Guest post: CHRISTOPHER DRAVEN, author of HUNTED!

Today we have an awesome guest post from Christopher Draven, author of Hunted, and the upcoming Confessions!

GUEST POST:

A Male Author’s Method of adding in convincing Romantic Themes / Storylines

Without a doubt, writing romantic elements into my novels is a challenge. While I wouldn’t say I’m a complete failure in the romance department, it is the hardest stuff for me to write. It can take me an entire day to write one scene of dialogue between two ‘entangled’ characters. In comparison, the words teleport onto the screen when I’m writing an action scene or some aphoristic dialogue that drips with snarky humor.

Building romantic elements in an Urban Fantasy/Supernatural Thriller is a core component to creating three-dimensional characters. Relationships like those between Karin and Harry, and Merry and her harem of male sidhe, are not plotlines I’m eager to read. Getting to the good stuff – the action, magic, and defeating the villain – are delayed when we are forced to deal with some new lover’s spat.

However, my journey into authorhood has taught me those ups and downs are a vital component of the story. Without the ‘entanglement of feelings’ between Karin and Harry, there is no payoff in her saving him, or him saving her. If there is no connection, then the drama of the story stays stagnant – if the person being saved is always a stranger.

With the relationship moving between ups and downs, the stakes of the game change. That adds complexity and layers to the character’s motivations. The characters transform into someone worth relating to on a deeper level.

Developing this aspect of my craft has been a challenge. In writing the Jonathan Harker novels, I received positive feedback from readers about the relationship between Jonathan and Clover. The credit for this success goes to a fool-proof way of writing convincing romance themes and/or storylines. It is an approach that relies heavily on other people to help keep me in line.

Here is my approach:

•    The first step is understanding the progression in the relationship. As an author, I spend a lot of time outlining the story, what scenes are coming up, and what surprises I have for readers along the way. The relationships between your characters need to be part of that outline.

You need to take the time to figure out how the action would impact the relationship(s). This ensures your characters don’t  stagnate.

Karin loved Harry from the start, but he did a lot of things that scared her. She never left his side, but the love factor rose and fell based on her experiences with Harry.

•    When writing the scene, channel the physicality into something emotional.

In Hunted, I included a scene where Jonathan is leaning on Clover. He feels her against him, but it isn’t only her physical body that feels good. He discovers he can rely on her. He can give in and let her help him. An awareness the hero could let someone else be in charge, even if for that moment, began as physical stimulus but ended as emotional.

•    There are a lot of senses attached to romance. Remember that showing your readers is preferable to telling. By engaging more senses, you are pulling them in and painting a more romantic picture.

Touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound are the usual standby senses writers use. However, think about other options – we humans are reported to have over twenty different senses.

Try using some of these other options to spice it up:
Emotions, Time, Pressure, Heat, or Balance.

•    Finally, and this should just be a standard part of your process, ask for feedback. I’m lucky enough to have two very accomplished editors. No matter how good you are, every author needs an editor who gives tough love. Far too many writers have fallen by the sword of their own ego. If only they had asked someone for feedback before publishing.

Writing romance full-time is not in my future. It is a genre that requires a lot of study and finesse to do well. However, I do feel that any author should consider the human element when writing in Urban Fantasy/Supernatural Thriller. It’s easy to focus on saving the day, but sometimes it’s nice to add a few lines on who makes it worth saving.

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Slinging Spells with Broken Ribs Isn't Easy 

Jonathan Harker, mage and life-long demon hunter, wakes to find himself tied to a chair and severely wounded. His captor, a demon in service to a summoner who wants Harker alive.

Armed with impossibly powerful magic and a gang of demon toughs, the summoner has snared Harker in a deadly trap. Nothing is ever easy, and being new in town has left Harker with few allies. However, with help from a Fortune-Teller named Clover and a self-described "Kitchen Witch" named Momma Dee, Harker fights back.

To prevail, Harker must walk unprepared into a pit of demons and black magic - and come out alive on the other side.

Get your copy from Amazon.com today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Got my start as a technical manual and instructional material designer for Corporate America.

Eventually they gave me a team to manage. One day I had enough, reclaimed my soul, and left to follow my passion.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:

Christopher Draven

FIND CHRISTOPHER ONLINE:

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Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: RELEASING THE DEMONS by L.D. Rose

Release Date: August 19th, 2015

Type: Series, Paranormal Romance, Hybrids, Enhanced Abilities, Vampires, Detectives With Attitude, The Order of the Senary, Book 1

About the Book: Blaze Knight has been through hell and back, but the nightmares aren't over yet. 

Five years after Blaze was maimed by Cyrus Chimola, a powerful vampire with a penchant for torture, he’s still trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. As a genetically engineered mercenary with the ability to bend fire to his will and to see in infrared, Blaze’s mission is to protect what’s left of humanity. When Chimola and his crew return to the Bronx gunning for Blaze’s blood, Blaze is forced to face the demons of his past. Hell-bent on revenge, he seeks the help of Valerie Medeiros, an NYPD detective who manages to steal his heart and save his life in more ways than one. 

Motivated by her sister’s gruesome death, Valerie has made it her life’s goal to bury every vampire in the ground where they belong. When she brings in Blaze Knight for suspected murder, she discovers he’s not only innocent, he isn't a man at all—he's a half-vampire hybrid working with a band of brothers for the U.S. military. Valerie has a hard time trusting anything with fangs, yet she quickly falls headlong into Blaze’s life, a life full of darkness and horror she can’t even begin to fathom. The bodies are stacking up, but Valerie can’t seem to let go of this hybrid, a beautiful monster filled with pain, rage, and passion unlike anything she's ever known. 

In a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, Blaze and Valerie will find danger at every turn, risking everything they’ve come to know and love, including one another. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: This was a seriously entertaining read. I would have read it in one sitting if stupid real life didn't get in the way. When I started reading this, I found some similarities between this book and the world of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews - which is great, because that series is awesome. I am really interested in the world the author has created here. It's scary, but fascinating. Not a place I'd want to live, for sure - but one I'm excited to learn more about in the future books. Because the world is so complex, and the Order itself has a deep history, I can see this book benefiting from a prequel novella in the future. It would definitely be an interesting read.

I'm a sucker for a broken, scarred hero. And I got that in droves in this book. Blaze is.. well, dreamy. And I enjoyed the dynamic between Blaze and Val. The main characters shine in this book, for sure. But author L.D. Rose doesn't scrimp in the secondary character front. The relationships between Blaze and his brothers, as well as Val and her partner, are well defined and fleshed out.

This was definitely a win. I'm super grateful for the author giving me a chance to review "Releasing The Demons." With so many amazing books out there, some of the great ones fall through the cracks - don't let this book be one of them!

Cover Lovin': Simple, but still attractive enough to catch my eye if I was browsing for a new read.

Recommendation: This is the first book of the series, so no prior knowledge necessary! But beware, you'll want to know what comes next.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Loved this, and I can't wait to see where it goes in the future!

Be sure to get your copy of "Releasing the Demons" today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: DRESDEN FILES: DOWN TOWN by Jim Butcher & Mark Powers

Release Date: October 13th, 2015

Type: Series, Magic, Graphic Novel, Comic Book, Wizards, Between the Novels, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Talking Skulls and Such

About the Book: Chicago wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden and his new apprentice, Molly Carpenter, intend to end the havoc caused by a mad sorcerer - one whose ambitions would have the Windy City streets carved out as his own private kingdom. But when the magical upstart enters into an alliance with the notorious mob boss "Gentleman Johnnie" Marcone, will the fast-and-loose Dresden and his young charge survive unscathed? This graphic novel collects the critically acclaimed, six-issue series in one volume, and features a bonus section with Jim Butcher's original story outline, sketchbook artwork from Carlos Gomez, cover gallery with roughs from Stjepan Sejic, and more! [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: I like these "between the novels" stories because it lets me get a taste of Dresden's world for a short time. I really enjoy this series, in fact, I consider it a modern day classic in the field of Urban Fantasy. Dresden is a fascinating character, and his friends even more so. All the wacky members of his family (be they blood related or no), add so much to the series, and make it something special - and this graphic novel is no different. In fact, I think Mouse, Molly, and the ever interesting Marcone make this graphic novel more interesting than it would have been if it was just Dresden fighting the bad guy.

There was nothing wrong with this story. I didn't find any major faults. My only comment is that it wasn't so deeply fascinating and magical that I couldn't put it down. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. Maybe because this story is so short, it doesn't have the magic of the actual Dresden novels. But this was good enough to hold me over until Dresden gets his next book.

Cover Lovin': Looks good, and fits with the other Dresden Files graphic novels I have seen.

Recommendation: At least some familiarity with Dresden is recommended prior to reading this. Background information is included for those that might not be caught up, but there's a lot of little stuff that will leave the reader confused or unsure if they're not familiar with the series.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5).

Check out some of the other Dresden Files Graphic Novels!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Excerpt!: THE FELIX CHRONICLES: FRESHMAN by R.T. Lowe!

Hello all! Please help me welcome author R.T. Lowe, who has provided an amazing excerpt of his novel "The Felix Chronicles: Freshman" - click the title to go straight to Goodreads to add it to your TBR piles! Below you will find an excerpt, and at the bottom, there is a link to Amazon so you can snag a copy of your own. Read on and enjoy!

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Chapter 18

The Ghost and St. Rose

 The glowing red digits on Felix’s clock informed him that it was 3:15. Lucas’s desk lamp was making an island of light in the darkened room. He didn’t remember turning it on. He rubbed his eyes, then looked over at Lucas’s bed. Still unmade. But no Lucas. He lay there for a while trying to go back to sleep, but it was an exercise in absurdity. He was wide awake, uncomfortable (he was still wearing his clothes from the day before), and feeling terrible. He’d let the sadness go too far and it had carried him away. Now it was like a physical sickness; it was sticking to him, coating him. If he didn’t get it off, it would burn right through his skin and eat at him for days.

His spine popped like dominos when he stood up and stretched. He threw on a hooded sweatshirt and a baseball hat and slipped out of the dorm, emerging into a cool misty drizzle. There wouldn’t be another warm day until May—just another thing to be depressed about. No one was hanging out in the Freshman Yard except for a clutch of kids smoking cigarettes under a tree on the north end by Satler, where it looked like the party was still raging. Music was pouring out through open windows on the top two floors. He thought his friends must still be there, and wondered if they were having fun. Of course they were having fun. Why wouldn’t they be?

I should’ve gone to the party, he thought miserably, giving himself a swift mental kick to the ass. Now he was missing out on a good time and he still wouldn’t get any sleep before the game. Instead, he was about to wander the campus like a loser when he could be…what? Hooking up with Harper? Not likely. But he felt like he had a shot. Of course he had no shot at all if he didn’t try. He was telling himself that he wasn’t at the party because of Coach Bowman’s dumb rules. But the rules were just that: dumb. He could get around them; Bowman didn’t have a spy network reporting back to him on rule-breakers. So did that mean he wasn’t trying? But why wouldn’t he try? He wanted to hook up with Harper. Desperately. Thinking about ravaging her perfect body occupied almost as much time as football practice; it was how he made it through his classes when he grew bored or couldn’t focus. But if they did hook up—big if—it wouldn’t end there. She would want to get to know him. Of course. And it wouldn’t take long—maybe five minutes—for Harper to realize he was a total wreck. And once she discovered that she would reject him. Just like Emma had rejected him. He couldn’t handle that. Despite how much he liked her. Not even Harper was worth that risk.

With a very melancholy soundtrack playing in his head, he dug his hands into the pockets of his sweatshirt and headed toward The Yard. He turned and walked backward for a spell, letting his feet feel their way along the cobblestones in the soft glow of the pathlights. From a distance, Downey looked peaceful—the rooms were dark, the blinds drawn—a tomb compared to Satler. Everyone in Downey was asleep . . . or getting lucky. But not Felix. Luck had a strong aversion to him.

He passed by the first few lecture halls on the north side of The Yard without seeing a soul. There was nothing but empty paths and lawns drifted with wet heavy leaves. Alone with his thoughts, he began thinking about the guy he’d caught staring up at his room. The guy. It didn’t have to be a guy, of course. Girls could be stalkers too. Either way, he couldn’t understand why anyone would wait out in the rain just to catch a glimpse of Lucas with his shirt off. So what if he was on TV. What was the point? He just didn’t get it.

Voices off to his right made him jump. His eyes flitted up to a sheltering overhang at the entrance of the Culver building where he found the culprits: two kids making out. Felix wasn’t alone after all. He watched them for a moment and a puddle of cold water that submerged his sneaker right up to the shoelaces was the reward for his voyeurism.

The Yard looked as desolate as a stretch of farmland. Dew frosted the grass, sparkling beneath the haze. He drew in a deep breath as he rolled the kinks from his neck. He liked the way everything smelled. It was as if the trees and plants were giving off some wonderful floral scent in appreciation of the long drink the elements had bestowed on them. The cold was depressing, though he didn’t mind the rain. When you grow up in a town where it’s sloppy wet 250 days a year you have one choice: get used to it.

He wasn’t sure where he was going. But that was the plan. He didn’t care where he ended up. The night air felt good; it was already having a soothing effect. He passed another shadowed lecture hall and found a path that wound its way north as it hugged a dense thicket of sculpted shrubs. It split into two paths to accommodate a specimen tree of some sort, then reconnected on the other side at the edge of an English garden tucked in behind the building. He’d never been this way before. He didn’t stop to admire the plantings, though he was sure they were quite lovely. Horticulture wasn’t his thing. The mist was thickening, creating a haloing effect with the pathlights. Just past the garden, he came to a clearing where five trees were standing guard like monstrous sentinels—the Star Trees. The towering goliaths formed the shape of a five-pointed star, each tree acting as a point. He’d heard some kids talking about it at the dorm, but he didn’t know where it was. Until now.

As he neared the southernmost tree, he stopped to have a look around. He tilted his head back, trying to see the tops, but swirling curtains of fog covered them up. The rain lightly spritzed his face like a spray bottle set to mist. It was refreshing. Coming outside had turned out to be a good idea; it was just what he needed. He looked back down and started toward the—

A woman, her back turned to him, stood in the center of the clearing. The sight of her startled him, freezing him in place for a moment. He was sure she wasn’t there just a second ago. He kept his eyes on her as he reached out for the tree next to him, feeling the rough bark brush across his fingertips as he slid slowly past it. Her clothes were really odd; it looked like she’d gotten lost on her way home from a costume party—Cinderella came to mind. She was wearing a flowing blue dress that bunched up on the ground all around her. The dress was sleeveless, and her arms, so pale that they shone, hung loosely at her sides. Her hair was dark and long—he couldn’t tell if it was brown or black—and it cascaded in lustrous gentle curls to her narrow waist.

“Hey,” Felix called out, approaching the woman. “What are you doing out here?” The rain stopped all at once. Of their own accord, his eyes flicked up to the enormous branches of the Star Trees which all met in the center of the clearing, forming a canopy that kept everything beneath them comfortably dry.

She cocked her head and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her cheek and the visible part of her jaw were so white it looked like she was wearing stage makeup. If it wasn’t 3:30 in the morning, he would have thought she was about to perform at the school theater.

“Hey,” he said again. She was close now, no more than ten feet away. Her arms were disturbingly pale, and he wondered if she was standing next to a light he couldn’t see. Something had to be making her appear this way. Or was something wrong with her? Was she sick?

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded twice, stiffly.

“Are you hurt?” He took another step. He was close enough to smell her perfume if she was wearing any—she wasn’t. Another step. If he reached out he could touch her.

She shook her head. Her shimmering hair—it was dark, but not quite black—swayed elegantly over her shoulders and across her back. His eyes followed the contours of her slender arms down to her fingers, long and delicate, ending in fingernails that were flawless, and somewhat pointy. Her fingers were white. Too white. Bone white. Vampire! he thought suddenly, his heart lurching to his throat. An icy fear swept over him as he looked up, expecting to see the face of a monster.

But the person in front of him didn’t have fangs. And she wasn’t a monster. Far from it. The beautiful woman before him was staring at him, the traces of an inscrutable smile hovering at the edges of her red lips. Her green eyes blazed like smoldering emeralds, roaming over his face, measuring him. She looked older than the girls on campus, but not that much older, and it was hard for Felix to gauge her exact age because his brain had shifted into panic mode like the time he went camping in the fourth grade and discovered he was sharing his sleeping bag with a garter snake.

And then—without warning—she turned and ran.

Felix felt his feet lift off the ground and take flight after her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: War Cry" by Jim Butcher

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: November 11, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Wizards, Wardens, Vampires, Series, Harry Dresden Mostly Knows What He's Doing (Or Not)

About This Book: A war is raging between the vampire forces of the Red Court and the White Council - a war that the wizards are losing. So desperate are the Council that they've dragooned the experienced and the outcast to reinforce their thinning ranks of Wardens. One of these draftees is one Harry Dresden, Chicago's only wizard-for-hire and a guy who's long been looked upon with suspicion by the supernatural authorities. Now, he's one of them, and his first big mission as a Warden is a doozy: take a small team of greenhorns to a frigid town in the middle of nowhere to rescue a handful of mortals who've been targeted by the Red Court. The question is, why exactly are these particular mortals so crucial to the outcome of the war? The answer will come only if Harry can keep them, and his team, alive for one very long night. This graphic novel collects the critically acclaimed, five-issue series in one volume, and features a bonus section with Jim Butcher's original story outline, sketchbook artwork from Carlos Gomez, cover gallery with roughs from Stjepan Sejic, and more!

My Review: I'm a busy person. I have a full time job, volunteer opportunities, plus plenty to take care of in my home life... so I don't always get the chance to re-read old favorites, and revisit old worlds. So I'm grateful that these graphic novels exist. War Cry is the perfect way to visit Dresden's world, to experience his life for a little longer, without having to commit to re-reading one of the books (which is something that should be savored, and can therefore take some time).

War Cry is a fantastic story, and I'm giving major kudos to the authors for managing to fit everything that happens into a book that is, what, a little over 100 pages? And they do it well - at no point did the story feel rushed, or get jumbled because too much was happening at once. My eyes were glued to the page, desperate to see how Harry would manage to get himself out of yet another bad situation (poor guy).

In short, this is a great read for fans of the series. It is not recommended for newbies to Dresden's world, since it requires some previous knowledge of the Wardens, the vampires, etc. I will say, for readers that have not caught up on Dresden's story, that this graphic novel does an excellent job of explaining what is going on now, why they are doing what they are doing, and where it fits in. So enjoy!

Cover Lovin': This is a great one. We see the team of four Wardens ready to do battle - with Harry front and center. The artist even manages to get each character's personality traits to shine in their expressions.

Recommendation: For fans of the series! The great story and wonderful artwork would make this a great read for anyone, but I doubt anyone but fans of the Dresden Files would get much out of this, as they don't have the extensive back story.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5).

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: "Neil Gaiman's The Last Temptation 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition" by Neil Gaiman, Alice Cooper, Michael Zulli, Dave McKean

Disclaimer: I received a free, advance e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: October 21, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Anniversary Edition, Re-release, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Music, Comic Book, The Theatre from Heck

About the Book: Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Coraline, American Gods) brings shock rocker Alice Cooper's concept album to life in a surreal sideshow of the soul! Join a young boy named Steven on a surreal journey of the soul, as an enigmatic and potentially dangerous Showman seduces him into joining his carnival. Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of this seminal Gaiman work, returned to print for the first time in over a decade. Fully remastered in color, this Deluxe Edition incorporates complete scripts to all three chapters, black-and-white thumbnail art of pre-colored pages, an original outline of the project by Neil Gaiman, and a collection of letters between shock rocker Alice Cooper and the author! "I'm really happy that The Last Temptation is coming out for a new generation of readers, who have not seen Michael Zulli's glorious drawings, or know of the Showman and his wicked ways," says Neil Gaiman. "I wrote this a long time ago, driven by love of Ray Bradbury's dark carnivals and of Alice Cooper's own pandemonium shadow show. It's time for it to shuffle out onto a leaf-covered street and meet the people who don't know about Stephen and Mercy and show what's coming to town."

My Review: As a fan of Both Neil Gaiman and Alice Cooper, I went into this graphic novel with high expectations... And I was definitely not disappointed! Working together, these two geniuses created a dark, haunting story that left me more than a little creeped out. The art was truly stunning, perfectly matching the storyline.

In full cover on my device, the pages were gorgeous, I can only imagine what this book looks like in all its physical glory. This is a must have for any true fan of these amazing artists. And even better, this story lends itself to re-reading, to catch all the subtle hints and tricks that have been weaved into the tale. I'm grateful I got the chance to go to read this graphic novel before it's re-release. Be sure to check it out when it comes out October 21, 2014!

Cover Lovin': Great cover - appropriately haunting, considering the masterminds behind the title.

Recommendation: For fans of Neil Gaiman and Alice Cooper. For graphic novel readers that want something weird and creepy to go along with your Halloween read-a-thong. Or maybe for people who just like weird stuff.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Creepy, awesome, and made me have a nightmare or two - a perfect read for Halloween, or really, any time.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

Invasion of the body snatchers! REVIEW of "Skin Thief" by Sonnet O'Dell

Why this book?: Author asked for a review, and I really enjoyed the previous book in this series, "Lost Innocents" (click the title to find my review). This is the third book in the Cassandra Fairbanks series. You can purchase this "Skin Thief" here.

Disclaimer: The author sent me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Type: Series, Paranormal Investigator, Witches, Police Investigation, Paranormal Mystery, Urban Fantasy

Book Description: Deciding to put her recently discovered magical powers to use, Cassandra Farbanks has started her own Paranormal Investigation business, and now she’s handling her first official case.



A prison inmate has used a magic amulet to escape his incarceration and seek a bloody revenge on his enemies. But what is his true purpose, and what’s the connection between the victims? It's up to Cassandra to find out. Cassandra is desperate to track and stop him whilst trying to juggle a deteriorating relationship with her boyfriend, the half elf Magnus, and her bond to the vampire Aram.

Even as she finds her way to closing her first real case, Cassandra’s troubles aren't over. As she discovers, the magic of an amulet is too tempting for some—and it could ruin everything for Cassandra.
My Review: As with the previous novel in this series, I was reading along, mildly interested, and then suddenly the author hooks me, and the ending shocks me with its cleverness. There is a lot of interesting character interaction, and each character is given their own little quirks - things that make them seem genuine and real. The way characters act and are described while together is part of the fun of a novel, and you get that in "Skin Thief." For example, while eating dinner together, Cassandra and Magnus play with each other, and make faces at one again - cute little things that just add to the story.

I will say that there are a lot of side characters to keep track of, and if you're new to the series, it's difficult to keep up with all the names. However, this issue is easily solved by reading the series in order, starting with book one. There are some series that allow readers to pop in and out whenever, but for the full effect of Cassandra, her powers, and her posse - be sure to read the whole thing. You won't regret it.

I find "Skin Thief" to be an interesting case - a mobster that gets ahold of a magical amulet, and uses it to pass from body to body. This makes the killer that much more elusive and harder to find, and the mystery that much deeper. This book also contained some great quotes and possibly one of my favorite descriptions of relationships and the people involved to date. I'm including it because I enjoyed it so much (and no worries, no spoilers!).
"Magnus was like earth, wholesome and natural - it came from the elf blood in his veins. It was dark elf blood, so sometimes I worried about him being more like oil, and with me being fire I was more often afraid I would burn him up. I had set him on fire once, but it hadn't been my plan to do so; sometimes when things get a little hot between us, they literally get a little hot.
Aram, on the other hand, was like air, which was bad and good in equal amounts. If I were only a small flame, like a candle on a birthday cake, a simple breath would be enough to put me out. If I was a smoldering flame, he could feed me, help me grow stronger, become more than I am. But he too ran the rick of the inferno, of being consumed by me." (pg 67)

As mentioned earlier, the ending caught me by surprise. I expected the case ending to be the end of the story, but Cassandra's journey certainly wasn't over, and the final climax of the book was emotionally painful and artfully done. I eagerly anticipate another book to see how Cassandra deals with the turmoil that happened between her and another character - you'll just have to read it yourself and find out what happens.
Recommendation: Fans of the early Anita Blake novels will really enjoy the Cassandra Fairbanks series. Really good urban fantasy that will keep you guessing. I strongly recommend reading the previous novels first.

Final Rating: FOUR POINT FIVE out of FIVE (4.5/5). Good urban fantasy with an ending I didn't expect.

Have you read "Skin Thief" or another novel by Sonnet O'Dell? Share your thoughts in the comments! Would you like to pick up a copy? Get it from the link at the top of the review, or at Amazon.com (available in print and ebook, I believe)!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

BLB Tour: REVIEW of "Beloved of the Fallen" by Savannah Kline!

Welcome to part one of Savannah Kline's virtual tour! Today we have a review of "Beloved of the Fallen." Come back Tuesday for the giveaway!
You can find the author on Twitter: @savannahkline
Also on Facebook!: Savannah Kline
And check out her website.

 Why this book?: Reason number one - ANGELS! Reason number two - this review is part of Savannah Kline's BLB ebook tour!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for a review, as part of her virtual tour.

Type: Paranormal Romance, ANGELS (fallen or otherwise), Some historical scenes, Politics, Awesome hero names, Urban Fantasy

About the book: The heavenly angel Valentin has committed the unthinkable sin, defying the Almighty to brave the perils of human love. Now an unwilling minion of Lucifer, Valentin must masquerade as human man to seduce his newest victim, the beautiful Kira Castlemaine.



As the last survivor of an ages-old political dynasty, Kira Castlemaine holds the power to shape human events. With the "man" she knows as Valentin Ashford by her side, Kira unlocks the secrets of her destiny.


Soon, Kira finds herself caught between passion and duty, truth and deceit. But only love can help her decide whether she will use her power to save the world--or destroy it.
My Review: Whew, what a thrillride. This book wasn't what I was expecting - this is definitely a different take on fallen angels. Valentin fell, later than most of his brethren, and yet still joined with Lucifer's group. And it feels odd to say, but Lucifer really was an intriguing character, with his plots and schemes, and the way he dealt with the human race. And the ending threw me for a bit of a loop, it really didn't end like I thought it would. I read so many books where you know the outcome right from the beginning - not the how and why, maybe, but you know the basics. It's refreshing to not know for sure where and how things will go.

On the author's website, it mentions that Savannah Kline has been a freelance writer for years, but this is her first novel - well, what a great debut, for sure. "Beloved of the Fallen" was a wonderful read, definitely unique - something new and different for when books start to feel like more and more of the same old, same old. And I just want to say I'd like my own Valentin... with or without a broken wing.

Cover Loving: Yes. Definitely yes. I think this is an excellent, beautiful cover. Beautiful art and definitely a good choice for the story.

Recommendation: Fans of suspense, political intrigue, and the paranormal will want to check out "Beloved of the Fallen."

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5).

Have you read "Beloved of the Fallen" by Savannah Kline? Share your thoughts in the comments! Want to pick up a copy? Get it from Amazon.com - or wait until Tuesday and enter my contest for a chance to win one of two copies!



Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Now I'm scared of Vein Star.. REVIEW: "Mind Games" by Carolyn Crane

Why this book?: I heard so many good things about it. I finally found another library system that owns it (mine doesn't! Big sad face), and I got it from there. YAY.

Disclaimer: Library book.

Type: Paranormal Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Psychic Powers, Trilogy, Book One, Must have Book Two NOW, Hypochondria

About the book: Justine is a hypochondriac, constantly living in fear of dying via the illness that killed her mother. All she wants is to be normal, and when a strange man named Packard promises to give her that, she thinks it's a load of bull. She gets one zing, and lives a month of complete normalcy.. how could she not go back to him? But it comes with a price, she has to become part of his team to disillusion criminals using her hypochondria. As much as she isn't sure about this group, about Packard, and about what they're doing, she can't help but love being around similar people, to feel like she belongs.

My Review: I really, really enjoyed this book. This is another story where I found the main character so incredibly geniune and real feeling. I would love to see more characters that aren't perfect, more characters with this sort of attitude. Justine has managed to deal with her hypochondria, even though that meant numerous trips to the ER and even more time spent in MRI machines. Her attacks, and how she feels afterwards felt spot on, and it was almost refreshing to find a character so real. Continuing on with the characters - I know it's hooky and cheesy, but I loved Packard's "masters and minions" talk. He talks like someone of a different age, or the evil villian in an animated movie. I so enjoyed the fact that Packard's nemesis is actually called The Nemesis.

Normally I hate the villian in any story because, well.. he's the bad guy. But I couldn't hate either of the possible villians in this story - because I wasn't sure who the real one was. There's something good about both of them. Oh, the crazy scary people Justine disillusions earlier in the book scared me something fierce, but our final two villians, the final showdown of "Mind Games" as it were, I'm so torn. But at the same time, I like it, because Justine is also torn and confused - and that creates further connection between the reader and the main character.

"Mind Games" was an incredibly original story - the whole idea of disillusionists, working together ot reform criminals. There are so many little things in this story that aren't a huge deal, but work together to make this book something special. I couldn't put it down, and I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel. I hope you all get a chance to read this!

Cover Loving: Excellent. I think it suits the book.

Recommendation: Recommended for everyone - specifically fans of urban fantasy. But this book was good enough that I'm more than okay about making everyone I know read it.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). Loved it. Couldn't put it down (and hated when I had to), and I eagerly await getting book two, which I might just buy instead of having to wait to get it from another library system via interlibrary loan.

Have you read "Mind Games" or the sequel by Carolyn Crane? What are your thoughts? Would you like to get your own copy? Get it from Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Kiss my petunia! REVIEW of "Darkfever" by Karen Marie Moning

 First up, enter my contest for a copy of "Insight" by Jamie Magee! Link in the righthand side bar. =) Or just click HERE.
Why this book?: Started a Paranormal Book Club for the patrons at work (library!) - "Darkfever" was chosen as book 1.

Disclaimer: I actually won my copy of "Darkfever" eons ago in a contest. So while I did get it for free, it was not given to me in exchange for a review by the publisher/author/etc.

Type: Urban Fantasy, Series, Fae, Sidhe, Unseelies everywhere - oh my!, Glamour, That guy totally needs to loosen up, Series has potential, IRELAND!

About the book: Mac's sister is dead, and the Irish police haven't caught the killer. When the authorities inform Mac's family that they are sending the case to their cold case division, Mac takes it upon herself to fly to Ireland, and she'll make sure she hounds the police until her sister's murder is solved. But things aren't that simple, and Mac finds herself on a search for an ancient text as well. There are creatures in Dublin that not everyone can see, unfortunately Mac can, and it's making her sick. So she turns to the one person that has the information and skills that she needs to find her sister's murdered and the book, Barrons. But there's something not quite right about him...

Review: "Darkfever" was an interesting read, and the beginning of a series that people refer to as crack. Essentially, this means that not only is it a much loved series that people will defend to the death, but it is epic as well as addicting. I did enjoy Mac's character, I like to see characters break out of the regular stereotypes I see a lot of in urban fantasy - most of the female characters are tough, in charge, and never really bother with their hair or nails. Mac cares a lot about what she wears, what she looks like, and disdains dark colors - she'd rather be in bright pink and rainbow colors than dressed in all black leather. And along with all the pink, she has some brains as well. She's incredibly inexperienced when it comes to the magical world she's thrown into, but she's smart enough to learn and develop the skills she needs to survive.

Fans of the book, or at least a lot of female fans of the book, swoon over Barrons. I didn't really understand that obsession. Frankly, I found Barrons incredibly uptight and extremely aggravating, I wanted to tell him to pull the stick from his rear end and loosen up a little. However, he was redeemed a little, at least in my eyes, near the end of the book. I saw some development there, and I hope to see that continue in the future books, and then maybe he will achieve swoon levels.

All in all, the book was alright, and I enjoyed it enough to finish it, and I do plan to continue reading the series. I saw a lot of potential in this first book, and everyone speaks to highly of the Fever series, I want to know why! So if you're a fan, feel free to follow my progress as I move on to the next book. You know, as soon as I get to it.

Cover Loving: My cover is different than the one Amazon has. However, I like both. I'm not sure which I like better, actually. Mine has lightning though - lightning is pretty cool.

Recommendation: This book was enjoyable enough, and I'm recommending to myself that I need to read the rest of the series. I'd say fans of fae myth and urban fantasy will enjoy "Darkfever."

Final Rating: I'm giving "Darkfever" by Karen Marie Moning a THREE out of FIVE (3/5). It certainly wasn't bad, but it wasn't something I instantly fell in love with. In fact, it took me until near the end before I couldn't bear to part with it. But I saw some things I liked, so I do plan to continue with the series.

Have you read "Darkfever" and/or the rest of the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning? Or how about her Highlander series? What are your thoughts? Please share them in the comments. Want to pick up a copy of "Darkfever" - get it from Amazon.com via the link to the left.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

I'm a genie in a bottle.. REVIEW of "Master of None" by Sonya Bateman

Why this book?: So many people loved it, and now I know why. Lucky me, I was able to get it from the library. Thank goodness I waited until now, the second book is due out soon!

Disclaimer: Library book. I did not receive this book in exchange for a review, nor did I purchase the book.

Type: Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Djinns, Good guys versus Bad Guys, Antiheroes, Secret Daddy

About the book: Gavyn Donnati is a thief, and definitely not a lucky one. Hired to steal a very specific knife, he's now running from his employers because - you guessed it - he's lost the knife. While on the run from the goons, a strange, tall man jumps infront of Gavyn, taking the bullets being fired in his direction. After a quick getaway and a very confusion conversation, Gavyn has his very own genie - Ian. Ian and Gavyn are tied together, and must work together to save themselves and their loved ones from the evil djinns, and Gavyn's old boss.

Review: I may have an obsession with conmen. I also enjoy human characters being thrown into a fantasy or paranormal world, and discovering there's more to the world, and maybe themself, than they knew. So it really isn't a surprise that I fell in love with "Master of None." Gavyn and Ian were fascinating characters, each with their own little quirks. Gavyn constantly checked for escape routes, should he need to make a quick getaway. Ian had.. well, excellent phrasing, and I just loved his attitude. The two men have been through a lot in their lives, and have to go through even more in the course of this book. It was beyond a pleasure to be able to read it and follow along on their journey.

There are some very powerful scenes in this book, and I would say "Master of None" has one of the best written torture scenes I've ever read. I was literally wiggling in my seat, biting my lip, and making little gasping noises just in reaction to what was being done to Gavyn and others. And the ending (no spoilers) just made me so.. happy, and proud. I cannot wait until the next book comes out, so I can see how Gavyn and Ian's journey continues. This is definitely a series for fans of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction, and Science Fiction/Fantasy to pick up! A great author, and an excellent series to keep an eye on.
Cover Loving?: I like it well enough. I do like the text block on the cover. But this cover just didn't "wow" me.

Recommendation: Oh yeah. A great story, great characters, everything a fiction fanatic needs. A book for your keeper shelves. Buy multiple copies and make your friends read it too!

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). Excellent book, I couldn't put it down. Eagerly anticipating the next one, "Master and Apprentice"!!!!

Have you read "Master of None" by Sonya Batemen? Are you also eagerly anticipating the release of the second novel? Share your thoughts in the comments! Want to pick up your very own copy of the book? Or maybe more than one so you can thrust it on your unsuspecting friends? Get it from Amazon.com via the link to the left!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Epic Cat and Bones-ness! REVIEW of "This Side of the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost

Why this book?: Love Jeaniene Frost. LOVE Cat and Bones. Mostly Bones.. but Cat certainly has some seriously awesome moments too.

Type: Series, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Ghosts, Ghouls, Epic battles, Awesome nicknames

About the book: Really, it seems like things will never settle down enough for Cat and Bones to get some time alone. The undead world is far from quiet, with ghouls attacking masterless vampires, and the threat of war leaving everyone jumpy. The ghoul Apollyon has singled Cat out as the reason for the tension, and the cause of the uprising. So now Cat, Bones, and the crew must find a way to diffuse the situation before an undead war turns the world upside down.

Review: This book made me finally move Jeaniene Frost to the Do Not Read In Public catagory. Not because the book was bad, but because I was sick of the weird looks I keep getting whenever I laugh out loud, smile at the page, or squirm on the end of my seat because I can't handle all the action. Cat and Bones get into the most delicious scrapes, and I literally wiggle in my seat to see how the heck they manage to get themselves out. There are some readers out there that talk about books being crack - well Jeaniene Frost is my drug of choice. I crave these characters and their interactions. I love to see how they deal with each new situation. And you can genuinely see the character development from book to book, even with the characters that get less limelight.

The one thing I missed in this book was the tension between Cat and Bones. Where they fought not only the outside world, but each other in their attempts to keep the other safe. But this goes along with the development aspects. Considering what happened at the end of "One Foot in the Grave," Cat and Bones took a huge step forward in their relationship, and "This Side of the Grave" truly reflects that change. But as I said, I admit to still missing it, just a little. Another book for the keeper shelf, "This Side of the Grave" did not disappoint. A fast-paced, intricate plot and characters that are beyond loveable, I eagerly anticipate the next one. Heck, I eagerly anticipate my next re-read of the series.

Cover Loving: YES! A beautiful cover, and an equally beautiful stepback. It fits perfectly with the rest of the series, and I love the gargoyles.

Recommendation: Definitely something for fans of excellent, epic Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. This is one of my favorite series of all time, and is the subject of much re-reading. I would recommend the entire series to anyone.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE 5/5. Seriously, Jeaniene Frost really didn't disappoint with the newest Cat and Bones book.

Have you read "This Side of the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost? What are your thoughts? Have you read the rest of the series? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! Want to read it? Get your copy at Amazon.com via the link at the left!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

My mind says "Good!" REVIEW of "The Mind Readers" by Lori Brighton

 Why this book?: Received it to review - I love this author!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Type: Young Adult, Psychics, Mind Readers, No one is what they seem, Young Adult Paranormal Romance

About the book: Cameron can read minds. It's not the worst thing in the world, well.. maybe when she was younger and hadn't learned to keep quiet. But in highschool, it's a golden ability. She knows how to keep the popular kids apeased, and she manages to get excellent grades. But when a girl is found murdered, Cameron has the ability to find out who, but she can't expose him without exposing herself. And when a new guy joins her school, and proves to have similar abilities, it will take everything Cameron has to deal with the curveballs life is throwing her. And not everything is what it seems.

Review: I got the privilege to read the first part of this novel before it was published, and I was hooked. Cameron is an interesting character with a fascinating outlook on her abilities. Yes, she has the traditional and expected difficulties with what she can do, but she's also learned how to use them to better her social standing. Sometimes it is difficult for adult fiction authors to enter the YA field, since that teenager voice is a tough thing to pull off - but Cameron felt dead-on. She was insecure, she had that giddy and happy hearts feeling when she first met Lewis, she felt like a regular teenager. Well, a regular teenager that can read minds, and maybe do even more.

Another thing I enjoyed about "The Mind Readers" was the fact that I honestly couldn't tell where the plot was heading. A lot of fiction is predictable, which isn't always bad - it's more about the journey than the destination. But this book kept me second guessing my thoughts about each person. Not only was the journey a thrillride, but the destination itself ended up being quite the shock as well. This made it that much easier to identify with Cameron, because she was just as much in the dark as I was.

The ending was left open just enough that I'm hoping for a sequel. The author's website lists "The Mind Readers" as book one, so fingers crossed that we'll get one soon!

Cover Loving: Oh yes. I think this cover is excellent - simple, and perfect.

Recommendation: Definitely recommended for fans of young adult paranormal fiction.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). Really good young adult paranormal fiction/romance. Quite the thrillride - non stop action!

Have you read "The Mind Readers" by Lori Brighton? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! Want to read it? Pick up your copy today at Amazon.com!

Happy reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Review of "No Rest for the Wicca" by Toni LoTempio

 I hope you all had a great weekend! Ready for another awesome Monday? Yeah, me either... But at least my weekend was filled with some great books - like "No Rest for the Wicca." On that note, let's begin!

Disclaimer: This book was given to me in exchange for a review. I was not given any monetary incentive for a good review. I am an Amazon.com affiliate (which means almost nothing).

Type: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Witches, Voodoo, Investigators, Special Agents, Hunky agents pretending to be equally hunky professors, College

Why this book?: Well, the awesome author of "No Rest for the Wicca" contacted me about reviewing her book - and after reading the synopsis, I couldn't pass it up. Frankly, it seemed like it was right up my alley - it was. =)
 Morgan Hawkes works as a paranormal investigator, one of the "ghostbusters" that cleans up daemons that just don't want to move to the next plane. It may not be her dream job, but after losing her partner, it's better than working in Homicide and having to relive that traumatic experience every day. But Special Agent Cole St. John has come to her with an interesting proposition. There's a serial killer on the lose, targeting local witches, and he needs Morgan's expertise. Originally, she passes on the deal, but when her cousin is attacked and almost becomes the next victim, Morgan jumps on board. But this case, and Cole, might be more than she is prepared to handle.


I like Morgan - she can be snarky. And she's not a wimpy female, she can dish out the sarcasm as well as a well aimed punch or kick, just as good as any man. Yeah, she had a traumatic experience, but she's working on coming to terms with her past, and does her best to prevent herself from ever being in that situation again. But she's also loyal, and if putting herself on the line is what it takes to save her cousin, she'll do it. She's willing to do anything, even offer herself as bait, if it means catching the bad guy. And that's where Cole St. John comes in. Confident, charming, and smart. He wants to solve this case just as much as anyone, but he keeps a level head enough to keep Morgan from doing anything rash - and it makes them a good team. And the two have great chemistry, and the perfect amount of humor and witty banter to keep this story from being too dark.

The author either really knew her Wicca and Voodoo history and practice, or she is great at making things up and having them sound like gospel truth. The scenes where Morgan was listening to the professors' lectures were interesting, the knowledge fascinating and useful (for later) enough that it was fascinating. The description in most scenes was well done, just the right amount to give the reader an idea of what was going on or where they were, but not so much that it was overbearing. And the close, hot moments between Cole and Morgan were quite steamy. The moments leading up to these scenes could have had a little more tension, maybe a heated look or a not-so-casual touch so it flowed a little smoother, but it was still very well done. And though a character or two's name was switch, always a character that wasn't in the scene, just being referred to, and occasionally a character would start somewhere in the beginning of the conversation and end up somewhere very different supposedly without moving by the end of it, it's never enough to pull the reader out of the story, and I only noticed it by chance.

I'm going to give "No Rest for the Wicca" a FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). I enjoyed the characters, I loved the story, and I thought it played out exceptionally well. The ending was quite satisfying, and was left open enough that a sequel is possible - I certainly hope! Be sure to check out "No Rest for the Wicca" by Toni LoTempio by purchasing this item at Amazon.com, or via the author's Smashwords page, here. Only $2.99 for what I assure you is a great read - I could barely put it down once I started reading.

Have a wonderful week, and make sure to check back tomorrow when author Russell Brooks drops by during his Virtual Blog Tour - enter to win a prize or an ecopy of his new release, "Pandora's Succession"

~!~ MG

Review of "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" by H.P. Mallory

The author contacted me to review one of her books, and after reading this - I was grateful for the opportunity! You can purchase your own copy here!!

Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. I have received no monetary incentive for a good review.

Type: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts!, Faeries, Sexy men with weird names, Mmm.. Accents, Can I have the guys she doesn't want?, Series

Book Description (From the site): "  A self-deprecating witch with a 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 and appetite for witches. The Underworld is in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.   "

When browsing both of this author's pieces, I was instantly drawn to "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble." This book follows the tale of Jolie, who isn't supermodel gorgeous, just a normal girl who occasionally gets visions. And then on a job for a client, she discovers she's able to bring back the dead - not as zombies, but as their former selves. It's quite the talent to have, and in today's war-fearing Underworld, it's much in demand. I love stories where our hero or heroine is tossed into a situation that is totally new and frightening for them, and they have to fight their way through it. This new world is something Jolie just can't hide away from, but she learns to deal with it. Of course, she has a little help from her friends...

Speaking of friends, we'll start with one of the secondary characters, Christa. She was definitely good for some laughs, but she had some genuine good-friend moments, which was good to see. When in a situation as tough as the one Jolie was in, a good friend like Christa will come in handy. And then there's Rand. So stubborn, so delicious, argh! Rand was so frustrating and reliable at the same time. There were scenes I wanted to strangle him, others I wanted snuggle him... and then there were a few times I wanted to do both at once.

One thing that really struck me about H.P. Mallory was how human her characters seemed. Well.. maybe that's not the correct term. She described the flaws and traits of each main and secondary character so well, you felt like you knew them. The author added little motions a character might make when aggravated, or sounds they might make when annoyed and amused. Just little things that could just as well be easily over-looked, and in the grand scheme of things might not even be important, but I loved getting that little glimpse of each character's life.

There are plenty of twists and turns in "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble." Jolie has a lot to deal with, and a lot to learn. I was so engrossed in the main characters journey that I read the entire book in one day - I just couldn't put it down. Good thing this book is a series, Jolie's trials are far from over, and there's an even rougher road ahead.

I'm going to give "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" by H.P. Mallory a FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). It was a great read, and it left me wanting.. or rather NEEDING more. I can't wait to see how this great war that has been building throughout this first novel turns out, as well as how Jolie deals with all the different players in her life. Make sure you all check out this book, as well as her other release (as of right now) "To Kill A Warlock."  Find "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" here.

Have a wonderful day!
~!~ Morning Glow