Preview of Burned by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

'Burned' is the seventh book in the House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast....

"Things have turned black at the House of Night. Zoey Redbird’s soul has shattered. With everything she’s ever stood for falling apart, and a broken heart making her want to stay in the Otherworld forever, Zoey’s fading fast. It’s seeming more and more doubtful that she will be able pull herself back together in time to rejoin her friends and set the world to rights. As the only living person who can reach her, Stark must find a way to get to her. But how? He will have to die to do so, the Vampire High Council stipulates. And then Zoey will give up for sure. There are only 7 days left… "



READ CHAPTER ONE OF 'BURNED':

http://www.houseofnightseries.com/pages/burnedxrpt.html

HOUSE OF NIGHT WEBSITE:

http://www.houseofnightseries.com/index.html

Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn (Terra's Review)

Synopsis

An exciting debut: a vivid, richly imagined saga of ancient Rome from a masterful new voice in historical fiction

Thea is a slave girl from Judaea, passionate, musical, and guarded. Purchased as a toy for the spiteful heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea will become her mistress's rival for the love of Arius the Barbarian, Rome's newest and most savage gladiator. His love brings Thea the first happiness of her life-that is quickly ended when a jealous Lepida tears them apart.

As Lepida goes on to wreak havoc in the life of a new husband and his family, Thea remakes herself as a polished singer for Rome's aristocrats. Unwittingly, she attracts another admirer in the charismatic Emperor of Rome. But Domitian's games have a darker side, and Thea finds herself fighting for both soul and sanity. Many have tried to destroy the Emperor: a vengeful gladiator, an upright senator, a tormented soldier, a Vestal Virgin. But in the end, the life of the brilliant and paranoid Domitian lies in the hands of one woman: the Emperor's mistress.

(Terra's Thoughts)

Mistress Of Rome is a wonderfully written historical account of what a Jewish slave girl could have possibly seen and experienced in her lifetime. A harsh life no less with more that it's share of injustice and horrors that could curdle milk at a hundred paces. Ugg!

I found this interesting and horrifying all at the same time. It's story is vibrant and starkly descriptive to play on your emotions and wring them out like a wet rag. I know this is fiction and very good fiction as far as I'm concerned. But, who is to say that one person's fiction doesn't have tons of historical reality inserted in it.

If you are of a type that doesn't like violence then don't read this.

You have to remember and understand that the Roman Empire was not kind especially to slaves and prisoners. The horrors of the Gladiator fights are vivid and descriptive. The overall lifestyle was colorful in every way possible.

The author has gone above and beyond in the telling of this historical piece of fiction. She has done her research of lifestyles, games, wars, sex, drugs and deceptions with an accuracy that will have you looking over your shoulder and jumping at the least little sound if you read at night. She has given us a quality of writing that makes this book an interesting read and one you hope to finish without hating all of Rome's Mighty Emperor's.

Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (April 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425232476
ISBN-13: 978-0425232477

Tall, Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare (Terra's Review)

Synopsis

In Lydia Dare's debut trilogy, Regency England has gone to the wolves!

He's lost the most important part of himself...

Lord Benjamin Westfield is a powerful werewolf-until one full moon when he doesn't change. His life now shattered, he rushes off to Scotland in search of the healer who can restore his inner beast, only to find she's not at all what he expected...

She would make him whole, if she could...

Young, beautiful witch Elspeth Campbell will do anything to help anyone who calls upon her healing arts. Then Lord Benjamin shows up, and she suddenly discovers she may need him even more than he needs her...

(Terra's Thoughts)

Talk, Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare has to be my favorite thus far. This romance story has an old world feel and the mixture of Were Wolf vs. Scottish Witch is delightfully delicious.

In the first book Simon was the main character who is the eldest of three brothers. This installment takes care of Ben who is the youngest and the one who seems to attract trouble as easily as luring a bee to honey. Only problem is, is that Ben is suddenly broken. Ack, how does a were wolf get broken?

Well at least we find out the how and why with a comical romp through the city of Edinburgh Scotland while chasing after a for real Scottish Witch. Oh did I mention one witch. Oops, sorry but there is more than one but alas Ben only has eyes for one in particular and her friends are not overly happy with a beast chasing after their sister witch.

The author did a remarkable job with this book with the ease at which the story unfolds and then wraps around you like a really warm blanket on a cold winter's eve. She has given us her sense of humor that will most certainly have you chuckling throughout at the shenanigans that Ben and Eslpeth must overcome in order to sample the delicious delights of romance at it's finest.

Misconceptions, misunderstandings and secrets abound from London to Edinburgh but unwrap at prime intervals of the story to make this a must read for anyone who loves historical romance with a touch of lust, comedy and touching surprises.

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 4, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402236956
ISBN-13: 978-1402236952

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith Winners

*DragonGoddess

*Bookie

*Liz B.

Please send your snail mail info to terraontop57 at yahoo dot com. Congrats to our winners and I hope you enjoy your prize!

Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell (Terra's Review)

Synopsis

Rumor Has It sizzles with Mansell's signature fresh sense of humor, poignancy, and happy ending with a twist. Newly single Tilly Cole impulsively moves to a small town, only to find she's arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue, and rampant rivalry for the most desirable man-Jack Lucas, whose reputation is beyond bad. Tilly has no intention of becoming another notch on his bedpost. But she finds the thoughtful, caring guy she comes to value as a friend doesn't seem to fit the town's playboy image. Should she listen to her friends or her heart? Is Tilly being mature and sensible-or running away from the love of her life?

(Terra's Thoughts) I am going to say right off the bat that I really could never get into Chick Lit, that is until now. This is the most hilarious story with that off the wall pure British comedy that will make you chuckle from page one to the end. This author has certainly shown me that light and fluff with a great storyline, a few important messages and some just down and out comedy is what you need every now and then. OMG, I'm still chuckling. I am so going to have to check out the rest of this author's line of books.

Rumor Has It is about Tilly who being dumped by her live in boyfriend ends up taking a live in position as a Girl Friday. Her boss is a hunka hunka but low and behold he is gay. Oh well, not the end of the world for Tilly as she's not looking really and there are plenty of fish in the ocean.

Along comes Jack Lucas. Tall, dark, oozing with sexual charm that draws you in like bees to honey. Oh baby is he hot. So hot in fact that he is known about town by every female old enough to have her hormones in working order.

Tilly is warned by everyone to stay away from Jack as he would only break her heart and chalk her up as another notch on his bedpost. Thank goodness Tilly has the strength of Hercules in the will department. Ahhh, but who says that even that will protect her in the end. Will she give in or will Jack break her heart into millions of shattering pieces.

The author has done a fabulous job above and beyond anything I would have ever expected. I love the sense of humor, the solid storyline with it's hidden messages that are a strong reminder to one and all. The play of emotions is outstanding and oh gee I just don't know what more to say without giving it all away. Guess you'll have to read for yourself and see what a hoot this book truly is.

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (May 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402237502
ISBN-13: 978-1402237508

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom (Terra's Review)

Synopsis

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family.

Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.

Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

The Kitchen House is a tragic story of page-turning suspense, exploring the meaning of family, where love and loyalty prevail.

(Terra's Thoughts) Yes I know this isn't romance but thought you would enjoy a book of culture as something different from the usual. Let me tell you though that being about slavery this book is a stark reality of injustice and horrors that were committed from a time period where everything and everyone was the property of the dominant male, the land owner.

The author did an astounding job at giving you everything you need to reach out and grab your senses and wring them like a wet rag. The storyline is very solid, very educational and one that I think would be a plus in the High School classrooms throughout the USA. This is a part of our history and not one I am proud of for sure but it teaches us that we are ever so much more fortunate to have the liberties and freedom's that we have today.

I must say that I must have slept through part of history class because I was completely ignorant to the fact that there was white slavery that was no better than that of the African peoples. It seems immigrants were just as prone to the harsh realities of life even though they came looking for something better in a land that was supposed to offer Freedom and a better way of life.

This was a book that I enjoyed immensely and I do hope you will give it a shot if you are looking for a good read that is something more meaty and not all fluff and puff.

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (February 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439153663
ISBN-13: 978-1439153666

Look What Coming This Fall by Zoe Archer

Coming September 2010: Warrior

To most people, the realm of magic is the stuff of nursery rhymes and dusty libraries. But for Capt. Gabriel Huntley, it’s become quite real and quite dangerous…

IN HOT PURSUIT…

The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond—where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress—just what he needs.

IN HOTTER WATER…

Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive…


Coming October 2010: Scoundrel

The Blades of the Rose are sworn to protect the sources of magic in the world. But the work is dangerous—and they can’t always protect their own…

READY FOR ACTION...

London Harcourt’s father is bent on subjugating the world’s magic to British rule. But since London is a mere female, he hasn’t bothered to tell her so. He’s said only that he’s leading a voyage to the Greek isles. No matter, after a smothering marriage and three years of straitlaced widowhood, London jumps at the opportunity—unfortunately, right into the arms of Bennett Day.

RISKING IT ALL...

Bennett is a ladies’ man, when he’s not dodging lethal attacks to protect the powers of the ancients from men like London’s father. Sometimes, he’s a ladies’ man even when he is dodging them. But the minute he sees London he knows she will require his full attention. The woman is lovely, brilliant, and the only known speaker of a dialect of ancient Greek that holds the key to calling down the wrath of the gods. Bennett will be risking his life again—but around London, what really worries him is the danger to his heart…


Coming November 2010: Rebel

On the Canadian frontier in 1875, nature is a harsh mistress. But the supernatural can really do you in…

A LONE WOLF

Nathan Lesperance is used to being different. He’s the first Native attorney in Vancouver, and welcome neither with white society nor his sometime tribe. Not to mention the powerful wildness he’s always felt inside him, too dangerous to set free. Then he met Astrid Bramfield and saw his like within her piercing eyes. Now, unless she helps him through the harsh terrain and the harsher unknowns of his true abilities, it could very well get him killed…

AND THE WOMAN WHO LEFT THE PACK

Astrid has traveled this path before. Once she was a Blade of the Rose, protecting the world’s magic from unscrupulous men, with her husband by her side. But she’s loved and lost, and as a world-class frontierswoman, she knows all about survival. Nathan’s searing gaze and long, lean muscles mean nothing but trouble. Yet something has ignited a forgotten flame inside her: a burning need for adventure, for life—and perhaps even for love…

Just in case none of you have figured this out yet, I'm a biggggggggggggg Zoe Archer Fan! Woot!!!!!!!!!!

Congrat's To This Week's Winner

librarypat ~ In Pursuit of A Scandalous Lady by Gayle Callen

Please send your snail mail info to terraontop57 at yahoo dot com. Congrats to our winner and I hope you enjoy your prize!

In Pursuit Of A Scandalous Lady by Gayle Callen

Hi to Terra and everyone at Yankee Romance Reviewers! Thanks so much for inviting me to spend the day with you. I’m Gayle Callen, and my twenty-second historical romance hits the shelves at the end of this month—IN PURSUIT OF A SCANDALOUS LADY. Now I do write under two names (my alter ego Julia Latham writes medievals), so I’ve added all those books together. But for the first time, Publishers’ Weekly called me a “veteran historical romance author.” Veteran? That almost sounds old! ;) I feel like I just sold my first book, but it has been twelve years now, so I’m a veteran.

According to the dictionary, one definition of a veteran is a person with long experience in an occupation. I qualify for that. As I mentioned, I’ve been published for twelve years, but it took me thirteen years of writing and rejections and three complete manuscripts before I sold. So that’s twenty-five years—and that’s not including my childhood. I started writing at 13, and wrote short stories and novellas all through high school, only taking a break for a couple years of college (where I did a lot of writing anyway).

So I’ve been in the business of writing for a long time. I’m usually confident in myself and my process of writing. I know I can’t control outside forces—like a recession or a book cover. All I can do is write the best book I possibly can. That doesn’t mean there still aren’t moments of panic: “Can I do this again?” “Will I burn out?” “Will my editor think the book stinks?” But don’t we all have moments of panic in our work? No one’s job is guaranteed. We can only approach each day by giving it our best.

There are some good things about being a veteran. Even when I have moments of panic, I remind myself that I’ve been through all of this before, book after book after book. I can trust myself in a far greater way than I could twenty-two books ago. It’s not a fluke—I’m a writer. I have learned to trust my subconscious. When I have a plot problem in a book, I work on it for an hour or two, and then I leave the computer. After so many years, I know that my subconscious mind will continue to work, even when I’m doing the dishes or walking my dogs. Most of the time, my brain comes up with an answer, as if out of the blue. I always carry paper with me, because I have to write down the solution before I forget! I’ve been known to call my home answering machine while I’m walking the dogs, just to leave myself a message. It’s hard to decipher words when I’m so winded. ;) Sometimes I have to go farther, talking through the problem with my husband or my writing buddies. But I no longer panic throughout this process. I know I can find a solution to my problem.

Another way I’m a veteran is handling criticism. We don’t write our books in a vacuum. Besides my critique group (which is always very helpful with their suggestions) I know I’ll be facing my editor when I turn in a book. I could very easily panic. As the weeks go by while waiting for the revision letter, it’s easy to start imagining the worst. But I’ve learned that I can always find a way to fix what needs to be fixed. I’ve had minor revision letters, where I just had to fix a few small things, and larger ones, where a major plot element is failing—or God forbid, that the chemistry between my hero and heroine isn’t working. I set the letter aside for a couple days, rereading it a few times, all so that my subconscious can start mulling ideas. And then I break the letter down to one element at a time, and fix one plot thread through the entire book, before working on another. That method works best for me, because if I try to fix all the suggestions in each chapter, I lose track of what I’ve done.

So there’s my proof that I’m a veteran. Hopefully, when you read my new book, IN PURSUIT OF A SCANDALOUS LADY, you’ll see that I’ve done my best to improve my writing over the years. This book is the beginning of a new trilogy about the three female cousins who appeared in my recent “Sons of Scandal” trilogy. One of the women is the model for a scandalous nude painting, and three men are wagering against each other to discover the truth. And if you post an answer to my question below, I’ll enter you in a giveaway for a chance to win the book.

So tell us all: are you a veteran, someone with longtime experience at your job or in some other part of your life? We all have something we’re good at—brag about it!

The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn (Terra's Review)

Synopsis

A husband, a family, a comfortable life: Theodora Lestrange lives in terror of it all.

With a modest inheritance and the three gowns that comprise her entire wardrobe, Theodora leaves Edinburgh—and a disappointed suitor—far behind. She is bound for Rumania, where tales of vampires are still whispered, to visit an old friend and write the book that will bring her true independence.

She arrives at a magnificent, decaying castle in the Carpathians, replete with eccentric inhabitants: the ailing dowager; the troubled steward; her own fearful friend, Cosmina. But all are outstripped in dark glamour by the castle's master, Count Andrei Dragulescu.

Bewildering and bewitching in equal measure, the brooding nobleman ignites Theodora's imagination and awakens passions in her that she can neither deny nor conceal. His allure is superlative, his dominion over the superstitious town, absolute—Theodora may simply be one more person under his sway.

Before her sojourn is ended—or her novel completed—Theodora will have encountered things as strange and terrible as they are seductive. For obsession can prove fatal…and she is in danger of falling prey to more than desire.

(Terra's Thoughts) I must say that this book was quite a surprise and I absolutely loved it from page one to the very end. I am not a mystery reader and that is where the story took me by surprise but it was a good surprise. It's supposed to be a paranormal romance but I would say it's more of a paranormal mystery with a dash of romance to wet the appetite.

Our heroine Theodora has just lost her grandfather a few months past and is working with her sister and brother-in-law to settle up his estate when Theodora gets a post from an old friend from when she was in school requesting that she come to Transylvania for the friends upcoming wedding. Theodora decides to go and this is where the journey will take her from a comfortable secure life to a life of beauty, hardship, horror, murder, love and a who-dun-it mystery rich in folklore and superstition.

The story kept me guessing right up until the end and the murderer was not who I would have ever expected it to be. The narration was wonderful and the story was richly descriptive to make you feel all the emotions that our heroine is experiencing. Sight, scenery, taste and smell are all there in their glory. I will most certainly be checking out more of what this author has to offer after such a delightful experience.

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira (March 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778327655
ISBN-13: 978-0778327653

A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh (Terra's Review)

Synopsis

Beloved New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh has written her most beguiling novel yet, in which the black sheep of the scandalous Huxtable family finally meets his match—in a woman of even more wicked reputation.

“The Devil was about to be tamed.” Her name is Hannah Reid. Born a commoner, she has been Duchess of Dunbarton ever since she was nineteen years old, the wife of an elderly duke to whom she has been rumored to be consistently and flagrantly unfaithful. Now the old duke is dead and, more womanly and beautiful than ever at thirty, Hannah has her freedom at last.

And she knows just what she wants to do with it. To the shock of a conventional friend, she announces her intention to take a lover—and not just any lover, but the most dangerous and delicious man in all of upper-class England: Constantine Huxtable.

Constantine’s illegitimacy has denied him the title of Earl, so now he denies himself nothing . . . or so the ton would have it. Rumored to be living the free and easy life of a sensualist in his country estate, he always chooses recent widows for his short-lived affairs. Hannah will fit the bill nicely.

But once these two passionate and scandalous figures find each other, they discover that it isn’t so easy to extricate oneself from the fires of desire—without getting singed. For the duchess and the dark lord each have startling secrets to reveal, and when all is said and done, neither will be able to say which one fell in love first, who tamed whom, and who has emerged from this game of hearts with the stronger hand.

(Terra's Thoughts) I like this book but not love it. It has all the seduction and romance one could possibly hope for to tantalize the senses.

Our heroine The Dutchess of Dunbarton (Hannah) is the most beautiful creature to walk through London. Finally out of mourning for her Duke, Hannah has decided that she is going to be her own person and enjoy the frivolities that come with the life of the rich. Her dearly departed husband has left her a very, very rich widow and at the ripe old age of thirty she is bound and determinded to have exactly what she wants when she wants it.

What Hannah does not realize is that for all her education in the cunning arts of a rich female she is going to get a run for the money so to speak from a most dashing rake that has no inclination to be roped and hog tied in a relationship let alone marriage. The back and forth bantering with our characters make this a delightful chess game of the human kind. Who will get checkmate is the question of the day?

This is a light mindless read that is entertaining and quite sensual. If you like a storyline that will make you drool to the point of needing a bib then this is for you.

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (May 18, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385343302
ISBN-13: 978-0385343305

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (3 Copy Audiobook Giveaway)

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

I've got 3 copies to give away, many thanks to Anna at Hatchette for the books!!

So This Is What You Have To Do To Get An Entry!
1. Leave a Comment +1
2. Follow Me +1 already a follower +2
3. Post this contest on your blog (can be on your sidebar or a post) +3

PLEASE put your email in your comments or no entry (no exceptions).
This is for the USA and Canada only please and no Po Boxes (publishers rule)!
Winners will be announced on April 19th 2010!