Winners

All January contests are now closed. Here are the winners....

Bound By Sin:
throuthehaze
ck.twilighter (Chasity)


Angie Fox:
donnas
(A Tale of Two Demon Slayers)

Kris
(My Zombie Valentine)

heatwave16
(Kiss My Asphalt t-shirt)


The Lady In the Tower:
Elizabeth


Darcy Saga:
Not Nessie

Congrats to all the winners!!! You have 5 days to claim your prizes. Please
send your mailing information here: annasbookblog@gmail.com

All winners were chosen through Random.org

In My Mailbox [39]

In My Mailbox was started over at The Story Siren.
Here is what I got his past week:

Paperback Swap:
Dancing with Werewolves- Carole Nelson Douglas
Soul Song- Marjorie M. Liu
When the Wind Blows- James Patterson
The Lake House- James Patterson

Book Mooch:
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas- James Patterson

Bought:
A Tale of Two Demon Slayers- Angie Fox
Moon Craving- Lucy Monroe
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Demigod Files- Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Ultimate Guide- Rick Riordan
Twice As Hot- Gena Showalter

Cover Discovery

Release Date: April 27, 2010

Book Summary:

When an ancient gold bear is found walled up in a dilapidated St. Petersburg bathhouse, researcher Daniel St. Clair and his frosty colleague Em Hayward set out for the university in Arkhangelsk to verify its age. Along the way they are mysteriously set adrift. Maps are suddenly useless. Lost and exhausted they turn north, sinking even deeper into the secrets and terrors of the Russian landscape.

Daniel's lost love, the wild and beautiful Rosa Kovalenka, fears the worst when Daniel goes missing and resolves to find him. To do so will mean confronting her past and secrets that she has fought to suppress. The only way to save him is to go forward, where she encounters the haunted Chenchikov clan, a family with their own shadowy tangle of grief, desire, and treachery.

In the unknowable, impenetrable Russian forest, Rosa meets an enigmatic wanderer who is full of tales and riddles of times past. Who might hold the key to Rosa and Daniel's future--or the destruction of their world.

Release Date: June 29, 2010

Book Summary:

Tracking the Tempest begins four months–and one eyebrow sacrificed to magical training–after the close of Tempest Rising. During that time, Jane’s been busy honing her supernatural powers and enjoying her newfound sense of confidence. Rockabill may not yet be heaven, but she’s realized it’s home. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, however, and Ryu–Jane’s bloodsucker boyfriend–can’t let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. This time his shenanigans involve a last-minute ticket to Boston and a hefty dose of direct interference in her life. But Ryu’s best laid plans inevitably create more upheaval than even he can anticipate, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings committed by a being of tremendous power . . .

. . . who, much to Jane’s surprise, happens to be another halfling.

Release Date: July 1, 2010

Book Summary:

I can’t last much longer. It’s been one week, three days, and I forget how many hours.

My belly cramps, and I curl on my bed, staring out at the stars. A delicious breeze glides through my window and cools my sweaty forehead. The air smells of summer–mowed grass, recent rain, lingering barbecue–and tempts me more than I want to admit. Shards of moonlight and shadow shift on the wall. I clench my teeth and toes and try to ride out the pain. My bedroom drifts counterclockwise, and I shut my eyes.

It can’t be good for me, not shapeshifting.

Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves.

When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive.

Release Date: July 6, 2010

Book Summary:

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again--this time by leaving him.

Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He'll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back. Isabella resists, but when she agrees to pose for erotic paintings he's been working on, she realizes her body has never stopped craving her husband’s very skilled touch. Mac is determined to show Isabella that he's a changed man, but three years without her has only increased his hunger for her.

When an ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings, and Isabella herself, comes dangerously near, Mac sets himself up as Isabella’s protector and vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.

Release Date: September 2010

Book Summary:

Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who
possesses the unique genetic makeup
needed to navigate faster than light ships
through grimspace. With no tolerance for
political diplomacy, she quits her
ambassador post so she can get back
to saving the universe the way she does
best—by mouthing off and kicking butt.

And her tactics are needed more than ever. Flesh-eating
aliens are attacking stations on the outskirts of space, and
for many people, the Conglomerate’s forces are arriving
too late to serve and protect them.

Now, Jax must take matters into her own hands by recruiting a militia to defend the frontiers—out of the worst criminals, mercenaries, and raiders that ever traveled through grimspace…

Interview/Giveaway with Sharon Lathan

Today I'm happy to welcome Sharon Lathan to the blog. She is the author of the very popular Darcy Saga.

Hi Sharon, Welcome Anna's Book Blog! Glad to have you here. To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

Happy too! I say on my website that I am an average woman, and despite the extraordinary turn my life has recently taken, I still see myself that way. I live in a small, rural town in central California some hundred miles from where I grew up. My husband and I celebrated 23 years of mostly-blissful marriage this past year, and we are the proud parents of two fabulous kids – “kids” being a generic term as they are 21 and 17 now. Professionally I am a registered nurse (as I dreamed of being when I was 9 years old) with 25 years experience in neonatal ICU. My day-to-day life revolves around family, nursing, and housewife chores with writing thrown in there somewhere!

My Dearest Mr. Darcy is your newest release. Can you tell us a little about it and the series?

My Dearest Mr. Darcy is the third book of my sequels to Pride and Prejudice. My philosophy and approach to telling of Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy as a married couple is that they are joyful in their relationship, very much in love, and traveling through the normal events of life in the Regency Era. My desire is to stress the positive aspects of marriage while revealing the unique history and society of the time period. I want the reader to pleasantly enjoy their adventures and life, trusting that the Darcy's discover the happily-ever-after we want for our beloved literary couples.

By the end of this third installment the reader will have spent one leisurely year with the Darcy's, along with their friends and family, experiencing the honeymoon months while journeying to several places throughout England. My Dearest Mr. Darcy covers the final four months of their first year as they journey to the seaside for a series of escapades, pass the autumn at Pemberley, and celebrate a number of special occasions (being very mysterious here!) The novel culminates with the birth of their first child. Secondary characters play a major part in the action, everyone maturing and having their own adventures. It is tremendous fun!

What is your writing day like?

I really wish I could say I was super disciplined and had a routine, but that would be a fib. Between my nursing schedule and family obligations, I am all over the place in finding time to write! Unfortunately days, or even weeks go by without me being able to find the time to write. Generally I am the type of writer who needs quiet, solitude, and an assured block of time in order to create. Of course there are those times when inspiration is running rampant and I can type my fingers off no matter what is going on! I have done some of my best work while in the car or with the TV blaring. And usually when I get in the right frame of mind and the muse is on full throttle I am very prolific. I have learned to not force it and trust, although there are those times when I have to apply myself and power though the obstacles.

When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?

I am an eclectic reader and always have been. There really are no genres I refuse to read, although I avoid horror and westerns. For most of my life I have veered toward fantasy and sci-fi, surprisingly. That still is my preferred genre, but my six stuffed bookshelves range all over the place with authors and types. Lately I have became seriously hooked on romance, a category I haven’t read since my long ago college days. I am currently devouring Sherrilyn Kenyon and Karen Marie Moning. Fabulous stuff! I love historical novels and serial stories, so I suppose it isn’t a shock that I lean toward both in writing a historical saga.

Since becoming published, what has been your favorite part of the process?

What I love best are those times when I can immerse myself into research and writing; when I can get into the zone and truly create without distractions. That is still a major rush! As far as the process of publishing, nothing quite compares to seeing the UPS man drive up, opening that cardboard box, and holding the finished novel in my trembling hands for the first time. Wow, what a tremendous feeling to see the final result of ofttimes agonizing work! I have also discovered that the editing steps are not as painful as anticipated and an intriguing challenge to my creativity as I work with my editor to polish and tweak. Running close behind that is the joy of sharing all of it, every step, with my fans. I have a worldwide network of amazing supporters who have inspired me in ways beyond expressing and I adore interacting with them in any way I can.

Besides the book and movies of Pride and Prejudice, what type of research did you do for this series?

You are correct that it centers on the source material and Jane Austen. That, coupled with Joe Wright’s interpretation, has been my foundation. Concurrently, I began with hours on Wikipedia and Google, just searching for anything Regency related. The number of websites I have bookmarked numbers in the hundreds and I am forever searching for more. I have bought and read a few books, but probably 99% of my research is off the net. I immersed myself in the Georgian world, England’s landscape, history, culture, and so on as much as is possible. As I learned the generalities, specific events, people, or objects would leap out at me. Often whole plotlines evolved due to something I read while researching for something else and I am always looking for that unique, unknown detail. I have no doubt that if I could recollect every hour since the start, I have spent more time on the research than the actual writing!

Language is also very important to me. My style is elegant and romantic, poetic to a large respect, and more modern than Austen’s, for obvious reasons. I am careful to avoid glaring anachronisms. The proper words are essential, and I try hard to not choose a phrase or a word that was not in use at that time, especially within dialogue. I really love vocabulary so nothing thrills me more than to insert unusual words. I spend a crazy amount of time searching through several thesauruses and dictionaries to find just that right word for whatever I am trying to say.

If you could ask Jane Austen one question what would it be?

Do you picture Mr. Darcy as Matthew Macfadyen or Colin Firth? LOL! Just kidding! I already know its Matthew. Ha!

Seriously, I am not sure I have one question. I used to wonder how she would feel about the proliferation of fan fiction based upon her work and how she would have written the Darcys’ continuing life. But, with all due respect, I think Jane Austen mania has taken on a life of its own and her opinion on the subject is a moot point! I have decided how my heart perceives her story and I am content with that interpretation and the life I have given her characters. To be frank, even if she told me otherwise, I would continue on the same.

I honestly think I would merely want to sit with her, sipping tea in the parlor, and have her talk, just talk, about her life and the world she lived in. I love the history and the era, and to learn of it intimately would be amazing. I would probably be too busy taking copious notes to ask any coherent questions!

Beside Lizzy and Darcy being favorites, do you have a secondary character that you really enjoy?

There are several, some created by Austen and others by me. My favorites are Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and Dr. George Darcy. I so love these men! They are similar in their boisterous humor and I have such fun writing them, especially in their interactions with the stuffy Darcy!

Secondary characters have been a challenge in that Austen has so many of them! I have had to pick those who speak to my heart the most – Anne de Bourgh, Georgiana, Mary Bennet, Col. Fitzwilliam, and Kitty Bennet – and focus on them, often to the exclusion or minimalizing of others.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a new book?

Something to drink, preferably a fresh espresso latte made by my hubby.

My trusty MacBookPro with a functioning Internet. Seriously, David Banner turning into the Hulk has nothing on me when the Internet is down! Searching for words and facts are my lifeline and writing without that access at my fingertips is very difficult for me.

I like it quiet with no distractions. Again, it depends on how afire I am at the time. I suppose the third “must have” is that creative passion. If I am not clearly envisioning the scene or distressed by something or tired or not in the right mood, it is tougher to create – for me. I can sometimes power through, force the words to come, but I have discovered that it goes better if I keep it casual and dynamic.

What is up next? Will you continue with the Saga or move on to something else?

In October the fourth book in the Darcy Saga series will be released. The title is in flux, so we are just calling it Darcy #4 right now. It moves quicker, covering over a year. In November an anthology titled A Darcy Christmas will be published by Sourcebooks and I have written one of the three novellas, along with Carolyn Esau and Amanda Grange. I am very excited about this! Darcy #5 will follow in spring of 2011 and then later that year a companion novel about Georgiana Darcy.

Beyond that, I have no idea! Well, I have ideas – lots of them – and have talked with my editor about my future, but nothing is written as yet. I know I love the Darcy's, but I also love history in a general sense. I do see myself staying within the historical fiction with romantic themes category, but time will tell where my heart leads me.

Thank you so much, Anna, for honoring me with this interview. I had a terrific time answering your questions! If anyone has additional queries, feel free to ask and I will do my very best to answer in a timely manner.

MY DEAREST MR. DARCY
IN STORES JANUARY 2010

Married life is bringing out the best in the Darcy's. Their mutual attentiveness brings readers into a magical world of love and wedded bliss.

Elizabeth is growing into her role as Mistress of Pemberley, and Darcy has mellowed under her gentle teasing and light-heartedness. Pemberley becomes a true home and a welcoming environment for loving family and friends. The Darcy's travel to the seaside, welcome their firstborn, celebrate their anniversary and second Christmas, and at every moment embrace the love gifted to them.

“I love you, my Elizabeth. You are my soul, my blood and bone, my very life.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon Lathan is the author of the bestselling Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, and Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley. In addition to her writing, she works as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal ICU. She resides in Hanford, California in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. For more information on Sharon and her saga, come to her website at: http://www.darcysaga.net/

_____________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY

THE GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED!!


Thanks to Sourcebooks I have a set of Darcy Saga books to giveaway. One lucky winner will receive the titles pictured above. Open to U.S. & Canada. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. The winner will be announced on January 31st. Good Luck!!


My review for My Dearest Mr. Darcy can be viewed here.

[ARC Review] - Legend of the White Wolf

Title: Legend of the White Wolf
Author: Terry Spear
Series: Werewolf
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 1, 2010

I received this book for review from Sourcebooks.

Summary: HIS WILD SIDE COMES OUT WITH A VENGEANCE...

Detective Cameron MacPherson joins forces with lovely Faith O'Malley to search for his missing partners and her father's stolen research But in the wilds of nature he encounters a mythical creature whose bite changes everything for their new found love

IS SHE THE HUNTER, OR THE HUNTED...

Faith is on the trail of a legend, and with or without Cameron, she won't be stopped. Until the fatal moment when they both realize they must face their enemies together... or perish apart.

Thoughts: Cameron and Faith separately set out for the wilderness of Maine, both for different reasons. Fate brings them together. But the danger of the wild outdoors and their enemies could tear them apart.

Since I haven't read the books previous to this one, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book. But both the story and the characters pulled me in very early on. For me the brightest point is the character, Cameron MacPherson. I liked the sexy hero right away. Very charming and commanding, and plus he's a lover of urban fantasy. Really what's not to like?

Legend of the White Wolf is a fast paced story with both elements of paranormal and mystery. Passions and danger run high, which makes for an exciting read. One not to be missed. This is the 4th book in Ms. Spear's Werewolf series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.terryspear.com/

Upcoming Releases:
Legend of the White Wolf- February 1, 2010
Seduced by the Wolf- August 3, 2010
Wolf Fever- Fall 2010

[Promo/Giveaway] - The Lady in the Tower

Out Now!

The Lady in the Tower
By: Alison Weir

Book Summary:
(summary from Barnes & Noble)

Nearly five hundred years after her violent death, Anne Boleyn, second wife to Henry VIII, remains one of the world's most fascinating, controversial, and tragic heroines. Now acclaimed historian and bestselling author Alison Weir has drawn on myriad sources from the Tudor era to give us the first book that examines, in unprecedented depth, the gripping, dark, and chilling story of Anne Boleyn's final days.

The tempestuous love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn scandalized Christendom and altered forever the religious landscape of England. Anne's ascent from private gentlewoman to queen was astonishing, but equally compelling was her shockingly swift downfall. Charged with high treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London in May 1536, Anne met her terrible end all the while protesting her innocence. There remains, however, much mystery surrounding the queen's arrest and the events leading up to it: Were charges against her fabricated because she stood in the way of Henry VIII making a third marriage and siring an heir, or was she the victim of a more complex plot fueled by court politics and deadly rivalry?

The Lady in the Tower examines in engrossing detail the motives and intrigues of those who helped to seal the queen's fate. Weir unravels the tragic tale of Anne's fall, from her miscarriage of the son who would have saved her to the horrors of her incarceration and that final, dramatic scene on the scaffold. What emerges is an extraordinary portrayal of a woman of great courage whose enemies were bent on utterly destroying her, and who was tested to the extreme by the terrible plight in which she found herself.

Richly researched and utterly captivating, The Lady in the Tower presents the full array of evidence of Anne Boleyn's guilt—or innocence. Only in Alison Weir's capable hands can readers learn the truth about the fate of one of the most influential and important women in English history.

Author Website

________________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY

I have an ARC of The Lady in the Tower to giveaway. To enter leave a comment telling me who your favorite historical figure is, along with your email address. Open to U.S. & Canada. The winner will be announced on January 31st

In My Mailbox [38]

In My Mailbox was started over at The Story Siren.
Here is what I got this past week:

Review:
Ecstasy Unveiled- Larissa Ione (Thanks to Hachette Book Group)
A House A Fire- Emma Kinna (Thanks to Emma Kinna)

Gifts: (Thanks to Barbara)
Heart of Darkness- Anthology
Seducing the Heiress- Olivia Drake
Claimed by the Wolf- Charlene Teglia
Ruined- Paula Morris

Bought:
Jane Austen: Seven Novels- Jane Austen
The Pleasure Palace- Kate Emerson
The Lonely Hearts Club- Elizabeth Eulberg
Jane Austen: Her Life and Letters- William & Richard Austen-Leigh
Forever Princess- Meg Cabot
Entwined By Fate- S.A. Price
The Iron King- Julia Kagawa

Forever Yours Winners

and the winners are:

The Book Vixen
Jenny N.

Congrats!! Send your mailing information here:
annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize.

Interview/Giveaway with Angie Fox

Today I'm excited to have Angie Fox here. She is the author of the Demon Slayers series. This was fun interview, plus we got some cool items to giveaway!

Hi Angie, Welcome to Anna's Book Blog! I'm glad to have you here. To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

Well, I write the New York Times bestselling Accidental Demon Slayer series, which are a bunch of offbeat books about a preschool teacher who finds out she’s a demon slayer and then has to go out and save the world (while figuring out her powers along the way).

As far as me personally, I’m an advertising writer turned novelist and I just love writing. When a story grabs hold of me, it’s a kick to grab my laptop and see where the story leads me.

A Tale of Two Demon Slayers is your newest release, Can you tell us a little about it and the series?

The Accidental Demon Slayer books are funny paranormal romances about a straight-laced preschool teacher who runs smack dab into her fate when a demon shows up on her toilet bowl. Turns out, that’s just the beginning. Soon her hyperactive terrier starts talking, and her long-lost biker witch Grandma is hurling Smuckers jars filled with magic. And just when she thinks she’s seen it all, Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer—and all hell is after her.

Of course, that’s not the only thing after her. Dimitri Kallinikos, a devastatingly handsome shape-shifting griffin needs Lizzie to slay a demon of his own. But how do you talk a girl you’ve never met into going straight to the underworld? Lie. And let’s just say he tries a little bit of seduction too.

How did you come up with the idea for your Demon Slayer Series? Did any real life people inspire any of the characters?

It started as a kernel of an idea that amused me. What if a straight laced preschool teacher suddenly learns she’s a demon slayer? And what if she has to learn about her powers on the run from a fifth level demon? Ohhh and wouldn’t it be fun if she’s running with her long-lost Grandma’s gang of geriatric biker witches?

I started writing and let the storyline evolve based on the characters and that central issue of what happens when a reluctant heroine is thrust into a series of extraordinary situations. And I knew the series was working when I couldn’t wait to get back to the keyboard every day.

As far as real life inspiration? I have to tell you the biker witches are based on my mom’s crazy sisters. You never know what’s going to happen when my five aunts get together and I wanted to capture that feeling in a book.

Do you have to do a lot of research for your books?

Loads, actually. First off, the biker witches ride Harley's, and I’d never been on a motorcycle before. Second, I had to figure out how to get Pirate the dog onto a bike.

I went online and learned about the Biker Dogs Motorcycle Club, made up exclusively of Harley riders and their dogs. I ended up meeting some of them, along with a few other bikers along the way. These bikers were so great to me. They hoisted me onto the back of their Harley's (with dogs in tow). They took me to biker rallies (note to self: don’t wear pink). And they laughed at me when I tried to put my helmet on backwards (I still say I was distracted by the Pomeranian wearing a tiny pair of motorcycle glasses).

After a few outings with my new biker friends, I was able to make my geriatric biker witch characters a lot more realistic. And I took home some great pictures, too.

What character do you like writing about the most, and why?

That’s tough. I think my first answer would have to be Pirate, the dog – just because he surprised me. When I sat down to write the Accidental Demon Slayer series, I had no notes about a sidekick for my heroine. But in the first book, when Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer and there are some very scary, very angry creatures on her tail, she takes comfort in her dog. As I was writing, I thought, ‘This is a sweet moment. Now how do I throw her off?’

I made the dog say something to her. Nothing big. After all, he’s only after the fettuccine from last week. And he knows exactly where Lizzie can find it (back of the fridge, to the left of the lettuce crisper, behind the mustard). It amused me, so I did it. Thanks to her unholy powers, Lizzie can now understand her smart-mouthed Jack Russell Terrier. I ended up having a ball with it. Pirate can say and do things that my heroine can’t. He’s such a kick to write. And he’s evolving too. Like in my latest book, A Tale of Two Demon Slayers, Pirate gets a pet. This upsets Lizzie greatly, because in her opinion “A pet can’t have a pet.” But you’ll find that Pirate the dog can be rather persuasive.

A Tale of Two Demon Slayers is the 3rd book in the series and you've been contracted for 4 and 5. Do you see a conclusion to this series, or do you view it as an open ended series?

Well when I planned out the series, I outlined five books. It’s the exact number Lizzie and the gang need in order to make a complete journey of discovery. Personally, as a reader, I think some series tend to go on too long. I want each book to have an impact, so I’m going to end the series at five. Besides, as an author, I have so many more ideas for new series that will be just as fun and exciting. I promise.

When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?

I read everything – mysteries, biographies, women’s fiction, historicals, but my favorite is paranormal/urban fantasy.

Do you have any favorite authors, that are must reads?

I’m one of those people who always has a book in her purse. Right now, I’m addicted to the Sookie Stackhouse series. I loved Undead and Unworthy (although Undead and Unwed will always be my favorite). I read Katie MacAlister, Phillipa Gregory, Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Peters, Laurell K Hamilton, JR Ward. I just discovered Malcom Gladwell’s books (yes, I’ve been buried under a rock). I’m blowing through those right now. I also have Dakota Cassidy, the latest Michelle Rowen and Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series on my ever-growing TBR shelf. And I just read another really great cozy mystery by Rhys Bowen.


You have another release out this month called My Zombie Valentine. Can you tell us a bit about your contribution to this anthology?

First off, I have to tell you that when my editor called and said they wanted me for My Zombie Valentine, I just had to laugh. And then I thought about it – don’t zombies deserve love too?

My story for the anthology is called Gentlemen Prefer Voodoo. The heroine of the story, Amiele Fanchon D’Honore Baptiste (Amie for short) is a lonely New Orleans voodoo mamba. Amie lives in the modern city and is tired of party boys and guys who can’t commit. She needs a gentleman in her life. So she weaves a spell to call the “perfect man for her.” But she should have been more specific because the perfect man for her died in 1811.

Dante Montenegro is a Spanish gentlemen who has been haunting St. Louis Cemetery Number One, waiting for his true love to call him back to life. He’s thrilled when Amie’s spell works and emerges the cemetery, very sexy (if slightly dirty). When her hot zombie shows up at her door, Amie is determined to put him back into the ground. Dante is determined to make her fall for him.

It’s really very sweet - in a zombie sort of way.

Young Adult books seem to be the hot thing these days. Alot of Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Authors are dipping into this genre with new series. Is this something you've thought about doing?

Probably not, just because I have so many ideas for adult urban fantasy. But I do like to read the young adult books, just to see all of the fun new things authors are writing.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a new book?

A quiet place, Diet Coke and a dog on my lap.

To learn more about Angie's Demon Slayers series check out her website.

_______________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Angie there are 3 very cool prizes to giveaway to 3 lucky winners. This one is open to everyone. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. The winners will be announced on January 31st.
What are the prizes you say....

• Copy of A Tale of Two Demon Slayers
• Copy of My Zombie Valentine (anthology)
• A Kiss My Asphalt t-shirt

[ARC Review] - Catch of a Lifetime

Title: Catch of a Lifetime
Author: Judi Fennell
Series: Tritone/Mer
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 1, 2010

I received this book for review from Sourcebooks.

Summary: SHE'S ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE PLANET...

Mermaid Angel Tritone has been researching humans from afar, hoping to find a way to convince them to stop polluting. When she jumps into a boat to escape a shark attack, it's her chance to pursue her mission, but has to keep her identity a total secret.

WHEN HE REALLY FINDS OUT WHAT SHE REALLY IS, THEY'RE BOTH IN MORTAL DANGER...

For Logan Hardington, find a beautiful women on his boat is surely not a problem--until he discovers she's a mermaid and suddenly his life is on the line.

Thoughts: Angel is the youngest Tritone sibling and is out to prove herself and to her brother Rod. After being almost attacked by a shark Angel wakes to find herself naked and on the boat of hunky Logan Hardington. She realizes this is her chance to learn more about humans and maybe even help the planet.

Catch of a Lifetime is a heart warming tale. Angel and Logan's story is filled with wonderment and adventure. They have a great connection that is hard to deny. Not to mention sizzling hot! I have really loved, the series as a whole. Especially the first book, In Over Her Head. Ms. Fennell has created a delightful world that, I have enjoyed escaping to. It is both dangerous and fun. If you like mermaid stories and don't mind talking sea creatures, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.judifennell.com/

Tritone/Mer Series:
In Over Her Head
Wild Blue Under
Catch of a Lifetime

[Giveaway] - Bound By Sin

Cin Craven, Book 3
Set in 1862

Book Summary:
As the Civil War rages among mortal men, Cin Craven is locked in an epic battle of her own—fighting the renegade vampires whose unquenchable appetites she knows all too well. At her side are the immortal warriors of The Righteous- among them her husband, her lover, her soul-mate Michael. With a passion bordering on possession, Cin’s love for Michael knows no bounds.

But when a ruthless plantation owner kidnaps Cin’s cousin the most terrifying battle of all awaits. Cin is drawn to the irresistible lure of dark magic to stop their enemies, while Michael staunchly opposes it- putting their love and loyalty to the ultimate test.


Cin Craven Series:
Wages of Sin
Grave Sin
Bound By Sin

Anthologies: (feature short stories based in Cin's world)
The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance
Strange Brew
Huntress

Jenna Maclaine

Giveaway: I have two copies of Bound By Sin up for grabs. One is signed by the author (Thanks Jenna!) and one unsigned copy. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to U.S. & Canada.Winners will be announced on January 31st. Good Luck!!

Important Info: Contest Policy & Privacy Policy

[Series Spotlight] - Guardian of the Night

This is a series I came across back in 2006 when I was searching for vampire books. I have only read the first two book, but loved both of them.

Book Summary:
Jamie McPherson stood on the wind-swept cliff, tears stinging her eyes; she cried out into the darkness of night, to the hero of her dreams—that special person all girls dream of coming to their rescue, a knight in shining armor. What she didn’t expect to hear, as she looked over the desolate vastness of the Pacific Ocean, was an answer. Aerik stopped what he was doing and concentrated. There it was again. A voice so pure, so sweet, so filled with grief it touched his darkened soul. Who was this human girl that had unknowingly connected to him? How was it possible—this girl whose life was but a flicker in time compared to his—for her to touch him so? He was consumed with the desire to protect her, to touch her, to possess her. He vowed he would find her. He would have her.

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble & Publish America




Book Summary:
Kayla backed up for every step he advanced. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest. She swore she saw flames flickering behind the vibrant colors in his eyes. She had never felt so afraid, so…alive? When she realized she couldn’t escape him, she stood her ground, lifting her head defiantly in challenge. Tray didn’t move, standing over her like a warlord about to pass judgment. He had read her thoughts as if she had shouted them at him. He looked over the perfection of her body, missing nothing, not one line, not one curve, not one freckle. He then stared into her eyes till she met and held his gaze. He saw many emotions in their blue depths; there it was, fear. Good, she should be afraid of him.

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble & Publish America

This is the latest book in the series, came out September 7, 2009. Below I have the links on where to purchase this book. It has an a page at Amazon, but currently it's not in stock. I'm hoping some will come in stock soon. Otherwise your best bet is to get this book at Publish America.

Book Summary:
I'm scared. The words barely left her lips. You should be. "There's nothing to fear," he assured her, his blue eyes capturing hers, looking deep into their golden depths. He held her there with his gaze thinking about - no, savoring - what was to come. “I don't know if I'll be able to drink blood," she admitted with a slight stammer. Ah, but you already have. "You'll be fine, I'll take care of it," he whispered in her mind. His voice was so deep and rugged, damn it! She could just listen to him talk forever. How could any one man be so sexy, so seductive with just a word or a thought? She couldn’t look away from his eyes…then again she didn’t want to.

Available: Amazon & Publish America



Note: I have never been able to find a website for Jody Offen, If anyone finds one please send it my way. Thanks!

The Lonely Hearts Club Twitter Party

Join Lonely Hearts Club author Elizabeth Eulberg and Amy of MyFriendAmy for a Twitter party Wednesday, January 20, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. EST!

• Be sure to follow Elizabeth @ElizEulberg and Amy @MyFriendAmy before the party!

• Join the fun! No one expects you or your tweets to be perfect; we’re just happy you made it to the party!

• Anyone who tweets during this hour using #LonelyHeartsClub is entered to win a limited edition Lonely Hearts Club t-shirt!

• Watch for questions from @MyFriendAmy and win awesome prizes including an iPod shuffle, $50 iTunes gift card or $25 VISA gift card!

• To join the party, you can use our official party tweetgrid or just search #LonelyHeartsClub on Twitter.

• Ask Elizabeth questions or chat with other partygoers about how excited you are to read LHC—just use the tag #LonelyHeartsClub in all of your party tweets! (This is added automatically in TweetGrid.)

• Please don’t post any spoilers and don’t forget to pay attention to the time zones, the party starts at 8:30pm EST.

Out Now!

Book Description:

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

Fugitive Winners

and the winners are:

Simply Stacie
Sweet Vernal Zephyr

Congrats!! Send your mailing information here:
annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize.

[Review] - Original Sin

Title: Original Sin
Author: Allison Brennan
Series: The Seven Deadly Sins
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: January 26, 2010

I received this book for review from Meryl L. Moss Media Relations.

Summary: Haunted by chilling memories of demonic possession and murder, Moira O'Donnell has spent seven years hunting down her mother, Fiona, whose command of black magic has granted her unprecedented control of the underworld. Now Moira's global search has led her to a small California town that's about to become hell on earth.

Tormented by his own terrifying past and driven by powers he can't explain, ex-seminarian Rafe Cooper joins Moira's dangerous quest. But Fiona is one devilish step ahead. Hungry for greater power, eternal youth, and stunning beauty, the sorceress is unleashing upon the mortal world the living incarnations of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Together with a demonologist, a tough female sheriff, and a pair of star-crossed teenagers, Moira and Rafe are humanity's last chance to snatch salvation from the howling jaws of damnation.

Thoughts: Original Sin was a smooth read. Not bogged down by unnecessary description. It was a fast, intriguing read full of suspense and danger. A spellbinding novel of good vs. evil. I definitely recommended checking this book out.

Allison Brennan is an author I don't usually read, mainly because I'm not a big fan of romantic suspense. But her latest book, Original Sin caught my eye. It was a delight to read, I'm glad I got the chance to read it. The author weaves the paranormal and suspense brilliantly. Ms. Brennan is certainly a mistress of suspense. There were a few times that I found myself on the edge of my seat.

The publisher has this labeled as a Paranormal Romance, to me it seemed more of an Urban Fantasy. But I think fans of both genres will enjoy this book.

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: http://www.allisonbrennan.com/

Upcoming Releases:
Carnal Sin (Seven Deadly Sins Book 2)- June 22nd
Mortal Sin (Seven Deadly Sins Book 3)- September 28th

[Promo/Giveaway]- Forever Yours

Out Now! Historical Romance, Forever Yours by MJ Smith

Book Summary:

M.J. Smith’s Forever Yours is a remarkable debut novel encompassing the lives of two people during World War II.

Liz, a pilot in the Royal Air Force, answers the call of duty for her country.

Philip, her childhood friend and superior, is in the position to stop Liz from going into active combat, but Liz is determined to fight for country, despite Philips’s reservations.

Before Liz leaves on a dangerous reconnaissance mission, the two share a passionate night and Philip proposes, giving Liz his grandmother’s ring. But fate has other plans for these two and Liz’s plane goes down. The enemy captures her and Philip has no way of knowing whether she is dead or alive.

During her capture, Liz meets and falls in love with another. Meanwhile, Philip joins an elite group of paratroopers and meets another woman.

Two loves lose each other. From time to time, each wonders what may have been. Will Liz and Philip ever see each other again? Will the war that tore them apart destroy the greatest love each has ever known?

Smith’s characters come to life in this perfectly constructed novel. An engrossing and sweeping saga, Forever Yours expertly captures the mood of war-torn Europe and the people who lived through its horrors and its bittersweet reunions.

Author Website: MJ Smith

Where to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Eloquent Books

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Giveaway: Thanks to the author there are two copies of Forever Young up for grabs. Open to U.S & Canada. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. The winners will be announced on January 23rd. Good Luck!!

THE GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED!

______________________________________________

Excerpt from Forever Yours:

Liz was happy and grateful for this moment with Philip. Laying her head against his chest, she felt so warm and secure in his arms. All her memories of the times spent with him flowed back. She held back the tears threatening to leave her eyes.

“Are you warmer?” Philip asked, not letting her go.

She nodded, tensing, awaiting his kiss without realizing she lifted her face in invitation.

“I've missed you so much, Liz.” The words were little more than a whisper.

Disappointment washed over her as he kissed her brow then stepped back. “I've missed you too Philip.” She looked into his heavenly blue eyes.

“I’m surprised seeing you here of all places.” He smiled, taking her hand and sat on the bench a few feet away. No one saw them.

Indeed, she felt as though they were the only two people in the world. She felt her heart race when his warm muscular thigh brushed against hers. And he held her hand in his large one. She stared at their joined hands. Never did she feel so nervous with Philip. All this was very unknown and frightening. “Do you think we'll be fighting soon?” She asked, changing her train of thought.

“Soon. With the battle in the Atlantic, they need more ready pilots.” He held her hand in his and looked at her with serious eyes as she remained silent. “Liz. Promise me you'll be careful when it’s time for you to on missions. I know I can't stop you, so promise me you'll take care.” Philip's tone was firm but soft.

She nodded without taking her eyes away from his. “I promise. And you do the same.” She was so afraid to lose him.

Philip nodded as they sat in silence a little while longer. She wished so much Philip kissed her. But he didn’t. He held her in silence. And he never said how much he missed her. It was for the best he said nothing. If he told her how he missed her or loved her, she may fall into his arms and forget her dreams. And she wasn’t ready to sacrifice her chance in the Royal Air Force for more than friendship with Philip. Or was she?

She lifted her head and his eyes met hers. He stared into her eyes for a long while. And she felt herself melt on the spot. What was wrong with her? She stared at his tempting lips and wished he would kiss her. Instead, she felt his hand cup her cheek and his thumb traced her lower lip, leaving a trail of heat. He didn’t kiss her but the intimate gesture sent waves of warm sensations all over her body. His eyes stared into hers with intensity. And her heart drummed in her ears. Anticipation alerted all her senses. “Liz.” The low rasp in his voice sent another wave of sensations through her body. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes for a quick moment.

Philip sat so close; she could feel his hot breath caressing her cheeks. Her heart jumped in her chest when his lips touched her cheek and the delicate skin near her ear. “Liz,” he whispered again in her ear. A new sensation centered in the special place in her lower belly. She saw stars behind her eyelids and waited for Philip’s next move. Will he kiss her? She didn’t know. His hands kept her warm against the cool air. Indeed, she felt a bit over warm and unsure of her body. Philip never touched her in such an intimate way before. His lips lingered near her ear. And his hot breath sent shivers along her skin. She turned her head ever so slowly and met his eyes. She could see his eyes darken. He cupped her cheeks and leaned his forehead against hers. Their lips brushed together. Voices in the background brought them back to earth. Philip broke his embrace, leaving Liz breathless.

Quickly, she regained her composure before someone saw them together. She glanced at Philip and his face didn’t show any trace of emotion. “I should go,” she said, swallowing hard against the lump in her throat. Tears threatened to leave her eyes. Before he said a word, Liz removed Philip’s jacket from her shoulders and walked toward the camp.

In My Mailbox [37]

In My Mailbox was started over at The Story Siren.
Here is what I got this past week...

Review:
An Earl to Enchant- Amelia Grey (Thanks to Sourcebooks)
A Certain Wolfish Charm- Lydia Dare (Thanks to Sourcebooks)
Original Sin- Allison Brennan (Thanks to Meryl M. Moss Media Relations)

Bought:
Captivate- Carrie Jones
Bitten By Cupid- Anthology
Angelic- Kelley Armstrong

Interview/Giveaway with Cheryl Brooks

Today my guest is Cheryl Brooks, author of the Cat Star Chronicles. Hi Cheryl, Welcome to Anna's Book Blog! Thanks for stopping by, it's a pleasure to have you here.

Thanks for having me here, Anna!

To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

I'm the very last person you would look at and suspect of being a romance writer. I've been a night-shift critical care nurse for thirty years, and I look like one. I can talk with my patients about anything, but am pretty quiet around strangers in any other setting. I've been a horse lover all my life, and currently own four of them, but I don't ride nearly as much as I did before becoming a published author. Writing is one of those things that can eat up your spare time like nothing else. The good thing is that you can do it no matter what the weather is like. I enjoy cooking and gardening and I've played guitar since the age of ten. I've been married to a great guy for thirty years and have two wonderful sons.

Fugitive is your newest release, Can you tell us a little about it and the series?

The series is set a thousand years in the future. Space travel is commonplace and though we have explored much of our galaxy, there are still unknowns. My heroes are survivors of the war which destroyed their homeworld, a remote planet called Zetith, whose natives are a highly attractive and long-lived species of humanoids with feline traits. Captured near the end of the conflict, the men were slated to be executed, but were sold as slaves, instead. As if that weren't bad enough, there is a bounty on the survivors which makes their continued survival somewhat tenuous. No one is certain at this point in the series, but it is suspected that the world was targeted due to the drug-like nature of Zetithian semen and the remarkable sexual prowess of the males.

Fugitive is the story of Manx, a Zetithian who escaped from slavery and has been on the run for the past twenty-five years. His skills in stealth and concealment have enabled him to elude the Nedwut bounty hunters hunters thus far, but Drusilla, a lovely wildlife artist, makes him throw caution to the wind.

What is your writing day like?

It varies. I squeeze in writing around my schedule at the hospital, and have little time for much else. For example, I was supposed to be working tonight, but was put on call due to low census in the ICU, so I'm taking advantage of the extra time to get caught up on the guest blogs for Fugitive's promotional tour. However, on a day that I have off, I turn on my computer as soon as I get out of bed, and begin by answering emails and reading and commenting on various blog posts. Then I have breakfast and feed the horses and clean the barn. After that, I write the blogs I need for the next few days, which usually takes me until lunchtime. Then I work on my current work in progress the rest of the day, checking blogs and emails when I need a break and taking a couple of hours out to feed the horses again and fix dinner. After that, I'm usually on my computer until 11pm and then I get ready for bed and check my personal blog at midnight to make sure it posted correctly. Needless to say, by the end of the day, I have a little trouble standing up straight!

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I began writing about thirty years ago when I decided that what the world needed was a sizzling hot science fiction romance. I'd never read one, and I was tired of reading about doctors, lawyers, and millionaire heroes and wanted something different. It took me several starts and stops to get there, and I wrote several other books—mostly contemporary romances—before finally writing Slave, which turned out to be the first book in the Cat Star Chronicles series.

When you're not writing what kind of books do you like to read?

I've read all of Georgette Heyer's Regency romances, and I've always been a fan of Mary Stewart's romantic suspense novels. More recently, I fell in love with Harry Potter—just like millions of other readers. I have also read many of the books of my fellow Sourcebooks Casablanca authors, as well as those of my chapter sisters in the Indiana RWA. For me to go browsing in a bookstore and pick up a book to read just for pleasure doesn't happen very often anymore. I simply don't have the time!

Do you see the Cat Star Chronicles having an end or do you feel it's an open-ended series?

It was originally supposed to end with the sixth book, but I was asked to continue the series to nine books, therefore the story arc had to change to include more characters, so, at present, it's very open-ended. With the offspring of the various couples in the series as a springboard, it could continue on indefinitely, depending on the demand.

Out of all your Cat Star men, do you have a favorite?

My favorite is usually the one I'm writing about at the time. I fall in love with each of them in turn, and then move on to the next. However, I suppose Cat, the hero of the first book, will always be my favorite because he was the inspiration for the others.

Are there any real life people that have inspired the characters in your series?

Yes. Many of my characters are composites of different actors, characters, or people I've actually met. Most of the time, a reader would not recognize who the character was based on, and other times, they easier to see. In the beginning, Manx, the hero in Fugitive, was loosely based on actor Jeff Goldblum, but I doubt if anyone reading the book would realize that. However, Jacinth, the heroine in Slave, has a healthy dose of Han Solo in her, which some readers have noted.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a new book?

A hero, a heroine, and a basic plot. I make up the rest of it as I go along. If I'm too precise in the synopsis of a new story, it limits where I can go with it, but, fortunately, I'm not a slave to that original. Before becoming published and having an editor who wants to know in advance what the story will be about, I never wrote a synopsis prior to writing the book. I would have an idea in my head, and maybe write a few notes, but mostly I would start with page one and write it through to the end. Sometimes I jump ahead if I get an idea for a particular scene, but it's much more difficult to blend the parts together if I do that.

What is up next? If you can tell us a little about your next project?

Hero, the sixth book in the series has already been revised and sent to the copy editor, and I'm currently working on book seven, Renegade, which is about Dax, a Zetithian man who has been uninterested in women until meeting Ava, a human/aquatic alien hybrid who is determined to return to her former lover. She's a passenger aboard his ship, so there is plenty of opportunity for them to get acquainted, but Dax is not only a virgin, he is completely clueless when it comes to the rules of romance. In desperation, he seeks the advice of a friend who is a notorious ladies man, but will he help Dax, or steal Ava right out of his arms?

I'm always looking for new ideas, so if anyone has any to offer, I'd love to hear them!

FUGITIVE BY CHERYL BROOKS—
IN STORES JANUARY 2010

When a Zetithian fugitive meets a beautiful Earth woman, their passion may cost them both their lives...

Manx is a Zetithian fugitive with a feline gene that gives him remarkable sexual powers. He has been in hiding in the remote jungles of Barada Seven ever since being marked for extermination by the violent Nedwuts.

Artist Drusilla arrives on Barada Seven, enticed only by the promise of finding a nature paradise there. But she discovers a wildlife she wasn’t expecting when she encounters Manx. Reckless with desire for the beautiful Earth woman, Manx risks his life to win her as his mate.

It’s only a matter of time until the Nedwuts find them, but it will take all of Manx and Drusilla’s passion, skill, and ingenuity to survive.

About the Author
Cheryl Brooks is an Intensive Care Unit nurse by night and a romance writer by day. Previous books in The Cat Star Chronicles series include Slave, Warrior, Rogue and Outcast. Hero, book six, will be in stores August 2010. She is a member of the RWA and lives with her husband and sons in Bloomfield, Indiana. For more information, please visit: http://cherylbrooksonline.com/

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GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Sourcebooks I have two copies of Fugitive to giveaway. Open to U.S. & Canada. To enter leave a comment along with and email address. The winners will be announced on January 19th. Good Luck!!

Guest Blog with Teresa D'Amario

Today I'm happy to have Teresa D'Amario as my guest. I'm the latest stop in her blog tour for her release Lone Wolf, book 2 in the Maxey Wizards series. This post is a bit different then other guest posts. In this one you the commenter will get to participate. Teresa needs your help with a short story. Keep reading to learn more and Enjoy!!

Welcome Teresa!

By Teresa D'Amario
EBook: AllRomanceEbooks
Amazon.com KINDLE

Once the victim of scientific experimentation by the Government Control of Supernatural Activities (GSA), Damon doesn't have a past, and he isn't sure he has a future. He doesn't even know if his ability to change from human to wolf is a virus, or magick. But the instant he lays eyes on the pretty cop from the local police force, he knows he has to learn the secrets of his past before they destroy her future.

Krystal is the best animal cop on the police force, hiding magickal talent beneath layers of excuses and quick thinking. For five years she's tracked Peter Burke, a butcher who steals any form of canine to supplement his dietary needs. The day she saves a wolf from losing his head at the sharp end of an axe, her entire life changes. And then there is Damon, the mysterious, sexy ex-soldier with no memory of his past who awakens fantasies of dark and sensual nights.

But the GSA isn't finished with Damon, and when the shadowy government agency joins forces with Burke, Krystal too finds her life in jeopardy, the target of men and women led by their own desires. Damon and Krystal must work together to stop evil and destroy years of illegal research.

Hi all! And thanks Anna for letting me pop in today! For those who thought they missed Sunday, there was a little error in timing on MY part, and the blog never happened, so what you are reading today was planned for then.

For those just joining us, for my blog tour, I'm creating something very special. A free read. And you get to help! Each blog posting will be a new scene or chapter of the book titled above, He's no Faery Prince. Previous chapters can be found on my FREEBIE READS page of my blog. Then, at the end of my post for today, you'll see some questions. They are designed to make life easier for me (or much more fun, at least) because the answers to those questions will determine the course of the story. Also, if you happen to think of something really awesome to add, not addressed by my questions, feel free to throw that in there too. I'll be sure to take a look at it.

So, without further ado, let's get on with our story.

Ted tried to hide the grin developing on his face, but he wasn't very successful. He glanced at the woman at his side, who snarled in return.

"What?"

"You like me." He tried to not to feel smug. Hell, he should be waiting for the massive explosion of anger, but he couldn't help himself.

"I do not."

He held up their still joined hands as proof. She jerked her hand away and stalked ahead of him. "That just means I had to put on a good front. You'd know if you understood shifters."

"Ahh, but I do know." He nodded toward the alpha. "He favors you. No other female could ever do what you did back there unless the Alpha thought very highly of her."

"He's my half brother, of course he does." Sasha got into Ted's Patrol car without another word and slammed the door shut, snapping closed the seat belt and folding her arms. Then again, his name wasn't even Ted. What else had he lied to her about?

After he finished buckling up and starting the engine, she glared at him. "You lied to me."

"Not technically. Ted is my nickname. Just because it has another connotation doesn't mean it's not what I use. And besides, I don't want everyone to know I'm Fae royalty. It's a pain in the ass, and people think you can do something for them, so they don't act like themselves. I happen to want people to like me for myself."

Sasha pondered his words. "Well, I never said I liked you, but at least I understand your reasons. But you could have said something before embarrassing me in front of my entire pack! And how is you already know where my brother is?"

"I didn't say I knew where he was right this moment. I said, I know who took him captive."

"And you said you knew the GSA is involved. Isn't that just a little coincidental that the same group who took your friend also took Damon? I know how the Fae work. You aren't interested in helping others. The fae in general are selfish pranksters. Hell, I don't even know how old you are."

He cursed and pulled the car to the side of the road, putting it in park. He gave her his full attention, and what attention it was. Without the magic to hide his ears, she could see their points reddened in his anger. And his eyes. Damn, if his eyes didn't steal her breath away. The scent of anger burned hot in the car, and for a moment, she could almost see him as a shifter. Hot, powerful, masculine, ready to fight for what he believed. Up to now she'd seen his charming side. The Fae were known for their charm. But she'd never heard anything about this sudden hot aggression she saw now. She kind of liked it.

"Think about it, Sasha. The GSA pretends to supervise the paranormal community that the rest of the world doesn't even know exists. There's nobody to stop them. Nobody to monitor to make sure they aren't up to something. Tamed came to town in search of the Phouka, it's true. But he got a message to me, said the GSA was doing experiments. On shifters. Now if you don't care about whoever they're playing God with, feel free to get out now, go back to your pack, and let them deal with it. Or, you can stay with me, and we'll find out what's happening. It's your choice."

The spark of emotion in his green eyes did something to her. It made her worry for his friend. If Tamed was at the same place Damon was, then maybe it would be good for the two of them to work together. "How old are you?" The question leapt from her lips before she realized she'd even thought of it.

Ted jolted back a bit, his eyes widening. "How old am I? That has no bearing." He shook his head. "but since you asked, I'm two hundred and fifty."

"Years?"

"No, decades. Of course years." He started the car again and pulled onto the road. "What, you think the Fae live forever? We live longer than most of the races, but not as long as many think."

She shrugged. "I guess that means your mate is your age as well?"

He stared out the windshield and for a moment she thought he wouldn't answer. "When I chose a mate," he said, his voice steady, but soft, "She will have the privilege or curse, depending on how she looks at it, to sit at my side on the Fae council. If she's Fae, she'll naturally live the same length of time as I do. If she's human, or other," he said, glancing at her, "She'll have the luxury of Fae magick to keep her young."

So he wasn't mated. Sasha tried to ignore the spike in her pulse at the information. The car slowed and he turned to face her, his eyes dark, and held an almost hungry look. No, she had to be imagining it.

"So what's our next step." Because if she didn't change the subject, she was going to get into territory she didn't need to be in. With a Fae, no less.

"Are you good at video games?"

---

Sasha stepped up to the counter of the gaming shop. "I need to use one of the computers."

The geek at the front desk glanced around at the available machines. Gamers came to places like this because the systems were usually top notch. The average person couldn't afford the computers most often needed for the top games. That, and World of Warcraft, one of the most popular online games, was as much fun in a group as it was alone. There were entire communities, both online and at gaming centers like this, which thrived because of a single game. And it was one she'd played frequently, so when Ted told her the GSA had a communications center beneath the gaming center, she'd volunteered to come play. With her skills as a shifter, she could sense when non-humans entered, and she could watch to see what happened.

Plus, she'd bet the gaming center was a great recruiting spot for the GSA. So many young kids, with drive and excitement, all ready to fight their first battle. All in one place. She'd bet none of them knew they were taking it real just beneath their feet.

"We're all booked up at the moment," the kid said.

Sasha arched a brow, noting the machines sitting empty, scattered about the room. "Doesn't look that way to me."

The kid glanced back to the main office then back to her. He shrugged. She knew he was covering his butt. "Oh, I get it," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You don't think a woman can play Warcraft, so you don't let them waste time on your precious computer systems. Look buster, rent me a machine and get out of my way or I can kick your ass seven ways till Sunday."

The kid paled, and a man stepped from the office. He wore a company golf style shirt with a collar and a nice pair of jeans. He was no more than 25, but he was definitely in shape. She sniffed. For a human.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Yes, your sales clerk told me there are no machines for rent. I see an awful lot of empty hardware sitting there. So rent me a computer."

The man smiled, but his eyes narrowed, looking her over.

Ok ladies and gentlemen. There you have it.

Time for the questions. Just so you know, I went back and found an error in the story. I'll be fixing it on my website, but I see Sasha figured out he was Fae before Christmas, and then I forgot that little fact. So take a peek at the main story website linked above to see any changes.

So now for the big question: Is this man going to offer her a computer? Or a job? Give details!

And second, how is Ted keeping tabs on her? He's never going to let her go in there alone, is he? Does he use a radio transmitter? Or is he already there, playing a game? Or is he out in the car, hanging around to see what happens?

Or if you have additional suggestions, feel free to add those as well in the comments section.

Now for prizes:

• Grand Prize: A $50 gift card at the online bookstore of your choice to be announced at the end of the entire blog tour.


• Unadvertised prizes will be given on random days. You won’t know when, but I’ll choose them and post on the blog in question once you have won!

There are two ways to enter:

1. Leave a response on each blog I’m visiting — one entry for every blog you comment on during my blog tour. Multiple comments a day do not get you additional entries for the small giveaway, but will for the larger one.


2. Email me at desertpetiri@aol.com with a copy of the receipt for the purchase of any Teresa D’Amario book, so long as it was purchased after 15 December. Older receipts do not count, though I’d love to know you’ve read one of the books. Five entries for every receipt. If you prefer not to share receipts, simply email me and so long as I’m satisfied, I will provide you with the credits.

So follow along, ladies and gentlemen, to help me write a short story, and to enter for the prizes!

Again, the entire blog schedule is found on my blog in the calendar, which will include links to each blog participating!

The next stop on the blog tour is with Novel Thoughts on 14 January, so don’t miss it!

Teresa D'Amario http://teresadamario.com
Lone Wolf - December, 2009
Dark Succession - January 2010
Tigress by the Tail, 3rd place finalist, Pred & Ed Poll 2008
SheWolf - 2nd place finalist, Prism, Best first Book, 2008

Within every breed of creature lies a subspecies where evolution took an odd turn. In the darkness hides a world where animal and man are one.

Man and Beast.
Beast and Man.

Together, their hearts reign.

An unknown war has been fought in the city streets, and Man is no longer the strongest predator.

For in city jungles, The Beast has won.