Arcane Circle by Linda Robertson

I was thrilled when I received my review copy of Arcane Circle by Linda Robertson Wednesday.

That night I sat down to look through it and start reading- and boy was I surprised.

Not only is one of my review quotes for Fatal Circle in the front of the book but when I read through Linda's page of Thank You's I found my name in the Extra Thanks section.

Linda personally thanked several book bloggers and I was one of them she said Roxanne @ Fang-tastic Books.

Wow. I am touched. Honestly.

As a writer I have grown accustomed to seeing my name in print whether it be on the cover of a book (that's my favorite rush) or on a byline.

But as a book blogger and reviewer I get a huge kick out of seeing my name or my site's name (Fang-tastic Books), listed on the cover or inside another author's book.

I absolutely love that. It's happened several times now that I know of on books by Chloe Neill, Linda Wisdom, and Louisa Burton to name a few.

Now not only is my review snippet on the book but I was personally thanked by the author. I can't tell you how much this means to me that Linda Robertson thought enough of me and my reviews of her books to include me in her list of thank you's.

Thank you Linda for writing such fabulous books that I can't get enough of.

I already started reading Arcane Circle.

I didn't really plan to get into it that night but before I knew it I was 4 chapters in...and I had to talk myself into going to bed and not reading all night.

Yesterday I kept glancing at the book today wishing I could just sit down and read it instead of writing- but alas there was work to be done.

But I have a date with Arcane Circle tonight.

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Linda Robertson

Please welcome the beautiful Linda Robertson as our guest author today!

She has an interesting post about the allure of self-confident alpha males.

She also has a couple giveaways .

The last time I visited the FANG-TASTIC blog site I talked about the alluring self-confidence of vampires. This time, let’s expand on that. Alpha males are attractive to many women because of the “I’m a strong manly-man who can save you, babycakes,” persona. It screams: “I’m capable, reliable, and I want you so bad I’ll risk everything.” It’s dramatized flattery at its finest.

Don’t we all want our man to be capable of becoming the warrior who protects us from the whims of our enemies, then changes light bulb? Don’t we all want the reliable guy who will doubtlessly do the right thing in any given situation and who will remember—all by himself—to take out the trash? Isn’t it even better if he can read us perfectly and knows when to chivalrously hold the door and flirt as we pass through, and when to just get the hell out of the way?

Ahhh. Fiction is a wonderful, wonderful thing, ain’t it? :-)

Relationships are never perfect. Neither are people. So flawed characters dealing with the ups and downs of interpersonal connections—all while dealing with being a vampire or a witch or a werewolf—are the characters most interesting to me. Those who, despite the odds, keep on navigating around those potholes on the highway of love can be especially fun.

Menessos, to me, is definitely an alpha male, but he’s also driving much too fast on that aforementioned highway in his overpriced sports/luxury car weaving in and around traffic hoping to impress...but the impression he’s usually making is one of arrogant charm. Sometimes it’s vexing. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s wearying. Persephone likes it in small doses, but loathes it in any large, bossy display. Figuring out who reacts how, who has the upper hand, and who thinks they do, is great fun for me.

In FATAL CIRCLE, Persephone needs some help and Menessos is in the position to provide that assistance, but it means she must move into his Haven. She is being forced to accept some serious changes in her life and adding a new (and not entirely safe) environment to them is not the highlight of her plan. But her presence at the Haven does seem to be a bright spot for Menessos, who is determined to seduce her.

For example, here’s two excerpts:

EXCERPT ONE:

“How about we start with Johnny?” I wanted to know about the ties between Johnny and I that Menessos mentioned at the restaurant.

His voice lowered. “How about we start without Johnny?”

Though my back was turned to the fire, warmth slithered across my aura; it was an invitation duplicated in his smoldering eyes.

I drew my shields around me. “Why do you bounce back and forth between humanizing yourself to the point of making me feel sorry for you, and then play Mr. Dangerous Sex-Starved Vampire?”

Amused, he said, “I am not sex starved.”

“It’s annoying and it’ll get old, fast, if you keep it up.”

The heat abated, but was still present. “My apologies, Persephone.” Standing at the end of the granite countertop, he reached into a decorative azure blue bowl and lifted one of the crackled glass orbs. Even as he inspected it, twisting his wrist, I could feel it as if his fingers were flicking over my aura. “Do you not like having your flesh kindled?”

I recognized and resisted this, strengthening my shields even more, but my body still responded to it.

“Wasn’t that made clear with the word ‘annoying’?” The breathlessness of my voice pissed me off. So did he.

Menessos is accustomed to instant gratification. When she shuts him down, he’s annoyed with her, but he still won’t totally give up. That she reacts regardless makes Persephone even more determined to resist. It is neither his power nor his bullish manipulation that reels her a little closer, however.

EXCERPT TWO:

All of his suits were cut to complement him as only the best garments can, but tonight there was something especially masculine about him. He wore no tie and his linen shirt was neither tucked nor fully buttoned. I appraised his self-assured gait, and the competent way he scanned both sidewalks ahead of us and behind, gauging every facet of our environment.

No matter how docile he seemed, underneath he was a predator.

No matter how modern he seemed, underneath he was ancient.

He’d lived thousands of years. He’d experienced almost all recorded history from the dawn of civilization until now. Yet, he strolled along with me, hands unassumingly in his pockets. Seemingly content.

“What was the moment you realized nothing would ever be the same?” I had to ask.

It’s not the things that make him unique or powerful that appeal to her, it is the things that make him human. Her inescapable, larger-than-life destiny makes her uncertain, but she knows that he’s been through this before.

Ultimately, what he wants from her isn’t something this stubborn woman intends to give him, and what she needs from him may be the one thing he cannot or will not give her. Where they each draw their lines in the sand for relationships will determine their fate, unless someone concedes.

So…an alpha male’s stoic self-confidence is great. Sometimes even a touch of arrogance can be justifiable. But sometimes, that wall of conviction has to come down. Sometimes, an alpha male has to expose his vulnerability—not his strength—to win a place in the heart of his beloved.

What do you think? How does emotional vulnerability impact your view of the alpha male?

Leave an answer in the comments and be entered to win (see rules below)!

WHAT YOU COULD WIN:

1st Prize:

Autographed copies of both

HALLOWED CIRCLE & FATAL CIRCLE.

2nd Prize:
Authographed copy of just FATAL CIRCLE.

RULE ONE: You must have a US mailing address.

RULE TWO: Leave a comment on this blog answering the question above. **You have until Noon EST Sunday July 25, 2010 to leave your comment. I will draw a name from those who participated, and announce it in the blog comments. (If at all possible I will announce the winner that day within an hour or so of the deadline. However, things happen—I do have rambunctious kids, so barring emergency room visits or other such unforeseeable events I will be on-time, but I reserve the right to be late.) Once the winner is announced, the winner has 48 hours to email their shipping address to me @ rockinwriterlinda @ yahoo DOT com. If the winner fails to do so, another name will be drawn and that winner will have the same 48 hours to comply. ** I will be leaving the next week to attend RWA Nationals, so my internet access may be sporadic at best.

If these rules are satisfactory to you, post your comment now!

:-) Good luck!

Linda’s website: www.WOLFSBANEANDABSINTHE.com

Review of Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

Five Fangs for Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

Fatal Circle is the third book in the Persephone Alcmedi series and by far the best one yet. Fatal Circle was packed full of action, intrigue and events that would not let me put this book down.

Persephone has to deal with the repercussions from the Halloween fairy killing that happened toward the end of the last book. The fairy's want revenge- specifically they want Menessos dead which will sever their bindings to him and this world.

Trouble is Seph can't offer him up on a platter he's too important for that but she has to make some sacrifices to be able to keep him safe and hopefully prevent a war that will involve all the supernatural creatures and spill over to the human population as well. No one ever said being the Lustrata would be easy.

The men in her life have to agree to work together which Johnny is not too happy about- Johnny also has to decide if he is going to step up and become the pack leader of his group and reveal to all that he is the Domn Lup.

Persephone, Johnny and Menessos all have to claim their rightful places as the leaders of their kinds to save the world from the fairy vengeance that threatens them all.

In the previous books I have always questioned Johnny's connection with Seph- does he love her because she is Persephone or does he love her because she is the Lustrata. His actions have always been defined by her being the Lustrata and he being the Lustrata's guide.

In this book the connection between them was more about the two of them and not just about the roles they have to play. I liked that a lot better. Their interaction was sexier, more meaningful and hotter than in the previous books and I loved it.

I wouldn't be against a little action with Menessos either. Too bad it didn't go that far- they sure got closer though, too close for Johnny's liking.

Another part of Fatal Circle that I also enjoyed was the secrets that were revealed about Menessos and about some of his fellow vampires living within the Haven. Seven is a particularly interesting vampire to read about. I love how Roberts has tossed in some real history and jumbled it into her world.

I wonder if it will ever be revealed that Menessos was "King Arthur". Seph has always seen him as such- he looks exactly as she always imagined Arthur would look. As old as Menessos is it is quite possible he could have been Arthur. I wonder if Roberts will ever reveal that since it is a reoccurring theme and connection that Seph always ties to Menessos. I think that would be a wonderful twist to toss into the mix.

I was not real happy with the ending- it left things hanging...important things particularly about Menessos but I have faith things will work out in the next book.

Fatal Circle was full of magick, secrets revealed and a few surprising twists and turns. This book was a wild pleasure to read. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, Arcane Circle, due out in December.

Review of Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson

.5

Blurb:

And you think beauty pageants are scary?

Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven -- now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers -- ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to participate, if only to prevent snooty Hunter Hopewell, an obnoxious but talented witch, from ending up in the winner's circle. Can Seph hide her secrets -- including her connection to the master vampire-wizard Menessos -- from the terrifyingly wise judges? Plus, there's her rock 'n' roll werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, and some angry fairies to deal with....

Once the competition begins, a finalist turns up dead. It looks as if one of the contestants is willing to do anything -- including murder -- to win. Suddenly Seph has even more on her plate than she thought: from solving a murder to working out what her new powers really are...and exactly why they're creating so much havoc in her love life.

I love the way Robertson has blended many elements of the witchy world into her series. She has the old images of witches in pointed hats riding on broomsticks (which many modern witches hate) but she's put a new spin on them and made it hip and sassy and completely non-insulting plus she's thrown in aspects of wicca, old world witchcraft, mythology and mixed it all together to create something unique.

I just have one question: what's the answer to the test question on page 155?

Seriously I want to know, Persephone never gives us the answer and I curious to know if there is a correct answer.

This book was great. I was instantly pulled in by the descriptive writing that put me right there on the page. I could "see" everything- it was amazing, great descriptions that fit right in with the story without being intrusive or overdone put me in that world like I was walking around inside a movie in my head.

And the complications...Persephone has a kinda sorta werewolf boyfriend and ties to a master vampire and she's coming into her own powers as the Lustrata- the witch who dishes out justice. Persephone's grandmother lives with her and she's adopted a young girl who recently lost her werewolf mother.

This series has all the makings of a good PNR/UF series- a detailed alternate world that knows witches, weres and vamps walk among them, a witch coming into her own torn between a vampire and werewolf. Then add in everything else life throws at her.

Wonderful.

It's another series I'll be adding to my must read pile. Book 3 is already on my wish list and book one is in my current to-read pile since I started with this book, which is actually book 2. The first book is Vicious Circle which I am going to read to get the whole story about how all of it started and I really want to know more about the mysterious vampire who only plays a minor role in Hallowed Circle. Fatal Circle, book 3, comes out in June.

Vampire Appeal with Linda Robertson & A Chance to Win An Autographed Copy of Hallowed Circle

I’ve been pondering this guest blog for a week or so now and throwing around ideas of what to write for it. Being that this blog is called Fang-tastic, of course, I’ve been thinking on vampires—a subject I certainly don’t mind daydreaming about. I’m sure the majority of this blog’s readers share that little guilty pleasure with me.

Reasons for the vampire’s appeal are surely as varied and unique as we individuals who indulgently read all we can about them. So, I’ll share one of my favorite reasons below, but first…here’s an excerpt from the second installment of the Persephone Alcmedi series:


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…from HALLOWED CIRCLE:

The vampires strode toward the dais. They were handsome men wearing fashionable clothing that combined I’m-hot-and-I-know-it with I’m-going-clubbing-to-find-a-piece-of-ass-worthy-of-me. Not that design and style could say all that alone, it was inherent in the very fabric of their beings. From their squared shoulders to the self-assurance of their gait—everything about them radiated confidence.

They looked over us witches with what elsewhere would be taken as lascivious intent. One exuded conceit with the lift of his chin and the firm set of his unimpressed mouth. The other made me think of a delighted frat boy who’d just strolled unnoticed into the ladies locker room.

“Eldrenne, Madam Elders,” said the unimpressed one. His voice was deep. Tall and muscular, he had the disproportionate chiseled features of a comic book hero. Even his blond hair, trimmed business short on the sides, was styled so that three perfect tendrils of the longer top fell forward in a trademark-rugged way. He did not bow his head, but rather turned it sideways a fraction while cocking his head. It might be construed as a slight bow, but vampires were not ones to show obeisance to any mortal. “I am Heldridge and am pleased to participate in your Eximium.” He signaled the other vampire.

“I’m Sever.” He flashed them each a flirty smile, but didn’t bother to offer them any pretty words that probably weren’t true.

Sever had golden brown curls that hung past his shoulders.

“Welcome,” Desdemona said to them. To us contestants, she said, “The test will entail the—”

The other Elders all reacted to her sudden stop, sitting straighter as their notice drifted beyond the line I and the other contestants had formed before the dais.

A trembling resonance began low on my spine then fluttered upward like fingernails scraping over each vertebra. The fine vibration slid around each rib only to rejoin in my sternum where heat began to build between my breasts. My mind flashed on images of the darkened living room, of Johnny’s face before me while our bodies were entwined. My nipples hardened.

I blinked hard, willing the images to stop, willing this reaction to stop, but the heat dropped down, gliding under my skin to my navel and lower, between my legs. A rush of desire swept through my body—

The southern doors burst open behind me. Without looking, I knew who was there.

“Ladies—and my fellow vampires—please permit me to interpose myself.” As the contestants around me turned, I did, too, and saw Menessos come striding in, projecting his innate patrician polish. “My presence may not have been solicited, but I trust it is not unwelcome.” His walnut-colored waves brushed his shoulders as he moved. The thin beard, trimmed to balance his square jaw perfected his image as a manifestation of Arthur Pendragon, the warrior from centuries past and from my dreams. However, the elegantly cut modern suit that draped from his strong, broad shoulders and the white shirt—sans tie and fashionably unbuttoned—branded him as a New Age warrior, Lord Executive of the Boardroom. In my eyes he was a time-transcending champion, cunning and adaptable, trained to win at any cost. A man to be wary of.

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So what is it about vampires? I’d like to offer you my take on one tiny little piece of that enormous puzzle that is vampires. Let’s go back to a line from near the top of that excerpt.

“… everything about them radiated confidence.”

If you’re a writer, you’ve probably been to the mall and spent some time sitting on one of the centrally located benches just watching people. It’s easy to combine a person’s looks with the way they move, act, and sound and thereby come up with an imaginary personality. Mall-walkers aren’t quite like the businessman at the jewelers during his lunch, or the weary-eyed mom with toddlers at the kiddie play area hoping the little ones get tired enough to nap so she can get a nap.

But even if you’re not a people-watcher, if I say, “Confidence has a look,” you know what I mean. It’s in a person’s posture, the set of their eyes, tone of their voice, body language and the fluidity of their gait. Who do you find yourself imagining? Someone famous, gorgeous, and wealthy perhaps? Maybe an actor or actress?

I imagine it would take a lot of confidence to stand in front of the cameras and risk the criticism of the media as much as actors do, although vanity could certainly be a motivating factor. That sounds like a vampire to me.

Then there’s the part about walking the night forever youthful. The young are known for being cocky. They don’t have joints that creak and crack when climbing the stairs so they don’t know what aging feels like. A vampire may never have lost that cockiness. Or maybe they did, but got it back.

Aside from providing time to acquire wealth (a flavor of confidence all of its own), immortality also implies the defeat of death itself. No wonder vampires often have boosted egos. (Let’s not tarnish this happy little discussion with the evil underpinnings, the implied spiritual ramifications for the soul, or the nasty nuances of day-time lifelessness and rot. This little blog piece isn’t about the negative impacts of the vampire’s existence.)

Not to say that vampires who lack confidence can’t be interesting and fun all the same, but the magnetism of the charismatic vampire is—to me—very appealing and those particular qualities are built from the bedrock of self-confidence.

And on that note…

How about that contest now?

WHAT YOU COULD WIN:

An autographed copy of HALLOWED CIRCLE.

RULE ONE: You must have a US mailing address.

RULE TWO: Leave a comment on this blog revealing the one—or one of—the things you find most appealing about the vampires you read/write about. **

You have until Noon EST Monday January 25, 2010 to leave your comment.

I will draw a name from those who participated, and announce it in the blog comments. (If at all possible I will announce the winner that day within an hour or so of the deadline. However, things happen—I do have rambunctious kids, so barring emergency room visits or other such unforeseeable events I will be on-time, but I reserve the right to be late.)

Once the winner is announced, the winner has 48 hours to email me their shipping address. If the winner fails to do so, another name will be drawn and that winner will have the same 48 hours to comply.

If these rules are satisfactory to you, post your comment now!

:-) Good luck!

~ Linda

Linda’s website: http://www.wolfsbaneandabsinthe.com/
There you can find links to her livejournal,
blogspot, twitter, and facebook.