So from time to time, when I’m not writing and revising, I read too, and oftentimes, I like to talk about what I’ve read. I’ve been doing it for years (and semi-professionally too). Serious changes have come (all good, I assure you!) but, I simply hated to get rid of some of the reviews and so…this blog was born. I hope you find something you like, here.
Sunday Showcase May 19th/20th
New books acquired this week: I got a copy of FrostFire by Lynn Viehl. Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble if you’re curious.
What’s Life Without Sprinkles by Misty Simon available at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.
Also, Wednesday before last, I picked up A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare. I’ve been reading through that. I’m about 30% through already. It’s also available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
I’ll be looking forward to delving into them all sooner or later… So that’s me. What’d y’all get?
Free Today!
The warmth has finally brought out the cheerful red, yellow, and lavender blooms in my backyard, so to celebrate I'm making two of my titles free for a couple of days.
In WITH HEART TO HEAR a passionate lord of Faerie meets a Victorian bluestocking. It's FREE 5/14 - 5/16. This sensual beauty and the beast novelette is hotter than most of what I write.
Hurry over now if you want a copy. It's going back up in price soon I hear tell.
review: Blood Eternal by Marie Treanor
I got my copy of Blood Eternal by Marie Trenor from Marie’s guest spot at Bending the Spine back in October 2011.*waves* Thanks y’all!
And so, my review:
Paranormal romance author Marie Treanor’s (at that time) latest novel Blood Eternal* is from what I gather, the final book in her Awakened by Blood novels. Herein she sets her heroine Elizabeth Silk with a dilemma. She’s been offered a teaching position in the Budapest University. On the one hand, it’s good because she’ll be closer to her beloved Saloman, and her friends in the vampire hunter network, on the other. She’ll be closer to both.
Before she can make her decision, an earthquake in Peru puts Saloman in the news as the savior of a small village, while an attack on American troops in Afghanistan exposes the heretofore hidden vampires in the spotlight. Even worse, Elizabeth’s nemesis, a senator named Dante seems involved somehow. When Saloman finds out that Dante has awakened his long dead insane cousin, who goes on a killing rampage with one goal in mind: To find his own revenge on Saloman and Elizabeth. If he kills the vampire hunter network in the process, the world’s vampires will be ecstatic, and therein lies Luk’s goal, to ignite a worldwide vampire war. One he himself prophesied long, long ago.
What happens? You’ll have to read Blood Eternal to find out.
I enjoyed Ms. Treanor’s novel very much, and thought as I said it’s the final novel, I look forward to delving into the remainder of the series.
Synopsis:
Despite the growing passion that unites them, all is not well between Elizabeth and Saloman. She refuses to follow him as he builds his influence among the human population and consolidates his rule over the vampire world. A shocking revolt is just the latest crisis that’s call him away.
But under Saloman’s regime, vampires have become less concerned with secrecy. And after he joins forces with vampire hunters, Elizabeth begins to understand the inevitable collision of the two worlds. She could be a conduit between humanity and the undead-is she can manage to play both sides and stay alive…
If you’d like to check Blood Eternal out, or indeed the entire series, it’s available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon and local bookstores.
Tuesday Teaser–Seducing Sigefroi by Vijaya Schartz
This is from another book which I’ve been making my slow way through lately. A Medieval fantasy romance and by a very fine lady and author I know from the 99cent Ebooks blog. Vijaya Schartz:
From Seducing Sigefroi (Curse of the Lost Isle Book 3) by Vijaya Schartz
- Highlight Loc. 584-94
Bent over the stone basin, Melusine let out a sigh of relief when she heard Sigefroi decline the offered bride. She had watched and listened in pure fascination, committing to memory every precious detail. Was she beautiful enough by Sigefroi’s standards? If he preferred plump girls as the fashion went, he might not like her swarthy slender look. The loving part could easily be feigned, though. Melusine had learned from spying on mortals that most men became dolts when it came to love, and flattery usually worked miracles. Still. The Great One said Melusine must truly love the man in order to be redeemed. From a faraway past, the image of her aging father, King Elinas, came unbidden through the water basin. Grief and disappointment distorted her father’s kind face, making Melusine’s heart ache at the remembrance. Why had he trusted her when she and her sisters only sought revenge? She now understood that Elinas blindly believed in his daughters’ love. How Melusine regretted sealing his unjust fate… much too late. The mortal king must have died over a century ago, miserable and alone in his cave. The curse forbade her to find out exactly when.
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I also liked this one: Seducing Sigefroi (Curse of the Lost Isle Book 3) (Vijaya Schartz)
- Highlight Loc. 595-99
Melusine struggled to bring her mind to present matters and consider her situation. She had a substantial dowry but no lands. Still, she fulfilled Sigefroi’s breeding requirements. Her mother, a royal princess of Bretagne, had become a queen in her own right. Her father had reigned over the kingdom of Strathclyde, now part of Scotland. Her family’s tragic story, however, had since become local legend. She hoped Sigefroi wasn’t familiar with the unfortunate dynasty of Strathclyde.
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Here’s the synopsis:
Luxembourg – 963 AD – To offset the curse that makes her a serpent from the waist down one day each month, Melusine, exiled Princess of Strathclyde, must seduce and wed a mortal knight, the shrewd and ambitious Sigefroi of Ardennes.
Sigefroi, son of the Duke of Lorraine, suspects Melusine is not what she appears, but her beauty, her rich dowry, and her sharp political skills serve his ambitions. He never expected her to soften his stone-cold warrior heart.
So close to the Imperial court, dangers and intrigue threaten Melusine. War looms on the horizon, a Mermaid was sighted around Luxembourg, and Sigefroi’s bishop brother questions her ancestry. If anyone ever suspects Melusine’s true nature, she will burn at the stake…
Want to read more? Seducing Sigefroi is available at Amazon.
Tuesday Teaser–Beth Trissel
I’m currently making my way through Beth Trissel‘s novel Enemy of the King. So, my teaser today is from that.
P. 8 Meriwether didn’t know how to reply to the wistfulness in his voice for fear she’d break the spell.
She longed for some declaration of deeper affection from him, but he said nothing else. He was so near, and yet…night noises scented with the spiciness of herbs from the kitchen garden filled the silence as she waited, yearning to close the gap between them.
Finally, he spoke. “When you were a little girl, I used to lift you up to touch the stars.”
She envisioned the young man and the child upraised to dizzying heights. “I remember.”
“How you laughed and reached out your arms. You really thought I could raise you up to the heavens.”
“I’m still waiting, Mister Jordan,” she said softly.
He lifted his hand and smoothed her cheek. “Don’t.”
She trembled at this light touch. “I can’t help myself.”
Heaviness edged his reply. “Some things aren’t meant to be, Meriwether.”
Poor Merriweather! Would you like to read a little more, and find out how that particular fight started? Enemy of the King is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and The Wild Rose Press in ebook and paperback.
Synopsis:
1780, South Carolina: While Loyalist Meriwether Steele recovers from illness in the stately home of her beloved guardian, Jeremiah Jordan, she senses the haunting presence of his late wife. When she learns that Jeremiah is a Patriot spy and shoots Captain Vaughan, the British officer sent to arrest him, she is caught up on a wild ride into Carolina back country, pursued both by the impassioned captain and the vindictive ghost. Will she remain loyal to her king and Tory twin brother or risk a traitor’s death fighting for Jeremiah? If Captain Vaughan snatches her away, he won’t give her a choice.
***
sharing: Character Interview: Norwegian Goddess @stbende #RLFblog
I read this post and enjoyed it. What’s not to like when the writer incorporates characters who are Norse gods? 
I thought y’all might enjoy it.
http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/2013/05/character-interview-norwegian-goddess.html
Sneak Peek Sunday - Erin's Rebel 4
Today I'm posting the next installment of the opening chapter of my time travel romance, Erin's Rebel.
Excerpt:
On her return visit to Pennsylvania later that night, Erin couldn't shake the eerie feeling she'd experienced after going through the ledger. The facts she'd uncovered only added to her sense of unease. As her dreams combined with the historic facts, a feeling of insanity invaded her mind.
Emily Guido promo–Charmeine is free today
TODAY ONLY
APRIL 19, 2013
Charmeine
The First Novel in
The Light-Bringer Series
‘FREE’
Smashwords coupon: HB94P
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/238502
Synopsis of “Charmeine”
Can romance develop between a Heavenly Light-Bearer and a Hellish Vampire Blood-Hunter?
“Charmeine” the First Novel in “The Light-Bearer Series,” was released January 2012.
Tabbruis is a Blood-Hunter and drinks blood to survive. Over millennia Tabbruis has wandered the Earth alone aimlessly living through many historical events.
Charmeine just came to the Earth in 1997, unable to remember anything.
When Tabbruis meets Charmeine the attraction is immediate and passionate. They are polar opposites and clash together in a strongly romantic and dramatic way. When she meets Tabbruis, Charmeine’s powers as a Light-Bearer, one who throws lightning, is triggered and grows exponentially.
Will Charmeine and Tabbruis fulfill their destinies? Will they realize their importance in both the Blood-Hunter and Light-Bearer world?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAVE REVIEWS for “Charmeine” by Author Emily Guido
“Romance between a Vampire and a light bearer is something so new, I had to read this book to find out what the buzz and feel is all about …
All I can say is that book didn’t disappoint at all! A must read!”
Fathima Amiruddin
“This is a great read, and a terrific debut novel!”
Susan Ashcraft
“The author’s story got me hooked. I think the readers will feel the same.”
Carol Fitzpatrick
“This story is a fantastically tender, romantic one of timeless love.
This story is well worth a read!”
Melanie Adkins
“The scenes were beautifully described and the plot is creative and intriguing.
The Light-Bearer Series is sure to be the next fabulous Angel series on your
“To-Read” shelf!”
Cassie
“Well done Emily, this is a great debut novel!”
Samantha Adams
About the Author
Emily Guido is a new Paranormal Romance Author. She was inspired to start writing “Charmeine” because one day she got an idea of two characters that needed to have their story told. Not ever dreaming a week later she would have over a 100,000 words written. When Emily writes, it is similar to you or I watching a movie. She pictures the characters in her head going through vivid descriptions of each scene. There are so many nuances going through her mind that she cannot type fast enough. The novels “Mactus,” “Accendo,” “Seditious,” and “Ransom,” are the continuation of the wonderful adventures of the inhabitants of The Castle Charmeine!
Emily is currently writing “Conundrum” the Sixth Novel in “The Light-Bearer Series” . She works at a college full time, and pursuing her Master of Business Administration.
YA, PNR, Paranormal Romance, Vampire, Angels, Action and Adventure, Historical
Where to find/follow Emily:
Website: http://authoremilyguido.com/
Website: http://emilyguido.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5764521.Emily_Guido
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Emily__Guido
Tuesday Teaser–Red Haired Girl from the Bog.
Haven’t added much these last few weeks, but what I’m reading now…. The Red Haired Girl from the Bog. Here’s one of the myths she talks about:
p. 61-60 Although infatuated fairies kidnap humans of both sexes, men are disproportionately at risk. While a few randy fairy kings … prefer plain-faced humans to the beauteous sidhe, the fairy mistress is by far the greater danger… Mortal men cannot resist the Leann Sidhe. Neither can Ireland’s immortals, as we learn from the great warrior Cúchulainn and his fairy lover Fand. In a dream she came to him, all cloaked in red, only to beat him until he lay near death. Cúchulainn awoke to find that neither medicine, nor magic could cure the injuries inflicted in the dream. For a year he lay in dire straits. Then, on Samhain eve–on Halloween, the day when the veil between our world and fairy fades away–Fand took Cúchulainn to her magical island in the west.
It’s that kind of speculation in the book that I’m enjoying about it. Does that make me a geek? Oh, well. I’ll live with it! Should you want to check it out, it’s available at Amazon.
Blood Rights by Kristen Painter
I thought I had this darned thing set to go last week. Stupid WP timer!
Anyway, yes. An actual book review!
hehe. Yeah, I do finish one from time to time. Ahem…
In Blood Rights* by romance author Kristen Painter she introduces a new series and a new type of vampire lore. Crysabelle is a comarré, a beautiful vampire consort, a bit like a geisha whose body is laced with intricate golden tattoos, and hired for her pure, sweet blood. Yet, when her patron turns up dead, she’s held to blame. She runs from the scene of the crime to her family home, to end up in a vampire bar where a vampire on the verge of madness attacks her. She somehow follows him home, and decides his home is as good as any while she sorts things out.
The mad vampire (Malkolm) doesn’t really want to have anything to do with her. He’s got his own problems, followed by a ghost and plagued by the souls of those he’s killed, he’d rather just hide out from the world.
Too bad for him, Chrysabelle just can’t leave. She’s got to figure out who killed her patron and what’s so special about this ring she’s found in her patron’s apartments. If she could do it without having to ask Malkolm for help, because she’s falling for—I mean, loathes—him, all the better. Unfortunately, there’s a little matter of her spilled blood and her Blood Rights that Malkolm now holds.
On top of that, there’s a vampire with delusions of grandeur, who thinks she could be the vampire queen to end all queens out to get the both of them. What’s a girl to do? You’ll have to read to find out.
Putting aside all the public drooling over the gorgeous cover, for the story, itself, Blood Rights is a winner. The story was… good. I liked the way Kristen Painter built her world. It was different than any other vampire romance out there, and different is good. But… I thought she could’ve cut some of the clichés. Other than that though, I loved Painter’s world, I loved her ghost Fiona especially, and enjoyed the story. On the whole, if you enjoy Urban Fantasy and post-apocalyptic stories, if you enjoy vampires and dark paranormal romances, you should give this a try. It’s available at Amazon , Barnes and Noble and other fine bookstores.
*(FYI for Kindle and Nook, it’s currently at a reduced price as opposed to the pricey paperback.)
*This book was a personal purchase.
