Random Acts of Kindness May 2011

 

The idea behind this is to choose a random person who has signed up through R.A.K. You then purchase a book(s) that is on their wishlist and send it to them. Then hopefully they pay it forward and gift a book to some other random person. And maybe if you're lucky you are gifted a book as well. How fabulous is that?!

This is my second month participating in R.A.K. When I started in April my goal was to send at least one book to a random person each month.

This month I sent Ascension by Caris Roane to Ally at Swept Away Again .

I received Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione from Lucy at Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf . Thank you, Lucy I already read it and I loved it!

Now it’s your turn to show me your R.A.K.

R.A.K is a wonderful idea dreamt up by the ladies of Book Soulmates . Here are the rules from their blog if you want to participate.

Rules:

• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)

• Create a wishlist and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
{Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wishlist and contact that blogger for their address. 

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!

{Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes :)
OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Lets's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Review & Giveaway: Dead Undead or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare

Dead Undead or Somewhere in Between  
by J.A. Saare
Publisher: Mundania Press
Released: May 3, 2011, Revised Edition
Series: Rhiannon’s Law - Book 1
Book Source: KLB Designs and Virtual Events

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day.

No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy.

She left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance; she managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her—until now.

The deliciously good-looking vampire, Disco, knows her secret. When he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, Rhiannon discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no.

But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

J.A. Saare is a multi-published author in varying genres and has written stories featured in horror magazines, zombie romance anthologies, and flash fiction contests. Her work has a notable dark undertone, which she credits to her love of old eighties horror films, tastes in music, and choices in reading, and have been described as “full of sensual promise,” “gritty and sexy,” and “a breath of fresh air.”

Currently she is penning numerous projects within the urban fantasy, erotic and contemporary, and of course, paranormal romance categories.

Those interested in her "naughtier" side can visit her alias, Aline Hunter, at www.alinehunter.com. 

Next up in the Rhiannon's Law Series is The Renfield Syndrome which is due out in August 2011.

For more of this author's awesome reads, Check out J.A. Saare's Bookshelf.

Or go stalk her on her Blog, Random Musings.

Purchasing Information

Mundania Press:

Ebook (all formats) and trade paperback 

Amazon:

Kindle ebook

(Trade paperback coming soon!)

This was my second time reading Dead Undead Or Somewhere In Between and it was just as fun reading it as the first time. The chemistry between Rhiannon and Gabriel (Disco) made me swoon. The dialogue between all of the characters made me laugh and fall in love with each of them.

Rhiannon Murphy is a smart, sassy, pool-hustling bartender from Miami who has a very special skill. She’s a necromancer. In plain speak she can see and speak to dead people even twice-dead vampires. It’s a talent she’s tried to keep hidden most of her life. But one slip up while hustling in a pool game has pulled her into an underworld she never dreamed existed. 

Disco (real name Gabriel) is a sexy vampire who is on the hunt for the person who is killing off his family and friends. He hires Rhiannon to help him find the killer. Since she can see the twice-dead, Rhiannon is able to communicate with the dead vampires and get clues as to who the killer is. She along with fellow necromancer, Goose pose as husband and wife to infiltrate the underground blood tastings that take place around the city. When word gets around in the underworld of Rhiannon’s unique ability she discovers that she will need protection that only Disco can give her to stay alive. She must agree to become one of his familiars and join his family. Even though she is attracted to him she is still pretty grossed out by the thought of having to drink blood. When the trail gets hot and they get a little too close to the truth, Rhiannon finds herself in a front row seat witnessing the grotesque murder of a vampire from a rival family. 

Rhiannon had some past childhood demons that she continued to wrestle with through most of the book. This explained her tough-girl, independent “I don’t need anyone” attitude. Even though Gabriel (Disco) could have read her mind and discovered her secrets at anytime, he was patient and let Rhiannon come to him on her own time.

"I'm not asking for your soul, Rhiannon. I'm only asking you take a chance. How long has it been since you've done that? Allow yourself to fall. I'll catch you." ~ Gabriel aka Disco

I really enjoyed Rhiannon’s and Gabriel’s (Disco) story. Their love story was so sweet. The dialogue was witty and the flow of the story was fast paced and suspenseful. You won’t want to put this book down! J.A. Saare did a superb job creating likable, fun characters. I can’t wait to see what happens with the secondary characters in the upcoming books.

I can’t reveal what happens at the end. You have to read the book to find out. But there is a major O.M.G cliff-hanger! But in this new edition of Dead Undead Or Somewhere In Between the first two chapters in the next book, The Renfield Syndrome are included.

I’m giving this novel 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Giveaway Time:

Thanks to the wonderful ladies at KLB Virtual Events, one lucky winner will receive a PDF copy of Dead Undead or Somewhere in Between. Open Internationally.

To Enter:

Leave a comment with your email address.
Entry deadline: Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 11:59pm (PT)

Winner will be announced and emailed soon after and will have 48 hours to respond.

Please visit the other blogs on this wonderful tour. There are other chances to win copies of this fabulous book!

Happy Follow Friday!

Hello again everyone and Thanks for stopping by!

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!

Here’s this week’s question:

Q. How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?

I read about 3-4 books per week in digital or paper form.

This week I have been reading 2 digital and 2 paper copies.

A Warrior’s Witch by Stacey Kennedy - ebook

A Little Harmless Lie by Melissa Schroeder - ebook

Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward – Hardback

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione – Paperback

What have you all been reading this week?

 

Review: Love Script - Deluxe Edition by Tiffany Ashley

Love Script – Deluxe Edition

By Tiffany Ashley

Publisher: Circle 1 Publishing, LLC

Release Date:  December 20th 2010

To get the deal … he’ll need her help.

Determined to land a huge advertising account for his company, Nicolas Sinclair gets a LITTLE carried away and tells the potential client he’s married and about to celebrate his first anniversary. Now, Nick has a serious problem—he has agreed to a high-stakes cruise with this important client and must find a willing “wife” to join him.

Laney Parks is either in the wrong place at the wrong time, or the right place at the right time—She isn’t sure which. She isn’t even entirely sure how she got roped into posing as her hunky boss’s wife. She finds “sticking to the script” SERIOUSLY unnerving, especially when it involves cuddling up and kissing in public—and sharing the close confines of a cabin, and its single bed, with him.

~From Goodreads

The book was a really good read. There was a load of sexual tension between the protagonists. I wanted them to have their Happily Ever After so badly.

Laney Parks is an assistant Art Director for Sinclair Corp. She hates her manager Mary-Knight who dumps all her work on Laney and then takes all the credit. The late nights and heavy work-load have taken its toll on Laney and she is more than ready for her 10 day Caribbean cruise with her boyfriend, Rob.

Nick Sinclair is the young CEO of Sinclair Corp, an advertising company started by his father. Sexy and super wealthy, Nick is a notorious womanizer who is used to getting what he wants. He has set his sights on getting a lucrative advertising contract with William Zelman’s company. When he finds out that Will is about to go on a cruise to celebrate his 13^th wedding anniversary, he quickly claims that he too is celebrating a wedding anniversary. One small problem: Nick isn’t married.

A few days prior to leaving on her romantic cruise, Laney walks in on her boyfriend getting down and dirty with a fellow attorney from his law firm. Broken-hearted, Laney decides to go on the cruise by herself. Nick finds himself alone in the ship’s boarding line when the woman that was supposed to act as his wife decides at the last minute to bail on him. Laney just happens to be the person standing right behind him in line when Will Zelman calls out to Nick. Both he and Laney turn at the same time to see Will and Vivian Zelman. Nick insists Laney wave her hand to them and so begins their romantic cruise acting as husband and wife. 

Despite, not even knowing Laney, Nick convinces her to act as his play wife and help him get the contract with Zelman. In return, he is to pay Laney ten-thousand dollars and promote her to VP of Art Direction. Not a bad deal right? 

This story was full of twists and turns as Laney and Nick acted as husband and wife in public but fought like cats and dogs in their suite. They also had competition with one of Nick’s rivals who were also pretending to be a married couple. But Cooper & Heidi seemed more interested in screwing Laney & Nick than each other.  Laney tried to deny her strong sexual attraction towards Nick but he stubbornly kept pursuing her until she finally gave in. Warning: Steamy, hot sex scenes and Nick is very attentive!

After the cruise the couple goes their separate ways while they wait for William Zelman’s decision. Neither Laney nor Nick wants to admit that they may have actual feelings towards one another. Lacey doesn’t even cash the check that Nick sends her in payment for “services” as his wife. I liked this couple a lot and hoped that Laney would get over her heartache with Rob and Nick would get over his playboy mentality so they could be together. You’ll have to read the book to see if these two get their HEA!

I give Love Script – Deluxe Edition 4 out of 5 stars

Happy Follow Friday!

Hello Everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends!

Here’s this week’s question:

Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...

1. I’m a bitch in the mornings so no one speaks to me before 10:00 a.m., unless I speak to them first. But once I’m fully awake – I really am a nice person. :-)

2. It drives me crazy if my things get misplaced by other people. I put everything back in the same spot every time.

3. I’m not as ADD as Parajunkee, but I’m usually reading 3 books at the same time.

  

4. I can’t go to sleep unless my bed has been made and the covers are smoothed out and pillows are lined up. The best feeling in the world is to slide underneath fresh linens that smell like Downy!

  

5. I write down every dream that I have and then look up the meanings of them online.

Review: Tender Mercies by Kitty Thomas

Tender Mercies
by Kitty Thomas

Publisher: Burlesque Press

Release Date: May 6, 2011

Book Source: Review copy from the Author

“Grace. That word that finally meant something again. Mercy. Favor. Good will.”

Fed up with play kink, Grace Warner moves to an island that embraces erotic slavery to be with a man she met online. Within hours of her arrival, everything is ripped from her, and she quickly learns play is preferable to the realities of actual enslavement.

Asher Collins has spent the past year mourning and blaming himself for the death of his slave, Darcy. When Grace catches his eye at a showing, obviously abused, he becomes obsessed with buying her and finding a way to atone for his own past sins

~ From Goodreads

This is Kitty Thomas’ third novel and probably the most emotional. I cried, worried, felt anger and disgust, worried some more, felt despair then hopefulness and finally I was awestruck at this author’s ingenious story-telling ability.

This is a story which depicts scenes of abuse, slavery, and dubious consent. The prologue is a tear-jerker. If you make it past the disclaimer, sit back & buckle up. You’re about to take a plane ride to Eleu, also known as the Island of Kink.

Grace Warner is a submissive who is bored with safe, sane and consensual play kink. She wants to be truly owned by a man. Ever since her best friend off-handedly mentions Eleu, Grace has been obsessed with thoughts of moving there. Eleu is an island where there are no human rights for the slaves. Once you enter the island you give up your citizenship and all your rights. That’s it. Once you agree to move there you become your master’s property in every sense of the word.

I was so worried for Grace as she was contemplating her decision to move to the Island of Kink. Her best friend, Lainey tries to no avail to convince Grace to find a Master in the real world. But after a year-long “courtship” with Lucas Stone, Grace is convinced that moving is the only way she can be happy. But how sure can you be about someone you’ve only known through chat and web-cam?

Fast-forward 8months into Grace’s life on Eleu. I was horrified and disgusted by Grace’s living situation.  She was kept nude and chained in Lucas’ dungeon under the most heinous conditions. She had been brutalized both physically and sexually in the vilest ways possible.  I felt angry at Lucas’ relentless assaults to strip Grace of her soul.  

“Tell me you’re mine, you worthless slut.”

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

“This slut is yours, Master.”

Only because it’s what he wants to hear.

She had to hold onto that thought and repeat it in her mind so she wouldn’t forget. Her body may have submitted to him, but she hadn’t yet lost her mind. ~ Lucas & Grace

Asher Collins lost his slave Darcy during an unfortunate night of punishment. He has mourned her for a year but his need to own another woman has re-emerge and he soon wants to buy another slave. He sees Grace at a showing and immediately feels a sense of compassion and lust towards her. He seeks atonement for Darcy’s death and feels that he can redeem himself by bringing Grace back to life. 

I became hopeful for Grace after Asher brought her home and patiently helps her to overcome her nightmares and fears. He was the perfect hero and quite a merciful master. There was nothing that Asher would not do to keep Grace safe. He would kill for her. 

“Grace, listen to me. I know you’re scared. You don’t have to feel any particular thing about any of this. So stop fighting with yourself. All of this is out of your control. I am taking what’s mine, but you can keep your heart. For now. You don’t have to give me everything, just your body. When your body trusts me, your mind will follow. Now open.” ~ Asher

Yes, Tender Mercies is erotica and there are slavery, rape, and disturbing themes but it’s also a compelling story about a woman’s psychological survival and the man who gets her through it and finds atonement along the way. Although Grace toiled in the depths of hell with the devil, she managed to survive it when her angel of mercy swooped down to rescue her.

As I mentioned earlier, I am in awe of Kitty Thomas’ storytelling abilities. I was deeply caught up in the psychological conditioning in her novel Comfort Food and was titillated by the kinky sexual training in Guilty Pleasures. But the plot twists and multi-layered characters in Tender Mercies have made this book one of my all-time favorites. 

This novel absolutely gets 5 out of 5 stars

In My Mailbox

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione - Thank you, Lucy @ Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf
Love Script:Deluxe Edition by Tiffany Ashley - Thank you, Ing @ As the Pages Turn
Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens  (ARC)- Giveaway (Goodreads - St.Martins Press)
On The Hunt - Anthology

For Review:
Tender Mercies by Kitty Thomas
Dead Undead or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare
Save My Soul by Zoe Winters

This is my  first In My Mailbox, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren inspired by Alea. For those of you who are not familiar with In My Mailbox, it is a showcase of the books you have received for review, have purchased, or have picked up at the library during the week.
What did you all get!?

Review: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione

Eternal Rider 

by Larissa Ione 

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Release Date: March 29th 2011

Series: Lords of Deliverance Book 1

They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him.

Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

~From Goodreads

Eternal Rider is the first novel that I have read by Larissa Ione and what a great introduction to her world. This is the first book in her Lords of Deliverance series. The four Horsemen are: Reseph (Pestilence), Ares (War), Limos (Famine), Thanatos (Death). These siblings are the product of a onetime sexual encounter between Lilith, a succubus demon and Yenrieth, a good angel. The brothers are sent to live in the human world while Limos is kept in Sheoul with her mother Lilith.

The brothers find out they are not human when demons rise up and try to use them against humans as they spread terror all over earth. After witnessing the murders of their human families and the destruction of their lands, the siblings rage war against the demons. Unfortunately, they manipulated and used humans to help them fight the demons. Because of their selfish disregard for human life and almost bringing about the end of mankind, the siblings are punished. They are charged as the keepers of Armageddon. Each is given a seal. If they defend their seals until the prophecy in the Bible comes to pass – they will save their own souls and mankind. But if they allow their seals to be broken prematurely they will turn evil and initiate the ultimate battle between good and evil.

In Eternal Rider we are introduced to Ares who is the Lord of War. He’s a sexy seven foot tall Alpha male who is still scarred from losing his wife and children to demons centuries ago. He’s a born leader and warrior who because of his seal is attracted to battlefields and fighting. His presence amongst humans incites anger and violence within them so he cannot mingle with them for long.

Cara Thornhart is a human who gets drawn in accidentally when a dying dog is brought to her home for treatment. This “dog” unbeknownst to her is really a hellhound from Sheoul. After saving his life with her special gift of healing the hellhound or Hal as she names him, bonds himself to her and so begins her journey into the underworld. Hal is soon kidnapped by a fallen angel named Sestiel who is the keeper of Ares’ agimortus. If Sestiel is killed then Ares’ seal will break and he will become War. 

Ares is able to track Sestiel to Cara’s home but not before he escapes with the hellhound. As Cara is now bonded to Hal and can sense where he is, Ares decides to take her home and use her to track the hellhound and angel. In the beginning, Cara is just a means to an end for Ares.  But then his agimortus is transferred to Cara before Sestiel’s death and it becomes a race against time to find another fallen angel that can carry the agimortus before it kills Cara.

There was plenty of action and violence in this book but it was balanced nicely with the romance between Ares and Cara. They developed feelings for each other slowly but it was a slow burn that culminated into some hot, sexy love scenes. Ms. Ione did an impeccable job of world-building and introducing us to the numerous cast of characters both new and old. As a new reader I was able to follow the story without feeling like I was missing out on any back story from her Demonica stories. I’m looking forward to the next installment, Immortal Rider which is due out in December 2011.

Eternal Rider gets 3.5 out of 5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday: The Fallen: Demon

The Fallen: Demon

 by Kristina Douglas

Release Date: May 31, 2011 - Pocket

Once the Fallen’s fearless ruler, a grieving Azazel must find the legendary siren meant to take his lost lover’s place . . . and kill her. 

He’s a devil of an angel. 

Azazel should have extinguished the deadly Lilith when he had the chance. Now, faced with a prophecy that will force him to betray the memory of his one true love and wed the Demon Queen, he cannot end her life until she leads him to Lucifer. Finding the First is the Fallen’s only hope for protecting mankind from Uriel’s destruction, but Azazel knows that ignoring his simmering desire for the Lilith will be almost as impossible. 

She’s an angel of a demon. 

Rachel Fitzpatrick wonders how Azazel could confuse her with an evil seductress. She’s never even been interested in sex! At least not before she set eyes on her breathtaking captor. And now she can’t think about anything else—besides escape. 

Angels and demons don’t mix. 

Rachel stirs a carnal need in Azazel that he never thought he’d feel again. Falling for a demon—even if she has no idea she’s the Lilith—means surrendering his very soul. But if he lets her go, he risks abandoning his heart, his dangerous lover, and possibly all of humanity, to Uriel’s deadly wrath.

This is the second novel in Kristina Douglas’ The Fallen series. I really enjoyed the first book, The Fallen: Raziel and am really looking forward to Azazel's story.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to showcase the books we can’t wait to get our hands on.

Review: Guilty Pleasures by Kitty Thomas

Guilty Pleasures 
by Kitty Thomas

Publisher: Burlesque Press

Release Date:  December 14th 2010

Vivian Delaney leads a life of privilege, but behind closed doors she feels isolated and trapped in a gilded cage. Unable to achieve sexual pleasure with her husband, she finds herself in the capable hands of Anton, a massage therapist intent on awakening her to her full sexual potential. By any means necessary.

As their secret meetings progress, she falls farther down a rabbit hole where the line between rape and illicit affair grows increasingly blurred. Anton will accept nothing short of her complete surrender as he molds and shapes her to be sold to the highest bidder.
~ From Goodreads 

I was eagerly anticipating Ms. Thomas’ new book Guilty Pleasures. She is one of the best writers of erotica. I read the book in one night and was not disappointed. I was completely sucked into Vivian’s desperate housewife life. At first you don’t want to feel sorry for her as she is completely self absorbed and treats her husband horribly. All Michael wants is for his wife to be happy but she cannot see past her own inhibitions and selfishness to give him anything other than dead fish sex. But soon Vivian is going to get caught up in a world of sexual submission she has only briefly fantasized about.

Frustrated with his wife’s frigidity, Michael sends Vivian to see a sex therapist. During their first meeting Dr. Lindsay Smith concludes that Vivian is too uptight and may benefit from the help of a massage therapist. She is then sent to a spa called Dome which is run by a sexy Russian named, Anton.

“Relax my dear. Dr. Smith was correct. You are quite a closed-budded flower. We will open you.”

 He made it sound so sexual and wrong.

“Are you going to rape me?”

“No. I’m just going to make you come for me, Vivian. I’m going to make you purr my name."

(I would like the next massage appointment with Anton, please!!)

So begins Vivian’s sexual re-awakening at the capable hands of Anton. Through sexual blackmail, Vivian is coerced to make twice weekly visits to Anton and pay him for his “treatment”. After Michael learns of her expensive massage appointments he restricts access to her bank account and she is no longer able to pay Anton.  This of course is not a problem because Anton is willing to accept sex as payment. If she doesn’t agree he’ll show Michael all the video of their massage sessions. Even though Vivian is unhappy in her marriage to Michael she doesn’t want to give up the security he can give her and deep down she loves him. So she agrees and falls deeper into Anton’s trap.

Eventually she is taken to Anton’s mansion where she has no way to escape. Vivian is introduced to Gabe and learns that he, Lindsay and Anton will be her trainers. She is told that she will be trained to be a sexual slave and sold to the highest bidder. The mansion is full of other women and more trainers. Vivian has her own room, there’s a cafeteria, gym, library, dungeons and a pool. It reminded me of the Playboy mansion where everyone was there to party and have fun. Kitty’s story telling ability is amazing because at times I forgot that Anton’s mansion wasn’t a fun house but a real business turning women into sexual slaves.

Vivian’s training is intense and the scenes are wild and oh so HOT! You will fall in love with all the trainers. I thought the HEA was fabulous. Guilty Pleasures is definitely not for the faint of heart. Very intense BDSM but if you have a depraved mind like me, you’ll love it!

4.5 out of 5 Stars

*Originally Reviewed in December 2010 on Goodreads*