt who are imprisoned in separate cells in the facility. Mia refuses at first to cooperate, but strikes a deal with Joe, who agrees to deliver messages between her and Kurt. She tells Joe of a fifty-year journey, fraught with peril and intrigue that led her to Genpath. But Joe begins to realize that there are details in the story Mia has left out, and he is caught in the middle of a dangerous struggle.

Mia is a strong and independent woman who chafes against a culture that assigns her the role of concubine. In Kurt, she finds a strong yet compassionate man who loves her for the woman she is.

Can you tell us a the difference between an Immortal Elder, Immortal Alpha, and Immortal Slave?

An Immortyl Elder is the head of one of the thirteen houses of vampires. The fountainhead of Immortyl blood is the Chief Elder, Kalidasa who claims to have been gifted his immortality by the Goddess, Kali. He's essentially a king. These "Houses" are somewhat like feudal fiefdoms and the elders the Barons. They are generally the most ancient, but sometimes they are younger and have defeated the previous elder to win the title. They control territories throughout the old world. No one can do business or stay in the territory without petioning the elder for permission and paying him tribute. North America and South America are neutral ground. The alphas are vassals to the elder and are his "blood". They oversee the elder's business interests in his territories. Each elder may have six alphas in service to him. Slaves fall into two classes, one being a soldier class, called "dogs" and the other being a class of male and female sexual companions and domestics. In addition, there are Immortyl temple artists and courtesans called Adepts of the Ancient Arts. They are devotees of the Goddess Kali in an Immortyl Tantric cult founded by the Chief Elder, Kalidasa. Adepts are the equivilant to an Immortyl celebrity in spite of their slave status. Lastly, there are runaways and cast-off slaves known as sewer rats, these are mostly kids and teenagers in form, and rogue dogs who sell their services as assassins and mercenaries.

What were your feelings when you first novel was accepted for publication?

Lisa Smith from L&L Dreamspell sent me an e-mail offering me a contract while I was watching the Oscars in 2009. (Ironically, the actor from Twilight was on at that moment.) It took three days to sink in. I walked around in a daze. Then I was very excited and scared too. By the way, L&L Dreamspell just published their 100th book!

Who is your favorite author? What genre of books do you read?

I’ve read all kinds of books from classics to graphic novels. What actor doesn’t love Shakespeare? I love historical fiction. Two of my favorite authors in that genre are Robert Graves and Mary Renault. My favorite in my genre is Anne Rice.

Are you working on any projects right now?

Book Three, Fearful Symmetry is going through critique with my writer’s group. I’m on a third draft of Book Four, Ratopia and I’m kicking around two other novels.

If you could leave readers with one legacy, what would you want it to
be?
I’d like to take the genre to a new place. My mission is not only to entertain, but to also raise some questions about human nature. That’s my lofty goal, but I do like to make people laugh as well.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out in this genre?

I’m still learning myself, but first off, every writer should be a reader and not only in one’s genre. A writer should read up on all sorts of subjects and observe the world around him or her. Also, read books on writing. Join a good critique group who is supportive, but not afraid to tell you when you’re off track. I’ve worked with mine on books two and three, and I’ve learned a lot. The free editing advice is priceless. Don’t try to be like anyone else. Use your unique experiences and knowledge to write an original story. There is only one Anne Rice or Charlaine Harris and there is only one of you. Perfect your craft and find your own niche. Learn to present yourself and your project in a professional manner. The one thing writers seldom know about at first is how the publishing industry works. Research the kinds of publishers and find the right fit for you. Go to sites like Predators and Editors to learn to avoid pitfalls.

Any last comments you would like to add?.....(upcoming events, titles, etc. )

Twilight of the Gods, Book Two of the Immortyl Revolution will be out this fall. I’ll be appearing next at Marcon in Columbus, Ohio over Memorial Day weekend. This interview is the kick-off of my Virtual Book Tour. For the complete schedule of my VBT, go to my website, blog or Facebook fan page. I also host interviews and giveaways at my blog.

Cara Mia is available in trade paperback from Amazon (also on Kindle), Borders, and Barnes and Noble’s websites, as well multi-format e-book from Fictionwise and other sites. If your local bookstore doesn’t stock copies yet, they will special order them. Autographed copies can be ordered from my website and blog. Cara Mia merchandise (with the lovely butterfly cover by L&L Dreamspell’s Linda Houle) is sold through http://www.cafepress.com/CaraMiaImmortyl.

Is there a website that readers may find you at?
I’m at www.deniseverricowriter.webs.com and my blog is www.ImmortylRevolution.blogspot.com.

You can follow me at my Facebook fan page, Immortyl Revolution and on Twitter. I’m also on Live Journal, Bitten by Books in the Blood Bank, Goodreads, Shelfari and I have an author page at Amazon.com. I’m a member of Authors Supporting Authors.

Thank you so much for stopping by Denise. It has been such a pleasure chatting with you. Please be sure to follow Denise on her book tour, and leave a comment here today for an entry to win a copy of her book. Also, by leaving a comment and becoming a follower of my blog, you will be entered for your chance to win a journal with a book light. (light color may vary)