Winner - Those Who Fight Monsters

and the winner is...

Sara M

Congrats! Please send your mailing information here:

annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize

All giveaway winners are chosen through Random.org

April Book Releases

1st

The Return of Black Douglas- Elaine Coffman
Rock Hard- Olivia Cunning
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior- Maureen McGowan
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer- Maureen McGowan
Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend- Linda Wisdom

4th

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group- Catherine Jinks
Rage- Jackie Morse Kessler

5th

Hidden Embers- Tessa Adams
Teeth: Vampire Tales- Anthology
Shady Lady- Ann Aguirre
Dark Enchantment- Anya Bast
Red Glove- Holly Black
Vampire Dragon- Annette Blair
Angels & Demons- Tarra Blaize, Victoria Davies & Madelyn Ford
Deadly Dreams- Kylie Brant
Ghost Town- Rachel Caine (pbk)
City of Fallen Angels- Cassandra Clare
Mesmerized- Lauren Dane
Starfire- Kate Douglas
Plaque- Michael Grant
Night Hunter- Vonna Harper
The Slipstream Con- S. Reesa Herberth & Michelle Moore
Red Mortal- Deidre Knight
Alien In the Family- Gini Koch
Navarro's Promise- Lora Leigh
Huntress- Melinda Lo
Magic on the Hunt- Devon Monk
Haunting Desire- Erin Quinn
The Demon & The Succubus- Cassie Ryan
Vowed In Shadows- Jessa Slade
Blood Sin- Marie Treanor
Warprize- Elizabeth A. Vaughan
Eternal Kiss- Laura Wright

12th

Enclave- Ann Aguirre
Stormy Seduction- Vivian Arend
The Gathering- Kelley Armstrong
Clay: Armed and Dangerous- Cheyenne McCray
The Twilight Saga: Offical Guide- Stephenie Meyer
Midnight Secrets- Jennifer St. Giles
After the Golden Age- Carrie Vaughn

19th

Bewere the Night- Anthology
Mercy Burns- Keri Arthur
Twelfth Grade Kills- Heather Brewer (pbk)
King and I- Opal Carew
The Goddess Test- Aimee Carter
Vampire Beach 2: Ritual & Legacy- Alex Duval
The Vampire Dimitri- Colleen Gleason
Eona- Alison Goodman
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter- Seth Grahame-Smith (pbk)
The Last Warrior- Susan Grant
Skeleton Crew- Cameron Haley
The Beholder- Connie Hall
Forever Vampire- Michele Hauf
Ghost Stalker- Jenna Kernan
Twilight Prophecy- Maggie Shayne
Anchor- Jorrie Spencer

26th

Dark Descendant- Jenna Black
Abandon- Meg Cabot
Uncertain Allies- Mark Del Franco
Tangled Threads- Jennifer Estep
Untamed Highlander- Donna Grant
Big Bad Beast- Shelly Laurenston
Gifted: Speak No Evil- Marilyn Kaye
Defiant- Kris Kennedy
Born of Shadows- Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Cold Kiss of Death- Suzanne McLeod
Bound by Darkness- Alexis Morgan
As You Wish- Gabi Stevens
Corsets & Clockwork: 12 Steampunk Romances- Trisha Telep
Black Magic Woman- Christine Warren

28th

Ocean of Blood- Darren Shan

Camelot & Game of Thrones

There are a few new tv shows starting in April that are not to be missed!

CAMELOT (HBO)- Friday, April 1st

http://www.starz.com/originals/Camelot

GAME OF THRONES (Starz)- Sunday, April 17th

http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html

Also coming in April is The Borgias, on Showtime.  Premieres Sunday April 3rd.  I want to see this one  too, but will have to wait for the dvd since I don't have Showtime.  Check out the website for a peek at the trailer.

http://www.sho.com/site/borgias/home.sho

Cover Discovery

Release Date: June 21, 2011
*found this one on goodreads.com, not sure if
it's the final cover.

Release Date: August 2, 2011

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Release Date: September 27, 2011

In My Mailbox [98]

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what arrived in our mailboxes, bought or found in swaps or at the library.

Here is what I got this past week...

________________________________________________________

Review:
The Darkest Heart- Thea Devine

Thanks to Simon & Schuster.

Bought:
Wither- Lauren DeStefano
The Screaming Season- Nancy Holder
I Am Number Four- Pittacus Lore  [not pictured, downloaded to ipod]
Indulgence in Death- J.D. Robb

What did you get this week? 

Feel free to leave your IMM link in the comments.

[Review & Giveaway] - Those Who Fight Monsters

Title: Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives
Edited by: Justin Gustainis
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: March 1, 2011

Summary:  Got Vampires? Ghosts? Monsters? We Can help!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives, is your one-stop-shop for Urban Fantasy’s finest anthology of the supernatural. 14 sleuths are gathered together for the first time in all-original tales of unusual cases which require services that go far beyond mere deduction!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives brings together popular characters from many Urban Fantasy paranormal investigative series, for your enjoyment.

Meet the Detectives:

Danny Hendrickson

from Laura Anne Gilman's Cosa Nostradamus series.

Kate Connor

from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series.

John Taylor

from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.

Jill Kismet

from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.

Jessi Hardin

from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.

Quincey Morris

from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.

Marla Mason

from T. A. Pratt's Marla Mason series.

Tony Foster

from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.

Dawn Madison

from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.

Pete Caldecott

from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.

Tony Giodone

from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.

Jezebel

from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.

Piers Knight

from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.

Cassiel

from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.

Thoughts: Those Who Fight Monsters is dark and fresh. Essentially an Urban Fantasy delight. Fans of this genre will be itching to get their hands on this book. I loved it. I got to visit favorites such has Quincey Morris, Tony Giodone & Pete Caldecott.  But also introduced to others such as Marla Mason, Jill Kismet and many more.

My favorite stories from this anthology are:  Little Better Than A Beast by T.A. Pratt, Deal Breaker by Justin Gustainis & Running Wild by Rachel Caine. 

Score: 4 Stars

Author Website: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp, Rachel Caine, Laura Anne Gilman, Chris Marie Green, Simon R. Green, Justin Gustainis, C.J. Henderson, Julie Kenner, Jackie Kessler Caitlin Kittredge, T. A. Pratt, Lilith Saintcrow & Carrie Vaughn

________________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Justin Gustainis I have a copy of Those Who Fight Monsters to giveaway. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to Everyone! The winner will be announced on March 31st. Good Luck!

[Review] - How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf

Title: How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf
Author: Molly Harper
Series: Naked Werewolf
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 22, 2011

I received this book for review from Simon & Schuster.

Summary: Northern Exposure

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question.

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

Thoughts: Southern born and bred Mo Wenstein needs a change, stat. After a broken engagement - and dealing with her hippie parents on a daily basis she needs some separation and something new.  Mo decides Grundy, Alaska is the place for her. She has no idea what awaits her in Alaska, but she definitely wasn't expecting the hotness that is Cooper Graham.

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf was just the story I needed. It was light, sexy and laugh out loud funny. I loved it. This was my first time reading Molly Harper. It was a pleasant surprise, I wasn't expecting to like it has much as I did. I loved her writing voice. I can't wait to check out her other books. Naked Werewolf is a must read.

Score: 5 Stars

Author Website: http://mollyharper.com/

Upcoming Releases:
The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf- March 29th

Winners - Numbers: The Chaos

and the winners are...

Miss Remmers

D.L.

Congrats! Please send your mailing information here:

annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize

All giveaway winners are chosen through Random.org

[ARC Review] - Born At Midnight

Title: Born At Midnight
Author: C.C. Hunter
Series: Shadow Falls
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: March 29, 2011

I received this book for review from St. Martin's Griffin through Library Thing.

Summary:  Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap lately. Her parents are getting a divorce for who the heck knows why. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. And her grandmother died because . . . well, older people do that. But now, Kylie's acquired a stalker and she hasn't a clue what he wants or how to get rid of him . . . and she really wants to get rid of him because apparently she's the only one who sees him. Thinking she may be losing it, her parents send her off to see a psychologist who gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

Kylie's surrounded by vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shape-shifters. And if she believes what they tell her, she's one of them. They're just not sure exactly how she fits in. As Kylie struggles to cope with the realization that these creatures even exist, and the fact that she might not be human, she's got two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vying for her attention. And they can just keep vying. Kylie's determined that before she lets her heart loose on love, she needs to unearth the truth. What does the ghost want? Who can and can't she trust? And most of all . . . What is she?

Thoughts: Kylie Galen is about to leave normal far behind. Her parents have sent her to a camp for troubled teens. But what she finds at Shadow Falls Camp is more than the average teen problems. Kylie enters a world of witches, vampires, werewolves and other paranormal creatures she never thought existed.

Born At Midnight is a fantastic and addicting read. Very much a page turner. This story takes a normal girl (or so she thinks) and throws her in the paranormal end of the pool without warning.  Kylie is a great heroine, I liked her right away.  She walks into camp lost and confused but ultimately finds a home, a place she belongs. Kylie is in a little bit a triangle with Derek and Lucas, I'm eager to see where this will go.  I definitely recommend this one.

Score: 5 Stars

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

Upcoming Releases:

Awake At Dawn- October 2011

Winner - Dragon Warrior

and the winner is...

Amanda from Novel Addiction

Congrats! Please send your mailing information here:

annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize

All giveaway winners are chosen through Random.org

In My Mailbox [97]

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what arrived in our mailboxes, bought or found in swaps or at the library. Here is what I got this past week...
________________________________________________________

downloaded to my Kindle

Review:

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives- Anthology

Instructions for a Broken Heart- Kim Culbertson

The Zero Dog War- Keith Melton

Thanks to Justin Gustainis, Sourcebooks & Keith Melton.

Bought:

True Blood Vol. 1: All Together Now- (GN) Various Authors

Mercy Thompson Moon Called Vol. 1 - (GN) Patricia Briggs

Free Book:

Turned At Dark- C.C. Hunter   [Kindle link]

What did you get this week? 

Feel free to leave your IMM link in the comments.

[Promo] - Invincible

Coming March 22nd

Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse...

Nick Gautier’s day just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he survived the zombie attacks, only to wake up and find himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul.

His new principal thinks he’s even more of a hoodlum than the last one, his coach is trying to recruit him to things he can’t even mention and the girl he’s not seeing, but is, has secrets that terrify him.

But more than that, he’s being groomed by the darkest of powers and if he doesn’t learn how to raise the dead by the end of the week, he will become one of them...

Winners - Taste Me

and the winners are...

Jenn3128

Mardel

Congrats! Please send your mailing information here:

annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize

All giveaway winners are chosen through Random.org

Interview with Cara Chow

Hi Cara, 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?
Thank you for inviting me!

I am a writer, and my debut novel is Bitter Melon.  Like my main character, Frances, I grew up in the Richmond District in San Francisco, but I now live in the South Bay portion of the Los Angeles area.  I’ve been living in Southern California for over twenty years now, longer than I’ve lived in San Francisco.

Bitter Melon is your latest release, can you tells us a little about it?
Bitter Melon is a Chinese-American, coming of age, love-hate, mother-daughter story.  It is a story about a 17 year old girl who rebels against her Tiger Mother.

What is your writing day like?
Before I had my son, a typical writing day consisted of teaching Pilates part-time and writing when I wasn’t teaching.  After I had my son, a typical writing day consisted of writing whenever my son was asleep or whenever I had childcare.  Often times, this meant writing on weekends and really late at night.  Now that Bitter Melon is out, all of my writing time is spent doing publicity.  The good news is, I now have consistent childcare, so I look forward to working on the next book during consistent, reasonable hours in which I am actually alert!

What type of research did you do for the book?
I tracked down my high school speech coach, Mrs. Willson, and asked her questions about the scheduling and structure of speech competitions.  This was important for the plotting of the scenes in which Frances competes.  I also consulted my mother on all things Chinese of which I was unsure.  She helped choose Frances’s Chinese name and last name.  She also knew the name of the local Chinese newspaper in San Francisco.

When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?
My reading diet is probably one part fiction per two parts non-fiction—ironic, considering that I’m a fiction writer!  When it comes to fiction, I’ll read almost anything that a fellow reader recommends enthusiastically.  This may sound weird, but I also like to read children’s picture books.  When it comes to non-fiction, my taste is pretty eclectic.  I really like to read about cognitive science, or neuropsychology.  I’ll read any book by Jared Diamond, who combines anthropology, geography, archaeology, history, and ecology.  I also love reading books about linguistics.  And cookbooks and gardening books.  And memoirs.

Now that I have a small child, I spend a lot of time reading books like Hippos Go Berserk—over and over and over again.

Since Bitter Melon's release, what has been your most memorable moment?
I have two most memorable moments: the two readings I did in San Francisco in late February.  The first one was at the Presentation convent, home of the retired sisters who taught at my alma mater, Presentation High School, upon which St. Elizabeth’s (Frances’s school) is loosely based.  Three of my high school teachers attended this event: Ms. Pic, Sr. Pam, and Mr. McGuire.  I hadn’t seen Ms. Pic or Sr. Pam in twenty years.  I was particularly close to Mr. McGuire, my sophomore English teacher.  We wrote the Senior Jinx together during my senior year.  I deeply admired him, so much so that I had a crush on him when he taught me.  After the reading, Mr. McGuire said to me, “I wish that Mrs. Willson were here.  She’d be so proud.”  Later that evening, Ms. Pic and Mr. McGuire joined my family for a late Chinese New Year celebration, during which they met my husband and son.  These were the people who helped mold me when I was young.  It meant so much to me to share with them not only my book but also my family.

The second reading was for my mom’s holistic senior health class.  I read to a group of seniors, one of whom was so hard of hearing that I had to speak into a special mic that was hooked up to his hearing aid.  I was a bit more nervous this time because I wasn’t sure if my audience would connect with the book.  The connection between senior health and mother-daughter fiction was tenuous at best.  I agreed to do the event as a favor for my mom, who was trying to do me a favor by booking me a gig.  I was also nervous because my mom was in the crowd.  The mother in my story is very difficult, even cruel at times.  I was unsure about how people would interpret that, including my mom.  Fortunately, everyone took it the right way.  My mom saw to this by raising her hand during the Q&A and announcing that this is purely fiction and that the character of Gracie is not at all based on her!  Everyone was very engaged with the book, and I think my mom was very proud too, very much like my teachers at Presentation.

Both events felt like a homecoming to me.  They were very special and memorable, very much worth the airfare and going through TSA plus the plane rides with a screaming toddler.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a book?
#1: Coffee.  It’s a terrible addiction of mine.  If you’re a young, aspiring writer reading this, don’t emulate me.  When I’m not super-stressed and exhausted, I downgrade to tea.

#2: The American Heritage Dictionary, all 50 pounds of it.  Others use online dictionaries, but I still rely on 20th Century technology like bound dictionaries and phones that only make phone calls.

#3: Childcare.  Actually, this should be #1. 

What or Who inspired you the most when writing Bitter Melon?


My mother was also a source of inspiration because she really supported my writing.  Not only did she supply me with good cultural information, she was also an endless source of encouragement.  Many times she said to me, “There are two things I want for you.  I want you to have a baby someday, and I want you to finish and publish your book.”  She respected my writing so much that she could mention it in the same sentence as a baby.  Many times she flew down from San Francisco to my home So Cal to babysit my son for weeks at a time so that I could do revisions for my editor.

What is your favorite thing about Bitter Melon?
The changes I made to the manuscript, especially between 2009 and 2010.  After years of struggling with the story and feeling stuck off and on, I hit a point where my creativity took off and my thinking became more flexible.  It was a very empowering feeling.

If you can tell us, what is up next for you?
Rest.  Seriously.  More sleep, more time with my family, and more time to do the fun things I used to do that inspired me, e.g. reading, watching movies, taking photos, gardening, and hiking.  I need to fertilize my creative soil before I can write another book!

________________________________________________________

BITTER MELON

by Cara Chow

Out Now

What would you do if your mother planned every step in your life...and demanded you follow?

Frances has one job in life. To get into Berkeley and become a doctor so that her mother's ambitions for her will be realized. And Frances doesn't think there's anything wrong with that - until the day she accidentally steps into a speech class.

Frances turns out to be a natural at debate and public speaking. But to win in competition, Frances needs to say things she really believes - and to hide what she's doing from her mother. And once Frances steps out beyond her narrowly prescribed life, she begins to question many things about the way she is raised. Frances knows she must be obedient to her mother, who has sacrificed so much for her education. But how much is Frances living out the life her mother wants her to have, instead of the life that's right for Frances?

Where to Buy:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders | The Book Depository

To learn more about Cara, check out her website.

Happy St. Patrick's Day + Giveaway

Dragon Warrior

Midnight Bay #2
By: Janet Chapman

Book Description:

Maddy Kimble has no time for a suitor—not with caring for her spunky nursing home patients, her shy nine-year-old daughter, her widowed mother, and her rebellious teenage brother. William Kilkenny’s stunning lack of modern dating protocol doesn’t help. The man is uncouth and outrageous—a towering, drop-dead, breathtakingly hot warrior. Who refuses to give up.


William is secretly a ninth-century Irish nobleman formerly trapped in a dragon’s body. All Maddy knows is that lately, she can hardly resist the urge to lose herself in his powerful arms. But as their uncontrollable passion grows, eerie occurrences in her small coastal Maine town begin to rouse Maddy’s suspicions about her lover. He begs her to trust him, but how can she surrender—body and soul—when she fears the danger he poses to her yearning heart?

GIVEAWAY:

I have one copy of Dragon Warrior to giveaway.  To enter leave a comment along with your email address. This is open to everyone, international too. The winner will be announced on March 20th.

Giveaway: Numbers 2: The Chaos

The Chaos

Numbers #2
By: Rachel Ward

Book Description:
When he was a little boy, Adam learned about the numbers. The first ones he saw were Jem’s. That was how he knew she was going to die. Adam has more than inherited his mother's curse: When he looks in someone's eyes, he not only sees the date of their death...he feels the searing, shocking pain of it. Since Jem died, Adam has lived by the sea with his great-grandmother, Val. But when rising tides flood the coast, they return to London. The city is an alien, exciting, frightening place. Most disturbing of all, Adam can't help but clock how many people's numbers are in January 2027; how many are on New Year's Day. What chaos awaits the world? Can he and Sarah stop a catastrophe? Or are they, too, counted among the "twenty-sevens"?

Author Website | Book Website

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Big Honcho Media I have (2) copies of The Chaos to giveaway. Open to U.S. addresses only. To enter, fill out the form below. The winners will be announced on March 22nd. Good Luck!

[Review] - Numbers: The Chaos

Title: The Chaos
Author: Rachel Ward
Series: Numbers
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: March 1, 2011

I received this book for review from Big Honcho Media.

Summary: Adam has more than inherited his mother's curse: When he looks in someone's eyes, he not only sees the date of their death...he feels the searing, shocking pain of it. Since Jem died, Adam has lived by the sea with his great-grandmother, Val. But when rising tides flood the coast, they return to London.

The city is an alien, exciting, frightening place. Most disturbing of all, Adam can't help but clock how many people's numbers are in January 2027; how many are on New Year's Day. What chaos awaits the world? Can he and Sarah stop a catastrophe? Or are they, too, counted among the "twenty-sevens"?

Thoughts: Adam is Jem's son and she has passed on her curse to him.  Seventeen years has passed, Jem is dead and Adam has been living with his grandmother. When they go back into the city he is shocked to find that everyone's number is the same January 2027.  He knows something terrible is coming but doesn't know what, or if he'll be able to stop it.

The Chaos is just as creepy and unique as the first one.  I think having the curse would be scary and quite stressful. It was an good, intriguing read. Although I liked the first book a lot more. But really that has to do with characters. Jem was a great character, I loved her personality.  The ending of The Chaos was pretty intense. The curse just got turned up a notch... wonder where it's gonna lead.

I'm not sure if this series qualifies as a dystopian, but I think it is a bit. It's definitely futuristic. I would recommend this series to fans of either genre.  It's not one to miss.

Score: 3 Stars

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

Upcoming Releases:
Infinity - June 6, 2011

***Make sure to stop by on March 16th. I'll be giving away 2 copies of The Chaos.

Cover Discovery

Release Date: March 29, 2011

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Release Date: September 20, 2011

Release Date: October 4, 2011

Release Date: October 18, 2011

In My Mailbox [96]

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what arrived in our mailboxes, bought or found in swaps or at the library. Here is what I got this past week...

________________________________________________________

Review:
Percival's Angel- Anne Eliot Crompton
Heart of the Highland Wolf- Terry Spear

Thanks to Sourcebooks.

Bought:
Twelfth Grade Kills- Heather Brewer  [audio download on my ipod.]
River Marked- Patricia Briggs
Harry Potter Film Wizardry- Brian Sibley
My Soul to Steal- Rachel Vincent

What did you get this week?

Feel free to leave your IMM link in the comments.

[ARC Review] - Shimmer

Title: Shimmer
Author: Alyson Noel
Series: Riley Bloom
Genre: Young Adult- Middle Grade
Release Date: March 15, 2011

I received this book for review from Macmillan.


Summary:  Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a young ghost named Rebecca, Riley soon learns Rebecca's not at all what she sees.

The daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories?

Thoughts: Now that Riley & Bodhi solved the case of the Radiant Boy, they are hoping for some  R & R.  But soon they come across a young girl name Rebecca. She is not happy at all with having been murdered. She aims to take her revenge anyway she can.

I was introduced to Riley first in Radiance, but it wasn't till reading Evermore that I started to really like her.  She is sweet and cute, well when she wants to be... but loves making mischief and looks up to her sister.  For me she turned into a pretty lovable character.

Shimmer is a fast, fun  and intriguing read. An excellent installment in the series.  I found the history behind ghost girl Rebecca interesting.  She is one angry girl.  Ultimately Riley's act of freewill is dangerous for everyone involved and when it comes to the council the consequences could be even worse.  I look forward to see how things turn out in the next book.

Score: 3 Stars

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

Upcoming Releases:

Forever Summer- April 26, 2011
Everlasting (Immortals #6)- June 7, 2011
Dreamland (Riley Bloom #3)- September 13, 2011

Winner - It Happened One Bite

and the winner is...

Melissa [Books and Things]

Congrats! Please send your mailing information here:

annasbookblog@gmail.com

You have 5 days to claim your prize

All giveaway winners are chosen through Random.org

Interview & Giveaway with Tamara Hogan

It's a pleasure to welcome debut author Tamara Hogan to my blog...

Hi Tamara, 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?
TH:  My partner Mark and I live near Minneapolis and own two cats—or do they own us? Sometimes it’s hard to know. I love reading, bubble baths, electric blankets, endless pots of coffee (can you tell it’s winter in MN?), listening to music, and shopping for screaming deals at vintage and consignment stores. Nordstrom shoe department is my happy place.   

Taste Me is your newest release, can you tells us a little bit about it?
TH: Taste Me is my debut release, and the kick-off book in The Underbelly Chronicles, a gritty, fast-paced urban fantasy romance series set in a world where incubi, succubi, sirens, Valkyries, vampires, werewolves and faeries live undetected alongside humankind. In Taste Me, incubus security guru Lukas Sebastiani is suckered into bodyguarding his former lover, siren rock star Scarlett Fontaine, and neither is happy about it.

What is your writing day like?

TH:  I write new pages for at least two hours a day, at least six days per week, first thing in the morning when I’m freshest. I get up, get dressed, brush my teeth and hair, and then drive to my hometown coffee shop, where I’m one of their first customers. I’m so productive there because there’s nothing else for me to do except boot up, slap on my headphones, pick the day’s tunes, and write! I then come home and start my day job, where I telecommute as a process and quality standards analyst for a company that makes networking gear. Other writing-oriented activities—reading, writing or commenting on blogs, responding to email, monitoring writing loops, taking classes, revising, page-proofing, critiquing and judging— all happen between day job meetings, over my lunch break, or in the evenings.     

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

TH: I was a feral reader as a child, roaming the adult library stacks at will starting at about age 10, reading mainstream fiction, mysteries, thrillers, horror, science fiction, and of course, romance. Even though I have a B.A. in English and took all the requisite literature classes, I’ve always been a genre girl at heart, and I no doubt horrified my college advisor by choosing to do an Ellery Queen survey as my senior seminar topic. While I read widely, especially across romance sub-genres, I consider paranormal romance and urban fantasy romance to be “home base.”     

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

TH:  A netbook (with wireless disabled), black coffee with cream, and a loaded iPod.

What was it like learning that Taste Me was going to be published?

TH: Honestly? Equal parts exhilaration and trepidation. The validation felt fabulous – one of the best editors in the biz thought my book was good enough to publish! – but as someone who came out of a college creative writing program paralyzed by performance anxiety, certain I would never be able to meet what I perceived to be very high expectations, it took me over twenty years after graduating to finally find the guts, and the inspiration, to write my first manuscript. In 2009, there was a window of time between learning that Taste Me had been named a paranormal finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart and Daphne du Maurier Awards (under the title Underbelly) where I was frankly a bit of a mess. But I’ve since gotten a handle on my fears – most of them, anyway!      

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

TH:  Communicating with people who enjoyed reading my book!   

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

TH:  One of the fun things about creating your own world is appropriating and fictionalizing certain aspects of real people’s personas to suit your own purposes. Let’s just say that there are several peripheral characters in Taste Me whose names readers may recognize.

Who or what inspired you the most when writing Taste Me?

TH:  I’ll have to say music, for three reasons. One: I got the idea for The Underbelly Chronicles’ world while watching a famous band perform. One of the musicians was behaving in such a cheerfully debauched manner that I marveled, shaking my head in bemusement, “He must be half incubus” — which led me to explore the incubi myth further from a world-building perspective. Two: My heroine, Scarlett Fontaine, is a siren, a singer of incomparable skill, whose specialty is interpreting and amplifying music’s emotional content with her voice. This aspect of her characterization required that I very carefully consider the lyrical content of every song she sings, because other characters will react—sometimes quite strongly. Each song in the set Scarlett performs at mid-book was very, VERY carefully selected for maximum impact. Three: Music is an essential tool to me while I write. Whether it’s helping block out background noise at the coffee shop, or a short-cut to the emotional vibe I’m trying to convey in a scene, I can’t write without music.

If you can, tell us what is up next for you?

TH:  I just typed THE END on the Taste Me’s follow-up, Chase Me. While I’m revising that manuscript, I’ll start researching Underbelly Chronicles Book Three, Tempt Me. I’ll be going to the RT Booklovers Convention in April—catch me at Club RT Thursday afternoon! —and participating in a panel discussion at RWA National Conference (NYC, baby!) during the last week of June called "The Road to Novel Completion: Potholes, Pit-Stops and Poppy Fields, Oh My!" Follow the yellow brick road as my Ruby Slippered Sisters and I share the tips and techniques that help us dodge life’s flying monkeys and finish that darned novel.

TASTE ME BY TAMARA HOGAN 

IN STORES MARCH 2011

Hot, sexy urban fantasy romance by a new author with talent to burn…

He Wants Her So Badly He Can Taste It…

Ever since their tempestuous fling years ago, incubus Lukas Sebastiani has known that siren Scarlett Fontaine was meant to be his. But when you’re a sex demon with an insatiable desire, relationships are way more than complicated…

Her Siren Songs Bring Men to Their Knees…

Rock star Scarlett Fontaine desperately needs a break after a grueling tour. But with murder and mayhem surrounding her band, and the one man she never thought to see again put to the task of protecting her, life is going to be anything but peaceful…
Every encounter between them creates more turmoil—and heat—until Scarlett pushes Lukas to the boiling point, and unleashes forces that go way beyond anything she can hope to control…

Where to Buy:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Borders | The Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamara Hogan loathes cold and snow, but nonetheless lives in the Minneapolis exurbs with her partner Mark and two naughty cats.  When she’s not telecommuting as a quality and process engineer for a global networking company, she writes urban fantasy with a sci-fi twist. Taste Me was a 2009 Daphne Paranormal Winner and Golden Heart paranormal finalist under the title Underbelly. For more information, please visit http://www.tamarahogan.com/.

________________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to Sourcebooks I have (2) copies of Taste Me to giveaway.  To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to U.S. & Canada The winners will be announced on March 18th. Good Luck!

[ARC Review] - Taste Me

Title: Taste Me
Author: Tamara Hogan
Series: Underbelly Chronicles
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: March 1, 2011

I received this book for review from Sourcebooks.

Summary:  He wants her so badly he can taste it…

Ever since their tempestuous fling years ago, incubus Lukas Sebastiani has known that siren Scarlett Fontaine was meant to be his. But when you’re a sex demon with an insatiable desire, relationships are…complicated.

Her siren song brings men to their knees…

Rock star Scarlett Fontaine desperately needs a break after a grueling tour. But with murder and mayhem surrounding her band, and Lukas guarding her body, life is going to be anything but peaceful.

Every encounter between them creates more turmoil—and heat—until Scarlett pushes Lukas to the boiling point, and unleashes forces that go way beyond anything she can hope to control…

Thoughts: A Siren & Incubus find that they burn for each other.  Sex, Rock N' Roll, Murder and much more... Ms. Hogan states on her website that her new series is "CSI meets True Blood." Those being two of my favorite shows, I was eager to check this book out.

Taste Me is edgy with a fresh feel. I enjoyed the story and the world. It has a mixture of the paranormal and mystery. I love that it takes place in Minnesota. I also like that there are several different supernatural creatures that make up the Underbelly world.  Readers looking for a new world to play in will enjoy this one.

Score: 3 Stars

Author Website: http://tamarahogan.com/

In My Mailbox [95]

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what arrived in our mailboxes, bought or found in swaps or at the library.

Here is what I got this past week...

________________________________________________________

Book Fairy:

Afterlife- Merrie Destefano

Raziel- Kristina Douglas

Thank you Michelle G! :)

Bought:

Twilight's Dawn- Anne Bishop

Dreams of a Dark Warrior- Kresley Cole

This Side of the Grave- Jeaniene Frost

Moon Cursed- Lori Handeland

Demonglass- Rachel Hawkins

The Dark-Hunters Vol. 4- Sherrilyn Kenyon

The Red Heart of Jade- Marjorie M. Liu

Radiant Shadows- Melissa Marr

What did you get this week?

Feel free to leave your IMM link in the comments.

March Giveaway: It Happened One Bite

It Happened One Bite

By: Lydia Dare

Book Description:
Blaire Lindsay's been warned that her ancestral home is haunted. But it will take more than tales of a ghost to frighten Blaire, a battle-born witch with supernatural strength and the ability to make sparks fly from her fingertips. Hearing spectral wails, she decides to search for their source, and is surprised to find a handsome young man chained to the dungeon wall. 

But when Blair frees James from his bonds, she quickly discovers she's unloosed far more than she could ever have imagined...Soon the castle is overrun with vampires whose perfect manners and compelling blood lust make for some very awkward moments, and Blair and James are joined in the fight of their lives to save everything they hold dear from the forces of evil..


GIVEAWAY:  I have one copy of It Happened One Bite to giveaway.  Open to U.S. & Canada.  To enter fill out the form below. The winner will be announced on March 10th. Good Luck!
 

Comments are welcome, but won't be counted as entries.

[Review] - By These Ten Bones

Title: By These Ten Bones
Author: Clare B. Dunkle
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: February 15, 2011

I received this book for review from Blue Slip Media.

Summary:  A mysterious young man has come to a small Highland town.  His talent for wood carving soon wins the admiration of Maddie, the weaver's daughter. Fascinated by the silent carver, she sets out to gain his trust.

But there is an evil presence in the carver's life that cannot be controlled, and Maddie watches her town fall under a shadow. One by one, people begin to die. Caught in the middle, Maddie must decide what matters most to her--and what price she is willing to pay to keep it.

Thoughts:  Maddie is a young girl living in the Scottish highlands. Cut off from almost everything. So, it's no surprise when wood carver Paul comes to town that she is taken with him at first sight. But then things take a turn for the worse. Maddie doesn't know what to do, and she has a hard decision ahead.  A way to push back the shadow and save the people she loves...

By These Ten Bones was a dark and chilling tale.  I loved that it took place in Scotland. Also the lead characters Maddie and Paul were intriguing.  For the most part the story was enjoyable but,  I had trouble reading this one it was just a bit too dark for my taste. I do think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, especially werewolf fans.

Score: 3 Stars

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

Upcoming Releases:
The House of Dead Maids [paperback] - September 27, 2011

February 2011 - Reading List

Madame Tussaud- Michelle Moran [5 Stars]
Review

Reaper- Rachel Vincent [3 Stars]

Moonlight Temptation- Stephanie Julian [4 Stars]
Review

All Just Glass- Amelia Atwater-Rhodes [4 Stars]
~~~This was a sequel to an earlier book Shattered Mirror. I loved that
the author did a sequel for this one. I loved both books. I'm really looking forward to what comes next.

Kind- Holly Black [4 Stars]

Blood: The Last Vampire 2002- Benkyo Tamaoki [2 Stars]

It Happened One Bite - Lydia Dare [4 Stars]
Review

Jane Goes Batty- Michael Thomas Ford [4 Stars]

Shimmer- Alyson Noel [3 Stars]
Review

Primal - Anthology [3 Stars]

Taste Me- Tamara Hogan [3 Stars]
Review

The Frenzy- Francesca Lia Block [4 Stars]
~~~I seen both good and bad reviews on this one. It was my first
time reading Block and for me this was a great read.

The Fledgling Handbook 101- P.C. Cast & Kim Doner [3 Stars]

The Tudors for Dummies- David Loades & Mei Trow [3 Stars]

Blood Wyne- Yasmine Galenorn [4 Stars]

Angel- James Patterson [3 Stars]
~~~This was a good read, but kinda disappointing. The last book
comes out next year, I hope Mr. Patterson brings it.

Numbers: The Chaos- Rachel Ward [3 Stars]
Review

By These Ten Bones- Clare B. Dunkle [3 Stars]
Review

MeruPuri Vol. 1- Matsuri Hino [3 Stars]

Upcoming Events in March:

• Giveaway: It Happened One Bite by Lydia Dare (1)
• Interview & Giveaway with Tamara Hogan
• Guest Blog & Giveaway with Monica Leonelle
• Giveaway: Numbers: The Chaos by Rachel Ward  (2)
• Interview with Cara Chow