IMM: In My Mailbox 04/26/10

Forbidden Highlander (ARC) by Donna Grant
It Happens in Threes by Denise Robbins

IMM: 04/28/10
Prey by Melina Morel
Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens
Penitence by Jennifer Laurens

IMM: 04/30/10
Dare to Surrender by Lilli Feisty

Real Fantasy VIII

It has been some time since I have posted Real Fantasy designs.

I was craving a break from mundane work and asked author Nicole Peeler to send me a photo.

She has a fabulous personality and zest, that I could not wait to see where my design would go.

I hope you enjoy my interpretations of Nicole. I like the blue one best.

Thank you Nicole for trusting me with your beautiful visage.

Winner Announcement!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for Connect the Dots by Denise Robbins!

 Special thanks to those who followed my blog, tweeted and posted the contest.

Stay tuned for more contests soon! The winner has been contacted.

Prize: Connect the Dots by Denise Robbins 

 Winner:  Annarkie

 who said... Believe it or not, I've never read a romantic suspense novel. I'm so entering. :)

IMM: In My Mailbox 04/19/10

Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
Bitten by Cupid by Lynsay Sands, Pamela Palmer and Jaime Rush
If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl

IMM: 04/21/10 to 04/24/10
Killer Bunny Hill by Denise Robbins
Warrior by Cheryl Brooks
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

Review and Contest: Connect the Dots

Connect the Dots
Denise Robbins

When a CIA Operator tries to connect the dots she winds up at the center of an international crisis...

CIA Human Intelligence Operator, Charley Duston, gets the shock of her life when she opens her freezer to find the picture of her murdered ex-lover. Worse is the implied message: She is next. Not one to give in to intimidation tactics, Charley is determined to uncover the truth behind her ex's death and bring the culprits to justice. Not knowing whom she can trust, she moves to an undisclosed location where she can covertly investigate the death threats. Here she meets her new neighbor Jake Frisbie at gunpoint when she mistakes him for a carjacker. Attracted to the handsome, easy-going hunk, Charley knows her relationship with Jake would only put him in danger. She tries to fight off her feelings but finally gives in just before her world crashes and she is kidnapped. The beautiful, new neighbor entrances Jake but he can make no sense of her secretive nocturnal disappearances. As a Special Agent, he investigates her and is shocked to learn she is at the center of an international crisis. Despite common sense, he becomes involved with the young woman and when she disappears, he vows to find her. Risking his life, Jake ventures into the world of black sites and international intrigue to save the woman he loves and expose the responsible criminals, no matter how high up in the government they sit.  Amazon

I will start by saying that after reading this book I was inclined to immediately read the previous two books. The two prior books are It Happens in Threes and Killer Bunny Hill. Characters from both books make brief cameos in Connect the Dots and now I NEED to know their stories too. That is what this book did to me. I was hungry for more and excited to turn the page. That being said, Connect the Dots can certainly be read as a standalone novel.

Before reading this book I became a fan of Denise’s blog and fell in love with her style of writing. She is witty, fresh, down to earth and very clever. We also chat on Twitter and I could not wait to see how her charisma carried through in a fictional book. I was not disappointed. The book is filled with fun banter, charming characters and intrigue in all the correct spots. The book starts with a bang and keeps the pace. It is a true page turner. There is drama, suspense, romance, mystery and action.

The heroine, Charley, is strong, clever and fiercely independent. So imagine her chagrin when the hero, Jack, steps in to “save the day”. She is humbled and tumbled right out of her comfort zone by her mysterious new neighbor. He seems to inevitably expose her few vulnerabilities and be there to help her back up. Her strength and passion are amazing to witness as she struggles to make sense of her world turns on its side. She has a fortitude and is a force to be reckoned with. Much the same can be said for Jake. Wow, what a man! He swings an axe, carries weapons and his best friend is a woman. What more can I say!

So with a book filled to the brim with perfection, what would I change? Initially this sentence sequence gave me pause: Someone listened to her using the potty. Oh, my gosh! I think I read it twice, because the heroines’ I am accustom too would have added a bit of spice to that thought. However, through the course of the book you come to love Charley and her inner good girl. She does eventually say, “freaking” and is redeemed *g*. My only other stumble was the acronyms used. They are necessary but there are a bunch. Again after a bit of reading, they became comfortable and are appropriate to the story and situation.

Thank you Denise for writing this story and for letting readers enjoy the thrill of Connecting the Dots!

Intense Whispers:
Tiny hairs danced on the back of Charley’s neck. Heart thumping the ‘La Bamba’ inside her chest,  she retrieved her Sig-Sauer from her case and set the bag noiselessly on the  floor.
~ page 5 (first page of chapter 1)

Holy Moly! He was going to kill her. He was fast, strong, and an extremely skilled fighter. He attacked from behind grabbing her by the neck.
~ page 81

Contest: The prize is a fantastic new, SIGNED copy of Connect the Dots! All you need to do to make this book yours is comment on this post! It is that easy. If you would like to follow my blog or befriend me on twitter that would be awesome. Contest ends April 20th. Contest has ended.

The fine print: Contest open to US residents only. Once the book has been mailed, I cannot be held responsible for its delivery. Only one comment will be counted toward entry. I will try and contact the winner by email, twitter, etc. However, I must have a reply within 48 hours of the winners announcement. I will try and announce the winner within one day of the contest end. Each entry will be assigned a number based on comment order and random.org will be used to generate the winner. Personally owned copy.

Winner Announcement!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for Tie Me Down by Tracy Wolff!

 Special thanks to those who followed my blog, tweeted and posted the contest.

A new contest will be posted today! The winner has been contacted.

Prize: Tie Me Down by Tracy Wolff

 Winner:  flchen1

 who said...  Hi, Tracy and Robin! Very fun interview and format! Tracy, thanks

for celebrating Tease Me with us--your reads are smoking hot! (in a good way!)

IMM: In My Mailbox 04/12/10

Half Past Dead by Zoe Archer
Tumbling Through Time by Gwyn Cready
Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin
Darkness Unleashed by Alexandra Ivy

IMM: 04/13/10 - 04/17/10
In Scandal They Wed by Sophie Jordan
Succubi Like It Hot by Jill Myles
From the Shadow by E.J. Stevens
Shadows of Myth and Legend by E.J. Stevens
Blood of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Rogue in My Arms by Celeste Bradley

Before I Fall Cover Design

 Though I started this design for a contest, I fell in

love with the soft feeling and innocence conveyed.

I hope you enjoy the design as well.

Created for the contest at Book Crazy.

The prize is a copy of Before I Fall.
Contest ends April 22, 2010.

Review: And Falling, Fly

And Falling, Fly
Skyler White

Olivia is a vampire bored with modernity. Tattooist, boyfriend, black-metal singer: everyone you don’t love tastes the same. Since the fall from Eden, she has hungered for love, but fed only on desire.

Dominic O’Shaughnessy is a neuroscientist plagued by impossible visions. When his research and her despair collide in Ireland’s L’Otel Mathillide – a subterranean hell of beauty, demons and dreams – rationalist and angel unite in a clash of desire and damnation that threatens to destroy them both.  Berkley Books, March 2010

I struggle with where to even start with this review. I guess the first question would be, did I like the book. That would also be a straight forward question for most books. But not this one. At times I hated this book, loved the book, could not out it down, could not wait to put it down. It is a contradictory from the start. Skyler writes beautifully with unbidden words and poetic flow. I often found myself starting sentences over to understand the context, the feel. This is most definitely not an easy read. To understand the characters I needed to slow down and absorb the written words. I needed to look at the entire page and scene. This was unique for me and somewhat exhausting. Though not necessarily in a bad way.

The characters are fascinating and full of life. Yes, even the undead leap from the pages with vibrance and vitality. The heroine is desperate, broken and starved. She is without hope and has no remorse. The hero, Dominic, is in some ways paralleled to Olivia but in more ways the opposite. He has unending hope and drive. He wants to concur and win.  His life is fulfilled by his work, the science of knowing. Together they create a graceful dance of survival and courage. I enjoyed the character interaction and felt impatience for the next meeting of the two. I cannot count the times I wanted to thwack Dominic upside the head with this book. If I had to describe him in two words it would be, ignorant genius.

The background and settings are fantastic and well described. So many different feelings are conveyed by the environment. From the damp and dark to the light and soaring. Skyler did a fabulous job encompassing me into the scene. It is almost like looking around a magic place with the characters.

This is a great read for readers like myself who love to taste the differences in paranormal authors. I love the genre for its vast ideals and unending imagination. Skyler definitely has a very unique viewpoint of vampires and I was enthralled by Olivia. Both her strengths and weaknesses are well defined. This books gives a fresh and frightening view of the undead. One of my favorite parts of the book were the sparse but surprising witty comments made by the characters. I would not call this book a humorous read, but every so often (like a mint on a pillow at a hotel), you find a hidden giggle. Take a chance and sink into this book!

Intense Whispers:
Tonight, I will be the bogeyman, a thing half seen, the sudden shiver crawling, ranging fast and silent through your night, my glorious daybreak.
~ page 21-22

"...I am timeless, spaceless, crammed into time and space. I am the unspeakable made into a single word. I am a true violation of Truth."
~ page 115

Private I with Tracy Wolff and Contest!

As the author enters the dark, musty room lined with book selves. The author hears a click and white smoke billows across the floor.

Thank you for coming in. Were you informed of the reason you were brought in today? I assume it has something to do with the fact that one of my character's was shot.

We believe your character may be involved in suspicious activity. When and where is the last time you saw your character? The last time I saw him, he was in the hospital, recovering.

For the record, can you please say and spell your characters full name and any known aliases. Byron Hawthorne from Tease Me

Do know where your character may be now? My best guess - at his apartment or the apartment of Lacey Alexander.

Can you please give a brief description of your character? Tall, broad shoulders, six-pack abs, shaggy blonde hair, brown eyes. SEXY... and a little dangerous.

 Do you have a recent picture of the subject? I've got a picture of his abs.

What was the demeanor of the subject like when you last met? He was in pain (getting shot can do that to you).  Kind of grumpy, but relieved that Lacey was okay.

Have they been fraternizing with anyone new as of late? You mean besides a whole bunch of sex traffickers when he went undercover with Lacey?

We understand that you are the author of the character, but can you describe your personal relationship with them? Frustrating. Very frustrating. Byron rarely does what I want him to.

Do you know your character intimately? About as intimately as it gets.

We found this with your characters prints on it. Can you please tell me what it is? The gasoline can he used to start a fire.

Is there anything else you think may be helpful? Byron's a good guy.  He deserves his HEA (Happily Ever After).

If we our associates have any further questions, where can you be found?
website - www.tracywolff.com
blog - www.tracywolff.blogspot.com

The shadow behind the desk stifles a cough and reaches out with a pale hand.
"Thank you for your cooperation."

As the author turns to leave, a pile of folders of the desk can be seen through the rolling smoke. Each stamped as containing confidential information for the Office of Fictional Unaccounted for Characters, also known as O.F.U.C.

We are offering a reward for any information leading to the apprehension of this character. Contest: Tracy is offering one lucky commenter a copy of Tie Me Down! All you need to do to make this book yours is comment on this post! Contest ends April 15th at Midnight CST.

The fine print: Contest open to US residents only. Only one comment will be counted toward entry. I will try and contact the winner by email, twitter, etc. However, I must have a reply within 48 hours of the winners announcement. I will try and announce the winner within one day of the contest end. Each entry will be assigned a number and random.org will be used to generate the winner. The book will be mailed from Tracy.

Teaser Tuesday (10) - And Falling, Fly

And Falling, Fly by Skyler White

I am angry. "If he did not want or fear me, I could not pierce his flesh. How else do you expect me to prove his desire?"
"He must kiss you in the garden."

~ Page 176

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly event created by MizB of Should Be Reading

IMM: In My Mailbox 04/05/10

Warrior by Angela Knight
Some Like it Kilted by Allie Mackay

IMM: 04/06/10 - 4/10/10
Seducing Mr. Darcyby Gwyn Cready
Connect the Dots by Denise Robbins
Her Vampire Husband by Michele Hauf

Winner Announcement!

Thank you to everyone who entered the cotest for The Highwayman by Michele Hauf!

 Special thanks to those who followed my blog, tweeted and posted the contest.

I hope to have many more contests on the future! The winner has been contacted.

Prize: Crux -The Highwayman by Michele Hauf 

 Winner:  My 5 Monkeys(Julie) 

 who said...  never read this author before , but I do love books where

there are arranged marriages... but there is always the happy ending or working together.

Guest Post: Michele Hauf - The Wedding

Michele is here today blogging about weddings and marriage. I am honored to have her! I have read Her Vampire Husband and LOVED it. Please see my review here. Michele is offering one lucky commenter a copy of THE HIGHWAYMAN! Please see the contest details at the end of the post!

She may resist his bite, but she can't resist his charms…

Werewolf princess Blu Masterson won't allow her seductive vampire husband to consummate their marriage with his bite, marking her forever. Alone in a secluded estate with her sworn enemy, Blu curses the marriage arranged to bring their rival nations together, especially since Creed Saint-Pierre calls out to her most feral desires. When Blu uncovers her pack's secret plot to destroy the vampire nation—and Creed—she is forced to confront her growing feelings for her sexy undead husband. Will she choose the only life she's ever known or accept his vampire bite?

I'm touring all over the blogsphere through April, so do be sure and check my blog for all the tour dates.  At each blog I'll chat about a different aspect of HER VAMPIRE HUSBAND.  Today, it's all about The Wedding.

I love arranged marriage stories.  Love, love, love them!  I adore the idea of two strangers forced together, having to learn about one another, and maybe (hopefully) love develops.  So why not try it myself, eh?  And while I'm at it, of all the creatures I've written about, which two would be the most fun to put together to watch the fireworks?  Definitely a werewolf and vampire.  The two breeds pretty much hate each other.  The weres have done nasty things to the vampires over the centuries.  And the vamps have a tendency to hunt werewolves like real wolves.  Perfect! 

Now, I knew I needed to get my hero and heroine together right away, so the wedding had to be chapter one.  (You can read the complete first chapter at my website.)  I was actually writing this story about the time my daughter was planning her own wedding.  (She's since decided he was not the man for her. I admire her courage in recognizing that and respecting herself enough to call the wedding off.)  So I had Bride magazines and brochures on dance halls lying around.  I knew the swankiest place to hold a reception was the Landmark Center in St. Paul, so that part was easy.

But what about the wedding dress?  That's the most exciting part of all the planning.  (Note: my daughter had wanted a red wedding dress. I was cool with that.)  I took a good long look at my heroine, Blu Masterson, the sassy werewolf princess, who stood staring at me, teasing a finger in her neon green hair, and knew traditional white was not her style.  Red would not match the hair, so black it was.  Cut down to there in the front, and cut waaaay down to there in the back.  Of course the bridal bouquet demanded black roses tied with a bright red ribbon.

Non-traditional?  What do you expect for a werewolf/vampire wedding?

I kept the hero in a sleek Armani suit.  And for their rings, well, those have great meaning in the story.  The hero presents the heroine a ring filled with witch's blood.  Witch's blood is poisonous to vampires in my world (or it used to be; maybe it still is?).  The heroine presented the hero with a ring filled with liquid silver.  Not a werewolf's favorite thing.  These rings were a means to trust.

The last thing I needed was music, and decided to use one of my favorite girl quartets, Bond.  Their single, Big Love Adagio was perfect.  You can sample a listen of it here.

So did the marriage work out?  Did they live happily ever after?  Well, you'll have to pick up HER VAMPIRE HUSBAND and find out! 

Find Michele online here:
Website - michelehauf.com
Blog - dustedbywhimsy.blogspot.com
Facebook - facebook.com/michelehauf
Twitter - twitter.com/michelehauf
Visit Beautiful Creatures - michelehauf.com/worldcharacters.html 

Contest: Michele is offering one lucky commenter a copy of THE HIGHWAYMAN! All you need to do to make this book yours is comment on this post! Let Michele know if you think Creed and Blu will be happy. She will be stopping by periodically chat. Contest ends April 2nd at Midnight CST.

CONTEST HAS ENDED! 

The fine print: Contest open to US residents only. Only one comment will be counted toward entry. I will try and contact the winner by email, twitter, etc. However, I must have a reply within 48 hours of the winners announcement. I will try and announce the winner within one day of the contest end. Each entry will be assigned a number and random.org will be used to generate the winner. The book will be mailed from Michele.

Private I with Shiloh Walker

Author enters dark, musty room lined with book selves. The dim light reveals a shadowed figure behind an immense desk.

Thank you for coming in. Were you informed of the reason you were brought in today? Nope.

We believe your character may be involved in suspicious activity. When and where is the last time you saw your character? Thursday. I think. And at my house.

For the record, can you please say and spell your characters full name and any known aliases. Well, for confidentiality reasons, I can't say his full name. It would ruin the surprise... it's a spoiler. But he goes by the name Ren.

Do know where your character may be now? Lurking around somewhere. That's what he does... don't know his exact location, because there's no real title yet.

Can you please give a brief description of your character? White male, appears to be mid-thirties.  About 5'10. I think. Dark brown eyes. No hair - hasn't had any for most of his life, lean build.

Do you have a recent picture of the subject? Nope.

What was the demeanor of the subject like when you last met? He's cranky.

Have they been fraternizing with anyone new as of late? Ren doesn't fraternize.

We understand that you are the author of the character, but can you describe your personal relationship with them? I like him. He amuses me. I feel bad for the crap I put him through. I want to give him the woman he wants, and the life he wants.

Do you know your character intimately? I'd hope so.

We found this with your characters prints on it. Can you please tell me what it is? It looks like his bladed staff.  He'll want it back. It's one of his favorite toys.

Is there anything else you think may be helpful? Letting me leave... so I can finish his story.

If we our associates have any further questions, where can you be found?
twitter - http://twitter.com/shilohwalker
website - http://shilohwalker.com
blog - http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com

The shadow behind the desk shifts and reaches out with a pale hand.
"Thank you for your cooperation."

As the author turns to leave, a pile of folders of the desk can be seen. Each stamped as containing confidential information for the Office of Fictional Unaccounted for Characters, also known as O.F.U.C.