A Review of Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine

.5
Four and a Half Fangs for Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine

Jenna Maclaine has done it again! She's put out another Cin Craven novel that is a fast paced page turner that you won't want to put down until it is done.

Grave Sins isn't as captivating as the first Cin Craven novel Wages of Sin, which as a debut book was mind blowing, but this book is still up there on the good reads scale.

It's been over a decade since Cin was turned into a vampire but she still holds onto a bit of her humanity by visiting the ones she left behind too bad Cin's yearly holiday at Ravenworth Hall gets interrupted by an assignment the Righteous must take, because it is sent from the High King himself.

They have to go to Edinburgh, Scotland to determine if the queen is killing humans. And they have to go with the king's man Drake, who has issues with Michael and wants to get between him and Cin.

It's a heated trip that threatens to tear Michael and Cin apart at every turn and a mystery that seems unsolvable. Fun, sexy, and fang-tastic this is a fast paced, easy flowing book that leaves you wanting more.

Two minor things disappointed me though. One, I knew who the culprit was as soon as they were introduced- I just didn't know the hows or whys of the story and Two, I agree with the other characters in the book that Cin is a little naive. Sure her and Michael are so in love and have eternity together...but come on...the jealousy and the we'll be together forever and ever and always love each other no matter what. That was a little nauseating.

In this book Cin has also to battle the dark magic within herself that developed in a story off scene between the two books but now it is coming back to haunt her and she is having trouble dealing with it and is terrified at how the others will deal with it.

I still enjoyed the book and I enjoyed that she brought back the werewolf. I would like to see more of him in the next books and more of the original magic that made the first book so amazing.

If you loved the first book you'll love this one as well and be left wanting more.

Want to Win 250 Greeting Cards That You Can Design?

Over at Wenona Napolitano's blog Everything Green Weddings and More Uprinting.com is offering one lucky winner 250 free greeting cards that the winner can customize and use however they want- invitations, announcements, holiday cards, etc.

These would make great promotional tools for writers to announce their new releases. That's what I would use them for if I won.

Here's the contest info:

For over 25 years, UPrinting has been a trusted leader in Online Printing , featuring its signature easy-to-use website and the famous free file review, a complimentary proofing service which requires no upfront payment. UPrinting offers convenient marketing support services such as design, lists, and direct mailing to help grow small and medium-size businesses nationwide.

UPrinting.com's high quality printing services include Greeting Card Printing, Envelope Printing, brochures, canvas prints and more, all at the most affordable prices.

How to Enter

1. Leave a comment at the end of the blog post at http://everythinggreenweddings.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-250-greeting-cards-from.html , describing what you would use the free greeting cards for.

2. You must then make a blog post on your own blog about the contest and include the URL of the post along with your comment to be eligible to win.

Prize

250 greeting cards for one winner

Rules

Printing is free, winners only have to pay the shipping fee

Winner will be chosen on Monday May 11th!

Go to http://everythinggreenweddings.blogspot.com/2009/04/win-250-greeting-cards-from.html to leave a comment and enter

Ebook Reviewer Wanted

I am getting a lot of review requests for ebooks and I am so swamped I can't do them all.

I am in need of an experienced reviewer who would love to read and paranormal ebooks.

I would send you the books via email and when you are ready you would email the review for me to post it. Easy and free.

Sorry no money involved just free reads.

If you are interested please contact me at eroticroxanne at yahoo dot com, send links to any previous reviews you have done.

Thanks!

Winner Wednesday

Eeenie, meenie, minie mo....catch a vampire by the toe...if he tries to bite you let him go...

And the winner of Robin Schone's Cry for Passion is.... Loretta Canton

Thank you to everyone who entered and there will be another book to giveaway this Friday. So make sure you drop by and enter.

And if you didn't see it before the winners for Barbara Bretton's contest are

5 Winners of Casting Spells

1. Melissa...Shh I'm Reading
2. Hockey Vampiress
3. carolsnotebook
4. luvdaylilies
5. Rita

If you have not already done so please email Barbara at barbarabretton@gmail.com to claim your books

Guest Author Cornelia Amiri

Welcome today to author Cornelia Amiri who combines two of my favorite things: vampires and Celtic lore.

Read all about :

Cornelia’s Celitc Vampires

I write Celtic/Romance books and recently wrote stories about Celtic vampires. From Manx and Irish mythology the Lhiannan Shee (lannan-shee) and the Leanan Sidhe (lan-awn shee) are vampiric fey women. They seduce mortal men with their beauty alone. Both are invisible to everyone but their mortal lover-victim.

A Leanan Sidhe is a succubus muse, targeting poets or musicians. She inspires her victim to create a great masterpiece by inflaming them with the creativity of an entire lifetime at once. Then, she drains them of all that artistic energy, so the men die shortly after. The Lhiannan Shee, drain their moral lovers of their blood and store it in a red cauldron in an underwater cave. Something about that struck me as funny. So I wrote a paranormal/comedy romance about a Leanan Sidhe on the Isle of Man, A Fine Cauldron of Fish, which is in e-book and paperback from Eternal Press. http://www.eternalpress.ca/Amiri.html

Another Celtic vampiric fairy, the Scottish baobhan sith (baa'-van shee), wear green dresses and in some legends have goat hooves for feet. Like the Manx, Lhiannan Shee, they don’t have fangs, their nails extend like claws and they rake them down their lovers back to draw blood. Of course I thought what a great character for an erotica paranormal romance and I wrote a short story with a baobhan sith, Vampire Dancer, in the vampire erotic/romance anthology, Sleeping With the Undead, which is in e-book and paperback from L & L Dreamspell. http://www.lldreamspell.com/SleepingwiththeUndead.htm

Some of the other ways Celtic vampires differ from their more traditional, fang growing counterparts is they don’t turn mortals and no one stakes them through the heart. But if you are able to resist the charms of a Lhiannan Shee or Leanan Sidhe they become your slave. Also if they do seduce you, the only way to save yourself is find someone to take your place or to appeal to the Sea God, who can free you if he chooses. With the baobhan sith it’s all about the carin, just build one over there grave and they will be gone, they have to return there.

Are you ready for my contest. I'm giving away a free pdf down load of A Fine Cauldron of Fish to the winner chosen from the comment post. I'll also mail the winner a goodie bag and a poster of Sleeping With the Undead. And please take a moment to visit my little space in the universe at http://www.myspace.com/CelticRomanceQueen

Thanks,
Cornelia Amiri

Thank you for joining us today, Cornelia.

Vampire Poetry Monday and Casting Spells Winners

Here's the vampire poem for this Monday:

Sisters in Shadows

Waking in a dark embrace
encounteringthe black velvet petals of night
Thirsting for the need of satisfaction
frenzied claws tear at burning flesh
Writhing bodies fall onto cold, hard stone
to start passion’s play
Ivory fangs tangle in silken hair
caresses fall on porcelain skin
Breast on breast with no entering course
licking sweet nectar between satiny thighs
Drinking sacred wine from the marble body chalice
coursing blood through pulsating veins
Pleasure is sweet pain

And now for the Winners of Casting Spells

1. Melissa...Shh I'm Reading
2. Hockey Vampiress
3. carolsnotebook
4. luvdaylilies
5. Rita

Please email Barbara at barbarabretton@gmail.com to claim your books

A Review of Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Five Fangs for Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Lover Avenged
By J.R. Ward
NAL/Penguin
Hardcover
May 2009
978-0-451-22585-6

Lover Avenged is the 7th book in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. This book is about Rehvenge, technically not a member of the Brotherhood but his sister, Bella, married a brother and Rehvenge is the owner of the club everyone hangs at ZeroSum in addition to be the new head of the vampire council. He also works with the Brotherhood from time to time for the good of the vampire race.

Lover Avenged is the first of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books to be released in hardcover. I don’t know why they decided to do that or how it is determined that a book is released in hardcover or paperback but I think it is pretty crappy for all the fans that are used to buying the paperback for under $10 and now the book is going to be $25. I doubt it will hurt sales too much though since Ward has legions of loyal Brotherhood fans.

I had hoped this book would have been about John Michael and Xhex but I suppose the time wasn’t right for their story. After Lover Avenged I know the next book will be theirs, this book set up their story to be told.

By the way how do you pronounce Xhex anyway, Zex, Hex, X? It’s the only name in these books I have issues with.

Even thought his was Rehv’s story Ward wrote in intricate side plots and subplots that are woven in like a fine spider web of words. Ward is the master of subplots within a novel without losing sight of the main story or confusing the reader. Everything ends up tying together wonderfully and the story continues on.

Along with Rehvenge we of course learn more about his love interest Ehlena and her difficult life. We also get into the complicated relationship between Xhex and John Michael and we also read about Wrath’s struggle with his kingly duties and his blindness.

I truly love that Wrath and the brothers made more appearances in this book than in some of the other books. Wrath was the reason I fell in love with the series to begin with though I think Butch and Vischous are my favorite brothers. I’m just glad they had a few scenes in this book. Tohr also made several appearances hopefully coming back from his self induced exile and attempted suicide. I hope that in the future perhaps he will find love again or maybe somehow Wellsie can come back from the Fade.

And Lassiter? What is the deal with the sexy glowing angel? I am definitely interested in learning more about him. I wonder if he’ll be in Ward’s new angel series kicking off in October with the release of Covet.

Lover Avenged is also full of the scenes with vampire turned lesser son of the Omega, Lash. I really dislike him. You know who I picture as Lash? A grown up Malfoy from Harry Potter. A really big one, but a character like that because he is nothing but a spoiled rich kid that wants what he wants, selfish prick. But that can be a good thing because his diabolical plans are sidetracked because he is so drawn to money and luxury.

Too bad one of his plans to live in luxury involves taking out Rehvenge, as does everyone else’s plan. Poor Rehv has got a lot of people plotting against him. He didn’t ask to be a sympath, a protector, a pimp, a whore, or a drug dealer. The guy has just done what was necessary to take care of those closest to him. Sure he had choices but he always did what he thought was best and needed to survive. After all being a sympath requires him to be secretive.

Now everything is coming back to bite him in the ass though, ever choice, everything he’s ever done is now haunting him and threatening to destroy those he loves and protects.

Throughout the book he has to do things he doesn’t want to, he suffers a personal loss and tragedy yet still manages to take care of his King, Wrath, and protect the vampire race from idiots within. Even while taking out enemies and suffering from loss, his love for Ehlena blossoms and grows and their bond becomes too deep to deny. Yet he feels he can never be the male she needs because she is a female of worth and he is just a sympath. Trouble is she has fallen hard for him as well while thinking she isn’t good enough for him!

Everyone has baggage, Rehv just has a little more than others but Ehlena’s a tough female and she’ll be able to handle everything Rehv throws at her, he just doesn’t know it.

All the odds are against them but love will overcome right? It doesn’t look like it. Will things work out? Will Rehv even be able to survive everything that gets thrown at him? Or will he be sentenced to death or worse with the sympaths at the colony?

Wow, this book was long! Over 525 pages! Talk about twists and turns and a lot of story shoved into one book. But Ward is fabulous at keeping you interested. You just want to keep reading and reading until you’re done.

I love how she lays bare everyone’s soul, everyone weaknesses. Her characters are all flawed, at least that’s how they feel, flawed. She shows that anyone and everyone can be affected by their pasts that we all carry baggage that keeps us hurting and holds us back. Yet we don’t have to. If we only shared our pain we could let it go, make it stop hurting so bad. If Ward’s characters shared their pain they wouldn’t carry the burden for so long and let it fester into something unmanageable. The good thing is love always sets them free. It’s a message we should all take to heart.

Holding in pain and trauma only makes things worse. Share it, let it out, set it free, set yourself free. Be free to find love, be free to love.

If traumatized vampires can find love so can you.

I can’t wait to read how Ward deals with John Michael and Xhex; they are two of the most traumatized vampires yet.

Free Book Friday- Cry for Passion by Robin Schone

So this week Free Book Friday is back and I have a steamy, super hot erotic romance for you by bestselling author Robin Schone.

Cry for Passion is the book up for grabs. If you would like to receive a copy of this new, shiny book just leave a comment and make sure to include your contact info. US residents only.

Want to know a little about Cry for Passion?

Robin Schone is known for her historical and very heated erotica romance books and Cry for Passion is one of those.

Rose has been married for twelve years to a man who does not desire her. She is dying of loneliness and the need for passion. She seeks the help of lawyer Jack Lodoun (barrister in England) to help her get a divorce (not so easy back in the day).

Poor Jack sacrificed love for power and now he is paying the price. He knows all too well the shame that Rose will face for seeking a divorce and the impossibility of actually being granted one.

For some reason he just can't deny Rose. They are drawn together and can not resist one another. Rose is swept up by the passion that has finally come into her life.

But what price will they pay for being together and succumbing to their passion?

Sounds like a hot read doesn't it?

If you would love to get your hands on this hot book of erotica leave a comment and enter the contest. A winner will be chosen and announced on Wednesday April 29th.

Today's Guest Author is Barbara Bretton

Today our guest author is Barbara Bretton. Her most recent novel is Casting Spells, about a quaint little town that seems perfect to the outside eye-but really it is home to all kinds of paranormals. The main character is a sorceress with no magic who owns the knitting shop and acts as major of the town- Chloe.

Today Barbara discusses ideas.

Ask a writer where she gets her ideas and you always get the same answer.

Everywhere.

And it's true. Ideas really are everywhere. They're in the produce aisle of Shoprite. They're in the local diner. Sometimes they're even on some gorgeous tropical beach, hiding at the bottom of a pitcher of lovely margaritas.

I'm a writer. Over the course of twenty-something years, I've published almost fifty books and that means I know a little something about ideas and where they come from.

Which is why I'm going to tell you exactly where I got the idea for CASTING SPELLS.

My dentist's waiting room while I was preparing to die.

Now I hate dentists. Okay, not the actual dentists themselves. Some of them are very lovely people. But, let's be honest here: the things they do to our poor unsuspecting mouths are probably against the laws of the Geneva Convention. Needles, drills, all manner of sharp instruments the Marquis de Sade would have loved.

So there I was, sitting alone in the waiting room, trying not to hear the cries of pain coming from the other room. (Yes. I'm exaggerating.) I had already flipped through back copies of the American Dental Association journal when my gaze landed on a fancy display of brochures for (hold on) dental implants.

Not exactly the kind of reading that puts you in a relaxed frame of mind but I'm one of those people who'll read the backs of cereal boxes so I grabbed for it. To my surprise it was kind of interesting. You could still eat steak without worrying that your teeth will land on the table. I could see the benefit. No wonder he had the stack of brochures placed next to a back issue of AARP's Modern Maturity.

Suddenly a question popped into my head, "But what happens to an aging vampire when his teeth start to go? Do they make uppers and lowers for the undead? Is there a dentist out there who would fit a vampire with implants?"

I pretty much giggled my way through my time in the dental chair, thinking of the possibilities.

And then I forgot all about it for almost four years until I was chatting on the phone with a knitter/writer friend of mine. We were talking about what makes one yarn shop better than the rest and I said, "I wish there was a magic knit shop where your yarn never tangled, your sleeves always came out the same length, and you always, always got gauge." (If you're a knitter, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.)

Well, the next day my imagination was on fire. It was Labor Day 2006. A cold rainy September Monday. I'm not sure how the two ideas came together but they did and in a few hours I suddenly had created the magical town of Sugar Maple, Vermont with its resident vampires, werewolves, witches, trolls, house sprites, shapeshifters, mountain giants, and Chloe Hobbs, the half-human half-sorceress owner of the knit shop of my dreams. Toss in a murder, a Fae enemy, and a hunky human cop who comes to town to solve the crime and you have CASTING SPELLS which, I'm happy to say, is still available. And I'm even happier to say that the sequel, LACED WITH MAGIC, will be on the stands August 4.

(And yes I do have some retired vampires in my book who zip around in Rascals and don't let dentures slow them down.)

I'm giving away five copies of CASTING SPELLS to five lucky readers. All you have to do is leave a comment and I'll choose five winners at random on Sunday. Winners' names will be posted here and on my blog at http://bmafb.blogspot.com/ – I look forward to hearing from you.

Drop by my website http://www.barbarabretton.com/ or my knitting blog http://www.romancingtheyarn.blogspot.com/ and say hello! There's always a contest going on.

Thanks for joining us today Barbara! I can't wait to read Laced with Magic. And Good Luck to all those who enter the contest for a copy of Casting Spells.

Remember everyone who enters please make sure you leave contact info so if you are chosen you can receive your free book. Thanks! ~RR

Nights of Blood 2

If you are a die hard vampire fiction fan this is a must have book for you. Nights of Blood 2: More Legends of the Vampire is a collection of seventeen short vampire stories that have some serious bite.

I love short story collections because they are quick and easy reads. I can devour a story in one sitting then come back later for another. I am really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this book.

Happy Earth day and Join Us for Author Barbara Bretton Tomorrow

Happy, Happy Earth Day Everyone!

I hope you are all being eco-aware and practicing recycling today.

I am planning my garden and shopping for herb seeds. I want to add lavender, rosemary and sage to my garden this year. I just have to figure out where to put it. Hubby always loves that (not) since he gets to drag out the tiller and break up the ground. Usually means heavy lifting and dirt hauling, too. Oh well, it is good for him.

I also need to figure out organic ways to protect my garden from the awful beetle type bugs that destroyed over half of it last year- even while using natural/organic pesticides.

Anyway I hope you all will join us tomorrow here at Fang-tastic Books. The wonderful author, Barbara Bretton will be joining us and giving away FIVE copies of Casting Spells. Woo Hoo! Now that's a giveaway.

I adored the book, Casting Spells. I even had the twinge of desire to learn how to knit. Then I talked myself out of it deciding that I have enough hobbies already I don't need a new one right now. I am already so busy I don't get to half of the things I really enjoy. Yet Barbara does a wonderful job of making knitting sound sexy and fascinating...Maybe someday.

I could crochet when I was a kid, after watching my mom for hours she taught me a few stitches and I made a few things but I haven't touched the needles in years so I don't remember anything. My mom's arthritis has halted her crocheting so even she hasn't done much in years and has forgotten many a stitch.

I can't sew either, another thing I really wish I knew how to do. If I could sew I would have all kinds of cool clothes and lingerie since I always have ideas...just no know how on what to do with them.

Ahh...for now I will stick to my books. Those I know what to do with. :-)

Vampire Poetry Monday-Memory of a Victim

Today we have a vampire poem by Wenona Napolitano an author who occasionally shows her dark side and is a huge vampire fiction fan.

Thanks for sharing.

Memory of a Victim
By Wenona Napolitano

She once was a doll of sweet porcelain,
A blooming soul to penetrate
A memory that would drive him insane

Now she was nothing more than an evil stain,
on a collar that threatened to suffocate.
She once was a doll of sweet porcelain,

that he had fantasized to obtain.
Her innocence he chose to adulterate,
A memory that would drive him insane

Remembering the vision of a pulsating vein,
a marble white neck so delicate
She once was a doll of sweet porcelain,

but she joined the list of those he had slain
It was a memory that could stimulate,
A memory that would drive him insane

Every last drop of her blood he did drain
Her soul was gone, no longer to illuminate
She once was a doll of sweet porcelain,
A memory that would drive him insane


(c) Wenona Napolitano

Sorry No Free Book Friday This Week

I've had one of those weeks...it has just worn me out and dragged me down.

I have been super busy writing my butt off, finishing up reviews and basically trying to tie up loose ends. I finished a story that has been dangling for like three years or more and I have been trying to get my seeds and stuff started for my garden. Top it off my toddler has been a real pain this week (he demands now as I type) argg.

So I have not had the chance to pick out anything for my Friday giveaway and I haven't even had the chance to mail out the last two winners from my contests (sorry ladies, I am hoping to get to the post office today).

I apologize. Too many eggs not enough baskets or something like that. I hope to be back on track next week.

Guest Author Donna Lea Simpson

Paranormal, or not paranormal?

Oh dear, I think I’d better explain.

Hello, everyone. I’m Donna Lea Simpson and I’ve written a werewolf novel, but it isn’t my new release, Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark. The title does sound like a paranormal, doesn’t it? Hmmm, I can’t really apologize for that because the title is exactly reflective of the story; there really is a ‘howl in the dark’… several, actually, along with a groan, a scream and… I suppose I had better explain.

Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark (Sourcebooks Casablanca – April 2009) is a historical mystery romance, and yes, given the title, readers could be forgiven for thinking it is a paranormal. After all, how else could you interpret the ‘Howl in the Dark’ part? Especially from a writer whose last series was a werewolf historical romance series for Berkley? (Awaiting the Moon, Night and Fire.)

Well, I see I have some explaining to do.

I’m skeptical and so is Lady Anne. When either of us hears of a ‘supernatural’ or ‘paranormal’ event, we’re likely to ask questions, do a little research, and then investigate more thoroughly.

So what is there to investigate in Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark? A brief synopsis of the book might help:

Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark
Sourcebooks Casablanca – April 2009

England, 1786

Lady Anne, a smart, stubborn, and skeptical spinster, travels north to Yorkshire at the request of a newly married friend to try to figure out what is going on. A wolf—or werewolf—is roaming the countryside near Darkefell Castle, terrorizing the populace and harassing the sheep herds. The hour she arrives in Yorkshire she stumbles across a body, and her outraged sensibility demands she discover who committed such a foul deed.

With a bewildering love/hate relationship developing between her and the master of Darkefell Castle, the Marquess of Darkefell—he happens to also be her friend’s new brother-in-law—Anne investigates, digging into the family history. Confused by the marquess’s passionate pursuit of her and skeptical of the claims of a werewolf on the loose, Lady Anne is convinced there is a very real human murderer behind the awful slaying.

Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark is followed by two more historical mystery romances, Lady Anne and the Ghost’s Revenge (Sourcebooks Casablanca – August 2009) and Lady Anne and the Gypsy Curse (Sourcebooks Casablanca – November 2009), both featuring supposed paranormal events that Lady Anne investigates.

So, why did I set out to write a series based on a string of reportedly supernatural events?

I was inspired to write this series by the skepticism I already mentioned - my own tendency to dig deeper and investigate when paranormal events are reported – but also by a real love of the eeriness of ghost stories, the spine-tingling tales of werewolves, curses and witchcraft. I’m also fascinated by those who manage to con others into believing those tales, or who create believable ‘paranormal’ happenings.

In writing the Lady Anne books I have in general used supernatural incidents – a werewolf sighting, a ghostly apparition, a gypsy curse – to hang a mystery on. Lady Anne is very much a ‘pull back the curtain’ kind of lady. If you’ve ever watched the wonderful movie The Wizard of Oz, remember the part where Toto pulls back the curtain and exposes the ‘wizard’ and his trickery? That is what Anne aspires to, the exposure of tricks and hoaxes that are meant to frighten and confuse more gullible folk. She cannot placidly accept what people tell her, so no matter how her senses react – and whose skin wouldn’t crawl if they were in Yorkshire, in the middle of the night, and heard a howl in the dark? - she is determined to find out the truth.

I’m like that myself. I seldom believe what people tell me unless I can independently verify it. I like to prod people to be more skeptical, challenge them to investigate before spreading chain letters, online stories about fatal products that will kill you if you use them, attributions of awful behavior by the famous, and online scams. I love reading about hoaxes and cons, but I don’t think I’d be (or at least I hope I wouldn’t) easy to deceive. I love the quote, “Don’t believe everything you read, and only half of what you see.” (By the way, does anyone know who said this, or something like it first? A quick Internet search didn’t turn up a reliable attribution.)

I suppose, ultimately, writing the Lady Anne series gives me all the benefits of writing paranormal – spine tingling chills, weird apparitions, screams, howls, things that go bump in the night – and yet have a rational, sensible, gutsy heroine who is no pushover. After writing a string of successful werewolf novels, I intended it as an antidote of sorts to a surfeit of the supernatural. Perhaps like a palate cleansing for readers between vampire and werewolf romances?

I hope readers feel the same. One reviewer said, ‘If you are looking for a historical mystery with romance, suspense, and a suggestion of paranormal, then read Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark.’ I’d be interested in hearing your comments:

Does the title Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark say paranormal to you?

To find out more about this book and my other romance novels, visit me at: http://www.donnaleasimpson.com/

Thank you, Donna, for joining us today at Fang-tastic Books.

Winner Wednesday

Valorie you are the winner of Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowen.

I sent you an email so please respond with your address so I can get it mailed out.

Congrats!

A Review of Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair

Another Five Fang Review for Annette Blair

Annette Blair's books are sexy, sultry and magickal.

I really loved Gone with the Witch. This was Storm's story, she's the misfit triplet, the goth, the loner.

Storm likes to stand out and she's found a rebellious match in the roaming Aiden McCloud who lives in a motor coach travelling the world like a turtle with his shell on his back.

Storm and Aiden were instantly attracted to each other when they met at Harmony's new husband King's castle.

Aiden and King are long time best friends though Aiden isn't as willing to settle down as King. King has his castle and roots while the ever wild boy Aiden has no intentions on settling down and to make sure of that he's been celibate for awhile so sexual entanglements don't become entrapment's.

Storm's not willing to settle down either but she hears a baby cry whenever she's near Aiden and knows it is his child and she needs help.

Storm and Aiden end up in his motor coach travelling with no destination known they just follow the sound of the bay crying, that only Storm can hear.

It is an excursion full of knowledge and the two learn a lot about themselves and their pasts. Storm uncovers lost family, family she didn't know she had and embarks on healing old wounds. Aiden has to come to terms with what he lost, what he's gaining and learn to put down roots.

Will Storm and Aiden get over their troubled histories and give into the love and lust brewing between them? Can they stop being loners and learn to love each other and put down roots and accept commitment?

Annette Blair is amazing. She combines mystery, magick, love, lust and family ties into an amazing blend of sexual desire, bantering dialogue, and deep emotion and makes it all fun and easy to read. I can't get enough of Blair's wickedly fun witches and wild men who don't want to be tied down.

I really love that Blair throws children into the mix. It's like she's saying "you can have a fun and sexy life while being a parent" and "there is sex after children".

Honestly you don't have to give up sex or give up on being sexy just because you have kids and I am glad women like Blair are weaving that into romance novels to get the message out. The books used to be romance, sex, pregnancy- end of story. Not anymore. We modern women can have it all!

Vampire Poetry Monday

Today we have another poem from last week's guest author, Rhonda Parrish, author of Sister Margaret and editor of Nite Blade Magazine.

The Color of Shame
By Rhonda Parrish

Drained of blood,
he traded his eternity for hers.
Sated, she smiled
With lips stained
the color of shame.

Thanks for sharing your vampire poetry, Rhonda!

Free Book Friday Win a Copy of Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowen

This week's fang-tabulous giveaway book is Stakes and Stilettos the fourth book in the Immortality Bites series by Michelle Rowen.

Want to get your hands on a copy?

Leave a comment on this post telling me what you like about vampires, why are you attracted to vampires and vampire fiction?

US shipping only, please make sure to leave contact info or that your email addy is on your blogger profile.

Want to know more about Stakes and Stilettos?

From Michelle Rowen's site here's a blurb:

Grand Central Publishing - Forever
ISBN 10: 0446505846
ISBN 13: 9780446505840

Staked, cursed, and still single…

"Newly-vamped Sarah Dearly wants her normal life back, but fate is fighting against her. She tries to get a nice, regular job and gets staked at the interview, only to be rescued by a masked vampire who calls himself the Red Devil. Then a wallflower-turned-witch curses her, making her a bloodthirsty, sun-allergic nightwalker — the worst vampire there is. As if all that weren’t bad enough, she can’t get married because her 600-year-old boyfriend, Thierry, is in a centuries-long marriage of convenience he can’t escape."

…it’s enough to make a girl start biting.

"As Sarah’s nightwalker tendencies make her more dangerous, even to those she loves, she’ll have to counteract that curse, unmask the increasingly intriguing Red Devil, and — oh yeah – get a commitment from her man. But if that’s what it takes to secure her happiness, Sarah is ready…even if it means embracing her inner vamp to do it."

Want more of Stakes and Stilettos? Read the first chapter here.

Lover Avenged by J.R.Ward

J.R Ward has created some of the sexiest vampires in all of literarydom.

Where LKH's men are beautiful, sometimes feminine, or metrosexual in their demeanor and beauty Ward's are all male, 100% beefcake, downright sexy-flaws and all.

Big, mean, sexy, masculine...damn these fanged hotties get me hot and Ward writes with such a masculine ferocity it makes me wonder what kind of guys she hangs with cause I want to join the party.

Anyway I just received my review copy of Lover Avenged and can't wait to start reading it. I hope to finish Annette Blair's Gone with the Witch tonight or tomorrow then I am reading Lover Avenged.

I am so sorry for the books that have been in line waiting patiently for me to get to them, Lover Avenged just will not sit quietly and wait- no it will taunt and tease and torture me until it is read.

Someone on Vampire Wire once referred to J.R Ward's books as book crack, as in addiction city, can't get enough, I'll freaking snort it, stick it, smoke it or whatever to have more (figuratively speaking of course). Yes, The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is THAT addicting.

Fang Shui

Be on the look out for a series I just discovered at DCL Publishing, the Orlando Vampire Series by Susan Blexrud.

The second ebook will be out on April 16th, titled Fang Shui.

"Fang Shui follows the inimitable vampires from Orlando to Venice , Italy , and finally for a showdown at Harrod’s Department Store in London . It’s non-stop action and suspense for Lauren and John Wright as they endeavor to live their happily-ever-after while sidestepping the Mafia and a murderous vampire intent on killing Lauren. You can purchase Fang Shui, beginning May 16, at http://www.thedarkcastlelords.com/."

Sounds like an interesting vampire story. The first book in the series is Love Fang if you would like to check that one out as well. Both are available through the Dark Castle Lords Publishing site.

New Winner for Caridad Pineiro's Giveaway

Our last winner never claimed her prize so we had to choose someone new.

We have a new winner for Caridad's giveaway liane66.

Enjoy your prizes Caridad will be contacting you for shipping information.

Congratulations.

Winner Wednesday Who Gets The Goodie Bag?

Mindy is my Sexy Goodie Bag winner! Congratulations Mindy, I will be sending you an email so I can get your address to mail your prize.

Debby never stepped up to claim Caridad Pineiro's t-shirt and book prizes so we will have to pick a new winner. Caridad will be dropping by later to pick a new winner and I will announce it then.

And in case you missed it in the comments Wired is the winner of Rhonda Parrish's free ebook of Sister Margaret.

Congratulations to our winners this week.

Just a reminder for all of my Friday contests you have until Tuesday night or Wednesday morning to enter, pretty much right up until I announce the winner usually around noon EST on Wednesdays.

This week's giveaway will be a brand new copy of Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowen. Make sure you drop by on Friday to enter the Free Book Friday Giveaway.

Have a fang-tastic day everyone.

Guest Blogger Author Rhonda Parrish

Today we have guest blogger Rhonda Parrish, author of Sister Margaret a short story from Eternal Press and the editor of Nite Blade Magazine.

Welcome Rhonda. -

I love vampires. You must too or else you wouldn't be reading this blog, would you? And like me, you are probably very picky about what kind of vampires you like. Everyone has specific parts of the vampire mythology they love, or love to hate. Recently we've all see the outpouring of love for vampires that sparkle, and the equal amount of criticism for the very same thing. You can't please everyone in regard to anything, but perhaps especially when it comes to vampires.

I didn't even want to try.

I wanted to write a vampire story, but without dwelling too much on the vampires themselves. I wanted the vampire(s) to be just another character, no more or less important than any of the others. That was part of the inspiration for my new story, released today from Eternal Press – Sister Margaret.

Sister Margaret is about a vampire hunter and a half-incubus swordsman who are hired by a priestess to take care of a vampiric pimp. In this story, Xaphan, the vampire pimp, doesn't get a whole lot of page time, but I believe the dark presence of the vampire can be felt throughout the story just the same. Sometimes you don't need to see the vampire to know they are around. That's the case with Sister Margaret.

Allow me to share a short excerpt.

~*~

Not one to waste time with niceties, Bayne kicked down the door and went to work. I’d seen him wield his sword before, plenty of times; each one better than the last, but nothing had prepared me for this.

Xaphan had a lot of minions—a lot. They swarmed on Bayne like flies on shit, a living wave of fists and feet, all determined to bring him down. None of them reached him. His face, contorted by battle fury, looked every bit like a demon, all trace of humanity erased. He moved the sword as though it were an extension of himself, each movement calculated to destroy as many of his foes as possible. Within minutes, the roar of battle subsided to the whimpering of wounded, and Bayne’s once white hair was stained pink with blood. An occasional cut ripped through his shirt; one or two even managed to draw blood. But in less than ten minutes, he’d reduced the vampire’s army to a pile of mangled corpses and unidentified gore.

I entered as he replaced his sword in the scabbard strapped across his back, careful to watch my step lest I slip on the blood and goo and find myself covered in things I’d rather not contemplate. From a far corner, buried in shadows that mortal eyes couldn’t hope to penetrate, the distinct sound of feminine sobs could be heard. The leech had hostages after all. Good thing I’d decided against the fireball.

“You get the girls,” I said. “I’ll take care of the vampire and meet you back outside.”

Bayne nodded and delivered a sharp kick to the nose of one of his opponents who lay moaning in the sea of gore. The man’s face imploded, shattering beneath the force of Bayne’s boot, and then Bayne headed wordlessly toward the sound of the hostages.

I winced inwardly at the brutality of his action and then shrugged it off. In war, shit happens; he couldn’t be the best sword for hire in the land if he were squeamish about killing. Nor could he afford to turn his back on an enemy who still drew breath, injured or not.

I watched his back disappear into the darkness and thought about calling out to warn him to watch for traps, but then I thought better of it. Bayne was no fool; he knew what he was doing. I could trust him to get the girls out of the house safely. Now it was up to me to find the vampire and kill him.

~*~

I am giving away a copy of the ebook to a random commenter to this post – it could be you. If you're not sure what to say I'd love to hear what you think about my excerpt or you could tell me this – do you love or hate sparkly vampires?

Rhonda Parrish
Writer à http://www.rhondaparrish.com/
Editor à http://www.niteblade.com/

Thanks for joining us, Rhonda.

Any commentors who would like to win a copy of Sister Margaret please make sure you leave contact info.

A Review of Sex and the Psychic Witch by Annette Blair

Five Fangs for Sex and the Psychic Witch By Annette Blair

"Withering witch balls, she was spooky in love. Dipped and glazed. Waxed and sealed. No gilding the lily. Her love was pure, unadulterated, problematic, complicated, irrevocable, and polished to a magick mirror shine." page 233

Blair has done it again with the first book in the Triplet Witch trilogy. It looks like Sex and the Psychic Witch picks up a few months (maybe even a year or two) or so after The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe leaves off.

I loved the Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe with Vickie Cartwright and her hunk of a Scottish lover, Rory. The introduction of Vickie's triplet sisters was great. And I am so glad Blair decided to give the triplets into their own trilogy.

Sex and the Psychic Witch is Harmony's book. She's the oldest sister, the high priestess of their little triplet witch coven, and she's the one that can read the psychic energy from objects. She finds a dress at a yard sale and it called to her, she had to have it, and so she did. The dress showed her a sad woman, a mysterious ring sewn into the hem of the gown, and an old castle on an island outside Salem. A castle that their witch great grandmother had painted years ago. Talk about destiny.

So Harmony heads off to the castle headstrong and confident and comes across King Paxton, stubborn, tight ass, and sexy as hell owner of the castle. They have an instant sexual attraction and Harmony can't believe she can read him so well that usually only works with objects and spirits but he's so tied to the castle when they are close she can read him like an open book. Something she uses to her advantage.

What a sexy wild ride! Blair weaves magic spells with her words. Snappy, snarky, completely hilarious, and oh so sexy I can't get enough of Blair's witch books. And to think she once said she would never write contemporary books. Thank the stars for her root canal and trip to Salem which started her magic mojo and her witchy inspiration.

Every book just seems to get sexier and sexier. I have to admit this one was definitely the steamiest of all her witch books so far. Uhmm, yummy, hot and sensual. I would love to get my hands on the King of that castle.

Sex and the Psychic Witch is not to missed. I absolutely loved it and I am off to be the next in the series which is Storm's book. She's the sassy, stubborn, stand out sister. Should make for a great read.

Review of Lady Anne and The Howl in the Dark by Donna Lea Simpson

4 Fangs for Lady Anne
Reviewed by CC Butterfly

Lady Anne is traveling to see her friend Lydia after receiving a plea of help from her. What she encounters on the way and after she gets there is nothing she expected.

"What the devil are you?" a new voice demanded. "And do you always come visiting at all hours and covered in blood?"

Well, she knows how to make an entrance, huh?

Donna Lea Simpson has written a compelling tale reminiscent of traditional Gothic romances and left me wanting to read more of her books.

This thriller is set in England portraying the life of nobility living in the country. Two friends are separated by miles but they communicate through letters, one desperately afraid the other one desperate to help her friend.

It is believed that a werewolf haunts the Darkefell Estates and the twists and turns and even a little unexpected romance and murder make this an intriguing book. Simpson starts right out grabbing your attention from the first page. Then she keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. The biggest question throughout the book is "Is there an actual werewolf running around the estate?" Read the book to find out.

The characters are a great mixture of personalities some likable, one quite likable.

Once you start this book you won't want to put it down until you finish the very last page.

I was a little disappointed in the ending, it wasn't what I expected but perhaps Simpson will continue the story in another book.

Vampire Poetry Monday- Vampiric Fluff by Rhonda Parrish

Today I have a vampire poem by Rhonda Parrish, who will also be our guest blogger tomorrow. She'll be here talking about her short story "Sister Margaret" available through Eternal Press.

Vampiric Fluff

By Rhonda Parrish

It was a dark and stormy night
when Dracula came for a bite.
In clothes of black, all lined with red
he stalked his prey, and left them dead.

His teeth grew long before my eyes,
and shock, it left me paralyzed.
"I vant to suck your blood," said he.
"You'll be mine for eternity."

"Oh no you don't," I shook my head.
"No way you're getting me in bed --
I may be kinky, but you see,
we share the same dark fam'ly tree."

Then I smiled, and showed a fang
he frowned and started to harangue.
He ranted -- mad at being tricked,
as though it's my fault he's so thick.

I thought my coffin was a clue,
or that my eyes are black, not blue.
I guess it shows that blind desire
can often have results quite dire.

'Twas lucky that I was awake
to stop him 'fore he did partake.
For who could guess at the effect
if vampire drink from vampire neck?

Free Book Friday Goodie Bag Giveaway

As promised I have a goodie bag full of sexy treats up for grabs this week instead of just a book for Free Book Friday.

What's in the bag?

Well, first of all we have the bag itself...a tote bag from Vickie Lewis Thompson featuring a black cat, her web address, and the title of Casual Hex, her newest book. This bag is perfect for shopping trips, lugging around books, or for whatever. I adore the black kitty.

We also have a few other goodies from Vickie including postcards featuring the covers of all three of her Hex books...and each postcard is signed by Vickie. We also have some trading cards and a sticker featuring Big Knob, Indiana and some characters from the Hex series.

Now onto the goodies I stuck in the bag, not for the faint of heart these are naughty sexy goodies.

Not one but two books...both steaming hot erotica.

Take Me There by P.F. Kozak is about a journalist who gets into a car accident and comes back with a ghostly lover. Plus she falls for the doctor that saves her. Now she's got two men to satisfy all her sexual needs. Hmmm. Great book...hotter than hot.

The second book is an ARC of Carole Hart's Pleasure U. This one is guaranteed to steam up some windows and leave you finding creative ways to cool down. Wow.

Then there is a bottle of Sensuous Beauty Body and Massage Lotion, a bottle of Wet Naturals personal lubricant, a sample of Good Clean Love's almost naked all natural organic lube, and a sample of Perception pheromone cologne.

The winner of the goodie bag gets it all.

OK, US entries only please, currently I am only shipping to the US. And please, please, please leave contact info with your comment.

The winners of Angie Fox and Caridad Pineiro's contests have still not claimed their prizes because they left no contact info.

(Kytaira and Debby if you read this please email me at eroticroxanne at yahoo dot com to claim your prizes)

Also if you share this post on other sites like facebook, myspace, digg, twitter, your own blog, etc...you get extra entries just let me know where you posted. I even have the share button at the bottom of this post to make it easier for you to add links. Thank you. Good luck.

As always the winner will be announced on Winner Wednesday.

A Review of Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

.5

Four and a half fangs for Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton

OK, who knew knitting could sound fun and sexy and could be the perfect setting for a paranormal romance, well that and the fictionally fun, supernatural town of Sugar Maple, Vermont where Chloe Hobbs, the only human in town is the owner of the knitting shop Sticks and Strings.

I don't speak knit talk so some of the terms had me lost but I skipped over all that because what really matters is that I do speak paranormal and romance.

Barbara Bretton's Casting Spells definitely cast a spell over me and I am sure it will cast a spell over you as well. I read through the book quick because I was so engrossed and I wanted to know what happened, who did what and of course if Chloe got the guy. The guy being Luke MacKenzie a cop who came to town to investigate the first murder in Sugar Maple's history. The cop that Chloe instantly falls for even though he's a human and she's half sorceress with currently no magically ability but still supposed to seek out only magical men for the sake of the town.

Ah it's a complicated situation and nothing is as it seems in Sugar Maple, not even to Chloe who has lived there all her life.

Casting Spells will knit you up into a web and won't let you go until the book is finished. It was completely engrossing and a fabulous story. I love how the characters change and evolve and how Chloe herself finally gives in and deals with what she has to do to make things right. And Luke, hmmm, always been a sucker for green eyes myself...something about the rarity of them. True green eyes you don't see very often...more like never.

The story was a fun whirlwind of plot, character development and flat out fun combined with good paranormal elements and heated romance. Everything a reader could ask for.

And I loved the cats who play minor rolls in the book, but the showstopper had to be the shape shifting friends and the maddening dancing silverware. Sounds crazy right?

Read the book, you'll love it.

Judi Fennel author of In Over Her Head

"Have you ever wondered what it was like to live under the sea and fall in love with a gorgeous merman? Judi Fennell has and she's written about it in the first book in her incredible trilogy: In Over Her Head!

Judi’s hilarious and sexy romance tells the tale of Erica Peck, a marina owner terrified of water (what are the odds, right?). When an unfortunate excursion goes awry, Erica unexpectedly finds herself in the care of Reel, second in line to the mer-throne. Reel, always second-fish to his older brother, Rod, sees Erica and is instantly thrown overboard with their sizzling attraction. Defying a death edict, outsmarting an evil sea monster and one scintillating night on a deserted island, Erica and Reel discover a love deeper than the sea…"

Judi Fennel will be joining us here at Fang-tastic Books on June 2 to talk about her new book In Over Her Head.

Until then check out her contests:

Want your own romantic, ocean-inspired getaway? You have three chances to win a luxurious stay at 2 amazing Bed & Breakfasts. For full contest rules and to enter, go to http://www.judifennell.com/!

Good luck!

Enter today for a chance to win on of the following romantic weekend stays:
The Atlantis Inn (http://www.atlantisinn.com/) in Ocean City, NJ
- 1st winner announced June 30, 2009, for the June release of In Over Her Head
- 2nd winner announced November 30, 2009 for the November release of Wild Blue Under

Hibiscus House in West Palm Beach, FL
- 3rd winner announced February 28m, 2010 for the 2010 release of Catch of a Life Time

Don’t miss out on your very own weekend escape inspired by Judi’s amazing trilogy. Good luck, and see you at the beach!!

Read what others have to say about In Over Her Head:

In Over Her Head is a heartwarming, but action-packed story of two people–one human and the other of the seaworthy body–joined together in an adventure.~ Armchair Interviews

In Over Her Head is a delightful, quirky blend of humor, adventure and passion.~ Star-Crossed Romance

Holy mackerel! In Over Her Head is a fantastically fun romantic catch—Judi Fennell has one heck of an imagination! ~Michelle Rowen, author of Bitten & Smitten

A fantastic debut novel, Judi Fennell has put the ‘beach’ back in beach read! ~Virginia Farmer, award-winning author of A Blast to the Past

A charming modern day fairy tale with a twist. Fennell is a bright star on the horizon of romance. I loved this story, the characters, and the clever premise. ~Judi McCoy, author of Hounding the Pavement

Fennell’s under the sea suspense will enchant you with its wit, humor and sexiness. In Over Her Head is a great debut book and I’m glad to hear there are more to come. ~Caridad Pineiro, NYT and USA TODAY Bestseller, South Beach Chicas Catch Their Man

A wondrous undersea adventure—molten moments, waves of sensuality, ripples of emotion, and depths of fun. Not to be missed! ~LA Banks, author of The Vampire Huntress Legends Series

Winner Wednesday Announcing the Winners From Angie Fox and Caridad Pineiro's Guest Blogs

So I have two winners to announce today.

First we have Kytaira who was chosen as a winner for Angie Fox's contest to receive a free copy of The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers.

Then we have Debby who was chosen as the winner for Caridad Pineiro's free T-shirt and copy of the book Temptation Calls.

So Debby and Kytaira I need you to contact me at eroticroxanne at yahoo dot com so I can send your info to our guest bloggers so you can get your free stuff.

A reminder everyone, when you enter a comment contest please leave an email address with your comment or make sure your blogger profile page lists your email so you can be contacted if you win. Thank you.

If our winners do not get back with us before next Wednesday a new winner or winners will be chosen.