Talk About My Favorite Authors

I have read a couple of ebooks published by Wild Horse Press which include ebooks by Jessica Coulter Smith, Linda Palmer, Paige Warren and T.L. Mitchell. So when Wild Horse Press contacted me to inquire if I accepted review requests from publishers and asked me if I would like to review an ARC of J.L. Oiler's debut novel Blood Dance, which is the first book of her Seeds of Oden series and I accepted. I love their website because it is so clean and easy to find everything you would like to know about their authors, books and submission guidelines and more. I might really consider submitting my manuscript to them if I ever get it finished and editing enough to fit their requirements for submission. Well onto the book review for J.L. Oiler's debut novel, Blood Dance, that I will say right off I really enjoyed reading and I would love to read the next book in the series. This book isn't to be released until Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 so if you want to read the book as soon as you read this review you are going to have to wait a couple of weeks but it will be worth the wait I tell you. The Crimson Erotica is Pittsburgh’s hottest night club and even in the middle of the week patron clamor to get through the door so that they could party until they dropped from having a good time. But no one who entered the club would ever imagine it is something far different or that the shapely dancer who owns the club with her two sisters is far from an ordinary human.

Named for the god of war, Ares has always lived up to the reputation of the name her father gave her though she had her soft spot of her younger sisters. Born to be the bloodmate of Kaden, one of the leaders of an ancient race of vampire’s who have sworn to protect mankind from their predatory counterparts, she is torn between her promise to reunite her younger siblings and her desire for the one man who makes her pulse race. Can she surrender to her destiny and help protect mankind from the evil that stalks them or will she just continue to sway in the denial on the Blood Dance? I think that Ares will surrender to her destiny and help protect mankind from the evil that stalks them with her bloodmate Kaden because she has lived too long without the passionate love that they instantly share. It was so much fun getting to know more about the Seeds of Oden in this first book of the series because I enjoyed reading more about this world filled with good and bad vampires with the mix of 12 female bloodmates that are part-human. Ares and Kaden have got some issues that they may have to work out with their new bloodmate relationship since she has always been with the one mindset of reunited her younger siblings. I think they will make it and I hope to read more about their growing relationship in any of the future books of this series. J.L. Oiler delivers a steamy and thrilling debut paranormal romance novel as well as a wonderful start to a gripping new series that will have to anxious to get your hands on the next book. I am hooked and I can't wait to get my hands on J.L's next book, Blood Dawn, of her Seeds of Oden series which is going to be out in Summer of 2010 if all goes accordingly. I give this book 4 Open Books:

Here is the description of the book from J.L.'s website and picture:

BLOOD DANCE by J.L. Oiler $ 4.98 (Book 1)(142 Pages)

The Crimson Erotica is Pittsburgh’s hottest night club. Even in the middle of the week patron clamor to get through the door. But no one would ever imagine it is something far different or that the shapely dancer who owns the club with her two sisters is far from an ordinary human. Named for the god of war, Ares has always lived up to the reputation. Born to be the bloodmate of Kaden, one of the leaders of an ancient race of vampire’s who have sworn to protect mankind from their predatory counterparts, she is torn between her promise to reunite her siblings and her desire for the one man who makes her pulse race. Can she surrender to her destiny and help protect mankind from the evil that stalks them or will she just continue to sway in the denial on the Blood Dance.

I have read a couple of ebooks published by Wild Horse Press which include ebooks by Jessica Coulter Smith, Linda Palmer and Paige Warren. So when Wild Horse Press contacted me to inquire if I accepted review requests from publishers and asked me if I would like to review T.L. Mitchell's debut novel Dark of kNight, which is the first book of her Dark of kNight series and I accepted. I love their website because it is so clean and easy to find everything you would like to know about their authors, books and submission guidelines and more. I might really consider submitting my manuscript to them if I ever get it finished and editing enough to fit their requirements for submission. I found out that T.L. had previously self-published this novel with AuthorHouse but pulled it out and decided to have it re-issued in a second edition in eBook format with Wild Horse Press. Well onto the book review for T.L. Mitchell's debut novel, Dark of kNight, that I will say right off I really enjoyed reading and I would love to read the next book in the series. The heroine of the novel and series is Julie Knight and she never really knew how much her life would change after the death of her beloved father. So after returning home to Spring Place, GA, the mysterious animal attacks begin that start to change her world in ways that she never knew possible. The small town is in an uproar over the horrific killings and that is when Julie finds herself in danger when the truth of who she is has finally been revealed to her. The last of a thousand year old bloodline of Lycans, Guardians of the mysterious Fort Mountain is all depending on her and her mate to continue the line or it would be the end for the Lycans. Now the hero of the novel and series is Daniel Maxwell, the handsome, dark, yet mysterious scientist returns home for the funeral and he has definitely has changed, but his love for Julie remains the same. She is what he has always wanted, has always been what he needs in his life though he has never said anything about it to Julie. Daniel would die for her and he would kill for her because that is how passionate and true his love for her is.

The passions begin to flare and so does the romance between Julie and Daniel though it seems like it is going to fast they don't know or want it to stop. Joining forces with a mysterious group of moon-eyed people, together they must prepare for the ultimate battle—the battle against a deadly pack of werewolves. Can Julie and Daniel's love be strong enough to protect them from their dangerous desires? Or will they be forever lost in the Dark of kNight? Well I think that Julie and Daniel's love is strong enough to protect them from their dangerous desires because they have the determination to live and love one another that being lost in the dark of kNight is not an option for them. It took reading the first two chapters to hook me into the plot of the novel and not let me go even after I had finished the novel to the start of what I can tell will be an intriguing and suspenseful series. T.L. Mitchell delivers an exciting and suspenseful debut paranormal romance novel that will captivate you from the start and will have you wondering what would happen next for Julie and Daniel as well as the rest of the wonderfully written secondary characters. After reading this novel I was sad that the novel had to end but was excited that Julie and Daniel with the rest of the secondary characters would be coming back for another round in the second novel, Fall of kNight, in her Dark of kNight series. This is a series that I will definitely be keeping an eye out for because it has everything I need in a series, wonderful primary and secondary characters that capture my interest from the start, a suspenseful and exciting plot that has me wanting more and definitely the paranormal element that takes me out of my everyday life. I give this book 4 Open Books:

Here is the description of the book from T.L.'s website and picture:

DARK OF KNIGHT by T.L. Mitchell $ 5.98 (Book 1)(260 Pages

Julie Knight never really knew how much her life would change after the death of her father. After returning home to Spring Place, GA, the mysterious animal attacks begin. The small town is in an uproar over the horrific killings. Julie finds herself in danger when the truth of who she is has been revealed. The last of a thousand year old bloodline of Lycans, Guardians of the mysterious Fort Mountain. Daniel Maxwell, the handsome, dark, yet mysterious scientist returns home for the funeral. He has changed, but his love for Julie remains the same. She is what he has always wanted. She is what he needs. He would die for her. He would kill for her. The passions begin to flare and so does the romance between Julie and Daniel. Joining forces with a mysterious group of moon-eyed people, together they must prepare for the ultimate battle—the battle against a deadly pack of werewolves. Can Julie and Daniel's love be strong enough to protect them from their dangerous desires? Or will they be forever lost in the Dark of kNight?

I was lucky enough to win an autographed copy of historical romance author Rita Gerlach's current release Surrender the Wind from the wonderful Christian romance author MaryLu Tyndall, which I've had the pleasure of reading her books. I've also had the pleasure of chatting with Rita on Facebook one day and I was lucky enough to have her scheduled to be on my live podcast show TAMFA—Phoebe Jordan on Thursday, January 21st at 8PM EST. For today I will be reviewing her novel Surrender the Wind which I had such a fun time reading because I love historical romance novels very much. The novel starts after a harrowing escape from the British, patriot and the hero of the novel, Seth Braxton, finds his father had died at Yorktown. Now battle scarred and grieving, he hopes to settle down for a peaceful life along the shores of the Potomac by restoring the land his father so dearly loved. Thinking he will forever stay in the secluded wilderness of Virginia he receives a message that he has inherited his grandfather's estate in faraway England. Seth is torn between the land he's fought so hard for and the prospect of reuniting with his young sister, Caroline, who was a motherless child at the onset of the Revolution, taken to England in order to spare her the horrors of war. Well Seth has to make up his mind on what he is going to do next because it will decide his future forever which could end up with him falling in love in England or him being alone to care for his land in Virginia. So in the end he made up his mind though not with any intention of making his stay at Ten Width permanent. He journeys to England to do his duty and when he arrives, he finds his sister grieving terrible after being told her young son has died of a fever.

In the midst of so much tragedy, he meets Juleah, the daughter of an eccentric landed gentleman who lives not that far away from Ten Width. She is also best friends with his sister Caroline and was with her when her grandfather was gravely ill and died several months ago which helped her get through such sorrow. Her independent spirit and gentle soul stole his heart from the very the time that they first met in person and she later becomes his wife and lady of the manor. That then enrages the man who once sought her hand and hoped Ten Width would be his own which leads both Seth and Juleah on a dangerous path. From the Virginia wilderness, to the dark halls of an isolated English estate, Seth inherits more than a crumbling ancestral home that he has never wanted but is responsible for. He uncovers a sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction, and betrayal—an ominous mix that threatens to destroy his new life and new love. It took me a little while to get into this book but after finishing the first two chapters of the book I was immediately hooked with all that was going on with the hero Seth and the heroine Juleah. I could tell from the beginning of this novel that it would be a good read because I could feel the chemistry between Seth and Juleah that would make this novel fun to read so that I could find out how they would get their happily ever after ending that I so wanted for them. Rita Gerlach delivers a wonderfully written historical romance novel that had the sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction and betrayal it promised and left me wanting more even after the novel had ended for Seth and Juleah. I will be looking forward to any of Rita's future books if they are as good as her novel Surrender the Wind. I give this book 4 Open Books:

Here is the description of the book from the back cover and picture:

SURRENDER THE WIND by Rita Gerlach $ 13.99 (382 Pages)

After a harrowing escape from the British, patriot Seth Braxton finds his father dead at Yorktown. Now battle scarred and grieving, he endeavors to settle down for a peaceful life along the shores of the Potomac by restoring the land his father loved. Thinking he will forever stay in the secluded wilderness, he receives a message that he has inherited his grandfather's estate in faraway England. Seth is torn between the land he's fought for and the prospect of reuniting with his sister, Caroline, who was a motherless child at the onset of the Revolution, taken to England in order to spare her the horrors of war.

With no intention of making his stay at Ten Width permanent, he journeys to England to do his duty. When he arrives, he finds his sister in the throes of grief after being told her young son has died of a fever. In the midst of so much tragedy, he meets Juleah, the daughter of an eccentric landed gentleman. Her independent spirit and gentle soul steal his heart, and she becomes his wife and lady of the manor, enraging the man who once sought her hand and hoped Ten Width would be his own. From the Virginia wilderness, to the dark halls of an isolated English estate, Seth inherits more than a crumbling ancestral home. He uncovers a sinister plot that leads to murder, abduction, and betrayal—an ominous mix that threatens to destroy his new life and new love.

The following is quoted from Rachel Vincent's blog and so it's written in the first person which means that Rachel is talking:

1. Copy the code (click on "share") of the graphic above and post it to your blog. Add a link to my blog from your blog, saying something like, "Click here to enter Curl Up with a Book…and a Nook Contest."

2. Publish your blog.

3. Come back here and reply to this post with a link to your blog entry and your answer to the following question: What new books are you looking forward to loading onto your Nook (should you win it) in the New Year?

If for whatever reason you’re technically challenged and can’t post the graphic, that’s okay. Just blog about the contest and provide a link to it. That’s a totally fine alternative.

What if you don’t have a blog?

Tell at least one other people about the contest who you think might want to enter. Post about it in a forum, on a loop, a friend via email, on MySpace, Facebook ect. Obviously, I can’t verify if you did it or not, so this is on the honor system. Once you’ve done that, reply to this post and tell me about it. Oh, and don’t forget to answer the question: What new books are you looking forward to loading onto your Nook (should you win it) in the New Year?

This is a bit late but I haven't posted an author guest in such a long time I was not use to posting early. I have newly published romance author Penny Watson guest blogging here about her debut novel, Sweet Inspiration, on my blog today after having contacted me about scheduling an author interviewed, guest blogging and having her debut novel reviewed by me a couple of months ago. Her debut romance novel, Sweet Inspiration, was a wonderful read and you can read my review of it that I posted a while back. Also don't forget to check out my recent interview with Penny that I posted this past Tuesday so you can learn more about her and her writing. Now onto the very interesting and informative guest blog by Penny:

This is a bit late but I haven't posted an author interview in such a long time I was not use to posting early. I have newly published romance author Penny Watson being interviewed here on my blog today after having contacted me about scheduling an author interviewed, guest blogging and having her debut novel reviewed by me a couple of months ago. Her debut romance novel, Sweet Inspiration, was a wonderful read and you can read my review of it that I posted a while back. Also don't forget to come back on Thursday, December 10th because Penny will be guest blog about how she came up with Sweet Inspiration and more. Now onto my very interesting and informative interview with Penny:

Phoebe Jordan: When did you know that writing romance was going to be the thing that you would do with your life? Which author inspired you to start writing romance?

Penny Watson: To tell you the truth, Phoebe, I still don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life! :) But I do know that I am passionate about reading, writing and discussing romantic fiction. Since I discovered this wonderful genre, I've become a serious addict. I've been interested in creative writing since I was a little girl, but got somewhat sidetracked (happily so!) by a career in science and education. After reading Sherrilyn Kenyon's Night Play, I decided to write my own werewolf romance novel. Ha! Just ask my writers group (The Quirky Ladies) about that book.... I didn't know what POV meant, had no clue about central conflict, and wasn't sure if my genre was dark paranormal or comedy. Needless to say, I chocked that one up as a good learning experience, and then started to write Sweet Inspiration once I figured out that light paranormal is really my thing.

Phoebe: Did you know what type of romance you wanted to write about or did you experiment with different genres before you chose the one that you felt was for you?

Penny: I was so confused with my first novel. I wasn't sure if it was a serious paranormal or a comedy. I finally realized that writing light paranormal was coming more naturally to me, so Sweet Inspiration was born. I definitely like thinking "outside of the box" in terms of mixing up different elements in my writing. Making a romance novel where the paranormal setting was the North Pole with Santa and his elves qualifies as "outside of the box!"

Phoebe: What was the first fiction you ever wrote? And do you still have it with you?

Penny: I wrote a story about a girl who lived in a tree house when I was in third grade. I remember the heroine's name was Mandy. Sadly, the original manuscript has been lost forever! :)

Phoebe: How much research do you have to do for your novels and does it take you a long time to gather that research?

Penny: I do research as I go along. I like to jump right into my story and I don't have the patience to do months of research (or plotting, for that matter).

Phoebe: How did you come up with the concept for your debut novel, Sweet Inspiration, which is the first book of your Klaus Brothers Series?

Penny: Most of my story ideas come from a single scene that pops into my head, and then I expand on that. For Sweet Inspiration, I saw a couple making love in front of a roaring fire, and then I thought, "Maybe they're in the North Pole, and the guy is Santa's son...." And it just took off from there!

Phoebe: How do you come up with each of your characters for your novels? How do you choose their names out of so many names out there?

Penny: My characters develop as I write. I usually have a "kernel" that I start with, and as the story progresses, I learn more and more about each character. I just pick the first name that pops into my head! For my elves, I am using a list of German names.

Phoebe: Do you have a favorite character that you really enjoyed writing about in your debut novel, Sweet Inspiration, which is the first book of your Klaus Brothers Series?? Did you have a character that you felt you could really relate to in your debut novel, Sweet Inspiration, which is the first book of your Klaus Brothers Series?

Penny: I love Nicholas, the hero. He is a super-starched uptight guy who loves to cook. Falling in love with Lucy sends him into a big tailspin. He was really fun to write. I am personally more like Lucy, the heroine. She cooks by the seat of her pants, and doesn't follow recipes. That's totally me!

Phoebe: Do you have a process of how you start to write your novels?

Penny: I'm a pantser. I start with a single scene or idea, and just expand on that. I figure out the story one chapter at a time.

Phoebe: Have you ever considered writing a series or are writing stand alone novels your preference? How would writing each be different for you?

Penny: Sweet Inspiration is the first of a five-part series, The Klaus Brothers Series. I am working on book #2 right now. It's called Sweet Magik…it's Oskar's story. I am also working on a stand alone botanical mystery/romance called Diabolical.

Phoebe: What process did you have to go through to get your debut novel published and did it take you long?

Penny: Once I finished my story, I entered a ton of writing contests. I also started querying a huge long list of agents, plowing through alphabetically! I was lucky enough to win first place in the paranormal category in the 2008 Gateway to the Best Contest. I think that helped a lot with the query letters. Once I figured out that the regular market was not interested in a 55,000-word Christmas-themed romance novel, I searched for publishers that offered shorter holiday stories. There were quite a few e-pubs that fit the bill, but most of them were looking for erotic stories. Luckily, The Wild Rose Press had the exact specifications I was looking for, and they loved my story. Yippee! It took about 6 months from the time I finished to the contract offer.

Phoebe: Do you ever get writers block? What do you do to get rid of it so you can get back to writing your novels?

Penny: All the time! Walking the dog is the best way for me to work through my blocks. And good exercise, too!

Phoebe: What is your biggest reader pet peeve, if you have any? (stock characters, unresolved endings, predictability, everything wrapped up hurriedly in the end, etc.)

Penny: The Big Misunderstanding. That drives me nuts!

Phoebe: Which aspects of writing do you enjoy the most and why? And what is your biggest writing pet peeve? (overuse of exclamation points, adverbs, bad guys named Wayne, etc.), if you have any?

Penny: I love pantsing a book, not knowing what's going to happen. Every new chapter is an adventure for me. I love exclamation points, adverbs, guys with beards, hard-cussing elves, etc. The Quirky Ladies keep me in line!

Phoebe: What is the one writing tool can you not live without?

Penny: My computer!

Phoebe: How do you handle your writing schedule and your personal life without going insane?

Penny: Who says I'm not insane? (diabolical laughter).... I try to make a schedule for myself each day when the kids are in school, but it doesn't always work. Balancing my writing and personal life is still a work in progress.

Phoebe: What do you do to relax after having spent a long while writing? Do you have any hobbies?

Penny: I love walking my dachshund Lucy....she's the best! I also love working in my garden, cooking, biking around the neighborhood with my kids, and trying out new martinis with the Quirks!

Phoebe: Is there any advice that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Penny: Someone did give this advice to me...after my first horrendous pitch appointment. (I pitched Sweet Inspiration at a writer's conference and I totally crashed and burned). Just because the story isn't right for an individual publisher or agent does not mean that it's not right for someone. Keep trying until you find your niche!

Phoebe: Is there any writing tips, research tips, promotion and marketing tips that you would give to an aspiring romance writer that you wish someone had given you?

Penny: Don't forget that you are the master of your own destiny. It's easy to feel like the outcome of your writing career is in everyone else's hands but your own. You can't think that way. Make a plan for yourself and stick to it!

Phoebe: Do you have a favorite genre you like to read? Who is your favorite author(s)?

Penny: My favorites are historical and paranormal. I have WAY too many favorite authors to list them here. Check out my review blog (Penelope's Romance Reviews) to see some of my favorites!

Phoebe: What are you reading now? And what do you plan to read after that?

Penny: I am just about to dig into two new books...Jacquie D'Alessandro's Touch Me and The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide by JR Ward.

ISBN Number: 978-1-897560-23-5
Genre: Holiday Romance
Length: Novella
Price: $2.99


Blurb:


Patsy has lusted after her boss for years, but lately it's getting harder to keep that desire hidden. She decides to quit before she makes a fool of herself. Her boss Dexter refuses to accept her resignation letting her out of her contract. So she sets out to get fired without actually screwing up her job, which means some big changes around the office.


Dexter finally admits he can't ignore the way he feels about Patsy anymore. He calls her into his office intending to ask her out to dinner and hopefully bring their relationship onto a more personal level. Before he can say anything she quits. He refuses to let her out of her contract. This gives him twelve weeks to get her to change her mind, so when she starts changing things around the office he gives it a chance hoping to show her another side of him.


Available Now at Blade Publishing and ARe.

"The Christmas She Rules"
Control is her kink…and she’s losing it.

It’s another gloomy Christmas for Pamela Dane. Not only is it the anniversary of a dark period in her life, but all her friends had the nerve to hook up. It’s not easy for a female Domme to find a playmate. Maybe The Cage in San Francisco will be the perfect place to escape—and find a willing man to chase away the memories.

Christian Nolan is at the BDSM club for the hell of it. Yet the minute Mistress Dane takes control of him, she not only stuns him with her talent, he stuns himself with his willingness to surrender. Her offer to meet him there for another night is intriguing—and frightening.

Pamela’s session with Chris shakes her to the core, resurrecting memories she’s afraid to face. But Chris isn’t willing to let her past haunt her…even if it leaves his heart in tatters.

Warning: Hot, strong man on his knees, which will bring you to yours. Strap-on action, anal play, lots of leather and tons of tension. Alpha male who likes to do whatever the right woman tells him to do, including another woman.


BUY IT HERE!
Want a taste? Read an excerpt HERE.

"The Scroll Thief: a Tale of Ithian" by R. F. Long

Love is the wiliest thief of all.

A Tale of Ithian

Malachy and his sister rely on his talents as a thief to survive the dangerous streets of Klathport, former capital of the once-great kingdom of Ithian. Stealing a few papers should have been a simple job. Instead, it nearly costs their lives and throws them into an improbable alliance with a shape-shifting official, a desert tribeswoman, and a healer of enchanting beauty.

Cerys is far more than a simple healer—and the roots of her mission go deeper into the past than anyone can know. She needs Malachy’s skills to recover a stolen scroll, one that can be used to rewrite history and, in the wrong hands, release the dark powers of the Demon Realm.

Her mission was supposed to atone for a dreadful, long-ago act. Instead, it unleashes a chain of events which sees them pursued through city and desert by the fearsome Dune Witch and a killer known only as His Lordship. Romance, tragedy, and adventure blend in a tale of a magical land on the brink of war, and five unlikely allies who, by putting their lives—and their hearts—on the line, have the opportunity to finally set things right.

But at a terrible cost.

Warning: Contains scenes of graphic violence and torture, captivating magic and beauty, two dashing heroes, three gutsy heroines, several love stories and a heartbreaking sacrifice.

BUY IT HERE!
Read an excerpt HERE.