August Book Releases

1st
Sympathy for the Devil- Anthology
Hero- Cheryl Brooks
Lord of the Desert- Nina Bruhns
Sureblood- Susan Grant
Naked- Megan Hart
Libertine's Kiss- Judith James
Emma & the Vampires- Wayne Josephson
The Iron Daughter- Julie Kagawa
Georgette Heyer's Regency World- Jennifer Kloester
Heiress to a Curse- Zandria Munson
The Thin Executioner- Darren Shan
Sins of the Heart- Eve Silver
Guardian of the Gate- Michelle Zink

2nd
Rae- Chelsea Swiggett

3rd
Possess Me- R.G. Alexander
Burning Up- Anthology
Death's Excellent Adventure- Anthology
Kiss Me Deadly- Anthology
Under the Northern Lights- Vivian Arend
Body Master- C.J. Barry
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June- Robin Benway
Bedeviled Angel- Annette Blair
Total Eclipse- Rachel Caine
The Atlantis Complex- Eoin Colfer
Whisper Kiss- Deborah Cooke
Awakened by a Kiss- Lila DiPasqua
The Demon Hunt- Kris Greene
Almost to Die For- Tate Hallaway
Till Dawn with the Devil- Alexandra Hawkins
Hunting Season- Shelly Laurenston (pbk)
Nauti and Wild- Lora Leigh & Jaci Burton
I Am Number Four- Pittacus Lore
Virtually Hers- Gennita Low
Glee: The Beginning- Sophie Lowell
Infinite Days- Rebecca Maizel
Hot Finish- Erin McCarthy
Heart Journey- Robin D. Owens
Kiss of the Rose- Kate Pearce
Siren's Call- Devyn Quinn
Labyrinth- Kat Richardson
Foxes Den- Teresa Noelle Roberts
Behind Blue Eyes- T.L. Schaefer
Betrayal- Gillian Shields
Seduced by the Wolf- Terry Spear
Isaiah's Haven- N.J. Walter
Devil's Highlander- Veronica Wolff

5th
You Wish- Mandy Hubbard

10th
Girl Parts- John M. Cusick
Pulse of Power- Anne Elizabeth
Dracula In Love- Karen Essex
Perfect Strangers- Barbara J. Hancock
The Eternal Ones- Kirsten Miller
Valhalla- Mandy M. Roth

17th
Prince of Dragons- Cathryn Cade
Dark Currents- Mima
Maximum Ride Vol. 3- James Patterson & NaRae Lee
The Bear- R.A. Salvatore

24th
Kisses from Hell- Anthology
Savaged Kingdom- Deanna Ashford
Demon from the Dark- Kresley Cole
MockingJay- Suzanne Collins
Three Black Swans- Caroline B. Cooney
Sin Undone- Larissa Ione
Bond with Me- Anne Marsh
Arctic Shift- Lissa Matthews
The Devil Wears Plaid- Teresa Medeiros
Black Destiny- Juliana Stone

31st
Killbox- Ann Aguirre
Sparks- Laura Bickle
Snow- Deborah M. Brown
Wolf- Cara Carnes
Clockwork Angel- Cassandra Clare
Nevermore- Kelly Creagh
Rebel- Claire Delacroix
Dark Peril- Christine Feehan
The Darkest Edge of Dawn- Kelly Gay
My Soul to Keep- Sharie Kohler
The Hawk- Monica McCarthy
Truthseeker- C.E. Murphy
Seduced by a Highlander- Paula Quinn
Awakened- Anya Richards
The Ways of Kings- Brandon Sanderson
Born to Bite- Lynsay Sands
Kiss Me, Kill Me- Maggie Shayne
Unraveled- Gena Showalter
Primal Instincts- Susan Sizemore
Slayer- D.L. Snow
Primal Pleasures- Sydney Somers
Chosen- Jeanne C. Stein
Queen of Shadows- Diane Sylvan
The Haunted- Jessica Verday
Paranormalcy- Kiersten White

In My Mailbox [64]

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

Review:
Nightshade- Andrea Cremer
Hunger- Jackie Morse Kessler
Entwined- Elisabeth Naughton

Thanks to Penguin, Netgalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Dorchester Publishing.

Bought:
Heat Wave- Richard Castle
Eternal Kiss of Darkness- Jeaniene Frost
Sin's Daughter- Eve Silver (ebook)
Sins of the Heart- Eve Silver
Bring on the Night- Jeri Smith-Ready
Linger- Maggie Stiefvater

[Review] - Entwined

Title: Entwined
Author: Elisabeth Naughton
Series: Eternal Guardians
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 27, 2010

I received this book for review from Dorchester Publishing.

Summary: ZANDER — The most feared of all the Eternal Guardians. It’s rumored he can’t be killed, and he always fights like he has nothing to lose. But as a descendant of the famed hero Achilles, he’s got to have a vulnerability… somewhere.

Forces of daemons are gathering and have broken through the barriers of the Underworld. Now more than ever the Eternal Guardians are needed to protect both their own realm and the humans’. Zander can’t afford to think about what might have been with the bewitching physician he once regarded as his soul mate. But with eternity stretching before him, he also can’t fathom spending his life without the one woman who makes him feel most alive. Perhaps he’s found his weakness, after all…

Thoughts: Zander is a descendant of Achilles. It is said that he is immortal and can't be killed. But he must have some kind of weakness. Everybody has at least one. Being an Eternal Guardian, Zander is the protector of his realm and of Earth. Everyday the danger grows -- he must stay on the course and not have distractions. That was his game plan until Callia walked back into his life.

This was an enjoyable read for me. Entwined is intense, action-packed and has sizzling hot scenes. I liked Zander quite a lot, he's definitely an interesting character. The kind of character I enjoy reading about. He is feared and a bit of a bad ass, I think that will appeal to a lot of readers. There were a few times in the beginning that the story dragged for me, but otherwise it was a good read. If you are a lover of Alpha heroes and Greek mythology you are gonna really enjoy this book and series.

Score: 3 Stars

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

Eternal Guardians:
Marked
Entwined
Tempted- February 1, 2011

Stolen Trilogy:
Stolen Fury
Stolen Heat
Stolen Seduction

[ARC Review] - Seduced by the Wolf

Title: Seduced by the Wolf
Author: Terry Spear
Series: Werewolf
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: August 3, 2010

I received this book for review from Sourcebooks.

Summary: SHE'LL DO ANYTHING TO HELP WOLVES...

Biologist Cassie Roux has dedicated her life to protecting wolves in the wild. On a desperate mission to help a she-wolf with newborn pups, the last thing Cassie needs right now is a nosy and entirely too attractive werewolf pack leader trying to track her down.

HIS FIRST PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT HIS PACK...

Werewolf pack leader Leidolf Wildhaven has just taken over a demoralized pack. With rogue wolves on the loose causing havoc and the authorities from the zoo suddenly zeroing in on the local wolf population, the last thing he needs in his territory is a do-gooder female, no matter how beautiful and enticing she is.

Thoughts: Leidolf Wildhaven is the leader of a new pack that was abused by it's former Alpha. Between protecting the pack and running his ranch he doesn't have time for much else. But when Cassie Roux, a biologist that specializes in wolves comes to town he's absolutely captivated by her.

Terry Spear has given us another great werewolf story. I jumped into the middle of this series earlier this year when I read Legend of the White Wolf. I fell in love with the characters almost right away. Leidolf Wildhaven was introduced in that book as a secondary character, at least as far as I know that was his first appearance. Anyway even though he was a secondary character when he entered into the story he demanded your attention. I was really fascinated by him, so glad he got his own book.

Seduced by the Wolf is a fast, riveting novel of danger and romance. A fine addition to the series. Both Cassie & Leidolf in their own way are playing a game of seduction- that was quite fun to watch. Ms. Spear has creates unique werewolf stories that are hard to put down.

Score: 4 Stars

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

Werewolf series:
Heart of the Wolf
Destiny of the Wolf
To Tempt the Wolf
Legend of the White Wolf
Seduced by the Wolf - August 3, 2010
Wolf Fever - December 7, 2010
Heart of the Highland Wolf - June 2011
Dreaming of the Wolf - 2011

Waiting On Wednesday [12] - Clockwork Angel

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine. It is a feature showcasing upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Like many fans I was instantly sucked into The Mortal Instruments series from the beginning. I absolutely loved it. It was something new and fresh to me. Each book is a great story with enthralling characters. So, it's no surprise that I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Clockwork Angel, the first book in The Infernal Devices series- which is a prequel to The Mortal Instruments series.

Title: Clockwork Angel

Series: The Infernal Devices
Author: Cassandra Clare
Release Date: August 31, 2010

Book Summary:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


The Infernal Devices:
Clockwork Angel- August 31, 2010
Clockwork Princess- 2011
Clockwork Prince- 2012

The Mortal Instruments:
City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass
City of Fallen Angels- April 5, 2011

[ARC Review] - Georgette Heyer's Regency World

Title: Georgett Heyer's Regency World
Author: Jennifer Kloester
Genre: Non-Fiction
Release Date: August 1, 2010

I received this book for review from Sourcebooks.

Summary: Immerse yourself in the resplendent glow of Regency England and the world of Georgette Heyer....

From the fascination slay, the elegant fashions the precise ways the bon ton ate, drank, danced and flirted, to the shocking real life scandals of the day, Georgette Heyer's Regency World takes you behind the scenes of Heyer's captivating novels.

As much fun to read as Heyer's own novels, beautifully illustrated, and meticulously researched, Jennifer Kloester's essential guide brings the world of the Regency to life for Heyer fans and Jane Austen fans alike.

Thoughts: Being a fairly new reader of Historical Romance I had no clue who Georgette Heyer was until last year (feel free to laugh ;)). But it's true she was a new author to me when I was offered to review The Grand Sophy, which I automatically fell in love with. During the span of her career Ms. Heyer wrote 26 books that were set during the Regency period, her books are popular through out the world. If you didn't know the Regency period lasted from 1811-1820. Such a short period of time, but a very much loved one. It has inspired many writers to set their story in this time.

Georgette Heyer's Regency World is a detailed companion of everything you'd want to know about the Regency period. I don't read non-fiction much, but I really enjoyed this guide. I love this time period and learned so much more about a different array of topics. The information is in abundance. This book is a good tool to have when you are reading one of Ms. Heyer's book. Some of the topics that are discussed are the Social Ladder, the Marriage Mart, Gretna Green to fashions of the time, shopping, military- A Who's Who in the Regency, plus many more subjects that will delight readers. Whether your a fan of Georgette Heyer or just a fan of the Regency period you'll find yourself enthralled with this book.

Score: 4 Stars

About the Author:
Jennifer Kloester is Georgette Heyer's official biographer, and had access to private papers and other confidential information, discovering a wealth of new material on the immensely private author. Georgette Heyer's Regency World was a best sell in the UK, and Kloester is now at wok on Heyer's official biography. Goodreads-profile

[ARC Review] - Infinite Days + Giveaway

Title: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Series: Vampire Queen
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: August 3, 2010

I received this book for review from Library Thing Early Reviewers & St. Martin's Press.

Summary: After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah Beaudonte, with the help of the handsome Rhode, has been able to realize the dream of all vampires--to be human again. Now as a raven-haired, sixteen-year-old, Lenah believes her greatest challenge is fitting in at her new school. But the challenges have only begun. The vicious coven Lenah once ruled is threatening the new found pleasures of her human life, including the one guy who makes her feel most alive, Justin. Can this ex-vamp survive in an alien time and place or will her past come back to haunt her...forever?

Thoughts: Lenah Beaudonte is almost 600 years old. A vampire queen that reigns terror everywhere she goes. But some how she got her one wish- to be human again. At 16 she doesn't have much to worry about except for learning the ways of the 21st century. That is until her former coven comes looking for her.

This was a beautiful story. Heroine Lenah Beaudonte is an exciting character, I liked her a lot. While Lenah was once a vicious killer- she is now just a girl. Between trying to learn the ways of the new world and reliving the memories from her bloody past it's no surprise that she feels like she's on emotional roller coaster. On the outside she may just look like a pretty girl, but really she's quite complex.

Infinite Days is a very unique story. If action, danger and romance is what you seek, you will find just those things in the pages of this book. Some of the chapters are flashbacks to when Lenah was a vampire, which I just loved. It gave the story depth and insight into Lenah. Ms. Maizel has created a fresh new twist on vampires that I think readers will enjoy.

Score: 5 Stars

Author Website: http://rebeccamaizel.blogspot.com/

________________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY:

I have an extra ARC of Infinite Days to giveaway. To enter leave comment along with your email address. This giveaway is open to everyone (even International residents). The winner will be announced August 3rd. Good Luck!

[Series Spotlight] - Possessions

I'm no stranger to Nancy Holder's books. I have read quite a few of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel books, but wanted to read some of her other stuff. I ended up picking up Possessions.

I recently finished reading both of the books in the Possessions series and I was blown away Both stories are intense, very suspenseful, and on the side being a bit spooky. Plus they have killer cliffhangers that leave you wanting more. I can't wait to read book 3.

Possessions - Book 1

Book Summary:
The It Girl meets The Exorcist in this chilling, haunted boarding school tale

New-girl Lindsay discovers all is not right at the prestigious Marlwood Academy for Girls. Ethereal, popular Mandy and her clique are plotting something dangerous. Lindsay overhears them performing strange rituals, and sees their eyes turn black. It doesn't help that the school itself is totally eerie, with ancient, dilapidated buildings tucked into the Northern California woods, a thick white fog swirling through campus. There are hidden passageways, odd reflections in the windows at night, and scariest of all is the vast lake rumored to have captured the ghost of a girl who drowned many years ago.

What Lindsay doesn't yet realize is that Mandy and her cohorts are becoming possessed by spirits who have haunted the school for two hundred years. Spirits who want someone dead...

And that someone is Lindsay.



The Evil Within - Book 2

Book Summary:
Lindsay finds out that she, too, is possessed, and must return to creepy Marlwood Academy in order to rid herself of the spirit. Lindsay's afraid of what the spirit is telling her to do--kill Mandy! But the secrets of Marlwood go much deeper than Lindsay thought. Sometimes the girls who seem like enemies are actually on your side. And the voices you trust the most--the voices that come from within--are the ones that want you dead.

Book 3 comes out 2011

Website: http://nancyholder.com/

Winners- The Fire Lord's Lover

and the winners are...

Kris

Dottie (Tink's Place)

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

You have 5 days to claim your prize

In My Mailbox [63]

In My Mailbox was started over at The Story Siren.

This week I didn't get any review books and I didn't buy any books this week. I know shocking isn't it. I think that is a first for me. But I did still get some pretty cool books in the mail and at the library. Here's what I got...

Book Fairy:

City of Ashes- Cassandra Clare
Eternal- V.K. Forrest
Wolf's Bluff- W.D. Gagliani
The Bridge- John Skipp & Craig Spector

Thanks to My Overstuffed Bookshelf & The Paperback Princess.


From Paperback Swap & the Library:

Pride and Prejudice (GN)- Jane Austen, Nancy Butler & Hugo Petrus

Wolf's Gambit- W.D. Gagliani
Zen and the Art of Vampires- Katie MacAlister
Daughters of Witching Hill- Mary Sharratt


Won:


Fairies Gone Wild- Anthology
A Wild Light- Marjorie M. Liu
Heroes Return- Moira J. Moore
Frostbitten- Kelley Armstrong
The Wish List- Gabi Stevens
Fatal Circle- Linda Robertson
Shade- Jeri Smith-Ready

Thanks to All Things Urban Fantasy, Books By Their Cover, RT Daily Blog & She Loves Hot Reads.

[ARC Review] - Shadow Fall

Title: Shadow Fall
Author: Erin Kellison
Series: Shadow
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 27, 2010

I received this book for review from Dorchester Publishing.

Summary:
Sacrifice
Custo Santovari accepted pain, blood, even death, to save his best friend. But a man with all his sins just isn't cut out to be an angel.

Mystery
One moment he's fleeing Heaven; the next, he's waking up stark naked in Manhattan. In the middle of a war. Called there by a woman who's desperately afraid of the dark.

Shadow
It gathers around Annabella as she performs, filled with fantastic images of another world, bringing both a golden hero and a nightmare lover.

Wolf
He pursues her relentlessly, twisting her desires even as she gives herself to the man she loves. Because each of us has a wild side, and Annabella is about to unleash the beast.

Thoughts: Custo Santovari endured torture and then death to keep his best friend Adam safe. But he never excepted to land in heaven and become an angel. He decides fleeing heaven is his best course of action, because Adam is still in danger. But when doing so -- he ends up crossing paths with ballerina, Annabella and he's captivated by her. Even though danger is at their heals there is no turning back for either of them. Their desire for each other is too strong to stay apart.

This second installment of the Shadow series is dark and brilliant. I was so glad to see Custo get his own book. His time in Shadow Bound was too short. This story is much more magical - new creatures emerge... mermaids and shape-shifters. Shadow Fall is a magical tale filled with action, danger and wonderful romance. Ms. Kellison writes at a pace that delights the senses. I really enjoyed this installment, I loved the dark fantasy feel to it. If you haven't check this series out yet, I highly recommend you do.

Score: 4 stars

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

Shadow series:
Shadow Bound
Shadow Fall

Waiting on Wednesday [11] - Pulse of Power

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine. It is a feature showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I decided to pick something different off my wish list, something I haven't seen much of on the blogs. That would be Anne Elizabeth's graphic novel Pulse of Power. It looks so good.

Title: Pulse of Power
Author: Anne Elizabeth
Cover Art: Brett Booth
Edited: Alisa Kwitney
Release Date: August 10th, 2010

Book Summary:

Destiny is always a choice! Tia Stanton is not an ordinary woman. Created from a mystical rite, she is birthed into a world where chaos and organization run side by side; where monster and man live in unison but rarely with recognition of each other. Until the race begins - a fight to gain access to the pool of power lying beneath her hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut. It coincides with her twenty-fifth birthday and her last chance to accept the full mantel of this supernatural power. Tia is forced to deal with the fact she's different. That she can recycle sin energy and make something good out of it. The world is literally at stake, as is a multitude of other planets which are tied to her own.

Available for Pre-order: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Borders

Book Website: http://www.pulseofpower.com/

Interview/Giveaway with Kathryne Kennedy

Give a warm welcome to author, Kathryne Kennedy. This is her second time at my blog. This time around she's here celebrating her latest release The Fire Lord's Lover.

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

Hi Anna! It’s great to be back! Thanks so much for having me. I write magical romances that will sweep readers away to new worlds of adventure and passion. I live in Arizona with my wonderful family and two very tiny Chihuahuas.

The Fire Lord's Lover is your newest release, can you tells us a little about it?

It takes place in an alternate eighteenth-century England, where seven elven lords have invaded the land with their magic and madness. My hero is a gorgeous half-breed who has hidden his heart in order to survive, and my heroine is his assassin bride who uncovers his secrets.

What is your writing day like?

I get up early, before the rest of the house is awake, and start writing, immersing myself in my world and characters before the ‘real’ world can intrude. Once there, I can stay in this dreamy kind of state for the next five to seven hours, writing straight through.

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

I tend to read fantasy, and then a historical romance, and if I get lucky, a historical fantasy romance, although I’ve noticed more books in the sub-genre now.

What type of research did you do for the book/series?

It’s like going back to school and studying again. I read many books over and over until I have a feel for the clothing; landscape, social climate etc. so that when I’m writing that info can fall naturally into place, with notes for back up.

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

Great question that I haven’t really considered before. Besides my computer, my notes (research, sketches, character cards, world/magic rules) and a glass of ice water.

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

A little…I think there are bits of everyone and everything within my experience that wind up in my stories.

I really love the cover of The Fire Lord's Lover. The art reminds me a little bit of J.R.R. Tolkien's Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings. Were you inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien when writing this book?

I have always loved what I consider the ‘true’ elven, the Sidhe, (as opposed to Santa’s elves) and I think Tolkien made them more recognizable. But what truly inspired me was Legolas in The Lord of the Rings movie. I fell in love with his character, and always wanted to write a romance focusing on the elven…in an entirely different world and manner, of course.

If The Fire Lord's Lover was being made into the movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?

Orlando Bloom, of course, although he would have to play a half-breed, for his beauty is at least human. The elven have evolved so much in my mind and world that I don’t think a real person could portray the lords themselves.

What is up next? Will The Fire Lord's Lover become the first in a series or are you moving on to something else?

It is the first in a series, and we will see a bit of Dominic and Cassandra again in book 2, The Lady of the Storm, where we follow the adventures of Cecily, half-breed to the elven lord, Breden. Each book will focus on a new love story that will end in a happily-ever-after, although a true resolution to a happy life will not happen until the elven lords are finally defeated.

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER
BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES JULY 2010

Kathryne Kennedy's historical fantasy romances have garnered awards and a growing readership. This exciting new series, set against the lavish backdrops of Georgian and Victorian England so beloved by romance readers, is deliciously dark and exciting.

Fighting for control of a kingdom that is split into seven domains, Elven warlords use their human slaves to breed an endless supply of soldiers for their armies. Dominic Raikes, the half-blood son of the Elven Lord himself is one such warrior. Betrothed to Lady Cassandra, who has been raised in a convent to keep her pure, he little suspects that she's been secretly trained as an assassin to murder his father. Dominic and Cassandra soon discover that each one is not what they seem, but the price of trust may be their very lives, and the destruction of the magical realm each is desperately trying to save…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryne Kennedy is a multipublished, award-winning author of magical romances. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives in Arizona with her wonderful family—which includes two very tiny Chihuahuas. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at: http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/.

To Purchase The Fire Lord’s Lover:
Amazon|Barnes and Noble|Borders|BooksAMillion|
Chapters/Indigo|Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory

___________________________________________________________

Giveaway:

Thanks to Sourcebooks I have two copies of The Fire Lord's Lover to giveaway. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be announced on July 24th. Good Luck!

Today...

Today I'm over at My Overstuffed Bookshelf. Amy has this great new feature called "Show Me The Shelves". It's a feature where bloggers share their book shelves with pictures and words. So if your interested in seeing what my book shelves look like stop on by. :)

In My Mailbox [62]

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

Review:
Songs for a Teenage Nomad- Kim Culbertson
Crescendo- Becca Fitzpatrick

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Sourcebooks.

Paperback Swap:
Nightwalker- Jocelynn Drake
Wolf's Trap- W.D. Gagliani
Dead is the New Black- Marlene Perez

Library:
Kith- Holly Black
Mistwood- Leah Cypess

Bought:
Undead and Unfinished- MaryJanice Davidson
Keys to the Depository- Melissa De La Cruz
Cupid Cats- MacAlister, Thompson & Brockway
Tracking the Tempest- Nicole Peeler
Building Sanctuary: A Safe Harbor- Moira Rogers

Winner- Early to Death, Early to Rise

and the winners is...

Throuthehaze

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

You have 5 days to claim your prize

[Promo] - Moon Dance

Moon Dance
By: Amy Blankenship & R.K. Melton

Out Now!

Book Summary:

Envy’s life was great. Great brother, great boyfriend, and the best job a girl could ask for… tending bar at the most popular clubs in the city. At least it was great until she got a call from one of her best friends about her boyfriend doing the vertical limbo on the dance floor at Moon Dance. Her decision to confront him begins a chain of events that will introduce her to a dangerous paranormal world hidden beneath the everyday humdrum. A world where people can transform into jaguars, real life vampires roam the streets, and fallen angels walk among us.

Devon is a werejaguar, a little rough around the edges and one of the joint owners of Moon Dance. His world is tilted on its axis when he spies an alluring vixen with red hair dancing in his club, armed with a cynical heart and a taser. With a vampire war raging around them, Devon vows to make this woman his… and will fight like hell to have her.

Where to buy:
Paperback
Kindle

Waiting On Wednesday [10] - Crescendo

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine. It is a feature showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

When Hush, Hush came out there were readers that really loved it and some that hated it. I was one of the readers that loved it. It was definitely an interesting world. I liked that Patch wasn't the typical hero, or the typical angel for that matter. So I'm really looking forward to see what book two will bring.

Title: Crescendo

Series: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 19, 2010

Book Summary:

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Interview with Eve Langlais

Today visiting my blog is Eve Langlais. She is the author of The Hunted and Alien Mate among others. Let's give her a warm welcome.

Hi Eve, 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?

Hi Anna, glad to be here. About me, well, I'm a Canadian mom of 3 kids who are already driving me nuts even though summer vacation has barely begun. I'm a stay at home mom who also works not only as an author but full time web mistress and customer service rep. I am married, almost 11 years now, to a a wonderful guy who drives me nuts at times but whom I adore. My favorite food is chips and dips. I love vampire shows my favorite being True Blood--love Eric-- followed by Vampire Diaries--I am in lust with Damon. In my spare time I read, play video games, watch movies and in general just hang out with my family. I started writing last year at the encouragement of my husband after a really bad romance book went flying into a wall. To my surprise, editors have been liking what I have to say, and since then I've had several works published with more releasing soon.

My Secretary, My Mistress is your upcoming release, can you tells us a little about it and the series?

This is a Tryst which means short but very hot. Definitely something to read only when you're home alone. It's a story about a secretary who sleeps with her boss, but he then pretends it doesn't happen. She doesn't like that and the next thing you know he finds himself tied to a chair with interesting results. If you like a story where a woman takes charge and that delves in to BDSM, then you should check My Secretary, My Mistress out. It's being released at Cobblestone Press on July 16th. I have submitted a sequel to this Tryst that moves even further into the naughty world of BDSM, but I'll have to wait and see if the publisher likes my continuation of this tale.

What is your writing day like?

My writing day starts after I've done ally my web updates, answered emails, made sure the children are fed and broken up at least 2 sibling fights. Then I type. I aim for 2k words a day, and sometimes surprise myself with 3 & 4. I have my own home office with a large desk that is covered in scraps of paper. Most of them useless, but hey, I never know when I'll need a list of Spanish swear words again. LOL. With the kids home for summer, finding time to write is more difficult as the distracting "Mom!" that resounds every few minutes really takes me out of the zone, but I'm not giving up.

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

I love to read romance most of all, especially paranormal stuff, I really do enjoy a hot alpha male. Second would be historical romances with lords and ladies, there's something about the past that just seems utterly romantic. Urban fantasy, science fiction and fantasy are my close thirds including series from authors like Kevin Anderson, Kim Harrison, Robert Jordan and many more. I prefer books that are action and speech driven instead of too descriptive, but if the story line is good, then I'll inhale it.

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

I love seeing the covers. The artists do a remarkable job of taking ideas and transforming them into beautiful covers that even crazier have my name on it. I'd be torn choosing which of my covers I love best although Alien Mate and My Secretary, My Mistress have gotten the most comments being so decadent and eye catching.

What type of research did you do for the book/series?

One of the beauties of writing paranormal and fantasy type stories is I create the world and technology I want. But that said, there are still things that need researching. In Alien Mate 2 coming soon with Amira Press, I needed a spot on earth with a high Hispanic population, a military base and some kind of well known area. Lo and behold, using the mighty Google search engine, I found White Sands and Alamorgordo New Mexico. Researching a bit more, I discovered their yearly hot air balloon festival which ended up being part of the story. I don't like getting hung up too much on research though, and tend to try sticking to things I know. Not to mention stopping to look something up can interrupt the writing flow.


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

Hmm three must haves. Well Boom 97.3 for one that plays lots of hits from the 80s. The hero for Lucifer's Daughter was actually inspired by the song 'What does it take?' by Honeymoon Suite. The second thing I need is the line that starts the whole story even if I change it later--for example in Apocalypse Cowboy coming soon with Cobblestone Press I wrote the story around the phrase, "How was she to know he would end up being the last man on earth?" And thirdly, it's not a must have but I'll guiltily admit for some reason it helps the creative process, sour cream and onion chips. Something about that salty, crunch snack gets me going lol.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

I always wanted to be a writer, but real life got in the way. I'm glad now that I'm making the time to follow this dream---the kick in the ass from my husband helped too. There's something really satisfying about finishing a story and having an editor read it and see its merit.

Do you see your Secretary series having an end or do you feel it's an open ended series?

Not quite sure yet. I know that if the sequel My Secretary, Her Fantasy gets accepted then there is most definitely a third part that has to be written. My other series that starts with Lucifer's Daughter already has a sequel titled Snowballs in Hell with a third in the works. But honestly, in some cases, I just don't know 'til my muse starts screaming in my head. Alien Mate 2 was a huge surprise but a pleasant one.

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

The antics of my children did inspire the twins in The Hunter. But for the most part, I stick to creating my characters from scratch. I'm sure some character traits are borrowed from people I know, like Samantha in Take A Chance wears glasses just like me, lucky her though a wizard fixes her sight.

What is up next?

This summer is going to be chock full of edits as I have about 4 manuscripts that will be coming at me from all my publishers. I'm also beginning work on some Christmas stories. The things a girl can do with a candy cane...hmm. LOL.


Eve Thanks for stopping by it was a pleasure to have you here today!

Author Website|Author Blog

_________________________________________________

My Secretary, My Mistress
By Eve Langlais -- Coming July 16, 2010

Available from Cobblestone Press

This secretary is out to teach her boss a lesson he won't soon forget.

Isabelle and her boss Grant had a one night stand that rocked, but since then he's been avoiding her. Miffed at his behavior, she's determined to bring him to his knees. Drawing upon her dominant and kinky side, she first makes him regret his actions, and then makes him come crawling back for more. But Isabelle is after more than just revenge and sexual satisfaction, she's grooming Grant to be her very first slave. The question is, can her boss let go of his inhibitions and let Isabelle take charge?

Grant sneaked out of her bed like a thief-tip toeing and barely breathing, desperate to evade capture. She watched him with one eye partly open, wondering if he could truly be so callous after the night of frantic lovemaking in which they'd indulged. Surely he felt some remnants of the passion they'd shared. Her body ached pleasantly.

Once he was dressed, he approached the bed and gave her a soft kiss. She pretended to be sleeping, but couldn't stop the half smile that curved her lips.

He's mine now.

[Book Giveaway] - Early to Death, Early to Rise

Title: Early to Death, Early to Rise
Series: Madison Avery #2
Author: Kim Harrison

Book Summary:

Seventeen, dead, and in charge of heaven's dark angels—all itching to kill someone.

Madison Avery's dreams of ever fitting in at her new school died when she did. Especially since she was able to maintain the illusion of a body, deal with a pesky guardian angel, and oh yeah, bring the reaper who killed her to his untimely end. Not exactly in-crowd material. It's amazing that her crush, Josh, doesn't think she's totally nuts.

Now Madison has learned that she's the dark timekeeper, in charge of angels who follow the murky guidelines of fate. Never one to abide by the rules, she decides it's time for a major change to the system. With the help of some unlikely allies, Madison forms a rogue group of reapers who definitely don't adhere to the rules of the heavens.

But as she grapples with the terrifying new skills that come with being a timekeeper, Madison realizes she may not be prepared for what lies ahead—unless she gets some seriously divine intervention.

I have a copy of Kim Harrison's Early to Death, Early to Rise up for grabs. To enter fill out the form below. Open to U.S. & Canada. The winner will be announced on July 16th. Good Luck!

Winners- The Wild Irish Sea

and the winners are:

Jenny Bolech

Debs Desk

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

You have 5 days to claim your prize

In My Mailbox [61]

In My Mailbox was started over at The Story Siren.

Here is what I got this past week...

Review:
Lancelot's Lady- Cherish D'Angelo
Shadow Fall- Erin Kellison

Thanks to Cherish D'Angelo & Dorchester Publishing.

Paperback Swap:
Thirst No. 1- Christopher Pike

Bought:
Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage- Jennifer Ashley
In Other Worlds- Sherrilyn Kenyon
Bonds of Justice- Nalini Singh

HP7 - First Poster

This is the first Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows poster to be released. I found it over at Internet Movie Poster Awards. It's sad to see Hogwarts burning, but I really can't wait to see this one. The trailers look amazing.

2001 Original poster from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Waiting On Wednesday [9] - Haunting Honeymoon

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post started by Breaking the Spine. It is a feature showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Casa Dracula is another favorite of mine. It is quite different compared to other vampire books out there. It's quirky, dark and hilarious. Haunted Honeymoon is the 4th and last book in the series. I'll be sad to see it come to an end. I'll miss Milagro and The Grant's. I recently re-read the last book The Bride of Casa Dracula and was sucked back into their world, so I'm really look forward to see what Milagro and the gang will get up to in this one.

Title: Haunting Honeymoon
Series: Casa Dracula
Author: Marta Acosta
Release Date: October 5, 2010


Book Summary:

Will she get another chance with the vamp that got away?

As the only human to survive vampire infection, Milagro de Los Santos has become quite a celebrity among the blood-drinking elite. Too bad the perks of her condition—increased strength, super-fast healing—don’t pay her condo fees. There are other complications too. She feels guilty about her fling with decadent, enigmatic Vampire Council member Ian Ducharme, and she pines for her ex-fiancé, Dr. Oswald Grant . . . the fabulous man whose kiss changed her life.

It’s when Milagro—upset by Ian’s attentions to his neighbor—travels to London and enjoys a sexy flirtation of her own, that the blood really hits the fan. Suddenly, those around her are dying gruesome deaths and Milagro’s being interrogated. Who would kill to set her up as a murder suspect?

All she wants to is turn back the clock and have another chance to make things right. No sooner has she escaped to Oswald’s ranch than an accident obliterates her memory. Will the murderer come after her, and will amnesia spark a romantic do-over with Oswald—or will Milagro make all the same mistakes before she ever gets to say “I do”?

Casa Dracula series:
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula
Midnight Brunch
The Bride of Casa Dracula
Haunted Honeymoon

Kane & Camp Winners

and the winners are...

Brooke Reviews
Unholy Magic

s7anna
A Gentleman Always Remembers

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

You have 5 days to claim your prize

Interview/Giveaway with Loucinda McGary

Today at the blog I have Loucinda McGary . Her latest book The Wild Irish Sea is available July 6th. Let's give her a warm welcome! :)

Hi Loucinda, 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?

Hi Anna, I really appreciate you inviting me to your blog today!

The Wild Irish Sea is my third romantic suspense with paranormal elements published by Sourcebooks Casablanca. My previous books are The Wild Sight (also set in Ireland) and The Treasures of Venice (set in Italy but with an Irish hero).

I love to travel and to date I have visited 47 states and 32 foreign countries. I also like to set my books in some of the places I have visited.

You can find me online blogging with The Romance Bandits or on my personal blog, Aunty Cindy Explains It All.

The Wild Irish Sea is your newest release, can you tells us a little about it?

Parker and Amber O’Neill are twins who have shared a special mental connection all their lives. While on vacation in Ireland Parker accidentally witnesses a murder, and the killers target him as their next victim.

When Amber receives his mental distress call, she rushes to the rugged shores of Donegal to rescue her brother. In order to find him, she enlists the aid of a local reclusive police inspector, Kevin Hennessey.

In order to save Parker, Kevin and Amber must unravel the mystery of a selkie prince and face down a band of ruthless smugglers. Plus, they also discover a connection of mind, body and spirit like nothing they have ever experienced before.

What is your writing day like?

Everyone who knows me will verify that I am NOT a morning person. I function best between noon and midnight. Therefore, I do most of my creative writing (first draft stuff) in the afternoons. I usually write four of five hours every afternoon, Monday through Friday. The weekends are a bit different since my DH might or might not be around. If he’s off pursuing his interest in auto racing (March through October) then I will write from about three PM until around midnight. Generally I don’t write on Sundays unless I’m really “on a roll” with my story or I’m facing a deadline.

I do revisions, rewriting, query letters and the like before or after I work on my work-in-progress.

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

When I’m in the midst of working on one of my contemporary romantic suspense stories, I generally read historical romances. I don’t like to read in the same genre I write because I don’t want any accidental ‘cross pollination’ to happen.

When I’m not writing (which isn’t very often) then I’ll read books with contemporary settings.

What type of research did you do for the book?

I’d already done quite a bit of research about Ireland, both modern and historical, for my first book The Wild Sight. But I did have to research some specific things about County Donegal, and I always use maps so that I know where things are in relation to each other and how far apart they are.

Ever since my niece gave birth to twins ten years ago, I’ve been interested in twins in general and read quite a bit about studies done on their relationships and differences between them and single birth siblings. I also found it extremely interesting to observe my grand-nephews. They were the inspiration that led me to create a set of twins for this book.

Legends about selkies crop up a lot in Celtic mythology. I ran into a few of them while researching The Wild Sight and read a lot more of them when I decided to incorporate selkie lore in The Wild Irish Sea. Many of the tales about selkies have dark and tragic endings, so I decided to put my own spin on them. Plus, I called a local marine mammal center and tried to incorporate some real seal behavior in my creatures.

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

When I’m working on my first draft, I must have privacy. I don’t like people traipsing in and out of my office (my son or my DH) and I get very cranky if the TV or stereo volume in the other room is too loud.

Second, I must have a thorough knowledge of my main characters before I can write my first draft. Most of the time, my story springs from my characters, so it is essential that I know a lot about them before I ever write a word. I only need sketchy details of the plot, because once I know and start writing about my characters, the plot pretty much falls into place.

Third, I really need chocolate! Doesn’t every romance writer? Nothing gets you out of a writing slump like a good piece of chocolate candy or a scoop of chocolate ice cream. When I was in college I worked part-time in a candy store, and developed a taste for dark chocolate which I still have. However, when the necessity for immediate chocolate therapy strikes, I’ll take milk, semi-sweet, whatever is handy.

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

As I mentioned, my twin grandnephews first spurred my interest in writing about a set of twins. Also, their father (my nephew-in-law) wanted to be included in one of my books, so as a joke, I named a murder victim after him. I’ll bet he never asks to be in one of Aunt Cindy’s books again!

Two of your books, The Wild Sight and the latest release, The Wild Irish Sea, are set in Ireland. Now I know the pull that Ireland has, having been there myself... What made you decided on Ireland as your setting more than once?

Basically because my editor asked me to. J A lot of readers and reviewers loved my portrayal of the real Ireland in The Wild Sight and I was happy to set another story there. Having Irish ancestors myself (yes, McGary is my real name), I’ve always felt a connection with Ireland. Plus, my DH is also Irish (his grandmother immigrated in 1912) and he has relatives who live in Northern Ireland. Visiting them is what first inspired me to write The Wild Sight and set it in Northern Ireland.

Selkie stories are always fun to read. Do you have a favorite selkie story or myth?

I love the movie The Secret of Roan Inish and the story of how the main character’s ancestor married a selkie woman. Her family legend said that every generation had a “dark one” who was a throw-back to the selkie. Her little brother was a “dark one” and because of the selkie blood, he wound up being raised by seals. In The Wild Irish Sea, I play on that relationship of selkies and seals, too.

Also, The Secret of Roan Inish was filmed on location in Donegal, Ireland and has some of the most gorgeous cinematography ever! I highly recommend you rent the movie just for the scenery alone.

What is up next? Will you continue with the "wild" books or are you moving on to something else?

None of my books are actually related, except for the fact that they all have Irish heroes. They are all stand-alone romantic suspense tales with a touch of the paranormal.

My current work-in-progress is something different in that it has no paranormal elements, but is a more traditional romantic suspense. One of my favorite modes of travel is cruising. I’ve been on sixteen cruises to date (number seventeen is scheduled for November), so I decided to set my next book on a cruise ship. I hope this will be the first in a series of books centered around a fictional cruise line.

THE WILD IRISH SEA
BY LOUCINDA MCGARY—IN STORES JULY 2010

Drawn together by a force they can’t resist…
The telepathic image of her twin brother fighting for his life sends Amber O’Neill rushing to the rocky shores of Ireland. Desperate to find him, she turns to reclusive local inspector, Kevin Hennessy.

Bound together with a passion as relentless as the tide…
His past full of pain, Kevin has withdrawn from the world. But when the rain-drenched American appears on his doorstep with her wild tales of danger, something more than her sensuous beauty makes it impossible for him to turn her away.

The wildness of the sea, the mystery of a selkie prince, and a dangerous band of ruthless smugglers bring two lost souls together in a connection of mind, body, and spirit that can’t be denied...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Loucinda McGary took early retirement from her managerial career to pursue her twin passions of travel and writing. She sets her novels of romantic suspense in some of the fascinating places she has visited. She was a finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest in Romantic Suspense with the manuscript that eventually became her second published novel, The Treasures of Venice. Her first published novel, The Wild Sight won the Best First Book category in the 2009 More Than Magic contest. She lives in Sacramento, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.loucindamcgary.com/

_____________________________________________________

Giveaway:

Thanks to Sourcebooks I have 2 copies of The Wild Irish Sea to giveaway. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winners will be announced on July 10th. Good Luck!