Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Cover Interview: Constance Sharper and Airborne



Today I welcome author Constance Sharper to talk about the cover for her YA novel Airborne which I will be reviewing tomorrow.


1.  How much input did you have on your cover?
I bought this cover as is from a popular artist. Though I didn’t get it made custom (as I did with Airborne’s sequel) I chose this cover out of a selection because I found it to embrace the “Airborne” feeling.
2.  What was your first impression when you saw your cover?
My impression of the cover is that the cover did make it an impression. It was a somewhat eerie, rather mystical image that stuck with you after looking at it. And that’s absolutely why I chose it.
3.  What element on the cover do you want to stand out the most to the reader?
I’d like mystical elements like the sparkles and the vibrantly painted colors to stand out to the readers.
4.  If you could change one thing on the cover what would it be?
The model. While the model on the Airborne cover is pretty and fits the scene well, the model has recently stopped doing stock work. Without her, the model on the subsequent covers obviously had to change. I found a new model that will be on the rest of the Airborne covers and while she looks similar, I wish I could have had her on the first cover as well.
5.  What do you think your cover says to the reader?
I think it channels the genre. You can look at it and grasp both a realistic and fantastical feeling. You can already begin to grasp what the book is about. The young model and the photo-manipulation speak to the younger generation as well. It helps attract the readers that the book was meant to attract.




Saturday, August 13, 2011

Book Review: The Lost by Caridad Pineiro



The Lost (Sin Hunters)The Lost by Caridad Pineiro
Publisher: Forever
Publish Date: August 1, 2011
Paperback, 352 pages 
Fiction, Paranormal Romance
 ISBN: 978-0446584616
The Sin Hunters #1



My Review:
I love Caridad Pineiro's books.  Whether dealing with vampires or something new, she just seems to know how to balance the paranormal and the romance to bring me the story that I really want to read.  In The Lost Ms. Pineiro is setting up for The Sin Eater series, and it takes quite a bit of set up because this isn't your typical paranormal that we as the readily understand.  This is not vampires or werewolves.  This is a whole new world and I am excited to read about it.

The Lost focuses on Adam and Bobbie for the romance and the setup of the world that Adam and the others of his race inhabit.  I found the romance to be interesting, the chemistry was great between Adam and Bobbie.  I wanted them together, even when there was difficulty I still rooted for them and felt like they should be together and hope to see more of them in the next book as well.

The romance is front and center in this book, but the setup of the world is also a lot of the book and it jumps around a lot and is probably my only complaint.  But I understand that it had to be done.  This is a complex world that will arc over several books and the development is key to this first book and to the books that follow.  I am fascinated by the world and love that the author has branched out into something new and I really like this something new.  I can't wait to read more in this series and really see where it goes.  There is so much that can be done with it and I can't wait to see.

So if you are ready for something new in the paranormal romance genre then give The Lost a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.


My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:
Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.


About the Author: 
Caridad PiƱeiro is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who wrote her first novel in the fifth grade when her teacher assigned a project: write a book for a class lending library. Her love of writing continued through high school, college, and law school. Shortly after the birth of her daughter, her passion for the written word led to a determination to publish and share the stories she loved with others. In 1999, Caridad's first novel was released and a decade later, she is the author of more than twenty novels and novellas. Caridad hopes to continue to share her stories with readers all over the world for years to come. When not writing, Caridad is an attorney, wife, and mother to an aspiring writer and fashionista.

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FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review through Pump Up Your Book Promotion.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.



Friday, August 12, 2011

Book Feature: The Lost by Caridad Pineiro




The Lost


****My Book Review of The Lost will be coming later today****

About Caridad Pineiro

Caridad PineiroCaridad Pineiro is the NY Times bestselling author of over twenty-six paranormal romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas.  Look for THE FIFTH KINGDOM, a romantic suspense from Carina Press in July 2011 and THE LOST, the first book in the new SIN HUNTERS paranormal romance series in August 2011.  Caridad has also done the foreword for OBSESSED:  EROTIC ROMANCE FOR WOMEN edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel which will be available in August 2011.  Her popular THE CALLING vampire series returns in 2012, but vampire lovers will enjoy A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS (October 2011) which includes Caridad’s novella, WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING.
For more information on Caridad, please visit www.caridad.com.
Visit Caridad on Twitter at www.twitter.com/caridadpineiro or Facebook at www.facebook.com/caridad.author.



About The Lost

The LostAdam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .
Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She’s drawn to his strength of mind and body; he’s attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam’s powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

 Book Excerpt:

Prologue
El Paso, Texas, 1991
As darkness slowly fled from his eyes, the boy woke, his head aching and his body sore, as if he had been beaten. He looked around the room, only nothing in it seemed familiar. Nothing except the man slumped in the rocking chair beside him.
He remembered the man and some kind of accident, the boy thought, recalling the bodies, fire and debris surrounding him the last time he had roused. He had been afraid, unsure of how he had gotten there in the midst of all the destruction. Wondering why he was alone because he was certain he had been with others.
A man and a woman. Close by. Holding his hand until…
An attack? he thought, not that he really remembered. He had a vague image of light so bright that it burned his eyes and face. Another memory suddenly came to him of flying through the air and hitting something hard. Possibly a wall.
Then he had been all alone until the man had come to save him.
A jingling sound intruded and the bed dipped as a big old beagle rested its paws on the edge of the mattress. The huffing sound of its breathing and clang of the dog’s tags as it shook its head woke the man.
Gingerly the man sat up, wincing from apparent stiffness. He scrubbed his face with his hands to wipe away the remnants of sleep. His dark eyes looked sad and tired, the boy thought. When the man realized that he was awake, the man said, “How are you feeling?”
The boy shrugged and even that small movement brought discomfort as every muscle complained. “Hurts,” he said, surprised by his own voice. He didn’t remember what it sounded like. But then again, he didn’t recall much of anything.
Except fear. Fear was the only real memory alive in his brain.
The man nodded and stood awkwardly, as if in pain himself. He gently urged the dog away from the bed with a soft nudge of his knee and a “Scat, Spottie.” Then he faced him and said, “Why don’t you lie back down while I get you some food…” His voice trailed off in question, but the boy didn’t understand what he wanted.
“Your name, son. What’s your name?”
The boy searched his brain, but couldn’t find the answer to that simple question, much less any of the others ricocheting through his brain.
“I don’t know.”
With a resigned sigh, the man said, “Could be the shot you took to your head. It’ll come back. Don’t worry.”
The boy lay down and as his head touched the pillow, he experienced tenderness at the back of his skull. He delicately rubbed his hand along the bump there, wondering how he had been hurt.
As soon as the man left the room, the beagle returned to the bed, but this time the dog scampered up right beside him. Almost as if sensing that he needed the comfort, the dog lay along his side and playfully butted his hand with the tip of its cold wet nose.
The dog’s antics pulled a smile to his face. He stroked the dog’s head wondering if he’d had his own pet. There was something familiar about the dog’s actions that cried out to him as the warmth of the animal’s body seeped into his hand.
The boy welcomed the comforting warmth.
Unexpectedly the heat became even stronger, almost as if it had developed a life of its own. Beside him the dog whimpered, but the boy was too caught up in the surge of heat and vigor flowing through his body, driving away the assorted aches and pains.
With an almost tired groan, the dog’s body relaxed and the beagle released a weary little breath. Was it sick? he wondered, but then heard a soft snore and realized the dog was asleep.
He jumped from the bed, but there was something weird as he landed on the floor. He could barely see past the dusty skirt along the bottom of the mattress and as he moved, the wood on the floor was cold on both his hands and feet. On his paws, he realized as he padded out of the room, the scent of the man alive in his nostrils as he tracked him to the kitchen.
The man was at the sink, beating eggs and turned as the boy entered the room.
“What are you up to, Spottie? Excited about our guest?” Smiling, he came close, bent down and rubbed his head.
The boy tried to speak, but only a low woof erupted from his mouth. Fear took hold and he barked again, hoping to reach the man and make him understand.
The man heard the almost urgent yaps and peered at him more closely. He narrowed his eyes to examine him and must have realized the dog was different now. Lurching upright, the man ran back to the bedroom, the boy following awkwardly on all fours.
The man jerked to a stop as he noted the beagle sprawled on the bed. Its muscles twitching as it chased imaginary prey in its sleep. With a hesitant glance from the dog lying on the comforter to the one hopping excitedly beside him, the man pivoted on his heel, looking all around the room as he sought out the boy.
The boy let out another yowl and jumped up and down on his front paws, long nails clacking on the floor, wanting the man to understand that he was right there.
The man finally dropped to his knees and touched the boy’s head. Trailed it down to cup the bottom of his long jowly jaw and urge his face upward. As the man’s gaze connected with the deep emerald of the dog’s eyes, the man’s eyes widened in stunned surprise.
“Holy Mother of God,” he whispered before scooping him up and holding him tight to his chest.
The boy let out a contented little mewl and wag of his tail at the comfort the embrace brought. The man would help him, the boy thought. And with his help, he would be home again soon.

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The Lost Book Publicity Tour Schedule

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books kk 
Monday, August 1
Book reviewed at Just Another Book Addict
Tuesday, August 2
Wednesday, August 3
Book spotlighted at Book Marketing Buzz
Friday, August 5
Book reviewed at Must Read Faster
Tuesday, August 9
Book reviewed at Romancing the Book
Wednesday, August 10
Book reviewed at Books and Things
Thursday, August 11
Interviewed LIVE at A Book and a Chat Radio Show
Friday, August 12
Book reviewed at My Reading Room
Monday, August 15
Tuesday, August 16
Book reviewed by Mad Moose Mama
Wednesday, August 17
Book spotlighted at Examiner
Thursday, August 18
Book reviewed at The Hot Author Report
Friday, August 19
Book reviewed at Ohio Girl Talks
Monday, August 22
Book reviewed at The Top Shelf
Tuesday, August 23
Interviewed at Literarily Speaking
Wednesday, August 24
Book reviewed at Donna’s Blog Home
Thursday, August 25
Book reviewed at Cocktails and Books
Friday, August 26
Chat with Caridad at Pump Up Your Book LIVE Chat Party! (link coming soon)

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FTC Information: I received this book from Pump Up Your Book Promotion for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.



Thursday, August 11, 2011

Book Review: Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson



Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publish Date: November 14, 2011
Hardcover, 400 pages 
Fiction, Suspense, Thriller
 ISBN: 978-0316198738
Alex Cross # 18





My Review:
Alex Cross, I have been with him since my step-father-in-law told me about this amazing book he read called Along Came a Spider back when I was in college and it was amazing and it introduced me to thrillers and series books.  Until then I had been bumping along reading horror by Stephen King, Dean Koontz (remember when he wrote horror books) and John Saul just to name a few) but James Patterson opened a whole new world to me that started with my beloved Alex Cross.  Now I will admit there have been some bumps along the way and truthfully nothing compares to those first books like Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls.  But some of that was just the newness too.  With all of that said I really enjoyed my yearly Alex Cross fix in Kill Alex Cross.

What do I love, I love that Alex is settled down now.  I love that Nana mama is still around and kicking and can still make everyone tow the line.  We all need someone like her in our lives, someone who loves us enough to tell us when we are messing up.  I like seeing the glimpses of Alex's private life.  But most of all I like seeing Alex on the case and I got plenty of that in this one.  As usual with the short chapters we have all come to know James Patterson for, this one reads quick (I appreciate short chapters with kids because it makes a book easier to put down to do things).  I flew through this even though I didn't want to because it means another year before I visit with Alex again.

Kill Alex Cross is also interesting because there are two storylines going through it that may or may not be connected.  First the President's children have been kidnapped, but there are also strange terror attacks going on in Washington DC that have the city on edge as well.  So it's a given to say that there is plenty of action and suspense in this one.

If you enjoy Alex Cross books, then grab this one when it comes out - it's a great addition and reminded me of some of the books of old.  I enjoyed it, but then again I like most of the Alex Cross books just because I find sheer entertainment value in them and it is like visiting with an old friend once a year, a friend that has been with me for over 16 years now at least.  Wow - it doesn't seem like that long, but I remember sitting in Pullen Park off of N.C. State's campus reading Along Came a Spider one day before class, (yes mom I probably should have been studying thermo) just like it was yesterday.  Ahhh, book memories.

My Rating: 4.25/5.0


About the Book:
Kill Alex Cross is faster, more exciting, and more tightly wound than any Alex Cross thriller James Patterson has ever written!

The President's son and daughter are abducted, and Detective Alex Cross is one of the first on the scene. But someone very high up is using the FBI, Secret Service, and CIA to keep him off the case and in the dark.

A deadly contagion in the water supply cripples half of the capital, and Cross discovers that someone may be about to unleash the most devastating attack the United States has ever experienced. As his window for solving both crimes narrows, Alex makes a desperate decision that goes against everything he believes – one that may alter the fate of the entire country


About the Author: 

The subject of a Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss," James Patterson is the bestselling author of the past year, bar none, with more than 16 million books sold in North America alone. In 2007, one of every fifteen hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. In the past three years, James has sold more books than any other author (according to Bookscan), and in total, James's books have sold an estimated 220 million copies worldwide. He is the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on The New York Times adult and children's lists and is the only author to have five new hardcover novels debut at #1 on the list in one year—a record-breaking feat he's accomplished every year since 2005. To date, James Patterson has had nineteen consecutive #1 New York Times bestselling novels, and holds the New York Times record for most Hardcover Fiction bestselling titles by a single author (63 total), which is also a Guinness World Record.

From his James Patterson Pageturner Awards (which rewarded groups and individuals for creative and effective ways to spread the joy of reading) to his website ReadKiddoRead.com (which helps adults find books that kids are sure to love) to his regular donations of thousands of books to troops overseas, Patterson is a lifelong champion of books and reading. His first foray into books for all ages was the critically acclaimed Maximum Ride series, which debuted on the New York Times bestsellers list at #1 and remained there for twelve straight weeks. The series has so far made appearances on The New York Times bestsellers lists ninety-four cumulative times, proving that kids of all ages love page turners. He captured the attention of boy readers with the Daniel X series, and his third series for readers of all ages debuted in December 2009 with Witch & Wizard, which spent five consecutive weeks atop the New York Times bestsellers list.

Patterson is the creator of the #1 new detective series of the past dozen years, featuring Alex Cross and including the Hollywood-adapted "Along Came a Spider" and "Kiss the Girls," starring Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. He is also the creator of the #1 new detective series of the past five years, featuring Lindsay Boxer and the other members of the Women's Murder Club, from which the ABC television drama series was adapted. He has authored books behind six films on the Hollywood fast-track, including the upcoming Maximum Ride movie forthcoming from Avi Arad, the producer of X-Men and Spiderman.

He is the author of novels—from The Thomas Berryman Number (1976) to Honeymoon (2005)—that have won awards including the Edgar, the BCA Mystery Guild's Thriller of the Year, the International Thriller of the Year award, and the Reader's Digest Reader's Choice Award. And, he has won a Children's Choice Book Council's Children's Choice Awards "Author of the Year" award (2010).

One of Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100, James made a guest appearance on the popular FOX TV show "The Simpsons" in March, 2007


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FTC Information: I received this book from through Once Upon a Twilight Book Tours for an honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.





Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Summer Giveaway Hop Winner


The winner of the summer giveaway hop is:  Idris

Idris gets to choose 3 books from my giveaway page.  

Thanks for all the entries and stay tuned for more giveaways coming soon - I need to get rid of some books!





Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Book Review: Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi



Blood Ties (A Blood Coven Vampire Novel)Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publish Date: August 2, 2011
Paperback, 256 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal
 ISBN: 978-0425241363
Blood Coven Series #6



My Review:
I will start this review by saying I have not read any of the the previous Blood Coven books. That said, it was really easy to get into Blood Ties and follow along.  The first chapter has Sunny summarizing what has happened to her so far to get her to where she is at the start of Blood Ties.  Of course this is brief so as not to bore those who have read the series, but enough detail so those of us just picking up Blood Ties can catch up.  It was a good enough catch-up to me that I was able to follow along with the book.  However I will say that now I want to go back and read the books because I am fascinated by this world that Mari Mancusi has created and want to read more about it.  But I don't think you have to read the first 5 books to read Blood Ties.

Blood Ties follows Sunny as she wants to save her best friend Jayden's soul while her boyfriend Magnus is going about trying to save the vampire race from an all-out war and trying to protect Sunny and save Jayden's soul.  Mischief and mayhem of course follow, there are misunderstandings, fights, kick-butt scenes, hot kisses and lots of fun.  I found Blood Ties to be the type of brain candy that I really miss in young adult fiction.  It's light, it's fun and it has action.  It's fast-paced, doesn't require me to think to hard and keeps me engaged and keeps me reading.  I liked it and I could not put it down.  I read this with my kids playing in the water while we were out on the boat on Sunday and it was the perfect boat book.  I only had to pause a few minute when my youngest was stung by a jellyfish.  When that crisis was over (which was mainly handled by the daddy) I went right back to Sunny, Magnus, and Jayden's world.

Run, don't walk and pick this one up.  I'm saving my pennies and getting the start of this series next on my Kindle so I can learn more about Sunny and her friends.  I am also anxiously awaiting the next in the series because let me tell you this one wraps up nicely but then there is a cliffhanger to beat all cliffhangers and I can't wait to see what happens next!  Great job Ms. Mancusi - you have scored another devout reader to your Blood Coven series.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:

Officially back in the arms of her vampire boyfriend Magnus, Sunny finds she still can't forget the gentle mortal Jayden who once saved her life. When darkness threatens to steal his humanity, Sunny must make a choice: stay true to her love, or defy him in a desperate attempt to save Jayden's soul.

Meanwhile, the Blood Coven is gearing up its toughest fight yet. They are going head-to-head with a splinter group of Slayer Inc. that's regrouping in Tokyo, Japan--still determined to take over the world.

In dark blood bars and hidden temples, it'll be vampires versus slayers in a showdown that could not only cost Sunny her heart...but also her life.

About the Author: 
Mari Mancusi works as a freelance television producer and has won two Emmys. She lives in Texas.

Mari's Website
Blood Coven Website
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FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher through Teen Book Scene for an honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.