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Chloe Carpenter isn't like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.
In her otherwise wacky life, she's finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he'd roar right back out.
Problem: He's her new coworker and he's saved her life twice - in the past twenty-four hours.
Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do - figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.
With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she's the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence.
Together, they're forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract.
Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she'll do anything to keep him from Chloe.
Purchase Links: Author Blog, Book Depository, Amazon, B&N, Indie Bound
Title: I Kissed a Dog
The Werewolves of the West Series Book One
Publisher: Cambridge Press US under the umbrella of Charles River Press (CRP)
“Calm down, Missy.” Zane hovered over the female Zebra. His current caring demeanor belied his feral nature as a werewolf.
Standing just inside the door, I could sense Missy’s terror. She saw Zane as a hunter not a healer. I wondered if he was even a real veterinarian.
“Are you planning to help or just watch me struggle?’ Zane asked, eyebrows raised.
“Oh, I don’t know. She thinks you’re going to eat her for breakfast.”
“You think you’re so cute, don’t you? Do you have any idea what you’ve got us into?” He moved away from the squirming filly to face me.
“Me?” How in the world could he blame me for his brutal rampage? And why did I still find him so darn delectable? My so-called disgust had vanished, replaced by an unacceptable craving to feel his mouth on mine. I forced myself to think of the bloody men in the field. That did the trick. My loathing returned.
“Yes! You! When I said ‘stay in the bar,’ did that not mean stay in the bar?” He stepped closer, glaring down at me, his eyes wild with fury and something I couldn’t discern.
Backing up, I found myself pressed against the wall. Icy fear froze my mouth, keeping me from spouting off.
“What have you done to me, Chloe Carpenter?” Taking another step, he reduced the distance between us. I could smell his musky cologne and feel his body heat.
“You’re scaring me,” I peeped.
“It’s about time something scared you.”
Without warning, he reached around the back of my head with one vast hand, drawing my mouth to his.
His lips pressed against mine; I melted — my knees all rubbery. Sensing my dilemma, his other hand slid around my waist pulling me closer.
To my dismay, he was hard — everywhere.
A little moan escaped from the back of my throat as I parted my lips, allowing him to explore my mouth. Sighing with pleasure, my hands moved of their own accord, finding their way around his neck and into the thickness of his dark waves. His hair was as I’d imagined, soft yet dense.
A delicious wildness hummed between us, I was reeling from its intensity.
Missy’s distinct braying-bark tore through my mind, reminding me I was locking lips with a vicious, inhuman beast, all while the zebra looked on, fearing not only for her own safety, but also, from the images she was firing my way, for mine.
“The zebra needs you,” I whispered.
“From what I can tell, you need me more.” Zane smirked.
“O-o-o-o-o … you.” The words wouldn’t form.
Deciding to hammer my raging hormones into submission, I approached Missy with caution. I could see the pain and terror in her eyes. Apprehensive, she snorted as Zane moved closer.
“You’re scaring her. How can you be a vet when the animals see you as a predator?”
“I’m great with lions, tigers, and bears, oh my.”
For a moment I just stared — a werewolf joking about the Wizard of Oz. Could things get any stranger?
I should have known better than even to think the question.
Just for Fun and Just Because: Both Chloe and Zane work with animals at a wildlife park in the fictional town of Plum Beach, Oregon. Plum Beach is actually a substitution for the real coastal town on the Oregon Coast: Bandon. Bandon is home to the West Coast Game Park Safari, which was the model for the Plum Beach Wildlife Park. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, you’ll want to visit. You can actually pet baby animals … like lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! The photo below is from one of my trips to the wildlife park. That is my hand on the lion cub.
I interviewed Carol Van Atta! Here is what she shared with me:
Out of the books you've written, if you could live in one of them which would it be and why?
In what scenario do you do your best work?
With my laptop on top of a pillow on my lap, feet up, and some background noise (actually there’s usually more noise than I care for, but I’ve learned to write with or without). I tend to write in the evenings as I’m a night owl and still have to work at my “day job” during daylight hours. I’d love to have a big office, overlooking a scenic landscape, with high tech toys, well, you get the picture. For now, my love seat with the expandable footrest will have to do!
What are you working on and when can we expect it to be out?
I’m currently working on She Kissed a Vampire, book two in the Werewolves of the West series, Soul Defenders: Jaden, book two in the Soul Defenders series, and The Esther Experiment, a stand alone young adult book. I’m under contract for my Werewolves of the West series, so that book comes first. I suspect it will be out by fall 2013. I marvel at the number of projects you authors can keep straight at the same time! It's great for us readers that you are so good at multi tasking. :D
Which books have been on your tbr shelf the longest?
Oh wow! That’s a tough one. I am addicted to buying books. My bookshelf is full and my Kindle is overflowing with unread books. I read several books at once and have two that I’ve started and have yet to finish, and it has nothing to do with the quality of the writing; they’re both sensational. One is Iced, by Karen Moning, the other, The Passage by Justin Cronin. I keep purchasing shorter books and reading them instead. Silly, huh? :D I think it's some kind of addiction. I do the same thing. I have sooo many books on my shelf that I haven't read yet and I keep buying more before I have a chance to even think about reading them!
Depends what I need at home! Good answer!
What food can't you live without?
I’m currently on a food program, Take Shape for Life/Medifast (love it by the way). But … if I was eating the way the “old me” ate, it would be ice cream, pizza, Hawaiian food, and Chinese Food. Yikes! That’s way more than one food choice. Good luck with your food program!
Depends on my mood (and the weather). Right now it’s inside. I live in Oregon, so rain can keep me inside when I’d rather be out.
Ice cream in a cone or dish?
Dish with a cone on top! lol! My kids eat theirs that way too.
What is your favorite sport? For me ― swimming; to watch ― my son’s baseball. He is now playing college ball in Texas. I miss the Little League days.
What is your favorite or least favorite veggie and fruit?
Fave fruit is a Pomegranate all the way. Veggie would be sugar snap peas, though sometimes they give me major hiccups.
What is your favorite animal?
Wolves. They are majestic, sleek, powerful, wise, well, you get the point. Incredible creatures. I love the big cats too. Nothing like a black leopard.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Lying. You’ll notice in my book, Chloe, the book’s heroine, is none to fond of dishonesty either. In that way she takes after me.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
Thank you so much for asking and having me on your site. I appreciate your support!
Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included, and lots of bunnies were involved), and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper (about David Bowie's Diamond Dogs LP). Yes, she's an ex-80's chick.
Devouring books from numerous genres, Carol developed a deep thirst/hunger for more reading material, and could almost always be found with her nose in a book.
She has contributed to several popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books, and lives in the rainy wetland of Oregon with a terrifying teen (another in college) and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. (Though you can check out her latest spiritual suspense novel, Soul Defenders). It is rumored that this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered too suspicious red marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge to howl at the moon.
Website, Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Facebook (Werewolves of the West Page)
Enter the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a copy for yourself!
I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012
VBT: Giveaway and Review ~ Sugar and Spice by Kristen Beairsto
Title: Sugar & Spice
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo
Sugar and spice makes everything nice, but mixing business and pleasure can come with a price . . .
Francis Stevens – Frankie to her friends – has declared herself permanently single after a couple of monumentally disastrous relationships. And she doesn’t mind at all. Between the international expansion of the lingerie catalog company she runs with her friends, labor strikes, and her regular work load, she has little time for love or a relationship.
But Royce Weston has other ideas. After his family accuses him of becoming a workaholic, a chance encounter with Frankie at a night club has his mind on things other than business. As luck would have it, Royce winds up the executive assigned to work with Frankie and her lingerie company when she partners with his family’s investment firm to fund her expansion.
Despite Frankie’s outward appearance of confidence and swagger, insecurities rear up and cause her to over compensate and drive harder for what she wants. Doubts weigh her down and with Royce watching her every move, she fights to keep her businesswoman’s façade firmly in place. But while Frankie tries her best to keep her mind on business, she can’t ignore the way Royce’s touch makes her feel or the fact that he makes it clear he’s interested in more than just a business relationship. When all of her defense mechanisms fail to keep him at arm’s length, Frankie finds herself wondering: is it possible to mix business and pleasure?
“Any chance you’d leave the catalog to come have dinner with me?”
Frankie froze. Was he asking her out? She shook her head, reminding herself it didn’t matter.
Frankie dropped her pencil and sat back in her chair to stretch for a moment, “Sorry, I can’t. I need to get this done as soon as possible. Wisconsin really set me back.” She tried to stomp down her regret.
“That’s what I thought you’d say.”
Whipping around, Frankie stared disbelieving at the sight of Royce standing in the doorway leading to her office. Looking much the same the night he showed up at her apartment with dark hair mussed, suit jacket slung over his arm, tie undone hanging around his neck, and his briefcase in his hand along with a brown paper bag. In his free hand, he held his BlackBerry to his ear.
The corner of his mouth curving upward, he took the phone from his ear and turned it off without taking his eyes off her.
“How did you get in?” Frankie finally asked when she found her voice again.
Arching a brow, Royce pointed to the cell phone she still held to her ear.
Turning her head, Frankie looked blankly at the phone as though she didn’t know how it got there. With an embarrassed blush rushing up her cheeks, she rolled her eyes at herself and turned the phone off.
Royce strolled into the room, “You forget, Weston, Inc. owns this building, which means I have access to a key,” he set his briefcase and the bag of food on the table beside her layouts, “but we can’t talk because we have to dance.”
Totally bewildered, Frankie just stared at him, “Huh?”
Coming around behind her chair, Royce pulled it out from under the table, “My mother was born and raised in Vegas. If there’s one thing she taught me, other than never talk to strangers and always brush my teeth …” he informed her as he pulled Frankie to her feet, her shock at his sudden appearance and his announcement made it easy.
Taking her hand in his, he moved her other hand to his shoulder and his free hand took up a firm position at the small of her back. He pulled her so close she felt the heat of his body envelop her, “You never let a beautiful woman sit while she listened to Ol’ Blue Eyes. Frank’s songs were made for dancing.”
As Fly With Me began, Frankie had the vague sensation of her feet moving in step as Royce led her in time with the melody.
“I should warn you, I’ve broken toes before,” she tried for a light tone. She found herself having a hard time breathing. Had the room been this warm all night?
With the same lopsided grin, “I think I’ll take my chances,” he informed her right before moving her into an unexpected turn.
Almost losing her balance, Royce caught her just before she lost her footing, causing her to laugh as she fell back in step with him. She couldn’t help but enjoy herself. When he moved for another turn, she stood ready for him, laughing smugly, ridiculously proud of herself.
“Not bad,” he gave an approving nod.
“Maybe for an empty office, but not exactly ballroom material,” she joked.
The song ended and flowed into Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered so quickly, Frankie didn’t even notice when Royce slowed their movements considerably.
Smiling at him, Frankie relished the feel of his arms firmly around her for a moment, “You’re very good at this.”
Royce grinned, “It’s one of the main attractions on my resume. My mother thinks it's romantic to be able to dance this way, while my father only knows how to dance this way. When they started dragging me to their friends’ parties, I didn’t have a choice but to learn.”
“Well, you’re still very good. And I agree with your mother, it is romantic,” she chuckled.
When they actually stopped moving, Frankie didn’t know. But she soon realized they stood still, his fierce sapphire gaze locked with hers. She ordered herself to break the contact to look anywhere else but into his eyes, but she couldn’t.
He leaned slightly downward towards her, “Maybe Mom was right,” he whispered, his head descending the rest of the way.
In between her to-be-read pile and trying to bring the characters in her head alive, Kristen spends as much time as she can with family and friends. Much to her husband’s dismay, she enjoys collecting purses, shoes, and jewelry. During those rare times she’s not working at her day job, rushing her daughters somewhere, watching movies with her husband, and trying to meet a deadline, she can usually be found energetically cheering for one of her favorite New York sports teams.
As with just about every other writer on the planet, Kristen grew up an avid reader. She started with young adult before she technically hit the age range and moved on to sci-fi classics by Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury. At fifteen, her best friend gave her a book she just had to read! The book was Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts. Always a sucker for a happy ending, she was a goner and fell in love with the romance genre. Having started writing novel length stories at the age of eleven, Kristen’s stories all took a romantic turn from that point on.
Connect with her: Email, Website, Facebook, Twitter
This was a rather quick read. I marvel at the way some authors (like Kristen Beairsto) can take a few pages and make the story complete when some other authors have trouble writing a decent story with an abundance of pages.
I love the way Kristen makes her characters slightly flawed. They are more realistic that way.
Sugar & Spice was a sweet romance with some hot scenes. I recommend it to anyone looking for a romance that has a little more to it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I honestly liked it.
Like what you heard? Enter the Tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a copy for yourself.
I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!
Posted by Brenda Demko at 12:30 AM 6 comments:
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Review~ Over the Cliff's Edge by B. Jane Lawson
Morganna Cork has survived her first month in Puesta Del Sol. A month in which she discovers she’s part of the Magick community filled with shifters, psychics, werewolves and individuals with myriad other powers.
Her estranged aunt, Aiofe, has returned to take control of the Magick Council, the Cliffside Inn, and the sacred stones that her cousin Maeve and she hold in their possession.
With the help of a mysterious magical historian, Morganna learns that she is at the center of this Magick battle and that Aiofe will stop at nothing to get her hands on an ancient family heirloom and Morganna.
The romantic tension between Morganna Stone and werewolf pack leader, Callupo Stone, reaches its breaking point as the Cliffside Inn is under siege and they navigate their way through the betrayals and dangers of this war.
Title: Over the Cliff’s Edge
Morganna Cork Series Book 2
Author: B. Jane Lawson
Number of pages: 186
Amazon Print  Smashwords Amazon Digital
Earlier that evening, an abrasive pounding on my bedroom door jarred me from my slumber. I was so tired my eyeballs burned. Since being flayed like a fish, I’d been avoiding sleep; I was afraid I’d wake back up in that cave. I was nearly delirious with exhaustion.
Not wanting to leave the comfort of my sleep-warmed bed, I called out, "Come in already," because, really, who else would knock on my door like that?
All six-feet and four inches of Callupo Stone bounded into my bedroom. He was clad in a black leather jacket, jeans and boots. What could be said about Callupo that couldn’t be summed up with a meaningful gulp?
Shadows concealed his face and expression. "Get dressed. We've got some work to do." The words were ground out purposefully, every syllable calculated to deliver a moderated tone. I still knew he was pissed.
Since arriving in Puesta del Sol to work for my cousin Maeve at The Cliffside Inn, he’d been this grumpy, sexy, pain in my behind. Then, after an attack on the Inn by Aiofe Cork and her cronies (Aiofe being Maeve’s estranged mother) he’d been appointed my around-the-clock bodyguard. I’d made the mistake of going down to the beach alone, albeit to look for Callupo who I thought was injured, and been kidnapped by Aiofe. How were Anya and I to know that she had cursed some of the magical objects Uncle Brendan had left behind? Phantasmagoria was another one of her brands of trickery. After being held hostage for nearly a week, Callupo and his pack rescued me. Suffice it to say that I was devoid of independent decision making privileges when he was on bodyguard duty.
Also, Callupo was a werewolf. This meant he was stronger, hotter (I mean literally, his temperature was always feverish) and more ferocious than your average man. He was also strangely territorial, but I wasn’t going to consider the ramifications of that at this moment in time.
"What? Why? Where are we going?"
"This is not question and answer time. This is do as I say and let's get the hell out of here time." Yep, super pissed.
Since he'd demanded that I leave him be just this morning, I could be assured that this little excursion was not of his own volition. Instead of waiting for my reply, he started to pull drawers out and rifle through them.
“Do you have anything black in here?”
"Hey!” I shouted as he started tossing items onto the floor. “Do you mind?”
I slammed the drawer he palmed shut and threw my body across the dresser. Arms flung wide, I demanded with more courage than I felt, “You are not going through my clothes.”
Callupo took a step closer, crowding me as per usual, “Two minutes. Then I’m picking you up and hauling you out of here in whatever level of dress you reach.” He was much too controlled to let the door slam behind him, though.
I ran a hand through the lustrous, red hair that now fell in a thick tumble down my back. The spell Maeve had cast to make my hair grow back had caused it to return thicker and longer than before it was burned off. I tied it back in a braid before throwing on black leggings and a sweater. I chanced dashing to the bathroom to run a toothbrush along my teeth. When Callupo came back in, I was zipping up my leather motorcycle jacket.
He jerked his head and then I followed him silently as we glided through the quiet halls of the Inn. Down in the sitting room, the crackle of fire blazing in the hearth was the only sound. Two heads swiveled in our direction simultaneously. Ralph Stone, Callupo’s adorable younger brother, and my best friend Anya Demidov.
Including their dark hair, Ralph and Anya were all in black, as well. I gave her a questioning stare, but she shrugged her shoulders, apparently no more informed than me.
“Let’s go.” Ralph stood up and lumbered through the front door. We all followed suit.
It was early December and not quite forty degrees out. A thick fog coated the atmosphere from the ground up, and if the moon was still high in the sky, I wouldn’t know it. I shivered, partially from the cold and partially from the eerie cast to the landscape. How were we going to drive if the fog was so dense it obscured Ralph standing next to me?
Callupo slid effortlessly into the driver seat and started the engine. Ralph first helped Anya in then hopped in next to her in the back of a never before seen black Range Rover. I debated climbing in the back, as well, but Ralph’s cocksure grin stopped me, a silent dare. I glared back and slammed the door behind me once I was settled in the front seat.
At the click of my seatbelt Callupo squealed out of the drive, the force of the acceleration throwing me against the seat. The way we cut through the fog gave the impression that the clouds were rolling past us at a hundred miles per hour instead of the other way around. I envisioned what we must look like, a motorcade of one, headed to our destination on a top-secret mission.
I tried for bravery, but my white knuckles clutching the armrests gave me away. How could he see anything? We were like an airplane flying through a cloud. What if an animal decided to cross the highway? Or a person for that matter?
We were at the interchange of Seacliff and Main in less than five minutes, I cringed as we turned the corner, surprised that we hadn’t ended up on two wheels. We passed where Bar None, Maude’s and Gael’s would have been in a blink of an eye.
“You, uh, want to slow down?” I managed to squeak out.
Ralph responded instead, “Relax Morganna, our night vision is impeccable. We can probably see better in this than you can during the day.”
“Oh,” I replied dumbly. I wasn’t able to make my hands unclench so I closed my eyes instead.
This was likely a good opportunity to get some information from Callupo about our destination, but he didn’t seem in the chatty mood. Frankly, I wasn’t going to do anything to distract him from driving. Once we settled onto the highway the consistent rhythm of the car lulled me back to sleep. It was the most comfortably I’d napped so far. I was hoping it was the car and not the proximity.
Given my preference, I could have slept slumped against the window, my seat heater cranked all the way up, for hours. This mission’s director was Callupo, though. He shook my shoulder gently, as we switched lanes to exit the highway. When I opened my eyes, the first signs of dawn were showing.
B. Jane Lawson lives in Los Angeles where she is a business woman by day, writer by night and cyclist on the weekends. Her obsessions include Starbucks soy chai lattes, fashion, and music.
She has had a life long love affair with novels of all kinds. B. Jane's favorite genres include paranormal romance, historical fiction and true crime. Her favorite authors include Amy Tan, Karen Marie Moning, Pat Conroy, Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling. She loves to travel and her dream vacation is a safari in Africa.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
I am very glad that I agreed to read not only Over the Cliff's Edge but the first book
in this series, To the Cliffside as well.
While you could read book two without reading book one and still enjoy it, I advise against doing that. Reading To the Cliffside first will help you get to know the characters better and have a much better appreciation for what is really going on. Plus it gives you a reason to read a really good paranormal story.
In To the Cliffside we are introduced to Morganna who is on her way to meet and live with a cousin that she never knew existed. Her mother basically wrote her off without really having a reason to do so. Morganna has always felt like she didn't belong. She has been keeping her ability secret since she was 10 years old.
While looking for the Cliffside Inn, she makes a wrong turn and meets a handsome and standoffish man that she later finds out is Callupo Stone.
This first book introduces us to all of the characters, we watch Cal and Morganna fight their attraction, we find out some of the secrets of the Cork family and the town too, we meet an evil member of Morganna's family who wants to hurt or kill her and lots more.
The book was impossible for me to put down. I was interested from start to finish which is saying something! I really like the author's writing style.
Both books were full of action, paranormal beings, mystery, romance  secrets, and hidden agendas.
After reading To the Cliffside, I couldn't wait to read Over the Cliff's Edge. Over the Cliff's Edge was over way too soon for my liking and now I am anxiously awaiting book three so that I can find out what will happen next.
In this book the evil villainess from the last book returns. There is a lot of betrayal in this book but it is completely unexpected.
I was saddened at the end of the book and now I need to wait to see what Morganna will do. I hope I don't have to wait too long!
I received a copy of both books in exchange for my honest opinion. I honestly think this series is great! I will definitely recommend this series to everyone who likes a paranormal romance with a good story included.
I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!
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Sunday, November 25, 2012
Interview with Kendra Highley author of Matt Archer: Monster Hunter
I interviewed Kenda Highley the author of Matt Archer:Monster Hunter, and this is what she shared with me:
Which of your characters is your favorite to write? the easiest? the hardest? the most fun? I think my favorite to write is Mamie. She has the most quirks and it makes her a challenge. The most fun is Will—he gets the best lines. Matt’s probably the easiest and the hardest. When he’s talking to me, the pages flow fast. When he’s in a mood, I have a hard time coaxing out wordcount.
In what scenario do you do your best work?
Usually at home on a quiet Saturday afternoon without a ton of distractions. Strangely, I work well on planes, too.
What book would you like to see made into a movie?
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor I have to confess that I haven't read it yet. :( It has been on my wishlist though!
Which books have been on your tbr shelf the longest?
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is a book I added to my TBR list almost two years ago and haven’t yet read. I have the paperback in my bookcase, so it’s just procrastination, I guess.
When people review your book do you read them personally or do rely on others to let you know what's being said? Since I’m just starting out as debut author, I’m able to read most of them. At some point, that may not be the case, so it’s fun to read them now.
When you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal, what is your favorite food to feast on?
My grandma’s cornbread dressing….tied with her chocolate meringue pie.
If you could talk to one person (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
Well, I’ve met Laurie Halse Anderson (I flailed like a fangirl ), so I’d say Jane Austen. Her writing has withstood the test of time, and I’d love to hear what her life was like.
Favorite T. V. show? celebrity?
My favorite TV show right now is Big Bang Theory. Celebrity? I can’t really say I have a favorite. But I would probably faint if I ran into Michael Trucco somewhere.
Homebody or social butterfly?
A mix. I love to go out with friends, but I need my solitude, too.
Do you have a favorite scent?
Cinnamon Yum! Perfect for this time of year!
What is your favorite supernatural creature?
That’s a tough one. Probably the Nephilim. I first encountered them in Madeleine L’Engle’s Many Waters, but I love Cassandra Clare’s take in The Mortal Instruments.
Hot cocoa or eggnog?
Cocoa, hands down. I’m a chocolate-addict.
Thank you Kendra, for taking the time to answer my questions. :D
Please be sure to read my other post which includes an excerpt, the links for Kendra and her book and an awesome giveaway. You can find it here.
Posted by Brenda Demko at 4:31 PM No comments:
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Giveaway & Review ~ Kendra Highley, author of Matt Archer: Monster Hunter
Matt Archer, an ordinary freshman living in Montana, discovers something unusual on a camping trip with his uncle. Monsters are real. And living in his backyard.
But that's not the half of it...throw in a mystical knife, a covert military unit of soldiers dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares, and a prophecy about a dark war, and Matt finds himself in a job he never imagined: monster hunter.
All this insanity will leave him wondering which is tougher--killing monsters, or asking Ella Mitchell for a date.
Title: Matt Archer: Monster Hunter
Author - Kendra C. Highley
Published: October 19, 2012
Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Createspace
Before I had a chance to dig out some marshmallows for s’mores, the air turned sharp and the wind gusted cold into the campfire, sending up sparks. Uncle Mike rose to his feet, with an intense, alert expression I’d never seen before—like he could eat a brick and enjoy the crunch.
Without looking at me, he said, “Weather’s changing; best to get inside the tent, where it’s warmer.”
With nothing else to do, we packed it in for the night. Mike didn’t allow me to bring a cell phone or anything else electronic on our trips. I could’ve played cards or something, but being outside always made me tired and I went to sleep early because, yes, I’m just that exciting. On the plus side, I had the craziest dream: Ella Mitchell ditched her boyfriend for me. That’s not weird—that’s plain, old wishful thinking. The weird part was that she hopped up on stage during assembly and stole the microphone from Principal Stevens to do it. Then I ran down the aisle to thunderous applause, swept her in my arms and….
“Get back!” Mike yelled.
I sat up in surprise to see shadows moving across the tent’s walls. One shadow was Mike's, distorted in the bright moonlight. The other…heck if I knew what it was. Bulky, taller than Mike by a long shot, it grunted and snorted like an angry pig. Was it a bear? I rubbed my eyes and squinted. No, definitely not a bear. The thing was much too big and shuffled along on two legs.
When it roared, it didn’t sound like any animal I’d ever heard, but more like a bulldozer’s engine. Every hair on my scalp stood up. Whatever this thing was, it wasn’t natural.
Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job.
Kendra believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-shift. She loves monsters, vacations, baking and listening to bad electronica.
More information about the Matt Archer universe, works in progress and the nature of the Higgs Boson* can be found at www.kendrachighley.com (*Yeah…not really. We’ll let the scientists handle that part.)
Twitter / Facebook / Website/Blog
This book flowed smoothly and had loads of action. The characters were very relatable. Matt's family interacted just like any other family would and I liked it. I enjoyed seeing Matt mature.
Along with the action, there were lots of laughs too. I thought Kendra Highley's writing style was witty and with the slang words added in it was believable that you were listening to a 14 year old boy talking. (I should know. I have a 13 year old son.)
I thought it was awesome that there were no swear words used in this book. I kid you not! There wasn't even one. Not that I have a problem with swear words per say, but they seem to be used a little too often if you ask me.
I recommend this to teens looking for a good adventure.
I received a copy of this book from RABT in exchange for my honest opinion.
I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!
Posted by Brenda Demko at 12:30 AM 1 comment:
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Friday, November 23, 2012
Blurb Blitz~ Ava's Pleasure by Heidi Lynn Anderson
Ava’s Pleasure by Heidi Lynn Anderson
When prim proper Ava stumbles into a Miami sex club, she isn't expecting to find the man from her dreams. Navy SEAL Logan is just wasting time between missions until this naïve and innocent woman turns his world upside down.
Here's an excerpt to tempt you.
Nick tapped on the doorframe.
"Oh, thank God," she said under her breath.
"Honey, I have the boxes you asked for," he said, sauntering in, still wearing his fire department uniform. The navy Polo shirt and cargo pants fit him to a T.
Ava had to admit he made a hunky picture. She wondered why she didn't have the same reaction to his six foot two well-muscled frame as all her girlfriends. They all loved his kind brown eyes, boyish good looks, and underwear-model body.
Her mind flashed to the day, five years ago, when she met Nick. Her roommate dragged her to a fundraiser for the local hospital's burn unit. That night firefighters stripped down to their skivvies for a good cause.
She remembered her shock and dismay when he pulled her up on the stage and kissed her senseless. When Nick realized he'd scared her spitless, he bought her a drink and apologized--then bugged her until they were best friends. He'd been kissing her and calling her honey ever since. She loved him like an annoying brother.
He dropped the boxes next to Sister Mary Elizabeth, gave her a little wink, then continued toward Ava. Nick turned her office chair and pressed his lips to hers. She waited for the tingling feelings to start, but nothing. Not even when the tip of his tongue swiped her bottom lip. Am I dead inside?
Ava leaned back and forced a smile. "Hi, honey, thank you for coming on short notice."
Nick sat on her desk, his back to the now sputtering sister and mouthed, Nothing?
Ava grinned and shook her head. "Nick, let me introduce you to Sister Mary Elizabeth."
He winked again and stood to face the fuming woman. "Nice to meet you, Sister."
Nick must have blessed her with his charming smile, because the old nun's face twisted into a small grin. It must work on every woman on the planet--except for her.
By day, Heidi Lynn Anderson is a wife, mother, and owner of a small Green-Cleaning company. By night, she spins erotic tales featuring hunky heroes and the women they love. When not working or writing, Heidi likes spending time with her husband and son, doing what Florida has to offer.
Heidi is generously awarding one randomly drawn commenter from the Tour a $25 Amazon GC!
You can see the tour schedule here. The more you comment, the better your chances to win! :D
I'd love to know what you're thinking. Please leave a comment!
Posted by Brenda Demko at 12:30 AM 7 comments:
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I am a middle aged wife and mother of three boys. Because life is often hectic, I self medicate with good books! It is a cheap form of therapy. I have found that it does wonders for my sanity! lol! My favorite types of books to read are paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy,and young adult.
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Mostly I read paranormal and contemporary romances, young adult, and urban fantasy. I do not like historicals or horror!
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