A Book Blogger/Reviewer's Day Out - The authors I met and books I got

Today was a totally awesome day. Why, you may ask? Because my local Barnes and Noble was hosting an author event for Valentine's Day. Plenty of local authors came in to sign books and chat with the attendees. Of course I left with plenty of books (all signed!), tons of swag, and a lot of fun events to look forward to in the near and not-so-near future.

As I'm sure you've noticed, I'm all for promoting local authors, so I'm going to write up whom all I talked to, what sorts of goodies I got, etc etc etc.

Let's start with the books I got, shall we? Maybe doing this all orderly-like will make sure I don't forget anyone.
- "He's No Prince Charming" by LuAnn McLane. I've heard of this author before, and always wanted to pick up one of her books. This is why going to local author events is so wonderful - I didn't even know she was local! I didn't get to talk to her much, unfortunately, but hopefully she will be at another event soon.
- "The Seduction of a Duke" by Donna MacMeans. Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk to her much either, but my mother did. It was another author (Heather Webber) that commented on how there are several authors that have their own little ritual they go through when signing a book, whether they have certain phrases they use, or what. Donna MacMeans has created quite the task for herself each time she signs! Not only did she autograph the book, she stamped it with a rubber stamp, put two swaggy bookmarks in it, and added a peacock feather as well.
- "Truly, Madly" by Heather Webber. I got a chance to review this book several weeks ago, and as you may or may not remember - I loved it! It was nice to meet her again, as well as get her to sign my ARC of her book. She actually did another B&N signing the week before, which I had wanted to go to, but I learned about it a bit late, but at least I managed to get out to see her today. And she was extremely appreciative of everyone that stopped by to see her. And if I may add, she also said she enjoyed reading my reviews, adding that they were honest and fair. *Big grin!*
- "Taming the Beast" by Heather Grothaus. Another author I hadn't heard of before, but I'm definitely excited to read this.. whew, quite the cover. I didn't get to talk to her much, but she was very nice and friendly, which is always wonderful.
- "Naughty Bits - An Anthology of Short Erotic Fiction" by various authors, but signed by Alison Paige. My aunt actually picked this book up and got it signed, which makes me a little awkward. I'm not sure I want my aunt reading this! Haha. And I believe it was Alison Paige who said that her own mother doesn't read the stories. She buys the books, tells everyone that her daughter is an author, but doesn't read them due to the content, which I find amusing.
- "Back in Black" by Lori Foster. The last (but not least!) of the authors whose book I bought and had signed. Lori Foster was extremely nice to talk to, telling me about the event she organizes each year in June, where authors, readers, agents, and publishers get together to talk and enjoy themselves. This year, she said there will be an author (Erin McCarthy) DJing an event, as well as a pirate themed dance. I'm really hoping to get to go to that.

Now on to other authors I talked to, got some swag, etc.
- Shelley Shepard Gray - I actually have met this author before as well, when I met Heather Webber for the first time, at my local library for a Valentine's Day event. I got some swag from Shelley Shepard Gray, a little calendar, some pens, and got to speak to her for a few moments.
- Kay Stockham - I got to talk to this author for a little while as well, talking about reviewing, becoming an author (because that is my ultimate goal), as well as other local events that a budding writer/a reviewer/just a reader can go to.
- Elysa Hendricks - I didn't get to talk to this author at all, really, but she came out to meet readers and sign books, so she certainly deserves to get some free publicity! I was looking at her book "The Sword and the Pen" and I might have to check that out, it looked really good.
- Susan Crandall - I believe my aunt talked to this author far more than I did, but her book "Sleep No More" is already sold out, and it was released in January of this year! I really hope to get my hands on a copy of this in the near future, it looks really good.
- Marcia James - I got to talk to Marcia James for a little while about some of her recently published works, two of which were for charities. The proceeds from one anthology went to a (fairly) local no-kill animal shelter, and unfortunately I don't remember the other charity, but I certainly commend her for her aide! She mentioned the story she wrote was rated G, but she usually wrote stories with an R rating. I made sure to ask if it was difficult writing something G-rated since it wasn't what she normally did, and she replied "Oh yes! I wanted them to do a lot more!" I'm sure I would too. I really hope to find more written by her, as well.

Whew! Talk about a full day. I wish I could have stayed a little longer and talked to a few more people, but I feel so lucky for getting to meet everyone that I did. I'll admit it, I get all fan-girlly when I get to meet authors, even ones I haven't read anything by before. Maybe some day I'll grow out of that phase, but it's highly unlikely!

Please, check out these authors! I'll be sure to post reviews of any and all of these books that I read. And I hope to let everyone know whenever these authors have new releases. It's great to have so much local talent!

As always, Happy Reader!
~!~ Morning Glow

Review of "A Highlander Christmas" by Janet Chapman

So I picked this up thinking it would be a quick, fun read. I realized within the first few pages that this must be part of a series, but it seemed that each of the children got their own book, so I figured it would be one of those "You can pick it up where ever and get into it" kind of series. Nope. And for disclaimer purposes - I did not recieve this book or money in exchange for a review. The book is on loan, and I am reviewing it because someone needs to hear about it, jeez.

From the back of the book:
" Camry MacKeage has absolutely no intention of telling her parents that she left her job as a NASA physicist for the small-town life of a dog-sitter - which is why she's spending the holidays alone in coastal Maine with her furry friends Tigger and Max. Unfortunately, her irresistibly handsome rival, scientist Luke Pascal, accidentally spilled the beans. Now he's on a mission from her mother to tempt Camry home for the family's annual winter solstice celebration. But Luke is hiding his own secret, and he'll need a little bit of magic to earn Camry's trust.. and a whole lot of mistletoe to seduce his way into her heart. "

Let's start at the very beginning ( a very good place to start, by the way ), with the title. "A Highlander Christmas" brings to mind, you know.. Highlanders and Christmas. Christmas was never even mentioned in the book, at all. In fact, the only holidays mentioned were the Winter Solstice, which Luke needed Camry to be home by, and the Summer Solstice, which was really only mentioned in passing. Neither of those, really, are Christmas. The Solstice is an entirely different sort of celebration. And as for the Highlander part, Camry had Highlander blood, as her father was one, and he showed up on occasion, as did a few other characters. But I don't think this book quite justified it being called "A Highlander Christmas".. maybe this was just to make it go along with the series, however.

Next, and probably my biggest issue with the book, would be pacing. By that, I mean there wasn't any. This book just jumped from one instance to the next, no little breaks for the reader, just a very fast ride where I felt, literally, dragged along. Honestly, by less than halfway through the book, I was pretty positive I didn't like it, hated the way it read, and just wanted it to be over, but I hate the idea of reviewing a book I didn't finish. Because this book was so fast paced, with sometimes very little description, I didn't fall in love with... any of it, really. There were maybe three things I liked, and they were the dogs in the book. I felt no connect with the characters, their stories didn't even seem believable to me. And it wasn't because of the supposed magic that kept occuring, I'm good with magic, magic I can handle.. But Camry was inconsistant, and I felt like if she had been a real person, there would be a long line of people that wanted to smack her. She supposedly worked for NASA as a physicist, but I never got the vibe that she was dedicated or able to concentrate enough to do something like that. Luke was a little better, mostly because he was new to this whole world too, and like me, seemed to just be along for the whirlwind.

As for what I liked about the book, I can't say there's much. I liked the story Luke told Camry about his younger sister and their old dog Maxine. I'm a sucker for "dog saves a family member" stories. And the two dogs that accompanied Camry and Luke on their journey were the characters I could actually tolerate during the whole thing. Maybe because they couldn't talk, maybe it was because the little dog's name was Tigger, and she wore sweaters. I can't tell.

This book, I'm sure, is part of a series, and yes, I suppose I was wrong for reading it out of order. But generally, series where each book features a different person are easier for someone to pick up in the middle. But because I disliked the quick tone and pace to this book, I won't be wanting to read the rest of them.

As for a rating, I'm giving this book a TWO out of FIVE. And I'm still not convinced I'm giving it a two only because I liked the dogs. Of course, you are all encouraged to read "A Highlander Christmas" by Janet Chapman and come to your own conclusions. And if you have read the rest of her books, please comment and tell me if they are much better when read in order, or if the rest follow a similar vein.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow

Review of "Dangerous Highlander" by Donna Grant

Just finished "Dangerous Highlander" by Donna Grant, the first in her Dark Sword series. I'm not sure how I remembered first hearing about this author, but I won some swag for the release of "Dangerous Highlander" several months ago, and finally got my hands on the book itself to read. Bought by myself, by the way, neither book or money was given in exchange for this review.

From the back of the book:
" A DANGEROUS MAN... He is magnificently strong - and dangerously seductive. One of the fiercest of his clan, Lucan MacLeod is a legend among warriors, inspiring fear in man and woman alike. For three hundred years, he has locked himself away from the world, hiding the vengeful god imprisoned in his soul. But then, a young lass caught in a raging storm awakens his deepest impulses... and darkest desires.
A DANGEROUS PASSION... Cara doesn't believe the rumors about MacLeod Castle - until the majestic Highland warrior appears like a fiery vision in the storm, pulling her into his powerful arms, and into his world of magic and druids. An epic war between good and evil is brewing. And Lucan must battle his all-consuming attraction for Cara - or surrender to the flames of a reckless, impossible love that threatens to destroy them both... "

As I'm sure everyone has noticed, character development, as well as how much I come to love the characters, is one of the biggest factors that make or break a novel for me. While I can't say I saw too much development in Lucan himself, I definitely saw change in Cara, and even more so in Lucan's brothers - Quinn and Fallon. Of course Lucan changed during the course of the novel, but that would mostly be because of his interaction with Cara, I wouldn't necessarily call it development.

One quick note, I did find my mind straying on occasion. There are some books that while I am interested, and for the most part they do keep my attenion, I find myself skipping lines, or sometimes just following dialogue. This seemed to be the case with "Dangerous Highlander." There were certainly passages that kept me glued to the page, but others, my mind would occasionally wander.

That said, I still loved the book. I really enjoyed the plot, the gods inside the warriors, and especially the description of what the warriors looked like when they let their god transform them. Even more than that, I loved that each warrior that held a different god transformed into a different colored creature. The big baddie in the storyline is interesting, and I can't wait to see how the whole thing wraps up, which I hope won't be for another several books. On that note, the next book in the series is "Forbidden Highlander".. and seems to be Fallon MacLeod's book.

So to wrap this up, I would give "Dangerous Highlander" by Donna Grant a FOUR out of FIVE. I liked the idea, I liked the characters, even loved some of them. And yes, I will check out the rest in the series. But this just didn't feel like a five star book to me. But definitely check out "Dangerous Highlander" and come up with your own conclusions.

Happy Reading!
~!~Morning Glow

Review of "Covet" by J.R. Ward

You think since I love any and all things vampires, I would have read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J. R. Ward, right? Well, actually.. Nope! "Covet" was the first book by J. R. Ward I've ever read, and wow.

From the back of the book:
" Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about - his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sings. And failure isn't an option.

Vin diPietro has surrendered himself to his business - until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior, and a woman who makes him question his destiny. With an ancient evil ready to claim him, Vin has to work with a fallen angel not only to win his beloved over... but to redeem his very soul. "

When I started reading this book, after learning about the great "ball game" for earth, and meeting Jim, I honestly thought I was in for something fun. Some quickly read, humorous romance that leaves me with a happy feeling at the end. But this book really blew me away. It was darker than I expected, and it had me so hooked I was up until 4am last night reading it. And when it was over, I'll be honest with you all, I wanted to cry. I'm not sure why.. maybe relief, or maybe because I felt like I was going with Jim on this new phase in his life.

I assume this will be a series, since Jim has to help seven people, and Vin was just the first. So that means that the questions I have from the first one will, hopefully, be answered. Such as, I'd like to know more about his organization that Jim used to work for. It gets to be pretty obvious what he did, but.. so much is left out. It's maybe a little too secretive for my taste. And Jim's tattoo.. I want to know more about it. I'm fairly positive I know what it means, but I'd like to have my suspicions confirmed or denied.

I'm so happy I read this book, really. "Covet" actually makes me want to go back and try to read the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels. I tried them, I really did, but I couldn't get past the first twenty some odd pages of the first book. But I got so emotionally invested in the characters from "Covet," I want to see if J.R. Ward can make me feel that way in the others, as well.

As for the rating, I'm giving "Covet" by J. R. Ward FIVE out of FIVE stars. It's heart warming, wrenching, and just.. good. As I said, I got extremely invested in this story, in Jim and Vincent's life, and I hope against all hope that I can read more about Jim soon. I love this, I am definitely re-reading it again (and again, and again), and I'm recommending this to.. everyone I know, probably.

Happy Reading! And be sure to check out "Covet" by J. R. Ward if you haven't already!
~!~ Morning Glow

Disclaimer:
Book was purchased by the reviewer. Neither book nor money was given in exchange for the review.

Review of "Dragon Actually" by G.A. Aiken

I just happened upon this book while going through a large stack of older novels, and I consider myself lucky for finding it! I think the title caught my eye first - What, you didn't believe that? Alright, the handsome looking man caught my eye first, but really, the title interested me. Honest.

From the back of the book:
" It's not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear - a lot - or else salute. It's true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother's soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer.

Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly, and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe - a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fills her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a villiage just by exhaling, Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger.

She's wrong.
[ And just wait until you meet the rest of the family...] "

I really enjoyed this. In fact, I got home about six-ish, started reading it almost immediately, and couldn't put it down until I finished a few hours later. I just loved the characters of Annwyl and Fearghus. And I like the fact that Annwyl couldn't defeat her brother on her own, not because she wasn't strong enough, but because her absolute anger would trip her up somehow, would leave her open to attack. And that is what the strange knight is helping her with, to overcome her anger and make sure she's ready to face her enemy. I also really, really loved the family dynamic between Fearghus and his siblings, and even with his parents, as well. Obviously that last bit on the back cover signals the reader to the fact that this will be a series - which I am sooo excited about. In fact, "Dragon Actually" includes a shorter story in the back of the book, "Chains and Flames," that tells the story of Fearghus' parents and how they got together. I quite enjoyed that, as well.

This wouldn't be a fair and balanced review unless I talked about any and all cons of the book, but it'll be hard to come up with anything substantial. Really, the only thing I had issues with were names, and that was because I didn't know how to pronounce them. Annwyl and Fearghus.. Nope, still not sure. I almost wish there had been a pronunciation guide included somewhere. And I'm not sure I liked the fact that Annwyl never really bothered to get the knight's name, especially as things progressed between them. But I, who can be quite nitpicky, was willing to overlook these things because I enjoyed the overall story so much.

I'm giving "Dragon Actually" a FIVE out of FIVE stars. I loved it, I'm going to re-read it, I've already got my hands on the second in the series and I can't wait to read it. I hope you all get a chance to check this book out, as well. As far as I know there are at least three in the series, and I hope there will be more to come. Fearghus has quite a few siblings. I certainly plan to do some more research on this author.

Happy Reading! And definitely check out "Dragon Actually" by G. A. Aiken
~!~ Morning Glow

Review of "Nightwalker" by Jocelynn Drake

Aha, another review (finally!) - this time of "Nightwalker" by Jocelynn Drake, the first Dark Days novel. I actually won a signed copy of Jocelynn Drake's third Dark Days novel from her blog several months ago, and getting the first book has been on my list for some time. So when I happened accross "Nightwalker" at my library, I grabbed it. I also have heard Jocelynn Drake compared to Jeaniene Frost (whom I LOVE), so I figured.. well heck, I'll give it a shot! So, my review.. but let's get a little bit of info first...

From the back of the book:
" For centures Mira has been a nightwalker - an unstoppable enforcer for a mysterious organization that manipulates earth-shaking events from the darkest shadows. But elemental mastery over fire sets her apart from other sof her night-prowling breed.. and may be all that prevents her doom. The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt... or be hunted. "

First off, I wanted to say that the back cover is a little misleading. It makes it seem as though Danaus is the main threat throughout the novel, and is the only one she's fighting. Not true.. in fact, there's an entire other race involved, and it's not just Mira, but Danaus and others as well fighting the big bad evil thing. But I can understand how throwing all that in there might leave people confused. Which actually brings me to my next point.

I'm confused. I feel like I need a timeline of Mira's life. Or at least of just the important events that occured from her turning until present day. A lot of times, I wasn't sure if Mira was already a nightwalker at Machu Picchu, or if she was turned following the battle that occured there. And there was mention of a certain type of vampire called "First Blood".. but despite how many times it's talked about, and the fact that Mira supposedly is one, I really don't understand what it is. And I really wish she would explain the Naturi (the big baddies) and the bori (mentioned a few times) a little better. Actually, I wish she would just write a nice big Dark Days series companion, so that I could reference it whenever I had a question.

Mira reminded me, at times, of Anita Blake from the earlier Anita Blake Vampire Hunter novels, which certainly isn't a bad thing. And I did see some similarities to Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. But I can definitely say I don't find this series as appealing as the ones mentioned above. I will, however, keep reading, because I want to know where this all is going. And I was told, by a coworker who has read the series, that it does get better, at least in regards to understanding concepts thrown at the reader.

I would rate this book a THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE. I thought the book was alright, even good at parts.. but the confusion I felt and the distinct lack of pull (as in, it just didn't pull me in) made me knock it down points-wise. But I did enjoy it to some extent, and I will check out the rest of the series.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow

Image courtesy of Amazon.com
Book is on loan from the Reviewer's local library, neither book nor money was given in exchange for a review.

Review(ette?) of "Vampire Valentine" by Lynsay Sands (in the "Bitten By Cupid" Anthology)

Is this technically a "reviewette" since it's of a short story in an anthology instead of a full book? Let's argue that later, hmm?

"Vampire Valentine" by Lynsay Sands is the latest story in the Argeneau series, featured in the anthology "Bitten By Cupid" along with stories by Pamela Palmer and Jaime Rush.

From the back of the book:
" - A daring vampire thinks she can conquer anything, but when she's paired with a mortal detective, she'll find her life - and her heard - in grave danger...
- An innocent woman falls into the arms of a mysterious man when she can't get a killer's terrifying thoughts out of her head...
- A stunning beauty should be thrilled when her lost love finally returns, but instead she fears for their immortal lives...
On Valentine's Day, some women want roses. But some just want to make it through the day alive. In BITTEN BY CUPID, New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands and newcomers Pamela Palmer and Jaime Rush present three tales of dangerous desire, where giving in to temptation could turn deadly, and even immortality won't keep you safe from Cupid's bow."

Pamela Palmer and Jaime Rush are new-to-me authors, but Lynsay Sands is an all time favorite. I enjoy her historicals, but I am absolutely in love with her Argeneau series. And I'm sure, if you've read this blog for a while, you're wondering why I would like this story, since I've said time and time again that I dislike shorter stories. Well, I'll tell you why, jeez, so pushy..

This story is just another story that occurs in a world I've already gotten used to, and I believe that even if I was new to the Argeneau world, I would get a good idea of how things work for the immortals, since Mirabeau does a bit of explaining to the younger, newly turned Stephanie. And I was definitely better able to handle a shorter story since I already knew the characters of Tiny and Mirabeau, and loved them - especially Tiny. I've been waiting for him to get his chance at a lifemate! But I just wouldn't be me if I didn't complain a little - it was still too short! I want more of Tiny and Mirabeau, but that's the benefit of a series, I will get to see them again, most likely in the next book. Lynsay Sands is great about bringing her characters back in later books, and giving the readers a chance to peek into their "happily ever after" and see just how well it's going. In fact, we get to see Elvi, Victor, DJ, and Mabel in the end of this book, and of course some of the other Argeneaus show up in the beginning. I'm starting to think they just naturally travel in packs, despite their declaration of being solo creatures.

I believe the back of the book gives the reader the impression that there will be a sense of danger in this story, however that's not really true. The trio - Stephanie, Tiny, and Mirabeau - must sneak out and get from one location to another without being discovered or captured by Leonius (a baddie from a previous book), but... there's no sense that they're actually being followed. And I wasn't afraid they would actually be captured at all. That said, I enjoyed the character interaction - especially Stephanie's comments to the others. I thought Stephanie was an intriguing character, and I do hope she shows up again in later books.

I'm going to give "Vampire Valentine" a FOUR POINT FIVE out of FIVE. I'm taking that half-point off only because I did want a little bit more sense of danger, and the ending almost felt like a cliffhanger.. but I really did enjoy the story, and I'm so happy both Mirabeau and Tiny finally get their chance at a lifemate. Well... mostly Tiny. *Wink Wink*

Happy Reading! And be sure to check out the "Bitten By Cupid" anthology featuring Lynsay Sands, Pamela Palmer, and Jaime Rush. Perfect Valentines Day reading for the vampire lover!
~!~Morning Glow

Book was purchased by the reviewer.
Photo courtesy of Amazon.com.