Starving for Midnight Breed ? A Taste of Midnight Novella

LaraAdrian.com

A shimmering holiday gala lights up an ancient castle in the Scottish Highlands, but beautiful widowed Breedmate Danika MacConn feels alone in the crowd. Even among the friends and festivity of the Darkhaven celebration, she can’t forget her lost love, a fallen warrior of the Order. Her brief return to her mate’s homeland has become treacherous after rejecting the advances of a dangerous Edinburgh crime boss with a taste for blood sport. As Danika seeks to expose the vampire and his dark trade, she discovers an unexpected ally in his forbidding, enigmatic henchman, Brannoc, a man who exudes heat, danger, and dark menace—and seems somehow achingly familiar. Bran has his own reasons for wanting to keep Dani out of his employer’s business . . . and his own secrets he means to keep buried. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a woman who tempts the wildest part of his Breed nature—especially when that woman is Danika MacConn, the one woman capable of bringing him to his knees.   Lara Adrian.com

Lara serves up a tasty morsel in this e-novella, on sale this past Monday, December 5 from AMAZON as well as other e-retailers and published by Dell, an imprint of Random House.

Midnight Breed stories are always scorchingly hot and this one, though short, is no exception. Imagine if you were to meet your old boyfriend from hundreds of years in your past. The guy you didn't choose because you knew he would break your heart.  But now that you meet again and are no longer in a relationship what could possibly happen? That is kind of what happens to Danika and Bran.

Of course with Breed Passion we always have a dose of danger and there's no exception here either. There I kind of wanted to slap Danika and say, leave that to others! It is a novella, so that passion and danger are a bit compressed. But at a $1.99 it is less expensive than a magazine or most birthday cards and far more pleasurable.

Click on Cover  to

Pre-order from Amazon

So, this is an amuse bouche for the upcoming Darker After Midnight. That will be out on January 24 and has the Warriors Darkhaven on the move as their Boston area location has become untenable.  And, they are coming here, to Maine! They know they can stop and rest here, right?

Included with the novella is an excerpt from the new book.

BLOGGER PURCHASE

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A Little Night Magic What would you wish for?

A Little Night Magic

Lucy March

LucyMarch.com

Olivia Kiskey needs a change. She's been working at the same Nodaway Falls, New York, waffle house since she was a teenager; not a lot of upward mobility there. She's been in love with Tobias, the cook, for the last four years; he's never made a move. Every Saturday night, she gathers with her three best friends-Peach, Millie, and Stacy-and drinks the same margaritas while listening to the same old stories. Intent on shaking things up, she puts her house on the market, buys a one-way ticket to Europe, and announces her plans to her friends . . . but then she meets Davina Granville, a strange and mystical Southern woman who shows Olivia that there is more to her life than she ever dreamed. As Liv's latent magical powers come to the surface, she discovers that having an interesting life is maybe not all it's cracked up to be. The dark side of someone else's magic is taking over good people in town, and changing them into vessels of malevolence. Unwilling to cede her home to darkness, she battles the demons of her familial past and her magical present, with those she loves at her side . . . and in the cross fire. Can the most important things in life-friendship, love, magic, and waffles-get her through the worst that the universe can throw at her? NetGalley.com

There's a "magic square" in the linoleum tile of the waffle shop where Olivia works.  She almost believes the square is magic.  As an adult, though she learns magic is much more than a piece of linoleum. 

In turns humorous, romantic, sad, scary and dark, this new book from Lucy March kept  me up reading into the morning. Magic, inventively imagined and described pulls up into Liv's life in the form of a new friend.  For a young woman without family Davina seems to be just what she's been missing; especially as she sits, vulnerably, on the fencepost of a major life change.

Liv feels like an Upstate New York version of Bridget Jones. For some reason her would-be beau feels, to me anyway, like Jason Momoa (Okay, a lot of heroes feel like Jason Momoa).

But life changes can be brought to us as much as we can bring them on and just as Liv is planning to pack up and leave town to live somewhere, anywhere else she learns she has a talent and that others would like to grab it.

Thank goodness for her friends, well most of them, who pull her out of the frying pan on a regular basis and truly care for her.

Well written with a snappy pace that will grab your attention.  Characters you will want to be bffs with and others you will want to kill.   I really enjoyed it, even the dark parts. There's a little sex, a lot of conflicting emotions, and some violence. I highly recommend this new book to adults.

DISCLOSURE: Received Time Delimited E-Galley from Publisher  via NetGalley in expectation  that any review would be fair.  As always, all opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. No remuneration was exchanged.

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 31, 2012)
Kindle Edition: 5 KB

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (January 31, 2012)
Sold by: Macmillan

Purchasing Possibilities that help support this blog:
To Pre-Order thru Amazon  or  Powell's

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BET ON THE DARK HORSE Her Dark Knight by Sharon Cullen

HER DARK KNIGHT
Author: Sharon Cullen
On sale date: Nov 28, 2011
Category:
Paranormal Romance
Romance
Time Travel
Historical theme
Received from Publisher Via NetGalley.  Galley is Time Delimited. No remuneration was exchanged

Madelaine Alexander is on a mission. When her boss sends her to the hottest nightclub in town to meet with the owner, she won't be deterred, even if that means standing in line for fifty-eight minutes in torturous heels while she'd rather be home in her pj's with a bowl of popcorn.
A Knight of the Templar, Christien Chevalier was given immortality along with the responsibility of protecting the treasure of the Templars. He's been unwavering in his task for centuries until his one true love—who died seven hundred years ago—shows up in his club, demanding his attention.
Christien couldn't protect Madelaine when they first fell in love. She was married to a lord and he was simply a knight. Now, through some unknown miracle, she stands before him again and they have a second chance. But Christien fears that Madelaine is being used as a pawn in a dangerous game, a game of good versus evil that could affect all of mankind...

Ick factor: minor

HEA factor:  nope, but hopeful.

Phillip IV of France Image via Wikipedia

Classic clash between good and evil to prevent the destruction of the world.

No real happy ending in this genre melding Paranormal Historical Romance.  Caught between the Templar Knight's fall at the hands of King Phillip and the status of women as chattel, Madelaine and Christien are screwed in the 14th century and caught up in the evil attempt to bring on the apocalypse don't fare any better.  In the early 14th century, Madelainem a distant cousin of Phillip IV of France was married to the depraved but socially pious Count of Flandres. In the 21st century she is the single daughter of a farmer who was offered a well-paying position that allowed her to pay her father's medical expenses. 

Flandres is an actual place on the North Sea. Now part of Belgium, it was a strategic pawn in medieval Europe.I can't find anything on a Madelaine, Countess of Flandres in 1307 or the period around that time.

Maps, Wikipedia

Some points to note:

Research into period, especially clothing and castle is extensive and to my knowledge accurate.

Christien is immortal and very wealthy. Why do immortal, wealthy guys open nightclubs in PNR?  Have you ever noticed that?

Christien is immortal as are some other characters. Apparently they are infallibly immortal, even to decapitation. That is something I don't think I have seen, ever.

The book is an interesting blend of the historical: the fall of the Knights Templar with the paranormal: The Apocalypse as written of in  Revelations,  reincarnation, immortality, and time travel via angelic intervention.

Sexual scenes are written with a minimum of ick. They are pretty passionate, but vanilla.

Recommendation: A short read at about 240 pages. The shortness forces a rushed plot with an unsure but hopeful ending. If you are looking for an HEA look elsewhere. If you are looking for a romance and hot, tender but unimaginative sex, this is a good choice.

HER DARK KNIGHT AT AMAZON

• Kindle Edition: 456 KB
• Publisher: Carina Press (November 28, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services 

Or Click the Link below to buy from Powell's

Her Dark Knight
by Sharon Cullen

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Teamwork: After Obsession

Bloomsbury Publishing

Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee’s deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn’t one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board . . . Alan is Courtney’s cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney’s father went missing. It’s not just Alan’s dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it’s not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend . . . But it’s not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted – it’s Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney – and everything around her. Bloomsbury Publishing

Blogger copy received at Book Expo America without expectation of review.

Authors:

The writing team of Carrie Jones (Need, Captivate, Entice) and Steven E. Wedel (several prior publications) were hooked up by fellow author Melissa Marr (There is a big club, I knew it!) at a speed dating event at a conference in Oklahoma.  Apparently, according tot the interview at the back of the book Steven tied Carrie up (taking away from the YA aspect here) and forced her to write the book.  In turn she stole food from him.

There seems to be a spate of books placed in Maine this year. In particular a bunch of YA Paranormal.  Living here I Have to wonder why: Stephen King lives here as does Richard Russo, as do Carrie Jones, Elizabeth Miles, and Lauren Oliver wrote Delirium while staying here. I tend to have unrealistic hopes that books placed here will help our desperately poor economy by bringing tourists.

This book is really well-written. The team split up the characters and each chapter switches point of view between our male and female main characters.  They are reasonably well-defined  teens and the dialogue is believable.

The set-up for the mythology in the story is well-handled. The boogie man may be an ancient import or a spirit angered by early settlers not properly respecting the land.  Alan is part Navajo and is trying to respectfully practice Native American ways. It comes off as mostly uncontrived. Alan seems to truly believe what he says and so it sounds real enough. It may be diluted and simplified.

The feelings the teens have for each other seem real enough.

The story moves quickly but isn't rushed. The writers do an admirable job describing the effects of an evil spirit affecting a town and the weather. The placement of the town in Maine and what it is like is pretty good. One issue is that there are no other mixed race kids in the town, but in northern coastal Maine that may not be entirely true. At least they would be known better as the aboriginal people of the region have a large presence. And Carrie lives quite near the largest museum in the area with a focus on Native Americans.  I liked the realism of the poverty and the mix of working people in the town. The story was interesting and had exciting action but the end game was more or less predictable from the second chapter.  There are a few loose ends.

This is a good book. Some suggestion of sexuality; a bit more than Twilight. Also peyote possession and implied ritualistic use. It wouldn't make me rush right out to do it. I recommend it for older teens and adults.

Trailer:

Amazon:

Reading level: Ages 12 and up Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (September 13, 2011) Kindle Edition: 500 KB Print Length: 321 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1408818272 Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (September 13, 2011) Sold by: Amazon Digital Services

OR After Obsession at Powell's

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More Smart and Wonderful Urban FantasyTRICKS OF THE TRADE by LAURA ANNE GILMAN

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Laura Anne Gilman

When magic goes wrong, who are you going to call?
The name's Torres, Bonnie Torres, and I'm a paranormal scene investigator—rooting out the truth about crimes of magic. It's dangerous and boring and scary and fascinating. Though not everyone in the Cosa Nostradamus is happy we're around, which can make things...tricky.
Working two cases—looking into a murder for the NYPD, and a rich man's break-in—should be well within our abilities. But when things start getting weird in the Electric Apple, Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations is stretched to the limits, trying to keep one step ahead and out of trouble. Add in rumors of a powerful creature gunning for us and it's not just our rep on the line this time—if we don't solve this case, everyone will suffer.
Fortunately, around here, when the going gets weird, the weird hire us....

 Back of the Book, eHarlequin.com

There are so  many good things I want to say about this book and Laura's writing. First, it is truly intelligent. I have to look up words! I love learning new things so this is great.  I'm not saying that you need a dictionary at hand but once in a while I do look something up.  I think it's indicative of not writing to the Lowest Common Denominator. It's quality writing and quality Urban Fantasy with a mystery bent.

It is also one of the best thought out worlds I have come upon; with little or no discontinuity.  Laura has an entire explanation for the existence of magic that is unique and so nearly plausible that it makes suspension of disbelief easy.  Do you know someone who kills street lights when walking under them? They might be paranormal.

This is a second series within the Cosa Nostradamus Novels, The other series is The Retrievers. She also wrote the Vineart War Series.

One thing that I love about Laura's work is that she is expert with the backstory. With eight other books under the Cosa umbrella that's a lot of past. I think it's brilliant that includes in the fantastic and well-written prologue and the first chapters there is stuff that series fans don't yet know. It keeps that part of the book really interesting and makes me look closely at what I am reading.

Laura switches up points of view within chapters from Bonnie's first person to a more omniscient POV. The abrupt switch got a little confusing for me but made me pay better attention. This is not fluffy writing.  The subject may be urban fantasy, there may be romance, there is always a mystery, but it is well-written and I can't be lazy or I miss a lot.

The characters are engaging, interesting, smart and fun. They are "Talents" or magic-wielding humans  working in a world where humans have access to the knowledge of magic but many choose to ignore it. They work to get along, but sometimes they don't, but they are complementary personalities and different skill sets as necessary for the type of office and the book.

There are three main arcs: A murder, a robbery  and a developing relationship based on some type of chemistry between Bonnie and her boss, Ben Venec. Ben sounds sexy as hell.

Bonnie is cute, maybe beautiful, and comfortable with her bi-sexuality, and just comfortable in her own skin. The dialogue is great. True and natural. There is some slang, but it works to make the characters so real you feel you might run into them on the street.

it's interesting that Laura Anne decided to make Bonnie bisexual and then makes very little of it. I think that is pretty classy.

As far as the mystery goes, usually I am pretty good at sussing them out.  She also ties up the arcs in different places. So you get more than one climax and a little denouement in between. With this one I had the mysteries all wrong. I wasn't led the wrong way and then had a device pulled into the story, I just didn't see the end. I picked the wrong clues! The pace is well-timed; maybe a bit of a lag getting the cases going. I suspect that is more what real crime solving would be like; not a shoot-'em-up, car-chasing event, slowly moving forward until the clues reach critical mass.

I HIGHLY recommend this book and the series. If you already read the series it is an absolute MUST READ.  I can't wait for the next volume! And, I plan to go back to read the Retrievers series as well.  I just love these books and I am in good company—many reviewers feel the same way!

Amazon availabity

Laura Anne Gilman signing books
Image by darknesschildsin via Flickr

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Luna; Original edition (November 15, 2011)

Kindle Edition: 543 KB
Print Length: 349 pages
Publisher: Luna; Original edition (December 1, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services

PLEASE! Click Here To Buy Tricks of the Trade
through my Amazon.com Affiliation or use the search box or my store in the sidebar.

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Kelley Armstrong's Spellbound Crossover YA to Adult?

bookcovers from KelleyArmstrong.com, composite by blogger

SPELLBOUND

Kelley Armstrong

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Dutton (July 26, 2011)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Plume (June[sic.] 26, 2012)
Kindle: 462 KB
Print Length: 354 pages
Publisher: DUTTON ADULT (July 26, 2011)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing 

Disclosure: personal property. Book was not advanced by publisher.

Synopsis

At last, in the novel every Kelley Armstrong fan will need to own, all the major heroines and heroes of Otherworld are united.

It's been ten years since Bitten, the first novel in Kelley Armstrong's New York Times bestselling Otherworld series. In that time hundreds of thousands of fans have ravenously devoured the adventures of Armstrong's witches, demons, and werewolves. Now, in Spell Bound, she brings them all together for her most sweeping tale yet.

Savannah Levine is in terrible danger, and for once she's powerless to help herself. At the heartbreaking conclusion of Waking the Witch, Savannah swore that she would give up her powers if it would prevent further pain for a young orphan. Little did she know that someone would take her up on that promise.

And now, witch-hunting assassins, necromancers, half-demons, and rogue witches all seem to be after her. The threat is not just for Savannah; every member of the Otherworld might be at risk. While most of her fellow supernaturals are circling the wagons at a gathering of the council in Miami, Savannah is caught on the road, isolated from those who can protect her and unable to use her vast spell-casting talent, the thing she counts on most. In a story that will change the shape of the Otherworld forever, Armstrong gathers Elena, Clay, Paige, Lucas, Jamie, Hope, and other beloved characters, who soon learn that the greatest threat to supernaturals just may come from within. http://www.amazon.com/

I have read a few of these books now, stupidly out of order, and would like to dive right into the series. But I am already obsessed with Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series and the Meredith Gentry series (I have read that entire series and anxiously await the next book).

Earlier volumes in the series had some sex in them.  Not as graphic as LKH's but it was there.  With Waking The Witch and Spellbound Armstrong seems to be courting a crossover audience; drinking, innuendo and young adults teemimg with romantic longing.

Some reviewers have said this reads like the beginning of a trilogy. I think it feels like a series within a series. In Waking the Witch and Spellbound it feels as if the series is being handed off younger generation of Supes. I seriously felt the lack of backstory and thankfully found a Wikia site with background.  Armstrong's own site also offers some help too:   www.kelleyarmstrong.com/extras/. 

While I don't expect a detailed explanation I found it hard to understand the characters' histories and the classification (of demons, spellcasters, witches, etc).

Aside from the lack of back story, I finished the book with little understanding of what had happened although it was action filled and exciting. It felt like a bridge volume where some things ended and others started, and not a story in its own right.

I do like Kelley's writing. Savannah is maturing and her decision making processes show that. The dialogue is true, and utterly believable. The rapid winging across the continent is not.

There is a fair amount of violence, mostly by young adults on each other;  I don't think it is a great read for young teens, I think parents need to determine how much their own kid can handle. Savannah seems to kill in defense without compunction. Although she feels bad when people die helping her or due to what she feels are because of decisons she made.

I feel the story is about Savannah growing up; she has gotten away with a lot, until now. I can confirm this from the books in the series I've read and what is implied.

The upshot is that this is an okay entry in the series. I recommend Spellbound to series readers  who have the whole series behind them will be on stable ground so the story will be more meaningful.

Amazon

Also Available: Spellbound at Powell's

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What does reading mean to you?

Share the love!

Image by Casey David via Flickr

Give the Gift of,... Well, what does the written word  mean to you? When you give a gift of books or of an e-reader you are sharing one of life's true pleasures: reading. And you are giving whatever reading and the written word means to you. When YOU give books you are also giving something that tells about you, your idea about what the recipients enjoy or what they are like.

I have affiliate links to Amazon, Powell and Chronicle Books in my right sidebar. I thought I would feature some of the items that strike me as terrific gifts this holiday. Oh no! She's gone all commercial on us!  Yes, and No. I have always treated my blogging as a business. That is why I can bring you several book reviews each week. Contests however cost money to run, and because I refuse to be censored I have a tough time getting affiliate status.  Strangely even companies that sell sex toys and films have an anti-adult material clause. Go figure.

But though it is a business it is also a love of mine.  It combines several of my favorite things in one place.  Although I work ten to twelve hours every day it is not like have a job because I love it. I hope that shows in what I bring you. 

Yes, a lot of us have Amazon Affiliate Status. But we are not supposed to use it for ourselves (sad face). I recommend we spread the wealth to our fellow bloggers. If you aren't going to shop local give a blogger a break!

At Amazon:

• People seem crazy for this series by George Martin and now that it is on HBO it is a sure winner for the Holidays. It is a series that I know both men and Women enjoy.

• With the Hunger Games coming out as a movie soon,  This trilogy will be a hot item.  And, for many fans the Companion volume is a certain favorite with your favorite YA fan!

With Amazon you can click each individual item or use the search in the right sidebar.

• Stiefvater's Shiver, Linger and Forever are the height of angst and romance in YA.
• And, Kirkus has labeled King's new book about time travel and the Kennedy assassination in its top ten for 2011.  And, it's a recent release so if your friendly Stephen King-ophile is on the reserved list at the library they'll be waiting...
• And, the new Kindle Fire is one hot potato this season! Get it for your sweetie.

POWELL'S

At Powell's they offer $3.99 flat-rate shipping on orders under $50 and free shipping $50 and over. Check at Powells.com for more details.

LIFE OF PI
This lavishly produced edition features 40 of Tomislav Torjanacs beautiful four-color illustrations and brings the bestselling, Man Booker Prize-winning "Life of Pi" to splendid, eye-popping life.

Harry Potter: Box set books 1 - 7 (right)

Now that the films are over the lure of the stories is ready and waiting for a new generation of young (and old) readers to fall in love with it.

The Hobbit

And, could you ever go wrong with the fantasy some may think started it all (after Grimm of course!) or started it all up again.

This three-volume boxed set reproduces the original version of one of literature's most famous stories and includes many little-known illustrations. Also included is an examination of how Tolkien came to write his original masterpiece along with a new edition of "The Hobbit."

CHRONICLE BOOKS

Until December 8, Chronicle is offering 35% off and free ground shipping.  Use the code FRIENDS at checkout. Just click on the banner below to go to their site and see some of what I tell you about.

Aside from beautiful books, Chronicle offers notepaper, Calendars, Craft kits and and more.

☜PLEASE CLICK LEFT to buy the books below or to see all they offer.

Ticket Stub Diary

There is a new type of keeper for the scrapbooking impaired (me). It is a Ticket Stub Journal. I keep stubs under my desk blotter which is not ideal. So I think this reasonably priced Ticket Stub Keeper is a great idea!

By Eric Epstein
6-7/8 x 7-13/16 in;
52 pp;
118 ticket sleeves
Hardcover Published in August,2006
ISBN 9780811854894
ISBN10 0811854892

The Sounds of Star Wars 

Any Star Wars fan can mimic Darth Vader's voice or Chewbacca's roar with ease. But how many of them would be able to identify the lion's roar used in the sound of the Millenium Falcon's engine? In this aurally astonishing and visually engaging book, New York Times best-selling author J. W. Rinzler reveals the illuminating history of the sounds that make the Star Wars universe so believable, as recounted by their creator, legendary sound designer Ben Burtt. An attached sound module with an exterior speaker and headphone jack lets readers listen to more than 250 unique sound effects, and more than 300 photographs illustrate the epic's many memorable scenes. From the first films to the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, The Sounds of Star Wars is Star Wars as you've never heard it before. http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/kids-teens/by-age/middle-grade-8-12-yrs/the-sounds-of-star-wars.html

By J. W. Rinzler,Foreword by Ben Burtt

11 x 11in;
304 pp;
300 color and b/w images throughout,
sound module with 250 audio tracks, Ages 8 and up
Hardcover Published August,2010
ISBN 9780811875462
ISBN10 0811875466

Bird Songs Bible

From the best-selling Bird Songs series comes the most comprehensive bird book ever published. Bird Songs Bible covers the sights and sounds of every single breeding bird in North America--nearly 750 in all. This utterly distinctive package features a state-of-the-art digital audio player that brings to life the birds' songs and calls with the touch of a button. ...A beautiful keepsake object, Bird Songs Bible is an essential volume for the true bird lover. http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/life-style/nature-science/bird-songs-bible.html

The Complete, Illustrated Reference for North American Birds

Edited by Les Beletsky,Featuring audio sounds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

13-1/2 x 14-1/4 in;
536 pp;
750 color illustrations, 750 maps, electronic sound module, carrying case (14-3/8 x 15 in)
Hardcover
Published in October, 2010
ISBN 9780811871389
ISBN10 081187138X

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