Saturday, October 30, 2010

Authors Chatting!

The Romance Reviews


Join us at The Lounge, where authors are chatting, about books and about everything and anything. Come check us out!

Romance Section : http://theromancereviews.com/thelounge.php

Erotic Romance Section : http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/thelounge.php

GLBT Section : http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/thelounge.php

Film Review: Life As We Know It



My friends dragged me to watch a movie, saying that "all work and no play makes Carole a dull girl." Well, that's not the kind of play I was exactly hoping for, but anyway...the movie did take my mind off work and its myriad worries for a couple of hours. It was laugh-out-loud funny in a lot of places and the toddler was sweet. The story dealt with the joys and troubles of parenthood with a comic touch (so, it's probably much harder than it looked), as well as the budding relationship between the two lead characters who originally couldn't stand one another.

The best thing the film had going for it was the eye candy. Eye candy for the guys (Katherine Heigl) and eye candy for the girls (Josh Duhamel and Josh Lucas). Yay for girl power! Coz we got two gorgeous guys to drool over. Josh Duhamel even paraded naked! Thought that would catch your attention. Sorry, he had something on that covered the really interesting parts. LOL (as you can see in the poster for the movie)

Great acting all around, but in my opinion, the toddler stole the show! :)

I needed a few laughs, man candy to drool and sigh over, a decent storyline that's easy to follow, and this movie fits the bill perfectly. Two hours well spent, and with good friends to boot. (Note: The two hours included going to and from the cinema, so the actual movie hours is less than that.)

Friday, October 29, 2010

November 2010 onwards...

We've been sadly lacking in posts this October, but that's about to change in November. (hopefully)

We're really swamped catering to the demands of the review site...and speaking of which, we're still looking for more reviewers! You must love ebooks and romance, that's our only criteria. The rest, we can work out. :) So, if you're interested, shoot me an email at caroletrr(@)gmail.com

Anyway, as I was saying, we hope to go back to our regular schedule with review posts and contests posts. Author interviews to come soon...

And the winners of "True Vows", "Celebration Contest", and "Paranormal Giveaway (from Hachette)" will all be announced on October 31.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Blog-a-Thon Giveaway: a Nook! (among others)

Message from Annie Nichols:

Halloween is here! To celebrate, my author blog group, Paranormal Romantics, is having a huge Blog-a-Thon this weekend.

Thirty different authors are joining us, with thirty different blogs, and thirty contests.

To raise the bar we are also giving away a NOOK!

For more info: http://www.paranormalromantics.blogspot.com

Click on Halloween Blog-a-Thon page.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Bound by Rebellion and A Ghostly Menage

Christa Paige is giving away a copy of her book, BOUND BY REBELLION.

Join here! International. Contest ends 10/29, 1159pm EST.

 
 
Katiya and Lucas are blood-bound mates. Nearly a decade ago, their idyllic relationship quickly devolved into one of animosity. Furious with Luke's meddling in her privacy, Katiya left him. Except they have a pesky issue that continues to bind them together--they must carry on sharing their blood or face the deadly consequences, literally.

Ten years have passed since Kat moved out. Now, their estrangement is firmly in place and she is desperate to get on with her life. So desperate that she will even rebel against the long-held convictions of her people. Secretly, she has formed an infatuation for a co-worker. Tonight, she plans to take it to the next level.

Luke is unhappy with their tenuous situation. He is prepared to do anything to win her back. He wants her in his arms where he can show her the depths of his need. If seduction is the key to their reconciliation, he is more than ready to take her to new levels of pleasure. He needs her home with him to keep her safe and secure.

Once Kat takes a drastic step to alter her life, she comes face to face with a sinister threat. Lucas must find her in time, and when he does, he promises, on his life, that nothing will keep them apart ever again.

 

~  o  O  o  ~

Eve Langlais is giving away a copy of her book, A GHOSTLY MENAGE.

Join here! International. Contest ends 10/29, 1159pm EST.


Forget ghosts who rattle chains, try living with ones that like to grope.

Jenna, desperate for change, buys a repossessed home on a whim. The townsfolk claim it's haunted, but Jenna's pretty sure all it needs is some filler to stop the drafts. But before long, even she has to admit, there's more going on here than the vagaries of an old house. And whatever it is keeps making her panties damp and her dreams hot.

Derrick and Mark, werewolf twins, are stuck in their house as disembodied spirits all because of an evil witch. When their fated mate suddenly becomes the new owner, they end up taking haunting to a whole new erotic level.

Can Jenna save the alpha brothers and if she does, can she handle a forever after with not one, but two men?

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

REVIEW: Hard to Hold by Julie Leto



4 stars
Reviewed by Michelle

It is a brand new day for romance readers as HCI Books launches its True Vows Romance Series based on real life romances as delicious as any of our favorite fairy tales. Bestselling author Julie Leto braves this new frontier as she releases one of the three initial books in the series, and all I can say is Michael Davoli can give any vampire a run for his money in the romance department. Ooh la la...

Read more.


Last day to enter our contest! You may comment here in this post too.

Due to the busyness of our schedule, the winner will be picked this weekend, together with the winners of the Celebration Contest. So come back and check.

In the meantime, have you checked out our gorgeous site? Nah, not just me talking but everyone else! We also got daily reviews and contests and updates to our books database. So come check us out. If you haven't yet, you're missing a lot!

Monday, October 25, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Twelve Nights and Hurt Me So Good

Hope Tarr is giving away a signed print copy of her book, TWELVE NIGHTS. 

Join here. International! Contest ends 10/26, 1159pm EST.


Bad boy Callum Fraser is head over heels for the first time in his life. Only his beloved, the Lady Alys, is keeping him out of her bed until their wedding Christmas morning. It's enough to drive a man crazy!

Still, he intends to make up for his restraint. There are many ways to seduce, and Callum's a master at all of them. His goal? To leave Alys shivering in desire, anticipating the many delicious ways he'll bring her pleasure on their wedding night and throughout the twelve days of Christmas.

At least that's the plan...until Alys's dead first husband shows up, very much alive!

~ o  O  o ~

Joely Sue Burkhart is also giving away a copy of her book, HURT ME SO GOOD. Our reviewer, Michelle, gave it a 5-star review! "Hats off to Ms. Burkhart as she has once again proven herself a master of developing complex, likeable characters in a world most view as unpalatable."

Join here. International! Contest ends 10/26, 1159pm EST.




One sub to please the Master…in any way he wishes.

Victor Connagher is no stranger to the Dallas BDSM scene. As CEO of a risqué cable channel that caters to adventurous adults, he ensures the lifestyle is portrayed in a positive light. He even supports a local bondage club. Yet behind the cool, confident mask, Victor lives in fear.

Once, and only once, he lost control of his inner Dom—and it cost him his fiancée. Now, no one knows how hard he works to keep his darker appetite for pain buried. No matter how much his saucy, confident associate producer makes his fingers itch to once again take up his riding crop.

Shiloh Holmes is a sub, but she's no doormat. She's always suspected Victor has the skills to feed her insatiable need for pain, and now she's found the perfect way to crack his formidable control. Develop a new reality show, America's Next Top sub…and dare him to compete.

Week after week, as Shiloh fearlessly challenges the real Victor to come out of hiding, he realizes his past mistake was only a blow to his pride. If he loses Shiloh, he could lose his heart.

Warning: Explicit sex, BDSM, reality television, a very reluctant Dom, an audacious sub willing to do anything to win for him, and one very wicked riding crop.

Friday, October 22, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many by Heather Wardell

Heather Wardell is graciously giving away a print copy of her book, SEVEN EXES ARE EIGHT TOO MANY. Our reviewer, Danielle G, gave it a 4-star review! "Seven Exes Are Eight Too Many is a well-written romantic comedy that is both laugh-out-loud at moments and tremendously sweet at other times"

Join here. International! Contest ends 10/23, 1159pm EST. (Familiar date, huh!)



The fiercely private Madeleine-Cora Spencer is the last person who should be on a reality TV show, but when she's shunned by a friend's new wife because "you can't trust desperate single women" her pain and humiliation drive her straight to the "Find Your Prince" dating show's web site.

Armed with date-appropriate clothes and a detailed game plan she arrives to meet her potential loves, only to be dumped... on a remote island with seven ex-boyfriends.

Seven exes! Could this be any worse?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Goal Reached: 402 followers!

I thought I was busy when I was blogging, but managing a review site is a whole different ball game! Everything multiplied by 1,000. LOL Seriously, I'm sorry for being behind on my review posts, and I hope to catch up during the weekend. I haven't been visiting the blogs I normally do either! I'm sure I'm missing out a lot on the happenings in Blogland. :(

In other, better news, we've reached 402 followers!!! Congratulations, everyone! Now, our prizes are:

GC - $40
Print Books - 8
Ebooks - 9 (including Autumn Jordon's Evil Witness)

Wow!!! Prizes galore!

October 23 is but a few days away!!! Help us tweet/spread the news about the review site for triple the chances on Twitter, Facebook or your blog! For example, one tweet = 3 chances. The review site link is: http://www.theromancereviews.com




Thanks a lot!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Whittling the TBR (5)



grab the following code for your
blog




Whittling the TBR is an event hosted by The Romance Reviews on Tuesday every fortnight (2nd and 4th Tuesdays), that aims to decrease the TBR pile one book at a time. The purpose of this event is two-fold: 1.) to help book lovers tackle their ever-growing TBR pile as part of a community effort, and 2.) to bring not-so-recently published books to light.

Reading is a solitary event, but let's do it together!

Pick out a book (or two) that's been languishing in your TBR pile for six months or more with the intention to read (and finish) it this week. On the 5th Tuesday of the month (where the month has a 5th Tuesday), we'll have a Whittling the TBR Brag Day wherein we'll give a mini review  of the books we've read or a full review, if that's your preference.

The book I chose for this week is



Explore new heights of sensuality in this return to the world of the Psy—where two people who know evil intimately must unlock the good within their icy hearts...

As an Arrow, an elite soldier in the Psy Council ranks, Judd Lauren was forced to do terrible things in the name of his people. Now a defector, his dark abilities have made him the most deadly of assassins—cold, pitiless, unfeeling. Until he meets Brenna...

Brenna Shane Kincaid was an innocent before she was abducted—and had her mind violated—by a serial killer. Her sense of evil runs so deep, she fears she could become a killer herself. Then the first dead body is found, victim of a familiar madness. Judd is her only hope, yet her sensual changeling side rebels against the inhuman chill of his personality, even as desire explodes between them. Shocking and raw, their passion is a danger that threatens not only their hearts, but their very lives...

Available at Book Depository (print).

Monday, October 18, 2010

GIVEAWAY! Kismet's Kiss by Cate Rowan

Cate Rowan is giving away a copy of Kismet's Kiss! Contest ends 10/20, 1159pm EST. Check it out here.




*** KISMET'S KISS is a two-time RWA Golden Heart? Finalist and a winner of the Duel on the Delta, Molly, and Put Your Heart in a Book contests. ***

In the desert realm of Kad, a deadly epidemic strikes the palace of Sultan Kuramos. Only a magical healer from an enemy land may have the skill to save his household. He doesn't realize that healer is a woman.

Varene finds her own surprises in Kad. She expects the sultan's arrogance, but not his courage or his selfless care of the ill?or the possibility that the epidemic is the curse of a vengeful goddess.

Kaddite culture condemns Varene's mystical talents and her presence triggers a plot to overthrow Kuramos. Yet as he and the healer toil for the cure, he loses his heart to her. She falls for him as well, but how can she relinquish her homeland and her principles for him?especially when he already has a harem and his family may be cursed?

Sunday, October 17, 2010

GIVEAWAYS: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, The Black Seduction and Storming Hell's Gate

Awesome giveaways over at The Romance Reviews! Ends 10/15, 11:59 pm EST.


A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.

Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.



Raul VicMoran and Angela Kalucian will not tolerate what Colony is doing to their kind, the jaguars. One of the leaders in the community is making arrangements with the humans to sell their services as mercenaries. Hired killers. To hunt, capture and eliminate someone else’s prey. The level of humiliation is too strong to endure.

After fleeing Colony, Raul and his two male littermates travel through the mountains, south into the desert and finally the jungle as they work their way to Central America where the only other known colony of jaguars live. Raul and Angela’s love for each other blossoms during their trials and ordeals traveling. Angela also comes to respect all three VicMoran males to the point where she feels protective of them. Raul knows in his heart, without any doubt, Angela is his female. No one will ever challenge him for her. But for one night, in the complete blackness of the heart of the jungle, all three VicMoran males will share Angela, truly bonding the four of them together for life.

Reader Advisory: These jaguars aren’t your everyday cuddly tabby cats. The males are wild and feral, the females are strong and won’t roll over to have their tummies rubbed. Heck, they even make leopards seem domesticated. If you like jaguars, want your loving untamed and fierce, then come take a ride on the wild side…if you can stand the heat.


For millennia, Archangel Michael has performed his duty with pride and unfailing commitment, but when a human begins to creep into his thoughts, Michael puts aside his duty to follow his heart.

Storming Hell’s Gate to rescue the human, Draco, goes beyond want. It is a need he can’t explain, even to himself. What is it about the human that calls to his soul? Archangels were created to be warriors not lovers, but one touch from Draco, and Michael’s body cries out for more.

Loving the human could cost him his position in Heaven, but not loving Draco would cost him his soul.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

GIVEAWAYS: Butterfly Swords, Fancy Free and Playing for Real

Three wonderful authors are having giveaways at The Romance Reviews. International! Ends Oct 14, 1159pm EST! Don't miss this!



Journey to the very edge of honor, loyalty . . . and love



During China's infamous Tang Dynasty, a time awash with luxury, yet littered with deadly intrigues and fallen royalty, betrayed Princess Ai Li flees before her wedding. Miles from home, with only her delicate butterfly swords for a defense, she enlists the reluctant protection of a blue-eyed warrior?

Battle-scarred, embittered Ryam has always held his own life at cheap value. Ai Li's innocent trust in him and honorable, stubborn nature make him desperate to protect her ?which means not seducing the first woman he has ever truly wanted?
 


It's not every day a girl inherits a condom company, and to say accountant Alice Beasley is astonished and out of her depth is putting it mildly. For an almost virgin, she needs a quick education in all things condom because her inheritance is in danger. Someone is intent on sabotage and playing nasty, trying to destroy her new company.

Alice is suddenly getting down and dirty with charismatic James, the factory manager, all in the name of business, testing new condom designs. The sex is hot. Mind-blowing. It's a dark thrill and an erotic journey. Yeah, it's a hard job, but a girl's got to do what a girl's gotta do.

The testing turns personal. Alice wants James. She craves his talented touch and sultry kisses, she desires passion and physical pleasure on a permanent basis but first she must convince bad-boy James to give up his fancy-free ways?

Warning: Condoms were tested and a few harmed during the writing of this story.


Shelli could never have foreseen how one revised board game was going to change her life forever.

It all begins when she's preparing to attend her company's annual dinner and dance party with her best friends, Adrian and Ethan. She gets more than she bargained for when lust hits her right between the eyes the moment she catches them in flagrante delicto. Later, she is tormented by fantasies of threesomes. But how can she risk their long-time friendship for sex?

Adrian and Ethan are happy as a couple, but they want Shelli too. After several failed seduction maneuvers, they decide to give it one last try by seducing her with an erotic board game specially designed to set them all afire.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

FINALLY! Review site launched!!! and other stuff



After so long, the review site is finally launched! We're open for everybody's viewing. Check us out at: http://theromancereviews.com

Do sign up! Membership is free!

We have four new reviews everyday, and soon, we'll have more authors to join the site for you to chat with!

More contests for you to join too--one in each section! What's that? What do I mean? Head on over, and you'll see what I'm talking about!
~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Oh, and we're at 399 members here at the blog!!! Just one more and we'll reach 400! We have to reach 400 before October 23 for the top prize to be $40 GC! Get your friends to come!

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Sorry for the delay in picking the winner for Eve Silver's contest (and I blame it all on the launch. LOL). 

So the winner of a copy of SINS OF THE FLESH by Eve Silver is....

*drumroll*



jmspettoli!!!

Congratulations!

Please send your name and mailing address to caroletrr @ gmail.com. Thanks to all the participants! Go and get your copies of Eve Silver's books. The entire trilogy is available now!

Whittling the TBR (4)



grab the following code for your
blog




Whittling the TBR is an event hosted by The Romance Reviews on Tuesday every fortnight (2nd and 4th Tuesdays), that aims to decrease the TBR pile one book at a time. The purpose of this event is two-fold: 1.) to help book lovers tackle their ever-growing TBR pile as part of a community effort, and 2.) to bring not-so-recently published books to light.

Reading is a solitary event, but let's do it together!

Pick out a book (or two) that's been languishing in your TBR pile for six months or more with the intention to read (and finish) it this week. On the 5th Tuesday of the month (where the month has a 5th Tuesday), we'll have a Whittling the TBR Brag Day wherein we'll give a mini review  of the books we've read or a full review, if that's your preference.

The book I chose for this week is


Go deeper into the world of the Psy and the changelings, where a gifted woman sees passion in her future-a passion that is absolutely forbidden by her kind...

Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn...

Available at Book Depository (print).

Thursday, October 7, 2010

THE DARK SIDE: David Bridger

The Dark Side aims to shed light on that deep, dark, mysterious side of an author, a face that she rarely, if ever, shows to the public. What secret is she hiding behind that enigmatic smile on her official photo (if any)? what juicy tidbit is she keeping from the world? What are some of the things that she liked, things we would never know, because it's not part of her bio?

Today, we have with us DAVID BRIDGER, author of BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD, whose book we've reviewed here. And we apologize to David, because this post should've gone up ages ago...

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Having spent two years paralysed with my every need being met by successive shifts of nurses, and then several more years at the mercy of medics while I regained mobility, I'm pretty much immune to physical embarrassment. Emotional embarrassment, though, is a different matter. I once made a professional mistake at sea that nearly cost two men their lives. I fixed it immediately, and they lived, but they wouldn't have required rescuing if I hadn't let my concentration wander for a moment. My belly still fills with hot shame when I remember that day.

Imagine that for some reason, your lights suddenly went out! What would be the first thing you’d do or say?
Do: Roll eyes.
Say: Shit.

What is the most romantic thing your SO has done under the cover of darkness?
Woke me to make gentle love, early on the January morning of the day I had to go away to war.

Who is your favorite dark character? Why?
Bram Stoker's Dracula, as played by Gary Oldman. I've always loved the book, especially my copy with its gorgeous pen and ink drawings, and never expected to love it as much on the screen. But the film is (whisper this) ...even better.

What dark-themed books do you enjoy and would recommend? Why?
Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series. Books 1,2 and 3 were released back-to-back this summer, with more to come next year. They held me spellbound. This is simply the best urban fantasy I've ever read.

Lightning Round.

white or dark chocolate : dark
milk or coffee : coffee
night or day : night
coke or 7-up : coke
New York cheesecake or black forest cake : black forest cake
vampire or werewolf : werewolf
football game or candlelit dinner : candlelit dinner
ebook or print : both
spring or autumn : autumn
sweet or salty : salty
kitten or puppy : puppy
cook or take-out : take-out

Check out David's website: http://www.davidbridger.com/

And his debut paranormal Beauty and the Bastard.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

WINNER: Pillow Talk by Ruth Hartman

 
*drumroll*



Congratulations to....



pams00@...!

A big thank you to Ruth for hosting this contest, and thank you to all the particpants!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

REVIEW: Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver




ISBN 9780373774821
Series: Otherkin, Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
(c) August 2010, HQN
Eve Silver's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available at Book Depository (print).

A mesmerizing new series featuring Egyptian gods and an age-old feud, hot passion, conflicting loyalties and a spine-tingling murder mystery guaranteed to put you on the edge of your seat.

Roxy Tam didn't know what a lucky escape she had eleven years before when she'd met a soul reaper who could've take her life but didn't. Yet, something about her had captivated Dagan Krayl, soul reaper and the eldest son of Sutekh, Lord of Chaos. So much so that long after he set her free, he dreamed about her, when soul reapers didn't dream. He never expected she'd become his enemy, a Daughter of Aset, or that she'd work at cross purposes with him when he wanted to resurrect his murdered brother...

First off, I find this novel refreshing due to the new mythology used as the background. Certainly, Sutekh wasn't someone who was very familiar, and the soul reapers were an interesting twist from the specter of Death, who collects souls. For soul reapers only collect the vilest of souls for Sutekh's ingestion and enjoyment, and the foremost of these soul reapers are Sutekh's four sons.

Dagan as the eldest felt a great responsibility and guilt at the death of his youngest brother, and he would stop at nothing until he found the murderer and resurrected Lokan. Though the four sons who are born of different mothers despised their father, they have however, formed a strong bond with each other when they finally met, and this was evidenced in the way each of the three remaining brothers was driven to find the murderer and bring their brother Lokan back.

Our heroine, Roxy Tam, is a kick-ass heroine with a smart mouth and she's more than a match for Dagan, who needed a strong woman to handle him. She's also a contradiction and experienced much angst as she was torn between acting on her attraction to Dagan or fighting him as he was the enemy (she was a Daughter of Aset) and for abandoning her just when she needed him the most. I thought their romance sort of took a back seat as Ms. Silver took up much of the first half in building her world, but from the first moment Roxy and Dagan met again after 11 years, sparks flew, as much from passion as from the fight scenes with fire creatures out to get Roxy.

Still, the worldbuilding was well-done without overwhelming the reader with needless information. I was particularly intrigued with Dagan's scene with Anubis, and the description was so vivid that I had to stop and process. Yeah, try imagining literally taking out your heart and placing it on a scale. I also like that the mystery of Lokan's death stumps even the characters. For one, Lokan as a half-god, half-mortal son of Sutekh, shouldn't be easy to kill. For another, when he dies, he should be in the Underworld, but the brothers could find no trace of him. They couldn't even sense him.

The central plot surrounding Lokan's murder spans the entire series, so some threads are left unsolved at the end of this book, but I still enjoyed the story and the cliffhanger only makes me eager to dive into the next book.

Reviewed by Ashia


Book Summary:

Half human, half god, Dagan Krayl is the Underworld's most powerful soul reaper. When one of his brothers is murdered, Dagan must use every ounce of his power to hunt down those responsible for his brutal death. But he must move swiftly—and carefully—if he's to have any chance of resurrecting his brother.

Yet that resurrection could wreak havoc on the mortal world. As an Otherkin, Roxy Tam has sworn to protect the human race, and it's her mission to stop Dagan. But when she sees him face-to-face, she realizes that she has seen him once before—a meeting that changed her life forever.

Neither Dagan nor Roxy expect to join forces for the sake of mankind. Or to have their loyalties tested as they struggle against the potent desire that threatens to consume them both...

Don't forget our giveaway! Ends 10/6, 1159 pm EST.

GIVEAWAY and GUEST AUTHOR: Eve Silver

Hey, Eve, welcome to the blog!

Thanks for inviting me to visit The Romance Reviews.

I have to admit that I first heard of you through your gothic novels, but other than that, I know nothing about you. So, please tell us about yourself. How did you go into writing as a career?

I wrote my first book when I was nine. It was the story of an unwanted teddy bear that found a new and loving home. I actually submitted that book to a publisher and received my first rejection letter. I went on to different jobs...pumped gas...sold shoes...had a student position in medical research...got two post-secondary degrees. I worked in health care and after that taught human anatomy before taking a position as a director of academic education. But all along, my heart yearned for the chance to tell stories. So I told them, and after hundreds of rejections, I made my first sale in 2005.

How inspiring! How long have you been writing? What advice can you give to aspiring writers?

As I mentioned, I’ve been writing on and off since I was a kid. My advice is simple. Write the book. If you really want to be a writer, don’t just say it. Sit down and do it. There’s always something that will demand your time—make time to write. And when you have that first book finished, send it out. Rejections sting, but remember that they aren’t personal. That book just isn’t right for that editor/agent at that particular moment. I’ve worked with seven editors and two agents to date. Almost all of them were among those who sent me rejection letters at some point in the past. Keep writing. Keep submitting.

Now, let’s come to your newest trilogy, Sins of the Heart (Aug 2010), Sins of the Soul (Sept 2010) and Sins of the Flesh (Oct 2010). What gave you the idea for this series? What is the unifying theme that holds these three books together?

I’m super excited about these books. They’re dark and gritty and sexy. The books didn’t stem from a single spark or inspiration, but rather from a perfect alignment of circumstance and planning. I started researching mythology: Egyptian, Japanese, Greek, Norse, to name a few. I wanted to create a vast world that incorporated elements of all these. On the most basic level, the books are about family, about the quest by three brothers to find—and punish—those who killed their youngest sibling. But the books are also about loyalty. About choices and sacrifices. And love.

Why make the four brothers the sons of Sutekh, the Lord of Chaos, who is not a very um, nice god? Why not make them the progeny of some more benevolent god/goddess?

I was toying with a question about whether villains could be heroes, about whether three men who are not good or kind or noble could be heroic to the reader. They just naturally evolved as sons of Sutekh.

Please describe each of the four brothers by using one word that describes the core essence of who they are. Who among the four brothers is your favorite? Why?

Just one word? Aaack! I don’t think I can do it, so I’ll take some writerly leeway and use more than one ;-)

Dagan (SINS OF THE HEART) was trapped in the Underworld, raised by demi-demons, never learning of his human heritage until he was grown. He has a few problems with emotion.

Alastor (SINS OF THE SOUL) was raised by a wealthy, titled human family. Then one day, dear old dad—Sutekh—blew in like a storm and ripped Alastor’s sheltered, privileged world to shit. Which left Alastor with control issues.

Malthus (SINS OF THE FLESH) lived in abject poverty, raised by his mother’s sister who had five kids of her own and blamed Mal for his mother’s death. Mal learned to fend for himself early on. He took to petty thievery, then piracy. Mal hasn’t changed much. Some habits are hard to kick.

And Lokan? Well, he’s still a mystery, isn’t he? I’d love to hear what readers think about who Lokan is after they’ve read the first three books in the series.

With regard to Sins of the Flesh, which came out in October, what made this son of Sutekh perfect for Calliope, a Daughter of Aset, when their “parents” are sworn enemies?

Mal’s an adrenaline-junkie bad boy who mouths off to his überlord god of a father just for fun, and dives into danger because it gives him a high. Calliope’s cool and calm and serene, an impenetrable force by training and choice. She’s not one to take chances or let down her walls. What makes them perfect for each other? Opposites attract, and when they do, sparks fly. Never mind fly...they ignite.

What is your favorite line in Sins of the Flesh?

I have a lot of fave lines, but here’s an exchange that I like because I think it tells a great deal about the characters:

Mal tells Calliope: “Whatever has you spooked, you’re fine. You’re safe. I’m not going to hurt you.”

A bubble of laughter tickled her throat, and she choked it back.

No, I’m not safe.

And I just might hurt you.

We noticed you have another book in the series, Sin’s Daughter. Can you tell us a little bit about that? How is it connected to the trilogy?

Sin’s Daughter is the story of Kai Warin and Amber Hale. He’s a soul reaper who has an important behind-the-scenes role in Sins of the Heart, and an even more important on-the-page role in Sins of the Flesh. She’s a...well, I’ll keep that to myself for now and you’ll understand why when you read Sin’s Daughter.

The story is a novella-length prequel to the events that unfold in Dagan, Alastor and Mal’s stories. It was a challenge to write a story that tied in to the three main books, while at the same time making it optional reading. It is currently available only as an e-read. I was aware that not everyone reads e-books, so I needed to keep the information fresh and relevant, while making sure that readers wouldn’t be lost if they didn’t have a chance to read the prequel.

I’ve been to your website and saw you’ve written other books as well. Which among them seems to be a readers’ favorite? Can you tell us about that/those book/s?

It’s hard to pick a reader favorite because I get email about all my stories. I still get a ton of feedback about DRIVEN and HIDDEN—the post-apocalyptic books I wrote under the name Eve Kenin—from readers wanting another story set in the Northern Waste. I also get a lot of emails asking for another book about the Compact of Sorcerers to continue the world created in DEMON’S KISS and DEMON’S HUNGER. I get emails asking for more historical suspense/gothic stories, as well, especially SEDUCED BY A STRANGER and HIS WICKED SINS, both of which were very dark, suspenseful books.

But right now, I’m focusing on the world of Dagan and Alastor and Malthus. The next book, BODY OF SIN will be out in June 2011, and another book after that to be out in the fall of 2011.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Awesome Otherkin book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsPC_Bo833c
Website: http://www.evesilver.net/
Blog: http://www.evesilver.net/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Eve_Silver
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evesilverbooks
Newsletter: evesilvernewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


Check out our review of SINS OF THE HEART, to be posted later in the day.
 

A signed copy of SINS OF THE FLESH (pubbed October 2010) is up for grabs! US/Canada only, and no P.O. Boxes, please.
 
How to Enter:
 
1. Answer this question: If you've read Eve's books before, which is your favorite and why? If you've not read any of Eve's books, which do you want to read and why?
2. Be a follower! (GFC, Twitter, FB or GR). Old followers are automatically entered.
 
Note: No answer + no follower = no chance to enter
 
Additional Chances to Win:
 
Each time you spread news of this contest (via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc) earns you one point as well. Be sure to come back and give us the link of your tweet or announcement.
 
Contest Duration: October 5 - 6, 1159pm EST
 
Contest Winner Announcement: October 7
 
The winner will be selected via Randomizer.org. Be sure to come back and check the Winner Announcement post because instructions to claim your prize will be written there.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Exclusive Peek: Pillow Talk by Ruth Hartman





 Exlusive Excerpt: 

Three days later, Trixie showed up for her 1:00 dental appointment. She took a seat in the waiting area. She was determined not to let Korkie get under her skin. And she was especially determined that Graham wouldn’t either. Although the more she thought about the luscious dentist even touching her skin…Stop it Trixie! Stop it this instant! 

“Oh, hello, Trixie. Are we ready for our appointment?” the dental assistant crossed her arms and smirked at her. 

Trixie looked up and smiled sweetly. “Hello, Korkie. Well, I’m ready. Not sure about you. Are you having a crown prep today, too?” she asked innocently. 

Korkie huffed out her breath and stomped towards the back room. “I’ll let Dr. Keebler know his patient is here.” 

Trixie looked down at the magazine in her lap as she replied, “Yes. Please tell Graham I’m here.” 

Korkie frowned as she turned back toward Trixie.  “For your information, his preferred title is Dr. Keebler.” 

Trixie looked back up. “To you, maybe. I received a special invitation to call him Graham,” she replied calmly. She held her hands together on her magazine so the temptation to smack the other woman’s obnoxious face wouldn’t materialize. 

“You did not!” The woman stomped her hoof like an aggravated moose. 

“Actually, she did.” Korkie and Trixie both turned to see Graham standing in the doorway to his treatment room. “Trixie, come on back and I’ll get you numb. And Korkie?” 

“Yes Dr. Keelber?” Korkie smiled as sweetly as only a smarmy assistant could. 

“You and I will talk after the appointment is over.” 

“Of course,” she managed to eek out from between her overly bleached front teeth. 

The three of them headed for the back of the office. 

As Trixie was leaned back in the patient chair, she looked up to see Korkie flinging mental dental scalers at her forehead. Suddenly she wondered if it had been such a good idea to antagonize the smug dental assistant. Well, she started it! 

Graham put on his mask, protective glasses and gloves. Korkie did the same. Trixie was suddenly glad the evil assistant didn’t know about her allergy to the sleeping powder she used on the kids. She’d probably end up in the hospital with an allergic purple rash the size of Texas.

Graham leaned over her. “Okay Trixie. Open wide for me. There may be a slight pinch, but I promise I’ll be as gentle as I can. You can close your eyes if you need to.” She did just that. The mental picture that played out behind her eyelids was relaxing indeed. Graham putting his hands on either side of her face. Gazing into her eyes. Drawing her close. Whispering her name. Gently kissing her…” 

“Ahhh…” Trixie sighed loudly. 

Graham chuckled. “That’s got to be the easiest injection I’ve ever given.” 

Trixie’s eyes flew open. She couldn’t see Graham’s mouth but his eyes were crinkled at the corners, so she knew he was smiling. She dared to glance at Korkie, who was rolling her eyes dramatically. Why did the dental assistant have it in for her, anyway? 



Don't forget our giveaway! Make a comment in this post or in the review post and you could win a copy of this book! US/Canada only. Ends October 4, 1159pm EST.

REVIEW: Pillow Talk by Ruth Hartman



ASIN B003ZK5HLY
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Fantasy
(c) August 2010, Class Act Books

Rating: 3 stars

Available now in Amazon(ebook)

What is a poor tooth fairy to do when she has a tooth ache? Go to the dentist of course! And that is exactly what Trixie Trident finds herself doing when she breaks a tooth on a french fry. Ouch! Luckily for Trixie, her dentist is the dazzlingly handsome, Graham Keebler. Unfortunately for her, Graham's dental assistant, Korkie, doesn't seem to like Trixie very much.

Can Trixie figure out a way to get Graham to notice more than just her teeth, or will Korkie be a permanent cavity in Trixie's life? 

Short. Sweet. Simple. Those three words describe Pillow Talk perfectly. As a G-Rated fantasy romance, I can't say I found the plot very fulfilling, and I didn't feel any connection to the characters. Yes, it was unusual to read a story about a Tooth Fairies, even if not much explanation of why Tooth Fairies exist is given. The mishaps Trixie finds herself in were mildly entertaining, and I even laughed out loud in some parts, but somehow the story fell a little flat for me.

My biggest problems were with Trixie's day job and the 'villain' character, Korkie. I didn't find it remotely believable that Trixie would have a successful custom jewelry business selling necklaces and bracelets made of dental floss and buttons. It just really didn't work for me. And Korkie was very unlikeable, which was the point, but the way her 'downfall' was executed just seemed like such an exaggeration.

Pillow Talk wasn't a story that I would classify as a must read, but it had its charm and light humor.

Reviewed by Missie
Book Summary: 

Trixie Trident is much too busy to worry about her love life. Her shop Necklaces, Bracelets and Rings, Oh My! has her up to her elbows in beads; Benson the parrot is hungry; and she just chipped her tooth. Plus she’s seriously sleep deprived—that happens when a tooth fairy hits a busy stretch. That’s right, tooth fairy.

But somehow the ideal man drops into her life. Actually she drops into his office. Is it time for Trixie to give up her night job as tooth fairy? Or should she give up the handsome Dr. Graham Keebler? Of course she won’t have to worry about either if he’s stolen from her! Can a magical tooth fairy find true love with a practical dentist?


A copy of PILLOW TALK is up for grabs! US/Canada only, and no P.O. Boxes, please.

How to Enter: 

1. Comment in this post.
2. Be a follower! (GFC, Twitter, FB or GR). Old followers are automatically entered. 

Additional Chances to Win: 

Each time you spread news of this contest (via Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc) earns you one point as well. Be sure to come back and give us the link of your tweet or announcement.

Contest Duration: October 4, 1159pm EST 

Contest Winner Announcement: October 5

The winner will be selected via Randomizer.org. Be sure to come back and check the Winner Announcement post because instructions to claim your prize will be written there.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

GUEST POST: What's In A Name? by Ruth J. Hartman


Character names are extremely important. We all know that. But sometimes coming up with just the right one can give a writer a migraine. And you have to be careful to avoid certain scenarios, too.

Here are some of the don’ts I’ve discovered along the way:

Don’t spell the character’s name in such a way that the reader will stumble over it every time he or she reads it. Take my name for instance. Ruth. Not Ruuth or Rooth. That’s a silly example, I know, but you get the point.

Don’t assign two characters with names that are too similar. I’ve read a few books with that going on, and I found myself re-reading paragraphs over two and three times just to make sure I had the right person doing the right thing. Tessa and Teresa. They’re both pretty names, but too close in spelling and pronunciation. Just pick one.

Don’t pick an old-fashioned name for a light and fluffy book. That is, unless that’s part of your book’s humor. Again take my name. I like it, my family and friends like it. But strangers often form an image of someone from a name even before they’ve met them. When I started my dental hygiene training at the dental school in Indianapolis, we were all assigned a Big Sis from the class ahead of us. When it was my turn, my Big Sis called out my name. And when she did so, she was frowning. Why was she frowning? She’d never even met me before. After I introduced myself, she let out a relieved sigh. Apparently, she’d pictured me as 65 instead of 19 because of my name. She’d had visions of having to deal with someone her grandmother’s age, and she wasn’t quite sure we would hit it off.

Don’t pick a light and fluffy name for a serious character. My heroine’s name is Trixie. Light and Fluffy. But then, so is my book. “Pillow Talk” is fun, quirky and humorous. So the name Trixie just seemed to fit my image of a klutzy tooth fairy. Somehow, though, I’m not sure a Trixie could pull off a dark, serious historical romance. “It was a dark and stormy night. Trixie…” Nope. Sorry. Just doesn’t fit.

And I try not to pick names of someone I know. If I like the person, they might be offended if they read my book and the character was too different from them. And if I don’t like the person attached to the name I’ve chosen, well…enough said, it wouldn’t be pretty. Because every time I read the name, or say it or type it, that person’s face jumps into my head. I’ve got enough going on up there, and I don’t need more confusion. 

So remember these words of advice: Always look both ways before crossing the road, don’t run with scissors, and choose your names carefully!

Author's bio: 

Ruth started out life as a dental hygienist but morphed into a romance writer. She has fun working the dental industry into her romances. While Pillow Talk features a dental hygienist/tooth fairy, her next romance Flossophy of Grace also follows the love life of a dental hygienist. Who knew the dental world was so romantic?

Ruth’s first book was My Life in Chains, a memoir about her struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Ruth, her husband and two very spoiled cats live in rural Indiana where Ruth dreams up new and exciting romances. And flosses regularly. Really!


Ruth will be visiting the blog tomorrow! We've also got a review of her book, Pillow Talk, an exclusive excerpt and an awesome giveaway! So, do drop by!
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