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.

8 Ways Onto The Naughty List Rita Sawyer

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.

Today I'm reviewing newly released novel of romance author Wendy Ely who I met through one of the various online romance writing and reading communities I'm a member of. She contacted me about being on my review blog and I was happy to have her because I reviewed an ARC of her debut novel, Jesse's Brother. I interviewed Wendy on this review blog as well as had her guest blog about her debut novel, Jesse's Brothers and I even talked live with Wendy Ely on my live podcast show TAMFA—Phoebe Jordan about what she felt now that her debut novel, Jesse's Brother, was finally released as of Monday, September 21. Now lets get to my review of Wendy's newly released novel, Confessions, which I was lucky enough to get copy of from Wendy to review. Confessions is the first book of Wendy's Desert Secret series and I'm happy that it is because I would definitely love to see these main characters in the future novels of this series. This novel starts when the heroine, Chelsea Montgomery, is at a diner where she first vanished eleven years ago, and we find out that her hometown thought she’d been abducted.

In truth, she'd given up the daughter she'd secretly had with her one true love Jordan Case. Though it's been eleven years since Jordan has seen or heard from Chelsea now he confronts her to help find the child, Elizabeth, that they both created long ago. With a little girl's fate hanging in the balance, will the uneasy partnership—stained by the past—transform into something else? Well I certainly hope so because I know that Jordan and Chelsea were meant to be together with their wonderful daughter. I had fun reading this novel because it kept me on my toes wondering when Chelsea and Jordan would finally get to see their daughter and be together after so many years apart. There was a bit of mystery while reading this novel that I loved during which Jordan and Chelsea had to find their daughter but couldn't since the people that illegally adopted Elizabeth after so many years. Wendy Ely delivers yet another wonderful novel that hooked me from the start and made me crave for more even though the novel finished. I very much look forward to reading any of Wendy's future novels because like I said she has me hooked. I am also anxious to find out more about her Desert Secret series especially since I think there is more to be find out about Chelsea's sisters who have a mysterious background that I would like to find out more about. I give this book 4 Open Books:

Here is the description of the novel from Wendy's website and picture:

Can Chelsea and Jordan find their child, and rediscover each other? When Chelsea Montgomery vanished eleven years ago, her hometown thought she’d been abducted. In truth, she'd given up the daughter she'd secretly had with Jordan Case. Now he confronts her to help find the child. With a little girl's fate hanging in the balance, will the uneasy partnership—stained by the past—transform into something else? Content Warning: Contains sexual scenes and sensitive family situations.

Linda Palmer is a former Silhouette romance author now a young adult author that I recently discovered but one that I will definitely be keeping an eye out for in the future after reading her paranormal young adult novel, The Cinderella Swap, which she contacted me to review for her. I also had the pleasure of getting to review her current released paranormal young adult novel, Jaguar Moon, from one of my favorite e-publishers Wild Horse Press as well as Linda's upcoming February 2010 young adult release, Operation Normal, that I was so excited to get the honor of reviewing an ARC since I was totally needing my Linda Palmer Young adult fix since first starting reading her novels. Now today I'm reviewing another ARC of Linda's upcoming December 2009 release called, Storm Swept, from yet again one of my favorite e-publishers Wild Horse Press. I was so happy to get an ARC of this novel because I fell in love with Linda Palmer's first young adult novel, The Cinderella Swap, that I knew this upcoming novel will be just as great a read with some new characters to fall in love with. I've only recently gotten into reading young adult romance novels and since then I've been hunting up as many young adult romance authors I could find to read. I was very intrigued when I read the blurb for this novel and the cover was also really beautiful that I had to read it.

I was so excited when I started reading this novel and I have to say that it actually took me about a couple of days to finish up this novel though her previous YA novels I gobbled up in a few hours. Well the novel starts when the heroine, Jenny Jefferson, agrees to help her sister open a B&B but she doesn't know that Jase Edwards will be working there, too. Jenny and Jase have history—an angry encounter at her sister's wedding four years ago. This time around their chemistry is as intense and supercharged as the lightning snaking down from the storm clouds overhead. Not even a mischievous house ghost can distract them from each other. But something far more sinister lurks in the shadows, and its eye is on Jenny. Can she and Jase unravel the mystery of the house's tragic past before history repeats itself? So this novel wasn't exactly what I was expecting when I read the blurb because I sometimes had a bit of trouble understanding what was going on with Jenny and Jase as well as their mysterious haunting ghost. It took me a while to really get into the story which is completely different from Linda's other novels which just sucked me in from the very beginning.

I loved the characters Jenny and Jase as well as Jenny's older pregnant sister but what kept throwing me off the story was the haunting ghost in the B&B that kept attacking Jenny. I was really not sure what to think of who the hell that ghost is and why it was only attacking Jenny and not her pregnant sister or even Jase. Other than that I loved the way Jenny and Jase really started to get to know each other better though they had a very bad first impression of each other from their sister and brother's wedding celebration. Jenny and Jase are wonderful characters that after some time together can see that they are both really good and caring people who love their family very much. They also have some very intense chemistry going on between them that I sometimes could see the words sizzling while I was reading though they stayed true to their vows of not persuing a phyiscal relationship with one another until they knew each other full in a month or so. I am still so happy that I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Storm Swept even though it took me a while for me to really love reading it. I was a bit sad that it had to come to an end though it was a satisfying end that may have potentional of giving us a follow up story for Jenny and Jase if Linda ever decided to write more on them and their families. Linda Palmer delivers yet another exciting and wonderfully written young adult with suspense, romance and a bit of paranormal elements to have you questioning who the haunting ghost of the B&B is and why is it after Jenny and not any of the other characters. I give this book 4 Open Books:

STORM SWEPT by Linda Palmer $ 5.98 (151 Pages)

When Jenny Jefferson agrees to help her sister open a B&B, she doesn't know that Jase Edwards will be working there, too. Jenny and Jase have history—an angry encounter at her sister's wedding four years ago. This time around their chemistry is as intense and supercharged as the lightning snaking down from the storm clouds overhead. Not even a mischievous house ghost can distract them from each other. But something far more sinister lurks in the shadows, and its eye is on Jenny. Can she and Jase unravel the mystery of the house's tragic past before history repeats itself?

Madonna Lacy also known as M.L. Lacy is a self-published author who I met through my very good friend RITBS creator Terry Kate. I interviewed Madonna here on the blog as well as had her guest blog last month which was pretty fun to learn more about her and her books. Now today I'm reviewing her debut novel, Chrysalis: The Awakening, and the first book in her Chrysalis series. It's a paranormal romance filled with vampires, magicians and other various types of mythical creatures we have only read about in fairytales. All families have secrets, right? But not like 32-years-old, Bree Campbell, who is discovering that her entire life has been a secret that only she didn't know anything about unlike the rest of her family who is keeping the secret from her. Like most people, it never occurred to Bree to question her mortality and that is until she learns that she is a mortal born into a family of Magicals and begins to question everything and everyone in her life. This is a new world filled with so many unbeliveable creatures that go bump in the night and as these doors to Bree’s new world fly open she finally hears the prophecy told at her birth. Now she must face the revelation that she is a Chosen One and to top that the last and greatest of a long line of Chosen Ones. And if this weren't overwhelming enough, she has been charged with saving every living thing on earth by repairing the cosmic tear that binds the mortal world she has always known and the Magical world she is just now discovering. Now that is a burden that no one should be saddled with at birth and not know about it until your older.

But the real question lies in whether Bree will survive the long transformation into the powerful Druid Sorceress that is her destiny or die in the process as many before her have gone. That is something that she is being prepared for by the ancient ones that have come to her in her mind as she slowly became aware of her destiny as the most powerful of the Chosen Ones. Now Bree’s journey will not be an easy one and she must face the realities of her new life and her new family which include a clan of vampires who have been charged with protecting her for all of her mortal life. They have chosen her as a leader in their clan, a position that has really complicated things for her because for no sooner that Bree is finally reunited with her long lost love, Steven, Bree must learn how to navigate the jealousies and emotions within her new family. Meeting Steven again after such a long time being apart because most of her memories were hidden in her mind in order for her to forget him and move on to being a normal human though that had a tragic ending. While Bree tries to free herself from her past, including her cruel and lethal soon-to-be ex-husband, she must determine who she can truly trust. And while her clan loves her immensely, they will continually try to stand in her way while all in the name of protecting her from those set upon her death.

Bree’s arch nemesis is Esmeralda, a powerful sorceress in her own right who will stop at nothing until this Chosen One is dead. Now if Esmeralda can claim Bree’s blood, heart and soul and restore her Demon to his body, she will be so strong that none will be able to oppose her and she will be free to rid the world of all mortals and rule as she chooses. But with the help of the Guardians and her dreams, Bree begins to awaken the powers hidden within her and begins to embrace the responsibility she has been born to. And even while these changes make her body weak, Bree begins to find an inner strength she never knew she had within herself. Will it be enough to save the world? Well that question is yet to be answered since this book is part of a series that it yet finished so we are going to have to hold our breaths and wait to find out if Bree will have enough in her to save the world. I have to say that it took me a bit of time to get into this very complex novel since there was so much going on with the various characters in this novel. There was a small part of the story that was written in the third person and when it switched to the first person through Bree's point of view I was a bit confused but I got into the story after a couple of chapters to get use to the change. In the end of this long and character driven story I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next between Bree and her love Steven as well as the rest of her family and clan. Madonna Lacy delivers a wonderfully written debut novel that will have to captivated from start to finish in this world filled with vampires, magicians and other various types of mythical creatures we have only read about in fairytales. I am very much looking forward to getting my hands on the second book in the Chrysalis series because I seriously want to read what happens next to end my curiousity at least for this next part. I give this book 4 Open Books:

Here is the description of the book from the back cover and picture: CHRYSALIS: THE AWAKENING by M.L. Lacy $ 14.99 (Book 1)(589 Pages) All families have secrets. But at 32 years old, Bree Campbell is discovering that her entire life has been a secret. Like most people, it never occurred to her to question her mortality; that is until she learns that she is a mortal born into a family of Magicals and begins to question everything and everyone in her life. As the doors to Bree’s new world fly open and she finally hears the prophecy told at her birth she must face the revelation that she is a Chosen One; the last and greatest of a long line of Chosen Ones. And if this were not overwhelming enough, she has been charged with saving the earth by repairing the cosmic tear that binds the mortal world she has always known and the Magical world she is just now discovering. But the real question lies in whether Bree will survive the long transformation into the powerful Druid Sorceress that is her destiny or die in the process as many before her have gone. Bree’s journey will not be an easy one. She must face the realities of her new life and her new family; a clan of vampires who have been charged with protecting her for all of her mortal life. They have chosen her as a leader in their clan, a position that has really complicated things for her. For no sooner than Bree is finally reunited with her long lost love, Steven, Bree must learn how to navigate the jealousies and emotions within her new family. While Bree tries to free herself from her past, including her cruel and lethal husband, she must determine who she can truly trust. And while her clan loves her immensely, they will continually try to stand in her way; all in the name of protecting her from those set upon her death. Bree’s arch nemesis is Esmeralda, a powerful sorceress in her own right who will stop at nothing until this Chosen One is dead. If Esmeralda can claim Bree’s blood, heart and soul and restore her Demon to his body, she will be so strong that none will be able to oppose her and she will be free to rid the world of all mortals and rule as she chooses. But with the help of the Guardians and her dreams, Bree begins to awaken the powers hidden within her and begins to embrace the responsibility she has been born to. And even while these changes make her body weak, Bree begins to find an inner strength she never knew she had within herself. Will it be enough to save the world?

Between Heaven and Hell

Stephanie Adkins new contemporary erotic romance suspense novella, Between Heaven and Hell, is now available from Liquid Silver Books! Blurb: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell…there are nightmares. After being forced to confront an abusive ex-lover in court, Elaina Richmond wanted nothing more than to get away from the trial and the nightmares that came with it. Escaping to her Aunt and Uncle's vineyard in the rolling hills of Sonoma, California, she is reunited with her first love, Caden Russell. An old flame is rekindled. Though Heaven is found in his arms once again, Elaina soon discovers that the Devil has a way of finding you … especially when there's hope to destroy. Click here to read an excerpt. Click here to purchase. Visit Stephanie at www.stephanieadkins.com

Love's Blessings is now available with Red Rose Publishing, please go check it out. They have a different excerpt on the site than I use on mine, so that will give you a little extra.

Jaguar's Claim Amy Redwood

A groom in lust, an unwilling bride, one night of dominance both won’t forget. Tanesha did the sensible thing when her Brazilian family arranged a marriage of convenience to another jaguar shifter. She made a run for it. Now living a cushy life as a call girl in Manhattan, she lost her virginity and her desire to have a lifelong mate in the same second. Up until the crashing stock market robs her of all her savings. Broke, she considers returning to Brazil. Danilo, bitterly scorned when his virgin bride escaped from under his nose, is none too pleased to hear of her plans to return to Brazil. Gone is his desire to marry, even if a promise given still binds him. Seeking her out, he brings one million dollars, a leather cat-o’-nine whip, and the heated determination to settle a score. And on her knees—the smacking sound of leather against her bare skin—Tanesha fights against surrendering to the carnal attraction toward the shifter she once scorned. Jaguar's Claim by Amy Redwood. Read excerpt here.

Linda Palmer is a former Silhouette romance author now a young adult author that I recently discovered but one that I will definitely be keeping an eye out for in the future after reading her paranormal young adult novel, The Cinderella Swap, which she contacted me to review for her. I also had the pleasure of getting to review her current released paranormal young adult novel, Jaguar Moon, from one of my favorite e-publishers Wild Horse Press. Now today I am reviewing Linda's upcoming February 2010 young adult release, Operation Normal, that I was so excited to get the honor of reviewing since I was totally needing my Linda Palmer Young adult fix since first starting reading her novels. I was so happy to get an ARC of this novel because I fell in love with Linda Palmer's first young adult novel, The Cinderella Swap, that I knew this upcoming novel will be just as great a read with some new characters to fall in love with. I've only recently gotten into reading young adult romance novels and since then I've been hunting up as many young adult romance authors I could find to read. I was very intrigued when I read the blurb for this novel and the cover was also really beautiful that I had to read it. I'm sure glad I did because I had a great time reading this novel so much that I finished it up in less then 6 hours after I got it uploaded onto my Sony eReader.

I was so excited when I started reading this novel and was really instantly hooked with the main characters who I could sometimes really identify with. Well the novel starts with the heroine, Ally Mills, desperately wanting a "normal" for her half-sister Kayly, which is something she never had herself thanks to her liberated mom. Ally has always been a list maker when it comes to the things she wants to do and so the first thing on her list of to-dos for making a normal life for her half-sister is by contacting Kayly's dad, who promised he'd stay out of Kayly's life just as Ally's own dad once did. When Ally's mom leaves the country on assignment, Ally drops in on the guy to introduce him to his baby daughter but Kayly's dad doesn't live there—her half brother, Zach, does which completely throws Ally. But then Ally is again completely thrown for a lope with his shocking offer to help find "normal" is nothing compared to what happens next for the three of them. WOW and AMAZING are the first two words that came to mind when I finally got finished reading this great novel. I had such fun getting to know Ally who is such a wonderful sister to her baby half-sister Kayly and it was very brave of her to try to get Kayly's father into her life. It was such a wonderful surprise to find that Zach is actually Kayly's half-sister because it means that Ally and Zach can have a future together which I could see happening from the moment they met one another at his apartment. I am so happy that I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Operation Normal because I loved reading it so much I was sad that it had to come to an end though it was a satisfying end that may have potentional of giving us a follow up story for Ally, Kayly and Zach. Linda Palmer delivers yet another exciting and wonderfully written young adult with suspense, romance and a bit of paranormal elements to have you falling in love with all the characters and never wanting the novel to come to an end. I give this book 4.5 Open Books:

Here is the description of the book that I got from Linda and picture:

OPERATION NORMAL by Linda Palmer $ 5.50 (169 Pages)(Comes out February 2010 from Unical Press)

Ally desperately wants "normal" for her half-sister Kayly, something she never had herself thanks to her liberated mom. First on her list of to-dos is contacting Kayly's dad, who promised he'd stay out of Kayly's life just as Ally's own dad once did. When Ally's mom leaves the country on assignment, Ally drops in on the guy to introduce him to his baby daughter. But Kayly's dad doesn't live there—her half brother, Zach, does. And his shocking offer to help find "normal" is nothing compared to what happens next.

I do love paranormal romances very much because the authors create this totally different world that is similar to our own world. But these worlds these authors create are filled with all these paranormal creatures that we only think is myth but are totally real in paranormal romances. I know that author Jessica Coulter Smith loves to read paranormal romances so when she writes paranormal romances are what she ends up creating. I had the pleasure of hosting her guest blog about her release Moonlight Protector, which is the first book of her paranormal Ashton Grove Werewolves series and I also reviewed it as well. I also had the pleasure of interviewing her as well if you want to find out more about Jessica's writing and about some of her hobbies and favorite authors. I reviewed her second book in her series fabulous series called Moonlight Hero for both Jessica and her publisher Wild Horse Press and what a nice read that was for me. I also had the pleasure of reviewing the sort of prequel to her Ashton Grove Werewolves series that was previously published by another online publisher but was re-issued with Wild Horse Press called, Whispering Lake.

Well today I'm reviewing Jessica's just released novel, Moonlight Guardian, the third book in her Ashton Grove Werewolves series, which I was lucky enough to receive an review copy from Wild Horse Press a few days ago. I love Jessica's novels and was happy that they sent me a copy to review because I've read the blurb for this novel a while back before it was given an official released date on Jessica's website. Since reading the first book in her wonderfully written Ashton Grove Werewolves series I have been anxiously waiting for the next book in the series to be published as soon as possible because I am officially addicted! Now we all have read about the first two Andrews brothers, Cole and Gabriel, finding their mates and having their happily ever after though they had some trouble along the way. But now it's the youngest brother to find his mate and finally settle down to start a family which is what we all wish for him. Michael Andrews is the last of his brothers to find his mate and he's played it tough, trying to convince his family that a mate is the last thing he wants, that he enjoys having a different woman every week. In reality, he's afraid and he wants to find his mate though he thinks he may already have, but what if he's not a good husband? Maybe he just isn't made to love someone like his abusive father who he felt never really cared about his mother and his brothers.

Chloe Stevens is on her last leg and she found a guy she thought was great, only to end up pregnant and have the guy vanish into thin air after he got what he wanted from her. Then she lost her job and consequently, her car which just gets worse because now she's facing an eviction from her apartment. So she's five months pregnant with no job, no car, and now no home which forced Chloe to do the one thing she swore she wouldn't...contact the father of her baby. She may have just been a fling to Michael, but their few days together had meant more to her than it must have for Michael. When a pregnant Chloe shows up looking for Michael, he's stunned to find out that he's going to be a father and it appears that fate is determined to put the woman in his path. While he's thought of her often over the past several months, he's done his best to stay away. What on earth does he have to offer her or the baby she's carrying? A baby on the way changes everything...whether Chloe likes it or not, she's stuck with Michael from here on out. Now he just has to convince her to marry him which is going to be a bit tough when Chloe becomes attached to Ramsey who is another werewolves and part of the Ashton Grove pack.

So I finished reading this book in about less than a day since I got it and while I was reading it I had a bit of mixed feelings about some of the characters in the novel. I actually had to read the last page of the novel to give me an idea of who would end up with Chloe since I wasn't completely sure if Michael would be the lucky hero to end up with her in a happily ever after. I've done this a couple of times with other books I've read and it has always sort of eased my mind about the characters which were wonderfully written. While I was reading it Jessica told me the following on Facebook, "My fingers are crossed that you like you it...but I get the feeling you may want to beat me over the head with it :)" which then made me a bit nervous. I've noticed that Jessica is now writing novels that will keep us readers guessing about which man in the heroine's will be the lucky one to end up with her and it can really get nerve racking always wondering who will end up with who. In the end Jessica Coulter Smith delivers yet another exciting paranormal romance in her highly addictive Ashton Grove Werewolves series that will have you guessing from start to finish about who will Chloe choose to mate and love forever but also make you want the novel to never end. I've also got to mentioned that I got a sneak peek into the 5th and next book in the series called, Moonlight Champion, which is the story of one of the Andrews brother's cousins who is named Connor Tierney. Now I really can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it but I have to wait since it's not going to be released until 2010. I give this book 4.5 Open Books:

Here is the description of the book from Jessica's website and picture:

MOONLIGHT GUARDIAN by Jessica Coulter Smith $ 5.98 (Book 3)(173 Pages)

Michael Andrews is the last of his brothers to find his mate. He's played it tough, trying to convince his family that a mate is the last thing he wants, that he enjoys having a different woman every week. In reality, he's afraid. He wants to find his mate and thinks he may already have, but what if he won't be a good husband? Maybe he just isn't made to love someone. Chloe Stevens is on her last leg. She found a guy she thought was great, only to end up pregnant and have the guy vanish into thin air. Then she lost her job and consequently, her car. Now she's facing eviction. Five months pregnant, no job, no car, and now no home have forced Chloe to do the one thing she swore she wouldn't...contact the father of her baby. She may have just been a fling to Michael, but their few days together had meant more to her. When a pregnant Chloe shows up looking for Michael, he's stunned to find out that he's going to be a father. It appears that fate is determined to put the woman in his path. While he's thought of her often over the past several months, he's done his best to stay away. What on earth does he have to offer her? A baby on the way changes everything...whether Chloe likes it or not, she's stuck with Michael from here on out. Now he just has to convince her to marry him...

Keta Diablo is one of my favorite erotic romance authors and because I enjoyed her erotic historical romances I thought I would try out her upcoming male/male contemporary erotic romance release. After reading Keta's Crossroads, the first book in her Crossroads series as well as, Crossroads Revisited, which is the second book in her series. I read a very intense and intriguing excerpt on Keta's website that had me wanting to read the novel as soon as possible especially since I loved the first and second book. Now the main character Frank McGuire is an ex-cop turned private investigator after the death of his police partner Quinn Brennan's death. Frank is a very intriguing character who I really loved reading about because he is such a big, strong and handsome man who has a special ability to commune with the dead since he was a child. His relationship with his partner Quinn was very special to him because he was a father figure who took Frank under his wing and made him apart of his own family. Now Rand is Quinn's son, who has had a crush on Frank since even his father's death, and he really wants to have a relationship with Frank but isn't getting it right now. Rand wants Frank to tell him that he loves him and wants to have an open relationship that shows that to him but Frank is not ready for that even though I know that he does love Rand very much. After everything Rand and Frank have gone through in the first book, Crossroads, things really start to heat up for them both in the second book Crossroads Revisited. The third book in the Crossroads series is about to come out in November and I've had the pleasure of receiving an Advanced Readers Copy. In Crossroads Showdown things get more series in Rand and Frank's relationship which is great because I really love them and want them to have their happily ever after since they've been through a lot together. Tough PI, Frank McGuire, attempts to help the FBI locate three abducted children from a small town in West Virginia and this leads for Rand and Frank's relationship with one another to start to change. While channeling his inner spirit for assistance, he mistakenly calls forth a ghost and as Frank races against time to locate the missing girls, he receives help from the most unlikely of sources. To complicate matters, Rand has decided its time Frank commit to their relationship—or run the risk of Rand being gone for good when he returns.

This book is a must have! If you have read Crossroads and loved it as much as I did then you need to get your hands on a copy of Crossroads Revisited now because it is just as good and even better than the first. But that is not the end because Crossroads Showdown will give you a deeper look into the tough PI Frank which some readers have commented is a bit too touch and sometimes seems a bit cruel. In this novel you will see a new side of Frank because he is not a cruel man but someone who has lived a rough life and has been toughen by it. There is suspense in this novel that will keep you guessing about where things will lead Frank in the end as well as what will happen between Frank and Rand who both seem to be coming a bit to terms about where their relationship is heading. I really liked how Frank and Rand have developed in this novel because I really felt that they could have a great relationship with one another if they had a bit more time together so they could feel each other out enough to be comfortable to show their emotional sides. Keta Diablo delivers yet another steamy, hot, sexy and mysterious male/male erotic romance novel that will have you panting as well as making you want more and for the story to never end since you only just get a peek at Frank's new side. I was sad to have finished this novel in less than 6 hours but I just couldn't stop reading it until I found out how things would end for Frank and Rand after getting to see them together after finally trying to make a start on a real relationship. Now that I've read it I hope that Keta will finishing writing up the last novel in the Crossroads series and gives me more about Frank and Rand so I can see if their relationship will make it like I so want it to. I give this book 5 open books:

Here is the description of the e-book from Keta's website and picture:

Tough PI, Frank McGuire, attempts to help the FBI locate three abducted children from a small town in West Virginia. While channeling his inner spirit for assistance, he mistakenly calls forth a ghost. As Frank races against time to locate the missing girls, he receives help from the most unlikely of sources. To complicate matters, Rand has decided its time Frank commit to their relationship—or run the risk of Rand being gone when he returns.