My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon

My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon, Edited by P.N. Elrod

My first book review for this new blog!! Overall I would give this book 7 out of 10 stars. Most stories were really cute. Only one was really outstanding. Overall, a good read.

“Stalked” by Kelley Armstrong

Cute story about Elena and Clay’s honeymoon. A mutt starts stalking them wanting to stake a claim to Elena. Clay tries to take care of it himself, but of course Elena would have none of that! Old nemesis McKay shows up to turn the honeymoon into a wolf fiasco. I liked this one. The only weak point I saw was that if Clay could sense the other wolf, why didn’t he think Elena couldn’t??

“Heorot” by Jim Butcher

One of my favorites. A beautiful (virginal) bride gets kidnapped on her wedding night. Dresden is called in to find her. Will he rescue her in time or will the monster have his way with her?

“Roman Holiday or SPQ-arrrrrrrrrr” by Rachel Caine

This story is a continuation of Cecilia Lockhart’s tale that began in “My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon.” She has married her sea captain and is aboard his ship bound for her honeymoon, but unrest among his crew and a few rival pirates have something else in mind for the two of them. Overall a cute story, but not one of my favorites.

“Her Mother’s Daughter” by P.N. Elrod

I thought this one started off like a bad thirties detective story, but wound up being one of my favorites. Vampire detective Jack Fleming is hired by mobster’s daughter to find her husband who had disappeared right after they cut the cake. Is it a rival mob? Or is it a rival lover? A plain old fashioned kidnapping? Who among the guests knows the whereabouts of the missing groom?

“Newlydeads” by Caitlin Kittredge

I just could not get into this one. I didn’t finish it.

“Where the Heart Lives” by Marjorie M. Liu

Awesome story and very well written. Lucy’s mother deserted the family when she was small and her father sends her off when he hears that Miss Lindsay wants to hire a girl to help with the house. On the way to the house, Lucy sees a ghostly woman, dressed all in white, who cries out to her for help.

“Cat Got Your Tongue” by Katie MacAlister

Very cute story about a haunted castle. The newlyweds try to help out one of the ghosts and the groom finds himself in a new, unusual form.

“Half of Being Married” by Lilith Saintcrow

Finding out that your brand new wife is a vampire hunter or that your new husband is a werewolf in itself might be bad enough, but spending your honeymoon next to a whole next of vampires? Now that could be a bit much. Very interesting story. I liked this one a lot.

“A Wolf in Groom’s Clothing” by Ronda Thompson

Should couples be completely honest before getting married? Sam Wulf thinks he found his soulmate in Laura, but Laura led him to believe she liked the great outdoors and Sam led her to believe he was all human. Overall a cute story, but not one of my favorites.

My Dishy Guy for this week!

What can I say but YUMM!! I think Naveen Andrews is one of the sexiest men on tv today and OMG what I wouldn't give to be in a love scene with him.

Can you imagine him as a hunky vampire? Oh baby, I sure can and I think he would add the exotic and delightful change to the vampire world. I can also see him as a were, possibly black panther.

Even though I do love the story line of Lost I think he is the main reason I watch it. I just can't get enough of his looks and acting.

Who is your favorite dishy guy this week?

Join me for an ALMOST Anniversary Party!

It's hard to believe, but at this time last year, I was 9 months pregnant. July, 2007 was to be a great month for me, one filled with memories that I'll cherish forever. First and foremost, my wee sweet one, my Girl was born. But shortly before that, another sort-of baby of mine was introduced to the world, the culmination of a lifetime of dreaming and trying and struggling and learning. In the early days of July, 2007, my vampire romance "Dark Thirst" hit bookstore shelves for the first time. Now it's almost one year later, and just like I'm planning an upcoming first birthday party for my sweet munchkin Girl, I'm having another party at the Coffee Time Romance Paranormal Forum, right now, all day today for Brandon, Lina and the entire gang of "Dark Thirst."

Just like with any party, we're gonna have goodies! There will be prizes galore, excerpts, sneak peeks at the upcoming sequel and more. Although I can't swing a birthday cake, I think we're still going to have a blast, so I hope you'll join in the fun!

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/showthread.php?t=5363

Meeting Jazz Tremaine

Jazz, the snarky 700-year young witch heroine in 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is here to answer reader questions. Readers had asked some questions and here's her answers.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

Linda

Me – Tell me, Jazz, have you met any famous people during your travels?

Oh for Fate’s sake, just because I’ve lived a long time people assume I’ve met great leaders and anyone famous. Just like those who swear in a former life they were a countess or a great leader. No one ever wants to say they were a chambermaid in their past life. I’ve met a few, but most of them weren’t famous when I knew them.

Lynda M -- What's kissing Nick like? Does he bite

Very very very nice. And he knows better than to bite since vampires have mega trouble with a witch’s blood. How do you manage ID in this electronic age? Helloooo! Witch here. A flick of the wrist, a few words and I have all the ID I need. The bummer part is I still pay taxes and credit card bills.

Taryn R -- What's the most imporant change (s) you've seen in your 700 years?

Airplanes. I get sick just looking at a boat, so flying somewhere instead of relying on a ship.

What countries have you lived in or visited?

Before I traveled to the States, I lived in Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, Spain, Persia, Egypt, China and Japan.

With all your years, did you ever have to fake your death and move on so others wouldn't grow suspicious?

Sometimes I used a glamour to make me look older so I could stay in one place for longer than usual. Other times I moved on before people grew suspicious that I didn’t age.

How many loves have you had?

There’s pretty much only been one even if there’s times I’d like to turn him into a Fourth of July sparkler. A few inbetween, but that was when I was on the rebound and something I probably shouldn’t discuss in case Nick is around.

Elaine C -- How long have you REALLY known Nick?

I met Nick in the 1400s and we clicked immediately. We’ve had our ups and downs over the centuries, but it seems we always seem to find each other.

I heard a rumor you were the one who got them all in trouble all those years ago, when they were in school. Is it true?

Of course people would think it was me! Only the one who cast the spell knows the truth. If anyone did know who it was, that was their secret because we agreed it didn’t need to be known even if it meant banishment for us all. Maybe it was good for all of us. It got us out of final exams and over the years our power grew and we grew with it. Not always in a good way, but that’s what makes life fun, isn’t it?

Does anyone have any questions for Jazz?

New reviews for Sara Reinke's DARK THIRST

Check out two of the latest great reviews for Dark Thirst:

AztecLady from Karen Knows Best gave it 7 out of 10: "The prologue sets the tone of the tone of the story...The writing in the prologue is so evocative that I hurt for Brandon, even before I realized just how far things were going to go... Make no mistake, it is an extremely dark world—and not just in the 'gore, blood, death' dark, but in a 'they live under the thumb of a psychopath' dark kind of way." Read the entire review here.

And Shannon C. at The Good, The Bad and The Unread gave it a grade of B+, declaring: "I read this book in a matter of hours, and didn't want to put it down for such necessities as sleep and food... Reinke creates a memorable cast of characters whose lives and story drew me in completely... A damn near perfect book." Read more here.

Authors and their Comfort Zones

Once upon a time there was an author who loved to write romance. She wanted all those happily ever after endings and when she sold her first two books she knew she was going to write more. When she wrote about the hero’s point of view in her first book she was told “you can’t do that” and she couldn’t understand why. Just as the heroine and hero couldn’t make love unless they had planned to get married very soon after and it was mentioned.

So each time she was told “you can’t do that” she asked why and from then on, she did her best to break one or two “rules” and get away with it. Sometimes she did get away with it and sometimes she again heard “you can’t do that”.She also knew she loved to write about things that go bump in the night and anything that couldn’t be properly explained. At first, she was told the paranormal ideas she had wouldn’t sell, but it didn’t stop her.

After all, the time would come when she could write the books she well and truly loved to write.So along the way she wrote about a psychic who watched a woman’s death through the murderer’s eyes, about a woman who hit 30 and had her dead parents come back with the intention of staying until she found the right man, about the daughter of a famous horror actor who lived in a house that had a few secrets and prompted questions of “could that be …?” About a woman who thought the life of a society belle was better than hers until she was killed and ended up in that woman’s body only to learn she was now a suspect in the belle’s fiancé’s death. Another woman who stumbled onto a small village that only appeared the month of December where Christmas was celebrated in a big way, a woman who almost gave up her life because she was slowly fading from life until she returned to her home town where no one knew her and a dark-natured homicide cop who has a long murdered woman haunting his house and he falls in love with her.

They were all practice works for what she really wanted to do. She wanted to leave that comfort zone and write a book that had all of those “you can’t do that” in it.

Thanks to a sassy witch named Jazz Tremaine, who’d been around for the last 700+ years, she was able to do just that. It wasn’t easy forgetting those old rules and just going for it, but she did it because the book deserved the absolute best she could give it. So this author worked hard, laughed, cried, sweated blood and discovered that writing about Jazz, Nick, Irma, and Fluff and Puff was the most fun she’d ever had.

That author was me and the book was 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover.Another form of living happily ever after since I’ve since sold three more books in my witch series. The second, Hex Appeal, will be out this November and Wicked By Any Other Name and Wishing You A Hexy Christmas in 2009.It’s not easy writing outside your comfort zone. It’s like giving up that blankie that’s worn and soft and makes you feel better.

But sometimes, jumping off that cliff and swimming through uncharted waters throws you into a whole new world that may be unfamiliar, but it can also be a lot of fun.

What about you? Do you like to venture into new territory or do you stay in your comfort zone?

Linda

Free reads from author Sara Reinke

As a token of appreciation to readers, I'm offering three FREE ebook reads available for exclusive download at my website (http://www.sarareinke.com/).

Heart's Ransom, my novel-length historical romance has been given a cover art face-lift (because my Photoshop skills have improved considerably since the original art was completed, LOL), and now it's joined by the novella-length paranormal thriller, Resurrection (previously released for publication) and the never-before available sequel, Eye of the Storm. Whether you're looking for a swashbuckling, seafaring fun or you like some chills and thrills with your romance, you'll find something to love with these free reads. Just go to http://www.sarareinke.com/ and click on my "What's New" page for more information. Must be 18 years or older to download.

A Wee Bit About Me

Ah yes this is me in a bookstore in Salem, MA just recently. Where I have my hand is where you pay the cashier believe it or not. This store had so many books they were almost piled to the ceiling. And no less, in order of genre and author. Whew, talk about work.

Anywho, now a little about me. I absolutely love to read and even though I consider myself an avid reader, I'm not a speed reader. I tune everything else out and submurge myself into whatever I'm reading to the point that I actually feel I'm a character in it. I hate television and don't care much for movies as I can't get myself into them like I can a book. Guess I'm what you call a true bookworm.

I love gardening to the point of considering it real therphy. Just sticking my hands in the dirt makes such a connection with Mother Earth that the stress just flows out of me. Yes I am one of those nutty people that talk to my plants too. They know what I'm saying or they wouldn't grow so darn good. LOL! Must be why I have a great sense of humor also.

Call of the Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle

Call of the Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle is a titillating savory were romance that will have you licking your lips in sheer delight. This is a book you most certainly will be reluctant to put down even for a potty break.

Carly Silver is a blond Italian with her heart set towards romance but unable to find any. She comes from a very tight knit family that needs to know every move she makes every minute of the day or they are not happy. Beautiful and petite, smart and with a temper the size of the Grand Canyon she is not the type of person to cross.

Gideon McInnes is a God in human form. A tall rugged Scotsman with a heavenly brogue, day old stubble gracing his chin, independent and a predatory gaze that locks you in place, he is a man of my dreams. I'll take some of this eye-candy any day of the week.

Gideon takes a much needed vacation to upstate New York only to find himself hunted by rogue werewolves. Caught by surprise the attack nearly costs him his life but luckily his sheer strength and strong wits keep him from being totally destroyed. He finds himself scratching at a door whimpering for help just before the blackness claims him.

Carly is finishing up work for the day at her romance bookstore when she thinks she hears a scratching at the back door. Waiting a moment she hears it again and proceeds to open the door only to find a large black dog in dire need of help. Instead of taking the dog to the vet she takes him home and decides she will take him to the vet in the morning. She takes care of his needs as best she is able to then turns in for the night. What she finds upon waking the next morning is enough to make anyone think they are insane.

In the days to follow Carly and Gideon take a roller coaster ride through Heaven and Hell. Moments of intense passion, love and tenderness are entangled with moments of panic, despair, hurt and a danger so intense that you don't know if you should cringe with fear or tingle with anticipation of what is to come next.

The author has given us a dishy Highland Romance with all the bells and whistles to make this an unforgettable read. Romance, intrigue and mystery surround the humans and shapeshifters like a well worn cloak. A must read that will make it's way into my personal collection for further reading in the future.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Casablanca Pr (May 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402211589ISBN-13: 978-1402211584

A Knight Well Spent by Jackie Ivie

A Knight Well Spent by Jackie Ivie is a heart pounding, mouth watering, finger licking fantastic read for all Historical Romance lovers. If you miss this one you have missed one of the Yummiest books of the century.

Aislynn who also refers to herself as the "Lady of the Brook" is gifted with healing skills and dreams of things to come. Petite, long dark trusses, brown green eyes with ivory skin, she is a sight to behold. She does not feel so pretty though as she is lanky and doesn't have all the proper curves that real women have so she does her best to hide herself under larger clothing. Aislynn is a very intelligent lass who is not afraid to look you straight in the eyes and her pierce seems to penetrate right to the soul.

Rhoenne Guy de Ramhurst is Lord of his own keep and large parcel of land. This gifted to him by King David of Scotland for services rendered to the crown and allegiance to His Highness. Rhoenne is a very large man, piercing blue eyes that seem to drink you in, blonde hair and abbs that any women in her right mind would love to caress over and over without thought to consequences.

Lord Montvale is a knight totally dedicated to his Lord in every possible way. Very handsome, he has no problem with having his share of the ladies. He is most often irritating, occasionally manipulating and not afraid to do whatever needs to be done to protect those he loves. More often than not this gets him into all out disagreements with his Lord.

The story starts us out with a chance meeting and a lucky one at that between Rhoenne and Aislynn. Rhoenne has been hurt badly and Aislynn is in her "Lady of the Brook" outfit praying to the Gods and Goddesses that might be. Luckily for Rhoenne, Aislynn is very skilled in the healing arts and has him righter than rain in no time.

Our story then finds us in Lord Rhoenne's keep with the Lord angered at the way his property has been taken care of in his absence. His half brother Brent is no where to be found because he is out looking for wenches as per his usual. Horny little bugger that he is, Brent is about to be put in his place the hard way. About the only thing Brent has done right this time is capture Aislynn but Rhoenne makes his claim to her as soon as he realizes who his brother has captured.

Rhoenne decides to give Aislynn total power over his keep which she puts to rights in no time and makes it a totally different place than what it was. Rhoenne's half sister who was in charge of the everyday chores is not very happy at this especially since Aislynn makes the woman do more than her share of the clean up to atone for the disgusting way in which the place what kept under her care.

Poor Rhoenne has made a vow of not seeding any woman because of a death curse. Little does he know that Aislynn is going to give him a run for the money and test his patience and endurance to the ultimate of limits. Can he withstand this most luscious enchantress and her breath taking delectable body.

A quote to Rhoenne's dilemma:

"You'll rue this, Montvale," Rhoenne said, and it was spoken between clenched teeth.

"Oh, I think not. She has the frame of a goddess and the features of Aphrodite. Further, she has an iron fist. You seem to need one. I grant her free use of it. Especially on your head."

The author has given us such a delight that I would call this book a keeper. Lusty, action packed, intriguing, deceitful, heart wrenching and down right luscious, this book is right up in leagues with authors such as Hannah Howell, Jo Beverley and many of the other epic writers of the current era of the Historic Romance genre'.

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra (October 7, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 142010165XISBN-13: 978-1420101652

Reviewed for Front Street Reviews

http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/