my 5 monkeys Poisoned Rationality
StoryWings
Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
The Unread Reader
Average BWB Rating: 3
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Embers - BWB Reviews
my 5 monkeys Poisoned Rationality
StoryWings
Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
The Unread Reader
Average BWB Rating: 3
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
HBIC Review Embers by Laura Bickle
Review Posted by Tina at Tinasbookreviews
Beginning Laura Bickle’s debut novel came with some hesitation for me, and only because this area of the PNR world is much darker than the ~emo~ Vamps or the in touch with their feeling’s werewolves or even the sparkly dancing faeries I love so much. Bickle’s words are for sure attention grabbing- immediately the reader is pulled into a situation of gloom and darkness, with a very weary and tired protagonist, from the first page you can sense that Anya is stressed and tired. Also within the first few pages we meet the gang of ghost hunters Anya works with and Sparky a torque necklace that comes to life as a salamander spirit and helps Anya defeat an evil spirit living in an old soda machine.
In other words Sparky represented a demon and no offense to Ms. Bickle’s novel -but Sparky and I were not going to get on a familiar basis. Nor were me and Anya going to be pals for a few hours while she sucked demons into her body.
So to be fair- because I did not finish this book, I cannot give it a rating or opinion on the writing technique.
What I can tell you is I don’t recommend this for anyone who is cautious of demonic novels.
DNF- PNR, Demons, Arson, Ghosts
BWB Discussion Questions
1.So if you had the chance would you have a pet elemental, even with the inconvenience of broken microwaves? NO---I will live demon free thanks.
2.What did you think about the relationship between, Brian, Anya and Drake?
N/A --I didn't read enough to answer this question
3.Did the book make you want to visit Detroit or steer clear?
I don't have to read this book to stay clear of Detroit......have you ever driven through a rough part of that city.....scary.......
4.A big part of Embers surrounds paranormal activity and the whole Scooby style system....What do you think of shows like Ghost Hunter, Paranormal State and the such?
I think they are a crock...frankly it all just seems fake, if you've ever been a witness to real "paranormal activity" it doesn't look anything like those shows.
5.Do you believe in the paranormal world around us or chalk it up to complete fantasy and make believe?
I believe demons and angels are real, as well as believing that God is real. I think vampires, werewolves, faeries, goblins, ghosts, greek gods and what not are all myths.
Dusk by Lana Griffen - PJV Review
eBook provided by Lana Griffin for review.
Buy DUSK at Ravenous Romance
Buy DUSK at Amazon
http://lanagriffin.blogspot.com
Synopsis from Ravenous Romance:
Can an ancient voodoo priestess and her vampire lover overcome their "bad blood" to save the lives of ordinary humans?
Alexandra Leveau comes from an ancient voodoo priestess clan that's been feuding with sexy vamp Vadim Blerinca's family for centuries. The mysterious "bad blood" between the Leveaus and Blerincas is what keeps Alexandra and Vadim burning for each other, yet it also makes them a very dangerous match: by making love, each could kill the other.
Added to the erotically charged mix is Alexandra's ex-boyfriend, the poetic wraith Skipp, as well as a gargoyle who is devoted to Alexandra and will kill anyone who tampers with her. Add one more wraith to the mix plus an insane vamp sire and the true Venus de Milos. Now mix in elements of murder and mystery: the deaths of elderly citizens for unknown reasons.
DUSK gives you all this and more. A sexy, romantic romp of forbidden love and lust!
PJVs QUICKIE POV: As I get deeper and deeper into the PNR genre I'm realizing that my taste is very strongly geared towards the Urban Fantasy side. Every now and then I like to pick up a romance and just let go, but really it is few and far between. This being said, I opened this review with that statement because I just didn't get into this book. The characters were in-depth, they had a good background story and the setting and plot was interesting, but as I went page by page my attention was always drawn else where. I would read a few pages and then find a reason to do something else. My reasons are as follows: one, it was very romance driven, two the romance was "fated" or basically reincarnated so it was that instant thing, and third the tone/writing of the novel was penned in a way you expect a historical novel would be, yet it was set in modern times, so I felt the outcome was odd. Once again, I did enjoy the characters, I thought they were well-formed, and actually enjoyed the first part of the novel. Yet, when the romance started I quickly lost interest, which is when you are supposed to get excited right??
RECOMMENDATIONS: Adults only, there are graphic, erotica areas. Fans of the heavy PNR tales will enjoy.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Vampires & Music...
We are featuring Vampires & Voodoo Princesses this week on Blog with Bite, so when I was invited to view this music video I thought I would share. Vampires are definitely a hot ticket item right now, even my grandmother is probably now aware of who Edward Cullen is (I might be pushing it on that one, I'll have to ask at the next fam party).
So, you have a song, randomly about that you can't sleep at night, so yeah add vampires? Vampires are selling, so this will get more attention? Or is this just rockin' and it is an awesome video. Personally to me this was very reminiscent of the Victoria / Woods Scenes (might be the fur coats, oh and the woods), with the stop-motion technique they used. That was my favorite scene from the New Moon movie, the technique they used with the bird flying over the woods and she was running...nevermind getting all fangirl.
Watch the video, and go enter to win Dusk by Lana Griffin (click the button below), everyone needs a little more voodoo in their life!
So, you have a song, randomly about that you can't sleep at night, so yeah add vampires? Vampires are selling, so this will get more attention? Or is this just rockin' and it is an awesome video. Personally to me this was very reminiscent of the Victoria / Woods Scenes (might be the fur coats, oh and the woods), with the stop-motion technique they used. That was my favorite scene from the New Moon movie, the technique they used with the bird flying over the woods and she was running...nevermind getting all fangirl.
Watch the video, and go enter to win Dusk by Lana Griffin (click the button below), everyone needs a little more voodoo in their life!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Interview with Author Lana Griffin
Blog With Bite would like to give a warm welcome to Ms. Lana Griffin, author of Dusk, our featured novel this week.
A little bit about Lana:
LANA GRIFFIN is the alter ego of a New York Times Best-Selling author. Her work has been published in approximately twenty languages. Publishers Weekly listed one of her books as a 2009 Best Seller. She's particularly fond of anything involving vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, wraiths, and other paranormal entities.
BWB: First off, Ms. Griffin, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for the readers of Blog with Bite. Your latest book, ‘DUSK’, is our BWB feature for April; can you tell us a little bit about the book?
LG: I'm delighted that you're hosting me on Blog with Bite. It's very kind of you and a thrill for me to have DUSK as your April feature.
I wrote DUSK as the first in a series of novels. Hence, while it stands alone as a novel, it has a cliffhanger ending and leaves plenty of room for the 2nd novel to develop everything even more.
I've always loved vampires, so to write DUSK was a dream come true. But I wanted my vampire to be different from all others, to have some unique twists. I gave him a background that included my heroine as a long-lost voodoo priestess lover. I also wanted an unusual supporting cast -- because "same old same old" is boring -- and decided on a few wraiths, a gargoyle, the original Venus de Milos, and some really fun love "situations" with the gargoyle, Venus, and my heroine and her vamp lover. I tossed in a mystery sub-plot to give the romance added dimension. I also gave my vamp guy a nutcase vamp father, and I really had a lot of fun with that character!
As a reader, I like fiction that's unusual and creative, that takes risks. I try to write unusual stories, as well, because like I said, it's more fun than doing the "same old same old."
I don't know if I succeed at pleasing readers, but that is my #1 goal as a writer. I want to entertain people and give them some escape from reality. I've been a bookaholic my whole life, and many of my old books are like friends to me -- they comforted me during illnesses and when I was laid up with injuries, they took bubble baths with me and enjoyed the beach with me. Nothing beats a good book.
I'm supposed to give you links, I suppose, where you can buy DUSK, so let me get that out of the way before we continue! Here we go:
Buy DUSK at Ravenous Romance
Buy DUSK at Amazon
(And it's also available at fictionwise and probably other e-book outlets.)
BWB: First impressions are big when meeting someone for the first time, do you think it is equally important with book covers? How much creative input did you have in regards to DUSK?
The Ravenous Romance covers are all gorgeous. Authors fill in a form describing our characters and general settings. The publisher has a truly amazing guy in charge of the artwork.
BWB: Vadim your male character is a vampire, and Alexandra/Marie is voodoo priestess...how did you come up with your supernatural affiliations?
LG: This is a difficult question for me to answer. I've written a lot of fiction over the years. Ideas tend to hit me as I go.
I begin with a basic idea and framework (beginning and end), and I always know my main characters before I start writing anything. These main characters pop into my head as fully formed individuals with names. If they don't pop into my head and I instead have to struggle to create them, they end up being dry and formless; and in this case, I tend to drop them as characters in the story.
I liked the character of Alex/Marie from the beginning. I identified with her and rode her story comfortably. As for Vadim, as soon as Alex/Marie was in my mind, he popped in and assumed the role as her romantic male lead. As soon as Alex/Marie saw him, I saw him as well.
I've been fascinated with voodoo for quite some time. I wrote about the subject numerous times in other books, and as a result, I've wanted to write a fictional voodoo character for years. Alex/Marie's voodoo skills are mapped out in much greater scope within the second and third novels of the DUSK series.
BWB: In your book, you make a lot of ROMEO AND JULIET parallels. Would you consider DUSK a modern interpretation?
LG: Possibly. Vadim and Alex/Marie cannot be together due to things that happened in their bloodlines in ancient times. However, they want to be together, and desperately. So in this way, their story parallels Romeo and Juliet.
BWB: Any particular songs or albums that inspired DUSK?
LG: I'm often asked if I listen to music while writing fiction. The honest answer is that I never listen to anything while writing fiction. Nor can I write in coffee shops or bus stations. I require absolute quiet for my mind to travel into fictional zones.
BWB: DUSK is a digital novel, available through Ravenous Romance, would you say publishing digitally is an easier task than going to print? Especially now that I hear, DUSK will be available in print.
LG: The process of e-publishing is much simpler for the author. In the print world -- where I come from -- the author goes through edits, copyedits, galleys, proofs, etc., and this can be a lengthy process. In the e-realm, we shift quickly from final manuscript to e-book. So rather than waiting 3-6 months for a final manuscript to appear in print form, the author waits a few weeks for a final manuscript to appear in e-form.
As for DUSK being available in print, Ravenous tells me the paper version will be available within days. This is a print-on-demand version, however, which is an entirely different beast from producing a traditional paperback at a major publishing house.
With traditional printing, the publisher determines a print run -- for example, 10,000 copies. Following this example, after the 10,000 copies are printed, the publisher distributes them to stores. Copies that don't sell are returned to the publisher. For the author, traditional printing means a title makes its way to many thousands of readers.
My print books have sold anywhere from 10,000 copies to 350,000+ copies in hardcover, paperback, and trade. They're all over the world -- in more than 20 countries.
With print-on-demand, a reader must know about the book and find it, then order a copy. So we won't see readers in the order of 65,000 or whatever. Nor will we see foreign editions in 10 or more countries!
But on the other hand, readers who prefer print books will be able to read DUSK in this format. Personally, as an author, I'll be very happy to see the print version of DUSK.
BWB: Is DUSK the start of a series? Any other romance books in the works?
LG: Next up from Lana Griffin is BITTEN BY LOVE, another vampire romance novel. It's unrelated to DUSK and will be an unusual title from Ravenous.
BITTEN BY LOVE should be available in early August 2010.
Also coming up from Lana Griffin is SEX IN THE GALAXY, an outerspace sexcapade that I hope you all enjoy. I've written about a fifth of it already, and it's fun stuff. This one's crazy-wild!
Glancing at my calendar, I see that SEX IN THE GALAXY should be available in October 2010.
Beyond that, perhaps we'll go ahead with a DUSK sequel, but only time will tell.
BWB: Are you also a fan of Paranormal Romances? Any favorites?
LG: I read in a lot of genres -- basically whatever strikes my fancy at a particular moment is what I'll pick up to read.
I loved Dead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey. Nicki Styx is hilarious. Kerrelyn Sparks writes good escapist fiction, too - How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, for example. Michelle Rowen also writes fun books - Bitten & Smitten is a good example. And while it's not exactly ROMANCE (!), I never grow weary of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.
Again, I like my dose of paranormal whether it's dark or romantic -- or both.
BWB: Lana Griffin is pseudonym, and I’m sure you’ve had a lot of inquiries into who exactly LANA akas for...any plans for a big reveal?
LG: A lot of people already know my real name, as I'm being very open about it. If you poke around http://lanagriffin.blogspot.com, my real identity is clear. I'm not trying to be coy about it at all, and in fact, when DUSK first came out, I felt pretty silly having an alter-ego personna. It didn't take me long to come clean and reveal myself!
BWB: Also, you hint on your blog that your “regular” writing might not be romance...did you enjoy writing in this genre? Anything particular give you any troubles?
Most of my fiction is in the paranormal realm. I've always loved vampires, ghosts, shapeshifters, zombies, and all other types of paranormal entities. So while romance is new to me with DUSK, I'm coming to it from the paranormal genres.
In addition to Lana Griffin's 2 paranormal romances from Ravenous this year, I also have 3 traditional print book contracts under my real name.
Under my real name, I'm currently writing a dark vampire novel (ie, another paranormal title).
I'm also under contract for a collection featuring my already published stories with a few new stories tossed in for good measure. Most of these stories feature dark paranormal elements.
After I finish my own 2 books and Lana's next 2 books, I'm under contract to write what I think of as a "big" novel (under my own name). This 5th scheduled novel is also in the dark paranormal realm.
As you can see, I definitely lean toward the paranormal, whether I'm writing dark novels or romance novel.
You ask if I enjoy writing in the paranormal romance genre, and of course, I have to say, Yes. I recently found love in my own life and got married in August, so writing romance stories is something that's very close to my heart and soul now. At this stage of my life, if I can find true love and happiness, then anyone can! So I strongly believe in love and romance, and I wish the world had more of both. We'd all be a lot happier.
You also ask if anything particular gave me trouble while writing DUSK. I was uncomfortable wondering if I should inject heavy erotic sex scenes. I chose to write a few carefully placed erotic romance scenes to bolster the developing love relationship. I'm very comfortable writing romantic scenes and sex scenes that don't jump over the border into pure erotica. For me, the romance, plot, and characters are key to what I'm trying to do. The sex scenes bolster everything and contribute to the romance and plot. I think it's a cop-out when a writer fills up word count with too many graphic sex scenes.
Anyway, thank you for featuring DUSK and interviewing me. I don't yet know (while doing this interview) what you think of DUSK. I do hope you and your readers enjoy it.
Because we're out here in the wild west of e-bookland, here are those shameless links again:
Buy DUSK at Ravenous Romance
Buy DUSK at Amazon
(And it's also available at fictionwise and probably other e-book outlets.)
In general, I hope readers will stop by and see me at:
http://lanagriffin.blogspot.com
I try to keep things informal and lively there, and I'm always open to readers' questions as well as comments from fellow writers. Being new to e-books, Goodreads, and blogging, I've really been enjoying my new friendships with fellow bookaholics.
--Lana Griffin
LANA GRIFFIN is the alter ego of a New York Times Best-Selling author. Her work has been published in approximately twenty languages. Publishers Weekly listed one of her books as a 2009 Best Seller. She's particularly fond of anything involving vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, wraiths, and other paranormal entities.
BWB: First off, Ms. Griffin, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for the readers of Blog with Bite. Your latest book, ‘DUSK’, is our BWB feature for April; can you tell us a little bit about the book?
LG: I'm delighted that you're hosting me on Blog with Bite. It's very kind of you and a thrill for me to have DUSK as your April feature.
I wrote DUSK as the first in a series of novels. Hence, while it stands alone as a novel, it has a cliffhanger ending and leaves plenty of room for the 2nd novel to develop everything even more.
I've always loved vampires, so to write DUSK was a dream come true. But I wanted my vampire to be different from all others, to have some unique twists. I gave him a background that included my heroine as a long-lost voodoo priestess lover. I also wanted an unusual supporting cast -- because "same old same old" is boring -- and decided on a few wraiths, a gargoyle, the original Venus de Milos, and some really fun love "situations" with the gargoyle, Venus, and my heroine and her vamp lover. I tossed in a mystery sub-plot to give the romance added dimension. I also gave my vamp guy a nutcase vamp father, and I really had a lot of fun with that character!
As a reader, I like fiction that's unusual and creative, that takes risks. I try to write unusual stories, as well, because like I said, it's more fun than doing the "same old same old."
I don't know if I succeed at pleasing readers, but that is my #1 goal as a writer. I want to entertain people and give them some escape from reality. I've been a bookaholic my whole life, and many of my old books are like friends to me -- they comforted me during illnesses and when I was laid up with injuries, they took bubble baths with me and enjoyed the beach with me. Nothing beats a good book.
I'm supposed to give you links, I suppose, where you can buy DUSK, so let me get that out of the way before we continue! Here we go:
Buy DUSK at Ravenous Romance
Buy DUSK at Amazon
(And it's also available at fictionwise and probably other e-book outlets.)
BWB: First impressions are big when meeting someone for the first time, do you think it is equally important with book covers? How much creative input did you have in regards to DUSK?
The Ravenous Romance covers are all gorgeous. Authors fill in a form describing our characters and general settings. The publisher has a truly amazing guy in charge of the artwork.
BWB: Vadim your male character is a vampire, and Alexandra/Marie is voodoo priestess...how did you come up with your supernatural affiliations?
LG: This is a difficult question for me to answer. I've written a lot of fiction over the years. Ideas tend to hit me as I go.
I begin with a basic idea and framework (beginning and end), and I always know my main characters before I start writing anything. These main characters pop into my head as fully formed individuals with names. If they don't pop into my head and I instead have to struggle to create them, they end up being dry and formless; and in this case, I tend to drop them as characters in the story.
I liked the character of Alex/Marie from the beginning. I identified with her and rode her story comfortably. As for Vadim, as soon as Alex/Marie was in my mind, he popped in and assumed the role as her romantic male lead. As soon as Alex/Marie saw him, I saw him as well.
I've been fascinated with voodoo for quite some time. I wrote about the subject numerous times in other books, and as a result, I've wanted to write a fictional voodoo character for years. Alex/Marie's voodoo skills are mapped out in much greater scope within the second and third novels of the DUSK series.
BWB: In your book, you make a lot of ROMEO AND JULIET parallels. Would you consider DUSK a modern interpretation?
LG: Possibly. Vadim and Alex/Marie cannot be together due to things that happened in their bloodlines in ancient times. However, they want to be together, and desperately. So in this way, their story parallels Romeo and Juliet.
BWB: Any particular songs or albums that inspired DUSK?
LG: I'm often asked if I listen to music while writing fiction. The honest answer is that I never listen to anything while writing fiction. Nor can I write in coffee shops or bus stations. I require absolute quiet for my mind to travel into fictional zones.
BWB: DUSK is a digital novel, available through Ravenous Romance, would you say publishing digitally is an easier task than going to print? Especially now that I hear, DUSK will be available in print.
LG: The process of e-publishing is much simpler for the author. In the print world -- where I come from -- the author goes through edits, copyedits, galleys, proofs, etc., and this can be a lengthy process. In the e-realm, we shift quickly from final manuscript to e-book. So rather than waiting 3-6 months for a final manuscript to appear in print form, the author waits a few weeks for a final manuscript to appear in e-form.
As for DUSK being available in print, Ravenous tells me the paper version will be available within days. This is a print-on-demand version, however, which is an entirely different beast from producing a traditional paperback at a major publishing house.
With traditional printing, the publisher determines a print run -- for example, 10,000 copies. Following this example, after the 10,000 copies are printed, the publisher distributes them to stores. Copies that don't sell are returned to the publisher. For the author, traditional printing means a title makes its way to many thousands of readers.
My print books have sold anywhere from 10,000 copies to 350,000+ copies in hardcover, paperback, and trade. They're all over the world -- in more than 20 countries.
With print-on-demand, a reader must know about the book and find it, then order a copy. So we won't see readers in the order of 65,000 or whatever. Nor will we see foreign editions in 10 or more countries!
But on the other hand, readers who prefer print books will be able to read DUSK in this format. Personally, as an author, I'll be very happy to see the print version of DUSK.
BWB: Is DUSK the start of a series? Any other romance books in the works?
LG: Next up from Lana Griffin is BITTEN BY LOVE, another vampire romance novel. It's unrelated to DUSK and will be an unusual title from Ravenous.
BITTEN BY LOVE should be available in early August 2010.
Also coming up from Lana Griffin is SEX IN THE GALAXY, an outerspace sexcapade that I hope you all enjoy. I've written about a fifth of it already, and it's fun stuff. This one's crazy-wild!
Glancing at my calendar, I see that SEX IN THE GALAXY should be available in October 2010.
Beyond that, perhaps we'll go ahead with a DUSK sequel, but only time will tell.
BWB: Are you also a fan of Paranormal Romances? Any favorites?
LG: I read in a lot of genres -- basically whatever strikes my fancy at a particular moment is what I'll pick up to read.
I loved Dead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey. Nicki Styx is hilarious. Kerrelyn Sparks writes good escapist fiction, too - How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, for example. Michelle Rowen also writes fun books - Bitten & Smitten is a good example. And while it's not exactly ROMANCE (!), I never grow weary of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.
Again, I like my dose of paranormal whether it's dark or romantic -- or both.
BWB: Lana Griffin is pseudonym, and I’m sure you’ve had a lot of inquiries into who exactly LANA akas for...any plans for a big reveal?
LG: A lot of people already know my real name, as I'm being very open about it. If you poke around http://lanagriffin.blogspot.com, my real identity is clear. I'm not trying to be coy about it at all, and in fact, when DUSK first came out, I felt pretty silly having an alter-ego personna. It didn't take me long to come clean and reveal myself!
BWB: Also, you hint on your blog that your “regular” writing might not be romance...did you enjoy writing in this genre? Anything particular give you any troubles?
Most of my fiction is in the paranormal realm. I've always loved vampires, ghosts, shapeshifters, zombies, and all other types of paranormal entities. So while romance is new to me with DUSK, I'm coming to it from the paranormal genres.
In addition to Lana Griffin's 2 paranormal romances from Ravenous this year, I also have 3 traditional print book contracts under my real name.
Under my real name, I'm currently writing a dark vampire novel (ie, another paranormal title).
I'm also under contract for a collection featuring my already published stories with a few new stories tossed in for good measure. Most of these stories feature dark paranormal elements.
After I finish my own 2 books and Lana's next 2 books, I'm under contract to write what I think of as a "big" novel (under my own name). This 5th scheduled novel is also in the dark paranormal realm.
As you can see, I definitely lean toward the paranormal, whether I'm writing dark novels or romance novel.
You ask if I enjoy writing in the paranormal romance genre, and of course, I have to say, Yes. I recently found love in my own life and got married in August, so writing romance stories is something that's very close to my heart and soul now. At this stage of my life, if I can find true love and happiness, then anyone can! So I strongly believe in love and romance, and I wish the world had more of both. We'd all be a lot happier.
You also ask if anything particular gave me trouble while writing DUSK. I was uncomfortable wondering if I should inject heavy erotic sex scenes. I chose to write a few carefully placed erotic romance scenes to bolster the developing love relationship. I'm very comfortable writing romantic scenes and sex scenes that don't jump over the border into pure erotica. For me, the romance, plot, and characters are key to what I'm trying to do. The sex scenes bolster everything and contribute to the romance and plot. I think it's a cop-out when a writer fills up word count with too many graphic sex scenes.
Anyway, thank you for featuring DUSK and interviewing me. I don't yet know (while doing this interview) what you think of DUSK. I do hope you and your readers enjoy it.
Because we're out here in the wild west of e-bookland, here are those shameless links again:
Buy DUSK at Ravenous Romance
Buy DUSK at Amazon
(And it's also available at fictionwise and probably other e-book outlets.)
In general, I hope readers will stop by and see me at:
http://lanagriffin.blogspot.com
I try to keep things informal and lively there, and I'm always open to readers' questions as well as comments from fellow writers. Being new to e-books, Goodreads, and blogging, I've really been enjoying my new friendships with fellow bookaholics.
--Lana Griffin
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Dusk by Lana Griffen - BWB Feature & Giveaway!
Lana Griffin's Blog
A sexy vampire tale by Lana Griffin, the alter ego of a New York Times best-selling author!
Can an ancient voodoo priestess and her vampire lover overcome their "bad blood" to save the lives of ordinary humans?
Alexandra Leveau comes from an ancient voodoo priestess clan that's been feuding with sexy vamp Vadim Blerinca's family for centuries. The mysterious "bad blood" between the Leveaus and Blerincas is what keeps Alexandra and Vadim burning for each other, yet it also makes them a very dangerous match: by making love, each could kill the other.
Added to the erotically charged mix is Alexandra's ex-boyfriend, the poetic wraith Skipp, as well as a gargoyle who is devoted to Alexandra and will kill anyone who tampers with her. Add one more wraith to the mix plus an insane vamp sire and the true Venus de Milos. Now mix in elements of murder and mystery: the deaths of elderly citizens for unknown reasons.
DUSK gives you all this and more. A sexy, romantic romp of forbidden love and lust!
Win 1 Digital Copy of DUSK by Lana Griffin - Just Fill Out the Form Below!
One winner will be chosen with the use of random.org. Winner will be notified by email, and has 48 hours to respond.
One winner will be chosen with the use of random.org. Winner will be notified by email, and has 48 hours to respond.
Rules & Regulations:
- Must be 18 or older
- Must be US or Canadian resident (Mailing address)
- Please no PO Boxes
- You must be a follower of Blog with Bite
- Contest Ends April 20th Midnight CST
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Monday, April 12, 2010
Embers Deadline Extended
Our Embers Deadline is extended. Seems it has been a hectic month for all of us. So the deadline for reading embers has been pushed back until the 20th. This gives just a week between Embers and Hex Hall...
So you have plenty time to go out and get Embers. It was a great book! Don't miss out.
So you have plenty time to go out and get Embers. It was a great book! Don't miss out.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Embers by Laura Bickle Discussion Questions
I apologize for the lateness. It has been a very hectic week...and was just able to finish Embers today.
- So if you had the chance would you have a pet elemental, even with the inconvenience of broken microwaves?
- What did you think about the relationship between, Brian, Anya and Drake?
- Did the book make you want to visit Detroit or steer clear?
- A big part of Embers surrounds paranormal activity and the whole Scooby style system....What do you think of shows like Ghost Hunter, Paranormal State and the such?
- Do you believe in the paranormal world around us or chalk it up to complete fantasy and make believe?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Iron King Top Reviewer
Our Top Review and winner of the $10 Amazon Gift Card is... Mel @ Mel's Books and Info
Support Mel's blog by becoming a follower!
Here is her review:
Title: The Iron King
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: 2/2010
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Purchased copy for review.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not since Alice went down the rabbit hole, or Dorothy flew over the rainbow, has there been a book so exciting. Iron King is a wonderful fantasy adventure that takes us into Nevernever, the heart of myths and fantasies, where danger lurks behind every turn. This book was too good to put down, as our heroine escapes one perilous situation only to stumble into more trouble at the next turn. Iron King has something for everyone; action, adventure, danger, friendship, and forbidden romance.
Tired of her life on a pig farm, Mehgan Chase looks forward to her sixteenth birthday, when she hopes getting her drivers permit might add some excitement to her dreary life. When she comes home and discovers her brother, Ethan, has been kidnapped by faeries and replaced with a dangerous changeling, Meghan gets more excitement than she had bargained for, as she resolves to save Ethan from the faeries who have captured him. After her only true friend, Robbie, reveals to her that he is actually the mythical Puck or Robin Goodfellow of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Meghan enlists his help to venture into Nevernever to save her brother. As Meghan embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, she has no idea what dangers and revelations she will soon face.
There have been a lot of faery books published lately, and most focus on faeries interacting and living in our world. It was refreshing to see a book that dares to venture into fairyland, and the resulting story is top notch. Kagawa created a world where creatures of myth and legend roam, and what you say and the deals you make can have serious consequences.
My one criticism would be that the story’s climax came too swiftly. The entire story had been building towards this confrontation, but it was over in a matter of a few pages. The ending was a bit of a letdown after all the dangers and obstacles they face trying to get to the climax, but the journey to get there could not have been better. This quick ending may be partially due to the fact that this is the first book in a series, but still I feel with the time I invested in this novel I should have gotten more from the climax than the few pages it was given.
Still this was a fun and entertaining read and I find myself lamenting the fact that I have to wait another five whole months for the next installment in the series. I am anxious to see where Kagawa will go with the next book. Overall I found this book to be a very pleasant surprise. If you are looking for something to tide you over while you wait for the next installment, you might try Carrie Jone’s books Need and Captivate or the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr. The next book, The Iron Daughter is due out in August 2010.
Discussion Questions:
1. What did you think of the feud between Puck and Ash? How do you think that might play out in the next two books?
I felt that the feud between Puck and Ash was somewhat manufactured. I understand why Ash feels the way he does, but I think the author put it in simply to build the romantic conflict. There had to be some reason for the two to hate each other so that the competition over the girl is stepped up a notch. It creates more resistance to the relationship between Meghan and Ash. Kind of an Jacob/Edward type relationship and I feel it is being slightly overused in the genre lately.
I hope in the next two books that they find a way to get around Ash’s vow to kill Puck. I am hoping that Meghan can barter with Ash and get him to relinquish his vow for vengeance. Even Ash believes that it might have been hasty, but faery promises can’t be broken.
2. Favorite scene or line from the book? Could you relate to any of the characters?
The scene that made me chuckle was the one in New Orleans where Puck hales a carriage pulled by a mule and Grim hops up next to the driver and tells him “Historic Voodoo Museum and step on it.” For some reason that cracked me up.
Many of the characters were difficult to relate to because they were so unusual. You have dark and brooding Ash, and playful Puck, and Meghan who thinks she is ordinary but is actually extraordinary.
3. With whom did you identify with the most? And Why?
I could really identify with Meghan at the beginning of the book the most. I remember what it was like in high school being somewhat of a loner. Yeah I had friends, but admittedly I was a geek and was always afraid of being made fun of. It didn’t help that I wore my heart on my sleeve and you could make me cry at the drop of a hat.
4. Did you find the concept behind the Iron King- being a technology fueled modern day faerie- original or unbelievable?
The book has a very environmental theme. Our technology could be our undoing, and I can see this as becoming a more common theme in literature. Kagawa’s treatment of the topic is however most original in that the technology has spilled over into the fairylands. I think though, that they made the enemy almost too invincible since the ordinary fey can be killed by iron. It makes the tasks of Meghan and her friends in the future books nearly insurmountable.
5. Kagawa used a lot of mythical faeries in The Iron King, such as King Oberon, Queen Mab and Puck. Which fae from myth would you have liked to have seen added into the pages of The Iron King besides the ones she used?
I was happy with her choices.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Evolve Winner!
Announcing the winners of
Evolve: Vampire Stories of the New Undead
The winner is
Elaine G
New Vampires have evolved, and they are coming for you! Kelly Armstrong, Tanya Huff and twenty-two other dark fantasy and horror writers come together to re-imagine the future of vampires in this new collection of all-original short fiction – one of the most unusual and original vampire anthologies ever assembled.
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