CHARITY HOPPING AROUND THE WORLD - MARCH 30TH TO APRIL 4TH

                                    

WELCOME TO MY STOP OF THE CHARITY HOPPING AROUND THE WORLD BLOG HOP!!

Hosted by

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Reading Away The Days

Reading A Little Bit Of Everything

Click on the picture above to see all the other blogs taking part in this hop!!

I am very excited to be joining this hop because it gives me the opportunity to highlight a cause that I am very passionate about!!

I'm strongly against any form of animal abuse, as I'm sure most people are, and I believe that the disgusting people who perform these evil acts should be held accountable for them. 

One such act has made headline news worldwide, and the fact that it is happening in my backyard sickens me. What am I talking about??

FACT: More than 440 Rhinos were brutally killed last year in South Africa alone!!

FACT: So far this year, one Rhino has been killed every day in South Africa!!

FACT: Rhino horns now have a street value of over $65,000 a kilo - more expensive than gold or even platinum!

Are you as shocked and angered by these statistical facts, as I am! No? Then watch the following video.

(Please note that some images may offend sensitive viewers)

With an increase in the Rhino poaching trend, these magnificent animals will be extinict within 10 years!

So what can we do about this devastation?

The authorities have ignored all protests in South Africa, so a plea for help and support has been issued worldwide. With the International Wildlife Trade Summit coming up in July, YOU can make a difference and help put an end to the slaughter.

Sign this petition, banning the trade off all Rhino products. We are the only chance they have for a future!

Or if you would prefer, you can make a donation to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Click on the picture below for more details:

                                    

Please pass this message on to as many people as possible!!



NOW ON TO THE GIVEAWAY!!

Staying with the topic at hand, I thought it would be a good idea to give away something that would contribute to the E.W.T SAVE THE RHINO fund. So, up for grabs is:

1x Save the Rhinos CD - featuring some of South Africa's best loved artists.

1 x Rhino Force Bracelet

I'm new to using Rafflecopter, so if for some reason it doesn't work, PLEASE forgive me :) and let me know. Thank you, and Good luck to everyone!

The Day of First Sun Whirlwind Tour - Day 5

WELCOME BACK! IT IS THE 5th AND FINAL DAY OF THE DAY OF FIRST SUN WHIRLWIND TOUR!

When Princess Amelie of Amborix is murdered by magical means, Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard are called in by the FBI. Their job is to help solve the crime while keeping the non-magical world from discovering the existence of the Wizard Council. During their investigation, Annie and Cham discover that Princess Amelie’s death is connected to a series of other crimes in the Chicago area. A larger plot involving, a vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soul-less zombies is revealed, but can Annie and Cham discover who is responsible before The Day of First Sun?

Firstly, I'd like to thank Novel Publicity, Emlyn Chand and Sheryl Steines for allowing me the opportunity to read and review The Day of First Sun, and also for including me in this fantastic tour. This book is amazing in every way, and I fumbled for days with how to express, in words, the brilliance and talent of Ms. Steines. My only hope is that my review will do her book justice

MY REVIEW

"The myth told on a time in which the sun did not come out and the beasts continued to enter and freely roam our planet. Several more centuries later, a brave witch fought a second battle on the sacred land and won, closing the portal forever. The battle was said to have happened on September 1, which was soon named the Day of First Sun, as once the threshold was closed, the sun came out again. It had been too late. The Earth was now overrun with supernatural evil."

Murder, mystery, magic and mayhem…yes, this book has it all. Rogue wizards, nasty vampires and a political conspiracy to overthrow the Wizard Council makes for an action-packed story that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

From the very beginning of this book it is evident that Annie Pearce is a fierce, kick-ass character who doesn’t seem to have a fear for anything. As a Wizard Guard, Annie is used to hunting vampires, demons and every other type of supernatural evil. When her team is called in to investigate the murder of a non-magical princess, they are drawn further into a web of lies and deceit. The princess’s boyfriend is a wizard on the run, and when Annie and her partner, Cham, find him they get more than they bargained for, because Jordan Wellington just happens to be holed up with an evil vampire; one they have been hunting for weeks. But what is the connection between the vampire Sturtagaard, and the murdered princess? And what secrets is Jordan hiding?

Annie and Cham, have to work as fast as possible to uncover the truth behind the princess’s murder, even if it means striking a bargain with Sturtagaard, and protecting Jordan from a rogue black magic wizard. Each step of the investigation reveals more of the dark conspiracy that goes far beyond simple murder. But will they be able to stop the evil plan set in motion, or will darkness once again reign supreme?

There is really so much I enjoyed about this book. The characters for one, although magical, are so real, and I often felt like I was walking right beside Annie and Cham as they fought to reveal the mystery of who was behind everything that was happening. Although all fingers point directly at an evil rogue wizard named Wolfgange Rathbone, I couldn’t help wondering if there was more to the story. Was he in cahoots with someone from the Wizard Council, and why?

There is always this feeling that not everything is as it seems and just when I started to settle in to the plot, it would take an unexpected turn which lead to even more surprises, raising more questions about what was really going on. I love plots that have twists and turns, where the truth is always just out of reach and the bad guy always seems to be one step ahead of the good guys. it raises the tension and  builds up that hope that good will conquer evil in the end.

Another element I really loved about this book was the involvement and development of each character. Annie is the MC, but Ms. Steines gives insight into each character, no matter how small their role in the story. I was able to understand why they were the way they were or why they acted the way they did. I also really loved the development of Annie and Cham’s relationship. It wasn’t this instant, love-at-first-sight kind of love. It was genuine, and grown on friendship and years of getting to know each other; A love built on trust and understanding.

Overall, this book was exciting and so enthralling that I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend it to all readers of dark paranormal mysteries, but I think even readers who love a good political mystery can enjoy its paranormal theme.

So I give it a resounding …

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:

The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

WELCOME TO DAY 4 OF THE DAY OF FIRST SUN WHIRLWIND TOUR!!

Today Sheryl is here and she is talking Strong Female Characters!!

Well let me just say that I think Annie is the perfect example of a strong female character. She's kick-ass, but genuine and sweet as well.

What constitutes a strong female character? Well for me it is someone who doesn't have to always rely on the hero to save them, but someone who also accepts her weaknesses and isn't afraid to show that soft side from time to time. No one likes a whiny female MC, but one who is too self-riteous can be just as annoying. It's a fine line we authors walk when creating characters but Sheryl hit the nail on the head with this one :)

See her views on the subject:

Please enjoy this guest post by Sheryl Steines, author of the urban fantasy novel, The Day of First Sun. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

The Strong Female

I am always amazed to hear that, in the year 2012, women are still talking about strong female characters. It’s funny that we’re always surprised when one comes along. Even in Hollywood, actresses still can’t find roles to sink their teeth into. As a reader, I look for characters that I can relate to in some way; a character who is more than a damsel in distress but less than an unfeeling, mean, witch. I’m putting it gently, but I’m looking for someone, who when facing a problem, doesn’t necessarily need a man to bail her out--a woman who can take care of herself in spite of her vulnerabilities. Because in reality, women are multi-layered and complex. We don’t fall to one end of an extreme or the other.

When I was younger, I started reading Danielle Steele, but I couldn't read her for long. Her female characters were far too needy and always put themselves in a position of requiring a savior. Even as a child, I couldn't help but wonder why these characters always needed a man to improve their lives. Why couldn’t they simply take care of themselves? It seemed as though female characters fell into two camps, and only two. They were either villains, witches, someone to be hated and despised, or they were weak, pathetic, your classic damsels in distress. Why is fiction lacking real women, women who can simply be human and celebrate all that they are?

As I got older, I found myself drawn to shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I saw in Buffy a strong character. Yes, she could kick ass, kill the vampires and fight the demons. She also had a brain, could plan, and could save the world each week. But she wasn't uni-dimensional. She also has a side that liked clothes, shoes and boys, a side that was feminine, a little vulnerable; a side that, okay, sometimes needed to be saved. She was a complex female character, real and human, a character with whom I could definitely relate.

The strong female character isn’t a caricature or stereotype. She’s not a total wimp like Snow White, and she’s not a total monster like the evil queen. She falls somewhere in the middle. She’s reactive, emotional, human, sexual, confident and sometimes unsure of herself.

When I originally wrote my character Annie Pearce in The Day of First Sun, I wrote her as a no-nonsense person, strong and smart, the girl who could survive on her own. But she didn’t feel genuine. As the story unfolded and changed, I rewrote her, gave her friends and family with whom she could interact. I gave her feelings, gave her stress. I let the other characters take charge once in awhile and offer some support. I melded two halves into one woman--a strong woman, who can take care of herself and ask for help when necessary. We’re not perfect, so why should our characters be? Instead, why can’t we make them simply authentic?

Charlize Theron made a really compelling comment regarding her character in the movie Young Adult. She said, "Women are usually either really good prostitutes or really good mothers. Maybe women are finally getting the chance to play more honest characters," Theron said. "We usually don't get to play bad hookers or bad mothers -- or anything in between."

Maybe it’s time to be a little more real and a little more honest.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:

The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

The Day of First Sun Whirlwind Tour - Day 3

WELCOME TO DAY 3 OF

THE DAY OF FIRST SUN

WHIRLWIND TOUR!!

One thing I really loved about this book was the relationship between Annie and Cham. They have such a strong bond, one that can only be built from years of friendship. Its development throughout the book was just one of the many exciting factors that made The Day of First Sun such an enthralling read.

Oh, and just so you know, the vampires in this book are nasty and vindictive...and won't think twice about drinking every last drop of your blood!

Read the below excerpt to get a taste of what to expect from The Day of First Sun.

Please enjoy this excerpt from the urban fantasy novel, The Day of First Sun. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.



Sturtagaard chose not to speak, though it was he who had called for the meeting. They both checked their watches and realized they had been sitting across from him for ten minutes, watching him sniff the air. If he wanted to play this, they would play along at least for a little while longer, though both were tired of the leering. As the vampire sniffed again, Cham finally figured out why.

"You know, you called us. We really don't have anything to say to you, so if you're just playing games, we're happy to leave. I've got other, more important things to do than watch you sniff and leer," Cham finally said, and stood up.

Sturtagaard smiled as he watched Cham open the door because he much preferred dealing with Annie, but when she stood up, too, he realized he'd overplayed his hand.

"If I talk, my employer will have me staked. I'd like some assurance that you won't do the same," he said rather quickly, before they left.

They turned and looked at him, both rolling their eyes.

"I'll have you staked if you don't talk," replied Cham, as he stood by the door.

"You're out of options if you ever hope to get out of here again," Annie said calmly, focusing on his face.

Sturtagaard squirmed a little in his seat, as Annie's expression was somewhat disquieting and unemotional. He looked at Cham, whose face was expressionless, and then back to Annie, who hadn't moved a muscle. The vampire sighed.

"You heard right. I was hired to create a zombie army to overthrow the Wizard Council," Sturtagaard said. His voice remained steady and calm with resignation.

"Who wants to overthrow the Council?" asked Cham, his hand still clutching the door.

"My employer. I've told you, I don't know who he is. I always dealt with his associate. He'd show up, leave notes, or send others with messages. I've never contacted him." He looked from one to the other, but they both remained stony and detached. "Come on, now. I can't give you information I don't have." Sturtagaard was charming.

Annie rolled her eyes again. "You really don't have any idea who the employer is?" she asked with sarcasm.

"Really, I don't," he said.

"So you're building an army of the dead. How long did you have to get this done?" Annie took out her phone and pulled out her calendar.

"He wanted it ready for September first."

Annie looked up with a grimace, and Cham looked surprised. She didn't need to mark the date on her calendar or research its significance, though neither could figure out why a zombie army had to be created for that day, the Day of First Sun. It was a very powerful and ancient day for good magic.

"So, your employer wants an army of the dead on that day? Why?" Cham asked in a flat, emotionless voice.

"He's a black wizard. What do you think he wants? He wants to overthrow the Council, take over the world, practice magic in the open. You know, the typical magical fantasy." Sturtagaard grinned because he believed that would benefit the entire supernatural world.

"Wipe the smirk off your face, Sturtagaard. Having free reign won't be as good as you think, with all the angry mobs, torches, and stakes through the heart."

Annie smirked at Cham, who shook his head and laughed. He waited to compose himself before looking back at the vampire.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:

The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

The Day of First Sun Whirlwind Tour - Day 2

WELCOME BACK FOR DAY 2 OF

THE DAY OF FIRST SUN WHIRLWIND TOUR!!

Today is interview day...so let's get to know Sheryl a little better.

Sheryl Steines is equal parts driven, passionate and inspired. With a degree in English from Wright State University, Sheryl dedicates time everyday to her art. Her love of books and a quality story drives her to share her talent with her readers as well as make the time to talk to book clubs and students about her process. Sheryl has eclectic tastes and enjoys character driven novels. In her own writing, the Annie Loves Cham series is driven by her love of the characters and her desire to place them in totally new situations. She enjoys testing their mettle. Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise. Her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Sheryl can be found on Twitter, Facebook, or her blog. She also encourages her readers to email her and let her know what you think of Annie and Cham!

NOW ONTO THE FUN QUESTIONS! ENJOY!!

Please enjoy this interview with Sheryl Steines, author of the urban fantasy novel, The Day of First Sun. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

If you could travel in a time machine, would you go back to the past or into the future?

I would go to the past, meet famous people, see history as it happened. I’d be afraid to go to the future. I’m not sure I really want to know when I die.

If you could jump into a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

This might be to expected, but I would love to live at Hogwarts, stroll through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, play with all the magical stuff, and visit the Weasleys at their house. I saw the Harry Potter exhibit at the museum a few years ago, and it just seemed so fun.

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?

Sandra Bullock. Since she became a movie star, people all over the place tell me I look like her. She’s also funny. I can only imagine how much more interesting and funny my life would be if she were the lead.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer. There were times that I thought I wanted to be an interior decorator, but in the end, I was always much happier writing and creating.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?

I have two. The first would be Stephen King. I was always amazed by the detail and imagination he used in his books, especially the earliest books. I watched him on an interview many years ago and he was talking about the things he was afraid of, one of which was sleeping with his feet outside the covers at night. He would always cover his feet so that the monsters under the bed wouldn’t get him. I laughed so hard because I do the same thing. J.K. Rowling is also a favorite. Her life story and Harry Potter reminded me that I wanted to be a writer when I was seven. She reminded me of the genre that I loved. It got me thinking about what stories intrigued me. I watched her interview on Oprah and cried through the entire thing. It got me thinking of ways to take my personal experiences and hide them in the fantasy world.

What do you do in your free time?

I read, a lot. In the winter, I spend time at museums and go shopping. In the summer, I love to go to flea markets. You could never have too many fleas. I love to travel. I spend most of the summer driving my 1966 Mustang convertible.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I’m a huge fan of Ninja Warrior. Yeah, the Japanese obstacle course. On one side, it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. On the other side of it, the obstacles are so challenging, and the participants are so revered for making it through each stage that it is a huge honor to win.

Favorite places to travel?

I love Europe, London being my favorite city. I’ve been to Scotland, France, Italy, Germany and Austria. The Austrian/German Alps are some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen.

Favorite way to spend a rainy day?

In front of the television watching my favorite movies. Who doesn’t love Ferris Buehler’s Day Off and Sixteen Candles.

If you could have a superpower, what would you choose?

Telekinesis! Then I could clean my house without actually having to do anything.



Wow!! What a wonderful interview. I also love Ninja Warrior, I think it is hilarious, and a bit frightening at the same time. LOL.


Don't forget that there are some amazing prizes to be won. All details are listed below. And PLEASE! PLEASE! PRETTY PLEASE! Vote for me in The Blogger Traffic-Breaker Poll!!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:

The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

The Day of First Sun Whirlwind Tour - Day 1

WELCOME!!

The day has finally arrived!! Yes, TODAY marks the start of the week long whirlwind tour of Sheryl Steines's The Day of First Sun!!

When Princess Amelie of Amborix is murdered by magical means, Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard are called in by the FBI. Their job is to help solve the crime while keeping the non-magical world from discovering the existence of the Wizard Council.

During their investigation, Annie and Cham discover that Princess Amelie’s death is connected to a series of other crimes in the Chicago area. A larger plot involving, a vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soul-less zombies is revealed, but can Annie and Cham discover who is responsible before The Day of First Sun?

I am so excited to be a part of this tour, and I hope each and every one of my readers will enjoy this book as much as I did. It's an action-packed adventure of magic, mystery and mayhem! If you are a lover of all things paranormal, you will get your fix in this novel. Whether it be witches and wizards, or vampires and zombies...this book has them all.

And if that doesn't sound amazing enough, there is even a chance for you to win some awesome prizes along the way. Check below for details!!

Make sure to stop by each day this week to find out more about Sheryl Steines and her amazing novel.

Blog Schedule:

Tuesday - Interview with Sheryl Steines
Wednesday - Excerpt from The Day of First Sun
Thursday - Guest Post by Sheryl Steines
Friday - Read my review

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Day of First Sun eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $450 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
2. Fill-out the simple form on Novel Publicity
3. Visit today’s featured social media event

Help my blog win:


The tour blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card. When you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME.

About the book: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Review: Beauty in the Beast by Christine Danse

Title: Beauty in the Beast

Author: Christine Danse

Publisher: Carina Press

Pub Date: March 05, 2012

ISBN: 9781426893360

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Source: Netgalley

Journeying by steam-powered sled to London's Frost Fair to perform, Tara and three friends are trapped in a blizzard in the woods. A gruff, handsome stranger offers them shelter-and wants one thing in return. Stories.

The travellers are glad to oblige. Their host, Rolph, is especially captivated by Tara's story of an orphaned girl raised by the Fae in the world of the spirits. Equally intrigued by Rolph, and aware of an electric pull between them, Tara encourages him to share a story of his own. When Rolph weaves a tale of a man who is doomed by his own folly to turn into a wolf at the full moon, Tara suspects there is more than a grain of truth in his words.

When the veil between the mortal and spiritual worlds is parted, and danger threatens, will Tara make the ultimate sacrifice to save Rolph?

REVIEW

I was instantly drawn to this novella because of the beautiful cover. It stood out and promised such a magical tale, but unfortunately, it didn't really deliver.

I felt that everything moved too quickly in this story and before I knew it I was at the end of the book. There was no time for me to really make a connection with any of the characters. Rolph is a mysterious stranger who Tara instantly feels an attraction for, but I just didn't feel it.

The secondary characters in the story felt like fillers. There was no real purpose for them being there. If they had been left out it would have made no difference to the story in any way. I also felt the stories that are told at the beginning of the book were just another way to fill the pages. They had no real connection to the rest of the plot, with exception to Tara and Rolph's tales, and even those didn't give much insight into who they really were.

I wish Tara and Rolph's romantic chemisty had been a little more developed. Just as their relationship started to grow, and just as I started to settle into the book, things took a confusing turn with otherworldly creatures and the truth about Tara's past. Although the ending was highlighted beautifully by Tara's unselfish sacrifice to save Rolph, I was still left wanting more.

If this novella had been developed with more depth to the characters and their relationships I believe it would have been a much more interesting read.

I have to give it....

Thank you to Carina Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review Beauty in the Beast.

Visit Carina Press and Danse Desirable for more details.

Review: Wicked Weekend by Gillian Archer

Title: Wicked Weekend

Author: Gillian Archer

Publisher: Carina Press

Pub Date: March 12, 2012

ISBN: 9781426893391

Genre: Adult Erotica BDSM

Source: NetGalley

Why did Lauren Vaughn introduce her sister to the man she herself was crazy about? Now Lauren is watching the happy couple at their combined bachelor/bachelorette party-while Lauren sits all alone at the bar. Until she spots a hot stranger with the telltale black handkerchief in his pocket: the signal for "seeks no-strings affair with sexy submissive." Lauren can't take her eyes off him. So when he comes over, she kicks her inner good girl to the curb and follows Jamie Forman to his room, where he makes her scream with pleasure all night long.

But Jamie is a complicated man. He can't handle how desperately he wants her in his bed-and his life. It's up to Lauren to teach him how to make all night last forever.

REVIEW

I don't read too many Erotica novels ( Not because I have anything against them, my poison of choice just happens to be YA paranormal romances ), but of all those that I have had the pleasure ot reading, Wicked Weekend was by far the best.

A delicious novella about a woman who has to, unfortunately, put up with the fact that her sister is about to marry the hunky co-worker she used to drool over. Lauren made the mistake of introducing her younger, sexier, bitchier sister to the man of her dreams...or so she thought he was.

A joint bachelor/ette weekend away means Lauren has to suffer through the constant lovey-dovey display put on by the soon-to-be-married couple. However, she will soon discover that the weekend doesn't have to be a total disaster. Jamie Forman is just the thing she needs to distract her. He is gorgeous and sexy, and when Jamie shows interest in her, Lauren can hardly believe her luck.

A night of unbridled passion brings out the inner bad girl in Lauren, and she finds herself wanting more than just a single night in the arms of Jamie. The question is, can either of them spend another night together, without wanting more than just a casual weekend of fun?

I loved Lauren! Even though she starts off believing she is not worthy of someone as smouldering as Jamie, she throws caution to the wind and in the process discovers her inner strength. I especially enjoyed Lauren's reaction to her very first encounter with BDSM. Trying to be brave, she is still as scared as hell and her fear of rejection makes her real. I think anyone in her position would feel exactly the same way.

I give it....

I would recommend this novella to anyone interested in reading BDSM Erotica.The scenes are not as hardcore as some of the books I have read, but they are still deliciously sensual and sexy. I believe it would be a great way to ease a reader into the genre without shocking them.

Thank you to Carina Press for giving me the opportunity to review Wicked Weekend.

For more details check out

Carina Press and Gillian Archer

Review : White Witch ( The Coven Series #1) by Trish Milburn

Title: White Witch

Series: The Coven Series

Author: Trish Milburn

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Pub Date: March 01, 2012

ISBN: 9781611940831

Genre: YA Paranormal

Source: NetGalley

Witchcraft Is Her Family’s Business. No One Quits The Family And Lives To Tell About It. 

“Jax” Pherson has power, enough power to know her future will end in service to the dark coven her father controls.  Unless she can stay hidden in a small community in the mountains of North Carolina.  She must find a way to live without magic and deny the darkness she feels welling up inside her—the same dark power that fuels the covens around the world. All she wants is a normal life.  A boyfriend.  Friends.  Some place to belong, but all too soon Jax’s barely begun new life hangs in the balance when she discovers that the boy she’s attracted to is sworn to kill her kind.  He’s a hunter with good reason to kill everything that goes bump in the night.   Even the most fleeting use of her power is tantamount to signing her death warrant and will bring both hunter and coven down on her.  But can she walk away when her friends are threatened by an old evil?  Something created by the magic of witches? Jax’s only hope of survival is to convince the boy she loves to forget everything he’s ever been taught and help her find a way to fight the covens.  To believe there is some good in her. 

Watch the White Witch book trailer:

Review:

White Witch is an exciting tale filled with angst and acceptance, dealing with the everyday issues teenagers face today, while delivering an action-packed story of magic, witchcraft, friendship and love.

Jaxina Pherson a.k.a Jax Taylor is on the run from her family, an evil coven of witches. Leaving is the ultimate betrayal, punishable by death. A fact that Jax was made all too aware of when she witnessed her father take her mother's life, years before, when she'd tried to escape.

Wanting nothing but a normal life, Jax runs away to a small town, but with the threat of her coven discovering her wereabouts always in mind. She daren't use her powers as that will leave a signature which will lead them right to her.

Jax soon finds out that her coven is not the only thing to worry about, though. An almost run-in with a Hunter and her life changes forever. Especially when the Hunter turns out to be, Keller Dawes, the gorgeous guy whom she instantly feels an attraction for. Jax's wish to lead a normal life as a teenage girl brings a whole new set or problems as well. Her drop-dead gorgeous looks have every boy in school following her like puppy dogs, and almost every girl hating her for this. She finds an ally in, Toni, Keller's cousin and they become best friends. But Jax isn't so lucky with the Queenbee of Baker Gap High , having stepped on her toes one too many times she finds herself the ridicule of Stacey's jealousy, which quickly stirs the deep, dark emotions, Jax has tried her best to ignore.

Just as Jax starts to settle in to her new existance, a life or death situation forces her to reveal what she really is. Will it make any difference to her friends? And what about Keller? Will his Hunter instinct turn him against her, or will she be able to persuade him otherwise?

The appearance of another deflective witch raises more problems, and when Jax's new friends find themselves face to face with the evil she is evading, does she have the power to save them? Jax's biggest decision comes when she must decide if staying and putting her friends in danger is the right thing to do, or if leaving the only option.

I loved the flow of this story. It was filled with so much emotion and at times I felt a spasm in my heart. Each character is wonderful in their own right, and I enjoyed the banter between the girls while getting ready for Homecoming, and the even the relationship between the male characters. It felt very real. Keller is a total hottie, and his sincerity and protectiveness is like a warm blanket on a cold winter's night. The ending leaves the promise of great things to come and I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

I recommend this book to all lovers of paranormal romances. Although the characters are teens, and the setting is highschool, I believe the story will connect with readers of all ages.

So my verdict...four fantastic Bloody Crescents :)

Thank you to Bell Bridge Books for giving me the chance to review White Witch.

To find out more about the publisher, and to see more amazing books they have on offer visit Belle Books

Welcomes, Well Wishes and Winners

A HUGE thank you to everyone who entered my Demonblood giveaway, and a big, warm welcome to all my new followers!! I'm glad you're all so excited about this series, and I cannot wait to share it with the lucky winner.

So, without futher ado, the WINNER is......

PROSERPINE CRAVING

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I know you are going to love getting to know the characters of the Demonblood series. Look out for the third book, due for release later this year :) ENJOY!!!